[FMMISM] Chapter 17: Aozaki Aoko

Under the lazy midday sun, Ragna and Morgan finally arrived at the bustling Tokyo Station.

As soon as they got off the bus, they noticed a young woman who appeared to be around twenty years old, standing with a commanding presence.

"Hey—! Over here, over here!"

She shook her long brown hair, took off her sunglasses, and flashed a mesmerizing smile at the bewildered Ragna.

"Good afternoon and long time no see, Ragna! Although it's a bit late, congratulations on becoming a Master in the Holy Grail War. It's a day worth celebrating, so let's go to Roppongi and have a fancy buffet to celebrate. And of course, you're paying!"

"Do you know her?" Morgan asked curiously as she glanced at the newcomer.

"Yeah, didn't recognize her at first because her hair color changed back."

The woman waiting for Ragna at the station had impeccable features and beautiful blue eyes. Her long brown hair cascaded softly down her back, and her impressive chest bounced vigorously as she waved.

She wore a white sweater paired with a black skirt, outlining a perfect, youthful figure with graceful curves. Her long legs were clad in black over-the-knee socks, revealing ivory-colored skin within the safe zone formed by the skirt. On her feet, she sported a pair of leather boots.

[...Who?]

Morgan crossed her arms and scrutinized the brown-haired woman up and down, initiating a telepathic conversation between Master and Servant.

In her eyes, this was a woman whose magecraft talents were not particularly outstanding. Although her Magic Circuits were somewhat peculiar, that was about it.

Yet, despite being a rather ordinary woman, Morgan's gaze seemed magnetically drawn to her, unable to look away.

"Aozaki Aoko, twenty-one years old, a Magician!"

In front of the crowded station, the proud user of the Fifth Magic stood with her hands on her hips, announcing herself to the world without a care.

What happened to the rule of secrecy?

"You are... the Magician of the Fifth Magic..." Morgan reevaluated Aoko once more before rolling her eyes and turning back to her Master.

Soon, a clear voice echoed in Ragna's mind.

[Why is the Magician of the Fifth Magic here at the station to welcome a Beast? Are you two plotting to overthrow the planet?]

[Overthrow the planet my ass... She's just here to mooch off me for a meal.] Ragna answered speechlessly.

[She doesn't seem bright... Are you sure it's okay?]

[Yeah, she's a somewhat trustworthy person... I guess...]

Regarding Ragna and Aoko's relationship, they could be said to be meal buddies, with her treating him as a wallet.

With that said, spending money was Ragna's greatest hobby and intention, so whether he spent it on a meal buddy or not, there wasn't much difference, as his goal was to spend it anyway.

As a result, they developed a complex relationship—either that of a boy and an older sister or of a sugar daddy and his college woman.

"Ragna, come let this big sis hug you~"

Like a lion playing with a rabbit, Aoko suddenly opened her arms and pounced toward Ragna, who agilely spun around to evade her attack.

"Good afternoon, Aoko."

"Oh dear, you're always so cold towards me, y'know."

Aoko smoothly acted as if nothing happened after her intimate greeting was dodged by him, then turned to the woman next to him.

"Eh, what? Ragna! Who is this suuuper beautiful lady beside you? Could it be, your summoned Servant?" Aoko bumped into Ragna's shoulder before circling around Morgan.

From head to toe, from face to chest, from stomach to hips, every inch of Morgan's skin was bathed in Aoko's blatantly appreciative gaze.

"If I had known Servants were a beauty like her, I would have joined the Holy Grail War too..." Aoko said with a sigh. "Speaking of which, what's her Class? Caster, I assume? What's her true name?"

"Unfortunately, that's highly confidential information." Ragna answered calmly.

Morgan, who was being stared at so openly, was clearly displeased.

"Master... Can I kill her?" Morgan whispered.

"No, she might come in handy later." Ragna shook his head.

"Ragna, what are you and your girlfriend whispering about so sneakily? Can I join in?"

"What girlfriend? Caster isn't my girlfriend. Don't spread rumors." Ragna denied it with a somewhat serious expression.

"Don't deny it so quickly. Girls could get really hurt by that, you know." Aoko scolded him.

"Hold your horse, I wasn't finished. What I meant was, Miss Caster isn't my girlfriend, but if she's interested, I'm always up for it." Ragna corrected.

"..." Morgan remained silent, silently watching cars passing by.

As Aoko and Ragna were chatting, they made their way towards the area where taxis were parked in the distance.

Meeting for five seconds and already looking for a place to eat and drink—this was the mutual understanding between Ragna and Aoko.

'Hmm... I feel like I forgot something...'

As Ragna opened the taxi door, a furrow formed on his brow.

'What was it again?'

It was something very, very important, a promise that absolutely couldn't be forgotten.

'Oh well, who cares! Drinking is the most important thing!' Ragna shrugged his shoulders.

Sitting in the front seat, Aoko looked at the boy and the woman in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

"By the way, Ragna, is she the type you like? I thought you were more into girls like Alice."

"..."

Ragna glanced sideways at Morgan.

"Maybe... They're the same type after all."

===

"Where's the Roppongi premium sushi we talked about?!"

In a corner of a small izakaya in Akihabara, Aoko slammed her hand heavily on the wooden table, creating a loud noise, her expression full of grievance.

"If I knew it would be like this, I wouldn't have come all the way to see you during the busiest time before going to the Clock Tower... If it's just for a drink, I could've gone to the izakaya any day..." Aoko pouted with a resentful look, resting her face on the table.

"Even though my money's been tight lately, I'm still kind enough to treat you, so you should be grateful." Ragna quipped.

Deciding that his first priority after getting home would be to sell Zouken's properties through his underworld acquaintance for a good price, Ragna opened a bottle of sake.

Despite it being a weekday afternoon, the small izakaya was already bustling with lively conversation and noise. It made him wonder if some people had nothing better to do.

But then again, it wasn't surprising since the lingering effects of Japan's early 90s economic downturn were still being felt.

Middle-aged men who had lost their jobs stumbled around in ill-fitting suits, drunkenly ranting about capitalism and the government.

It was rare to see young people like Ragna, Aoko, and Morgan drinking during the day.

By the way, the reason Ragna, despite looking like a child, could freely enter adult establishments was that he always carried Mystic Code for this kind of thing with him at all times.

"Then don't drink if you don't like it!" Ragna said, picking up a sake bottle beside him and pouring a cup for Aoko.

"Hmph, who said I won't drink?" Aoko mumbled while chewing on karaage chicken, taking the cup from him.

Ragna then turned to Morgan with the bottle and cup in hand.

"Caster, this is Japanese sake, not like English whiskey. Give it a try." Ragna said solemnly. "Drinking this sake is quite an art in Japan; you use a wooden cup to enhance its fragrance."

"Uhh... Okay..." Morgan replied, somewhat puzzled, as she accepted the cup from him, who was earnestly explaining.

"Gaha! This is amazing! Seriously awesome! So good I could die!" Aoko, already drinking, exclaimed with a smile.

"Hey, Aoko, wait for us." Ragna reminded.

"Okay, okay." Aoko waved her hand.

"Alright, cheers!" Ragna cheered, raising his cup.

"Cheers!" Aoko also raised her cup.

Meanwhile, Morgan hesitated, clearly feeling awkward.

'I really want to go back...'