Arisu elegantly propped her chin up with her index finger and began to think.
"Whoa, she's actually seriously considering using a suggestion on Shirou! How inhuman!"
Arisu looked a little flustered. "I wasn't thinking about anything like that."
"Really?"
"...Really."
"You don't sound very confident." Aoko grinned.
Just then, Shirou suddenly spoke.
"It's fine to use a suggestion on me... In fact, you should go that far."
"Shirou...?"
Aoko and Arisu exchanged glances before looking at the boy.
"Um, Shirou, I was only joking with Arisu. You don't have to take it so seriously... Arisu, say something too, will you?"
Arisu said nothing.
It seemed the black-haired witch was genuinely considering using a suggestion on Shirou to prevent him from betraying them.
"All right. Since Shirou put it that way... I'll consider it carefully," Arisu said expressionlessly.
"Hey... Arisu, you..."
Aoko nervously swallowed. She knew very well that, given Arisu's abilities, she might really be able to implant a suggestion that transcended the timeline.
After making sure everything was foolproof, they tentatively settled on when to make the leap.
The night before they set their plan into motion.
As usual, the three of them spent their last leisurely evening in the sitting room.
The news coming from the television served as background music.
Arisu sat quietly on the sofa reading, while Shirou and Aoko chatted about this and that beside her.
"Hey, Sister Aoko, were you the student council president back in high school?"
"Heh heh, surprised?"
Shirou shook his head. "No, not really."
Unlike the boisterous personality Aoko usually displayed, she had shown a serious and responsible side when teaching Shirou. She really did have the air of a student council president.
Aoko smacked the boy hard on the back. "Oh, please! You were obviously surprised! Hurry up and