The Irregular at Magic High

Chapter 10

As early as the second day of admission, there were some students who began to take action. Tatsuya didn't know whether to think of it as too quick or just par for the course. All he knew was that if it came to a confrontation or backing down, it would most likely be the former. Both Erika and Leo were bright and optimistic, and Mizuki seemed shy yet carefree. While fully aware of his own inclination towards cynicism and moodiness, Tatsuya considered himself fortunate that his first friends in high school were them. 

However, most likely is not 100%. 

There had remained about 10-20%. 

It was nice they hadn't backed down servilely, but how would this turn out? Tatsuya was keenly contemplating the matter. 

"Dear brother..." Miyuki was lightly grasping the hem of Tatsuya's uniform with her fingertips, and her face as she looked up at her brother was a mixture of anxiety and embarrassment.
"Don't apologize, Miyuki. You aren't at fault in the least." In order to give strength to his sister, Tatsuya replied in a firm tone.
"Yes, but... will you stop them?"

"...That'd be counterproductive."

"...You're right. Still, putting Erika aside, for Mizuki to have that kind of personality was...unexpected."

"...I agree."

Watching from a step back — or in other words, directly in front of the siblings, was a group of new students glaring at each other with a volatile atmosphere simmering between them. One group was comprised of some of Miyuki's classmates, and the other was, needless to say, Mizuki, Erika, and Leo. The first act was in the dining hall during lunch. The dining hall of the First high school was considerably larger than the cafeteria found in most other high schools, but as the new students were still rather unaware and unsure, this time of year was generally crowded. However, as the four of them had left the visit of the specialist classes early and came to the dining hall, they had secured a four seat table without any trouble. It was a four seat but due to the facing benches, they'd probably be able to squeeze three of the more slender girls on one side. When they were about halfway through their meals (Leo had finished eating already), Miyuki had arrived surrounded by a group of male and female students, spotted Tatsuya, and rapidly made a beeline for him. The dispute started from there. Miyuki had tried to eat together with Tatsuya. It wasn't that she was the type who would refuse to interact with her classmates, but simply that, for Miyuki, the top priority partner would always be Tatsuya. Only one more person could fit at the table. Whether to choose her classmates or Tatsuya was a matter Miyuki didn't even consider.

However, Miyuki's classmates, especially the boys, were of course striving to sit with her. They had started off pretending to be polite saying things like "it's pretty cramped" and "sorry to be a bother", but seeing Miyuki's unwavering determination, had gone on to say that it was unsuitable for a first course student to share a table with second course students considering the gap between them, and ended up telling Leo who had finished eating that he was to vacate his seat. At this selfish display of supreme arrogance, both Erika and Leo were on the verge of exploding. Tatsuya finished his meal in a hurry, talked with Leo and the still-eating Mizuki and Erika, then stood up. Miyuki had soundlessly apologized to Tatsuya and the others, before walking past the vacated seat to stand by her brother. The second act had been the afternoon visit to a specialist class. In the remote precision magic laboratory otherwise known as the 'shooting range', a practical class was being carried out by 3rd year class A. It was the class of the Student President, Saegusa Mayumi. The student council was not necessarily chosen by grades, but the president this term was a once in a decade prodigy in remote precision magic, and had brought countless trophies to the school. That was something even the freshmen had heard. They had also confirmed the rumor of her coquettish nature at the entrance ceremony. There were many students packed around the range trying to get a look at her skill, but the number who could visit was limited.