Beta read by Opal and FabledLife
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-Midchilda-
If there was one thing Hayate wished could change in the Time Space Administrative Bureau, it would be meetings that ended up being meaninglessly stretched for several hours. A meeting that could have easily been an hour now went on for nearly five hours.
"The damage done upon the Saint's Cradle has rendered the ship practically inoperable, even with the bare minimum of hull repair," said one of the analysts with a low and formal tone.
"That's putting it mildly," another added, stepping forward with a tablet in hand. "The hull and its entire frontal structure have been completely obliterated. While it's true the engines remain untouched, the control room most likely no longer exists. There's nothing left to pilot even if we could power it."
"So for now, it's become a useless remnant of history?" someone else questioned from the shadows, leaning back with clear disappointment.
"I wouldn't call it useless by any means," replied the analyst, shaking his head. "Despite the structural devastation, the Saint's Cradle retains a number of its original functions. According to our researchers, there's still an intact database onboard that holds several ancient Belkan records and information on several Lost Logias, many of which have been lost to time. That knowledge alone holds significant value."
"And what of the ship itself?" another voice asked.
"Well, from what we found out from these records and ours was that without someone of the same royal bloodline as the original ruler, it is impossible to reactivate the vessel. The activation protocol is tied to the lineage."
"So it's only a matter of time before the Saint Church comes over and claims it?"
"Who knows, this decision solely lies with Knight Carim. We'll have to wait until she returns in a few days to be sure, but she is already aware of the findings and has been informed of this meeting."
Within a dimly lit chamber, the walls lined with softly humming monitors, a half-circle of officials sat around a central table. The screens before them displayed a variety of angles of the ruined Saint's Cradle, some from overhead, others from drone surveillance. Footage rolled in real-time from hundreds of reconnaissance units, but as one drew too close, its feed abruptly cut to black. The silence that followed wasn't surprise, but familiarity, as they had all seen these before.
Among those present was a heavyset man whose uniform sat tightly against his large belly. Hayate would have recognized him, of course, having decided to keep an eye on him for the following meeting. "There is also something else of concern," the man said.
"We have more important matters to attend to than this! While the condition of the Saint's Cradle is certainly unfortunate, all of this is because of a single party." With both palms on the table, his voice continued to rise, "All of us are forgetting one last critical detail."
The screen above changed to a new feed. This one was similar to the other ones but instead appeared to be footage taken from a high-altitude surveillance satellite. The image displayed the Saint's Cradle in its prime, intact, moments after its emergence from beneath the earth. The room fell into a hush. Eyes shifted from screen to screen, but all missed the sudden shift in expression from Hayate, who had remained notably silent until now.
"This is aerial footage taken moments before Fate Testarossa and Nanoha Takamichi arrived at said location. Pay close attention."
The image accelerated in speed. The ship hovered until a sudden eruption of brilliant energy tore through the hull. A beam of multicolored light lanced upward from within, twisting violently in shades that mirrored the rainbow. The energy spiraled outwards, crawling across the metal like living veins, until at last, it erupted with a thunderous boom, shearing the front section of the Saint's Cradle apart.
Murmurs rose around the table. Surprise, alarm, curiosity, and even fascination. Reactions varied, but one thing was certain: the blast had drawn the attention of even the most uninterested among them.
"We have confirmed through both our data and testimonies from the perpetrator himself and from the captured personnel that the origin of this surge was none other than Emiya Shirou." At once, Ragus slammed his fist down onto the table, the thud echoing through the chamber. "I warned you all about this boy we've taken in under the guise of protection! This is the work of a Lost Logia, one that was never registered, one he's kept hidden from us this entire time!"
"How can you call it a Lost Logia when it isn't one in the first place?" Hayate's tired voice raised in defiance. Dark circles hung beneath her eyes, a visible mark of sleepless nights, now deeper than when the Riot Force 6 had last gathered in search of Shirou earlier. Despite her fatigue, she stood firm, hands resting at her sides.
"Like you yourself have said, he is not of this world. He comes from somewhere else entirely and possesses abilities and items that exist outside of our history, our records, and our systems. By what logic or law can we label them as Lost Logia? That designation implies they originated here, that they were once ours. But they never were. We are neither obligated nor authorized to demand that he surrender items that have no bearing on our own legacy, especially when he has caused no harm."
"No harm?" The voice came from across the room, and Ragus's heavy form leaned forward on the table as his eyes narrowed. "Commander, are you even listening to yourself? That ship, the Saint's Cradle, was a relic of our history. A piece of our culture, lost to time, yes, but meant to be reclaimed. And now, it lies broken, shattered by a force wielded by someone you say has done no harm. That relic, had it been properly restored and with a proper user, could have been a boon to us. A strategic asset! Instead, it was destroyed. By him."
