Cardfight!! Vanguard: Generations Volume 5 [Yukina Sympathy]

Chapter 2: Minamoto Ghost

"...Project MF? Motor Future? Huh?"

As I repeated in confusion the words Saionji had just uttered, she nodded with a charming smile.

"That's right. I was looking for people to participate in my thesis, and one of my sponsors - your mentor, Mikazuchi-san - suggested drafting you into the race."

The more Saionji spoke, the less clear this situation was becoming. Thesis? Race? What's going on here exactly?

I turned to Mikazuchi-sensei, hoping to seek answers from him. However, all that I saw when I looked at his face was a smug smile, and a glint in his beady eyes showing how he was enjoying seeing me out of my depths a bit too much.

In the first place, this situation was absurd to take in. We had just finished the Mixed Training Bootcamp special exam, and I was looking forward to returning to GEN Academy to spend the rest of my summer peacefully there.

Yet somehow, I was dragged away by Chabashira-sensei to this conference room, whereupon entering, there were a whole slew of new and familiar faces waiting to induct me into this project I'd heard nothing about before.

Standing behind me was Chabashira-sensei and standing in front of me were Mikazuchi-sensei and a woman I'd never met before until now— Saionji. On my left was Shigaisoshi-sama and Minamoto, and on my right was Anjou-sensei.

"Mikazuchi-sensei... may I enquire on what you signed me up to without my knowledge?"

"Ha ha, you're overthinking things too much here, Takanori-shounen. Relax, you'll enjoy this."

I sighed, putting my hands in my pockets.

"Then can I at least receive an explanation on what's going on here?"

"You know I would love to, but I think it's better if you heard straight from Saionji-san's mouth. She's the organiser, after all. At the very least, I'll say that the present I gave you has to do with it."

Mikazuchi-sensei winked, giving a cheeky grin and cool thumbs up. I raised an eyebrow, before remembering the bag he gave me after I retired from the hide and seek challenge.

Inside, buried at the bottom of all those snacks, were a pair of car keys.

"I suppose I should introduce myself, although it's far more entertaining seeing you look like a lost lamb in all of this, Takanori Yuuto-san."

Saionji giggled, offering her hand out to me. I haven't even introduced myself, yet she already knew what my full name was. Just how much information did Mikazuchi-sensei give her...?

"My name is Saionji Yuuri, and I'm currently studying for a doctorate in Vanguard at the University of Tokyo. It's nice to meet you, Takanori-san. I've heard many interesting things about you from Mikazuchi-san."

Considering how mature she looks, it made sense she was that far in her education and work career. It was kind of scary though, since that meant I was basically being recruited by an expert.

What surprised me though was her specialty subject. Considering the gift Mikazuchi-sensei got me, I was expecting her to study something car related. If this project leans more on the Vanguard side though, it suddenly makes sense why he got me involved.

While I'm still not happy about it, it's something I'm capable of doing.

"I'm Takanori Yuuto. It's nice to meet you too. Please don't pay too much attention to what he said..."

I shook her hand, reluctantly, and froze up a little as a sharp chill ran down my spine. It was like I was shocked by one million volts...

In that moment, my eyes widened as I realised it.