The Chaldea cafeteria was particularly lively that morning. The staff and some Servants were having breakfast, talking about the latest repaired Singularity, and congratulating the "Miracle Master," as some were starting to call Leonel... although he wasn't exactly enjoying a quiet moment.
—Aaaah~ say "ahh," Leonel-sama~ —Tamamo hummed, holding a carefully balanced bite with chopsticks.
—No, no, no. It's Nero Claudius's turn, Empress of the Roses. Here, my sweet love, a perfect grape nurtured with imperial passion —Nero elegantly lifted a fruit.
—That's enough, you two. Leonel-sama needs real food, not sweets or fruit. Here is your rice with salmon... straight from my hands, my love —Kiyohime murmured sweetly while scooping a spoonful from her plate.
Leonel, trapped between the three, with no escape left, just sighed and opened his mouth.
—...may fate decide... —he thought resignedly as he received the simultaneous pampering and attention.
The three girls shamelessly competed with each other, each alternating between feeding him, stroking his hair, and even wiping his lips with their own handkerchiefs (or in Tamamo's case, with the sleeve of her kimono while blushing boldly).
The atmosphere was warm and somewhat rowdy, but what the three shared was undoubtedly sincere.
However, not everyone was enjoying the scene.
A few tables away, Mash barely touched her breakfast, her fork making circles over an octopus-shaped sausage.
—Leonel-san... seems so happy with them... —she thought, her expression dim and her heart beating faster than normal.
She couldn't help it. Despite knowing that Tamamo, Nero, and Kiyohime were insistent and direct in their affection for him... she also wanted him close. She also wanted to give him a hug, tell him she was happy he returned alive... but she didn't dare.
—Mash? Are you okay? —asked Jeanne, sitting right across, her fork in the air.
Mash looked at her, smiled weakly, and nodded.
—Yes... I'm just distracted.
But Jeanne wasn't foolish. She was also strangely distracted.
Every time she looked at Leonel laughing shyly while the three surrounded him like newlywed wives, something pricked her chest.
—Am I... jealous? Me? —she thought, lowering her gaze. —But why? I barely know him... although... although I feel his way of fighting, his voice, his concern for others... make me want... to get closer to him...
At the other end of the table, Artoria ate in silence.
Seemingly calm.
But her cheeks were slightly red and her eyes... weren't looking toward the rowdy trio. They actively avoided looking.
—Why does my chest feel this way...? Why does it bother me that they smile at him like that? —she reflected while taking another bite, harder than necessary.
The peace after the war only brought new battles.
Those of the heart.
The Chaldea simulator was a technological marvel, capable of recreating almost any imaginable environment... and that night, Leonel used it with a single goal: to make Nero Claudius happy.
With help from Emiya, who agreed reluctantly but with a certain amused glint in his eyes, Leonel had recreated a high-end Roman restaurant, complete with marble columns, magical candelabras, lute music, and tables decorated with rose petals.
Nero, upon entering the simulator, was breathless.
—Ohoho~ Leonel, my sweet lover! Could this be... a tribute to my glorious Rome? —her eyes shone with genuine excitement, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Leonel, nervous but smiling confidently, offered her his hand.
—For the most radiant Empress, only the best. Tonight, you're with me... and only me.
Nero accepted his hand with theatrical grace, though her blush betrayed her. They walked among the empty tables, everything had been prepared to be for them alone.
During dinner, among dishes prepared by Emiya himself with automated assistance, they exchanged laughs, deep looks, and subtle caresses. Nero spoke of her dreams, of how she imagined rebuilding her own art theater... and Leonel simply listened, fascinated.
At one point, Nero stood up and approached him.
—My heart... may I have the honor of a dance?
The soft music filling the restaurant was the perfect accompaniment. Leonel took her waist, she placed her hand on his shoulder, and for eternal minutes, they simply let themselves go.
At the end of the dance, with the simulator's dim lights imitating a starry night, Nero took him by surprise: she kissed him.
A sweet kiss, full of fire and passion, but also gratitude and sincere love.
—Grazie, amore mio... —she whispered in his ear—. Tonight, you made me feel like the Empress I deserve to be.
Leonel could only smile, stroking her cheek tenderly.
—And I... feel lucky to have someone like you.
The date ended close to midnight. Nero, still clinging to his arm, went to her room with a radiant smile. Before leaving, she gave him another short kiss... as if she never wanted to let go.
The next morning, Leonel was still processing the intensity and sweetness of his night with Nero... when he received an unexpected message:
"My beloved Leonel, I am ready for our date. I will be waiting for you. – Kiyohime 💖🔥"
Leonel swallowed.
—Oh no... my next phase boss.
He knew he couldn't improvise with Kiyohime. Her passion was as intense as it was unpredictable. So before seeing her, he went straight to seek advice... with a mix of fear and hope.
First, he tried talking to Da Vinci... who just patted his shoulder and said:
—Survive. And if you can... make her happy. But survive.
After that, he went to Mash, who, though somewhat jealous, agreed to help him program a day full of details that would make someone like Kiyohime happy: a walk through a traditional Japanese temple recreated in the simulator, followed by a visit to a koi pond and an intimate picnic with typical sweets she adored.
Leonel just sighed, looking at the day's schedule with resignation.
—Alright... time to prepare. Who needs adrenaline when you have a date with a yandere who loves you too much?
Leonel sighed deeply as the simulator adjusted to the environment he had prepared so carefully: a faithful landscape of ancient Japan, with temples, stone paths, cherry blossoms, and a breeze carrying the soft scent of incense and wood.