There might have been a time when Hayate could have kept her composure. She was no stranger to harsh words or a clash of words. Normally, she would have kept her tone professional, her words measured. But days of sleeplessness, the pounding headache from raised voices, the constant weight of TSAB's half-truths, and withheld intelligence — all of it began to boil over.
"What exactly is your problem with Shirou?" she snapped, her voice rising across the room in an unexpected outburst. Eyes turned toward her with immediate surprise. "I don't care what secret agendas you've got going on behind my back, or if you still have doubts about me and my past! But this… this is going too far. You're targeting someone who has done nothing but help us. Someone who was abducted right under our nose, despite it being our responsibility to ensure his safety! And had he not used whatever power that was, Emiya Shirou would have been lost, either dead or worse, turned into a puppet and used against us by Jail!"
Her hands trembled slightly as she leaned forward, eyes blazing.
"Then what? Would we be having this conversation while fighting off our own allies? Do you think we could have stopped him if he had turned against us? And another thing — why wasn't I informed that some of you already knew the Saint's Cradle's location? Why did I have to hear about it from after-the-fact footage? If that information had been shared when it mattered, even the last look I—"
"Second Ground Commander Hayate."
The interruption came like a cold knife. A single, aged voice brought her to a halt. Her breath caught, the fury still brimming just beneath her skin, and she looked around to find all eyes watching her. The oldest among them, seated near the center, fixed her with a hard, disapproving gaze.
"Matters concerning the Saint's Cradle were classified from the start. That information was not to be distributed freely, not even to those who are present here. There was no confirmed intelligence that suggested it was occupied by the likes of Jail or any other faction, let alone being a place where Emiya Shirou was kidnapped."
"Then how the hell did someone like Jail know about the location of the Saint's Cradle to begin with?" she pressed, this time having regained some of her calmness. "They've obviously been occupying that thing for quite some time now. Long enough to manufacture all those drones."
She was clearly not going to back down so easily.
"This matter will be investigated," one of the officials replied, voice carefully measured. "It is clear there has been a leak of classified information among the higher-ups. However, Commander Regius Gais is also correct. We must now turn our attention to another pressing concern. The red-headed boy, Emiya Shirou, and his possession of those weapons. We have never encountered anything of their kind before. Their power and destructive capacity are not something we can afford to ignore any longer, as well. Not just for our safety but for his and those in Midchilda."
The speaker adjusted their glasses before continuing.
"When he first arrived on Midchilda, he carried no weapons. According to every record we have, his magic only allowed him to replicate items he had previously seen and reinforce them — such as arrows, bows, and even those twin swords. But now we have witnessed him wield a multitude of unfamiliar spells that contradicted his words. There was the flower-shaped force field during the auction, and now this. While we have taken on the responsibility of ensuring his safety and facilitating his eventual return, it is also imperative that he not withhold any critical information from us. I trust you understand the seriousness of this, Commander."
The woman narrowed her eyes, her voice turning cold. "So what exactly are you proposing? Are you going to interrogate him like a prisoner? Force the answers out of him?"
"No," the reply came with a note of finality. "We are entrusting this matter to you, given your close relationship. However, should you fail to accomplish the task, it will be reassigned to others."
From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Regius again. His face remained composed, but the faint smirk tugging at his lips told her everything she needed to know. He was more than eager to assume control of the situation.
Holding back the storm of thoughts and emotions building within her, she said nothing. The meeting shifted toward other topics concerning the Saint's Cradle, but she hardly listened. Several thoughts churned, tangled in silence, waiting for the minutes to pass and the meeting to end.
When it finally adjourned, Hayate stood from her seat and exited the building without a word, with hasty steps. She needed to leave before she said something she'd regret if they were to bring up the previous topic once again. Every step she took down the long corridor eased the tension in her muscles, and by the time she stepped out into the open air, a breath finally escaped her lips.
"What a mess…"
In the distance, the brunette spotted a familiar black car waiting for her. A flicker of relief crossed her face as she approached it, the door opened, and Fate stepped out, her usual calm smile greeting her. No words passed between them at first after that greeting. There was no need… the blonde could see it clearly.
"You look like a walking zombie, Hayate," Fate mentioned, something which earned a chuckle from her friend.
"Then I suppose I'll just need to apply more makeup than usual."
"If you keep that up, we won't have a leader left to guide us. Are you sure you want Nanoha or me to take over your job while you recover? Aside from training certain recruits, our schedule has been pretty empty lately."
