The Irregular at Magic High School: Everyone Loves My Brother?!

The Blanche incident, buried by the Juumonji family, remained known to only a few at school. Sayaka and Kou, victims of mind control, faced no charges and were now hospitalized.

"How're you feeling?" Tatsuya asked, standing by Sayaka's bedside.

"Thanks," Sayaka said, smiling faintly. "I didn't expect you to visit, Shiba-kun."

"Your image of me is pretty cold, huh?" Tatsuya said, smirking. "Not entirely wrong, though."

"I figured you'd come once, but multiple times? Didn't see that coming," she admitted.

"I can't match Kirihara-senpai or Erika's dedication," he said.

Kirihara and Erika visited daily, having met through Sayaka. They were likely sparring at the kendo dojo now.

"So, senpai, when's your discharge?" Tatsuya asked.

"No clue," Sayaka said. "I need to stay until the mind control's fully gone. I'm hoping for summer, though."

"For the Nine Schools Competition?" Tatsuya asked.

"They'll broadcast it, but I want to see it live," she said.

"Makes sense," he nodded.

Undoing mind control for the Nine Schools Competition was a tight timeline. Sayaka's control wasn't as severe as Kou's, but her repeated exposure meant a long stay was inevitable.

"Sorry, Shiba-kun. I'm getting sleepy," Sayaka said, her eyes drooping.

"I'll head out," Tatsuya said.

"Sorry…" she murmured.

The medication took effect, and Sayaka drifted off. Confirming she was asleep, Tatsuya pulled out his CAD. He aimed it with his left hand, pulled the trigger, and quietly left the room.

Days later, Tatsuya and Miyuki headed to the hospital during lunch break for Sayaka's sudden discharge celebration, a bouquet in Tatsuya's hand.

"You're quite the romantic, Onii-sama," Miyuki teased. "Hand-delivering flowers is perfect, isn't it?"

The hospital lobby buzzed as they entered. Most men stared at Miyuki's elegance, but a few women stole glances at Tatsuya.

"Hey, Tatsuya-kun, Miyuki!" Erika called, spotting them. "You're here."

"You weren't in class," Tatsuya noted.

"Skipping, huh?" Miyuki said, raising an eyebrow.

"The teacher's gone, and I'll do the assignments later," Erika said, waving it off. "Besides, it's Saya's discharge day!"

"Saya? You mean Mibu-senpai?" Miyuki said. "You've gotten close."

"Of course! I've been here every day, like Kirihara-senpai," Erika said, pointing.

There stood Kirihara, face slightly flushed, beside Sayaka, who looked at him like an older sister watching her brother.

"Kirihara-senpai confessed to Saya, but got rejected," Erika whispered loudly.

"Chiba!" Kirihara barked. "I told you to keep quiet!"

"What? It's true!" Erika grinned. "She said, 'I only see you as a little brother,' right? Congrats, senpai, you got a big sister!"

"Shut it!" Kirihara snapped, chasing her.

Erika, sensing his real anger, bolted with a playful squeal.

"Still, Mibu-senpai, that's a quick recovery," Miyuki said. "You mentioned summer last time."

"I don't get it either," Sayaka said. "After Shiba-kun's visit, the next day's tests showed no traces of mind control."

"Quite the mystery," Miyuki said. "Congratulations on your discharge, senpai."

"Thanks," Sayaka said, blushing as she took Tatsuya's bouquet.

Miyuki's gaze pierced Tatsuya, but he said nothing.

"You're Shiba-kun?" a man asked.

"Dad," Sayaka said.

"Mibu-senpai's father," Tatsuya said, bowing slightly.

"I'm Yuzou Mibu," the man said. "Shiba-kun, a word?"

"Of course," Tatsuya replied.

As Yuzou led Tatsuya away, Miyuki turned her gaze to Sayaka.

"Something wrong?" Sayaka asked.

"There's another reason you rejected Kirihara-senpai, isn't there?" Miyuki said.

"…I like Shiba-kun," Sayaka confessed, her cheeks reddening. "I was scared of him at first, but he genuinely cares about others."

Miyuki's heart twisted. She was glad Tatsuya was admired, but in love, she felt outmatched. As his sister, she could never cross that final line.

"There'll be plenty of rivals," Sayaka added.

"But you love Onii-sama, don't you?" Miyuki asked.

"Yeah," Sayaka said. "When Kirihara confessed, I realized my feelings for Shiba-kun weren't just admiration."

"I see…" Miyuki said, her voice soft.

Miyuki was confident Tatsuya favored her, but she knew her limits. He was her blood brother, after all.

Alone with Yuzou, Tatsuya braced for whatever came next.

"Thanks to you, my daughter's recovered," Yuzou said. "Truly, thank you."

"No, it's Mibu-senpai's strength and the support from Chiba and Kirihara-senpai," Tatsuya said. "I only kept my distance."

"You're just as Kazama described," Yuzou said.

"You know Major Kazama?" Tatsuya asked.

"We shared barracks years ago," Yuzou said. "I'm retired now."

Tatsuya didn't buy it. Kazama wouldn't share details with just an old comrade.

"Don't worry, I won't spill what Kazama told me," Yuzou said. "And her sudden recovery—you did that, didn't you? Let me thank you again."

"I crushed her hopes once," Tatsuya said. "The least I could do was help her see the Nine Schools Competition, as she wished."

"You're solid," Yuzou said. "I can trust you with her."

That's a bit hasty, Tatsuya thought, hiding a wry smile behind his ironclad poker face. He bowed to Yuzou and rejoined Miyuki and the others.

"Welcome back," Miyuki said. "What'd you talk about with her dad?"

"He knows someone who helped me out before," Tatsuya said. "Just catching up."

"Hmm, sounds like you and Saya have some deep connection," Erika teased.

"Eri-chan!" Sayaka yelped, chasing her.

Erika laughed, clearly enjoying herself this time.

"Onii-sama," Miyuki said quietly.

"Hm?" Tatsuya replied.

"You used magic on her, didn't you?" she pressed.

"No pain was involved. It's fine," he said.

"But internal wounds can't be healed!" she whispered fiercely.

"Keep your voice down," Tatsuya said, touching her lips and shrugging.

Miyuki's unease lingered. Tatsuya's magic carried secrets that couldn't be exposed.

And so, Sayaka chose Tatsuya. Next time, a bit of a fantasy tale begins.