As dawn broke and soft morning light filtered into his room, Shirou sensed something strange. There was a subtle movement near him, right beside the bed. Even though he was only half-awake, his body instinctively reacted. He could feel someone standing very close to him. Slowly, Shirou peeked through his still half-closed eyes.
Directly in front of him, he saw long blonde hair shimmering in the early morning light. It was Aiz, standing calmly near his bed, looking at him with an expression that was hard to read. Aiz seemed unaware that Shirou was already awake and appeared to be quietly watching his sleeping face.
Although surprised, Shirou remained calm. In a soft voice, he called out, "Aiz?"
Aiz was startled immediately, her golden eyes widening slightly, and her face flushed with embarrassment. "Shirou... sorry!" she blurted out hurriedly, her voice awkward and rushed. She took a few steps back, looking confused about how to explain the situation. "I came into your room early... and I didn't ask for permission. I didn't mean to disturb you," she continued, sounding apologetic.
Now sitting up in bed, Shirou simply smiled calmly. He looked at Aiz, standing before him, looking so beautiful in a simple white one-piece dress that radiated a gentle charm. Despite her embarrassment, Aiz kept her gaze fixed on Shirou, her eyes filled with determination, as if there was something important she wanted to say.
With a slight blush, Aiz slowly explained, "I... I want to ask for your help. Yesterday you said you could teach me how to swim, right?" Aiz lowered her head for a moment before continuing, "I want to learn before the others wake up. I... don't want anyone to know that I still can't swim."
Seeing how serious Aiz was, Shirou could only offer her a gentle smile. Aiz's firm demeanor in battle, but her shyness in simple matters like this, made her even more endearing. Shirou nodded slowly, still sitting on his bed, and said, "Of course, Aiz. I'll help you learn how to swim. We can go now before anyone else wakes up."
Aiz, who usually appeared calm and quiet, gave a small, relieved smile. "Thank you, Shirou," she said briefly, but her voice carried a deep sincerity.
Shirou got out of bed and began to get ready. Inside, he felt happy seeing this more human and gentle side of Aiz. Although they had fought many battles together, this moment felt different—more personal, more intimate.
As they prepared to head to the beach in the early morning, Shirou couldn't help but smile. This was another side of their adventure, a peaceful moment that brought them closer.
Shirou quickly prepared a simple meal of sandwiches for the two of them. He gathered ingredients from the inn's kitchen and skillfully made nutritious sandwiches for a light breakfast after their swimming practice. Once he finished, he wrapped them neatly and handed them to Aiz.
Aiz quietly tucked the meal into her small bag. "Thank you, Shirou," she said sincerely while securing the bag on her shoulder. With everything ready, they both prepared to sneak out of the inn without waking the other members of the Loki Familia, who were still sound asleep.
As soon as they stepped outside, the morning air felt fresh, cool with a hint of sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and dew. Shirou walked beside Aiz, feeling calm amidst the quiet beginning of the day. As they walked, he occasionally glanced at Aiz beside him. Her long blonde hair swayed in the morning breeze, gleaming in the light of the rising sun. The sight made Shirou smile slightly, feeling lucky to witness such a beautiful and peaceful moment.
As they continued down the path leading to the beach, Shirou gently asked, "Which beach are we heading to?"
Aiz turned to him and pointed toward a forest ahead of them. "Beyond that forest is a small beach. It's rarely visited, so no one will see us," she replied calmly.
Shirou nodded, understanding Aiz's intent. The hidden beach sounded perfect for swimming practice without worrying about prying eyes. The two of them continued their journey, crossing the winding path that led into the forest Aiz had indicated. The trees around them grew denser, creating a quiet, secluded atmosphere.
As they neared their destination, the sound of waves gradually became clearer, growing louder as they approached the small hidden beach beyond the forest. The beach was peaceful and remote, with soft white sand stretching along the shoreline and gentle waves lapping at the edge. It was the perfect place—far from any noise and curious onlookers.
