Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

He changed the subject, saying, "How should I address you? Is it alright if I continue to call you 'Shiki'?"

"Of course, please do so. I would be very happy if you could use the name 'Shiki' for me."

Ryougi Shiki revealed an innocent smile. Although she was composed and mature, she also gave people an incredible feeling of being a child.

Shirou decided to leave Ogawa's apartment first.

"Ah, wait...it's best not to do that."

Ryougi Shiki stopped Shirou—he was currently carrying the unconscious Fujino on his back, intending to carry her back.

"She probably doesn't want to be treated like this by Shirou."

Ryougi Shiki rested her finger on her chin and smiled, saying, "Ms. Fujino worked very hard tonight, so it wouldn't hurt to give her a little reward, would it?"

Shirou sighed helplessly and picked up the girl.

Ryougi Shiki exclaimed with admiration, "That was easy for you. You're such a boy."

The two left Ogawa's apartment, chatting as they walked about trivial matters unrelated to tonight's battle, such as "Shiki's Top 3 Favorite Dishes by Shirou."

"So Shiki really didn't know you existed," Shirou muttered.

"Yes, because I am different from them. We are neighbors, so we understand each other."

But I am a self they cannot perceive, therefore, Shi will not remember what happened today, our conversation.

"Is that so?" Shirou said with a hint of regret.

The boy suddenly realized that this was not only his first meeting with "Ryougi Shiki," but also likely his last.

After tonight, the consciousness of "Ryougi Shiki" will melt away like snow, and she will fall into eternal sleep.

Thinking of this, I was immediately overcome with a profound sadness.

They were complete strangers... why...?

"........."

Shirou snapped out of his daze and noticed that Ryougi Shiki was staring straight at him.

He quickly turned his head away: "What's wrong? You've been staring at my face. That's so rude."

The black-haired girl giggled.

"Shirou, may I ask you a question? It's a bit of a shame, but after I ask, let's end our conversation here. That's why I came here."

Hearing her say that, Shirou quickly urged her to stay: "At least come with me to Touko's office—"

The girl gazed tenderly at Shirou with her eyes, which were more mature than she appeared.

What do you want?

"……what?"

Ryougi Shiki spoke with an expression of utter certainty:

“I made a decision a long time ago. If I meet someone I like, I’m willing to do anything for them.”

"Uh, why are we suddenly talking about this..."

"I think I like you, Shirou. So—please let me hear your wish."

Ryougi Shiki, with an expression that seemed to be joking, gazed intently at the boy whose cheeks were rising in temperature.

"I am part of the Root Vortex. If Shirou is also a magician, he should understand what this means, right?"

I can grant you any wish—tell me, Shirou, what is your wish?

Five years ago, during the Holy Grail War... you said you had no desires. Do you still feel the same way now?

"........."

Shirou stared at her silently.

The omniscient and omnipotent girl, with an indifferent expression, reached out her hand to him.

"Let me confirm, is it really possible to have any wish?"

"of course."

Ryougi Shiki nodded gently.

She thought with some disappointment: So Shirou had wishes after all.

"I can do anything, whether it's reorganizing the laws of tiny matter that are invisible to the naked eye, or tracing back to the origin of a planet and changing the phylogenetic tree of life, I can even do things like that."

It would be easy to rearrange the current order of this world. Not to rebuild the world, but to destroy the old world with a new one.

Shirou, what do you want? World peace? The evolution of humanity? Or perhaps the elimination of all evil?

Please tell me, and let me do it for you... If it's for you, it doesn't matter if I make a mistake.

Shirou gazed into her deep blue eyes and answered.

"I hope to see 'Shiki' again in the future."

"……………………"

The black-haired girl closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh.

"How cunning, Shirou, this is cheating."

You clearly know I've already decided not to show up again, so why are you saying things like that?

This was the first time Shirou had felt a near-anger from her.

"Moreover, to actually give up what you've always insisted on for something like this is really... terrible."

