Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

"Um, Shizuru... it's about time..." Shirou was about to end the call.

Ye Sizhen asked again in a pleading tone, "Can we chat a little longer tonight?"

Shirou's expression remained unchanged: "...I understand."

He didn't know when, but the woman in the bathtub had changed from having her back to him to facing him.

Just as Shirou was about to speak up to stop her, Aoko raised a finger to her lips.

Then, she placed her hands on Shirou's knees and slowly lowered her head.

"This area needs to be cleaned too... Chu?"

Is there any sound coming from your location?

Ye Sizhen frowned; she seemed to hear the rustling sound of water.

No, you must have misheard.

Shirou said, ruffling Aoko's hair.

————————————————————————————

Volume 4, Chapter 186: Pain! It hurts so much!

Ye Sizhen slept a good night's sleep.

It's likely that her conversation with Shirou before falling asleep rejuvenated her.

On the other hand, it also stemmed from the fact that she had finally cleared away the confusion that had been lingering in her heart.

It's almost time to say goodbye.

Four days have passed since she was rescued.

Although the injuries sustained that night have not fully healed, they are actually not a big problem anymore.

Ye Sizhen came to Japan with a specific mission, so she shouldn't spend too much time resting.

In addition, her defeat of the Tohsaka family magician who managed Fuyuki that night must have already caused a stir in the local magician community.

If we don't act quickly, the next task will become even more difficult.

Reasons preventing Ye Sizhen from making up her mind and throwing herself into battle again—

There's no need to hide it now; it's all because of my encounter with that child.

Ye Sizhen had once heard that there was a saying in the Western magic world:

So-called magic is nothing more than the obsession with pursuing truth.

To become a magician is to constantly research and practice, transforming oneself into a component (gear) that constructs mystery.

Ye Sizhen's goal is to become the perfect mind magician.

Born into a family of Taoist priests, she devoted all her passion to learning from a young age.

While she wouldn't completely abandon humanity, the conscience and common sense of secular society are ultimately something she has no connection with.

Such a cold and rational woman—

After arriving in Fuyuki and meeting a certain boy, Ye Sizhen's heart underwent a slight change.

I was so attracted to him that I would think of him whenever I had free time.

Ye Sizhen certainly knew what the pure feelings that were sprouting in her heart were.

She felt neither ashamed nor annoyed.

As a magician with little empathy, to be able to feel such strong human emotions again...

This is simply a miracle.

At the same time, she also realized that her words and actions had become more frivolous and careless than before.

If the students in the Spiral Pavilion saw her now, they would probably be dumbfounded and shout things like, "You've fallen from grace!"

Ye Sizhen didn't care. She was extremely grateful to Shirou, who had made her fall in love with him, even more so than to him for saving her life.

It was that child who made her realize that she was still a human being with a "heart".

Ye Sizhen had already decided that she would say goodbye to him as soon as he returned in the morning.

This is not a permanent farewell, but a temporary separation.

She will come back after she has finished handling all her work in Japan.

When that time comes, tell him everything you can't say now—

Feeling the morning sunlight on her face, Ye Sizhen slowly opened her eyes.

"Ah, I'm awake."

"!"

Ye Sizhen's eyes widened, and she inwardly cried out in alarm.

What came into view was not the familiar ceiling, but a beautiful girl with silver hair and red eyes.

Lizzie sat on the edge of the bed, blinking her curious eyes as she looked at the strange woman who had appeared in the Japanese-style room.

Shirou didn't come home last night, so Liselle thought she'd take advantage of his absence to clean both Japanese-style rooms.

After all, ever since he entered middle school, Shirou had become less willing to let Lyselette come and go from his room as he pleased.

The artificial life form girl got up very early and spent an hour cleaning Shirou's place.

When she arrived at the room next door where Irisviel used to live, she found a woman she didn't recognize sleeping there.

"Excuse me, are you... a thief?" she asked, tilting her head.

"........."

Ye Sizhen frowned.

The strong magical aura emanating from the silver-haired girl made her realize that ordinary suggestion magic would not work.

She slowly reached for the pillow.

