The sunlight cast a long shadow behind him, slowly receding along the tree-lined campus path.
He glanced at his phone. Kitagawa had already sent three messages:
"Ten-kun, where are you?"
"I checked, that 4S dealership is having a sale recently."
"(｡ŏ﹏ŏ) Hurry up!"
The corners of his lips lifted without him realizing. This vibrant girl had been excited since yesterday — even scrolling through car model specs during their intimate moments last night.
…Though every time she opened a details page, she would be interrupted by his deep kisses, and her phone would quietly slide off the bed.
As he walked and scrolled through her messages, his phone buzzed again.
A selfie from Kitagawa: eyes curved into crescents, peace sign raised, a fully packed bag and coat clearly in the background.
"I'll wait for you at the college gate!~"
He could picture her vividly — golden hair swaying as she searched for him.
Taisai Tensei smiled and typed back: "Almost there. PS: your smile is very cute."
Turning the last corner—
At the college gate, Kitagawa stood on her tiptoes peering around, her long golden hair fluttering in the wind. The moment she spotted him, her eyes lit up. She bounced and waved with the energy of a delighted little rabbit.
He silenced his phone and tucked it away. Now, it was Kitagawa's time. Kitagawa crashed into his arms like a tiny cannonball, bringing with her the sweet scent of sunshine and shampoo.
"Boyfriend-kun is late!" she declared, her golden hair brushing his chin and her smile dazzling.
Taisai Tensei didn't speak. His large hand naturally caressed the back of her head, his palm filled with the softness of her hair. The girl in his arms wriggled, lifted her face, eyes curling like moons.
"But it's okay! Before, Boyfriend-kun always waited for me, so today—it's my turn to wait for you."
"Alright, alright," he chuckled, brushing her slightly puffed cheek with a fingertip. "You worked hard, Marin."
"Hehe." Kitagawa grinned instantly, slipping her little hand into his palm, interlacing fingers, tugging him toward the gate. "Quick! Quick! Quick! I already arranged things with the dealership! I booked a test drive—we absolutely can't be late!"
Her steps were quick and light. Her golden hair with soft pink tips bounced behind her as she muttered excitedly, "That red sports car…the salesperson said there's a special offer today…"
A taxi arrived. The door shut, and they headed toward the dealership.
Kitagawa hugged his arm tightly, resting her head on his shoulder like a kitten curling into her nest. Suddenly, her little nose twitched. She leaned closer to sniff his collar. Her brows immediately drew into a tight knot.
Careless.
A small alarm went off in her heart.
Kaguya Shinomiya's scent.
She's in the same major as Ten-kun… who knows what she tried when I wasn't around…
Kitagawa's imagination spun instantly: the elegant young lady approaching Taisai with cunning charm, maybe pouting, maybe leaning close. She secretly tightened her grip on his arm.
The car soon halted.
The moment they stepped out, a bald, sharply dressed middle-aged man speed-walked from the dealership entrance, bowing warmly.
"Miss Kitagawa! I've been waiting for you!"
He turned to Taisai Tensei with equal politeness. "And you must be Mr. Taisai Tensei. Please, come in. The red sports car you reserved is ready for test driving."
Kitagawa's eyes sparkled instantly. The jealousy evaporated like smoke. She grabbed Taisai Tensei's hand and pulled him inside.
"Let's go! Let's go, Ten-kun! I can't wait to try Red-chan!"
The bald salesman led them to the test drive waiting area, poured water, and retreated to prepare the keys.
Now it was just the two of them.
Taisai Tensei took her hand, gently pulling her closer. Looking down at her still-glimmering eyes, he asked with a teasing smile, "Hey, why are you so excited? You don't even have a license."
Kitagawa dismissed it with a wave, the other hand miming gripping a steering wheel.
"I don't have one, but you do! And this is our first car! Of course I have to be excited!"
Her voice overflowed with pure joy. He couldn't help the soft laugh. He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into his chest, warm breath brushing her bangs.
"I have a license, and you don't. That won't do."
His arms tightened, and her ears instantly blushed. His voice lowered with indulgence.
"If you like this car that much…then hurry up and get your license."
He rubbed his chin lightly on her head. "After all, this car will be yours eventually."
Her whole body froze. Then she jerked her head up, golden hair brushing his neck. Her wide eyes first held disbelief—then exploded into a brightness more dazzling than even the sports car she wanted.
"R-really?! It's for me?!"
Her voice rose an octave as a radiant smile bloomed across her face. Like a joyous small animal, she rubbed against him again and again.
"Taisai Tensei! You're the best!"
Any worry about licenses vanished instantly. Her overflowing joy melted him. He pinched her puffed cheek gently.
