Chapter 94: Mashu's Imaginary Boyfriend Becoming Reality?
After a fleeting flash of light—
Ian found himself back in the original corridor.
He suddenly realized that stepping through the door with Mashu might have initiated the simulated battle loading process.
That's why he could directly summon a "Servant" right after entering.
What kind of cutting-edge technology does Chaldea even have?
Ian couldn't help but marvel.
"Fou, fou fou, fou?"
A familiar sound echoed, and Ian looked down to see Fou glaring at him with resentment.
The words Fou had just uttered were quickly translated in Ian's mind:
"Alone in a room with a girl—satisfied now?"
Seeing Fou's expression, Ian felt like teasing it.
"Yes," he replied, pretending to be serious. "Mashu and I did everything we needed to. I really have to thank Fou for your help."
"Fou fou fou (This bastard)!"
"Already angry?"
Seeing Fou's irritated reaction, Ian felt a sense of satisfaction.
Mashu, on the other hand, looked visibly anxious.
"Senpai, please don't joke about such things with Fou."
"He's my friend; he'll believe things related to me."
"..."
Ian glanced at Mashu, then at Fou.
"Alright, it's my fault."
He bent down, extending his hand toward Fou.
"Fou, I was just joking earlier. I didn't actually do anything."
Ian wasn't lying.
During the simulated battle, his focus was entirely on Mordred and the related activities.
Everything else, he genuinely didn't pay attention to.
Looking at the hand extended toward it, Fou hesitated for a moment but eventually used its claws to respond.
"Fou fou fou."
"You want to sit on my shoulder?"
"Fou." Fou nodded.
"Haa…"
Ian glanced at Mashu, who was looking at him expectantly.
There was no other way.
Even if he was pretending to be a nice guy, he had to play the part well.
"Alright, if you want to, go ahead."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Fou deftly climbed onto Ian's shoulder in a few swift motions, showcasing its practiced ease as if it had done this countless times.
To be honest—
This little creature was surprisingly light, and its fluffy fur, even when it was angry, made it quite adorable.
It felt like if he were to throw it from a high place, it might just float in the air for a long time.
Seeing Fou lying comfortably on Ian's shoulder, Mashu let out a relieved sigh and smiled.
"Senpai, you really are a special person."
"Special?"
"Yes." Mashu nodded, then glanced at Fou resting on Ian's shoulder.
"You're the only person besides me that Fou willingly approaches!"
"..."
Ian smiled calmly.
"Perhaps it's fate."
Of course, it had nothing to do with fate.
If he were to reveal to Mashu that the real reason was their shared animosity toward Merlin, it would not only be meaningless but could also lead to the question, "Who is Merlin?"
At that point, explaining would become incredibly troublesome.
Some things are best left unsaid.
"Speaking of which—"
Ian looked toward Fou perched on his shoulder.
"Where were you earlier? Why didn't you join us in the simulated battle?"
"Yes," Mashu nodded.
"Fou doesn't seem to like that place much… so every time, he waits outside for me."
"Doesn't like it?"
Ian glanced at Fou, who stared back at him.
Their eyes met.
In the next moment, Fou's voice rang out in response:
"Fou fou fou, fou fou fou fou (What are you looking at? Fou has the freedom to choose)."
"Well, that's true."
Ian decided not to dwell on it too much.
After all, this little creature had helped him find Mashu.
Without it, given the sheer scale of Chaldea, searching through every corridor would have been an impossible task.
At that moment, Mashu's voice broke the silence.
"Um... Senpai."
"Yes, Mashu?"
"It's just..." Mashu lowered her head, looking slightly embarrassed.
"It's getting late. Would you... like to have dinner with me?"
"Sure."
Ian agreed without hesitation—it was essential to learn more about the environment in Chaldea, so there was no reason to refuse.
"But Mashu, I don't have a single penny on me."
"That's not a problem!"
Mashu immediately pulled out a card from her outfit.
"I'm an official member here. All expenses can be covered with this card!"
