"Are we certain of these numbers Izumi-san?"

Being called out suddenly by her Idol, Izumi was temporarily thrown off track.

"Well…um…..it's hard to say at this point."

Miyuki released an unusually deep sigh of frustration.

"We have to get these numbers right, we have no room for error. If we're off by just a few…"

Miyuki let her statement die there. Mikihiko cleared his throat before responding.

"Shiba-san, our hands are tied behind our backs at this point. The need for secrecy prevents us from directly asking the relevant questions or else we risk exposing our purpose to the student body, administration, and maybe even the Magic University."

Miyuki settled back down into her chair at the head of the table with resignation. There were an unusual number of people in the Student Council Room this warm June afternoon. For the Student Council, in addition to Miyuki as President, there was VP Saegusa Izumi, Treasurer Mitsui Honoka, and Secretary Sakurai Minami. Representing the Club Management Group was Chairman Igarashi Yousuke, with Hagane Tomitsuka and Shippou Takuma as support. The Public Morals Chief Yoshida Mikihiko was also present, supported by Kitayama Shizuku and sitting next to the unusually open door keeping an eye out was Saegusa Kasumi. Her ear and gaze were not on the activities within the room, but her fellow Public Morals Committee member standing at the end of the hall on lookout, Morisaki Shun. In addition Shibata Mizuki was here to represent the interests of the Magic Engineering Class.

A very heavy grouping of the leaders of First High School were currently occupying this room. The only noticeable absence was also the reason there needed to be a lookout for this large gathering.

This meeting was supposedly for discussion of the upcoming Nine Schools Competition in August. After last year's sudden event changes, Miyuki was determined to cover all the bases this year. Early June might be a little too early for this discussion, but they didn't want any surprises this year. It's best to be well ahead than to risk getting behind was the philosophy the group had adopted.

However, the topic of discussion while the noticeably absent person was gone had nothing to do with magic sporting competitions. In his absence was the only time the real reason for this gathering could be discussed.

"Um, Miyuki-san?"

Miyuki smiled benignly at the pensive looking Honoka.

"Go ahead Honoka-san."

Honoka looked pained to bring this up, but determined as well.

"I simply don't feel right excluding Tatsuya-kun from this discussion."

Miyuki rubbed gently at her right temple before responding.

"I don't feel right either, but you know what he'll try to do if he knows the details."

Mikihiko seemed unconvinced by her words.

"I believe he could contribute a great deal to the success of our initiative."

Miyuki smiled back at him.

"And he will, I promise. But please let me tell him when the time is right."

Everyone exchanged odd looks with one another. Miyuki didn't need mind reading abilities to know what they were thinking. No one wanted to deceive Tatsuya, least of all her; but she knew what they clearly did not. Tatsuya would think Miyuki was doing this just for him, and he wouldn't be entirely wrong on that. But this was greater than even him, and the attention it would bring to them was something she knew her Onii-sama wouldn't appreciate and might try to avoid.

Another belabored heavy sigh came forth from her.

"Please, I am asking you all to trust me on this. When the time is right, we will inform….Tatsuya-sama."

She still had difficulty not calling him Onii-sama in public. She didn't bother trying when they were alone or at home. It never occurred to her that calling her future husband "honorable older brother" would be awkward for Tatsuya. It was who her fiancé was, her Onii-sama.

"Izumi-san, we appreciate all your work on this. Please continue working with the second years and Honoka will continue canvasing the third years."

Honoka nodded with a smile at the concerned but eager Izumi.

Miyuki placed her index finger on her lips as she began to contemplate.

"It's really our new first years that are the real question marks. Where is our first year rep right now?"

Honoka was about to answer when Kasumi, previously still and disinterested in a chair by the open door, gave the signal.

Miyuki instantly forgot her previous efforts at rebranding Tatsuya and reverted to traditional form.

"Onii-sama is coming!"

Silent panic began to take over the room as people frantically hid anything related to the secret topic.

Morisaki Shun had steadily become more and more a mystery to Tatsuya. Early on their interactions were simple and easy to understand. Morisaki looked down on Course 2 students and didn't bother to hide his disdain for them. This, of course, was the First Year Morisaki that Tatsuya had met on the first day of school when he was trying to interfere with Miyuki having lunch with her Onii-sama, and later that day starting fights with Leo, Mizuki, and Erika on basically the same issue.

The Third Year Morisaki that was now staring back at him while leaning against the hallway wall was now a mystery to Tatsuya. They had served together on the Public Morals Committee for their first year and a half at First High School. The arm band on Morisaki's left arm indicated that he was still in that position and probably would graduate as a serving committee member.

Even before Tatsuya switched from Public Morals to Student Council, their interactions with one another had become virtually nonexistent. Despite his disdain for Course 2 students in his first year, Tatsuya had never heard a complaint from any student, Course 1 or 2, that Morisaki abused his Public Morals Committee granted authority. Also, no one mentioned him complaining when a former Course 2 student was chosen over him to be Public Morals Chief.

As a member of Class 3-A, Morisaki was still at the top of the entire class and still a classmate with Miyuki, Honoka, and Shizuku; yet his name had been mentioned less and less by them over the weeks and months. That was a good indicator that he, at the very least, had learned to keep his prejudices to himself if nothing else.

Still, Tatsuya found it odd that Morisaki, who was obviously on duty with his armband on display, was waiting against the wall leading towards the Student Council Room in what can be called the least likely place to find a student disturbance at First High. It certainly wasn't his normal patrol route and thus it was extremely suspicious to Tatsuya.

"Shiba-san!"

"And now he's intentionally calling me out?"

Tatsuya continued to approach the waiting Morisaki. Once he was in easy speaking range he replied, but not before casting a quick glance down the hall towards the surprisingly open door of the Student Council Room.

"Interesting, I wonder what all this is about?"

"How can I assist you Morisaki-san?"

As he spoke those words he simultaneously used Elemental Sight to examine the Student Council Room beyond. He identified eleven individuals, all familiar to him. Most, including Miyuki, were moving about rapidly, apparently moving and hiding things.

"Interesting indeed."

"I don't need anything in particular, Shiba-san."

Morisaki's response brought him back to the matter at hand.

"Oh, yet you called out to me?"

A momentary flicker of embarrassment and irritation floated on Morisaki's face, but he quickly compensated.

"Just thought I'd say hello, since we're both here."

Tatsuya's right eyebrow rose slightly at that response, but it quickly went back to its normal place.

"Ah, I see, well then, hello. Now please excuse me, I'm due for a Staudent Council meeting."

Tatsuya wanted to quickly get into the room before everyone had a chance to settle down. Their hectic actions and reaction to his sudden appearance might give him clues to what they were attempting to hide from him. He turned down the hallway and began to walk forward when Morisaki called to him again.