"Yep. It's settled."
The bald salesman returned with the keys, nearly glowing with anticipation.
A brand-new 2018 red Audi R8 Spyder gleamed under the sun outside.
"Wow! Little Red!!" Kitagawa dashed toward the car, practically pressing her whole face to the window.
"It's so beautiful! And the interior—so cool!"
Taisai Tensei took the key and subtly signaled for the salesman not to accompany them.
The test drive began. Taisai drove first, smoothly navigating the streets, testing the handling. Kitagawa vibrated with excitement in the passenger seat, touching everything within reach, her happiness barely contained despite the seatbelt.
When roles switched and he sat in the passenger seat, he found her gripping the wheel (even though they weren't moving), eyes shining wildly. Her small face was flushed, nodding like crazy, practically shouting, This is amazing! This is the one!!
Taisai Tensei smiled. He rolled down the window and called out to the salesman waiting outside:
"Alright. We'll take this one."
The bald man's smile bloomed instantly. "Wonderful! Mr. Taisai Tensei! Right this way to complete the paperwork!"
Inside, he pointed at the buyer's signature line.
"Sign here."
Kitagawa took the pen—her fingertips trembling. Watching her own name about to attach to her dream car made her sniffle. Her eyes grew moist.
She blinked rapidly and quickly wrote: Kitagawa Marin.
"All done!" the salesman announced cheerfully, collecting the contract.
Taisai paid with a black card etched with swirling patterns. The dealership would deliver a brand-new car identical to the test model.
On the trip home, Kitagawa was uncharacteristically quiet. She simply clung to his arm, cheek pressed to his shoulder, smiling like an idiot every few seconds.
Taisai rubbed her head. "Come back to reality."
"Mmm…" She nuzzled him. "Taisai Tensei…"
"Yes?"
"…Nothing." She buried her face deeper.
But inside, her heart bubbled wildly:
Tonight…tonight I must reward Boyfriend-kun properly!
They entered their home.
Kitagawa kicked off her shoes, stepping barefoot onto the floor, still dizzy with happiness.
"I really…have a car?" she asked in a small, trembling voice.
Taisai changed into slippers. "Wasn't your name on the contract?" He smirked. "Should I call them and say I wrote the wrong one?"
"No!!" Kitagawa pounced, hugging his waist tightly like a possessive cat. "It's mine! My Reddie!"
He chuckled, stroking her back. "Then get used to it, future car owner."
He lifted her chin gently. "Give it a proper name. Calling it 'Reddie' makes it sound like a vegetable."
"Mhm!" She nodded eagerly; her smile radiant. "I'll think of the best name!"
She tiptoed up, pecked his lips, then—blushing furiously—skipped away. "I'm going to look up the fastest way to get a license!"
Taisai watched her hop away and shook his head with an indulgent smile before heading to the kitchen. He tied on a cartoon apron and began preparing ingredients. Then—a small head peeked around the doorway.
"Boyfriend-kuuuun! Boyfriend-kun!"
Taisai paused mid-cut and turned. "Hm? Done researching your license strategy?"
Kitagawa slipped in like a tiny fish, hugging him from behind and rubbing her cheek against his back.
"Hehe, not yet. But um…I want to ask you something."
He raised an eyebrow for her to continue.
"Tomorrow…can you help me pick someone up?"
"Pick someone up? Who?"
"She's a…distant cousin of mine." Kitagawa looked up, troubled. "She just came back to Japan. Her flight lands tomorrow afternoon."
"Oh?" Taisai nodded. "I can. You have class tomorrow morning?"
Kitagawa deflated instantly. "Ugh—don't remind me! That Demon Professor is still taking attendance tomorrow! There's no escaping!" She shivered.
Taisai nodded; he had heard about that professor.
"Alright. Send me a picture so I know who to expect. And warn her ahead of time."
"Mhm!! Boyfriend-kun is the best!" Kitagawa cheered and dashed—
"Wait." he stopped her. "You didn't tell me her name."
Kitagawa froze, spun around, and slapped her forehead. "Ah! Right!! I forgot the most important part!"
She stuck out her pink tongue sheepishly. "Her name is Rin Tohsaka! She just returned from an exchange at the 'Clock Tower' in Britain!"
"Rin…Tohsaka?"Taisai repeated slowly. "Got it."
She happily skipped out like a deer. Taisai watched her vanish again, sighed in gentle amusement, and returned to the cutting board. He sliced twice—
Thud. Thud.
The knife halted mid-air. His brow furrowed deeply.
"…Rin…Tohsaka?" He murmured again.
"…Fate????"