"Oh, you're alone."
Scáthach stepped into the room just as Shiomi was watching a documentary about Antarctica on Chaldea's wall-mounted TV.
Romani had stopped by earlier for a routine check-up, turned on the TV for him, then left.
"So, Master, was it really necessary to change clothes just to come see me?" Shiomi glanced over, watching Scáthach casually undress.
After entering Chaldea, he'd been given a larger room—partly due to his well-known relationship with Morgan.
But with both his Master and Artoria now living with him, even this spacious closet had started to overflow. Their casual wear had gradually taken over, leaving Shiomi's own clothes pushed into a corner.
…Technically, Chaldea had prepared extra rooms for them. They just didn't use them.
"It's nothing. If I'm resting, I may as well look the part," Scáthach said, pulling down the hem of her off-shoulder sweater and adjusting the neckline with a flick of her fingers. "Besides, my dear disciple enjoys the view, doesn't he?"
The off-white sweater hung loosely around her shoulders, perfectly framing her fair skin.
Her legs were wrapped in medium-weave stockings, the contrast against her outfit striking in just the right way.
"I do enjoy it," Shiomi said with a sigh, "but with Master dressed so seductively and me stuck like this, I can't do anything. I'm like that fox in the fable—can't reach the grapes."
Scáthach swept her long, purple-red hair aside, letting it fall gently down her back.
She approached his bedside with a teasing smile. "So... does my disciple want a taste of his master's grapes?"
"…Master," Shiomi swallowed. "You're not just here to mess with me for fun, are you?"
"If my dear disciple really wants it, I'd be more than happy to make you feel good," Scáthach said, cupping his cheek with one hand while using the other to tug down her neckline, revealing even more. "Just like always."
"Did Artoria say something to you?" Shiomi asked, narrowing his eyes.
"You really are sharp. The King of Knights mentioned that you've been feeling frustrated from being unable to move," Scáthach replied. "So cheering you up a little like this—keeping your mood in check—is important too."
Shiomi pouted. "Yeah, but seeing and not being able to touch just makes it worse."
"Oh? Playing that card, are we?" Scáthach mused, eyes gleaming. "But don't worry—your Master came prepared."
She took his hand and slipped it through the space between her collar and chest, pressing it gently to her heart.
"Even if you're being this forward, I still can't feel a thing," Shiomi said with a helpless chuckle. "My hands are completely numb, and my Magic Circuits are still dormant."
Scáthach let out a long sigh. "Honestly…"
"But I'm really happy you're doing this, Master," Shiomi added sincerely. "So… can we stay like this a bit longer?"
"Of course," Scáthach said with a soft laugh, nodding.
Shiomi looked at his own hand. It was clearly resting against her, and yet he couldn't feel even the slightest warmth. He decided not to dwell on it and changed the subject.
"How's Chaldea doing?"
The explosion in the Command Room caused by Lev Lainur had taken the lives of more than 200 staff members.
And 46 Masters were still in cryostasis.
Even though they'd reestablished contact with the outside world, Olga Marie remained unsure of how to approach negotiations with the Mage's Association or how to explain everything that had happened.
After all, many of the affected Masters—including those from Group A—were valuable Clock Tower assets.
Given the magnitude of the loss, it wouldn't be surprising if the Mage's Association convened a Grand Roll to decide Chaldea's future.
Especially since the Director at the heart of the incident was the Lord of the Department of Astromancy, and part of the Aristocratic Faction.
And on top of that, most of the remaining Masters were of common birth. Some—like Ritsuka—weren't even from Magus Families, yet still played a key role in saving humanity.
Shiomi suspected the Holy Church might get involved in deciding Chaldea's fate as well.
After all, Chaldea was nominally a UN-backed institution, its official role being an astronomical observatory.
"Things are busy, but overall, still running smoothly. From what we've gathered, though, the outside world isn't having it easy either," Scáthach said. "The Incineration of Humanity may be resolved, but it left behind a serious problem."
"…Over a year has passed in the real world," Shiomi murmured, lips pressed together. "But the world caught in the Incineration just… skipped that whole stretch of time."
"In any case, until you can move around normally again, Olga Marie plans to delay the report to the Mage's Association," Scáthach continued.
"Tough situation," Shiomi muttered, fully aware of the implications.
Among the Lords of the Mage's Association, he held considerable influence. Olga Marie was counting on him to handle the fallout. He had no intention of just sitting on the sidelines.
...
"Hm?" Scáthach let out a faint hum, her expression slightly puzzled.
Shiomi snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her.
He realized… he seemed to be touching something soft.
He froze.
Without thinking, he tried to grasp what was in his palm, and Scáthach's body trembled slightly in response.
"…It's real."
Unexpectedly, sensation returned to his arm.
It was still difficult to move, but he could manage small motions.
Scáthach took his hand, pulled it free, and held it in front of him.
As he flexed his fingers, they bent and stretched just as he intended.
He glanced at his left hand and tried the same—it responded too.
"Well, well… what a surprise…" Scáthach's voice carried a hint of delight, her smile growing. "Looks like primal impulses really are the best medicine."
"Please don't say it like that, it's embarrassing."
Even as he protested, Shiomi struggled to raise his arms and wrapped them around Scáthach's back.
"You've come a long way," she said, glancing over her shoulder.
"That's about my limit," Shiomi confessed, exhausted.
Rehabilitation was no joke.
But being able to hold the person he loved, to feel her warmth—it made everything worthwhile.
"Then let's push just a little more."
Scáthach kicked off her shoes, slipped under the covers in one smooth motion, and laid on top of him, resting nearly her entire weight against him.
The position let him hug her more securely.
"I can't hold you any tighter than this, Master," Shiomi said with a tired shake of his head.
"Take your time. That's enough for today."
Scáthach tugged the blanket up again, covering most of their bodies.
Then she gently cupped his face and kissed him.