Chapter 66

"Sorry about earlier, let me introduce myself properly. I am Ryūkai Mizukami. I am the father of Misa and Juna, and the current head of the Mizukami family, one of the five major yin-yang clans. Nice to meet you."

With Ryūkai's greeting, the conversation in the large hall of the mansion began.

"Dad, just to let you know, we are on Suzu and the others' side."

"That's right. If it weren't for the seniors, we might have died."

"We have crossed the line of death together. I am also on the seniors' side!"

"Everyone..."

"Thank you."

"Thanks a lot."

Upon hearing the thoughts of Misa, Juna, and Owl, Suzu, Akari, and Soji expressed their gratitude. In the midst of this, Ryūkai spoke calmly.

"Don't worry, I understand. You saved my daughters and my best friend's daughter. I am truly grateful to you. That's why I haven't reported your existence to the government at all. This incident is considered to have been resolved by Misa and the others alone. Of course, I haven't reported about Yuki Nishiyama either."

"The government, you say?"

Surprised by Ryūkai's unfamiliar words, Suzu asked.

"Yes. Some yin-yang practitioners serve the government. That's why the connection with the government is very deep. They are like national civil servants."

"National civil servants..."

"It makes the yin-yang practitioners seem more familiar all of a sudden..."

Following the words of Soji and Akari, Ryūkai began to speak lightly.

"Let's start with that. The yin-yang techniques we use were born about 1500 years ago. Those who could use them were called 'yin-yang masters' and served the government. However, over time, friction arose between the people who feared the special power of yin-yang techniques. After many conflicts, the yin-yang masters disappeared from the public eye."

Ryūkai briefly explained the relationship between 'yin-yang practitioners' and the Japanese government.

"However, losing yin-yang techniques completely would be a great loss for the government. Therefore, some practitioners continued to serve the government behind the scenes. Among them, the practitioners of the five major yin-yang clans, including us, have a very deep connection with the government. We often receive requests from the government and act accordingly."

"By the way, 'magicians' are similar. About 500 years ago, the 'witch hunts' began due to the friction between the people and the authorities who feared magic. As a result, magicians disappeared from the public eye. Some of them still serve the government."

"Wow, I feel like I just heard an incredible story..."

Akari muttered, having learned the hidden truth of history through Suzu's casual question.

"Not only practitioners, but there are also other people with special abilities who serve the government. That's why I knew about the existence of 'special abilities.' I was planning to tell Misa and Juna eventually, so this is a good timing."

"Special abilities... such powers exist?"

"I had no idea."

"Japan is an interesting country."

"Many countries, including Britain, also employ special ability users behind the scenes."

"Really!?"

Owl showed surprise at the unexpected fact.

"The number of special ability users is much smaller than that of practitioners, so if the government learns of your existence, they will definitely want you. Of course, living a stable life with a steady salary under the protection of the government is not all bad."

"But we are not citizens of this country..."

"I understand that. You are not citizens of this country. Your household registration is all falsified, right?"

"What...!"

Ignoring the surprised Soji and the others, Ryūkai continued.

"The attack by the special ability organization last month. I was in charge of the information manipulation to hide that incident from the public. In the process, I thoroughly investigated you as well. I understand the situation to some extent."

"...What do you plan to do with us?"

Despite being shaken by the fact that everything was known, Suzu asked a straightforward question, realizing that playing games with Ryūkai would be meaningless.

"Please rest assured. I have no intention of doing anything. I am grateful to you for saving my daughters. If necessary, I will do my best to support you so that you can live peacefully. Now... 'Mist Illusion Barrier.'"

"‘Huh?’"

"Dad!?"

Ignoring the surprised Misa and the others, Ryūkai continued.

"I apologize for the suddenness. Let's change the topic a bit. This is the main reason I called you here today. The following conversation must not be heard by anyone other than you."

"From here on, it's the main topic...?"

"Yes. Since you know more about it, I have to tell you. It's about Yuki Nishiyama."

After answering Soji's question, Ryūkai confirmed that the barrier was functioning properly and began to speak calmly.

"First, as you know, his combat ability is quite high."

"I know. He defeated a practitioner who hosted the heart of an evil god."

"That's right. The strength of a practitioner who hosts the heart of an evil god is equivalent to a national-scale supernatural disaster. Defeating such a practitioner means that he has the power to face an entire country."

"Face a country!?"

"Such power to face a country!?"

"Yuki could do such a thing..."

"I understand. Considering his actions so far, he doesn't seem like a dangerous person who would do such a thing. He is also recognized by the Cat God as a master. I am just saying that he has that much power."

Interrupting Misa, Ryūkai continued.

"He himself has great power, but I also believe he has skilled comrades in information warfare. In fact, there was an incident that led me to this conclusion."

Ryūkai recalled the fact that information from agents who had infiltrated the area was sent via email during the special ability organization incident. At the time, Ryūkai thought it was sent from Yuki's smartphone, but it was too unnatural for someone with such information-gathering capabilities to leave a trace. Therefore, Ryūkai believed that another entity had intentionally sent the email from Yuki's smartphone to make it appear as his work. In reality, it was Nia's first time sending an email, and she sent it without considering the sending history, but Ryūkai was unaware of this.

"At least, I believe there is someone equal to or greater than him behind the scenes."

"If he's that big, wouldn't an investigation reveal something?"

"Despite all the investigations, I found nothing about Yuki. On paper, he is just an ordinary high school student. That's why I am convinced he has skilled comrades in information warfare."

Soji nodded in agreement with Ryūkai's words.

"Basically, what we know is that he has great power and his purpose is completely unknown. I don't think he is a bad person, but if you are going to be involved with him, I want you to be fully aware of this."

"I will definitely repay the favor. Even if he has a purpose, the fact that he helped us doesn't change. It doesn't matter who Yuki is."

"I am not as blind as Soji, but I mostly agree. He has helped us twice, and I don't think he is a bad person."

"Yuki is a good person... I want to be of help to Yuki."

Soji, Akari, and Suzu answered without hesitation. Misa, Juna, and Owl also nodded in agreement.

"Alright, I seem to have said too much. By the way, Misa and the others have already been of help to Yuki, indirectly."

"Huh? Help Yuki?"

"Did we do something, Nee-chan, me, and Owl?"

"Rather, I only remember Yuki-senpai helping us a lot."

Misa, Juna, and Owl tilted their heads in confusion at Ryūkai's sudden words.

"The incident with the heart of the evil god is considered Misa and the others' achievement, so you have helped by keeping his existence hidden. By the way, this incident is a major national event. The evaluation of Misa and the others for solving it is tremendous. You will soon receive an award from the government."

"Really!?"

Surprised, Misa and the others asked Ryūkai.

"Dad... can we decline that?"

"It's too late now."

"I am still a middle school student! Getting an award from the government makes my stomach hurt."

"Japan is an interesting country."

"Owl will be awarded in Britain when she returns home during the next long break."

"Me too!?"

"An award from the government, practitioners are amazing."

"Yin-yang techniques... like in manga and anime."

"Suzu, our special abilities are similar, right?"

As the conversation turned from a serious topic to a more lighthearted one, Ryūkai thought to himself.

(The numerous special incidents that don't usually happen, all involving Yuki. And the new flow of practitioners and special ability users triggered by him. Is this all just a coincidence...?)

Ryūkai couldn't help but doubt the existence of a powerful entity behind Yuki.

The Nia email scene is in Chapter 34, "Realist."