One Piece : Wild Hunt

After an awkward but delicious lunch, Thomas was given the opportunity to peruse the Install Cards in Illya's and Miyu's possession.
"This is it...?" asked Thomas.
Despite being in the world of One Piece for three and a half years, Shirou and his younger sisters had only managed to collect a dozen or so Install Cards. Some had pretty scary numbers on them, like the Grade 8 Archer, Grade 7 Lancer, and Grade 7 Saber Cards, but it was clear they had a long way to go before collecting all 63.
Smiling wryly, Emiya explained, "Our first few months in this world were spent getting our bearings, securing funds, and acquiring a ship to travel. Traveling between islands also takes time..."
Adopting a wry smile of his own, Thomas replied, "Fair point..." before picking up the Grade 8 Archer Card and asking, "Is this Gilgamesh? If so, couldn't you use his ship to travel...?"
Responding in Shirou's stead, Miyu explained, "The Grade 8 Cards are powerful enough to retain part of their original Ego. Gilgamesh only lets people he approves of utilize his Card. Using it to travel isn't an option..."
"Ah..." uttered Thomas. Then, after setting the Card on the table, he said, "That sucks. I have no intention of speedrunning through this world, but having access to Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon would have made things much easier. It's one of the most badass and overpowered abilities in the Nasuverse."
In an obvious attempt to promote her usefulness, Chloe pointed out, "The Gilgamesh Card is powerful, sure, but the Grade 5 Archer Card can give it a run for its money. Mine and Shirou's Projection Magecraft lets us create Mystic Codes and Noble Phantasms. They might not last long, but they're an effective counter against most of Gilgamesh's arsenal."
Demonstrating it wasn't 'that' easy to pull the wool over his eyes, Thomas replied, "Projection Magecraft is awesome, but the only reason Gilgamesh loses fights is because he doesn't take them seriously. If he pulled out Ea, Enkidu, or Vimana at the start of a conflict, there isn't much his opponents can do."
Directing his attention to Shirou, Thomas added, "Don't get me wrong. Your Unlimited Blade Works is one of the most iconic abilities in the Fate Series. But that's a power your future self acquired after surrendering his freedom and becoming a Counter Guardian. It wasn't meant to be used in combat against Heroic Spirits..."
Instead of refuting Thomas's words, Shirou raised his corrupted left hand and balled it into a fist as he replied, "I know. I have never once believed myself equal to the King of Heroes. I'm just doing what I must to protect what's important to me..."
Adopting an awkward smile, Thomas remarked, "And that's why you're the protagonist in so many anime, manga, and video games..."
Before anyone could ask him for details, Thomas returned his attention to the Install Cards in front of him, focusing on the Grade 7 Saber and Grade 5 Caster Cards, remarking, "I'm pretty sure the Grade 7 Saber is Artoria or Arthur, but who does the Grade 5 Caster belong to? Medea...?"
With an accusatory look on her face, Illya narrowed her eyes and asked, "Didn't you say you didn't watch the anime we originated from? You know an awful lot..."
Shaking his head, Thomas revealed, "In the original anime and video game, Fate Stay Night, Artoria and Medea were two of the Servants summoned to participate in the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War. Alongside them were Gilgamesh, Cu Chulainn, Medusa, Heracles, Hassan-i-Sabbah, EMIYA, and a False Assassin inspired by Sasaki Kojiro. My guesses were based on that lineup."
Answering in Illya's stead, Chloe replied, "Well, you hit the nail on the head. Except for Sasaki Kojiro, we possess the cards of every Heroic Spirit you mentioned. It's almost uncanny."
Picking up the Grade 5 Caster Card, Thomas asked, "What happens when a guy equips the Install Card of a female Heroic Spirit?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Chloe caught Thomas off guard by changing into her incredibly skimpy Archer EMIYA outfit, explaining, "Even when using the same Cards, Illya and Miyu end up with completely different outfits. I'm guessing the same will apply to you."
