Kazuya was still lounging on the couch, processing the recent trauma caused by a generic anime with a headache-inducing soundtrack, when the sound of the door opening echoed through the house. It wasn't something ordinary, like "the doorbell rang." It was more like a triumphant entrance, complete with a gust of wind and the feeling that some deity had just blessed the home.
"Master~! We're here!" came the unmistakable voice of Ishtar, sing-song and brimming with energy, just before she burst into the living room.
Casual, she said. Her outfit tried to be casual—a tight blouse, an open jacket, and denim shorts that seemed to conspire with the universe to highlight everything she had going for her, which, let's be honest, was a lot. High heels, sunglasses dangling from her neckline, and the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she was doing with every step she took.
Behind her, Shuten-Dōji practically floated, a feline smile on her face as if she were plotting something highly amusing and possibly illegal. A loose T-shirt falling off one shoulder, short shorts, elegant sandals, and a subtle hint of cherry blossom and danger in her perfume. She looked at Kazuya with that "you're my favorite toy" gaze that only she could pull off without getting arrested.
And then, bringing up the rear, Ereshkigal. More reserved, as always. She wore a beige long-sleeve blouse, a modest skirt, and simple leather boots, but everything was impeccably clean and aligned, as if she'd planned even the angle of her collar. Her reddish-brown eyes sparkled when she saw Kazuya, and the small smile that curled at the corner of her lips was the kind that could melt the heart of any underworld god.
"Master…" she said, shyly. "We're here."
Kazuya blinked a few times, slowly rising from the couch as he watched the three cross the room like a carefully balanced trinity of chaos.
"You guys took your time…" he commented with a crooked smile. "The house was starting to get too quiet."
"Say that now. Give it five minutes," Ishtar replied, placing a hand on her hip.
"Because this place, Master…" She spun on her heels and gestured to the mansion. "Is officially the best place you've ever brought us to."
"Agreed…" Shuten purred, gliding over to the couch and flopping down beside him. "It smells like freedom. And expensive sake. You really know how to spoil your girls, hmm?"
Ereshkigal observed everything with a more restrained air, but her eyes shone.
"It's beautiful. The light comes in nicely. And it feels safe… I like it here." She turned to Kazuya, her smile soft and sincere. "You thought of everything."
"I… tried," he replied with a faint smile.
And that's when the technicians barged in, literally, carrying grocery bags and boxes as if they were setting up a market right there. Others were already in the corners of the room installing routers, while one swapped out the TV antenna for a modern receiver.
"Wi-Fi in ten minutes, boss!" shouted one of the men.
"Premium channels already activated!" another added.
Kazuya watched it all unfold with the air of a man who finally felt his life was falling into place… until he saw Ishtar nudging one of the technicians with an HDMI cable.
"Hey, mister, add this channel too," she requested, pointing to a streaming app no one recognized. "It's the one with the romance dramas. Kazuya loves them, apparently, but he's too shy to admit it. I saw it in his old apartment…"
"T-That's not true!" he shot back.
Shuten-Dōji laughed, hiding her mouth behind her sleeve.
Ereshkigal looked at her Master with a glance that said, *So, you like that too?*
Meanwhile, Ishtar kept walking.
"You know… you brought us here, bought a whole house, set everything up… And even with that tired hero act, we see it all. We see how much you care. And that's why…" She placed a hand on her chest, as if making a vow. "…I'm going to compete even harder with them to win you over for good."
"Ishtar!" Ereshkigal's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing.
"Oh, don't be shy, Eresh," Shuten teased, leaning closer and resting her chin on Kazuya's shoulder with a dangerous little smile. "We all love you already. And he knows it. He just needs to give in…"
Kazuya sighed, eyes closed, trying to maintain his composure. Inside? Controlled panic at SSR gacha level.
But on the outside?
He smiled.
"Alright. But does anyone here know how to cook?"
The three exchanged glances.
"…Delivery?" they suggested in unison.
Kazuya let out a sigh. It was truly handy that his [Fate Gacha] skill imprinted modern-era knowledge onto the Servants—they knew about the legendary food delivery service. Well, he'd think about cooking later.
The technicians finished setting everything up with the efficiency of an elite squad specializing in otaku comfort. The TV now had more apps than sense, the Wi-Fi was faster than a magic teleport, and the fridge was stuffed with so many bags it looked like SSR event loot.
"Lord Kazuya-sama," said the team leader, a man in a sharp suit who looked more like an anime butler than a regular technician. He gave an impeccable bow. "Anything you need, just call. We're at your service."
And with that, they left as they came: quick, discreet, and with the internal soundtrack of a mission successfully completed.
The comfortable silence that followed lasted exactly four seconds.
Shuten-Dōji was the first to move.
