Ah…
Finally… finally…
I, a woman steeped in sin, have finally made my move on Shirou!!!
Having downed what could only be called a lethal dose, a full half-bottle of red wine laced with a special aphrodisiac, the silver-haired noblewoman Irisviel felt her consciousness gradually blur as she pondered.
Born into this world as a "Lesser Grail," she had met Shirou in the Far East, and from that moment, her life veered in a direction she had never imagined.
As a human, as a woman, as a mother…
Irisviel had lived far longer than her peers, and she had been profoundly satisfied and happy.
Yet, at the very end of her life, he had said, "I can't accept this! I want you, Iri, to live a hundred years!"
Hearing those words, how could she not be moved?
I want so badly to keep living with you! Really!!
Shirou, it's you who turned me into a creature (a human) that clings to life and fears death.
If you're a real man, then take responsibility.
After overhearing Lady Avalon and Shirou's late-night conversation, Irisviel had initially rushed in, confused and unsettled, but after much deliberation, she made her decision.
She couldn't imagine being held by a man she didn't know…
If surviving required a sacrifice, if she had to bond with some man, then that man…
Irisviel wanted it to be Shirou.
The man who had saved her life countless times. The man who had given her shelter when she was homeless. The man who had made her dream of becoming a mother come true. The man she loved most.
And if it was Shirou, he would surely treat me gently…♡
Once she made up her mind, she began preparations. It didn't matter if they could never go back to the way things were. Irisviel knew Shirou's personality and values. He would never allow such an absurd situation.
Then, I'll be the bad one.
After all, I'm just a headstrong woman.
And so, Irisviel slipped the aphrodisiac into the red wine she shared with Shirou and drank it as if nothing had happened.
…A scorching heat she had never felt surged through her body.
At first, it was just a tingling numbness, but it quickly spread into a full-body itch that consumed her, making her feel both fiery and restless, unbearably close to madness.
Whatever happens next… it doesn't matter…
At least in this moment, I'll surrender everything to my instincts♡
With that thought, Irisviel instinctively clutched Shirou close.
"Wait, Iri!"
Shirou struggled.
Even though he had taken the aphrodisiac himself, how could he still retain his reason at a moment like this?
Irisviel was startled, yet a wave of affection welled up in her chest. To Shirou, she must be irreplaceable, someone precious. That was why he didn't want to hurt her, didn't want to ruin their bond, but…
That kind of restraint wasn't needed right now!
Irisviel skillfully wrapped her long legs around the boy's body, pulling his face into her bosom.
"It must feel unbearable, Shirou… You don't have to hold back anymore…"
The silver-haired noblewoman murmured into his ear, "Come on, give me everything you have♡"
Though she said it aloud, in her heart she thought: I want to give myself to this boy, let him do whatever he wants with me…
She preferred to be the one taken, not the one taking.
So… come on, take me down, Shirou♡
"No… I… can't…"
Shirou spoke with difficulty.
Irisviel furrowed her delicate brows, thinking: Really, why are you so stubborn?
Since you insist on being difficult, don't blame me for being forceful.
Irisviel cupped Shirou's face, closed her eyes, and pressed her lips to his.
"Waaah!?"
Shirou trembled but did not resist.
Whether it was because he didn't want to hurt Irisviel, or because the drug's effect was too strong… either way, this was her chance.
Irisviel pressed on, deepening the kiss into something more "adult."
"Shirou… I love you the most♡"
She had never felt so happy in her life.
"Ah… mm…"
Suddenly, Irisviel's legs gave out. Her whole body went limp, and she lost consciousness.
"......"
Shirou reached out, catching her around the waist as she collapsed.
He lifted the unconscious Irisviel, laid her on the bed, and checked her condition…
Her temperature was slightly high, but her breathing and pulse were normal. It seemed the Magecraft he had hastily cast to counter the poison had worked.
"Thank goodness the antidote Magecraft works on aphrodisiacs too. Seriously… that was way too reckless."
Shirou sighed helplessly. "Irisviel's situation is taken care of, but the problem is…" His own poison hadn't been neutralized yet.
If he left like this, he might accidentally attack innocent Homunculi in the hallway.
Shirou cast the antidote magecraft on himself once more. Only after confirming that all the "toxins" had been cleared from both his and Irisviel's bodies did he leave the room.
… …
"Ugh… ugh… what's happening to me…"
When Irisviel opened her eyes, she found herself lying in bed. She pressed a hand to her throbbing head and looked around in confusion. Sella and Leysritt were standing at the bedside.
"Where's Shirou-san?"
"Shirou-san has already returned to his room."
"I see…"
Irisviel nodded thoughtfully. Was it because it felt so good? She didn't have a single memory of being with Shirou… only the sensation of kissing him lingered. But since Shirou had already left, that meant he must have been satisfied.
"Really, couldn't he have stayed to keep me company?"
Irisviel felt an inexplicable emptiness. "Focusing only on his own satisfaction and completely ignoring a lady's feelings—Shirou has turned into a bad boy, hasn't he?"
As she spoke, Irisviel slipped a hand beneath her gown.
"Huh… how come…?"
The slightly risqué lace panties she'd chosen for tonight were still perfectly in place. Not only that, but her clothes were neatly arranged, as if she'd never taken them off at all.
Irisviel blinked and looked at Sella.
"My lady, Shirou didn't do anything. He used a detoxification magecraft on you to remove the aphrodisiac from your body."
