Chapter 460
"Ah, um, that's true."
Karen puffed out her shapely breasts, a smug expression on her face. "Now, I've repaid the favor I owed you."
Despite her current proud demeanor, Shirou could imagine how she would relentlessly defend herself in the Holy See.
"Therefore, we will have to make regular reports every Saturday from now on."
From this day forward, I am an accomplice in guarding the same secret. If my lying to the Holy See is exposed, everyone will...
"Thank you, Karen."
The boy gratefully grasped the girl's hand.
"..."
Karen turned her head, somewhat bewildered, and hummed in response.
From that day on, Karen, who rarely appeared on the streets before, began to frequent the Amamiya Residence.
Today, it appeared directly on the breakfast table in the living room.
Shirou felt he had closed the distance between them a little, but it wasn't enough.
I hope Karen can naturally blend in with everyone.
Thinking this, Shirou struck up a conversation with her.
"Karen, your Rice Bowl is empty now?"
"I only need half a bowl for breakfast."
"Oh, is Karen on a diet too?"
Upon hearing Shirou's question, the girl glanced at him dismissively.
"It's not like the Japan are prone to weight gain; as a believer in God, I should maintain a frugal and simple lifestyle."
"I see."
Shirou nodded in understanding.
Shirou initially thought she was of Western European descent, but later learned that she was of mixed Japan and Latin descent, which explained her slender and tall figure.
Then he turned around and asked, "Huh? What's wrong with you guys?"
The Tohsaka sisters, standing nearby, were petrified by Karen's words, as if they had been swept by the Mystic Eyes of a Greece monster.
"Too cunning, Miss Karen..." Sakura Matou murmured resentfully.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh." Rin Tohsaka, with tears in her eyes, resignedly shoved a large amount of carbohydrates into her mouth.
"Yo, Amamiya, you've come at the perfect time."
In the school corridor at midday, Shirou was stopped by a familiar voice.
Looking back, I saw Ayako Mitsuzuri and Rin Tohsaka, the most famous beauty duo at the Hohyunohara Academy High School.
Good afternoon, Mitsuzuri, Tohsaka.
Good afternoon, Amamiya- kun.
Have you heard the most famous rumor circulating at school lately?
Ayako Mitsuzuri looked at Shirou with a teasing smile.
What is it?
Having known Ayako for ten years, Shirou sensed her ill intentions, and Tohsaka's expression also seemed strange.
"That's the rumor that our Tohsaka -san is dating a certain boy."
"Who is it?" Shirou asked in surprise.
"Who else could it be?"
Ayako Mitsuzuri stared at Shirou and smiled maliciously again.
"... Hmm."
Shirou finally understood her attitude.
So what exactly happened?
Ayako Mitsuzuri poked Shirou's arm. "Are you two dating?"
"No."
"You answered so quickly, your girlfriend will be sad." Ayako Mitsuzuri looked annoyed.
"If it didn't happen, it didn't happen, right, Tohsaka?"
Shirou looked at Rin Tohsaka beside him.
"Yeah... I've told Ayako so many times, but she just won't believe me, really."
"But it's true that you two asked for leave from school together to travel abroad, right?"
Ayako Mitsuzuri is one of the few people who knew that Shirou and Rin went abroad together.
She has a long-standing relationship with Shirou and Rin, so there's no way she could hide it from them.
Shirou and Rin Tohsaka were speechless.
Observing their reactions, Ayako Mitsuzuri asked, puzzled, "So why choose this time of year to travel to England?"
Amamiya is one thing, but I didn't expect Rin to be one too... The way a model student behaves is really hard to compliment.
Since Shirou and Rin both said no, Ayako Miyadera was still willing to believe them.
Although she was complaining, she was probably quite envious inside, since she could use her school time to travel abroad.
"By the way, where did you go? London? Did you go to Loch Ness?"
Shirou and Rin could only observe each other's expressions and try to figure out a way to fool each other.
Rin Tohsaka went abroad under the guise of studying abroad and conducting research.
But the reason that she won't be a sophomore in high school until next spring seems untenable.
Shirou couldn't help but suspect that Rin had used subtle hints to the school's teachers when she asked for leave.
"You two have been exchanging glances since earlier, so you really are dating, aren't you?"
"So I said no." Shirou and Rin said in unison.
"It's not that I'm that fond of gossip, it's just..."
Ayako Mitsuzuri looked at the junior high students on the playground. "If you really decide to date, you should explain it clearly to Sakura."
"..."
Rin Tohsaka's expression froze.
Shirou muttered to himself, "What's this? So he's just concerned about his juniors."
"Judging from Amamiya's expression, I probably don't need to worry about her."
"What's the meaning?"
Ayako Miyadera said with a smile, "I feel like you'll be in the same grade as Sakura next year."
"Does that mean I'll have to repeat a year?!" Shirou's face turned pale.
"Oh dear, looking at Amamiya- san's face, it's not impossible."
Rin Tohsaka joined in the teasing.
They were on the same side just a moment ago, but as soon as they got the chance, they abandoned Shirou... That vicious woman!
"Well, Amamiya- san... if anything were to happen to you, I'd take care of you, okay?" Rin Tohsaka said.
"Huh? You're going to be Amamiya's tutor?" Ayako Mitsuzuri asked curiously.
"Not only that, I can even help with your career path after graduation," Rin Tohsaka said with a mischievous grin.
Ayako Mitsuzuri was even more confused.
The black-haired little devil said, "Amamiya said he's also considering studying abroad, so we can share an apartment and save on rent."
"Ugh... Is this really okay, Tohsaka?" Ayako Mitsuzuri covered her mouth.
Shirou was somewhat surprised; had Tohsaka even considered this possibility?
Career paths after graduation.
Although it happened two years later, for Shirou had lived three lives, two years was just a blink of an eye.
Future--
Shirou had never considered this.
After things calmed down regarding Karen, I've been thinking about Artoria the whole time.
After saying goodbye to Tohsaka, Shirou went to the student council room.
Because it was lunch break time, there was no one around, which was why Shirou came here, intending to take a quiet nap.
I tested the Mystic Eyes until late last night, and then prepared breakfast for Sakura this morning, so I'm severely sleep-deprived.
Shirou slumped onto the table in the student council room and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Good evening~~~~
In the hazy, indistinct state, I heard an unfamiliar voice.
Although it was the first time I'd heard a male voice, for some reason it felt strangely familiar—to the point of being annoying.
Shirou slowly opened his eyes and saw an endless expanse of lush green fields.
Then there stood a suspicious, pure white male figure.
"Nice to meet you. This must be the first time I've ever had a conversation with you like this."
The man struck up a conversation with Shirou in a very familiar tone.
"Who are you..."
Shirou rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing things.
The man with dreamlike silver hair suddenly became excited and opened his arms wide.
Welcome to Merlin's dream world! But REM sleep is not recommended!
Even for a nap, I still recommend getting a deeper sleep.
Because if I didn't do this, I wouldn't be able to bother you!
"A male... Merlin...!?"
Shirou stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
How can I describe how I feel right now?
It's like the emotion that moved Helen Keller's governess to tears when she uttered the word "water."
Does a male Merlin really exist!?
"Hmm... How can someone be so emotional even when they're asleep..."
The man who called himself Merlin seemed taken aback by Shirou; it was probably the first time he had ever felt such a warm welcome.
"Since you're willing to believe me, then the rest of the conversation will be simple: Arthur from another world—"
No, I can't trust you.
"What!?"
Merlin's words caught in his throat, Shirou said.
"After finding out you're Merlin, there's no way I'd still believe you, right?"