Chapter 561: Who's the One Who Stabbed Me in the Back?!
"Hah..."
After shaking off the last police car and tail in the previous block, Sakatsuki executed a stylish drift and parked in front of Homurahara Academy just as his five-star wanted level began flashing. He flipped off the bike, using the momentum to take a few steps forward before casually patting the vehicle with his left hand—the Noble Phantasm surpassing human craftsmanship dissipated into spiritrons.
In his arms, Draco clung tightly to him, her crimson dress fluttering, her body limp and utterly drained of strength.
Land speeds capable of producing sonic booms were thrilling even for Servants, let alone for the little red dragon who had been riding backward. All she could see was Sakatsuki's exhilarated face and the streets and traffic rapidly receding behind her—this kind of adrenaline rush was practically double the intensity.
"Feels like riding a roller coaster, doesn't it?" Sakatsuki bounced the little red dragon in his arms, smirking. "But wow, I never expected Your Majesty to surrender so quickly. You were already clinging to me halfway through, refusing to let go no matter what~~"
Do you even realize how fast Excalibur was going at that point? You activated both 'God Hand' and 'Roar of the Wounded Beast,' you bastard!
Draco lifted her gaze, her wine-red eyes brimming with resentment.
At that moment, she felt like she was sitting on a nuclear bomb about to explode. If Sakatsuki hadn't redirected that energy into the Mion River in time, she would've had no choice but to unleash her Noble Phantasm just to survive!
"Oh? Ehe~?" Sensing Draco's murderous intent, Sakatsuki quickly backpedaled. "Putting aside the facts for a moment... ahem, I mean, Your Majesty, didn't you feel any joy during the ride? That rush of speed and excitement?"
At this, Draco's face stiffened slightly before she silently averted her eyes.
Perhaps it was precisely because she had enjoyed the thrill that she now felt so embarrassed and furious.
It wasn't just the heart-pounding, palm-sweating exhilaration—it was also the sense of security she felt when the boy, despite being chased by police cars, freed a hand to hold her tightly, even as she screamed in panic.
For the former Beast, the latter was far more satisfying than the former.
A couple clinging to each other right at the school gates first thing in the morning—such a spectacle quickly drew the envious, jealous glares of all the single dogs around them.
Is there no justice left in this world? No law?
Having to endure couples being all lovey-dovey in class was bad enough, but now they're shoving dog food down our throats right at the school entrance too?
We've already had breakfast, we're full—stop force-feeding us!
Amid the howls of the single dogs, Sakatsuki and Draco happily walked hand in hand through the gates of Homurahara Academy—the elementary school division.
Wait a minute... something feels off here?
———
Infirmary
"Ah, there you are, Sakatsuki!"
The door burst open as a twin-tailed girl brimming with energy stormed in and grabbed the boy's arm. "I need your help with something!"
"Rin?" Sakatsuki, now wearing a white lab coat, looked every bit the part of a doctor. "Barging in here in such a hurry—are you here to film a 'Nurse's Office.avi' or something?"
"What's that?" Rin Tohsaka paused briefly before quickly dismissing the thought. "Never mind, take a photo with me! Let's get a picture together, Sakatsuki!"
As she spoke, the girl's smooth black hair swayed gently, brushing faintly against her school uniform. "That bitch Luviagelita somehow got a photo with Shirou and has been taunting me with it… She must've sneakily taken it when Shirou wasn't looking, that despicable stalker and pervert!"
"Ah, I see. Playing the rivals against each other, huh?" Sakatsuki immediately understood that Rin and Luviagelita's usual bickering had flared up again. He didn't refuse, instead grinning and flashing a peace sign. "Want me to roll my eyes for the shot?"
"What kind of weird pose is that? Some new trend?" The innocent Rin naturally didn't understand Sakatsuki's mischievous humor. Grabbing his arm, she struck several ambiguous poses before the shutter clicks filled the air. Once done, she pocketed her phone and dashed off.
"Thanks, Sakatsuki! I'll treat you to tea once my maid salary comes in!"
Clutching the newly acquired photos like weapons, Rin chuckled darkly as she stormed toward the high school building. With this momentum, a fierce battle between the two "empresses" was inevitable—one that would shake the stars and grind the heavens to dust…
Of course, what did any of this have to do with an ordinary school nurse?
