Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

……

……

Following Ruler's instructions, Shirou stood at the hotel entrance and waited.

They could have just gone out together, but for some reason she insisted that Shirou wait outside first.

Come to think of it, similar situations have happened before when I went out with Aoko and Arisu... They said it made the date feel more like a date.

But that's not entirely wrong; imagining your girlfriend's outfit while waiting is indeed a very pleasant thing.

However... Joan of Arc and I weren't on a date.

Shirou thought to himself, "I can't be as frivolous as I am with Aoko and the others today. I should be a little more serious."

"Sorry for the waitting."

Shirou turned around and saw the adjudicator dressed in a different outfit than the usual casual clothes he was seen in.

No longer wearing uniforms that prioritize ease of movement, Joan of Arc wore a skirt today.

The solid-color dress exudes the pure and innocent charm of a girl next door, while the fitted cut accentuates her full and shapely figure.

The beautiful legs peeking out from under the skirt were not directly exposed, but were covered by pantyhose, making them round, long, and very eye-catching.

Not only that, the saint's signature braids were also let down, and her flowing, dazzling golden hair trailed all the way to her heels.

Noticing Shirou's surprised expression, Jeanne said somewhat embarrassedly, "Le...Leeticia doesn't only have one set of casual clothes, does she?"

I just randomly picked one of the changes of clothes I brought today, what do you think?

“It’s…beautiful…” Shirou said honestly.

"This, this is it..."

Joan of Arc became even more embarrassed, so she tried to change the subject.

"By the way, after talking to someone from church yesterday, I heard from her about a very famous coffee shop nearby..."

I heard the owner is very particular about the taste; let's go drink together later!

"Okay."

Shirou nodded.

I sensed that Joan of Arc was unusually enthusiastic; she must not have forgotten our purpose today...

Shirou couldn't help but ask the question that had been on his mind: "But, dressed like this... is it really convenient for you to fight?"

The red-haired boy's words caused the saintess to freeze.

After a long pause, she said with a look of disappointment, "Um... I'm sorry, I was too excited, so..."

"Leave today's battle to me."

"Hmm, but... isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Shirou narrowed one eye and smiled, "Ruler, don't you still possess one of my Command Seals?"

So in a sense, you're also my half-Master, for today only—let me protect you.

"!!!"

Joan of Arc's eyes widened.

She didn't know if the people around her could hear her, but she could hear her own heart pounding like thunder.

Her cheeks... must be flushed red by now.

"Woo!"

To hide her indescribable shyness, she grabbed the boy's hand.

"No, no, let's go!"

And just like that, time flew by.

The two spent the entire day searching for ghouls throughout the city.

Jeanne uses "Revelation" to pinpoint the enemy's location, leaving the battle to Shirou.

The two had a clear division of labor and quickly eliminated all the ghouls left behind by Lancer.

After finishing their work, Shirou and Jeanne went to the open-air café they had mentioned before.

They each ordered a coffee, and Joan of Arc also ordered several sandwiches.

The two of them had already eaten the bento box that Aika had prepared for lunch—

When Shirou looked over in surprise, the saint explained, both embarrassed and annoyed:

"Because Leticia is still growing, girls her age get hungry more easily!"

The day in the old town is gradually coming to an end, and the orange hues of dusk are bathed in the light of the setting sun on the cobblestone path in front of the coffee shop.

Joan of Arc ate ​​her sandwich while gazing at the scenery before her, lost in thought.

This peace is something the saint had never experienced in her short life of just over ten years.

Naturally, this was the first time I'd ever sat down for coffee with a boy like this.

At that moment, Joan of Arc noticed a gaze—Shirou was staring intently at her, completely absorbed.

"very beautiful……"

Joan of Arc recalled his praise from that morning.

"Ugh... Stop staring like that, it's so rude."

"Feel sorry."

Shirou quickly sipped his coffee: "It's so bitter. I should have added more sugar."

"By the way, there's something I'd like to ask you..."

The adjudicator began with this in a slightly nervous voice, then coughed.

Judging from her somewhat embarrassed averting gaze, it might be a problem that's difficult to talk about.

"what is it then?"

"Uh, well, I feel a little embarrassed to ask such a nonsensical question..."

She fell silent at this point.

Unable to understand what she wanted to ask, Shirou could only wait silently.

After a while, Ruler seemed to give up struggling and glanced at Shirou, asking:

"If... I mean, if...!"

There's a girl who has admired and worshipped you for a very, very long time, seeing you as her savior—

If someone like that existed, what would you think?

"Well?"

It's a really nonsensical question.

Shirou thought for a moment and said, "Although I don't think I'm anything special..."

But if such a person really exists, I would feel very honored.

"I see...hehe..."

Joan of Arc hid her face behind the coffee cup, trying to hide her happy, silly grin.

"So...would you like her because of that?"

"Of course I will. Since the other person regards me as an object of admiration, I will cherish this relationship."

If she doesn't mind, I'd also like to become friends with her.

No, I've actually heard of fans who want to maintain a distance from their idols, so is it inappropriate...?

After Shirou said that, the fire in Jeanne's eyes burned even hotter.

"I see. Have you considered taking it a step further?"

"What do you mean?"

"Treat her as a romantic partner..."

"impossible."

The three words Shirou uttered with absolute certainty made Joan of Arc feel as if she had fallen into an icy lake.

The red-haired youth said with undisguised disgust, "Using someone's admiration to satisfy one's own base desires..."

How is this any different from toying with someone's feelings? It's utterly shameless.

"……Well."

Joan of Arc's face turned deathly pale.

I see……

So that's how it is...

Would a decent man consider the little girl he raised as his romantic partner?

It's sickening just to think about it.

For Artorius, girls who admire him are also excluded from his romantic relationships.

A relationship that is never equal can never have a good outcome...

Jeanne bit her lip: Fortunately, she did not confess to Shirou that she had been a great admirer of the Holy Sword Master since childhood.

"Then, what if the girl who admires you gradually transforms her feelings of respect and worship into love as she spends time with you?"

The arbitrator's hesitant words froze Shirou completely.

Shirou hadn't thought about this question and couldn't answer it immediately.

Seeing his hesitation, Joan of Arc grew anxious.

"For example, I... uh, the 'I' I'm referring to here isn't the 'Ruler' I..."

For example, just an example, let's say a little girl named Jeanne Darc is fascinated by the legends and myths of a certain king from a young age...

As she grew up, inspired by you, she became a hero and was remembered by people. After her death, she was enthroned.

Then, hundreds of years later... by chance, she met you in the Holy Grail War and became your companion.

During the time you fought side by side, a new feeling, different from the past, blossomed within you...

It's about...the romantic feelings between a man and a woman...would you accept her confession?

She spoke haltingly, her face flushed with embarrassment.

After a brief silence, Shirou gazed at Jeanne's beautiful face and spoke calmly.

"Joan of Arc...do you love me?"

"Varied------"

The saintess let out a scream and slammed her hand on the table as she stood up.

The scattered customers at the open-air café all looked over at her, but she didn't care.

"No, no, no, no... Didn't I say it was just an example?!"

"Ah, it's just an example."

"Yeah, what else did you think it was?"

"I'm sorry, I misunderstood."

"You...it's good that you understand."

Joan of Arc angrily sat back down in her original position.

You idiot Artoria... what on earth are you thinking?!

Normally, would anyone ask a woman such a question to her face? It's so incredibly rude!

The previously pleasant atmosphere between the two had completely vanished.