"Shiba-san, just curious, do you prefer Student Council work or what you used to do on the Public Morals Committee?"

Tatsuya glanced back with a smirk.

"The things Miyuki can get people to do for her never fail to amaze."

The obvious attempt to slow him down could not simply be ignored. Morisaki had made the effort to be courteous, which despite its duplicitous purpose, could not be rudely brushed off without enflaming old tensions unnecessarily.

"I find that both have their distinct challenges, however, Public Morals allowed me more exercise and freedom. Student Council is more paperwork and time consuming, but I don't particularly find one more congenial than the other."

Morisaki looked to honestly be pondering Tatsuya's answer for a few moments.

"I see, well, I suppose I can see that both have their good and bad points. I'll continue my patrol now, later."

Tatsuya nodded in response and proceeded to the Council room. Morisaki had accomplished the mission assigned to him either directly, or indirectly via Mikihiko, by Miyuki; and having done so proceeded about his normally scheduled business.

Tatsuya had already returned his attention to the unusual activities in the Student Council Room. As soon as he passed the threshold he was greeted immediately.

"Onii…Tatsuya-sama!"

The usual beaming smile of radiant beauty greeted him from the long end of the central table. She had already been standing. Neither of them had gotten used to the new public way of addressing each other since their engagement last New Year's Eve. It wasn't a vocal, but auditory issue for Tatsuya since he had called her "Miyuki" for over four years beforehand, and had simply continued to do so afterward. Miyuki, in contrast, had a hard time not calling him "Onii-sama". She still used that title exclusively at home, which probably compounded the issue for her in public. She didn't feel simply calling him "Tatsuya" was enough to express her reverence for him, which he thought odd since she loved being called only "Miyuki" by him. Currently she had settled on calling him "Tatsuya-sama" whenever they were together in the public eye. He couldn't help but feel it was too convoluted and that his fiancée should just address him simply by name; but he also knew she never wanted anyone to ever think that she had forgotten her respect for him. Since their identities as heirs to the Yotsuba Clan leadership became public, she was even more adamant than before about letting everyone know where Tatsuya stood in the heart of the future leader of one of the Ten Master Clans.

However…..

"Tatsuya-kun!"

"Welcome Tatsuya-san."

"How's it going Tatsuya-kun?"

If Miyuki ever saw the irony of having everyone else address him so informally while she herself, the person he loved exclusively, addressed him very formally; she never once seemed to show it. If anything, the fact that everyone felt so close to her beloved fiancé seemed to make her even happier.

"And not a single crack in her happy-faced armor."

Tatsuya smirked at her in approval of her amazingly beautiful poker-face.

"Greetings everyone. Hope I didn't interrupt."

"We were just waiting for you before we began the serious discussions Tatsuya-kun!"

A good poker-face was not something anyone would likely ever associate with the beautiful and transparent Honoka. The slight tinge of excitement, embarrassment, and anticipation in her expression and voice was something Tatsuya had long come to expect whenever she saw him. The slight tinge of fear was unusual though. Tatsuya was not the only one who noticed. Many eyes drifted towards her. Their looks of mild frustration at Honoka's "hand in the cookie jar" facial expression had told Tatsuya more than Honoka's own reaction had. Even the usually stoic Shizuku cast a knowing glance at her best friend. Only Miyuki maintained her control.

Kasumi, who was sitting in a chair at the door to obviously watch for Morisaki's signal, seemed to find the whole situation amusing. Tatsuya heard her snicker at all the obviousness the awkwardness in the room was revealing.

"That's right; we were just about to begin Tatsuya-sama."

Tatsuya came around the table to take his usual seat between Miyuki and Honoka. He made sure to gently smile toward Honoka to reassure her. She turned away embarrassed but her happiness could not be hidden. A normal high school boy would have found it hard to sit between such beauties, especially knowing of their mutual desire to be the object of his affections and the ongoing competition between them for his amorous attention. For Tatsuya this was simply a normal occurrence and didn't faze him in the least. More than a few of the other males present sent a variety of looks his way as he skillfully ignored all of them.

As he settled in an errant thought flickered across his mind.

"This used to be Ichihara-sempai's seat."

Miyuki had not only replaced Mayumi as Student Council President but also as the "scheming leader". Honoka had clearly taken over Nakajou-sempai's post as "reluctant accomplice". Miyuki may have also taken over Mari's role as the "enforcer"; but Izumi was, despite her public gentility and shyness, developing a fierce reputation as Miyuki's "chain-mailed fist", at least among the second and first year students. Of course this reputation might apply more to the Saegusa Twins as a team, and not just Izumi alone, since Izumi usually dragged her sister along with her.

Realizing all this, he knew that he had replaced Ichihara as the "organizer". He also seemed to have replaced Juumonji as the "intimidator" whenever someone didn't follow along with the Miyuki's plans and needed some convincing; but he wasn't too sure of that role being his alone.

"Izumi-san."

Miyuki's sudden words snapped Tatsuya out of his tangential thoughts.

"Um…yes President!"

Izumi always seemed shocked when Miyuki addressed her, but she always recovered quickly. She had moved to a position behind Miyuki near the desk at the window. From here she would be able to operate the display terminal at the far end of the room more efficiently with such a large crowd around the table.

"Please start the presentation."

"Yes! Of course."

The screen filled with a data table that listed all nine of the previous events that had occurred in the last two Nine Schools Competitions.

Miyuki began the discussion.

"As you can see, we aren't taking chances this year. We don't know which six competitions we'll face, so we can't afford to waste effort or time. We'll assign competitors to multiple events and rank them accordingly. Once we know which of the six events we'll face, then we'll make adjustments. Igarashi-san will give us a preliminary listing and ranking of our potential competitors for us to discuss. Igarashi-san."

Izumi anticipated the next step and a list of names and rankings filled in on the screen. Igarashi nodded to Miyuki before beginning.

"Most of these names will be familiar to you, listed beside the events that they have competed in previously. We started with third years that won their official division competitions last year, followed by last year's first years that won newcomer division events, and then filled in with current third years that won newcomer events two years before."

Tatsuya saw his name listed twice, first in one of the boxes at the bottom that was listed as "Engineering Team". His name was first in that list with "team leader" beside it. By default he knew that being team leader for the engineers meant he was also on the strategy staff, so there was no avoiding either of these tasks. Still, he was relieved to see his name listed only in the fourth place under Monolith Code with Leo listed fifth. Tatsuya would have preferred that order be reversed. Mikihiko's name was first in that list, having been a part of both Tatsuya's winning newcomers team with Leo in their first year, plus last year's official team under Hattori that also won.

