◊ ◊ ◊
They were heading to Maya's study. It was Tatsuya's first time to entering this room. No, there had never been anyone else who had ever stepped into this room besides Maya and Hayama, except for a few furniture maintenance technicians and a HAR. It could be said that Tatsuya was the second person she had ever allowed to enter this room.
Inside the room, there was a huge desk with a high chair with a backrest, a bookshelf as high as the ceiling, and a vintage reception set.
Hayama recommended to Tatsuya that he sit down on the sofa. Maya sat opposite of him, and asked Tatsuya with a voice that a parent would have about why he was looking around the room.
"Tatsuya-san, what are you looking at?"
"Excuse me. I just realized that the room where you always call Miyuki from isn't your study."
"You take notice about strange things."
Maya's laughter was glazed like a young girls.
"This is completely my private space. Even the HAR is a stand-alone unit."
"A completely offline environment."
"Yes."
Maya's answer wasn't true. This room was equipped with a single network. However, it wasn't a complete lie either, because that line was only operating from a specific device to deliver its search key data, completely independent of other devices, half of what she said was a true.
"Tatsuya-sama, do you mind having black coffee?"
Tatsuya could never remember an instance where Hayama called him with '-sama'. He mustn't mind such a thing now.
"Yes, black please."
Tatsuya answered him with as natural a tone as possible.
He placed a coffee in front of Tatsuya and a herbal tea before Maya.
Tatsuya had a little concern whether the smell of coffee would cancel the scent of the herb tea, but he didn't particularly say anything as he wasn't worried about it. He waited for Maya to put the cup to her mouth, before taking a sip of his coffee.
The coffee, much to Tatsuya's regret, was more delicious than Miyuki's coffee.
"It's delicious… Although this might sound rude, but as expected of Hayama-san."
"I'm honored by your compliment, Tatsuya-sama. I have a little trick up my sleeve."
"Trick, is it?"
"Yes. It's a shame, but I did it with a little help of magic."
Maya revealed a happy voice in her surprise that he was willing to reveal that to Tatsuya.
"To be able to use such a delicate magic, even I am no match for Hayama-san. Truly, such a way of using magic is important."
"No, it's not something to exaggerate about. I'm just simply doing what I can according to my abilities."
Hayama's remark had invited Tatsuya into deep thought. However, Tatsuya cut off that temptation and turned his attention to Maya.
Maya as well, must have been waiting to discuss the main issue. She placed her cup on the saucer, and gazed at Tatsuya's eyes.
"Well then… I wonder what should we start with?"
"Before that, do you mind?"
Tatsuya halted the conversation.
Maya seemed to know what he was expecting.
"Oh, what is it?"
Maya used one of her hands to cover her mouth, she showed a light surprised look in her eyes. However, she was not seriously playing dumb. The evidence she couldn't hide anything was that the ends of her lips were slightly indented upward. Though it didn't mean that Maya had a big mouth. However, she purposely smiled right before she hid her mouth with her hand.
"Why did you tell such a lie!"
Tatsuya narrowed his eyes, not because he was amazed by Maya's attitude and childishness.
However, the nature of his eyes was already sharp.
"A lie?"
Maya's tone was fakely naïve, but Tatsuya didn't show any anger or frustration.
However he didn't allow any more spurious, so he put on the sharp look.
"The lie that Miyuki is not my real sister."
Tatsuya declared so with a tone that might be expressed as rather gentle. He felt that there was no need to raise his voice, what he was stating was just a fact.
"No, it wasn't a lie."
However, Maya denied that fact.
She denied it with a gentle tone, similar to Tatsuya's.
Tatsuya couldn't understand why Maya was so confident, this was reflected in his stare upon the face of his aunt.
Maya sipped her herbal tea leisurely.
"You said that there is a mountain of evidence that the both of you are real siblings, but can you really call it evidence?"
She put down her cup and gazed at Tatsuya's eyes with an up-from- under look. Maya asked several questions while retaining that posture.
Maya didn't laugh out loud, but smiled with a joyful smile. A delightful light was dancing flashily around her eyes.
"Family registration? We don't really care about such things, do we? DNA make up? That's also a result that the hospital sent right? It's not like Tatsuya-san's own examination."
Maya's lips were a distorted clean crescent-shape.
"The Heads of the Branch Families only knew about Nee-san's pregnancy. Even they didn't know about anything that happened before her pregnancy, you know?"
Maya's words stirred up his suspicion. Even for Tatsuya, it was irrefutable."
"Oba-ue."
However, Tatsuya's voice wasn't upset.
The unwavering voice struck Maya like a liquid iron, which erased the smile on her face.
"Who do you think I am?"
This time, it was Tatsuya's turn to stare at Maya in silence.
