Even though they still stood a little apart, Wang Xiaoming could smell the faint fragrance drifting from Medea.
Looking into Medea's clear, sky-blue eyes, Wang Xiaoming suddenly lost the urge to tease her:
"You're beautiful."
That was exactly what he thought, and as he gazed into Medea's eyes, the words came out naturally.
Medea seemed not to have expected Wang Xiaoming to be so "straightforward." The teasing glint that had occasionally flashed in her eyes gave way to surprise, but then the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
Watching Medea's expression change, Wang Xiaoming felt completely at a loss.
"Are you still not coming? Are you planning to stand here daydreaming all morning?"
Medea turned and headed out first. From the sound of her voice, she seemed to be in a very good mood. The Divine Era Magus waved her hand, and the mage's robe draped over her transformed into the blue dress she had bought earlier, showing off the Witch of myth's flawless beauty.
"Oh, coming!" Wang Xiaoming replied quickly, then followed her.
Wang Xiaoming was dazzled by the sight before him and hurried after her. But as he walked beside Medea, he failed to notice that the Witch, who always wore a composed smile, had the faintest blush on the tips of her pointed ears...
Three days had passed since the opening battle of the Holy Grail War. Although there had been skirmishes of every size during that time, not a single Servant had truly been eliminated.
Wang Xiaoming was naturally pleased with how the war was progressing, since everything was developing in a way that favored his side. But the others—
Even Kayneth was growing impatient, as if eager to see results.
The other participating factions needed no mention.
The battles to come would surely grow more intense. That meant—
The Holy Grail War was about to reach its boiling point!
This was probably one of the few chances they'd have to relax, Wang Xiaoming thought, glancing up at the still-early sky. That was why he had brought Medea along this time.
"What are you thinking about?"
Medea's voice came from beside him, interrupting his thoughts.
"Uh, sorry."
Seeing Medea's half-amused expression, Wang Xiaoming awkwardly rubbed his nose.
"When you're out with a lady, daydreaming isn't something a gentleman should do."
There seemed to be a hint of meaning behind Medea's words.
Wang Xiaoming played along and bowed slightly.
"Please forgive me, beautiful lady."
On the busy streets of Fuyuki, the two of them attracted the attention of passersby, as though they were playing characters in a drama.
But the onlookers didn't bother Medea and Wang Xiaoming. The two continued their conversation as if they were alone.
"If you'll allow it, then as an apology, please let me accompany you for the rest of our walk."
Wang Xiaoming's words left Medea slightly surprised.
"Mommy, that big sister is so pretty~"
A voice suddenly came from beside them, breaking the mood between the two. A little girl was tugging at her mother's hand and pointing at them with the other.
"It's just that the big brother beside her isn't very handsome."
Pouting, the little girl looked at Wang Xiaoming standing next to Medea with an unimpressed expression, as if his presence had ruined a beautiful picture.
The little girl's words left her mother somewhat embarrassed. She gave Wang Xiaoming and Medea an apologetic smile.
Medea watched Wang Xiaoming's mortified expression after the little girl's innocent remark and covered her mouth with a smile. Then she walked over and crouched in front of the child.
Meeting the little girl's clear gaze, Medea wore a look of reminiscence.
"When I grow up, I'm going to marry a dashing, handsome hero!"
The girl had shared her girlish dream with her father, her gaze fixed on the distant sky, full of longing.
"Silly girl. I'd rather you marry an honest man and live a peaceful life."
Her father stroked her hair, his tone helpless.
"No, no~ I'm going to find someone I love!"
Hearing her father's words, the girl clung to him and pouted.
"All right, all right. When the time comes, Father will find you a good match!"
The crowned king looked at his daughter nestled in his arms, his eyes full of affection.
Father...
"Big sister?"
Seeing Medea standing silently before her, the little girl tilted her head and asked in confusion.
The girl's voice brought Medea back to herself. She smiled at the child in front of her.
"When you grow up, be careful not to let boys who are good with words fool you."
Medea whispered something in the little girl's ear, then reached out and stroked her hair. While the girl looked at her in confusion, Medea returned to Wang Xiaoming's side.
"What did you tell that girl?"
Wang Xiaoming asked curiously.
Medea leaned close to his ear and whispered the answer. Wang Xiaoming couldn't help rolling his eyes.
"It's a secret~"
Seeing his disgruntled expression, Medea gave him a gentle push from behind.
"Come on, Mr. Gentleman. We still have lots of places to visit~"
Wang Xiaoming was a little surprised by Medea's change in attitude. Still, things were heading in the right direction.
Would Shirou be happy to hear about this? Medea was still very strict with her student when it came to Magecraft.
