Even knowing Tatsuya's outing was for Koharu's persuasion, Miyuki's heart churned. He'd always spent free time with her, but today, she was alone. She admired his dedication to duty, yet the solitude of a weekend without him was unbearable.
Her terminal buzzed with a call.
"Hello?" Miyuki answered.
"Hey, Miyuki! Free today?" Erika's voice chirped.
"I am. What's up?"
"Got some free time. Me and Mizuki are craving sweets. Wanna join? Bring the others!"
"Others?" Miyuki asked.
"Yeah, Shizuku and Honoka! Forgot their numbers. Tatsuya's with you, right?"
"Onii-sama's…"
Miyuki paused, sensing a presence. Not as sharp as Tatsuya at identifying individuals, she could still detect a familiar aura—his.
"Hold on. I'll check with Onii-sama."
"Cool, I'll wait!"
Miyuki cut the call, her earlier irritation vanishing as she prepared to greet Tatsuya, her face glowing.
"Welcome back, Onii-sama," she said.
"I'm home. On the phone?" Tatsuya asked.
"Erika's inviting us for sweets. I thought you'd join."
"Erika? Who else?"
"Just Mizuki for now. She's calling Shizuku and Honoka next."
"And I'm included?"
Tatsuya, fresh from the café's feminine vibe, hesitated. But Miyuki's pleading gaze won him over.
"Fine," he said. "Tell Erika. Can you ask Shizuku and Honoka?"
"Of course," Miyuki said, reconnecting with Erika.
"Yo, all good?" Erika asked.
"Yes. Onii-sama's coming too."
"Really? Perfect, I've got questions!"
"Questions?" Miyuki's tone sharpened. "What kind?"
"All sorts! Don't you wanna know too?"
Miyuki was curious but too scared to ask herself. Erika's boldness was a relief.
"Onii-sama's contacting Shizuku and Honoka. They're coming," Miyuki said.
"Damn, Tatsuya's quick. Guess most girls would jump if he asked," Erika teased.
"Are you calling Onii-sama a player?" Miyuki snapped.
"No way!" Erika yelped, sensing Miyuki's mood sour. She hung up, sent the meeting spot via email, and avoided further talk to let Miyuki cool off.
Meanwhile, three third-years ventured out for sweets.
"Is this okay?" Suzune asked. "You just retired, and there's still handover work."
"It's fine," Mayumi said. "Mari dumped it all on Tatsuya-kun, right?"
"That's because I suck at that stuff!" Mari protested.
"We've worked with Nakajou-san for a year," Suzune said. "She's capable. We shouldn't meddle post-retirement."
"Fair point," Mari conceded. "If you say so, Suzune."
"Hey! My word's not enough?" Mayumi pouted.
With graduation looming, such carefree banter was rare. University would bring busier lives and diverging paths, Mayumi knew.
"Is that Tatsuya-kun's group?" Mayumi spotted them.
"Looks like it," Suzune confirmed.
"No Yoshida-kun or Saijou-kun today," Mayumi noted, used to seeing Mikihiko and Leo with them.
To Mari, Mayumi's comment seemed tinged with jealousy.
"Jealous? Wanna join them?" Mari teased.
"No way!" Mayumi flushed.
"They've spotted us," Mari said, pointing.
Tatsuya gave a slight nod, his keen senses catching them from afar.
"Hey! You ex-presidents here for sweets too?" Erika called.
"I'm not president anymore," Mayumi corrected.
"You and Watanabe-senpai are always together, huh?" Erika said.
"Not always. Just today," Mari replied.
Erika's mood soured at Mari's presence. Those in the know smirked, while Shizuku and Honoka looked confused.
"Tatsuya-kun," Erika said.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"You're treating today."
"Hold on—keep it reasonable," Tatsuya said.
"Everyone, Tatsuya-kun's paying, so go wild!" Erika announced.
Tatsuya, planning to cover just Erika, was caught off guard. Mayumi and Mari chimed in.
"Really? Thanks, Tatsuya-kun!" Mayumi said.
"Didn't expect you to treat us too," Mari added.
"Do as you like," Tatsuya sighed, resigned.
Paying for Koharu and Chiaki at lunch was one thing, but this would drain a normal student's wallet. Tatsuya's income, however, was far from ordinary.
"Onii-sama, I'll split it," Miyuki offered.
"No need," Tatsuya said. "USNA's big order came through. The profit's plenty."
"Flight devices?" Miyuki asked.
"Thanks to your Mirage Bat performance," he said.
Miyuki's dazzling display at the Nine Schools Competition had boosted FLT's flight device orders globally. While not all profits went to Tatsuya, his account saw a hefty sum.
"Go ahead then," Miyuki said.
"Like I told Erika—within reason," Tatsuya stressed.
Mayumi watched their hushed exchange, testing a theory she'd had in the bath. Mari, misreading it, saw something else.
"If you're that curious, just confess," Mari whispered.
"It's not like that!" Mayumi hissed, blushing.
"You're red," Mari teased.
"Ugh! You're into him too, aren't you?" Mayumi shot back.
"Mine's just liking him. Yours?" Mari smirked.
"Same!" Mayumi insisted.
Their petty argument fizzled out, ignored by the group, stirring no further fuss.
Note on the Chaos: Too many characters muddled things, with Miyuki and Chiaki's complex feelings clashing. Miyuki's jealousy over Tatsuya's time with Koharu, and Chiaki's conflicted resentment, could spiral into messy confrontations.
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