Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

Although he barely finished high school, after graduation he secluded himself in the Western-style mansion left by his parents.

Has Kuonji Arisa truly grown in this way?

"........."

The black-haired witch sighed in disappointment.

She didn't seem angry; she simply gazed calmly at her former roommate.

"Aoko... have you considered the unknown impact that 'time travel-based death avoidance' might have on this world? Can you bear that responsibility?"

"..."

"Why don't you speak... Who was it that said at Orange Sister's grave that they would become an excellent mage?"

Wasn't that what 17-year-old Aoko, a half-baked idiot, said? Has she already forgotten what she said?

Kuonji spoke rapidly and eloquently; it was the first time Shirou had ever seen her so talkative.

After a brief silence, Aozaki Aoko said, "It's a matter of mood."

You're right, I just want to act according to my own feelings... that's who I am.

Besides, I have no intention of shirking my responsibilities.

If things really go wrong with this time travel, we can always find a way to fix it then. Isn't that what magicians do?

The two girls gaze at each other.

Neither Aoko nor Yuju was prepared to back down an inch.

Their relationship remained unchanged.

Even after living together in the same house for three years, they still couldn't understand each other.

Although there are instances that could be called friendship, once the two sides have a conflict of opinion, they cannot continue without crushing the other side first.

A green child is a green child, and a pearl is a pearl.

In this situation, their "anything goes" friendship has been completely forgotten.

"I'm relieved to see that Aoko is still the same as before."

The witch sighed softly, her tone clearly more disappointed than before.

Let's put the verbal arguments aside for now.

In short, if Aoko insists on using magic in that kind of way, I have my own countermeasures—”

"So……"

Aoko posed a question that was a fatal blow to Arisu:

"Is it all right now whether Shirou-kun is alive or dead?"

Yuzhu's expression clearly wavered.

There are many excellent puppeteers in this world.

"With just a little time, I'm sure I can find something that can help Amamiya-kun..."

Aoko interrupted, "How could there possibly be a puppeteer who can compare to Orange-nee?"

"........."

Can't refute.

Kuonji Yuzu had already personally experienced just how outstanding Aozaki Touko was eight years ago, and no one could replace her.

Yuzhu looked at the red-haired boy beside her.

“Um… I will take responsibility as well,” Shirou said.

"Amamiya-kun..."

Incidentally, because Yuzu had told him to "shut up" earlier, Shirou didn't say a word during their argument and kept his mouth shut.

Yu-joo bit her lip, then lowered her head: "I understand..."

Well, since this is what Amamiya-kun wants, there's nothing more I can say.

My own selfish wish, of course, is that Amamiya-kun can find redemption.

Has Arisu finally given up?

Shirou and Aoko breathed a sigh of relief, letting their sweat-drenched backs sink into the soft booths of the cafe.

……

……

After that, the three left "Ahnenerbe" and walked back to the Kuonji family home in the mountains.

Shirou and Aoko still need to discuss the specific details of time travel, which will probably take quite a while.

Aoko excitedly announced that she would stay overnight at the mansion during this period.

"Of course, Arisu would welcome me to stay, right? Or is it that she doesn't want me to disturb you and Shirou-kun?"

Qingzi chuckled and asked, "How about I find a hotel to stay in?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Yuzhu said coldly. "Instead of making a fool of yourself outside, you should stay here with me."

"Yes~yes~"

The long-awaited life in the Western-style mansion filled Aozaki Aoko with high spirits.

The room she used to use was located at the end of the corridor in the East Wing.

When Aoko first moved in, she specifically chose a room that wasn't very big.

I didn't think about anything too far ahead; I just thought it would save me some trouble when cleaning this way.

The room contained a slightly larger bed, Aoko's favorite mahogany desk and wardrobe, neatly arranged storage boxes for her clothes, and two nine-tiered bookshelves.

Eight years have passed and not much has changed.

