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

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Adults' Tea Time



Between Mayumi and Mari's events, Tatsuya visited a hotel room. Normally, he'd watch his seniors compete, but most players—especially the guys—preferred he didn't. Their explicit requests meant his presence could unsettle them, so he stayed away.

The room exuded an intimidating aura, enough to repel any ordinary high schooler. Unfazed, Tatsuya addressed the young man at the door, who was older than him.

"We've been expecting you. Please," the man said.

Tatsuya nodded, assuming the man was tasked by those inside.

"Major Kazama, your guest," the man announced.

Guest? Hardly, Tatsuya thought but kept silent, aware he lacked authority here.

"Enter," a voice commanded.

The young man opened the door. Inside, four men and a young woman stared. Overwhelmed, the doorman bowed and returned to his post.

"You're here. Sit," Kazama said.

"I'll stand," Tatsuya replied.

Kazama frowned. "Tatsuya-kun, we invited you as our friend 'Shiba Tatsuya,' not 'Strategic-Class Magician Special Lieutenant Ooguro Ryuuya.' Standing makes it feel like there's a hierarchy in our friendship."

"It's awkward to talk like this," another added.

The others at the round table nodded, urging Tatsuya to sit. The Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion's tea time was always at a round table, emphasizing camaraderie over rank. Prompted by Kazama and two officers, Tatsuya bowed and sat.

"Captain Sanada, Captain Yanagi, thank you," he said.

As he sat, a woman—Fujibayashi Kyouko—hugged him from behind, prompting exasperated looks from the men.

"Fujibayashi, couldn't you wait a bit?" Kazama sighed.

"Major, she held back as long as she could," Sanada chuckled.

Fujibayashi had clearly restrained herself from pouncing the moment Tatsuya entered, cowed by silent pressure.

"Tatsuya-kun, it's been a while!" she chirped.

"Yes, Lieutenant Fujibayashi. Captain Yanagi, it's been a while too. Captain Sanada, thanks for last time," Tatsuya said.

"No need. Tuning 'Third Eye' is my job. Besides, only you could provide that long-range sniper data," Sanada replied.

"It's mine to begin with. Speaking of, Dr. Yamanaka, I haven't received my last checkup results," Tatsuya said.

"Tatsuya… am I the only one you're cold to?" Yamanaka grumbled.

"When someone says 'let me experiment on you' to my face, even I can't be polite, Dr. Yamanaka," Tatsuya shot back.

"It's just a little tinkering, no big deal…" Yamanaka muttered.

"No big deal doesn't mean it's fine," Fujibayashi countered, still clinging to Tatsuya.

"Fujibayashi, maybe let go?" Kazama suggested.

"You're making Tatsuya-kun uncomfortable," Sanada added.

Their glares had no effect, but now they voiced their disapproval.

"Tatsuya-kun, are you uncomfortable?" Fujibayashi asked.

"It's hard to move," he admitted.

"Fine, then," she said, releasing him with a pout, prompting wry smiles from everyone.

"By the way, good work last night," Kazama said.

"Major, were they…?" Tatsuya began.

"No Head Dragon operatives," Kazama confirmed.

Tatsuya had been warned about threats the night the team was finalized but hadn't expected to encounter No Head Dragon agents.

"Nice job, Tatsuya-kun. Were you on alert?" Fujibayashi asked.

"No, I just sensed them while walking," Tatsuya said.

"A walk? That late?" she pressed.

"I was checking match CADs and took a stroll after," he explained.

"You could've invited me," she teased.

"Fujibayashi," Kazama warned, frowning at her blatant flirting. He knew she liked Tatsuya, but her boldness was a nuisance.

"So, you're here as an engineer. Do your teammates know you're 'Silver'?" Yamanaka asked.

"That's classified," Tatsuya replied.

"A high school event feels beneath you," Sanada mused.

"Captain Sanada, Tatsuya-kun's a legitimate high schooler," Fujibayashi countered.

"True, but…" Sanada trailed off.

Sanada, aware of Tatsuya's skill, thought his presence alone could clinch victory. The others shared that sentiment.

"Why not compete? Even without 'Material Burst,' 'Flash Cast' or 'Mist Dispersion' could take you far. You brought 'Trident,' right?" Fujibayashi asked.

"Trident violates CAD regulations, and Flash Cast is a Yotsuba secret," Tatsuya said.

"Using 'Material Burst,' a military secret, in public is out of the question," Kazama added.

"'Decomposition,' a Class-A lethal magic, is unusable anyway. It's on a different level from the Saegusa heiress or Juumonji heir," Sanada said.

"Captain Sanada, don't you know? High-lethality magic is allowed in Speed Shooting and Pillars Break," Fujibayashi pointed out.

"Fujibayashi, enough. Tatsuya has reasons to stay low-key. Drawing attention is risky," Kazama ordered.

Fujibayashi quieted, and Tatsuya, uninterested in competing, was grateful for Kazama's intervention.

"It'd be fun, though," Yamanaka said.

"I don't see myself competing," Tatsuya replied.

"Even if you had to… you know what to do?" Kazama asked.

"Yes. If I must use 'Mist Dispersion,' I'll lose quietly," Tatsuya said.

"Good," Kazama nodded.

"But, as I said, I can't imagine competing," Tatsuya insisted.

"It's about mindset," Kazama said, sipping his tea.

Fujibayashi, unable to hold back, clung to Tatsuya again—this time from the front.

"Lieutenant Fujibayashi, why are you on my lap?" Tatsuya asked.

"Don't be so stiff. And, Tatsuya-kun, I'm tired of rank talk. Call me by my name—Kyouko's fine!" she said.

Tatsuya looked to the others for help, but none met his gaze. Even seasoned warriors couldn't handle her. Resigned, he decided to deal with it himself.


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