The next morning after the incident, as Mayumi was walking to school, she heard someone call out to her.

???: Chairwoman?

Looking to her right, she saw that Tatsuya, Miyuki and Akiri were waiting for her.

Tatsuya: Good morning

He greeted.

Mayumi: Tatsuya? You too, Miyuki, Akiri? What's the matter?

Akiri: We were wondering about yesterday's incident

Mayumi: Ah. Come walk with me and I'll fill you in

The three joined her and they proceeded to walk towards the school.

Mayumi: They're demanding equal treatment between Course 1 and 2 students. But they don't seem to have figured out how they want to change things. If anything, I got the sense that they wanted the student council to come up with concrete plans. Well, then it turned into a heated back-and-forth. In the end, we agreed to hold an open forum tomorrow after school

Tatsuya: That happened pretty fast

Akiri: Almost too fast. I understand the merits of not giving your opponent ample time to prepare... But on the same token, neither do we. Who will be participating in the forum?

Mayumi stopped walking and smiled as she pointed to herself.

Tatsuya: Don't tell me you're going to be the only one?

Akiri: (thoughts) Don't underestimate her. No one could win against her in an argument...

He smiles a little, recalling the multiple times he and Mayumi got into an argument when they were younger.

Mayumi: If it's just me, they won't rip me to shreds over minor differences of opinion. And I'm more afraid of impression manipulation turning this into an emotional debate

Tatsuya: Meaning that you'd never lose a logical argument?

Tatsuya asked and she nodded.

Mayumi: And besides... If those kids have reasons strong enough to defeat me in a debate...

Everyone looked at her.

Mayumi: Then all we have to do is make that an integral part of running this school from now on

She firmly stated with determination in her voice. She then turned her head towards Akiri.

Mayumi: Say, Akiri. I've been meaning to ask you. Did you and I happen to know each other before?

She suddenly asked out of nowhere and everyone's attention was turned towards him.

Akiri: No. We only just met during orientation

Mayumi: Are you sure?

Akiri: I'm positive

She gave him a look before deciding to let go of the matter. Akiri silently breathed a sigh of relief and mentally noted to be more careful around her next time.

Mayumi: I apologize. You see, you really reminded me of someone I knew a long time ago. In fact, you even look a bit similar to him, and share the same first name

Akiri: Must be quite the coincidence

Mayumi: Yes... Coincidence...

She muttered as she seems to be deep in thought.

Miyuki: Where is he now?

Miyuki asked, joining in on the conversation.

Mayumi: I don't know... I'm not even sure if he is alive

Tatsuya: What do you mean?

There was a short pause before Mayumi answered back with a question.

Mayumi: Have you three heard about the Shiranobu family?

Akiri flinched for a split second, hearing the name but he quickly regained his composure. However, his brief reaction didn't go unnoticed by the sharp eyes of Tatsuya.

Miyuki: Yes. It was the family that was mysteriously wiped out six years ago, right?

Mayumi nodded in response before continuing.

Mayumi: My close friend, he was part of that family...

A moment of silence passed before Tatsuya continued the conversation.

Tatsuya: It was unfortunate what happened to them. Each member of their family were killed in a single night. To this day, no one knows who did it and why. And because of their status, their deaths had to be kept a secret from the public

Akiri: And none of them were even given a proper funeral...

He muttered with a hint of venom in his voice.

Mayumi: All these years, I hoped that there's maybe a slight chance that one of them survived. A slight chance that he might be alive...

Akiri noticed a single tear in the corner of her eye as she said that, and he just kept quiet as he looks down, having feel guilty inside.

(Timeskip)

After classes had ended, students with red, white and blue wrist bands are talking to the Course 2 students about the upcoming forums, requesting them to join in on their efforts.

???: Course 2 students! We are members of a coalition that seeks to eradicate discrimination within this school! As the student council president announced this morning, tomorrow we will be holding an open forum regarding the treatment of Course 1 and 2 students. This will be our golden opportunity to improve conditions for ourselves, the Course 2 students! Please join in the open forum!

Akiri: They're really going all out on this, huh?

Tatsuya: It's understandable. This could be their only chance to make a difference

Akiri and Tatsuya are currently patrolling the halls, keeping an eye out for trouble that might occur.

