Elysia's bright eyes were full of playful charm. Her not-quite-delicate frame leaned forward slightly, her sparkling eyes blinking and blinking as she quietly watched Shiraha.
Shiraha opened his mouth, wanting to explain then felt like maybe there wasn't really anything to explain.
"But we were just playing with building blocks."
"Mhm, building blocks~"
Elysia repeated the words, her voice drawn out long and slow.
"Mei-nee was doing most of the building. I was actually splitting my focus, practicing my psychokinesis."
"Mhm, Mei-nee~"
Elysia leaned in further, close enough now that she was nearly touching Shiraha's face. Her starry eyes reflected his image.
Shiraha felt the pressure mounting. Nee-chan really did love teasing children. He wasn't entirely sure whether he should play along or not.
After a brief silence, he turned and walked toward the door. "I'm going to check if dinner's ready. I asked the chef auntie to make Nee-chan's favorites tonight."
"Go on, go on."
Elysia drifted along behind him, her voice carrying undisguised amusement. "Mr. World's Number One Killer."
Dinner that evening truly did feature Elysia's favorites. It was a small thing, really, Shiraha had simply made the request and offered a little emotional warmth. The chef had been happy to oblige; the presentation was even more meticulous than usual.
Meanwhile, during the long stretch of Gundam assembly, Mei had waged countless internal battles. In the end, she'd reached a conclusion: a proper leader must be willing to listen to her subordinate's counsel.
Which meant
"A martial arts tournament?!"
At the dinner table, Ryoma Raiden's mind went blank for just a moment.
Well... it was certainly in line with the chuunibyou spirit of the Far East. But with those skinny little arms and legs of hers, was Mei really not afraid of getting beaten to tears?
"Has your teacher agreed to this?"
But Ryoma didn't shoot it down right away. He was even prepared to set up a few small-scale prizes to let the kids have their fun.
Mei shook her head. "We haven't told the teacher yet. But if we frame it as a club activity, they probably won't refuse."
Ryoma mulled it over for a moment, then turned his impartial gaze toward Shiraha. Shiraha paused mid-feeding motion and nodded obediently. "I'll follow Mei-nee's lead!"
Ryoma opened his mouth, then closed it. With the two children getting along so well, there wasn't much left for him to say.
"You go ask your teacher first. If the teacher agrees... leave any trouble after that to me."
Ryoma gave his generous support. He was genuinely curious whether his daughter had actually absorbed any of the swordsmanship he'd taught over the years. After wearing that Homu Sword mask for so long, it was time to see the results.
And just like that, the matter was settled.
The very next morning, right after classes let out, Mei dragged Shiraha to stake out the entrance to the teacher's office.
Maybe it was her sincerity that swayed the teacher. Maybe it was her family background. Either way the idea wasn't dismissed on the spot.
The teacher, upon hearing this whimsical proposal, was quiet for a moment. "Could it wait until next year's school festival? You could set it up alongside the taekwondo and karate groups."
Mei made a show of pondering deeply. It was already November, and the end of the semester was fast approaching. Next year's spring-summer festival would be around April or May.
Which meant
"We have about five months to prepare."
Shiraha whispered the reminder from beside her.
Mei immediately nodded, her eyes brightening. "Thank you, sensei!"
Five months. Just enough time for Mei to build a name for herself in Chiba Academy's elementary division, so the martial arts tournament wouldn't seem like a complete joke.
As for Shiraha... he'd already stopped caring about the tournament itself. This idea getting the green light meant he could justifiably request the full student roster for all grades.
Get an excuse. Find a way to approach Yuna. That was all.
With the club matter settled, Mei was ready to return to her domain and continue studying that map. She was already fantasizing about whether the second tournament could be expanded in scale!
She pushed open the clubroom door. The delinquent senpai was, unsurprisingly, still asleep.
"Did she go street racing again?"
Mei tilted her little head, keeping her voice low.
It felt like Senpai was always sleeping at the club. Did she just not sleep at night?
"I dunno. I'm not a delinquent."
Shiraha shook his head and returned to his seat, pouring himself a drink. No tea, he didn't like tea.
Raven lifted her head wearily and looked at the two children.
"I don't like street racing."
Besides, she wasn't a school delinquent. Though the nature of her actual work was a fair bit worse than delinquency.
Shiraha nodded perfunctorily. "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Senpai stays up all night studying at home. Got it."
I really am studying!
The words reached the tip of her tongue but didn't come out.
Raven remembered today's mission and forcibly switched her tone. "Heh. Street racing is way too boring anyway. I've been pulling all-nighters gaming lately."
Shiraha blinked and glanced toward Elysia-nee. Hadn't nee-chan said the Raven went home to study? Why was she suddenly claiming to play games?
Elysia looked equally baffled. She spread her hands from where she sat off to the side. Yesterday, Raven had come home and studied. Why was she lying about it?
The mention of gaming made Mei think of the game cartridges back home, and the online games that were gradually blowing up in popularity. But she still preferred dragging Shiraha outside to play.
The atmosphere settled into silence.
Raven's cheek twitched. She continued her lone performance of haughtiness. "Forget it. You two brats probably wouldn't understand the games I play anyway."
Say something! Even arguing with me works!
Shiraha stayed silent. He wasn't that interested in games. Honkai energy and psychokinesis were way more fun than any video game.
Raven let out two soft, mocking laughs, then flopped her upper body back onto the desk. The face buried in her arms was full of frustration.
Seriously? These two kids aren't curious at all?!
"You're so rude!" Mei held it in and failed! She wasn't taking this lying down!
"Aren't all games nowadays just 'whoever spends the most money wins'?" Mei paused, then added, "And the special effects don't even look as good as the custom fireworks we set off at home."
Mei didn't like using the Raiden family name to throw her weight around. But the delinquent senpai had started the mocking. She was the one who broke the rules first!
Hearing this, Raven's expression flickered with something almost touched but with her face buried in her arms, no one could see it.
She pulled herself together, lifted her head again, and flashed a canine tooth. "Hmph. What's so fun about pay-to-win games? Don't tell me you two have never even tried a holographic projection setup."
Holographic projection?
Mei blinked. Shiraha blinked too. Is this still 2006?
Wait. No Valkyrie combat simulation training used holographic projection, didn't it? But wasn't that military-grade?
Raven's gaze grew even more disdainful.
Mei shot to her feet, her small hands braced on the desk. Unfortunately, her tiny frame didn't quite carry the imposing aura she intended.
"Even Dr. Tesla still plays games on cartridges! Where are you getting holographic projection from?!"
Mei did know about holographic projection in concept. ME Corp had roots in the film industry, after all. She even knew the company had ongoing research in that field.
Shiraha tugged at Mei's sleeve. "Dr. Tesla just thinks cartridges have more sentimental value. That's why she still uses the retro console."
Raven couldn't be bothered to argue with them. Pretending to be a delinquent was way too hard. What kind of ridiculous script had Grey Serpent even written?!
She waved a hand, forcing her tone to stay casual. "Forget it. I'll bring it tomorrow and let you two try it out..."
A beat later, she added, "You two aren't going to tattle to your parents and turn this into corporate warfare, are you?"
"My family's company can't survive a hostile takeover from ME Corp."