Interlude​ ​-​ ​Making​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Tyrant

Shirou​ ​lay​ ​on​ ​the​ ​floor,​ ​staring​ ​at​ ​the​ ​ceiling​ ​of​ ​his​ ​room​ ​with​ ​eyes​ ​wide​ ​open.

He​ ​used​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​futon,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​bedding​ ​was​ ​crumpled​ ​in​ ​a​ ​corner,​ ​having​ ​been​ ​kicked​ ​out
of​ ​the​ ​way​ ​during​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​the​ ​restless​ ​night.

Next​ ​to​ ​him​ ​was​ ​Medea,​ ​Princess​ ​of​ ​Colchis.​ ​The​ ​Heroic​ ​Spirit​ ​known​ ​with​ ​the​ ​moniker​ ​of
Witch​ ​of​ ​Betrayal.​ ​A​ ​not​ ​undeserved​ ​title,​ ​for​ ​she​ ​had​ ​been​ ​betrayed​ ​by​ ​others​ ​and​ ​she
betrayed​ ​others​ ​in​ ​return.​ ​An​ ​existence​ ​steeped​ ​in​ ​blood​ ​and​ ​tragedy.

An​ ​existence​ ​that​ ​currently​ ​lay​ ​naked,​ ​with​ ​her​ ​legs​ ​intertwined​ ​with​ ​Shirou's,​ ​who​ ​was​ ​just
as​ ​naked.​ ​Her​ ​head​ ​was​ ​resting​ ​on​ ​his​ ​chest​ ​while​ ​her​ ​face​ ​was​ ​adorned​ ​by​ ​a​ ​thoroughly
satisfied​ ​smile.

"Okay,"​ ​Shirou​ ​eventually​ ​said.​ ​"Okay.​ ​That​ ​happened."

Medea​ ​giggled.

"Are​ ​you​ ​having​ ​trouble​ ​believing​ ​it?"

Shirou​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​her​ ​with​ ​an​ ​arched​ ​eyebrow.

"Of​ ​course​ ​I​ ​do.​ ​You​ ​really​ ​don't​ ​understand​ ​how​ ​magnificent​ ​you​ ​are.​ ​You​ ​are...​ ​Wait,"​ ​he
frowned.​ ​"You​ ​do​ ​know.​ ​You​ ​just​ ​want​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​it​ ​from​ ​me."

Medea​ ​laughed​ ​into​ ​his​ ​chest,​ ​before​ ​pulling​ ​herself​ ​up​ ​to​ ​a​ ​seating​ ​position​ ​so​ ​that​ ​she
could​ ​see​ ​his​ ​face​ ​better.

"Oh,​ ​thank​ ​goodness.​ ​I​ ​feared​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​to​ ​employ​ ​drastic​ ​measures​ ​every​ ​time​ ​I​ ​had​ ​to
make​ ​you​ ​realize​ ​something​ ​so​ ​basic.​ ​Yes,​ ​Shirou,​ ​I​ ​do​ ​know​ ​and​ ​yes,​ ​I​ ​did​ ​want​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​it
from​ ​you."

"...​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​sure​ ​about​ ​this​ ​then?​ ​I...​ ​You​ ​deserve​ ​so​ ​much​ ​more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​guy​ ​who​ ​goes
around​ ​the​ ​world​ ​chasing​ ​after​ ​his​ ​own​ ​dreams."

Medea​ ​sighed​ ​and​ ​pushed​ ​a​ ​few​ ​strands​ ​of​ ​hair​ ​away​ ​from​ ​her​ ​face.

"I’m​ ​not​ ​so​ ​sure​ ​about​ ​that​ ​and​ ​besides,​ ​life​ ​isn't​ ​about​ ​deserving​ ​or​ ​not​ ​deserving.​ ​If​ ​that
was​ ​the​ ​case,​ ​no​ ​one​ ​would​ ​ever​ ​suffer​ ​unjustly.​ ​No,​ ​life​ ​is​ ​about​ ​what​ ​you​ ​want,​ ​and​ ​what
you​ ​are​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​do​ ​to​ ​obtain​ ​it."

"I​ ​thought​ ​you​ ​wished​ ​for​ ​a​ ​normal​ ​life​ ​with​ ​a​ ​man​ ​devoted​ ​to​ ​you."

She​ ​tilted​ ​her​ ​head.​ ​Of​ ​course,​ ​through​ ​the​ ​dream​ ​cycle​ ​he​ ​should​ ​have​ ​at​ ​least​ ​figured​ ​as
much.
"Yes.​ ​That​ ​was​ ​the​ ​wish​ ​of​ ​the​ ​woman​ ​who​ ​had​ ​been​ ​scorned​ ​by​ ​gods​ ​and​ ​fate​ ​alike.​ ​The
wish​ ​of​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​who​ ​had​ ​nothing​ ​because​ ​she​ ​was​ ​been​ ​robbed​ ​of​ ​everything."

"You​ ​speak​ ​of​ ​her​ ​as​ ​if​ ​she's​ ​someone​ ​else,"​ ​he​ ​observed.

"She​ ​is​ ​me​ ​and​ ​I​ ​am​ ​her,​ ​but​ ​I'm​ ​also​ ​more.​ ​I'm​ ​the​ ​woman​ ​who​ ​met​ ​you,"​ ​she​ ​explained,
running​ ​a​ ​finger​ ​across​ ​his​ ​chest.​ ​"A​ ​man​ ​who​ ​would​ ​look​ ​at​ ​her​ ​and​ ​see​ ​more​ ​than
someone​ ​to​ ​despise.​ ​Thus​ ​my​ ​wish​ ​changed​ ​from​ ​being​ ​with​ ​someone​ ​devoted​ ​to​ ​me​ ​and
no​ ​one​ ​else​ ​to​ ​being​ ​with​ ​you.​ ​You​ ​should​ ​take​ ​responsibility​ ​for​ ​that."

She​ ​chuckled.

"What's​ ​funny?"

"Once​ ​upon​ ​a​ ​time,​ ​a​ ​man​ ​trampled​ ​upon​ ​my​ ​wishes​ ​and​ ​took​ ​my​ ​happiness​ ​from​ ​me.​ ​Now
another​ ​man​ ​does​ ​the​ ​same​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​give​ ​it​ ​back.​ ​Honestly,​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​the​ ​era,​ ​ ​it​ ​seems
my​ ​fate​ ​is​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​hero's​ ​plaything,"​ ​she​ ​shifted​ ​her​ ​legs​ ​and​ ​straddled​ ​him.​ ​The​ ​hand​ ​that
was​ ​gently​ ​caressing​ ​his​ ​chest​ ​was​ ​now​ ​scratching​ ​into​ ​his​ ​skin.​ ​"I​ ​probably​ ​ought​ ​to​ ​curse
you​ ​for​ ​that."

"Okay,"​ ​he​ ​nodded​ ​solemnly.

"...​ ​okay?"​ ​Her​ ​eyebrow​ ​twitched​ ​in​ ​mild​ ​annoyance.​ ​"You​ ​know,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​only​ ​joking,​ ​but​ ​now​ ​I
really​ ​do​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​putting​ ​a​ ​curse​ ​on​ ​you."

"You​ ​were?"​ ​he​ ​blinked.​ ​"I​ ​thought​ ​you​ ​were​ ​serious."

