The Silver Apple Souji gave to Shizuku was, naturally, the stamina-replenishing Silver Apple from the game.
Alongside that, Souji also had Golden Apples, Copper Apples, and Bronze Apples in her possession.
Since Ikki's Device had been broken by Souji, his spirit had taken a severe hit. Although the Silver Apple didn't have direct healing effects, it could still help him recover his strength and mental fatigue.
Souji had only recently realized that her old inventory had been brought over.
"Wait… all the materials I collected are still here?"
"Of course! Da Vinci kept everything safe for you, Master."
"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Well, you never asked, Master."
"…"
"And besides, maintaining contact across world barriers is no easy feat. Just staying connected is difficult enough, let alone transporting supplies. Please spare a thought for the technical team here; Mash hasn't had a proper night's sleep in days just to support you."
Souji had been speechless when Da Vinci told her this.
"Da Vinci! We agreed not to tell Senpai about that!"
Mash's face had appeared on the comm screen, a bit blurry from poor signal transmission, but Souji could still tell from her Servant-grade eyesight that Mash looked utterly exhausted.
Now, Mash was no longer the pseudo-Servant infused with Galahad's spirit. Since Fou's sacrifice, she had gained a normal human lifespan and body, even healthier than most humans.
As a result, she needed rest, felt exhaustion, and could even be injured by the smallest mishaps.
"If I had kept it from her, Master might have killed me once she found out. She's not that novice mage from before who had to rely on Mystic Codes to cast spells. I can't guarantee I'd survive a punch, especially if she bonded with an aggressive Servant."
At that, for some reason, Souji imagined the holy figure of Saint Martha.
Ugh… why her?
---
On her way back, Souji was surrounded by cherry blossom trees tinted blood-red by the setting sun.
The sky burned with clouds, shadows casting layered patterns across the road. Souji hadn't ever really paid attention to the scenery like this.
As a child, she didn't understand such things, and as she grew older, life became busy. Her eyes were always fixed on the far-off finish line or on the backs that gradually pulled away from her. When had she ever had time to appreciate the view?
From a young age, she had been taught that time was finite, that she needed to seize every moment.
Seize the time to study, to improve, even to play, every activity squeezed within limited hours.
It all seemed so normal—everything in this world was limited, after all.
But now, thinking back, her happiest times had been those moments of doing nothing, of wasting time.
Looking out the window, listening to the "swish" of leaves rustling in the wind, lying on a lounge chair basking in the warm sunlight, stacking her grandmother's mahjong tiles to make little houses, climbing the slightly rusty gym equipment downstairs, or watching a few koi swim lazily in the pond from atop a small rock garden…
When was the last time she had felt this carefree?
"Taking a solitary walk once in a while isn't so bad."
With her A+ Agility, Souji could have made it home in no time, but she decided to stroll slowly. By the time she reached home, night had fallen completely.
The moment she stepped through the door, Souji didn't even have a chance to say "I'm home" before she was enveloped in a tight hug.
"Oh! My adorable little sister is back! Come here, give me a hug!"
"Big Sis… isn't this a bit embarrassing?"
Edelweiss's soft cheeks rubbed insistently against hers, leaving Souji a bit flushed.
And she kept up the cheek-rubbing for a full three minutes, without any intention of letting go.
"Sis! Edelweiss! You're going to rub my skin raw!"
This was precisely why Souji found Edelweiss a bit overwhelming—her affection was heavy-handed.
But… despite the trouble, Souji didn't exactly dislike it.
"Did you bring a gift for your big sis, Souji?"
Once they were inside, Edelweiss suddenly extended her hand with a smile, holding it out expectantly, leaving Souji blinking in confusion.
"Huh?"
"This happens all the time in novels! The husband comes back from a business trip and gives his wife a gift. To soothe my longing for my adorable sister, don't you think you should've brought me a little something?"
All Souji could do was give her a deadpan stare.
"I didn't bring anything. Maybe you should cut back on those trashy romance novels."
"If you stayed by my side, I wouldn't have to read them," Edelweiss said, crossing her arms with a look that said, "This is your fault."
So this is somehow my problem?
Souji sighed helplessly and moved past Edelweiss to head further into the house.
After all, wearing her school uniform around the house wasn't exactly comfortable.
"You really lack a sense of occasion, Souji. You'll never find a boyfriend like this, you know."
The words made her stumble, nearly hitting her toe on the corner of a table.
"W-why would I even want a boyfriend?!"
Boyfriend? Not a chance! Not in this lifetime!
If anything, I'd look for a girlfriend!
"Oh? You're not interested in a boyfriend, Souji?" Edelweiss tilted her head thoughtfully, then continued, "Then… a girlfriend?"
"…"
Souji's face flushed a deep crimson, her amber eyes flicking to the side.
"...Not happening either."
Honestly, I've never had much luck with women.
What kind of girl would even be crazy enough to like me?
Just then, Souji felt something press against her back.
A voice, soft as a song, hummed near her ear with a hint of amusement.
"If you don't want a boyfriend, and you don't want a girlfriend either… does that mean you plan to stay single forever?"
"...So what if I do?"
Pouting slightly, Souji pretended not to care, as if she were being contrary on purpose.
"Well then, if you're going to stay single forever…"
Edelweiss's pale arms gently wrapped around Souji's neck, her soft cheek nuzzling against Souji's.
"Does that mean… you'll stay by your big sister's side for life?"
"Isn't that going a bit far?"
---
Thanks for reading! Let me know if you spot any mistakes or inconsistencies!
Posture and water check! Remember this is a fan translation!
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