It was a long, long time, until time seemed to stand still, and our lips slowly parted with each other.

However, each other's bodies are close to each other, snuggling up to each other.

Without thinking about anything in the future, there is no doubt that we will be able to hold each other like this for eternity.

"Hurry up and go to sleep, I have to get up early tomorrow morning, and I can't do it if I don't hurry up and recuperate."

I hugged the warm body in my arms, and I was ready to lie down and hug each other to sleep.

For countless nights in the past, we have healed the wounds in each other's hearts and relied on each other to get a restful night's sleep.

Presumably, each other's ways of existence have been intertwined and inseparable for a long time.

"No...... Shirou, before you go to bed, please listen to me......" The girl lowered her head a little uneasily, and gently reached out and pushed my chest away.

“…… I'm here to apologize to you. ”

"Huh? Apologize? Why? I couldn't help but be stunned, and asked continuously, "Artoria obviously didn't do anything wrong." ”

"No...... During the day I always behave in a very small manner in the presence of Miss Joan of Arc,......" the girl shook her head, "I know that is not good, not to say that it is not in the status of a knight, and even by the standards of ordinary people, it is a great faux pas." So...... I would like to apologize to Shirou first, and then I will find an opportunity to explain what Miss Joan of Arc meant. ”

"Anyway, I'm really sorry for the trouble I've caused Shirou because of me."

As she spoke, she knelt on the ground and bent deeply, her forehead almost touching the ground.

“……”

In an instant, the haze that had existed in my heart was like a balloon punctured by a needle, bursting without a trace.

"Whew...... It's clearly me who should apologize for this matter. ”

I sighed and said softly.

"Huh? Why did Shirou say that? It's clear that I'm jealous and don't know how to understand you and Miss Joan's feelings...... No matter how you look at it, the fault is on my head. ”

The girl looked up in surprise, and her beautiful blue eyes were full of incredulity.

"Joan of Arc and Nero, I should have told you in detail as soon as I returned to Camelot." I looked at the eyes that were cleaner than the clearest lake in the world, shook my head, and said, "But I'm too ignorant and conceited. I thought I could handle everything on my own without having to worry about it all more to Artoria. It turns out that I can't do anything alone, and without you, I'm like a headless fly with no direction at all. ”

"So Shirou...... Is that what you think? The girl's pupils on the opposite side widened slightly, "I want to accomplish everything by myself...... How is this possible, not even the gods can do it. Even Mr. Merlin has been giving up what he has in the past years to survive. ”

"Yes, I understand that my idea is naïve, idealistic, and completely impossible to achieve." In my voice, there was sadness that I couldn't understand, "Maybe I'm just ...... Lost somewhere, unable to extricate themselves. ”

It has been like this for a long time, wanting to save everyone and hoping that everyone can be happy.

I knew it was impossible, but I tried my best to make it happen.

As a result, the more you try, the more you realize your powerlessness.

It is no longer hope that drives one's actions, but a deep sense of despair.

It's like a dying samurai trying to touch the sun in the sky with all his last strength.

How sad is that, and how desolate?

I can clearly see my end at any time, but I refuse to admit it in my heart.

Like a child, he stubbornly believes that there must be miracles in the world, and there must be hope that even the gods can surpass them.

Until the body collapses, the spirit collapses, and turns into an obsessed walking corpse.

Maybe that's what I'm destined to do, and I can't change it anyway......

"I see, does Shirou remember the past again?"

The girl was silent for a moment, then got up.

"If you don't mind, may I sit with you for a while?"

With that, she sat quietly beside me.

She was silent and motionless, her gaze firmly fixed on the front, as if there was an incoming enemy in the darkness.

Only the sound of even, smooth breathing faintly reached my ears.

A young girl named Artoria is dispelling my fears and guarding me in her own way.

- Guarding this weak, incompetent, naïve and ignorant me.

In the darkness, none of us spoke, just sat side by side in silence.

There is no point in this kind of behavior, I know.

Even if he has been facing the wall for decades like an old monk, the entanglements and contradictions in his heart are still impossible to resolve.

It was the disharmony that almost existed at the root, and it was the root of Emiya's personality.

- In other words, it is hopeless.

"Why, you never give up on me?" My voice was dry, a hoarse voice peculiar to people who had lost hope, "I've been like this every day, just to hide the pain in my heart every day, and to pretend to be like an ordinary person, I have to do my best." Why...... You still won't give up on me? ”

"Because I love you, and this is a heart that cannot be changed." The girl laughed, like a bouquet of flowers that illuminated everything in the darkness.

"No, I ......"

"Shirou said he was lost and couldn't find his way, right?" Artoria turned her head to look at me for a moment, then shook her head slowly.

"Oh no. In my opinion, Shirou was a true warrior who was determined from the beginning and never doubted his path. ”

As she spoke, she stood up to face me, her jewel-green eyes shining in the darkness.

"I will never forget that a teenager who is obviously just an ordinary person dared to rob people under the hands of Hercules and fight desperately in front of the hero king. No matter how badly his body was hurt, no matter how harsh his heart was denied, he never fell. Even if he had only one breath left, he must stand straight and tell heaven and earth that he will not tolerate blasphemy. Shirou, guess who this person is? ”

"Hah...... I really...... Not as great as you say. The corners of my mouth barely raised, as a response, "Maybe in the eyes of others, it's just a complete idiot." ”

"And yet, that's what I love." The girl's eyes looked at me and became extremely gentle, "You can overcome all difficulties and dangers and chase this world for me, how can I let you down?" ”

"Besides, even if people all over the world don't understand you, at least I'm still here......"