The Prince of Darkness: Mahouka SI Ch.5 (Patreon)

Chapter 5

SHIBA MIYUKI

Inei Yotsuba, that name had shaken both of them, for they had never heard of anyone bearing that name. Their marks in the matriculation exam spoke of mastery and excellence that rivalled her own, a Yotsuba prodigy.

And then there was the warning from Yakumo-sensei, and dread filled her heart as she thought it all was her aunt's scheme to control her and her brother. Her fists balled up as she stood there backstage, looking around, trying to find the person named Inei Yotsuba. After all, he had scored marks similar to her own and should be giving the address with her.

Yet when none came, she turned towards the President of the Student Council, Saegusa Mayumi.

“Mayumi-san,” she began, and the third-year student turned towards her.

“Yes, Miyuki-kun,” she asked.

“I wanted to ask where is Inei-kun. Since we have the same marks, shouldn’t he be here for the address,” Mayumi-san shook her head.

“I am afraid he will not be coming. A letter came from him turning down the honor. I am afraid you will have to give the address yourself,” and she had not missed how the President had shifted at the mention of that name.

And why wouldn’t she? After all, the Yotsuba were special, and she knew that better than anyone.

“Well, it seems like it's my turn. I will be going now. Best of luck, Miyuki-san,” and with that, the older girl walked onto the stage. As the ceremony began, she stood there backstage, a few students from the Student Council working around her, when suddenly she felt the psions in the air shift.

“Maa,” and suddenly, she felt another presence right beside her. She was startled to find a student standing right there.

“You seem rather eager to meet me,” she said, and seeing those red eyes focus on her, she was startled and immediately reached for her CAD.

“Is it any way to greet your cousin,” he replied, and she was taken aback by those words.

“But...” she stopped as she took a good look at the stranger’s face and noticed how similar it was to her own and their Aunt's.

“You are Inei Yotsuba,” he nodded, his lips turning up. Yet she was surprised by how the other students ignored him as if their senses failed to register his presence.

“Indeed, I am your cousin, speaking of that Maya-sama sends her regards,” and she felt dread pool in her heart at those words.

“So, you truly are related to her,” he nodded.

“I believe your brother would be able to confirm that,” and with that, he looked away.

“Hmm, he seems to have finally caught on. Interesting,” he commented.

“Well, moving on, I just came to greet you; I wanted to see what you were like, and let me say I am not disappointed,” he said, and she frowned.

“Why are you here?” she asked, as she lost the control of her psions and felt the temperature in the room fall.

“If you plan to do any harm to Onii-sama, I will ki...”

“Miyuki!” a voice called out from behind and she looked back and found her brother standing there, CAD in hand as he cast a magic and she felt the world shift as suddenly the students all turned towards Inei-kun.

“Hey, who are you, and what are you doing here?” they asked.

“I am Inei Yotsuba, and I was called here by Mayumi-san,” he replied easily, and she saw recognition dawn in their eyes.

“Ohh, then we will wait,” and they got busy again as she heard her name getting called out.

“Best of luck, cousin.”

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INEI YOTSUBA

After bidding Miyuki the best of luck, he turned towards her brother, who was now inches from him and looking at him with a frown.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“As I said, I am Maya-sama’s son, Inei Yotsuba,” he introduced himself.

“I am...” Tatsuya began.

“I know who you are, Shiba kun,” he cut in and saw the man shift.

“Why are you here?” he asked, still pointing his CAD at him as Inei rubbed the back of his head.

“I would really like it if you put down your CAD. After all, that is no way of talking to your family,” he said, and the boy answered.

“And casting a mental interference magic on them along with half the school is,” and Inei was impressed.

“Off, so you realized that,” he complimented that.

“I did, now I ask again. What are your intentions towards Miyuki?” he asked, and Inei raised a brow.

“You do not seem to care about my intentions towards yourself,” Inei challenged

“I can take care of myself,” Tatsuya replied, and Inei’s smile vanished, as his eyes lit up, and then, for instance, he was behind Tatsuya, who found himself unable to move his body.

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” and Tatsuya was surprised as he found the boy behind him, his body unable to move.

“But you don’t need to worry,” suddenly, all the pressure vanished in an instant as Tatsuya jumped back in an instant.

“I am not here to harm you or Miyuki, for that matter. My reasons for being here are that I am here to remind the world of the power of the Yotsuba, nothing more,” he replied truthfully, and he could still see the older boy looking at him suspiciously.

“Huhhh, what's going on here?” Mayumi Saegusa came and asked as Tatsuya lowered his CAD.

“Nothing, just an introduction,” Inei cut in as he put forward his hand.

“I am Inei Yotsuba, it is good to finally see you in person, President Saegusa,” and he saw her eyes widen at the mention of his name.