???: Well... I... Umm...

They then heard a familiar voice and they turned to see that it was Mizuki. She looks like she was being bothered by one of the Course 2 students.

???: Umm... That's not what I...

Akiri and Tatsuya briefly exchanged glances before heading over towards the distressed girl.

Tatsuya: Mizuki?

She had a look of relief as she saw the two boys walking over.

Mizuki: Tatsuya-san. Akiri-san

The person who was troubling her turned around as well.

Akiri: (thoughts) This guy...

He thought back to when him and Tatsuya were attacked.

Akiri: (thoughts) Could he be...?

Akiri noticed the resemblance the person has to the attacker and based on Tatsuya's subtle reaction, he realized this as well. Tatsuya then confronted the person.

Tatsuya: I'm Shiba, and this is my partner, Amatsuki. We are from the Disciplinary Committee. In some cases, holding someone against their own will for an inconsiderate amount of time is considered a nuisance

Akiri: She's clearly not interested in whatever you're offering her. So we're going to ask you to back off

The guy only adjusted his glasses before looking towards Mizuki.

???: Shibata-san. Any time is fine with me, so if you change your mind, will you let me know? Goodbye

Without any other word, he turns around and walks away.

Mizuki: Thank you for that, Tatsuya-san. Akiri-san

She thanked them sincerely with a slight bow.

Akiri: No problem. You know, you should try being more assertive. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, you should let them know

Mizuki: I'll try...

Tatsuya: Who was that?

Mizuki: The captain of the kendo team. His name is Tsukasa Kinoe. He also has Hyper-sensitivity to Spirit Particle Emissions, like me

Akiri: (thoughts) Hyper-sensitivity to Spirit Particle Emissions? So Mizuki has that. Better not stay near her for too long if I want my secret to stay hidden...

Mizuki: He asked me if I wanted to join a club of other students afflicted with this same hyper-sensitivity...

Tatsuya: I see...

Mizuki: I tried turning him down, telling him that I had my hands full with my classes

Akiri: (thoughts) Tsukasa Kinoe, huh...?

(Timeskip)

That night, Tatsuya and Miyuki had gone to see Yakumo to gather intel on Kinoe Tsukasa, the captain of the kendo team.

Tatsuya: Good evening, Master.

Yakumo: Ah, good evening, Tatsuya-kun, Miyuki-kun

Tatsuya: We're you about to go to sleep?

Yakumo: Not a chance. I wouldn't do something like that after making an appointment

Tatsuya: Then why are all the lights out?

He asked as he looked around the temple, which is completely dark.

???: That's just a weird habit of his, don't worry about that

They heard another voice speak out and they looked to see a familiar face walking towards them.

Yakumo: Ah, Akiri-kun. Glad you could join us

Tatsuya: Akiri? What are you doing here?

Akiri: Same as you. To get some intel from Sensei

Miyuki: Wait. So Akiri is a student of Master as well?

She asked as she turns to the bald teacher.

Yakumo: Yes. Akiri Amatsuki here is also another student of mine

Tatsuya: How come we never ran into each other before?

Yakumo: I made sure your schedules wouldn't overlap. So, what is it that you needed today? Akiri-kun here said you wanted intel?

Yakumo asked, this changing the subject.

Tatsuya: Yes. There's a person we want you to investigate. There seems to be some kind of scheme at work by an anti-magic organization...

Akiri: The other day, me and Tatsuya encountered an Egalite member who seemed to be a student. That student, is Kinoe Tsukasa. We believe that he may also be closely affiliated with Blanche

Tatsuya: Would you happen to know what they are planning by using Kinoe Tsukasa?

Yakumo: Kinoe Tsukasa... Formerly known as Kinoe Kamono... None of his parents and grandparents seemed to have any propensity for magic. So, he came from a so-called ordinary family... But it's actually a branch of a prominent family of onmyoji. The Kamo clan. Those eyes of Kinoe's must be a kind of throwback to his ancestors...

Tatsuya looked at him for a moment.

Tatsuya: Did you know that we wanted you to look into him?

Yakumo: No, I already knew about him. I may be a monk, but at the same time, I'm a shinobi. Anyone who has a past that might turn out to be problematic... I make a point of looking into them all

Miyuki: So, Master, what do you know about Mr. Tsukasa's connection to Blanche?