Averting his eyes from the scantily clad loli, Thomas focused on the Cards in front of him. He could borrow more than one, but one of the conditions they set was that he only takes one at a time. If he was going to let Chloe accompany him, the most 'sensible' option would be to choose the EMIYA Card. Projection Magecraft was the penultimate form of his Reinforcement and Material Transmutation. With the EMIYA Card in hand and a qualified teacher, he could potentially become an unstoppable force...
Before making a decision, Thomas asked, "What are the identities of the other Cards?"
Pointing to each of them in turn, Illya revealed, "The Grade 4 Saber is Bedivere, one of the Knights of the Round Table. The Grade 1, 4, and 5 Lancers are Gareth, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, and Cu Chulain. After them, the Grade 3 Archer is David, from the legends of David versus Goliath. For the Casters, we have the Grade 3 Paracelsus and Grade 5 Medea..."
Getting to the Berserker Cards, Illya's expression became somewhat serious as she said, "I wouldn't recommend choosing a Berserker Card. Unless you possess a strong will, you will gradually lose your ability to reason. If you 'do' choose one, we have the Grade 4 Penthesilea, Grade 5 Heracles, and Grade 7 Lancelot. For Assassins, we only have the Grade 5 Hassan-i-Sabbah..."
Noticing a distinct absence of Rider Cards, Thomas asked, "What about the Medusa Card? Did you lend it to Hancock...?"
While Miyu and Illya promptly furrowed their brows, Shirou adopted a wry smile as he explained, "Hancock was already in possession of the Grade 7 Archer Card, but we lent her and her sisters three of our own in exchange for their assistance. The Grade 4 Archer and Assassin Cards happened to be Euryale and Stheno, two of the three Gorgon Sisters from Greek Myth, so we loaned those to Sandersonia and Marigold while Hancock took the Medusa Card for herself."
Since Hancock and her sisters were known as the Gorgon Trio, Thomas just nodded his head in response to Shirou's explanation. He was curious about the identity of the Grade 7 Archer Card, however, so he asked, "And what about the Card already in Hancock's possession? It must be pretty strong to be ranked between the EMIYA and Gilgamesh Cards."
Nodding his head in affirmation, Shirou maintained a wry smile as he replied, "The Card's identity is Ishtar, the Mesopotamian Goddess of Love and Fertility. As for its power...it's honestly a little ridiculous..."
"..."
Not expecting Shirou to reveal the name of one of his Top-3 Waifus from the Nasuverse, Thoma's thoughts promptly ground to a halt. He knew the Cards weren't the actual Heroic/Divine Spirits, but still...
Recovering his senses, Thomas adopted an expression similar to Illya and Miyu as he asked, "What's your relationship with Hancock...?"
Instead of answering Thomas's question directly, Shirou's smile became wrier as he scratched the back of his head. In his stead, Chloe revealed, "She's been trying to get Shirou to marry her ever since he resisted her charm and went on a rampage in Marie Geoise. That's why he lives out here on the island's periphery. He's trying to avoid her."
Though it was the truth, Shirou furrowed his brows slightly and argued, "I'm not trying to avoid her...I just don't want to get too entangled with the inhabitants of this world. If I were to give in and accept her proposal, it might affect my motivations to return home..."
While Hancock wasn't one of his 'primary' targets, Thomas breathed a sigh of relief alongside Illya and Miyu. Shirou was famously dense, but he was infamous as a harem protagonist. He was like a magnet that attracted Heroines, so much so that if he weren't injured, Thomas could imagine him 'picking up' every major female character he came across...
To prevent Shirou from roaming about freely, Thomas promptly picked up the EMIYA Card and said, "I've made my decision. I'm currently trying to master Reinforcement and Material Transmutation, so this is probably the Card most suited to my current skillset."
While Chloe immediately narrowed her eyes in suspicion, Shirou replied, "That may be so, but if Crocodile owns the Grade 6 Caster Card, you will benefit more from borrowing one of the Saber Class Cards. The Grade 7 Saber grants A-Rank Magic Resistance and Instinct, so it's a perfect counter against Casters. And with your Mana-Mana-no-Mi, you should have no trouble outlasting the average Cardholder."
