Published at 26th of March 2019 2:11 am

Volume 20, Chapter 7

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When Tatsuya returned to the artificial island, Miyuki returned to the party.

-Tatsuya-sama, thank you for the work done.

-Miyuki too, good work. It seems that everything went almost as planned.

-Yes. In the end, I had some unexpected work, but it was better to do this than to just explain.

As Tatsuya promised, he was able to return to the end of the party. The suit looked like new, the shoes were polished to shine. He looked neater than when he left. Seeing the appearance of Tatsuya, Honoka and Shizuku quickly approached him.

"Tatsuya-san, have you finished your work already?"

-Yes. It seems like it took a little longer than planned. "It's only about the middle."

According to the schedule, today's party will last two and a half hours. In fact, it was already farther than "about the middle", because it stayed about one hour.

"Moreover, sempai."

"By the way, where did they go?"

As Shizuku and Honoka said, all graduates of First High, including Isori, one of the main invited guests, left the venue of the party. Both Tatsuya and Miyuki knew what had happened, but they were not going to tell these two. Honoka and Shizuku understood this, and did not raise the topic of the graduates anymore.

◊ ◊ ◊

With regards to graduates, Azusa and Sayaka were in the port of an artificial island. They met Hattori, Kirihara and Sawaki.

-Well! So wet! From sea water, clothes and shoes are spoiled! - Under the rain Sayaka's reprimands for the appearance of Kirihara, not only he, but Hattori and Sawaki shrank and became smaller.

-Mibu-san, now it's a bit ...

Around them were also present soldiers who were engaged in the collection of neutralized enemy agents. Azusa could not help but worry about watching the curious looks of the soldiers.

"But look at this." This is hopeless.

The material of an expensive costume for parties was wrung under the influence of sea water. Leather shoes were also all swollen, saturated with salt water. For ordinary people, like Sayaka, it was quite justified to regret in terms of lost money.

"That's all right." - With a desire to finish everything quickly, Azusa forgot about the surrounding views and activated her CAD.

The magic of Azusa enveloped Hattori, Kirihara and Sawaki at the same time. Salty sea water was divided into liquid and powder and fell to the floor. Despite the absence of wind, the powder and droplets moved to the sea and disappeared there. Clothes and shoes became dry. Leather shoes returned their shape, wrinkles of clothes were smoothed. As if the wind blew, and the short hair of Hattori, Sawaki and Kirihara spread a stiff feeling of drying. In just 10 seconds, signs disappeared that these three plunged into the sea.

- So good? Let's go back to the party.

Azusa did not notice that her magic attracted attention. Not realizing that the military are looking at her for another reason, she suggested that this is mainly because of her proposal to "return."

- ... No, first you have to go and see how things are at Chiyoda-san.

Sayaka wondered if Azusa should be told why she was being looked at, but finally decided that "happiness in ignorance" was answered in this way.

"Did something happen to Chiyoda?"

-I'll explain it later. Come along. - Asked by Hattori, Sayaka pushed Azusa from behind and went.

Because of what happened to them, Isori and Kanon singled out a separate room in which there were no other people.

"... What happened?" - Entering the room where these two rest, asked really surprised Hattori. Kanon no longer cried. There were no tears or sobbing. But she still sat, buried her face in Isori's chest.

-Ahahahaha ... Yes, yes. Something shocking happened. - Isori tried to laugh it off. But that was not enough to convince Hattori. In the end, they left a couple embracing. While Azusa and Sayaka were told about the "hostage incident", it was time for the party to end.

◊ ◊ ◊

Chen Xiangshan and Lu Ganghu went back to their country on a speedboat with the deserters on board. From the boat disguised as a fishing boat, Bradley Zhang was also caught. The mission was almost complete.

"Captain, I'm offering you a drink."

- With pleasure.

Watching the full moon on the deck of a ship heading west, to the port of Xiamen through the Taiwan Strait, Chen Xiangshan and Lu Ganghu picked up a glass.

-This time the mission was fruitful. In the words of Chen Xiangshan,

-Really.

Lu Ganghu answered without his usual tone of subordinate.

"And yet, sooner or later we will have to fight again with the Japanese army."

- I agree with you.

Having come to an agreement, both looked at the moon.