"I'll treat Ian-senpai!"
"Oh—"
Ian responded with a smile.
"Then I'll trouble you, Mashu. Next time, when I get the chance, I'll pay you back."
"Of course~"
Mashu seemed delighted to be able to help him.
"Senpai, this way."
"Got it."
As they walked, Ian continued listening to Mashu share more information about Chaldea.
For example, the person she had mentioned earlier, the one in charge of the simulation program, was actually Olga Marie.
Or that Chaldea's supplies were transported by helicopters.
Mashu seemed to have found someone to confide in, pouring out everything she knew to Ian.
Watching her like this, Ian couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity.
How long had she been holding all this inside?
Perhaps noticing Ian's gaze, Mashu suddenly stopped talking.
She avoided his eyes and softly asked:
"Um, Senpai... I've been talking so much. Am I annoying you?"
"Not at all."
Ian gave her a gentle smile.
"I actually think it's impressive that you remember so much."
"Mashu, you must have deep feelings for Chaldea, don't you?"
"Well..."
Mashu's expression turned complicated, followed by a forced smile.
"Maybe just a little."
"Oh, right, Senpai."
Mashu pointed ahead.
"That's the dining area."
"You might run into other members of Team A there, so keeping some distance from me might be better."
"After all, I'm really just too weak."
"..."
Ian's expression suddenly darkened, making Mashu noticeably tense.
"Senpai, is something wrong?"
"Nothing, it's just that you seem a little forgetful, Mashu."
"Forgetful?" She looked surprised.
"Yes."
Ian's gaze fixed firmly on Mashu.
"You just said you were inviting me to dinner."
"If you're inviting me, why would we need to keep our distance?"
"But..."
"No buts." Ian didn't give Mashu a chance to argue.
"Didn't I already tell you to be more confident?"
"Mashu, are you planning to break your promise?"
"Senpai, no! I didn't mean it that way!"
"Then give me your hand."
Ian extended his hand toward Mashu, his voice calm yet unwavering.
"I'd like to see who dares to say anything about us."
"Senpai..."
Hope flickered in Mashu's eyes, and her pale cheeks turned a faint shade of red from embarrassment.
"I understand!"
Mashu took Ian's hand, as if grasping onto a lifeline.
Reality proved that Mashu's worries were somewhat unnecessary.
The dining area was indeed crowded, but no one seemed to care about Ian and Mashu holding hands as they entered.
While there were a few glances cast their way, they were friendly and devoid of any malice.
This remained the case until the two found an empty table and sat down, encountering no discomfort at all.
"See, Mashu," Ian said with a shrug, his eyes carrying a faint smile.
"No one said anything, right?"
"Yes… that's true."
Mashu lowered her head, mumbling softly. Her ears turned red, making her look both shy and adorable.
"Senpai, you were right."
What Mashu didn't know was that Ian's perceptive eyes missed none of her reactions.
Or rather, this was exactly what he had been hoping for.
Ian wasn't the type to easily give away his gentleness. He knew how to wield it to achieve what he wanted.
"Se-Senpai!" Mashu suddenly exclaimed, her face flushed as if she had gathered all her courage.
"Can we sit on the same side? It'll be easier when we order."
"Sure."
So, the two sat down on the same side of the table, creating a harmonious yet adorably awkward scene.
To outsiders, this was undoubtedly a very intimate gesture.
Even Fou emitted a mocking series of "Fou fou fou fou" noises, as if to say, "Are you really not planning to maintain some distance from the girl?"
However, Ian was entirely unconcerned about that at the moment.
He had felt a gaze fixated on him from the moment he entered the dining hall.
It was as if an eye was staring directly at him.
If it were just a casual glance, it wouldn't matter, but Ian could distinctly sense an undertone of ill will—perhaps even hostility.
Where?
Where was it coming from?
Ian's eyes scanned the room continuously but found nothing unusual.
At that moment, Mashu's voice broke through his focus:
"Senpai, do you want something to drink?"
