"..."
Vivian felt her mind reeling, her thoughts a frantic whirlwind. Tohsaka Sakura's meaning was crystal clear.
Yet, even so—
All of it remained utterly meaningless to Vivian in that moment. If she simply ignored it, she could pretend to deny it. If she denied it, then it might as well not exist. It was true that Tohsaka Sakura might have fallen for a Servant, but it didn't necessarily mean Ian!
Yes!
That had to be it!
Vivian's mind was flooded with such thoughts, to the point where Tohsaka Sakura's recent words simply vanished from her awareness.
However—
As if seeing through her teacher Vivian's self-deceiving thoughts, Tohsaka Sakura quickly added, her voice unwavering.
"Hmm... I don't want to mislead Teacher."
"So please allow me to be more direct—I like Mr. Ian."
This was the fastest solution Tohsaka Sakura could think of. It was to lay bare her feelings for Ian to Teacher Vivian.
Of course, this revelation was made with the unspoken agreement not to expose their previous embrace. They had indeed done those things in private.
But—
Because the person who initiated it was Vivian, Tohsaka Sakura could still act as if nothing had happened. She deeply respected her patient and guiding teacher. And if it was Vivian, she would surely understand the underlying meaning once Sakura had spoken.
In that case—
If Teacher also liked him, then the choice should be left to Ian himself. But if Teacher didn't like him, then this was the perfect opportunity to quietly erase the past incident.
This might not be the most perfect solution, but for Tohsaka Sakura in that moment, it was the most suitable approach she could conceive.
However—
For Vivian, this remained an unchangeable principle. Yet, having been Tohsaka Sakura's teacher for nearly a decade, she understood her student quite well. When Tohsaka Sakura spoke about something, it meant she had already thought it through countless times—after all, she was the type who would meticulously plan several steps ahead for every single move she made.
Vivian decided to patiently engage in a brief conversation with her. Understanding the situation clearly would help her make her next decision. The normally impetuous witch had, paradoxically, calmed down.
"Is that so?"
Vivian adopted a light, almost dismissive tone, as if the matter held no importance to her whatsoever.
"How interesting, something like that."
"However—"
"Sakura, I think it would be best if you severed those feelings early."
"..."
A simple statement, yet it instantly put Tohsaka Sakura on alert. Vivian's reaction, while not overtly obvious, was enough to draw a conclusion. Regardless of whether she had any relationship with Ian, in this matter at least, she did not support Sakura. Thinking about it this way, the situation was already quite precarious.
However—
Tohsaka Sakura didn't choose to expose Vivian's hidden thoughts. After all, she truly respected her teacher and wouldn't be so impolite.
"Teacher, what do you mean by that?"
With a simple question, Tohsaka Sakura tossed the ball back into Vivian's court.
Fortunately, the witch wasn't entirely unprepared. Without completely losing face, she began to explain.
"Sakura, since you've learned so much about the Holy Grail War from me,"
"You should know that Servants, who respond to summons, don't truly exist, do they?"
"Admittedly, they might live and communicate like humans, doing all sorts of things."
"But—"
"All of that is dependent on the Holy Grail War not ending."
"Once the Holy Grail War concludes, these Servants will eventually disappear."
"Your so-called feelings will then only turn into an empty joy."
"Instead of feeling pain then, you should cut off this notion now. That way, you might feel a little lighter."
Vivian really didn't want to use this reasoning. Because Ian being a Servant wasn't just true for Tohsaka Sakura. It was equally true for Vivian. Ian disappearing before Tohsaka Sakura would also mean disappearing before the witch. In the end, it wouldn't be just one person who suffered.
However—
Vivian knew there were some differences between herself and Tohsaka Sakura. The most obvious and strategically valuable point was that her own magical reserves far exceeded Sakura's. As for magic itself, it went without saying that Vivian could confidently claim no modern mage could compare to her.
If she could only seize the right to supply Ian with mana from Tohsaka Sakura, she had a myriad of ways to keep this man alive by her side forever.