Come to think of it, he had no idea what Shirou was doing now.
Wang Xiaoming suddenly remembered the two little ones back home.
Matou Residence
Perhaps because they were the same age, or for some other reason, Kariya was pleasantly surprised to find that Sakura and Shirou got along unexpectedly well. Sakura's once-empty eyes would occasionally light up with the sparkle unique to children.
So Kariya now felt comfortable letting the two children play in the living room while he busied himself in the kitchen.
Shirou had been showing Sakura the Magecraft he had learned when he suddenly glanced up at the clock. He then took Sakura by the hand and led her to the kitchen doorway. Looking at Kariya's busy back, Shirou asked:
"Uncle Kariya, why hasn't Uncle come back yet?"
Wearing an apron and battling the ingredients on the stove, Kariya turned to see the two children at the kitchen entrance and answered without thinking:
"Those two went on a date. They probably won't be back before evening, so we don't have to wait for them."
Shirou nodded thoughtfully at Kariya's answer.
"All right, time to eat."
Kariya looked at the fairly generous spread on the stove and nodded to himself. This was about the best he could do.
"Huh?"
Kariya stared in surprise as the two little ones beside him did their best to lift the dishes from the stove and carry them, wobbling, over to the dining table.
And so began lunchtime for one dad and two little ones.
On the shopping street, Wang Xiaoming watched Medea, who was still in high spirits after they'd been out for quite some time. He couldn't help feeling exasperated. At least buy something...
They'd been wandering around with empty hands the whole time, which was awkward for Wang, the reporter, who had won some prize money and wanted to show off a little. In that case, he'd have to resort to a food offensive.
"Why don't we get something to eat first?"
"Sure."
Medea glanced at the sky. She didn't know what Wang Xiaoming was up to, but it was indeed mealtime.
"Are we going to..."
As she watched Wang Xiaoming lead the way down increasingly deserted streets, Medea was about to ask what was going on when a delicious aroma suddenly reached her.
As the shop door swung open, the owner's hearty voice rang in their ears:
"Welcome!"
Promo: Oriental Redemption: An Endless Tomorrow
Author: Jiedao Shu (It's my youth, you know.)
Serious writing style, a breath of fresh air among the pervy stuff.
Synopsis: I lost everything...
Yet I still couldn't find release...
All that remained was a heart full of hatred and rage...
Then... I'll embrace this paradoxical spiral until my destruction...
—Neo Avirux (from the Gensokyo work)
A bit late, sorry~
"Welcome!"
The moment Wang Xiaoming opened the door, a hearty voice greeted him and Medea. As soon as he recognized who had come in, Mr. Ba, the owner of the restaurant, rose excitedly from behind the counter.
"Well, look who it is! Xiaoming!"
[Red Continent Banquet Hall: Taishan]
This was the first restaurant Wang Xiaoming had visited after arriving in Fuyuki. The taste of its mapo tofu had stayed with him ever since. What's more, Mr. Ba's Chinese heritage made Wang Xiaoming feel a sense of kinship.
"Boss, long time no see."
"How come you're only showing up now? I thought you'd left Fuyuki."
Mr. Ba came out from behind the counter and stepped up to Wang Xiaoming. He punched him in the chest, half complaining and half joking.
"I've been busy these past few days. I finally found time to stop by."
Looking at Mr. Ba, who was just as he'd been a few days earlier, Wang Xiaoming couldn't help feeling a little dazed. Time wasn't the only thing that could make things change beyond recognition...
"And who's this?"
Only then did Mr. Ba notice Medea standing behind Wang Xiaoming. Her beauty was practically flawless, and a look of amazement showed in his eyes. But his rich life experience helped him recover quickly. Then, in a blind spot where Medea couldn't see, he discreetly gave Wang Xiaoming a thumbs-up.
Seeing Mr. Ba's gesture, Wang Xiaoming could only explain helplessly:
"She's a friend of mine..."
"I get it! I get it better than you do!"
Mr. Ba patted Wang Xiaoming on the shoulder, then greeted Medea:
"Hello, miss. Since you're Xiaoming's friend, make yourself at home! Sit wherever you like!"
"Thank you."
Medea didn't know what sort of relationship the owner had with Wang Xiaoming, but the two seemed quite close, so she didn't ask. Besides—
The aroma that had drifted out of the restaurant had grown even stronger since they'd stepped inside. That made Medea even more curious about the food.
"Boss, let's order something first..."
Wang Xiaoming had a feeling that if he didn't get Mr. Ba out of there now, the man would soon start saying something shocking again.
And that would be awkward.
"Then why don't you two find a seat first?"
Before you continue