Medea​ ​paused.​ ​What​ ​aspect​ ​of​ ​his​ ​idiocy​ ​had​ ​she​ ​just​ ​stumbled​ ​upon?​ ​She​ ​curled​ ​her​ ​fist
and​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to​ ​bump​ ​him​ ​on​ ​the​ ​head​ ​for​ ​his​ ​stupidity​ ​when​ ​he​ ​suddenly​ ​grabbed​ ​her
wrist​ ​and​ ​sat​ ​up,​ ​pushing​ ​her​ ​down​ ​on​ ​the​ ​floor​ ​instead.

"Wah!"

"I​ ​can​ ​take​ ​a​ ​thousand​ ​curses​ ​and​ ​still​ ​call​ ​it​ ​a​ ​win​ ​if​ ​that​ ​means​ ​being​ ​with​ ​you​ ​like​ ​this,
Medea.​ ​So...​ ​curse​ ​away."

Medea's​ ​heart​ ​suffered​ ​a​ ​critical​ ​meltdown,​ ​which​ ​brought​ ​an​ ​interesting​ ​shade​ ​of​ ​red​ ​to​ ​her
cheeks​ ​that​ ​far​ ​surpassed​ ​those​ ​she​ ​had​ ​shown​ ​during​ ​the​ ​night.

"Dummy,"​ ​she​ ​muttered,​ ​looking​ ​away​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment.​ ​"But​ ​if​ ​you​ ​actually​ ​mean​ ​it,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​at
least​ ​one​ ​I​ ​want​ ​you​ ​to​ ​bear."

"Of​ ​course,"​ ​he​ ​nodded.

"I​ ​curse​ ​you​ ​to​ ​never​ ​give​ ​up​ ​on​ ​your​ ​desires.​ ​I​ ​fell​ ​in​ ​love​ ​with​ ​your​ ​brand​ ​of​ ​selfishness​ ​and
I​ ​traded​ ​my​ ​dream​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​you.​ ​So...​ ​I​ ​curse​ ​you​ ​to​ ​never​ ​change​ ​that.​ ​Always​ ​stay​ ​true​ ​to
the​ ​dreams​ ​you​ ​chose,​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​how​ ​many​ ​other​ ​wishes​ ​you​ ​must​ ​trample​ ​upon."

"That​ ​would​ ​make​ ​me​ ​a​ ​tyrant,​ ​wouldn't​ ​it?"

"You​ ​already​ ​were​ ​a​ ​tyrant​ ​before​ ​I​ ​met​ ​you,​ ​Shirou.​ ​That's​ ​the​ ​thing​ ​about​ ​wishes;​ ​they​ ​are
all​ ​inherently​ ​selfish​ ​things.​ ​The​ ​harder​ ​you​ ​pursue​ ​them,​ ​the​ ​more​ ​selfish​ ​that​ ​makes​ ​you
and​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​believe​ ​I​ ​ever​ ​met​ ​someone​ ​who​ ​chased​ ​after​ ​his​ ​dreams​ ​as​ ​strongly​ ​as​ ​you​ ​do.
You​ ​are​ ​simply​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​allowed​ ​to​ ​pretend​ ​they​ ​aren't​ ​about​ ​you."

Shirou​ ​turned​ ​pensive.​ ​Medea's​ ​words​ ​were​ ​true,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​end.​ ​He​ ​pursued​ ​an​ ​ideal​ ​because
he​ ​thought​ ​it​ ​was​ ​beautiful.​ ​He​ ​didn't​ ​want​ ​to​ ​be​ ​a​ ​Champion​ ​of​ ​Justice​ ​for​ ​Kiritsugu.​ ​He
didn't​ ​want​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a​ ​hero​ ​who​ ​can​ ​save​ ​everyone​ ​for​ ​the​ ​sake​ ​of​ ​those​ ​who​ ​passed
away​ ​while​ ​he​ ​lived.​ ​In​ ​the​ ​end,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​more​ ​than​ ​an​ ​act​ ​of​ ​self-fulfillment.​ ​A​ ​purpose
of​ ​his​ ​own​ ​choosing.​ ​A​ ​way​ ​to​ ​fill​ ​the​ ​bottomless​ ​gap​ ​within​ ​his​ ​soul.

Even​ ​though​ ​what​ ​he​ ​wanted​ ​for​ ​was​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​other​ ​people​ ​happiness,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​still​ ​his​ ​own
personal​ ​desire.​ ​To​ ​call​ ​it​ ​otherwise​ ​would​ ​be​ ​pure​ ​hypocrisy.​ ​An​ ​hypocrisy​ ​that​ ​he​ ​had
willingly​ ​embraced​ ​every​ ​day​ ​of​ ​his​ ​life​ ​until​ ​now.

"I​ ​don't​ ​have​ ​any​ ​choice​ ​in​ ​this,​ ​do​ ​I?"​ ​he​ ​asked.

"If​ ​you​ ​did,​ ​it​ ​wouldn't​ ​be​ ​a​ ​curse,​ ​Shirou,"​ ​she​ ​replied,​ ​matter-of-factly.

"Eh,"​ ​he​ ​scoffed,​ ​shaking​ ​his​ ​head,​ ​"that's​ ​what​ ​I​ ​get​ ​for​ ​scoring​ ​with​ ​someone​ ​way​ ​out​ ​of​ ​my
league."

Again,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​treated​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​a​ ​blushing​ ​Witch,​ ​which​ ​prompted​ ​him​ ​to​ ​lean​ ​forward
and​ ​kiss​ ​her.

"You...​ ​idiot,"​ ​she​ ​protested​ ​weakly​ ​before​ ​he​ ​lips​ ​were​ ​seized​ ​by​ ​him.​ ​"Being​ ​suave​ ​all​ ​of​ ​a
sudden​ ​is...​ ​against​ ​the​ ​rules."

"I'm​ ​a​ ​Magus​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Master​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Witch​ ​of​ ​Betrayal,"​ ​he​ ​smirked​ ​mischievously.​ ​"I​ ​think​ ​it
was​ ​high​ ​time​ ​I​ ​engaged​ ​in​ ​a​ ​round​ ​of​ ​rule-breaking."

"You,"​ ​*kiss*​ ​"insolent,"​ ​*smooch*.​ ​"Hmm.​ ​Don't​ ​kiss​ ​me​ ​while​ ​I'm​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​be​ ​cross​ ​with
you."

"I'd​ ​totally​ ​listen​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​but​ ​a​ ​beautiful​ ​witch​ ​just​ ​cursed​ ​me​ ​into​ ​putting​ ​my​ ​wishes​ ​before
anyone​ ​else's,​ ​so​ ​I'm​ ​afraid​ ​I'll​ ​have​ ​to​ ​disregard​ ​that​ ​and​ ​just​ ​do​ ​what​ ​I​ ​want."

"You​ ​are...such​ ​a​ ​dummy."

No​ ​more​ ​words​ ​were​ ​spoken​ ​for​ ​some​ ​time,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​room​ ​was​ ​filled​ ​by​ ​the​ ​sound​ ​of​ ​lips
dancing​ ​to​ ​a​ ​tune​ ​as​ ​old​ ​as​ ​humanity​ ​itself.

Eventually​ ​though,​ ​the​ ​two​ ​lovers​ ​broke​ ​apart.

"You're​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​late​ ​for​ ​school​ ​at​ ​this​ ​rate."

Shirou​ ​looked​ ​up​ ​towards​ ​the​ ​rice-paper​ ​door.​ ​The​ ​sun​ ​was​ ​already​ ​quite​ ​high​ ​in​ ​the​ ​sky.
What​ ​time​ ​was​ ​it​ ​again?

