[FMMISM] Chapter 83: Staying Overnight?

In the dining room, Ragna, Irisviel, and Aoi took their seats.

"Aoi... you don't mind if I brought Iri along for dinner, do you?"

Noticing a subtle shift in the atmosphere, Ragna turned to the hostess and asked with a hesitant tone.

Hearing him call her by her first name, Aoi immediately broke into a warm smile and shook her head.

"Not at all, Ragna. You're my benefactor, so of course, your friends are also my honored guests. Miss Iri, please make yourself at home."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Tohsaka." Irisviel responded politely.

Although Aoi herself was from a distinguished family, she still felt a special nobility emanating from the silver-haired woman before her.

In truth, Aoi, who had given birth to beautiful daughters like Rin and Sakura, was as beautiful as Irisviel. However, she was still a beauty within the human realm, while Irisviel radiated a rare and mysterious beauty that seemed to exist in fantasy.

If she had to compare, Irisviel was like a piece of art or a doll—an extraordinary beauty that didn't belong to modern society.

"You two really seem close..."

Aoi's gaze shifted between Ragna and Irisviel with a slight smile as she spoke. 

If Ragna wasn't close enough with Irisviel, he wouldn't have brought her to dine at a stranger's house, right?

"...That's right, Ragna and I are like siblings. We've known each other since our grandfather's generation." Irisviel answered with a polite smile.

Following this, she winked at Ragna as if to say, 'How's that? Am I pretty good at lying?'

"Our relationship isn't that close..." Ragna turned his face away and scratched his head in annoyance.

'...Are you playing me?' Irisviel froze.

"..."

Aoi caught this exchange with precise attention.

'What's going on? Is this woman actually the one who's been clinging to Ragna all this time?'

With such a thought, Aoi felt a bit more wary of Irisviel and a bit more affectionate toward Ragna.

After a while, the Zenjou family's servants began serving dinner, though the variety wasn't extensive, it was more than enough for three people. Not to mention, all the Chinese dishes on the table had been prepared solely by Aoi.

"It smells great! Aoi, did you make all of this yourself?" Ragna asked with a smile.

"Mm-hmm, don't be shy, Ragna. Dig in quickly. Chinese food is different from Japanese food, so it doesn't taste as good when it gets cold."

"Alright, alright."

Ragna reached for the stir-fried green peppers and pork in front of him with his chopsticks, and quickly took a bite.

'It's delicious!'

Ragna's eyes sparkled.

Although not authentic, it was really tasty, even the spiciness was just right.

"Wow, amazing! I haven't had such good food in a long time!" Ragna said honestly. "Aoi, your husband must be lucky to have you as his wife!"

"Fufu, stop teasing me, Ragna. But I'm glad you like it..." Aoi said with a hint of shyness.

"..."

Meanwhile, Irisviel puffed out her cheeks as she saw their interaction.

'Hmph, I'll see how good it really is.'

With such a thought, the pampered Einzbern princess picked up a crystal shrimp and brought it to her mouth.

"My... it's delicious..."

Irisviel covered her mouth and honestly shared her thoughts.

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Iri." Aoi nodded with a polite smile.

And so, Ragna and Irisviel set aside their formality and began to enjoy their dinner.

"By the way, Aoi, isn't your daughter home tonight?" Ragna asked, taking a bite of his spring roll.

"Mm, Rin stayed at a friend's house today."

Aoi answered somewhat regretfully, wishing she could introduce her proud daughter to Ragna if she had the chance.

Upon hearing her answer, Ragna's expression brightened.

"Oh, I see… Rin isn't here tonight, huh... that's a big help..."

"What?" Aoi tilted her head, confused.

"Oh, nothing. I just meant it's a shame your daughter can't taste such a delicious dinner."

While discussing her daughter, Aoi noticed that Irisviel showed unusually little enthusiasm. Aoi, who was also a mother, found this odd and decided to engage her.

"Miss Iri, are you not getting along well with your daughter?"

Upon hearing this, Irisviel shook her head sadly.

"No, not at all… Illya is my most important and beloved daughter, but…"

She understood that she could no longer see her daughter, Illyasviel. After all, no matter who won the Holy Grail War, her life would end with the manifestation of the Holy Grail.

"You'll definitely reconcile."

Ragna suddenly stopped eating and chimed in.

'Reconcile? I didn't fight with Illya...'

Irisviel raised an eyebrow in confusion, then shook her head.

"Thank you."

With a perfunctory reply, Irisviel forced the conversation about her daughter to an end.

After dinner, Aoi led the two of them to the living room.

As the three sat on a luxurious sofa, they watched a variety of shows and made small talk here and there, until—

"Huh? Ragna, are you staying here overnight?"

Aoi was somewhat surprised by Ragna's sudden intention to stay overnight.

"Aoi, I mentioned this to you on the phone yesterday, didn't I?" Ragna said with a confused tone. "I wanted to stay here for a night... wait, I didn't mention it?"

"No, you didn't..." Aoi replied honestly.

Of course, he didn't.

After all, he had only decided to do so after learning that Rin wouldn't be home tonight. Even Irisviel was puzzled by his sudden mention of staying overnight. 

Knowing Rin wouldn't be home, Ragna decided he would take down Aoi tonight.

In the next moment, Ragna looked at the Zenjou family's eldest daughter with a face full of guilt.

"Sorry, Aoi... I might have forgotten to mention it on the phone yesterday. My bad." Ragna said with an apologetic tone. "How about this, I'll go find a hotel with Iri and we will—"

"No!"

Surprisingly, the moment Ragna said, 'I'll go find a hotel with Iri', Aoi abruptly stood up from the sofa before exclaiming in panic.

Memories of their unforgettable night at the love hotel suddenly flashed through Aoi's mind, causing her face to turn red with embarrassment.

Surely, there was no way she could let the innocent Ragna stay in such a place with this silver-haired woman!

What if this woman was a schemer? Wouldn't that mean Ragna would be completely taken advantage of?

No, she absolutely couldn't let that happen!

"You're my benefactor so you can definitely stay here—no, please stay here tonight!"

At this moment, the usually gentle Aoi suddenly seemed like a different person, turning aggressive. She quickly called the servants and instructed them to prepare a guest room for Ragna and Irisviel.

"Uh? Isn't this a bit much, Aoi... It's my fault for not giving you a heads-up." Ragna said hesitantly.

"It's fine, it's fine." Aoi smiled, shaking her head. "Just consider this place your own home and think of me as your... um... as your sister..."

"But it's getting late..." Ragna shook his head apologetically. "I really feel bad about making the servants prepare a guest room now."

Following this, he tilted his head and continued.

"How about this, tonight, I'll just stay in your daughter's room with Iri."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Aoi fell silent.

Meanwhile, Irisviel looked confused, not understanding Ragna's true intentions.

"I've decided." Aoi made her decision. "Let Miss Iri stay in Rin's room for the night."

"Huh? What about me?"

Facing Ragna's question, the mistress of the Tohsaka family slightly lowered her head, her eyes moist.

"...You can... sleep in my room tonight."