Yusei let out a surprised cry as he was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace by Yoshinobu.
"Uncle~~!"
It was hard to imagine such a delicate, handsome young man producing a sound so unabashedly coquettish.
Yoshinobu's breathing deepened slightly as he watched the flush spread across Yusei's fair cheeks.
Yusei gave a token struggle but quickly gave in, resting in Yoshinobu's arms as if resigned, though he protested:
"Uncle~~, I still need to return and report back to Headmaster Minamoto!"
At the mention of Minamoto, a flicker of shadow passed through Yoshinobu's eyes but was quickly concealed. With a shrug, he replied indifferently:
"Headmaster Minamoto isn't just the head of Mahoutokoro. He's also the patriarch of the Minamoto clan, one of the upper three houses of the Hachiya. Honestly, he's being overly cautious!"
"The situation with Yukina is already beyond saving, unless, of course, Albus Dumbledore himself decides to ruin his lifelong reputation and personally strike down a mere child."
At this, Yusei beamed and said lightly:
"The Headmaster's just taking precautions. After all, we're talking about Albus Dumbledore, the greatest white wizard in history. If he really did have a way, all our previous efforts would be for nothing!"
Yoshinobu gave a disdainful snort, speaking with marked boredom:
"Albus Dumbledore… he's been practically deified by the world. No matter how powerful he is, at the end of the day, he's still just a wizard, not a god."
Before Yusei could respond, Yoshinobu reached for his collar, muttering with a smirk:
"Is your precious Headmaster getting a bit too old to satisfy you? Don't worry, you've still got me! Hah!"
Blushing furiously, Yusei covered his eyes with one hand, swaying coyly as he repeated in a playful tone:
"Uncle~~"
...
Later, as Wentworth was preparing to leave, Yoshinobu, his face aglow, called after him:
"Wentworth! Do your best at the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship, though I must say, the victory is certain to go to our own Yukina!"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wentworth and Yukina once again mounted the giant storm petrel and flew toward Minami Iwo Jima.
On the way, Wentworth asked, seemingly casually:
"Yukina, yesterday I only saw your father. Where was your mother?"
Yukina's face clouded briefly. She answered with a touch of melancholy:
"My father said my mother died giving birth to me… a difficult labor."
Wentworth saw the sorrow on Yukina's face and couldn't bring himself to probe further. Yet he couldn't hide the flicker of skepticism in his eyes at Yukina's explanation.
Died in childbirth? In one of Japan's most illustrious wizarding families? That might work on a sheltered girl like Yukina, but not on him.
Perhaps because he'd arrived so late the previous day, and the visibility had been poor, Yukina now eagerly pointed out the islands and landscapes they passed on their flight.
Eventually, the silhouette of Minami Iwo Jima appeared on the horizon. Yukina sighed, reluctant to stop:
"This stretch of sea, aside from our family home and Mahoutokoro, it's the place I know best."
"…The only place I know, really."
Wentworth looked at Yukina, her face bathed in morning light, hair fluttering gently in the sea breeze, and her smile radiant with joy. In that moment, he felt an unexpected urge rise within him, a desire to protect her.
He didn't fully understand why. Perhaps it's simply human nature to want to shield what is beautiful and pure.
As the storm petrel descended in a sharp glide toward the ground, Yukina suddenly turned and asked:
"Wentworth, do you think… we'll have another chance to visit my home together?"
Wentworth blinked, then smiled softly.
"Of course, we're friends, aren't we? Not only will I visit again, but I'd like to invite you to—"
Before he could finish, Yukina turned and gently hugged him. Her smile, warmer than the sunrise, lit up her face as she said:
"That's wonderful! I've prepared a gift for you. Next time you visit, I'll show you!"
When they dismounted from the storm petrel, the morning bell of Minami Iwo Jima rang out across the island. The joy on Yukina's face froze for a moment, then vanished.
She took off running toward Mahoutokoro, calling over her shoulder:
"I've got class now, see you later, Wentworth!"
"Oh, and, thank you for yesterday, Wentworth! Because of you, it felt like I finally saw the whole world!"
Wentworth waved, his smile lingering until Yukina disappeared from view. Only then did his expression fade, and he turned directly toward the tall pagoda that stood atop the island.
When in doubt, consult the Headmaster.
That had always been Wentworth's way of solving problems.
He walked with purpose toward the room where Mahoutokoro had arranged for Dumbledore's stay the day before.
As he passed by Nala's room, the door suddenly flew open. Nala stuck her head out, startling Wentworth.
"I knew it was you from your footsteps!" she said.
Nala stepped out and approached Wentworth, then, without warning, leaned in and sniffed him curiously, which made Wentworth jump back again.
"What are you doing?!"
Nala gave him a strange look, then smirked mischievously:
"Wentworth, I smell a fragrance on you… and it's not yours."
Wentworth rolled his eyes and turned away without replying, striding off toward Dumbledore's room.
Behind him, Nala called out loudly:
"Wentworth! The Wizarding Schools Potions Championship is about to begin! And with your head so clearly not in the game, victory is as good as mine! Uagadou will beat Hogwarts once again!"
Wentworth paused, then turned back, his voice calm:
"Oh? That's brilliant, isn't it? Or have you forgotten, I'm the Chairman of Uagadou's Board of Governors. I'd be thrilled if you won."
With that, he turned and left. Behind him, he could hear Nala stomping her foot in frustration.
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TN: This fanfic has been fully translated and is available on my Patreon —— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]