The Thirsty Girl's Guide To Summoning (Fate/Isekai)

Chapter 7

"Yoohoo, I'm home!" caroled a light male voice, but Ren didn't want to hear it. She was alone, she'd always be alone—

"Hey, lady," breathed the voice, right against her ear. "I've got that—whoaaaa!" Ren struck out as she jerked herself upright, her fist hitting something soft.

As she focused blearily on her surroundings, she consciously realized Merlin had returned and now sprawled on the floor next to her. A basket with some red and blue fruit rested on the ground just behind him, luckily just barely safe from being upset by his fall backwards.

Luckily? Hah. The last of the sleep fled Ren's mind and she glared at Merlin. "You knew I'd wake up badly, and you did that anyhow."

Merlin put his hand behind his head, his eyes closing as he laughed. "Ehehehe. You were just so cute when you woke up. Hey, hey, here, look what I brought for you. Those berry bushes were loaded." He swung the basket between the two of them like he could hide behind it.

Ren's nose twitched at the sweet, pungent scent. Then she decided forgiveness was good for the soul and took the peace offering. The berries came in three different sizes and colors, and each one tasted fresh and strange and wonderful. As she munched steadily, Ritsu knelt down beside her, staring at the basket.

"Where did those come from? We only grow the blueberries."

Merlin snatched a berry right under Ren's fingers and said, "I picked them from your village fields." Then he popped the berry into his mouth. "Mmm, they're delicious! Those fields must be legendary."

Ritsu's brow furrowed. "I don't understand. I'm sure—"

"He probably put them there himself before picking them," said Ren after swallowing a mouthful. "Don't pay any attention to him, Ritsu. He enjoys confusing you."

The younger girl looked between Ren and Merlin as her eyebrows drew down. Then she said, "Bad Merlin! Go sit in the corner!"

Merlin chuckled again and stood up before bending down again to pull a handful of berries from the basket. His knuckles brushed against Ren's. A shiver ran down her spine. She kept her eyes down until she saw the hem of his cloak moving away.

Ritsu cautiously tried the unfamiliar berries and then said, "Hmm. They're okay, I guess. Not as good as our berries, but they'd be good in a pie together."

After soothing her hunger, Ren peeked at Merlin, who wore a little smile as he flipped through Ritsu's book. Watching for his reaction, she deliberately said, "Thank you for the food, Merlin."

His little smile became a wince. He glanced up. "Hey, did I hear you say you wanted some new clothes earlier?"

Narrowing her eyes, Ren said, "Yes. And you said they'd require too much energy to make."

Merlin waved a finger. "I said creating magical armor along the lines of Excalibur would require too much energy. Ordinary clothing isn't a problem!" He stood up and plucked a single extremely long hair from the back of his head. "Just step this way."

Ren swallowed another mouthful of berries and stood up. Even recognizing his behavior, she scowled. He knew exactly how to piss people off while doing things for their benefit, and she didn't like being so easily misdirected.

After she moved closer to Merlin, he flicked the silvery hair at her. It moved magically to spiral up her arm and around her torso, before puffing into a brightness that obscured everything. As the spots faded from Ren's eyes, her pajamas fluttered against her skin and then changed. Violet ribbons tightened around her and merged into a fitted bodice with a short flared skirt, black leggings and high-top laceless sneakers.