-It's a pity that we failed to see the skills of Lieutenant Colonel Kazama himself, but the abilities of his guys, in general, are understandable.

-Yes. Especially formidable is Major Yanagi.

-Hou.

Chen Xiangshan poured wine into a glass of Lu Ganghu. Lu Ganghu politely took the glass with both hands.

-But.

-Yes.

"It's only a stepping stone to a more complex opponent."

"As you say."

- Shiba Tatsuya. Shiba Miyuki. Heirs of the annoying Yotsuba.

In response to Chen Xiangshan's words, Lu Ganghu's eyes flashed, reflecting the burning morale.

"They're dangerous." It is a great achievement that we could at least confirm this again.

- Yes.

"Then we are enemies." From now on.

"Count on me."

- Yes.

Chen Xiangshan gulped down the contents of the glass, as if swallowing the moon reflected there.

◊ ◊ ◊

After the end of the party, Tatsuya reported on what happened to Maya through the communicator of the yacht.

"You did a good job today."

"Thank you."

This time the mission ended without problems. If it was a test, then it was 90 points. Not 100, because there was no "plus-alpha". [note. Additional points for optional side achievements]

-I am satisfied with today's results.

-Many thanks.

-I also heard something interesting. "Gatekeeper" ... a pretty good-looking magic, is not it?

-After improvement, I think it can be used by someone else besides me.

- Does this mean that at last magic will appear, that in a real sense can neutralize magicians? I'll wait for it.

"I will make every effort to reach practical application as soon as possible."

-The magic of the Great Asian Alliance was also very interesting. I'd like to receive a detailed report directly, so go to the main house when you return to Tokyo.

-Good. Then we leave immediately.

"Ara, do not hurry. Rest there for a couple of days, regain strength, before returning. You can come with a report in April.

"Thank you."

- I look forward to our meeting next month.

After these words, the connection was interrupted. Bowed before the camera, Tatsuya, making sure that the call indicator went out, raised his head.

Tatsuya slightly stretched. Despite the success of the operation, the conversation with Maya greatly exhausted him. To freshen up, he left the cabin on deck. There, Miyuki, accompanied by Minami, watched the moon.

"Onii-sama." Have you already finished the conversation with both?

-Yes. After returning to Tokyo, it will be necessary to report directly. But it was ordered to come only in April.

"Oh ... Both of you now seem to be busy."

It seems that Miyuki thought that there would be an order to come with a report as soon as possible. She covered her mouth with one hand and slightly widened her eyes.

"Perhaps you are right."

Tatsuya remembered the time when he was assigned this case, then Maya left the main house for a reason unrelated to the Conference of the Main Clans, which was very rare. Perhaps some urgent issue with sponsors was also solved.

- But then we have a little free time?

- Exactly.

Tatsuya stood next to Miyuki. Having understood the atmosphere, Minami disappeared into the cabin. Left alone on the deck, Miyuki came closer to Tatsuya. Still dressed in a dress and with gathered up hair, she gently laid her head on the shoulder of his suit.

-This time the mission was ... a fun trip. "I was having fun too."

"But next I'd like to go on a trip without a mission." Onii-sama ... Tatsuya- sama.

- Onii-sama will come down.

Worrying not to disturb Miyuki's head touching his shoulder, Tatsuya looked at her profile.

"Onii-sama and Tatsuya-sama." What is better? I'm still ...

-There is no need to hurry. Time still exists.

-And the truth. Time still remains ...

Tatsuya could not read what was on Miyuki's mind, in anticipation of having closed her eyes.

Epilogue

In the waiting room for the departure of the airport there are 6 kinds of people.

People who see off with a smile. People who escort with tears. People who escort with different from the first two persons. Discarding the detailed classification, it will be any exception, except for smiles and tears.

Similarly, there are three species that are escorted. People who go with a smile. People who go with tears. People who depart with different from the first two persons.

However, we dare add one more species. People who go home with a tired face.

There were differences between working and playing, there was a difference between physical and mental exhaustion, but those who now waited for the return airplane had exactly such persons. Even the girls were exhausted.

March 29. The day after the party on an artificial island near the coast of Kume Island.

