Chapter 46 : Fate

"Big bro! Are you ready for school?"

"Hey hey, we're just finishing up so don't shout too loudly."

"If you don't like loud voices, get up early! Yukino-san is about to arrive!?"

"That's well within the bounds of early rising... But he's just too early."

"Could you please stop blaming others, Blameshifter-kun? Your habit of oversleeping is still going strong."

"It's not a habit, I'm just using my time effectively. And that name is a bit too forceful no matter how you look at it, it doesn't sound good."

"Oh! Yukino-san, good morning!"

"Good morning, Komachi-san. I hope you have a great day."

"Could you please stop ignoring me so casually?"

Almost a month had passed since then.

It was a ceiling I had never seen before. I forgot about that promise and looked around, where I saw Yukinoshita and Yuigahama asleep, exhausted from crying themselves to sleep.

They must have been sleeping lightly, because as soon as I sat up, the other two woke up too, and after looking at me in shock, they both came charging at me.

I lost my balance and fell off the bed, the cords and other things connecting me came loose, and the doctors came rushing in in a panic.

According to the doctor, I was in such a critical condition that there was no hope of recovery. However, before I knew it, I had made a full recovery.

Various tests were conducted over the course of a week, but all that was found was that he was completely healthy, including his right arm and his sense of pain.

Before he was discharged from the hospital, the doctor said to him, "I'll pay you, so let me do some more research," but Yukinoshita had chased him away with great anger.

Just to be on the safe side, I decided to take one more day off before returning to school.

Since then, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama have taken turns coming to my house to pick me up every morning, and sometimes the two of them come together.

It became the default for the three of us to go to school together, but I had to get up early and push my bike to catch up with the two who were walking. Ride with me? What a fool. Only Komachi rides on my back.

Anyway, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, and Komachi all started to come up to me whenever they got the chance.

Well, even though I don't remember it, I nearly died. I guess I worried her.

If Komachi or Totsuka were to have an accident, I would be so worried about them that I would be stuck with them 24/7 and get arrested as a stalker.

In any case, for someone like me who is basically a loner, this situation is not only annoying, but also a bit tough.

It attracted a lot of attention, and what was most painful was that they had no memory of the media at all.

I was able to return to school easily.

This may have been because I didn't have many acquaintances to begin with, but the seal of my memories, or rather the removal of it, worked normally.

The people who knew me blinked at me, then gave me a polite smile and shook their heads as they walked away.

As for the sealing of memories, at my request, the memories between me and Medea were sealed separately. It was meant as a precaution in case one of us failed.

He said that it would be fine if it was impossible since there were so many of them, but since they had already turned the school into a workshop, it didn't seem like it would be that difficult for the media.

However, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were different.

In their case, their knowledge of the Holy Grail War was supposed to be included in the set, but both of their memories of that were completely wiped, and my injury was listed as a traffic accident. I can tell that Medea must have done something, but beyond that, I don't know anything.

Although it was a bit difficult when going to school, it was possible to be alone when walking home.

I'd been to the Emiya residence a few times, but he was always out. Or rather, there was no sign of him coming home.

The door was locked so I couldn't get inside, but the gate was wide open so I was able to go into the garden.

From what I could tell, it looked like no one had been coming or going for a while.

It wasn't like it had been deserted forever, but rather it had been somewhere between a few days and a dozen days, in other words, from around the time I woke up. Well, that's just what it felt like, but I don't know the exact details.

The Tohsaka house was similar.

I went to the church, but all that was left was a burnt ruin. What happened?

The only other facility related to the Holy Grail War that I know of is Stormy Illya Castle, but I warped there and fainted on the way back. I don't know where it is.

In any case, I wasn't able to meet Emiya and the others.

In other words, no one remembered the media except for me.

And so, that day I began to think that maybe that battle had actually been just a dream.

After dropping Komachi off like usual, Yukinoshita and I were walking side by side when I noticed someone waiting for me near the school.

"It's been a long time."

The man called out without any hint of nervousness. Yukinoshita replied with a suspicious look.

"Who are you?"

"It's nice to meet you. I'm a friend of yours, Hikigaya-san. I have something to discuss with him today, so if it's okay, I'd like to be alone with him."

As he bowed politely, Yukinoshita looked at me in confusion.

I opened my mouth to him.

"……who?"

"Eh...? Um... what?"

It was understandably confusing.

Yukinoshita tilts her head as she asks.

"...You didn't know him?"

"At first I thought the same, but it seems I was wrong. Although they look alike, the one I know is a much rougher, more rough-mannered, more manly, and more fierce woman."

"What do you mean?!"

"Hey, Tohsaka. How long have you been there?"

"Hey you, it's been a while since we last met, so what's with that sort of thing you're saying...!"

"But what was that girly talk all about? It was so creepy it gave me goosebumps."

"Gross...!? What kind of thing are you saying to a young lady!? I have my own reasons for being here!"

"I'd completely forgotten, but you used to act all cute at school, didn't you? But I think you're better the way you are. I like you that way."