"Shiki is absolutely right. Shirou is the enemy of women. Pretending to be harmless and saying those things... that's just cheating."

Shirou didn't care what she said: "Is there no way to grant my wish? Didn't you say you were willing to do anything for me?"

"........."

Ryougi Shiki opened her eyes.

She didn't say anything, but walked straight up to the boy.

""Mode"?"

Shirou was still shaken and held his breath.

Ryougi Shiki remained silent, using one hand to lift Shirou's bangs.

Then, she left a light touch of her lips on the boy's forehead, like a chick pecking at rice.

After doing this unexpected thing, Ryougi Shiki took a step back.

"That was my answer just now."

The girl gave a shy smile, as if she had just played a prank, as if to say, "You must keep this a secret."

Shirou felt a surge of energy fill his empty chest and nodded happily.

"Well, it's a deal."

……

……

When Fujino regained consciousness, they were only a short distance from the agency.

It was 2 a.m., and there wasn't a soul on either side of the street.

Shirou carried her in his arms like that, all the way from Chimihama to Kanbuko City.

"Shi-Shirou-kun!?"

Fujino stared wide-eyed in surprise.

She frantically tried to break free from Shirou's embrace, only to find that her body was completely immobile.

She wondered if the last time she was punched by Araya Souren was when she was injured.

"Fujino, are you awake?"

Fujino said, "Um... um... I'm sorry, Shirou-kun... please put me down, I'm alright now."

Shirou said, "How can you be alright? You overused your Mystic Eyes, you should be unable to move right now."

"It's alright, Fujino, just rest for now."

"Woo..."

The girl nodded. As expected, nothing could be hidden from Shirou-kun.

The thought of being hugged by a junior high boy younger than me, and who was someone I liked...

Once she calmed down, Fujino's cheeks turned bright red.

To hide her embarrassment, she asked, "Where is... Miss Shiki?"

"I'm going back to my apartment," Shirou explained.

"I told her to come with us so we could go to the office and have Orange check up her body to see if there was anything wrong, but she insisted on going home to sleep."

"That's it..."

Knowing that she and Shirou were now alone together, Fujino felt a little more at ease.

She nervously rested her head on the boy's shoulder.

Shirou's breathing was very steady.

The distance from Xiaochuan's apartment to his office is nearly 40 kilometers, and he actually carried himself all the way there.

Thinking about this, Fujino felt extremely guilty: "Um... am I too heavy?"

Shirou: "…………"

"Young Master Shi! Why aren't you speaking?"

Fujino was so anxious she was about to cry, and Shirou quickly comforted her.

"No, it's just right."

"Ugh... I really am heavy..."

"If only I were as slim as Miss Shiki," the girl thought despairingly.

"I'm serious, it won't be heavy at all! Not heavy at all!"

"Yes, right... Fujino's whole body is so soft, it's really comfortable to hug her!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Shirou realized it was inappropriate. Wasn't this sexual harassment?

Sure enough, Fujino's cheeks turned red.

But Shirou didn't notice the faint smile that crept onto the girl's face.

"Can I hug Shirou?"

"It's best not to move around right now..."

Fujino, who was sitting in Shirou's lap, turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Two soft mounds, clearly larger than what a high school girl should have, pressed against Shirou's chest, who wore a subtle expression.

"Shirou-kun, thank you."

She whispered in the boy's ear.

Shirou paused for a moment: "I haven't done anything that deserves your thanks."

The girl shook her head: "Thank you for being so considerate. I really am very immature..."

He arrogantly thought he could protect Shirou, but in reality, he kept causing you trouble and almost committed an irreparable crime.

“I don’t think Fujino is a problem. Besides… you overcame your weakness and kept your promise to me, which I think is really amazing.”

"There's no need to comfort me like that, Shirou-kun is so kind...hehe."

Fujino murmured, "I've decided. I want to become a girl worthy of Shirou-kun."

I still have many shortcomings, but I will work hard.

One day, I will become a good girl who can stand tall in front of Shirou.