"It was a tiresome trip ..." Naha Sayaka, who came to the airport departure hall, grumbled, leaning both her hands on her suitcase to relieve the load of her own weight. Azusa, who heard her, giggled with restraint. It was like saying "I agree!", Because she could not say aloud the same thing to the invited classmate.

-True? But was it fun? "But her partner, Kirihara, had a different opinion." He objected with a cheerful expression. The excitement of yesterday's evening has not yet passed. The excitement is not from the party, but from the battle.

"... So Kirihara-kun was fun?" As a child, who rejoices when getting wet in a puddle.

Looking at Sayaka with sad eyes, Kirihara immediately looked away. He remembered how she got angry last night for a spoiled suit.

"Er, that's not because we wanted to play in the water." Hey, Sawaki.

Sawaki nodded strongly, although he did not understand well what that meant to "hey."

-Yes. It was a good fight. I am happy that for the first time in a long time I had to give my best.

In Sawaki, many shots flew from Sayaka and Azusa. However, even if he became a hedgehog with invisible arrows instead of thorns, it looks like Sawaki it did not work at all. At that moment Isori joined in with an apologetic face.

"Forgive me for all this." You were dragged into these unexpected events ...

-Oh, no! It is not true! - On Isori's apologizing words, Sayaka quickly waved her head. "I'm sorry to say strange things." Sure, I was having fun.

-Yes, I understand. - With a smile nodded Isori fussily explained

Sayaka. "Everybody is tired of getting into such an incident." I would like to rest another day.

-I agree! - Kanon reacted to one of the words of Isori.

-Refuse today's flight and stay one more night! - Accusing his hand in the hand of the groom, Kanon spoiled with a spoiled voice to persuade Isori.

-Such a reason will not work.

-Correctly. Although there are still a few days before the ceremony of entering the university, you still need to start preparing in advance. "Has confirmed Azusa's words to Hattori, but Kanon did not seem convinced:

-Yes, what is there to prepare?

-By the way, you have already passed the registration for landing? - Ignoring Kanon's objection, Hattori turned to Isori.

-Exactly. - Answered was Sawaki. He pushed his suitcase toward the check- in counter for landing.

-Wait! Hey, do not ignore me!

Followed by Sawaki Hattori, looked back at the protest Kanon:

-It's not a different country. Maybe we'll come again in the summer?

-A good idea. Will we go again with this line-up? He responded vigorously to Hattori's words.

"Uh, I'd like to see Kei and I together." - Kanon immediately expressed discontent.

"We do not know if the summer holidays will be really free."

Speaking to the National Academy of Defense Kirihara, entering the same course Sayaka nodded with a disappointed face.

- It is not necessary to be limited only in the summer of this year, and it is not necessary to be limited in the summer. A chance can be given at any time, because risks are everywhere.

"Hattori, is this some sort of philosophy?"

On the hob of Kirihara Hattori with a smile shook his head.

-It's not entirely in philosophy. Simply words of consolation. "I do not understand what you mean."

"It's like saying that next time you have to do better." - Sawaki, who finished registration, looked around. "Then, next time, let's deal with the problem only on our own."

- Well, something like this. Smiling, Hattori nodded at Sawaki's words.

◊ ◊ ◊

Unlike the group of graduates of First High, which, as planned, flew to Tokyo on the plane the day after the party, a group of current students swam carefree in the morning. The tour of Kumejima, interrupted by the attack of the submarine, was organized anew on the same ship with a transparent bottom.

-Suddenly it became "not a mission, but a trip". - said Miyuki with a bitter smile.

-I think this does not count. - Tatsuya also smiled ironically.

-What do you mean "does not count"? - Immediately asked with curiosity Honoka.

"The trip to Okinawa this time was a job, so I talked about going out of work next time. "Because there was no need to hide, Tatsuya honestly answered the question of Honoka. In a conversation last night, Miyuki requested that next time he be out of work. It was during their conversation on board a yacht returning from an artificial island to the main island of Okinawa. Since then, only half a day has passed. When it was mentioned that this cruise can be considered a "trip without work," Tatsuya and Miyuki showed bitter smiles, feeling that the conversation last night was continued.

"Hmm, what do you mean?" - Honoka did not go any further. She, probably, has understood, that questions, like "it is possible if I go with you?" will receive undesirable answers.