"I can recognize the structure and components of material; it is one of my abilities to decompose the material into any phase of configuration. I can recognize the substance of components as well, it also means that I know about the base substances which make up something."
"I thought your information analysis is limited to 24 hours of retrospective in time."
"The information of the components is currently located in the present. There isn't any need for retrospective in time."
Maya's and Hayama's expressions were consistent in showing that they didn't expect the 'unexpected', but their feelings were based on different reason. Maya wore a 'damn…' face, while Hayama's shock was only a simple shock shown on his face.
"That's why I know. Miyuki and I have the exact same element in our bodies. I can clearly see that both of our bodies were formed by the same source of sperm from the same man and eggs from the same woman."
"Oh my…"
Maya's tone was one of saying 'I surrender'.
"You are really set apart from other people."
"I'm afraid so."
"I don't mean to praise you though…"
Maya smiled with a hint of embarrassment, she dropped her eyes to the tea cup. Yet, she didn't reach out for the cup, and returned her gaze to Tatsuya by raising her face.
"Very well. I'll admit it."
"Certainly, the thing I've said just now was a lie."
"You were not born from my egg, but you are truly Nee-san's child."
…Tatsuya sighed lightly at the unapologetic confession from Maya.
"Then why did you say such a thing?"
"However, it wasn't completely wrong that you and Miyuki aren't real siblings."
Although Maya's words didn't answer Tatsuya's question, Tatsuya also didn't miss a single word. He was as calm as can be when waiting for the continuation of Maya's explanation.
"Because, Miyuki-san has a modified body."
Tatsuya opened his eyes widely. He stopped breathing and couldn't speak a word immediately.
"…Miyuki was genetically engineered? But there are no signs."
"Yet, it's the truth. Miyuki-san was made to nullify the distortion, to stabilize the instability, she can be said to have a 'perfect modified body', the Masterpiece of the Yotsuba."
"Why…"
"Why did we make Miyuki-san? It's for you, Tatsuya-san."
Tatsuya was completely speechless. It was probably impossible, but had his heart received more of a shock, his consciousness would probably be bleached.
"Your power is something that mustn't be allowed to be activated in an outburst in any circumstances. Although it's a perfect strength for the case of an emergency, it must be stopped before it deprives you from having a life. It was possible for Nee-san to do so. Her Mental Structure Interference can force her way to interfere with the unconscious area of the opponent by closing their 'Gate' temporarily. However, Nee-san would die before you for sure. That's why, it was necessary to create a magician who would always be at your side, Miyuki was created to stop you."
Maya had a serious look so much that it was scary, she stared at Tatsuya's eyes.
"Miyuki has a modified body who was created in order to stop you."
"Miyuki, for me? Not me, for Miyuki?"
Tatsuya was dazzlingly stunned. He wasn't even aware of the irrationality in his own words.
"That's right. Miyuki-san was a girl born only for you."
Maya softened her look and tone.
"In the first place, how could someone be born to be so beautiful naturally? With such a perfect appearance, completely symmetrical body, there's no way someone like that is born naturally."
Perhaps, Maya noticed the jealousy mixed in her voice, she wore an uncomfortable smile.
"Although I don't think that we could successfully recreate a child like Miyuki-san even if we were to repeat the same procedure that made her. In that sense, she exceeds the nature of humans, perhaps, even a God- like miraculous beauty.
"Does Miyuki know about this?"
Maya shook her head while smiling mercifully to Tatsuya's question.
"No. I don't want to let Miyuki-san know, and not a single Head of the Branch Families know either. The only ones who know about this are the late previous family head, Eisaku-ojisama, my late Neesan, me, Hayama-san, and the former head who oversaw the modifying facility, Kurebayashi-san and his few of confidants… Hey, Tatsuya-san."
Maya tried to fix Tatsuya's mood, she talked to him with a sweet voice.
"The bond between you and Miyuki-san is stronger than that of a parent and child, strictly speaking from a genetic point of view, the genetic relationship between you and me is much closer than you and Miyuki- san."
Maya graced Tatsuya saying such words with a sweet voice.
"Moreover, the fact that you are my son might not be a complete fault."
"But."
Tatsuya's rebuttal was interrupted by a honey like voice that seemed to wrap around him.
"Certainly, we are nephew and aunt genetically. But spiritually speaking, you are my son, Tatsuya-san."
"Spiritually?"
Tatsuya couldn't understand Maya's words, so he decided to listen further in silence.
"Originally, all of Oji-sama's and also Mitsugu's generation were disappointed and feared your power. However, I was happy. I was cheering to the point that I wanted to dance out of joy. Because, your magic is the key that can fulfill my wish."
She was probably recalling that time, Maya looked like she was about to tremble, she had a floating ecstatic expression.