Shirou smiled, feeling ready to help Aiz learn to swim in such a serene setting.
After arriving at the hidden beach, Shirou and Aiz chose a spot near a large rock to set down their belongings and the meal they had brought. The beach was quiet, with only the soft sound of waves breaking in the distance. After organizing their things, Aiz, without hesitation, began removing the white one-piece dress she was wearing, leaving Shirou in shock.
Caught off guard, Shirou immediately turned away, his face turning red. "A-Aiz, what are you doing?" he asked, slightly panicked, his voice trembling as he didn't know how to react. His mind was filled with confusion, thinking he shouldn't be witnessing this.
However, Aiz, already aware of Shirou's reaction, simply gave a small smile, as calm as ever. "It's okay, Shirou. I'm wearing a bikini underneath," she explained in a soft but reassuring voice. There was no hint of embarrassment in her tone; she simply saw it as preparation for swimming.
Slowly, Shirou mustered the courage to look back at Aiz, and at that moment, he saw her already dressed in a white bikini that perfectly accentuated her athletic figure. Her long blonde hair was left loose, gleaming in the soft morning sunlight. In his heart, Shirou recalled what Lefiya had once said about Aiz. It was true—Aiz looked incredibly beautiful in that white bikini, even more than he had imagined.
But Aiz didn't seem to notice Shirou's admiration. She simply looked at him, puzzled, as she saw Shirou frozen in place, not saying a word. "Shirou? Don't you need to change too?" she asked innocently, not understanding why Shirou was so captivated.
Snapping out of his daze, Shirou quickly cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Ah, right! Of course... I'll change now," he replied hastily, feeling a bit embarrassed after being caught off guard by Aiz. He grabbed his swimsuit from his bag and prepared to change, though his mind was still a little distracted by the earlier scene.
With the beach deserted and just the two of them there, the atmosphere felt peaceful, although there was a hint of awkwardness from what had just happened.
After Shirou changed into his swim trunks, he returned to the beach, where Aiz was patiently waiting. The ocean stretched out before them, with gentle waves softly washing over the white sand. Aiz stood quietly at the water's edge, though her face showed a hint of nervousness—a rare sight for someone as strong and fearless as her.
Shirou approached her with a gentle smile. "So, how much can you swim so far?" he asked in an understanding tone, wanting to know where to start in teaching her.
Aiz, usually calm and reserved, now seemed a bit shy. She lowered her head slightly before answering in a quiet voice, "I... I can't swim at all, actually." Her face turned a little red, clearly uncomfortable admitting such a simple weakness, especially considering how skilled she was in battle.
Shirou nodded with a warm smile, not judging her at all. "That's okay, we can start from the basics. Let's try learning how to float first. The sea here is shallow, so it's safe." With a calm invitation, Shirou walked towards the water, gesturing for Aiz to follow him. They began by slowly walking into the shallow water, helping Aiz get used to the feeling of being in the ocean.
However, as they reached slightly deeper water, Aiz suddenly began to panic. The rising water made her feel uneasy, and without thinking, she quickly grabbed and clung tightly to Shirou's waist. Her grip was strong, as if she feared drowning, even though the water wasn't deep. Aiz, usually so confident, now seemed vulnerable and anxious.
Shirou, though surprised by Aiz's sudden reaction, remained calm. He could feel how tightly Aiz was holding him, her soft body pressed against his waist, and how fast her heart was beating. But Shirou knew this wasn't the time to dwell on those thoughts. He calmed himself, resisting the physical sensations of their closeness, and focused on how to comfort Aiz.
In a soothing voice, Shirou said, "Aiz, it's okay... I'm here. You won't drown, I promise I'll help you." He gently placed his hand on Aiz's back, offering support and reassurance, making sure she felt safe. "We'll stay in the shallow water for now. Take it slow, okay?"
