To love a sword

Chapter 33: Island Mischief Part 2

Beta read by Shigiya, Paragon of Awesomeness and FabledLife

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This ballot had been a disaster in Rin's opinion. The young swordswoman wondered if her poor mistress was cursed with bad luck at this rate, contemplating whether she should even hire a shaman to perform a ritual to cleanse any lingering bad spirits. It was an idea she would have once scoffed at, given its superstitious nature. But after discovering the existence of aliens — of all things — she had started to question what other things she once dismissed as nonsense that might actually be real.

Regardless, had their plan gone smoothly, Saki would be paired with Emiya right now, the two of them walking hand in hand through the forest. They would have deliberately taken the scariest path, ensuring their mistress was sufficiently frightened, prompting Emiya to play the hero. The experience would strengthen their bond, and by the end of the night, the stage would be set for a kiss that would seal the deal — securing his place in the Tenjoin household as Saki's future husband.

Instead, here Rin was, forced to participate in this ridiculous challenge herself, alongside the boy she still had a hard time believing was in any way related to Emiya. Worst of all, Saki wasn’t even part of the activity, having inexplicably given up her position to that alien princess over some kind of deal Rin did not know of.

"Um, Kujo-san? Are you feeling okay?"

Lost in her thoughts, she had almost forgotten she wasn’t alone.

"Rin? Can you hear me? Is everything okay with you?"

She sensed the boy stepping closer, his hand about to reach for her shoulder. Without hesitation, she unsheathed her wooden sword in one swift motion, pressing the tip firmly against the center of his forehead.

"Ah!" Rito yelped, freezing in place and not daring to move a muscle.

"Take one step closer to me," Rin warned, her tone sharp as steel, "and I promise I will break your bones — even if that upsets your brother. Also, I would prefer if you just call me by my family name. I do not believe that we're close enough for you to call me by my given name."

Her mood was already foul, and being paired with him of all people only made it worse. This boy was the complete opposite of Emiya. Spineless, weak, and infamous for stumbling into compromising situations with girls that were borderline sexual harassment to the point of absurdity, she had no intention of letting herself become another of his victims. Which was why she was determined to keep up her guard around him constantly.

"S-Sorry! You just looked so spaced out that I got worried for a second! I swear I wasn’t trying to do anything weird!" he stammered, his hands raised in surrender. 

She scrutinized his frightened expression before sighing, realizing she might have overreacted. “Hah, no, don't apologize… It's my mistake. I was indeed lost in thought.” With a flick of her wrist, she lowered her sword, though she kept her sharp gaze on him. "Forgive me. I'm just not in the best mood today. And given your… questionable history with women, I got a bit defensive."

“Questionable?” 

“Do you deny you have an insatiable lust and frequently take advantage of every unassuming girl in your vicinity by sexually harassing them with excessive levels of groping that even the principal worship the ground you walk on and is planning to make you Student of the Year?” she asked with a completely straight face.

"That's not true!" Rito protested with clear horror at what he heard. "I don't do any of that stuff intentionally! And I am not worshipped by the principal! I-I just accidentally end up tripping in general, and well… it just so happened to be around a few women coincidentally.”