Nodding his head, Thomas replied, "I would probably do exactly that if I were fighting alone, but I have my Captain and several supporting Spirits that can intervene if shit hits the fan. Astolfo, for example, has a grimoire that can negate any Spells beneath A-Rank. After here, there's Benienma, who possesses A-Rank Magic Resistance on her own, and Caenis, who is virtually indestructible. We'll be fine."
Exhaling a faint sigh, Shirou softly remarked, "Your entry into this world has been a lot more 'blessed' than our own..."
Shaking away his negativity, Shirou raised his head, adopting a smile as he supplanted, "I suppose I should be grateful you're on our side. If you were an enemy, achieving our goal might be impossible."
Though Shirou's words made him feel a little guilty, Thomas did his best to suppress it, responding, "I might be an asshole, but I'm not the type to ignore people in need. I might not race from island to island in search of them, but I can promise to help you assemble the remaining Install Cards once my journey has ended. My wish was granted the moment I came to this world, so I don't need really them outside of learning their skills."
Sensing no falsehoods in Thomas's words, Shirou said something the former was starting to get tired of hearing, specifically, "You're a good man, Tom..." before bowing his head and adding, "Thank you for agreeing to help us."
Furrowing his brows, Thomas insisted, "I'm ultimately doing this for my own benefit...I don't need your gratitude..."
Undaunted by Thomas's words, Shirou raised his head, replying, "Maybe not, but I'm still grateful. Now, even if something happens to me, I know there will be at least one person I can trust to look after my sisters..."
Raising his hands, Thomas's eyes widened as he beat Illya and Miyu to the punch, exclaiming, "You shouldn't say shit like that! Haven't you ever heard of a Death Flag!? Jesus Christ, man..."
Exhaling a light chuckle, Shirou replied, "Don't worry. I have no plans to die anytime soon. Rather, now that we have you helping to collect Cards for us, I can relax here on the island and focus entirely on my recovery."
Shaking his head, Thomas rebutted, "Even if that's the case, you should choose your words more carefully. I mean, just take a look around. You managed to piss off all three of your sisters in one fell swoop..."
Following Thomas's direction, Shirou looked around to find Illya, Miyu, and even Chloe 'glaring' at him. His words held a bit of sincerity but were primarily intended as a joke. Seeing how 'serious' their reactions were, he couldn't help smiling awkwardly, scratching his head as he remarked, "I may have taken my joke a little too far..."
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(A/N: Thomas be like, "Ain't no way in hell you're dumping these Lolis onto me...". Also, a friendly reminder to check out the updated AUX chapters. We really worked hard on them xD...)

Once Shirou was finished placating his sisters, particularly Miyu, he transferred ownership of the EMIYA Card to Thomas before inviting him, Vivi, and Astolfo to stay the night.
As he had planned to spend at least a few days searching for Install Cards before returning, Thomas ultimately accepted Shirou's invitation. The temptation of sleeping in a bed or atop a futon was pretty compelling, but he also wanted to ask about the 'Bounded Field' within which Shirou's house was built. Thus, while Astolfo and Vivi changed into animal pajamas to have a slumber party with Illya, Miyu, and Chloe, Thomas split off from the group, joining Shirou in his forge.
Before Thomas could ask about the forge or how Bounded Fields worked, Shirou surprised him by stating, "I should apologize. You clearly had your own thing going on, but now you've gotten wrapped up in our problems..."
Exhaling a faint, exasperated sigh through his nose, Thomas said, "Don't worry about it. While I never expected this development, I knew Zelretch would do something to pull me into his world. This just takes me out of my comfort zone and forces me to think outside the box."
Adopting a faint smile, Shirou replied, "Still, without you appearing like this, we would have been trapped, not knowing how to move forward. I know Chloe has been restless since we moved to Amazon Lily. And now that she intends to travel with your group, I'm certain that Illya and Ruby will follow suit..."
