Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"Because no matter how much I cry and shout, I can't change the situation, can I?"

If it's something only I can do, then I have to face it head-on.

Even if that's not my intention, even if I have to test it on myself, I will do what I should do.

Running away is the worst option. Until I absolutely must choose to run away, I will dance gracefully.

...That certainly sounds like something Aoko would say.

Since there is an audience, applause is a must.

However, the first person to offer applause must be yourself, not someone else.

Before gaining the approval of those around her, the girl herself must first walk forward with her head held high.

As long as you live beautifully and are worthy of what you've lost, even if you're the only one left in the world, you must persevere and keep going.

Shirou finally understood why he couldn't reject Aoko's confession even though he had no romantic feelings for her.

The girl's presence was so dazzling, just like the brilliant starry sky Shirou saw last night.

Although I don't like her, I'm completely infatuated with her.

……

……

Next was a strategy meeting between Shirou and Aoko.

To completely dispel the existing "fairy domain," two conditions must be met.

Firstly, the key to dispelling the "Fairy Domain" is the witch, Kuonji Aratsu, who is hidden in the thick fog.

Whether by defeating her or persuading her, the goal is to remove the magic's lasting effects.

Secondly, five new strongholds will be established in Misaki City, and then the land will be restored using the spiritual veins of Misaki.

Therefore, we must deal with Aozaki Touko.

Both persuasion and intimidation are acceptable, but—

"I really can't feel better if I don't beat up Sister Orange," Qingzi said unhappily.

“I knew Aoko would say that,” Shirou said with a smile.

"Yes...really?"

Aoko was a little embarrassed.

Although she felt that Shirou understood her very well, it was still embarrassing to hear him say it directly.

No, now is not the time to let my mind wander.

The girl shook her head, clearing her mind of distracting thoughts.

"I understand what Shirou is saying. I'll go defeat Touko-nee, and you can take care of Ari-chan... Is that right?"

Since Shirou and Aoko only had one night, they had to split up.

Shirou is in charge of winning over Aoi, while Aoko is in charge of winning over Touko.

Of course, Shirou did not forget his original intention for time travel, nor the entrustment of "future Aoko".

If the orange dies, then all our efforts will be in vain.

We must ensure that Aoko doesn't get carried away and kill Touko during the duel.

Shirou remembered the hint magic personally taught by the Fifth Magician. Should he use it here?

No... Shirou still didn't want to use hints on her.

Aozaki Aoko, who is freer than anyone else, should not be bound in any way.

"Aoko."

"Ok?"

"let's work hard together."

Aoko paused for a moment, and although she felt it was a bit abrupt, she still grasped Shirou's outstretched hand without hesitation.

"I will give you an answer after everything is over... just wait a little longer."

"I know, I know! There's no need to keep emphasizing this!"

Aoko turned her face away in embarrassment.

However, at that moment, Shirou suddenly pulled her close with his wrist and roughly kissed Aoko's lips.

Volume 2, Chapter 139: Haha, so Orange was so aloof back home? She's completely different here!

"!?"

Aoko instinctively tried to resist, but her hands and waist were firmly bound by Shirou.

The two remained motionless, as if frozen in time.

"Ugh...!?"

Aoko's eyes widened, and she let out a mournful cry: He's... trying to stick his tongue in!?

No, no, no, no... This isn't the right time yet...!

Her last shred of girlish modesty allowed her to resist for a few seconds, but only for a few seconds.

The moment Aoko parted her lips and met her tongue—

Thump, a spherical solid object rolled down her throat.

"???"

Shirou released Aoko, who wiped her lips with the back of her hand while giving him an angry look.

What did you feed me?

Shirou smiled and explained, "A certain future mage asked me to give you this special medicine. Its main effect is to alleviate the side effects on the body after using magic for the first time."

Don't worry, it won't put any strain on your body, I can guarantee that.

In the original timeline, Aozaki Aoko used magic to accelerate her own time to 10 years in the future and defeated (killed) Aozaki Touko.