"........."
Irisviel froze for a moment, then punched the pillow.
"That idiot Shirou!"
Her face flushed crimson. This time it wasn't embarrassment, but a mix of frustration and humiliation. I'd already gone this far. All you had to do was just go along with me, then shift all the blame onto me afterward… Why are you really that unwilling to engage in a Binding with me?!
If you're going to reject me, then I'll just have to see this through to the end!
Irisviel wasn't the type to give up easily. Until tonight, she had still harbored a sliver of hesitation. But Shirou's actions had completely erased her last remaining doubts.
Irisviel thought defiantly: This is war. A war between the men and women of the Amamiya household, a war between Shirou and Irisviel! I will absolutely make Shirou make a move on me!
From the very next day, Irisviel launched an even more aggressive offensive.
Outside Shirou's room.
"Shirou, would you like to come to my room for afternoon tea? It's this year's latest spring harvest tea, air-freighted all the way from China. You should try some."
"No, sorry… Iri, I've got things to do right now. Maybe another time."
The moment she extended the invitation, Shirou panicked and fled.
Einzbern Bathhouse.
"Iri? How did you get in here!"
"Oh my, Shirou, running into you here of all places? This is the women's bathhouse, you know? You're a boy, yet you've come into a place like this—you're such a pervert, but I'll forgive you…"
"That's not it! I clearly had an 'In Use' sign posted at the door!"
"Don't sweat the details. Let's soak together~"
"No thanks, I'm done."
Irisviel watched the boy's retreating figure and bit her lip in a pout.
Einzbern Library.
"Good afternoon, Shirou… So you were here. The snow has finally stopped outside, would you like to go for a walk in the forest?"
"Reading a book?"
"The Growth and Death of Homunculi… Sigh, even reading a book like that won't teach you anything useful."
"You know perfectly well what really works… Ugh, are you mad? Wait, don't go."
Einzbern Garden.
"Shirou, what are you doing?"
"Oh, weeding? You could leave that to the maids next time, there's really no need for you to do it yourself."
"Shouldn't your precious energy be spent on something more meaningful?"
"Like, say, the Einzbern family's ♡lineage♡… Shirou! Let me finish!"
No matter how close Irisviel got to Shirou, he would quickly move away as if avoiding her.
Really… isn't this too obvious? If this keeps up, rumors will spread that we're not getting along.
Irisviel thought with discontent: We're so close, we care for each other more than anyone else… It seems my approach has been too gentle. This way, we'll never get anywhere.
Irisviel clenched her fists: Looks like I'll have to use "that move."
… …
"Haa…"
Shirou walked back to his room, letting out a long sigh. What a long day… Is a day really this long?
Dealing with Irisviel, who kept appearing everywhere all day, had left him physically and mentally exhausted. His nerves had been on edge the entire time, and he was near his limit.
All he wanted now was to get back to his room to catch his breath, then stay up all night searching for a way to extend Irisviel's life.
Shirou pushed open the door to his room, holding the book he'd borrowed from the library.
Just then—
"!"
Shirou sensed a presence behind him. If he hadn't been so sleep-deprived recently, if dealing with Irisviel during the day hadn't drained him so much, he would have noticed the moment he opened the door.
After all, this Einzbern Castle was practically his safe zone. It was natural for him to let his guard down.
Shirou failed to sense the approaching danger in time.
"————"
Everything went pitch black before his eyes.
"Ugh."
When he opened them again, Shirou found himself tied to a chair. He was bound by silver threads imbued with Mana, and they looked all too familiar…
Just as Shirou was about to protest, the attacker revealed herself.
"Stop messing around, Iri… uh, what on earth are you wearing!?!?"
Shirou shouted, frantically closing his eyes.
The silver-haired Homunculus before him wore only a silk nightgown far more revealing than last night's. The fabric was so sheer he could make out the contours of her body through it.
With his eyes closed, he heard Irisviel's plaintive voice.
"Shirou… Since you've been avoiding me all day, I had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure. I hope you can understand."
"I get it, I get it! I'll listen—but first, find something to cover yourself!"
Of course, Irisviel had no intention of doing so. This scandalous, whore-like outfit was her symbol of resolve at this moment.
"Shirou, in your eyes, I must seem like a terribly selfish woman. I've never considered your feelings. Ever since I met you, I've been imposing my own will on you. Even I find myself shameful."
"I've never thought that."
Shirou opened his eyes to protest, but seeing her outfit fully, he quickly closed them again, the sight was overwhelming.
By now, Shirou could no longer deceive himself. No matter how much he tried to convince himself that "Irisviel is family," deep down, he had long since seen her as a woman. And that was precisely why his reaction was so intense.
"Shirou, this is my request… Please, just agree this once."
Irisviel's voice reached him.
Shirou gritted his teeth. "I can't do it…"
Rejected again, Irisviel said nothing. The room fell silent, and the two remained locked in a standoff, neither willing to back down.
"…Hm?"
Amid the long wait, Shirou suddenly sensed something was off. He opened his eyes and beheld an unbelievable sight.
Irisviel was kneeling on the carpet at Shirou's feet. Her knees pressed together, body leaning forward, three fingers of each hand neatly pressed together, resting flat in front of her head, the so-called "dogeza."
The beautiful silver-haired woman kept her forehead pressed to the floor and murmured,
"Please, Shirou… let me conceive your child♡"