Becoming Aozaki Touko's Life

Berlin.

Umbrella Corporation rooftop.

A silver-haired girl with black wings sprouting from her back descended slowly from the sky, cradling a young woman with long orange hair. She set her down with gentle movements.

"...It's over."

Aozaki Touko stretched her arms.

"...Touko, you're back!"

Suddenly, the rooftop door burst open, and Irisviel and Beo came running over, followed by Natalia and Emiya Kiritsugu.

"Mm... I'm back."

Aozaki Touko opened her arms and embraced Irisviel as she rushed into them, raising a hand to gently stroke her soft silver hair.

The next moment, her gaze inadvertently crossed with Emiya Kiritsugu's, and the air seemed to freeze solid, a tense atmosphere filling the space.

"..."

Aozaki Touko tightened her hold on Irisviel in her arms, watching Emiya Kiritsugu with wary eyes.

And Emiya Kiritsugu, facing that hostile stare, tensed all over. After all, this was a dangerous figure capable of battling the True Ancestor Dead Apostles.

If she wanted to kill him, it would be effortless.

Chapter 26: Are You a Devil?

A cold wind swept snowflakes across the rooftop with a howl.

Seeing the wariness in Aozaki Touko's eyes, Emiya Kiritsugu's gaze flickered with helplessness. He lowered his head slightly and curled his body inward.

This posture minimized his aggression, conveying a sense of low status and easy control.

Of course, this wasn't out of fear—it was the wisdom of experience from an adult. Showing appropriate weakness in the face of a strong enemy was far from a bad thing; in fact, it was a prudent move.

Truth be told, he had a good sense of self-awareness. He wasn't surprised by the girl's vigilance. As a mercenary whose hands could never be washed clean of blood, he naturally invited suspicion.

If he made any rash move now, he might be judged a threat, and then this young woman named 'Aozaki Touko' would not hesitate to kill him.

It sounded utterly absurd—taking a precious life just because someone was deemed a threat. What kind of world would be so dangerous?

Yet the girl before him was no ordinary person. She was the heir to a Magic User, her worldview far from normal.

She was a very traditional magus.

In the world of magi... there were countless things that defied morality and ethics. Killing could sometimes require no more than a simple reason—like needing humans as sacrifices, and then a whole village could be slaughtered without hesitation.

If she found you threatening and chose to kill you on the spot, that absurd reasoning could absolutely hold, especially now that they were at a complete disadvantage.

Therefore, he absolutely could not show any threat or aggression.

Otherwise, he and his mother would face a magus on the level of the True Ancestor Dead Apostles, a Phantasmal Beast that crushed modern mysteries, and a Werewolf Pack of over a hundred ferocious members.

This... was a dead end with no hope of survival.

"...?"

Aozaki Touko blinked, seeing Emiya Kiritsugu lower his head, and realized her reaction had been a bit excessive. Now, 'Irisviel' was absolutely not going to leave her.

Even setting emotions aside and looking purely from a utilitarian standpoint, as the Einzbern family's hope for fulfilling their long-cherished wish, Irisviel would never abandon her.

With that thought, she released Irisviel from her embrace and offered a gentle smile. "Sorry, the battle ended not long ago, and I haven't fully adjusted yet. I overreacted a little."

"...No need to apologize. I'm used to being watched warily. It's only natural for a butcher like me."

Emiya Kiritsugu sighed ruefully, instinctively pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He took one out, intending to light it to ease his nerves, then seemed to remember something and tucked it back.

"Sorry, I forgot about the two ladies. You probably aren't used to the smell of smoke."

"I don't mind. My father was a heavy smoker too; I've long gotten used to it."

Aozaki Touko shook her head, then turned her gaze to Irisviel. "But if my 'wife' permits it, you're free to smoke."

"...Wife?!?"

Emiya Kiritsugu's eyes widened in surprise.

On the other side, Natalia was equally stunned, never expecting her boss to have a same-sex wife. Didn't she care about continuing the Aozaki Household's bloodline?

"That's right, I am Aozaki Touko's wife, the one who has promised to spend her life with her. I am very happy and I love Touko!"

Seeing their shock, Irisviel smiled warmly, linking her arm with Aozaki Touko's. Her beautiful face radiated a blissful smile, like an angel descending to the mortal world.

"Mr. Emiya Kiritsugu, I don't mind if you smoke."

"Ah... thank you."

Emiya Kiritsugu paused briefly, then pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He really needed a smoke to calm down—his emotions had swung wildly several times in such a short span.

"Natalia, is he your adopted son?"

With that, Aozaki Touko shifted her gaze to Natalia beside her. "He seems like a decent fellow. Are you bringing him along to pay off the debt?"

"Repay a debt?"

Emiya Kiritsugu paused his smoking, voicing his confusion.

"Mm... your mother owes me two hundred million US dollars. She'll need to work to pay it off, until the full two hundred million is settled."

Aozaki Touko gave a slight nod, then furrowed her brow, resting her chin on her slender hand as she murmured, "Hmm, seems you were also involved in infiltrating my company to steal data. Looks like you'll need to compensate me for that too."

As she spoke, she wore a brilliant smile.

"My cancer drug's future market value is tens of billions of dollars. I'll be generous—you only need to pay me two hundred million!"

"..."

