MMMS 99

In the park, Aoi's eyes widened slightly when she spotted Kariya. She'd known her childhood friend survived the Matou fire, but actually seeing him here in Fuyuki caught her off guard.

Just a month ago, he'd told her he was leaving the city for good. What he hadn't mentioned to anyone, not even her, was that he'd been searching for Sakura all this time.

For him to come back to a place that held nothing for him anymore... there was only one reason she could think of. He was worried about her. Worried about how she might be handling Sakura's disappearance, and he'd come back just to make sure she was okay.

But Kariya would never admit something like that. If he'd been the type to say what he really meant, maybe she would never have become Tohsaka Aoi in the first place.

He glanced at Ryuuto, pretending he didn't recognize him. "It's nothing, really. I just happened to run into Rin and this young man on the street." His tone stayed carefully neutral. "Is he a friend of yours? He looks young, but he carries himself like someone much older."

A soft smile touched Aoi's lips, and something warm flickered in her eyes. "Yes. Ryuuto-kun is my most important friend."

"Your... what?"

The words hit Kariya strangely. ‘Most important friend?’ For someone more than a decade younger than her? But it wasn't just the age gap that bothered him. It was the way she'd said it, like those words meant something deeper than friendship.

"Kariya, I thought this place brought back bad memories for you. I'm glad it doesn't seem to bother you anymore."

Was she... different somehow? Kariya studied Aoi as she stood there, holding Ryuuto's hand on one side and Rin's on the other. Something had changed since he'd left Fuyuki. She looked brighter, more alive than he'd seen her in years. What had happened while he was away?

"So how's the Holy Grail War going?" He fumbled for something to fill the quiet, settling on the one thing they both understood.

"Oh... that."

Her whole demeanor shifted the moment he mentioned it. What Kariya didn't realize was that Aoi had no interest in discussing the war at all. Apart from Rin, the Tohsaka family's affairs had nothing to do with her anymore.

"Hey, Aoi." Ryuuto gave her hand a gentle tug.

"Yes, Ryuuto-kun?"

"Where's the bathroom around here?"

"The restroom? It should be just over there..." She started to point toward the white building visible across the grass, but he cut her off.

"Can you take me there?"

Another tug on her hand, more insistent this time.

Kariya watched in bewilderment as a faint blush colored Aoi's cheeks. That shy look on her elegant features made her seem almost glowing, and completely unfamiliar to him.

"O-Of course, Ryuuto-kun. It might be hard to find on your own, so I'll show you the way."

‘It's literally right there,’ Kariya thought, glancing at the restroom building just a few dozen meters away. ‘Maybe this kid isn't as sharp as he seems.’

Aoi turned to him with that same gentle smile. "Kariya, I'm going to take Ryuuto-kun to the restroom. Could you keep an eye on Rin for me?"

"Sure, no problem."

Before they left, Aoi knelt down to meet Rin's eyes. "Be good for Uncle Kariya, okay? Don't give him any trouble."

"I will, Mom. I promise."

They were gone for barely ten minutes, but when Aoi and Ryuuto returned, something had clearly changed.

Kariya's face went pale as he took in Aoi's appearance. Her cheeks were flushed, her breathing slightly elevated, and there was a particular glow about her—the kind he'd seen on women who'd just been thoroughly satisfied by their husbands. Her hair, which had been perfectly arranged before, now had a few strands out of place, and she kept smoothing down her skirt with trembling fingers.

But she was with Ryuuto. A boy barely in his teens. Surely not... surely she hadn't just...

"Sorry for taking so long," Aoi said, her voice slightly breathless. "The restroom was... difficult to find."

Kariya's eyes darted between them. Ryuuto looked completely composed, but there was something predatory in his satisfied expression—like a cat that had just caught a particularly tasty mouse.

As they walked through the park, making idle conversation about the weather and local events, Kariya found himself lagging behind with Ryuuto while Aoi walked ahead with Rin.

"What did you two do back there?" he whispered urgently.

Ryuuto's lips curved into a smile. "That's none of your business."

"Aoi looks like she just—"

"What Aoi-san and I do together is between us," Ryuuto cut him off. "I suggest you stop prying into matters that don't concern you and move on with your life."

The boy chuckled. "And stop being such a pathetic simp, Kariya-san. She made her choice a long time ago, and it was never going to be you."

