Halloween Party
2095, 2nd Friday of November, after the invasion - Miyuki informed Tatsuya the Student Council has decided to hold a Halloween Party, to which he went "huh?", completely nonplussed in contrast to his usual cool and experienced manner.
Mayumi decided to hold the party because the Thesis competition got interrupted, so the students need some alternative source of entertainment. Tatsuya doesn't know where to start snarking, like "The thesis competition wasn't about entertainment" or "why is Mayumi who has left the Student Council proposing things like this?". All 3rd year people are supposed to be buried with work up to their eyebrows for the finals. Yet the Student Council ran with this anyway. Tatsuya asked Miyuki isn't Halloween already passed, which in his own way is subtly saying to her he doesn't like this outcome. Miyuki replied it was because of the invasion, and there's nothing in November that can give them a excuse for a party. Tatsuya asked "is that really the reason?", sighed and averted his gaze to look into the sky. This as mainly so Miyuki won't see his stunned speechless expression. And since Tatsuya is looking away he missed how Miyuki is blushing in embarrassment.
Next day, all the students are talking about the upcoming party. Both 1st and 2nd class students are attending in the same party. In class, Mikihiko asks where are they supposed to find costumes. Leo replied before Tatsuya did the best way is to hand-make them. From the start this was to be a masked costume party ball, and no disguise magic is allowed in dressing up. Miyuki was happy at this outcome, while Tatsuya thought it'd be less hassle if they just had the masquerade ball by itself and not drag Halloween into this. Leo also makes comments about how masks should be hand-made, and when people think about Halloween they think about Pumpkin heads. Mizuki asks if Mikihiko wants a mask made by her, he says she doesn't have to trouble herself over him, Mizuki insists on doing so since she's making her own mask anyway, and he finally agrees. Tatsuya observes how the two couples with him (or so he thinks) talk about things, while considering what to buy for his costume. Needless to say, things aren't going to be that simple for him...
Party's on Nov 19th, next week's Saturday. After some time being bored looking at catalogues, Tatsuya decided on a standard black robe but doesn't have the enthusiasm to just click the 'buy' button online. Miyuki stepped in then and asked him to stop before buying. Tatsuya saw Miyuki had a lot of cloth with her, material for costumes. Miyuki confirmed she wants to make a costume for him. In this day and age that's not hard, you can just input designs and have a machine make it for you. Tatsuya held back his sigh, not wanting to dampen Miyuki's smile. He doesn't get why Miyuki is so enthusiastic about all this. Miyuki asked is it not alright, and Tatsuya surrendered to her whims. It wasn't like he wouldn't do it, e just couldn't keep up with her line of thought.
Miyuki thanked him with a smile, placed the cloths she was carrying down, and then with that same smile asked him to take off his clothes. Tatsuya can feel his expression stiffen, and asked for clarification on what she just say. He heard her perfectly fine, it's just his mind refused to accept the truth. Miyuki again repeated her request for Tatsuya to take off all his clothes, with a addendum of he can leave his underwear on. All this was said with a blush on her face, making her even more adorable than she usually is. Tatsuya confirmed this is for getting his measurements, and asked can't Miyuki just take it with his clothes on? Miyuki says she wants the clothes to fit Tatsuya perfectly fine. Tatsuya wondered if Miyuki was drunk, while they don't have alcohol drinks in their home there was the cooking wine after all. Needless to say, Miyuki's not drunk, barring the bliss of being drunk on being able to make clothes for Tatsuya and the follow-on fantasies after that. Tatsuya gave up and agreed, it's not like he doesn't see Miyuki in only her underwear at least once a week anyway (presumably when he fine-tunes her CAD). He didn't say this out loud though. He then asked should he take his clothes off here in the living room? Tatsuya thought there's something wrong in terms of morals, common sense, or whatever, about being half-naked and alone with his younger sister here. Miyuki replied, in a weaker voice than before while blushing harder, that they'll move to his room and take it off there. Tatsuya thought that's probably just as problematic as well, but decided to not think further on this matter.