"Your magic, is the star of death that will change the world. I can retaliate against the world. The world which took my past and my future, and tore away my modest happiness as a woman in a cruel way."
The sweetness in Maya's voice, had been contaminated with a curse, her grudge against the world.
"That's why, it wasn't a lie when I said I'm your mother. Because, the one who wished for your birth wasn't Nee-san. You were born to this world by my desire. Mitsugu-san and the others were mistaken about that. The one who wished for the world's destruction is me, it's my prayer. You were born to answer my feelings. You're biologically Nee- san's son, but the one who wished for you to be the way you are as a magician, was me. That's why, as a magician, you are my son."
"However, Oba-ue isn't supposed to be able to use Mental Interference Magic."
The words of objection barely slipped from Tatsuya, which also weren't able to halt Maya.
"Yes, you're right. That's why it was a miracle. My strong wish had overturned magic and caused an out of place event. Perhaps, due to the fact that we're twins. Nee-san is my twin after all, perhaps, her magic was moved due to my will. The feelings for my sister's son, as my strong prayer was dedicated to you, I wonder if Nee-san's magic realized about my wish."
Maya spoke enthusiastically. No, she was feverish.
"Nee-san knew that. That the magic of her baby, had been quietly taken over by me. Nee-san had deprived me from myself, and I deprived her son from her. What terrible sisters."
She wasn't snorting, but voicing out with a passionate and sweet voice.
"Even so, Nee-san had tried to love you. Although in the end, she wasn't able to love you, do you know how much effort she put in?"
While trying to explain about Miya to Tatsuya, Maya's voice didn't hide that she was ridiculing her sister.
"The Artificial Magician Experiment, was to keep your magic in check from running out of control because of an outburst from an emotional influence. That was the true purpose. So you are in a real sense, an experimental material without an experiment body, you weren't just a sample. Although Nee-san had been reluctant right until the end, in the end, you might become a destroyer of the world, massacre of humanity, she subjected you to this, in order to prevent you from becoming satan. In order to only take your strong feelings, it took everything out of Nee- san. Actually, it was much simpler to blot out all of your emotions, the burden on Nee-san would've also been much smaller. Nee-san knew that it would shorten her own life, but she still carefully modified your mind.
The mind that had been twisted by me before you were born, Nee-san didn't try to run away, but to modify you."
Maya's talk was halted; it was due to the fact that she was out of breath.
She didn't even drink her tea, before resuming her story.
"In order for Miyuki-san to be able to stop you indiscriminately, Nee- san tried to train her to be indifferent of you. Without interest, there wouldn't be any hatred. And there was nothing to turn into pain. She didn't want to stop your outbursts due to overwhelming emotion with 'Cocytus', and there was no guarantee that you'd be stopped either."
There was such a deep thought behind the indifferent attitude of his mother, this was hard to believe all of a sudden. Perhaps if not Tatsuya, no one else would believe it either.
"It was for the same reason that Miyuki was educated thoroughly as a lady. So that her magic wouldn't be based on her emotions. Always under control like a lady, and never to cause a hysteria like baring her feelings, she was shaped to grow into such a girl. I'd like to say that it has been completely successful, but in the first place, there's no such thing as a perfect lady anyway."
"…Miyuki is a perfect lady. My sister's magic tends to run wild due to the effect of 'Pledge'."
"Oh my."
Maya was spouting 'pfft'.
"You siblings really have a good relationship. Seems like you'd do good as her fiancé from here onwards.
"Regardless of any psychological or physical connection, it is unquestionable that we are real siblings. Therefore, it's impossible for us to be a couple right?"
"Why?"
"Even if you ask why…"
It was too obvious, Tatsuya failed to mention the reason immediately.
"In case you're groundlessly concerned about your future children to be born with genetic abnormalities. Like I said earlier, Miyuki-san was brought together to have the best 'perfect modified body' from the technology of the Yotsuba. She not only was genetically engineered, but also thoroughly mentally adjusted by Mental Interference Magic. That child can overcome all the defects of a modified body, a Masterpiece of the Yotsuba which was completed in a human being and brought her to the next level. She is different from the failure of the Kudou Family. Children born between you and Miyuki won't have any defects. I guarantee that in the name of the Yotsuba. There isn't a single gene in her that can lead to any abnormalities.
"But…"
"I'm sure that she won't even mind that she has a modified body. Perhaps, she would even rejoice over that fact. By modification, she will figure out that your body and her body's genetic relation is quite far apart. That she is biologically connected to you is something inevitable after all."
What Maya said might be correct. At the very least, Tatsuya couldn't point out any mistakes, to tell the truth, Tatsuya already had an idea about this.
Miyuki's body was undeniable, it came from the same cell components of the same parents as Tatsuya.
However, there were also certain mixed elements that he couldn't explain.