It really feels like time has stood still forever... Aoko thought to herself.

She lay on the bed that evoked fond memories, looking at the boy who was helping her carry her luggage: "Which room is Shirou-kun's?"

"I haven't spent the night here."

"what?"

Aozaki Aoko jolted awake and sat up in bed.

"Didn't you stay here at all?"

"Yes, I'll be back before 4 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, but I can stay a little later on other days. Sometimes I'll have dinner here."

"why?"

The mage asked, puzzled, "Shouldn't you be on vacation now? Are you attending tutoring classes?"

"Because it's my turn to cook dinner every Monday and Friday, so I have to go back," Shirou said matter-of-factly.

Aozaki Aoko was speechless.

She assumed that Shirou had stayed in the mansion for a week, but it turns out he hadn't.

Why are you and Yuzhu so close?

What do you do in the house every day?

Shirou tilted his head and thought for a moment: "Let's have some black tea and snacks together in the living room this afternoon."

Sometimes I'll turn on the TV, and Ms. Yuzhu will be reading a book on the sofa next to me.

"Wow, what kind of retirement life is this? Oh right, Shirou-kun, you'll be staying at the mansion from today onwards."

"Is this necessary?" Shirou asked.

"Of course," Aozaki Aoko said solemnly.

"Next, we're going to do something that no one has ever done before in history!"

"...First of all, you need to straighten out your attitude! This isn't a spring outing!"

Shirou thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, I'll explain to Yushu during dinner tonight."

But before that, I'd like to call home first; it'll probably take a little while.

With Sera and Lyselle around, Shirou thought to himself that he should be fine even when he wasn't home.

The key is how to convince Alice and Sister Teng to allow me to stay overnight.

"I'll explain things to Ayumi."

"okay."

Aoko lightly jumped off the bed and left the room with Shirou.

One of them walked towards the entryway where the telephone was placed, and the other towards the living room.

……

……

As soon as Aoko reached the door of the living room, she felt a familiar atmosphere wash over her.

Yuzhu sat there quietly reading, while a blue robin hopped around on the table.

This warm and peaceful scene may not change even a hundred years from now, which makes Qingzi both gratified and heartbroken.

"what……"

At that moment, Aoko noticed the new elements in the living room.

"What is that?" she asked curiously.

The only two electrical appliances in the room, the television and the VHS recorder, had an extra gray box underneath them.

Without looking up, Yuzhu replied, "The game console that Amamiya-kun brought seems to be called PlayStation."

"I see...hehe."

"It's not entirely unchanging," Aoko thought happily.

Shirou's arrival brought a breath of fresh air to the unchanging Western-style mansion, even the eternally modern witch...

Even though Yuju herself was completely unaware, she had quietly changed.

After a moment's thought, Aoko did not go directly into the living room, but instead turned and went to the kitchen.

Hmph, let me show you how much I've grown!

With that thought in mind, the magician skillfully retrieved tea leaves and teaware from the corner of the cabinet and began boiling water to brew tea.

ten minutes later--

"……How about it?"

Aoko nervously observed the black-haired witch elegantly sipping tea.

Yuzhu offered no comment, only nodding slightly.

Aoko showed a satisfied expression; she knew this was already the highest praise she could receive.

"Where did Amamiya-kun go?"

Yuzhu turned her gaze away from the book in her hands.

"Didn't he go to help you pack your luggage? Why are you the only one who came?"

"Aoko...you didn't just dump all the work on that kid, did you?"

"How could that be! What kind of demon do you imagine me to be?!"

The chestnut-haired mage looked wronged and said, "Shirou-kun is making a phone call at the door."

"Make a phone call?" Yuzhu blinked.

Aoko took a sip of the black tea she had brewed herself: "Well, Shirou-kun will be staying at the mansion starting tonight, and he's talking to his family about it right now."

I didn't expect it to take so long. Shirou's family is really strict.

"...?"