The False servant

The battle was over.

I had won.

However, my body felt like it was about to fall apart.

Every muscle screamed, my breath was heavy, and the wound on my shoulder kept stinging, reminding me just how thin the line between victory and defeat truly was. Though not deep enough to threaten my life, the pain was still excruciating.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The cold night air brushed against my skin, but it wasn't enough to drive away the exhaustion weighing down on my body.

I raised my hand, watching my trembling palm. This was proof of the fierce battle I had just fought. If I had been just a little more careless… perhaps I would have been the one to disappear into black mist, just like the enemy I had defeated.

For now, I just needed to find a place to rest.

I shifted my gaze around, scanning the ruins scattered along the streets. This city… was filled with devastation. Buildings that once stood proudly were now nothing more than silent debris, reflecting the severity of this Singularity.

There was no sign of life.

Only silence.

But I didn't have time to dwell on these thoughts. I had to quickly find a place that could still serve as shelter.

With a flick of my hand, my sword vanished into thin air. In my current condition, carrying a weapon would only slow me down.

I staggered forward, every step feeling heavier than the last. Even though my legs felt like they were weighed down with lead, I kept moving. I knew that if I stopped now, I might never get back up again.

And after what felt like an eternity, I finally found it.

A house still standing amidst the ruins.

Although its walls were slightly cracked and its windows shattered, it looked far more habitable than the other buildings around it.

I didn't think twice.

With the last of my strength, I stepped toward the house.

By the time I reached the door, my body finally rebelled.

I lost my balance, instinctively turning my body and leaning against the cold wooden door.

I tilted my head slightly upward, staring at the gray sky above. The heavy clouds hung low, as if they were trying to swallow the entire world into darkness.

I let out a long sigh.

If I were suddenly attacked right now, I wasn't sure I could survive. But…

"There's no point in thinking about that now…"

I allowed my body to sink into exhaustion, letting gravity pull me deeper into the rest I had been denying myself.

My eyes slowly closed, and my consciousness began to fade.

For now… just for now…

I wanted to sleep.

.

.

.

Several hours had passed since I collapsed from exhaustion. Slowly, my eyes opened, and I began to feel strength returning to my body.

I looked around, and to my surprise, the surroundings were eerily calm. There didn't seem to be any threats lurking as usual.

"Strange..." I muttered softly. "Why did those skeletons suddenly disappear?"

I shook my head, trying to push away the doubts creeping into my mind.

Thinking about it wouldn't help me. After all, in a world filled with anomalies, unexpected things could happen at any moment.

I shifted my attention to my body, feeling that something was off. My eyes scanned over the armor and battle attire covering me.

Although not too severe, there were several deep cuts on my shoulders, chest, and arms—all remnants of the fierce battle I had just endured.

Yet, oddly enough, even though these wounds had fully healed thanks to the regenerative abilities of a Servant, my clothes and armor remained damaged.

"Looks like I should undo this imitation..."

I closed my eyes, focusing on my thoughts. For a few seconds, I gathered the energy within me, and with full concentration, I worked to deactivate my Noble Phantasm that had mimicked Artoria.

After a moment, I felt the transformation take place. The appearance altered by my imitation began to fade, and the clothes and armor granted by the imitation gradually vanished, revealing my true form.

"This feels a little better…"

I opened my eyes, feeling my body return to its natural state. My comfortable sleepwear now covered me once more, and though simple, it felt far more fitting for my recovering body.

I then attempted to stand up, my body still stiff and sore. Even though my wounds had healed, the deep fatigue from battle still weighed heavily on me.

Truly, even though my body had recovered, the exhaustion and mental strain from that fight wouldn't disappear so easily.

However, there was one thing I had realized—from that battle against the Servant, I had gained valuable experience. Every second of that fight, though filled with danger, had taught me lessons that I would carry into future battles.

It wasn't just about physical strength, but also about self-mastery, reading the situation, and knowing when to act and when to hold back.

I let out a small smile, even as my body remained weary. No matter what, there were still many things to learn, many challenges to face. But one thing was certain—I wouldn't stop. I would continue to grow, to become stronger.

I let out a slow breath before finally turning around, my gaze fixed on an old wooden door standing before me. Its color had faded, parts of it looked worn, yet overall, this house was still sturdier compared to the other buildings around it. I had never seen this place before, and curiosity slowly took hold of my thoughts.

What could be inside?

Carefully, I reached for the handle and pushed the door open. Without resistance, it swung inward with ease—it seemed like it had never been locked in the first place. The air inside was colder than outside, carrying the scent of aged wood and dust that had long settled.