So—
Vivian unleashed these words like a trump card. The witch hoped that Tohsaka Sakura standing before her would immediately understand that she would inevitably lose Ian, no matter what. That way, her student wouldn't cling to such impossible dreams.
However—
What Vivian didn't anticipate was that everything she had considered, Tohsaka Sakura had already thought through, driven by the affection in her heart for Ian. She quickly countered her teacher's "discouragement."
"Teacher, you are indeed correct."
"Mr. Ian is just a Servant of the Holy Grail War."
"According to the records, he is very likely to disappear after the Holy Grail War ends."
"But—"
Tohsaka Sakura looked at Vivian before her, a rare, resolute firmness in her gaze.
"Teacher Vivian, you seem to have forgotten something quite important."
"Hmm?" Vivian's brow furrowed. "Forgotten something quite important?"
"Yes." Tohsaka Sakura nodded. "Teacher Vivian... do you not remember the ultimate goal of the Holy Grail War?"
"To obtain the 'Holy Grail' capable of granting wishes, and thus fulfill the mage's own desires."
"..."
Vivian was not slow; she quickly grasped the hidden meaning behind Tohsaka Sakura's words.
"Are you trying to say..."
"Yes, Teacher."
Tohsaka Sakura proactively took over the conversation—a behavior she only exhibited when she was absolutely certain about something.
"Actually... ten years ago, when you told me about the Holy Grail War, I had already decided what I would do after obtaining the Grail."
"That was to allow the 'Ghost' to manifest in this world."
"However—"
"That wish seems a bit outdated now."
Tohsaka Sakura's eyes, fixed on Vivian, were now filled with unwavering determination. In this moment, she didn't view the other woman as a respected teacher, but as a rival who needed to be warned. This was the first time Tohsaka Sakura had done this, and it would be the only time.
"Now, I will state my wish to you again, Teacher."
"That is—"
"I will win the Holy Grail War, and then use it to wish for Mr. Ian to remain by my side."
"Teacher, did you hear me clearly?"
"..."
Vivian's pupils dilated several times in an instant. It was a revelation that brought shock from deep within her. And now, it seemed, a hint of fear had joined it. She realized that Tohsaka Sakura's objective was so strikingly similar to her own. But the cruelest part was that only one of them could seemingly achieve their wish. And for Vivian at this moment, she was clearly the one who wouldn't be able to fulfill hers.
After all—
Tohsaka Sakura now had a clear purpose.
And herself?
"..."
"..."
The atmosphere fell into a deathly silence. Master and student stared at each other, not exchanging another word. Neither revealed the other's true intentions, yet they were as raw and open as if everything had been confessed.
[You were unaware of the situation between Tohsaka Sakura and Vivian at the moment.]
[Because you had your own things to do.]
[You and Tohsaka Rin walked towards the checkout.]
[However, you did not know that Tohsaka Rin had some peculiar thoughts about you.]
Every three steps, she turned her head.
Every three steps, she turned her head.
Ian had lost count of how many times Tohsaka Rin had looked back. He simply watched as she scrutinized him countless times, with the gaze one might reserve for a rare animal in a zoo.
Finally, after Tohsaka Rin turned back yet again, Ian simply couldn't take it anymore. He spoke directly:
"Miss Rin, is there something you'd like to say?"
"If so, you might as well be straightforward... it'll be better for both of us."
"Uh..."
Caught in the act, Tohsaka Rin scratched her cheek, her expression a little awkward.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
"Yes." Ian nodded. "Otherwise, at this rate, you'll twist your neck in front of me eventually."
"Then promise me, don't tell anyone else, especially Sakura!" Tohsaka Rin added her condition, her voice hushed.
"..."
"Alright," Ian agreed. "If there's no problem, I definitely won't tell her... so go ahead and say it."
No problem, of course I won't tell. Problem, then it's a different story.
However, Tohsaka Rin seemed impatient, so she didn't pay much attention to the trap laid in Ian's words. She glanced left and right, confirming no one was looking their way, before revealing her thought.
"I mean—"
"Could I... touch your chest?"
Tohsaka Rin would never admit that she felt a thrill from the intensely captivating moment Vivian had displayed earlier. She simply wanted to gauge Ian's magical intensity as a Saber-class Servant. It was truly just that!