After acquiring Tatsuya's measurements, Miyuki went to one of the shops she frequent (owned by the Yotsuba family) and borrowed the cutting edge machine there to make it. Anyone that tried to hit on her while on her way here was shot down instantly with a ice-cold look. It was fortunate Miyuki didn't meet any closet-masochists on her way there (Flere821 note: This was actually in the LN, I'm not making this up >.>)
One week later, 6pm, party started. All sorts of costumes can be seen here, from all eras and genres. Most people are in traditional cloaks like a Western mage however, considering this is a Halloween party. Student Council members after setting things up will sneak in later. Tatsuya's stationed near the food tables as part of his job as Public Morals Committee. A female student came up to him wearing a dress with butterfly wings, and asked 'Trick or Treat?'. Tatsuya figured out it's Mayumi and gave her some candy. She asks if Tatsuya is pretending to be Odin, and he says no it's not, just a demon pretending to be Odin. Miyuki based the costume on a old myth of a demon enticing a Norwegian King that converted into Christianity. Miyuki hadn't thought about the aspect of 'Old God that has been twisted into a demon', mainly focusing on the aspect of 'King of Magicians'. While the clothes fits, the style really doesn't fit Tatsuya. A mask with only one eye-hole open for seeing, long silver wig, and the clothing doesn't fit the Norse style. Mayumi commented Tatsuya is soft on Miyuki as usual, wearing something like like only because Miyuki made it, to which Tatsuya retorted (somewhat defensively) it's a masquerade ball so whether it fits doesn't matter.
Leo showed up in the Pumpkin-head costume like he said earlier. He's probably the most noticeable guy in the party, and considering how noticeable Tatsuya is they hold most of the party's attention. He asked Tatsuya 'Trick or Treat', and Tatsuya replied 'Treat' and also gave him candy. Erica also came up (dressed as Peter Pan) and asked 'Trick of Treat', and Tatsuya also gave her candy. Leo found who Tatsuya is by accident, asking everyone 'Trick or Treat', while Erica figured only Tatsuya would talk with Leo this much when wearing these costumes. Those two went off to the food tables arguing in a friendly manner.
The next 'couple' that came up to him was Mizuki and Mikihiko, in a village-girl and hunter combo asking 'Trick or Treat'. Mikihiko wore a wolf mask made by Mizuki, which Tatsuya thought might have been a hint by Mizuki asking Mikihiko to eat her up. That was just speculation by him though. Mikihiko apologized for not preparing something to give Tatsuya, and Tatsuya asked if he can play a Trick on them instead. What was supposed to be a small joke went completely over the couple's head so Tatsuya has to quickly clarify it was just a joke, with the two raising their guard up instantly and Mizuki was clearly very afraid of Tatsuya after his words even through her mask. Tatsuya felt impacted by their reactions, not that the couple in front of him could tell past his mask. He then changed the topic asking did Mizuki make their masks, and both of them blushed in response. Tatsuya thought these two are developing their relationship well. He then asked it was good work, was it hand-made? Mikihiko was surprised at how it was hand-made and Tatsuya inwardly thought to retract his statement of them developing well, them look like they have a long way to go.
Yoroda Kanon and Isori Kei was the next to ask Tatsuya 'Trick of Treat'. He wanted to ask why is Kanon, the current Committee head, fooling around while members like him have to work, but decided to let it slide. Kanon only figured out it was Tatsuya after he replied 'Treat' and giving her some sweets. Kei could tell it was Tatsuya by the shape of his hands. Kei commended Tatsuya for preparing sweets, to which he replied it was just to make sure nobody would play Tricks on him; Tatsuya knew full well from clubs week students of 1st High can pull nasty tricks.
Kanon and Kei then went off for a dance. Glancing around, Tatsuya found all other Committee members have slacked off except one, and judging from the area he's in it's probably Morisaki. Tatsuya himself doesn't feel like paying attention to threats anymore either. Which is how Honoka managed to surprise him asking 'Treat or Treat', accompanied by Shizuku. Honoka was dressed in a maid cosplay, less about hiding who you are and more about bringing out your charm to the fullest. Tatsuya replied 'Treat', holding out the chocolate but Honoka was stunned by Tatsuya's looks. He could feel Honoka's gaze being somehow very passionate. After poking at Honoka with no response, Shizuku in a butler's uniform told her she'll just take her share of the Treats as well then which finally stunned Honoka out of her reverie. Honoka quickly grabbed the chocolates from Tatsuya, then realized she might be seen as a glutton and blushed. Tatsuya changed topic in how he's surprised Honoka could recognize him, and as expected Honoka revitalized herself and stating there's no way she can't recognize Tatsuya. The music turned into a Waltz, and Shizuku asked Tatsuya for a dance. He commented he still have Committee work to do, though by this point the general atmosphere was 'if you're still working then you're a idiot'. Shizuku offered to cover for him, and pushed him into taking a dance with Honoka. Obviously, Honoka didn't object to this outcome.
