Fate/ Phantasia - The Lone Master

Chapter 21: You are my Only Family

Not long after...

"Hey! I'm back! I've brought you the tea," Theo enters the room carrying a tray of hot tea,
"Ah, I've brought some snack too! Let's eat them," Ritsuka opens up the package she had brought,
Inside are freshly baked sweet breads and small cakes.

"You brought all of these sweets to eat? You know that it's already late, it's not good to eat at night," Theo said,

"Now now, Miss Fujimaru is kind enough to bring these sweets for us. Just eating at night once is fine...," Priest James went and took a bite, "Do forgive me, after sleeping for a while I feel slightly hungry,"

"Geez, Fine! Just watch how much you eat," Theo said as he picks up one bread,

"Come here and grab one Vi—," Ritsuka hadn't even finished when she finds Vin already standing behind her staring at the pile of bread intently,

"Hmmmmm," He stares at them intently before taking...three!?
"Hey! I said just take one!" Ritsuka said,

"There's still many of them and the kid said he doesn't want them...!" Vin said as he munches away at the bread in his hands,

Ritsuka stares at Vin with a blank expression....come to think of it...when they were out buying snacks, all that Vin had bought were sweets...! Could it be— the guy has a sweet-tooth!?

"Pfft—!" Ritsuka couldn't help but want to laugh,

"Wot ish id...?" Vin asked as he chews,

"N-no..it's nothing...," Ritsuka said as she tries to hold her laugh,

But without them knowing, Theo is silently watching them...and strangely, Ritsuka seems to sparkle in his eyes as she innocently laughs...

"Hey! Watch how many you eat! Pig!" Theo shouted,

"Who are you calling a Pig!?" Vin retorted,

And so begins another round of banter between Vin and Theo....
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An hour later...

Ritsuka and Vin decides to return to the inn as they see that Priest James is already fine. They then excuse themselves...

However, Theo goes back to Priest James's room where he is still waiting for him. His usual grumpy face is gone, and is replaced with a sad look...

"Did you hear my conversation with miss Fujimaru?" Priest James asked softly,
Judging from the boy's expression, he had already guessed that he did...

"Why...? Why did want me to leave with her!? If it's me you're worrying about, you should be worried about yourself! Who's gonna take care of you!? You're already old and you can't even move too much!" Theo said, "If you just let me take care of you, you'll be fine!"

"Theo, there is nothing you can do to prolong my life...I...I am already really old, it's just how things are suppose to be...you grow up and then you grow old...it's already time for me, but...you still have a long way to go," Priest James then takes Theo's hand,

"If you stay here they might force you to become a Gray priest,"
"Go with her, and discover more of your potential. You cannot live freely if you live in the temple...Haha, and I know how you really don't like to listen to others!" Priest James laughs at the thought,

"......I'll only listen to you...because, you're my only family...!" Theo said, and tears started to flow from his eyes...

Priest James smiles at the boy and slowly ruffles his hair, "Thank you, Theo...then, can you listen to me one last time? This is the last thing I want to ask of you...,"