Of course—
Tohsaka Rin expected her request to be rejected. After all, even she found the request a bit outrageous.
However—
The development of events was far smoother than she could have imagined. No sooner had the words left her lips than Tohsaka Rin felt a warmth spread through her palm. It was the genuine, living warmth of Ian's body.
"Eh—!"
Tohsaka Rin's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. This was her first time touching the body of someone of the opposite sex. The young girl had expected to have to negotiate several times to achieve her goal, but she hadn't anticipated such a sudden outcome.
So firm.
So... Hard.
Is this a knight's muscle?!
Tohsaka Rin felt a tiny flutter deep within her. But quickly, this experience was replaced by the regret of a mage.
Damn it...
Why wasn't it me who summoned this Saber?!
He hasn't even revealed his True Name, and he has this level of magical density.
If she had him as a Servant, she could definitely gain a favorable position in the Holy Grail War.
"...Did I misunderstand?"
Ian's words pulled Tohsaka Rin back to reality. She quickly denied it.
"No, that's exactly what I meant."
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me." Ian released Tohsaka Rin's hand. "Because I also have something I'd like to ask of you."
"..."
Upon hearing this, Tohsaka Rin immediately became wary.
"It's not something I can't do, is it?"
"No."
Ian shook his head, then his gaze fell on another section of the mall not far away.
"You can definitely do it."
[You informed Tohsaka Rin of your idea.]
[Because it wasn't difficult to achieve, she quickly agreed.]
[After everything was taken care of, you and she returned to Tohsaka Sakura and Vivian.]
[You noticed the atmosphere between the two of them seemed a little off.]
"What's wrong?"
Ian looked at Tohsaka Sakura and Vivian standing before him.
"Did something happen?"
"Nothing at all." Tohsaka Sakura chose to keep the secret. "Right, Teacher Vivian?"
"...Mm," Vivian nodded, a struggle visible in the slight movement.
"That's good then—"
"Oh, right." Ian produced a rabbit hair clip and held it out to Tohsaka Sakura.
"This is for you."
"Eh?" Tohsaka Sakura's face colored with a shy blush. "Mr. Ian... why would you buy this?"
"I'm not sure how to put it," the knight replied to his Master.
"But—"
"I thought it suited you, so I bought it."
"Really?" Tohsaka Sakura quickly took the rabbit hair clip, placed it in her hair, and then twirled around.
"Mr. Ian, does it look good?"
"Yes, it looks good."
Watching Ian and Tohsaka Sakura, so intimately close like a pair of lovers, Vivian felt her heart tearing apart. She realized she hadn't won at all; she was completely the loser.
But just then, Tohsaka Rin quietly edged closer to Vivian's side. She patted the other woman's shoulder, asking in an understated tone:
"Teacher Vivian."
"What do you want?"
The sudden coldness in Vivian's gaze as she turned made Tohsaka Rin shiver slightly. But she remembered what Ian had asked her to do—she had to keep her promise.
Tohsaka Rin discreetly pulled a paper rose from the bag she was carrying and extended it towards Vivian.
"Here."
"Eh?" Vivian paused, surprised. "Why are you giving me this?"
"It's not from me," Tohsaka Rin pouted. "It's an art piece Ian just bought, and he asked me to give it to you."
"He... gave it to me?"
"Mm," Tohsaka Rin nodded. "My task here is done."
With those words, the young girl walked ahead, joining Tohsaka Sakura and Ian in their conversation about the hair clip.
Vivian, looking at the white paper rose in her hand, felt the utter darkness in her eyes slowly brighten. She knew this was his gesture, an action taken because of the words she had spoken earlier.
She hadn't lost yet.
She hadn't lost yet.
Even if he didn't remember anything, he still cared about her.
She absolutely could not yield him to Tohsaka Sakura.
At this moment, a thought arose in Vivian's mind, a thought she had never considered before.
If Tohsaka Sakura could participate in the Holy Grail War and realize her wish—
Then... why shouldn't she try it too?!