After a club meeting, Tatsuya walked home with Miyuki, mildly exasperated by her glee. The Nine School Competition results had just come out, and she already knew.
"Onii-sama, expect a special dinner tonight!" Miyuki beamed.
"No need to make a fuss," Tatsuya replied.
"It's only natural to celebrate your selection for the Nine School Competition!"
Technically, he was an engineer, but to Miyuki, he was a full member. Her interpretation wasn't entirely wrong, so Tatsuya let it slide as they reached home.
"I'll start preparing, Onii-sama. Please wait," she said.
"No rush," he replied.
Amused by her enthusiasm yet smiling warmly, Tatsuya wondered if he was indeed a siscon.
"I might've taken on a hassle…" he muttered.
He could've half-assed it, but at the adjustment machine, slacking was unthinkable—especially since he tuned for Miyuki. No shortcuts there.
After dinner, as Miyuki cleared the table, Tatsuya's terminal signaled an incoming call. Anonymous, but not unusual for the Shibas.
"Been a while… Intentional timing?" Tatsuya asked.
"Don't know what you mean, Lieutenant," came the familiar, vague face on the screen.
"Calling me that means a secure line. Impressive, sneaking into a civilian network," Tatsuya said dryly.
"Not easy. Your home's security is overkill for a civilian," Kazama Gen, Major of the 101st Brigade's Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion, replied.
"Hackers are relentless. Stay shallow, and the counter-hack won't trigger," Tatsuya noted.
"Good lesson for the rookie operator. Now, admin notice: Third Eye's been overhauled with new parts. Needs software updates and performance tests," Kazama said briskly.
"Understood. I'll report tomorrow morning," Tatsuya replied.
"No need to skip school," Kazama countered.
"There's a new device test at the lab next holiday," Tatsuya explained.
"Not my place to say, but you're living less like a student every day," Kazama remarked.
"Don't like hearing that, but it is what it is," Tatsuya sighed.
Kazama nodded, dropping further jabs.
"Rumor has it you're in this summer's Nine School Competition," Kazama said.
"…Yes," Tatsuya replied, pausing. The decision was hours old, yet Kazama knew. Curious who leaked it, Tatsuya stifled the urge to ask, knowing he'd get no answer.
"Venue's the southeast Fuji Training Area, as usual. Be careful, Tatsuya," Kazama said, shifting from "Lieutenant" to "Tatsuya"—a friend's warning, not an officer's.
"Unusual activity's been spotted there, plus signs of international crime syndicate members. Regrettable," Kazama added.
"International syndicate… No-Head Dragon?" Tatsuya asked.
"You're well-informed. Mibu's investigation barely confirmed it," Kazama said.
"Mibu… Sayaka Mibu's father, from First High?" Tatsuya clarified.
"You know him. So, why do you know about No-Head Dragon?" Kazama pressed.
"Aunt's aide warned me. I was going to the competition regardless," Tatsuya said.
Kazama nodded. "Figures. Yotsuba would know before us."
"No details, though. Your info's valuable," Tatsuya said.
"Worth Mibu's effort, then. Can't meet tomorrow, but maybe at Fuji," Kazama said.
"Looking forward to it," Tatsuya replied.
"Same here… Oops, talked too long. Rookie's panicking—gotta go," Kazama said, cutting off as the network police likely caught the intrusion.
"Tell Master my regards," Kazama added.
"Will do," Tatsuya replied.
Kazama meant Yakumo. Tatsuya pondered how much to share with the monk as he called, "Miyuki, come in."
Pondering was fine, but letting his sister eavesdrop too long felt wrong.
"Sorry, kept you waiting?" he asked.
"No, but Onii-sama, tea? Also, opening the door like that was mean—sneaking to startle me!" Miyuki pouted.
"Didn't want my cute sister weighed down by heavy thoughts," Tatsuya teased.
