"So, Caster," Luvia said, her voice cutting through the quiet of the room. Her tone was sharp, but not cruel, just the kind that made you feel like you were being put on trial. "Would you like to explain why our classmate is asleep on the couch in my living room?"
Rudeus blinked at her. He'd been up before sunrise, trying to keep his mind busy so it wouldn't drift back to the events of last night; he still hadn't really thought everything out.
He turned his gaze toward Sakura, curled up under a blanket, her small form rising and falling with soft breaths. She looked peaceful, sleeping like all the pain she had suffered never happened.
He exhaled. "She didn't have anywhere else to go," he said quietly. "I wasn't just going to leave her outside."
Luvia crossed her arms. Her expression softened for only a second before she caught herself. "And what exactly happened there, Caster? Because the last I remember, you didn't tell me a single thing? She tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Did you sneaking out involve something with this girl?"
Rudeus rubbed the back of his neck. "…Kind of."
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You are impossible."
He smiled faintly. "That's not the worst thing someone's said to me."
Luvia shot him a look, one that said don't test me this early in the morning. "Caster," she said, lowering her voice now, "I can't keep going like this, you keep making decisions without telling or consulting me. You disappear at night, come back and now there's a girl asleep on my couch. And you're still trying to hide what happened, tell me what happened now!" She flashed her command seals in his face.
Rudeus paused, his gaze lingering on Sakura again. The words caught in his throat. How was he supposed to explain killing the matou Zouken.
He looked down at his hands. And then looked at her he just sighed. "She was being hurt," he said finally. "So I stopped it."
Luvia stared at him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Her usual composure faltered for a split second as she realized he wasn't going to tell her everything. There was a quiet moment between the both of them. She wanted to know if her secret was out because if so she might have to end the life of this Sakura girl.
"Well, if you saved her from something, she knows you're a magus and she's a magus, a good choice would be to just kill her now so it wouldn't get back to anyone. But I want to hear your idea first," Luvia said, rubbing her temple as she paced the large room, thinking through their options.
Rudeus nodded and tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "Although killing her isn't a bad way to keep it secret, I have a better plan. Since she's a magus, why not recruit her for the Grail War? Even though she's a Matou, I don't think she will go back to report to anyone. Plus, it is one less magus we have to worry about, since her brother has no magical energy." He folded his arms and watched Luvia's face, searching for any sign that she might object.
Luvia paused, fingers tapping her wrist as she considered the idea. The plan did not sound bad. They did not know Sakura's skill level, but she could be useful in many ways. Extra support and mana would be valuable. Luvia nodded slowly, then stepped forward and slapped him across the cheek. The motion was quick, sharp, and perfectly controlled.
"I'll agree to it for now, but she is your responsibility," she said, voice hard and eyes narrow. "If she tells anyone or shows any sign of betrayal, you will have to kill her immediately. And remember, you're a Caster. A Servant. You cannot keep going behind my back to make your own plans. I summoned you. I am your master." She crossed her arms and fixed him with a steady glare.
He looked down at her and rubbed his cheek a little. His eyes were a little distant. "You may be my master but I'm not a mindless servant unless you use your command seals. I don't have to follow everything you say."
That silenced her. She turned her head slightly, not wanting to meet his gaze. "You're infuriating," she muttered.
He just stared at her, and for a moment the tension was thick.
Rudeus walked toward the couch and knelt beside Sakura. The morning light filtered through the curtains, painting her hair with a faint golden hue. She stirred slightly, mumbling something in her sleep. He hesitated before pulling the blanket up to her shoulders.
Luvia watched him from the corner of her eye. She wasn't sure what to make of him. As far as traditional magi went he wasn't anywhere as near as cold as them. Even though he was with her, she could tell it wasn't because he hated her, maybe resentful, but she didn't know how to really feel about him.
When Rudeus stood, he let out a soft sigh. "I'll make breakfast," he said. "It'll give me something to do."
Luvia raised an eyebrow. "You were going to have to cook anyway?"
"Yeah but it sounds more productive if I say I will." he said, a small smirk tugging at his lips.
She huffed, crossing her arms again. "I wish I summoned someone less snarky."
He disappeared into the kitchen, the faint sounds of clattering pans filling the silence that followed. Luvia leaned against the wall, watching him work with quiet curiosity. She shook her head and walked back to her room to get ready.
As Rudeus cracked eggs into a bowl, his thoughts wandered. I really do wonder how Sakura will blend with Luvia and I hope she won't betray us. I want her to be able to wake up everyday with a smile.
He glanced toward Sakura again. Her small hand had slipped from under the blanket, resting limply by her side. She stirred awake slightly.
"Good morning, Sakura. Do you want breakfast?" Rudeus asked, his tone light as he cracked an egg into the pan. The scent of butter and rice was already filling the air. He was used to cooking for himself and Luvia, but having Sakura around made the kitchen feel a little livelier.
Sakura blinked sleepily, still half-wrapped in her blanket as she sat up. "Oh, umm, you don't have to. I can make my own," she said quickly, waving her hands. Her voice carried that soft politeness that reminded him of Roxy awkward, sweet, and completely unable to refuse kindness without over-apologizing.
