"Mmn...?"
Feeling a strangely pleasant sensation, Artoria slowly opened her eyes.
"Mm? Awake, Artoria?"
How long had she been unconscious? She found herself sleeping, using Kazuki's arm as a pillow, nestled close to him.
"...How long was I asleep?"
"Not that long... ten or twenty minutes at most."
Kazuki answered while gently stroking her hair. This must have been the source of the pleasant feeling. It felt so good that her eyes naturally narrowed.
"Is your body okay?"
"Yes... Hey, Kazuki, would you... continue for a little while longer...?"
"Sure thing. As you wish, my King."
"Hmm. I approve."
The next moment, they looked at each other and burst out laughing…
"Hey, Artoria. How would you like to attend school with us?"
"Yes...?"
'Me, attend school?' Her eyes widened at the sudden proposal.
"We're heading back to Kuoh Town tomorrow. During the day, everyone except Kuroka goes to school, so I thought you might like to as well, Artoria."
"..."
School... Honestly, she was interested. During the Holy Grail War, she'd been to the school Shirou and Rin attended, but they'd immediately gotten into battle. She understood there was no time for such things, but it was true she'd felt a twinge of regret.
"I genuinely want you to experience peaceful, normal days, Artoria. What do you think?"
Kazuki's thoughtful concern touched her deeply.
"Very well. I am interested as well, so I will attend school, Kazuki."
"Got it. I'll make the arrangements."
And so, it was decided she would attend Kuoh Academy. As her heart fluttered with excitement at the prospect of her first school life, Artoria suddenly remembered she had something she wanted to discuss with Kazuki and sat up.
"What's wrong, Artoria?"
"Yes... Actually, there was something I wished to consult with you about... This."
At Kazuki's questioning voice, she reached into the pocket of her discarded skirt, found what she was looking for, and held it out to him.
"What are these...?"
Kazuki looked perplexed as he took the seven cards she offered—the cards of Saber, Archer, Lancer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker.
The seven cards that Artoria held out. Each depicted one of the seven classes of Servants from the Holy Grail War.
"Where did you get these?"
"I don't know. When I noticed, they were in my pocket..."
Even Artoria didn't know their origin... But Kazuki, he had seen something like this before in his previous life.
They were items called "Class Cards" from the "Fate" spin-off, "Prisma Illya." Cards that allow one to summon the power of the Heroic Spirit inscribed upon them into their own body.
He didn't know why Artoria had them, but he didn't sense any malice from them, and if used well, they could become a new power for her.
"...It's hard to say anything without actually trying them out. Let's test them sometime soon. Don't use these cards until then."
"Understood."
He returned the cards to Artoria and lay back down on the bed. Artoria, having received the cards, followed suit.
"I'm pretty tired. Let me get some sleep."
He whispered while stroking Artoria's golden hair.
"Yes. ...Goodnight, Kazuki."
Artoria closed her eyes, looking comfortable. Soon, soft sounds of her breathing could be heard. Listening to them, he drifted off into a slumber.
Waking up an hour before dinner, Kazuki and Artoria took a bath together, washing away the traces of their passionate encounter before heading to the dining hall.
When they entered the dining hall, just like with Rias and the others during the day, everyone's attention focused on Artoria, whose skin was glowing.
Rias and the others shot Kazuki sidelong glances, while Irina and Yuma blushed, stealing glances at the pair.
As for Artoria herself, she was shy at first, but once dinner was served, she became engrossed in it, happily cleaning her plate.
After dinner, they moved to the common room for a meeting about the following day and beyond. Issei also showed up for the meeting. He looked a little tired, but was he okay?
Asia had no external injuries. The reason she hadn't woken up yet seemed to be because, having used her Balance Breaker for the first time, she had consumed a massive amount of magical power all at once, temporarily depleting her reserves.
The Gremory family physician's opinion was that she would likely wake up naturally once her magic recovered.
"I'm worried about Asia, but we can't stay away from Kuoh Town forever. Regardless of whether Asia wakes up or not, we're returning to Kuoh Town tomorrow morning, so everyone must attend school. Got that, Issei?"
"No way!? Buchou!!"
Pressed by Rias, Issei protested as expected. But,
"Issei, you need to explain things to your parents first, right? As for Asia... well, let's say she's staying at our place to prepare for the school festival. Explain it that way. The most important thing is not to worry your parents. You understand, right?"
"...Yes."
Issei probably didn't want to worry his parents either. He reluctantly agreed to Rias's persuasion.
"That's all for now. We'll be moving early tomorrow morning, so everyone get to bed early. Un-der-stood, Kazuki?"
"Yeah, I got it."
This time, Kazuki was the one being pressed. He was tired today, for sure. He'd behave and sleep quietly tonight, too.
"My, my, an opportunity has arrived... I'm looking forward to tonight. Ufufu!!!"
Eyes, gleaming with a predatory light, watched Kazuki intently.
That night, Kazuki was, unusually, sleeping alone…
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