Things That Come Unbidden
The Kagurazaka family celebration proceeded smoothly, perhaps because the dissenting heirs were absent. Yugen could empathize to an extent. He recalled his own past—having one's position usurped by an outsider would sting.
"Mother, may I suggest something?" Yugen said. "A display of power might convince them."
"It's likely the most persuasive approach," Chihime agreed. "Shall we include them?"
Words alone wouldn't sway skeptics. Chihime approved Yugen's proposal, and the group moved to the courtyard. Performing before Kagurazaka kin and friends felt daunting, but Yugen accepted it as inevitable. He unleashed Murakumo.
"Tatsuya, is that… magic?" Leo asked.
"Likely traditional magic, but Mikihiko, any insights?" Tatsuya replied.
"Probably a Kagurazaka secret art. I don't know details," Mikihiko said.
The Kagurazakas grasped Yugen's feat and were awestruck, as were the opposing heirs (now clothed). Undeterred, Yugen raised Murakumo skyward.
"Come, Phoenix," he commanded.
A Phoenix descended, absorbed into Murakumo. Flames danced around Yugen, his eyes glowing crimson. He swung at a cylindrical iron pillar five meters away, and it evaporated.
"He wielded Phoenix through the Heavenly Blade Spirit Gear as a weapon," Hime-ri noted.
"Shusuke, could you do that?" Tatsuya asked.
"Maybe, but combining Heavenly Summoning and Spirit Gear like that? It's a feat unseen since the third head who created the Spirit Gear," Shusuke said.
Hime-ri, Yume, and Shusuke analyzed Yugen's display, stunned that he replicated a feat only the Spirit Gear's founder achieved. Shusuke glanced at his brother, the Miyamoto heir, who looked incredulous, and sighed inwardly.
"This seals Yugen as the next Kagurazaka head," Shusuke said. "Sorry, brother."
"And you, Shusuke?" Tatsuya asked.
"I'm not cut out for it. Swordplay's one thing, but political maneuvering? Not my forte," Shusuke replied.
He understood his brothers' desire to uphold the main line's legitimacy. But Yugen's talent, endorsed by Gousan and Chihime, was undeniable. Challenging him directly was their only recourse, but after this display, their claims seemed futile. Shusuke kept that thought unspoken.
After the Heavenly Blade Spirit Gear display, Yugen hoped for a break. Returning to his room, he was greeted by two women in kimonos. Recognizing them, he sighed before speaking.
"Mother arranged this, I presume? It's been a while, Yuka-san. Keiko, since the Nine Schools Competition?"
"Indeed, Yugen-kun. Two years since we last met directly," Yuka said.
"I'm intruding, Yugen," Keiko added.
Tsukuba Yuka, from a Yotsuba branch, and Shijukuin Keiko, tied to the Shirakawa traditional magic lineage. Chihime had mentioned their visit during New Year's, but facing them now only deepened Yugen's weariness. Both women smiled.
"I was shocked when Mother told me, but I'm here willingly," Yuka said.
"What did Mother share?" Yugen asked.
"That we're to be your fiancées, along with three others already engaged," Keiko replied.
As a Yotsuba sponsor, the Kagurazakas expected brides from them. Sending both Miyuki and Yuka raised questions, and Keiko seemed aware of their Yotsuba ties.
"I get it after the Nine Schools Competition, but I could never tell Airi or Kanna," Keiko said.
"I'd rather this settle things. Sorry, my honorifics slipped," Yugen said.
"Five fiancées already," Yuka said. "I don't mind, but Miyuki might."
Yugen understood the situation wasn't over. He didn't relish the resentment or jealousy. He'd dropped honorifics with Yuka, who brushed it off.
"The Ichijo family issue could be the biggest headache," Yugen said.
"You mean Masaki?" Keiko asked.
"Wait, the Crimson Prince?" Yuka said.
Masaki's feelings for Miyuki weren't the core issue. Akane's affection for Yugen complicated matters, especially with the Ichijo head's doting nature. The Saegusa family's issues seemed domestic by comparison.
"Masaki's smitten with Miyuki," Yugen said. "His reticence is our saving grace, but I sense trouble brewing."
In the "original story," Miyuki's Yotsuba reveal—nominated as heir and engaged to Tatsuya—sparked conflict. Here, Miyuki was Yugen's primary fiancée and held the sixth seat in the Divine Assembly. Her nomination as Yotsuba heir was unlikely, but revealing her ties could attract suitors, possibly even from the Kudou family.