"That one," Ian replied absentmindedly, his eyes still scanning the surroundings, unwilling to miss any detail.
"But… that's—"
"It's fine, just order it."
"Well… alright."
Ian didn't notice the faint smirk on Mashu's lips at that moment.
She then proceeded to order a few more items.
Ian remained vigilant, his gaze roaming the room, but everything seemed normal.
As time passed, Mashu gently tugged at Ian's sleeve, cautiously calling his attention.
"Senpai, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Well… why have you seemed so distracted since earlier?" Mashu's voice carried concern.
"Is something wrong?"
"…"
Ian turned to look at her.
He realized Mashu had been looking forward to this meal.
He knew he shouldn't ruin her expectations.
"It's nothing," Ian said with a calm smile.
"It's just my first time here, so I'm a little curious."
"Oh… is that so?"
Mashu sighed in relief, her radiant smile returning.
"In that case, Senpai—"
"Let's eat here again next time. I can tell you more about how this place was built."
"Umu." Ian nodded. "I'll be counting on you."
"No problem at all!"
"Here's your order."
The waiter quickly placed the food and drinks on the table in front of Ian and Mashu.
Everything was normal… until the final item was served.
It was a large, frosty drink.
For a single serving, its size was clearly excessive.
But the most noticeable feature was the two straws sticking out of it.
Ian instantly understood—this was a drink meant for two.
In other words, it was something intended for couples.
"This..."
Ian's hesitation immediately made Mashu tense up.
"Senpai!"
"This is exactly what I was trying to tell you earlier!"
"I thought you understood, but it seems you didn't."
"It's okay! I can drink it all by myself!"
Mashu patted her chest lightly, as if to prove she truly could manage it.
But deep down, she felt a little disappointed.
So, it was just a misunderstanding?
She had thought... he really wanted to share it like that.
However, what happened next was completely beyond Mashu's expectations.
Ian picked up the glass, carefully adjusted the positions of the two straws—one pointing towards him and the other towards Mashu.
Smiling, he said:
"You weren't mistaken."
"I really do want to see what this drink tastes like."
"Mashu, will you join me?"
"Ehh—?!"
Of course, that wasn't the truth.
Ian had no real interest in "trying a couple's drink."
What he had noticed was that the gaze fixed on him earlier wavered slightly when the drink was brought to the table.
Clearly, the real target of that gaze was Mashu.
In that case—
The course of action was obvious.
Make the person so agitated that they slip up.
That was his true objective.
"Yes, yes, of course!"
Mashu responded, and the two of them began sipping the couple's drink together.
However, the blushing girl, overwhelmed with embarrassment, was completely unaware that the man sharing this drink with her was thinking of something else entirely.
That's right.
Ian's intuition was spot on.
The reaction from the mysterious gaze became even stronger.
With that, things were much simpler.
A cold smile flickered across Ian's face.
Meanwhile, Mashu's dreamy thoughts were starting to become reality.
She felt a sense of care akin to that of a boyfriend.
The two of them even became more physically close than before, despite Fou's relentless complaints.
When the meal ended, Mashu almost unconsciously followed Ian back to his room.
Fortunately, Fou stopped her just in time.
"Senpai." Mashu's face was a deep shade of red, as if it couldn't blush any more.
"Tonight's dinner was really enjoyable."
"Yeah, I thought so too."
Ian looked directly at Mashu, who was now holding Fou tightly.
"About today's combat simulation..."
"If you need me to, I won't report it right away!" Mashu quickly replied.
"Good, then. See you tomorrow, Mashu."
"Yes, Senpai!"
She left with a beaming, happy expression.
Meanwhile, Ian's face grew serious.
He could still feel that gaze watching him.
After some thought, Ian moved towards a secluded corner.
It didn't take long before a shadow began to trail him.
However, the shadow didn't expect that as soon as they stepped past the corner, the lights would flicker.
In an instant, a blade was at her throat.
Ian looked coldly at the woman in front of him and spoke with icy precision:
"Miss."
"Following someone like this is extremely rude."