Mahiro successfully joined the Magic Engineering Technician team.
Though his welcome wasn't particularly warm, this was expected.
The three candidates he selected were Saegusa Mayumi, Watanabe Mari, and Kitayama Shizuku.
Somewhat unexpected, yet reasonable.
After all, among Nine Schools Competition participants, he knew few people, let alone those without ill will toward him.
They could practically be counted on one hand.
However, Mari was curious why he chose her and Mayumi.
Among first-years, Honoka and Miyuki also got along well with him.
The reason was simple.
Shizuku specialized in vibration magic, Mayumi's CAD he had personally handled, and Mari was an afterthought.
Any of these three were easier than Honoka's light magic or Miyuki's specially tuned CAD.
As for Mayumi, her cheeks remained flushed, her gaze wandering, unable to meet his eyes.
'That damn Mahiro-kun is just too bold!'
Mayumi puffed her adorable cheeks like a pufferfish, but recalling what happened in the reading room made her blush uncontrollably.
...
...
..
After a brief pep rally, August 1st—the start of summer vacation—finally arrived, marking the departure day for the Nine Schools Competition.
Though the first match was on August 3rd, competitors always arrived at the dorms early for final adjustments and training.
First High's bus had been waiting in the parking lot for some time.
Despite passing the scheduled departure time, they were waiting for one person—
"Sorry~!"
The cheerful apology came accompanied by the sound of sandals clacking from afar.
Mari, who had raised a parasol for shade, Tatsuya handling the roster, and Mahiro—who had stepped out for air and was sitting on the bus steps—all turned toward the voice.
But their expressions differed.
Mahiro remained as calm as ever.
Mari sighed helplessly with a smile.
And Tatsuya silently checked a name on his terminal before saying:
"Watanabe-senpai, everyone's accounted for. I'll return to the technician team's bus now."
"Right, thanks."
After Mari took the terminal, Tatsuya turned and walked toward the engineering bus behind them.
"Ah, Tatsuya is really dutiful, standing under the scorching sun for so long when he could've just waited in the car..." Mahiro murmured softly as he watched the retreating figure.
But the next second, his head was lightly tapped by Watanabe-senpai.
"Isn't that because you refused to take over and dumped the work on Shiba-kun?!"
"That's not my fault."
Mahiro spread his hands helplessly and said, "Watanabe-senpai, you know how those First Course boys are, especially that guy Morimori Chun—he really has it out for me.
If I were in charge of roll call, who knows what kind of chaos would break out?"
Actually, that was just his excuse.
The truth was, he simply wanted to get back at Tatsuya a little.
Despite having such strong engineering skills, Tatsuya had dragged him, a mere amateur, into this mess, needlessly increasing his workload!
"His name is Morisaki Shun! Honestly, remember people's names properly and stop changing them at random!"
Mari angrily rapped his head a few more times before stopping as the figure approached, crossing her arms.
"Mayumi, you're late."
"Sorry, sorry."
Though the exchange of blame and apology between them was brief, Mayumi still did her best to convey her regret.
Something unexpected had come up at home, causing her to arrive an hour and a half late.
However...
"Mayumi-senpai, you didn't spend all that time picking out clothes at home, did you? I've heard girls take that long just to do their makeup..."
A closer look confirmed it.
Today, Mayumi was not only wearing light makeup but also dressed differently from usual—not in First High's uniform but in casual clothes like Mari.
After all, today was just for moving into the dormitory, with no formal events or obligation to wear uniforms.
She wore a pale yellow off-the-shoulder sleeveless dress, the soft chiffon fabric clinging to her slender frame and outlining her graceful curves.
Her cool, fair arms were exposed as she lightly held the wide brim of her sun hat.
Combined with her petite stature, she exuded the innocent charm of a girl next door.
"Hmph, Mahiro-kun, if you keep saying things like that, you'll never find a girlfriend!"
Her pretty face beneath the sun hat puffed up slightly as she glared at him, cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
Mahiro was used to this reaction.
Ever since that day in the reading room, Mayumi would inexplicably blush whenever she saw him.
"Really? I don't think so."
He smiled meaningfully.
But Mayumi misunderstood—while he was referring to Mibu Sayaka, she seemed to think he meant her.
Instantly, her jade-like earlobes turned a soft pink as she turned away with a quiet huff.
"Hmph, I knew it! I'm ignoring you now!"
"Alright, Mayumi. If you two want to flirt, you'll have plenty of time on the way. We should get going now."
Mari watched the two with exasperation, tapping her temple lightly with her terminal.
Under Watanabe-senpai's urging, Mahiro boarded the bus and found an empty row of seats to sit in.
But before long, a faint floral scent drifted over.
Mayumi had actually taken the seat beside him.
"Mayumi-senpai, shouldn't you be sitting up front? Why are you squeezing in here with me?"
"Aren't you curious why I was late?"
"The reason I'm late today is entirely your fault, Mahiro-kun."
Instead of answering his question, Mayumi said something completely baffling, leaving him utterly confused.
Just three hours ago, the Saegusa household suddenly received two unexpected guests.
The Itsuwa siblings—family head Mio and her younger brother Hirofumi.
Their purpose was simple: once again, they came to discuss the marriage arrangement between Hirofumi and Mayumi.
But for some reason, their attitude was far more aggressive than before.
They insisted with unprecedented firmness that Mayumi marry Hirofumi, practically demanding it be done that very day.
It wasn't until later conversations that the truth came out.
Mio had heard about Mahiro and the rumors that Mayumi was getting close to him, which prompted this visit.
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