Tatsuya and Miyuki headed to Yakumo's temple late at night for a specific purpose: to enlist Yakumo's help in training Miyuki, who had been selected for the Nine Schools Competition.
"I feel a bit hesitant about asking Sensei for help," Miyuki said.
"Master's been acting like the reins are completely off lately," Tatsuya replied.
Despite being a monk, Yakumo's recent behavior—getting excited over Miyuki's outfit or making advances—had been troubling the siblings.
"Onii-sama, please protect me if anything happens," Miyuki said.
"That's my reason for being, so leave it to me," Tatsuya assured her.
"That's not true! Your existence means so much more than that!" Miyuki protested.
"Miyuki, could you keep it down back there? I might lose control if you shout," Tatsuya said.
Even riding tandem on a large motorcycle, the siblings' dynamic carried a sweet undertone. Tatsuya wasn't seriously scolding her, and Miyuki didn't take it as such.
"Didn't a Third High girl get smitten with you the other day?" Miyuki teased.
"Wasn't she smitten with you?" Tatsuya countered.
"Onii-sama, she was a girl, and so am I. Girls don't get smitten with other girls," Miyuki said.
"Really? Honoka said she was captivated by you during the entrance exam," Tatsuya replied.
They couldn't settle who was right, but by the time their banter ended, they'd arrived at Yakumo's temple.
Miyuki was set to compete in Ice Pillars Break and Mirage Bat. Her innate talent made her a guaranteed winner in Ice Pillars Break, and Tatsuya wasn't worried about that event. However, Mirage Bat required smashing holographic light orbs mid-air with a baton, demanding physical action.
Though Miyuki, training under Yakumo alongside Tatsuya, possessed remarkable physical ability despite her delicate frame, she hadn't been active lately. To be safe, they'd asked Yakumo for training.
"It's pitch dark. Where's Sensei?" Miyuki wondered.
"…"
"Onii-sama?"
Miyuki curiously watched as Tatsuya pulled something from his pocket and flicked it into the darkness.
"Still a terrifying flick, Tatsuya-kun. But aren't you getting careless, relying on magic?" Yakumo's voice came from the shadows.
Miyuki realized Tatsuya had knocked down a thrown shuriken only after focusing on the direction of Yakumo's voice.
"Uhyo!?"
Tatsuya flicked another projectile, not toward the voice but at a seemingly empty wall, then swiftly stepped aside, pulling Miyuki with him.
"A draw this time, huh?" Yakumo said.
"Quite the rough welcome, Master," Tatsuya replied.
"Your flick had some killing intent, didn't it?" Yakumo teased.
The mentor and disciple chuckled in the dark, ignoring Miyuki's flushed face.
Under Yakumo's guidance, Miyuki practiced Mirage Bat, using his ninjutsu "Will-o'-the-Wisp" as a stand-in for the light orbs. Tatsuya supported her.
"Alright, let's take a break," Tatsuya called.
Miyuki collapsed, exhausted. Yakumo's ninjutsu moved differently from the competition's orbs, challenging even her skill.
"How about it, Tatsuya-kun? Want to chase some 'Will-o'-the-Wisps'?" Yakumo asked.
"I'll pass. Knowing you, you'd make it even trickier than for Miyuki," Tatsuya said.
"Caught me! Still, Miyuki-kun's movements are splendid. Truly beautiful," Yakumo said.
"T-thank you," Miyuki stammered.
Feeling danger and trying to flee, Miyuki found her body too drained to move. She silently thanked Tatsuya for calling the break, realizing she might've been injured otherwise.
"Master, enough with the jokes," Tatsuya warned.
"I'm not joking. I genuinely think Miyuki-kun is beautiful," Yakumo insisted.
"…Miyuki, ready to head back?" Tatsuya asked.
"No, if Sensei's okay with it, I'd like to train a bit more," Miyuki said.
She judged that, with a short rest, she could continue.
"I don't mind. I always listen to my cute disciple," Yakumo said.
"Master, keep joking like that, and I'll have to take action," Tatsuya said.
"Alright, alright. No magic, so I'm no match for you. I'll stop," Yakumo conceded.
"You were joking…" Miyuki muttered.
A presence stirred in the darkness, and Tatsuya's sharp "Who's there?" cut through. More precisely, the presence emerged after his call.
"Oh, it's Haruka-kun," Yakumo said.
"To think I'd be spotted by Sibaha-kun, of all people. Are my skills slipping?" Haruka said.
"Tatsuya-kun sees things differently from us," Yakumo replied.
"So, who are you, Ono-sensei?" Tatsuya asked.
Haruka shifted under Tatsuya's scrutinizing gaze, his steely eyes betraying no emotion. She sighed.
"I'm a Public Safety investigator. But counseling's my real job—I'm fully qualified," Haruka said.
"So, Public Safety, as expected," Tatsuya noted.
"You knew?" Haruka asked.
"I have my own information network," Tatsuya said.
Yakumo, knowing who Tatsuya meant, interjected with a wry smile. "Is it wise, leaking info to a high schooler given your position?"
"By the way, Master, what's your connection to Ono-sensei?" Tatsuya asked.
"Haruka-kun's one of my students, too," Yakumo said.
"Not as intensely trained as you, though. You're the senior disciple," Haruka added.
"Yet your stealth was impressive," Tatsuya said.
"That's my magic," Haruka said.
"A BS magician, then," Tatsuya concluded.
"Yeah, just a one-trick BS pony!" Haruka snapped.
Born Specialized (BS) magicians, also called innate ability users, were often looked down on by other magicians.
"I think a magician specialized in one skill outshines those who are broadly mediocre," Tatsuya said.
"Thanks, Sibaha-kun. Can you keep my identity secret at school?" Haruka asked.
"Fine. In return, if something like April happens, I want information first," Tatsuya said.
"Deal," Haruka agreed.
They shook hands, their motives subtly intertwining.