Furrowing his brows, Thomas asked, "Seriously, man? Give me a break..."
Nodding his head, Shirou revealed, "Illya was actually the Captain of our crew, the Prism Pirates. She and Chloe also serve as foils for one another, so she wouldn't feel comfortable letting her travel without supervision."
Before Thomas could protest, Shirou's smile became wry as he added, "Look on the bright side. With Illya around, you'll have access to Ruby's knowledge and several additional Install Cards. More importantly, they can replenish Chloe's Magical Energy in your stead."
Realizing the truth within Shirou's words, Thomas replied, "You make a very good point. The problem is that our ship is already pretty cramped, especially the female quarters. Unless Illya or Ruby can create a space like this one, there isn't much room to accommodate additional people..."
Nodding his head, Shirou replied, "That shouldn't be an issue. This space was created by Miyu and Sapphire using the Medea Install Card. It takes weeks to produce a sanctuary like this, but expanding the dimensions of a room only takes a few hours."
Returning a nod of his own, Thomas said, "Well, that answers my first question..." Then, even though he wasn't sure he wanted to know, he tentatively inquired, "Now, you said Illya was the Captain of your crew? Does that mean she has an even higher Bounty than you...?"
Shaking his head, Shirou answered, "She used to. However, after my rampage in Marie Geoise, my Bounty increased from 313,000,000 to 713,000,000, Dead or Alive. Illya's was 337,000,000 previously, but it has since increased to 500,000,000 alongside Chloe's and Miyu's. Unlike me, however, they are wanted 'Alive Only.'"
"..."
Taking advantage of Thomas's silence, Shirou explained, "That's one of the reasons I considered becoming a Shichibukai. I wanted to have their Bounties frozen and prevent people from hunting us. Unfortunately...no, never mind. I'd rather not talk about it..."
Recalling how one of the Celestial Dragons had wanted to 'collect' his sisters like some kind of trophy or action figures, a murderous glimmer reflected across Shirou's eyes. If not for his body's condition, he would have burned Pangea Castle, the heart of the World Government, to the ground...
Shaking away his negative thoughts, Shirou forced a smile as he said, "With the support of Ruby and Sapphire, Illya and Miyu are capable of fighting without the use of Install Cards. Illya, in particular, can fly around at high speeds, bombard opponents with Magical Energy, and cut through massive warships using a self-created technique called Schneiden. Don't think the girls are helpless just because they're cute..."
Smiling wryly, Thomas replied, "Yeah, I know how 'broken' Magical Girls can be. Still, it's a little jarring to hear they have Bounties of 500,000,000. That's going to make lying low a lot more difficult..."
Though he nodded in affirmation, Shirou argued, "If it's any consolation, you're bound to receive a high Bounty the moment the World Government learns the nature of your Devil Fruit. The Special Science Group, led by Dr. Vegapunk, is conducting research into Mana and Magical Energy. Once it comes to light that there is a Devil Fruit that grants the user the ability to generate Mana, the Marines and the World Government will do everything in their power to collect it..."
Since Robin had given him a similar warning, Thomas just exhaled a sigh before grumbling, "Yeah, yeah, I know. I kind of shot myself in the foot on that one..."
Before Shirou could ask, Thomas revealed, "Since I didn't know Install Cards were a thing, I told a bunch of people the name of my Devil Fruit. One of them was a Marine Captain, so I'm just waiting for the News Coos to bring me a Bounty Poster..."
Scratching the back of his head, Shirou was tempted to apologize, but, as Thomas had dismissed his other apologies, he ultimately decided against it. Instead, he said, "Even if you're assigned a high Bounty, the Admirals are usually busy dealing with the Yonko and the more dangerous Pirates in the New World. So long as you avoid causing a scene at Sabaody, the only people you'll have to worry about are the members of Cipher Pol. But Chloe should be able to sense and deal with them. She isn't as strong as Illya and Miyu with their Kaleidosticks, but she has the proper 'conviction' to deal with troublesome and persistent enemies..."
