Skirmish​ ​(III)

The​ ​day​ ​started​ ​simply​ ​enough.​ ​Shirou​ ​and​ ​Satsuki​ ​got​ ​up​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time​ ​as​ ​usual​ ​and
went​ ​about​ ​their​ ​morning​ ​routine.

Weirdly​ ​enough,​ ​even​ ​Medea​ ​was​ ​back​ ​to​ ​her​ ​usual​ ​self.​ ​Whatever​ ​it​ ​was​ ​that​ ​had
happened​ ​between​ ​them,​ ​she​ ​clearly​ ​decided​ ​it​ ​was​ ​not​ ​worth​ ​her​ ​time​ ​anymore.​ ​She​ ​even
saw​ ​them​ ​out​ ​for​ ​school,​ ​waving​ ​and​ ​smiling​ ​cheerfully.

This​ ​sudden​ ​change​ ​put​ ​Shirou​ ​even​ ​more​ ​on​ ​edge.​ ​Medea​ ​wasn’t​ ​one​ ​who​ ​knew​ ​how​ ​to​ ​let
bygones​ ​be​ ​bygones.​ ​She​ ​had​ ​carved​ ​her​ ​legend​ ​out​ ​of​ ​not​ ​letting​ ​go​ ​of​ ​her​ ​grudges
-understandable​ ​as​ ​they​ ​were​ ​-​ ​which​ ​only​ ​made​ ​Shirou​ ​certain​ ​he​ ​wouldn’t​ ​be​ ​let​ ​off​ ​as
easily.

Still,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​he​ ​could​ ​do​ ​ ​other​ ​than​ ​dealing​ ​with​ ​it​ ​as​ ​it​ ​came​ ​along.​ ​For​ ​the​ ​time
being​ ​he​ ​would​ ​allow​ ​himself​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​completely​ ​ordinary​ ​day​ ​of​ ​school.​ ​It​ ​said​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​about
his​ ​way​ ​of​ ​life​ ​that​ ​being​ ​a​ ​student​ ​in​ ​a​ ​country​ ​with​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​punishing​ ​school
systems​ ​worldwide​ ​ranked​ ​as​ ​kicking​ ​back​ ​and​ ​relax​ ​to​ ​him.

Still,​ ​as​ ​absurd​ ​as​ ​it​ ​was,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​really​ ​looking​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​it.

Too​ ​bad​ ​that​ ​his​ ​expectations​ ​were​ ​immediately​ ​shattered​ ​when​ ​he​ ​arrived​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​the
school,​ ​where​ ​two​ ​police​ ​cars​ ​were​ ​parked​ ​with​ ​their​ ​lights​ ​flashing.

“What​ ​could​ ​have​ ​happened?”​ ​Satsuki​ ​asked.

“No​ ​clue,”​ ​Shirou​ ​shook​ ​his​ ​head.​ ​“I​ ​hope​ ​it’s​ ​nothing​ ​serious.”

They​ ​stepped​ ​past​ ​the​ ​gate​ ​amidst​ ​the​ ​many​ ​other​ ​students,​ ​just​ ​as​ ​curious​ ​as​ ​they​ ​were.

Looking​ ​around,​ ​Shirou​ ​saw​ ​that​ ​the​ ​police​ ​officers​ ​were​ ​coming​ ​and​ ​going​ ​from​ ​the​ ​direction
of​ ​the​ ​archery​ ​club.

“Satsuki-san,​ ​please​ ​go​ ​on​ ​ahead​ ​without​ ​me.​ ​I’m​ ​going​ ​to​ ​see​ ​what​ ​happened.”

“Okay,”​ ​she​ ​muttered.​ ​“Don’t​ ​get​ ​into​ ​trouble​ ​though,​ ​please.”

“Is​ ​that​ ​the​ ​impression​ ​I​ ​give?”​ ​he​ ​frowned.​ ​“That​ ​I​ ​go​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​trouble?”

“Remember​ ​how​ ​we​ ​first​ ​met?”​ ​she​ ​asked​ ​rhetorically.

“...​ ​fine,​ ​I’ll​ ​give​ ​you​ ​that​ ​much.​ ​I’ll​ ​do​ ​my​ ​best,​ ​alright?”

She​ ​nodded​ ​and​ ​headed​ ​for​ ​class,​ ​while​ ​Shirou​ ​approached​ ​the​ ​clubhouse.

“Excuse​ ​me,​ ​what​ ​happened?”​ ​he​ ​asked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​first​ ​police​ ​officer​ ​he​ ​came​ ​by.
“Hm?​ ​A​ ​girl​ ​was​ ​assaulted​ ​here​ ​last​ ​night.​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of​ ​the​ ​club?”

“I​ ​used​ ​to​ ​be,”​ ​he​ ​replied,​ ​“who​ ​is​ ​it​ ​that​ ​was​ ​assaulted?​ ​How​ ​is​ ​she?”

There​ ​were​ ​several​ ​girls​ ​among​ ​the​ ​club,​ ​Sakura​ ​and​ ​Mitsuzuri​ ​were​ ​just​ ​two​ ​of​ ​them.​ ​Plus
there​ ​were​ ​the​ ​new​ ​recruits​ ​he​ ​hadn’t​ ​gotten​ ​around​ ​to​ ​know​ ​yet.

“Sorry,​ ​I​ ​can’t​ ​answer​ ​that.​ ​Wait​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​though,​ ​they​ ​might​ ​have​ ​some​ ​questions​ ​for​ ​you.
Adachi-san!​ ​There’s​ ​a​ ​club​ ​member​ ​here.”

A​ ​man​ ​in​ ​suit​ ​turned​ ​in​ ​his​ ​direction.​ ​The​ ​moment​ ​their​ ​eyes​ ​met,​ ​Shirou​ ​felt​ ​immediately​ ​on
guard.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​a​ ​slight​ ​widening​ ​of​ ​his​ ​eyes​ ​that​ ​Shirou​ ​identified​ ​as​ ​recognition,​ ​yet​ ​he
was​ ​fairly​ ​sure​ ​he​ ​never​ ​met​ ​this​ ​man.

“Hi,​ ​I’m​ ​detective​ ​Adachi​ ​Tooru.​ ​What’s​ ​your​ ​name​ ​kid?”

“Emiya​ ​Shirou,”​ ​he​ ​bowed.​ ​“How​ ​can​ ​I​ ​help​ ​you,​ ​Adachi-san?”

“Emiya,​ ​uh?​ ​Well,​ ​you​ ​could​ ​start​ ​by​ ​telling​ ​me​ ​where​ ​you​ ​were​ ​yesterday​ ​evening,​ ​between
eight​ ​o’clock​ ​and​ ​midnight.”

“I​ ​was​ ​home,​ ​why?”

“Anyone​ ​who​ ​can​ ​vouch​ ​for​ ​that?”​ ​the​ ​detective​ ​pressed​ ​on,​ ​disregarding​ ​Shirou’s​ ​own
question.

“My​ ​guardian​ ​was​ ​at​ ​my​ ​place​ ​at​ ​least​ ​until​ ​nine​ ​o’clock.”​ ​He’d​ ​rather​ ​not​ ​mention​ ​Satsuki,
since​ ​he’d​ ​prefer​ ​no​ ​one​ ​would​ ​look​ ​too​ ​closely​ ​into​ ​her​ ​residence​ ​at​ ​his​ ​place​ ​and​ ​of​ ​course
he​ ​couldn’t​ ​mention​ ​Medea,​ ​since​ ​she​ ​technically​ ​didn’t​ ​exist.​ ​“Fujimura​ ​Taiga.​ ​She’s​ ​a
teacher​ ​here.”

“Is​ ​that​ ​so?​ ​How​ ​close​ ​are​ ​you​ ​with​ ​the​ ​captain​ ​from​ ​the​ ​archery​ ​club?”

“Mitsuzuri-san?​ ​Was​ ​it​ ​Mitsuzuri-san​ ​that​ ​was​ ​assaulted?​ ​How​ ​is​ ​she?”

“I​ ​cannot​ ​divulge​ ​that​ ​information.​ ​Now,​ ​please​ ​answer​ ​my​ ​question.”

Shirou​ ​frowned.​ ​He​ ​would​ ​have​ ​pressed​ ​for​ ​answer,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​it​ ​wouldn’t​ ​work.

“We​ ​are​ ​friends.​ ​Not​ ​too​ ​close,​ ​but​ ​well​ ​acquaintanced​ ​at​ ​least.”

“Hm-hm,”​ ​Adachi​ ​nodded​ ​as​ ​he​ ​jotted​ ​down​ ​a​ ​few​ ​lines​ ​on​ ​a​ ​small​ ​notepad.​ ​“To​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of
your​ ​knowledge,​ ​does​ ​she​ ​have​ ​any​ ​enemies?​ ​Someone​ ​who​ ​could​ ​wish​ ​her​ ​ill?”

“Not​ ​that​ ​I​ ​know​ ​of.​ ​She’s​ ​a​ ​good​ ​person,​ ​well-liked​ ​by​ ​everyone​ ​as​ ​far​ ​as​ ​I​ ​can​ ​tell.”
“Hmm,​ ​yes,​ ​that​ ​seems​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​general​ ​consensus​ ​around​ ​here.​ ​When​ ​was​ ​the​ ​last​ ​time
you​ ​saw​ ​her?”

“I’m​ ​not​ ​sure.​ ​A​ ​couple​ ​of​ ​days​ ​ago​ ​in​ ​the​ ​halls,​ ​maybe.”

“You​ ​didn't​ ​attend​ ​club​ ​practice​ ​yesterday?”

“I’m​ ​not​ ​a​ ​member​ ​anymore,”​ ​he​ ​clarified.​ ​“I​ ​quit​ ​at​ ​the​ ​start​ ​of​ ​this​ ​term.”

“Why?​ ​Disagreements​ ​with​ ​the​ ​captain​ ​maybe?”​ ​Pressed​ ​Adachi.

Shirou​ ​didn’t​ ​like​ ​the​ ​obvious​ ​insinuation,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​let​ ​it​ ​color​ ​his​ ​answer.

“Hardly,​ ​considering​ ​I​ ​was​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​captain​ ​and​ ​that​ ​I​ ​left​ ​the​ ​position​ ​to​ ​Mitsuzuri-san
myself.”

“Interesting.​ ​Could​ ​you​ ​say​ ​that​ ​you​ ​were​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​competitors,​ ​then?”

“On​ ​the​ ​archery​ ​stage​ ​the​ ​only​ ​enemy​ ​is​ ​one’s​ ​own​ ​self,​ ​Adachi-san.​ ​Mitsuzuri-san​ ​knows
this​ ​and​ ​so​ ​does​ ​any​ ​kyudoka​ ​worth​ ​their​ ​salt.​ ​No​ ​one​ ​would​ ​hold​ ​a​ ​grudge​ ​over​ ​something
like​ ​that​ ​and​ ​if​ ​they​ ​did,​ ​they​ ​would​ ​be​ ​so​ ​down​ ​the​ ​rankings​ ​they​ ​would​ ​have​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​other
people​ ​to​ ​take​ ​it​ ​out​ ​on​ ​first.”

“Is​ ​that​ ​so?​ ​Good​ ​to​ ​know.​ ​Very​ ​well,​ ​Emiya-kun.​ ​That​ ​will​ ​be​ ​all​ ​for​ ​now.​ ​I’m​ ​grateful​ ​you​ ​for
your​ ​cooperation,​ ​but​ ​you​ ​should​ ​probably​ ​get​ ​to​ ​class​ ​now.​ ​Wouldn’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​get​ ​you​ ​into
trouble​ ​because​ ​of​ ​me.”

“It​ ​was​ ​my​ ​duty​ ​to​ ​help,​ ​detective,”​ ​he​ ​bowed​ ​before​ ​leaving​ ​for​ ​class.​ ​“Have​ ​a​ ​good​ ​day.”

“You​ ​too​ ​Emiya-kun.”

Shirou​ ​turned​ ​and​ ​headed​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​main​ ​building,​ ​feeling​ ​troubled.​ ​Who​ ​could​ ​have​ ​hurt
Mitsuzuri?​ ​But​ ​more​ ​importantly,​ ​why?

She​ ​wasn't​ ​so​ ​popular​ ​that​ ​someone​ ​would​ ​harm​ ​her​ ​out​ ​of​ ​jealousy.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​a​ ​nice​ ​person
to​ ​be​ ​around​ ​so​ ​it​ ​was​ ​difficult​ ​to​ ​imagine​ ​someone​ ​would​ ​have​ ​it​ ​out​ ​for​ ​her​ ​so​ ​much​ ​that
they​ ​would​ ​go​ ​to​ ​these​ ​lengths.

