Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

Yu-ju gracefully rested her chin on her index finger as she began to think.

"Whoa, this person is actually seriously considering giving Shirou a suggestive look! How inhuman!"

Yuzhu looked slightly embarrassed: "I wasn't thinking about that kind of thing."

"Really?"

"……real."

"I feel so unsure," Aoko laughed.

At that moment, Shirou suddenly spoke up.

"It's fine to give me hints... in fact, that's the extent to which it should be done."

"Shirou...?"

Aoko and Yuzu looked at the boy, exchanging bewildered glances.

"Um, Shirou-kun, I was just joking with Arisu, you don't need to take it too seriously... Arisu, what are you saying too?"

Yu-zhu didn't say anything.

It seems the black-haired witch is indeed considering giving Shirou a hint to prevent his betrayal.

"I understand. Since Shirou says so... I will consider it carefully," Yuzu said expressionlessly.

"Hey...Arisu, you..."

Aoko swallowed nervously, knowing full well that with Ayumi's abilities, she might actually be able to make hints that transcend the timeline.

After ensuring that everything was in perfect order, the timing of the jump was tentatively set.

The night before the operation was launched.

The three of them spent their last leisurely moments in the living room, as usual.

The news audio from the television was used as background music.

Yushu sat quietly on the sofa reading, while Shirou and Aoko chatted about random things beside her.

"Hey, was Aoko-nee the student council president in high school?"

"Heh heh, surprised, aren't you?"

Shirou shook his head and said, "No, it's not surprising at all."

Unlike her usual carefree personality, Aoko showed a serious and responsible side when teaching Shirou, truly embodying the demeanor of a student council president.

Aoko slapped the boy hard on the back: "Come on! You're obviously surprised! Just admit it, kid!"

Shirou was slapped so hard he was knocked off balance, and said with a wry smile.

"I think that Sister Qingzi must have been admired and relied upon by many people during her student days."

After all, both Aoko-nee and Arisu-san are the kind of people who...once they decide on something, they'll see it through to the end.

That's why you two, despite having an incredibly good relationship, often clash. Shirou didn't say that out loud.

"If I mess up this time travel... Aoko-nee will probably feel very guilty."

Even just to avoid that, I will do my best.

"Oh, oh oh."

Aoko paused for a moment, then said, "You're really reliable... I'll leave it to you then."

"Leave it to me," Shirou said confidently.

"Amamiya-kun, I'm waiting for you in the room."

Yu-zhu closed her book and got up from the sofa.

It seems that Yuzhu has already thought of the hint she was about to give.

Shirou had never entered Arisu's room, but he did know which one it was.

After saying goodnight, Shirou went to Arisu's room.

Aoko silently watched the boy's retreating figure.

This is an elegant room that is not overly luxurious, and has a very Kuonji-style feel.

The room was filled with all sorts of beautiful decorations; how many of them were fairytale monsters?

Although Shirou didn't have much of a sense of reality, he had already heard from Aoko how amazing Arisu was as a magician.

So any seemingly insignificant piece of furniture in this room could be exchanged for the equivalent of an average person's lifetime living expenses outside.

Looking at Ayumi's slender waist, Shirou felt a pang of heartache as he thought about how she would live a life of extreme poverty after he was gone.

"Amamiya-kun, why are you standing? Find a place to sit down."

"Yes, Miss Yuzhu."

Shirou sat down nervously on the edge of the bed.

He noticed a huge, ornately decorated mirror in the corner.

That must be the "Mirror of Afternoon Nap" that Aoko was talking about, the boy thought.

“Next, I’m going to give you a hint,” Yuzhu said softly.

“Okay, I’m ready.” Shirou nodded solemnly.

Seeing the boy's calm attitude, Youzhu frowned her beautiful eyebrows.

"The implication is 'absolute obedience,' is that acceptable?"

Shirou paused for a moment.

Does it imply "absolute obedience"?

That would be very troublesome...

