MMMS 96

"Ugh..." Iri's chest tightened as jealousy flared hot and sudden. Beautiful? He called Maiya beautiful? Her mind raced back through every conversation, every moment they'd shared. He'd never... not once had he ever called her that.

Her lip quivered. The hurt was so sharp it felt physical.

But Ryuuto didn't see her crumbling expression. Maiya had already reached up, cupping his face in her hands... and kissed him.

Iri's breath caught. Those are Ryuuto's lips... The sight hit her like a punch to the gut. Something precious, something that should have been hers, was being stolen right in front of her.

And then it got worse.

While their lips were still locked together, Maiya's eyes slid sideways. Looking right at her.

"...!"

The message in that gaze was crystal clear. This is mine now. Pure, obvious provocation.

Iri's whole body shook with rage. She bit down hard on her lip to stop herself from screaming.

‘Lord Ryuuto belongs to me... He said he loved me most... So why?’ Her nose burned, tears stinging the corners of her eyes. ‘Why is this happening?’

Because she'd been too proud. Too embarrassed. If she hadn't let her stupid shame get in the way... If she'd just said yes to Maiya's suggestion... If she'd been the one holding him tonight... If she'd been the one kissing him...

"Mmh..." Tied up and helpless, all she could do was watch as they kissed deeper, longer.

Hot tears spilled down her cheeks. A broken whimper escaped her throat.

...

When Iri woke up, pale morning light was creeping through the windows.

She must have cried herself unconscious. The ropes were gone now. Maiya had probably untied her sometime during the night.

"..."

All three of them were lying in the same room, spread across two futons pushed together.

Iri turned her head slowly, watching the pair sleeping beside her. Ryuuto's face was nestled against Maiya's chest like a child seeking comfort. His breathing was soft and even.

Maiya's dark hair had come loose in the night, black strands scattered across his cheek.

Iri's heart felt like it was full of broken glass.

"Ugh..."

"Lady Iri." Maiya's eyes opened, finding hers immediately.

"Maiya..." Iri's voice came out smaller than she'd intended. She didn't know how to look at her anymore, didn't know what to say.

Maiya carefully lifted Ryuuto's head, placing it gently on a pillow before crawling over his sleeping form.

"Come here, Lady Iri," she whispered, reaching for her hand.

Following Maiya's lead, both women settled on either side of the sleeping boy.

Was this... some kind of prank? Iri wasn't sure what Maiya had in mind.

"Maiya?" she whispered hesitantly. "I'll talk to Lord Ryuuto about what you said yesterday. But he's asleep right now, so maybe we shouldn't..."

After all, he'd been completely exhausted last night. Iri stole a glance at Maiya's face and felt her stomach twist with bitter jealousy.

"Lady Iri," Maiya said with a hint of amusement, "boys hate admitting when they're vulnerable. Especially first thing in the morning."

"What do you mean by that?"

Maiya's eyes flicked downward meaningfully. Following her gaze, Iri looked and... Her face went bright red, heat spreading all the way down her neck.

"W-wait, Maiya!"

"Please," Maiya said softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Just follow what you're feeling."

Iri's throat felt dry. Her ruby eyes darted back to Ryuuto's peaceful sleeping face. "But... I've never... I don't know how to..."

She understood what Maiya was getting at. The only reason she even knew about these things was from those ridiculous Hollywood movies she'd watched after leaving Einzbern Castle. Why do American films always have to include those scenes? She remembered complaining about it to Artoria once, face burning with embarrassment.

"It's alright," Maiya said quietly, her grip steady and reassuring. "I'm here."

"This is actually my first time doing something like this too..."

Despite trying to keep her voice steady, Irisviel could hear the nervousness bleeding through Maiya's words.

Oh... The realization hit her like a wave of relief. 'She's just as inexperienced as I am.’ Somehow, knowing that gave Irisviel the courage she needed. ‘Then I need to step up.’

"Maiya, let's figure this out together, okay?" She wet her dry lips and met Maiya's gaze.

Together, they both tucked their hair behind their ears and leaned down...

...

‘Master, where are you and Irisviel right now?’

Artoria's voice suddenly rang through Ryuuto's mind just as Irisviel lifted her head, looking up at him with flushed cheeks.

"Mm?"

Those stunning ruby eyes seemed to pick up on something immediately. The way they narrowed with sudden suspicion put him on edge.

‘Shit. She knows I'm talking to another woman.’ At first he was confused by her reaction, but it didn't take long to connect the dots.

He shook his head, amused despite himself. His fingers found their way into Irisviel's silver hair, stroking gently as he answered Artoria.

‘We're at another Einzbern safe house in Miyama Town. Iri got sick from that mapo tofu last night, so we had to stay here. Don't worry though—she's feeling much better now.’

‘I see. Thank you for looking after her, Master.’ The tension in Artoria's mental voice eased noticeably. ‘She hasn't been feeling well lately. Do you know what's wrong with her?’

‘Hmm... I'm not entirely sure, but she looked way healthier this morning. I think she's recovered.’

As he spoke, he gently poked Irisviel's flushed cheek. She closed her eyes with a soft, contented expression and playfully nipped at his finger. ‘Yeah, she's definitely back to her feisty self.’

‘I see...’ Artoria didn't fully understand his confidence, but she trusted his judgment. ‘When are you two coming back? We need to start preparing for the final confrontation with Archer and Rider.’

‘We'll be home before dinner tonight,’ he said after thinking it over.

‘That late? I thought you said Irisviel was feeling better already.’

‘She is, but this safe house is pretty close to the Tohsaka mansion. I want to do some scouting while we're in the area.’

‘If that's what you think is best, I won't argue. Just... please don't take any unnecessary risks. And keep Irisviel safe.’

The seriousness in Artoria's mental voice hit him harder than expected. He could feel the complete trust she had in him—the faith of a Servant in her Master.

And it made his chest tighten with guilt.

‘I'm sorry, Artoria. I've already failed you.’ His eyes drifted to Irisviel having her mouth full. ‘The woman you swore to protect like a princess... she's not the same innocent lady you once knew anymore.’