Day 3
Rin tried to maintain her composure as she stood up alongside Kaede and made her way to Lily with their school supplies in tow. As she got closer, the air grew thicker, and the idea of speaking to the girl tongue-tied Rin in the worst way possible. Not only that, but she couldn't say anything she wanted to with so many people around. She would have to act like a stranger while trying to validate that this new student was, indeed, Arturia Pendragon. The evidence was clear enough, but Rin wouldn't let her hopes be dashed. It would be just too much.
'Howdy, Lily-san.' Kaede was on point, shuffling through some of her classmates in order to fulfill the duty she was given.
'Good morning, Makidera-san.' Lily nodded, still putting her things away a little awkwardly. Rin could tell she wasn't used to acting like a student, and it was endearing, as all of Saber's awkward quirks had been.
'Oh. No need to be formal. You can call me Kaede.'
'…Very well, Kaede-san.'
Rin found herself staring, her eyes being lulled into complacency. This had to be Saber. Those green eyes. That blonde hair. Her small face but somewhat stern features. The manner of speech.
'Uh…Rin?'
Rin snapped herself out of the trance, shaking her head slightly and immediately reviewing what had just been said.
'Yes. I'm Rin Tohsaka. A pleasure.' Rin offered her hand for a shake. However, as she did so, Lily took it and turned the extension of greeting, lightly kissing the top of Rin's hand with such delicate yet intimate intention.
'The pleasure is mine, Rin Tohsaka.' Lily hummed, her gaze piercing into Rin's heart and seizing it further.
Rin sighed instinctively, but then retreated her limb, holding it close to her chest and making a noise of shock as the whole class burst into a frenzy.
'Did you see that?'
'Lily-san kissed Tohsaka-san's hand!'
'Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh!'
'Tohsaka-san is amazing!'
'Is it a tradition in Britain or something?'
'I don't think so…'
'Real live yuri! That's incredible!'
'You can't be serious.'
'I heard kisses are as common as handshakes in the west…'
'Tohsaka's appeal transcends the gender border!'
'Be quiet, idiot!'
'Whoa. What was that about, Lily-san? I know she's hot, but there's a time and place.' Kaede half-laughed as she talked, scratching the back of her head.
'I-it's fine.' Rin tried.
'I apologize. I was just so taken aback by Tohsaka-san's beauty that I could not restrain myself successfully. It is a frequent greeting used when addressing one of such presence from where I hail.' Lily shrugged, sounding convincing enough, but Rin knew she wasn't the least bit apologetic. With that in mind, Rin still waited to wake up. This was too good to be true. Her body was aflame, and she couldn't think straight. She was melting. That wasn't a "traditional" greeting, was it? Why couldn't Rin accept the truth before her now?
Because she feared how she would react if her hopes were shattered.
Yukari deemed the situation under control, likely close to interfering, but soon opting to usher her class along instead, giving Rin and Kaede instructions prior to having them on their way and on route to touring the school with Lily. This task itself proved difficult enough, for no matter where the trio ventured, they were subject to constant interference. Lily was such a unique anomaly, and the students of Homurahara Gakuen were overly curious. To Rin's frustration, she could barely have a decent conversation with Lily no matter how badly she needed solid affirmation.
Nonetheless, Rin had to remind herself almost every five minutes that this was all real. Somehow, someway, Saber might be with her again. This wasn't a dream. Rin had the red marks on her arms to prove it. She wouldn't wake up. She could possibly talk to Saber again. She could possibly look at Saber once more. She could possibly feel Saber's warmth in every way.
The school day couldn't be longer. Lily's presence in the educational facility was undeniable, and Rin actually ended up keeping her distance, for the most part, hardly wanting to add to the traffic and stubbornly waiting for the perfect opportunity to lay rest her doubts. She had originally intended on stealing Lily away during lunch, but the new student had meetings with various faculty members during that time frame; likely ironing out last-minute details regarding her stay in Japan. Lily, otherwise, humoured everyone that came her way, greeting and facilitating discussions like a professional politician. She managed inquiries and requests one after another, her patience showing little fatigue. Rin could only watch in a bittersweet fashion from afar. She almost didn't want an answer to her scepticism. An answer meant finality, and what if it wasn't the reality she lost her breath over?
Unfortunately, the day ended, and Rin sluggishly changed into her outdoor shoes, not wanting to interact with anyone else but Lily. She exited her school, but moved off to the side, taking up one of the benches near the perimeter of the building lined with trees in an attempt to catch Lily on her way out. It was a little absurd for Rin, really. She didn't wait for anybody. She didn't vie for anyone's attention. She was the idol. She was the one everyone wanted some form of connection with.
Rin could suddenly sympathize with her admirers. This must've been how they felt waiting for her response to their little letters and texts. Her hands were hot. She couldn't focus on a single thing. She wondered if she'd be able to speak properly. Would Lily even be coming soon?
Rin checked her phone absent-mindedly and managed to steady her resolve enough to remain. How could she even consider leaving? Her heart wouldn't let her. She would pass out halfway. Student after student proceeded out of the school, crossing the field of an entrance and going various ways outside the gate. A few groups of boys, chuckling and saying ridiculous things. Larger collections of girls, hushed words passing between some, and boisterous laughter exploding from others. Unsure and nervous mixtures amongst possible couples that kept a safe enough distance from one another but clearly wanted to close said gap somehow. Rin even saw a couple of her friends, including Shirou and Sakura, leave, club activities possibly cancelled or cut short due to the next day being Saturday. Rin felt bad for actively avoiding the classmates she actually didn't mind being around, but she desired privacy with Lily. It was the only way to get the answers she needed.