"...You and Shirou, why am I surrounded by men like this... You, stop saying things like that to anyone. I wouldn't even know if you got stabbed."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I was just saying what I thought! What's this all of a sudden, Yukinoshita!?"

"... Enough with the comic acts. Can you explain a little bit now?"

Yukinoshita suddenly grabbed my ear. No, I'm sorry for leaving you behind, but don't get so angry.

For now, let me introduce Tohsaka.

"Um, this is Tohsaka. My... what? Friend? Not exactly."

"Why...? I guess we can just be friends."

"I see. What kind of weaknesses do they have? I know a good lawyer, so I can introduce you to her if you'd like. Don't worry, she's also a woman."

"Hey, what do you mean?"

"Shut up. I've been disappointed in you, Hikigaya-kun. Your existence has been a nuisance for a while now, but now you've finally done something that could cause real harm? I'm beyond despising you, I'm going to report you."

"What's with that way of passing by? It's too innovative. Why are emotions turning into actions? It's weird."

"Are you guys usually like this...?"

Tohsaka was trembling for some reason.

Tohsaka calls out to Yukinoshita again, this time without pretending to be someone else.

"Anyway, I want to talk to him alone. Sorry, but could you lend me your phone?"

"...It's been a long time since we last spoke. Sorry..."

"Yukinoshita, I also have something to talk to this guy about. Sorry, but you'll have to go ahead."

"...I'll have him explain later."

"Was it good?"

"It doesn't really matter."

He lets Yukinoshita, who is obviously wary, go ahead and talks with Tohsaka alone.

"It seems that girl misunderstood me."

"What kind of misunderstanding?"

Hey, what's with that silent sigh?

Oh well. Anyway, back to the topic.

"So, what happened all of a sudden? What have you been doing up until now?"

"The aftermath of the Holy Grail War. Normally that would have been Kirei's job as the supervisor, but, well, as you see, he was busy with various chores as the administrator of Fuyuki. Is today just a report on what happened?"

Administrator, right? That's exactly what he said.

For a moment I wondered what rights they had, but when I thought about it, frameworks like countries and cities are just something that a select few people have arbitrarily asserted, and before you know it, they've come to be treated as common sense. That may be how it is.

According to Tohsaka, after I was defeated, they somehow managed to win the battle and destroy the Holy Grail, which had been contaminated by a curse and turned into a weapon of mass destruction. This marked the end of the Holy Grail War, which had lasted for about three hundred years.

It seems that Emiya and Illya are also safe. It seems that the two of them were helping Tohsaka with some chores and hadn't returned home yet.

Tohsaka shrugged and continued.

"I'm finally able to finish that part. I'm glad I was able to get it done before I go abroad."

"Study abroad?"

"Yes, in London. The Clock Tower... well, it's like a university for wizards. That's where I'm going. I'm leaving this afternoon."

"That's pretty sudden... No, if it was planned, it must have been decided beforehand."

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't get in touch with you. I've been busy. In fact, I still have a little time left."

"Now that I think of it, what is going to happen to this town? Is it okay for the manager to be away?"

"So I was making the necessary arrangements. Fortunately, I was able to hire a capable agent. He should come to greet you soon."

"...I don't like it when you greet me."

"It's okay, you know the person."

An acquaintance of mine... Emiya? No, but he said he's competent.

As I was thinking about it, Tohsaka suddenly smiled and held out her right hand.

"Well, anyway, thanks to you I managed to get through the Holy Grail War. Thank you."

"...It's not like it's all thanks to me. I was a drag on them in some places, so I think they could have managed without me."

"But still. At the very least, I believe you helped me. So please let me thank you."

I scratched my head with my left hand and took the hand that was offered to me. Tohsaka just kept smiling... Actually, I've been bothered by the way she's laughing for a while now. It feels like she's up to something.

Tohsaka continues with that same beautiful smile.

"As a token of my appreciation, I'll give you a small gift. Please accept it."

"teeth?"

"It should reach you by the end of the day. Well, I should be on my way now."

"Wait, what do you mean, a gift?"

"It's a doll. A really expensive one."

"No, seriously, wait a second. What do you want me to do with a doll?"

"By the way, we don't accept returns. Well, let's meet again if we're lucky."

Tohsaka didn't listen to what I said and just waved me off.

I watched them go in a daze, but when I heard the bell I hurried into school.

I ran into the classroom and took my seat at the same time my homeroom teacher walked in.

"Hey you guys, take a seat!"

It was the same unmotivated voice as always. But today, what happened next was different.

"Oh, this may be out of the blue, but today I'd like to introduce a new transfer student."

Huh? A transfer student?

"Teacher, at this time of year?"

Hayama was naturally asking the questions representing what I, or rather almost everyone in the class, was thinking.

There's no way there'd be a transfer student at this time. After all, the last day of school is the day after tomorrow. If someone were to transfer in, they'd normally do so at the start of the new semester.

The homeroom teacher explained with a disinterested look on his face.

"The school also said that he strongly wishes to come to school as soon as possible."

Hmm. There are some eccentric people out there.

Well, whatever. It doesn't concern me anyway.

Thinking this, I pretended to be asleep like usual――

"Well then, come in, Tohsaka."

