My name is Mitsuya Shina, the youngest of the Mitsuya family. My parents and siblings dote on me. Born with hyper-sensitive hearing, I struggle with magic.
Father, the Mitsuya head, married Mother for love. He says I'm too young for their story; Mother says he's shy.
Genji, the eldest, studies hard to succeed Father. He's engaged to someone from the Watanabe family, a Hundred Families clan, to continue our magical lineage.
Mototsugu, the second son, joined Mother's Ueyama family as an adopted son-in-law. He's caring, bringing gifts, but loves challenging strong opponents.
Shizuru, the eldest daughter, is a second-year magic university student. She's gentle but fierce in martial arts, often inviting her friend Tsukuba Yuuka, who plays with me.
Kana, the second daughter, has slit eyes due to powerful vision, which she controls without glasses to adapt. My hearing issue feels similar.
Mika, the third daughter, plays with me constantly, yet Father and Mother call her a "well-rounded, spirited daughter" despite her antics.
Yuzo, the third son, two years older, is my idol. He lived at Mother's family but often returned to play. Now, preparing for First High, he's home more. I visit his room to study, making Saburo, our servant, grumpy why?
Saburo, from the Yaguruma family, is like a younger brother, born two days apart. Yuzo says Saburo suits me as a guard, but when I asked, he just smiled wryly.
When asked my type, I said, "Someone cool like Yuzo." My siblings sighed. Why? Yuzo excels in studies, sports, magic, cooking, and baking, and he's handsome. My earmuff CAD, a gift from him, keeps my magic senses sharp.
Sure, we can't marry, but my ideal partner is like Yuzo. Non-negotiable.
When I told Father and Mother, Father clutched his head; Mother giggled, "Oh my." What's so funny?
February 14, 2095
Valentine's Day a divide between the fulfilled and the lonely. It's also my birthday, but only family and my childhood friend know. Birthday gifts double as chocolate.
Sisters and Shina gave chocolate. They begged for store-bought return gifts. Handmade saves money, but my wallet's fine. Shina demanded homemade cookies cute sisterly whims. Siscon? Sure, but I'd never marry her.
Father gifted an integrated-weapon CAD, Genji a magic theory book, Mototsugu… a wooden sword. Everyone roasted him. It's just his playful side.
Servants, including the Yagurumas, gave handkerchiefs and ties. Saburo's tie pin earned high points. Still, Shina sees him as a brother. Keep at it, Saburo.
Birthday-wise, family and friends were great. Valentine's, though? A mess. Next day, my desk was buried under a chocolate mountain.
Not rhyming on purpose, I swear.
Who sent them? Magic-related folks. Since my real name (Mitsuya) isn't public, chocolates go to the Ueyama estate, arriving the next day. They keep increasing.
I mingle at parties due to Grandpa, but I'm only minimally polite. Yet, the "serious" chocolates grow yearly.
Kyoko's is platonic, fine. The Isshiki family? I'm not close to Airi why send it? Ichijo's sister too? George, step up! You and Prince Masaki, hopeless romantics.
As Nagano Yuzo, I attend parties often. Despite our minor status, people are friendly, likely Grandpa's fame tax. Defense Force ties explain Fujibayashi's chocolate. Others Isshiki, Ichijo, Itsuwa, Juumonji, Watanabe, Chiba, Kitayama, Tsukuba wait, a Yotsuba branch family? Oh, Yuuka, Shizuru's friend. Met her a few times.
Half are platonic, so I'll return handmade cookies. Women hate them, though. Mio Itsuwa said, "Yuzo, trying to make me cry?" Regrettable.
Store-bought is fine, but if they're handmade, I can't skimp. Shizuku Kitayama called me a "lady-killer"; her friend smirked. Why?
Under "Mitsuya Yuzo," Yotsuba-related chocolates: Maya, Miya, Miyuki. Miyuki's intricate chocolate feels… heavy, like it holds something nameless. Not my imagination, hopefully.
Tatsuya and I stay in touch via Taurus Silver. His messages hint at Miyuki-related struggles. I haven't pursued her, but Okinawa makes me wonder. No answers yet.
