Predicament

Conflict Arc 1

A/N This chapter marks the start of the new and possibly final arc of Predicament, hope all of you will enjoy it! I will try my best to update every week or so, so stay tuned!

Mayumi's could not help but sigh. It was her tenth in just under an hour. Her entrance examinations are right around the corner, three days to be exact, but she has yet to be prepared. The time she had set aside to study was not productive at all. She was not mentally focussed enough to study. Her mind had been all over the place ever since she shared the kiss with Tatsuya.

"Arghhh, at this rate I really will not be able to make it into the National Magic University." Mayumi's hand abraded her face, making her eyes all droopy. She was, however, not warranted of her worries. Although she did not have much time to prepare prior and even when she had, she could barely study, she was still far more skilled and knowledgeable than an average magician who wishes to enrol in the National Magic University. Hence, it is safe to conclude that it is impossible for her to not make the cut.

"Ah, don't ruin your beautiful face like that."

"Please at least knock on the door before you come in, father. It was you who taught me that." Mayumi expressed with much annoyance.

"You were too lost in your own world, you made me wait five minutes outside your door after I knocked. Don't forget what I taught you along with knocking on the door."

"Responding to the person who knocks the door. Yes, father, it is my mistake." Mayumi raised the white flag, admitting her defeat before her father goes off with another long-winded etiquette lesson.

"Where did your head drift off this time around? Is it to that boy Tatsuya-kun again?" Koichi playfully teased Mayumi, something that he has not done in quite a while.

Mayumi's cheeks begun to involuntarily burn, but she does not deny her father's speculation. However, she did pick up something amiss. Her father would not disturb her without any purpose, needless to say, tease her. Koichi is up to something yet again.

"What is it that you want me to do? Please do spare a thought for me by keeping in mind that I have my entrance examinations in just three days."

"Oh, come on. You know as well as I do that you will make the cut regardless. After all, you were ready for this exam a few years ago. My request is simple, I need you to have a partner. It is simply impossible for me to reject all of your suitors for any longer, it has come to a point where the diplomatic ties of our clan are at stake. Either you take one of the suitors out or you get Tatsuya-san. Your choice, but it has to be a fast one."

"How soon must I make my decision?"

"Time has run out on you, so it has to be now."

Mayumi bit her lips on Koichi's response. Sure, she did feel that her father was exaggerating the situation to a certain extent. It could not be so dire as to threaten the diplomatic tie of the Saegusa clan, but she could not deny that numerous suitors were disgruntled when they were not even given a chance to meet her in person. She also knew this was coming ever since her father spoke to her previously regarding her relationship status.

But Mayumi knew that this was the worst time possible for her to be faced with this situation. The only event that she would have a chance to meet Tatsuya was in the upcoming Graduation Party for the seniors, but she was doubtful that Tatsuya would even be present. Other than that, it was pretty much impossible for her to meet Tatsuya, much less date him.

"But I still can't date Tatsuya-kun, not yet at least. I will need at least another month."

"I believe I had already given you a deadline previously," Koichi stated, taking her memory back to the time in the study, where she requested for a month to get Tatsuya by her side. She would only have a mere week to go if she went by the deadline.