"Huh? It's good to just leave, why do you have to put up with Iskander's willfulness? I asked.

"No...... It's not that reason, although it is also related to the expectations of the people, but ......" The girl raised her head slightly and looked at me with a little weakness, "I ...... I want to dance with Shirou. ”

"I want to dance with you as a real woman...... It's just this time, okay? ”

"Artoria, so you've been at your previous balls ......," I was stunned.

"Well, it's all about hiding your real gender and participating as a man." The girl nodded slightly, "Because at that time, I thought it was more convenient to use the identity of a man, and even if I sat on the throne, I would not be questioned by everyone." ”

“…… Are you good at dancing? I asked.

"Of course." The girl nodded, a confident smile on her face.

"Ceremonial dancing is one of the compulsory courses for knights, and I learned it better than anyone around me. Although I used to play the role of a man, I still memorized the corresponding steps carefully in order to better cooperate with the women. ”

As she spoke, she let go of my hand and took two steps back.

The arms reached behind his head, and the blue headband was slowly undone.

Her soft blonde hair is like a tassel without a hint of suffocation, flowing smoothly down her thin shoulders.

Gracefully and lightly bent down, slender fingers together gently lift the skirt from both sides.

In the center of the square, a beautiful and clean lily blooms.

“……”

In sight, I can't catch anything other than a pretty girl like an elf.

Is it because the beauty is too pure?

Every time a girl shows a new attitude, it can completely refresh my highest perception of beauty.

The body subconsciously wants to retreat. It is a natural reaction when people are confronted with something unimaginable.

Something too beautiful to be incredibly beautiful is as much as something disgusting to be ugly.

And yet—

The arm that wants to escape is grabbed by the lily who wants to get closer.

"Shirou, take my hand."

A soft voice sounded in his ears, and Meng Hong's consciousness that was about to fall back was pulled back.

In front of me, there was a slender hand as white as the first snow, and the delicate and perfect palm was facing me.

The owner of that hand, with a smile of encouragement and anticipation, was waiting for my action.

Thousands of pairs of eyes behind me also fell on me without blinking.

Whether it is the girl in front of me or the people behind me, they are all witnessing my choice.

The original bustling market seems to have become a no-man's land. Even Iskander, who had never known how to look at the atmosphere, was rarely silent.

The rustling of the leaves was particularly loud in the evening breeze, and the beating heart of the "thump" almost jumped out of the chest.

There is no escaping.

Don't deceive yourself.

Follow the path of conviction and walk without looking back.

A little girl, with a small wish in her heart from beginning to end.

She just wants to live happily with the attitude that the gods have given her since she was born.

Even if it's just once—

She also believes that it is an indelible existence. Eventually, there will be meaning.

"I see."

There is no more hesitation in my heart, no more hesitation.

If I exist, it's to fill that void—

Then, sparing no effort to do what you should do is an unshirkable responsibility and choice.

Thinking so, I gently took the girl's hand.

Then, the two of us walked together to the open-air dance hall on the west side of the square.

According to British rules, the ball must not start until the lead dancer appears, so the venue is empty at the moment.

Footsteps gently stepped on the flat marble floor, and faintly could hear the distant echo below.

It is an open-air dance venue that claims to be able to accommodate all the residents of Camelot, and the area is a little intimidating.

"Shirou, just relax your shoulders. Your movements look too stiff. ”

Ten fingers interlocked, body together, the girl said in a soft voice in my ear.

"Ah...... Have it? I think it's okay......" I said with some sarcasm.

"Really...... Shirou is completely unconscious. The girl couldn't help but sigh, "You look like a drunk duck, so awkward that you can't look at it directly......"

"Hmm——!" I felt my face flush all at once.

"Shirou just looks at me, and then we just take a walk as usual." The girl comforted, "Dancing is very simple, just take your time." ”

"Okay then...... I'll give it a try......"

Under the girl's tug, I began to try to adapt to her rhythm.

When the girl's footsteps move to the left, the palm of her left hand will also tighten slightly to give me a hint; The same goes for moving to the right.

At the same time, she will also consciously slow down a little bit in key places to give me enough reaction time to keep up.

In this way, gradually I was able to complete a simple ritual dance with the girl.

There were no dark clouds on this day, and the bright moonlight flowed down from the sky without hindrance, and at the same time wet the hair and clothes of the girl and me.

Although there is no musical accompaniment, with the moonlight, everything seems to be more tranquil because of this.

Artoria under the moonlight, exuding a holy brilliance all over her body, and her temperament is becoming more and more exciting.

And I just stared blankly at her pretty face, trying my best to match her pace.

For a long time, the two have been accustomed to going through hardships together, and the so-called life and death risks have long been countless.

However, dancing with such a warm hand is the first time in my memory.

I think that if you want to make a list of "the most incompetent lovers in the world from ancient times to the present", then my name must be on it, and it is at the top.

I don't know the mood, I don't know the mood, let alone the sweet words.

There is no shortage of perseverance and stubbornness like a fool.,But it seems that it can only add trouble to people.。

However, this is how I am, but I have gained a love that I couldn't have imagined before, and started a new life that I would not believe if I told anyone.

Sometimes when I look at the night sky, I wonder if it's just a dream.

A dream that was too beautiful, too illusory to make one suspect of foul play.

Click.

The girl's footsteps stayed in place.

"What's wrong?" I quickly withdrew the foot I was about to step on, and asked with some confusion as I looked at the girl's blue eyes.

Almost subconsciously, I wondered if there was something wrong just now, and I didn't do it well.

"Shirou, this dance is over." The girl said with a smile.