There had been a running debate in their home for the last few weeks about whether Tatsuya would be competing in events (the debate he was having), and which events he'd be competing in (the debate Miyuki and Minami seemed to be having instead). Tatsuya thought that he had finally begun convincing Miyuki that it would be in First High's best interests if he devoted himself to engineering and strategy alone. He had even reminded Miyuki how difficult it had been for him just as a CAD Engineer the previous year. He purposefully avoided mentioning the "extracurricular activities" he had been involved in at the time courtesy of Elder Kodou and the Self Defense Forces' Anti-GAA faction related to that year's Steeplechase event.

Still, despite his admittedly feeble attempt to guilt her into acceptance; Miyuki was being a bit intransigent on the topic. If Tatsuya had to speculate on her motivations, it was clear to him that she wanted her Onii-sama, in his third and final year, to be in the spotlight she thought he truly deserved.

The fact that even as an engineer he was now in a spotlight that that task traditionally didn't rate didn't seem to faze Miyuki at all. Add to that that they were now publically members of the Ten Master Clans, and not just any clan but the infamous Yotsuba; plus the fact that he was now the acknowledged "son" of the dreaded "Night Queen" herself, his public profile was already very dangerously exposed.

None of these mitigating factors concerned the future leader of the Yotsuba in the least. All she wanted was to show-off to the entire world how proud she was of her Onii-sama. She wanted the whole world to value him as much as she does.

All these thoughts passed before his mind in the fractional gap between Igarashi's words.

"We are operating on the assumption that Monolith Code, Icicles Break, and Mirage Bat won't be touched. We have no certainty of this, but they are always the most popular events. They routinely garner the most spectators and highest viewer ratings, so we feel they are relatively safe. We then organized…"

At that moment the call indicator popped up on screen. This alone was highly unusual since most in the room would receive individual communications on their person data terminals. The fact that it indicated the call was from the School Administration Office was simply unprecedented. The administrators of the school always communicated with students well in advance and by email.

"Please pardon the interruption Igarashi-san."

Igarashi nodded to Miyuki's words.

"Please put the call through Izumi-san."

"…Um….yes."

Once the indicator showed that the call was connected, Miyuki answered.

"This is Student Council President Shiba, how may we assist you?"

The voice that replied was Dean Yaosaka. His tone was apologetic.

"Please forgive me for disturbing your work Shiba-san. We have some guests from the National Magic University's Nine Schools Competition Committee that would like to have a word with you."

Everyone exchanged surprised looks. Clearly the reason for the unprecedented phone call was now apparent. Magic University officials showing up in person to speak to a student was unheard of.

Even Miyuki was momentarily at a loss. Quickly recovering, she replied.

"Of course sensei, we'll be there directly."

It was Yaosaka's turn to have a moment of contemplative silence. In the gap Tatsuya began to speculate on whether or not Yaosaka would reply to Miyuki's obvious indication she was not coming alone. Shortly thereafter, Tatsuya was mildly surprised to hear Yaosaka's response contain some amusement in the tone.

"We'll see you shortly Shiba-san."

The call had ended, but the real conversation had just begun. Random speculation began spurting from every side. Tatsuya tried to pick out the more interesting speculations, but as expected, Miyuki quickly calmed the storm.

"We don't know why they're here, and we won't know until we go and meet with them. Igarashi-san, Yoshida-san, Izumi-san, will you accompany Tatsuya-sama and myself to the office?"

All three nodded in reply. Mikihiko managed to make a questioning look to Tatsuya that seemed to ask "why me?". Tatsuya only grinned back with an expression that implied he didn't know the answer.

Mikihiko was Chief of the Public Morals Committee and thus a de facto member of this high school's "big three". Since he was already in the room and the other two "big three" were going, there was no real reason for him not to go. What Tatsuya really wanted to know was why three Public Morals Committee members were at an informal preliminary planning meeting for an off-campus sporting event with its own security. He knew that that question would have to wait. He'd have to corner Mikihiko later and ply him for the information.

As those leaving stood up, Miyuki spoke again.

"Honoka-san, will Tomitsuka-san and you proceed with the presentation? We'll need to be caught up once we return."

"Of course."

Tatsuya could imagine the difficulty that Honoka and Tomitsuka would have on getting everyone back on track when clearly whatever was going to be discussed at the office would have significant implications that could change whatever they discussed otherwise in the interim.

Tatsuya noticed the brief yet warm eye contact that Mikihiko and Mizuki shared as he pushed his chair back in. If Erika had seen that glance between them, the implications for teasing fodder would be innumerous.

The glance Mikihiko shared with Kasumi as he passed her on the way out was much less warm. She rolled her eyes and sighed heavily before getting up and following the others out. When they reached the intersection of the hallway five went in one direction, while Kasumi sullenly went in the same direction that Morisaki had before. She too was on Public Morals duty and Mikihiko had visually reminded her with his eyes of that fact. It was evident from her reaction that she would have preferred keeping the chair she was in warm instead. Tatsuya almost felt sympathy with any malefactors who thought that once Morisaki had passed them by that they could continue their underhanded deeds unabated. About ten minutes behind him a very irritated Kasumi would surely catch them in the act and ruin their afternoon.

This wasn't good; this really wasn't good at all.

Every pour and synapse inside Miyuki screamed that the sudden visit by the Nine Schools Competition Committee members was a bad omen of the highest order.

On her left, the comforting presence of Onii-sama helped calm her, to her right Izumi kept pace. Igarashi and Mikihiko followed close behind. They were walking at a brisk pace but not at an unusual speed. The few students in the hallway this late in the afternoon still gave this particular cluster of sempai's a wide berth. Not only were the top five students in the school walking as one, but they had a clear destination ahead of them.

The conversation between them was in whispered tones.

"They have never visited before, what could this possibly mean?"

Igarashi answered Izumi's question more speculation.

"They've had to change things even more drastically than last year to come tell us in person. Nothing else makes sense."

"And not to mention a month earlier than we are normally informed of which events to plan for."

Igarashi added on to Mikihiko's statement.

"It might even be a wholesale format change, six new events never played before."

"But why would they do such a thing?"

Miyuki replied to Izumi's question.

"We don't know what this is about yet, so let's not jump to unfounded conclusions."

"Um…yes….you're right President."

Once everyone settled down Miyuki cast a worrying glance to her precious Onii-sama. He gave her an almost imperceptible nod to reassure her.

The Administrative office was ahead. The group didn't slow down and entered forthwith. Yaosaka was waiting for them in the lobby. He and the secretary behind the desk shared a knowing grin before he addressed the group.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Of course Yaosaka-sensei."

Yaosaka, who normally was quite good at hiding his inner thoughts, clearly was amused by the number of student leaders that Miyuki had brought with her. The grin he wished to display was fought down with some amusing facial contortions on his part.

"If you are ready Shiba-san, we can join our guests in the conference room."

Miyuki nodded her consent. She went in first when Yaosaka opened the door for her.

