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"Of course, it's everyone who can provide."
When she said that, everyone was stunned. Rin, always quick to blush, turned as red as a rose, stammering, "Scathach, do you even realize what you're suggesting?"
"Of course, Rin, I'm perfectly clear-headed," Scathach replied, propping her chin on her hand as she lounged in the chair, her long, shapely legs crossed. She smiled slyly. "Yuto is our team's powerhouse. If he runs out of mana in battle and goes down, our whole plan falls apart. You don't want that, do you?"
"Th-That's not what I meant!" Rin shot back, flustered under Scathach's amused stare. She waved her hands wildly. "There are other ways for Servants to get mana, not just... that!" Her face was bright red, and she couldn't hide it. Her eyes, usually sharp, were now clouded with embarrassment.
"But let's be real," Scathach said, her smile fading into a more serious look. "That method is the quickest and easiest way to transfer magic, right?"
In the Holy Grail War, the Grail provides the magic for Servants to manifest, but their Masters have to keep supplying it to sustain them. Some Servants turn to darker methods like consuming souls. As spiritual beings, they're meant to draw power from souls and spirits, taking small bits of magical energy from others. Caster (Medea), for instance, did this often since she had no Master to rely on. Then there's Gilgamesh, who went further, using tortured souls in the church basement like batteries to stay in the world for ten years. It's grim stuff. Rin and Sakura, proper magicians, would never go for those extreme options.
Yuto's situation mirrors Shirou Emiya and Saber's from the original story. Artoria, his Master, isn't a skilled magus, so her summoning was incomplete. The magic link between them was never fully connected.
He can't draw power from her like other Servants do. On top of that, Yuto can't shift into spirit form, so he keeps his magic up by eating a ton of food. After yesterday's fight, where he opened his Gate of Babylon over and over and even unleashed Enuma Elish, a Noble Phantasm that burns through magic, he ate like crazy to recover. But to face the female Gilgamesh, he'll need a lot more power.
"Yuto… I can give you mana!" Artoria blurted out, faster than Rin, who was still a blushing mess. She bit her lip, looked up with determined eyes, and met his gaze.
"Hold up, just you won't cut it," Scathach interrupted, dead serious. "For a guy like Yuto, who leans hard on Noble Phantasms, we need more than one person to fill him up."
"Wait, Sakura, you too?" Medusa started, caught off guard. Sakura, who was standing quietly in the corner, raised her hand.
"I'm in," she said without any hesitation.
"Sakura… seriously?" Rin couldn't believe it. Her little sister had jumped in without a second thought. Rin acted bold, but deep down, she was more reserved unlike Sakura, who'd grown up abroad.
"Well, you figure it out. Just throwing it out there," Scathach said, totally unbothered by the mess she'd stirred. She strolled off, legs carrying her away like she didn't have a care. The three girls: Rin, Sakura, and Artoria stood there, glancing at each other. It felt like everything was said, but nothing was settled.
…..
Before they knew it, night had fallen, cool and quiet. A steady drizzle tapped outside, dripping from the roof into soft puddles on the ground. The wind carried a sharp chill, pushing dark clouds across the sky like waves. It was the kind of night perfect for staying in and finding something fun to do.
Yuto turned, eyeing Rin with a spark of interest. She wore a sleek nightgown that hugged her frame, showing off her tall, toned build. Her waist was slim, curves subtle but there, and as she leaned forward, her figure hinted through the fabric. Her pale neck glistened faintly with sweat, flushed red from shyness. Her usual twin tails hung loose, dark hair spilling over her shoulders, giving her a quiet, mysterious air.
Rin shivered, biting her lip. Feeling Yuto's playful stare, she snapped out of it, grabbing the sheet to cover herself. Her eyes met his, tangled with embarrassment and a touch of annoyance.
"You… you…!" Rin stammered, her face a mix of feelings. Yuto smirked. "What's up?" he asked, casual as ever. "Everything that just happened… it wasn't a dream, was it?" She sounded shaky, barely holding it together. "Nope, it's real, Rin. You and me, we're closer now," he said with a grin. "W-What? No way, that's… that's not…" She tried to piece it together, her face burning red, shame all over it. "Ugh…" She'd guarded that part of herself for years, and now it was his.
"Relax, Rin. You're mine now, and I'll take care of you," Yuto said, dropping his usual grin for a rare serious look. Rin's blue eyes blinked, her cheeks heating up. "What? Just because you look good doesn't mean I'll fall for you. This was just… a deal, okay? Don't get any ideas." She huffed, all tsundere, pushing back even as her heart raced.
Yuto didn't buy it. He pulled her in, kissed her hard, and said, "Sorry, didn't hear that. I'm sticking with you forever."
"Hmph," she mumbled, squirming, but he held her firm. She glared, half-hearted, her body easing closer despite herself.
Right as things warmed up, a soft voice cut through. "Wow, you and Yuto are really close, huh, sis?" The air froze. Sakura stood there, her face blank, but her eyes, cold and deep made Rin sweat. She'd almost forgotten: earlier, she and Sakura had both been with Yuto.
Unlike Rin's slimmer build, Sakura's figure was fuller, more mature. Her dark purple lace nightgown clung tight as she stood straight, showing off her narrow waist and soft curves. The color suited her, adding a mysterious vibe to her calm, steady presence.
"Yuto… you don't prefer my sister, do you?" Sakura asked, smiling sweetly at him, ignoring Rin entirely as she slid next to him. "My feelings for you are special now," she said, leaning in. "After what we shared, I'd get jealous if you're with other girls." It was pure Sakura. Her emotions ran deep, intense, just like in the stories.
Yuto knew girls like Sakura well, ones who felt everything so strongly. He had a way with them. Sometimes, you just had to dive in. So, he shut the bedroom door.
...
Morning came fast. A gentle breeze rustled through the yard, stirring the leaves and casting shifting shadows. The sun rose high, warming the ground, stretching those shadows long. Light spilled into the room, and Medusa's eyes flicked open.
She blinked, tucked into a soft bed under warm covers.
'Wait, I'd slept?' Servants didn't need that. Last night must've really shaken her. Her cheeks went pink at the thought.
Yuto had been relentless, not even asking if she was okay with it. If this kept up, she'd be a "Rider" in more ways than one and she was here for the Grail War, not this! "Oh…" She winced, ashamed at how she'd let go.
She'd just decided to keep her distance from that annoying guy when his arms slipped around her from behind. A spark ran through her, and she bit her lip, holding steady.
"Hey, Medusa, show me your eyes," Yuto said, pulling her close despite her embarrassment. He met her gaze, fearless. Those purple eyes matched her hair perfectly, deep and pulling him in.
Out of instinct, her eyes flashed, a petrifying ray shooting at him. Yuto swayed but stood firm, his magic resistance shrugging it off.
"Huh?" She blinked, surprised he was fine.
"I like your eyes," he said, running a hand through her smooth hair.
Her face heated up. "Hmph, don't think sweet talk will trick me," she snapped. "I'll protect my Master from you, got it?"
"Sure, sure," Yuto said, patting her hip lightly. She shot him an annoyed look as he leaned on her, yawning. "Think what you want. I'm taking a nap."
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