Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

Volume 8, Chapter 17

November 6th, AD 2095 / Yotsuba Main House - Sunroom

Possibly because there have been a lot incidents today that have reminded him of the events of three years ago.

Tatsuya thought about Sakurai Honami, who he hadn’t thought about in a long time.

The memories were laced with regret.

Nevertheless, he knew he could do nothing more than regret and understand.

Besides, if she hadn’t sacrificed herself, Tatsuya might not have considered polishing his magic combat skills or doing anything else with the Independent Magic-Equipped Battalion.

This last time he had been able to end it without anyone else being sacrificed.

His experiences three years ago had not been in vain. Tatsuya could comfort himself with that.

And he dedicated a silent prayer deep in his heart to the woman who nobly sacrificed herself as a shield three years ago.

—That was probably what made the shock unreasonably large.

Upon sight of the face of the girl holding the tea and cakes, Tatsuya came dangerously close to raising his voice.

"…Would you like something?"

"No, thank you."

The one who was questioned by that girl was Miyuki.

Her shock was showing in a more extreme fashion that Tatsuya’s. That was not unreasonable.

The face of the girl in the servant’s uniform and Sakurai Honami’s were like two peas in a pod.

The girl and her fellow servant had not quite left when Maya showed herself in the sunroom.

Hayama did not accompany her.

This gathering was probably to be private.

Tatsuya was permitted to take a seat for that same reason.

"What is it Miyuki-san? You look like something gave you a shock, but..."

As she lowered herself to sit, Maya questioned Miyuki with a worried expression.

She appeared to be a different person than the one who had had a confrontation with Tatsuya; it was the normal face of Yotsuba Maya.

"No…Oba-sama, that girl just now?"

"Ah, Minami-chan?"

When she heard Miyuki’s question, Maya gave a slight nod of understanding.

"Her name is Sakurai Minami. A second generation Sakura series, the girl is more than the genetic niece of the Guardian who served your mother, Sakurai Honami."

By second generation she meant a person who had a genetically modified magician as a parent.

And the phrase 'more than the genetic niece' probably meant that Honami and the girl’s mother who also possesses a first generation modified body have the same DNA.

That was the reason their features were the spitting image of each other.

"The girl is already quite skilled. I think her potential abilities are on par with the Saegusa twins. I have been thinking of training her to become Miyuki-san’s Guardian sometime in the future. Since once she becomes an adult there will be situations where a female guard is necessary."

Miyuki by and large understood Maya’s official point.

Certainly, for Miyuki who is female to have only a male, Tatsuya, as guard causes inconvenient situations.

However, just a little while ago, Tatsuya was informed of Maya’s true purpose; fortifying an additional layer of protection against some possible moment in the future of havoc and destruction. If he was being told to use a girl with the same face as ‘Her’ as a tool, then this could only end in conflict.

—At that moment, he had no way of predicting the havoc and destruction to come.