Sadly,​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​how​ ​he​ ​thought​ ​about​ ​it​ ​he​ ​just​ ​didn't​ ​have​ ​enough​ ​information​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​a
conclusion.​ ​He​ ​would​ ​have​ ​to​ ​look​ ​into​ ​it​ ​himself​ ​after​ ​school.

[br]

After​ ​classes
"You're​ ​going​ ​to​ ​visit​ ​Ayako,​ ​aren't​ ​you?"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​said​ ​as​ ​she​ ​intercepted​ ​him​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the
school​ ​gates.​ ​The​ ​ever​ ​present​ ​Saber​ ​was​ ​right​ ​next​ ​to​ ​her​ ​of​ ​course.​ ​"I'm​ ​coming​ ​too."

Shirou​ ​nodded​ ​his​ ​agreement​ ​and​ ​the​ ​three​ ​of​ ​them​ ​headed​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​hospital.​ ​Satsuki​ ​had
gone​ ​back​ ​home​ ​since​ ​she​ ​wasn't​ ​really​ ​close​ ​to​ ​Mitsuzuri​ ​and​ ​she'd​ ​rather​ ​not​ ​stay​ ​in​ ​the
sun​ ​more​ ​than​ ​strictly​ ​necessary.

About​ ​half​ ​an​ ​hour​ ​later​ ​they​ ​were​ ​at​ ​the​ ​hospital’s​ ​front​ ​desk,​ ​but​ ​they​ ​were​ ​told​ ​that
Mitsuzuri​ ​couldn't​ ​have​ ​visitors​ ​as​ ​she​ ​was​ ​apparently​ ​unconscious.​ ​They​ ​also​ ​weren't​ ​told
the​ ​extent​ ​of​ ​her​ ​injuries,​ ​since​ ​they​ ​weren't​ ​her​ ​relatives.

"Well,​ ​so​ ​much​ ​for​ ​that,"​ ​Rin​ ​sighed​ ​as​ ​they​ ​walked​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​hospital.

"Hmm.​ ​Maybe​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​way,"​ ​Shirou​ ​said​ ​as​ ​he​ ​pulled​ ​out​ ​his​ ​cell​ ​phone.​ ​He​ ​quickly
punched​ ​in​ ​a​ ​number​ ​and​ ​after​ ​a​ ​few​ ​rings​ ​a​ ​gruff​ ​voice​ ​picked​ ​up.

"Dojima​ ​speaking."

"Ryuutaro-san.​ ​It's​ ​Shirou."

"Hey​ ​kid.​ ​Haven't​ ​heard​ ​from​ ​you​ ​in​ ​a​ ​while.​ ​You​ ​still​ ​in​ ​one​ ​piece?"

"Yes,​ ​thank​ ​you.​ ​Sorry​ ​for​ ​bothering​ ​you​ ​but​ ​I​ ​need​ ​a​ ​favor."

"What​ ​a​ ​shock,"​ ​he​ ​grumbled​ ​ironically.​ ​"What​ ​is​ ​it?"

"A​ ​girl​ ​was​ ​assaulted​ ​last​ ​night.​ ​Mitsuzuri​ ​Ayako.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​you​ ​could​ ​get​ ​me​ ​access​ ​to
her​ ​medical​ ​records?"

"Is​ ​this​ ​another​ ​supernatural​ ​case?"​ ​the​ ​detective​ ​asked.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​background,​ ​Shirou​ ​could
hear​ ​him​ ​typing​ ​at​ ​a​ ​computer​ ​keyboard.

"The​ ​circumstances​ ​feel​ ​odd​ ​to​ ​me​ ​and​ ​considering​ ​what's​ ​going​ ​on​ ​around​ ​here​ ​I​ ​can't
exclude​ ​the​ ​possibility."

"Yes,​ ​well.​ ​You​ ​might​ ​actually​ ​be​ ​onto​ ​something.​ ​It's​ ​certainly​ ​odd.​ ​Huh.​ ​You​ ​might​ ​want​ ​to
check​ ​this​ ​with​ ​your​ ​vampire​ ​friend,​ ​because​ ​the​ ​only​ ​thing​ ​wrong​ ​with​ ​her​ ​is​ ​a​ ​bite​ ​around
her​ ​neck​ ​and​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​amount​ ​of​ ​blood​ ​loss.​ ​Considering​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no​ ​blood​ ​to​ ​be​ ​found​ ​on
the​ ​scene,​ ​it​ ​makes​ ​for​ ​a​ ​pretty​ ​damning​ ​picture."

Shirou​ ​blinked.​ ​"That​ ​can't​ ​be."

"That's​ ​what​ ​the​ ​report​ ​and​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​records​ ​say."

"No,​ ​what​ ​I​ ​mean​ ​is​ ​that​ ​a​ ​Dead​ ​Apostle's​ ​bite​ ​is​ ​lethal.​ ​If​ ​it​ ​were​ ​the​ ​work​ ​of​ ​a​ ​vampire​ ​like
Satsuki,​ ​Mitsuzuri​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a​ ​walking​ ​corpse​ ​or​ ​vampire​ ​herself​ ​right​ ​now."
"Aren't​ ​there​ ​any​ ​other​ ​type​ ​of​ ​vampires​ ​out​ ​there?"

"There​ ​are,​ ​but​ ​they​ ​are​ ​few​ ​and​ ​there's​ ​no​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​be​ ​here.​ ​Fuyuki​ ​is​ ​notoriously
an​ ​area​ ​of​ ​interest​ ​for​ ​both​ ​the​ ​Church​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Clock​ ​Tower.​ ​For​ ​any​ ​of​ ​them​ ​to​ ​be​ ​here​ ​is
the​ ​same​ ​as​ ​asking​ ​for​ ​a​ ​target​ ​to​ ​be​ ​placed​ ​on​ ​them."

"So,​ ​you​ ​think​ ​it's​ ​an​ ​ordinary​ ​psychopath​ ​who​ ​did​ ​it?​ ​...​ ​I​ ​never​ ​thought​ ​I​ ​would​ ​use​ ​those
two​ ​words​ ​together."

"No.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​another​ ​possible​ ​explanation,"​ ​he​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​Tohsaka,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​been​ ​listening
in​ ​on​ ​the​ ​conversation.​ ​The​ ​grim​ ​expression​ ​on​ ​her​ ​face​ ​told​ ​him​ ​she​ ​had​ ​reached​ ​the​ ​same
conclusion.​ ​"A​ ​Servant​ ​who's​ ​gathering​ ​additional​ ​energy​ ​by​ ​taking​ ​it​ ​forcibly​ ​from​ ​ordinary
people."

The​ ​first​ ​enemy​ ​Servant​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Grail​ ​War​ ​had​ ​made​ ​a​ ​move.

[br]

Later

Shirou,​ ​Tohsaka​ ​and​ ​Saber​ ​moved​ ​to​ ​his​ ​place​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​this​ ​new​ ​development​ ​with​ ​Caster.

The​ ​Witch​ ​looked​ ​surprised,​ ​to​ ​say​ ​the​ ​least,​ ​at​ ​the​ ​mention​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Servant​ ​being​ ​summoned
without​ ​her​ ​noticing.

"This​ ​shouldn't​ ​be​ ​possible,"​ ​she​ ​muttered.

"Can​ ​you​ ​make​ ​sure?"​ ​Shirou​ ​asked.

"Give​ ​me​ ​one​ ​moment,"​ ​she​ ​closed​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment,​ ​concentrating​ ​on​ ​a​ ​spell.​ ​"Yes,
without​ ​a​ ​doubt​ ​a​ ​Servant​ ​has​ ​been​ ​summoned​ ​recently."

"I​ ​thought​ ​you​ ​had​ ​it​ ​under​ ​control,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​replied,​ ​sounding​ ​frustrated.

"I​ ​do.​ ​Whoever​ ​summoned​ ​it​ ​must​ ​have​ ​an​ ​insight​ ​into​ ​the​ ​Grail​ ​as​ ​good​ ​as​ ​mine​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to
hide​ ​it​ ​from​ ​me."

"Matou​ ​Zouken,​ ​then"​ ​Shirou​ ​sighed,​ ​looking​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​empty​ ​kitchen.​ ​"Sakura​ ​hasn't​ ​come
around​ ​in​ ​a​ ​while​ ​either.​ ​Chances​ ​are​ ​that​ ​he​ ​knows​ ​about​ ​us​ ​being​ ​Masters​ ​and​ ​told​ ​her​ ​not
to​ ​come​ ​anymore."

"Yes,​ ​that's​ ​the​ ​most​ ​likely​ ​scenario,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​agreed.

"Why​ ​send​ ​his​ ​Servant​ ​to​ ​harness​ ​energy​ ​like​ ​that​ ​though?"​ ​Caster​ ​asked.​ ​"Ordinary
humans​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​much​ ​Mana​ ​to​ ​being​ ​with.​ ​Unless​ ​it's​ ​done​ ​on​ ​a​ ​large​ ​scale​ ​it's​ ​pretty
inefficient​ ​and​ ​I​ ​would​ ​expect​ ​the​ ​head​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Magus​ ​family​ ​to​ ​have​ ​enough​ ​energy​ ​to​ ​support
their​ ​Servant​ ​even​ ​without​ ​resorting​ ​to​ ​such​ ​measures."

"No,​ ​according​ ​to​ ​my​ ​father's​ ​notes​ ​that​ ​guy​ ​has​ ​been​ ​around​ ​since​ ​the​ ​third​ ​War​ ​at​ ​least,
which​ ​makes​ ​him​ ​at​ ​least​ ​a​ ​century​ ​old,"​ ​Shirou​ ​explained.​ ​"There's​ ​no​ ​telling​ ​how​ ​much​ ​of
his​ ​energy​ ​goes​ ​into​ ​keeping​ ​himself​ ​alive​ ​and​ ​functional."

"I​ ​see.​ ​Then​ ​what​ ​course​ ​of​ ​action​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​should​ ​we​ ​take?"​ ​Medea​ ​asked.

"Somehow​ ​I​ ​doubt​ ​he'll​ ​just​ ​hang​ ​around​ ​his​ ​place​ ​waiting​ ​for​ ​us​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​move​ ​on​ ​him,"
Shirou​ ​replied.​ ​"And​ ​if​ ​he​ ​knows​ ​about​ ​us​ ​he​ ​must​ ​have​ ​realized​ ​he's​ ​at​ ​a​ ​disadvantage.​ ​No
Boundary​ ​Field​ ​would​ ​hold​ ​a​ ​candle​ ​against​ ​an​ ​alliance​ ​between​ ​a​ ​Caster​ ​and​ ​a​ ​Saber​ ​Class
Servant.​ ​If​ ​he​ ​hasn't​ ​gone​ ​senile,​ ​he'll​ ​be​ ​nowhere​ ​to​ ​be​ ​found.​ ​Could​ ​you​ ​find​ ​him​ ​by
scrying,​ ​Caster?"

"I​ ​can​ ​certainly​ ​try,​ ​but​ ​unless​ ​he's​ ​completely​ ​inept​ ​he​ ​will​ ​have​ ​taken​ ​some​ ​precaution
against​ ​it.​ ​Without​ ​a​ ​catalyst​ ​of​ ​sorts,​ ​divinations​ ​are​ ​very​ ​inaccurate.​ ​Given​ ​enough​ ​time​ ​I
could​ ​eventually​ ​track​ ​him​ ​down,​ ​but​ ​that's​ ​only​ ​if​ ​he​ ​doesn't​ ​relocate​ ​often.​ ​As​ ​for​ ​the
Servant​ ​I​ ​can​ ​pinpoint​ ​it​ ​only​ ​if​ ​it's​ ​materialized.​ ​There's​ ​just​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​latch​ ​onto​ ​otherwise."

"So​ ​we​ ​are​ ​forced​ ​into​ ​a​ ​reactive​ ​position,"​ ​Shiro​ ​sighed.​ ​"Great.​ ​Just​ ​great."

"Not​ ​necessarily,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​said.​ ​"Why​ ​was​ ​Ayako​ ​targeted​ ​in​ ​the​ ​first​ ​place?"

"She​ ​was​ ​a​ ​target​ ​of​ ​opportunity,​ ​most​ ​likely,"​ ​Saber​ ​replied.​ ​"She​ ​was​ ​alone,​ ​after​ ​dark​ ​and
with​ ​no​ ​potential​ ​witness​ ​in​ ​the​ ​general​ ​radius"

"Precisely,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​agreed.​ ​"They​ ​are​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​a​ ​low​ ​profile,​ ​therefore​ ​they​ ​will​ ​go
after​ ​isolated​ ​targets.​ ​If​ ​we​ ​want​ ​to​ ​find​ ​the​ ​Servant​ ​all​ ​we​ ​have​ ​to​ ​do​ ​is​ ​provide​ ​them​ ​exactly
with​ ​that."

