"Fou-sama… If you're troubled, you need only tell me," Tiamat purred. "I'd guide you, hand and foot—oh, hand and foot—so gently…"
"Aaaa (Um, may I?)"
"Oh, a consultation, Tiamat-sama?" another voice teased. "The primordial mother's… Perhaps a widow's body aching with need?"
"Aaaa (How can I be accepted as a mother by all without disrupting the current ecosystem?)"
"…Well, that's… quite a question…" the voice faltered.
The Beast's Melancholy, The Princess's Resolve
*(…)}
Since earlier, Fou's been acting strange.
Pacing aimlessly, lying down only to pop back up, staring into the distance—Fou's behavior was enough to signal something was off, even without words.
"…You okay, Fou?" the Nameless Heroine asked.
The 'King' was asleep, and she'd taken the form of the 'Princess' now.
After the King retired, satisfied with his grand speech, she couldn't shake her concern for Fou. So, she'd donned her heroic princess form and invited him to her room.
"You didn't eat something weird or upset your stomach, did you?"
(…Oh, sorry, sorry. I'm fine, totally fine! I'm Fou-kun, the invincible, mission-driven, beautiful beast! Me, unwell? Never!)
"You don't look fine," she said, peering into his eyes. "Can you say that looking at me?"
(Ugh…)
She gazed at him steadily.
It's probably meddlesome, sticking my nose where it doesn't belong.
But she couldn't ignore a dear friend's distress. Pretending not to notice wasn't an option she'd choose.
"If something's wrong, don't hold back," she said. "Like you did for me when I was just a soul, talking to someone lightens the heart."
(Nameless…)
"I might lack life experience or dependability as a confidant," she admitted, "but when it comes to listening earnestly, I'm second to none."
She puffed out her chest proudly.
(The Ebi-Fuji mountains are quaking…)
"So, if you're anxious or troubled, talk to me," she said. "Fou, you're…"
(Nameless…)
"…my precious friend," she finished. "Seeing you in pain hurts me too."
Yes. Fou is my friend.
Human or not, ordinary or not, Fou was the one who cared for her, worried for her—the only one who did.
I don't just want to receive. I want to give something back.
Even if it's as simple as listening, if it's for a friend, there's no hesitation in her heart or actions.
(…You're truly radiant,) Fou said, a shy smile breaking through.
(How many times must you knock me down?)
"Come here," she beckoned, knowing what he loved.
"Jump in like always. This is your spot, right?"
(Hehe, you got me!) Fou chirped, leaping into her arms.
(Ahh… the Ebi-Fuji mountains envelop me… The youthful firmness of a girl and the ripe softness of a woman—a supreme masterpiece! Sinking into their softness yet pushed back by their resilience… In this paradise, I'm done for. The title of strongest primate goes to you!)
"Back to your old self, huh?" she laughed, relieved by his familiar ramblings.
Come to think of it, Fou's like that too.
A life with will, capable of conversation, yet with so few who can truly understand him. There might be those who connect easily, but someone to have deep talks with? Rare in this world.
"We're kind of alike, aren't we?" she mused, stroking his head.
"Both starving for someone to talk to?"
(Hehe, maybe. Mash is great for communication, but deep talks like this? Not quite. Merlin makes me want to murder him on sight. My acquaintances are the unforgivable sort.)
He stretched slowly, her chest bouncing with his movements.
(You're the only one I can communicate with this respectfully, Nameless Heroine.)
"Fou…" she whispered.
(Thank you, truly, for accepting me as a friend. Across countless timelines, I can say I'm the happiest Fou. Well, I'm in your chest, but still.)
Their eyes met as he looked up, his blue gaze sparkling with prismatic hues.
(Thank you, Nameless soul. I'm the luckiest beast, thanks to you.)
(With all I am, I bless you. You defy comparison, showing me precious things time and again, humanity's newest hope.)
"…!" she gasped.
(Hehe, surprised? I'm not just here to be defeated. Sometimes, I land a Primate Murder punch! Ei, ei!)
He patted her with his paws, their soft pads tickling.
"This is… the strongest primate's punch?!" she laughed.
(Yup. This blow would've killed Merlin 500 times. …Oh, right.)
Fou cleared his throat, turning serious.
(Let me tell you a hypothetical.)
"Hm?"
"A hypothetical…?"
(Yeah. Answer lightly, it's just a thought experiment.)
He said it playfully, but his gaze was intense.
"…Okay," she nodded.
(Thanks. …What if)
Fou began.
(What if I were 'evil'? The kind everyone fears, trembles at, and must destroy.)
!
(An evil that's bound to emerge, destined to be defeated, the worst existence whose elimination is the best solution. …What if your friend was that?)
It's like what the King said…
(What would you think? Would you scorn me for daring to be your friend, calling it a vile temptation?)
His tone was calm but deadly serious, leaving no room for jest.
He's sharing something vital.
