I realized that both I and Artoria had begun to become slaves of love.

For the sake of each other, our past lives will be completely cut off, and we will go on the path of being completely for each other.

If I had been with Artoria for the time I had just been with, I don't think I would have resisted, but I would have been proud of myself in my heart for making such a choice.

As a man, there is no doubt that he should use his whole life and will to protect the girl he loves.

But—

Turning his head slightly, he looked at the soft sleeping face of the blonde girl next to him with a warm smile.

I slept so relaxed, I must have had some kind of beautiful dream.

I couldn't help but smile, but my heart became more confused and uneasy.

In the past six months, on the surface, Artoria and I have gotten along very well, and we have been inseparable every day, like the closest lovers in the world.

But only I know that the most crucial part between the two of us is missing.

The Holy Grail War, which was participated in because of accidents, will naturally be classified as accidents.

Including my encounter with Artoria.

I want to uncover the truth about the fire of ten years ago and prevent a similar tragedy from happening again, and Artoria wants to save Britain from the last Britain she has not been able to protect with her hands.

So, both of us need the Holy Grail to achieve our respective salvations.

Because of the common goal, we can work together and fight hard at the cost of our lives.

Then under this premise, our life creeds merge with each other, from meeting to knowing each other, and then falling in love.

The Holy Grail collapsed, and each other's hearts opened, and they thought they would live a life that truly belonged to them.

And yet—

As time passes, the beauty of emotion and attraction is gradually removed, and the nature of feelings is ruthlessly exposed.

The brutal and fierce Holy Grail War is over, leaving Artoria and me with nothing but a peaceful and ordinary life.

There is no brave child of light, no raging Hercules, and no haughty heroic king.

Yes, it's just the same daily life as all living beings.

What we need to think about now is not how to live together, but how to get along with each other.

If anything, apart from the pitiful insight of being a modern person, I am completely incomparable to Artoria in terms of ability, appearance, and temperament.

The reason why we have been able to live together until now is basically because of Artoria's empathy, which has reduced her original quality of life to the same level as mine.

Since half a year ago, we haven't been to a high-end restaurant to enjoy Western food, let alone taste Artoria's favorite British tea.

"Shirou's hard-earned income must not be spent on such a completely unnecessary appetite, not to mention that Shirou's cooking is already enough to open a restaurant, so I don't have the need for this."

Every time I offered to do so, I was rejected on that ground.

"That'...... How about we go to Yokohama this weekend, and it is said that the cherry blossoms over there are blooming and beautiful...... "When I tried to persuade her in another way......

"No, Shirou, this kind of trip will cost you all the money you saved in the first three months! Our marriage fund will definitely be affected as a result. ”

So it turned out that for half a year, we didn't go anywhere except home and school......

"Whew...... It's not happy at all......" Thinking of this, I couldn't help but sigh slightly.

Although I knew that what Artoria said was all reasonable, and that it was a sacrifice that had to be made in order to live together for a long time, but-

In my heart, I still feel that every day of living with Artoria is precious, and every minute and second should leave a beautiful experience worthy of each other's lifetime reminiscence.

Sure enough, the key problem is that I am not strong enough to ensure a stable future for the two of us, and at the same time let Artoria live her original quality of life.

From tomorrow onwards, I have to work harder than I already did, or I won't be worthy of being with Artoria.

With my fists clenched in front of my chest, I made a vow in my heart......

…………

The next day, I tripled my daily part-time job, and my income increased a lot.

But the trade-off is that when you can get home just after dark, you have to work until late at night, and sometimes even until the early hours of the morning.

Moreover, every night when I get home, I am so tired that I don't even have the strength to move a finger, and I basically fall asleep, and I don't even have time to say a word to Artoria.

Although Artoria advised me to reduce my workload more than once during the day, seeing her eyes with a look of deep intolerance and concern strengthened my inner conviction.

In life, there is never something that can be easily obtained without any effort. If I can exchange my hard work for the happy smile of the girl I love, then this is definitely the best deal in the world!

…………

As the month passed, I handed Artoria a stack of bills, much thicker than the previous month.

"This month's income is more than double that of last month, and we can use the extra money to travel, eat Western food, and taste black tea." I smiled and said to the girl in front of me, waiting for her answer.

“…… Shirou's money, let's keep it for myself. After a long silence, the girl lowered her head and whispered.

"-What?" I froze in surprise.

The girl who used to put her arms around my neck and happily accept the money surprised me by a completely different reaction today.

"Because...... I'm not in the mood to do what Shirou said right now......" The girl still didn't look up, lowered her eyes and said, "I'm sorry...... Failed your kindness......"

"Ah...... It's okay, Artoria, if you don't want to, I won't force it. I forced a forced smile, my body stiffening in the posture of handing out the money.

"And ...... From next week, I'm also planning to go out and find a job that I can do. The girl pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, and looked up at me.

"Artoria, you......" I opened my mouth wide, "you...... Do you think the money is not enough? I could ...... again."

"No Shirou, I don't want to spend your money all the time." The girl shook her head at me repeatedly, "From now on, I will support myself by my own ability." ”

"......" looked at the girl's eyes deliberately avoiding my gaze, and her heart seemed to be whipped hard, accompanied by pain and blood.