"Illyasviel, would you like to stay for lunch?"
In the living room, after a five-minute mental struggle, Saber finally asked the question. After all, there was only enough rice for her and Miyu in the rice cooker. If there was another person, she might have to eat one less bowl of rice!
"Are you inviting me to dine?"
Saber wanted to say no, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Hmm..." Illya lightly tapped her chin with her index finger, thinking for a moment before smiling sweetly. "Alright then! Even though it wasn't Shirou who invited me, I never refuse an offer of kindness."
"I'll go cook another cup of rice immediately." Miyu stood up in a hurry, bowing politely to Illya. "Illya...sama, please wait a moment."
Seeing the humble and sincere Miyu, Illya felt a bit awkward about targeting her despite her initial intent.
Watching Miyu skillfully work in the kitchen, Saber silently praised her for handling the sudden challenge so well.
Illya also watched Miyu in the kitchen, noting how familiar she seemed with the kitchen's layout after just one day. What if she stayed longer?
Illya didn't dare to think further and resolved to deal with Miyu after lunch.
But then...
"Huh?" Illya paused, noticing something.
"What's wrong, Illyasviel?" Saber asked.
"Nothing," Illya shook her head and looked back at the kitchen, pondering: Did I just see something peek out from behind the panel...?
Keeping a close eye on the kitchen, Illya spotted what looked like a magical wand peeking out from behind the panel whenever Saber wasn't looking.
"Hehehe, I see. This must be the other girl Shinji mentioned. She's indeed cute, but... Miyu-chan suits me better as my Master!"
The experienced Ruby, secretly observing Illya, muttered to herself without realizing she was being watched by a shadow.
"Hmph, hmph, hmph~"
Hearing the cheerful voice above her, Ruby realized someone was watching her. She made a shushing gesture with her feathers.
Illya picked up Ruby and said to Miyu, "Miyu, right? How about we go out and play after lunch?"
"Huh?"
Miyu, preparing lunch, was taken aback. She hesitated, unsure what to do since Saber was the only one at home.
Noticing Miyu's dilemma, Saber spoke up, "Illyasviel, you..."
Understanding Saber's concern, Illya reassured her, "Don't worry, Saber. As the heir of the Einzbern family, I would never do anything improper to a guest."
Hearing Illya's words, Saber felt conflicted. She had promised to keep watch over Miyu, but as a servant, her primary duty was to fight and remain in peak condition, which included resting properly.
Simply put, Saber was torn between going out to monitor or staying home for a comfortable nap.
Illya, sensing Saber's thoughts, asked, "Saber, do you have some task (monitoring) to do?"
Saber frowned but didn't answer.
From Saber's expression, Illya got her answer and smiled. "Then leave it to me this afternoon. On some matters (Shirou's safety), we're on the same side, right?"
Saber pondered for a moment and finally agreed. "Miyu, you can go out with Illyasviel this afternoon, but be careful."
"Yes, Saber."
...
In the afternoon, Illya took Miyu to a small park in the residential area of Fuyuki City. Once they entered the empty park, Illya's demeanor changed abruptly.
"Who exactly are you?" she asked coldly.
Caught off guard by Illya's sudden change, Miyu was about to speak when Ruby popped out from behind her and inserted herself between them.
"Who am I? Good question! I am Ruby, the artificial spirit of Kaleidostick, created by Zelretch—here to uphold love and justice!"
"Zelretch... the Second Magician..."
Illya felt increasingly puzzled. How was Miyu connected to Zelretch?
"And this is my Master, the somewhat naive but very cute Miyu-chan~"
"So, what's your identity? What are your intentions towards Shirou?"
"Illya-chan~ Don't worry about that~" Ruby floated beside Illya, patting her shoulder with a feather. "Identity doesn't matter. And as for intentions, Miyu-chan has none. Isn't that right, Miyu-chan, who secretly wants to be friends with Illya-chan?"
"Huh?"
Blushing as if her secret had been exposed, Miyu looked away, her face turning red.
"Aww~ So cute~" Ruby cheerfully circled Miyu, who was looking down, "Getting shy so quickly, my Miyu-chan~ Ruby-chan is so satisfied!"
"Friends...?"
Illya showed a complicated expression. This mysterious, somewhat timid girl wanted to be friends with her? Illya didn't know what to think.
"So, Illya-chan, will you be friends with Ruby-chan and Miyu-chan?"
Seeing the shameless wand, Illya sighed. "Fine, if you don't mean any harm to Shirou, I won't ask more. But about friends..."
Illya thought about it. She had Shirou and Berserker, and two maids, but no real friends...
No, no! I'm an adult! How can I be friends with a little girl? We wouldn't have anything in common!
"Yes... Yesterday, I got this, um..."
Miyu carefully took out two neatly folded amusement park tickets from her pocket, which had been included in some documents delivered the previous day.
Seeing Miyu's shy, downcast expression, Illya huffed inwardly. Was this girl trying to bribe her? Did she think it would work?
"Miyu, right? From today, we're friends! Let's go to the amusement park together!"
Seeing Illya cheer up and Miyu's delighted expression, Ruby, as Miyu's "teacher," also joined in the cheer.
"Woohoo~ Let's all go to the amusement park~~!"
"Wait..." Illya remembered something, frowning. "Many attractions at the park require a guardian..."
"Then let's bring Saber along~" Ruby suggested.
"No, if Saber plays, she'll forget about us! Last time we went with Shirou and Saber, it was the same!"
"Really? That's a problem~"
Ruby sighed but then pointed her feather at a young man standing at the park's entrance, hands in pockets. "How about asking that man? He seems free."
Seeing the disdainful Gilgamesh watching them, Illya didn't know what to say. "Forget it. That guy only cares about Matou Shinji and ignores everyone else. Besides, I don't think..."
Before she finished, she noticed Ruby had vanished. Looking up, she saw Ruby talking to Gilgamesh.
She really went to ask him? Illya thought.
Three minutes later, Ruby floated back, and Illya crossed her arms, huffing, "I told you it wouldn't work! That guy never..."
"He agreed."
"What?!" Illya couldn't believe her ears.
"Why are you still standing around? Do you think the king has time to wait for you?!"
Hearing Gilgamesh's scolding, Illya considered giving up. Going to an amusement park with him was unimaginable!
"I... Illya..." Miyu timidly called out.
"Well, I guess he won't do anything during the day. Let's go, Miyu."
...
Although Gilgamesh didn't like Illya, he wasn't unkind to Miyu or other children, as Illya discovered during their afternoon together.
Another thing Illya noticed was that despite her mysterious background, Miyu was pure-hearted and lacked common sense.
At 4 PM, anticipating Shirou's return from school, Illya, having spent hours with Gilgamesh, led Miyu away.
"Remember, Miyu, that man is very dangerous."
"Really?" Miyu looked puzzled, glancing back at Gilgamesh, who walked away with his hands in his pockets. "He didn't seem like a bad person. A bit flamboyant, but kind to children..."
Seeing Miyu's innocent expression, Illya sighed deeply.
Though her background was unknown, Miyu's innocence was evident.
...
At 5 PM, on the way home from school.
Seeing Illya and Miyu sitting harmoniously on a park bench, chatting, Shinji felt puzzled—they hadn't clashed!
But then he remembered Ruby. Despite her shamelessness, she was probably good at preventing fights among kids.
Understanding this, Shinji didn't linger and left the scene.