“You are Inei-kun, Inei Yotsuba?” she asked, and he nodded.

“Indeed, I am,” he replied sheepishly.

“And what are you doing here, Tatsuya-kun,” she asked.

“Ohh, he just came here for his sister,” he cut in before the boy could reply, and their eyes met, and he nodded.

“Yes, I came here to talk to Miyuki, but she already went outside,” he replied.

“Please excuse me,” and with that, he walked away, passing by him.

“Now Inei-kun, why did you decline the opportunity to give the matriculation address, Mayumi-san asked?” she shrugged.

“You see, I am a bit shy,” he replied, and the older girl was taken aback by the answer.

“Really,” she gasped, and the boy nodded.

Mayumi Saegusa was the eldest daughter of the Saegusa clan, the only clan amongst the Ten Masters Clan who could hold a candle to the Yotsuba.

“Then may I ask, why did you call for me here?” he asked and she nodded.

“Ohh, could you please come to the Student Council Office tomorrow, I want to talk to you about something,” she said and he nodded.

“I will be there.” And with that he walked away, and watched as the student council frowned, as she looked around.

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MAYUMI SAEGUA

Mayumi sat in the Student Council Room, and Katsuto stood leaning on the wall behind her as they waited for the student in question.

Today was supposed to be the first day for the new year one class, and she had come early specifically to meet this person.

Inei Yotsuba, the mysterious boy, bears the same name as the infamous Yotsuba. He had seemed perfectly polite and nice in their initial interaction, yet similar to Shiba Tatsuya, she had an inkling that the boy was more than he seemed at first.

While Shiba Tatsuya gave a sense of safety and protection, Inei-ku was different. He did not make her feel unsafe, but being around him felt as if she was in the presence of a deity, like she was being judged and evaluated every second, like in with any word, the world could end.

“Come in,” he said, and the boy walked into the room, nonchalant and unconcerned.

She saw his eyes shift towards Katsuto-san before they landed back on herself.

“You summoned me, Saegusa-senpai,” he began as he stood there.

“I did because there were few things I wanted to discuss with you,” she began as she motioned for him to sit down.

“Inei-kun are you really a Yotsuba?” she got to the main point.

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MAYA YOTSUBA

The leader of the Yotsuba found herself in a conference call with her nephew and niece, Miya’s two children stood there talking to her through what could be referred to as the most secure line in the world.

“Yes, it is true,” she confirmed and saw their eyes widen at her words.

“Inei Yotsuba, is my son genetically,” she said, and she saw Miyuki gasp.

“But, you were...”

“Infertile,” and wasn’t that one of her regrets.

“I said genetically, Inei-kun was not conceived in natural ways. He is a product of the same Institute that committed crimes against me,” she spoke, and even with a lack of emotions, her anger had yet to subside, and the mere mention of Dahan made her blood boil.

“He is not an enemy. He is someone who could be a great asset to both of you and the clan. I am sending you the file on his origins. Have a look at it and decide for yourself. I will not interfere in any conflict between you and him,” she added as she closed the line.

She closed her eyes; she had also just had a talk with Inei-kun earlier, admonishing him for not taking the matriculation exam.

“My Lady, may I ask something?” Hayama began from behind her and she nodded, in this treacherous word he was her only true companion, one who she could trust implicitly.

“Of course, Hayama,” she answered softly.

“Your behavior towards Tatsuya-sama has changed. Is it because of Inei-kun?” he asked, and she was surprised that he had caught on.

“Tatsuya’s prowess and our fear of them made us commit the sins we did, for he posed a threat to not just the clan but the world itself. Miyuki’s role as his controller and moral compass was already complicated given their relationship and how she seems to care for him, and that that was a threat for we could not afford to lose him, yet we could not let him remain free for he was the clan’s trump card, he was our salvation, our revenge,” she finished animatedly.

“And now things have changed?” Hayama asked.

“They have. We now have a power that can keep him in control not through emotions but through sheer force. And that allows us to mend the relationship between us and Tatsuya,” and that would only strengthen the clan.

Now, Miyuki would not need to be forced to become clan head. She could, of course, become one if she wished to, but it was no longer a necessity, for they had someone far more suitable for the job.

“But their relationship seems to be rather icy, I would say,” Hayama said as he poured him her coffee and put it before her.

“Of all her faults, my niece is rather hearted, and Inei-Kun's past is enough to melt anyone’s heart,” yet it hadn’t melted her own, despite sharing blood with the boy. A shame, she really wished she could understand what it meant to be a mother, what it felt like.

“And his existence holds only benefit for Miyuki and Tatsuya. If not affection, she will be able to see the advantages in making him an ally rather than an opponent.”

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