On the fifth day of the Nine Schools Competition, the second day of rookie matches, Tatsuya arrives early for the morning's first match.
"Morning, Tatsuya-san!" Eimi greets, already there.
"Sorry, Eimi, kept you waiting?" Tatsuya asks.
"Nope! You're thirty minutes early. I'm just super early," Eimi says with a grin, brushing off his concern. Her affection for Tatsuya irks Miyuki, waiting behind him.
"Morning, Miyuki!" Eimi chirps.
"Good morning," Miyuki replies coolly.
"Why so early, Eimi?" Tatsuya asks.
"Couldn't sleep—too hyped from yesterday!" Eimi explains. Her second-place finish in Speed Shooting left her buzzing.
"Let's do the final check," Tatsuya says.
"Roger!" Eimi salutes with a flourish, taking the 50cm shotgun-style specialized CAD from him. She spins it playfully.
"You're more States than England, right?" Miyuki teases.
"Nuh-uh! Gran's family's had a 'Sir' title since the Tudors!" Eimi retorts.
Tatsuya stays focused on the inspection device. "How's it feel?"
"Like Shizuku said, I want you tuning my CAD forever," Eimi beams.
"No issues?"
"None!"
Shizuku's desire to hire Tatsuya is common knowledge among First High's girls. His expression sours. "You didn't notice? I'll tweak it. Put on the headset."
"Huh? Why?" Eimi blinks, confident the CAD's fine.
"You didn't sleep, did you? Not just early rising," Tatsuya says.
She grimaces. "…You can tell?"
He nods silently. Eimi mutters, "Sharper than my parents…"
As she dons the headset, Tatsuya's brow furrows at the display. Eimi shrinks under his gaze.
"Onii-sama?" Miyuki asks, sensing his unease.
He relaxes, smiling. "Eimi, you don't use Sound Sleeper either?"
"You too?" she gasps.
He nods, brighter than usual. "Weird waves, right? Creepy."
"Totally! Hate it!" Eimi agrees.
"Use it when you can't sleep, especially before big matches," Tatsuya advises.
"Okay…" Eimi replies, chastised like a child.
"I'll boost the feedback. It'll feel intense—bear it. You don't want to lose to sleep deprivation," he says.
"Please! I'd be everyone's punching bag!" Eimi begs, clutching her culottes awkwardly, blushing. Tatsuya freezes for a second.
"Not to pry, Miyuki, but what's going on in your room?" he asks.
"W-What! I'm not doing anything!" Miyuki stammers, flustered.
"So your room's safe?" Eimi teases.
"Eimi! Don't make Onii-sama think weird things!" Miyuki snaps.
"Tatsuya-san's fine, right?" Eimi grins.
An awkward silence blankets the room. Tatsuya breaks it. "Match is first thing. Nap after, Eimi. Miyuki, arrange a sensory deprivation capsule."
"Got it. I'll be back," Miyuki says, leaving to handle it.
Eimi, unable to bear the quiet, asks, "Where'd you learn to tune like that, Tatsuya-san?"
"I've always tuned Miyuki's and mine. It just came naturally," he replies.
"Wow, that's amazing," she says, faltering as the conversation stalls.
"Can I win?" Eimi asks, suddenly timid.
"Not like you to doubt, Eimi."
"It's just… Speed Shooting was fine, but Pillars Break has Third High's ace, Isshiki Airi."
"Oh, her…" Tatsuya recalls her from the mixer, sensing Eimi's nerves.
"It's not her round yet. No point worrying now."
"Right, but…"
"You'll win, Eimi."
His grounded encouragement lifts her spirits. "Yeah! I beat a Hyaku girl yesterday. I can handle a Juumonji assistant family!"
"That's the spirit."
As Eimi regains her fire, Miyuki returns. "Capsule's arranged, Onii-sama."
"Thanks. Adjustments are done," Tatsuya says, handing Eimi the tweaked CAD.
Bolstered by his words, Eimi dominates the first round nearly unscathed, then sleeps soundly in the capsule, unbothered by the strong feedback.
"What'd you say to Eimi, Onii-sama?" Miyuki asks.
"Nothing big. Just that it's not like her to assume defeat," he replies.
"True, not her style," Miyuki agrees, her mood brightening as she heads to the stands for Shizuku's match.
Tatsuya moves to the next waiting room.
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