He​ ​stole​ ​a​ ​glance​ ​to​ ​this​ ​clock,​ ​which​ ​had​ ​fallen​ ​to​ ​the​ ​floor​ ​and​ ​had​ ​rolled​ ​not​ ​to​ ​far​ ​away
from​ ​their​ ​current​ ​position.

"You're​ ​right,"​ ​he​ ​admitted,​ ​getting​ ​up​ ​from​ ​the​ ​floor​ ​and​ ​from​ ​on​ ​top​ ​of​ ​her.​ ​"I​ ​should
probably​ ​get​ ​ready.​ ​Taiga​ ​will​ ​be​ ​here​ ​soon,​ ​and​ ​I'd​ ​rather​ ​she​ ​didn't​ ​find​ ​us​ ​like​ ​this."

"Hmmm?​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​already​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​deny​ ​our​ ​love,​ ​my​ ​darling?"​ ​she​ ​asked​ ​with​ ​a​ ​dangerous
edge​ ​to​ ​her​ ​voice.

Shirou​ ​gave​ ​her​ ​an​ ​amused​ ​yet​ ​exasperated​ ​glance.

"You're​ ​fishing​ ​for​ ​compliments​ ​again."

"So​ ​what​ ​if​ ​I​ ​am?"​ ​she​ ​taunted​ ​unrepentantly.

"Yes,​ ​well,​ ​I'd​ ​would​ ​love​ ​nothing​ ​more​ ​but​ ​to​ ​worship​ ​the​ ​very​ ​ground​ ​you​ ​tread​ ​upon,​ ​but
I'm​ ​pressed​ ​for​ ​time​ ​so​ ​I'm​ ​going​ ​to​ ​call​ ​a​ ​rain​ ​check​ ​on​ ​it."

Medea​ ​licked​ ​her​ ​lips.​ ​"We'll​ ​get​ ​to​ ​the​ ​worship​ ​part,​ ​eventually.​ ​Now​ ​get​ ​dressed​ ​before​ ​I
decided​ ​to​ ​lock​ ​you​ ​up​ ​somewhere​ ​and​ ​never​ ​let​ ​you​ ​out​ ​again."

Shirou​ ​rolled​ ​his​ ​eyes​ ​and​ ​hastily​ ​put​ ​on​ ​some​ ​clothes.​ ​With​ ​people​ ​coming​ ​and​ ​going​ ​from
his​ ​house​ ​at​ ​all​ ​hours​ ​he'd​ ​rather​ ​not​ ​accidentally​ ​flash​ ​someone.​ ​He​ ​then​ ​left​ ​the​ ​room​ ​with
one​ ​last​ ​glance​ ​to​ ​Medea's​ ​naked​ ​body.

He​ ​still​ ​couldn't​ ​believe​ ​it.​ ​How​ ​did​ ​that​ ​happen?

As​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​the​ ​sound​ ​of​ ​Shirou’s​ ​footsteps​ ​vanished,​ ​Medea​ ​sighed​ ​and​ ​leaned​ ​back​ ​on​ ​the
floor.​ ​Then​ ​she​ ​waved​ ​her​ ​hand​ ​and​ ​summoned​ ​an​ ​item​ ​through​ ​a​ ​runic​ ​circle.

It​ ​was​ ​a​ ​women’s​ ​magazine​ ​she​ ​had​ ​bought​ ​some​ ​days​ ​prior.​ ​She​ ​quickly​ ​flipped​ ​through
the​ ​pages​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​a​ ​specific​ ​article​ ​and​ ​soon​ ​found​ ​it.

-​ ​Morning​ ​After:​ ​Top​ ​Ten​ ​Things​ ​To​ ​Do​ ​To​ ​Wrap​ ​Him​ ​Around​ ​Your​ ​Finger​ ​-
Giggling,​ ​she​ ​started​ ​reading​ ​through​ ​it.

Half​ ​an​ ​hour​ ​later,​ ​Shirou​ ​was​ ​cleaned​ ​and​ ​dressed.​ ​Taiga​ ​had​ ​called​ ​that​ ​she​ ​wouldn’t
come​ ​for​ ​breakfast​ ​because​ ​she​ ​had​ ​a​ ​few​ ​errands​ ​to​ ​run​ ​before​ ​heading​ ​to​ ​work,​ ​so​ ​she
told​ ​Shirou​ ​to​ ​pack​ ​her​ ​something​ ​extra​ ​for​ ​her.

Satsuki​ ​refused​ ​to​ ​come​ ​out​ ​of​ ​her​ ​room,​ ​saying​ ​that​ ​she​ ​didn’t​ ​feel​ ​like​ ​being​ ​in​ ​the​ ​sun​ ​for
that​ ​day.​ ​After​ ​making​ ​sure​ ​she​ ​didn’t​ ​need​ ​blood​ ​and​ ​that​ ​her​ ​vampiric​ ​impulses​ ​weren’t
acting​ ​up​ ​Shirou​ ​agreed​ ​to​ ​let​ ​her​ ​skip​ ​school​ ​for​ ​one​ ​day.

Being​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​moody​ ​was​ ​the​ ​least​ ​thing​ ​considering​ ​what​ ​life​ ​had​ ​thrown​ ​at​ ​her.

So​ ​he​ ​told​ ​Medea​ ​that​ ​the​ ​bath​ ​was​ ​free​ ​and​ ​that​ ​he​ ​would​ ​be​ ​in​ ​the​ ​kitchen​ ​setting​ ​up
breakfast​ ​just​ ​for​ ​the​ ​two​ ​of​ ​them.

Soon​ ​enough,​ ​a​ ​delicious​ ​smell​ ​drifted​ ​around,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​sound​ ​of​ ​pots​ ​and​ ​pans​ ​echoed,
composing​ ​together​ ​the​ ​unmistakable​ ​atmosphere​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Emiya​ ​household​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning.

While​ ​he​ ​cooked,​ ​Shirou​ ​couldn’t​ ​help​ ​but​ ​going​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​events​ ​of​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​night.​ ​For
all​ ​intents​ ​and​ ​purposes,​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​suffer​ ​from​ ​self-esteem​ ​issues.​ ​He​ ​put​ ​other​ ​people’s​ ​lives
above​ ​his​ ​own​ ​not​ ​because​ ​he​ ​thought​ ​his​ ​life​ ​was​ ​worth​ ​less​ ​than​ ​normal,​ ​but​ ​simply
because​ ​he​ ​prioritized​ ​theirs​ ​above​ ​his.

He​ ​just​ ​never​ ​thought​ ​about​ ​himself​ ​much,​ ​busy​ ​as​ ​he​ ​was​ ​concerning​ ​himself​ ​about​ ​others.
Still,​ ​he​ ​really​ ​couldn’t​ ​wrap​ ​his​ ​head​ ​around​ ​the​ ​concept​ ​of​ ​being​ ​in​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​a
woman​ ​like​ ​Medea.

Shirou​ ​was​ ​many​ ​things,​ ​but​ ​conceited​ ​was​ ​not​ ​one​ ​of​ ​them.​ ​Medea​ ​was​ ​a​ ​stunningly
beautiful,​ ​intelligent,​ ​driven​ ​and​ ​prideful​ ​woman.​ ​Not​ ​in​ ​a​ ​hundred​ ​years​ ​he​ ​would​ ​have
considered​ ​having​ ​a​ ​shot​ ​with​ ​someone​ ​like​ ​her.