"Some​ ​bait,​ ​huh...​ ​I'll​ ​do​ ​it​ ​then,"​ ​Shirou​ ​decided.

"No​ ​you​ ​won't,"​ ​Medea​ ​protested​ ​firmly.

"But-!"

"Don't​ ​start​ ​it,​ ​you​ ​two,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​said​ ​firmly.​ ​"It's​ ​not​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​that​ ​simple​ ​anyway.​ ​We
have​ ​no​ ​idea​ ​which​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city​ ​they'll​ ​pick​ ​as​ ​their​ ​hunting​ ​ground​ ​next.​ ​More​ ​importantly
if​ ​both​ ​Emiya​ ​and​ ​I​ ​have​ ​already​ ​been​ ​identified​ ​as​ ​Masters​ ​they'll​ ​smell​ ​the​ ​trap​ ​for​ ​what​ ​it
is.​ ​Unless​ ​they​ ​feel​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​face​ ​us​ ​all,​ ​they​ ​are​ ​going​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​a​ ​confrontation.​ ​If​ ​we're
going​ ​ahead​ ​with​ ​this​ ​plan,​ ​we​ ​need​ ​to​ ​use​ ​someone​ ​unrelated."

"I'm​ ​against​ ​it,"​ ​Shirou​ ​objected.​ ​"I​ ​have​ ​no​ ​intention​ ​of​ ​dragging​ ​bystanders​ ​into​ ​this​ ​mess."
"Who​ ​said​ ​anything​ ​about​ ​bystanders?"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​smiled.​ ​"There​ ​are​ ​others​ ​who​ ​have
chosen​ ​to​ ​stand​ ​their​ ​ground​ ​and​ ​fight​ ​even​ ​if​ ​they​ ​aren't​ ​like​ ​us,​ ​isn’t​ ​there?"

[br]

Back​ ​at​ ​the​ ​police​ ​station,​ ​Ryuutaro​ ​Dojima​ ​snapped​ ​up​ ​his​ ​head​ ​as​ ​a​ ​shiver​ ​went​ ​down​ ​his
spine.

All​ ​of​ ​a​ ​sudden,​ ​he​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​his​ ​life​ ​was​ ​in​ ​danger.​ ​The​ ​unmistakable​ ​sensation​ ​he​ ​had​ ​when
someone​ ​was​ ​out​ ​to​ ​get​ ​him.

Maybe​ ​he​ ​should​ ​stop​ ​pulling​ ​all-nighters​ ​all​ ​the​ ​time​ ​and​ ​let​ ​Adachi​ ​handle​ ​things​ ​for​ ​a
while.

"Yeah,​ ​right,"​ ​he​ ​snorted​ ​and​ ​returned​ ​to​ ​his​ ​paperwork.

[br]

"Out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​question,"​ ​Shirou​ ​replied.

"That's​ ​not​ ​your​ ​call​ ​to​ ​make,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​objected.​ ​"You​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​drag​ ​Dojima-san​ ​into​ ​this.
You​ ​gave​ ​him​ ​the​ ​power​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​whether​ ​to​ ​run​ ​or​ ​fight.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​won't​ ​ask​ ​him,​ ​then​ ​I​ ​will."

"I​ ​agree​ ​with​ ​her,​ ​Shirou,"​ ​Caster​ ​said.​ ​"That​ ​man​ ​already​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​be​ ​our​ ​ally​ ​knowing​ ​the
risks​ ​it​ ​entailed.​ ​Besides,​ ​we're​ ​not​ ​going​ ​to​ ​just​ ​leave​ ​him​ ​on​ ​his​ ​own.​ ​More​ ​importantly,
someone​ ​unrelated​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​targeted​ ​again​ ​sooner​ ​or​ ​later,​ ​anyway.​ ​It​ ​might​ ​as​ ​well​ ​be
someone​ ​who​ ​chose​ ​to."

"Fine!​ ​Fine,​ ​I'll​ ​ask​ ​Dojima-san,"​ ​Shirou​ ​relented.​ ​"Now,​ ​how​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​we​ ​should
proceed?"

"The​ ​best​ ​thing​ ​to​ ​do​ ​right​ ​now​ ​is​ ​letting​ ​the​ ​new​ ​Servant​ ​move​ ​freely,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​suggested.
"As​ ​much​ ​as​ ​I​ ​loathe​ ​to​ ​admit​ ​it,​ ​we​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​the​ ​resources​ ​to​ ​protect​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​city​ ​at​ ​the
same​ ​time.​ ​We​ ​must​ ​see​ ​if​ ​there's​ ​a​ ​pattern​ ​to​ ​their​ ​movements​ ​and​ ​then​ ​place​ ​our​ ​bait
accordingly."

"That's​ ​the​ ​best​ ​we​ ​can​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with?"​ ​he​ ​asked.

"Sadly,​ ​yes.​ ​Of​ ​course,​ ​we'll​ ​be​ ​out​ ​patrolling​ ​the​ ​city​ ​separately​ ​in​ ​the​ ​meantime.​ ​Maybe
they'll​ ​grow​ ​overconfident​ ​and​ ​make​ ​a​ ​stab​ ​at​ ​us."

"That's​ ​forfeiting​ ​the​ ​advantage​ ​of​ ​our​ ​alliance,"​ ​Medea​ ​observed,​ ​clearly​ ​dissatisfied.

"Every​ ​maneuver​ ​opens​ ​up​ ​to​ ​the​ ​possibility​ ​of​ ​a​ ​counter,"​ ​Saber​ ​explained.​ ​"Every​ ​trap​ ​can
be​ ​sprung​ ​against​ ​the​ ​one​ ​who​ ​set​ ​it.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​no​ ​course​ ​of​ ​action​ ​to​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​without​ ​risks."
Medea​ ​knew​ ​that,​ ​of​ ​course,​ ​but​ ​she​ ​was​ ​more​ ​of​ ​a​ ​schemer​ ​than​ ​a​ ​risk-taker.​ ​She'd​ ​rather
have​ ​other​ ​expose​ ​their​ ​side​ ​while​ ​she​ ​reaped​ ​all​ ​the​ ​benefits.

Sadly,​ ​that​ ​wasn't​ ​an​ ​option​ ​any​ ​longer.

"Yes,​ ​well.​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​to​ ​like​ ​it."

"We're​ ​going​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​in​ ​touch​ ​all​ ​the​ ​time​ ​anyway,"​ ​Shirou​ ​said,​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​placate​ ​her.

"That​ ​doesn't​ ​mean​ ​we​ ​can​ ​get​ ​to​ ​each​ ​other​ ​in​ ​time​ ​to​ ​be​ ​of​ ​any​ ​help,"​ ​Caster​ ​objected.​ ​"I
can​ ​easily​ ​warp​ ​us​ ​to​ ​their​ ​location​ ​but​ ​they​ ​can't​ ​do​ ​the​ ​same​ ​with​ ​us."

"There​ ​is​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​solution​ ​to​ ​that​ ​problem,​ ​you​ ​know?"

"And​ ​pray​ ​tell,​ ​what​ ​would​ ​it​ ​be?"​ ​Caster​ ​asked,​ ​unconvinced.

"We'll​ ​swap​ ​partners.​ ​Saber​ ​will​ ​patrol​ ​with​ ​Emiya​ ​and​ ​you'll​ ​come​ ​with​ ​me.​ ​That​ ​way,​ ​you
can​ ​either​ ​teleport​ ​us​ ​to​ ​them​ ​or​ ​I​ ​can​ ​summon​ ​at​ ​least​ ​Saber​ ​to​ ​my​ ​side​ ​with​ ​a​ ​Command
Seal."

"Huh,"​ ​Shirou​ ​rubbed​ ​his​ ​chin.​ ​"That​ ​would​ ​work​ ​just​ ​fi-"

"Absolutely​ ​not."

Caster's​ ​voice​ ​was​ ​level​ ​and​ ​she​ ​looked​ ​perfectly​ ​calm​ ​when​ ​she​ ​said​ ​those​ ​words,​ ​but​ ​she
might​ ​as​ ​well​ ​have​ ​shouted​ ​them.​ ​Shirou​ ​and​ ​Rin​ ​both​ ​sat​ ​up​ ​a​ ​little​ ​straighter.

"W-why​ ​not?"​ ​Rin​ ​stuttered​ ​despite​ ​her​ ​best​ ​attempt​ ​not​ ​to.

"It's​ ​simply​ ​unacceptable.​ ​Even​ ​putting​ ​aside​ ​concerns​ ​about​ ​trust,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​still​ ​the​ ​matter
that​ ​the​ ​worst​ ​case​ ​scenario​ ​leaves​ ​my​ ​Master​ ​on​ ​his​ ​own."

"Well,​ ​Emiya-kun​ ​should​ ​be​ ​more​ ​than​ ​capable​ ​enough​ ​of​ ​handle​ ​himself​ ​for​ ​a​ ​while.​ ​Even​ ​if
Zouken​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​take​ ​advantage​ ​of​ ​that​ ​window​ ​of​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​launch​ ​an​ ​offence
against​ ​him​ ​he​ ​should​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​out​ ​long​ ​enough​ ​for​ ​us​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​his​ ​aid.

"And​ ​what​ ​if​ ​there​ ​is​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​Servant?​ ​Assassin​ ​from​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​War​ ​had​ ​more​ ​than
a​ ​hundred​ ​bodies.​ ​Without​ ​knowing​ ​anything​ ​about​ ​the​ ​enemy​ ​Servant​ ​there​ ​is​ ​no​ ​telling​ ​to
what​ ​we'll​ ​leave​ ​him​ ​exposed​ ​to.​ ​Saber,​ ​in​ ​my​ ​place​ ​would​ ​you​ ​leave​ ​your​ ​Master​ ​without
protection​ ​even​ ​for​ ​a​ ​minute?"

"Of​ ​course​ ​not,"​ ​the​ ​blond​ ​Servant​ ​replied.​ ​"Still,​ ​your​ ​Master​ ​has​ ​proven​ ​himself​ ​sufficiently
skilled​ ​to​ ​survive​ ​long​ ​enough​ ​for​ ​us​ ​to​ ​come​ ​to​ ​his​ ​aid​ ​if​ ​needed​ ​be."

"That's​ ​a​ ​gambit​ ​you​ ​are​ ​making​ ​with​ ​his​ ​life,​ ​not​ ​with​ ​your​ ​own,"​ ​ ​the​ ​Witch​ ​insisted.
"Caster,​ ​there's​ ​no​ ​helping​ ​it,"​ ​Shirou​ ​intervened.​ ​"It's​ ​a​ ​worst​ ​case​ ​scenario​ ​which​ ​I​ ​should
be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​deal​ ​with.​ ​More​ ​importantly,​ ​it's​ ​the​ ​safest​ ​course​ ​of​ ​action​ ​available."

"Safest​ ​for​ ​everyone​ ​other​ ​than​ ​yourself,"​ ​she​ ​objected.

"That​ ​may​ ​be​ ​the​ ​case,​ ​but​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​four​ ​of​ ​us​ ​I'm​ ​the​ ​most​ ​expendable."

"W-what?"

He​ ​shrugged.​ ​"You​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​sustain​ ​yourself​ ​just​ ​fine​ ​without​ ​me,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​we​ ​were​ ​to​ ​lose
Tohsaka,​ ​for​ ​instance,​ ​we​ ​would​ ​also​ ​lose​ ​Saber.​ ​Keeping​ ​every​ ​Servant​ ​alive​ ​is​ ​our​ ​primary
goal​ ​right​ ​now,​ ​so​ ​we​ ​must​ ​follow​ ​a​ ​plan​ ​that​ ​maximizes​ ​your​ ​chance​ ​of​ ​that.​ ​If​ ​someone​ ​has
to​ ​be​ ​left​ ​exposed,​ ​it​ ​has​ ​to​ ​be​ ​me.”

It​ ​was​ ​an​ ​argument​ ​rooted​ ​in​ ​logic​ ​with​ ​little​ ​to​ ​do​ ​with​ ​Shirou's​ ​penchant​ ​to​ ​prioritize​ ​other
people's​ ​lives​ ​over​ ​his​ ​own.

"Is​ ​that​ ​supposed​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​better​ ​somehow?​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​that​ ​I​ ​could​ ​agree​ ​with​ ​a​ ​scenario
in​ ​which​ ​your​ ​death​ ​is​ ​an​ ​acceptable​ ​sacrifice?"

Shirou​ ​frowned.​ ​"Caster,​ ​what's​ ​this​ ​about?​ ​Even​ ​if​ ​I​ ​were​ ​to​ ​die​ ​you​ ​would​ ​still​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to
live​ ​on​ ​without​ ​m-"

The​ ​palm​ ​of​ ​her​ ​hand​ ​hit​ ​the​ ​table,​ ​making​ ​everything​ ​on​ ​it​ ​rattle.