"She certainly gives off a 'dangerous' aura..." muttered Thomas, adding, "So long as my Servants are near, I'm not too worried about the members of Cipher Pol. Benienma, in particular, can detect life forces and discern if someone has wicked intentions or is lying. She's a Cook, but her Skills are a mix between a Saber and a high-ranking Assassin. That includes A-Rank Magic Resistance and Presence Concealment."
Though he once again felt that Thomas had been inordinately 'blessed,' Shirou didn't point it out. Thomas's blessings meant they would have an easier time assembling the remaining Install Cards, so he replied, "That's good to know. Chloe does her best to protect Illya's innocence, so her hands are already stained with blood. If possible, I would prefer it if she didn't have to get them dirty too often..."
Nodding his head, Thomas replied, "That shouldn't be a problem. I'm trying to increase my strength enough to reach the pinnacle, so I'll have her and Illya remain on the ship or sit things out unless shit hits the fan. Beyond that, it's really up to them what they want to do..."
Adopting a wry smile, Shirou asserted, "If you give them the option, they will choose to fight. One of the reasons our Bounties were so high by the time we reached Sabaody was because Illya is incapable of standing by and watching people suffer. That's why I'm certain she'll go with you. The moment you mentioned Crocodile and liberating Alabasta, she would have felt compelled to help. That's just the kind of girl Illya is."
Though Shirou's words made Thomas question his decision to let the two lolis accompany him, he didn't voice his thoughts aloud. With how things were developing, he would likely be parting ways with the Straw Hats in the near future. Interacting with Zoro, Lucy, and even Usopp was pretty fun, but traveling aboard the Merry and putting up with Nami's pestering had worn him down. Now, he kind of just wanted to do his own thing until they obtained the Thousand Sunny or reconvened at Sabaody...
"Then we'll just have to see how things develop," said Thomas. "At this point, I'm tired of trying to predict the future and plan around it. Now, I primarily want to focus on increasing my strength and having a bit of fun before things get serious. If Illya and Chloe stress me out, I'll bring them back and let you deal with them. Simple as that."
"That sounds fair," replied Shirou. However, at the same time, he couldn't really imagine Thomas 'abandoning' the nearly identical girls just because they irritated him. Now that he had a bit of time to familiarize himself with the inordinately tall and muscular man, he had the distinct impression that Thomas was the type to complain but still help people when they needed him. He may not possess the qualities of a true hero, but he at least used his innumerable blessings to help people...
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After his lengthy conversation with Shirou, Thomas spent more than an hour relaxing in the residence's massive, open-air bath. Vivi and Astolfo had already gone in before him, using it as an opportunity to get to know Illya, Chloe, and Miyu, so he had the entire bath to himself, soaking up to his chin as he contemplated everything that had transpired over the past forty-eight hours.
As troublesome as recent developments were, Thomas would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little excited. Just the prospect of becoming a 'True Mage' made his heart beat faster, not simply because it guaranteed his freedom, but because he would potentially be able to traverse all the worlds he had given up on to enter One Piece. As for the matter of Chloe, well, she wasn't entirely wrong when she said he was putting on a front...
Though they were around the same height, Chloe, Illya, and Miyu gave off a markedly more 'mature' impression than Benienma. Had Thomas been around the same age as Shirou, he might have played along and allowed his gaze to wander while Chloe was taunting him. Since he was already in his mid-thirties, he couldn't just let himself get riled up by some wannabe succubus...
Fortunately, even though he dozed off for a few minutes, Thomas's bath went uninterrupted. He half-expected Chloe or Astolfo to sneak in on him, but that was, evidently, an undue concern. The two pink-haired imps were having fun chatting in Miyu's room, so Thomas spent much of the evening alone since Vivi, despite her mature appearance, was only a few months older than the trio of lolis. She had also spent the last two years of her life undercover, so having a 'girl's night' where she could relax and cut loose was something she desperately needed...
