Fate/Magus Path

Looking at the pale yellow liquid pushed in front of her, Aoko Aozaki was a bit surprised.

In this situation, the other party clearly seemed to want to strike up a conversation with her… right?

If he hadn't been so absorbed in playfully teasing the girl beside him, she would have definitely thought so.

Perhaps it was just out of good intentions; the other person didn't pay the slightest attention to her expression and, after handing her the cup, shifted his gaze away.

There was no hint of overstepping, and this behavior was completely different from those fools who had tried to flirt with her in the past.

After years of traveling, Aoko Aozaki had encountered all kinds of people, and the attitude displayed by this young man was not that of an ordinary person who couldn't resist the urge to hit on a pretty girl.

He exuded a special aura, giving off a sense of doing things purely based on his own feelings, regardless of whether they were good or bad. He was neither overly enthusiastic nor cold, with every move existing in a state of moderate balance, as if maintaining a strange equilibrium.

He was not an ordinary person.

Aoko Aozaki had this feeling.

Her sixth sense was usually very accurate.

However, after handing Aoko Aozaki a cup of hot tea, Roy didn't pay her any more attention.

Although he had promised Touko that he would help her deal with Aoko Aozaki, he was also eager to have a bout with the rumored Miss Blue, the Magician of the Fifth Magic, to verify his progress.

However, the original plan was to be executed after dealing with the matters regarding Crimson Moon, since Aoko Aozaki enjoyed traveling everywhere, making it hard to predict how long it would take to find her.

That's why Touko suggested that after resolving the situation, they could stay in Misaki Town, block Aoko Aozaki's home, and create some harmless disturbances to lure this guardian of the ley lines back.

Roy did not refuse this suggestion, as it was indeed more convenient to wait in one place than to search for an unpredictable Magician all over the world.

However, the current situation might have changed.

Roy had once pondered what kind of venue and in what manner he would meet this Magician of the Fifth Magic, but he hadn't expected the two Magicians' first meeting would occur in an ordinary roadside noodle shop, and by coincidence, they would be sitting at the same table.

However, it was clear that the other party did not recognize him.

This was quite interesting.

"...Hmm?"

Not long after Roy invited Aoko Aozaki to sit down, the nearby Shiki recognized some unusualness.

Roy's special attention towards Aoko Aozaki, even if it was just a few glances in secret, was enough to catch Shiki's eye.

A very pretty girl, and quite young; if she were outside, she would undoubtedly be the object of desire for most men.

However, for this guy, it was evident that he didn't just notice her beauty, which was why he gave her special attention.

So…

"Who is she?"

Shiki sitting to Roy's left, extended her finger like a pen and began writing in Roy's palm...

"Is she also a magus?"

It felt a bit ticklish.

There was a tingling sensation in his palm.

This was Roy's first impression, but seeing Shiki's serious face, he stifled a laugh and then retaliated by writing slowly on Shiki's leg with his finger.

"... Touko's sister."

Eh?

Is she the sister that Touko talks about every day? So, the enemy that Touko is looking for is this girl in front of him?

Looking closely, she indeed bore some resemblance to Touko.

This surprised Shiki and she wanted to continue writing in Roy's palm, but he grabbed her hand.

Feeling her palm suddenly gripped, the warmth of his large hand transmitted to her small hand, making Shiki's face flush slightly. She quickly pulled her hand away from his grip, pretending to be angry as she lightly slapped the back of Roy's hand.

But she didn't use much strength.

To this, Roy didn't show any unusual reaction; he just raised an eyebrow and then withdrew his hand.

This little exchange between the two did not go unnoticed by Aoko Aozaki, or rather, she didn't care about it. In her eyes, this kind of interaction was more akin to playful banter between siblings, lovers, or good friends.

Siblings, huh?

What a close relationship…

Seeing their way of getting along, she couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

If she hadn't had so many unpleasant encounters with her sister back then, would she have had the chance to interact with her like that?

Impossible; such a thing was simply not feasible, right?

After all, her sister was such a terrible person.

After thinking aimlessly for a while and feeling the warmth of the cup in her palm, she finally came to her senses and thanked the kind person.

"Thank you."

Although most of the rumors about her were negative, she was always polite to those who helped her.

By the way, this kind person really did have a rather special aura.

Though she had noticed it just now, upon closer observation, it felt even more distinct.

This uniqueness didn't stem from superficial features like appearance or clothing but existed in a deeper realm. If she had to describe it, it would be an influence emanating from his aura.

It was as if he was deliberately controlling his presence in a very special balance.

But it didn't seem forced.

This remarkably balanced aura, apart from her good friend who lived with her, she had only seen in elderly people of great renown during her travels.

If she had to put it into words, it was a state of self-balance, close to a return to simplicity.

It felt similar to acting according to one's true nature.

Could it be that this young man, who appeared to be in his twenties, was actually some wise sage who had comprehended knowledge, or perhaps a martial arts master who had mastered the secrets of physical balance?

No way, he looked so young.

In any case, driven by curiosity, Aoko Aozaki couldn't help but study him.

However, after observing for a while, she gave up, as her eyes couldn't discern anything unusual; he just looked like an exceptionally ordinary person with a unique aura.

If only she could shake hands with him and quietly use her magical powers to probe a bit, she should be able to uncover the source of this peculiarity.

But proposing a handshake… wouldn't that make it seem like she was trying to flirt with him?

Thinking of that scene, even for her, who was usually straightforward, it felt a bit odd.

"What's wrong? Is there something strange on my face?"

After being scrutinized for a while, Roy, who had long sensed it, looked at Aoko Aozaki with a puzzled expression.

