The Irregular at Magic High

Chapter 5

"Dear Brother, sorry for the wait." 

From behind Tatsuya and the rest, who were talking at a corner near the exit of the auditorium, the voice of the person whom he was waiting for called out.

Miyuki, who was surrounded by a crowd, slipped out from there. Initially, Tatsuya felt that she was a little early, but thinking about his little sister's character again, it was perhaps just about time. Even though she wasn't one who would shy away from socialization, it was undeniable that she had a tendency to be obsessively displeased with flattery and compliments. While you could say that she was behaving like a kid, since young, there had been no lack of opportunities for her to receive praise, and among them, the times when such compliments were coated with a mix of jealousy and envy numbered not just a handful. If you think about that, then it was quite understandable that she would be somewhat suspicious of the adulation she received. You can even say that she was bearing it well for today.

 "You were quick" was what he intended to say as he turned around, but even though the words remained the same as planned, his intonation turned into a questioning one. Behind the one he had expected, was an accompanying one whom he didn't. 

"Hello Shiba-kun. We meet again." In response to that amiable, disarming smiling face and words, Tatsuya lowered his head without saying anything. Despite his inadequate acknowledgement to her courteousness, the smile of the Student Council President, Saegusa Mayumi, did not give way in the slightest. Perhaps, it was a type of poker face of hers, or perhaps, this was something inborn in this young lady who was more senior in age. Whichever it was, Tatsuya, who had only just met her, could not tell. But, more than the elder brother's strange response to the student council president, his little sister appeared to be bothered by the two young ladies who had snuggled up (?) intimately to her big brother from beside him. 

"Dear brother, they are..." Before explaining her own situation on why she was not alone, Miyuki was seeking out an explanation on why Tatsuya was not alone. Even though he was a little taken aback by her abruptness, he had nothing to hide. Tatsuya answered without a second's delay. 

"This is Shibata Mizuki-san. And that is Chiba Erika-san. We're in the same class."

"I see... isn't it a little too soon to be dating your classmates?" 

With her adorable head tilted to the side, it's not like I have something against it, Miyuki's face seemed to say as she asked. Her lips formed a lady-like smile. But, her eyes were not smiling. Oh my oh my, thought Tatsuya. It seems like immediately after the ceremony, she has been bombarded with flattery from left and right, setting her on edge, resulting in plenty of accumulated stress. 

"There's no way that could happen right, Miyuki? We were just chatting while waiting for you. You are being rude to both of them, aren't you?" 

His little sister's pouting face looked cute to him, but to not give her own name after getting introduced to the other party might not look favorable for her reputation in front of the upperclassmen and the same year students. On seeing Tatsuya's slightly reproachful eyes, a look of resignation flashed across her face for an instant, and following that, Miyuki fixed up an even more gracious smile on her face. 

"Good day, Shibata-san, Chiba-san. I am Shiba Miyuki. I'm also a freshman just like my dear brother, so I look forward to being in your care." 

"I am Shibata Mizuki. Same here, I also look forward to being in your care." 

"Nice to meet you. You can just call me Erika. Can I call you Miyuki?" 

"Yes, please do. It'll be hard to distinguish between me and my brother from our family name."

 The three young women introduced themselves to one another again. The greetings exchanged between Miyuki and Mizuki seemed appropriate for people who have met for the first time. But for Erika, right from the start, she was surprisingly (if this is the right way to put it) friendly. However, only Tatsuya felt bewildered at Erika's friendly manner of speaking. There was no sign of Miyuki being bothered by the almost overly-familiar behavior from her nod. 

"Ah-ha, Miyuki, I didn't expect you to be so sociable from your outward appearance."

"You are just as open as you appeared to be. Nice to meet you, Erika."

 After getting exasperated by all the flattery and compliments, it was understandable that she would be quite fond of Erika's frank attitude, but it seemed like both of them had somehow acquired a mutual understanding beyond that. Miyuki and Erika were both exchanging unreserved smiles with each other. While Tatsuya could not help but felt left behind, it would not do to remain rooted here. Since the group with the student council president who had followed his little sister were of the same crowd, they weren't really obstructing anyone, but because of this, if they continued to stand around here, they would become an obstruction to people who would want to pass through. 

"Miyuki. Are you done with your business with the student council? If you are not, I can go kill some time myself, you know?" 

"It's fine." The one who had replied to Tatsuya's question and suggestion was the other party. 

"I'm here just to say hello for today. Miyuki-san... can I call you that as well?" 

"Ah, yes." As Mayumi addressed her, Miyuki nodded, her unreserved smile replaced by a solemn expression. 

"Well then Miyuki-san, we'll catch up on another day."

 Mayumi bode goodbye lightly with a smiling face and started to make her exit out of the auditorium. However, one of the accompanying male students at the back called Mayumi to a stop. On his chest, blooming proudly as if it were a natural thing, was an eight-petaled flower emblem. 

"But President, what about the schedule on our side..." 

"We didn't really make an appointment beforehand. If she already has another engagement, she should give that priority right?" 

After the male student, who appeared to want to persist further, was restrained by her eyes, Mayumi gave a meaningful smile to Miyuki and Tatsuya. 

"Well then Miyuki-san, I shall take my leave. Shiba-kun as well, I'd love to catch up with you one of these days." 

After bidding them off again, Mayumi left. Following that, the male student who was following behind her turned around, and he glared at Tatsuya so hard as if one could hear his tongue clicking.