[Kenji Sato (MC) POV]
My back hit the mattress. Barghest was on top of me, her lips locked onto mine, her tongue exploring my mouth with an intensity that made my head spin.
I couldn't break the kiss. Every time I tried to pull back, she followed, her hands still holding mine, pinning me to the bed. Her weight pressed me down, warm and solid.
The curse was still flowing into me. I could feel it slowing down.
I needed to focus. I needed to finish the absorption.
But she wouldn't stop kissing me.
slk... mmnm...
Her tongue swept against mine. Her body shifted against me. The bed creaked.
I had to do something.
I wrenched my right hand free—just barely, twisting against her grip. My fingers found the bare skin of her waist, where her armor had shifted.
I channeled a small spark of Lightning God Form.
jolt
Barghest froze. Her body went rigid. A low, surprised gasp escaped her lips against mine.
Then she went limp.
Her weight collapsed onto me, her head falling against my shoulder. Her breathing slowed, steady and even.
I lay there for a moment, catching my breath. My heart was pounding. My lips felt swollen. My tongue was numb.
"...Okay," I muttered. "That happened."
I carefully shifted her off me, rolling her onto the bed. She was still unconscious, her face relaxed, a faint smile on her lips.
I sat up and opened my system menu.
[Curse Absorption (Lv. 47)]
I blinked. I had absorbed the entire curse. All of it. It had leveled me up by another five levels—probably from the sheer volume of the curse's power.
Barghest was free.
I looked down at her sleeping face. She looked... peaceful. Like she was dreaming of something good.
I quickly cleaned myself up—wiped my mouth, straightened my clothes, fixed my hair. I threw the blanket over her, tucking her in gently.
I was just finishing when a knock came at the door.
knock knock
"Kenji?" Jeanne's voice filtered through the wood. "Is everything alright? I heard noises."
I took a breath and opened the door just a crack, blocking her view of the room.
"Everything's fine," I said smoothly. "Just doing something. Give me a minute."
Jeanne's eyes narrowed. "Doing something?"
"Nothing important. I'll be down soon."
She stared at me for a long moment. Then, slowly, she nodded.
"...Very well. But if you are not down in five minutes, I will come looking for you."
"Got it."
I closed the door, waited until I heard her footsteps retreat, then let out a long breath.
I made sure Barghest was comfortable, then slipped out of the room and headed downstairs.
Everyone was still in the dining room. Arthur was standing by Baobhan Sith, looking incredibly pleased with himself. Morgan was seated at the table, her expression carefully neutral. Melusine was still watching Dorumon. Sakura was dozing on the couch with Dorumon curled beside her.
I walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. I needed to hydrate. I had just swapped saliva with Barghest for who knows how long. My mouth still felt weird.
I twisted the cap off and took a long drink.
Morgan's eyes fixed on me.
"Kenji," she said, her voice smooth and casual. "What did you do?"
I took another long drink of water before answering.
"I cured Barghest's curse."
Morgan's carefully neutral expression cracked. Surprise flickered across her features—genuine, unguarded surprise.
"You... cured it?" She leaned forward. "The Black Dog curse?"
"That's the one."
Morgan stared at me. "How? That curse is not something that can simply be removed."
I shrugged. "Through physical contact."
Morgan's eyes narrowed. "Physical contact?"
"Skin to skin," I said vaguely. "I absorbed it directly."
Morgan opened her mouth to press further, but I shifted slightly, turning my neck to hide the red marks Barghest had left. My collar was high enough to cover most of it, but I could feel the faint sting.
Morgan stopped. Her eyes flickered to my neck. Her jaw tightened.
"...I see," she said flatly. "How... thorough of you."
Before she could say anything else, Kariya cleared his throat.
"Kenji," he said, his voice serious. "We need to talk. About the war."
I nodded, walking over to the dining table. I sat down across from him. Arthur and Morgan both leaned in, their attention sharpening.
"Tokiomi Tohsaka has summoned his Servant," Kariya said. "I don't know which class yet—the information is still coming in. But he's officially entered the war."
I nodded slowly. Tokiomi. Sakura's birth father. The man who gave her away to Zouken.
"Also," Kariya continued, "Zouken mentioned something before he died. He said a Master from the Clock Tower was guaranteed to participate. Most likely the current Lord El-Melloi."
Arthur frowned. "The Clock Tower? The Association of Mages?"
"Yes." Kariya's expression darkened. "But that's not what I'm worried about."
"What is it?"
Kariya leaned forward, his voice dropping. "There's a mercenary. A Mage Killer. He's been hunting magi across the world, killing them by any means necessary. He uses guns, explosives, traps—anything to win."
Kiritsugu Emiya.
"Zouken warned me about him," Kariya said. "Said he was the most dangerous participant in any Grail War he'd ever witnessed."
I stayed silent.
Kariya's face twisted with worry. "What if he targets Sakura? She's Tohsaka's daughter. She could be leverage. Or bait. Or—"
"That won't happen."
