I remember the first time Artoria snatched the first place, Rin was very unconvinced and declared to her that next time she would definitely win back her own position.

However, after seeing Artoria's perfect score in all subjects, she completely lost her previous momentum......

"Really, there must be a limit to hard work! Other subjects are understandable, but even though I am not Japanese, I have a better grasp of Japanese language and Japanese history than anyone else...... Hmm...... I said that this is not just a sentence that can be summed up by excellent grades! Rin used to complain at me with such indignation.

For Rin, who takes "doing her best in everything so as not to disgrace the reputation of the Tosaka family", Artoria's existence is undoubtedly a huge blow......

But in reality, Rin's worries are unnecessary, and it's the opposite.

Because of her impeccable appearance, grades, physical fitness, temperament and other aspects, coupled with her noble status as a "British student", Artoria has been perfect to the point that everyone around her does not dare to raise even the slightest longing for her, and she will always be respectful.

And Artoria had no problem with this, acquiescing in this way of getting along with the people around her.

The reason is also very simple. On the one hand, Artoria's personality likes to be quiet and does not want to be surrounded by many people all day; On the other hand, it ensures that she can come to me at any time without worrying about interruptions, such as having lunch together on the rooftop.

In this way,The perfect lady who was arrogant and unapproachable in the hearts of all the boys and girls in Suiqunyuan School Park,Compared with it, it seems a lot more kind.。 Aside from the ever-increasing number of love letters she received, Rin was always crowded with enthusiastic crowds during recess. There are even rumors that Hozunhara School has established several idol clubs with Rin as the center......

As a result, because of Artoria, Rin has become much more popular.

"Whew...... Although I was a little unhappy that the guy took away the first place, I would like to forgive her for the sake of her sending me so many faithful servants. ”

So slowly, Rin accepted the status quo.

…………

Thinking out of my memory, I looked at the blonde girl sitting elegantly upright across from me.

If it were Artoria, she would be able to succeed in whatever she wanted to do. Unlike me, who could only stop halfway, she deserved the happiest and most beautiful life in the world.

Therefore, I take it for granted that Artoria will enter the top universities after graduation, and create a legendary life in the modern world that is not inferior to the knight kings of the past.

However, the girl looked at me and shook her head slightly.

"No, Shirou, I'll stay with you in Fuyuki. And no matter what path you choose in the future, I will follow you closely! ”

The quiet voice was unbewildered, clearly well thought out, and could not be shaken again.

“——！” Mixed emotions filled my heart with emotion, and I clenched my fists above my knees at the same time.

"For ...... Why? If it's for me, you don't have to sacrifice yourself like that...... Even if you are temporarily separated for a while because of your higher education, it doesn't matter, you should have a brighter future——。 ”

I raised my head and said to the girl with some excitement.

"Shirou, although it is for you to be the main reason, there is another objective factor that you can't ignore that you haven't thought about." Calmly facing my eyes, the girl said slowly.

"—what is it?" Pursing my lips, I asked.

"My physical age." The girl said briefly.

"...... "I understood it all at once.

When the sword in the stone is drawn, Artoria's physical age is forever fixed at that moment, and it will not age with the passage of time.

Artoria now looks like a girl a year younger than me, so it's perfectly normal for others to go to middle school.

But how many years later?

Everyone around her, including me, is an adult, but Artoria still maintains her current girlish attitude.

And if it's decades from now—

“……”

Thinking of this, my heart suddenly sank!

Perhaps, I overthought the problem from the beginning.

I'm worried about causing panic, so I can't have long-term contact with anyone other than Rin and me, which should be a concern for Artoria.

Choosing to stay in modern society doomed her to avoid everyone's eyes and live carefully.

The light that once brought hope to all people's lives, can only remain in the darkness of not seeing the light of day in this life?

"Shirou, I don't allow you to think like that, it's my own choice." Seeing that my expression was a little wrong, the girl came up and grabbed my hand and whispered, "For me, it is really unimaginable luck to be with my beloved and experience a peaceful life that I have never had before. I am not at all dissatisfied with what I am doing now. ”

"But...... It's so unfair to you. I lowered my head and said in a hoarse voice, "I don't want you to lose your original dignity and glory and become my appendage......"

"Where is this, I already have a complete life in the past, and the future does not have such a big impact on me." The girl shook her head slowly, "If you really want to say it, the most unfair thing is that it's Shirou." ”

"Eh, me?" I couldn't help but be amazed to hear the girl say this.

"Yes. Shirou is different from me, your life is just beginning. The girl's eyes suddenly became solemn when she looked at me, "Choosing to be with me means that Shirou will definitely be affected by me, and he will not be able to work and live in a fixed place for a long time in the future, nor can he introduce me to others as your wife." Do you really not care about all this? ”

“…… I don't care, I don't care at all. I stretched out my arms and took the body of the girl in front of me into my arms, "Because of my selfishness, you stayed in the modern era, so I will definitely be responsible for you to the end." ”

Then, I raised my head and let go of the girl, looked at her with pure blue eyes, and said word by word:

"Artoria, I love you."

"......" quietly looked at me, and the girl's eyes slowly became slightly moist.

"Shirou, I love you too."

…………

Late at night.

The clock on the wall shows that it is already two o'clock in the morning.

It's silent.

Breathing evenly at hand, it was a sign that the girl I was sharing was asleep.

In my bedroom, completely trapped by the darkness of the night, I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling.

For the first time since I was with Artoria, I had insomnia.