She noticed those inside a faction of a second faster than her own presence was detected. Inside were three men and a woman.

Two of the men were familiar to Miyuki, though their names eluded her. She had only previously interacted with them at the last two Nine Schools Competitions. The older of the two was in his early fifties while the younger was in his late thirties. She knew enough from their previous interactions to know that they were basically "middle-management" types on of the committee. Facilitators, but not decision makers.

At the end of the table sat First High Principal Momoyama. As he listened to the woman speaking to him he wore an irritated expression. That immediately let Miyuki know her fears about the topic today were valid.

The woman was young and well dressed. Miyuki judged she was in her mid to late twenties. She seemed to be trying to mollify Momoyama. Even though she wasn't succeeding at it, she was the better choice to attempt it when compared to her two masculine companions.

They all rose at her sudden appearance. Miyuki smiled back and nodded slightly. The two men were immediately under her spell. They had a difficult time not looking her up and down. The young lady seemed intrigued by Miyuki. Her expression was one of polite curiosity. Momoyama still wore his scowl but nodded politely to her.

Then the person behind Yaosaka entered the room and the mood instantly changed.

The son of the dreaded "Demon Lady of the East" was obviously an unexpected guest to this meeting.

Tatsuya politely bowed and the others responded in kind. Still, the look of dread on both of the men's faces was painfully obvious. Miyuki's previously medium state of unease was now set to full.

"Why is Onii-sama's presence so frightening? It's a meeting with high school students in a controlled environment. There's no need to be that shocked at his presence, even if we are Yotsuba, unless…..this meeting is about…?"

Momoyama's previously bad mood seemed to disappear instantly at Tatsuya's entrance. Unlike Yaosaka, who at least always tried to hide his feelings, Momoyama never even bothered. He even giggled lightly and smirked at the sudden unease Tatsuya's presence had caused.

The lady on the other hand…..

Miyuki had seen females look at her Onii-sama like that before. It especially irritated her when older females looked at him that way.

Lust, desire, intrigue.

Miyuki knew that her fiancé's unusually mature and controlled aura, combined with his youthful and extremely fit physique, was like catnip to most women. The fact that he was now eighteen and any last vestiges of childhood had become practically unnoticeable only compounded the issue.

Miyuki placed herself between her Onii-sama and the woman's sightline. The spell he had unwittingly cast on her was broken instantly under Miyuki's stare. The gaze directed back to the overly interested woman now contained all the "frost" Miyuki could muster behind a gentile yet fake smile. The lady got the hint instantaneously and adjusted her attitude accordingly.

The others piled into the room behind them and introductions were made. The names of the two men went in and back out of Miyuki's ears. Tatsuya would remember their names for her if she had need them later. She had already determined that neither was the authority in the room.

For some reason, despite being junior to both her colleagues, Miyuki knew the real authority in the room was the woman just introduced to her.

Kouno Umeko.

Very few people worked in the management of the National Magic University who themselves were not magicians. Miyuki determined from that that Kouno had to be at least a half-way decent magician. A visual inspection of the woman's wrists revealed a CAD bracelet on her right arm. To Miyuki's mild irritation it was FLT's latest offering in high-end bracelet CAD, the Taurus Silver designed Silver Torus.

The three guests and Momoyama resumed their original seats. Tatsuya sat between Momoyama and Miyuki, which placed him directly across from Kouno and Miyuki across from the older gentleman. Izumi sat to her left facing the younger gentleman and Igarashi occupied the seat beside her facing Yaosaka. Mikihiko awkwardly took the seat at the end of the table opposite Momoyama before moving it beside Igarashi's seat instead.

"Well Umeko-chan" Momoyama said once everyone was in place "it's your meeting so go ahead."

At his boss's words Yaosaka activated the display wall at the end of the room from the embedded terminal in the desk before him.

"Thank you sensei."

With these words Kouno placed her data terminal on a similar embedded terminal at her table position, and waited for the connection to indicate on the display.

"Umeko-chan? Sensei? Do they know each other as student and teacher?"

Miyuki exchanged a quick glance with her brother. The look they shared indicated they clearly had the same question on their minds.

Izumi's sudden gasp brought their attention back to the wall display.

"This is the format for the National Magic University Affiliated High Schools 2097 Nine Schools Goodwill Competition."

Kouno's words caught anyone's attention that had somehow missed Izumi's sudden reaction.

Miyuki immediately saw the reason Izumi was shocked, however Mikihiko provided the obvious question.

"Are we seeing this correctly? This indicates that all nine of the previous competitions for the last two years are included in this year's competition."

The younger gentleman responded.

"That's correct; all nine of the past two year's competitions will be represented in this year's events."

"I assume, since this number of events can't be held within the traditional two week time frame, that additional time has been allocated?"

Tatsuya's question was directed not to either of the men but towards Kouno. Miyuki took this to be confirmation on her instincts that Kouno was the important guest in the room.

"Indeed, this year's events will start on Friday, August 2nd and conclude on Saturday August 24th."

"But…..that's twenty-three days! That's practically the entire summer break!"

Izumi was stating the obvious, but the additional weeks' worth of events would be a concern to everyone. Not just the participants, but the students that came as spectators had to make allowances to attend. Other summer events such as trips were planned around the Nine Schools Competition. The event was extremely popular and those that planned to attend in person had probably made their arrangements months ago.

"It also will interfere with our summer semester final exams."

Yaosaka's words were to point out that the last day of school and thus the semester finals were scheduled to go till the same day as the start of the competition, August 2nd. Momoyama added on to Yaosaka's point.

"We'd have to make special allowances for the competitors to take their exams early. I can't even image how the high schools further away from the competition site will react to that news."

The older gentleman responded.

"Since we knew we'd be taking away a week of summer vacation, we have made allowances in the end date for this semester and the beginning date for the fall semester as well."

Momoyama's irritation seemed to triple instantly.

"…..Allowances?"

The two men seemed to shrink back from his angry aura, so Kouno replied with a sympathetic voice.

"The Magic University has decided to end classes for this semester three days earlier, on Tuesday July 30th."

Momoyama looked like he was about to erupt.

"Decided, with less than two months left you simply….decided to completely alter our school year?"

The younger gentleman replied.

"We are sorry for the sudden changes but they did come from the top."

Yaosaka already had his data terminal out and seemed to be working frantically on it.

"This will cause chaos with the instructors once they find out."

Suddenly remembering students were present, a still angry Momoyama changed topics.

"We can discuss the specific implications afterward."

Yaosaka looked up suddenly and nodded as he put his terminal aside. Momoyama then returned his irate gaze back to a regretful looking Kouno.

"And exactly how have you changed our fall semester?"

"We have pushed the start back one week."

Yaosaka called out from the other end of the table.

"An entire week? Did I hear correctly?"

