Since graduating from First High, Mayumi had envisioned her days filled with Tatsuya. The reality, however, was far less romantic. Her schedule was devoured by university lectures, and a series of petty squabbles between her sisters and Tatsuya had created an awkward rift, causing the time they spent together to dwindle steadily.
"Hey, Mari... I never realized that being apart from the person you love could be this agonizing. I feel terrible for all the times I used to tease you about it."
"I don't particularly need an apology," Mari replied, "but... are things really that bad with Tatsuya-kun?"
"It can't be helped, can it? We're at different schools now. We just don't have the luxury of seeing each other as often as we did before."
"Well, he's still a high school student. His schedule is bound to be different from yours now that you're in college."
Despite his mature appearance, Mari was well aware of Tatsuya's actual age. She knew it would be poor form to keep him out late—though, in truth, she suspected that if they were ever caught by the police, it would be Mayumi, not Tatsuya, who ended up in the back of a patrol car.
"Mari, how do you handle the time you spend away from Shuuji?"
"I wouldn't say I 'handle' it. I knew from the start that Shu and I wouldn't get much time together."
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"Sure, seeing him every day would be ideal. But isn't the joy of a reunion that much greater because of the time spent apart?"
"You're so strong, Mari... I don't think I can take it anymore."
"Then why not just move into Tatsuya-kun's place? It's probably closer to campus than your family home anyway, isn't it?"
In truth, the distance was negligible; Mari had meant it as a joke. However, Mayumi took the suggestion with startling gravity.
"Thank you, Mari! I have to get home and start packing right away!"
"W-wait! Mayumi, I was joking!"
"It's all because of that wretched old fox of a father... He made life miserable for everyone at First High, and Tatsuya-kun was caught right in the middle of it. The only way to truly heal those wounds is for me to be by his side!"
"Hey! Mayumi!"
Watching Mayumi drift off into a world of her own making, Mari could only offer a silent prayer of sympathy for Tatsuya.
Tatsuya and Miyuki both caught the chime of the doorbell in their peripheral vision, hearing Minami go to answer it. While not unheard of, a visitor at this hour was a rare occurrence for the Shiba household.
"Um... Tatsuya-sama?"
"What is it, Minami?"
"A young lady calling herself Mayumi Saegusa has arrived... Is she an acquaintance of yours?"
"She is, but I wonder what Senpai wants at this hour."
"Perhaps she came to see you, dear brother?" Miyuki added, her voice laced with a cold edge. "After all, Saegusa-senpai is technically dating you."
Tatsuya gave a wry smile at the way his sister emphasized the word technically before heading to the entrance. Sensing Mayumi's presence through the door, he pulled it open slowly.
"Senpai, can I help you with—? What's with all the luggage?"
"Good evening, Tatsuya-kun. Sorry for the short notice, but starting today, I'll be living here too."
"Excuse me?"
It was such an abrupt escalation that Tatsuya was caught genuinely off-guard—a rare sight. But Mayumi didn't give him a moment to process it.
"And why, pray tell, would Saegusa-senpai be living here?" Miyuki appeared, her voice like sharpened ice. "This is a home for me and my brother. Setting Minami-chan aside, there is simply no room for a third party."
"Oh, hello Miyuki-san. I am Tatsuya-kun's girlfriend, you know. Does a 'little sister' really have the right to dictate the terms of our relationship?"
"It seems the time has finally come to settle this, Saegusa-senpai."
"Indeed. Let's make it clear once and for all who has the rightful claim."
The moment both women reached for their CADs, a sharp, simultaneous shock ran through their heads. They both squeezed their eyes shut in pain, then immediately turned to bark at the culprit.
"Brother! What was that for?!"
"Don't stop me, Tatsuya-kun! This is between Miyuki-san and me!"
"That's enough, Miyuki. And you too, Senpai—were you really planning on starting a magical war in my entryway?"
Admonished by Tatsuya, both girls' shoulders slumped in unison. It wasn't that they were reflecting on their near-brawl; they were simply despondent because Tatsuya was angry with them.
"Look, I won't tell you to leave tonight, but... I expect a full explanation."
"Fair enough," Mayumi agreed.
Tatsuya led Mayumi into the living room. He asked Minami to prepare tea and took a seat across from her. Miyuki, naturally, sat down right beside him as if it were her god-given right.
"You remember when Representative Kanda of the Civil Rights Party visited First High? That was my father's doing—the 'Old Fox' himself. He suspects you have ties to the Independent Magic Assault Battalion."
"I see. So that was a Saegusa plot."
"You already knew?"
"My family and the Saegusa clan don't exactly get along. You know that as well as I do, Senpai."
Tatsuya had already revealed his connection to the Yotsuba to Mayumi. She was well aware of the friction between Maya Yotsuba and her own father, which had only made seeing Tatsuya more difficult lately.
"I truly feel terrible for the trouble we've caused you both."
"It isn't your fault, Senpai. But what does that have to do with you showing up here?"
Tatsuya's honest desire was to wrap this up quickly. He was reaching his limit for ignoring the piercing, jealous gaze coming from his side.
"The media back then... their heartless words must have hurt you deeply. So, to heal those wounds, I've decided to move in and take care of you."
"I don't see why—"
"I am the one who takes care of my brother," Miyuki interrupted. "There is no 'part' for you to play here, Senpai."
"Oh? There are some things a sister simply cannot do. I am his girlfriend, after all." Mayumi countered, radiating a provocative, mature aura.
As both women stood up simultaneously, hands reaching for their CADs once more, Tatsuya let out a heavy, weary sigh.
"Miyuki, stop trying to compete with her."
"But, Brother!"
"The fact remains that Mayumi is my girlfriend. You understand that, don't you?"
"I... understand..."
"Mayumi."
"Yes?"
Mayumi froze, dazed by the sudden shock of him addressing her by her first name without a title for the first time. Taking advantage of her stunned silence, Tatsuya decided to settle the matter.
"I won't agree to a permanent stay, but you can rest here tonight. And of course, you'll be sharing a room."
"I understand," she whispered.
Listening to a conversation where it was impossible to tell who was actually the senior, Minami stood frozen for several seconds before finally setting down the tea and retreating from the living room.
It's like a battle between a new bride and a meddling sister-in-law...
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"