"..." Atalanta hesitated for a long while before confirming that she hadn't misheard Tohsaka Rin. She felt that her Master not only supported her doing this but also suggested an appropriate timing!
"Rin, by your meaning, should I go meet him alone when he's taking a bath?"
"Yes, exactly," Tohsaka Rin nodded. "Otherwise, do you think there'll be any other opportunity?" Tohsaka Rin was speaking the truth. Her sister's romantic desire for her Saber had reached an extremely fervent level. Only at such a time could she find a sliver of possibility for Ian to be alone.
"But—" Atalanta looked at her Master, a few more glints of caution and prudence in her green eyes. "I feel like even if it's a bath... judging by how she was earlier, it's unlikely she'd let Ian go alone, right?"
"As expected of Archer, I suppose?" Tohsaka Rin smiled slightly. "Your observation skills are indeed very sharp. That's right... ordinarily, Sakura would indeed likely follow Ian into the bathroom. So—" A sharp glint flashed in the girl's eyes. "This 'opportunity' is for both of us—I can find some things to chat with her about for a while. And you, Archer, must use this opportunity to verify your thoughts, understand?"
"..." Feeling Tohsaka Rin's trust, Atalanta felt a surge of gratitude. She truly liked being entrusted with things—it made her feel like she was looking after a child. "I understand. In that case—I will execute it as a mission!"
"Excellent." Tohsaka Rin nodded. "That's the Archer I want to see!"
[You are unaware of the plan formulated by Tohsaka Rin and her Servant.]
[You merely find the girl named Arcadia familiar.]
[You feel as though you have indeed encountered her at some point—but you cannot recall when.]
[Tohsaka Sakura has noticed your abnormality.]
"Mr. Ian, what's wrong?" Tohsaka Sakura's gentle voice pulled Ian out of his contemplation. In the girl's blue eyes, only his figure remained. "You've seemed a bit preoccupied since earlier."
"..." After a moment of hesitation, Ian still chose not to hide his thoughts from Tohsaka Sakura, the one he "loved." On one hand, he felt there was no need to hide from the person he "loved"; on the other hand, he found that he couldn't explain the current situation by himself.
"Sakura, it's like this."
[You told Tohsaka Sakura all your doubts about Arcadia.]
[Under the influence of the Command Spell, you spoke very frankly, without any concealment.]
[Tohsaka Sakura clearly understood your feelings.]
"I see." Tohsaka Sakura nodded thoughtfully. "Mr. Ian, you feel very familiar with that girl named 'Arcadia,' don't you?"
"Yes," Ian nodded. "That's correct."
"..." Tohsaka Sakura was silent for a moment. She seemed to have thought of something, then muttered a few words to herself softly. "It looks like—perhaps I need to confirm with Sister."
[Because of their respective intentions, the ensuing dinner time was unusually quiet.]
[Afterward, Zenjou Aoi's old ailment acted up again.]
[After taking her medicine, she returned to her room to rest.]
[At this moment, only you, Tohsaka Sakura, Tohsaka Rin, and the newly arrived Arcadia remained in the room.]
The atmosphere was utterly silent. Each person harbored their own thoughts, not speaking a word. Realizing that her plan couldn't possibly be implemented if things continued this way, Tohsaka Rin took the initiative to break the silence.
"Um—! Which one of you is going to shower first?! It's getting late, don't all crowd in at once."
Atalanta didn't respond—because her purpose wasn't to shower at all, but to get a chance to be alone with Ian. Besides, her current dual identity as a classmate and cosplayer wasn't suitable for being the "vanguard." For the same reason, Tohsaka Rin couldn't be the first either. Her goal was also not to shower, but to create an opportunity for her Servant Atalanta to be alone with Ian. If she could thereby learn Ian's true identity, she would certainly be in an advantageous position in the upcoming Holy Grail War.
So—no matter what, it had to be done. But merely thinking about it wouldn't achieve the goal. Tohsaka Rin knew she had to be more proactive. She spoke directly: "I... just happen to have something I want to talk to Sakura about. Ian, why don't you go shower first?!"
Tohsaka Rin had tried her best to utter this incredibly abrupt request in a calm tone. She only hoped that everything would unfold as she wished. And indeed, things seemed to be progressing as the girl prayed. Hearing her sister's "suggestion," Tohsaka Sakura not only didn't hesitate but even more proactively said to Ian beside her: "Since Sister says so—Mr. Ian, you... should take the first shower."
Facing his Master's "command," Ian naturally wouldn't object. He nodded: "Alright, I understand." Having said that, the man directly stood up and walked towards the bathroom—even though, as a Servant, he didn't actually need to shower.
Tohsaka Rin breathed a sigh of relief. This was the situation she wanted to see. But before the girl could relax for a few seconds, Tohsaka Sakura's voice came through.
"Sister, since you have something you want to talk to me about. Then—" Tohsaka Sakura looked out the window. "Let's talk outside."
Having waited for her sister to say just that, Tohsaka Rin didn't hesitate at all. She gave Atalanta an "okay" gesture behind her back, then immediately agreed. "Mm, Sakura, let's go."
Everything was proceeding in the most ideal direction. Tohsaka Rin directly led her sister, Tohsaka Sakura, towards the outer garden. That was the most convenient place for whispered conversations—and also a place from which one couldn't see inside the house.