These are manageable, but the real issue? Three chocolates, two handmade, from the Saegusa sisters, addressed to "Mitsuya Yuzo." Not just anyone Saegusa, a major clan.
I know them through Shina and parties with Grandpa, but I've kept it minimal, deferring to him. They know me as Nagano Yuzo; Shina's not Mitsuya publicly yet. Last year, no "Mitsuya" chocolates. What changed?
"Throwing them out's a waste, so I'll eat them," I sighed.
Miyuki's chocolate tasted bittersweet.
Mitsuya's rule: don't reveal our name until high school. We use Mother's Ueyama name, honoring her family, to avoid hostage risks tied to our East Asian intelligence role.
Shina stays at the main estate due to Yaguruma ties and her reluctance for martial arts. She attends school as Nagano Shina, with safe personal data.
The high school rule allows self-defense through magic training, and First High is a Ten Master Clans showcase. Strength displays are tedious.
The Saegusa broke this custom, risking interference with our role, endangering Shina, who's still Nagano.
Okinawa? Genji's Speed Loader exposed him to Yotsuba kin, outing me too. Father negotiated secrecy with them, preferring a deal over facing the world's strongest magicians.
I told Father about the Saegusa chocolates. He made a call, said, "Urgent business," and left. The eldest Saegusa daughter's engaged to Itsuwa's son, right? Their head should've stopped this.
Later, I visited the Saegusa estate for an apology from Head Koichi. I met Juumonji Katsuto, acting head, and Koichi's daughters: Mayumi, Kasumi, Izumi. Katsuto and Mayumi, who knew my real name, sweated when I mentioned it. They confirmed their sister's involvement. I avoided asking why to spare myself the pain.
High-End Hotel, Tokyo
At the top floor, key figures gathered:
Saegusa Koichi, overseeing Kanto. Juumonji Katsuto, acting head. Mitsuya Gen, providing magic tech to the Defense Forces. Ichijo Goki, Hokuriku-Yamain head, visiting Tokyo. Itsuwa Mio, Shikoku's strategic magician, acting head. Yotsuba Maya, provisionally overseeing Chubu-Tokai.
The mood was heavy. Gen glared at Koichi, who stayed composed but faced an anti-Saegusa current. Speaking would seem like excuses, so Koichi stayed silent.
"Saegusa-dono, you know our custom. It's not strict, but I can't overlook actions harming our role," Gen said.
The Mitsuya's intelligence role is known. Gen's five children (one adopted out) followed this custom, sending greetings to clans. Gen called this emergency Ten Master Clans meeting.
"Two and a half years ago, my sons were caught in Okinawa's invasion. They upheld our name. That taught me intelligence is vital. Are you obstructing us?" Gen demanded.
Ichijo chimed in, "Information is life-or-death. After Sado's invasion, Saegusa-dono, reflect deeply."
Mio added, "As Kyushu's neighbor, we can't ignore this. As a strategic magician, information is critical. Mitsuya-dono, what's appropriate?"
"We ask Saegusa to show remorse. My son and I will visit your estate. Juumonji-dono, will you witness?" Gen asked.
"I will. We share responsibility," Katsuto agreed.
Maya interjected, "Can remorse be proven? No offense to Juumonji-dono, but tangible proof is needed."
"I'd avoid strife, both from Third Institute. Have Yotsuba officially oversee Chubu-Tokai. We'll propose it at next month's meeting," Gen suggested.
Koichi was stunned; Maya smiled. "Mitsuya could take it, no?"
"A jest. Yotsuba's current role avoids extra effort. Kudou-dono agreed," Gen said.
"If Kudou-dono approves, I won't object. Next meeting, then," Maya said.
Later, Mitsuya notified the Ten Master Clans of Nagano Yuzo's true name, Mitsuya Yuzo, but only to heads, with a gag order. He'll act as a clan member post-First High enrollment.
Yakumo, investigating Yuzo, limited information to Tatsuya at Gozo's request between us.