Predicament

Yotsuba Crisis Arc 3

Miyuki paced about the room, glancing at the clock from time to trim as she awaited her brother's return. It had barely been five minutes since Tatsuya left the house to attend the dinner at the Saegusa residence and she already felt like dashing out of the house to find her brother. She still felt disgusted over her decision to allow her brother to visit the Saegusa residence and it infuriated her even more since she was certain that Mayumi would be discreetly laughing at her. Her displeasure and anger were forcefully dissipated as her home terminal rang.

"G-Good evening, Oba-ue." Miyuki was taken aback by the person who suddenly called.

"Fufu, good evening Miyuki-chan, you seem to be very surprised." Maya sat on her usual throne-like chair with a hand on the armrest supporting her head.

"Indeed, it is infrequent for Oba-ue to contact us especially on such short intervals. Do you happen to have new orders for my brother?" Miyuki responded with elegance and respect, nothing short of the standard set for being an Ojou.

"You do catch on fast, I do have new orders for Tatsuya. I do not see him by your side, where is he?"

"He is unavailable at this moment, please allow me to convey your message to him."

"No, I want to deliver this message of mine to him personally. Send the order for him to see me now."

"That would prove to be difficult, Oba-ue." Miyuki lowered her head, hoping that Maya would not pry any further although that would probably not be possible.

"And why is that so? My sister has raised you to be an obedient member of the Yotsuba, surely you will not be defiant." With an authoritative tone, Maya backed Miyuki into a corner.

As much as Miyuki wanted Tatsuya to come back immediately by issuing an order, it will definitely not reflect well on Tatsuya in front of an influential person like Koichi. At the same time, Miyuki couldn't tell Maya that her brother went to the Saegusa residence for it will definitely have severe repercussion. In this predicament, Miyuki chose to keep her head low and wait in silence, hoping that the moment will pass.

"It is true then, Tatsuya is visiting the Saegusa residence for the second time this week," Maya said with a smirk, carefully observing the reactions of Miyuki.

"Y-Yes, my brother is heading to the Saegusa residence as we speak." Taken aback by the information Maya had Miyuki's eyes widened in disbelief involuntarily.

"I guess he really is pushing his limits here. I did close an eye when he became the magic engineer for the Saegusa because I could sympathise with his situation, however, he seems to be taking it for granted. Tell me truthfully, is he trying to forge a close relationship with the Saegusa?" Twitches could be seen on Maya's face, she was undoubtedly angry. She locked her gaze on Miyuki, inducing an insurmountable amount of pressure and fear in her.

'I'm sorry, Onii-sama, I have no choice but to betray you.' Miyuki silently apologised before spilling the beans about his increasingly intimate relationship with Mayumi.

"This must be the first time you are not in the centre of Tatsuya's attention then, do you not feel angry?" As genuine as she could, Maya asked Miyuki.

"I..." To that question, Miyuki could only contemplate. As much as she would like to share her heartfelt thoughts, she was afraid of what will happen to her brother now that Maya is involved.

"You do, don't you. Every single time that Saegusa spends time with Tatsuya, you feel angry and unjust. After all, Tatsuya should belong to you and you alone, shouldn't he?" Maya probed Miyuki's feelings, slowing inciting anger within her.