"I​ ​don’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​live​ ​without​ ​you!”

The​ ​silence​ ​that​ ​followed​ ​that​ ​statement​ ​was​ ​as​ ​deafening​ ​as​ ​the​ ​shout​ ​itself.​ ​A​ ​cup​ ​of​ ​tea
rolled​ ​off​ ​the​ ​table​ ​after​ ​Caster​ ​had​ ​knocked​ ​it​ ​off​ ​in​ ​her​ ​outburst.​ ​Its​ ​content​ ​spilled​ ​all​ ​over
the​ ​tatami​ ​but​ ​no​ ​one​ ​noticed​ ​or​ ​cared.

Everyone​ ​was​ ​wide-eyed,​ ​though​ ​Shirou​ ​was​ ​the​ ​most​ ​stunned​ ​of​ ​all,​ ​for​ ​obvious​ ​reasons.

Only​ ​after​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​did​ ​Caster​ ​seem​ ​to​ ​realize​ ​what​ ​she​ ​had​ ​so-very-loudly​ ​admitted.​ ​Her
face​ ​turned​ ​a​ ​bright​ ​red​ ​and​ ​without​ ​a​ ​moment's​ ​hesitation​ ​she​ ​fled​ ​the​ ​room.

"Caster!"​ ​Shirou​ ​shouted​ ​as​ ​he​ ​run​ ​after​ ​her.​ ​In​ ​his​ ​haste​ ​he​ ​tripped​ ​on​ ​the​ ​table​ ​and​ ​fell
down,​ ​rolled​ ​on​ ​the​ ​floor​ ​and​ ​launched​ ​himself​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​room.​ ​He​ ​barely​ ​saw​ ​her​ ​slip​ ​into
the​ ​toolshed​ ​and​ ​he​ ​heard​ ​the​ ​secret​ ​passage​ ​open​ ​when​ ​he​ ​was​ ​halfway​ ​through​ ​the
courtyard.​ ​When​ ​he​ ​stepped​ ​inside​ ​teh​ ​building,​ ​the​ ​heavy​ ​trapdoor​ ​was​ ​almost​ ​entirely
closed​ ​again.

Shirou​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​he​ ​wouldn't​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​open​ ​it​ ​unless​ ​she​ ​wished​ ​it​ ​and​ ​thus​ ​literally​ ​dove​ ​in
the​ ​rapidly​ ​shrinking​ ​gap,​ ​completely​ ​disregarding​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​he​ ​was​ ​jumping​ ​head​ ​first
down​ ​some​ ​very​ ​steep​ ​stone​ ​stairs.
He​ ​put​ ​his​ ​hands​ ​forward​ ​and​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​not​ ​crack​ ​his​ ​head​ ​open,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​still​ ​rolled​ ​down
like​ ​a​ ​textbook​ ​household​ ​accident.​ ​He​ ​crashed​ ​in​ ​a​ ​heap​ ​at​ ​the​ ​bottom​ ​of​ ​the​ ​stairs​ ​but
jumped​ ​to​ ​his​ ​back​ ​to​ ​his​ ​feet​ ​like​ ​it​ ​was​ ​nothing.

"Caster...​ ​Medea,"​ ​he​ ​called​ ​out​ ​softly.

In​ ​the​ ​dim​ ​light​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Workshop​ ​he​ ​could​ ​barely​ ​see​ ​her​ ​shape.​ ​Her​ ​back​ ​was​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​him
and​ ​her​ ​arms​ ​were​ ​wrapped​ ​around​ ​her​ ​own​ ​torso.

She​ ​looked​ ​frail​ ​as​ ​a​ ​glass​ ​figurine.​ ​Vulnerable​ ​like​ ​that​ ​night​ ​he​ ​found​ ​her​ ​unconscious
under​ ​the​ ​rain.

He​ ​took​ ​a​ ​step​ ​forward.

"Don't​ ​come​ ​near​ ​me!"​ ​she​ ​said,​ ​her​ ​voice​ ​cracked.

Shirou​ ​stopped​ ​in​ ​his​ ​tracks​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​and​ ​then​ ​proceed​ ​to​ ​advance​ ​again​ ​until​ ​he​ ​was
standing​ ​right​ ​behind​ ​her.

"Why​ ​me?"​ ​he​ ​asked.​ ​"I​ ​can't​ ​possibly​ ​give​ ​you​ ​the​ ​life​ ​you'd​ ​want."

"Do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​that?"​ ​she​ ​sobbed,​ ​still​ ​not​ ​turning​ ​to​ ​face​ ​him.​ ​"Do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​I
don't​ ​know​ ​how​ ​selfish​ ​you​ ​are?​ ​Chasing​ ​after​ ​your​ ​own​ ​dreams​ ​without​ ​thinking​ ​what​ ​others
could​ ​want?"

"Selfish?"​ ​Shirou​ ​wondered.​ ​"I​ ​suppose​ ​I​ ​am​ ​a​ ​little."

"A​ ​little?"​ ​She​ ​scoffed.​ ​"Was​ ​there​ ​ever​ ​a​ ​time​ ​when​ ​you​ ​put​ ​your​ ​so-called​ ​justice​ ​aside​ ​for
someone​ ​else?"

"No,"​ ​he​ ​shook​ ​his​ ​head,​ ​slowly​ ​but​ ​firmly.​ ​"And​ ​if​ ​I​ ​have​ ​any​ ​say​ ​in​ ​it​ ​I​ ​never​ ​will.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​who
I​ ​am.​ ​If​ ​that​ ​makes​ ​me​ ​selfish,​ ​then​ ​I'll​ ​take​ ​responsibility​ ​for​ ​this​ ​sin​ ​until​ ​the​ ​day​ ​I​ ​die​ ​and
beyond."

He​ ​had​ ​made​ ​that​ ​decision​ ​a​ ​long​ ​time​ ​before.​ ​Long​ ​before​ ​he​ ​had​ ​even​ ​met​ ​her.

"I​ ​know.​ ​I​ ​know​ ​that,​ ​you​ ​see?"​ ​she​ ​turned​ ​around​ ​to​ ​face​ ​him,​ ​tears​ ​streaming​ ​down​ ​her
face.​ ​"That's​ ​why​ ​I​ ​love​ ​you.​ ​Because​ ​you'll​ ​never​ ​let​ ​anyone​ ​push​ ​their​ ​crimes​ ​on​ ​me​ ​ever
again,​ ​just​ ​like​ ​you​ ​won't​ ​push​ ​yours​ ​on​ ​anyone​ ​else.​ ​I​ ​love​ ​that​ ​stupid,​ ​incosiderate
selfishness​ ​of​ ​yours​ ​even​ ​if​ ​I​ ​know​ ​you'll​ ​never​ ​love​ ​me​ ​back​ ​because​ ​of​ ​it."

"...​ ​that's​ ​not​ ​true,"​ ​he​ ​admitted,​ ​looking​ ​away.

"Eh?"​ ​she​ ​blinked.​ ​"B-but​ ​I​ ​thought...:"

"I​ ​never...​ ​believed​ ​you​ ​would​ ​feel​ ​the​ ​same,"​ ​he​ ​explained.​ ​"I'm​ ​just​ ​a​ ​kid​ ​and​ ​you​ ​are...​ ​you.
Besides,​ ​even​ ​if​ ​you​ ​returned​ ​my​ ​feelings​ ​for​ ​some​ ​reason​ ​I​ ​knew​ ​I​ ​wouldn't​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​to
give​ ​you​ ​the​ ​life​ ​you​ ​want."

There​ ​was​ ​a​ ​pause​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​crackling​ ​of​ ​the​ ​flame​ ​within​ ​the​ ​forge​ ​was​ ​the​ ​only​ ​thing
that​ ​could​ ​be​ ​heard.

"I​ ​am​ ​your​ ​ally,​ ​Medea,​ ​and​ ​I​ ​always​ ​will​ ​be.​ ​That​ ​was​ ​my​ ​oath​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​but​ ​it's​ ​the​ ​only​ ​thing​ ​I
can​ ​give​ ​you​ ​in​ ​its​ ​entirety.​ ​I'm​ ​sorry."

[br]

He​ ​loved​ ​her.

Loved​ ​her?​ ​She​ ​who​ ​had​ ​been​ ​stained​ ​black​ ​by​ ​crimes​ ​both​ ​her​ ​own​ ​and​ ​not​ ​alike?​ ​She​ ​who
had​ ​brought​ ​nothing​ ​but​ ​ruin​ ​to​ ​everyone?

That​ ​was​ ​not​ ​possible,​ ​yet​ ​that​ ​was​ ​what​ ​he​ ​said.

He​ ​said​ ​that​ ​he​ ​loved​ ​her,​ ​in​ ​a​ ​roundabout​ ​way,​ ​but​ ​ ​that​ ​couldn't​ ​give​ ​her​ ​what​ ​she​ ​wanted.
She​ ​could​ ​trust​ ​him,​ ​they​ ​both​ ​knew,​ ​because​ ​his​ ​faith​ ​in​ ​his​ ​ideals​ ​was​ ​absolute.

He​ ​would​ ​never​ ​betray​ ​her​ ​because​ ​in​ ​doing​ ​so​ ​he​ ​would​ ​betray​ ​himself,​ ​and​ ​for​ ​the​ ​same
reason​ ​she​ ​could​ ​never​ ​be​ ​the​ ​centre​ ​of​ ​his​ ​life.

He​ ​could​ ​not​ ​commit​ ​to​ ​her​ ​without​ ​betraying​ ​both​ ​her​ ​and​ ​himself​ ​in​ ​the​ ​process.

Such​ ​a​ ​twisted​ ​irony​ ​was​ ​par​ ​for​ ​the​ ​course​ ​to​ ​her.

But​ ​still,​ ​it​ ​wasn't​ ​like​ ​she​ ​didn't​ ​know​ ​he​ ​was​ ​like​ ​that​ ​from​ ​the​ ​start.​ ​Just​ ​like​ ​he​ ​had​ ​known
he​ ​couldn't​ ​be​ ​the​ ​man​ ​she​ ​wished​ ​him​ ​to​ ​be,​ ​so​ ​did​ ​she.

And​ ​yet…

…​ ​in​ ​spite​ ​of​ ​that…

‘I​ ​love​ ​him​ ​anyway.’

"We…​ ​we​ ​should​ ​probably​ ​head​ ​back​ ​now,"​ ​he​ ​said​ ​after​ ​the​ ​silence​ ​stretched​ ​into​ ​deep
awkwardness.

She​ ​dried​ ​her​ ​tears​ ​and​ ​nodded.

"I'll...​ ​I'll​ ​be​ ​there​ ​in​ ​a​ ​minute.​ ​I'll​ ​be​ ​fine,​ ​don't​ ​worry.​ ​Tell​ ​Rin...​ ​tell​ ​her​ ​I​ ​agree​ ​with​ ​the​ ​plan."

"Alright,​ ​then.​ ​Take​ ​your​ ​time."

He​ ​turned​ ​around​ ​and​ ​left.​ ​She​ ​watched​ ​him​ ​go​ ​without​ ​a​ ​word.

To​ ​be​ ​rejected​ ​even​ ​when​ ​her​ ​feeling​ ​were​ ​being​ ​requited...​ ​Even​ ​beyond​ ​death,​ ​her​ ​heart
would​ ​never​ ​have​ ​what​ ​she​ ​yearned​ ​for.

Such​ ​was​ ​her​ ​fate.

[br]

"Everything​ ​alright,​ ​Emiya?"​ ​Rin​ ​asked​ ​coolly​ ​when​ ​he​ ​finally​ ​returned​ ​a​ ​little​ ​while​ ​later.​ ​She
was​ ​bit​ ​miffed​ ​about​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​situation,​ ​but​ ​what​ ​could​ ​she​ ​do​ ​about​ ​it?

Even​ ​though​ ​by​ ​the​ ​looks​ ​of​ ​it,​ ​it​ ​didn't​ ​seem​ ​like​ ​anything​ ​good​ ​had​ ​come​ ​out​ ​of​ ​Caster's
confession.

...​ ​why​ ​was​ ​she​ ​feeling​ ​relieved,​ ​damn​ ​it?

"It​ ​will​ ​be,​ ​eventually.​ ​Don't​ ​worry​ ​about​ ​it.​ ​She​ ​agreed​ ​to​ ​your​ ​strategy,​ ​by​ ​the​ ​way."

"Glad​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​it,"​ ​she​ ​nodded.​ ​"Well,​ ​let's​ ​call​ ​it​ ​a​ ​day​ ​for​ ​now."

