Problems & Solutions

Ayumu looked at his phone once more. Several hours had already passed since Natsume had left him in that room in the morning, not without first telling him she would be back shortly, but it was already well into the afternoon, and she had given no sign of life. The boy still couldn’t fully grasp everything that had happened that day, although he accepted that reality. Knowing what he knew, they would not let him go easily, even if he swore he would never say a word about what he had experienced. Despite witnessing it with his own eyes, he still found the reality to be absurd. As he lifted his gaze from the screen, he took in the sights of the room. The decoration was luxurious, as expected, knowing that he was in a majestic palace. The crystal-clear notes of a white grand piano near the balcony entrance formed a soft melody. He had stopped being surprised that there was no one playing it.

‘Magic.’ He supposed.

He was sitting around a table, being guarded by two maids whose appearance reminded him of Fuyume or Natsume. Light eyes and silver hair, the hallmark of the Himemiko family. Both girls would give a comforting smile when the boy’s eyes met theirs, though he quickly looked away nervously. He had only heard their voices when they served him food. Somehow, both girls made him uncomfortable, as they were always behind him, and followed him as if he thought of getting up, obviously following the director’s orders. There was no one else in the room. The boy’s smartphone emitted a message alert tone. He unlocked the screen. His Virtual Assistant appeared on the screen, with her cheeks puffed out, arms crossed, and eyes closed.

‘I haven’t forgiven you yet, just so you know... I only came back to see if you had arrived…’ The girl opened her eyes, stunned. He showed a ridiculous smile. The two maids looked on curiously. Ai squinted her eyes suspiciously. ‘Ayu... Can you explain to me where you are and who those two are?’ The boy turned around, and the two girls looked away, blushing with their pale skin.

‘Huh?’ The boy was puzzled. Ai seemed to take a breath.

‘You damn womaniser, pervert!’ The young man turned towards Ai upon hearing her histrionic shouts; Ai’s avatar disappeared again, leaving him with another slew of insults in the chat.

‘Here we go again…’ The noise of the door made him turn towards the entrance, seeing Natsume walk into the room.

‘Honestly... what a day.’ She looked pissed off as she walked towards the table where Ayumu was sitting. ‘That Onihime could stop being so stubborn and listen once in a while. Why does she have to be so secretive?! She has learnt nothing in 20 years! And her stupid little group is the same! I’ve had to stop three expulsions because of her, THREE, with how hard it is to get anything out of the administration, and now owing favours as if I didn’t have enough problems…!’ Natsu, in her child form, sat on the table and exhaled as the maid elegantly served her tea. ‘Thank you, Momo.’ The girl finished serving her the cup before bowing.

‘It’s an honour, Miss Natsume.’ Natsume focused on Ayumu.

‘Sorry for the delay. Things got complicated dealing with a Brown Bear and her cubs.’ Natsume looked away and frowned again. ‘You’ll pay for this, Mitsu.’

‘Miss...?’ Ayumu looked at Natsume.

‘Natsume, you can call me Natsu.’ She reacted kindly. ‘I know you have many questions. I’m not sure I can answer all of them, but I’ll try…’

‘Can you explain why you brought me here?’ Ayumu seemed confused. Natsume gave a mischievous smile.

‘Oh! Did you think you’d get away with not keeping your promise, Onii-chan?’ The boy blushed. ‘Yuu saved you earlier, but now you have no escape.’ Natsume licked her lip as she loosened her tie and tried to climb onto the table. Ayu tried to back away. Just then, a shout interrupted them both.

‘NATSUME!’ The four of them turned towards the door, surprised by another woman who looked similar to Natsume, though with slightly shorter hair and an angry expression.

‘Oh, Aki!’ Natsu wiped the perverted look off her face as the woman approached them. ‘I was just wa…’ Aki slapped her younger sister’s face with her palms, squashing it.

‘What the hell is wrong with you?’ Aki sounds upset. ‘Do you realise the mess you’re getting me into!? How am I supposed to answer to the other chief ladies because you were so arbitrary? The Omnyou is supposed to be an outsider, don’t expect…!’ Natsume, struggling to speak, stopped her sister.

‘I know. I’ll think of something. For now, I had to get through it and it was the only thing I could come up with!’ Aki released her sister and focused on Ayumu.

‘Is it him?’ She was curious.

‘Yes…’ Natsume looked resentfully at her sister, still with red cheeks from the slap. ‘Hey, you hurt me. Who do you think you are now!? Mitsu!?’

‘It wouldn’t happen if you didn’t pledge my word as if it were yours.’ Aki turned to Ayumu again. ‘I formally apologise for anything this irresponsible one has done to you, dear.’ Aki looked like an illustrious and gentle lady. ‘I am the older sister of your problematic headmistress.’

‘Ah, it’s fine…’ Ayumu felt relieved by her appearance. Aki brought her face closer to Ayumu with curiosity, making the boy nervously back away a bit in front of the mature beauty of the lady.

‘The resemblance is remarkable.’

‘Eh?’ The young man looked somewhat confused and blushed.

‘Hey, hey!’ Natsu cut off her sister, looking at her suspiciously. ‘Leave some for the rest of us; you’re married, have two children and are 40 years old…’ Ayu and Aki blushed. The eldest Himemiko hit Natsume on the head, knocking her over.

