Chapter 26: Rain and Recovery (Patreon)

The sky grew dark. Just as Shinji, having finished feeding her, was about to speak, Bazett spoke first.

"My bodily functions have recovered a bit, but I lost too much blood. It will take some time to fully recover."

"I see." Shinji responded softly. "Then there's no helping it. Since I have no magic, I can't help you with this."

"It's fine." Bazett's attitude seemed to have returned to being aloof.

"More?" Shinji pointed to the rice cooker nearby.

"Mhm..."

Bazett's face flushed slightly again. Being gently fed by a handsome youth was, after all, somewhat embarrassing for a woman, even for someone like Bazett-nee.

...

The first time is unfamiliar, the second time is familiar. By the second time Shinji applied medicine and wrapped bandages for Bazett, his technique had become much more skilled. At the very least, he didn't accidentally touch various... somewhat dangerous places again.

It was definitely because of increased skill, absolutely not because Bazett was conscious this time.

Even so, after finishing the medicine and putting her clothes back on, Bazett's face was still completely flushed.

Even though there wasn't a trace of lust in Shinji's face or eyes, Bazett still found it somewhat difficult to look him directly in the eye for the time being.

Pitter-patter...

Hearing the sound of rain outside the window, Shinji suddenly thought of something.

Could it be that today is...

"Bazett-nee, I'm going out for a bit."

"It's dangerous outside," Bazett, her face still slightly flushed, instinctively tried to stop him. "Even though the Holy Grail War hasn't officially started, for an ordinary person to be outside on a night like this..."

"It's fine. I'm just going to the convenience store. And didn't I say? Although I'm not a magus, I do have a tiny bit of skill."

"Then... be careful."

In the end, Bazett said these words, not even sure why she said them.

"Mhm, see you in a bit, Bazett-nee."

...

In a forest outside Ryūdō Temple, Shinji, his form concealed, looked at the faint bloodstains on the ground, almost washed away by the rain, without much thought.

From the bloodstains on the ground, it was clear that Caster, Medea, had already been rescued by Sōichirō Kuzuki.

For Shinji, who failed to intercept her, he only felt a slight regret.

To be honest, Shinji didn't really need Caster. Leaving other reasons aside, just considering their personalities, getting along would definitely not be easy.

Cold, cruel, ruthless, and adept at all kinds of treacherous schemes—a makoto no aku-jin (true villain). Shinji didn't need that. When it came to strategy, he was sufficient on his own.

He had merely fleetingly thought that having one more... no, two more Servants might make things easier... that was all.

Of course, Shinji wasn't so jiman (arrogant) as to believe he could definitely subdue Medea. If he had truly intercepted Kuzuki's opportunity, given Medea's nature, it might have caused a lot of trouble, which wouldn't align with his original intention of acting secretly and covertly during the Holy Grail War...

Shinji tried to convince himself inwardly like this.

'Screw you! Kuzuki!'

After cursing inwardly, Shinji looked up at the insect perched on the trunk of a certain tree.

Because he was concealing his presence, Shinji wasn't worried about being discovered by the insect.

From this insect, one could see just how much of an "omniscient perspective" the "Worm Grandpa" truly had.

That's why Shinji always acted carefully, hiding himself as much as possible, afraid that a single misstep would expose him and ruin all his previous efforts.

Time to go back, Shinji thought with a sigh, clicking his tongue.

After all, there was nothing else he could do by staying.

What, stick around and eavesdrop at Ryūdō Temple?

Thinking this, Shinji suddenly hesitated.

It didn't seem like a bad choice for a gentleman...

...

Late at night, as Shinji returned to the Twin Mansions, before he could even go upstairs, he saw Bazett leaning against the second-floor stairwell, a coat draped over her shoulders, her expression aloof.

Bazett-nee... could she be worried about me?

This thought suddenly crossed Shinji's mind.

Walking slowly up the stairs, Shinji asked, "Bazett-nee, what's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing. I just heard some noise and came out to check."

As she spoke, Bazett, supporting herself with her right hand against the wall, turned around awkwardly. But she had barely taken a step when her weak legs almost gave way, fortunately, Shinji was quick to steady her.

"Be careful."

"Mhm... mhm."

...

January 26th.

After three days of Shinji's care and her own recovery, Bazett was now capable of some simple movements. At the very least, she could manage things like going to the bathroom on her own.

In the morning, watching Bazett, who was sitting right at the dining table and eating breakfast at a not-very-fast pace, Shinji smiled and said, "It looks like you're starting to understand the deliciousness of food a little, Bazett-nee."

"You... will you come again today?"

"Ah, I'll come if I have nothing else to do."

Bazett fell silent, perhaps not knowing how to respond.

"What's wrong?" Shinji pressed.

"No, it's nothing."

Bazett shook her head, but a strange feeling stirred in her heart.

After just a few days of interaction, this seemingly ordinary yet exceptionally reliable, handsome young man seemed to have touched a part of her heart that belonged to a blind spot in her knowledge...

"By the way, even though you can move around a bit now, it's still best not to go outside. Staying here is safest."

"I... I understand."

"As for lunch, I've left it in the refrigerator. Just heat it up simply when you want to eat."

"Mhm."

After breakfast, Shinji said goodbye to Bazett, who stood in the yard with a subtly complex expression, trying her best not to look at him.

"H-have... have a safe trip."

Perhaps because it was the first time she'd said such a thing, Bazett was clearly unaccustomed to it, her voice pitifully small.

"Ah, I'm off."

Shinji, who had been about to pull open the yard gate, stopped and turned back, answering with a smile.

Seeing Shinji's smiling face, Bazett once again silently averted her face, which for some reason felt slightly warm.

For the next two days, aside from delivering food, medicine, and disinfectants during unmanned moments, Shinji rarely visited Bazett.

Time was pressing, and Shinji needed to make some preparations in advance. Because of this, he didn't notice the subtle change in Bazett's attitude.

...

January 28th.

Morning, Homurahara Academy Gate.

Sakura, whom he hadn't seen much recently because he'd rarely been home, stopped Shinji at the school gate with a weak, barely audible call as he tried to ignore her and enter the school.

"Nii-san, Grandfather said you need to come back today."

"Mhm, got it." After giving a casual response, Shinji passed by Sakura and stepped into the school grounds without looking back, his attitude so indifferent it was as if he hadn't even noticed her.

It wasn't until Shinji was far away that Sakura turned to look at his tall back, a complex emotion she couldn't quite define flickering in her eyes.

Especially when Shinji smiled and greeted his familiar classmates with easy familiarity, the dimness in Sakura's eyes deepened a few shades.

How does he do it?

Even though darkness has always existed in his heart, he can still stand within a light I can never truly touch...