Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

Ironically, in the fleeting final stage of her life, Irisviel encountered a child like Shirou.

Shirou embodies all of Irisviel's fantasies about her own child.

Isn't this fate?

Irisviel began to suspect that this was some kind of destiny.

It was destined that Shirou would become my child.

Time flowed by quietly, and before we knew it, it was already past midnight.

"Irisviel, are you asleep?"

A gentle female response came: "I'm still awake, Shirou."

"……Um."

"What's wrong, Shirou?"

Shirou hesitated for a moment before saying, "Actually... there's something I've been hiding from you..."

Do you remember the first time we met in Xindu?

"Of course I remember! How could I forget?"

Irisviel stared at the ceiling and murmured, "Shirou really tricked him back then..."

"You were trying to get close to me and Saber, weren't you? You even told me your name is Shinji… That's so mean!"

The silver-haired android pretended to be angry, and Shirou quickly apologized.

"Hehe, I forgive you~"

"Actually, that..."

"What's wrong?"

Shirou stroked the front of his pajamas and shook his head: "No...nothing..."

Irisviel puffed out her cherry blossom-colored lips and pinched the boy's cheek: "It's not good to leave things unsaid, Shirou."

Please feel free to tell me anything. I will listen to everything.

"Actually... Irisviel..."

Shirou stammered, "When I first saw you in Shinto, I had a strange feeling."

"……What did you say?"

Irisviel's eyes widened.

Is Shirou like me?!

At that moment, she felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her the instant she saw Shirou.

Looking back now, I realize that this was a kind of fate.

"What exactly does it feel like?" Irisviel asked nervously.

Shirou hadn't expected her reaction to be so intense, and in order to get the Command Seals, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue talking.

"Although it was our first meeting, it was..."

Should I call it aura, or temperament...? Alice, you give me a very familiar feeling,"

"!!!"

Irisviel covered her mouth: "Could it be that Shirou thinks I resemble someone of yours?"

Shirou nodded and said, "That's right."

Irisviel swallowed hard, her heart gradually racing.

The boy said, "Alice, you're like my older sister..."

"mom!"

Shirou: "Huh?"

"I knew it!"

Irisviel said smugly, "Shirou, you also think I look a lot like your mother, right?"

Actually, I also feel that Shirou is like a child I've never met! We're practically running towards each other!

A question mark slowly appeared in Shirou's mind.

No, sister...

Why is the path leading up to this not quite what I imagined?

Well, these are all sacrifices within tolerable limits in order to obtain Command Seals.

Irisviel's expression suddenly turned serious, and she said, "Shirou, I have a request. I hope you can treat me as your mother."

"..."

Seeing Shirou's speechless expression, Irisviel quickly explained.

"I know this request is extremely unreasonable, and I know very well that an artificial human like me has no right to be your real mother, but..."

Ugh, just consider this another one of my capricious requests, Shirou…

The silver-haired, red-eyed android gave a pitiful look: "No?"

"No."

"…I'm sorry, I overstepped my bounds."

Irisviel lowered her head dejectedly, but then she heard the boy say something.

"Although that won't work, but... if it's only for tonight, then it's possible."

Irisviel exclaimed in surprise, "Eh?"

Shirou said calmly, "You've already said so much, if I refuse now, I might have nightmares tonight."

"...Shirou!"

Irisviel happily grasped the boy's small hand, casting an expectant look into his eyes.

Shirou sighed: "You'll have to forget about it by tomorrow?"

"Yes, it's a promise."

"Don't tell Saber, okay?"

"Yes, yes, this is a secret between Shirou and me."

Finally, Shirou reluctantly shifted his body in the blankets and brought his mouth close to Irisviel's ear.

They whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.

“...Alice’s mother.”

"!!"

Irisviel's shoulders trembled slightly.

A single, casual remark dealt her a devastating blow.

"Hehehe...hehehe..."

Seeing Irisviel's infatuated smile, Shirou felt it was time to get down to business.

"Um, Alice..."

"It's Alice's mom."

Irisviel suddenly switched to a serious expression and corrected him.

"Mother Ellie..."

"Hehe, Shirou, that kid, he really loves to act cute!"

Shirou's forehead twitched, and he said, "Actually, I also have a request, which may be a little difficult to say."

Irisviel, you'd probably think this request is outrageous.

But if you can't promise me that, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep peacefully tonight.

"?"

Irisviel frowned slightly: What kind of request is it that you can't fall asleep unless you grant it?

Suddenly, images from a movie he had watched not long ago flashed through the silver-haired android's mind.

It was a heartwarming scene of a baby sleeping peacefully with a pacifier in its mouth.

"Gu..."

Irisviel's expression suddenly turned strange, and she subconsciously covered the impressive bosom of her thin nightgown.

"Shirou, you wouldn't be thinking of..."

Shirou: I haven't even said anything yet, and you already understand?

It's a bit difficult to ask Irisviel for Command Seals, so it would be a huge help if she could understand my thoughts.

Shirou said, "My request is probably what you're imagining right now."

"Unbelievable...!"

Like two pomegranate petals suddenly flying and sticking to her cheeks, a blush appeared on the beautiful doll's face in the darkness.

Irisviel bit her lip: "Shirou, you naughty boy... making such a shameless request..."

"You're not a little baby anymore, how could you want... Waaah... What kind of answer do you want from me?!"

"sorry."

Shirou lowered his head apologetically.

Irisviel blushed and murmured embarrassedly, "Shirou, there's no need to apologize, but this request is indeed a bit excessive..."

"Can't you?"

This time it was Shirou's turn to show a pitiful expression.

When her beloved young son stared at her with those eyes, Irisviel, who had originally wanted to sternly refuse and reprimand him, was instantly melted.

"Well...it didn't say it was impossible, did it?"

"So that's possible?" Shirou countered.

After a brief silence, Irisviel nodded resolutely, as if resigned to her fate.

Although it was outrageous, it was something only the mother of this child could do.

If I can't respond to him, who can?

"Is that okay... if it's only once?"

Shirou quickly nodded in agreement: "Just once! I only want it once!"

"There's no need to work so hard," Irisviel thought to herself.

"Is it okay, Alice?" Shirou asked.

The silver-haired android blushed and pursed his lips, saying, "Let me explain beforehand..."

Because I'm not a real mother yet, nothing will come out, okay?

Please don't have any strange expectations, Shirou.

"?"

Shirou: What the hell are you talking about?

Before he could ask any further questions, Irisviel instructed, "Close your eyes."

Shirou was puzzled: Why did he have to close his eyes when it was just a Command Seal?

Is it because she doesn't want me to see the Command Seals on her face? There's no need to care.

"Do I really have to close my eyes?"

Irisviel said seriously, "I'll let you open your eyes later, but not now."