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After a lonely but peaceful night's slumber, Thomas rose well before the Sun, dragging his feet as he made his way outside to get in a few hours of training. Before leaving, Chiron had recommended him to get between 6-10 hours of training whenever he wasn't busy with other things. Reaching the peak required a certain mentality, so he would never reach his goal if he allowed himself to become complacent and slacked off when he could have been training.
With such thoughts in mind, Thomas released a long yawn before giving himself a few light smacks to wake himself up. As he did so, something pointy pressed against the small of his back as the now-familiar voice of a young girl remarked, "You're full of openings. If I were an enemy, you'd be dead right now."
Though he initially tensed, circulating his Magical Energy for protection, Thomas relaxed when he heard the voice, lazily responding, "Lucky me..." before turning around to find Chloe standing behind him in her incredibly skimpy, red and black Archer attire. In her hands were a pair of black and white shortswords that Thomas couldn't readily recall the names of, but he didn't pay them any mind, asking, "What's up? Don't tell me you were up all night watching me..."
"You wish," replied Chloe. "I just sensed you were awake and decided to see what you were up to so early in the morning. Mind telling me where you're going?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas lazily replied, "Daily training..." before turning around and continuing on his way. When he did so, Chloe briefly adopted a skeptical look, asking, "Seriously...?" before hurrying to catch up when he didn't stop to respond...
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(A/N: It's okay, Tom. Every badass needs a loli.)

Making his way into the living room, Shirou ran his unbandaged right hand through his hair as he replied, "I was hoping to discuss this much later on. But I guess now is as good a time as any..."
After reaching a more comfortable conversing distance, Shirou looked around, meeting the gazes of everyone present before settling on Illya as he revealed, "The reason we haven't gone out to sea in the past year and a half isn't because of my injuries. Once my body reaches 51% corruption, I will cease to exist..."
As she was well aware of Shirou's condition, Illya couldn't help feeling confused, asking, "What do you mean? I know you've been borrowing the power of your 'future' self, but it's still you, right? Even if your skin and hair change color, you wouldn't just cease to exist."
Shaking his head, Shirou replied, "You're wrong. While Heroic Spirit EMIYA and I are connected, we possess distinct egos. His is much stronger than mine, so once he takes control, everything I am will become a part of his 'memory.'"
Before Illya could interrupt him, Shirou raised his right hand to silence her, revealing, "It's alright, Illya. Miyu is already aware of my condition, and we both came to terms with it years ago. That's one of the reasons we've been loitering her for the past year and a half. If I have to fight someone like Kizaru again, that's probably the end for me..."
Tearing up, Illya replied, "That can't be true..." in a faint, sobbing tone. Then, as if a switch had been flipped inside her brain, she became serious and resolute, loudly asserting, "There has to be a way to save you! With the power of Magic, anything is possible...!"
Instead of attempting to refute Illya's words, Shirou nodded, adopting a wry smile as he replied, "You're right. With the power of the Holy Grail and the Heaven's Feel Ritual, it's possible to separate mine and EMIYA's egos anew. We could also transfer my consciousness to a body without Magic Circuits, preventing his encroachment at the cost of my ability to manifest his power. There are plenty of ways to save me, but they all involve giving up the ability to fight..."
Directing his attention to Thomas, Shirou asked, "I know this is asking for a lot, but will you help us? I have always been willing to die for our cause, but I don't want to make my sister sad..."
Though he was a little overwhelmed by the severity of the discussion, Thomas didn't have to consider his response, stating, "I already agreed to hand over any Install Cards we came across. If you need anything else, it will have to wait until I've reached my goal and helped a few other people attain their dreams. After that, I don't mind lending you a hand. I may be a selfish asshole, but I'm not a monster."
Disagreeing with Thomas's words, Vivi furrowed her brows and asserted, "You're not a selfish person, Tom. If you were, you wouldn't be working so hard to help others and keep your promises."