"How long will you stay here?" - Feeling the sufferings of the best friend, Shizuku decided to change the subject, referring to Miyuki.

"We plan to return to Tokyo tomorrow or the day after tomorrow."

"There's not much left after all."

-In fact, we planned to return today's flight. But in the end we had extra time.

-Hmm ...

Miyuki did not explain where the extra time came from. Shizuku also did not ask.

-We will soon have to organize preparations for the opening ceremony.

-Here's how.

Since Shizuku is an ordinary member of the disciplinary committee, she needs to participate only in the school events themselves, but there is no need to participate in their training. But Miyuki is the president of the school board. She must participate in a large number of preparations for the ceremony of admission.

Annually in March, preparations are made for the opening ceremony, various events at the beginning of the year, an acquaintance with the first- graders' representative is being held, etc., but this year Miyuki left Tokyo immediately after the closing ceremony to fulfill something similar to official duties although this was not "official" duties in fact, but were close to this). Most of the preparations were completed before the spring break, but a meeting to prepare the speech before the newcomers had not yet been held.

- This year, a representative of first-graders - after all, again a girl?

- Correctly.

"She's from the Top Ten Clan Clans?"

-Yes. Flying Siyin-san. The youngest daughter of the Mitsuya family. But we have not met.

-So this is how it is. That's why you cannot stay longer.

-Yes. I'm afraid that is it. "When Miyuki said this, not only herself, but Honoka also had a depressed face.

But not because Tatsuya will also leave when Miyuki goes to Tokyo. Honoka is also in the school board, so she also needs to participate in the preparation for the welcome ceremony. Honoka and Shizuku planned to return to Tokyo on the 31st, but if Miyuki returns on the 30th to prepare for the admission ceremony, they would also have thought about a return flight the same day.

"... Anyway, let's rest while we're here!" It's a little early in the sea, but why not swim in the hotel pool, where we stayed? It is quite spacious! - Returning motivation Honoka approached Tatsuya. Speaking to her Shizuku thought that from the face of Miyuki, watching this, a bit of calm disappeared.

◊ ◊ ◊

The report on the capture of the Japanese army by Jasmine Williams and James J. Johnson reached William MacLeod in Britain in the middle of the following day.

The incident, with an attempt to sabotage the artificial island in Kumejima, was apparently carried out by a detachment of deserters from the Great Asian Alliance with the support of the Australian army, but in fact it was Britain that organized the two forces together. If the details come to the surface, it will be impossible to avoid revealing that the British army is the culprit.

Knowing this, the intelligence department of the British army was surrounded by a tense atmosphere. Of course, there was not much noise, as if the hive had been turned over. Even in the building of the headquarters of the military intelligence department in the White Hall (the Government Center of Britain in the business district), this case was not loudly voiced, for fear of information leakage. It was unnecessary to create a depressing atmosphere. Therefore, there was nothing but reproach from the people, by which MacLeod was passing. The staff involved in this operation knew that MacLeod had a leading role in nominating a detachment of magicians of the Australian army.

MacLeod understood why these reproachful views were aimed at him. He was already asked to explain himself. The fact that his reputation worsened was clear to all. However, William MacLeod did not need to worry about the hostility directed at him. During interrogation by senior officers before government officials, he was treated like an aristocrat, as before.

First, he expected that the British government would not be negligent towards one of the official magicians of the Strategic Class from the Thirteen Apostles. The fact that he was calm, spoke of confidence in the safety of his position, despite the fact that he was involved in an independent trip to Australia, where he directly supervised the operation.

MacLeod left the headquarters of the so-called DIS and entered the old building next to the First Block. There was a branch of the government communications headquarters (formerly MI1), which was in charge of the British SigInt (engaged in interception of communications, eavesdropping, interception of radio signals, radar waves, etc.). For passers-by it was completely unclear what this building is, but it was MacLeod's workplace. Roughly speaking, in one of the rooms adjacent to the GCHQ building Macleod had a private office.

Not meeting anyone on the way, he went into his office and locked the door. In general, there were people walking back and forth through the building, but MacLeod's office was on a technical floor, where ordinary employees usually did not go. And access to the office itself was hidden from the rest with the help of a dedicated elevator.

MacLeod included the most modern communication terminal, incompatible with the appearance of the old building. A figure of one man immediately appeared on the display. Apparently, the interlocutor approached his terminal before the appointed time.

