Does a Doll Deserve to Live a Happy Life? (Patreon)

Chapter 37: A Promise Fulfilled

Following Day

Waking up to a brand-new day, I decided to remain in bed for once instead of getting up immediately, letting my thoughts drift back to everything that had happened the day before.

After leaving the battlefield, we’d gone straight to an amusement park, just like I’d promised Eri. We rode countless attractions, laughing and having fun the entire time and eating whatever pleased us.

As promised, I bought her candy apples before we finally headed home for the evening. Watching her happily devour the treat with a huge smile made my heart feel lighter just by looking at her.

That, however, hadn’t been the end of the day.

After tucking Eri into bed and making sure she was fast asleep, Scáthach, Tamamo, and I headed back out into the city.

Since we were leaving this world soon anyway, I figured we might as well do the Heroes a final favor and remove the true source of the chaos once and for all.

With that thought in mind, we made our way to Tartarus, the prison built to house the most dangerous villains, and the place where the mastermind behind everything that had happened was being held.

All For One.

Fortunately, with him already bound in restraints, there was no real fight. The only difficulty was breaking into the prison itself and reaching the section where he was contained.

Something that proved… surprisingly easy with our combined abilities.

I didn’t even give the deformed man a chance to speak before stamping him. We retreated just as quickly, slipping past the responding guards amid the chaos we’d caused.

‘It really looks like there’s nothing left to do in this world,’ I thought quietly. A small smile followed. ‘I wonder how Sakura, Rin, Illya, Irisviel, and Aoi are doing after all this time.’

Becoming more aware of my surroundings, I noticed the familiar warmth on my left, Tamamo sleeping peacefully with her head on my shoulder, arms wrapped around mine and pressed snugly between her breasts.

But then I noticed something else.

Blinking, I slowly turned my head to the right, and found myself looking down at long strands of familiar purple hair.

Scáthach?

I paused, taking a moment to really look at her as she slept beside me. She was wearing a transparent nightgown that left little to the imagination, her curvy form pressed gently against my side.

Strangely enough, what caught my attention wasn’t her state of dress, I was already well accustomed to how little her usual attire left hidden, but her expression.

Her cheek rested against my upper arm, her breathing slow and even. Gone was the usual aloofness or teasing confidence. Instead, she wore a soft, peaceful expression I had only seen once before.

The night she swore an oath to stand by my side forever, sealed with a kiss.

“…Even though I don’t think it’s that interesting, this face… you like it, don’t you?”

Scáthach’s quiet mutter made me blush slightly as I realized she was awake and had caught me staring.

“…What’s not to like?” I replied after a moment, choosing honesty even as my ears warmed. “Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I thought you were as beautiful as the night sky. Your face included, of course.”

She stayed silent, eyes still closed, before slowly opening them and fixing me with an intense crimson gaze.

“…There you go again,” she murmured softly. “Letting your mouth get ahead of your brain.”

Despite the mild reprimand, she didn’t look angry, if anything, the corners of her lips twitched upward into a small smile, her eyes softening.

Before I could respond, Scáthach leaned closer. Without thinking, I met her halfway, and our lips touched.

The kiss deepened naturally, instinct guiding me as I rested a hand at her waist. Her soft moan sent heat rushing through me, and for a moment the world narrowed to nothing but her taste and warmth. It was addicting and I couldn’t get enough of her.

Before our kiss could get too heated though, movement stirred on the other side of the bed.

Reluctantly, we pulled apart, a thin strand of saliva stretching between us before breaking. I watched her as she caught her breath, slowly licking her lips clean, our gazes locked, her eyes reflecting the same desire I felt.

I forced myself to calm down, though not before giving her waist a final squeeze and stealing one last kiss, which she returned with an amused look that made my heart soar.

“I’ll see you at breakfast, Sieg,” Scáthach said quietly, letting my name come out of her lips in a soft purr that sent a pleasant thrill through me. She slipped from my embrace and stood to her full height.

I watched, utterly helpless, as she rose to her full height, my gaze betraying me as her nightgown settled over her chest and legs. Her toned thighs especially catching my attention with how thick they were. Fully aware of my attention, she smirked and turned, hips swaying just a little more than necessary as she walked toward the door.

She paused there, glancing back to give me one final smirk before disappearing from the room.

‘That woman is something else,’ I thought dazedly.

A small hand slid up my chest and gently turned my face to the side.

I was met with Tamamo’s unimpressed pout, her fingers tugging lightly at my cheek.

