December 26th AD2096, Tatsuya traveled alone to FLT's Development 3rd Division. He left Miyuki at home with Minami because he expected to be extremely busy. He was starting a new project called “ESCAPES”, Extract both useful and harmful Substances from the Coastal Area of the Pacific for Electricity generated by Stellar-generator. He expected ESCAPES to be a multi-year project. He considered his development of the Loop Cast System in AD2093 as the first part of ESCAPES.
His work was interrupted by a visitor from outside the lab. It was his cousin Mitsugu Kuroba. Even though he was irritated that Mitsugu would interrupt him at FLT, he was also curious enough to still meet with him. Mitsugu was in a sullen mood when they meet. When Tatsuya asked him what he came to talk about Mitsugu asked him not to attend the Yotsuba New Year’s gathering. Tatsuya said he’s never been invited before and only Miyuki has ever been invited. Mitsugu thought he was playing with him and asks him to get Miyuki not to attend either. When Tatsuya suggests Mitsugu ask her himself, Mitsugu said that she wouldn’t listen to him. He then added that he has repeatedly asked Maya to change her mind, because it is too soon. Tatsuya then added that even if Miyuki refused to come, Maya wouldn’t accept that as an answer. Tatsuya then implied that if it’s Mitsugu’s intent to push Fumiya as the next clan head over Miyuki, that he too lacked enough experience at that point. Mitsugu’s strong objection to this being his intent convinces Tatsuya that the exact opposite is true.
When pressed by Tatsuya to explain why he thinks it’s too-soon to name a successor, Mitsugu then admitted Maya planned to name Miyuki as her successor at the gathering. He then explained that he is joined in this opinion by four other Yotsuba branch families, the Shiiba, Mashiba, Shibata and Shizuka families. Tatsuya concluded that the remaining two branch families, the Mugura and Tsukuba, were of a different opinion. Tatsuya asked why the other five families are concerned with the timing of Miyuki’s appointment and Mitsugu answered that they want to deal with Tatsuya first. Mitsugu said that eventually Minami would be capable of being Miyuki’s only Guardian and that Tatsuya could then go to Magic University and eventually work exclusively at FTL as ‘Taurus Silver’. He also suggested that Tatsuya would no longer need to be a part of the 101st Battalion anymore. Tatsuya sensed darker intent in Mitsugu’s offer. Mitsugu then added that Tatsuya’s father’s shares of FLT would be transferred into Tatsuya’s name.
Tatsuya told Mitsugu he wasn't interested. Tatsuya then implied that either this is Maya’s idea since Mitsugu doesn’t have the authority to make this offer on his own, or this offer would constitute a ‘rebellion’ against Maya. Mitsugu then said vehemently that was not his intent. Tatsuya then pointed out again that Maya herself has ordered them to come and that they cannot refuse. Mitsugu then stated that he doesn’t want to upset his children to which Tatsuya asked incredulously if he was being serious. This implieed directly that the other four opposition branch houses intended to stop Tatsuya and Miyuki from reaching the Yotsuba main residence. Mitsugu then said he would not do anything himself against them, for the sake of his children’s feeling toward Tatsuya, even though he also stated that he considered Tatsuya to be his enemy. Tatsuya then asked why he would go this far to separate him from Miyuki, but also added that he didn’t expect Mitsugu to answer. On his way out Mitsugu told him that if he could make it to the main house in time, he might tell him why.
While Tatsuya is busy at the lab, Miyuki received an unexpected guest in the afternoon; their cousin Yuuka Tsukuba, who was herself a candidate for next family head. She was a senior at the National Magic University and the former Student Council President of 1st High School. Miyuki was surprised by her visit since she has never had a strong relationship towards Yuuka in either a good or bad way. She thought of their relationship as neutral towards one another. They sat together in the living room to discuss why Yuuka has come.
Yuuka said to her it’s strange they never saw each other since they both live in Tokyo. Miyuki then pointed out the city is very large. Yuuka asked her about being 1st High’s Student Council President. Miyuki’s surprised she knows so much but Yuuka points out 1st High is her Alma Mater. She then said that Miyuki had been succeeding at her position very publicly. Miyuki acknowledged that it might be better to not draw attention to herself; but she didn’t feel it would be fair to not give it her best. Miyuki redirected the topic to Yuuka’s impending college graduation and asked if the main house hadn’t been helping her with college. With polite words Yuuka had subtly critisized Miyuki for standing out too much; and Miyuki had implied that Yuuka was trying to hide her abilities while also risking revealing the Yotsuba’s secret techniques to the Magic University.
