"Ta-da~"
Standing before Ian, Fujimaru Ritsuka waved her arms, looking like a magician performing a living person transformation.
"This is my room!"
"How is it? This is your first time entering a girl's room, right?"
"..."
Ian didn't rush to answer Fujimaru Ritsuka; instead, he silently surveyed the environment of the room.
Although called a girl's room, it actually wasn't much different from the original configuration.
The biggest and perhaps only difference was the addition of some of Fujimaru Ritsuka's personal items, like photos and bags.
However, there was no need to be a killjoy.
"It really does have your own characteristics, Ritsuka."
"That's good~"
Fujimaru Ritsuka scratched her cheek.
"I thought you would say something like 'Why isn't there much difference in this guy's room'—"
"So you realized it yourself?"
"Eh, is that really what you were thinking?!"
Ian and Fujimaru Ritsuka met eyes, and after understanding neither bore ill will, they naturally shared a knowing smile.
"So, what exactly are you thinking?"
"It can't be..."
"Just to let me see your room?"
"How is that possible!"
The automatic door to the room behind Fujimaru Ritsuka slowly closed.
With this, the two were left alone together, a lone man and woman.
Poof.
A soft sensation came from Ian's back.
It was Fujimaru Ritsuka's chest pressing up against him.
Her chest size was about the same as Mash's, yet she possessed an unexpected perkiness.
"Ritsuka..."
"Don't talk for a moment, okay?"
The young girl's hands embraced him from behind just like that.
"Let me be selfish for a while."
"..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka's tone was no longer as lively as before; just listening to her voice now, she seemed somewhat downcast.
"Okay."
"You can be selfish for as long as you want, I'll stay with you."
Although he said that—
Fujimaru Ritsuka was not as clingy as she had been in the Singularity.
Only a moment later, she continued:
"Alright, I've recovered."
"You can... turn around now."
Sensing that Fujimaru Ritsuka's chest had indeed left his back, Ian slowly turned around.
The image of the girl with tears glistening in the corners of her eyes reflected in his pupils, looking just like a child who had suffered a great grievance.
"Sure enough, something is wrong..."
The man gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Am I very strange?"
Being touched at the corners of her eyes by Ian, Fujimaru Ritsuka squeezed out a forced smile.
"Even though I looked optimistic just a moment ago, now I'm crying and sniffling."
"There's nothing strange about that."
Ian patted Fujimaru Ritsuka's head.
"People are always complicated."
"A seemingly upright gentleman on the surface might actually be a demon who toys with young girls."
"Why does it feel so scary when you say it!"
"If you think what I said is scary, then you say it—"
The man held Fujimaru Ritsuka's somewhat trembling hand.
"Tell me, the reason for your crying."
"..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka lowered her head.
"I had a nightmare, Ian."
"I dreamed that everyone died in front of me. Everything I saw was burning, everything I heard was just screams..."
"I couldn't change anything, I could only watch as everything was destroyed—"
The girl's voice became quieter and quieter, until finally only self-pitying murmurs remained.
"If the person who happened to escape was a more capable Master than me, then surely..."
"Surely it would be better, is that what you want to say?"
"Eh?"
Looking at Ian who suddenly interrupted her, Fujimaru Ritsuka froze for a moment.
"Is it not?"
"Of course not."
Ian was a bit angry.
"Don't arbitrarily assume that flowers are blooming on another path just because you haven't walked it."
"Does the you of the past allow the current you to blaspheme yourself like this?"
This was not a momentary outburst, but the man's genuine feeling.
When facing difficulties, people always subconsciously beautify the methods they haven't tried, and subconsciously believe they are perfect.
But in fact—
If one knew the thorns of other paths, one would only feel deeper despair.
"But it takes me a long time even to learn a simple Magecraft."
"That's just because you haven't worked hard enough yet."
Ian lifted Fujimaru Ritsuka's chin with his finger, forcing her to face his gaze directly.
"You called me personal trainer in front of Mash, right?"
"Then, the trainer now has a way to help you improve, are you willing to listen?"
"Of course I want to listen!"
"Alright then—"
Under Fujimaru Ritsuka's astonished gaze, Ian began to undo the buttons of her uniform.
After the cute blue and white bra inside was revealed, he continued.
"From now on, I will assess you very seriously."
"If you perform as poorly as today, I will humiliate you like this; the worse you are, the more excessive the humiliation will be—"
"Then..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka covered her chest.
"What if I perform better than today?"
"Then some of your small wishes can be granted. Of course, provided they are the kind that can be granted."
"Any wish is okay?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka pressed.
"As long as it's something you can do?"
"Mn, anything."
"Really? You're not lying to me? Even if it's excessive?"
"Really, absolutely not lying. As long as I can do it, no problem."
"Then just you wait—"
Fujimaru Ritsuka's fighting spirit suddenly ignited.
"I will absolutely become more powerful than now!"
"I'm going to rest right now!"
No sooner said than done, Fujimaru Ritsuka, having recovered her will, dove directly onto the bed.
Watching her full of drive, Ian knew his words had successfully brought her back on track.
[Slaanesh], sure enough, is the most perfect course of action on this world line.
"Then, I'm going back."
"Going back where?" Fujimaru Ritsuka asked in confusion.
"Just sleep in my room—"
"Did you think me saying I had a nightmare was made up?"
"You're not allowed to refuse me, otherwise..."
Fujimaru Ritsuka pointed to her chest.
"I'll shout for people immediately."
"Ian, you wouldn't want the matter of you getting handsy with me to be discovered by others, right?"
"You guy, you're actually turning around to 'threaten' me?"
"Heheh~"
Could Fujimaru Ritsuka actually lie?
Late at night, Ian couldn't help but ponder this question.
After all—
Fujimaru Ritsuka, who was currently sleeping soundly, didn't look like she was having nightmares at all; it seemed more like she had tricked him over to be her sleeping companion.
However...
There wasn't anything bad about it.
If he could win over this Savior, Chaldea's ability to bear risks would be stronger.
Let's hurry and rest.
Thinking this, Ian decided not to overthink it anymore.
After all, even if Fujimaru Ritsuka indeed lacked talent, he could still use the method of [Slaanesh] to forcibly boost her.
But...
The moment he closed his eyes, Ian sensed the existence of a fourth bond.
The first was Olga Marie;
The second was Mash;
The third was Artoria.
The fourth...
Was Fujimaru Ritsuka?!
What an intense [Slaanesh] supply, what kind of dream was she having?!
Before he had time to think in detail, Ian felt a familiar light.
That was the Avalon Artoria had entrusted to him—only, in order to forcibly return all three people from Singularity F, it had long since shattered during the Spiritron Transfer process.
Wait...
No!
Avalon was repairing... No, not simply repairing, but because of [Slaanesh], it was being reforged.
[Slaanesh Avalon]
A dark scabbard was born at this moment!
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