Kariya blinked. "What?"
"Trust me," I said carefully. "His goals align with ours more than you think. If we play this right, we might even be able to work with him."
Kariya stared at me. "Work with the Mage Killer?"
"Our goal is to destroy the Grail," I reminded him. "If Kiritsugu is as dangerous as you say, we're better off having him on our side than against us."
Kariya was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded slowly. "You're right. If he truly wants what we want... then we share a common goal."
Arthur stepped forward, his voice firm. "I agree. An alliance with the Mage Killer would be advantageous. Our focus must remain on the Grail's destruction."
I blinked. "Wait, when did you get—"
But Arthur had already turned away, his attention back on Baobhan Sith, who was trying to inch away from him.
I shook my head and stood up.
"Alright," I said. "I'm gonna head out. Do some shopping."
Arthur immediately turned back to me. "Shopping? Kenji, that's wonderful! I shall accompany you!"
"No, no. I need to go alone."
Arthur's face fell. "But—"
"Big Bro. Alone."
He sighed dramatically. "Very well. But you will need money."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick stack of bills. I blinked.
"You need to understand something, Kenji," Arthur said, his tone shifting into something almost parental. "You cannot simply expect money to appear. You must learn to earn it. You must find a job, work hard, and—"
He handed me the cash.
I took it without a word, counting as I walked toward the door.
It was a lot. More than enough for whatever I needed.
I stepped outside, the door clicking shut behind me. The morning air was cool against my skin. The street was quiet.
I pocketed the cash and started walking.
And suddenly, a thought hit me like a truck.
What's gonna happen to me when this is all over?
I shook my head. That was a problem for future Kenji. Present Kenji needed to focus on the war. On destroying the Grail. On keeping everyone alive.
I rounded a corner and stopped.
A girl stood near a shop window. Long golden hair cascaded down her back, bright enough to catch the afternoon light. Her outfit was simple—black shorts, a white tank top, and an open black jacket hanging loosely over it. Casual. Comfortable.
And familiar.
Before I could process that, three guys approached her. Cocky grins. Swaggering steps... They had no swag though.
"Hey there, beautiful," the lead guy said, stepping into her space. "You look lost. Need some company?"
The golden-haired girl didn't even look at him. "Leave."
"Come on, don't be like that." He reached out to touch her arm.
She slapped his hand away. Hard. "I said leave."
The guy's grin turned ugly. "Oh, you're one of those bitches, huh? Playing hard to get?"
I walked over.
"Hey," I said flatly. "What's going on here?"
The three guys turned to me. The leader looked me up and down.
"None of your business, kid. Get lost."
He shoved me.
I didn't move.
"Try that again," I said softly, "and I'll break your face."
"Who the hell do you think you are—"
I grabbed his shirt, pulled him forward, and slammed my forehead into his nose.
CRACK
He dropped, blood pouring down his face. The other two stared at me. I turned to them.
The first one swung. I ducked, drove my fist into his stomach. He crumpled. The third ran.
I let out a breath and turned to the golden-haired girl.
"You okay?"
She stared at me with sharp red eyes, studying my face. Her gaze was intense—like she was trying to place where she'd seen me before.
Then she stepped closer. Close enough that I could see the gold flecks in her irises. Close enough to smell something floral and expensive.
I blinked. I hadn't noticed her moving.
Her face was barely inches from mine. Her golden hair brushed against my arm. Her red eyes bore into my own, searching.
The angle of her jaw. The curve of her lips. The arrogant way she held herself, like she was doing me a favor by standing there.
I couldn't help but think...
This... Isn't some kind of female Gilgamesh?
Right?
The girl sighed, breaking the silence.
"What to do..." she said, her voice carrying a hint of annoyance. "That guy stole my purse."
I blinked. "What?"
She pointed down the street. I followed her gaze and saw the lead guy I'd dropped—now stumbling away, clutching his bloody nose, a small bag clutched in his other hand.
I was already hussing him down like I was in huss valley.
I sprinted after him, closing the distance in seconds. He heard me coming and tried to run, but I was faster. I leaped, twisting in the air, and drove both feet into his back.
"RIDER KICK!"
WHAM
He slammed face-first into the pavement, skidding a few feet before stopping. I landed on my feet and rolled my shoulder, a satisfied smirk on my face.
I grabbed his arm, flipped him over, and searched his pockets.
Nothing.
No purse. No bag. Just a wallet and some loose change.
I frowned, searching again. Still nothing.
I looked back at the girl. She was watching me with an amused expression.
I felt my face heat up. I'd just drop-kicked a guy over nothing.
"...That was a joke," I said weakly, walking back to her. "I thought he had your purse."
She laughed—a short, musical sound. "It was a joke. I just wanted to see if you'd chase him."
I stared at her.
"You made me kick a guy for nothing?"
"You made the choice to kick him." She shrugged, a playful smile on her lips. "I simply... suggested it."
I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "Unbelievable."
"I know." She smiled wider. "I'm Gil."