Minami brought tea to them which breaks the tension and allowed Miyuki to change the topic to the reason for Yuuka’s visit. Yuuka immediately said to Miyuki that they should travel together to this year’s family gathering in her car. When Miyuki asked why, Yuuka said that there’s no reason in particular and why shouldn’t they travel together. When Miyuki acts coldly to this answer, Yuuka informed her that her own Guardian had recently died. Miyuki was shocked by this, realizing her Guardian probably died protecting Yuuka from a threat. She speculated that Yuuka, who herself is also a rare Mental Inference Magician, might have been targeted for her genetics. She also speculated that Yuuka might have actually been on an assignment from the main house as well. When she offered Yuuka her condolences, Yuuka pointed out that her Guardian died doing her job and that she was probably relieved in the next life to not have to put up with Yuuka anymore. Yuuka’s nonchalant attitude toward her Guardian’s death upset Miyuki who then told Yuuka she shouldn’t be so flippant about it. Realizing that Miyuki’s Guardian is her brother, Yuuka apologied; but Miyuki was still upset and pointed out that their cousin Katsushige Shibata holds his Guardian Kotona Tsutsumi in high regard as well. Yuuka laughed at this example since it was well known in the family that they were romantically involved with each other. Miyuki, still irritated, asked Yuuka why she didn’t ask the Tsukuba family for additional protection on her journey to the main residence, implying there’s no need for them to travel together. Yuuka responded that Tatsuya was of rare skill as a Guardian, and that it wasn’t a bad deal for them either, since they couldn’t get a cab to the main house and that the motorcycle was impractical for a trip of that distance. Miyuki said that the main house would send a car to pick them up at the nearest station, and that they had never had an issue with that way of travel before. She then pointed out that’s how Yuuka normally goes to the main house herself. Yuuka then stated that just because they have never had issues traveling by cabinet train and then private car before, doesn’t mean there won’t be issues this time, and finishes by telling Miyuki she had her reasons for saying so, but wouldn’t tell her more.
Miyuki now knew beyond doubt there was some form of threat but when she asked point blank what Yuuka knew, Yuuka responded that she wouldn’t tell. Miyuki asked again why she should change her travel plans for them to travel together, to which Yuuka once again said she won’t tell her. Realizing that Yuuka wouldn’t explain further, Miyuki briefly reflected that Yuuka’s particular MI power would allow her to use her magic on someone to get the truth out of them, had their places been reversed. Miyuki then stated that as to their travel arrangements, she had to consult with Tatsuya first. Yuuka then said she hoped for both their sake that they decide to travel together and then leaves, complimenting Minami on her tea.
After Tatsuya returned home Miyuki discussed Yuuka’s visit to her and her offer to drive together to the main residence. Tatsuya pondered on her offer and reflected that it had to be related to Mitsugu’s unreasonable request for them not to attend. He also realized that the Tsukuba family had to be behind her offer as well, but couldn’t determine their intentions. Tatsuya acknowledged that Yuuka plainly didn’t hide the fact that there was a threat, only that she would not reveal the nature of the threat. Tatsuya speculated that maybe Yuuka’s offer was supporting Mitsugu's position and designed to make them afraid and to thus not attend; but he thought this the least likely possibility. He pondered if the target was either Miyuki or himself. If it were him, there was the possibility it was supported by some outside organizations that he previously had dealt with harshly. Tatsuya had always been careful to hide his true identity and clean-up after his missions, so this possibility was also low.
If Miyuki was the target the numbers of possible suspects were reduced to only those concerned about the Yotsuba succession. Tatsuya realized that if Miyuki wished to turn down the appointment he would be unable to change her mind. He thought about how none of the potential candidates seemed excited about potentially become the next family head and that it was their parents that seemed to be the most concerned. He realized that the area around the main residence was considered Yotsuba “home-territory” and that it was the perfect place for shady-dealings since the local authorities secretly operated under the aspics of the Yotsuba family. He thought that having Yuuka with them might cause the attackers to pause since attacking her would be seen as attacking the Tsukuba branch family as well. He