The room before me was in disarray. Chairs lay toppled, a thick layer of dust covered the table, and small fragments of wood littered the floor. Yet, despite the darkness, I could see everything clearly. Darkness was not something I feared—rather, I had long been accustomed to it.

My footsteps echoed softly as I began exploring the house, letting my fingers brush against the furniture I passed. Eventually, I found a bedroom, and judging by its condition, it once belonged to someone who had lived here before the place was abandoned.

I stepped inside and took in my surroundings. A large wardrobe stood in the corner, a tall mirror with a crack on one side, and a bed with crumpled sheets. But my attention was drawn to something else—the clothes scattered across the bed and floor.

The garments were still in good condition, as if waiting for someone to wear them again. I crouched down, touching one of them, before my eyes were drawn to a white dress.

I lifted it slowly, letting my fingers feel the softness of the fabric. The dress looked so beautiful, pristine despite being left behind for so long. For some reason, seeing it brought an odd sense of nostalgia to my chest—like a distant, hazy memory that still felt real.

Something beautiful.

Something long lost.

Something that would never return.

I took a deep breath and removed the pajamas I was wearing before beginning to change. The soft fabric of the dress draped over my body perfectly, fitting every curve without feeling excessive.

Once finished, I stepped toward the large mirror in the room. The reflection stared back at me—a girl with short, slightly messy black hair, her golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. The white dress I now wore contrasted against my dark skin, creating a striking yet harmonious combination.

I lifted the hem of the dress slightly with both hands, letting the fabric sway gently. For a moment, I simply stood there, observing my own reflection.

Then, I smiled softly.

I didn't know why, but… at this moment, I felt a little lighter.

Memories might never return, and the past might never change. But I was still here, still moving forward, still alive.

And with that thought, I turned toward the door.

I stepped out of the bedroom, leaving the reflection in the mirror behind me. The white dress I now wore felt light as I walked down the silent hallway of this abandoned house. Only the sound of my footsteps echoed, creating a quiet atmosphere that, for some reason, felt comforting.

As I entered the kitchen, I was slightly surprised. Unlike the other rooms that appeared messy and abandoned, this kitchen still looked relatively tidy. The furniture was neatly arranged, the dining table wasn't covered in as much dust as I had expected, and the wooden cabinets along the walls remained tightly shut.

Curiosity led me to an old refrigerator in the corner of the room. I grasped its handle and pulled it open slowly. With a faint hiss, cold air escaped, greeting my eyes with contents far beyond my expectations.

I had assumed it would be empty or filled with rotten, inedible food. But surprisingly, it wasn't. The refrigerator was still functioning well, and inside were various food supplies—fresh fruits, cuts of meat stored in sealed containers, and even a bag of marshmallows still sealed in its packaging.

My eyes landed on the marshmallows.

As a Servant, I didn't actually need food to survive. My body didn't experience hunger like ordinary humans, and the energy I required came from other sources. But still… the desire to eat remained. Perhaps not out of necessity, but because of old memories—the simple feeling of enjoying something I liked, even without the real sensation of hunger.

Carefully, I took the bag of marshmallows and closed the refrigerator door. I placed it on the table, then started searching for something I could use to roast them.

Skewers. A lighter.

I opened a few drawers until I finally found them—a long, sturdy skewer that could hold a marshmallow and a small lighter. I placed both items on the table next to the marshmallow bag, then gathered them in my arms before stepping out of the house.

The night air greeted me as I stepped into the wide yard. Stars shimmered in the dark sky, while a gentle breeze blew softly, slightly lifting the hem of my white dress. I walked a few meters away from the house and found a suitable spot.

There, I set down the marshmallows, the wooden skewer, and the lighter on the ground. But there was still one thing missing—firewood.

I went back inside the house, this time searching for wooden blocks I could use as fuel for my small bonfire. After rummaging through a few rooms, I finally found some dry pieces of wood.

Carrying them back outside, I carefully arranged them, ensuring that the fire would burn properly and last long enough. Once everything was set, I picked up the lighter and ignited it.

A small spark appeared, and soon, flames began spreading through the pile of wood, casting a soft golden glow into the darkness. I watched for a moment, enjoying the crackling of burning wood and the distinct scent that filled the air.

After making sure the fire was stable, I picked up one of the skewers and pierced a marshmallow onto its tip. Carefully, I lifted it and began roasting it over the fire.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, I let the warmth of the fire brush against my skin. My white dress glowed slightly in the firelight, creating a stark contrast against my dark skin.

This is where I am now.

A girl in a white dress, sitting under a starry sky, roasting marshmallows in the stillness of the night.

I don't know what awaits me in the days ahead. I don't know where this journey will take me. But for now… just for tonight… I want to savor this moment fully.

Without burdens. Without worries.