On the other side of the party, Miyuki is very annoyed. When she came in after Council work and getting changed she took the wrong entrance to sneak in and landed right in the middle of potential dancers looking for partners. Miyuki's grace was such that even if her disguise can hide her identity it can't hide her beauty, and hiding her identity was a big 'If' to begin with. At first Miyuki was only troubled seeing Honoka with Tatsuya, but as the dance went by she steadily got angrier. As irrational as it is, Miyuki blames Tatsuya for being blinded by the opposite gender and isn't coming to rescue her. As Miyuki had said to Shizuku back in Summer she won't get in Honoka's way, and she understands the male students around her doesn't mean any ill will so she kept her temper in check and doesn't accidentally freeze everyone. But that's getting harder and harder to control. As Miyuki was on the verge of blowing her top and just go straight to Tatsuya no matter what, the Waltz song ended and Tatsuya left the dancing stage with Honoka. He took off his disguise, showing himself dressed as a shogun underneath it with a Committee armband (it's noted he looks more like in disguise with this current outfit, though he'd never admit it). He got Miyuki out of the mess and chased away the other male students.
As Tatsuya left Miyuki asks where is he going, he replied to put on a new disguise; now that he has shown his face even if he puts his mask back on people will know who he is, plus taking off your mask was against the rules. It's noted the only reason he has a extra new set of disguise was because of Miyuki's enthusiasm. Miyuki asked to help him, and Tatsuya wondered if she knew what she's saying; this isn't like back home, does she want to go into the male students' changing room or something? Miyuki quickly corrected herself that it's to fix up the disguise, you can't see the mirror well with the mask on. Tatsuya noted Miyuki's the one that prepared the mask that way, but he had no reason to decline her offer. The two headed off with Miyuki practically glowing with happiness.
As the left, Miyuki asked to take a detour and have a walk. Tatsuya has no reason to decline Miyuki's whims and agreed. The two of the held hands, close enough to almost be like they're leaning on each other. They got to a natural clearing, the open ground unintended for use and lit up only by the starlight. Miyuki was dressed in a silver-embroidered black dress complete with hat and cloak, the very image of a 'Halloween Witch'. Miyuki asked Tatsuya 'Trick or Treat', stuttering over her words in embarrassment. Tatsuya thought maybe Miyuki only agreed to setting up this party so she have a excuse to say those words to him. The crowd's noise was far away, and with only the two of them here Tatsuya decided to give in to his mischievous side. He replied 'Trick', and when Miyuki asked in confusion what did he say, he confirmed he said 'Trick'. He wants to know just what Miyuki might have planned if he replied this way instead. After some frantic decision making Miyuki made up her mind, took off her hat and stepped forward. Tatsuya was shocked at her move but his not verbalized exclamation did nothing to stop her.
Miyuki tip-toed up to Tatsuya, brought her arms back behind Tatsuya's neck to hold him closer to her, her face with her lovely eyes leaned in towards him and then... bit Tatsuya on the nose. Tatsuya's mind blanked out. Miyuki exclaimed this is a punishment for him, though she herself was stuttering. Last month in a similar situation Tatsuya pulled her nose, and this was revenge. Though this action was probably more damaging to Miyuki than it was to Tatsuya; while Tatsuya's eyes did widen in shock, Miyuki was so embarrassed her entire face was red, including her ears, and couldn't even look at Tatsuya. And to think, originally Miyuki only wanted some sort of special gift from Tatsuya when she first planned this.
The two of them tried to speak to one another, but neither could make and headway due to how shocked/embarrassed they were at this outcome.
Ultimately, neither of them made it to the closing ceremony for the party. And thus they are stuck in the difficult situation of being asked 'what have you two been doing all this time?'. Erica teased the two mercilessly, Leo gazed at them with something like he approved of this outcome, Mikihiko averted his gaze from the siblings (presumably from embarrassment), Mizuki was blushing furiously, Honoka was throwing a minor tantrum/fit at this outcome, and Shizuku looked at the siblings coldly.
It took Tatsuya an entire week to clear up his friends' misunderstanding.
END VOLUME "
Leo SS
-Centred around Leo, in the night after the Christmas Eve party he spent with Tatsuya and others. Leo bumped into a attractive girl, and he saved her from some thugs. He then got dragged into bodyguard/boyfriend duty, spending some time with the girl (named Yuki, the kanji used being 'Twilight Princess'. Her real name, Yuuhi, uses the same kanji). The thugs came back after Leo and the girl many more time during the night, and since this was after the Yokohama Incident Leo have killed people before and so hired thugs aren't much of a problem for him.
