The moment his consciousness returned, Kitano knew a little cutie had slipped over.
"Illya, go play for a bit. I need to go to my room."
He set Illya down.
In his room, he locked the door and said to the air,
"Eresh-chan, come out. No one's here."
A blonde girl appeared from nothing—almost identical to Rin.
A black outfit outlined her graceful curves perfectly.
Her right leg was wrapped in black silk; her left leg was bare and smooth.
"I finally found you…"
Eresh dove into his arms and rubbed against him.
"Yeah. I dodged Ishtar, but I couldn't dodge you."
Kitano stroked her golden hair softly.
"But you can't just stay by my side like this. Your form won't hold."
Her body was pure mana without a spiritual core. Once the mana faded, she'd vanish.
He had no core either, so he couldn't anchor her.
Following him over like this was reckless.
"Eh?!" Eresh panicked, tears rising.
"I didn't think of that… I just found you— I don't want to disappear!"
"Alright, don't cry. If you cry more, your face will streak, and you won't be pretty."
Kitano's heart ached at her sobbing.
After a moment's thought, he patted her back.
"Tomorrow, someone suitable will come. If you can't possess her, I'll take you to find Ishtar."
"Really?" Eresh looked up, eyes shining.
"Yeah. For now, hide in my sister's body. I have no mana to maintain you."
He let Eresh slip into him, then quietly "smuggled" her into Illya when he returned.
"Sister…" Eresh stayed concealed inside Illya, doing her best not to be noticed.
She'd finally found him. This time she wouldn't lose him again.
The next morning, Illya woke early and hurried to the shower for a cold rinse.
She looked like she'd exhausted herself, cheeks bright red.
Kitano prepared a lavish breakfast to welcome his long-lost underclassmen.
"Illya, what's wrong? Why are you so red?"
He glanced over from the kitchen and saw Illya at the doorway, blushing and fidgeting.
"Big brother, I…" Illya stammered, unable to say what she meant.
What came out was the opposite:
"I'm hungry… I want to eat."
Then she fled to the sofa and buried her head in a pillow.
Half a day later she realized she'd said the wrong thing and was mortified.
Inside Illya, Eresh had witnessed Illya's "night raid" and her renewed determination.
It shocked Eresh deeply, opening a brand-new door for her.
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang.
"Illya, open the door. I'm still cooking!"
Illya slipped on pink slippers and opened it.
"Rin-neechan, Sakura, you're here! Brother's cooking—come in!"
Last night Kitano had told her the Tohsaka sisters were coming.
"Big sis… is it true? Senpai Mu really came back?"
Sakura stared at the busy figure in the kitchen, tears shimmering on her cheeks.
"Of course." Rin steadied Sakura's shoulders, pointing excitedly.
"He told me to bring you."
"Senpai…" Sakura wiped her eyes, voice trembling.
"No, I can't let Senpai see me like this."
She tried to compose herself, but her swollen eyes betrayed her.
"Sakura…" Kitano's surprised voice came from behind her.
"Long time no see. Sit down first—I'll go call Mom."
He set the dishes down, knocked on Irisviel's door, then brought more bowls and chopsticks to the table.
"Senpai, long time no see." Sakura smiled brightly.
"Mm. Long time no see. Let's talk after we eat. I know you've got a lot to say."
Kitano guided her to sit.
During breakfast, Illya ate in silence like a guilty cat.
"I missed your cooking so much…" Sakura sighed happily after tasting.
"It's so good. Your skills are even better than before. Or is it just because it's been so long?"
"If you like it, eat more. There's plenty."
Kitano smiled.
He caught Illya fidgeting with something, patted her back, and scolded gently.
"What are you doing? No phones at the table."
"Ah—it's Brother—" Illya panicked, pointing at her screen.
"The second episode of The Oldest Godslayer is out! I was going to peek."
"Then we'll watch after we finish. Eat first."
He confiscated the phone and piled more food into her bowl.
"Okay…"
After they ate, Sakura helped clear the table with Kitano.
Illya dragged Rin to watch the new episode.
"Oh, it updated! Do I show up too?" Rin leaned forward eagerly.
"Mom, Mom, hurry! It's starting!"
Illya saw comments flying: [Opening thunderstrike].
The screen went black.
[Six years have passed since the hunt of Humbaba. The young king has grown into a stunningly handsome youth.]
[This year is also the year the Heavenly Goddess Ishtar proposes to Gilgamesh.]
In the ancient palace, adult Gilgamesh sat on his throne, laughing.
"Hahaha, Siduri! What did that messenger say again? Say it one more time. I want to hear it again."
Siduri sighed helplessly.
"Lady Ishtar says that in seven days, she will take you to heaven as her divine consort."