MMMS 120

“Can I sleep in your room tonight?” Ryuuto’s voice came out quiet and unsure.

Artoria blinked, then gave a small nod. “If it’s you… I don’t mind.”

The two of them lay side by side on the large, soft bed. The room was still. Only their breathing filled the space, along with the soft tapping of rain against the window.

Artoria’s throat moved as she swallowed. She had never felt anything like this before—not in battle, not in peace. Her [Instinct A] stirred, stronger than ever. Not a warning, but a certainty.

Something was going to happen tonight.

Ryuuto shifted slightly. His hand moved toward her and settled gently on her thigh, warm through the thin fabric of her bathrobe. She didn’t stop him.

Fresh from the bath, her damp hair clung to her skin. The white robe she wore made her look unreal, like something between a knight and a dream. Even more than usual, she was beautiful—and this time, he noticed it in a different way.

He could feel something rising inside him.

He swallowed and turned toward her, his fingers brushing her skin. Back then, when he held her hand or helped her fix her armor, he never thought twice. But now, even the smallest touch made his heart race.

Still, Artoria didn’t pull away. She stayed quiet. Her body tensed, and then her eyes closed—like she was preparing herself.

Was that a sign? Did she want him to keep going?

Without thinking, he leaned in closer. Their legs touched. His heartbeat felt too loud.

“Lancer, I…”

“I understand, Master. Please… don’t say anything.” Her voice trembled. She turned her face to the side, hiding her expression. “Just… do what you want.”

“Huh?” he sat up a little, startled. “Wait, what does that mean?”

Artoria didn’t answer. She kept facing the wall, her voice quieter now. “Don’t ask a girl something like that.”

Though her tone carried a kind of gentle allure, his mind couldn’t keep up. His confusion still outweighed the pull in his chest.

Even with the atmosphere so thick after the blackout—even if things felt strange, why would she be the one to take the lead like this?

Why would she… try to seduce him?

As if sensing the question written on his face, she glanced at him and wet her lips. “After hearing such a thing… how could I leave you alone tonight?”

“Huh?” he blinked. “What thing?”

Then it clicked.

Ah.

She must’ve misunderstood. She probably thought his heavy breathing, his restless energy—was him struggling to suppress his Beast impulse.

She thought it was the Beast inside him acting up again.

“In places I never saw, Master was always holding back that part of himself… carrying it alone to stay sane, to keep the world from falling apart. And yet I…” She looked down, cheeks flushed and voice soft. “I misunderstood you. So… I want to help you carry some of that burden. The energy… that boys tend to accumulate.”

The phrasing was awkward. The redness on her face said she knew it too. But right now, Artoria looked more human—and more beautiful—than ever before.

And Ryuuto, being Ryuuto, responded in the dumbest way possible.

“Ah, no. About that… I actually already took care of it. At Iri’s place. Earlier tonight.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Then came the crushing weight of regret.

Why the hell would he bring up another woman? Right now of all times? Had his brain short-circuited?!

“…I see.”

Yep. Her expression turned ice-cold.

In a panic, he blurted out the only defense he could think of. “But! That’s not why I reacted like this! It has nothing to do with the Beast. It’s just because… because you’re way too attractive—”

“D-Don’t say weird things…!” She turned away, ears burning bright red. “What’s so good about a tall, muscular body like mine? I really don’t get it…”

Her voice dropped to a mumble, almost embarrassed. “In the whole world, I think only Master would look at me like that…”

He didn’t answer with words. Instead, he pressed his fingers gently into her thigh.

Her brows knit slightly. She exhaled, almost like a sigh. “Like I said… do as you please. Not that it matters. You probably have plenty of experience anyway…”

He looked down at her.

The proud, dignified knight was gone. What lay beside him now was just a girl. A beautiful, vulnerable girl—waiting.

“…Master?”

Her voice pulled him back.

“…Ah.”

The moment their eyes met, she quickly looked away again.

Her voice came small, almost unsure. “Are you… not willing?”

So cute.

“No,” he said quietly. “I’m not unwilling.”

But deep down, a question lingered. If he let things go further tonight, did that mean choosing Artoria… and letting go of Morgan?

As if reading his hesitation, she puffed her cheeks in silent protest.

She didn’t have to say anything. Her eyes did all the talking—and Ryuuto found himself reflected in them.

Being looked at like that made it hard to think straight.

“…Lancer,” he whispered.

Morgan’s voice—her image—faded from his thoughts like mist. He’d figure something out later. Find another path. A way to protect both sisters. But tonight… Artoria had opened her heart to him.

He had to answer her feelings.

“Mm,” she hummed softly.

Before he realized it, his hand had moved on its own, brushing gently along her cheek. Her skin was cool and soft, the kind of softness that made his breath freeze.

Somewhere deep inside, that wild, unruly part of him stirred again.

How could this even be real?

The King of Knights—once distant, unreachable—was lying beside him like this. Calm. Trusting. Letting him touch her like something precious.

“Ugh… Master’s way of touching faces is kind of… lewd,” she mumbled, shifting restlessly under his hand.

He replied, “I told you. I’ve got plenty of experience.”

She flushed deeper, lips parting.

“That’s… true. But um… Master, please go easy on me.”

Her voice was quiet but laced with something playful.

And with that single line, his thoughts began to boil over.

He took a steady breath, reached for the sash of her robe—and tugged.

“Ah—!”

She gasped.

But it wasn’t just because of him.

At that exact moment, the power snapped back on. The lights flickered to life overhead with perfect timing.

Her robe, loose and already sliding off her shoulders, fell open across the bed.

In the sudden brightness, her bare skin practically glowed.

He froze.

So did she.

Artoria stared up at him, wide-eyed, her mouth slightly open. Then came the inevitable, frantic voice. “Uh—M-Master?! W-Wait! Please wait—!”

If this were some lighthearted 2D romcom, this would be the part where the heroine screamed, and he had no choice but to stop.

But Ryuuto wasn’t that kind of guy.

He'd long accepted that fate had a twisted sense of humor—and he wasn’t about to back down just because the room lit up.

The words had been said. The robe had fallen. There was no turning back.

Prepare yourself, King Arthur!

“…Ah!?”

He leaned forward and pinned her wrists to the bed.

“W-Wait, Master—please!”

But the more she squirmed and tried to wriggle free, the harder it was to hold back. Her every movement only fueled the fire he’d been struggling to contain.

“Heh… heh heh…”

His laugh came out strange, almost dazed, as his eyes took in the flawless sight in front of him. Pale skin, soft curves, the hint of panic in her gaze—it was a vision from the kind of dream no man ever wanted to wake up from.

“Stop struggling, Lancer. You’ll only embarrass yourself. Didn’t you swear loyalty to your Master? Or are you planning to break that vow now?”

“Master! I said wait! I never said I was unwilling!”

The words hit like a shockwave. Ryuuto blinked. His grip loosened. He stared at her. “…Wait. You’re not unwilling?”

She looked away, arms folding at her waist in a motion that—unintentionally or not—pushed her chest up even more. “…I just haven’t prepared myself mentally yet. But I still want to help. If it’s something I can do for you, then…”

His brain tried to keep up. He failed. “So… what exactly are you trying to say?”

Her face turned crimson. She lowered her head like a scolded child, then mumbled—

“That… Master seems to really like… um… my big chest, right?”

Then, as if to prove her point, she crossed her arms under it and pushed up again.

The effect was devastating.

Ryuuto’s breath caught. His throat went dry. He swallowed hard and reached for his belt.

“…Artoria…”