"You defeated Masaki and are the Kagurazaka heir. Your marriage to Miyuki should face no objections," Keiko said.
"My selection as heir was unconventional, so complaints are inevitable," Yugen replied.
"Hearing that makes me glad I accepted," Yuka said.
Yuka and Miyuki had agreed to support Yugen, avoiding drama—a relief. Magical clans prioritized strategic marriages over love due to the high cost of maintaining power. Women often faced undesirable unions, but Yugen was grateful that exceptional mages often had striking appearances. He wasn't one to celebrate loudly, though.
"Let's shelve the heavy talk," Yugen said. "This year will be tough. Keiko, you're in it too. I didn't try to charm anyone."
"I got carried away at first," Keiko said. "Before I knew it, I was smitten."
Her maidenly confession was endearing. Yugen didn't dwell on emotions but wondered if his past life's brotherly traits had influenced her. He bore no grudges but hadn't meant to inherit such qualities.
After the Kagurazaka events, Yugen returned to Tokyo for a New Year's shrine visit. Though the Kagurazakas had Shinto ties, Yakumo wanted to meet Yugen and Tatsuya's friends. En route, Tatsuya glanced at a girl.
"See something interesting?" Yugen asked.
"Just odd clothing," Tatsuya said.
Tatsuya, attuned to trends from shopping with Miyuki, found the girl's outfit peculiar. Yugen, a reincarnated soul, didn't find it outdated, though her skirt clashed with the New Year's aesthetic.
"It's less odd, more conspicuous," Yugen said.
"Foreigners seem intrigued by you and Tatsuya," Honoka noted.
"Definitely the bad kind of interest," Yugen said.
"Agreed," Tatsuya added.
Imagine being thrust 70 years into the future. Seeing fashion from 30 years ago might feel "nostalgic," but admitting it would raise age-related suspicions. Yugen noted his mother's belongings in his past life included similar styles—a secret he'd keep.
"Is that your type, Yugen-san?" Miyuki asked.
"No, misinterpreting New Year's customs is a bit much… though you're not wrong," Yugen said.
"Exactly," Miyuki replied.
The girl, Angie Sirius—aka Angelina Kudou Shields—had approached subtly. Yugen confirmed her magical power with Tenjin's Eye. She'd left the shrine, brushing close intentionally, unaware Yugen had once thwarted her in disguise.
After a theatrical airport encounter, the hectic winter break ended. The third term began typically. In class, a new student was introduced.
"Starting today, we have a transfer student. Shields-san, please introduce yourself," the teacher said.
"I'm Angelina Kudou Shields. Nice to meet you all," Lina said.
In the "original story," Tatsuya's perspective left Yugen clueless here. Lina's presence was fine, but the silver-haired girl beside her raised Yugen's guard.
"I'm Exelia Kudou Shields, Lina's sister. Pleased to meet you," she said.
Despite different hair colors, their identical features marked them as twins, with near-identical magical wavelengths. When Exelia smiled at Yugen, a strange familiarity hit him, as if they'd met before. Yet, he was certain this was their first encounter. Suspecting a past-life connection risked labeling her a Parasite if exposed—a fate Yugen had narrowly escaped.
Lina took Shizuku's seat, with Exelia in front. Break time drew a crowd from other classes, gawking at the sisters.
"Quite the spectacle," Yugen said.
"They're practically artwork," Tatsuya said.
"You both sound so detached," Honoka remarked.
Her jab was fair, but Yugen and Tatsuya had no desire to engage with obvious trouble. Tatsuya, already engaged, had extra reason to steer clear.
(I've got a bad feeling about this), Yugen thought.
(Hope it's wrong), Tatsuya replied softly.
Their concern was justified—the sisters spelled trouble. The mastermind behind potential Parasite involvement was an even bigger headache. Miyuki glanced at Yugen. As a student council member, she couldn't avoid guiding the transfers. Yugen parted from Tatsuya and Honoka to join her, though classmates parting like the Red Sea to avoid him stung—a bit too sincerely.
-----------------------------
I'm still fairly new to translating, but I genuinely love doing it. I've set up a Patreon as a small corner to share my work with everyone. There you'll find early access to chapters and some special content just for you.
I hope this Patreon can grow and become a place where I can connect with you all in the future. If you'd like to take a look or support me, you can visit:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]