However, after the magic wore off, she collapsed to the ground and fell fast asleep.

This is because the disorder and order within her body are being re-integrated.

Aozaki Aoko's time and the world's time are on different scales, so she will lose consciousness until the gears turn back to their original state.

In the end, it was still Zhu who carried her all the way from the old school building back to the Western-style mansion.

The witch, who was already weak and lacked physical strength, almost lost half her life when she carried Aoko's human flesh back.

Because of this, Qingzi couldn't hold her head up at home for a full six months.

To prevent the same situation from happening again, "Future Aoko" created a magical potion.

"That's not an explanation at all!" Aoko protested, her face flushed.

"...Ah, you mean that? Giving medicine through my mouth was revenge for Aoko's surprise attack last night. I can't always be the one getting tricked by you, can I?"

Shirou revealed a sly, mischievous grin, while Aoko's fists were clenched so tightly they felt like they were about to break.

In the end, Shirou still didn't tell Aoko "not to kill anyone."

Because he felt it was unnecessary.

Now, Shirou finally understands the real reason why "Future Aoko" sent him back to the past.

She may not really want to change the past.

Although the sin of killing her own sister was heavy, it was by no means a shackle that could bind Aozaki Aoko for the rest of her life.

"The future Aoko" may just want to know.

If you were given a chance to go back in time, would you make different choices?

Therefore, Shirou has no right to interfere with her making another choice.

If Aoko kills Touko again this time, then it means that this choice was not wrong for her.

"Although I said I had no right to interfere... my presence did affect Aoko to some extent."

Shirou sighed helplessly.

Aoko will fall in love with Shirou... This is an development that "future Aoko" could never have imagined.

Sigh, I don't know how to face "future Aoko" when I get back.

"...Shirou-kun."

A cold voice came from behind.

Shirou turned around and found that the person who had called out to him was an unexpected person.

"Sister Weijia."

Shirou didn't understand why she had called him.

This person was different from the other two in the church, even though she was blind...

No, it's precisely because she can't see that Shirou is so bad at dealing with her.

"Is there something you need?" Shirou asked.

Sister Yuika said expressionlessly, "Shirou-kun, have you been avoiding me all along?"

"Hey……"

Shirou's composure vanished.

Yuika Shuse, who was born blind, relies on her senses to perceive things.

Just as small animals are very good at sensing malice, she is also particularly sensitive to enemies and those with malicious intent.

Basically, Sister Weijia perceives everyone as a "threat" because that is the easiest aura to detect.

The main reason Shirou ended up moving into the mansion during this time travel was to avoid this person.

—Faced with someone as perceptive as Yuika Shuse, one's true nature will surely be exposed.

“Sister Vijaya, I didn’t mean to avoid you, it’s just…”

"Are you just worried that your presence will cause harm to those around you?"

"Shirou-kun, it seems you have some kind of misunderstanding."

The blind nun's voice carried a quiet anger.

"You seem to believe that your existence will bring misfortune to those around you, and you presumptuously imagine yourself as a poison, so you always try to close your heart and be careful when receiving others."

I don't know what you've been through to develop such a flawed understanding, but your idea is absolutely wrong.

Shirou blinked: "Sister Yuika...?"

The nun closed her eyes and said calmly, "As long as there are connections between people, harm will inevitably occur."

Whether it's the body or the mind, everyone inevitably gets hurt at all times.

Look at Aoko and Touko; the price they paid was the karma they accumulated, which is why they are always hurting each other.

But would you consider either of them to be unforgivably evil?

No one in this world is absolutely kind, but Shirou-kun...

You're just too gentle and kind, which is why you get so hung up on things like this.

Shirou was a little confused.

I thought I was going to get a lecture from the nun, but I ended up feeling comforted instead.

No, calling it preaching isn't wrong either.

Although he didn't know what was going on, Shirou felt much better.

Sister Weijia is indeed a good person...