Smiling wryly, Thomas decided not to argue with Vivi. Instead, he held Shirou's gaze as he added, "It will be three years at the earliest. Until then, I can arrange to have the Doctor I summoned take a look at you. With the proper ingredients, he can even cure death and make people immortal. Stabilizing your condition shouldn't be an issue."
Blinking in surprise, Shirou asked, "You summoned a Doctor? That's the first time I've heard that classification for a Heroic Spirit..."
Shrugging his shoulders, Thomas revealed, "The nine Class Cards I was given were a little unorthodox. Instead of the usual seven Classes, they were positions associated with seafaring. More specifically, I summoned a Captain, First Mate, Second Mate, Cook, Doctor, Navigator, Shipwright, Sniper, and Musician."
Still seated atop Thomas's head, Ruby exhaled an exasperated sigh as she remarked, "That certainly sounds like something my Creator would do..."
Continuing where he left off, Thomas explained, "The Doctor I summoned is Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine. He's off doing his own thing right now, but if your condition deteriorates, I can summon him using one of my Command Spells. He won't be happy having his research interrupted, but once he hears about your condition...let's just say he's very devoted to his work..."
Adopting a faint smile, Shirou replied, "I appreciate your concern, but you don't need to waste a Command Spell on me. So long as I don't overexert myself against a powerful opponent, I'll be fine. The condition of my body isn't worsening or anything."
"Well, the offer is on the table," replied Thomas, adding, "My Command Spells regenerate at a rate of one per month, and I don't really use them for anything else."
Shaking his head, Shirou insisted, "It's fine. You're already helping us by agreeing to hand over any Install Cards you find. I don't want to become too indebted to you without a chance to return the favor."
Inserting herself back into the conversation, Chloe asked, "Speaking of which, are you ready to form a contract? The sooner we get it out of the way, the sooner we can eat lunch and discuss which Install Cards we'll be lending you."
Adopting a deadpan expression, Thomas replied, "I don't mind, so long as it doesn't involve kissing or anything lewd..."
Flinching like a kid that had just gotten caught trying to perform a prank, the smile on Chloe's face became awkward until Shirou pointed out, "Our world is part of the fiction in Thomas's host reality. He was able to identify me on sight and knew each of your names before he met you."
To prevent any misunderstandings, Thomas promptly pointed out, "Yeah, but I never watched the anime you originate from. In my world, we have something called the Nasuverse, which includes a ton of interconnected anime, manga, and video games. I know about you, but I'm not aware of the 'plot' of your world."
Pointing to Chloe, Thomas added, "As for this one, she appears as one of the Heroic Spirits in a game called Fate Grand Order. One of her skills is called 'Kiss Demon,' so she's fairly famous within various communities..."
Adopting a deadpan expression of her own, a now-recovered Illya gave Chloe a sidelong stare as she muttered, "I believe it..."
Clicking her tongue, Chloe crossed her arms and asked, "What's the big deal? It's just a Mana Transfer utilizing mucous membranes. Besides, while we might look like this, we're old enough to be high schoolers, you know?"
Not finished with what she had to say, Chloe met Thomas's gaze, smiling as she added, "Also, you can't tell me you're not at least a little attracted to me. You can dispute it all you want, but you can't deceive 'these' eyes. They can discern the true nature of people, objects, and even the Mystic Codes of Heroic Spirits..."
Furrowing his brows, Thomas didn't immediately respond to Chloe's accusation. The truth was that most of his 'knowledge' of Fate Kaleid and its characters came from a website whose logo resembled an n with pink devil wings. He had delved into quite a few 'questionable' tags on the site, but there was a difference between fapping to a 2D image and having an actual preference for little girls, even if they were 'legal.'
Having convinced himself, Thomas surprised Vivi by pulling her closer as he replied, "I won't lie. I find you cute, and your promiscuous nature has its charms, but I'm not a lolicon. I prefer strong and beautiful women with big tits and shapely asses."
While Vivi blushed fiercely and covered her face, Chloe pointed to Astolfo, contesting, "Then what about this one? She may be a full head taller than us, but her tits and ass are even smaller than mine and Illya's. She almost looks like a boy."