Just me, the bonfire, and the marshmallow slowly melting at the tip of my skewer. Sitting here, letting the bonfire burn gently before me. The quiet night, the stars shimmering in the dark sky, and the scent of burning wood filling the air.

In my hand, a marshmallow slowly turns golden, melting little by little over the fire.

My thoughts drift, carried away by the waves of nostalgia enveloping me.

The memory comes unbidden—a moment so warm, like the glow of the bonfire burning before me now.

~~~

Flashback Time.

"Yuki-san...! Yuki-san...! Are you listening to me!?"

The loud voice came from my side, snapping me out of my thoughts. I flinched slightly, blinking before turning to my left. There, a boy with short brown hair was staring at me with a slightly annoyed expression.

His name was Kitamura, my best friend besides Hana.

I immediately realized that I had been spacing out again. Lowering my head, I shifted my gaze to the marshmallow at the tip of my skewer, which was almost burnt. Panicking, I quickly pulled it away from the fire and blew on it to keep it from burning further.

"Hah, you were daydreaming again, Yuki-chan... Hehe, that's not good, you know!"

Someone to my right chimed in. I glanced over and saw Hana, my best friend, looking at me with a small grin. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, gleaming under the bonfire's light.

I let out a soft sigh before taking a bite of the nearly burnt marshmallow. Though the outside was a bit bitter from being scorched, the inside was still soft and sweet.

"I wasn't daydreaming…" I mumbled while chewing slowly.

Kitamura sighed, then leaned his back against the tree trunk.

"Oh yeah? Then what was that? You were staring at the bonfire for a full ten minutes without blinking!"

"Ten minutes?"

My eyes widened.

"Seriously?"

Hana chuckled.

"Yeah, seriously. I almost finished roasting two marshmallows while you were still holding yours over the fire until it nearly burned."

I sighed, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry, I was just… thinking."

Kitamura raised an eyebrow.

"Thinking about what?"

I fell silent for a moment, staring at the marshmallow still in my hand.

About the future? About the journey of life? About how I wished moments like this could last longer?

But I didn't want to ruin the mood with a deep answer. So, I simply gave a small smile and said,

"About how delicious roasted marshmallows are."

Kitamura and Hana exchanged glances before laughing together.

"That's such a Yuki answer," Kitamura said with a grin.

Hana nodded in agreement.

"Yup, totally your style."

I chuckled along with them.

The night breeze blew gently, tousling my hair. The three of us sat around the bonfire at our campsite at the foot of Mount Fuji. Tonight was so beautiful, so peaceful.

"I still can't believe we actually got to join this camping trip," Hana said, swinging her legs slightly above the ground.

"I thought the school wouldn't allow us to go without a guardian."

Kitamura shrugged.

"Well, we were lucky to have a kind teacher. Besides, we're old enough to take care of ourselves, aren't we?"

"That's true," I said as I took another bite of my last marshmallow.

Suddenly, Hana leaned against my shoulder, surprising me a little.

"I wish moments like this could last longer," she said softly.

"I want us to keep traveling together like this, even after we graduate."

I looked at her, then smiled.

"I think so too."

Kitamura grinned.

"In that case, we should make a promise."

"A promise?" Hana and I asked at the same time.

Kitamura nodded and raised his right hand as if making an oath.

"One day, when we're all grown up, we'll come back here. The three of us, in this same place. We'll sit around the bonfire, roast marshmallows, and reminisce about our school days."

I stared at him in silence, then glanced at Hana. She smiled and raised her hand as well.

"I'm in," she said.

I let out a small sigh before raising my hand too.

"Alright. Me too."

Kitamura extended his fist to the center, and Hana placed hers on top of his. I did the same, and together, we clasped our hands.

"Promise," Kitamura said.

"Promise," Hana repeated.

"Promise," I whispered, feeling warmth spread through my chest.

That night, under the starry sky, we made a simple promise.

A promise that would never be forgotten.

Flashback End.

~~~

I opened my eyes, awakening from the long-buried memory.

The night breeze blew gently, lifting the hem of my white dress. The bonfire was still burning, and in my hand, a marshmallow—now golden brown—was starting to melt.

I stared at it in silence.

Kitamura… Hana…

I wondered how they were doing now.

Did they still remember the promise we made that night?

I let out a slow breath and pulled the marshmallow away from the fire before it could burn. I blew on it softly, then took a bite. The gentle sweetness spread in my mouth, bringing back the warmth of an almost-forgotten feeling.

I smiled faintly, though the sadness in my eyes was unmistakable, because deep down, I knew—

That promise…

Would probably never be fulfilled.

***

Author: Hello! Oh well, I just want to do a voting for who the MC should imitate next. So if you have suggestions, just comment and I'll reply!