Process aside, I owed Sakurai-san thanks. Sleeping hours under that blazing sun, even parasol-shaded—without sunscreen, disaster.
"Hot..."
Waking from sleep debt mid-fix, my brother still gazed at the horizon.
"How long was I out?"
"About two hours."
"I see."
His instant reply nagged, but groggy mind couldn't pinpoint why.
Sitting up, sand dusted the sheet from sea breeze; limbs gritty.
"Going in the water."
I announced curtly, slipped on sandals without waiting. Beach looked roughed up—probably beach balls, I thought drowsily.
Closer look: all other parasols gone. Deep sleep indeed.
Realization hit post-late lunch, after reading in-room. Bored after two hours, I headed out for Mother's magic practice oversight. Passing brother's room, Sakurai-san's voice stopped me—angry? Not her usual gentle tone.
'Why ignore such bad bruises!'
'No combat impairment. Breaks heal themselves.'
'That's not the point!'
Bruises? Auto-heal breaks? Eavesdropping—unladylike, but curiosity won.
'Respecting ward's freedom doesn't mean joining fights over "don't disturb nap"! Guardians have lives too. Applying healing magic now.'
'Unnecessary. Penalty for screw-up.'
'Stop worrying me... You really don't get how much I worry, Tatsuya-kun.'
Anger shifting to tears. She treated him as Mother's son—my brother—not servant. Fellow Guardian, but more: special feelings?
'...I'll reflect.'
His soft mutter reached through the door.
Sakurai-san's cruiser: six-seater sailboat with electric motor. Us four, captain, assistant—full capacity.
I偷瞥d brother at the bow. No visible bruises—healing magic, likely.
"Tatsuya-kun, join us?"
Sakurai-san called him over. Mother indifferent, but I inwardly reeled. Never heard of him injured. Thought Guardians nominal; Yotsuba heirs, kids, untouchable.
But her words: he gets hurt routinely—my fault.
"Miyuki-san? Something wrong?"
"No... Sailing's been a while..."
"Ah, true."
Mother eyed me worriedly. Couldn't confess; no lie ready—so half-truth. It was awhile; she bought it. My heart? Unsettled still.
But that paled soon. Captains checking radar suddenly yelled.
"Submarine!? In Japanese waters!?"
"Hurry! We'll get dragged in!"
"Captain, radio's dead!"
"Damn! Now of all times..."
Frantic—truly panicked—they veered course. I glanced sea.
"Young lady, I'll protect you."
"!"
Even now, treating me as charge, not sister—irritated me. Always like this, yet why now?
"No need!"
Strong or not, no-contact foe nullifies his martial skills. I'd handle with CAD from pouch. But...
"Torpedo!? No warning!?"
Aimed at us—I froze in shock. Knew all at risk, but zero crisis experience paralyzed me.
Amidst, brother extended arm seaward. What? Magic-weak, yet no CAD... My naive thought vanished instantly.
Arm glowed—next, torpedo erased without trace.
(Direct interference with informational structure—highest difficulty magic...)
Beyond his "weak" level. Someone else? No: Mother crippled by past strain; Sakurai-san post-shock casting at sea. Left: us, crew—not mages.
"You can use this... why be my Guardian...?"
Family, yet I knew nothing of him... Realizing, eyes burned; I averted hastily.
Why anguish over him? Why cry thinking of him...?
Time for a new PC...?
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