Emiya Kiritsugu stared blankly, not even noticing the cigarette slipping from his fingers to the ground. He just looked at the girl with the radiant smile, feeling a sudden ache in his stomach.

"Don't... I already owe two hundred million?!"

Natalia's eyes widened, her voice trembling.

"Ah... about that!"

Aozaki Touko turned her head away. "What you owe is yours, and what your son owes is his. They're completely separate matters. In short, you each pay off your own debts!"

"Miss Touko... you're definitely just extorting us on a whim, aren't you?!"

Natalia demanded.

"..."

Aozaki Touko smiled faintly, her gaze shifting to Beo.

Beo immediately caught on, transforming back into the form of the Golden Wolf, fixing the mother and son with a murderous glare.

"...Two hundred million, is it? I accept."

Emiya Kiritsugu said expressionlessly. "Whether it's four hundred million or two hundred million, we'll never finish paying it off in this lifetime anyway. The exact amount doesn't matter."

"Don't worry, I won't let you die before you've paid off your debts!"

Aozaki Touko pressed a fingertip to her lower lip, flashing a playful grin. "As a Puppeteer, I'm confident I can extend your lifespans until you've repaid me in full."

"..."

Emiya Kiritsugu's eyes widened.

"Are you some kind of demon, woman?!"

Chapter 27: The Magic User's Dilemma

Misaki City.

Winter snowflakes fell upon the earth, piling the world pristine and white. Moonlight flowed from the full moon in the sky, gently spilling across the land, bringing tender tranquility.

"...So she's already defeated the True Ancestor Dead Apostles. Aozaki Touko truly is a collection of talent. At this point, she might even have touched upon the Third Magic."

For the first time in a long while, the Magic User stepped out of his cave, his cold eyes piercing through time and space.

Within his field of vision was reflected the battle between Aozaki Touko and Van Fem in Germany. He saw Aozaki Touko summon the Rose Maiden, witnessed its ferocious close-combat prowess.

In that moment, he wavered.

He wavered on the question of who to pass down the Fifth Magic to, because at that moment, a very strange thought arose in him—that perhaps Aozaki Touko would be the more suitable choice to inherit the Fifth Magic.

Poor compatibility—in the face of such excessive talent.

—Does it truly hold meaning?

Such a question rose from the depths of his heart.

"...It's time to call her back now."

Muttering coldly to himself, the old Magic User turned and walked back into the dim cave.

Berlin.

Van Fem arrived at the gates of the Umbrella Corporation in his custom sedan. Then, he saw Emiya Kiritsugu walking out with a grim expression.

It was only then that he suddenly remembered he had promised Emiya Kiritsugu to negotiate with Aozaki Tougo for Natalia's release.

"Hmm... as expected, a hunting dog is just a hunting dog, not worth remembering. It made me forget our agreement. But well, it's still not too late to make amends."

Speaking so irresponsibly, Van Fem pushed open the car door, stepped out with his cane in hand, and walked toward the Umbrella Corporation, his posture as elegant as a medieval noble.

This time, he was here to fulfill his agreement with Aozaki Touko.

As the defeated party, it was only natural to pay compensation according to the prior arrangement.

Of course, if in the process of paying that compensation, a connection were to form, and he then inadvertently caught a glimpse of Aozaki Touko's life—well, that couldn't be helped, could it?

After all, he was merely fulfilling his obligations as the loser.

"...?!"

Emiya Kiritsugu frowned, noticing the approaching Van Fem, then paid him no further mind as he continued walking. He completely ignored the True Ancestor Dead Apostle.

After all, he was now working under Aozaki Touko, and it seemed he'd have no chance of breaking free for the rest of his life. In a sense, he could be considered one of Aozaki Touko's retainers.

This True Ancestor Dead Apostle couldn't beat Aozaki Touko anyway, so if he wanted to punish him for his discourtesy...

He'd have to consider Aozaki Touko standing behind him.

--They brushed past each other.

Van Fem glanced at this hound, then unconcernedly continued walking forward.

This hound was probably angry that he hadn't kept his promise, but didn't dare confront him face to face, so he could only resort to this kind of ignoring attitude.

Such a useless hound wasn't worth a second glance.

Umbrella Corporation, top floor.

Inside a lavishly decorated living room.

Sitting on the sofa, Aozaki Touko rubbed her temples, her voice tinged with drowsiness: "...Vavylm, what urgent matter brings you to me at this hour?"

To be honest, as an ordinary human, going through a high-intensity battle really left her feeling exhausted. The fatigue in her body reminded her that it was time to hold Irisviel's soft body and sleep.

"Please, help yourselves."

Just then, Irisviel walked over with a gentle smile, carrying two cups of coffee, placing them in front of Aozaki Touko and Van Fem respectively.

Then, she naturally sat down beside Aozaki Touko.

"Thank you, madam."

Van Fem showed a gentlemanly smile, picked up the coffee cup, took a sip, set it down, and said with a grin: "I'm leaving Berlin tomorrow, so tonight I've come to fulfill the loser's obligation to you and offer a reasonable level of compensation."

"...Reasonable compensation, is it?"

Hearing this, Aozaki Touko smiled faintly: "My request isn't actually too difficult. You just need to use your connections in human society to help me open up sales channels for anticancer drugs as quickly as possible."