He was the "Final Defense Line." During the Okinawa Defense War, he hadn't joined the fray at the request of his department, but at the request of the Joint Staff Council. He later learned his grandfather Gozo had been the one to whisper that suggestion in their ears.
"After last year's Nine Schools Competition, Major General Saeki's behavior became... problematic. So, I accepted a promotion. Unofficially, I'm a Special Lieutenant General of the National Defense Army. Normally, that's a seat you sit in after thirty years of service."
"You've even surpassed your sister..."
"In Lina's case, it can't be helped. If they promoted a teenager to a permanent Colonel or Brigadier General rank, the jealousy from both Stars and the USNA Army would be unbearable."
Lina, a formal soldier, and Yugen, a "special" military asset, occupied very different worlds. The USNA Joint Chiefs of Staff had been too hasty in trying to fill the hole left by "Sirius," creating friction within Stars. Seria, having been by Lina's side, understood this best.
"I tried to support her, and I argued they should keep the Sirius seat vacant until she had more of a track record... but they wouldn't listen."
"And the result was a wave of resignations from soldiers and politicians?"
"Well, those guys were mostly trying to sexually harass Lina, me, or the other female members. They quite happily volunteered to be my target practice."
Yugen decided not to ask for details. It was clearly a story of "intimidation," and he was too tired to deal with the fallout of that particular conversation.
"Regardless, Bezobrazov will move soon. If Tatsuya asks about the Tuman Bomba, I'll tell him. I used an improved version of that tech when I fought Shippou last spring. Tatsuya has likely already noticed the similarities."
"I had a feeling... especially after the Hasekura incident. You basically 'devoured' the ghost of Zhou Gongjin, didn't you?"
"I didn't 'eat' him physically. I just extracted his knowledge and erased his existence."
Yugen sighed, realizing how much he was accelerating his involvement with the "original" characters. Seria suddenly bowed her head toward him in a pleading gesture.
"Big Brother, please! I can't carry Artemis everywhere. Can you make me another CAD?"
"I figured you'd ask. I'm already working on one as an enrollment gift... well, Ushiyama-san is doing most of the heavy lifting."
"Knowing him, he'll probably have it finished by tomorrow."
"I wouldn't bet against it," Yugen admitted.
Since Artemis was a specialized device similar to Tatsuya's Third Eye Eclipse, Yugen had intended to provide her with a daily-use CAD. He planned to include a "Protection Stone" (Hoseki) in the build, just in case she had to accompany Lina.
So far, he had given Protection Stones to Tatsuya, Miyuki, Mikihiko, Leo, and Erika. The remaining compatible users were Seria, Lina, Honoka, Shizuku, and Mizunami. He had no intention of letting anyone else use the sealed Parasites; the risk of military exploitation was simply too high.
While Yugen and Seria were deep in conversation, Izumi Saegusa sat alone in a high-end restaurant in Tokyo, still wearing her First High uniform. Usually, she would be accompanied by her mother, her father Koichi, or her older brothers. Her presence here solo was a break from tradition.
Almost no one in the Saegusa family knew she was here. She had told her twin, Kasumi, who had sensed something was up. Kasumi had simply held her head in her hands and replied, "I'll just pretend I didn't hear anything."
The reason for the secrecy became clear when the sliding door opened to reveal Atsuko Mutsuzuka—the head of the Ten Master Clans' Mutsuzuka family.
"Izumi-san. No, perhaps I should call you Izumi-chan now? I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Not at all. I only just arrived myself."
"I see. Pro forma, you will be my adopted daughter, but given our ages, I hope we can treat each other as sisters."
The arrangement had started when Koichi's wife, troubled by the state of the Saegusa family, had privately consulted Chise Kagurazaka. From there, the request moved to the Igarashi family to ensure Izumi's social standing wouldn't drop, and finally, through the connection between Ami and Toya, it reached the Mutsuzuka family.
"I understand, Sister Atsuko. My father conspired with those who can only be called enemies of our kind, and for that, I am deeply sorry for the trouble he caused. I didn't think I would ever be granted an opportunity like this. I can only offer my deepest gratitude to the Mutsuzuka family's generosity."
"...Wait, Izumi-chan. Did someone tell you the details of what happened at the Clan Conference?"
Atsuko had been approached about the adoption before the conference, leading her to suspect a rift between the Saegusa father and daughter. Toya's testimony had confirmed it, and Atsuko decided that if it meant a deeper connection with the Yotsuba via Yugen, she would accept.
"Yes. Big Brother Yugen—Lord Kagurazaka—was kind enough to tell me. He said that as a party involved, I had a right to know the truth. I hear my sister Mayumi, who is forming ties with the Futatsugi family, was told around the time of last year's Thesis Competition."
"I see. Lord Kagurazaka... still, you have quite a harsh evaluation of your own flesh and blood."
Atsuko knew that Izumi had once been engaged to Yugen back when he was with the Mitsuya family, an engagement broken off after the National Defense Army attack. At the question, Izumi looked down, her voice clear and firm.
"In the beginning, it was due to my sister's and my own selfishness. But my father, who should have reigned his daughters in, did nothing. He was too wary of the Mitsuya and Yotsuba connection to act. He let it happen."
"I see... Well, regardless, the Mutsuzuka family will not use our new ties to the Kagurazaka family as leverage. However, if there is ever anything you need help with, please tell Lord Kagurazaka to consult us without hesitation."
"I will. Then... I, Izumi Mutsuzuka, formerly of the Saegusa, look forward to being in your care, Sister Atsuko."
When the prospect of re-engaging with Yugen had come up, Izumi's first thought had been to sever ties with the Saegusa. She felt responsible for the trouble her tantrums had caused, and the fact that Yugen had restored the engagement despite that filled her with joy.
This was her way of reciprocating his kindness—by cutting ties with the Saegusa and entering his life as a member of the Mutsuzuka, she offered him the respect he was due. She had no hesitation about becoming the adopted daughter of another Ten Master Clan.
However, Izumi couldn't help but wonder if it was going to be awkward calling Toya—who was only one year older than her—"Uncle."
Since the conversation between Yugen and Seria didn't fill the whole chapter, I added the story of Izumi joining the Mutsuzuka family. You might wonder about the legal procedures and fine details, but honestly, don't sweat the small stuff (lol).
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