"Huh?​ ​Aren't​ ​we​ ​going​ ​to​ ​plan​ ​the​ ​patrol​ ​for​ ​tonight?"

"It’s​ ​almost​ ​evening​ ​already,​ ​there’s​ ​not​ ​enough​ ​time​ ​to​ ​set​ ​things​ ​up​ ​and​ ​there's​ ​no​ ​point
rushing​ ​anyway,"​ ​she​ ​shook​ ​her​ ​head.​ ​"I​ ​highly​ ​doubt​ ​the​ ​enemy​ ​will​ ​go​ ​out​ ​hunting​ ​twice​ ​in
a​ ​row.​ ​They​ ​probably​ ​want​ ​to​ ​gauge​ ​the​ ​level​ ​of​ ​our​ ​reaction.​ ​The​ ​easier​ ​we​ ​take​ ​it,​ ​the​ ​more
they’ll​ ​fret​ ​and​ ​risk​ ​making​ ​a​ ​mistake."

"Indeed,"​ ​Saber​ ​agreed.​ ​"A​ ​hasty​ ​response​ ​might​ ​exactly​ ​be​ ​what​ ​they​ ​want.​ ​There​ ​are​ ​times
when​ ​it's​ ​better​ ​to​ ​advance​ ​slowly​ ​lest​ ​you​ ​step​ ​into​ ​an​ ​ambush.”

"Please,​ ​set​ ​up​ ​an​ ​meeting​ ​with​ ​Dojima-san​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​sometimes​ ​tomorrow​ ​afternoon,”​ ​Rin
continued.​ ​“It​ ​would​ ​be​ ​better​ ​if​ ​it​ ​looks​ ​like​ ​an​ ​accidental​ ​encounter.​ ​We​ ​can​ ​then​ ​slip​ ​him​ ​an
envelope​ ​with​ ​our​ ​plan."

"...or​ ​I​ ​could​ ​just​ ​tell​ ​him​ ​over​ ​the​ ​phone.​ ​It's​ ​not​ ​like​ ​a​ ​Magus​ ​of​ ​all​ ​people​ ​is​ ​going​ ​to​ ​tap​ ​into
the​ ​call."

"Yes,"​ ​Rin​ ​nodded​ ​slowly,​ ​not​ ​at​ ​all​ ​embarrassed.​ ​Not​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​"That​ ​would​ ​work​ ​too.​ ​Well​ ​then,
if​ ​that​ ​is​ ​all​ ​we​ ​might​ ​as​ ​well​ ​return​ ​home​ ​and​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​tomorrow.​ ​Saber,​ ​let's​ ​go."

"Yes,​ ​Rin."

"Alright​ ​then...​ ​have​ ​a​ ​safe​ ​trip,​ ​I​ ​guess,"​ ​he​ ​said​ ​awkwardly.
"You​ ​guess?"​ ​she​ ​asked,​ ​regarding​ ​him​ ​with​ ​a​ ​doubtful​ ​gaze.​ ​"You​ ​are​ ​still​ ​out​ ​of​ ​it,​ ​aren't
you?"

"Sorry,"​ ​he​ ​replied,​ ​looking​ ​away.​ ​"That​ ​was...​ ​unexpected."

"Was​ ​it​ ​really,​ ​though?"​ ​she​ ​muttered,​ ​too​ ​low​ ​for​ ​anyone​ ​to​ ​hear.​ ​"See​ ​you,​ ​Emiya,"​ ​she
sighed.

"I'll​ ​see​ ​you​ ​both​ ​tomorrow​ ​at​ ​school,​ ​then,"​ ​he​ ​nodded.​ ​"Do​ ​be​ ​careful​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way​ ​back."

"Yeah,​ ​yeah.​ ​Worry​ ​getting​ ​your​ ​head​ ​back​ ​on​ ​track.​ ​We'll​ ​be​ ​fine."

They​ ​soon​ ​were​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​house​ ​and​ ​onto​ ​the​ ​streets​ ​without​ ​further​ ​ceremony.​ ​They​ ​made
their​ ​way​ ​in​ ​silence​ ​even​ ​though​ ​there​ ​was​ ​lot​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​about.​ ​Somehow,​ ​the​ ​thing​ ​that
bothered​ ​Rin​ ​most​ ​wasn't​ ​the​ ​appearance​ ​of​ ​a​ ​new​ ​Servant,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​development​ ​with​ ​the
first​ ​one​ ​she​ ​had​ ​met.

Saber​ ​seemed​ ​to​ ​read​ ​her​ ​Master's​ ​mood​ ​and​ ​chose​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​her​ ​tongue.​ ​Honestly,​ ​war​ ​time
is​ ​the​ ​worst​ ​possible​ ​moment​ ​to​ ​let​ ​feelings​ ​run​ ​rampant.

Hopefully,​ ​Caster​ ​would​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​hold​ ​of​ ​herself​ ​soon,​ ​otherwise​ ​this​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a
major​ ​setback​ ​to​ ​them.

[br]

Shirou​ ​closed​ ​the​ ​door​ ​behind​ ​Tohsaka​ ​and​ ​Saber,​ ​letting​ ​out​ ​a​ ​tired​ ​sigh.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​clear​ ​that
they​ ​weren't​ ​happy​ ​about​ ​how​ ​the​ ​day​ ​had​ ​gone​ ​and​ ​he​ ​couldn't​ ​exactly​ ​blame​ ​them.​ ​At​ ​a
time​ ​like​ ​this​ ​being​ ​cool​ ​headed​ ​was​ ​paramount,​ ​yet​ ​he​ ​definitely​ ​wasn't​ ​and​ ​the​ ​same​ ​could
be​ ​said​ ​for​ ​Caster.

He​ ​didn't​ ​want​ ​for​ ​things​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​like​ ​this​ ​between​ ​them.

He​ ​had​ ​chosen​ ​his​ ​ideals​ ​over​ ​love​ ​so​ ​that​ ​he​ ​would​ ​not​ ​betray​ ​both​ ​himself​ ​and​ ​her​ ​and
there​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​else​ ​to​ ​be​ ​said​ ​about​ ​it​ ​Nothing​ ​he​ ​could​ ​to​ ​make​ ​it​ ​better.

Even​ ​though​ ​he​ ​wished​ ​for​ ​nothing​ ​but​ ​to​ ​rush​ ​to​ ​her​ ​side,​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​he​ ​would​ ​do​ ​her
more​ ​harm​ ​than​ ​good.

With​ ​his​ ​head​ ​lowered,​ ​he​ ​retreated​ ​to​ ​his​ ​room.

[br]

After​ ​the​ ​house​ ​finally​ ​became​ ​silent,​ ​Satsuki​ ​poked​ ​her​ ​head​ ​out​ ​of​ ​her​ ​room.​ ​She​ ​hadn’t
been​ ​listening​ ​in​ ​the​ ​conversation,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​Caster​ ​shouted​ ​it​ ​had​ ​been​ ​impossible​ ​not​ ​to
hear.
So,​ ​the​ ​Heroic​ ​Spirit​ ​was​ ​in​ ​love​ ​with​ ​Shirou.​ ​Satsuki​ ​could​ ​certainly​ ​see​ ​why.​ ​She​ ​didn’t​ ​love
him,​ ​or​ ​at​ ​least​ ​she​ ​didn’t​ ​think​ ​so,​ ​but​ ​she​ ​liked​ ​him​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​at​ ​the​ ​very​ ​least.

There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​reason​ ​why​ ​she​ ​wouldn’t​ ​and​ ​maybe,​ ​if​ ​she​ ​wasn’t​ ​still​ ​hung​ ​on​ ​a​ ​certain
bespectacled​ ​boy​ ​she​ ​too​ ​would​ ​have​ ​feelings​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​Caster’s.​ ​Not​ ​that​ ​it​ ​helped​ ​anyone
knowing​ ​that,​ ​least​ ​of​ ​all​ ​her.

She​ ​was​ ​too​ ​dependant​ ​on​ ​Shirou​ ​as​ ​she​ ​was​ ​and​ ​she​ ​was​ ​getting​ ​tired​ ​of​ ​her​ ​own
helplessness.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​need​ ​to​ ​add​ ​love​ ​into​ ​the​ ​mix,​ ​thus​ ​she​ ​vowed​ ​right​ ​there​ ​and
then​ ​that​ ​she​ ​would​ ​not​ ​fall​ ​for​ ​him.​ ​Of​ ​course,​ ​asking​ ​the​ ​brain​ ​to​ ​rule​ ​over​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​is​ ​a
fool’s​ ​errand​ ​and​ ​she​ ​knew​ ​as​ ​much.

She​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​get​ ​stronger​ ​as​ ​fast​ ​as​ ​possible,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​she​ ​could​ ​stand​ ​on​ ​own​ ​legs​ ​again.
Then,​ ​she​ ​would​ ​remove​ ​herself​ ​from​ ​the​ ​equation​ ​and​ ​relieve​ ​him​ ​of​ ​the​ ​burden.​ ​She​ ​owed
him​ ​at​ ​least​ ​that​ ​much.

She​ ​slipped​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​house,​ ​unseen​ ​and​ ​unnoticed.​ ​The​ ​atmosphere​ ​was​ ​too​ ​gloomy​ ​for
her​ ​liking​ ​anyway.​ ​She​ ​knew​ ​there​ ​was​ ​another​ ​Servant​ ​around​ ​and​ ​she​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​stick​ ​to
populated​ ​areas​ ​and​ ​not​ ​come​ ​back​ ​until​ ​the​ ​next​ ​morning.

She​ ​had​ ​learned​ ​her​ ​lesson​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time​ ​around.

[br]

Slowly​ ​but​ ​surely,​ ​the​ ​day​ ​advanced.​ ​The​ ​sun​ ​continued​ ​his​ ​cycle​ ​and​ ​disappeared​ ​beyond
the​ ​horizon,​ ​allowing​ ​the​ ​night​ ​to​ ​lay​ ​its​ ​claim​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​city​ ​of​ ​Fuyuki.

After​ ​eating​ ​dinner​ ​by​ ​himself,​ ​as​ ​it​ ​seemed​ ​no​ ​one​ ​else​ ​would​ ​show​ ​up,​ ​Shirou​ ​retreated​ ​to
his​ ​room​ ​to​ ​read​ ​a​ ​book​ ​about​ ​runes​ ​and​ ​Boundary​ ​Field​ ​left​ ​by​ ​Kiritsugu.

He​ ​already​ ​knew​ ​it​ ​by​ ​heart,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​was​ ​too​ ​early​ ​to​ ​sleep​ ​and​ ​he’d​ ​rather​ ​not​ ​be​ ​alone​ ​with
his​ ​thoughts​ ​more​ ​than​ ​strictly​ ​necessary.​ ​Going​ ​into​ ​his​ ​Workshop​ ​was​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the​ ​question
as​ ​well.​ ​Medea​ ​might​ ​have​ ​not​ ​been​ ​there​ ​any​ ​longer,​ ​but​ ​he'd​ ​rather​ ​not​ ​be​ ​in​ ​there​ ​on​ ​his
own​ ​after​ ​what​ ​had​ ​transpired​ ​down​ ​there.

He​ ​was​ ​quietly​ ​flipping​ ​through​ ​the​ ​pages​ ​when​ ​the​ ​lights​ ​flickered​ ​out,​ ​plunging​ ​the​ ​house
into​ ​complete​ ​darkness.

"A​ ​power​ ​outage?"​ ​Shirou​ ​frowned.​ ​That​ ​wasn't​ ​supposed​ ​to​ ​happen​ ​and​ ​he​ ​tensed​ ​a​ ​little
bit​ ​in​ ​response.​ ​Cutting​ ​power​ ​was​ ​a​ ​standard​ ​practice​ ​before​ ​assaulting​ ​a​ ​building.​ ​With​ ​a
new​ ​Servant​ ​on​ ​the​ ​scene,​ ​this​ ​might​ ​be​ ​their​ ​offensive.

He​ ​got​ ​out​ ​of​ ​bed​ ​and​ ​onto​ ​the​ ​patio,​ ​mental​ ​hammer​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​go​ ​down​ ​and​ ​ignite​ ​his
Circuits.
The​ ​light​ ​was​ ​out,​ ​not​ ​just​ ​at​ ​his​ ​place​ ​but​ ​also​ ​the​ ​neighboring​ ​houses.​ ​He​ ​could​ ​already
hear​ ​people​ ​clamoring​ ​about​ ​it​ ​in​ ​the​ ​distance.​ ​Even​ ​the​ ​streetlights​ ​were​ ​off​ ​adding​ ​a​ ​further
layer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​darkness​ ​that​ ​shrouded​ ​the​ ​district.

Only​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​provided​ ​any​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​illumination​ ​whatsoever.

