All the way back home, Rin Tohsaka kept her head down and didn't say a word.
"Onee-chan…"
Waiting for them at the entryway was Sakura. She already knew what the two of them had gone to do.
There was no way Shichen would hide something like that from her. Compared to Rin, Sakura felt almost nothing about it anymore.
The moment she'd been sent to the Matou household, she'd understood reality—how ruthless mage families were, how cold this world could be.
The only good thing was that Shichen had appeared back then.
She already had a new family, new people who mattered—she had Shichen.
So the rest didn't matter.
Honestly, she hadn't even cared much about Rin before… until they ended up meeting again here. And more importantly, Shichen was interested in Rin.
If Rin and Sakura became family again, Sakura would treat her like a sister again too.
A fresh start.
"Sakura…"
Rin looked at Sakura, then let go of Shichen's hand, stepped forward, and hugged her.
"I got my revenge!"
And then Rin broke down and sobbed.
All those years of forcing herself to be strong fell apart in an instant—she was just a lonely girl again.
Sakura was her real little sister. With her, Rin finally had somewhere to place her heart, somewhere she could show weakness without fear.
"It's okay, Sis. It's over now. From here on, we can start over."
Even though their heights were so different—one clearly still small, the other already grown—here it was the "kid" comforting the "adult."
Sakura held Rin and patted her back, quietly comforting her. Just being there was the best kind of support.
Shichen didn't stay with them.
Some feelings are only meant to be shared between family.
He rubbed Sakura's head gently—telling her to stay with Rin a little longer—then returned to his room.
Everyone else was already asleep. There was nothing to worry about.
But when Shichen pushed open his bedroom door, he froze.
"Jeanne d'Arc?"
"Shichen, you're back~" Jeanne smiled at him.
"Why are you in my room?" he asked, watching her warily.
Jeanne was lying on his bed in a simple white nightdress, relaxed and utterly at home.
"I'm waiting for you," she replied as if it were obvious.
"Waiting for me?"
"Yeah. Tonight is my turn to sleep with you."
"You—"
"Heh. You're still like this," Jeanne laughed.
"Like what?"
"You hesitate with me. Like you're still treating me like some untouchable saint."
"…?"
Shichen couldn't pretend he hadn't heard that.
He walked in, shut the door, and approached the bed.
Jeanne rolled over and made space, still smiling.
Shichen paused. "You're not just trying to provoke me, are you?"
"That's pathetic," Jeanne scoffed.
"If you say it like that, I'm not holding back," Shichen said, finally climbing onto the bed and pulling her into his arms.
"Good," Jeanne said, satisfied.
Shichen fell silent, feeling her warmth and the softness of her body. When she'd first appeared, she'd carried herself with a heroic, dignified presence—yet now she looked like a mischievous girl who had decided she wanted something and wasn't going to wait politely.
The contrast was dizzying.
"Just holding me?" Jeanne asked softly, her voice teasing.
Shichen lowered his gaze to her eyes. Jeanne didn't look away.
"You're tempting me," he said. "That's not something a 'saint' would do."
"I told you—I'm not a saint anymore."
"You're still Jeanne."
"And I'm your Jeanne now. From the moment I was summoned."
"Sakura summoned you."
"It's the same."
Jeanne smiled. "What—are you scared to make a move?"
Shichen exhaled. "You're bold. If you know me so well, you know I'm the type who takes things slowly."
"I know," Jeanne said lightly. "Step by step."
"Then why—"
"Because I came late," Jeanne replied. "If I wait for you to take the lead, I'll be waiting forever."
Shichen gave her a look. "So this is competition with 'someone else'?"
"How could it not be?" Jeanne shot back, smiling. "If it wasn't you, would I even care?"
"That line—I like it."
"Then stop hesitating."
Shichen pulled her closer, closing the last sliver of distance between them.
Their breathing tangled. Jeanne pressed her lips together, then closed her eyes—an invitation with no ambiguity.
Shichen looked at her for a long moment. That "saint" image still lingered somewhere in the back of his head… but Jeanne had called him out, and if he kept holding back now, he really wouldn't be a man.
He leaned down and kissed her.
Her lips were cool, soft, and unexpectedly gentle—enough to make him not want to let go.
Jeanne responded clumsily at first, as if she were waiting for him to guide her.
So Shichen did—patiently.
The room stayed quiet except for their faint breathing and murmured sounds, until Jeanne finally broke away, cheeks flushed, breathing hard.
"You're really experienced," she complained, half pouting.
"My fault," Shichen said immediately.
Jeanne huffed, not sure what to say.
He held her tighter, feeling her heartbeat.
"Again," Jeanne demanded after catching her breath.
"You're that addicted already?" Shichen teased.
"Who knew it would feel like this?" she admitted.
"That's still not something a 'saint' would say."
"You keep bringing that up," Jeanne narrowed her eyes. "Do you want me to have that halo?"
"…I can't deny it."
Jeanne smiled, then closed her eyes again. "Then your 'saint' orders you to kiss her."
Shichen's breath caught. He kissed her again—this time with less restraint, and with more patience, teaching her as they went.
When they finally separated, Jeanne's eyes were glossy and unfocused, her expression dazed in a way that made Shichen's throat tighten.
"More?" Jeanne whispered, arms around his neck.
Shichen's desire flared. He stopped pretending to be composed. One hand found her heartbeat through her chest; the other slid around her waist.
Jeanne kissed him first this time, more confident—already learning fast.
Shichen let her take the lead, watching her grow bolder by the second.
For him, it wasn't just "beautiful."
It was fun.
That night, it wasn't only sweet.
It was interesting.
~~~
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