Tatsuya had not stayed in the school for much longer after the entrance ceremony was completed yesterday. Therefore, he had not actually met any of his classmates.
After entering his class, he headed straight towards his terminal.
As he was getting ready to fill his personal information over it, he heard an unexpected voice.
Erika: Morning!
Mizuki: Good morning.
Erika greeted him in a cheerful tone. And, that was followed by Mizuki in a reserved voice.
As the class seats were organized in alphabetical order it was obvious that Tatsuya will be sitting next to Mizuki. Trying to get acquainted with them in a better way, he headed over to them.
They conversed for a bit before getting back to work.
Tatsuya placed his student ID over the terminal and went through all the school rules and curriculum, and chose the courses that he will be studying for the rest of his stay in the highschool.
It was then that his eyes met tbe student who was sitting ahead of him.
The guy in question was staring intensely at his hands working skillfully on the keyboard.
He introduced himself, "Hey, I am Leonhard Saijou. My specialty is convergence-type hardening magic. You can call me Leo."
Leo: I am sure that I have never seen anyone working over a keyboard this fast.
Tatsuya: It is more accurate this way.
Leo nodded to this statement.
Tatsuya: I am Tatsuya Shiba. Just call me Tatsuya. I dont have any particular practical skills. But, I want to be a magic engineer.
"And who is that?", said Erika pointedly towards Leo.
For some reason Leo didn't like the attitude of the girl and interjected to that.
And, that was how Tatsuya got acquainted with the bunch with whom he will be sharing his class.
After that their homeroom class started and the teacher who was going to be their guidance counselor, Haruka Ono.
The rest of their time was spent filling their information on their terminals, selecting their courses and getting to know the students who will sitting near to them.
Lunch Time
Tatsuya regretted not being able to refuse the offer that was put forward by the council president. He really didn't won't to face her, at least not now of all times.
Tatsuya, Shinji and Yasha, the three siblings were in front of the council room as they were supposed to be. And, just like the morning, Tatsuya was the one to knock at the door.
Following the same procedure, they were let in without any problem. The table that was filled with documents in the morning was now completely empty. Instead, the members who were present before had their lunch out on the tables, and were just about to begin their course.
Mayumi was operating the vending machine that was present in the council room. And, she put three more plates of lunch on the order.
After those were prepared, she joined the table. Foremost, she gave a brief intro of everyone who was present in the room; namely, Nakajou Azusa, Ichihara Suzune, Watanabe Mari and Tsukuba Miyuki.
So, the potential future family head of the Yotsuba was a part of the student council.
The HAR brought over the prepared lunches over to tbe table, and set those in front of the siblings.
The conversation started with a harmless topic.
Mayumi: Hey, Mari...did you make your own bento?
Mari: ...Yes. Is that strange?
The last part of her answer was directed towards Tatsuya. But, why is she dragging him in a conversation that he didn't even want to be a part of? He didn't even want to be in that room. He wanted to yell that out loud. However, he maintained his calm.
Tatsuya: Not particularly.
Mayumi looked around and saw that she was the only one in the members of the council who had bought a lunch plate from the vending machine. She was deflated at that. But to kept the conversation going, she asked Tatsuya.
Mayumi: Starting tomorrow, I too will be bringing my own lunch. Tatsuya, how do you like your lunch?
Tatsuya: I...cook.
Mayumi made a surprised remark over that. Cooking and dining was not something one personally wanted to do these days, these works were all left to the HAR( Home Automaton Robots).
Mayumi: You know how to cook?
To that question, it was Shinji who answered.
Shinji: What else can you say? He is very skilled with his...hands.
He said that in a deep tone, with a smirk on his face, drawing out every word for as long as he could.
The way it was said was enough to make every girl present in the room flustered.
The reaction to that comment was not momental. With each passing second, the heat inside the room was rising. And, most part of it was on the faces of the girls. They were all blushing fiercely.
Tatsuya: Shin, that will be enough.
Within the very first second of voicing out that, the atmosphere in the room took a sudden turn. Gone were the embarrassment and nervousness.