Of​ ​course,​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​that​ ​relationships​ ​were​ ​a​ ​matter​ ​of​ ​character​ ​and​ ​circumstances​ ​rather
than​ ​some​ ​imagined​ ​parameter​ ​of​ ​worthiness,​ ​but​ ​still!

Anyway,​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​going​ ​to​ ​look​ ​in​ ​a​ ​gift​ ​horse’s​ ​mouth.​ ​If​ ​being​ ​with​ ​him​ ​despite​ ​his​ ​glaring
flaws​ ​was​ ​what​ ​she​ ​wanted,​ ​then​ ​he​ ​would​ ​do​ ​his​ ​utmost​ ​best​ ​to​ ​live​ ​up​ ​to​ ​her​ ​expectations.
He​ ​might​ ​have​ ​been​ ​an​ ​idiot,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​that​ ​much​ ​of​ ​one.

A​ ​few​ ​minutes​ ​later,​ ​he​ ​heard​ ​bare​ ​footsteps​ ​approaching.

“Whew,”​ ​he​ ​heard​ ​her​ ​say​ ​as​ ​she​ ​stepped​ ​into​ ​the​ ​living​ ​room.​ ​“I​ ​really​ ​needed​ ​that​ ​bath.”
He​ ​turned​ ​around,​ ​pan​ ​and​ ​skillet​ ​still​ ​in​ ​his​ ​hands,​ ​and​ ​promptly​ ​forgot​ ​what​ ​he​ ​was​ ​about​ ​to
say.

Medea​ ​stood​ ​in​ ​the​ ​doorway,​ ​beautiful​ ​as​ ​ever​ ​with​ ​the​ ​sunlight​ ​framing​ ​her​ ​slightly​ ​damp
hair.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​already​ ​breathtaking​ ​on​ ​a​ ​regular​ ​day,​ ​but​ ​Shirou’s​ ​young​ ​heart​ ​really​ ​couldn’t
take​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​her​ ​like​ ​that.​ ​Not​ ​when​ ​the​ ​only​ ​thing​ ​he​ ​could​ ​see​ ​on​ ​her​ ​was​ ​the
long-sleeved​ ​shirt​ ​he​ ​was​ ​wearing​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​day.

Because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​difference​ ​in​ ​their​ ​height,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​way​ ​her​ ​curves​ ​filled​ ​it,​ ​it​ ​fell​ ​all​ ​the​ ​way​ ​to
her​ ​porcelain​ ​thighs,​ ​acting​ ​as​ ​a​ ​makeshift​ ​dress.​ ​A​ ​dress​ ​far​ ​too​ ​short​ ​for​ ​his​ ​heartbeat​ ​not
to​ ​accelerate​ ​considerably​ ​at​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​it.

“Is​ ​something​ ​the​ ​matter,​ ​Shirou?”​ ​she​ ​asked,​ ​seeing​ ​his​ ​stunned​ ​expression.​ ​Of​ ​course,​ ​she
knew​ ​perfectly​ ​well​ ​what​ ​she​ ​was​ ​doing,​ ​if​ ​the​ ​light​ ​blush​ ​on​ ​her​ ​features​ ​and​ ​the​ ​way​ ​she​ ​bit
her​ ​lip​ ​was​ ​any​ ​indication.

With​ ​the​ ​iron-clad​ ​will​ ​that​ ​characterized​ ​him,​ ​Shirou​ ​slowly​ ​put​ ​down​ ​what​ ​he​ ​was​ ​holding
and​ ​took​ ​a​ ​deep​ ​breath.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​a​ ​man​ ​who​ ​put​ ​little​ ​to​ ​no​ ​emphasis​ ​on​ ​himself.​ ​One​ ​could
have​ ​even​ ​go​ ​as​ ​far​ ​as​ ​calling​ ​him​ ​prideless.

Even​ ​so,​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​so​ ​broken​ ​that​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​the​ ​woman​ ​he​ ​loved​ ​wearing​ ​his​ ​shirt​ ​the​ ​day
after​ ​they​ ​sealed​ ​the​ ​deal​ ​wouldn’t​ ​stroke​ ​a​ ​fire​ ​inside​ ​him.

“You​ ​enjoy​ ​tormenting​ ​me​ ​way​ ​too​ ​much,”​ ​he​ ​eventually​ ​said.

“You​ ​enjoy​ ​being​ ​tormented​ ​by​ ​me​ ​just​ ​as​ ​much,”​ ​she​ ​countered.

Shirou​ ​gave​ ​her​ ​a​ ​mild​ ​glare​ ​with​ ​no​ ​actual​ ​bite​ ​in​ ​it.​ ​After​ ​all,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​just​ ​no​ ​way​ ​he​ ​could
look​ ​at​ ​her​ ​in​ ​that​ ​state​ ​and​ ​be​ ​upset​ ​with​ ​her.​ ​Even​ ​without​ ​taking​ ​into​ ​consideration​ ​that
was​ ​she​ ​said​ ​was​ ​a​ ​hundred​ ​percent​ ​true.

“What​ ​if​ ​Satsuki-san​ ​decides​ ​to​ ​come​ ​down​ ​for​ ​breakfast​ ​after​ ​all,​ ​and​ ​sees​ ​you​ ​like​ ​that?”

Shirou​ ​was​ ​clueless​ ​about​ ​many​ ​things​ ​regarding​ ​women,​ ​but​ ​even​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​the​ ​significance
of​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​wearing​ ​a​ ​man’s​ ​shirt​ ​that​ ​way​ ​and​ ​if​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​it,​ ​then​ ​so​ ​did​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​the​ ​world.

“Well.​ ​Let​ ​her​ ​see​ ​me,​ ​then.​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​ashamed​ ​of​ ​what​ ​we​ ​did,​ ​or​ ​what​ ​we​ ​are.”

“Neither​ ​am​ ​I,”​ ​Shirou​ ​sighed,​ ​“it’s​ ​just…​ ​we​ ​Japanese​ ​are​ ​reserved​ ​people.​ ​We​ ​don’t​ ​really
make​ ​a​ ​public​ ​show​ ​of​ ​our​ ​relationships.”

“Well,​ ​I’m​ ​from​ ​ancient​ ​Greece​ ​and​ ​our​ ​idea​ ​of​ ​sport​ ​is​ ​naked​ ​men​ ​covered​ ​in​ ​oils​ ​wrestling
each​ ​other.​ ​Besides…​ ​do​ ​you​ ​really​ ​not​ ​want​ ​to​ ​see​ ​me​ ​like​ ​this?”

Biting​ ​her​ ​lip​ ​mischievously,​ ​she​ ​tugged​ ​up​ ​one​ ​hem​ ​of​ ​the​ ​shirt​ ​and​ ​the​ ​other​ ​one​ ​down,
making​ ​the​ ​bottom​ ​line​ ​of​ ​that​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​clothing​ ​cut​ ​obliquely​ ​across​ ​her​ ​hips​ ​and​ ​thighs.
“You…​ ​you​ ​aren’t​ ​wearing​ ​anything​ ​under​ ​there,​ ​are​ ​you?”

Medea​ ​did​ ​not​ ​answer,​ ​but​ ​arched​ ​an​ ​eyebrow​ ​suggestively.

Shirou’s​ ​heart​ ​took​ ​a​ ​critical​ ​hit​ ​and​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​fall​ ​to​ ​his​ ​knees​ ​only​ ​because​ ​he​ ​was
supporting​ ​himself​ ​on​ ​the​ ​counter​ ​that​ ​separated​ ​the​ ​kitchen​ ​from​ ​the​ ​living​ ​room.

