FHA Rider, bicycle, and the jealous Sakura (EN)

I step outside the storehouse. Having completed a bunch of tasks, I'm heading back to the house... “...Oh?” Rider is outside. Just heading out, or so I thought. She looks suspicious. Rider... What is she doing? I immediately run upstairs and look out to the courtyard from the window. She's keeping an eye on the house. Is she hiding from someone? Rider acting that suspiciously is a rare sight. Is she going out shopping in secret...? I can see Sakura or Saber trying something like this, but Rider going out in this state of alertness... “...No. Her objective is inside.” If Rider wants to sneak out, all she has to do is jump up to the roof. If she does that, no one other than Saber can catch her, or even notice her. So that means her goal isn't outside, it's inside the yard――― “...I see.” What Rider is interested in... That something is where the bicycles are stored, that I know. “Really, Rider...” I run downstairs towards the front gate. “Hey! Rider!” I call out. Just as I thought, Rider is currently crouching down and examining bicycle Number One... My one beloved bike. “S-Shirou? Heading out?” “No, just came out of the shed. What about you? If you're going out to buy something, Number Two is over there.” “――――――” Bicycle Number Two is exclusively for shopping. A typical "mama-chari," complete with a basket installed in front. Number One, on the other hand, is a race bike with flat handlebars. “...I have a good reason, Shirou.” “Ah, let's hear it.” “Of course, it is only for you to hear. You cannot let anyone else know, Sakura included―――As you can see, there is nothing else in the world I love more than a fast vehicle.” “Oh, I know that.” Is that the so-called secret? “―――You should really let people finish their sentences, you know. Even though I respect your insight, you are still not quite clear of the reasons involved.” “..................” I'm perfectly aware of her reasons, but I remain silent. Rider is right, I should let her finish first. “Listen. It is true that Number Two has large carrying capacity and is easy to maintain, making it ideal for casual outings and shopping.” “...However, um... A vehicle that goes so slow no matter how fast I pedal just does not suit me. No, this is not even a matter of my taste. If I really start pedaling, it breaks. What kind of vehicle is that? A vehicle is one that, for one hundred units of energy taken, produces one hundred units of work. That is to say, in terms of speed, bike Number Two defies the laws of thermodynamics.” “..................” No, this is the law of physics. Driving something that was designed to go 20 km/h at 100 km/h is nothing short of suicidal. “But Number One is different from the sluggish Number Two, being equipped with a high-speed gear system. With this, none of my concerns should be an issue. It should also solve the power delivery problem.” ...Now I have absolutely no idea what in the world Rider is planning. “...Whew. What do you think, Shirou? With that said, I thought you could perhaps understand my humble request.” “――――――” I'm sorry, but I don't, not really. And since I don't, the answer is straightforward. “Let's see... No.” “...That was a quick decision, Shirou.” Of course. I cannot afford a rocket of this kind that will run wildly around the neighborhood to be born from our garage. “...Maybe... if I continue to ride Number Two, the slow speed stress will cause alopecia areata. Do you not agree?” “...Will it really? Even though Sakura will cry, the answer is still no.” The birth of a Crazy Train isn't the only issue here. If she uses this chance to increase her sphere of influence, the power balance at our house, already precarious at best, will start to slide even more. To put it bluntly, my position is diminishing. “Shirou. If you refuse to let me use Number One, I have no choice but to resort to radical measures.” “...Uh. Rider, d-does that mean... you are going to snatch my beloved Bianchi away by force...?” “No, that is the last resort. I am not the same as Saber.” Suddenly, Rider's view on Saber becomes very clear. “Shirou, Number One is not the only good transportation method in this world. It is fine if you will not let me borrow it. I shall just have to look for an even faster mount. I will start with Taiga's scooter, and then I shall borrow the Fujimura Group's big bike.” “―――Geh.” She's venting her anger, and is venting it on me. The big bike... Would that be old man Raiga's that I worked on? With my strength alone, I couldn't even lift that monstrosity if it were to fall. “You still think it is all right, Shirou?” “...It's fine either way. Rider, do you have your bike license?” If she is going to charge around on the road, she needs to follow the traffic laws. No one can interfere if Rider is on her Pegasus, but if she's riding a motorcycle, she has to follow human society's rules. “...Riding skills have nothing to do with a license.” “No. If you want to ride a motorcycle, you need to take a course and get a license. To put it bluntly, if you get in trouble with the police, our house is done for. Sakura will cry for sure.” “Oh...” Sakura's influence is not to be underestimated. ...But then again, I can't see Rider letting herself get caught by police, either. Rider looks visibly discouraged... ...Seems like she's finally given up. Number One is a no-go, but when I have time, I'll try to assemble a Number Four for her to use, something better than a "mama-chari"――― “...............Shirou...” Suddenly, there is a whispering voice beside my ear. Rider walks up to my side, her icy hand stroking the back of my neck――― “Then... we shall play by your rules, equal trade.” “Eh―――?” “If... you will let me use Number One, I will reward you... fufu.” Her fingers slide under my chin. With her lips almost nibbling my ear and an unimaginably sweet voice... “R-R-Reward...!?” “Whatever you desire, Shirou... Anything you want to do to me. No part of me is off-limits... Shirou, what do you want to do...?” Her voice echoes like an incantation. What I desire from Rider... What I want to do to Rider... Anything... ...Did she use some kind of seduction spell? My body is burning up. But the feel of Rider's skin is as cold as ground water. My head starts spinning, the surroundings are muddled, and it feels like I'm about to say something unthinkable――― “...Rider, that's...” “Anything... is allowed. Shirou and I can―――fufu.” She gently caresses my cheek. Facing her, there is no escape from the seductive eyes that are now piercing me. “.....................” Huh...? That's strange, is Sakura staring at us? “―――Ahem. That was a joke, of course, Shirou.” With a swoosh, Rider's hand slipped away like a snake. Nonchalantly, as if nothing had happened――― ““Ri-Ri-, Rider!”” “Well then, I am heading out, you two can take your time.” “Ah... Wait, Sakura... Nothing happened!” “Senpai... um... What did you want to do!?” She heard everything word for word! “Wait... It was nothing like that! Rider!” She sure can change gears fast. Rider's peddling the Number Two like she saw a ghost, disappearing into Miyama in the blink of an eye. “Oh, for the love of...! It's not like that, I didn't do any of the things I want to do with you with Rider!” “Then what things do you want to do with me...? Oh, Senpai...” “It's not like that! Or maybe it is!? It was nothing, Rider just wanted to ride Number One, that's all!” “Yes... That's right, I'm number two to Senpai already...” This is such a strange misunderstanding――― Aah, I'll have to find Rider later... Need to get her to explain things to Sakura.