Before Astolfo could reveal the truth, Thomas pulled her closer, asserting, "Astolfo is an exception." in a firm tone.
Shrugging her shoulders, Chloe replied, "Then I don't see why there can't be more. Besides, it's not like I'm suggesting we have sex or anything. It's just forming a contract and transferring Magical Energy. It's not really that big a deal. Here, watch this."
Without waiting for Thomas to respond, Chloe abruptly pushed Illya onto the sofa, eliciting a startled, "What do you-" before she promptly sealed her fair-skinned counterpart's lips. Illya tried to break free, but Chloe had learned all her weaknesses, effortlessly bypassing her defenses to drain her Magical Energy.
As Chloe constantly needed to resupply her Magical Energy, Shirou just exhaled a sigh in response to common sight while Thomas, Astolfo, and Vivi observed with wide, unblinking stares.
After nearly a full minute, Chloe released Illya from her clutches, leaving the latter with a red face and panting as she sat up, wiped her mouth, and turned to face Thomas, stating, "See? It's not a big deal."
"..." x 3
Undaunted by the trio's silence, Chloe narrowed her eyes, adopting a catty smile as she asked, "Did that excite you, perhaps~?"
To 'expose' Thomas's true nature, Chloe slid her right hand under the hem of Illya's blouse, pushing it up to expose her navel. Thomas's gaze didn't wander, but Chloe could sense the elevation in his tensions, compelling her to tease, "Look at you, getting all flustered..."
Retracting her hand from the still-dazed Illya, Chloe caressed her own exposed abdomen, appending, "Mine and Illya's bodies are pretty much identical. Maybe you have a preference for innocent and bashful girls...?"
Closing his eyes, Thomas exhaled through his nose and said, "This is why I refused your request to accompany us. I don't need the added stress of a second legal loli trying to tempt me. Like, I get that you're not a kid, but it doesn't change the fact you look like one..."
Shrugging her shoulders, Chloe reiterated, "Once again, it's not like I'm suggesting we have sex or anything. Kisses don't mean anything unless you think they do, and there's no harm in simply staring. I don't mind, so why make a fuss?"
Without waiting for Thomas's response, Chloe looked to Astolfo and Vivi, questioning, "What do the two of you think? Do you think my appearance is that big an issue?"
As she originated from a time and place where 'meaningful' consent was a mere seven years of age, Astolfo replied, "I don't really see the issue, but I respect Tom's reservations. If he feels your appearance is an issue, then it is. At least to him."
Though she had encountered girls in their late teens and early twenties who were even smaller than Chloe, Vivi's expression became awkward as she replied, "My response is similar to Astolfo's. I wholeheartedly support whatever decision Thomas makes..."
Clicking her tongue, Chloe was about to ask Vivi how old she was when Thomas interjected, stating, "I know it's possible to transfer Magical Energy without kissing. Establishing a contract should be the same. If you're going to keep trying to force the matter, you can forget traveling with us..."
Shrugging for the nth time, Chloe replied, "I'm not trying to 'force' the matter. I'm just trying to get you to accept that you're making a big deal over nothing. If you want to establish the contract another way, I don't have a problem with it. It's just a lot of additional effort for no 'justifiable' reason."
Inserting himself back into the conversation, Shirou said, "Either way, it can wait until after lunch. We're having tonkatsu rice, panko, miso soup, and salad. We should hurry before it gets cold."
Without waiting for anyone to respond, Shirou took the initiative to leave the living room. He was used to Chloe's 'obstinance' after three and a half years, so he didn't bat an eye at her behavior. The most important thing, at least from his perspective, was that Thomas wasn't the one trying to take advantage of the situation. If Chloe was the one to take the initiative, it was perfectly fine. Much like how student-teacher relationships worked back in his home country...
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(A/N: Different cultures have different rules, and morals change drastically with time...)

Chapter 60: Decisions, Decisions...