Even​ ​though​ ​he​ ​was​ ​tired​ ​from​ ​not​ ​having​ ​slept​ ​a​ ​single​ ​minute​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​night​ ​and​ ​being
physically​ ​drained​ ​in​ ​every​ ​sense​ ​of​ ​the​ ​word,​ ​the​ ​young​ ​man​ ​could​ ​feel​ ​a​ ​surge​ ​of​ ​desire
swell​ ​inside​ ​him.

​ ​“You​ ​are​ ​going​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​death​ ​of​ ​me,​ ​Medea.”

“Oh,​ ​don’t​ ​you​ ​worry​ ​about​ ​that.​ ​I​ ​have​ ​plenty​ ​of​ ​means​ ​to​ ​make​ ​you​ ​stand​ ​back​ ​up.”

The​ ​innuendo​ ​didn’t​ ​escape​ ​him.​ ​Shirou​ ​slammed​ ​his​ ​fist​ ​on​ ​the​ ​counter.​ ​“Stop.​ ​Please,
stop,”​ ​he​ ​begged.​ ​“I​ ​have​ ​classes.​ ​I​ ​already​ ​know​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​thinking​ ​of​ ​you​ ​all​ ​morning.​ ​Please
don’t​ ​make​ ​it​ ​harder​ ​than​ ​it​ ​already​ ​is.”

Medea​ ​shoulders​ ​twitched​ ​as​ ​she​ ​suppressed​ ​her​ ​laughter,​ ​causing​ ​Shirou​ ​to​ ​frown.

“What?​ ​What​ ​did​ ​I​ ​say?​ ​…​ ​THAT’S​ ​NOT​ ​WHAT​ ​I​ ​MEANT​ ​AND​ ​YOU​ ​KNOW​ ​IT!”

Medea​ ​couldn’t​ ​hold​ ​it​ ​anymore​ ​and​ ​burst​ ​out​ ​laughing,​ ​falling​ ​on​ ​her​ ​knees,​ ​holding​ ​her
sides​ ​while​ ​tears​ ​of​ ​mirth​ ​rolled​ ​down​ ​her​ ​cheeks.

Shirou’s​ ​shoulders​ ​dropped​ ​as​ ​he​ ​let​ ​out​ ​a​ ​long​ ​drawn​ ​sigh.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​way​ ​he​ ​could​ ​be
upset​ ​with​ ​her​ ​when​ ​she​ ​smiled​ ​like​ ​that.​ ​Eventually​ ​he​ ​too​ ​joined​ ​her​ ​and​ ​the​ ​sound​ ​of
laughter​ ​filled​ ​the​ ​house.

Even​ ​though​ ​the​ ​war​ ​loomed​ ​over​ ​them,​ ​for​ ​one​ ​perfect​ ​moment,​ ​all​ ​was​ ​well.

They​ ​ate​ ​breakfast​ ​chatting​ ​easily,​ ​though​ ​Shirou​ ​was​ ​captivated​ ​by​ ​Medea​ ​all​ ​the​ ​time.​ ​She
had​ ​always​ ​been​ ​strikingly​ ​beautiful,​ ​but​ ​now​ ​it​ ​was​ ​like​ ​a​ ​weight​ ​had​ ​been​ ​lifted​ ​from​ ​her
shoulders​ ​and​ ​she​ ​shone​ ​with​ ​a​ ​light​ ​he​ ​couldn’t​ ​quite​ ​describe.

“Jokes​ ​aside,​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​better​ ​if​ ​we​ ​didn’t​ ​let​ ​most​ ​people​ ​know​ ​about​ ​our​ ​relationship​ ​for
the​ ​time​ ​being,”​ ​Medea​ ​said.

“I​ ​don’t​ ​object​ ​to​ ​that,​ ​but​ ​what​ ​made​ ​you​ ​change​ ​your​ ​mind​ ​all​ ​of​ ​a​ ​sudden?”​ ​he​ ​asked.

“It’s​ ​not​ ​much​ ​of​ ​a​ ​worry,​ ​but​ ​I’d​ ​rather​ ​that​ ​the​ ​topic​ ​didn’t​ ​come​ ​up​ ​around​ ​Rin.​ ​I’m​ ​quite
confident​ ​she​ ​wouldn’t​ ​let​ ​her​ ​personal​ ​feelings​ ​interfere​ ​with​ ​our​ ​common​ ​goals,​ ​but​ ​since
I’m​ ​going​ ​to​ ​have​ ​to​ ​work​ ​closely​ ​with​ ​her​ ​for​ ​the​ ​foreseeable​ ​future,​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​better​ ​if​ ​she
didn’t​ ​know​ ​that​ ​her​ ​crush​ ​had​ ​been​ ​stolen.​ ​Worst​ ​case​ ​scenario,​ ​we​ ​can​ ​use​ ​her​ ​feelings​ ​as
leverage.”

“Huh?”​ ​Shirou​ ​frowned,​ ​then​ ​blushed​ ​slightly.​ ​“T-Tohsaka​ ​has​ ​a​ ​crush​ ​on​ ​you?”

Medea​ ​started​ ​at​ ​him​ ​with​ ​a​ ​questioning​ ​frown,​ ​then​ ​she​ ​rubbed​ ​the​ ​bridge​ ​of​ ​her​ ​nose
wearily.​ ​“Of​ ​course.​ ​Why​ ​did​ ​I​ ​expect​ ​any​ ​differently?​ ​No,​ ​Shirou,​ ​Rin​ ​doesn’t​ ​have​ ​a​ ​crush
on​ ​me,​ ​to​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of​ ​my​ ​knowledge.”

“Ah?​ ​Then​ ​who….?”​ ​he​ ​trailed​ ​off​ ​as​ ​he​ ​noticed​ ​Medea​ ​staring​ ​intently​ ​at​ ​him​ ​with​ ​narrowed
eyes.​ ​“Eh….​ ​EEEEEEEEEEH?​ ​No​ ​way!​ ​You​ ​must​ ​be​ ​mistaken.​ ​There’s​ ​no​ ​way​ ​that
Tohsaka​ ​would-”

“Shirou,”​ ​she​ ​interrupted.​ ​“Are​ ​you​ ​suggesting​ ​that​ ​you​ ​understand​ ​how​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​thinks​ ​or
feel​ ​better​ ​than​ ​another​ ​woman​ ​does?”

“Eh…no,”​ ​He​ ​stuttered.

“I​ ​guess​ ​that​ ​I​ ​have​ ​been​ ​lucky​ ​that​ ​she​ ​didn’t​ ​act​ ​upon​ ​them​ ​before​ ​I​ ​did,”​ ​Medea​ ​decided.

“But…​ ​are​ ​you​ ​sure?​ ​I​ ​mean…​ ​that’s​ ​just​ ​too​ ​unbelievable.”

“Please,​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​you​ ​at​ ​least​ ​knew​ ​about​ ​Sakura,”​ ​Medea​ ​said​ ​wearily.

“...​ ​Sakura​ ​as​ ​well?”

“Shirou,​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​believe​ ​that’s​ ​the​ ​case,​ ​but​ ​are​ ​you​ ​by​ ​any​ ​chance​ ​making​ ​fun​ ​of​ ​me?”​ ​She
asked​ ​in​ ​a​ ​deliberately​ ​patient​ ​tone.​ ​“Sakura​ ​swoons​ ​when​ ​you​ ​so​ ​much​ ​a​ ​breath​ ​in​ ​her
general​ ​direction.​ ​I​ ​saw​ ​it​ ​happen.”