Yakumo: Kinoe's mother's second husband's child. In other words. Kinoe's older step-brother is the leader of Blanche's Japan Branch. And this fellow named Hajime Tsukasa isn't just a figurehead. He's-

Akiri: A genuine leader who also runs their secret operations, not the least of which is illegal activities

Akiri continued and Yakumo nodded.

Yakumo: Correct. Kinoe enrolling at First High School must have been Hajime Tsukasa's doing. That forum tomorrow. He might be plotting something...

Akiri: So, our suspicion is correct after all

He said as he crosses his arms.

Tatsuya: Indeed. We might need to propose a plan of action to Watanabe-senpai before tomorrow's forum

Yakumo: Now, before you go. How about you have a little competition?

Akiri and Tatsuya look at their master with a raised eyebrow.

Tatsuya: What do you mean?

Yakumo: I propose that you two have a little duel. I've always been wondering on which of my two best students would beat the other in a fight. What do you say?

Akiri and Tatsuya looked at each other for a moment.

Tatsuya: (thoughts) This could be a good opportunity to gauge his skills...

Akiri: (thoughts) This is the perfect chance to see how much stronger he is...

The two were completely unaware that they both had similar thoughts in mind.

Tatsuya: Well, I don't mind, as long as Akiri is up for it

Akiri: Sure, I'm down

They then walked to the centre of the training field and faces towards each other, standing a few feet apart, each in their own battle stance.

The atmosphere seemed to have changed to a more serious feeling as the two stares at one another, ready to attack at a moments notice.

Yakumo: Begin!

The two of them immediately rushed each other and began trading blows.

Akiri started with a roundhouse kick, which Tatsuya blocked using his arms and counter attacked by throwing some punches. Akiri manages to block some of his hits by putting up his arm and redirecting the blows.

Akiri then goes for a straight punch, but Tatsuya blocked it to the side, quickly grabbed his opponent's arm and bent it into a hammerlock behind the back. Akiri counters with a spinning back elbow to the face.

Off to the sides, Miyuki watches the fight, surprised at Akiri's ability to keep up against her brother.

Miyuki: Akiri is keeping up with Onii-sama... They're evenly matched

Yakumo: Of course. Both of them are my best students, after all. I'm eager to see who will triumph in the end

Back with the fight, Tatsuya is going in with a wide haymaker aimed at the jaw, but Akiri blocks it with both his arms. Tatsuya then went for the other side with the same move, but Akiri blocks it again.

Tatsuya then unexpectedly went low and went for his open rib cage, delivering a strong body shot.

Tatsuya went for the attack again with a punch, but Akiri grabbed his arm and positions his leg to slam Tatsuya to the ground.

Akiri was about to finish it with a strong punch, but Tatsuya was quick to react and immediately rolled to the side, making his punch hit the ground instead.

Tatsuya then got up and retreated back and Akiri did the same before getting into a defensive stance, holding their arms up.

Akiri: As expected, you're good, Tatsuya. The only person to push me this far is Sensei himself

Tatsuya: You're not so bad yourself

The two complemented each other as they were catching their breaths.

Akiri: Thanks. But I think it's time we end this

Tatsuya: I think so as well

The two of them then rushed each other and continued their battle.

(Timeskip)

A few minutes of fighting later, the two of them are now lying down, beaten on the ground and catching their breaths.

Akiri: How about we call this a draw...?

Akiri said, in between shallow breaths.

Tatsuya: Agreed...

Tatsuya replied as he was also catching his breath. As he does, Akiri was looking at him with narrowed eyes.

Akiri: (thoughts) He was holding back in that fight... Granted, I was as well. But I'm not sure I could beat him even if I went all out...

He thought as he looked back down on the ground and clenched his fists.

Akiri: (thoughts) How much stronger are you, Tatsuya? And why are you hiding it...?

Unknown to him, Tatsuya is also having suspicion about Akiri's true abilities.

Tatsuya: ...

--------------------

(A/N: Alright. We are now reaching the end of the Enrollment arc. I am curious as to what your thoughts on the story so far, so feel free to leave your opinions in the comments. As I said, any kind of criticism is welcomed. I hope you enjoyed the book so far and thanks for reading.)