"Kenji."
She nodded, then tilted her head. "I should thank you properly. Come, I'll buy you a drink."
"I shouldn't. I'm too young."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. A faint pressure settled in the air. Something dangerous flickered in her red gaze.
I didn't change my answer.
"How old are you?" she asked.
"Sixteen."
She blinked. The pressure vanished. "Sixteen? That's an appropriate age to drink here."
I shifted awkwardly. "I've never really been interested in it."
She studied me for a moment. Then a slow, teasing smile spread across her face.
"Never been interested?" She leaned closer. "What a refreshingly pure answer. You're adorable."
"I'm not adorable," I muttered.
She laughed again. Then she reached up, grabbed my face, and raised it slightly. Her red eyes met mine.
"Goodbye, Kenji."
She pressed her lips to mine.
Mwah.
It was quick. Brief. But her tongue darted out, just for a moment, before she pulled away.
She turned and walked off, her golden hair swaying behind her.
I stood there, frozen, watching her disappear into the crowd.
I sat down on a nearby bench.
I clenched my right fist.
I had gotten two kisses with tongue in one day. From two different women. One was a Fairy Knight. One was a golden-haired girl who must be a female Gilgamesh.
I nodded to myself, trying to process that.
Someone sat down beside me.
I turned.
Jeanne smiled at me.
"Master," she said sweetly. "What did you just do?"
My heart stopped.
"J-Jeanne! What are you—how long have you—I mean—" I sputtered, my face burning. "I didn't do anything! It was nothing! She just—she kissed me! I didn't—"
Jeanne's smile didn't waver.
I forced myself to stop. Take a breath. Calm down.
"...What are you doing here?" I asked carefully. "Did you follow me?"
"I was concerned," she said simply. "You left without telling anyone where you were going. I decided to ensure your safety."
"I told Arthur I was shopping."
"And yet here you are, sitting on a bench, being kissed by strange women."
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"...It was nothing," I finally said.
Jeanne tilted her head, her pale eyes studying me. "Nothing."
"Yes. Nothing. Completely nothing."
She was silent for a moment. Then she stood up and extended her hand.
"Come, Master."
I took her hand, and she pulled me to my feet. I finally noticed the streets around us—people walking, cars passing, the city continuing its busy rhythm.
"Jeanne, really, I'm fine. You didn't have to—"
She grabbed my wrist and started walking.
"Jeanne—"
She didn't respond.
"Jeanne, where are we going?"
Silence.
I tried to pull my wrist free. Her grip was iron.
"Jeanne, seriously, I can walk on my own—"
She ignored me, dragging me through the streets. Past shops, past restaurants, past crowds of people. Her pace was determined, her expression unreadable.
I kept trying to talk. She kept ignoring me.
And then she stopped.
I looked up.
The building in front of us was... distinct. Bright neon signs. Tinted windows. A discreet entrance that somehow screamed everything about what happened inside.
I read the sign.
My brain short-circuited.
'She dragged me to... A love motel?!'
——
[Arthur Pendragon POV]
I leaned back in my chair, a contented sigh escaping my lips.
Morgan sat across from me, her fingers steepled, her cold blue eyes studying the doorway where Jeanne had disappeared after Kenji.
"I gave Jeanne some money," Morgan said casually. "For Kenji."
I blinked. "You did?"
"She's following him, is she not? What if he runs out of funds for his shopping? A proper brother ensures his sibling is never without means."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest. "That was very considerate of you, Morgan."
She waved a dismissive hand. "Our little brother should not be forced to go without."
"Our little brother," I repeated, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Yes. Our little brother."
Baobhan Sith made a gagging sound from her corner. "You two are insufferable."
I turned to her with a bright smile. "And you, my dear niece, are absolutely wonderful! I cannot wait to spoil you tomorrow!"
Baobhan Sith's eye twitched. "I don't need—"
"Nonsense! Every niece deserves to be spoiled by her uncle!"
Before she could protest further, movement caught my eye. Barghest emerged from the hallway, still looking slightly dazed. Her hair was slightly mussed, her armor slightly askew.
"Ah, Barghest!" I greeted warmly. "How was your talk with—"
Morgan was already on her feet.
"Barghest," she said sharply. "With me. Now."
Barghest blinked. "My Queen?"
"Alone. Now."
Barghest nodded quickly and followed Morgan down the hall without another word.
I watched them go, a puzzled frown on my face.
That was... sudden.
I turned back to Baobhan Sith and Melusine, who were watching the exchange with varying degrees of amusement.
"Was it something I said?" I asked.
Baobhan Sith snorted. "You're hopeless."
I sighed, settling back into my chair. My mind drifted to Kenji. He had been gone for a while now. Jeanne had gone after him.
I wondered what they were doing.
Probably just shopping.
Yes. Shopping.
I nodded to myself, satisfied with that conclusion.
——
([Author: Hmmm... Do i lowkey gatekeep the 18+ chapter of my wife? Idk this is a tough situation)]