(And if I had no choice but to bare my fangs at you… Would you regret everything? Think, 'I was deceived,' or 'I should've ended him then'? Would you curse me?)
This is a question that defines our bond.
…
"If it's painful, you can stop."
Memories of Fou's words surfaced.
"Your story continues."
"It's easier to talk when that guy's asleep."
"Done! The Great Chaldea Adventure Diary!"
"I really like you."
…
"Your story continues—"
The answer's obvious.
"I wouldn't curse you," she said, hugging him tightly.
(!)
"I wouldn't regret or grieve," she continued. "No matter what you are, I'd never regret the time we spent together."
(…Nameless…)
"Even if you're an evil everyone fears or despises—"
That's just a result, a matter of perspective.
"It's…"
"The time we spent as friends can't be erased by anyone, right?"
(—!!)
"I respect you, Fou. Your kindness and care have saved me so many times."
Exactly. So…
"How could I curse someone who's done so much for me? I just… can't."
No matter the form of our parting,
The time we've built won't be tainted.
"So, I promise, Fou," she said.
No matter what form Fou takes, no matter her end—
"You and I will always, always be friends."
This bond, I'll never let go.
I swear on my soul to never abandon the first friend who found me in this world.
(…I see. Yes, I see…)
Fou burst into golden particles, regenerating instantly, repeating the cycle three times.
"Fou!?" she gasped.
His disintegration's leveling up…?!
(Thank you, Nameless, my dearest friend. Your words have cleared my heart.)
"R-Really? That's good…" she sighed in relief.
(Bless your kindness and purity. You truly are the heroic princess destined to defeat a beast like me.)
"You're exaggerating," she laughed.
All I did was listen to a friend's troubles. Is Fou's form that unstable?
(My heart's set. I'll stay by your side until the end of the journey you desire.)
He nuzzled against her.
(We'll go touring for sure. The innocent princess and the oft-defeated beast—a perfect pair, don't you think?)
"Hehe, we'll need a special seat on the Gilgil Machine," she said.
(A seat's nice, but I prefer this spot.)
"It's risky with the wind and air resistance!" she warned.
(It's fine. It's soft!)
Fou was back to his usual self.
I managed to ease my friend's worries.
Oh, right.
"Hang on, Fou," she said, setting him on the desk.
(What's up?)
"I'm gonna make something to cheer you up."
Not just words.
Expressing gratitude in a tangible form isn't a bad idea.
"Wait a sec. It'll be quick."
Ten minutes later…
"Here you go," she said, placing a plate on the desk.
(This is…)
"Introducing the 'Fou-kun Cake'!" she announced. "Pretty good, right?"
A mini cake shaped like Fou—quite a feat, considering the makeshift ingredients.
"It's my way of saying thanks," she said. "It's not much, so feel free to hog it."
(…This is for me?)
"Of course," she said. "It might be cheesy or overdone, but you taught me gratitude doesn't change when given form."
This is my gratitude made tangible. I could shape Fou without a reference.
Because he's etched into my soul.
"Thank you, always, Fou," she said. "This is my gratitude—eat up."
(…—)
"I'll cut it into small pieces," she added. "Oh, it's less sweet for late-night snacking, sorry."
Naturally, Fou couldn't use a fork, so…
"Here, Fou. Say 'ahh,'" she said, carefully bringing a piece to his mouth.
"Thank you, always. If something's up, talk to me again—"
With gratitude and affection.
(…Congratulations, innocent princess.)
He took a bite.
(As always—more than ever—you've defeated me.)
He dissolved into golden particles…
"Fou—!?" she gasped.
After that, he cycled through revival and disintegration with each bite.
In that moment, Fou was defeated 15 times…
(…)
(One human, two souls' worth of mana…)
(I'll give it my all to add color to this story.)
"What's that, Fou-senpai? Got a problem?" Manaka chirped. "Tell this all-powerful girl Beast☆Manaka, and I'll fix it quick! What to break, what to build? Honestly, I don't care if history outside Britain burns… Oh, hey, senpai! You'll come to my wedding, right? Saber and I walking the virgin road… Eek☆!"
"You got skewered and dumped," Fou retorted. "You stink—spray some Febreeze."
"I do spray!" Manaka protested. "Every day!"
"Talking to you makes me realize how precious he is," Fou said.
"Nameless's soul?" Manaka asked. "Yeah, it's pure white—like fresh snow."
"Poetic, for you," Fou noted.
"Right? A maiden in love is poetic♪"
"—Beast-in-training, Root-Connected Manaka."
"Hm?"
"Let's make a deal."
"—?"
"Until humanity's restoration, ensure Saber doesn't lose and defeats a Demon God alone. If you achieve both, I have a wish for you."
"What's that?" Manaka asked. "I can do most things, so I'll grant most wishes. What do you want after Saber's epic victory, Primate Murder-sama?"
"Thanks," Fou said. "My request is—"
-------------------------------
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