Tatsuya understood that they didn't cause harmful bodily effects to Miyuki's body. Hence, he was thinking of those factors as natural mutation products. However, considering that they were brought about by modification, the large differences between him and Miyuki's 'components' could be a more rational interpretation. He couldn't help to admit so unwillingly.
"Tatsuya-san. You can tell Miyuki-san about this. That Miyuki-san has a modified body made for you, and also the fact that she physically and mentally doesn't carry any factor that can cause disabilities at all. At the very least, there won't be any problems physically for you and Miyuki- san to marry each other."
Tatsuya stared at Maya's face.
Maya also, returned a stare in silence.
"…Understood. Certainly, this is not something to be hidden from her."
Tatsuya nodded after hesitating for quite a significant amount of time.
"That's right. If you leave it as is, Miyuki-san will get worried."
Even though Maya's words were intended as a joke, Tatsuya couldn't deny them.
"Please cherish Miyuki-san."
Suddenly, Maya changed her tone.
"When you lose Miyuki, you'll break apart. Your mind was designed to be that way. And when you break, you can burn the world."
It was a prophecy, no, it was the tone of a prophecy.
"That's why, please protect and cherish Miyuki-san with your hand for life."
After that, Maya told her true feelings.
"Actually, I don't really care either way."
Within her eyes, the most intense light in the night could be seen.
"That time, when you destroy the world, the revenge of my heart will be completed."
The hottest, flame of passion was lit.
"If you are able to protect Miyuki from the malice of the world, my revenge would take on another form. It is the revenge of a person who yielded against the world that trampled on the fate of people with arrogance."
The name of that flame was madness.
"I'm sure I would be able to forget that scoffed ungraceful appearance that I received from the unfairness of the world."
In the midst of her flame of madness, Maya put on an innocent smile.
"What a lovely thing that would be. What a wonderful son you are. You will fulfill my revenge. For 'Yotsuba Maya' who died at the age of 12."
"Oba-ue. You're crazy."
"For that purpose, Tatsuya. You will marry Miyuki. I will not take any objections."
Tatsuya's words didn't reach Maya's consciousness. Even if she heard it, it failed to reach being recognized by Maya's heart.
Hayama proceeded next to Maya, he replaced the herbal tea which had gone cold with a new one.
Maya directed her eyes to Tatsuya, with a drastic change, that not even a hint of madness was visible to Tatsuya.
"Tatsuya-san, do you want more coffee?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Really? Ah, it's already this late."
The dinner was over at 9 P.M. Now, the hand of time was past 10 P.M. Tatsuya didn't realize it by himself, but thinking about Maya's explanation seemed to take an unexpectedly considerable amount of time.
"We have an agenda for tomorrow; we should end this soon. Tatsuya- san, do you still have anything to ask?"
"Then in the grace of your words, one last thing."
Tatsuya was concerned that Maya's madness might burn again, so he decided to ask about the things that he must know the answer to now.
"Oh, what is it?"
"Why did you choose tomorrow? Do you have any reason in announcing that I'm your son, that I will be announced as Miyuki's fiancé?"
Certainly, the New Year's Gathering is the meeting where everyone in the families are updated about the key condition of the Yotsuba. It was the most suitable to nominate Miyuki.
However, for Tatsuya, it was somewhat a weak reason for Maya to push all these things to be announced tomorrow as well.
"It's not like we have to do it tomorrow, but I do have one reason."
Contrary to Tatsuya's concerns, Maya was calm, and she answered his question as if she was amused by something.
"Originally, I didn't have any plan to announce you as my son at this year's New Year's Gathering. However, Tatsuya-san as well, you used such a flashy stunt."
The one she referred as 'flashy stunt' was him using Material Burst to annihilate the GAA Fleet, there was no need for Tatsuya to confirm this.
"And then, the USNA had moved their Joint Chief Staff which directly controls magician troops, they even ordered a curfew for their investigation, you were that attention-grabber."
"I'm sorry for that."
Tatsuya involuntarily smiled wryly. He didn't think that 'whether there was a meaning for such confinement instruction'. At least for Tatsuya, it only looked like an afterthought of a reason.
"It's good that it has passed."
Maya nodded lightly. Even when her madness was hidden in the shadows, her familiarity to Tatsuya remained.
"But, even after the Stars withdrew from Japan, and Kudou-sensei went mad, or even the overseas Chinese Houjutsu user, you have been involved in various behind the scene jobs."
The Kudou Family went mad, would be a comment for Parasite Dolls. The overseas Chinese Houjutsu user was Zhou Gongjin.
After hearing that, Tatsuya thought, 'certainly, many things happened this year'. Putting aside Maya's convenience, Tatsuya certainly had no intention in being involved in a fight with the Yotsuba.
"That's why, in the end, your debut is brought up to the New Year's Gathering tomorrow."