Hidden beneath the pillow is the medium necessary for Ye Sizhen to activate the magic of the Age of Gods.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the seashell, Lizziet grabbed her wrist.

"Don't act rashly."

"Well……!"

Ye Sizhen found herself completely unable to move.

That's incredible strength! Is this girl even human?

"Come, follow me to see the madam."

She grabbed Ye Sizhen's wrist and forcibly pulled her out of the Japanese-style room next to Shirou's.

……

……

I'm sorry, Shinji. I've caused you trouble again...

Ye Sizhen lowered her head, feeling extremely guilty as she apologized to the red-haired boy.

At this moment, she sat at the dining table in the living room, a silver-haired woman with a gentle smile—

Through the maid's introduction, Ye Sizhen learned that she was Shirou's guardian.

"Miss Sizhen, is it alright if I address you like this?"

"Yes, Mrs. Allie."

Ye Sizhen sat upright, staring at the tatami with a very embarrassed expression.

She looked exactly like a high school girl who had run into her boyfriend's mother on the street and was forcibly pulled aside for a chat.

Irisviel pinched her delicate chin and said, "I understand everything you just said."

"It was...uh...cough cough, it was Shinji who saved you from the brink of death and brought you back to his room."

When Ye Sizhen mentioned the name "Shinji," Irisviel immediately understood: Shirou was using a pseudonym for girls again, but she didn't call him out on it.

“These past few days, you’ve been hiding in the room next to Shinji’s to recover from your injuries. You were planning to say goodbye today.”

“I’m so sorry… I should have told you sooner, Mrs. Alice.”

Shirou requested that this be kept secret.

Of course, she wouldn't say such things aloud; Ye Sizhen didn't want to implicate Shirou because of her.

“It’s alright, it must have been the child’s request anyway,” Irisviel said.

"……sorry."

Upon hearing Irisviel's answer, Ye Sizhen was taken aback: Does Shirou often secretly bring girls home?

"No wonder the kitchen ingredients seem to be going through faster than usual lately."

"Sera, one of the maids behind Irisviel, murmured."

"Is this to prepare extra meals for Miss Sizhen?"

"……Feel sorry."

"No, no, no, you don't need to apologize. Please don't take it to heart."

Irisviel said earnestly, "I don't mean to blame you, nor do I think there's anything wrong with helping others."

Although it's a little wrong to keep this from my family, it's okay. I'll educate that child properly later.

Ye Sizhen breathed a sigh of relief.

That's wonderful... Shinji's family is very understanding.

But that's normal. Since they live under the same roof as that child, they can't possibly be a very mean person.

Ye Sizhen said, "Madam Aili, I plan to say goodbye to Shen Er as soon as he returns this morning."

"Hey, are you leaving already? Aren't you going to stay a few more days?"

Irisviel advised, "You're seriously injured; it would be better if you rested for a few more days."

Ye Sizhen shook her head: "No, I've already caused you a lot of trouble, and... thanks to Shinji's timely treatment, my health is much better now."

"Um... I'll explain everything to Shinji! It's not that you want to get rid of me, it's just that I've already made up my mind."

"Hehe, Miss Shizhen is worried about this kind of thing? It's okay, Shi... Shinji won't think that way."

Irisviel said with a smile.

"..."

Looking at the silver-haired noblewoman's smile, Ye Sizhen suddenly felt a strange sensation.

She seemed to sense the incredibly deep and unwavering trust between Shirou and this person.

This feeling is really good.

Ye Sizhen couldn't help but let her imagination run wild.

If... I mean if...

When I become Shirou's wife in the future, we can trust each other like that... Waaaaah!

"Um, Miss Sizhen, are you alright? Your face is so red, are you still not fully recovered?" Irisviel asked worriedly.

"No...that's not the case..."

Ye Sizhen covered her flushed, burning cheeks.

To show such an expression in front of Shinji's mother... that's really too inappropriate...

She tried to remain calm as much as possible, and then changed the subject.

"Um... Mrs. Allie, if I'm not mistaken... are you pregnant?"

"what?"