As Rin disappeared down the hallway in a whirlwind, Sakatsuki turned back and set a steaming pot of millet and pumpkin porridge on the table, its rich aroma instantly filling the air.
Though the Class Card incident had ended and the final "dungeon" of the Einzberns had been cleared by Sakatsuki, theoretically eliminating all threats, the wand spirits Ruby and Sapphire had strangely insisted on locking Illya and Miyu as their masters. Combined with the anomaly of Chloe von Einzbern—the manifestation of the Archer Class Card—Rin and Luviagelita, the twin stars of the Clock Tower, were still unable to return home. They had to remain stationed here for surveillance and protection.
In other words, the magical girls' story was far from over.
"Thou hast grown increasingly casual of late, daring to utter such words." A crimson figure materialized as Draco canceled her concealment, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
During the confrontation with Bazett, Draco had inadvertently revealed her Beast-like power, drawing the attention of the Clock Tower's old guard. Combined with her innate laziness, she had taken to avoiding Rin and Luviagelita to prevent further complications.
"Well, we're in vacation mode now. Slacking off is only natural." Sakatsuki chuckled before suddenly slamming the table. "And that Assassin bastard! He went and got himself not one, but two partners without consulting anyone!"
"Damn it, I've stayed pure all this time! Does he think I'm easy to bully? Using me as a substitute?! Ugh, I'm done. Just perish already, you bastard!"
This guy… acting smug after getting his way. A murderous glint flashed in Draco's eyes as her draconic tail lashed with a sharp crack.
Rage Meter: 4%…5%…6%…
"Even if thou changest the subject, it does not erase thy philandering ways. And to dare speak of such things in my presence… Art thou seeking death?"
"Oh well... Of course I'd prefer to live longer if possible. Ideally, I'd love to see Your Majesty's adorable face every single day!"
Sakatsuki quickly responded with strong survival instincts, but this time Draco wasn't going to be so easily appeased. She let out a cold snort and was about to press further when the door to the infirmary swung open again.
"Haah... Ugh, so sleepy..."
Yawning, a nun with the same hair and eye color as Sakatsuki sauntered into the room with cat-like steps. She wore a loosely draped white lab coat, the pristine garment forming a stark contrast with the black stockings and skirt underneath. The ruffled purple lace collar at her chest was fluffy, and the silver brooch pinned to it glimmered faintly like starlight. As the girl tilted her head slightly, strands of silver hair spilled quietly from beneath her hat, cascading over her shoulders.
"Hmm?" Blinking, Caren took in Draco's displeased expression and Sakatsuki's face, which clearly read 'saved at last,' before raising a delicate eyebrow. "Oh my, should I make myself scarce?"
"No need. In fact, your timing is perfect." There was no way Sakatsuki would let his capable subordinate slip away now. He theatrically picked up a spoon and stirred the bowl in front of him, the fragrant aroma of millet porridge wafting through the air. "The porridge is just ready. You overslept and skipped breakfast again, didn't you? Come on, have some to warm yourself up."
Quick, change the subject—he had only just managed to placate the little red dragon!
"Is that so? Now that you mention it, I am a bit hungry." Pulling over a chair, Caren leaned back comfortably and nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Feed me."
???
Draco narrowed her wine-red eyes, the murderous aura around her intensifying. Sakatsuki stared in shock, the hand holding the spoon trembling slightly.
I'm such an idiot, really...
I never thought you'd stab me in the back too, Caren Ortensia!
"N-Now, don't joke around with your superior, Miss Caren." Sweating bullets under the suffocating pressure, Sakatsuki forced a dry laugh and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "You're a grown adult—you should know how to take care of yourself..."
"True, I do keep a very regular schedule every day." Caren pressed a hand to her stomach, furrowing her brows in exaggerated discomfort. "My stomach hurts... I must've caught a chill last night. Ahh, who could blame this poor little nun for having to climb onto the roof in the dead of night to check if her superior was still alive..."
Sakatsuki broke out in a sweat. Sakatsuki broke out in a Reichenbach Falls sweat.
Ah... Now that I think about it, I did receive a letter from Merlin yesterday, then took a liquor bottle up to the roof, got drunk while staring at the sky, passed out, and was shaken awake by Caren in the middle of the night before finally stumbling back to my room to sleep...
Who stabbed me in the back?!
WHO?!
It was me, waaahhh!