Hayate shuddered, for the mere thought of that outcome sent an uncomfortable chill down her spine. As much as she cared for both of them, imagining either of those two sitting in her chair, trying to sort out paperwork and operations… where the likelihood of them just ignoring most of it and letting it pile up for her later was a nightmare waiting to happen. Lately, both had become a little too distracted — especially when Shirou was around — and she'd already started noticing delays in their duties. If things continued like that, their entire force would collapse under a mountain of unfinished forms.
Part of her was jealous of their freedom, but also of how close they became to one another in the blink of an eye. Reminding her of her own past history with them before all of this.
"It's not fair how you two get to just enjoy yourselves."
"Then take a vacation."
"Not a bad idea," Hayate muttered. "But with the way things are now, that would just give Regius more excuses to question my leadership. Worst case scenario, you'll be taking orders from him next."
Fate didn't laugh this time, nor did she argue.
This time, it was her turn to pull an ugly face at the mere thought. "I wish you good health and hope you can continue being our leader forever, Hayate. I'll happily give you free massages both in "
"All right, all right, cut that out," Hayate muttered, rolling her eyes. "Speaking of which, where's Nanoha, anyway?"
Her friend smiled, "The answer should be pretty obvious by now."
"With Shirou."
At this point, she should have started to expect it from the beginning. While not overly attached to him, it was starting to head that path in her opinion. Having known the person for years, even she could see the obvious signs.
"Yep. She went along with him to meet someone. I don't know all the details, but ever since he came back, she's practically been glued to his side. You won't believe this if I tell you, but I'm pretty sure she's now genuinely considering sleeping at his place from now on. Before it was a joke, but now…"
Hayate gave her a look that hovered somewhere between amusement and exasperation. "She's not even trying to be subtle anymore, is she?"
"To be fair, she was never very subtle to begin with, and lying is not something she's good at — whether it be with others or herself. I don't even think the girl realizes her own feelings. And Shirou… well, I'm not sure if he even feels anything back. Still too early to tell."
Hayate hummed in agreement before her gut feeling felt that there was more to this matter than what she was being told. Proceeding to stare at Fate from the corner of her eyes, she asked, "Then what about you?"
The moment the words left Hayate's mouth, Fate cast her a puzzled glance before turning back toward the car and climbing in. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Of course, she would not get a clear answer so easily. This made her roll her eyes.
"Sure you don't. Come on, let's head back. I'm in dire need of more coffee."
"Nope. What you need is rest. We're heading to his apartment instead." That caught her by surprise, "Something Subaru-chan came up with to celebrate the occasion. Apparently, Shirou seems to be a bit distracted lately, even Nanoha wasn't able to get a clear answer from him, but something is clearly bothering him. So, Subaru and Teana organized a small celebration to lift his spirit, so to speak."
Hayate hesitated, part of her wanting to try out his cooking again, remembering the taste of that one bento Nanoha had brought back, where a single bite of which had been enough to leave her craving more. She'd heard plenty about Shirou's cooking, and by now, she was curious enough to want a full serving.
But given this occasion was meant for him to relax, she doubted she'd get that chance, which made her a bit disappointed.
"Fine, but stop by my place first, I think I have something to bring as a gift for this occasion."
{Break}
(Around the same time)
The jail system within Midchilda was, to Shirou's eye, oddly reminiscent of the Clock Tower's own way of detaining prisoners. The holding cells differed depending on the danger level of the inmate, and in this case, the man they were visiting had been deemed not just dangerous, but lethal. The number of guards patrolling the sector, the layers of security, magical wards, emergency countermeasures — a bit too much if he had to be honest.
Especially when the prisoner in question gave himself up willingly, much to his dismay at first.
"What are you doing here?" came a voice from within the dimly lit cell.
Zest sat on the other side, his arms and legs bound in enchanted restraints, his movements reduced to the bare minimum. The translucent barrier shimmered faintly between them, giving the illusion of closeness while ensuring containment.
"That's a strange question to ask when you already know the answer," Shirou replied, stopping in front of the cell. "I came to visit you. And to find a way to get you released soon enough… this is not what I wanted."
"Don't bother." Zest's voice was firm, his tone carrying a warning that made Shirou pause. There was no actual anger; his face remained the same as if he had long accepted the outcome. "When I agreed to return with you to Midchilda, I told you what the outcome would be, and so did your friends. I've accepted my fate, so you should too. My past crimes cannot be so easily ignored, not when there are several people who know of my past and some who hold personal grudges against me."
Shirou's hands curled into fists at his sides.
"I didn't go through all the trouble of bringing you back just so you could rot in a cell."
