[FMMISM] Chapter 23: Manaka's Bitterness

As Ragna was about to approach Manaka, he felt his wrist gently but firmly grasped.

Obviously, it was Morgan who had reached out.

Turning his head slightly, Ragna was met with Morgan's strikingly beautiful face.

Her expression was somewhat serious as if she had been holding onto emotions for a long time, her delicate eyebrows furrowed.

"What's wrong, Caster?"

"Master, where are you going?"

"Uhh, I was going over to Manaka—"

"We had an agreement back at home, remember? Today, you promised to help me pick out clothes."

Morgan smirked slightly, half-serious.

"Back in Fuyuki, you said we'd act together as Master and Servant during the Holy Grail War. To deceive our enemies, you wanted me to act like a Master while you played the role of a Servant. I never questioned your whims. So, shouldn't you now act like a Servant and stand by your Master, by my side?"

"..."

Ragna was momentarily speechless.

No matter what reason, Morgan's words were justified.

He had indeed promised her that he would help her pick out clothes, which was why they went shopping today. However, the problem was that when Manaka wanted to join, he had rashly agreed without asking Morgan's opinion at all.

Morgan must have only gone along with it to save face for him. From this, he realized that she was actually considerate and gentlehearted.

'Right! I can't trample on her feelings anymore! A mother's sincerity is precious, but trustworthiness is even more valuable. This isn't about being swayed by beauty or any other nonsense. I, Ragna, a respectable young man, must keep my promises.'

After thinking like that, Ragna nodded earnestly.

"I understand... You're right. Please allow me to apologize for my earlier rudeness."

Upon hearing his words, Morgan's expression softened, and she released his wrist.

"Let's go then."

"Of course, Princess Morgan."

Without delay, they simply walked in another direction, heading to another clothing store.

"Ugh..."

Not far away, Manaka frowned unhappily, biting her lip as she returned the dress she had been holding back to its hanger.

Although she was seething with nameless anger inside, she couldn't lash out. After all, it was her insistence that had led her to join the group today.

As a mother, she had to maintain her dignified and elegant persona in front of her son.

In the end, Manaka could only stomp her foot in frustration and silently follow behind the two.

===

The shopping time was delightful.

Morgan was a natural clothes hanger.

No matter what kind of clothes she wore, they always complemented her graceful curves and noble features perfectly, showcasing the majesty of a woman from the royal family of Britain.

Gorgeous, yet without any pretentiousness.

Graceful, yet full of youthful energy.

Sexy, with a touch of cold indifference.

Could this be the charm of someone with a triple personality in the fashion world?

How intriguing.

Accompanied by Ragna, Morgan spent the afternoon buying more than ten tops, seven or eight skirts, and countless accessories.

Gentlemanly, Ragna carried all the bags and packages of their haul, while Morgan beside him wore a satisfied expression of shopping bliss.

However, trailing behind them like an outsider, Manaka's expression was less than pleasant.

"..."

With a grim expression, Manaka began regretting why she had come along in the first place.

Wouldn't it have been better to stay at home and prepare dinner for her son?

As the evening approached and the flow of people in the spacious mall increased, Ragna and the two once again became the center of attention.

An elegantly and perfectly proportioned woman with noble silver-white hair, accompanied by a handsome boy with black hair held gently by her arm. Moreover, there was also a little girl trailing behind them, whose breathtaking beauty captivated those who saw her.

Passersby couldn't help but stop and comment upon seeing these three figures who seemed to have stepped out of a movie.

"They seem really close, siblings perhaps? No, could they be mother and son? What a beautiful pair they make."

Suddenly, the faint voices of passersby reached Manaka's ears.

'Do you want to die? I'm Ragna's mom!' Manaka's mouth twitched, glaring fiercely at the passersby.

"No, no, no... In my opinion, they're a couple."

'Hmph, delusional.' Manaka sneered lightly. 

"Hahaha... Are you kidding me? That boy looks like he's in elementary school!"

'Exactly! My Ragna is only three years old!' Manaka gritted her teeth in frustration. 'A girlfriend? Absolutely not allowed!'

"It's not impossible, you know? Youngsters nowadays mature early after all."

"Oh, and the little girl following behind them is pretty too. Is she their maid or something?"

'Little girl? Maid? Are you blind?' Manaka's face darkened.

"OUCHHH!"

As the passerby who had just insulted her suddenly stumbled and fell, Manaka seemed to brighten up, letting out a long sigh of relief.

Walking up to Ragna, Manaka confidently took his other arm and shot a disdainful glance at Morgan on the other side.

'Gosh, why was I so hesitant today? This isn't like me at all...' Manaka sighed inwardly, then pouted. 'No matter what, I'm Ragna's mother, his one and only!'

"..."

Glancing at Manaka's adorable pouting face, Ragna immediately understood that his mother must have been feeling jealous.

Ragna chuckled softly, gently squeezing Manaka's slender, fair arm, then spoke up.

"Manaka, is there any clothing you'd like to buy? I'll get it for you. I made some extra money in Fuyuki recently."

"Can I?"

"Of course."

Upon hearing that, Manaka's expression instantly lit up. In the next moment, she placed a delicate finger on her chin, deep in thought.

"Ragna wants to buy clothes for me... heehee, let me think..."

Countless options instantly popped into her mind, leaving Manaka somewhat overwhelmed.

"Uhh... what should I buy..."

"Just standing here and hesitating won't help. Since Miss Manaka is unsure of what to choose, how about we slowly pick something from the store Ragna and I were just discussing visiting?"

Morgan suddenly spoke up to the troubled Manaka.

"Eh? Wait, but that's—"

Ragna was about to say something when Morgan tugged at his hand, signaling him to stay quiet.

He immediately fell silent.

In this kind of place, it seemed like men weren't granted the privilege of speaking.

"...?"

Manaka glanced at Ragna, whose expression was peculiar, then at Morgan, nodding in confusion.

"Alright, let's start by checking out the store you two are planning to visit."

Five minutes later, the three arrived at the next stop Ragna and Morgan had planned to visit.

"Miss Manaka, we're here."

Morgan's crisp voice left Manaka visibly pale.

Manaka gazed at the shelves filled with a dazzling array of cute, colorful women's underwear, and with a trembling voice, she confirmed to Ragna.

"Ragna... Is this the store you wanted to visit...?"

"Yeah..." Ragna dared not meet his mother's eyes, nodding bitterly. "This is the place..."

At this moment, Morgan turned her head to Manaka with a smile and asked cheerfully.

"Before we start picking, may I ask, what kind of women's underwear does Miss Manaka usually wear?"

"..."

Remembering the children's undershirt she had put on before leaving home, Manaka felt a wave of darkness engulf her.