Predicament

Yotsuba Crisis Arc 1

Like most Saturdays, First High bustled with students, lessons and club activities were still in session. Tatsuya made his way to the Public Moral Committee, immediately finding himself amidst a pile of paperwork that was irresponsibly dumped onto him by Mari. Of course, Tatsuya finished the pile of paperwork with ease and was about to follow his routine of waiting for Miyuki in the library. Just then, he heard someone knocking on the door. Tatsuya reached for the handle of the door and opened it, surprised to find Mayumi standing on the other end.

"Good morning, what brings you here Mayumi-senpai?" Tatsuya asked.

"Good morning Tatsuya-kun, you are alone?" Mayumi replied.

"Yes, are you looking for Mari-senpai? She left after dumping all her work on me, you should try some of her usual places if you are looking for her. If there is nothing else then please excuse me."

"No no no, I erm... I actually wanted to talk to you. We haven't had a proper conversation since the night you fought the Parasites."

Tatsuya immediately sat down and gestured for Mayumi to do the same, mentally fabricating replies for the possible questions that Mayumi was about to ask him.

"About that night, you still have yet to open up about it but knowing you, it is probably another secret that I am better off not knowing so I will not ask you for any information." Mayumi paused briefly and took a deep breath before continuing, "there have been no sightings of rogue magicians every since that night so we can take it as a successfully completed mission. In light of your contribution, my father has invited you to dinner next week but this time he said that he would appreciate it if you came along."

"Alone?" Tatsuya asked out loud.

"Preferably, yes. I do not know the reason as well and I doubt that father would tell me even if I asked."

"I will try my best to convince Miyuki but you have to promise me one thing as well."

"And what is that promise that I have to keep?" Mayumi asked with piqued curiosity.

"Don't bring me to your bedroom this time, there will not be a lot of heart left if I enter your bedroom again," Tatsuya said in a tone that was hovering between a teasing tone and a serious tone.

"Hey!" Mayumi exclaimed with bright red cheeks, "I don't let just anyone go into my bedroom, in fact, you are the first and probably the last." Her voice trailed off towards the end as she vividly recalled what happened the last time Tatsuya was in her room.

"I am still sorry for last time, but there is little that can be done." Tatsuya immediately apologized when he realized that his mischief had led to undesired consequences.

"Just so you know, I have yet to give up," Mayumi said in her usual cheery tone.

"That aside, is there another agenda that you wish to speak to me? If there is none, I would like to make my way to the library now." Tatsuya said in his normal stoic tone.

"There is actually still one more thing I would like to talk to you about," Mayumi said.

"Speak your mind."

"Are you free tomorrow?" Mayumi asked, her cheeks turning pink again.

"You indeed have yet to give up. As much as I would love to commend your courage by saying 'yes', I am already booked by my sister." Tatsuya let out a soft laugh as Mayumi used the oldest trick in the book to ask him out.

"Onii-sama, I am done with my work for the day," Miyuki called out as she walked up the stairs leading to the Public Moral Headquarters from the Students Council room.