“Mouu~ Don’t you know you’re supposed to save your first morning kiss for your lovely girlfriend?” she whined softly before releasing my cheek and glaring toward the door.

“That woman is corrupting you. I’ll have to keep a better eye on her. And to think I first thought she wouldn’t be much of a competition,” she muttered, then shook her head and leaned in to give me a gentle kiss.

“Anyway, forget about her. Good morning, Sieg-kun~” she chirped, her expression flipping instantly back to cheerful affection.

Smiling a little sheepishly, I leaned down and returned the kiss. “Good morning, Tamamo.”

“Hihihi, it certainly is now~” she giggled, snuggling closer. “So what’s on the agenda today? We’re still leaving this world, right?”

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and leaned back against the headboard, pulling her closer as her tails curled happily around my leg.

“Yeah,” I said quietly. “We’re leaving today. There’s nothing left for us here.”

“Sounds good to me~” she nodded, then hesitated slightly. “Though I’m not sure how I feel about seeing those brats again, now that they’re all grown up.”

I chose silence, wisely. Though, I knew that she was mostly referring to Sakura since they had come to verbal blows more than once in the past.

“How about we start on breakfast?” I suggested instead, smiling.

“Perfect~” Tamamo beamed. “Nothing’s better in the morning than cooking with my beloved.”

=====

Later the Same Day

After a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice, we moved outside to the patio and made ourselves comfortable, with Eri eventually settling into my lap.

“Alright, everyone,” I began, looking around the group. “Like I said yesterday, we’ll be leaving this world soon, as soon as we finish this conversation, actually. So I just wanted to check if anyone had something they wanted to buy or do here before we go.”

I was met with a round of head shakes.

As I turned my attention back down, I felt Eri squirm nervously in my lap.

“What is it, Eri?” I asked gently, turning her so she was facing me. “Did you run out of coloring books or crayons? Or is there something you want me to get for you?”

She shook her head quickly. “N-No, it’s okay, Sieg-san. I don’t need anything. Really,” she said in a rush, before resuming her fidgeting.

I shared a look with Kiara and Tamamo sitting beside me, then decided to gently press the issue.

“Okay… if you don’t need anything, is there a reason you’re feeling so nervous?” I asked softly, resting my hand on her head and gently patting it, something I knew always helped her relax.

It worked almost instantly. Eri slumped slightly against me, eyes closing as her breathing evened out. We stayed quiet, giving her all the time she needed.

After a few minutes, she opened her eyes and looked up at me, fingers unconsciously clutching my shirt seeking comfort.

“I-I’m just… nervous that your other friends won’t like me,” she admitted in a small voice.

Understanding dawned, and a warm smile spread across my face. I pulled her into a proper hug, which she returned eagerly, and gently ran my hand through her hair.

“I see. So that’s what you were worried about,” I murmured into her hair. “But if that’s the case, you really don’t have anything to worry about, Eri.”

She pulled back just enough to look at me, tilting her head cutely. “I don’t?”

Chuckling softly, I shook my head. “Of course not. They’re really nice people, and they’ll fall for your cuteness just like we all did.”

I poked her nose playfully.

Blinking, she held her nose and pouted for a moment before a small smile appeared. “Y-You really think they’ll like me, Sieg-san?”

“Of course I do,” I answered immediately, nodding.

“You truly have nothing to worry about, Eri-chan,” Kiara added warmly from my right. “You’re far too adorable for anyone to think otherwise. One look at you and it’ll be game over~”

Seeing Eri’s confused expression, Artoria stepped in. “What Kiara-san means is that everyone is kind and will immediately take a liking to you Eri.”

“Yep~ Unicorns are a girl’s weakness, after all~” Tamamo giggled, reaching over to pat Eri’s head carefully near her horn, the reason she got her nickname along with her white hair and innocent nature.

I brought Eri’s attention back to me. “And if you’re still nervous, I’ll be right there to hold your hand.”

Her smile widened, tears of happiness welling up as she quickly wiped her eyes. She nodded, her expression turning adorably determined.

“Okay~ I promise I’ll do my best to become friends with all of them, Sieg-san… everyone.”

“That’s the spirit.”

With everything settled, we headed back inside the Mansion and made our way to the portal room, our attention drawn to the only remaining door there, the one that had gone unused until now.

With Eri safely perched on my shoulders, I turned to look at everyone who would be coming with us. With the exception of Lancelot, who would be staying behind, that meant everyone.

“Everyone ready to see the girls again?” I asked with a smile.