"Ugh! I know it's a joke, but I'll let you win this time," she said, unable to hide her grin. Tatsuya's playful lie disarmed her, and she didn't mind.
"Tea today?" he asked.
"Yes, I got some fine second flush leaves. Thought it'd be nice," she said.
"Mascarte? Rare. Tough to get?" Tatsuya asked.
"Just luck. Making you happy is my reward," Miyuki said.
Sipping tea, Tatsuya gently patted her head. "Tea's great, but this shortbread's delicious. You made it, right?"
"Yes, but it's uneven…" she mumbled.
"Doesn't matter. Really tasty," he assured.
Miyuki, who'd been down about her baking, lit up as Tatsuya reached for more. Neither mentioned Kazama's call—it was their routine. They enjoyed their tea time, unbothered.
Miyuki's excellence isn't just talent—it's built on daily effort. Balancing Tatsuya's care and late-night study, she maintains top grades. Wanting tea, she decided to brew the hard-won blend again, craving Tatsuya's genuine smile before bed. A head pat would be perfection.
Heading to the kitchen, she paused at the mirror, smirked mischievously, and nodded.
Carrying the tea to Tatsuya's room, Miyuki's face lit up with anticipation.
"Onii-sama, it's Miyuki. May I come in?"
"Perfect timing. Enter," Tatsuya replied.
Tea or coffee at this hour was routine, so her visit wasn't odd. But unlike his usual apologetic tone, today he sounded expectant, which piqued her curiosity. Still, she wouldn't keep him waiting.
"Excuse me," she said.
"I was about to call—" Tatsuya stopped mid-sentence.
Miyuki, tray in one hand, playfully pinched her skirt's hem with the other, curtsying theatrically with a mischievous grin. She relished Tatsuya's fixed gaze.
"…Fairy Dance costume, huh?" he said.
"Correct, Onii-sama. Well spotted," she replied.
Even indoors, Tatsuya wouldn't mistake her outfit for casual wear. His brief silence came from puzzling out her choice—the unmistakable Mirage Bat, aka Fairy Dance, costume from the Nine School Competition.
"What do you think, Onii-sama?" Miyuki asked, setting the tray on the side table, smiling brightly, and twirling.
Tatsuya gave a wry smile but laughed. "Very cute. Suits you perfectly. And perfect timing."
Stopping mid-turn, Miyuki curtsied again, holding her skirt. Tatsuya's unreserved praise was typical for them, though hardly sibling-like.
"Thank you…?" Her prepared response turned questioning at "perfect timing." Looking up at Tatsuya, seated, she felt a jolt of unease. Despite their height difference, she shouldn't need to look up at him seated. Glancing down, she gasped—no chair. Tatsuya sat in midair, legs crossed, leaning forward.
"I wanted you to test this device," he said.
Tatsuya glided through the air to her, then stood, lowering his feet to the floor naturally.
"…Flight magic! Persistent gravity control, completed!" Miyuki exclaimed, grabbing his hands with excitement.
"Congratulations, Onii-sama!"
It was Tatsuya's long-studied spell. Deemed theoretically possible but unachieved in modern magic, flight magic had been a lunchtime topic at the student council, considered near-impossible. Yet Tatsuya overturned that consensus before her eyes.
"You've made the impossible possible again! I'm proud to witness this historic feat as your sister!" Miyuki gushed.
Tatsuya gently held her hands, which gripped his tightly. "Thanks, Miyuki. Flying wasn't the goal, and old magic has flight spells, but this gets me closer to my aim."
His humility—genuine or not—only Miyuki could tell. "Old flight magic is limited to a few. Your spell works for anyone with enough magical power, right?"
Even if he downplayed it, Miyuki saw his triumph. Her excitement was justified. Tatsuya, stroking her head, answered, "That's the plan. I'll test it at the lab next holiday, but I want you to try it first."
Miyuki wouldn't refuse. "Gladly!" she said, eyes shining, accepting the CAD with the flight spell installed.