Shirou​ ​was​ ​just​ ​as​ ​silent​ ​as​ ​he​ ​was​ ​wide​ ​eyed.

“You​ ​really​ ​had​ ​no​ ​clue​ ​at​ ​all,​ ​did​ ​you?”

Shirou​ ​shook​ ​his​ ​head​ ​rapidly​ ​several​ ​times.

“If​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​come​ ​to​ ​cherish​ ​you​ ​as​ ​much​ ​as​ ​I​ ​do,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​extract​ ​your​ ​skull​ ​just​ ​to​ ​see​ ​if​ ​it’s
made​ ​from​ ​some​ ​high-density​ ​alloy.​ ​There​ ​should​ ​be​ ​a​ ​limit​ ​to​ ​how​ ​thick​ ​anyone​ ​can​ ​be,​ ​but
you​ ​surpass​ ​my​ ​expectations​ ​every​ ​single​ ​time.​ ​Did​ ​you​ ​ever​ ​notice​ ​any​ ​woman​ ​having​ ​an
interest​ ​in​ ​you​ ​at​ ​all?​ ​Not​ ​Satsuki​ ​or​ ​that​ ​Ayako​ ​girl?”

“....​ ​them​ ​too?”​ ​Shirou​ ​asked​ ​with​ ​a​ ​barely​ ​audible​ ​voice.

“Hmph!​ ​Satsuki​ ​is​ ​making​ ​a​ ​good​ ​job​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​herself​ ​emotionally​ ​detached​ ​from​ ​you​ ​as
possible,​ ​but​ ​that’s​ ​only​ ​because​ ​you​ ​are​ ​not​ ​even​ ​trying.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​pushed​ ​a​ ​little,​ ​she​ ​would
capitulate​ ​in​ ​short​ ​order.​ ​And​ ​do​ ​you​ ​really​ ​think​ ​that​ ​that​ ​Mitsuzuri​ ​would​ ​have​ ​reacted​ ​the
way​ ​she​ ​did​ ​when​ ​I​ ​implied​ ​our​ ​relationship,​ ​if​ ​she​ ​didn’t​ ​have​ ​an​ ​emotional​ ​investment​ ​in
you?​ ​Don’t​ ​make​ ​me​ ​laugh.”

Shirou​ ​sat​ ​in​ ​stunned​ ​silence​ ​for​ ​a​ ​long​ ​time.

“But....​ ​why?”​ ​he​ ​eventually​ ​asked.

“I​ ​can’t​ ​speak​ ​for​ ​everyone’s​ ​personal​ ​preferences,”​ ​Medea​ ​explained,​ ​“but​ ​you​ ​do​ ​possess
traits​ ​that​ ​most​ ​women​ ​would​ ​find​ ​attractive​ ​and​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​talking​ ​about​ ​your​ ​looks.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​I
didn’t​ ​made​ ​it​ ​clear​ ​enough​ ​already,​ ​I​ ​think​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​remarkable​ ​man.​ ​Sure​ ​enough,​ ​your
stubbornness​ ​can​ ​be​ ​troubling​ ​to​ ​the​ ​people​ ​around​ ​you,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​truth​ ​is​ ​that​ ​most​ ​women
like​ ​a​ ​man​ ​who​ ​confidently​ ​pursues​ ​his​ ​own​ ​ambitions​ ​without​ ​compromising.”

“It​ ​can’t​ ​possibly​ ​be​ ​that​ ​simple,”​ ​he​ ​objected.

“On​ ​its​ ​own,​ ​maybe​ ​not,”​ ​she​ ​agreed,​ ​“but​ ​if​ ​to​ ​that​ ​you​ ​add​ ​above​ ​average​ ​looks,​ ​great
reliability​ ​and​ ​a​ ​penchant​ ​for​ ​surpassing​ ​expectations​ ​I’m​ ​afraid​ ​that​ ​you​ ​are​ ​bound​ ​to​ ​be
highly​ ​regarded​ ​by​ ​any​ ​woman​ ​you​ ​spend​ ​sufficient​ ​time​ ​with,​ ​whether​ ​they​ ​decide​ ​to​ ​do
anything​ ​about​ ​it​ ​or​ ​not.​ ​And​ ​that’s​ ​without​ ​keeping​ ​in​ ​consideration​ ​to​ ​what​ ​lengths​ ​you​ ​have
gone​ ​for​ ​some​ ​of​ ​us.”

“Eh?​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​do​ ​anything.”

Medea​ ​shook​ ​her​ ​head.​ ​“Perhaps​ ​it​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​you,​ ​as​ ​you​ ​were​ ​merely​ ​acting​ ​according
to​ ​your​ ​beliefs,​ ​but​ ​do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​that​ ​Rin​ ​doesn't​ ​hold​ ​you​ ​in​ ​high​ ​esteem​ ​for​ ​what​ ​you​ ​do​ ​for
her​ ​again​ ​and​ ​again?​ ​That​ ​Satsuki​ ​is​ ​indifferent​ ​to​ ​you​ ​after​ ​you​ ​became​ ​the​ ​one​ ​person​ ​she
can​ ​always​ ​rely​ ​upon?​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​think​ ​it​ ​matters​ ​nothing​ ​to​ ​me,​ ​that​ ​you​ ​chose​ ​to​ ​believe​ ​in​ ​me
when​ ​no​ ​one​ ​else​ ​ever​ ​did?”

“I…​ ​I​ ​just​ ​did​ ​what​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​was​ ​right​ ​every​ ​time.”

“Our​ ​choices​ ​define​ ​who​ ​we​ ​are,​ ​“​ ​she​ ​explained.​ ​“Yours​ ​have​ ​simply​ ​made​ ​you​ ​into​ ​a​ ​man
that​ ​many​ ​women​ ​admire.​ ​They​ ​made​ ​you​ ​into​ ​the​ ​man​ ​I​ ​love.”

Shirou​ ​stared​ ​at​ ​his​ ​empty​ ​plate​ ​without​ ​knowing​ ​what​ ​to​ ​say.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​never​ ​considered​ ​how
people​ ​thought​ ​of​ ​him.​ ​To​ ​begin​ ​with,​ ​he​ ​did​ ​nothing​ ​for​ ​the​ ​purposes​ ​of​ ​being
acknowledged,​ ​but​ ​that​ ​didn’t​ ​mean​ ​that​ ​people​ ​wouldn’t​ ​acknowledge​ ​him​ ​all​ ​the​ ​same.

Only​ ​now​ ​such​ ​a​ ​basic​ ​fact​ ​of​ ​life​ ​had​ ​dawned​ ​upon​ ​him.

“W…​ ​what​ ​should​ ​I​ ​do​ ​now?”​ ​he​ ​decided​ ​to​ ​ask.

Medea​ ​shrugged.​ ​“You​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​do​ ​anything​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​It’s​ ​not​ ​like​ ​you​ ​did​ ​anything
expressly​ ​for​ ​the​ ​purpose​ ​of​ ​making​ ​them​ ​like​ ​you.​ ​If​ ​you​ ​had,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​already​ ​shown
you​ ​what​ ​I​ ​planned​ ​to​ ​do​ ​to​ ​my​ ​ex-husband​ ​if​ ​I​ ​had​ ​the​ ​chance,”​ ​she​ ​said​ ​with​ ​a​ ​smile​ ​that
would​ ​have​ ​sent​ ​him​ ​running​ ​for​ ​the​ ​hills​ ​he​ ​had​ ​been​ ​the​ ​cause​ ​for​ ​it.