Yuki turned out to be a 3rd generation descendant of the 'Moon' series of experimented magicians, test-tube babies, though scientists back then focused too much on giving them good looks and ended up stunting the growth of magical capabilities. ('Moon' series means 'Lunar magic', mental manipulation like Lina mentioned at the end of the Vampire arc climax. in this SS telepathy and hypnotizing thugs into feeling no pain and berserking have been shown). The failures of this venture only had good looks and next-to-nothing magical capability, so they're sold to the entertainment industry (with all the unsavoury connotations involved, I'll skip the details because A: it's distasteful and B: probably against AS forum rules to speak of them); Yuki was a idol hiding behind a Vocaloid-esque CG form, though dedicated fans can tell who she is by body movement.
Interesting tidbits in this story:
-Leo's family trait, 'Burg Folge', has a side effect of efficiently using all energy gained from eating; he could eat a entire cake and not get fat. The narration went out of its way to state it's a skill envied by all women Another side effect is higher body heat, so he doesn't get cold in winter.
-Leo's family used to be Yakuza, though this stopped 2 generations back when Leo's grandfather married into the family and they went legit. Though Yuki silently snarked they're still pretty much the same, in the bodyguard and property management business.
-Leo's opinion is that Tatsuya would look more menacing, like a Yakuza, than he does if in the proper clothes
-Yuki's 'brother' of sorts, Akira (real name Asahi, though both names uses the kanji '旭'), got rescued by Leo as well (not blood related to Yuki, but still a 'Moon' clan descendant). When those two are leaving Yuki joked the next time they meet Leo she'll finally be taking his virginity; Leo and Yuki were interrupted before they could get started because thugs broke right in into their hotel room, but also because Leo personally dislikes others making choices for him without his input and shot down Yuki's attempts for seduction.
Leo saw Yuuhi and Asahi's antics, and when Yuki commented Asahi has a chance with her after all even if he's like a brother to her Leo subconsciously thought about Miyuki and Tatsuya. Leo wanted to comment about Yuuhi and Asahi's situation, but then subconsciously froze up like he was going to be blasted by a Ice Meteor (ie, he wanted to speak out about how he knew siblings that made this fine, and subconsciously felt Miyuki would blast him for speaking that way about them); Leo have spent too much time with the Shiba siblings, thinking there's nothing wrong with brother-sister romance
-When Yuuhi and Asahi finally left, holding their hands, Leo didn't feel jealous at all. Two possible interpretations:
A) Yuuhi is very attractive, but Miyuki is still better and Leo's pretty much immune to pretty faces after spending so much time with Tatsuya's sister (this reasoning was already mentioned in-story).
or B), Leo already have someone else in his heart. Rejoice, Leo+Erika shippers, for you have one more piece of ammunition for your cause
Idols or such persons sometime get forced to have sex with financial backers. Leo stopped one earlier attempts for the company holding Yuuhi's contract to retrieve her and force her to attend one such meeting, and then those backers sent more thugs after Leo and Yuuhi throughout the night. Yuuhi went as far as trying to sleep with Leo to make her first time not something being forced upon her, but Leo declined as mentioned above due to A) he doesn't like it when people make decisions about him without his input, and B) thugs interrupted him moments after he gave his answer.
Leo demolished all the thugs that came after him. The last batch before Leo reached his home was Akira and co., who was Yuki's manager/handler. Leo beaten some sense into Akira (and in the process knocked him out), making him willing to fight the company instead of just accepting things as it is and try to convince himself this was the best way for them to survive. Part of the reason why Akira listened was because of Leo revealing his own lineage, 3rd Gen 'Burg Folge'. The goons Akira hypnotized into not feeling pain + going berserk attacking Leo got wiped out like the rest of the attempts.
Leo brought Yuki and Akira to his home, and let those two stay the night. The company didn't attack in the night, presumably knowing better than to fight a magician (and possibly heavy-weight Yakuza family) on their home turf. Next day, Akira and Yuki left, with Akira willing to fight tooth and nail to get Yuki's contract away from their current company and have her go public as a idol or something, so she won't have to put up with this crap anymore. Leo's pretty much washed his hands of the incident officially, as Yuki's no longer physically staying with him under his protection, though he says the two of them are welcome to come back sometime and hang out with him.