The three Magic University representatives all solemnly nodded to him. Momoyama looked extremely crossed when the three returned their gaze toward him.

"For a sporting competition? You have taken away eight and a half days of education and replaced it with a sporting competition?"

Even Momyama realized that the Nine Schools Competition was more than a mere sporting event. It was an integral part of the high school education of young magicians. Certain things couldn't be replicated in a classroom environment. These things could only be learned properly at an event such as the Nine Schools Competition or Thesis Competition, where additional pressures and stakes could begin to properly replicate real-world situations. Momoyama knew that the additional week and competitions weren't being done for the students' benefit though, which is part of the why he was reacting adversely to the sudden changes.

All three committee members hung their heads under the withering gaze of the venerable and angry Momoyama. He sighed heavily before continuing.

"Since this topic is administrative we can discuss its details after you have finished with the students."

Kouno nodded and replied.

"Of course sensei."

She turned back towards Miyuki but not before sparing a glance at the placid looking Tatsuya.

"Again woman?"

Miyuki was still on heightened alert for this meeting's "real" purpose and this woman's interest to her fiancé. Once her eyes fell on Miyuki she again realized her error. Had Miyuki's eyes been lasers Kouno wouldn't have a head on her shoulders. She needed a second to regain her train of thought under that intimidating stare.

Suddenly Miyuki's intent gaze turned to Tatsuya. The fingertips of his left hand had surprised her by gliding gently over her skirted right upper thigh. A sudden shy smile and blush came to her cheeks. It wasn't like Tatsuya to initiate intimate contact, especially in public settings. She lovingly gazed at his profile with surprised delight, but despite his amused grin, she could sense the mild rebuke in his visage. He had caught her in the act of "defending what was hers" and was reminding her with his eyes that an Ojou-sama wouldn't do such things. She turned away from him even more embarrassed, but truthfully she enjoyed the physical contact too much to stop smiling.

In the small gap this private but loving exchange provided, Kouno had found her tongue again and continued explaining the changes to this year's competition.

"In addition to the added competitions and week, we have changed the layout of the events. This was done with the intention of reducing the stress for the competitors. In previous years the newcomers division events had occurred in a singular block of days between the official division's opening events and closing events. To provide additional rest time to participants, we have now scheduled newcomer events to be followed the next day by their official division counterparts. This will provide both divisions' participants a complete rest day between events."

Igarashi spoke up at this point on a topic clearly of interest to the Club Management Groups' Chairman.

"Since even this rest day cannot compensate fully for the additional stress of the added competitions, are we also getting to add additional competitors?"

Kouno nodded as she replied.

"Indeed, in fact each school can now have an additional twenty team members."

Pleasantly surprised looks were exchanged by the students. Miyuki eventually spoke up again.

"What are the restrictions on the allocation of these additional participants?"

"Unlimited. In fact you can allocate them however you please, there are no restrictions on your engineering team's numbers or composition, and anyone that's part of the team can participate in events as well."

Miyuki had trouble not smiling at this news. Despite being the designated leader of this year's engineering team, her Onii-sama now had no excuses to not compete directly in at least one event, since he'd now have five to ten additional members on the engineering team to help. Tatsuya exchanged a knowing look with her as she smirked mildly back at him. He obviously knew she now had the upper hand in their running "debate" and she was going to use it.

Kouno continued on.

"As you can see, seven events are still divided into male and female divisions, with Mirage Bat and Monolith Code still being reserved for women and men respectively. Speed Shooter, Crowd Ball, Icicles Breaks, Row and Gunner, and Shields Down will also have a pairs division along with men and women solo divisions. A new twist on this is that the pairs are no longer required to be single sex, in fact mixed pairs are encouraged but not required."

Mikihiko stopped her with a question.

"So you're saying that all male, all female, and mixed pairs team will compete against each other in the same event?"

"That's correct, we feel that allowing the schools to choose their best participants, no matter gender, to compete directly with one another will increase the competitive nature of the pairs events. We also feel it will increase spectator interest."

Tatsuya and Miyuki both exchanged a brief glance with Mikihiko at the other end of the table. They probably were all thinking about the same two people being a great mixed pair team. Shields Down would be a perfect event for those two to team up on.

In the very next sentence Kouno threw some cold water on that idea.

"We are now also requiring that those participating in the pairs events can only be drawn from the contestants in the same solo events."

That restriction effectively took away any chance for getting their Course 2 friends into this year's competition. There was no way they could ask last year's competitors to step aside from the solo events to let others have a shot at the pairs group. Tomitsuka had dominated the men's official division Shields Down event, and Minami had easily won the women's newcomers Shields Down. Those two would make a frightful team in the pairs division.

Kouno continued with the explanation.

"However, any participants that participate in both pairs and solo events will have it count as only one event against their three event limit. This applies to one event only though, so someone competing in two events that have both a solo and pair's category can only use this for one event only."

Izumi, Mikihiko, and Igarashi both blurted out their surprise at the same time.

"Three events?"

"That's right, this year, excluding the Steeplechase exemption for all second and third years, a participant can compete in three events, four if they use the pair's exemption or enter Steeplechase and a maximum of five if they use the pair's exemption and enter Steeplechase as well."

"Five events!"

That astonishment slipped from multiple mouths. It was a wholesale increase in participation access.

"Obviously the intention is not to have most competitors in five events, thus the twenty additional team members?"

Tatsuya's question was directed to Kouno.

"Of course, we envision the average number of events per participant to be somewhere between two and three with only the most exceptional magicians doing four or five. The goal is to not wear out our young magicians but to showcase their talents."

Igarashi's thoughtful but tense expression said that he was pondering a concern.

"This is all well and good for our upperclassmen, but the same numbers of events, excluding Steeplechase, are also in the newcomers division. We'd practically need to make all twenty of our new participants newcomers just so we don't burn the First Years out."

Miyuki reinforced Igarashi's point.

"The majority of First Years, even our top First Years, simply haven't developed the mental, physical, and psion stamina to compete in three or more events, even with the rest days in between."

The younger gentleman responded.

"We realize that and we knew that a good portion of the new competitor allocation would have to go to newcomers with the increase in events."

The older gentleman added more.

"In a way it was designed that way. Only the very best upperclassmen will be competing and most will be familiar faces from the last two nine schools competitions, but the newcomer division was designed for us to get a look at as many talented First Years as possible."

Mikihiko cocked an eyebrow at this statement before asking a question.

"Are you saying that the newcomers division is about talent identification?"

Before the older man could formulate an answer Kouno eagerly provided one.

"Of course, there's no other reason to toss fifteen-year-olds, who have had only one semester of magic high school, onto a public stage like that except to identify magic potential."

Both of the men looked at Kouno as if she were offering up something for free that they worked hard to charge money for. Miyuki thought that was odd since the older gentleman had opened the door for this topic with his own answer. An amused but quizzical expression danced across Miyuki's face before she asked a follow up question.

