Chapter 62: Einzbern Consultation Room
[You and Artoria went to the maid café together.]
[There, you received a maid home service card.]
[...You temporarily accepted the card and focused on preparing the welcome party for Artoria.]
[You all spent a warm time together.]
[Time slowly passed into the night...]
Under the lively night of the shopping street, a bright full moon hung high in the sky.
Amid the bustling crowd and glowing storefronts, cheerful pop music filled the air.
Artoria sat on the bench, her face full of satisfaction, her stomach so round from eating that she could barely see her own legs anymore, looking no different from a little boar that had just eaten its fill.
"Phew~~, this is truly the most satisfying meal I've ever had…"
A bright, happy smile bloomed on her face,
"The omurice was delicious, but if I had to pick the best thing, it's definitely the chocolate fountain! Academy City is really amazing!"
"Is that so? As long as you're happy, it's all good."
Next to her, Eikou was drinking water while checking the bill from earlier.
"But… was this place expensive? How many QP exactly? I hope it didn't cost you too much!" Artoria asked worriedly.
"It's fine, it's fine..."
He kept a calm smile on his face as he quietly accepted the bill with a terrifying number written on it.
This was probably the most extravagant expense in his entire life — treating Artoria to this meal.
No wonder Gawain and Tristan had hinted that they could split the bill — turns out they already knew just how monstrous their King's appetite was.
Oh well, as long as it made her happy, splurging a little once in a while wasn't a big deal.
And indeed, the effect of this meal was clear — the shy, insecure country girl became much more lively after eating; perhaps this was her true nature.
"So, how was your first day at school?"
Eikou asked as he sat beside her.
"Umu umu, honestly I was pretty nervous at first,"
The country girl gave an awkward smile,
"After all, I heard some scary rumors about Servants disappearing here. I'm not good at talking to people, and I've never been to a big city before. My only ability is some basic Magecraft. I was afraid of being isolated… but then again, if I really got isolated, maybe it'd be a bit more comfortable? After all, the only person I've ever been able to call a friend… is just one person."
"And then you realized this city isn't so unfriendly after all, right?" Eikou said with a smile.
"No, it's not because the city is friendly. The reason I was treated kindly… is because I met someone very gentle. Thank you, Mochizuki Eikou!"
Amid the brightly lit shopping street, Artoria showed a pure and warm smile, her face shining as if glowing.
"I've started looking forward to my school life now. I feel like being with you will be really fun!"
"Ha ha, I'm looking forward to it too."
Eikou felt a little embarrassed by her words and quickly stood up from the bench.
"Alright, alright, we should head back soon. Even if school life isn't as scary as you thought, there really have been cases of Servants disappearing. If we stay out overnight, something bad might happen."
"Eh, so that rumor's actually real?" Artoria was a bit surprised. "I thought it was just some urban legend ghost story."
"It's real. I even had to go into a Singularity once to save the trapped Servants." Eikou quickly explained.
"Really, that's amazing! You have to tell me your story sometime!"
Artoria said admiringly,
"As expected of someone who dared to propose to a Grand Servant in a haunted house, you're seriously incredible."
"...Where did you even hear about that haunted house thing, and I never proposed to anyone! Rumors should at least have some truth in them!"
Eikou retorted indignantly.
....
[As night falls, you and Artoria return to the Chaldea Academy dormitory.]
[Two Knights of the Round Table even paid out of their own pockets to help the poor Artoria Caster buy some daily necessities and a phone to stay in touch.]
[Artoria was a little flustered and shy in the face of everyone's kindness. She seemed to have never received so much goodwill in her entire life. She nervously but happily accepted it, quietly promising herself she would repay them one day.]
[Yet somehow, it felt like the Knights of the Round Table — the gift givers — were the ones who were even more moved...]
[You feel the goodwill from Artoria Caster.]
[Your "Protection of the Lake B" has increased to "Protection of the Lake A".]
[After safely seeing Artoria off, you guys head to the public bathhouse together, soaking in the refreshing hot water, washing away the fatigue and tension of the entire day.]
[...]
[Under the hot water, your mind seems to be soothed.]
[Even though your head feels a little dizzy from soaking for too long, this blank state of mind actually helps you think more clearly about your future path.]
[There are only ten months left until graduation, but your grades are far from great, and your relationships with women are on the verge of exploding.]
[If you don't figure out a solution soon, you might not make it to next year's graduation.]
['If only there was someone I could talk to and help untangle all this,' you think to yourself.]
[When you shared this concern with your friends, Oberon — someone with a wide network — gave you a suggestion.]
"Einzbern Counseling Room?"
Soaking in the warm water, Eikou asked doubtfully.
"Umu, I only found out about it recently. There's a Servant named Irisviel in Academy City who's really good at listening and talking with Servants. She even runs an interview program called Einzbern Counseling Room."
Oberon was soaking in a slightly cooler bath next to him, relaxing as he explained.
"I'm not planning to go on some program..." Eikou muttered.
"Ha ha, that's not it. Because Einzbern Counseling Room is so popular, Irisviel even opened an online counseling website."
Oberon patiently explained,
"Servants can anonymously post about their troubles, and many kind-hearted Servants will leave comments, offer advice, and share ideas."
"Oh, so basically like an online support group where everyone gives each other advice, right?"
Eikou nodded lightly, looking as if he were thinking about something.
He felt this might be worth trying.
In real life, he constantly runs into all kinds of "Disaster With Women," but online, surely he wouldn't just randomly get dragged into trouble by women out of nowhere.
He could meet his need for communication, stay anonymous, and not worry about his secrets getting exposed.
If things went well, living as a quiet otaku from now on wouldn't be bad either.
[You temporarily remember this information.]
[The website for Einzbern Counseling Room — you can check it out later.]