"So that's the case."
Tatsuya, for once, showed an understanding. At the very least, he found out that there was an opportunity and a need to spread the lie that he was Maya's son during the Gathering tomorrow.
——However, that also didn't mean anything.
"Then, this is the end of my explanation for real."
Maya showed a satisfied smile. This discussion seemed to end with her being satisfied. At the very least, she managed to convince Tatsuya to a certain degree after all.
"Tatsuya-san, do you know where your room is?"
"I'm alright, Oba-ue."
"Really?"
Maya didn't seem to mind when Tatsuya returned to his old way of addressing her.
"Then sorry for not able to assist you, do you mind going back to your room alone? You can call someone along the way to help prepare the bath immediately before you reach your room."
"Understood."
Tatsuya understood firmly that this was the end of their conversation.
"Thanks for the coffee, it was delicious."
Tatsuya bowed to Maya and Hayama, and left the study.
◊ ◊ ◊
Even after Tatsuya left, Maya had remained on the couch.
"Madam, thank you for your hard work."
Hayama said so to Maya from behind.
"Somehow, I became more emotional than I had planned."
Maya reluctantly said so. For her, it was probably an apology for the previous one-act, her outburst of excitement.
"Since you were retelling that story, I think it couldn't be helped."
Hayama defended Maya with 'it was a topic where you couldn't avoid such excitement', perhaps, that was embarrassing for her, Maya turned her face away with an 'hmph' expression which didn't suit her age.
Even Hayama thought that it was funny, but he was not so careless as to show a smile on his face.
"So that was madam's secret plan all along. This time, even I must accept that I have nothing but admiration."
Last November, she immediately made a call for Tatsuya and Miyuki to come to the Manor right after the Yokohama Incident, Maya told Hayama 'Miyuki must become the next family head to bind Tatsuya. I have some consideration in subjecting her to the family head seat'. She confided her plans to Hayama about the preparations for the New Year's Gathering, which takes place tomorrow.
"Thanks to the variety of things that happened out of expectation, I got excited more than I thought. The rest depends on how far Miyuki-san, can go."
"Whether she will become a great woman."
The surprising remark came from none other than Hayama with a firm tone, Maya looked back at Hayama by twisting her body on the sofa.
Hayama displayed a good natured old-man smile.
"Both Miyuki-sama and Tatsuya-sama have to face their future feelings properly. Although Tatsuya-sama is heading into a place without an enemy, he faces Miyuki-sama's feeling straightforwardly without failure."
"To honestly love would be my folly, I'd say."
"In this case, it's the one who is honest who wins."
Hayama's laugh and smile pulled Maya out from her own miasma.
◊ ◊ ◊
When Tatsuya returned, there wasn't anyone in the room. Miyuki must have been brought to the same home estate for tomorrow's preparations.
As Maya said, the guide for the bath came pretty soon. It was rare for him to stay overnight at the Main House, the bath was also quite different as it was his first time staying in a Japanese-style guest room. He didn't dress unsightly for the round trip to the bath as it was possible to run into someone. Tatsuya's bathing time was neither long, nor short. When he returned to his room, the clock was already pointing to 11 P.M., yet Miyuki hadn't returned.
Instead, he found out that the futon was already set.
In series to the Japanese-style room, a set of futon for pair, with two pillows.
"Onii-sama, sorry for making you wait."
Miyuki returned at such a bad moment.
"This is…"
While leaving the sliding door open, she looked at the state of the next room. If she looked into the room, it was natural to focus her eyes on… 'Miyuki, this isn't my do-…"
-ing, Tatsuya was not able to continue his excuse until the end. Perhaps, Miyuki was polished by a lot of servants until she shone, she was also only wearing underwear under her Hitoe. The bathroom was possibly very hot, as she didn't appear to be cold to wear so little despite it being mid-winter. The current blushed in her face and neck might appear to be caused by the heat, but it was obvious that the room temperature wasn't hot.
The reason for his loss of words wasn't due to the Hitoe. It was because of the strong charm of Miyuki cladded in that Hitoe, he somehow lost the time to explain and drifted to his speechlessness.
She already had a beautiful look, but now it seemed that she was actually shining.
Miyuki had the air of a refreshing inanimate scent, now she might actually attract not only butterflies and bees, she was wearing a subtle scent of a flower.
If she walked in Tokyo through a crowd as she was, there would be undoubtedly imminent large panic among the crowd.
Tatsuya without exaggerating thought so.
"Onii-sama, this is…"
However, Miyuki was also in a not-so-calm state, and it was exaggerated with only one futon set out, those were the first words she emitted after she reboot her mind.
"No, this isn't my doing. It was already in this condition when I returned from the bath."
"I see."