"So the entire point of having the newcomer division is for the National Magic University to get a look at the new high school students' magic abilities?"

"Not just their abilities but how they perform under competition pressure as well."

An interesting expression crossed Kouno's face before she continued her answer.

"Shiba-san, I'm sure you of all people can appreciate that there are certain things about a magician that standardized tests can't tell us."

Her smiling gaze flittered over to Tatsuya before returning to Miyuki.

"Your fiancé and Yoshida-san are perfect examples. Just as the Magic University doesn't have enough people to teach every magic high school student, it also doesn't have the personnel to evaluate every young magician in detail. We rely on the good judgment of proven sempais to help us get beyond what the tests can tell us. Motivated by school pride and the desire to win, the Magic High Schools' Student Councils and Club Management Groups will use the first semester to identify talented First Years to compete. Then Magic University staff will finally get to see if the high test scores are matched by actual performance, or if the tests skipped particularly talented individuals like Shiba-san, Yoshida-san, and Saijou Leonhard-san."

The concerned expressions her colleagues had directed toward her before were now downright mortified. She was revealing "company secrets" apparently. Momoyama cut his eyes at Kouno, but he retained his amused smirk throughout. There were so many questions Miyuki wished to level at this suddenly open source of information, but Miyuki knew it would turn off if she pushed too hard, especially in present company.

"She's well informed though. She even mentioned Leo by name."

Izumi then asked a question.

"Are there any other significant changes to the competition format we should know of?"

Kouno turned to answer her as she slid a Manila envelope to Miyuki.

"Nothing else of significance, everything is all here in the competition package. As I'm sure you all remember an addition to the hotel at the competition site was under construction last year. It's been completed so despite the additional competitors there will be more than enough room for everyone."

Miyuki pensively looked down at the envelope before asking a question she dreaded the answer to.

"Does this conclude our official meeting or was there more to discuss? I realize that there have been significant changes over and above even last year, but I find it difficult to image Eighth or Ninth High School getting three National Magic University officials visiting them all the way in Hokkaido and Kyushu just for this, which obviously could have been handled more efficiently by a teleconference if this competition package wasn't considered sufficient."

The tension in the room immediately escalated. Miyuki felt her own unease rise within. Momoyama's expression became dark again as he looked down the line of Magic University officials who all wore dreadful expressions.

Yaosaka suddenly spoke into the tense void.

"I'd suggest treating this like a band aide that needs to be removed. If done quickly there could be less…..um…..pain."

Momoyama looked at his junior colleague at the other end of the table with both sympathy and irritation before adding his own advice.

"Yaosaka-san is right; get this over with Umeko-chan."

These two statements alone would be enough to put Miyuki on edge had she not already been there prior. The two gentlemen seemed incapable of looking up from the table. They clearly wished to be anywhere else in the world right now than here. Kouno reluctantly looked up and faced Miyuki's intent stare head on.

"An unofficial complaint has been submitted to the Nine Schools Competition Committee. Since it is an unofficial complaint the rules of the committee prevent us from revealing the identities of the signatory persons or organizations, so please understand that ahead of time."

Miyuki tensed her jaw, but reluctantly nodded her acknowledgement. Kouno continued on equally reluctant.

"I'm going to read the complaint to you as it was submitted. These are the words and assertions of the complaining parties and do not reflect the views of the National Magic University or the Nine Schools Competition Committee."

Miyuki tightly nodded again. She then disturbingly noted that Kouno's eyes nervously looked at Tatsuya before looking down again at her data terminal. Miyuki quickly glanced a worrying look towards him as well. He had his usual placid expression, with only the tiniest hint of a wry smirk. Suddenly his left hand slid gently under her balled up right fist that was under the table and pressing down hard on her upper thigh. As usual, he already knew what was likely to happen. She couldn't help but release her fist and eagerly interlock her fingers with his.

"We, the below signatory parties, hereby assert that National Magic University Affiliated First High School has benefited from an inherently unfair advantage in both the 2095 and 2096 Magic University Affiliated High Schools Goodwill Competitions. Our specific accusation of unfair advantage is the presence of a First High School competitor we believe to be a professional Casting Aide Device engineer. He has worked as a member of their engineering teams during the two previous Nine Schools Competitions. We assert that this is an unreasonably unfair competitive advantage that has resulted directly in First High School's previous two victories. We hereby request that this individual, Third Year Class E Shiba Tatsuya, be barred from competing in the 2097 Magic University Affiliated High Schools Goodwill Competition.

We, the below signatory parties, should our above request be denied or ignored, will be compelled to file an official complaint that will go on the public record and will, given the high public profile of the National Magic University and the Magic University Affiliated High Schools Goodwill Competitions, undoubted cast a pall of doubt over the previous pristine reputation for fairness of the University, her Affiliated High Schools, and the Nine Schools Competitions themselves. We would be loath to take such an action; but we feel compelled to do so in the name of fairness and just competition.

Signed, the signatory parties

And that is their unofficial complaint in its entirety."

A reign of silence hung over the conference room after Kouno had finished reading the unofficial complaint. Fear and confusion ruled the faces of the two gentlemen from the competition committee. They clearly believed that Tatsuya was the one who would be the most upset at this news, and also the one to fear. Tatsuya's placid face only revealed his obvious concern for the person sitting to his left. He had turned his chair slightly to face her right side head on. An aura of darkest dread and bitter chill spread out across the room from the person sitting across from them between her fiancé and a very frightened looking member of the Saegusa Family. This person's eyes bore into the returned gaze of regret from Kouno. She slowly turned her gaze first to the older gentleman who flinched and looked away, and then to the younger gentleman who simply refused to meet her gaze in shame. All eyes in the room but theirs now rested on Shiba Miyuki.

Suddenly into this terrifying spectacle came the timid voice of a brave young woman.

"President Shiba-sama,….may I….. respectfully…request permission to point out a part of the official rules of the Nine Schools Competition I believe have significance for the current discussion?"

Miyuki's angry eyes had returned to the uncomfortable Kouno, who to her credit, didn't turn away as her male colleagues had. The windows behind the competition committee members that looked out directly towards the main entrance of First High had frosted over during Izumi's question. Cold breath began emitting from those present. This was not Miyuki losing control of her innate magical ability. It was instead her willingly casting that power in anger. As everyone but Kouno, Momoyama, and Tatsuya's eyes drifted in amazement at her strength, Tatsuya squeezed her hand and whispered gently in her ear.

"We are one, I am always here with you. We will face this together."

Miyuki finally closed her eyes and reigned back the cold. Those watching the display seemed just as impressed with her ability to pull back her magic as to push it forward effortlessly beforehand. Miyuki stilled herself and once ready, she spoke again.