To Rin's surprise, nearly an hour had gone by with no sight of Lily. Every time she heard the now familiar creaking of the school's doors distantly swing open, her body tensed in a miniature panic at the thought of confronting Saber possibly after what felt like another lifetime. Eventually, a pair of girls shuffled out. Rin didn't quite recognize them, really, assuming them to be first years she hadn't interacted with in any way yet since they were fairly small in stature. What caught Rin's observing eye, however, was the way the one girl on the left, seemingly somewhat tomboyish with tanned skin and messy, short black hair, reached at her friend's pinky with her own, the hook morphing into holding hands tentatively. The other girl, with long, straight dark hair, glanced about briefly, but then moved in closer, the intimacy between the two young women not lost to Rin. It wasn't uncommon for girls to hook arms or hold hands at all, but Rin could tell immediately that there was something much more affectionate occurring between these two fellow students, and Rin subconsciously supported them in silence, her energy revitalized suddenly.
As if to reward her tenacity, the doors to Homurahara Gakuen squeaked open once again, and Rin perked up, nearly sensing that which she had waited adamantly for. Indeed, Lily was within a crowd of students, a mixture of males and females excitedly keeping her company as she strode forward, her focussed gaze so very reminiscent of Saber. Rin stood up immediately, but her pride held her shoulders down, telling her that she couldn't possibly lower herself to calling out when so other peers were nearby, ready to judge the school's idol at a moment's notice.
Lily and the group continued toward the gate, practically leaving earshot range without excessive force being used verbally to communicate anything. Rin bit at her lower lip angrily, stilled her heart, and lifted her hands to her mouth to project her already powerful voice better.
'Lily-san!'
The group stopped dead in their tracks almost as one solid mass of bodies. Rin's eyes burned in embarrassment, but she couldn't let this chance slip her by no matter how surreal it felt. She was having an out of body experience. She wasn't herself. This wasn't who she was.
Some quiet whispering took place within the crowd, and Rin had to keep her feet planted, the urge to run after making such a spectacle of herself maddening. She watched as Lily lifted her hands as if calming some naysayers. Then, the beautiful, young woman separated herself from the small gathering, waving delicately before turning her attention to Rin, her calming smile remaining but a strange sort of disconnect prevalent. She looked behind herself one more time, bowing slightly as her group passed through the school's gate, and then her expression finally relaxed, the distance between her and Rin closing rapidly.
Rin's body immediately started reacting, heating up but shaking at the same time. She moved her lips to speak, but nothing came out, and all she could do was watch, paralyzed as Lily became more and more within reach. Rin held her breath, exhaling out of necessity and almost feral-like before shaking her head briefly and trying to seem more confident than she was. Lily stopped no more than three feet away from Rin, her stance so very much like Saber's. Her posture was perfect, her legs slightly more relaxed than they used to be, but still clearly ready to spring into combat at a moment's notice.
'Can I help you, Rin Tohsaka?' Lily inquired, her green eyes lifting up in ignorance.
Rin's throat swelled. It couldn't be possible, could it? Was this just…? No. Impossible. There was no way.
'…I…' Rin began, recalling that fateful night she had performed the summoning successfully. She remembered how proud she was of bringing forth Saber. She could see her father smiling with satisfaction. She tapped into those memories and trembled briefly at the thoughts.
'I am…your master, Saber.' Rin started, her pitch rising against her will. She pressed forward, her lips shaking. 'My name is…Rin Tohsaka. My family's name dates back to the f-first Holy Grail War and its…its very…'
Lily stepped forward and took Rin's hand. She drew on Rin's palm softly, her touch delicate but precise. The design was made up of two nearly perfect circles and a line down the middle of both. She began speaking halfway through the artistic pursuit.
'I am King Arthur of Camelot. I wield the holy sword Excalibur, and will bring victory to my people with the Holy Grail won from this battle, Rin Tohsaka. Have no doubt…' Lily's hand stopped, and Rin heard her sniff, water forming at the base of her eyes and her mouth tightening. 'Have no doubt,' Lily pressed forward, sounding younger than ever before. 'That you successfully summoned the most…powerful of all the servants.'
Rin clasped down on Lily's hand and then looked at the other girl, her vision blurry.
'Saber?' She coughed and laughed at the same time.
'Indeed. It is I, Master. I am sorry about the delay. There were complications…'
Rin couldn't hear her. She covered her face and failed to control the emotions that flooded everything that made her who she was. It was overwhelming. Rin could only cry tears of unfiltered joy and disbelief. She didn't know such ecstasy could exist through another person. Her legs gave out from under her, but Saber caught her gracefully, stabilizing the other girl and holding her tight as she shook and tried, with little success, to compose herself.
'Rin…' Saber softly said the name, her own happiness affecting her as well.
'You're real…right?'
Saber smiled, embracing Rin and feeling the familiar frame within her grasp. Rin was not one to break so easily, and the sight of her master in such a state truly brought Saber to her knees mentally.
'I-I am very much real, Rin. I am real, and I give you my word that I will not leave your side again.'