Indeed,​ ​he​ ​had​ ​no​ ​intention​ ​of​ ​knowing​ ​what​ ​Medea​ ​had​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​do​ ​to​ ​Jason.​ ​Certainly​ ​he
wouldn’t​ ​have​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​object​ ​of​ ​whatever​ ​elaborate​ ​form​ ​of​ ​living​ ​hell​ ​she​ ​had​ ​in
store​ ​for​ ​people​ ​like​ ​her​ ​former​ ​husband.

Still,​ ​even​ ​though​ ​Medea​ ​said​ ​he​ ​should​ ​do​ ​anything​ ​about​ ​the​ ​situation,​ ​Shirou​ ​couldn’t
easily​ ​do​ ​nothing​ ​about​ ​it.

“I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​preferred​ ​you​ ​didn’t​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​about​ ​it.”

“And​ ​let​ ​you​ ​break​ ​one​ ​maiden’s​ ​heart​ ​after​ ​another​ ​in​ ​blissful​ ​ignorance?​ ​No​ ​way,”​ ​she
rebuffed.​ ​“But​ ​seriously,​ ​I​ ​didn’t​ ​think​ ​you​ ​were​ ​absolutely​ ​unaware​ ​of​ ​it.​ ​It’s​ ​so​ ​painfully
obvious.”

“You​ ​are​ ​awfully​ ​nonchalant​ ​about​ ​your​ ​boyfriend​ ​being​ ​the​ ​recipient​ ​of​ ​other​ ​women’s
interest.”

"How​ ​odd,"​ ​Medea​ ​said,​ ​tilting​ ​her​ ​head​ ​as​ ​she​ ​pondered​ ​his​ ​words.​ ​"I​ ​would​ ​definitely​ ​be
most​ ​upset​ ​if​ ​you​ ​turned​ ​your​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​another​ ​woman,​ ​but​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time​ ​I​ ​feel
surprisingly​ ​good​ ​knowing​ ​that​ ​my​ ​man​ ​is...​ ​highly​ ​coveted."

"Is​ ​it​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​thing​ ​or​ ​is​ ​it​ ​just​ ​you?"​ ​he​ ​asked​ ​with​ ​his​ ​brows​ ​furrowed.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​the​ ​feeling
he​ ​had​ ​unknowingly​ ​stepped​ ​into​ ​a​ ​twilight​ ​zone,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​was​ ​too​ ​late​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​back​ ​now.

"Possibly,​ ​I'm​ ​not​ ​sure.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time​ ​I'm​ ​in​ ​a​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​anyone​ ​of​ ​my​ ​own
volition,​ ​you​ ​understand."

He​ ​did,​ ​though​ ​that​ ​helped​ ​him​ ​little​ ​with​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​at​ ​hand.

"You​ ​don't​ ​seem​ ​happy​ ​about​ ​the​ ​situation,"​ ​she​ ​observed.

"Of​ ​course​ ​not!"​ ​he​ ​exclaimed.​ ​"I​ ​can't​ ​possibly​ ​reciprocate​ ​their​ ​feelings​ ​but​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​want​ ​to
hurt​ ​them​ ​either."

"Hm?​ ​Why,​ ​don’t​ ​you​ ​find​ ​them​ ​attractive?"​ ​she​ ​asked,​ ​sounding​ ​almost​ ​casually.

Shirou​ ​suddenly​ ​felt​ ​on​ ​the​ ​edge​ ​of​ ​a​ ​very​ ​high​ ​cliff.​ ​One​ ​wrong​ ​move​ ​and​ ​he'd​ ​fall​ ​to​ ​his
death...​ ​or​ ​at​ ​the​ ​very​ ​least​ ​to​ ​a​ ​very​ ​painful​ ​experience.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​just​ ​one​ ​way​ ​he​ ​could
answer​ ​that​ ​question​ ​in​ ​his​ ​mind.

"Of​ ​course​ ​they​ ​are​ ​attractive,"​ ​he​ ​confessed.​ ​"...What?"

Strangely​ ​enough,​ ​Medea's​ ​mouth​ ​was​ ​curved​ ​into​ ​a​ ​loving​ ​smile.
"Thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​not​ ​lying​ ​to​ ​me,"​ ​she​ ​said​ ​simply.

Shirou​ ​shook​ ​his​ ​head​ ​and​ ​let​ ​out​ ​a​ ​slow​ ​sigh.​ ​Attractive​ ​or​ ​not,​ ​women​ ​were​ ​troublesome.
He​ ​was​ ​half-expecting​ ​her​ ​to​ ​skin​ ​him...​ ​or​ ​at​ ​least​ ​to​ ​electrocute​ ​him​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit.

"You​ ​are​ ​being​ ​weird​ ​about​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​again.​ ​Aren't​ ​you​ ​supposed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​angry​ ​about​ ​it?"

"They​ ​all​ ​are​ ​objectively​ ​attractive​ ​women.​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​been​ ​angry​ ​if​ ​you​ ​had​ ​lied​ ​just​ ​to
appease​ ​me."

"...​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​believe​ ​I'll​ ​ever​ ​understand​ ​how​ ​you​ ​women​ ​think."

"Well,​ ​I​ ​really​ ​wasn't​ ​expecting​ ​any​ ​different​ ​from​ ​you​ ​at​ ​this​ ​point,"​ ​she​ ​said​ ​mockingly.
"Besides,​ ​I​ ​already​ ​know​ ​you​ ​won't​ ​turn​ ​your​ ​back​ ​on​ ​me​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​what.​ ​In​ ​light​ ​of​ ​that​ ​I
suppose​ ​I​ ​could​ ​forgive​ ​a​ ​few​ ​dalliances."

"I...​ ​no,"​ ​he​ ​said​ ​firmly.​ ​"I​ ​don't​ ​do...​ ​dalliances.​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​even​ ​understand​ ​why​ ​you​ ​of​ ​all​ ​people
are​ ​bringing​ ​up​ ​something​ ​like​ ​that."

"Well…,”​ ​she​ ​looked​ ​away​ ​with​ ​an​ ​embarrassed​ ​smile.​ ​“I​ ​was​ ​hoping​ ​that​ ​if​ ​I​ ​let​ ​you​ ​keep​ ​Rin
and​ ​Sakura​ ​as​ ​pets,​ ​you'd​ ​let​ ​me​ ​have​ ​Saber​ ​in​ ​exchange."

"Buh?!"​ ​Shirou​ ​exclaimed,​ ​blushing​ ​to​ ​his​ ​ears.​ ​"Saber​ ​what?​ ​But​ ​she...​ ​you..."

"Oh,​ ​don't​ ​be​ ​like​ ​that.​ ​Saber’s​ ​beauty​ ​is​ ​of​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​degree.​ ​I​ ​would​ ​do​ ​almost​ ​anything​ ​to
get​ ​my​ ​hands​ ​on​ ​her.​ ​The​ ​things​ ​I​ ​could​ ​do​ ​with​ ​her...​ ​fu​ ​fu​ ​fu."

A​ ​shiver​ ​went​ ​down​ ​Shirou's​ ​spine.​ ​How​ ​could​ ​he​ ​have​ ​forgotten?​ ​Even​ ​though​ ​he​ ​loved​ ​her,
that​ ​didn't​ ​change​ ​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​Medea​ ​was​ ​still​ ​a​ ​wicked​ ​witch​ ​at​ ​heart.