He​ ​immediately​ ​relaxed.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​too​ ​over​ ​the​ ​top​ ​and​ ​eye-catching​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​start​ ​of​ ​a​ ​covert
attack.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​just​ ​a​ ​regular​ ​power​ ​outage,​ ​as​ ​unusual​ ​as​ ​it​ ​was.

Well,​ ​since​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no​ ​more​ ​light​ ​he​ ​decided​ ​that​ ​he​ ​might​ ​as​ ​well​ ​give​ ​himself​ ​a​ ​chance
at​ ​sleeping​ ​early.

He​ ​returned​ ​to​ ​his​ ​room,​ ​only​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​dead​ ​in​ ​his​ ​tracks​ ​once​ ​he​ ​had​ ​closed​ ​the​ ​door​ ​behind
him.

Medea​ ​stood​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​the​ ​room​ ​wrapped​ ​in​ ​her​ ​dark​ ​cloak.​ ​A​ ​shadow​ ​hiding​ ​in​ ​the
night.​ ​Still​ ​having​ ​to​ ​adjust​ ​to​ ​the​ ​darkness,​ ​he​ ​could​ ​not​ ​see​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​read​ ​her
expression.

"Medea?"​ ​he​ ​called​ ​out​ ​uncertainly.

She​ ​took​ ​a​ ​step​ ​forward​ ​and​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time​ ​she​ ​pulled​ ​her​ ​cloak​ ​open.​ ​It​ ​run​ ​on​ ​her​ ​skin
and​ ​fell​ ​on​ ​the​ ​tatami,​ ​pooling​ ​at​ ​her​ ​feet,​ ​exposing​ ​her​ ​skin​ ​to​ ​him​ ​in​ ​the​ ​process.

Every​ ​inch​ ​of​ ​her​ ​skin.

Shirou’s​ ​entire​ ​body​ ​froze​ ​in​ ​place.

He​ ​couldn't​ ​move,​ ​he​ ​couldn't​ ​think,​ ​he​ ​couldn't​ ​even​ ​breathe.​ ​There​ ​wasn't​ ​a​ ​single​ ​brain
cell​ ​inside​ ​his​ ​skull​ ​that​ ​he​ ​could​ ​coax​ ​into​ ​doing​ ​anything​ ​but​ ​stare​ ​at​ ​the​ ​figure​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of
him.

She​ ​took​ ​another​ ​step​ ​forward​ ​and​ ​the​ ​moonlight​ ​filtering​ ​from​ ​the​ ​rice-paper​ ​door​ ​washed
on​ ​her,​ ​highlighting​ ​every​ ​curve,​ ​every​ ​peak​ ​and​ ​every​ ​slope​ ​of​ ​her​ ​body.

It​ ​was​ ​as​ ​if​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​had​ ​never​ ​had​ ​any​ ​purpose​ ​other​ ​than​ ​shining​ ​its​ ​light​ ​upon​ ​this
woman,​ ​this​ ​goddess,​ ​and​ ​permanently​ ​sear​ ​the​ ​image​ ​inside​ ​his​ ​mind.

She​ ​was​ ​standing​ ​inches​ ​away​ ​from​ ​him​ ​now.​ ​Close​ ​enough​ ​that​ ​he​ ​could​ ​feel​ ​her​ ​breath​ ​on
his​ ​face.​ ​Close​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​the​ ​heat​ ​radiating​ ​from​ ​her​ ​body.

"Me...dea...,​ ​I​ ​..."

"Shh,"​ ​she​ ​put​ ​a​ ​finger​ ​on​ ​his​ ​lips.​ ​"Show​ ​me."
Shirou​ ​couldn't​ ​recall​ ​moving.​ ​He​ ​didn't​ ​know​ ​when​ ​he​ ​had​ ​grabbed​ ​her​ ​wrist​ ​nor​ ​when​ ​he
had​ ​put​ ​a​ ​hand​ ​on​ ​the​ ​small​ ​of​ ​her​ ​back​ ​to​ ​pull​ ​her​ ​against​ ​him.​ ​He​ ​regained​ ​a​ ​measure​ ​of
self-awareness,​ ​and​ ​subsequently​ ​lost​ ​it,​ ​only​ ​when​ ​his​ ​lips​ ​seized​ ​hers.

God​ ​almighty,​ ​those​ ​lips.​ ​Never​ ​in​ ​all​ ​of​ ​his​ ​life​ ​had​ ​he​ ​ever​ ​imagined​ ​something​ ​could​ ​feel
like​ ​that.

Warm,​ ​soft,​ ​delicious.

He​ ​wanted​ ​more​ ​of​ ​it.​ ​It​ ​wasn't​ ​enough.​ ​It​ ​would​ ​never​ ​be​ ​enough.

Both​ ​their​ ​lips​ ​opened​ ​and​ ​the​ ​kiss​ ​deepened.​ ​Their​ ​passionate​ ​dance​ ​was​ ​interrupted​ ​by
the​ ​intrusion​ ​of​ ​her​ ​tongue​ ​into​ ​his​ ​mouth.​ ​Shirou's​ ​eyes​ ​who​ ​had​ ​been​ ​closed​ ​shot​ ​open
again​ ​in​ ​surprise,​ ​but​ ​only​ ​briefly​ ​before​ ​he​ ​replied​ ​in​ ​kind.

He​ ​was​ ​inexperienced​ ​and​ ​all​ ​too​ ​clumsy.

Medea​ ​did​ ​not​ ​care.

Right​ ​then​ ​she​ ​could​ ​feel​ ​all​ ​of​ ​his​ ​ardor,​ ​all​ ​of​ ​his​ ​desire​ ​for​ ​her.​ ​All​ ​of​ ​his​ ​need.​ ​He​ ​hadn't
lied,​ ​not​ ​one​ ​bit,​ ​when​ ​he​ ​said​ ​that​ ​he​ ​wouldn't​ ​have​ ​been​ ​able​ ​to​ ​hold​ ​himself​ ​back​ ​with​ ​her.

Her​ ​relief​ ​was​ ​almost​ ​painful,​ ​as​ ​if​ ​a​ ​thorn​ ​had​ ​been​ ​removed​ ​from​ ​her​ ​heart.​ ​One​ ​single​ ​tear
fell​ ​from​ ​her​ ​eyes,​ ​dropping​ ​to​ ​the​ ​floor​ ​next​ ​to​ ​her​ ​feet.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​forgotten​ ​even​ ​before​ ​it​ ​had
completed​ ​its​ ​journey.

‘So​ ​what​ ​if​ ​he​ ​doesn’t​ ​love​ ​me​ ​the​ ​way​ ​I’d​ ​like​ ​to?’

She​ ​pushed​ ​herself​ ​against​ ​him​ ​even​ ​more,​ ​pressing​ ​her​ ​breasts​ ​against​ ​his​ ​chest.​ ​His
response​ ​was​ ​dropping​ ​his​ ​hand​ ​to​ ​her​ ​butt​ ​and​ ​squeezing​ ​almost​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point​ ​of​ ​hurting.
Almost,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​quite.

Maybe​ ​he​ ​wasn't​ ​too​ ​clumsy​ ​after​ ​all.

She​ ​couldn't​ ​hold​ ​the​ ​moan​ ​that​ ​escaped​ ​her​ ​throat.​ ​She​ ​didn't​ ​even​ ​try.​ ​She​ ​wanted​ ​him​ ​to
know,​ ​to​ ​realize​ ​what​ ​he​ ​was​ ​doing​ ​to​ ​her.

Medea's​ ​voice​ ​sent​ ​Shirou​ ​into​ ​overdrive​ ​even​ ​more.​ ​A​ ​notable​ ​feat,​ ​because​ ​he​ ​wouldn't
have​ ​thought​ ​it​ ​possible.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​going​ ​insane.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​already​ ​lost​ ​the​ ​ability​ ​to​ ​formulate
thoughts​ ​the​ ​way​ ​humans​ ​are​ ​supposed​ ​to.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​driven​ ​by​ ​a​ ​single,​ ​all-consuming
purpose.

To​ ​have​ ​more​ ​of​ ​her.

Before​ ​he​ ​could​ ​decide​ ​how​ ​to​ ​go​ ​about​ ​that​ ​she​ ​tugged​ ​his​ ​shirt​ ​and​ ​led​ ​him​ ​towards​ ​the
futon​ ​a​ ​few​ ​feet​ ​away,​ ​where​ ​she​ ​pulled​ ​him​ ​down​ ​with​ ​her.
There​ ​were​ ​a​ ​hundred​ ​thousand​ ​questions​ ​Shirou​ ​would​ ​have​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​ask,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​their
lips​ ​finally​ ​parted​ ​there​ ​was​ ​only​ ​one​ ​that​ ​really​ ​mattered.

"Are​ ​you…​ ​really​ ​sure​ ​it’s​ ​fine?​ ​Is​ ​this​ ​really​ ​your​ ​choice?"

He​ ​had​ ​to​ ​ask,​ ​because​ ​she​ ​had​ ​been​ ​robbed​ ​of​ ​her​ ​will​ ​and​ ​made​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​a​ ​man​ ​already
once​ ​in​ ​her​ ​life.

One​ ​time​ ​too​ ​many.

Medea​ ​stopped​ ​mid-motion,​ ​a​ ​look​ ​of​ ​surprise​ ​flashing​ ​across​ ​her​ ​face.​ ​It​ ​quickly​ ​turned​ ​into
a​ ​smile​ ​full​ ​of​ ​warmth​ ​as​ ​she​ ​replied.

"There​ ​are​ ​no​ ​more​ ​gods​ ​left​ ​to​ ​bind​ ​me."

Then​ ​she​ ​pushed​ ​him​ ​with​ ​both​ ​hands​ ​and​ ​Shirou​ ​found​ ​himself​ ​laying​ ​on​ ​his​ ​back.​ ​In​ ​one
swift​ ​motion,​ ​Medea​ ​straddled​ ​his​ ​waist,​ ​using​ ​her​ ​weight​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​him​ ​down.

Her​ ​inner​ ​thighs​ ​brush​ ​against​ ​his​ ​sides,​ ​as​ ​his​ ​shirt​ ​had​ ​partially​ ​left​ ​his​ ​stomach​ ​exposed.
The​ ​texture​ ​of​ ​her​ ​skin​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​silk​ ​against​ ​his,​ ​and​ ​he​ ​found​ ​himself​ ​running​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​on
her​ ​legs​ ​while​ ​she​ ​regaled​ ​him​ ​with​ ​a​ ​smoldering​ ​look.

"I...​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​know​ ​what​ ​I​ ​should-"​ ​he​ ​started​ ​to​ ​say​ ​but​ ​she​ ​cut​ ​him​ ​off​ ​with​ ​yet​ ​another​ ​kiss.

Unlike​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​one,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​slow​ ​and​ ​tender.

"Let​ ​me​ ​worry​ ​about​ ​that,"​ ​she​ ​whispered​ ​once​ ​their​ ​lips​ ​parted.​ ​"Just...​ ​don't​ ​think​ ​about
dropping​ ​out​ ​on​ ​me​ ​before​ ​I'm​ ​done​ ​with​ ​you."

Shirou​ ​nodded​ ​with​ ​a​ ​completely​ ​serious​ ​expression,​ ​which​ ​almost​ ​made​ ​her​ ​giggle.​ ​Even​ ​at
a​ ​time​ ​like​ ​this,​ ​when​ ​he​ ​was​ ​devouring​ ​her​ ​with​ ​his​ ​eyes,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​his​ ​usual​ ​earnest​ ​self.

‘How​ ​does​ ​one​ ​go​ ​about​ ​measuring​ ​love​ ​anyway?’

If​ ​he​ ​could​ ​love​ ​her​ ​despite​ ​the​ ​stains​ ​on​ ​her​ ​soul,​ ​how​ ​could​ ​she​ ​not​ ​do​ ​the​ ​same?

Perfection​ ​was​ ​overrated.​ ​They​ ​were​ ​two​ ​flawed​ ​beings​ ​who​ ​loved​ ​each​ ​other​ ​and​ ​it​ ​was
more​ ​than​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​her.​ ​More​ ​than​ ​she​ ​or​ ​anyone​ ​else​ ​could​ ​ask​ ​from​ ​life.

She​ ​only​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​be​ ​held​ ​by​ ​the​ ​man​ ​she​ ​loved.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​need​ ​for​ ​complicated
thoughts.

And​ ​in​ ​the​ ​end,​ ​even​ ​if​ ​it​ ​would​ ​turn​ ​out​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​mistake,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​one​ ​she​ ​would​ ​not​ ​regret.
She​ ​pulled​ ​up​ ​his​ ​shirt,​ ​exposing​ ​his​ ​chest,​ ​and​ ​leaned​ ​forward​ ​to​ ​kiss​ ​her​ ​way​ ​-​ ​slowly​ ​-
down​ ​to​ ​his​ ​abs.

