Seeing the phone that showed no sign of being answered, Naoki scratched his head in confusion. "Weird… why isn't Aoko picking up? Is she still asleep? No way, we both just woke up this afternoon."
"Afternoon?"
Riddell's eyebrow twitched sharply.
"You two slept together last night?"
"More accurately, I passed out after last night's fight, and Aoko brought me back. By the way, this might ruin the mood a bit…"
Naoki glanced around.
"I thought Gilgamesh would be here too."
"Archer? It's natural to have such concerns; this is the Holy Grail War, after all. But you don't need to worry for now. As long as you haven't left this place, he won't attack you." Riddell said. "I've negotiated with him. While I'm discussing important matters with you, he's not allowed to interfere. Once the important matters are done, he can do whatever he wants."
"And the sign that the important matters are over is when you leave this hotel."
Riddell spoke as she pulled a room key card from the bag beside her. "This is the key card for the top-floor room. By chance, it's the same room you stayed in before. If you don't want to fight tonight, come up with me later."
Though Riddell trusted Naoki, just to be safe, it was better to establish some concrete facts.
She was already too far behind Aoko, and with Merry in the picture too… Now, she had to take the initiative, like the elders at the Clock Tower fighting over resources. If she didn't act, she wouldn't even get the scraps.
"You're really impatient."
"Who told that heartless block of wood to make me wait so long?" Riddell smiled, pressing the key card to her lips. "Don't think you can just leave tonight, Naoki."
"I didn't say I was leaving."
Naoki gave a wry smile, closing the unanswered call and sending Aoko a text instead. If she wasn't picking up, this was the only way to let her know.
"Also, there's Rei… Riddell, hold on, I've got another call to make."
(Another one?)
(To think, after a few years apart, he has this many romantic rivals?)
Unlike Aoko, Rei picked up immediately. "Hello, Master?"
"Rei, I've got some business here tonight, so I'm staying at this hotel. Aoko's not answering her phone, so could you let her know later?"
"Alright, Master, I understand."
From the other end, Rei sounded somewhat resigned, her tone a bit… forlorn?
"But Master, this is just my guess, but I don't think I need to meet Miss Aoko anymore. You'd better prepare to face her soon—she's probably still furious."
"Huh? Aoko?"
Hearing the busy tone from his phone, Naoki couldn't help but scratch his head in confusion. But before he could ponder why Rei said that, a change within his sensory range made everything clear.
Two people were coming up in the elevator.
"Naoki?"
Seeing Naoki's troubled expression, Riddell couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Feeling uneasy?"
"No… it's just… Aoko's coming."
*CRACK!*
As Naoki's words fell, the elevator doors not far away slid open. With a face brimming with mixed emotions and an untouchable aura, Aoko stepped out with a murderous air. Behind her, Naoki could still sense Scathach, who hadn't dispelled her spirit form.
Glancing at Naoki's slightly awkward expression and Riddell beside him, who was giving a meaningful look, Aoko flashed a smile that made Naoki shudder.
"Yo, good evening, Naoki. And Riddell, long time no see."
"Yo…"
"Long time no see, Aoko. This is our first meeting since Misaki, right?"
Not waiting for Naoki to speak, Riddell stood up and walked toward Aoko, facing her head-on with her chest puffed out. "Showing up here so suddenly—urgent business? Or just here for dinner?"
"Don't try to toy with or test me, Riddell. You've really been corrupted by the Clock Tower these past few years." Aoko sighed lightly. "Trying to get married first? Why didn't I see you being this bold and reckless back then?"
"Your news spreads fast."
"Because I watched the whole thing from the rooftop over there." Aoko said, pointing to the tall building across from the dining table's window, then glaring sharply at Naoki. "No explanations you want to give, Naoki?"
"Uh… well…"
Naoki paused for a moment. "Aoko, you don't… seem mad?"
"What's the point of me being mad? I've known what you're like for the past four years. You want everything, don't you?" Aoko said irritably.
Since four years ago, when Naoki told her he wanted both her and Merry completely, Aoko had known and suspected a day like this might come. Merry had hinted more than once that someone would surely compete for him in the future.
So, Aoko had mentally prepared herself long ago.
But even with that preparation, now that the situation had actually happened, she still wanted to give that greedy, two-timing guy a couple of punches. If he wasn't taught a lesson and left unchecked, who knows—someday his harem might reach double digits!
That couldn't happen, right? Even now, counting the potential ones, it was already close to double digits!
"I'm honestly surprised, Aoko."
After a moment of shock, Riddell spoke to Aoko with a tone of admiration. "I thought we'd have to argue for a while to settle who's the main and who's the side, but I didn't expect you to be so open-minded."
"You'd have to ask your super fighter jet over there about that."
Aoko said, raising her hand. Several magical formulas appeared on her arm. "Alright, Naoki, stand there and don't move. I'm just going to hit you once—a symbolic punch. We'll settle all your debts tonight!"
"No, Naoki's sleeping here with me tonight." Riddell said, stepping to Naoki's side and grabbing his arm. "Aoko, I've waited nine years—way longer than you. You've already had your turn, but now I'm the main character. Don't steal my scene—right, Naoki?"
This was a deadly question.
Naoki was certain that no matter how he answered, he'd get hit. Agreeing with Riddell would get him punched by Aoko. Disagreeing would get him punched by Riddell. Saying they could all spend the night together… would get him beaten by both!
This was a no-win situation.
Fortunately, Aoko could be quite understanding at times, especially when Naoki couldn't make a decision himself. She'd usually step in decisively to make it for him.
Like now.
"Naoki. Just fly first."
A punch glowing with mana landed straight in Naoki's stomach—