Even after exams, classes continue, including gym at First High School. Class 1-E is currently playing legball, a futsal-derived sport.
"Outta my way!" Leo charges across the court, dominating the game.
"Tatsuya!" He rockets a pass that could knock someone out. Tatsuya deftly kicks it upward, traps it underfoot, and scans for a teammate. Spotting an opening, he fires a pass off the wall. The opponent can't react, but his teammate reads the play perfectly, calmly shooting to score.
"Not bad," Leo remarks.
"Good moves, sharp reads," Tatsuya adds.
As the semester nears its end, Tatsuya and Leo know their classmates' names and faces but haven't spoken to this teammate before.
(Mikihiko Yoshida, second son of the prestigious Yoshida family, masters of ancient magic…) Tatsuya's done his homework. Though the Yoshidas are known for traditional training, Mikihiko shows no physical signs of it. (A hawk hiding its talons, and so close by…)
"Tatsuya!" Leo's booming pass interrupts his thoughts. Tatsuya spins, slamming the ball into the goal with a high roundhouse kick.
After the match, during a break, Tatsuya and Leo approach their teammate.
"Nice play," Tatsuya says.
"Didn't expect that from you, Yoshida," Leo grins.
"Call me Mikihiko. I don't like my surname," he replies.
Tatsuya senses why a scion of the Yoshida family might reject his name. "Alright, then I'm Leo," Leo says.
"Can I call you Mikihiko too? You can call me Tatsuya," Tatsuya offers.
"Sure, Tatsuya. Honestly, I've wanted to talk to you," Mikihiko admits.
"Same here," Tatsuya replies.
Top and third in theoretical studies, it's no surprise they've noticed each other. But Mikihiko wonders what about him piqued Tatsuya's interest.
"Feeling left out here…" Leo mutters.
"Wanted to talk to you too, Leo. Anyone who can handle Erika's gotta be something," Mikihiko says.
"That doesn't sit right…" Leo grumbles.
"You know Erika from before, Mikihiko?" Tatsuya asks casually.
Mikihiko's face tightens, and Tatsuya means to drop it, but Erika interrupts. "Childhood friends, right?" she teases.
"Why's that a question, Erika-chan?" Mikihiko retorts.
"We met when I was ten, so it's iffy calling us childhood friends. Plus, you've been avoiding me lately. What do you think, Tatsuya-kun?" Erika asks.
"Childhood friends works," Tatsuya says, unfazed.
Leo and Mikihiko freeze, staring at Erika's outfit. "Erika, what's with that getup!?" Mikihiko blurts, blushing at her exposed thighs.
"Traditional girls' gym clothes," she replies nonchalantly.
"Traditional!?" Mikihiko sputters.
"Not that weird. Just funky spats," Erika shrugs.
Tatsuya remains calm. "Not spats?"
"Nope, bloomers," Erika corrects.
"Bloomers? Like broom bloomers? People cleaned in those?" Tatsuya quips.
Erika laughs. "No way! I said they're gym clothes!"
Leo snaps back to reality. "Bloomers… like what girls sold to creeps in the old days?"
Erika kicks his shin. "Idiot! Pervert!" She hops, wincing, as Leo writhes.
"Your brain's a mess!" she yells.
"Read it in a magazine!" Leo defends.
"Hmph. What magazine? You and Miki both stare like that. Is this what guys like?" Erika asks.
"Maybe switch back to normal spats, Erika-chan," Mizuki suggests.
"Yeah, they're not great for moving. I'll change," Erika agrees.
Mizuki tilts her head. "Erika-chan, who's 'Miki'?"
"Mikihiko, duh," Erika says.
"Why that nickname!? It's so girly!" Mikihiko protests.
"Want 'Hiko' instead?" Erika teases.
"No!" Mikihiko snaps.
Tatsuya steps in. "Erika, time to head back."
"Huh? …Crap!" Erika bolts, realizing the break's over.
"Wait up, Erika-chan!" Mizuki hurries after her.
Mikihiko bows to Tatsuya. "Thanks, sorry."
"No big deal. Maybe I overstepped," Tatsuya replies.
"Not at all. You're so calm, though," Mikihiko notes.
"About what?" Tatsuya asks.
A healthy high school boy would be flustered by Erika's outfit, like Leo or Mikihiko. Yet Tatsuya was unfazed, which intrigues Mikihiko.
"Can't help it," Leo chimes in. "Tatsuya's sister is a stunning beauty."
"Miyuki Shiba, the freshman rep? She's unreal," Mikihiko says.
"Yo, Tatsuya, your sister's got admirers!" Leo teases.
"Stop joking! I'd be too nervous to even talk to her," Mikihiko admits.
"Probably. She's a hardcore brocon. You'd have to get through her fortress of a brother first," Leo laughs.
"Leo, we'll have a long talk later," Tatsuya says coolly.
"Whoa, I'm not ready to die!" Leo backpedals.
Mikihiko doesn't know what about him interests Tatsuya, but he knows why he's drawn to Tatsuya: how did he gain the strength to defeat upperclassmen and terrorists without magic? Mikihiko wants to see Tatsuya face Leo in a fight—and maybe challenge him himself.
"Mikihiko?" Tatsuya calls.
"Huh?" Mikihiko startles, tensing.
"Relax, man," Leo laughs.
"Sorry…" Mikihiko mumbles, embarrassed.