As he was about to do so, he looked up again when the name came out of his homeroom teacher's mouth.

Wait, who?

No, is it a coincidence? It's not that rare a surname. Besides, she just mentioned that she's going to study abroad.

"Excuse me."

When I saw "her" come into the classroom and say that, I was truly at a loss for words. Not only that, I was so shocked that I stood up.

The eyes of the classmates were on me, but I didn't have the time to worry about that.

Not caring about the state of the classroom, "She" picked up a piece of chalk and wrote her own name on the board.

Then he turned around and introduced himself just like before.

Her dull, slightly bluish silver hair reaches down to her waist.

The pointed ears that reminded people of inhuman blood became rounded like a human's.

Her beautiful face, which was so cold it could send shivers down your spine, was warmed by her gentle smile.

There were many changes to the appearance in small details, though.

Still, there's no way I could mistake this guy.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Tohsaka Medea. I look forward to working with you all."

"You... why..."

However, that was all he could manage to mutter.

She smiled at me and quietly walked over to me.

"You promised, right? You'd make stir-fried vegetables together with Komachi-sama again."

He stops in front of me, stunned and unable to move, then continues.

"You haven't finished the request yet, right? I said that you would help me find happiness."

She reached out and gently touched my chest, then closed her eyes as if remembering something.

"It took a long time for the 'body' to be completed. I apologize for the delay..."

Then she crumpled her face and, as if trying to hide her tears, jumped into my arms.

"Hachiman-sama... I've just returned――――!"

I heard this over spring break, shortly after reuniting with the media.

Immediately after the end of the Holy Grail War, Tohsaka apparently made contact with the puppeteer she had been searching for.

Apparently, the person was a magician and specialized in creating living dolls. It seems he was planning to use that skill to order a prosthetic arm for me.

So, when Medea and Saber were on the verge of disappearing after the Holy Grail was destroyed, Tohsaka and Emiya somehow managed to hold them together using their own magical powers, and in the meantime had the Puppeteer create bodies for the two of them.

Apparently, they only dealt in high-end goods, and since the price was different from what they had initially been told, they were overcharged. However, by offering the souls of two Servants, a fragment of the Holy Grail, and a living sword wand as research materials for the Holy Grail vessel, they were able to get the price reduced to almost nothing.

Even though I was called research material, I wasn't treated like an ingredient for synthesizing items in a game, but rather I was used to gather various data and participate in experiments.

Well, none of these things are easy to come by, so they probably didn't want to waste them carelessly. Anyway, everyone was safe and successfully obtained new bodies.

However, it seems that it will be a while before Emiya and Illya return to Fuyuki. Apparently Saber's body is not yet fully developed, so they need to make up for it. Tohsaka, who was about to study abroad, was sent back first, and Medea took over as the acting administrator.

That's why Medea's body seems to be that of a doll. However, since it is related to magic, it's obviously not normal.

Just like humans, they eat, sleep, and change over time - in other words, they age. That doesn't make them dolls at all.

Also, I don't know what method Tohsaka used, but it seems that he fabricated Medea's family register. Thanks to that, Medea is now able to act as the Administrator in Tohsaka's house as a person, and is also able to attend school like this. What an incredible Administrator. Are they really the same age?

Once you put it all together, everything comes together nicely, but is that okay?

Well, who knows what will happen from now on. Maybe some weird problem will pop up again, or maybe I'll just go about my life as usual without any problems. But either way, that's a different story.

Anyway, back to now - right after Medea hugged me in the classroom.

Hey what's up Hikitani-kun, this is so amazing, who is that boy? Hehehehehe, who is that? What does that mean? Hachiman, how bold is he? That's what someone like him would do, Hikio, even though he's a strong rival to Hayato, he's burning with jealousy, this is also Hikigaya, come to the staff room later

A beautiful silver-haired transfer student clings to me in tears, and the most hated guy in school holds her in place.

Such a combination caused a commotion in the classroom.

But I can't be bothered by such things. Right now, I'm doing my best with what's in front of me. I thought the commotion from earlier included the voices of people who weren't supposed to be here, but that doesn't matter.

"Why, why..."

As I said that, I remembered Tohsaka's words.

Tohsaka said that when the Holy Grail was destroyed, Medea and the others lost their powers and were no longer able to maintain their bodies.

I see, I thought it had vanished on its own, but it certainly didn't say that. I wish that idiot would do it.

"I, I... Hachiman... I see him... I see him..."

Medea starts sobbing in earnest and is at a loss for words. I gently hold her head and pat it.

Well, whatever. If he came back safely, that's the best thing. We can get to the details later.

The piercing stares from everyone around me hurt, but I'll endure it until he stops crying.

After a while, Medea calmed down, raised her head, smiled, and looked me straight in the eye as she spoke.

"Hachiman-sama, I still haven't received an answer to my first question."

I had no idea what the first question was.

However, when I heard it again, I thought, "Oh, I see."

When we first met, she definitely said that, and I still haven't responded to her.

With tears in her eyes, she spoke those words once again.

"--Are you my Master?"