Aiz, still frightened, began to feel the calming effect of Shirou's words. Her grip loosened slightly, but she stayed close to him, feeling safer with him nearby. "Sorry... I panicked," she muttered softly, clearly embarrassed by her unusual reaction.
Shirou just smiled gently. "It's okay, everyone needs time to learn. Let's take it slow." With great patience, he continued guiding Aiz, helping her feel more comfortable in the water. Even though there were some awkward moments when Aiz held him tightly, Shirou remained professional and focused on helping her overcome her fear.
They spent time in the water under the warm morning sun, slowly but surely. Shirou patiently taught Aiz, and Aiz gradually began to feel more at ease.
Shirou carefully demonstrated how to float. With slow, deliberate movements, he lay back on the calm seawater, letting his body float comfortably. "See, Aiz? You just need to relax and let the water support you," he said, showing her how to control her breathing to stay calm.
Aiz, still standing in the water with uncertainty, watched Shirou closely. Although she was highly skilled in battle and everything related to swords, swimming made her feel helpless. But she didn't want to give up. With newfound determination, Aiz tried to mimic what Shirou had done. She began to lie back in the water, trying to relax her muscles and let the water hold her up as Shirou had demonstrated.
However, as the seconds passed, panic began to creep in. Despite the shallow water, Aiz felt as if she might sink. Her heartbeat quickened, and her survival instincts took over, causing her body to move uncontrollably. Without thinking, she quickly gave up and, once again, wrapped her arms tightly around Shirou's waist, clinging to him just like before.
Shirou, who had been doing his best to stay calm, now found it increasingly difficult to maintain his composure. His face reddened as he felt Aiz's body so close to his. Although he wanted to remain focused as a patient teacher, the situation was becoming harder for him. The softness of Aiz in his arms stirred feelings he struggled to suppress.
"A-Aiz..." His voice trembled slightly, but he tried to steady himself. "You have to stay calm... Don't panic. I'm right here; you won't sink." His words were soft, even though his own heart was racing faster than usual.
Aiz, still holding onto Shirou, slowly loosened her grip a little. "Sorry... I don't know why I always panic," she whispered, her face showing embarrassment. She wasn't used to feeling powerless, and this situation was new to her.
Shirou smiled, though his face was still a little flushed. "It's okay, Aiz. It's natural. It takes time to get used to it, and I'll help you." Yet, deep down, Shirou was struggling to control the emotions brought on by their physical closeness. He didn't want to make Aiz uncomfortable, but he couldn't avoid how his body reacted.
Despite the awkward atmosphere, Shirou patiently continued his lesson. They tried multiple times, and every time Aiz panicked, Shirou was there to calm her down and provide a sense of safety. Although it was challenging, Shirou kept reminding himself that this was part of the training, and he genuinely wanted Aiz to learn how to swim.
With great patience, Shirou kept teaching Aiz how to float. Each time he carefully demonstrated the steps, Aiz would try to follow, but her panic always set in, causing her to fail and end up clinging tightly to Shirou. This happened repeatedly until Aiz started feeling more and more frustrated. In her last embrace, a few tears appeared at the corners of her eyes, though she tried to hide them.
"I'm sorry, Shirou..." she whispered softly, her voice filled with regret. "I'm being a burden... and it seems like I can't learn how to swim. I always panic..." She raised her head slightly, looking frustrated at her inability to overcome her fear of the water despite trying so hard.
Shirou, sensing Aiz's sadness, responded gently. "Aiz, you don't need to feel bad. Learning something new is never easy, and I'm here to help you." He softly stroked her back, trying to comfort her. "Don't worry, I'll keep teaching you until you can swim. We'll do this together, okay?" His words were full of sincerity, wanting to ensure Aiz didn't feel too discouraged.
However, in the middle of their conversation, Shirou suddenly had an idea that might help. "How about we try something different?" he said, his eyes lighting up. "You could use Ariel, your wind magic. Maybe that could help you float on the water."
