Morning sunlight streamed in as Shichen opened his eyes.
The ceiling was unfamiliar. So was the pleasant scent in the air.
Turning his head, he saw Illya's cute, peaceful face right next to him. She was still asleep, a faint smile on her lips like she was dreaming about something sweet.
Just past her was another sleeping face—one that looked a lot like Illya's but more mature. Delicate, porcelain skin, flawless features, the kind of beauty that seemed too perfect to be real.
Shichen stared for a moment, then chuckled quietly.
"You're awake, aren't you?"
Irisviel opened her eyes slowly, ruby irises shimmering as a faint blush colored her cheeks.
She looked a little embarrassed—not because she'd been caught pretending to sleep, but because they'd slept in the same bed. Before today, she'd never imagined sharing a bed with a man. Especially not one she'd just met yesterday. Even with her daughter between them… it was still weird.
But this had been Illya's idea—and Irisviel just couldn't say no to her.
"Did I put you in an awkward spot?" Shichen asked gently.
Irisviel shook her head. "No… if anything, I'm the one who made things awkward."
"How do you figure?" he blinked.
"Well… aren't you and Frieren… a thing? Wouldn't she be upset that we shared a bed?"
"She's not the type to get mad about something like that. And for the record, we're not a couple. Not yet, anyway."
"…Oh?" Irisviel blinked, caught off guard.
"So yeah, I'm good. Honestly? I think I lucked out."
"T-That's…" Irisviel's face went redder.
"I mean, sure, I'm technically a homunculus… an artificial lifeform…"
Shichen shrugged. "You're alive, you've got your own thoughts—and you're gorgeous."
"Shichen… are you always this good at flattering women?" she asked, flustered.
"I'm just being honest."
"…Mm."
"You stay here with Illya. I'm gonna get up," he said, sitting up slowly.
"Are you hungry? Should I have someone bring you food?" Irisviel offered.
"Nah, I've just got something to take care of."
"Alright."
"When Illya wakes up, let her know I didn't disappear on her, yeah?"
"Of course."
Shichen nodded, slipped out of bed, and left the room—still in his sleepwear. The hallway was chilly.
He made his way to Frieren's room.
Honestly, nothing had happened last night. No drama, no surprises—not even anything interesting to look at. Just sleep.
Illya had stayed up chatting excitedly, way past bedtime. And by the time she dozed off, Shichen was ready to crash too.
Sure, sharing a bed with a stunning woman might sound like a fantasy. But with a kid between you? Zero chance of anything happening.
All those "lucky pervert" clichés from other worlds? Total scam. Useless in real life.
He opened Frieren's door without knocking. The room was warm and quiet.
Closing the door behind him, he walked over to the bed.
There she was—completely passed out, mouth wide open, snoring softly. At least she hadn't rolled onto the floor this time.
Still drooling, though.
Shichen climbed into bed and curled up beside her, pulling her into his arms and burying his face in her chest. He took a long breath.
She smelled like flowers… and milk?
"Mm…?" Frieren stirred groggily. "Shichen? Why are you in my bed?"
"What do you think? It's already noon," he grinned.
"No way. It's still dark…"
"The curtains are closed. Obviously."
"Ugh… I wanna sleep a bit longer…" she mumbled, turning away from him.
"Skipping breakfast?"
"Mm…"
She hesitated, then sighed. "Forget it. The bed's too comfy. I could stay here all day…"
Honestly? He felt the same. Best bed he'd ever slept in.
As for Frieren? This was probably the first luxurious bed she'd ever known.
"You can't sleep if you're hungry," Shichen said, wrapping his arms around her and resting a hand on her soft belly.
"Mm…"
She squirmed slightly but didn't say anything. "It's fine… I'll eat later."
"You know this isn't our house, right? We're guests." He chuckled and gently kneaded her stomach.
It was… surprisingly nice to the touch.
"Aren't you someone else's husband now?" she grumbled.
"Hm? Getting jealous?" he teased, shifting to look at her face.
"No," she said, eyes still closed.
"Well, don't worry. You're still my favorite."
[Is that so?]
A voice echoed in his head.
"Wait, are you getting jealous now?" he asked, surprised.
[Please. Don't flatter yourself.]
"Then why speak up out of nowhere?"
[Am I not allowed?]
"No, it's just… unexpected."
"I have a question, though."
[Go for it.]
"Now that I'm in this world… why haven't Alaya or Gaia interfered?"
[They can't.]
"Really? Well, that's a relief."
[Why? So you can flirt freely? Maybe with some lolis too?]
"Hey—don't pin that on me. You're the one who told me to gather Divine Fragments."
That one shut her up.
"Hold on, one more thing. That "thing" you mentioned before—what exactly is it?"
[Guess.]
"Seriously? That's your answer?"
[You've already figured it out, haven't you?]
"…You mean it's really what I think it is?"
No response.
Which basically confirmed it.
Good. That meant he could take it without worry. Assuming it was actually useful.
…Though technically, it wasn't "his" yet.
Eh, who cared? It would be soon enough. No point overthinking.
He tightened his arms around Frieren, pressing his face into her back and breathing in her soft scent.
She opened her eyes briefly, frowned a little, but didn't say anything. Just went back to sleep.
They ended up sleeping in until Illya's voice snapped Shichen awake.
"Papa~ Papa! Why are you sleeping here?"
"…Huh?"
He opened his eyes to see her cute face right in front of his. Those ruby eyes were absolutely stunning.
"What's up, Illya?"
"What do you mean 'what's up'? Do you even know what time it is? And why are you in Frieren's bed?"
Shichen sat up groggily, pulled her onto his lap.
"This is what we call equal treatment."
"Equal treatment? You mean… taking turns sleeping with Frieren?"
"Basically."
"Then why not just have Frieren sleep with us too?"
"…You know what? That's actually a great idea."
"Mommy, what do you think?"
"What?" Shichen turned and blinked in surprise.
Irisviel was still sitting by the bed.
She smiled awkwardly at him, then said gently to Illya, "Sweetheart, you'd have to ask Frieren how she feels about that."
"Okay! Frieren~—"
"Not now," Shichen cut in. "She's still asleep."
"Aww… she's so lazy. It's already lunchtime!"
"Wait, what?" Shichen blinked. "It's noon already?"
"Mhm! Lunch is ready."
"Perfect. I'm starving. Let's go eat."
"Yay!"
Shichen picked up Illya and reached to shake Frieren.
"Hey, wake up. Time for lunch."
"Ugh… I'm still sleepy…"
"You'll feel better once you smell the food."
"…Nooo…"
He ignored her and scooped her up bridal-style, carrying her toward the door.
Irisviel followed slowly behind.
She glanced at them and couldn't help but wonder what exactly the relationship between Shichen and Frieren was.
He'd said they weren't a couple… yet.
Which probably meant… someday they would be.
So where would that leave her and Illya?
…
After lunch, Shichen put on a white fur coat and spent the afternoon outside playing in the snow with Illya.
Her joyful laughter was contagious. He couldn't stop smiling. He'd never really played in the snow as a kid—this was a first for him too.
But he couldn't just let her have all the fun.
He'd have to drag Frieren out here next time.
They played carefree until evening, when Sella arrived with news.
"Shichen-san. It's confirmed—Tohsaka family does have two daughters. But the younger one… was just sent to the Matou family today."
"…Got it." Shichen's expression hardened slightly. "Then tomorrow, I'm heading to Fuyuki City."
~~~
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