"I mean, what kind of shoddy, vulgar spell is this...! Even bad taste should have limits!"
"Yeah, exactly. I'm the poor little sister whose artistic talent all went to her older sister. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being too much of a genius, Touko."
The Aozaki sisters' argument echoed through the classroom on the snowy night.
After placing the curse on Touko that would "forever forbid her from setting foot in Misaki," Aoko grabbed Shirou's hand and prepared to leave.
"Wait a second. I need to say a few things to Touko."
Aoko gave Shirou a slightly puzzled look, but she did not say anything. After exchanging a glance with him, she left the school building first.
Shirou pulled a box from his pocket and tossed it to Touko.
"What's this?"
Touko Aozaki was about to ask, but once she saw what it really was, she broke into a smile of genuine delight.
It was the first time Shirou had ever seen her smile without any pretense.
So this person can make a girlish face like that too, Shirou thought.
"I asked Sister Yuika about it. She said this is the only brand you smoke."
"Wow, how thoughtful Thank you, Shirou. You saved me again♡"
The Puppet Master licked her lips and tore open the pack of Taiwanese cigarettes the boy had tossed her.
After lighting one, Touko Aozaki brought the long cigarette to her lips.
Even Shirou, who hated cigarettes, found the motion far too elegant. If Alice had not been right beside him, he probably would have stared.
"How long are you planning to carry her?"
Touko Aozaki gestured with her chin toward Alice, who was sleeping on his back. "Put her down first."
Shirou shook his head to show it was fine, then looked back at Touko Aozaki, who was leaning against the wall.
The green evening gown she wore had been torn to pieces in the battle, and the black pantyhose beneath her short skirt were in tatters as well. After the damage from the fight, her mature figure had taken on an added hint of sensuality.
"Hey, you're not thinking something rude, are you? Unlike Touko, Alice is very light...
If you dare think that, I absolutely won't let you off, you know?"
With a cigarette between her lips, the Puppet Master seemed completely revived. There was no sign that her own little sister had just beaten her half to death.
"Or something like that. Just kidding. Shirou is my lifesaver, after all.
Even I'm not cruel enough to repay the boy who saved my life with spite...
Besides, I still owe you from our bet. I lost that wager."
Touko Aozaki put out the cigarette after smoking only half of it, then looked at Shirou seriously.
"Shirou, what do you want me to do for you?
I lost tonight, so as promised, tell me what you want from me."
"That... actually, I don't need it anymore."
"What?" Touko Aozaki frowned.
Shirou had originally intended to ask Touko to make him a new body, but there was no need for that now.
Because just moments ago, he had died.
He had died, then come back to life through the power of the First Magic.
Although he did not know exactly how the First Magic worked, all the lingering aftereffects Shirou had suffered from the Fourth Holy Grail War had vanished.
The problems in his body were gone, while the experience he had accumulated during the Holy Grail War remained.
"Anyway, there's nothing I want you to do for me anymore... Uh, Touko-nee-san, are you angry?"
Shirou noticed Touko Aozaki glaring at him with fury in her eyes.
"I hate breaking promises, Shirou."
Shirou understood what she really meant.
Touko was not scolding Shirou for breaking a promise. She was blaming him for making her break hers.
"..."
Those two sisters really are alike... Shirou smiled helplessly.
"All right, I'll start thinking now... about what I want Touko to do for me."
"That's more like it..."
Hearing Shirou say that, Touko Aozaki looked satisfied, then reached for her cigarette again.
"Tell me anytime you think of something, okay?"
"Quit smoking."
"...Huh?"
Touko Aozaki looked as if she had seen something horrifying.
"Can you quit smoking for me, Touko-nee-san?"
"Of course not! No! Absolutely not! Not happening! Don't even think about it!!!"
"I was joking. You don't have to fight back that desperately... It looks pretty bad, Touko-nee-san."
Shirou rolled his eyes. "...I'm not planning to use my precious wish on something like that."
"What do you mean, 'something like that'? How rude... But it's best that you're not planning to do anything stupid."
"I'm not going to make Touko quit smoking, but... you're only allowed one cigarette tonight."