Aiz looked up with a doubtful expression, still remembering her earlier struggles. But she appreciated Shirou's effort and decided to give it a try. With a slightly gloomy face, Aiz slowly released her grip on Shirou and took a small step back. "Alright, I'll try," she said, though her tone was uncertain.
She activated her wind magic, Ariel, which immediately responded to her call. A gentle breeze began swirling around Aiz's body, forming an elegant, delicate vortex. However, what was meant to help ended up making things worse. The wind created by Ariel caused the surrounding water to spin faster, and instead of making Aiz float, the wind actually pulled her down more quickly. In an instant, Aiz sank back into the water.
"Aiz!" Shirou called out anxiously, moving quickly to help her. He dove in and swiftly grabbed Aiz's hand, pulling her out of the water before she could sink deeper.
Aiz coughed, taking deep breaths after being lifted to the surface. Despite her soaked face and visible disappointment, she couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Looks like... Ariel wasn't much help either," she muttered with a bit of humor, despite still feeling awkward.
Shirou, who was also wet, smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, maybe Ariel is better suited for battle than swimming," he joked lightly. "But it's okay, we'll find another way. Don't give up, Aiz. I'm here for you."
Hearing Shirou's words, Aiz started to feel a bit better. Even though the situation was somewhat embarrassing for her, Shirou's support made her feel more at ease. Aiz gave a small, shy smile, though she still looked a little flustered. "Thank you, Shirou. I'll keep trying... in my own way."
Shirou looked at Aiz with concern after the near-drowning incident. Even though Aiz had tried using Ariel, the outcome wasn't what they had hoped for. But Shirou wasn't ready to give up yet. He knew Aiz had extraordinary abilities with her wind magic, so there might be another way to use it.
With a gentle but curious tone, Shirou asked, "Aiz, can you control where the wind goes? I mean, not all over your body, but just in specific areas?"
Aiz nodded slightly as she thought about Ariel's abilities. "Yes, I usually use Ariel all over my body to increase my speed. Sometimes I focus it on my sword to strengthen my attacks, or on my legs to jump higher."
Hearing her explanation, an idea popped into Shirou's mind. He smiled and said, "How about you try using Ariel only on your legs, but this time on the surface of the water? Maybe you can balance yourself on top of the water." While it wasn't a conventional swimming technique, Shirou hoped it might help Aiz feel more confident in the water.
Aiz stared at Shirou for a moment, contemplating, then nodded. "Alright, I'll give it a try," she said. She looked calm, though there was still a hint of hesitation after the earlier mishap. Aiz closed her eyes briefly, focusing her power, and then directed the wind only to her legs.
Wind started swirling around Aiz's legs, and in an instant, she began bouncing on top of the water, as if she were gliding across it. Every time her feet touched the surface, Aiz bounced back up lightly, lifted by the wind from Ariel. Her movements were so graceful and quick, it looked like she was dancing across the calm waves.
Shirou could only watch in awe, amazed by how Aiz effortlessly controlled the wind to hop across the water. Even though this wasn't the swimming technique he had envisioned, he couldn't help but be impressed by Aiz's skill.
After a few jumps, Aiz gently landed in front of Shirou, the wind around her legs gradually dissipating. Although she didn't look entirely satisfied, a small smile appeared on her face. "Well?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
Shirou, with a sheepish smile, scratched his head awkwardly. "Hmmm, that was impressive... but I don't think we can count it as swimming," he joked, trying to hold back his laughter.
Aiz, who usually didn't react to jokes, chuckled softly this time, feeling a bit relieved. "Yeah, I suppose I still have to learn how to swim the more... traditional way," she said in a more relaxed tone, feeling that even though she hadn't succeeded in swimming, they had at least had some fun.
Shirou smiled wider, happy to see Aiz more relaxed. "It's okay, we'll keep trying. You did something amazing with Ariel; it just takes a little time to get used to the water," he said, encouraging Aiz to keep learning.
