The scene shifts back to evening at Third High School in Ishikawa, Hokuriku. A group of first-year students is engaged in conversation.
"So, did you get any info on our opponent?" Airi asked.
"Sorry, Airi, just a photo," Tsukumo replied.
"I see… Sibaha Miyuki, how stunning must she be?" Airi mused.
Airi Isshiki, a first-year from the prestigious 'Isshiki' family, one of the Eighteen Assistant Houses, was a standout contender for the Nine Schools Competition. It was only natural she'd investigate Miyuki, First High's ace candidate.
"What do you think of her, Shiori, Tsukushii?" Airi asked.
"Well, she's on par with you, Airi… maybe even better," Shiori said.
"But we don't think you'll lose!" Tsukushii added.
The two she addressed—Shiori Kannou and Tsukushii Shijukuin—were, as their names suggested, from Numbered Families, part of the Hundred Families.
"Don't get complacent, or you won't shine in the real thing," Shiori warned.
"But Airi's got that 'I'm not losing' look," Tsukushii said.
"I can't imagine Airi losing. I mean, no matter how strong Sibaha Miyuki is, she's just a regular magician. How could Airi, a daughter of the Eighteen Assistant Houses, fall behind?" Shiori said.
Unaware that Miyuki was the leading heir candidate of the Yotsuba, the two were confident in Airi's victory.
"By the way, Tsukumo, can you show us the photo?" Airi asked.
"Here it is," Tsukumo replied.
Tsukumo Tsukumozaki, the girl who'd scouted and brought back the photo, was also from a Hundred Family.
"So, this is Sibaha Miyuki… oh?" Airi paused.
"What's wrong, Airi?" Shiori asked.
"Is she someone you know?" Tsukushii added.
Airi pointed at the photo, and Shiori and Tsukushii finally understood her interest.
"Sibaha Miyuki's boyfriend?" Shiori ventured.
"He's pretty handsome. I'm a bit jealous," Tsukushii said.
"Uh, we're still looking into him. Please wait a bit," Tsukumo said.
"Alright… please hurry," Airi replied.
Shiori and Tsukushii were about to tease Airi, noticing her fixation, but stopped when they saw the boy in the photo.
"They look really close…" Shiori murmured.
"Why do I feel like I've already lost?" Tsukushii sighed.
"I absolutely can't lose to Sibaha Miyuki!" Airi declared.
The three, unwilling to acknowledge what they were truly competing over, channeled their frustration toward Miyuki.
"Sorry, one sec… Yes? …Got it. Thank you, Father," Tsukumo said, stepping aside to take a call.
"What's up?" Shiori asked.
"The boy in the photo—we've got details," Tsukumo said.
"Really?!" Airi exclaimed.
Airi's intensity startled Tsukumo, but seeing Shiori and Tsukushii equally eager, she composed herself and shared the intel.
"His name is Sibaha Tatsuya, sixteen, same age as us, and Miyuki's biological brother," Tsukumo said.
"Her brother?! They're that close?" Shiori gasped.
"Sounds like a complicated family situation. Apparently, the Sibaha household is just Tatsuya and Miyuki now," Tsukumo explained.
"A brocon, huh? But with a brother like that, I might be one too," Tsukushii giggled.
"…Speaking of, Tsukumo, you were spacing out for a while after scouting, weren't you?" Shiori noted.
Being called by her first name, Karen, caught Tsukumo off guard. It wasn't unusual, but Shiori's tone was unmistakably displeased.
"Going to First High was exhausting," Tsukumo said.
"Really? You weren't smitten with Tatsuya-sama, were you?" Airi snapped.
"…Tatsuya-sama?" Tsukumo echoed.
Karen found Airi's use of "-sama" odd but had no time to dwell on it. Airi's expression, furious and unmistakable to someone who'd known her long, spoke volumes.
"Airi, calm down," Shiori urged.
"Yeah, picking on Karen here won't help you beat Sibaha Miyuki," Tsukushii added.
"…You're right. Sorry, Karen," Airi said.
"It's fine… I don't mind," Karen replied.
The pressure from Airi dissipated, leaving Karen slightly deflated.
"So, Sibaha Tatsuya-sama… will he be at the Nine Schools Competition?" Airi wondered.
"Maybe to cheer for his sister, but meeting us? Who knows…" Shiori said.
"If he's competing, he might show, but neither Ichijo nor Kichijoji mentioned him, so probably not," Tsukushii said.
"Kichijoji might know more. Should we ask?" Shiori suggested.
"…No, that's not necessary," Airi said.
She desperately wanted to ask but feared revealing her feelings to Masaki Ichijo, a fellow Numbered Family member who'd known her since childhood. He'd likely tease her mercilessly.
"Alright… what about this photo? Should I dispose of it?" Karen asked.
"No, I'll enlarge it and hang it in my room! To keep my resolve against Sibaha Miyuki sharp," Airi said.
"I want one too," Shiori said.
"Same here," Tsukushii added.
"…You mean enlarging Miyuki's photo, right? Not Tatsuya's?" Karen clarified.
The three awkwardly averted their gazes, confirming Karen's suspicions. She sighed discreetly.
"How about enlarging this one instead?" Karen suggested, pulling out a photo of just Tatsuya. She, too, was intrigued by him.
"Karen, you too…?" Airi said.
"No wonder there were so few photos of Miyuki," Shiori noted.
"You're in on it too, huh?" Tsukushii said.
"So, all three of you feel the same as me," Karen said.
The three, caught in their own trap, exchanged awkward glances. Sharing the same crush as their closest friends since enrollment was nothing short of uncomfortable.
"If that's not the case, I'll enlarge Miyuki's photo," Karen offered.
"…You'll keep quiet, right?" Airi asked.
"Of course. We go way back," Karen assured.
"Then enlarge Tatsuya's," Shiori said.
"Me too!" Tsukushii chimed in.
Deciding honesty would prevent future awkwardness, the three admitted their feelings for Tatsuya. Gazing toward First High, they harbored a mix of rivalry toward Miyuki and affection for a Tatsuya they'd never met.