Since he thought that he was restless with much standing. Tatsuya sat in front of the low table, Miyuki was also seated in front of the futon. As the sliding door leading to the next room, they felt conscious when it opened, yet felt strange to close it.
In front of Tatsuya, Miyuki seemed to be unable to calm down while combing her hair. Somehow, she was conscious of his gaze.
It couldn't be helped. It hadn't even been three hours since the shocking declaration that Tatsuya was to be Miyuki's fiancé. Taking into account, the bombshell that Tatsuya and Miyuki were not real siblings. It was unreasonable not to be conscious of each other right now."
"Umm, O-onii-sama."
Hesitation was felt in Miyuki's tone.
Tatsuya raised his eyebrows in wonder.
"What is it?"
"No, that… Onii-sama, can I still call you that? Or should I call you Ta-
"
"I don't mind if you call me as usual."
As Miyuki didn't seem to be able to call him 'Tatsuya', Tatsuya rescued her with a laugh.
Miyuki smiled with a relieved face. However, his answer of 'as usual' wasn't only for Miyuki. Tatsuya wasn't going to keep up with the lie of 'Miyuki isn't my sister'.
"Then, Onii-sama… Have you already finished your discussion with Oba-ue?"
"Such a thing…"
The fact that I was here, such a thing was a given right, he was about to answer, but he soon realized that Miyuki's question had a different meaning.
"Yes, it's concluded. I have asked everything that I needed to know about from Oba-ue herself."
"I see. Then, about that…"
Miyuki was stammering. She was probably not hesitating. Just, hadn't enough courage to ask about the matter.
She summoned up the courage which had been void from her heart, Miyuki was finally able to ask Tatsuya.
"About Onii-sama and me not being real siblings."
——Is it true?
However, no matter how much courage she summoned, she wasn't able to say the decisive words from her mouth.
"A lie."
Tatsuya's answer was extremely brief.
Miyuki's heart was torn in two from that answer.
The feeling of relief that she was Tatsuya's sister, and that she wouldn't be able to marry Tatsuya as his sister.
"Why… Why did Oba-sama tell such a lie?"
"This is an over simplification of an explanation, but it seems like it was done in order to let us marry."
Maya's explanation was difficult to understand for certain, but Tatsuya understood more circumstances than Miyuki. However, he was wondering to what extent that he should reveal to Miyuki, Tatsuya hadn't really decided.
"Even though we're siblings?"
"Well, since the family registry and DNA analysis were just formalities."
"Well… That's true in light of the power that the Yotsuba Family has."
"There's no need to worry about genetic abnormalities of our future children either."
"Why, is that so?"
Miyuki who was facing down in a gloomy face, raised her face and fixed her eyes at Tatsuya. The white skin above her neck wasn't covered by the Hitoe, which made Tatsuya involuntarily want to look away. However, thinking so would mean that he was walking into Maya's palm, so he regained the calmness in his mind.
With having regained control of his senses, Tatsuya stared at Miyuki's eyes again.
Miyuki's eyes looked as if she was ready to receive any kind of truth from him.
Maya had made the decision for Tatsuya to be Miyuki's companion, she had thought that Miyuki could bear such a weight.
As he acknowledged the readiness on her eyes, Tatsuya firmed his decision on the part that he should tell to Miyuki.
"You are, your body has no factor that can cause any genetic abnormality."
"You have, a modified body."
Miyuki stared with watchful eyes while covering her mouth with both of her hands.
Her long hair was shaking.
Tatsuya was a little relieved that she didn't show a frightened face.
"I have, a modified body…"
"You were made from Kaa-san's and Oyaji's fertilized egg, and with the Yotsuba's science, was made to have a 'perfect modified body', thanks to the best technology. You overcame all of the defects which come from having a modified body, you are the Masterpiece of the Yotsuba which has been completed as a human being, or more than human being.
Tatsuya's explanation wasn't supposed to be a consolation, the fact that she wasn't a human who was born naturally. However, for some reason, Miyuki visibly regained her composure.
Miyuki was neither upset nor scared, from the fact that she is a human being who had been artificially created. Miyuki knew now that her body, and life, was a gift she received from Tatsuya. The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that it was appropriate. That was why she didn't worry too much that originally her body was artificially created and such.
"Then, I… As long as I'm by Onii-sama's side, I won't suddenly fall into the netherworld right?"
The one things she was worried about was the limitation of her life as a woman with a modified body. Fear that she suddenly had exhausted her own life and couldn't be together with Tatsuya anymore.
"Judging from the way Oba-ue talked, it seems like your resistance to continuous magical use, is likely higher than my own."
"It means that… I can live alongside you, Onii-sama?"
"Judging from the way Oba-ue talked, it seems like you will have a long life."
In the end, after she was told that she could live as long as her brother, she didn't even care that she has a modified body.