Shirou watched closely every time Aiz used Ariel, noticing that the wind she generated was too strong, causing her to lose control and stability while trying to swim. After a few attempts, he thought maybe Ariel could be adjusted to be gentler so as not to disrupt Aiz's balance in the water.
"Aiz," Shirou said softly, thinking, "I think Ariel is too strong for swimming. How about trying to release a smaller wind? Just enough to keep you afloat on the water."
Aiz, still confused, looked at Shirou. "A smaller wind? I usually use Ariel to defeat enemies with full power... I've never tried using it more gently," she said, her tone reflecting her confusion. To her, Ariel had always been a powerful weapon, not a tool to help her float.
Shirou smiled, trying to boost Aiz's confidence. "Try imagining a gentle breeze, like the soft wind of spring. Maybe we can call it Little Ariel. If you can create a small, gentle wind, it might help you float without too much force."
Aiz was silent for a moment, considering Shirou's suggestion. Though hesitant, she trusted his words. With determination in her heart, Aiz stood in the water, letting her body feel the cold sea around her. As her feet slowly lost contact with the bottom, she closed her eyes, trying to imagine a soft breeze—like the one she remembered from her mother, Aria, the Wind Spirit.
She focused, feeling the wind flow gently from within her, but this time not for attacking. Slowly, a light and gentle vortex of wind formed around her body. The wind was strong enough to support Aiz's body on the water without making her lose balance. For a few moments, she managed to float on the surface, the soft wind working perfectly.
Shirou watched in amazement. "Look, you did it! You can do it, Aiz!" he cheered enthusiastically, excited to see their experiment succeed.
However, as Aiz realized what was happening and became too conscious of her position, her concentration wavered. The wind around her weakened, and before she could regain control, her body slowly began sinking into the water.
Aiz coughed a little as the water touched her face, and she quickly stood back up in the shallow water. "I... I almost did it," she muttered, looking at Shirou with a mix of relief and frustration.
Shirou smiled widely, though he knew Aiz might feel disappointed that it wasn't perfect. "You've made great progress, Aiz. It just takes a little more practice, and you'll be able to control it perfectly. You've already figured it out; now you just need more practice to make it stable."
Aiz, who was usually calm and composed, gave a small smile, feeling that despite the setbacks, she could still continue her efforts. "Thank you, Shirou. I'll keep trying until I can really do it," she said, her eyes shining with newfound determination.
This practice, though simple, made Aiz feel more connected with herself, and especially with Shirou, who continued to support her without hesitation.
Slowly and patiently, Aiz started to get used to using Little Ariel. The gentle wind swirling around her legs helped her float on the water's surface without losing her balance. For the first time, she felt confident in her ability to control her magic more delicately and not rely too much on full power. With each passing second, her confidence grew, and a small smile appeared on her face.
Shirou, watching closely, smiled proudly. "You're doing it, Aiz. See? You can float now," he said, his voice filled with pride.
Feeling more confident, Aiz began moving slowly toward the deeper part of the sea, wanting to test the limits of her ability with Little Ariel. However, just moments after she ventured further, a large wave suddenly appeared, bigger than any before. The wave hit Aiz without warning, catching her off guard and causing her to lose control.
In an instant, Aiz was submerged under the water. Little Ariel, which had been stable, now became wild due to her panic. The once gentle wind turned into a strong vortex, creating small waves that spun Aiz around in the water, further losing control over herself.
Seeing what was happening, Shirou reacted immediately. Without hesitation, he dove into the water, swimming quickly toward Aiz, who was starting to sink into the vortex created by Little Ariel. With skill and calmness, he reached Aiz and grabbed her helpless body. Aiz appeared unconscious, the panic that had been on her face now gone, replaced by a frightening stillness.
With all his strength, Shirou pulled Aiz to the surface, lifting her out of the water. He swam to the shore, carrying the unconscious Aiz onto the sand. Shirou carefully laid her down, checking her breathing, but there were no signs that Aiz was breathing.