Medea​ ​wasn't​ ​fond​ ​of​ ​muscles,​ ​but​ ​Shirou​ ​was​ ​the​ ​right​ ​combination​ ​of​ ​lean​ ​and​ ​sculpted​ ​to
appeal​ ​her​ ​tastes.

She​ ​stopped​ ​midway​ ​through​ ​his​ ​stomach,​ ​at​ ​the​ ​scar​ ​from​ ​the​ ​wound​ ​he​ ​had​ ​suffered​ ​for
her.​ ​She​ ​brushed​ ​it​ ​with​ ​her​ ​fingers​ ​and​ ​she​ ​felt​ ​Shirou​ ​shiver​ ​under​ ​her​ ​touch.

Before​ ​the​ ​night​ ​was​ ​over,​ ​she'd​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​marks​ ​of​ ​her​ ​own​ ​making.​ ​Maybe​ ​they
wouldn't​ ​be​ ​as​ ​permanent,​ ​but​ ​she'd​ ​make​ ​them​ ​burn​ ​much​ ​better.

She​ ​continued​ ​her​ ​journey​ ​southward,​ ​past​ ​his​ ​waist,​ ​where​ ​one​ ​dainty​ ​finger​ ​hooked​ ​around
the​ ​band​ ​of​ ​his​ ​boxers​ ​and​ ​pulled​ ​down​ ​without​ ​preamble.

It​ ​jumped​ ​up,​ ​ramrod​ ​straight,​ ​standing​ ​at​ ​attention​ ​like​ ​a​ ​diligent​ ​soldier​ ​next​ ​to​ ​his​ ​queen.

"Is​ ​this​ ​what​ ​you've​ ​been​ ​holding​ ​back​ ​from​ ​me​ ​all​ ​this​ ​time,​ ​Shirou?"​ ​she​ ​asked​ ​teasingly,​ ​at
which​ ​he​ ​could​ ​only​ ​stare​ ​back​ ​in​ ​mute​ ​embarrassment.​ ​"I'll​ ​teach​ ​you​ ​why​ ​you​ ​shouldn't​ ​do
that."

And​ ​then,​ ​without​ ​another​ ​word,​ ​her​ ​lips​ ​were​ ​over​ ​and​ ​around​ ​it.

"Kuh!"​ ​he​ ​groaned​ ​at​ ​the​ ​feeling​ ​of​ ​her​ ​mouth.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​never​ ​even​ ​dared​ ​to​ ​imagine​ ​she
would​ ​be​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​use​ ​her​ ​lips​ ​in​ ​such​ ​a​ ​way.​ ​Certainly,​ ​he​ ​would​ ​have​ ​never​ ​believed​ ​it
would​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​that.​ ​It​ ​completely​ ​surpassed​ ​his​ ​every​ ​expectation​ ​and​ ​all​ ​he​ ​could​ ​do​ ​was
keeping​ ​himself​ ​from​ ​bucking​ ​his​ ​hips.

Inch​ ​by​ ​inch,​ ​she​ ​took​ ​more​ ​of​ ​it​ ​inside​ ​her​ ​mouth,​ ​pushing​ ​a​ ​lock​ ​of​ ​purple​ ​hair​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the
way​ ​and​ ​behind​ ​her​ ​pointed​ ​ear.

He​ ​very​ ​nearly​ ​lost​ ​it​ ​at​ ​the​ ​sight.

How​ ​could​ ​such​ ​a​ ​simple​ ​gesture​ ​be​ ​so​ ​elegant​ ​and​ ​so​ ​indecent​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time​ ​he​ ​could
not​ ​understand.

She​ ​must​ ​have​ ​felt​ ​him​ ​twitch​ ​because​ ​she​ ​gave​ ​him​ ​a​ ​look​ ​full​ ​of​ ​amusement​ ​and
self-satisfaction.​ ​Then​ ​as​ ​if​ ​she​ ​hadn't​ ​already​ ​shattered​ ​whatever​ ​misguided​ ​notion​ ​he​ ​had
about​ ​carnal​ ​pleasure,​ ​she​ ​started​ ​moving​ ​her​ ​head​ ​on​ ​it.

Up​ ​and​ ​down,​ ​slowly​ ​but​ ​steadily,​ ​with​ ​soft​ ​slurping​ ​noises​ ​that​ ​only​ ​served​ ​to​ ​drive​ ​him
crazy​ ​even​ ​further.​ ​She​ ​used​ ​one​ ​hand​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​it​ ​steady​ ​as​ ​she​ ​sped​ ​up​ ​her​ ​motions,​ ​while
her​ ​other​ ​hand​ ​had​ ​disappeared​ ​somewhere​ ​down​ ​her​ ​body.
Shirou​ ​didn't​ ​ponder​ ​about​ ​what​ ​she​ ​might​ ​have​ ​been​ ​doing​ ​with​ ​it,​ ​because​ ​frankly​ ​he​ ​didn't
have​ ​enough​ ​brainpower​ ​to​ ​spare.​ ​All​ ​of​ ​his​ ​focus​ ​was​ ​directed​ ​at​ ​holding​ ​himself​ ​back,
because​ ​if​ ​he​ ​hadn't​ ​he​ ​would​ ​have​ ​long​ ​since​ ​reached​ ​his​ ​climax.

However,​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​how​ ​strong-willed​ ​he​ ​was,​ ​he​ ​could​ ​postpone​ ​the​ ​inevitable​ ​only​ ​so
much.

"M-Medea!​ ​I'm​ ​about​ ​to...!"​ ​he​ ​warned,​ ​but​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​pulling​ ​back​ ​she​ ​pushed​ ​every​ ​inch​ ​of
its​ ​length​ ​into​ ​her​ ​mouth​ ​and​ ​certainly​ ​even​ ​past​ ​it.

The​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​Medea​ ​-​ ​perfect,​ ​beautiful,​ ​regal​ ​Medea​ ​-​ ​wantonly​ ​deepthroating​ ​him​ ​was​ ​the
straw​ ​that​ ​broke​ ​the​ ​camel's​ ​back.

"..hrrrk!"​ ​Shirou​ ​groaned​ ​as​ ​he​ ​came​ ​harder​ ​than​ ​he​ ​ever​ ​had​ ​in​ ​his​ ​life,​ ​emptying​ ​himself
into​ ​her.​ ​Only​ ​when​ ​he​ ​the​ ​last​ ​drop​ ​had​ ​left​ ​him​ ​did​ ​Medea​ ​pull​ ​back​ ​and​ ​let​ ​him​ ​go.

She​ ​looked​ ​flustered​ ​and​ ​her​ ​breathing​ ​was​ ​slightly​ ​labored,​ ​but​ ​she​ ​was​ ​far​ ​too​ ​beautiful​ ​for
Shirou​ ​to​ ​just​ ​lay​ ​there​ ​and​ ​stare​ ​at​ ​her.

He​ ​sat​ ​up​ ​and​ ​kissed​ ​her​ ​again,​ ​much​ ​to​ ​her​ ​obvious​ ​surprise.​ ​Maybe,​ ​if​ ​there​ ​had​ ​been
someone​ ​else​ ​in​ ​her​ ​place​ ​he​ ​would​ ​have​ ​been​ ​at​ ​least​ ​reticent​ ​to​ ​kiss​ ​her​ ​after​ ​what​ ​she
had​ ​just​ ​done.

However,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​already​ ​nothing​ ​that​ ​could​ ​possibly​ ​tarnish​ ​her​ ​in​ ​her​ ​eyes.

It​ ​wasn't​ ​because​ ​she​ ​saw​ ​her​ ​as​ ​a​ ​pure​ ​maiden​ ​or​ ​some​ ​such.​ ​Quite​ ​the​ ​opposite,​ ​in​ ​fact.​ ​It
was​ ​because​ ​he​ ​liked​ ​her​ ​the​ ​way​ ​she​ ​was,​ ​from​ ​the​ ​stains​ ​that​ ​marred​ ​her​ ​souls​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sins
she​ ​carried​ ​with​ ​her​ ​head​ ​held​ ​high.

Nothing​ ​she​ ​did​ ​with​ ​her​ ​body​ ​could​ ​ever​ ​make​ ​him​ ​want​ ​her​ ​less.

Therefore,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no​ ​hesitation​ ​when​ ​he​ ​cupped​ ​her​ ​face​ ​and​ ​kissed​ ​her,​ ​just​ ​as​ ​there
was​ ​no​ ​resistance​ ​from​ ​her​ ​when​ ​he​ ​pulled​ ​her​ ​side​ ​into​ ​his​ ​chest.

While​ ​they​ ​made​ ​out,​ ​Shirou​ ​caressed​ ​his​ ​way​ ​down​ ​her​ ​body.​ ​From​ ​her​ ​cheek​ ​to​ ​her​ ​neck,
then​ ​further​ ​down​ ​to​ ​her​ ​breasts,​ ​brushing​ ​lightly​ ​against​ ​her​ ​turgid​ ​nipple.​ ​The​ ​sudden​ ​twitch
of​ ​her​ ​body​ ​encouraged​ ​him​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​the​ ​area​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​more,​ ​using​ ​his​ ​callous​ ​fingers​ ​to
knead​ ​the​ ​flesh​ ​of​ ​her​ ​breast.

She​ ​mutely​ ​scratched​ ​his​ ​chest​ ​as​ ​he​ ​went​ ​from​ ​kneading​ ​to​ ​outright​ ​squeezing,​ ​but​ ​she
didn't​ ​break​ ​off​ ​the​ ​kiss.​ ​He​ ​took​ ​it​ ​as​ ​a​ ​sign​ ​of​ ​approval.

Still,​ ​his​ ​final​ ​destination​ ​laid​ ​elsewhere​ ​and​ ​he​ ​soon​ ​abandoned​ ​the​ ​hills​ ​of​ ​her​ ​breasts​ ​in
favor​ ​of​ ​the​ ​smooth​ ​plains​ ​of​ ​her​ ​stomach.​ ​He​ ​felt​ ​her​ ​shiver​ ​as​ ​his​ ​hand​ ​journeyed
downward​ ​and​ ​she​ ​required​ ​no​ ​coaxing​ ​in​ ​opening​ ​her​ ​legs​ ​to​ ​grant​ ​him​ ​access​ ​to​ ​her​ ​secret
place.
His​ ​fingers​ ​met​ ​a​ ​small​ ​patch​ ​of​ ​hair,​ ​the​ ​last​ ​landmark​ ​before​ ​his​ ​goal,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​they
slipped​ ​past​ ​it,​ ​they​ ​fell​ ​into​ ​a​ ​burning​ ​pit.

"Nhhh!"​ ​Medea​ ​moaned​ ​into​ ​his​ ​mouth​ ​when​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​touched​ ​the​ ​folds​ ​of​ ​her
womanhood,​ ​wet​ ​and​ ​hot​ ​beyond​ ​his​ ​wildest​ ​imagination.

Feeling​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​rude​ ​to​ ​just​ ​let​ ​himself​ ​in​ ​he​ ​instead​ ​sent​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​the
premises,​ ​until​ ​they​ ​found​ ​the​ ​spot​ ​famed​ ​for​ ​being​ ​the​ ​weakest​ ​spot​ ​common​ ​to​ ​all​ ​women.

"N-yah!"​ ​Medea​ ​shrieked​ ​when​ ​he​ ​touched​ ​the​ ​bundle​ ​of​ ​nerve,​ ​nearly​ ​jumping​ ​out​ ​of​ ​his
arms.​ ​"S-Shirou!"

She​ ​looked​ ​flustered​ ​at​ ​her​ ​own​ ​reaction​ ​and​ ​surprised​ ​at​ ​his​ ​homing​ ​on​ ​that​ ​particular​ ​spot.
She​ ​clearly​ ​hadn't​ ​expected​ ​a​ ​virgin​ ​like​ ​him​ ​to​ ​know​ ​about​ ​it.

It​ ​was​ ​an​ ​unusual​ ​expression​ ​on​ ​her,​ ​and​ ​an​ ​extremely​ ​cute​ ​one​ ​at​ ​that.​ ​It​ ​couldn't​ ​be​ ​helped
then​ ​if​ ​he​ ​attacked​ ​that​ ​spot​ ​mercilessly.

“F~uaaah!”​ ​she​ ​exhaled,​ ​squirming​ ​into​ ​his​ ​arms.​ ​Spurred​ ​by​ ​her​ ​reaction,​ ​Shirou​ ​moved​ ​to
the​ ​next​ ​step.