With the grace of a panther and the audacity of a drunken kitsune, she sat on his lap as if it were her rightful throne. Her perfume filled the air, sweet and provocative.
"That was cruel, you know?" she purred, tracing circles with her finger on his chest. "You summon me in the morning, say you'll see me after class… and then vanish. Left me alone. Needy. Bored…"
She tilted her head, her half-closed eyes gleaming. "Do you really want me to behave after that, *Anata*~?"
Kazuya opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by Eresh.
"W-Wait!" she stepped closer, her cheeks flushed. "That's not fair! He… he just got back from school! Let him breathe, Shuten!"
The Oni Servant laughed softly, resting her chin on Kazuya's shoulder.
"With this scent? No way."
"Tch. You two are so noisy…" came a third voice, closer than he expected.
Kazuya barely had time to turn his head before he felt two hands slide around his back and a sudden, bold, warm kiss on his lips.
Ishtar.
She had snuck up behind the couch like a heart-stealing thief and was now leaning over him, her head resting on his shoulder, eyes closed with a satisfied smile on her lips, on the other side.
"I missed you…" she murmured. "And I'm not losing to these two. Ever."
Kazuya froze for a few seconds.
Inside? Emergency alarm at "all routes unlocked at once" level.
Outside?
He took control.
Slowly, he placed one hand on Shuten's hip and rested the other on Ishtar's arm, like someone calming wild beasts—or in this case, passionate beauties—and then smiled.
"Easy. You'll all get your turn… but first, how was your day?"
Shuten seemed surprised for a second but soon laughed, leaning a bit more against him as if she were right at home. Which, technically, she was.
"Oh, mine? Boring. Drank a little, explored the house, played with a slime-shaped pillow for thirty minutes… Until I woke up your two favorite goddesses."
Ereshkigal cleared her throat, blushing.
"Woke up is an understatement. She was drinking on top of the kitchen table with a glass of wine, singing a song about 'the perfect Master who forgot me'…"
Ishtar rolled her eyes.
"And she broke the flower vase I put in the living room! It was a welcome offering!"
"It was tacky," Shuten-Dōji shot back, grinning ear to ear.
Kazuya let out a soft laugh. It was strange, but also comforting. The three of them together made the house feel alive. The kind of chaos he'd never had, but now… kind of missed when it wasn't around.
And, of course, it was 100% his fault. If he hadn't installed that "Harem is Life" mod while playing *Fate/Grand Order*, maybe they wouldn't be this close. But that was a secret he'd take to the grave.
Kazuya sighed with a smile, gently stroking Eresh's hair as she now sat beside him, her hands delicately clasped in her lap.
"So… you guys liking it here?"
The three answered at once:
"With you here?" Shuten said, her voice syrupy.
"Of course!" Ishtar said, enthusiastic.
"Yes… a lot," Ereshkigal whispered, shy but sincere.
Kazuya let out a sigh, with that tired smile of someone who had already accepted chaos as part of the furniture. But this time, instead of sinking further into the couch, he took a deep breath and started to get up.
"Alright… let's get moving," he muttered, gently sliding Shuten off his lap. She let out a loud "hmph" but allowed it, settling onto the couch like it was an imperial throne.
Ishtar was also caught off guard when he lightly touched her hand and moved the arm she had draped around his neck. She narrowed her eyes, half-challenging, half-curious.
"Gonna run from us, Master?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
Kazuya stretched his arms, cracking his back, and replied:
"I'm making dinner," he said simply, rolling his shoulders. "Unless one of you suddenly discovered a culinary talent."
The three Servants watched him in silence for a moment.
"Nothing?" he pressed.
"Does delivery still count as talent?" Shuten asked with a mischievous smile.
Kazuya just laughed and headed to the kitchen.
The newly purchased and furnished mansion had an elegant, modern air. The architecture blended glass and dark wood, large windows let light pour in at perfect angles, highlighting the clean, sophisticated decor—gray leather sofas, oak flooring, and soft lighting that looked straight out of a design catalog. Everything smelled new, even the silence felt fresh. No posters, no figurines. The only flashy thing there… was the three divinities trailing behind Kazuya like a celestial procession.
The kitchen opened into the living room in an open-concept layout, with a central white marble island and built-in cabinets. The utensils were arranged with near-military precision.
"Look at that… he actually knows how to use all this?" Ishtar murmured, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed, watching as he sorted the ingredients.
Ereshkigal stayed farther back, observing silently with attentive, curious eyes.
"It's nice seeing him like this," she whispered, more to herself.
"Up close, he almost looks like a real husband," Shuten said, twirling a water bottle between her fingers.
"You guys are just gonna stand there staring? I get nervous with a divine and Oni audience," Kazuya joked, turning on the stove.