Kariya's hands clenched into fists, but what could he say? What could he do? The kid was right, and they both knew it.

As they reached the park's exit, Aoi turned back with that same radiant smile. "It was wonderful seeing you again, Kariya. Take care of yourself."

Watching her walk away—still glowing, still beautiful, still forever out of reach—Kariya felt something inside him break all over again.

...

Evening.

After parting ways with Aoi and Rin—his steps lighter, cheeks still faintly flushed with the warm, languid glow of indulgence—Ryuuto headed back to the castle with Irisviel.

Maiya had moved into a small apartment at the forest's edge, where she'd quietly taken up her role as Irisviel's shadow guardian for the remainder of the war.

Dinner brought the usual foursome together around the table, picking at their takeout containers.

Irisviel scooted her chair right up against Ryuuto's and leaned into his side. "Ryuuto... say 'ahh'~"

She held up a piece of beef on her chopsticks.

"Ahh... mm." He took the bite, then shot a quick glance at Morgan's stormy expression.

"Hey Lancer," he whispered, "did you and Caster have another argument? Your sister looks ready to murder someone."

"We haven't fought at all. Actually, Morgan and I have been getting along surprisingly well since yesterday." Artoria paused. "More importantly, Master, you and Irisviel seem quite... close."

"I guess we are." he nodded and opened his mouth for another bite from Irisviel. "Mm, this is really good, Iri."

"You're just saying that..." Irisviel's cheeks went pink as she looked away.

After dinner came what was supposed to be their final strategy meeting for the Holy Grail War.

Not much of a meeting, really. More like Ryuuto talking to himself while the other three sat there lost in their own thoughts.

When it ended, he checked the clock. Not even 8 p.m. yet. Still plenty of time before bed, which meant he could pick someone to spend the evening with.

In the living room, Morgan sat with her arms crossed, practically radiating "stay away from me" energy. Yeah, definitely not tonight.

Behind him, Irisviel was watching him with the intensity of a cat stalking a mouse. Someone really needs to teach this woman about restraint.

That left Artoria.

He made his way to the knight's room, realizing this would actually be his first time visiting her room. He knocked, feeling oddly nervous.

"Want to play some cards?"

The door opened to reveal Artoria in one of the castle's white robes, her blonde hair flowing loose over her shoulders. She looked almost ethereal standing there, though the way the fabric draped around her figure was anything but innocent.

"Of course, Master. Please come in. I'll make us some tea."

"Sorry, I haven't had time to clean up." Artoria walked over to the cabinet to prepare tea.

That's when Ryuuto noticed the bed behind her was covered in fashion magazines.

"Lancer... are these all yours?"

The thought of the legendary King of Knights browsing through Vogue struck him as oddly charming.

"I bought them myself." With her back still turned, Artoria's voice carried a hint of embarrassment. "Irisviel told me I should pay more attention to how I dress. She said I can't keep wearing men's clothing all the time."

Ryuuto picked up one of the magazines and flipped through it. The models were stunning, no doubt about it. But looking at them, then at Artoria, felt like comparing candles to sunlight. Everything about her—her beauty, her presence, the way she carried herself—made the glossy pages seem flat and lifeless.

He set the magazine back down. Why look at pictures when the real thing is right here?

His eyes traced the elegant line of her waist, following the gentle curve where the white robe clung to her hips. The soft fabric outlined her figure in a way that made his pulse quicken, and he found himself wondering if classical sculptors had used women like her as inspiration.

Too soon, she turned around with two cups of steaming tea in her hands.

"I think Irisviel has a point. Even though fighting is my main duty, I'm still her knight. I shouldn't embarrass her just because I don't care about how I look... right?"

As she spoke, Artoria's gaze kept drifting away from his, making Ryuuto suspect there was more to the story.

He blew on his tea and decided to probe a little. "I see what's really going on here. Having Morgan around is making you feel self-conscious, isn't it? Even the legendary King of Knights starts worrying about her appearance when her sister's nearby." He grinned. "Though honestly, you're stressing over nothing. You could throw on a potato sack and still have guys lining up. You're not losing to anyone, especially not—"

Thwack!

A bright red Artoria grabbed the nearest magazine and bonked him on the head with it. "D-Don't say embarrassing things like that!"