"Momoyama-sensei, please forgive my previous shameful display."

Momoyama looked on benignly at Miyuki, who still had her eyes closed in effort not to shout her anger or let tears of rage flow. He had an amused grin.

"No need Shiba-san, you have every right to be angry. I certainly am."

Tatsuya shared a brief glance with Momoyama. It was plain he wished Momoyama would have gently scolded instead of encouraging Miyuki's angry display. Momoyama just increased his grin in reply.

"Izumi-san, please go ahead with your statement."

Though it was Tatsuya who told her to and not her beloved President Miyuki, Izumi knew it was alright. She had long since realized that the Shiba's often spoke with one voice, especially in difficult times. The first time Miyuki refuted something her beloved Tatsuya said would be the very first time ever, as far as Izumi knew.

"Um….yes…I was just going to say that, as Student Council Vice President and formerly a Secretary on the council, one of my duties was to familiarize myself with the rules applying to everything related to First High School. This of course includes the Nine Schools Competition's rules as well."

Miyuki gently opened her eyes as Izumi spoke. To her own surprise no tears fell. She had held these same two positions on the Council before Izumi, and Izumi would undoubtedly follow her as President. Miyuki thus too, was familiar with the rules. Izumi had apparently remembered something which Miyuki knew would be to their benefit. She relaxed only fractionally to listen to Izumi's words.

"I will now read from the Nine Schools Competition Rules. Chapter 2, Page 4."

Izumi looked back down at the data terminal in her hand.

"Competitor Qualifications:

Article 1.1.1: A competitor must be a registered student with a National Magic University Affiliated High School in good academic standing as of the end of the summer semester and enrolled to attend that same high school for the following fall semester. Said student must have attended the same high school for the entire summer semester to qualify as a competitor for that school."

Miyuki let out a sudden pleased snort. She now realized what Izumi had found in the rules and was obviously pleased. Izumi smiled at Miyuki's reaction, then continued her statement.

"While I am not privy to Shiba-san's detailed academic record, I believe you will find he is in good academic standing."

Yaosaka chimed in from the far end of the table.

"In deed he is, and always has been."

Momoyama added to these words.

"And since his enrollment qualifications are in order as well he clearly complies with this rule. Tell us Saegusa-san, what other rules pertain to the qualifications for competitors?"

"These are the only rules pertaining to who qualifies as a contender Momoyama-sensei."

Miyuki's smile was practically feral as she asked a question.

"So whether or not my fiancé made a single Yen off of CAD work or not means nothing, since there is no prohibition against it in the official rules?"

It was not a question really but a statement. Though her voice was normal, the force behind it was intense. They had no grounds to ban her Onii-sama from the Nine Schools Competition.

But she couldn't understand why Kouno's expression continued to seem sad and regretful. She would understand if the expression had been angry at being out maneuvered by students and failing in her task, but the woman across the table looked downright depressed.

Then the soothing voice of her beloved called gently to her from her side.

"Miyuki, that's not the point."

She was instantly confused by his smooth but incomprehensible words.

"What….um…..Onii….Tatsuya-sama…?"

He looked her in the eyes with sympathy. She rarely had seen that look in his eyes but it always was an omen of impending sadness for her.

"Miyuki, it doesn't matter that we haven't broken any rules. Those who have made this accusation will, assuming we refuse the committee's request, proceed with their official complaint."

Miyuki was still confused. She frantically searched for the mental footing that only moments before her Onii-sama had spoken she thought was finally firm under her feet.

"Why would he say these words, we are winning?"

"Request? Official complaint? Let these slanderous anonymous cowards make their request and show their cowardly faces to the world!"

Tatsuya was about to try to calm Miyuki down when an angry looking Mikihiko also rose to his friend's defense, slamming his palms on the table top as he leapt from his chair with a probing question.

"Tatsuya-san mentioned a "request"! Kouno-san, are you here to ban Tatsuya from the Nine Schools Competition?"

Kouno shook her head.

"No, as Saegusa-san pointed out, even if Shiba-san was working as a professional CAD engineer that is no violation of the rules. We will not attempt to circumvent our own rules."

Miyuki again noted that Kouno's two companions were mortified she was offering more details than asked for.

Mikihiko excitedly continued.

"Then are you here simply to ask Tatsuya-san to not participate in this year's Nine Schools Competition?"

"Don't bother to ask either, the answer is no!"

"Miyuki!"

"We will not be intimidated! Secretarial Chief Shiba has the full support of the First High Student Council behind him!"

Izumi had risen to her feet in support of Miyuki's words. Igarashi calmly added on.

"And the full support of the Club Management Group as well."

Mikihiko piled on.

"I'm with President Shiba-san on this! Let the faceless cowards show their backdoor duplicity to the world. They are already proven too cowardly so their veiled threats mean nothing!"

"Answer me this Kouno-san, what type of organizations can make unofficial complaints to the Competition Committee?"

The two gentlemen were already shocked by the vehement display of unity and outrage from the students across the desk. Izumi's sudden question caught them unawares.

Kouno on the other hand appeared amused by this display of anger and unity. Miyuki had rarely wanted to actually physically attack someone before, but the smirking smile on that woman's face was driving her to outrage.

"Does she think attacking my Onii-sama's reputation is a joke?"

Tatsuya suddenly tugged on their joined hands to get her attention. He pulled her ear to his mouth again.

"You are misreading her intent Miyuki, I do not believe she is our enemy in this."

Had she let this woman's apparent attraction to her brother cloud her judgment so much she couldn't see the truth before her? The answer was sadly yes and she now knew it.

"Please, everyone, lets calm down!"

Miyuki reacted instantly once she had realized her own mistake. Her words reached everyone's ears and the building sense of pandemonium abated immediately. Izumi and Mikihiko had join Miyuki in returning to their chairs. She once again turned her eyes to Kouno.

"I believe both Yoshida-kun and Izumi-san had asked questions. Kouno-san, if you wouldn't mind answering those questions, I would very much like to hear your answers."

Kouno turned toward Mikihiko.

"Yoshida-kun, will you please restate your question for me?"

Mikihiko nodded to her before doing so.

"I had asked, basically, if you were here only to request Tatsuya-san to not participate in this year's competition."

Kouno nodded politely to Mikihiko before answering him.

"No, as we informed those that sent this complaint to us, there simply is no possible way we could ask a student that had not violated the rules to not compete at all. Once we impressed upon them that this was something we would not compromise on, they understood that we would not ask him to recuse himself from the entire competition."

"But you are going to ask him to recuse himself from the engineering team?"

Miyuki's voice was beginning to tremble a bit as her anger was rebuilding inside her.

Kouno's expression conveyed nothing but sympathy.

"Yes, we are here, in the interests of harmony, to ask Shiba-san to recuse himself from First High's engineering team this year."