After confirming that the two of them had walked away, Atalanta also stood up, preparing to execute her own mission. She looked left and right, confirmed everything was safe, then tiptoed towards the bathroom. During this process, the catgirl Servant Atalanta was extremely vigilant—she was very worried that the plan she had devised with her Master would be exposed due to her carelessness.
Fortunately, the actual situation was much easier than she had imagined. Without any unexpected occurrences, Atalanta arrived directly at the bathroom door.
At this moment. The light inside was already on—presumably turned on by Ian, who had just entered. Atalanta felt her heart pounding. After all, ultimately, she could only confirm that he had many similarities with her Master from memory. Atalanta wasn't entirely certain if he was the same person. She wouldn't willingly call anyone other than Ian, who had saved many children for her, "Master."
The catgirl Servant's tail stood up—a sign of her extreme tension. She took a deep breath, adjusted her breathing, then swish! pulled open the bathroom door.
And in the very first second of seeing the situation inside, Atalanta instantly confirmed one thing. That's right. This was her beloved Master; there wasn't a single thing to doubt. Or rather, only that Master could give this little catgirl enough psychological shock to confirm it at first glance.
She had never imagined she would reunite with him in such a miraculous way; Atalanta's first reaction at this moment wasn't surprise, but profound emotion.
"Master~" Atalanta called out, then plunged into the bathroom, throwing herself into his embrace.
"..."
[Looking at the very forward Arcadia, you become even more certain that you must have encountered her on some occasion.]
[But at the same time, the title "Master" also makes you very curious.]
[You feel that you should accept this title—yet you also feel that something isn't quite right.]
[You are completely unaware that Tohsaka Sakura's Command Spell has severely affected your thoughts.]
[Your perception is gradually becoming distorted.]
Facing Atalanta, who had plunged into his embrace. Ian did not push her away immediately but allowed her to nuzzle in his arms like a real cat for a while. Only after the catgirl Servant had more or less calmed down did he ask: "Arcadia, why do you call me 'Master'?"
"Eh?" Atalanta looked up, her two cat ears trembling slightly, her expression full of confusion. "Master, do you really not remember me at all?"
"..." Ian looked at the catgirl in his arms, who seemed somewhat familiar but whom he couldn't completely identify, and his brows couldn't help but furrow slightly. Finally, he spoke: "I'm sorry. I also feel like I might have seen you somewhere—but now, I truly don't recognize who you are."
"..." Atalanta's expression gradually shifted from the joy of reunion to the fear of being "abandoned." This made her recall the memory of being left in the forest by her king father when she was young. A sense of PTSD-like feeling spread throughout the catgirl's body, like thousands of needles pricking her.
"Master, don't be like this! I... I can't bear it!!"
"..." Seeing Atalanta's panicked expression, Ian quickly realized that his words had seemingly had a profound impact on her. He gently stroked her head and spoke in a gentle tone that did not exceed the rules set by his Master, Tohsaka Sakura: "I truly want to acknowledge your title of 'Master.' But—I'm sorry, I currently have no basis to do so."
"Basis?" Atalanta felt the familiar caress. The catgirl's gaze instinctively turned to Ian in front of her. That perfect touch, only a Master could provide. The catgirl Servant's throat moved slightly, and then she made up her mind to do something. This was both for her Master and for the Master in front of her.
"Then—please sit on the edge of the tub. I will provide you with the basis for recollection."
"..." Although he didn't know Arcadia's purpose, Ian instinctively felt she had no ill intentions. He nodded, then sat on the edge of the bathtub. And as soon as he sat down, Atalanta immediately proceeded to the next step—she still remembered what her Master's favorite "play" was back then.
The catgirl crouched on the ground, wagging her tail like a real cat, and crawled on all fours in front of Ian. Having already submitted to him once, she had no psychological burden doing this anymore.
"Master." Atalanta placed both of Ian's hands on her head. She looked at him, who was seated above her, with a shy yet blissful expression. "This is Master's favorite thing to do—after this, you absolutely must remember me."
The next moment. The little cat nuzzled in his arms, looking just like a real pet cat. But she didn't notice one thing—that Ian's gaze at her had not changed even a single iota. His feelings for other women had been completely sealed off.
Meanwhile, in the garden of the Tohsaka mansion.
Tohsaka Rin was strolling with Tohsaka Sakura. However—although ostensibly a stroll, Tohsaka Rin had no mind for such leisurely relaxation. Her purpose for this outing was singular: to buy as much time as possible for her Servant Atalanta, so that she could analyze Ian's identity to the fullest extent. This could very well be an event that determined the future course of the Fifth Holy Grail War. Tohsaka Rin dared not let her guard down—she knew she had to keep her sister distracted here no matter what.
"Um—Sakura, have all the enrollment procedures been completed?"
"Yes," Tohsaka Sakura nodded. "Sister, have you forgotten? You and I went to do them together."
"Right, right." Tohsaka Rin gave an awkward laugh. "Then—have you bought everything you needed?"
"It's all bought already," Tohsaka Sakura replied politely. "I've checked multiple times; nothing's missing."
"..." Feeling that every topic she brought up was awkward, Tohsaka Rin had to stop and temporarily think about what she should discuss. But the girl didn't expect that her sister, Tohsaka Sakura, also had a question for her.
Tohsaka Sakura stopped. Her back to the moonlight, the girl who had returned to her homeland was bathed in pure white light. And her eyes, at this moment, emitted faint blue light—particles that only formed when magic circuits were activated.
"Sister, please answer me one question. That girl named Arcadia—she's your Servant, isn't she?"