Chapter 178: Opening the Heart
According to Servant Mochizuki, he only needed to sit here for two minutes to meet Yu Ji.
Before reuniting with her, Eikou curiously glanced at the skill he had just received.
It was the skill he'd obtained from Servant Mochizuki — Determination of Steel (Moon).
[Determination of Steel (Moon) EX: A power forged from a fierce life, from friendship, and from steely resolve.]
[Grants one-time Battle Continuation, bestows on the self the Invincible Pierce effect, along with a powerful Mana Burst.]
[You gain better judgment toward students of the Mesopotamian Union Class, and can more easily befriend them.]
"Looks like a skill that's both strong and practical…"
Eikou thought to himself.
Equivalent to Battle Continuation + Invincible Pierce + Mana Burst, plus a special attack against the designated Servant class and even a social special attack.
Of course, this class wasn't limited only to Mesopotamian Servants, but rather "Middle East headed by Mesopotamia"; any Servant from the Middle Eastern region could be targeted by his special attack.
"It's just… why Mesopotamian?"
He felt a bit puzzled.
Could it be that guy studied in the Mesopotamian Class instead of the Britain Class? Not a Servant of the future, but from a parallel world?
"If I'd known, I should have asked more clearly back then…"
Eikou suddenly felt regret.
Servant Mochizuki had come and gone so quickly, only hurrying to instruct him on how to conquer this Singularity before disappearing, giving him no chance to converse.
"So who exactly summoned him, and what was his purpose in coming here…"
A series of unanswered questions flashed through his mind.
Maybe there would still be a chance to meet him again later.
"..."
Footsteps sounded, temporarily pressing down the confusion in his heart.
Eikou followed the sound, and sure enough, just as Servant Mochizuki had said, the owner of those footsteps was Yu Ji.
The moment he saw her current appearance, Eikou was instantly speechless.
"Senpai, are you planning to travel to Russian Lostbelt or something?"
Her slender figure was wrapped in layers of heavy winter clothing—from a high-neck sweater to a padded jacket, one layer on top of another, plus a scarf and gloves. Except for her face, no skin was exposed at all; her figure was completely hidden.
Because he had once said she had "strong sex appeal," she had now entered an extremely exaggerated state of defense.
"It's just that the weather's a bit cold, don't mind it," Yu Ji said, feigning calm.
"It's only May now, the weather's starting to warm up," Eikou complained. "You're more conservative than Middle Eastern women."
"The immortal race and you humans are completely different in habits."
"Stop using immortality as an excuse, you're already sweating like crazy."
"So… kouhai, what exactly did you chase after me for?"
She pushed her glasses up; the lenses reflected the bright mall lights, hiding her eyes.
"Senpai, I have something to tell you… because of that game of Truth or Dare, our relationship has become a bit awkward. For that reason, I absolutely must clearly say what needs to be said."
In his mind suddenly echoed Servant Mochizuki's reminder.
Sesshouin had deliberately broken the trust between him and his companion; the effect had indeed taken hold, making Yu Ji suspect he approached her with impure intentions.
Therefore, he must explain this misunderstanding clearly.
While opening her heart, he also had to open his own, so as not to lose her, he needed a true conversation once and for all.
At the very least, he had to speak his real thoughts.
"Yu Ji-senpai, you…"
Eikou took a deep breath, his gaze toward her suddenly sharpening: "Your body is really very sexy!"
"???"
Her face, already flushed from the heat, instantly turned even redder.
"Why the hell are you suddenly saying that, do you want to die? Is this another humiliating Truth or Dare game?"
"I'm just honestly expressing what's in my heart," he said seriously. "Rather than let you misunderstand, I'd rather state it outright."
"I see," she nodded slightly. "You feel your human lifespan is still a bit too long, so you want me to help end it early."
"No…"
He shook his head and continued:
"I mean, senpai, you are a very attractive woman," Eikou said, "but on that basis, I first see you as a teammate and companion, and only after that as the opposite sex. I don't have lewd thoughts about you, so—"
He offered a hand.
"I hope you can completely trust me, that you don't need to wear a whole pile of winter coats to guard against me. I know your trust is something very precious, so I don't want it to be lost in some meaningless way.
"I don't actually know you that well; sometimes I mess up, sometimes I'm not gentle or patient, but… um, how should I put it, at least please believe in my desire to help you, I…"
He trailed off, unsure how to continue.
He was never good at serious conversations like this, especially when the other party didn't know how to respond.
Yu Ji stayed silent for a long time.
"Uh…"
She spoke a bit awkwardly:
"Just to explain this you came to find me specially—you really are a pure virgin boy."
"? Why would you say that about me!"
Eikou immediately got angry: "In the end it was you who ran off first, wearing all those thick clothes. Of course I have to explain clearly, otherwise I'll absolutely be seen as an enemy of women!"
"Why do you think I'd hate you? I clearly just thanked you earlier."
"Then why were you sulking?"
"I wasn't…"
Yu Ji clearly hesitated for a while, but finally pursed her lips and spoke:
"If it were any man other than Xiang Yu-sama trying to flirt with me or looking at me with a lecherous gaze, I would blast him away without hesitation. For those people, I don't need to think, because I have absolutely no intention of interacting with them. But you are different…"
Her deep red eyes looked straight at him.
"Mochizuki Eikou, you are someone very special to me, not a kind of problem that can be solved with a single punch. Especially knowing that you see me as a woman, I increasingly don't know how to deal with you, so I couldn't help but wrap myself up tightly… understand, I'm exactly that kind of troublesome and difficult woman!"
"Got it, "The Socially Clumsy Widow Consort Yu and the Cursed Ring"."
"? What are you making up now?"
Yu Ji let out a long sigh, removing the thick layers of clothing, revealing once again her slender, alluring curves.
"…Yet you still came to find me again, opening your heart to me once more. Even if I wanted to push you away, you just keep clinging to me, right?"
"Haiz, then there's no helping it. Wearing too much and exploding on the spot isn't convenient anyway, so I'll just stay like this and join you in the Holy Grail War."