There​ ​is​ ​something​ ​to​ ​be​ ​said​ ​about​ ​being​ ​able​ ​to​ ​juggle​ ​several​ ​type​ ​of​ ​weapons​ ​like​ ​an
expert.​ ​It​ ​gives​ ​the​ ​dexterity​ ​to​ ​move​ ​every​ ​single​ ​finger​ ​just​ ​the​ ​way​ ​one​ ​wants​ ​to.

There​ ​had​ ​been​ ​no​ ​warning,​ ​no​ ​change​ ​in​ ​pace​ ​in​ ​what​ ​he​ ​was​ ​already​ ​doing​ ​when​ ​Shirou
sent​ ​two​ ​of​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​past​ ​the​ ​barrier​ ​of​ ​her​ ​folds​ ​and​ ​into​ ​her​ ​hole.

“Shiiiirooou!”​ ​she​ ​moaned​ ​aloud,​ ​scratching​ ​his​ ​chest​ ​with​ ​the​ ​hand​ ​that​ ​wasn’t​ ​pinned​ ​by​ ​his
body.​ ​He​ ​responded​ ​by​ ​kissing​ ​her​ ​neck,​ ​down​ ​and​ ​back​ ​up​ ​again.​ ​He​ ​didn’t​ ​know​ ​what
prompted​ ​him​ ​to​ ​do​ ​so,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​her​ ​elfin​ ​ear​ ​came​ ​into​ ​his​ ​vision,​ ​he​ ​felt​ ​the​ ​irresistible
urge​ ​to​ ​nibble​ ​it.

“--!!!”

Medea’s​ ​entire​ ​body​ ​tensed​ ​as​ ​she​ ​let​ ​out​ ​a​ ​silent​ ​gasp.​ ​For​ ​a​ ​long​ ​moment​ ​she​ ​shook​ ​and
trembled,​ ​while​ ​her​ ​folds​ ​squeezed​ ​around​ ​his​ ​fingers,​ ​until​ ​she​ ​slowly​ ​relaxed​ ​into​ ​his​ ​arms.

Shirou​ ​cupped​ ​her​ ​face​ ​and​ ​kissed​ ​her​ ​lips​ ​gently,​ ​while​ ​he​ ​pressed​ ​his​ ​manhood​ ​against
her​ ​hips.​ ​A​ ​clear​ ​declaration​ ​of​ ​intent.

He​ ​pushed​ ​her​ ​down​ ​slowly​ ​and​ ​she​ ​offered​ ​no​ ​resistance.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​so​ ​that​ ​she​ ​found​ ​herself
on​ ​her​ ​back​ ​with​ ​Shirou​ ​leaning​ ​above​ ​her.​ ​He​ ​run​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​on​ ​her​ ​thighs​ ​all​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to​ ​her
knees​ ​which​ ​he​ ​gently​ ​pushed​ ​apart.
With​ ​her​ ​pussy​ ​now​ ​so​ ​clearly​ ​exposed,​ ​glistening​ ​with​ ​arousal,​ ​Medea​ ​felt​ ​a​ ​sudden​ ​rush​ ​of
self-consciousness,​ ​which​ ​lasted​ ​for​ ​the​ ​fraction​ ​of​ ​time​ ​that​ ​it​ ​took​ ​him​ ​to​ ​position​ ​his
hardness​ ​against​ ​her​ ​entrance.

'This​ ​is​ ​it,'​ ​they​ ​both​ ​thought,​ ​unbeknownst​ ​to​ ​one​ ​another.

Slowly,​ ​he​ ​pushed​ ​himself​ ​inside​ ​her,​ ​both​ ​savoring​ ​the​ ​exquisite​ ​pressure​ ​they​ ​exercised​ ​on
each​ ​other,​ ​right​ ​until​ ​he​ ​was​ ​fully​ ​sheathed​ ​in​ ​her​ ​depths.​ ​Out​ ​of​ ​sheer​ ​female​ ​instinct,​ ​she
hooked​ ​her​ ​legs​ ​around​ ​him.​ ​The​ ​pressure​ ​on​ ​his​ ​lower​ ​back,​ ​this​ ​unspoken​ ​claim,​ ​this
affirmation​ ​of​ ​wanting​ ​him​ ​inside​ ​her,​ ​gave​ ​Shirou​ ​all​ ​the​ ​motivation​ ​he​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​start
moving.

It​ ​was​ ​awkward​ ​at​ ​first.​ ​They​ ​lacked​ ​any​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​synchronicity,​ ​but​ ​they​ ​started​ ​to​ ​get​ ​better
with​ ​each​ ​thrust,​ ​with​ ​each​ ​moan,​ ​with​ ​each​ ​scratch,​ ​with​ ​each​ ​kiss.

Slow,​ ​deliberate​ ​movements​ ​quickly​ ​became​ ​frantic​ ​and​ ​rushed​ ​until​ ​nature​ ​run​ ​its​ ​inevitable
course​ ​and​ ​Shirou​ ​met​ ​the​ ​limit​ ​of​ ​his​ ​willpower​ ​again.

Medea​ ​felt​ ​his​ ​essence​ ​flood​ ​her,​ ​white​ ​and​ ​hot,​ ​filling​ ​her​ ​innermost​ ​place​ ​and​ ​sending
warmth​ ​rippling​ ​across​ ​her​ ​body.​ ​Still​ ​sensitive​ ​from​ ​her​ ​recent​ ​climax​ ​this​ ​new​ ​wave​ ​of
sensations​ ​pushed​ ​her​ ​over​ ​the​ ​edge​ ​once​ ​more​ ​and​ ​her​ ​body​ ​coiled​ ​around​ ​him​ ​in​ ​every
conceivable​ ​way,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​only​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​came​ ​out​ ​of​ ​her​ ​throat​ ​was​ ​a​ ​barely​ ​audible
whimper.

'How​ ​did​ ​it​ ​turn​ ​like​ ​this?'​ ​she​ ​wondered.​ ​Just​ ​a​ ​few​ ​minutes​ ​before​ ​she​ ​was​ ​the​ ​seductress
leading​ ​the​ ​inexperienced​ ​virgin​ ​past​ ​his​ ​first​ ​time​ ​and​ ​now​ ​she​ ​was​ ​suddenly​ ​holding​ ​onto
him​ ​for​ ​everything​ ​she​ ​was​ ​worth,​ ​like​ ​she​ ​was​ ​the​ ​maiden​ ​who​ ​had​ ​just​ ​been​ ​deflowered.

Was​ ​this​ ​who​ ​she​ ​really​ ​was​ ​deep​ ​down?​ ​A​ ​moth​ ​drawn​ ​to​ ​the​ ​flame​ ​called​ ​love,​ ​blind​ ​to
how​ ​deep​ ​it​ ​burned.

But​ ​she​ ​would​ ​not​ ​burn,​ ​not​ ​this​ ​time.​ ​The​ ​flame​ ​that​ ​seized​ ​her​ ​would​ ​warm​ ​her​ ​but​ ​never
so​ ​much​ ​as​ ​singe​ ​her.​ ​It​ ​would​ ​sooner​ ​turn​ ​on​ ​itself​ ​and​ ​be​ ​smothered​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​to​ ​make
her​ ​spill​ ​a​ ​single​ ​tear,​ ​for​ ​this​ ​was​ ​his​ ​true​ ​nature,​ ​proved​ ​time​ ​and​ ​time​ ​again.

She​ ​was​ ​safe,​ ​at​ ​last.​ ​She​ ​would​ ​not​ ​be​ ​hurt​ ​again,​ ​not​ ​while​ ​he​ ​held​ ​her.

It​ ​wasn't​ ​perfect.​ ​It​ ​never​ ​would​ ​be,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​didn’t​ ​have​ ​to.

Even​ ​though​ ​he​ ​had​ ​just​ ​come​ ​for​ ​the​ ​second​ ​time,​ ​she​ ​felt​ ​him​ ​start​ ​moving​ ​again.​ ​It​ ​looked
like​ ​the​ ​vigor​ ​of​ ​youth​ ​was​ ​more​ ​than​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​make​ ​up​ ​for​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​experience.

The​ ​moth​ ​would​ ​dance​ ​to​ ​the​ ​flame​ ​until​ ​the​ ​sun​ ​rose​ ​again.
[br]

Satsuki​ ​returned​ ​home​ ​from​ ​her​ ​night​ ​out​ ​about​ ​a​ ​little​ ​after​ ​sunrise.​ ​Not​ ​having​ ​the​ ​physical
need​ ​for​ ​sleep​ ​meant​ ​that​ ​if​ ​her​ ​mind​ ​was​ ​troubled,​ ​she​ ​couldn't​ ​hope​ ​to​ ​shut​ ​her​ ​eyes.

The​ ​first​ ​thing​ ​she​ ​noticed​ ​was​ ​how​ ​quiet​ ​the​ ​house​ ​was.​ ​That​ ​wasn't​ ​entirely​ ​abnormal​ ​as
the​ ​Emiya​ ​household​ ​was​ ​naturally​ ​a​ ​quiet​ ​place​ ​but​ ​at​ ​that​ ​hour​ ​Shirou​ ​would​ ​already​ ​be​ ​up
making​ ​the​ ​first​ ​preparations​ ​for​ ​breakfast​ ​before​ ​his​ ​morning​ ​workout,​ ​filling​ ​the​ ​house​ ​with
mouth-watering​ ​smells.

On​ ​that​ ​morning​ ​there​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sort.​ ​Satsuki​ ​wasn't​ ​really​ ​concerned​ ​though.​ ​It
was​ ​perfectly​ ​normal​ ​if​ ​Shirou​ ​had​ ​overslept​ ​for​ ​once,​ ​as​ ​he​ ​worked​ ​himself​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bone
everyday.

Still,​ ​if​ ​there​ ​was​ ​one​ ​thing​ ​she​ ​had​ ​figured​ ​about​ ​him,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​that​ ​he​ ​really​ ​liked​ ​his​ ​routine
and​ ​he'd​ ​be​ ​upset​ ​if​ ​he​ ​woke​ ​up​ ​too​ ​late.​ ​Therefore,​ ​she​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​go​ ​and​ ​wake​ ​him.

Moving​ ​through​ ​the​ ​halls​ ​making​ ​very​ ​little​ ​noise​ ​she​ ​reached​ ​his​ ​room​ ​and​ ​knocked​ ​gently
on​ ​the​ ​doorframe.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​answer,​ ​but​ ​more​ ​importantly​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no​ ​sound.​ ​As​ ​in​ ​her
finger​ ​didn't​ ​make​ ​any​ ​noise​ ​when​ ​they​ ​struck​ ​the​ ​wood.

She​ ​tried​ ​again​ ​and​ ​once​ ​more​ ​and​ ​the​ ​same​ ​thing​ ​happened.​ ​Curiosity​ ​piqued,​ ​she​ ​decided
to​ ​peek​ ​inside​ ​to​ ​make​ ​sure​ ​everything​ ​was​ ​fine​ ​with​ ​him.​ ​Before​ ​her​ ​young,​ ​naive​ ​mind
could​ ​even​ ​come​ ​up​ ​with​ ​a​ ​reason​ ​why​ ​a​ ​room​ ​would​ ​be​ ​purposefully​ ​soundproofed​ ​she​ ​had
already​ ​opened​ ​the​ ​door​ ​a​ ​few​ ​inches,​ ​just​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​inside​ ​of​ ​the​ ​room.

There​ ​she​ ​stood,​ ​stock-still,​ ​as​ ​her​ ​eyes,​ ​nose​ ​and​ ​ears​ ​were​ ​overwhelmed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​sights,
smells​ ​and​ ​sounds​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​sealed​ ​in​ ​the​ ​closed​ ​space.​ ​Her​ ​face​ ​turned​ ​progressively
redder​ ​until​ ​it​ ​closely​ ​resembled​ ​a​ ​heat​ ​lamp.

She​ ​didn't​ ​know​ ​how​ ​long​ ​she​ ​stared​ ​-​ ​second?​ ​minutes?​ ​-​ ​ ​but​ ​eventually​ ​she​ ​found​ ​the
presence​ ​of​ ​mind​ ​to​ ​close​ ​the​ ​door,​ ​making​ ​the​ ​house​ ​completely​ ​silent​ ​once​ ​again.

She​ ​stood​ ​there​ ​unmoving​ ​for​ ​a​ ​little​ ​while​ ​more,​ ​then​ ​sharply​ ​turned​ ​ninety​ ​degree​ ​and
marched​ ​away​ ​with​ ​stiff,​ ​robot-like​ ​movements​ ​and​ ​a​ ​face​ ​like​ ​a​ ​bright​ ​neon​ ​light.

She​ ​would​ ​then​ ​refuse​ ​to​ ​come​ ​out​ ​of​ ​her​ ​room​ ​and​ ​see​ ​anyone,​ ​particularly​ ​Shirou,​ ​for​ ​the
rest​ ​of​ ​the​ ​day.

[XXX]