“It will be nice to see Irisviel again,” Artoria said from my side, nodding with a small, genuine smile. Over time, she’d learned to relax more, shedding some of her old detachment in favor of something warmer. That along with her growth spurt almost made her look like a different person than the girl I first met in the war.

“I wonder how much Sakura-chan, Rin-chan, and Illya-chan have grown while we were away,” Kiara mused softly, smiling to herself.

“While it was only a few months for us, it’s been ten years for them,” I replied. “So… probably a lot.”

I couldn’t help but wonder myself, and hoped Illya no longer gave me the cold shoulder like she used to.

“Tsk. I, for one, am not especially thrilled about meeting that brat again,” Tamamo huffed, crossing her arms at my other side. “But my Sieg-kun did give his word and promise to come back for them so I won’t oppose this.”

“Hmhmhm~ So worried about a child?” Scáthach teased lightly, earning herself a sharp glare from the fox.

“Alright,” I said, stepping forward as Eri tightened her grip on my hair. “If everyone’s ready, let’s do this. I’m hoping to surprise them by coming back a few weeks earlier than I said I would.”

“Fufufu~ I’m sure at least Sakura-chan will be beyond pleased,” Kiara teased.

Before I could hear any other responses, I crossed the threshold, and in the next instant, the familiar sensation and atmosphere of the Nasuverse washed over us once more.

=====

Middle of the Day — Sakura’s POV

Walking home from school with a blank expression after only attending half the day, Sakura couldn’t help but glance down at her phone once more, her eyes fixating on the date.

‘Just a few more weeks,’ she thought, the terrible longing in her heart threatening to drag her into another bout of depression. Just like before, she forced it back with iron will.

The last thing Sakura wanted was for her beloved Sieg to return and find her depressed or broken. She would rather endure a thousand hells than risk Sieg thinking poorly of her. Just the thought alone—her savior, her hero, the love of her life, her Senpai—viewing her negatively was unbearable.

The past ten years had been a trial in themselves. Time crawled by agonizingly slowly as she counted every passing day, sometimes wishing she possessed the Fifth Magic just to make time move faster.

Alas, that wish would never come true, and Sakura had no choice but to endure, contenting herself with the knowledge that in just a few more weeks, Sieg would finally return and take her with him, just as he had promised.

“Thinking about him again?” a voice asked beside her, pulling Sakura back to the present.

Turning her head, Sakura saw her sister Rin walking beside her, wearing her usual aloof expression and casting her a sideways glance.

Sakura looked forward again, her expression unchanged, responding only with a small nod.

Rin sighed. “Honestly, I wish that idiot would hurry up and come back too. At least then you might start speaking normally again instead of saying, like, five words a day, and that’s being generous.”

At that, Sakura sent her a sharp glare from the corner of her eye.

“Careful there, gorilla,” a teasing voice chimed in from Sakura’s other side.

Turning slightly, Sakura saw Illyasviel walking alongside them, technically their senpai at school, being a year ahead. A title Sakura would never use. There was only one person deserving of that honor.

“If you keep insulting that stupid dragon,” Illya continued with a smirk, “you’re gonna end up with another black eye.”

Rin’s eyebrow twitched, her fists clenching immediately. “Shut it, shorty! Like I need advice from you! Or have you forgotten what happened the last time you took your teasing too far!?”

She was, of course, referring to the incident where Illya had insulted Sieg far too harshly in front of Sakura, earning herself a punch to the face and a missing tooth.

Since that day, Illya had been very careful not to cross that particular line again.

Sakura couldn’t understand why Rin and Illya insisted on mocking Sieg when they knew full well that he was the reason they were all living peaceful lives now. If not for him, Illya wouldn’t have even had the chance to grow up at all. She would have been stuck ion the form of a child before eventually dying a pitiful death due to being a homunculus.

They owed everything to him.

And Sakura would never allow him to be insulted in her presence.

Ignoring the bickering behind her, Sakura turned onto the final street leading home. All she wanted now was a bath and sleep.

Then she froze.

Her eyes widened, her body locking in place so suddenly that Rin and Illya crashed into her back seconds later.

“Hey! What’s the big idea, Sakura? Why’d you stop!?”

“Oww, my poor nose!”

Sakura didn’t hear either of them.

Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as she stared ahead, causing immediate concern behind her.

Standing in front of their home was a figure she could never forget. One engraved into her heart and soul, someone she saw every night in her dreams.

“S-Sieg-san…?” she whispered, barely able to force the words out, praying with everything she had that this wasn’t another cruel illusion.

“Hello, Sakura. Rin. Illya,” he said gently. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”