"Onii-sama and I are siblings, but my genes are different from Onii- sama's."
Tatsuya felt like saying 'Hey…".
Certainly, Maya said that Miyuki has a modified body, genetically speaking, it was true that the relationship between Tatsuya and Maya was only that of nephew and aunt. However, between Tatsuya and Miyuki, there wasn't a single word that could deny their relationship.
Yet, Miyuki was saying the same thing as Maya.
Similarities aren't only brought about by genes… Tatsuya thought so.
"From the beginning, members of the Yotsuba Family were a human experimentation, with manipulated genes from the Fourth Laboratory. Although, it was different than that of a modified body, it doesn't change that we also have undergone genetic manipulation."
The way Tatsuya said that, was to emphasize the similarity between Miyuki and him.
However, Miyuki with her sleepy face, didn't seem to be able to digest these meanings well enough.
"Then, Onii-sama and I will be cousins from now on?"
"At least in the eyes of others."
"Then, I can be engaged to Onii-sama, right!"
Miyuki raised her voice in excitement.
However, her excitement didn't last very long.
As she saw the confused look on Tatsuya.
"As expected, you must be disgusted…"
"With what?"
Tatsuya couldn't figure out the reason why Miyuki was suddenly gloomy, he couldn't even understand the meaning behind her dark voice.
"Because, to Onii-sama, I'm still your sister right?"
"Yes, because that's a fact."
For now, that fact was undeniable to Tatsuya.
"For a sister to want to be the bride of her own real brother, it is still abnormal right…"
"Miyuki, do you."
For a moment, Tatsuya thought that he heard wrongly. However, his five sense had been honed to a level beyond an ordinary person with training.
Miyuki definitely said 'for a sister to want to be the bride of her own real brother'. From the context, it could only be interpreted to be Miyuki and Tatsuya.
In other words, Miyuki…
"Ye-yes! It was not due to Oba-sama's order only! I'm very happy to hear that i will be Onii-sama's fiancé!"
Miyuki looked down while clasping her hands on her thighs. Her tears were falling on top of her hands, onto her thighs.
"Even now, that feeling hasn't changed. Even though I know that Onii- sama is my real brother, I want Onii-sama to treasure me as a woman! I want to be Onii-sama's bride! When I said I had given up, suddenly I didn't want to give up!"
Miyuki's voice wasn't difficult to hear even if she was excited. However there were some things that were difficult to understand due to her excitement.
What she said about 'when I said I had given up, suddenly I didn't want to give up', must be 'I'd given up until I'd heard the story, now that you said we can get married, I don't need to give up anymore'. Tatsuya had no clue at all that what Miyuki was worrying about were the things from earlier, that it surprised him. Certainly, Miyuki had shown an excessive amount of attention to him as her real brother. However, Tatsuya always thought that she was yearning for him only as a brother.
However, it might be because he, himself, only wanted to think only thus far.
Against Miyuki's tears, Tatsuya had a suspicion that he was tamed by such things.
"But, Onii-sama is normal after all… You have a normal sense of moral too… You wouldn't carry a romantic feelings for your own sister right. You must have been disgusted by such an abnormal sister like me…"
Miyuki finally sobbed.
It wasn't a loud cry, but one that made the listener have a tight painful chest, she suppressed her sorrow so much that her cry was concentrated in the last minute.
"Miyuki…"
Tatsuya stretched a hand toward Miyuki timidly.
Miyuki extended her hand to catch Tatsuya's hand.
Tatsuya thought that she would shake his hand. He thought it was natural to deal with him so, as he was the heartless big brother who didn't notice his sister's problem to the point that she cried in pain.
However, Miyuki grabbed Tatsuya's right hand with both of her hands. Then, she hugged it in her chest.
"O…"
Tatsuya tried to restrain her and say 'Hey, wait', but he stopped. He couldn't bring himself to say something that would refuse Miyuki too bluntly now. No, he didn't want to do so.
"Onii-sama, I, I…"
While grabbing his hand strongly, Miyuki desperately mustered her words out.
Mustering out her own feelings.
"Love, you. I love you. I'm in love with Onii-sama!"
The words Tatsuya always heard from his sister was 'I adore you'. It was his first time hearing 'I love you' from her.
Only a one-character difference, could change the weight of the words this much. Tatsuya only noticed this for the first time.
"It's fine even if you want to hate me for being such an abnormal sister! It's fine even if you consider that these bad feelings are an unnatural tendency! But…, please. I beg you Onii-sama…"
Miyuki raised her face, wet with tears.
Tatsuya had never seen such a sorrowful, such a desperate face, yet so beautiful.
"Somehow… Somehow… Please let me be by your side. Please don't be detached from me. Please don't disappear from my side!"