When Kiyohime appeared at the simulator portal, dressed in a traditional white kimono with reddish edges, Leonel couldn't help but be speechless. Her loose hair fell like a dark cascade, her eyes shone with a mix of excitement, desire... and that characteristic intensity that made him sweat so much.
—Leonel-sama~ —Kiyohime hummed, with a smile both sweet and dangerous—. All this... for me?
Leonel offered his arm, smiling warmly.
—Only the best for the lady who loves me with such strength... and fire.
Kiyohime giggled, delighted, and clung to his arm as if she never wanted to let go.
During the date, Leonel took her through gardens adorned with paper lanterns, bamboo forests, and quiet paths winding among ancient temples. They stopped at a small bridge over a koi pond, where Leonel offered her traditional sweets that she devoured with a happy smile.
At every turn, Leonel didn't skimp on displays of affection: he stroked her hair, whispered sweet words in her ear, gave her soft kisses on the cheek and forehead, even carefully adjusted the obi of her kimono, which made her blush to the tips of her ears.
Kiyohime, for her part, was more direct. She hugged him from behind, stared at him with gleaming eyes, and every time he kissed her forehead, she leaned in to steal a kiss on the lips, longer and deeper than the last.
—My love... —she murmured while nuzzling her face against Leonel's neck—. Do you know how much I held back last night...?
—I know, I know —Leonel replied with a somewhat nervous but affectionate smile—. That's why I want to give you a day you'll never forget.
She only responded with a satisfied sigh and a long hug, as if she wanted to melt into him.
The date lasted all day. They participated in a tea ceremony, wrote wishes on wooden plaques at a shrine, and ended the night walking under cherry blossoms lit by floating lanterns.
Kiyohime stopped, staring at him under the soft light.
—Leonel-sama... may I ask for just one request?
—Of course. Whatever you want.
—When the day comes... I want the first time we are together... to be in a place like this. With flowers falling, with my heart pounding... and with your kisses like fire.
Leonel didn't respond with words. He kissed her, deep and tenderly, hugging her tightly as the pink petals swirled around them.
The clock struck midnight when they returned to the simulator portal. Kiyohime gave him one last kiss, with the same burning desire as always, but also with sincere love.
—I love you, Leonel-sama. And I will wait for the day you make me yours. But until then... I will keep making you fall more and more in love with me.
Leonel gently stroked her cheek, nodding.
—You're succeeding... believe me.
And so, Kiyohime disappeared through the portal, leaving a trail of floral perfume and fire behind her.
Leonel stood alone for a few seconds, exhaling deeply.
—Two dates, two days... now I just have Tamamo left... and probably a heart check-up.
Leonel looked at the simulator as he finished programming the environment: a modern Japanese-style house, spacious, warm, and welcoming. The open kitchen, the living room with tatami, and a small terrace with a garden were the ideal setting for what Tamamo had wished for with all her heart.
As soon as he activated the environment, Tamamo magically appeared with her typical energy, wearing a pink apron over a white blouse and short skirt, and with a smile as big as her excitement.
—Welcome home, my husband~! How was work at Chaldea? Lots of demons today?
Leonel couldn't help but laugh and play along, entering and hugging her around the waist.
—Exhausting, as always... but coming back to you makes up for everything.
Tamamo immediately blushed, her ears trembled with happiness, and she threw herself at his neck with a surprising kiss, long, deep, and sweet, as if she had really been waiting for him all day.
—I missed you so much, my husband! Today I will pamper you like the king you are~.
The date was a perfect domestic fantasy.
They cooked together, although Tamamo insisted that Leonel should just watch and eat. Still, he managed to convince her to prepare a ramen recipe as a couple. Amid jokes, flour on their noses, and hand brushes, spontaneous kisses became a habit whenever they passed near each other.
Later they ate on the floor, on cushions, holding hands while watching a simulation of traditional Japanese television, making comments as if they were a newlywed couple.
Tamamo curled up in his lap.
—Leonel-sama... you know? This... this is all I ever wanted. Just this. A husband to love, a home to live in... and endless kisses.
Leonel hugged her tightly.
—You have all my love, Tamamo. You are important to me... and more so every day.
—KYAAAH~! Husbaaaaaand~! —she screamed while throwing herself on top of him with excitement—. I love you, I love you, I love you!
Later at night, close to midnight, both were in simulated pajamas, lying on a shared futon, still embracing. Tamamo kept stroking Leonel's hair while he reciprocated with small caresses on her back.
—Leonel-sama... may I ask for one last wish to end this perfect day?
—Whatever you want.
Tamamo rose, sat astride him, and with an intense, loving gaze said:
—I want you to kiss me... as if there were no tomorrow.
He said nothing, just took her face in both hands... and kissed her. A passionate kiss, deep, slow, and full of feeling, where both felt their heartbeats synchronize.
When they separated, Tamamo rested her forehead against his.
—...Thank you for giving me this day. I will never forget it.
Leonel gently stroked one of her ears.
—Neither will I, Tamamo. Neither will I.
Minutes later, upon crossing the simulator portal, Tamamo still looked somewhat flustered, but with a silly smile of complete happiness. She blew him a kiss from a distance.
—Sleep well, my husband! And get ready because I will love you more tomorrow than today~!
Leonel sighed with a smile.
—How do I top this tomorrow? ...Oh, right, it's summoning time.