In other words, Shirou is unable to defy "the present Ariya" as well as "the Ariya of 1989".

It's impossible not to have a negative impact on the operation; it's like dancing in shackles.

but……

This sacrifice is necessary to gain Miss Ayumi's trust.

Shirou nodded resolutely: "No problem."

The warm atmosphere in the room suddenly changed.

The witch's deep, dark left eye gradually turned an ominous red.

That is the Scripps Hunpty.

While her level of Mystic Eyes isn't high, since Ariel herself is the highest-ranking witch, she possesses a considerable degree of mystery.

When the Mystic Eyes activates acrostic transformation, Arisu's "suggestion" rules will also change, gaining a coercive effect similar to a "command".

"...From now on."

The modern witch slowly revealed the implied meaning.

The goal of this phrase "from now on" includes not only the "future" but also the "past," and every moment starting from this moment.

Kuonji Yuzu stared into Shirou's pupils with her Mystic Eyes and uttered a hint with an absolutely forceful effect.

"From now on, no matter what happens, Kuonji Yuzu will obey any order from Amemiya Shirou."

"………………?"

Shirou's expression froze for a moment, completely unable to comprehend the meaning of those words.

Aratama didn't give a hint to Shirou, but rather to "Aratama herself reflected in Shirou's eyes"—how absurd!

When he came to his senses, the boy suddenly stood up from the bed.

"Miss Yuzhu, you..."

Although I really wanted to say something, it was stuck in my throat and I couldn't say it.

Yu-joo tilted her delicate face up, revealing an incomparably alluring smile.

"I look forward to your guidance in the past, Amamiya-kun (Master)."

And so...

No matter how time jumps, Shirou and Arataka can never be separated again.

The wicked witch thought to herself.

……

……

that's it--

The next morning.

With Aoko's entrustment and trust, and Arisu's heavy longing, Shirou boarded a time jump to 1989.

Volume 2, Chapter 125: Aoko: Here, take the instruction manual, let's quickly conquer my past self!

The temperature was very low this morning, and the Kuonji Western-style Mansion was shrouded in mist.

"Alright, there shouldn't be anything left in this era, right? Then get ready for a time jump!"

In the open space of the courtyard, the mage completed the final confirmation of the boy's identity.

"Is there anything else you'd like to say to Shirou?"

“I’m not Amamiya-kun’s mother.”

The witch remained indifferent, lowering her head to breathe out white vapor onto her gloved hands.

Shirou heard that Yuuka didn't want to come over this morning, but Aoko forcibly dragged her out of bed.

Seeing Arisu's indifferent attitude towards him, Shirou couldn't help but recall the "hint" from last night—

"From now on, no matter what happens, Kuonji Yuzu will obey any order from Amemiya Shirou."

She had actually given herself this powerful, almost curse-like self-suggestion.

Shirou understands that this is to prevent "the past Arisa" from interfering with Shirou's mission, but is it really necessary to go to such lengths?

Does that mean that Yuju will have to obey my every command for the rest of her life...?

Shirou asked nervously, "Miss Arisu, um... you were just joking, weren't you?"

"Don't you believe me, Amamiya-kun? Then why don't we try it out now?"

Yuzhu placed her fingers on her ample bosom, revealing a provocative smile:

"No matter how outrageous or rude your request is, I will obey it absolutely... because it is Amamiya-kun's (master's) order."

"..."

Later, Shirou made an excuse and fled from Yuzu's room in a sorry state.

He was still thinking about how to face Yuzhu the next morning, but the other party acted as if nothing had happened.

I felt like a clown, having been so upset all night!

Shirou thought angrily: Sure enough, Miss Arisu was just joking with me last night.

"Absolute obedience" and the like simply don't exist...

Just as Shirou was about to complain, he saw Yuju raise a finger to her lips.

———Shh.

Then, the witch mouthed with her lovely lips: "A secret that belongs only to the two of us."

Shirou: "…………"