What is that again...
Beast doesn't seem to know, but something happened in the sky. Artoria...
That person is interesting. Their purpose is too easy to see.
"What will you do now?"
"Ah... It seems like it's about time to fulfill my duties..."
"?"
"There is, that kind of thing. For now, since there's nothing to do today, let's rest~"
Something suspicious... The Valkyries lean against him and smile. There's a suspicious atmosphere somewhere...
First, they return home like that. And Beast enters the room with his Servants. Soon, it seems like a barrier is erected instantly. A soundproof barrier. What on earth are they going to do...
First, I immediately use clairvoyance to peek into the room and listen to the sounds.
[Really... What are you doing as soon as we arrive? Give me time to prepare...]
[But, what can I do when Bavanshee is so cute as soon as I see her?]
What is that...
Now, in my house... in someone else's house, are they going to do that kind of thing?
In a different sense, it's really amazing...
For now, I decide to watch. To see how far they go in someone else's house.
First, the others are watching and comforting themselves... It's outrageous. And gradually, their actions become rougher.
Are, are they really doing it...? In, in someone else's house, are they really doing it...? Do they think this is a hotel?
Really, they're really doing it....
Really... they did it to the end. That crazy person...
"Ha..."
What should I say... My head is throbbing and my chest feels tight.
I decide to watch more to see how far they go. Before that, while brewing tea, I watch... and they immediately start with other Servants without rest.
It's really a harem.
Soon after, the Valkyries approach him seductively.
Plop...
I immediately turn off the clairvoyance and decide not to watch the next scene.
"Why... do I feel like this?"
Something feels stifling. Why? Why do I feel stifled...
About 3 hours pass... and Beast comes out of the room.
"You really caused a commotion, huh? Beast."
"... Did you hear?"
"I saw."
"Pervert."
"Aren't you the pervert for doing it in someone else's house? I really hope I never see someone like you again."
"Ahem... I was just fulfilling my duties. It's my duty to love them."
"Hmm."
I don't understand what he's saying.
He sits in front of me, and I use magecraft to pour tea for him.
"So? Why did you wait?"
"... This time, Archer and Rider died. Soon, Caster will be gone too."
"Huh?"
"What do you think? Probably, Berserker won't be far behind."
"... Is it Artoria? A Master who has made his resolve and a knight obsessed with the Holy Grail. In terms of combination, it's possible. But, how about Rider...? Previously, even with Berserker, they lost."
"That's not my job. The result is what matters."
"The process matters too. Result and process, neither is unimportant. So, do you have something real to talk about?"
Beast asks me calmly. His appearance, in a comical cross-dressed state, trying to have a serious conversation, feels discordant.
"It's a serious talk, is that okay?"
"Ah, if it's serious, honestly it's not my preference, but when it's time to do it, I should. What is it?"
"Lately, my chest feels a bit tight and my head throbs... when it comes to you."
"It's arrhythmia."
"Can't you answer a little more seriously?"
I put down the teacup and glare at Beast.
"Is this... emotion, right?"
"... Yes, it's emotion."
"Then next question... is this emotion the one I should originally feel for Saber?"
"At least not? As far as I know, chest tightness might be, but head throbbing isn't. It's not love."
Not love.... Then what is this? Whether it's love or something, I want to know what this is. Even if it were love, I would have accepted it. After all, compared to a future where I fall in love just by seeing Saber's face, this seems better. At least it won't be boring.
"Well... I'm not an expert, you know? My golden child Manaka... honestly, I don't know. Love... I've honestly never been in love."
"Never? But you said?"
Not love...? You?
"What should I say... If it's love, I think it's liking one person. But look? I'm an idiot who can't decide, right? An idiot who can't choose one. A harem isn't love, it's duty. Emperors and kings were like that. Unable to love one person completely, unable to choose. I, I still don't know love. I know the love they give me... but actually, I can't truly love anyone. Pathetic, right?"
"... Well. Looking at you, it seems like you truly love them?"
"Says the princess who doesn't know love?"
"...."
"Manaka... you and I are alike. Ordinary humans who obtained too powerful a force. You were connected to the Root from birth and gained omnipotent power, losing interest in life. And I, in front of too strong a power, can't feel any sense of achievement. If I wish for something, they achieve it for me. I am ultimately a golden child too. The difference is, I enjoy this life and you don't. That's about it."
"Well... you and I are not alike. On the contrary, we're too different. Because, I don't feel any homophobia towards my kind."
Alike with me? Not at all... not at all different. He, unlike me, unlike beings like us, is purely human himself. Not at all different. That's why...
I end up admiring him.
That kind of life, I start to want to live it too. At the same time, I feel awe and pity for the journey he has walked. Living a mortal's life, he proudly walked a journey even I would find impossible...
I, I have come to admire him.
I want to walk the path with Beast... together, with him.
"Is that so? Hmm... maybe. Was I thinking too much?"
"... Hey, you know?"
"If you're going to say you want to go with me, don't. I won't take you."
"Why?"
"I have no intention of bringing more people from other worlds. Already, in our world alone, there are two Sakuras. If you come too, there will be two Sajou Manakas. The world won't stand idly by. The possibility of troublesome things happening later is too high. Honestly, I avoid troublesome things."
"So you refuse? Coward. Someone like you could erase not just the world, but this planet."
"That's why, such big deals are troublesome. Originally, I don't want to cause such things either. I don't even know why I came here... but, we're friends, right?"
"... Friends."
So you want to end it as friends? Without even properly telling me what this emotion is, without letting me know if it's love, awe, or affection, you just want to brush it off as friends.
Really... the worst person.
"It's about time for Ayaka to come home from school. I'll be going now~"
"..."
Beast leaves like that. Really...
Knock knock.
"... Come in."
A knocking sound is heard at the window, and soon the window opens.
Then, the transparent cloak is removed, and she reveals herself.
"So? What's your business?"
"Nothing much. But, it seems our interests align, right? We're in the same position, so I want to make you a proposal."
"Heh... go on."
"■■■■■■■■■■."
"... Indeed, an offer I can't refuse? Then, I'll accept."
"One last question. Why don't you want to let him go?"
"... I don't know emotions. I don't know what this emotion is... but he's, well, he's the breadwinner of my house? I don't plan to let him go yet?"