Rudeus smiled faintly. "It's fine. I'm already cooking for Luvia, so I can make some for you too. Let's see…" He flipped the fish with a smooth motion. "Grilled salmon, steamed rice, and miso soup. Maybe some rolled omelet on the side. Oh, and bentos for lunch. I'll make yours the same as Luvia's."
Sakura hesitated, then gave a tiny nod. "Then… let me help, senpai. I can't just sit here while you do everything." She got up too fast and almost tripped, quickly pressing her hands together as her face flushed pink. "Please, let me help!"
Rudeus turned to her with an amused grin. "Alright, Sakura. Then the two of us will prepare breakfast together."
Her shoulders relaxed a little, though her cheeks stayed rosy. "Okay," she said softly, moving beside him.
It didn't take long before the kitchen filled with a comforting rhythm: the chop of the knife, the sizzle of the pan, the quiet clatter of dishes. Sakura hummed quietly as she washed vegetables, sneaking small glances at Rudeus while he stirred the soup.
"You're good at this," she said finally. "You must cook often."
"Yeah," he replied casually. "When you live with Luvia, someone has to make sure she doesn't burn the mansion down trying to toast bread."
Sakura giggled, covering her mouth. "Wait senpai, I have a question. What are you and Edelfelt? You call her by her first name so calmly and you live together."
Rudeus just hummed that he hadn't told Sakura anything about his master. "Well I'll tell you a secret I'm actually her servant."
Sakura looked a little shocked. "I guess that makes sense if you live together and you make her breakfast." She nodded accepting this answer
Rudeus just chuckled he technically hadn't lied he is her savant that not the one Sakura is thinking of.
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind them.
"Hello, Caster, is breakfast done yet?"
Luvia walked in gracefully, tying the last ribbon in her hair. Her uniform was immaculate as always, and her eyes narrowed slightly when she spotted the pair working together. Sakura stood beside Rudeus, carefully plating the salmon, while he mixed the miso soup.
For a moment, Luvia's confident stride faltered.
He used to call her by name, she thought. Now it was always "Master." Always formal, distant. It shouldn't have mattered winning the Grail War was what mattered. Their bond didn't. And yet… watching him laugh so easily with Sakura made her feel strange.
"I didn't expect to find you in the kitchen, Sakura," Luvia said, her tone carrying a hint of teasing that masked her thoughts.
Sakura nearly jumped out of her skin. "Oh! I, um—I wanted to help senpai. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"Don't apologize," Luvia said, letting out a light laugh. "I was only teasing. The smell is quite lovely, you know. A girl should take pride in her cooking. Food reflects the heart, after all."
Sakura blinked, then smiled shyly. "Th-thank you. I hope you'll like it."
They finished setting the table together. Rudeus brought over the last dish and sat down, visibly satisfied with how everything looked. Sakura sat quietly, folding her hands before eating, while Luvia crossed one leg over the other, maintaining her usual elegant composure.
The moment Rudeus took his first bite of rice, his eyes practically sparkled. "Sakura, your rice is amazing. I could die happy right now. Please be my wife."
He said it so seriously that both girls froze.
Sakura's spoon clattered against the table as her face turned bright red. "W-what?!"
Luvia raised an eyebrow, hiding her smirk behind her hand. "Caster, proposing over breakfast in front of another girl? You really don't have manners do you?" She said taking a jab at him.
Rudeus grinned between bites. "Hey, you can't blame me. Whoever made this rice has the hands of a goddess."
Sakura was too flustered to respond. She puffed her cheeks, muttering something about how he shouldn't joke like that, which only made him laugh harder.
Luvia finally picked up her chopsticks and took a bite. Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh my… this really is delicious."
"R-really?" Sakura asked, looking both nervous and hopeful.
"Yes," Luvia said with a graceful smile. "You should become my servant instead. I'd love to have you cook for me every day."
Sakura froze again, cheeks burning even redder. "M-m-my servant? I—I couldn't possibly—"
"Oh, come now," Luvia teased lightly. "It's only fair. A girl who can cook this well deserves to be spoiled."
Sakura covered her face with her hands. "Please stop teasing me…"
Omake:
Rudeus: Sigh author you didn't release a chapter yesterday and then decided to make a slice of life chapter so far you've fallen.
A/N: Okay wait it's justified. I made two Mushoku tensei TikTok edits and had a job interview. (Lebald_james41edit)
Rudeus: Yeah yeah excuses excuses but I see you actually included Luvia in this chapter she's finally getting my screen time.
Luvia: As I should, I am the most complex character in this fic and as I don't have many I deserve all the screen time I mean I'm literally the cover art.
A/N: yes but you're not really my favorite female character to write. Sakura has never seen the heavens but I fw her.
Rudeus: Well, the author at least will write a chapter tomorrow. You gotta stay consistent.
A/N: I'll try seeing these comments make me so nervous. Opening them makes me anxious the second I get a bad comment I'll die.
Every 10 power stones I'll reside an extra chapter