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"Um…?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't catch on at first. But when she heard Aozaki Touko mention "the purest life essence left inside her," her face turned bright red.
Though Utaha was often bold in her thinking, hearing such a thing so plainly—especially with the clinical tone of magic—it caught her completely off guard.
"Are you sure that's what caused it?"
Utaha tried to steady herself, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment.
"Couldn't it be something else?"
"No, it's definitely that."
Aozaki Touko shook her head firmly, her voice filled with certainty.
"Because I've received that too. I did some research."
Research?
Not just Utaha—everyone present, including Hayasaka Ai, was completely stunned.
You researched that sort of thing? Are you serious?
"Don't underestimate it," Touko continued, grinning at their reactions. "That's the essence of a magician's life force, brimming with mana. If a Servant is low on energy, the Master can replenish it this way. It's not just some trivial matter—it has magical significance."
Seeing the women struggle to wrap their heads around it, Touko laughed. Her head bobbed slightly, as if thoroughly enjoying their shattered worldview.
There's actually magical meaning behind it?
Though Utaha was still a bit shocked, she quickly regained her composure.
As ridiculous as this new information seemed, the fact that she had gained magical abilities was nothing short of a monumental surprise for her.
In this world, magicians were, without a doubt, a class of their own—those truly standing above others.
Only by becoming a magician could she ensure her own safety and security. She wouldn't have to rely on others for her entire life, existing as nothing more than a pretty face with no substance.
Besides…
Who wouldn't want supernatural powers?
Even for someone like her, the thought of gaining such power filled her with a kind of glee that made her want to jump for joy.
Back in the kitchen, Hayasaka Ai returned to her cooking, the savory aroma still filling the air.
In the living room, Illya sat with a collapsed worldview, while Nakano Miku cautiously observed everything like a curious child discovering the world for the first time.
Nakano Ichika's gaze flickered, her eyes glimmering with a sense of intrigue and temptation.
During lunch, Roy was still unconscious.
Following Touko's instructions, the women quietly ate by themselves.
After the meal, Ichika and Miku helped Hayasaka Ai with the chores, while Kasumigaoka Utaha, utterly exhausted, was granted permission to rest.
Looking around to make sure no one was nearby, Utaha swiftly approached Touko.
"Do you… have any birth control?"
Touko raised an eyebrow knowingly.
"Don't worry about it. You won't need that."
Utaha looked confused.
Touko paused before explaining further.
"Roy's body doesn't have the ability to impregnate anyone."
Utaha blinked in surprise.
Then it clicked.
Of course—if homunculi could impregnate people, the population of this world would probably be much higher by now.
"If you ever want children, you can wait until after the Holy Grail War."
Touko pulled out a cigarette from her pocket but paused, seemingly rethinking it. She tucked away the battered pack and pulled out a fresh one instead.
"If he survives, I'll help modify his body. Then he'll be just like an ordinary person."
Touko's expression became complicated, a mix of nostalgia, melancholy, and perhaps even uncertainty. It was as if her thoughts had drifted somewhere far beyond the present conversation.
Utaha thought to herself that she wasn't exactly in a rush to have children. She was still young and hadn't even begun to mentally prepare for motherhood.
Before returning to her room, Utaha saw Ichika working busily in the courtyard.
She hesitated for a moment, then went inside and brought out a maid outfit, a soft smile on her face as she handed it to Ichika.
The outfit was quite revealing, with an open back, lace trimming, and accessories like a headband and garter.
It was one of the "cool" maid outfits Roy had bought as a backup for Utaha.
Ichika blinked, puzzled.
"What's this?"
"It's your uniform."
Utaha smiled and headed off to her room for some much-needed rest.
Ichika stared at the rather scandalous maid outfit, completely speechless.
This is a uniform?
Roy-sama's tastes… really are something, huh?
Yet, despite her surprise, Ichika's face turned a soft pink. With a slightly mischievous grin, she slipped into the outfit. It was a bit chilly, but once she started moving, the chill subsided.
From the side, Hayasaka Ai gave Ichika a deadpan look as she watched her bustle about in the revealing maid uniform.
Without a word, Ai went back to her room and returned with another maid outfit, handing it to Miku.
Miku glanced at the stoic Hayasaka, then at her already uniformed sister. Slowly, she made her way to her room.
"You can keep your stockings on," Ai suddenly advised.
Apparently, Roy was fond of those kinds of things.
And really, what guy wouldn't be?
Of course, the reason she gave them these outfits wasn't just to please Roy.
No, it was more about initiation. She had worn one before, so now the new arrivals had to experience it too.
If my umbrella broke, none of you get to stay dry either!
Miku nodded silently.
She didn't change into the full outfit, but she also didn't wear the leg garters. The stockings with garters kept slipping, and Ai didn't really mind.
It wasn't until the evening, just before dinner, that Roy finally woke up.
Cradling his throbbing head and rubbing his sore back, he washed up and went to sit in the hallway.
Kasumigaoka Utaha was still resting.
Ichika and Miku were cleaning the courtyard, occasionally glancing over at him.
"Ah…"
Roy let out a long sigh of relief.
He vaguely remembered some parts of the previous night, though not much.
But what stood out most clearly was that Utaha had sacrificed herself to help him through the curse. He wouldn't forget that.
"Sighing? Seriously, you little brat. You got off easy and now you're acting like you didn't enjoy it."
Aozaki Touko sauntered over with an amused smile on her face.
"If only I could've done that while I was conscious," Roy grumbled.
What a waste. His only clear memory was how soft Utaha had been. Everything else had been a blur, acting purely on instinct.
He was certain he'd left quite a few bruises on her too.
How disappointing.
"You could always go for a round two now."
Touko tilted her head toward Utaha's room, winking suggestively.
"…I'll pass. I don't think my back can take it."
Roy winced, rubbing his still-sore waist, and decided to let the idea go, no matter how tempting.
"Then try again tomorrow."
Touko's playful expression faded as her tone turned serious.
"I'm not joking. You understand that, right?"
Roy remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding, a helpless look in his eyes as he sighed.
"These past three years… I've come into contact with the Holy Grail far too much."
"What did you expect, doing something so reckless?"
Touko scolded him sharply, though she soon calmed down, sighing as she sat beside him.
"In the blink of an eye… It's been three years since you came to Fuyuki City."
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