"Get used to it," Ishtar replied, smiling. "You're our Master. We're watching everything."
The ingredients soon came to life under Kazuya's hands. Precise cuts, pans heated at the right time, a touch of special sauce on the chicken, and vegetables sautéed with butter and garlic. The aroma that filled the kitchen was warm, inviting—the kind that made any place feel like home.
He plated the food carefully, serving balanced portions: fried rice with eggs, grilled chicken with teriyaki sauce, and vegetables cooked to perfection. Nothing extravagant, but made with care.
In the dining room, the table was fit for feasts—long, made of polished dark wood, with cushioned chairs and generous space. A modern chandelier hung above, bathing the room in soft amber light. The windows in the background showed a sky already tinged with twilight orange.
Kazuya set the plates in front of each Servant and sat down, letting out a small sigh of mission accomplished.
"Dig in," he said, like a weary king at the end of the day.
Ishtar was the first to try it, bringing the chopsticks to her mouth with theatrical suspicion. In seconds, her eyes lit up.
"You're trying to win me over with food now? What a cheap… and effective move."
Shuten was already chewing, her eyes half-closed, savoring each bite like a professional taster.
"Reminds me of imperial taverns… but with less shouting and more flavor."
Ereshkigal tasted it delicately, her lips curving into a calm, sincere smile.
"It's delicious," she said softly. "Really… thank you for making this."
Kazuya watched the three of them, all seated at the table, enjoying his food, illuminated by the warm light of the new house. None of them had to be there. They were divine. Powerful. Incredible. And yet, they were at his table, sharing dinner.
Inside? Pure SSR-level emotion.
Outside?
He just smiled, took a spoonful of rice to his mouth, and said casually:
"Welcome to the new house."
After dinner, the table looked like a battlefield freshly won. Empty plates, nearly dry glasses, and a light atmosphere in the air. Ishtar stretched her arms above her head like a satisfied Olympic champion.
"I say with pride: the Master is officially a great cook," she announced. "Almost makes me want to see him in just an apron."
"Ara, that sounds like an excellent idea," Shuten-Dōji commented with a feline smile, lazily twirling a spoon between her fingers. "I can already picture him in the kitchen with just that white apron…"
"Shuten!" Ereshkigal protested, her cheeks red as if someone had activated a shame buff on her.
Kazuya just laughed, leaning back in his chair.
"You guys are impossible."
"We're your favorite impossibilities," Ishtar said, winking.
"I'll admit, today was good," he said, standing and gathering the plates. "The house… you guys… everything feels right."
As he carried the dishes to the sink, Shuten-Dōji followed, helping with the utensils—or pretending to, since she spilled more water than she washed anything.
Ishtar slung an arm around Ereshkigal's shoulders, who was still watching Kazuya with soft eyes.
"Reminds me of the old days. I missed this, though I hate admitting it. Remember how much the Master worked for all of us?" she murmured.
"Yes. Even in another life. He's still kind… and always trying," Ereshkigal replied, shyly.
Later, after everything was cleaned, Kazuya decided to spend some time in the living room with them. The TV was turned on this time, with a random documentary about ancient témoignages (thanks to a mysterious suggestion from Ereshkigal). Ishtar, however, grabbed the remote and quickly switched to a talent show.
"This is way more fun. Look at that guy dancing dressed as a carrot!"
Shuten-Dōji burst out laughing, throwing her legs over the arm of the couch while sipping something mysterious from a glass.
"This modern world has its charm…"
Kazuya found himself laughing along with them. The kind of laugh that didn't come from obligation, but from spontaneity; he wasn't alone anymore…
But soon, exhaustion hit. He stretched and stood up.
"I'm heading upstairs… Need to sleep a bit. I've got class tomorrow, remember?"
The three waved casually.
"Good night, Master," Ereshkigal said with a warm smile.
"Dream of us," Ishtar teased.
"Or… better yet… dream *about* us," Shuten whispered with a mischievous smile.
Kazuya shook his head, laughing, and climbed the wooden stairs to the second floor.
The upper floor of the mansion was as elegant as the rest of the house. Wide hallways, plush carpet underfoot, dark wooden doors with gold handles. He entered his bedroom: spacious, with a large, comfortable bed, windows overlooking the backyard garden, and curtains swaying in the night breeze.
He flopped onto the bed, letting out a long sigh. It was good to have peace.
As he closed his eyes, downstairs…
The three Servants remained in the living room.
Ishtar leaned closer to the other two and whispered:
"Little goodnight plan?"
Shuten-Dōji chuckled softly.
"If we're sharing the Master, how about making the night… more interesting?"
Ereshkigal hesitated, her face flushed, but slowly nodded.
Three pairs of eyes gleamed.
And on the second floor, Kazuya rolled onto his side, completely unaware of what was coming.