Eh? Did he notice already? What sharp intuition.

Caught peeking so quickly, Aoko Aozaki was a bit surprised, but more so was her desire to appear nonchalant, so she immediately began to explain.

"Not at all, I'm just a bit curious."

"Curious?"

"Yeah, I'm just curious about what kind of work you do."

"Oh? Why do you ask that?" Roy smiled and inquired.

"Your aura is quite impressive, very similar to a friend of mine. Plus, judging by your accent, you're not a local from Misaki Town, so I felt a bit curious."

Her spoken language was a mix of Japanese learned later, and while she had no problem communicating, there was still a hint of awkwardness.

This wasn't the first time someone had pointed it out.

"I'm indeed not from Misaki Town, and I'm not even from this country. I'm from a very distant place."

"A foreigner?"

"Exactly, although you don't know how precise your words are. I ended up here due to some changes in my life and have been living here for about a year now, mostly residing in Fuyuki City."

"So, are you here for tourism?"

As soon as she said this, Aoko Aozaki suddenly regretted her previous actions.

It was clearly improper etiquette to scrutinize a kind person she was meeting for the first time with such a gaze.

However, fortunately, the other party was indeed a nice person and didn't mind her rudeness.

"Tourism? Although it's indeed a nice city and great for sightseeing, that's not why I'm here. I actually came to this city to look for someone."

Looking for someone? Visiting family?

Aoko Aozaki blinked and couldn't help but feel curious.

"Do you have friends or relatives living in Misaki Town?"

Roy shook his head.

"No, I came here to deal with some troublesome matters and to help a friend find her sister, whom she hasn't seen in many years."

Helping a friend find a sister they haven't seen in over a decade… She had seen a storyline like this in a morning drama.

The plot probably involved significant changes in the family during childhood, leading to siblings or sisters getting lost, and now, after many years, suddenly learning that the sister was alive, prompting a friend to travel to an unfamiliar city to find her sister after so long.

It was surprising that such a tragic story actually occurred in reality; it was truly touching.

Just a few short sentences led Aoko Aozaki to mentally script a detailed tragic drama.

So, she eagerly said, "Do you need my help in finding her? I actually have quite a few friends in Misaki Town, and I'm sure we can help your friend find her lost sister."

'Help my friend find her sister?'

Upon hearing this, and looking at her serious expression, Roy took a sip of water to suppress a smile.

'No, that won't be necessary; I've already helped her find her sister.'

"…"

Shiki looked at her, a bit speechless.

In this situation, she didn't know what expression to wear.

What would happen if Touko Aozaki found out that they were dining with her long-missed sister?

Shock, anger, or something else?

In any case, her expression would definitely be very interesting.

"No, thank you for your kind offer, but I don't think it's necessary. I've already helped that friend find her lost sister."

Already found her?

"Is that so? Then that's really good news; congratulations to your friend! I hope she can reunite with her sister after so many years."

As they chatted, their ramen finally arrived.

Aoko Aozaki took the ramen, tore open the chopsticks, and smiled, "We've been chatting for so long without asking your name."

"Since we've met someone so compatible, let's get to know each other. I'm Aoko Aozaki, a local from Misaki Town. If we're friends, just call me Aozaki."

"Roy." 

"This is Shiki."

"Hello, Miss Aozaki." Shiki greeted Aoko Aozaki.

"Eh? Shiki and Roy…"

Hearing this, Aoko Aozaki looked at them in surprise.

"Aren't you two siblings?"

"No, we're just friends, and I'm also her guardian." Roy shook his head.

"However, Miss Aozaki, if possible, could I call you by another name? If I just refer to your surname, it might confuse you with my friend."

Easily confused?

"Eh?! Does your friend's surname happen to be Aozaki too?"

Upon hearing this, she suddenly realized that something was off.

Aoko Aozaki's expression immediately froze, and the chopsticks she was using to hold her ramen slipped from her hands.

"That's right, she also has the surname Aozaki. Speaking of which, you two do share some resemblance, especially when you smile; it's the same dazzling brightness. Of course, this might just be my imagination." Roy continued, seemingly unaware of Aoko Aozaki's increasingly troubled expression as he spoke about that friend.

"If you don't mind my curiosity, could you tell me about your friend's physical features? If you both share the surname Aozaki, I think we might know each other."

Aoko Aozaki, with her face almost breaking under pressure, gritted her teeth as she spoke, her tone tinged with a hint of anger. "Could it really be that coincidental?"

Know each other? Of course, you definitely do know each other.

"Ah? If we're talking about physical features, she has so many distinctive traits. However, she has beautiful, long hair that is a deep red like flames, and her eyes are also strikingly pretty. And then there's…"

With a loud crack, Aoko Aozaki was seen holding a pair of chopsticks that had snapped in her grip.

"What's wrong, Miss Aozaki? You look a bit pale. Is something bothering you?"

"Ah, no, no! I just wasn't holding the chopsticks properly."

Prompted by Roy, Aoko quickly tossed aside the broken chopsticks and waved her hand, explaining, "Sorry, sorry! I might have gotten a bit too excited. Please continue."

"It's alright; I'm just glad you're okay, Miss Aozaki."

"If we're only describing appearances, it might not be precise enough. If you do know her, it's probably more convenient to just say her name."

Roy smiled and said, "My friend's surname is Aozaki, and her name is... "

As Roy slowly spoke the name, Aoko Aozaki's tense face grew darker, and when she finally heard the name he uttered, the suppressed emotions within her could no longer be contained.

"Touko."

*Crack*

This time, it was the sound of a ceramic bowl shattering.

___

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