With deep anxiety, Shirou began performing CPR on Aiz, pressing her chest in a steady rhythm. But still, there was no sign of breath. Feeling increasingly desperate, Shirou knew what he had to do. Without hesitation, he lowered his head and gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, providing artificial breaths to get air flowing back into Aiz's lungs.
After a few rounds of breaths, Aiz finally began to react. Her body moved slightly, and she coughed, expelling water from her lungs. Her golden eyes slowly opened, still dazed. She gasped for air, but she was regaining consciousness. Shirou, still beside her, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Aiz... you're safe now," Shirou said with a voice full of relief. Though his body was still wet and his heart raced with the anxiety from earlier, he smiled faintly, seeing Aiz finally awake.
Aiz, still confused by what had happened, slowly sat up with Shirou's help. After a moment, she began to remember what had occurred, and her face flushed as she realized that Shirou had saved her—and had performed mouth-to-mouth. She looked at Shirou with a mix of gratitude and embarrassment.
"Thank you, Shirou... I don't know what to say," she whispered softly, trying to steady her still-labored breathing.
Shirou gave a warm smile, though he felt awkward. "It's alright, Aiz. The important thing is that you're safe," he replied briefly, not wanting to make Aiz more embarrassed by discussing what had just happened.
The two of them sat on the beach, surrounded by the peaceful sea that was gradually calming, enjoying the moment despite the lingering awkwardness between them.
Though relieved that Aiz had regained consciousness, Shirou felt uncomfortable about what had just happened. He looked down slightly, staring at the sand beneath them before finally speaking in a soft tone, "Sorry... I guess I ended up taking your first kiss, even if it was an emergency. But, well, maybe it doesn't count."
Hearing Shirou's words, Aiz's face instantly turned red. But unexpectedly, she shook her head gently, a faint smile on her face. "No... it still counts as a kiss," she replied in a soft but firm voice.
Those words left Shirou even more surprised. He hadn't expected Aiz to respond like that. But before he could think further, Aiz added with a slight teasing tone, "Besides... that was my second kiss."
Shirou fell silent, confusion filling his mind. He knew Aiz wasn't someone close to many people, especially men. "Your second? You... you've kissed before?" he asked, his tone full of disbelief. In his mind, Aiz always seemed like someone highly independent and focused on fighting, so he never imagined she had experienced something like that.
Aiz gave a small smile, this time looking like she was keeping a secret. In her heart, she recalled the moment when Shirou had passed out in the Dungeon after his battle with Revis, and how she had to give him an Elixir mouth-to-mouth to save him. Aiz didn't want to reveal that now, so she only responded briefly, "Yes, it was my second kiss. But now we're even."
Shirou, still confused, couldn't understand. "Even?" he asked, trying to grasp the meaning of Aiz's words.
Aiz smiled wider, this time with a hint of teasing in her gaze. "Because I did it first, we're even now," she said, leaving Shirou even more bewildered.
Shirou looked at Aiz, feeling like he was missing something, but he didn't know exactly what. Aiz's soft smile and calm demeanor left Shirou even more puzzled. In his heart, he wondered what Aiz's words truly meant, but at the same time, he felt that this might be a mystery he would understand only with time.
Finally, Shirou just scratched his head awkwardly, still not fully comprehending what had happened. But seeing Aiz's sincere smile, he chose not to dwell on it too much. "Alright... then we're even," Shirou replied, though inside he still felt there was something he didn't quite get.
They both sat in silence for a moment, letting the cool ocean breeze blow between them, bringing a sense of calm after the awkward yet memorable incident.
The first illustration poll has ended with the following results:
Aiz giving an elixir to Shirou mouth-to-mouth: 67%
Shirou touching Riveria's ear: 13%
Shirou using Rho Aias to protect against a Corrupted spirit attack: 20%
With a total of 15 votes.
You can check out the sketch of Aiz giving an elixir to Shirou
at https://www.patreon.com/Rayish