Chapter 24: Go on a Date with the Fox Girl
"Senpai, are you feeling better now? If you need, you can lie on my shield and I'll carry you home. No, we really should go to the hospital!" Mash squatted down, leaned her head forward to look at the boy's face, and pushed his shoulder anxiously.
"Please don't!" Shirou, swaying from her pushes, retorted, "Also, Mash... even if you cast a defensive blessing on me, my eyesight won't just magically recover."
"Calm down, Mash." Yuigahama couldn't stand watching anymore.
She stepped up and pulled the nervous Mash back, who was leaning in closer and closer—if left unchecked, Shirou's face might've been buried in that fluffy chest.
"Shirou, let me take a look. When it comes to Mystic Eyes, I've got some experience. Just sit still, and I'll take it from here." Yuigahama reached out and held Shirou's face, adjusted his position, then used her thumb and index finger to open his eyelids and leaned in for a close inspection.
His eyes had turned red and were full of bloodshot veins, but it was merely a case of overuse—just like muscle soreness from overexertion. No serious damage.
"..." Shirou, with one eye held open, could only see half of the girl's face. Her face was very close. Because his eyes were half-lidded, his sense of smell had become more sensitive, and he could pick up a faint fragrance from her.
Through his half-open eyes, he could see the girl was seriously checking his eyes.
Her expression was different from her usual playful demeanor. It was rare—something he'd never seen before—carrying a special charm.
But in that moment, there were no romantic stirrings in the hearts of the boy or the girl. It was more like a patient receiving an examination from a nurse.
Still, there was a warmth in the air—as if things could always stay this way, it wouldn't be so bad.
After Yuigahama carefully examined him, she said, "Hmm… No injuries. Just let your eyes rest properly and you'll be fine."
"Really? That's a relief." Mash finally let out a breath of relief.
"I already told you, I'm fine. My eyes aren't that fragile," Shirou said with his eyes closed.
These Mystic Eyes that had reincarnated with him into this world weren't that weak. In fact, each time he used them, he could feel them becoming even stronger than before.
"Geez, take better care of yourself. What if you really hurt your eyes and your vision worsened?" Yuigahama lightly massaged the area around his eyelids with her fingers.
"Thanks, Yuigahama." Shirou closed his eyes, feeling the gentleness from her fingertips, aware of the concern she felt for him.
After resting for a while under her massage, Shirou's eyes indeed recovered.
"Hey hey, so now it's time to fulfill my wish, right?" The girl's voice suddenly changed tone—it became more teasing and carefree, like a trendy gyaru casually wandering around Shinjuku at night.
"Hmm? So close!" Shirou had just opened his eyes when he was met with a pair of large golden-green eyes.
The girl's face was just centimeters from his, and he could feel her breath.
Startled, Shirou quickly leaned back to put some distance between them. Only then could he fully take in the girl's face, now showing a mischievous smirk.
Long eyelashes, rosy lips, a lovely face—definitely his familiar friend. But her vibe had completely changed. She was more mature, more alluring.
The girl leaned in again, pressing closer. Her legs straddled Shirou as she sat on top of him, leaning forward to maintain eye contact even as Shirou kept trying to lean further back.
Until Shirou finally lay flat on the floor, with nowhere left to escape. The girl planted her hands beside his head, caging him in like a kabedon. She leaned her face down—their noses were nearly touching—as she gazed into his eyes.
"Mhm, I couldn't see clearly earlier, but as I thought, you really do have a fine pair of eyes. If you keep training them, maybe one day you'll even reach the domain of gods and buddhas." The fox-eared girl with golden eyes said with a meaningful smile.
"You are…?" Shirou asked.
The Yuigahama Yui he knew—although fashionable—was innocent and wouldn't act like this.
"Me? I'm the cute Yuigahama Yui plus (Suzuka-chan)~! Right now, my mind is more on the Heroic Spirit side," Suzuka Gozen said while making a double V-sign and framing her face in a cutesy pose.
Apparently, the original host of the body had gotten too shy earlier and wanted to hide, so Suzuka had taken over. Since the Heroic Spirit was currently dominant, her eyes had turned gold.
"And where's Yuigahama now?" Shirou asked immediately.
"Well, spirit summoning fusions combine the soul with the host, right? I am Yuigahama, and Yuigahama is me. It's just that the Heroic Spirit personality of Suzuka Gozen is currently in control. Got it?" the fox-eared girl explained.
"Is that so?" Shirou looked toward Mash.
Mash nodded. "Yes, Senpai.
Pseudo-Servants are special cases. I'm a half-Servant, which is rare.
There are also cases like Zhuge Liang, where the Heroic Spirit fully takes over the host's personality.
On the other hand, Ishtar and Ereshkigal are led by the goddess's persona but influenced by the host's character. Yuigahama-senpai now should be closer to the latter."
"I see." Shirou nodded, understanding.
He also had part of Saint George's spirit inside him—a knight of pure character and strong faith. If Shirou ever did something that went against the Heroic Spirit's beliefs, their compatibility would drop.
If he tried to use the Servant's power for evil, Saint George might forcibly take control of the body, or even cause it to self-destruct.
"Well, since this world is so special, even Heroic Spirit summoning is quite different from other worlds. Now that you understand, can I make my wish?" the fox-eared girl asked.
"Sure! What do you want me to do?" Shirou agreed readily. He had seen the painful past this Heroic Spirit had endured through his Mystic Eyes, and genuinely wanted to do something for her.
'Of course, if I could also pet her ears and stroke that fluffy tail, that'd be even better!'
"Then, let's go on a date!" Suzuka Gozen said playfully, winking at the boy.
"Huh? Your wish is… to fall in love again?" Shirou asked in surprise.
He realized maybe he had gotten a little too carried away earlier.
In the present day, legends of this girl still exist throughout Japan—as a celestial maiden, a dancer, even a thief—known for traveling with a war god and dispensing justice.
But who would've guessed that deep down, Suzuka Gozen was just a girl longing for a heart-pounding, youthful romance?
Suzuka rolled her eyes at Shirou. "Why not? I'm currently training as a high school girl, you know!
Why else would I turn into a fox JK?
Sure, shrine maidens are nice, but if you want romance, you gotta be a schoolgirl! Add these fluffy ears and tail, and my charm is practically unbeatable, right?"
The fox-eared girl made cat paw gestures with her fists and blinked, radiating playful charm.
Those golden eyes of hers carried an oddly captivating allure. They were the charming Mystic Eyes of a celestial princess. Shirou quickly looked away.
"Don't be shy! You were really worried about me earlier—that earned you big points." She suddenly hugged his arm and pulled him along outside.
"Come to think of it, you're totally my type too. Anyway, let's go on our date!
Ah, Mash, you can head home by yourself, okay?" The fox-eared girl waved casually at Mash like a princess dismissing a servant.
"Wait, I can walk myself—" Shirou tried to protest, but the girl used her Saber-class strength to drag him along. He couldn't even stop if he tried.
Mash, who had been quietly standing by, blushing and trying to learn how adults interact, finally realized—she was being left behind.
"Ah! Senpai…?" Mash stood frozen in place, unsure what to do. She watched helplessly as Shirou was pulled away, looking like a little puppy abandoned while its owner went on their honeymoon.
"Mash, no following~" the fox-eared girl turned and gave her a friendly, sweet smile.
Mash, who had just taken a step to secretly follow them, was immediately spotted and scared into stepping back.
'Gudako-senpai, all the senpai in this world are scary! Do kouhai like me even have rights here?!'