"Hello, Sir William MacLeod." How is your health?

- Hello, Dr. Clark. Health is normal. For my age.

"I did not mean anything like that ... I'm sorry."

- No, sorry for being rude. This was just a joke.

The name of the man, smiling puzzled from the terminal screen, was Edward Clark. He is a scientist from the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America and a specialist in large-scale information systems.

"You are an evil man, sir." By the way, it seems that the question we discussed earlier, as expected, ended in failure.

"There's nothing to hide from you, Doctor."

-I apologize. So, the introduction of the "Trojan horse" was successful?

-Not yet. Jas is caught by Haru Kazama .

-How? ... And I thought Yotsuba would be interested in getting such a sample.

"I still think there's still a chance." Because it seems that there is a special connection between the division of Kharu Kazama and Yotsuba.

-Through the telepathic network of the "Brothers Williams", having the same genetic code, I hope to find out some secrets of Yotsuba.

-In the case of Jas, you should say "Sister", do you not? Although there is no confidence in the conscious use of telepathy, it has the advantage of being difficult to detect to the enemy. In combination with the "system" of the doctor, the limits in which our eyes and ears can penetrate will increase significantly.

"Information is what you need to manage the world." Sir William, USNA thank you for your cooperation, regardless of the success or failure of the operation.

"Thank you." For the prosperity of Britain, Doctor, continue to provide us with your wisdom.

- Of course. Because we are allies.

From the screen of the communicator, Edward Clark uttered a friendly farewell "Well, see you soon." Immediately after this, the screen goes out. MacLeod also turned off the communicator, carefully closed it, and left this secret cabinet.

◊ ◊ ◊

Two days after the incident, an attempt was made to sabotage the artificial island in Kumejima. Maya visited a prestigious residential area near the city center.

The house looked like an old big mansion. But in fact it was a kind of fortress, which, in addition to the latest security equipment, was protected by a large number of ancient defensive spells.

The owner of the house was called Todo Aoba. Also known as His Excellency the priest Aoba, he was one of the secret players (also known as Yokai [ghosts, demons]) in the political and business arena of Japan. He was the true owner of the former Fourth Laboratory, and also the Yotsuba sponsor.

Elder Todo rarely summoned Maya. Although this was called sponsorship, the relationship with the Yotsuba family could not be called a one-sided patronage. In terms of funding, the Yotsuba family can do without the help of Elder Todo.

The Yotsuba family once won freedom from the army, destroying all workers of the former Fourth Laboratory.

But before that the army had already deprived the Todo family of power over the Fourth Laboratory.

That's why Elder Todo and the head of the Yotsuba family still had friendly relations. Just as the Yotsuba family depends on the influence of Elder Todo, so does the strength of the Yotsuba family. Relations of mutual support. Therefore, since Todo called Maya, the problem was really important.

After a formal welcome, Maya and Todo immediately moved on to the main topic.

-The day before yesterday in Kumejima you did a good job. "Thank you."

The work to prevent diversion, commissioned by Maya Tatsuya, was the request of Elder Todo.

"Then you captured magicians from the Australian army."

-Yes. One of them is an ordinary magician, but the other seems to be a very interesting specimen.

-And there is. "Elder Todo nodded at Maya's words. - It is natural for you to be interested. But never bring this person to the heart of Yotsuba.

Hearing the words of the elder, Maya slightly rounded her eyes.

"Ara ... Is it a trap?" Like a living bomb?

"It's worse than a bomb." This woman is "ears".

Despite the abstract way of expressing the elders of Todo, Maya accurately realized that "ears" is a person with a special intelligence ability.

- As you wish. I will ask Ms. Saeki to get rid of this person immediately. "Maya did not doubt the words of Elder Todo. And she did not ask where he got it from. The Yotsuba family was not the only development of the former Fourth Laboratory. In the organization that preceded the Fourth Laboratory, mating was also practiced. And Elder Todo also had with him those who once offered their "blood" to the Yotsuba family.

-Correct. It will be much more effective to inform Saeki through you than to simply give the order from here.

On the orders of Elder Todo, Maya bowed with a heartless smile.

(The end of the arch "Zavarushka in the South Sea")

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