Even when she was crying, Miyuki didn't distort her face. It was her beautiful face, with showering tears.
Today was the first time he knew this as well.
Her sad crying face, Tatsuya thought.
While still entrusting his right hand to Miyuki, Tatsuya reached out with his left hand to Miyuki's back.
"O-onii,-sama…?"
"I won't disappear from your side."
"Ah… Umm… Onii-sama, once more… One more time…"
Miyuki asked so fearfully while being held with Tatsuya's hand, in Tatsuya's arm, and pressing her face to Tatsuya's chest. She wanted to hear those words again to affirm it.
"Miyuki. I won't disappear from your side."
"Ah…"
Miyuki was overcome with her emotion, while all her energy was escaping from her body.
Tatsuya thought that he must answer his sister who entrusted all of her body to him.
"Until death do us part. I will be by your side."
"Although, it might not be in the sense that you desire."
"I still, can only see you as my sister."
"You're my cute little sister. I won't think badly of such a cute little sister."
"I also don't think that you're abnormal."
"I will never reject you. I won't detach myself from you."
"However, Miyuki… That's because I'm your brother. And because you're my cute little sister."
"That's why… Sorry. At the very least, I can only see you as my sister for now."
Miyuki, who was still held by Tatsuya's arms, got up after she heard his answer and released Tatsuya's right hand which she had been grabbed by and stuck it to her chest.
"That's fine."
There were traces of tears in Miyuki's face. However, there were no new tears flowing out.
"I'm satisfied for now."
Miyuki casually turned her hand to Tatsuya's neck, and embraced him.
"Because, I also can only call you Onii-sama for now."
Miyuki put her cheek beside Tatsuya's cheek, while whispering in his ear.
"For Onii-sama to say 'for now' to my confession. It's sufficient enough for me."
Miyuki hugged Tatsuya with a strengthened force in her arms.
"Onii-sama, is it ok for me to hope? Not for 'now' but for 'sometime'. For Onii-sama to be able to see me as 'Miyuki', and not your sister."
Tatsuya also whispered into Miyuki's ear in the same way.
"This might sound strange, but I'll try my best."
Miyuki released her embrace.
"Oh, dear, Onii-sama."
Miyuki laughed with an amazed face.
Tatsuya smiled wryly.
It was finally returning to the usual atmosphere of the siblings.
"Miyuki, it's already late. We need to prepare early for tomorrow, let's get some sleep."
"Ah, that's right. Then, I'll ask for a futon."
Miyuki was about to stand, but Tatsuya restrained her.
"Onii-sama?"
"There's no need for that. Oba-ue has kindly set this up. Let's just sleep in the same futon for today."
"Ehh!?"
Miyuki's voice was overturned. Her voice wasn't so overturned even when she was crying.
"U, umm, Onii-sama, is that, do you mean."
"No, you're wrong."
Tatsuya smirked wickedly at Miyuki.
"We'll just sleep together. We won't do anything else."
"I… I see."
Miyuki patted down her chest. There seemed to be a little regret in that gesture, Tatsuya wondered if she was expecting something.
"I'll change into pajamas first. You can get into the futon first."
"No… I can wait for you for a short while. Let's get into the futon together, Onii-sama."
"Understood. I'll be back soon."
Tatsuya had confirmed that this room was equipped with yukata for sleepwear. He needn't get lost, and quickly took off his clothes and wore the yukata on top of his trunks.
"Onii-sama, don't you feel cold?"
Miyuki asked anxiously when Tatsuya was going to get into the futon.
"No, this it's probably already warm enough."
Tatsuya slipped into the futon, while signaling Miyuki.
Miyuki showed a slight hesitation before settling into using Tatsuya as an arm pillow.
"I wonder when it was. Once upon a time, when I was really young, I feel like, there was one instance when I was held in your arm."
"It wasn't such an old occurrence… It was on the day when Kaa-san's funeral was over."
"That's… Right… That was so careless of me."
Miyuki rested her body on Tatsuya.
To embrace Miyuki's shoulder tightly, Tatsuya turned his other arm.
"Onii-sama."
"What is it?"
"Did Onii-sama really not know?"
"Well."
"About how much I've been suffering, that is."
"Sorry."
"It is especially true in recent time. Society encourages magicians to marry early. If I'm to shoulder the status of being a magician, at the very least, I should have chosen a fiancé, or have prepared one."
"That's right."
"Since siblings cannot marry each other. So, with another man besides Onii-sama…"
"Miyuki."
Tatsuya's hand stroked Miyuki's hair.
Miyuki's body was trembling in tension, although she immediately released this tension. And left her body to Tatsuya.
"Just go to sleep."
"Yes, Onii-sama."
Miyuki entrusted her body and mind to Tatsuya, she fell asleep while listening to the distant sound of bells on New Year's Eve.