Shinji's face turned stoic as if all the ordial that took place was a bare-faced lie. Tatsuya had not phrased his words in a threatening way. But, the authority in his voice could be clearly felt. That was enough to restore the entire council back to its original state.
Tatsuya turned to Mayumi and asked, "And you were saying?"
Mayumi was surprised at the way things had turned out and that was quite embarrassing for her. But gathering all the courage that she could, she continued.
Mayumi: Um, you both, Shinji and Yasha, have scored the highest marks in the entrance exam this year. You were menat to be the student representatives. And moreover to be offered a seat in the student council. But for reasons, you refused to take part in any of those. So I was wondering about what you want to do. I mean, there can still be one of you in the student council, we can take care of that much.
Shinji: That's an interesting notion, but guess I will pass on that.
Yasha: ...don't wanna.
Everyone present in the council room was surprised at that. Being a part of student council in any of the Magic University Affiliated High Schools was an achievement of its own. And here they were, rejecting this opportunity as if it means nothing.
Tatsuya: Yasha.
Yasha: Don't wanna.
Tatsuya: ...Yoru.
Yasha: ...fine.
The whole ordinal played out as if it was perfectly planned. But there was no way it could be, the offer to have one of the siblings enter the council was not authorized in the first place.
Even then, it was quite an interesting way of convincing someone. By the end of this confrontation, Yasha was looking a bit sullen, and more like a child. And seeing that, a small and effortless smile could be seen on Tatsuya's face. It was an endearing sight.
Tatsuya: This will be good for you. Get along with kids your own age, make friends, and enjoy this time to your fullest. And, in case there are any problems, you know that I have always got your backs.
That was some really serious brotherly love. Even more surprising was the fact that, no one could say that the statement might have been a lie.
It was surprising that three boys of the same age could act this accordingly, even if they were brothers. It was just strange. Too strange.
Tatsuya: ...and you. You better do something productive for once in your life.
This remark was directed towards Shinji. Tatsuya's behaviour towards him was a complete contrast to how he acted towards Yasha. Gone was his playful smile and carefree attitude. He was downright rough towards him.
Shinji: Oh dear brother of mine. Don't get your panties in a twist. I will definitely find something to entertain myself for the rest of the year.
Tatsuya: ...no troubles.
Shinji: They won't be too noticeable.
For a second, it looked like Tatsuya was about to argue with him. But he kept a firm hold on his emotions and stayed quite.
Tatsuya turned towards Mayumi and bowed his head.
Tatsuya: Yasha is my youngest sibling. He will be in your care. Please take good care of him.
Having said that, Tatsuya stood up from his seat. Deciding that all the matters related to him were over, he left the council room.
The atmosphere in the room was standstill for a moment. But, them it turned back to normal.
Mayumi: So, he really is the caring big brother type.
Without intending to, she had said it pretty out loud.
Shinji: That he is. He is too nice for his own good.
Shinji had said that in a pretty vengeful tone. However, the anger in his voice was not directed towards Tatsuya. It was clear as day that the feelings between the brothers were mutual.
Yasha: This is neither the time nor the place.
So far, might as well be the longest sentence that he had said inside this room. He was trying to distract Shinji from his thoughts, but he acknowledged quite well what he was thinking about.
Shinji: By the way Saegusa senpai, what type of boys do you like?
It was a question miles away from the topic that was being discussed. Hearing that, Mayumi was flustered. Here was a boy, ypu get than her, sitting in front of her, and asking about the her likes.
Mayumi: My type?
Shinji: Yes, the type of boys that you like. I mean, if you are into technology and stuff, then Tatsuya is your guy. If you like someone who is a bit rough around the edges and got a short temper, then Yasha will do. However, if you just want some good time, then you are looking at the guy.
Mayumi: That's quite surprising seeing that you believe any one of you can be my type.
Shinji: That is the thing, senpai. I am not talking about just one of us. Maybe we all are your type. Besides, we are brothers. We don't mind sharing.
This statement brought about the largest silence period in the council room. Everyone understood the underlying meaning behind what was being said.
Shinji: ..well, you can just think this over. Besides, please show my younger brother the ropes.
Saying that he too left the council from, and all the gazes turned towards the last remaining male in the room. Yasha.
Yasha: ...we are half-siblings.