‘Would you stop saying stupid things and act like an adult!?’ Aki turned to Ayumu again and made a polite bow, slightly flustered. ‘Sorry! Sorry! This is not the behaviour a chief lady should have…’ Ayumu made a gesture with his hands.

‘It’s okay, calm down…’ He tried to pacify her. She turned her annoyed gaze towards her sister, who was still on the floor.

‘Why do you always have to bring out the worst in me!?’ Aki sat at the table and huffed as Momo served her a cup of tea. Aki gave her a kind smile. ‘Thank you, Momo, dear. You can rest now.’ The two maids bowed and walked towards the door. Aki turned to Ayumu. ‘Please, Ayumu, take a seat…’ She cast another fleeting glance at Natsume before smirking at him again. ‘I won’t let her lay a hand on you.’

‘Thank you.’ He sat down again.

‘You know you’re in quite a mess, don’t you?’ Aki stated.

‘I swear I won’t say anything, but…’ Ayumu tried to argue with Aki.

‘Well, it’s an unusual situation; nothing like this has ever happened before…’ Aki looked away, thinking. Natsume sat up on the floor, her face red from the slap.

‘You’re so rough! Can’t you take a joke or what?!’ she reproached her sister, pointing at her. Aki glared at her.

‘The only one who finds your jokes funny is you! So shut up!’ Aki crossed her arms and scowled. ‘With what we’re facing, you make your tasteless jokes… always the same.’

‘Oh, come on! You’re a resourceful woman, and your younger sister is the most powerful witch on this side of the world…’

‘Do you think it’s that easy to deal with Hisana and Madoka? Since mum passed away, they smell blood; we’re in a delicate position, and you…’

‘Excuse me…’ Ayumu punctuated Aki. ‘I don’t want to be a problem for you, and it seems you’re in a big mess because of me.’

‘Oh!’ Aki was surprised. ‘Calm down, honey, you are not responsible…’ Aki let out a slight laugh. ‘I won’t let anything happen to you. That’s why Natsume brought you here.’ Ayumu looked at the headmistress.

‘As long as you’re in my house or at my academy, you are under the favour and protection of the Himemiko family, or mine.’ Aki and Natsume exchanged glances. ‘No matter how delicate the situation, neither of those two will dare to break the princess pact…’ Natsume’s eyes flashed. ‘If they do, I will respond with equal severity.’ Her tone was menacing. Aki turned to Ayumu.

‘I know you want to go home; I will try to find a solution that guarantees your safety as soon as possible, but for now…’ Aki glanced at Ayumu’s mark. ‘For now, you cannot leave…’ Aki’s face seemed to reflect some pain upon seeing it. Ayumu withdrew his hand upon noticing, which brought Aki’s attention back to him.

‘I’m sorry.’ Aki shook her head.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ she downplayed. ‘Anyway, I’ve already told you that you’re not responsible.’ Ayumu turned to Natsume.

‘By the way, where is Miss Serizawa?’ Natsume looked confused.

‘Huh?’

‘What’s going to happen to her?’ Natsume showed a mischievous smile.

‘Oh, I see…!’ Aki turned to her, recognising that look.

‘No, you see nothing, and don’t even think about it!’ Aki’s eyes flashed.

‘Alright, alright!’ She noticed with some haste. ‘Don’t worry, nothing will happen to Yuu… if it’s about her position, she won’t be fired, and if it’s about the others… I won’t allow them to lay a hand on your teacher.’ Natsu looked up at the ceiling. ‘Although thinking about it, it’s going to be strange… it’s the first time a boy will study at the Omnyou.’

‘What!?’ Ayu seemed surprised and caught the attention of the two sisters again. ‘Me!? At a girls’ academy!?’ Natsume was surprised at the question and reacted.

‘Of course! What did you think, that you’d just be lounging around or what?’

‘But that’s not…!’ He tried to stand firm.

‘Look, it took a lot of effort to explain the situation to the administration, and now you’re coming at me with this. You’re not in a position to refuse, you know? Besides, you’re still a student at my academy…’ Ayumu looked at Aki, assuming for someone more reasonable.

‘I’m sorry, dear, but my sister is right.’ Seeing the boy’s distraught face, Aki tried to calm him. ‘But it’s temporary, don’t worry! I’ll do everything I can to get you out of here as soon as possible, I promise!’ Ayumu met Natsume’s gaze.

‘But it’s an institution for girls, and besides… you are witches.’ He excuses himself. ‘What’s a boy without magical powers doing there?

‘You’re overthinking it. The Omnyou is a normal academy, and our teachers are top-notch,’ Natsu resolved. ‘They could work at any school, secondary school, preparatory school, or university with no issues. They’re genuinely qualified. I assure you, you won’t notice much difference.’ She paused suspiciously. ‘At least 80% of the time…’

‘It’s that 20% that worries me!’ Ayumu looked nervous.

‘For now, let’s leave it at that, alright?’ Aki intervened and looked at Ayumu. ‘You’ll stay here tonight. You can go take a bath before dinner, okay?’ Ayumu’s face reflected some suspicion; he wasn’t entirely convinced by Natsume’s plan.