Shirou stepped forward and confiscated the cigarette from between her fingers.
"W-Wait, Shirou... nooo~"
Touko Aozaki clung to Shirou's thigh and pleaded desperately. If Aoko saw this, her eyes would probably pop out of her head.
My older sister has actually become this much of a useless person... No, I suppose Alice and I have more or less been spoiled into useless people by Shirou too, so I'm in no position to talk.
After both acting cute and throwing a tantrum failed, Touko finally gave up.
She leaned limply against the wall, her beautiful legs spread wide in a thoroughly unladylike way, and watched Shirou leave the classroom.
"Ah ah What an absolutely awful day~"
She had worked so hard and prepared for so long, yet in the end, she still lost to her little sister, and it had been a crushing defeat.
Although she had learned the truth of the Aozaki family's Magic during her battle with Aoko, that had never been her goal from the beginning.
After all, Touko Aozaki was not the kind of Magus who treated The Root as the highest pursuit.
Her little sister had taken something that should have belonged to her, so she had to take it back.
That was the only reason Touko had started this war. It just so happened that what her sister had stolen was Magic.
However, she was not the type to cling stubbornly after losing.
Since she had failed, she had no intention of dragging it out. Admitting defeat cleanly was the Touko Aozaki way.
After tonight, Touko had completely lost interest in the Fifth Magic.
And she had developed an unprecedented, intense interest in something else.
Shirou Amamiya.
Touko Aozaki had never wanted anyone this much before.
Sorry, Aoko...
Now it's my turn to take something from you.
After all, Shirou is far too wasted on you...
A bewitching curve formed at the corners of the orange-haired Magus's lips.
...
...
Shirou's original plan had been to return directly to eight years in the future once he resolved tonight's situation.
If he stayed any longer, there was no telling what might happen.
Unfortunately, his plan fell through.
That same night, after he returned to the mansion with Aoko and Alice, both of them collapsed.
Aoko and Alice had both come down with severe colds.
In Alice's case, it was not surprising. She had spent a long time out in the snow wearing only a knit sweater.
As for Aoko, it seemed her resistance had dropped after the Magic ended.
It was a severe cold with a fever, but Magecraft should have been able to cure it easily... yet for some reason, it had no effect.
In any case, Shirou had no choice but to stay at the mansion and look after the two patients until they recovered.
"Alice, it's time to eat. Want me to bring it in?"
Shirou knocked on Alice's door.
There was no reply from inside. She was probably asleep.
So Shirou opened the door and quietly tiptoed in.
Alice Kuonji lay silently on the bed, her sleeping face peaceful. Shirou could not help thinking back to what had happened in the front hall.
After sitting quietly by the bed for a while, Alice slowly opened her eyes.
"Amamiya-kun... Ah... sorry."
Alice looked weak as she tried to sit up, and Shirou quickly told her to stay lying down.
"It's fine... I'm feeling much better now."
The black-haired girl insisted on propping herself up.
"What time is it?"
"Two-thirty in the afternoon. Normally, it would be time for afternoon tea."
As Shirou spoke, he handed her a glass of plain warm water.
Alice took a few sips, but her eyes stayed fixed on Shirou. "Why didn't you wake me?"
Shirou had no idea what the right answer was.
He really did not understand how to make girls happy, especially Alice... he had kept making her angry before.
Shirou thought for a moment, then chose an answer that probably would not upset her.
"Your sleeping face was so cute that I ended up staring."
"Ugh... cough, cough, cough, cough, cough!"
The girl choked on the hot water and started coughing nonstop in bed.
"Alice!"
Shirou quickly took the cup from her and gently rubbed her back.
Alice hid half of her flushed face under the blanket and glared at Shirou with deep resentment. "That joke isn't funny at all."
Shirou scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Do you have an appetite right now?"
"Mm, I suppose I do."
"Really? Then I made some plum porridge. You should have a little."
"Shirou made it himself?" Alice's eyes lit up.
"It's not like takeout places sell this stuff."
"I want some."