Miyuki hung her head. Tears began to flow from her eyes. Izumi looked on in astonishment, tears of sympathy getting ready to pour forth from her own eyes. At that moment Tatsuya gently stroked his sister's head. He then pulled out a handkerchief and gently whipped at her tears before letting her hold it.

"Before I give you my answer please answer this question for me Kouno-san. Other than the threat of filing an official complaint, did the complaining parties make any other threats?"

Kouno closed her eyes with a sad expression. Her two colleagues almost looked like they would intervene to stop her from replying, but this afternoon's stressful events had clearly beaten down their will to resist. They simply shut their mouths and looked away shamefully.

"Before I answer your question Shiba-san, I believe Saegusa-san had asked what type of organizations could file unofficial complaints to the Nine Schools Competition Committee."

Tatsuya nodded to her and she directed her gaze to Izumi.

"Even the Magic University Administration itself must direct only official correspondences to the Competition Committee. This is to ensure that no outside interference can influence the competition without public review. Therefore, by definition, the only organizations that have the ability to direct unofficial correspondences to the Committee are internal."

Momoyama smiled at her before looking toward his students and clarifying for them.

"In simple terms, only the participating schools themselves can send and receive unofficial communications with the Competition Committee. Either those schools' administrations or their student councils alone have this privilege. It is that way so that things like…this…don't become public scandals. If there's an issue between schools the last thing the Magic University or this nation's magic community in general wants is for that to become public knowledge."

Momoyama cast a gaze back down the line of the Committee members.

"And I can insure everyone here that my fellow Chairmen at the other eight Magic High Schools would never have submitted this garbage and will be very disappointed that their student councils did."

Kouno then returned her gaze to Tatsuya

"And now I will answer your question Shiba-san. You asked if those that filed this complaint had made additional threats. The answer is yes."

Tatsuya only smirked at this while his companions listened intently.

"They threatened to boycott this year's competition."

Everyone was shocked. Kouno's two companions once again looked like they wanted to speak, but somehow couldn't form the words. Kouno had practically admitted what was already evident, that it was other Magic High Schools who had leveled these accusations against Tatsuya. Who else could "boycott" the games but the participants? Miyuki locked her tear stained eyes onto Kouno once again.

"They wouldn't dare…."

Kouno replied to Miyuki's statement.

"Probably not. We feel that it was an empty threat. Sadly that threat combined with the threat of an official complaint and the public scandal, and the damage to the reputations of everyone involved, including Shiba-san, has forced us to this unfortunate moment."

Tatsuya gently squeezed Miyuki's hand under the table. She turned her tear stained eyes to him. He smiled warmly and reassuringly to her. His lips mouthed voiceless words only she could see.

"It's going to be alright, I promise."

"Why does this cruel world treat my beautiful Tatsuya so harshly?"

She turned away as she felt the tears returning to her eyes again. She hoped to one day forget the indignity that her Onii-sama was forced to endure in this room. His next words addressed Kouno again.

"The Competition Committee wishes to ask me something directly Kouno-san?"

Kouno closed her eyes as if this too was causing her pain. Then she looked him square in the eyes and asked what they had come here to ask of him.

"The National Magic University Affiliated High Schools Goodwill Competition Committee, on the understanding that we do not endorse the position of the complaining parties, asks National Magic University Affiliated First High School Class 3-E Shiba Tatsuya, in the interest of facilitating the smooth operation of the 2097 Nine Schools Competition, to voluntarily recuse yourself from participating as a member of First High's Engineering Team in this year's event. Will you please do so?"

Tatsuya nodded and answered. Miyuki felt steaming warm tears slid down her cheeks in accompaniment of his words.

"In the sole interest of preserving the excellent and well deserved public perception of First High School, I hereby, unofficially of course since all of this is unofficial, recuse myself from participating in this year's Nine Schools Competition as a CAD engineer."

Miyuki vowed to herself, deep in her heart of hearts, that the cowards would come to regret this. She would make them regret hurting her Onii-sama.

Igarashi shook his head intently at all of this.

"Is this good enough for you people, or will you ban him from First High's HQ tent too? Will you have someone on him 24/7 to make sure he keeps his promise as well?"

Kouno shook her head back at him.

"Of course not, that would be impractical and overkill. Shaba-san already has a well-earned reputation for honesty. His word is good enough for us."

"Haha! But not the other high school's student councils apparently."

Mikihiko looked to be near his boiling point again too. Izumi also chimed in.

"I simply refuse to believe that the student councils of the other magic high schools could do such an underhanded thing."

"I know their club management groups couldn't have endorsed this. It goes against everything they stand for. This underhanded way of doing things. Just despicable."

Igarashi looked to be sick to his stomach even fathoming such thoughts.

"So he can participate in the events as a competitor?"

Miyuki's reddened eyes looked directly at Kouno.

"Yes, there's no restriction on him competing directly as a participant."

Tatsuya released an almost imperceptible sigh at that answer. Miyuki would get this small victory in a day of incredible disappointments. She knew he would not deny her desire for him to compete directly any longer. Now the only negotiations would be how many and which events he'd be in.

Mikihiko waded in.

"Can he calibrate his own CAD?"

The three committee members exchanged curious and questioning glances with each other. They clearly forgot about him being his own CAD engineer. Before her two colleagues could raise some type of objection Kouno responded.

"It would be silly to ask him not to calibrate his own device, so long as his competition device is an approved model for the competition we don't see any conflict."

Her two companions remained silent once again.

"And there's no restriction on his being on the strategy team?"

Izumi posted this question and Kouno replied immediately.

"None at all."

"Then are we finally done here?"

The anger was barely contained, but Miyuki was once again in full control. The only sign she had had any difficulty at all was the red rims around her lovely dark eyes.

The three competition committee members solemnly nodded in reply.

"Please do not misunderstand what happened here today. My fiancé accepted your….proposal….as a private student and only to prevent a public scandal. He is guilty of absolutely nothing. What has been asked of him is considerably more unfair to him as a magic high school student than any perceived and unproven advantage he might have provided from his supposed associations with professional CAD engineers. Speaking as First High School's Student Council President, I am insulted and offended this has occurred and must question the judgment of the Competition Committee members who allowed this miscarriage of justice to occur on their watch. You can expect another unofficial complaint to be filed shortly by First High School's Student Council protesting this entire affair."

Momoyama then backed Miyuki up.

"As Chairman of First High School I too am offended by what has happened here. So you can expect two unofficial complaints to come your way. And rest assured that I will be making a conference call to my eight colleagues at the other high schools to get to the bottom of this shameful episode."

The three members looked properly apologetic and scolded as Kouno responded for them.

"That action is of course the right of both the Chairman and the Student Council's to take."

No more words were said. Momoyama dismissed the students and the adults followed them out at a safe distance.