His​ ​instincts​ ​as​ ​a​ ​hero​ ​kicked​ ​into​ ​high​ ​gear.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​to​ ​protect​ ​Saber’s​ ​purity.

"Medea...​ ​molesting​ ​our​ ​allies,​ ​no,​ ​molesting​ ​anyone​ ​is​ ​absolutely​ ​prohibited,"​ ​he​ ​declared.

"What​ ​if​ ​I​ ​share​ ​Saber​ ​with​ ​you?"​ ​she​ ​offered​ ​with​ ​a​ ​hopeful​ ​glint​ ​in​ ​her​ ​eyes.

"Absolutely!​ ​Prohibited!"​ ​he​ ​insisted,​ ​though​ ​his​ ​blush​ ​intensified.

"...​ ​you​ ​are​ ​such​ ​a​ ​stick​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mud,​ ​Shirou."

"No,"​ ​he​ ​said​ ​firmly.​ ​"In​ ​this​ ​case,​ ​I'm​ ​pretty​ ​sure​ ​my​ ​personality​ ​is​ ​not​ ​the​ ​problem."

"Hmm,​ ​fine.​ ​I'll​ ​give​ ​up...​ ​for​ ​the​ ​time​ ​being.​ ​Although..."

"What?"​ ​he​ ​asked,​ ​feeling​ ​dread​ ​creep​ ​up​ ​his​ ​spine.

"I​ ​wonder​ ​if​ ​you​ ​would​ ​be​ ​of​ ​the​ ​same​ ​opinion​ ​if​ ​you​ ​found​ ​me​ ​and​ ​Saber​ ​together​ ​in​ ​your
futon​ ​one​ ​night."

"I'll​ ​use​ ​a​ ​Command​ ​Seal,​ ​Medea.​ ​I​ ​swear​ ​I'll​ ​do​ ​it,"​ ​he​ ​promised​ ​in​ ​all​ ​seriousness.

"Shirou…,”​ ​Medea​ ​said​ ​as​ ​her​ ​gaze​ ​fell​ ​to​ ​his​ ​lap,​ ​“your​ ​erection​ ​is​ ​betraying​ ​your​ ​true
feelings."

“MY​ ​ERECTION​ ​IS​ ​NOT​ ​IN​ ​CHARGE​ ​OF​ ​ANYTHING!!!!”​ ​he​ ​bellowed,​ ​covering​ ​the
traitorous​ ​part​ ​of​ ​his​ ​anatomy​ ​with​ ​both​ ​hands.

And​ ​so,​ ​as​ ​Medea​ ​laughed​ ​heartily​ ​once​ ​more,​ ​Shirou​ ​was​ ​left​ ​with​ ​the​ ​impression​ ​that​ ​he
had​ ​bitten​ ​more​ ​than​ ​he​ ​could​ ​chew​ ​again.

Eventually​ ​Shirou​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​leave​ ​for​ ​school,​ ​but​ ​not​ ​before​ ​Medea​ ​gave​ ​him​ ​one​ ​last
parting​ ​kiss.

Although​ ​he​ ​couldn't​ ​be​ ​too​ ​sure​ ​about​ ​it​ ​(he​ ​never​ ​could​ ​around​ ​women),​ ​Shirou​ ​felt​ ​that
Medea​ ​was​ ​truly​ ​happy​ ​about​ ​being​ ​together​ ​with​ ​him.

Despite​ ​her​ ​words​ ​of​ ​praise​ ​earlier​ ​that​ ​morning,​ ​Shirou​ ​really​ ​didn't​ ​see​ ​what​ ​was​ ​the​ ​big
deal​ ​with​ ​him.​ ​Although​ ​he​ ​didn't​ ​think​ ​she​ ​was​ ​making​ ​fun​ ​of​ ​him,​ ​he​ ​really​ ​couldn't​ ​believe
that​ ​so​ ​many​ ​girls​ ​had​ ​a​ ​crush​ ​on​ ​him.​ ​He​ ​would​ ​have​ ​noticed​ ​if​ ​they​ ​had...

...​ ​except​ ​he​ ​had​ ​completely​ ​misunderstood​ ​Medea's​ ​blatant​ ​hints​ ​for​ ​weeks,​ ​and​ ​they​ ​lived
and​ ​worked​ ​together.

Maybe,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​willing​ ​to​ ​admit,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​dense​ ​when​ ​it​ ​came​ ​to​ ​these​ ​things.​ ​The
problem​ ​was​ ​that​ ​now​ ​he​ ​couldn't​ ​get​ ​this​ ​knowledge​ ​out​ ​of​ ​his​ ​head.​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​he​ ​would​ ​be
thinking​ ​about​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​night​ ​all​ ​day​ ​long,​ ​he​ ​didn't​ ​know​ ​how​ ​he​ ​would​ ​face​ ​Tohsaka
and​ ​Satsuki​ ​with​ ​a​ ​straight​ ​face.

Even​ ​Saber​ ​was​ ​not​ ​spared​ ​by​ ​his​ ​overworking​ ​imagination.​ ​Monk-like​ ​attitude​ ​aside,​ ​he​ ​was
still​ ​very​ ​much​ ​a​ ​red-blooded​ ​young​ ​man.​ ​It​ ​simply​ ​wasn't​ ​in​ ​his​ ​power​ ​not​ ​to​ ​think​ ​of​ ​the
image​ ​that​ ​his​ ​girlfriend​ ​had​ ​planted​ ​in​ ​his​ ​head.

The​ ​awkwardness​ ​he​ ​had​ ​just​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​surpass​ ​with​ ​Medea​ ​would​ ​come​ ​back​ ​in​ ​full
force​ ​around​ ​just​ ​about​ ​any​ ​woman​ ​in​ ​his​ ​life​ ​with​ ​the​ ​exception​ ​of​ ​Taiga.

And​ ​thank​ ​goodness​ ​for​ ​that​ ​small​ ​saving​ ​grace.

Needless​ ​to​ ​say,​ ​Shirou​ ​would​ ​not​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​any​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​his​ ​classes​ ​that​ ​morning.
While​ ​Shirou​ ​went​ ​to​ ​school,​ ​Medea​ ​got​ ​properly​ ​dressed​ ​and​ ​went​ ​about​ ​cleaning​ ​the
house.

Just​ ​like​ ​Shirou​ ​wouldn't​ ​be​ ​her​ ​perfect​ ​husband,​ ​she​ ​wouldn't​ ​be​ ​his​ ​perfect​ ​housewife.
That​ ​was​ ​fine,​ ​though.​ ​That​ ​was​ ​the​ ​beauty​ ​of​ ​their​ ​bond.​ ​They​ ​didn't​ ​need​ ​to​ ​be​ ​perfect.
It​ ​was​ ​fine​ ​to​ ​be​ ​flawed,​ ​stained,​ ​marked​ ​by​ ​sin.

Medea​ ​never​ ​felt​ ​his​ ​liberated​ ​in​ ​her​ ​entire​ ​life.​ ​Even​ ​when​ ​she​ ​was​ ​still​ ​a​ ​little​ ​girl​ ​she​ ​didn't
feel​ ​in​ ​such​ ​a​ ​way.

In​ ​short​ ​she​ ​walking​ ​on​ ​clouds,​ ​humming​ ​and​ ​giggling​ ​to​ ​herself​ ​while​ ​she​ ​moved​ ​around​ ​the
almost​ ​empty​ ​house.

This​ ​happiness...​ ​she​ ​would​ ​protect​ ​it​ ​at​ ​all​ ​costs.

XXX