Vacation day three: stormy from morning. All channels advised avoiding marine sports—no one'd beach in this.
"Plans today?"
"Shopping in this? Hmm..."
Mother tilted head cutely over fresh bread from Sakurai-san. Girlish, elegant. So young for a parent.
"Anything?"
She asked Sakurai-san back. She paused eating, tilted head. Looks young, but "big sister" next to Mother—despite Mother's greater age.
"Ryukyu dance viewing? Costumes, experience too."
She fiddled controller, pulled up info.
"Sounds fun. Miyuki?"
"Interesting to me."
"Arranging car. But one issue..."
We nodded; her face clouded.
"Women-only. Tatsuya-kun?"
Video note confirmed. Mother pondered, nibbling bread.
"Tatsuya, free today. Yesterday's captain invited base visit—good chance. Maybe join training."
"Understood."
"Free" yet ordered whimsically. He accepted neutrally, as always.
Sakurai-san watched displeased; I reeled more.
"Um, Mother!"
"Yes?"
Why say this? Unknown.
"M-May I go with br-brother?"
Simple, yet near-stuttered. "Brother" unfamiliar—usually "him" inwardly.
"Miyuki-san?"
"Ah, um... Curious about military mage training... As mistress, should know Guardian's strength..."
"...Admirable."
She bought my flimsy excuse. Guilty...
"Tatsuya, as heard. Miyuki accompanies base visit."
"Yes."
"Note: No honorifics publicly. Call 'Miyuki,' not 'young lady.' Avoid revealing her as Yotsuba heir."
"Understood."
Smooth reply, but puzzled expression. Fair—he unexpected order.
His puzzle: command itself. Mine: imagining normal sister treatment.
"No misunderstanding. Deception for outsiders. Your relation unchanged. No matter Maya's words, you're her Guardian only."
"Etched in heart."
Why Aunt Maya? Current Yotsuba head, pampers him like son. Orders family/branches stop; she ignores. Mother exasperated—sisters estranged badly.
Her words nagged, but we visited base. Vacation us, working national entity—dressed politely.
"Defense Army Weapons Development: Sanada."
Greeter: lieutenant. Brother surprised.
Why... More expressive before others?
"Issue?"
"No... Didn't expect officer guide. Heard air base."
Sanada smiled, warmed.
"Military knowledgeable."
"Martial arts teacher ex-Army."
"Ah... Army tech here: my specialty rare, short-staffed. Not NCO guide: expectations on you."
Friendly grin. Not handsome, but disarming charm.
Brother tensed at it, seemed.
"Kazama Captain, Shibata Tatsuya here."
"Welcome. Day after, base visit—military interest?"
"Interested. Not decided on enlistment."
"Fair. Middle schooler?"
"Just started."
"12, no 13? Composed."
"13."
Listening, spotted thug soldier training. Mage, huh.
"Join?"
"No, magic not my strength."
"Um! How'd you know brother's a mage?"
Feared exposure—stuttered "brother" again.
"Intuition. See hundreds, sense strong/weak. Why concern?"
"Sister worries my low talent."
"Good sister."
"Yes, proud of her."
His words rang hollow, but silent. He covered for me. Exposure my fault—Mother'd scold me. Yet he protected, like normal brother to sister...
Next: Tatsuya goes unmatched.
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