The Irregular at Magic High School: Everyone Loves My Brother?!

After crying her heart out, Sayaka felt lighter. She stepped back from Tatsuya and bowed to Mayumi and Mari.

"Mibu-san," Mayumi said, "I'm sorry, but we'll likely have to turn you over to the police."

"I understand," Sayaka replied. "That's only fair."

It wasn't Sayaka who objected, but Tatsuya.

"President," he said, "Mibu-senpai was just used. If we take down the real culprits, her case could be swept under the rug."

"No way!" Mayumi protested. "It's too dangerous!"

"I agree," Mari added. "That organization's too big for high schoolers!"

"Then let's send Mibu-senpai to family court for attempted robbery and make the school take responsibility," Tatsuya countered.

"…" Mayumi and Mari fell silent.

Tatsuya's words hit hard. Handing her to the police was one thing, but dragging the school into it was something they wanted to avoid.

"He's right," Katsuto said. "Police involvement isn't ideal."

"Juumonji-kun!?" Mayumi exclaimed.

"Are you serious!?" Mari added.

Their gazes snapped to Katsuto, who stood unfazed by the sudden attention.

"But, Shiba," Katsuto said, "they're terrorists. Neither I nor Saegusa would ask students to risk their lives."

"Of course," Tatsuya replied. "I never planned to rely on the school's power."

"You're going alone?" Katsuto asked.

"I'd prefer that, but…"

"I'm coming, Onii-sama!" Miyuki declared, cutting him off.

It wasn't a request—she stated it as fact.

"I'm in too!" Erika chimed.

"Count me in!" Leo added.

"My friends won't let me go solo," Tatsuya said with a wry smile, facing Katsuto.

"Shiba-kun," Sayaka said, clutching his blazer's hem despite her aching arm. "If this is for me, please stop. I deserve to face judgment."

"It's not just for you," Tatsuya said. "They've invaded mine and Miyuki's space. I'm already involved. And I'll eliminate anyone threatening our daily life with full force."

A fire blazed in Tatsuya's eyes, fiercer than hell itself, yet his presence felt like cold steel.

"But Tatsuya," Leo said, "we don't even know where Blanche's goons are."

"True," Tatsuya agreed. "Mibu-senpai's known spots are probably cleared out by now."

"If you don't know, just ask someone who does," Tatsuya said.

"Someone who knows?" Mayumi and Mari echoed.

"You've got a lead on someone who knows them?" Mari asked, intrigued.

Tatsuya approached the infirmary door silently.

"Tatsuya-kun?" Mayumi called.

"Come out, Ono-sensei," Tatsuya said, opening the door to reveal Haruka.

"Counselor Ono-sensei!?" Mayumi gasped.

"Haruka-chan!?" Leo blurted.

"…Haruka-chan?" Tatsuya repeated, his thoughts stalling.

The nickname threw him. He knew who it was, but when had Leo gotten so chummy with Haruka?

"Calling a teacher '-chan'?" Erika scoffed. "Really?"

"All the guys call her that," Leo said. "She's cool with it."

"Ono-sensei," Tatsuya said.

"Haruka's fine…" she mumbled.

"Keep joking, and I'll get mad," Tatsuya warned, his smile chilling.

Leo, Erika, and Haruka flinched. Erika and Leo were used to pestering Tatsuya, but Haruka felt a shiver from her ill-timed quip.

"Fine," Haruka sighed, pulling out her terminal. "Here's the map."

Tatsuya scanned the data and instantly recognized the location as a perfect hideout for Blanche.

"That's…" Mari said, peering over his shoulder.

"Right by the school!" Erika exclaimed.

"They're mocking us," Katsuto growled, arms crossed, face twisting in anger.

"Ono-sensei…" Sayaka said.

"I'm sorry, Mibu-san," Haruka said, avoiding her gaze. "My failure left you vulnerable to them."

"No, it's my fault," Sayaka replied.

Ignoring their exchange, Tatsuya focused on crushing Blanche.

"How do we get there, Onii-sama?" Miyuki asked. "Walk?"

"No, they'd sense us," Tatsuya said. "A car's better."

"I'll handle the car," Katsuto said.

"You're coming, Juumonji-kun?" Mayumi asked, stunned.

"As a First High student and club leader, I can't let this slide," Katsuto said.

"Then I'll—" Mari began.

"No," Katsuto cut in. "With possible terrorists lingering, the student council president leaving isn't wise, Saegusa."

"Fine," Mayumi said. "But you stay too, Mari. We can't lose the Disciplinary Committee head—it'd disrupt order."

"Alright…" Mari relented, clearly wanting to join but bound by duty.

"Shiba, are we moving now?" Katsuto asked. "This could mean night combat."

"It won't take long," Tatsuya said. "I'll end it quickly."

"Got it," Katsuto said, leaving the infirmary, likely to arrange the car.

"Shiba-kun, don't get hurt!" Reimi called, her drawl breaking the silence.

"I know," Tatsuya replied, unfazed, while the others relaxed.

"Hey, Tatsuya," Leo said.

"What?"

"How's Haruka-chan tied to Blanche's hideout…?"

"Better not to know," Tatsuya said.

Leo sensed Tatsuya's seriousness and dropped it.

In Katsuto's arranged car, an unexpected figure waited.

"Yo, Shiba-bro," Kirihara greeted.

"Hey," Tatsuya replied.

"Not surprised, huh?"

"Oh, I'm plenty surprised," Tatsuya said, mostly at the "bro" part, though he kept that quiet.

"You know Kirihara, second-year," Katsuto said. "He's joining for… reasons."

"If the club head decided, I've got no complaints," Tatsuya said.

Tatsuya and Miyuki had a hunch about Katsuto's "reasons" but didn't pry.

The car soon reached the abandoned factory—Blanche's hideout.

"Now, Leo!" Tatsuya signaled.

"Panzer!" Leo roared.

With Leo's hardening magic, the car's armor solidified, smashing through the gate.

"You armored the car?" Katsuto asked.

"Yup, but I'm wiped," Leo panted.

"Quit whining," Erika snapped.

"Shiba, your plan," Katsuto said. "You call the shots."

The strategy was set in the car. Katsuto had entrusted the mission to Tatsuya but vowed to bear the responsibility.

"Leo, Erika, stay here," Tatsuya said. "If enemies come, take them out."

"Got it," Leo said.

"Leave it to me," Erika added.

"Juumonji-senpai, Kirihara-senpai, take the back entrance," Tatsuya instructed. "We'll charge straight in."

"Be careful," Katsuto said.

Tatsuya and Miyuki stormed the factory. Reaching an open area, a spotlight hit them.

"Welcome!" a voice boomed.

Tatsuya and Miyuki instantly knew—he was Blanche's leader.