It was Colonel Balance, Lina's superior officer, who ultimately spurred her to make the decision she had been agonizing over: whether to return to the United States or remain in Japan. The fact that Lina, in her capacity as "Sirius," had been bested by a pair of mere high school students like Tatsuya and Miyuki had become a point of contention within the US military hierarchy.
"Major Angie Sirius."
"Sir!"
"You have two choices. The first is to return to the United States immediately and resume your duties as Sirius. The second is to remain in Japan, enroll in First High School for your final two years, and refine your skills alongside the rivals who defeated you."
Lina had already resigned herself to the idea that staying in Japan was a closed door. To have the offer laid out before her now was more than she had dared to hope for. If the choice was truly hers, there was only one answer.
"I will remain in Japan."
"...A prompt response. May I ask your reasoning?"
"Firstly, because the people who defeated me as Sirius are students at First High. It doesn't sit well with me to retreat in defeat, especially when they have acknowledged me as a worthy rival."
"You refer to Miyuki Shiba, then."
"Yes. And then there is the other one—Tatsuya Shiba. He is even more of an enigma than Miyuki. Though he is technically a Course 2 student, his combat prowess and skills as a magic engineer are easily top-of-the-class. In our engagement, he used magic I have never seen before to secure his victory. I believe it is in our best interest for me to stay, observe him, and report back to the States."
"But we still have Michaela Hongou in Japan," Balance countered. "Currently, she is being 'protected'—or rather, detained—by the Saegusa family. Surely she could monitor Tatsuya Shiba?"
"The Saegusa won't give Mia her freedom. She is under constant surveillance, even indoors. If we tasked Mia with monitoring Tatsuya, there is a high probability the Saegusa family would realize he is far more than he appears."
"I see... Very well. Then, as your commanding officer, I order you, Major Angie Sirius: remain in Japan, monitor Tatsuya Shiba, and if possible, determine if he can be scouted to our side."
"Yes, ma'am!"
With the official "order" acting as her shield, Lina headed for First High, struggling to suppress the wide, triumphant smile blooming on her face.
As graduation approached, the Student Council officers were a blur of activity. Even Lina, as an interim officer, was supposed to be busy, but her specific responsibility was the party entertainment—meaning she currently had very little to do.
Having completed the formal transfer paperwork, Lina found herself wandering the school grounds out of sheer boredom. It was then that she saw a familiar figure approaching from the opposite direction—the person she wanted to see most.
"Lina? Shouldn't you be helping with the preparations?"
"Tatsuya! My job is the entertainment for the party, so I'm essentially free until then."
"I see... I heard a rumor that you're staying in Japan for good."
Lina stiffened. "...Where on earth are you getting your information?"
"Fujibayashi-san contacted me. She mentioned you obtained Japanese citizenship with permission from the Kudou family."
"Oh... right. I keep forgetting you and Kyoko are connected."
To meet the requirements for enrollment in a Magic High School, Lina had turned to Retsu Kudou to help her secure citizenship. The news had quickly reached Kyoko Fujibayashi, who had promptly leaked it to Tatsuya.
"But why did you decide to stay?" Tatsuya asked, his eyes searching hers. "In the beginning, you seemed to hate the very idea of being here."
"You probably know why anyway, don't you? My credibility was dragged through the mud because I lost to you siblings. To get that reputation back, I have to beat you both and prove that I'm the strongest magician."
"And yet," Tatsuya noted, a small, knowing glint in his eye, "your expression is remarkably bright. Did something good happen?"
No matter how much she tried to deflect with words, Lina was the type of person whose thoughts were written clearly across her face. And Tatsuya, with his terrifyingly keen observation skills, never missed a flicker of emotion. He saw through her lie instantly.
"…Actually, I was thinking about what you said to me," Lina admitted, her voice dropping. "About whether I could really keep going as Sirius. Just as I was wondering that, I was given a choice: go back to the States as Sirius, or stay in Japan and take on a mission as 'Angelina Shields.'"
"I see... And what exactly is this mission?"
"Ah—!"
Lina gasped, realizing too late that she had just mentioned a classified mission. To make matters worse, she had revealed it to the very subject of said mission. I'm really not cut out for intelligence work, she thought miserably.
"I assume you've been told to investigate my magic," Tatsuya said.
"How did you know!?"
"…I was just baiting you. You walked right into it."
"…Honestly, you are a horrible person, Tatsuya."
Mortified by her own "self-destruct" in conversation, Lina looked away, her face flushing. Tatsuya, sensing her genuine embarrassment, didn't press the advantage or mock her further.
"Anyway," Lina said, trying to change the subject, "since the STARS units are pulling out, I need to find a new place to live. Tatsuya, do you know any good apartments?"
"How would I know? Go talk to a real estate agent."
"How cold! If people find out a beautiful girl like me is living alone, I might be targeted by some creep or a suspicious person."
"I doubt there's anyone foolish enough to target you—assuming they know who you really are."
Lina paused, then looked at him with sudden, desperate intensity. "…Let me stay at your house. Please."
"…What are you thinking?" Tatsuya asked, shifting into a more defensive posture. But her next words caught him completely off guard.
"I realized it when you pointed it out, Tatsuya. I wasn't making my own choices; I was just doing what I was told. So, from now on, I want to be by your side while I figure out how to make the right choices for myself. …I see. I really do love you."
"Hey, wait... what are you saying all of a sudden?"
Even the stoic Tatsuya was floored by the abrupt confession. But Lina didn't stop.
"Ever since I gave you that chocolate... no, probably even before that, I loved you. I think that's why I chose to stay in Japan without a second thought."
"…This is a bit sudden, Lina."
"I'm not asking for an answer right now. You can tell me whenever you're ready, as long as I'm still in Japan."
"Good grief..." Tatsuya sighed, though there was a hint of resignation in his tone. "You'll have to be the one to convince Miyuki."
And so, the decision for Lina to stay at the Shiba residence was made.
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