Alice had not expected Shirou to cook porridge for her. Her gloomy mood immediately brightened quite a bit.
To think there was a perk like this. What a bargain... The girl's heart blossomed with joy.
"I'll go bring the porridge in. Alice... change your clothes while I'm gone."
Shirou had considered whether he should help the bedridden Alice and Aoko change their clothes, but in the end, he had given up on the idea.
The bedding might get dirty, but he could wash it himself later. Helping girls change clothes was just... completely improper.
"Hurry up and get the porridge."
Alice probably wanted to change quickly, so she urged Shirou to leave.
"Ah, right, I know... Call me if you need anything, okay? I'll knock first."
Shirou sounded a little uneasy, and Alice became very impatient.
"I know. Now go!"
Thank goodness I didn't help her change, Shirou thought. It looked like she really hated the idea of him seeing her skin.
Five minutes later, Shirou returned with the clay pot of porridge and knocked on Alice's door again.
"Come in."
After entering the room, Shirou realized Alice had not changed. She was still wearing the same black knit sweater.
Why?
Shirou did not know why she had not changed, but he did not ask.
He brought the porridge over to Alice, only to find her black eyes gleaming.
"Amamiya-kun, feed me."
Shirou froze for a moment, then nodded. "...Oh."
He ladled the porridge into a bowl, placed the plum in the center of the white porridge, and scooped up a small spoonful.
Alice stared at the steaming white porridge and said, "It looks a little hot."
"That was careless of me. You're pretty sensitive to heat, aren't you, Alice?"
Alice shook her head.
Even though she had not bathed for a day and a night, her swaying hair still gave off a faint fragrance.
"I'm not trying to criticize you, Amamiya-kun."
Shirou: "?"
What did that mean?
A faint blush appeared on Alice's fair cheeks. "Blow on it for me."
Shirou: "..."
This was far too embarrassing.
"Amamiya-kun~"
Seeing Shirou's reluctant expression, Alice used an unmistakably spoiled, adorable voice.
No one could possibly resist Alice acting spoiled, Shirou thought.
Then, resigned to his fate, he blew on the spoon while Alice watched happily.
"Ah... ah?"
"Ah~♡"
The black-haired girl obediently parted her pink lips.
Shirou stared at her glossy lips, swallowed, and brought the spoon into her mouth.
After taking a few small bites, Miss Witch gave her verdict.
"It's good."
"Really? That's great."
"Mm, very good... I like it♡"
"You're exaggerating. It's just plain porridge... It would taste the same no matter who made it."
"...Only Shirou is special."
"I-I see."
Was it because she was sick?
Somehow, Alice felt even cuter than usual today...
Shirou felt his cheeks growing faintly warm and hurriedly scooped up another spoonful to blow on it.
Before long, the white porridge in the bowl was gone.
The feeding time had been so short that Shirou could not help feeling a little disappointed.
"I'm full."
"Then get some proper rest."
The boy stood up from the bedside and was about to leave when Alice gently caught his sleeve.
Shirou: "Do you need anything else?"
Alice: "I sweated a lot. Wipe me down."
Shirou: "..."
Alice: "Amamiya-kun..."
Shirou: "Um, Alice, why don't you wipe yourself down?"
Alice: "I can't move. Help me."
Her pitiful gaze pierced straight through Shirou's chest.
Five minutes later, he came back into the room with a basin and a towel.
"The clothes... should I take them off?"
"Yes."
Shirou climbed onto the bed and came up to the girl. "Um... Alice, raise your arms."
"Okay."
Shirou grabbed the hem of her clothes and pulled upward.
Under the knit sweater, she was wearing only black lace underwear.
Her slender limbs, white skin, and soft, beautiful curves carried a faintly seductive air...
The body of a girl as beautiful and noble as a fairy was fully exposed before Shirou.
"..."
Suppressing the intense turmoil in his heart, Shirou took the wrung-out towel and began wiping her down from the side of her neck.
Alice blinked. "Amamiya-kun... my bra?"
Shirou explained, "I'll unfasten it when I wipe your back."
Alice: "This bra... fastens in the front."
Shirou: "..."