Zest shook his head, unflinching. "Be grateful they didn't execute me on the spot for being one of Jail's subordinates. This is the best outcome you could have hoped for; they are not wrong to assume that I'm dangerous. I know that. They know that. Eventually, they'll find a use for me or put me down permanently — it's only a matter of time."
Shirou hated how easily the words came from his mouth as if he'd long rehearsed them. And maybe he had. He'd seen the same pattern at the Clock Tower — how easily people were tossed into boxes and written off as problems to be managed rather than understood. Yet even now, he couldn't bring himself to agree. Not when someone had willingly taken a step back into the lion's den just to protect the lives of others. Not when he still believed there had to be another way.
"You say that now, but I can guarantee you it won't come to that. You won't die."
"You seem quite confident," Zest said dryly.
To that, the young man let out a small scoff, barely more than a breath through his nose.
You're quite a pessimistic person."
Zest narrowed his gaze slightly. "I won't lie, a small part of me wonders they didn't throw you in here as well after destroying the Saint's Cradle. These people must have seen what you did out there, yet you're still walking around freely."
"Because I didn't do anything wrong, not everyone here is out to get me or with a hidden agenda like you are thinking. I told you, there are good people here who just want to help," Shirou replied with a shrug.
Zest offered no response, simply falling silent once again. Seconds and minutes ticked by in that same stillness, the sterile quiet of the facility wrapping around them like a suffocating sheet. Then, without turning his head, Zest asked again.
"Tell me... why are you really here in the first place?"
At that, the redhead sighed, glancing about the cell, his gaze brushing past the translucent wall before him, then returning to meet Zest's eyes. "Like I told you before, I intend to keep my promises. In any way, shape, or form."
"Don't try anything crazy like breaking the wall or messing with the system. If this prison gets destroyed, then you're inviting more trouble." Zest mentioned, which made the boy look at him with disbelief.
"I feel like perhaps you have gotten the wrong impression of me… You make it sound like I'm some sort of crazy person going out of my way to destroy things for no reason." This sensation of unfairness was further simplified when Zest gave him a look that basically screamed, 'Are you not?' so casually. Sure, he did go a bit strong with his escape from the spaceship, but that was necessary to survive.
He wouldn't just start randomly destroying things for no reason.
Regardless, he did not come here to argue that point and instead just tapped a few numbers on the console next to him before the wall vanished.
Zest's eyes widened, blinking at the empty space where the wall had been. "What are you doing?" he asked.
But Shirou didn't answer him. He merely turned toward the side corridor, his gaze calm and sure. A second figure stepped into view, and this time, Zest could not keep the surprise from his face.
"Lu… Lutecia?" he breathed.
Gone was the ragged hood that once concealed her expression. Her usual dark outfit that Zest had grown used to seeing her in was replaced with a clean, newer dress — one with white and blue frills, something she had picked out on her own with Shirou's help. Though he wasn't much of an expert when it came to picking the right clothes for girls her age, he just trusted Subaru and Teana with the task, and they were more than happy to help.
More than that, gone was the hollow look she once carried, and gone was the lifeless haze that dulled every glance. Now, her eyes trembled, shimmering with emotion barely held at bay.
"Zest," she whispered, her voice cracking as it left her.
"I made her a promise," Shirou said gently. "Just like the one I made for you. That the two of you would see each other again and promises like that can't be fulfilled when there's a wall standing between them. Unfortunately, it's only going to be for a short amount of time, but I'll try to find a way to work things out. You should thank Nanoha for this."
He gave Lutecia the faintest nudge forward.
She took cautious steps toward the man. Zest, though trying to keep his expression still, couldn't hide the faint upward twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"You look happy," he said.
Lutecia nodded slightly, the motion hesitant but sincere.
"How have you been?" he asked, his voice stiff, as if the words were unfamiliar.
"It's been fun here," she replied quietly. "Shirou makes me food every day, it tastes better than… um, just as good as Mama's. He plays games with me when I get bored. We go outside to the arcade when we have time. Sometimes I help him when Subaru and Teana do mock battles with my insects."
Zest opened his mouth to respond but found himself hesitating, but she did not mind it and continued, answering before he could speak.
"Any troubles?" he asked at last.
She shook her head. "Hardly anything bad happens here, aside from the attack from the doctor. People are kind. If there's something I need, or if I don't like something, Nanoha and Fate help me. If Shirou is gone too long, I'll talk to other people in the Riot Force, like Erio and Caro."
One by one, Lutecia listed the things she had done. Her voice was soft, occasionally faltering, but each word carried a weight of simple honesty. There was no embellishment, just a quiet recounting of the time she had spent since arriving in Midchilda. Simple, but clearly she enjoyed them.
"I also made a new friend a few days ago," she added. "Her name is Vivio. She's a little strange, and she cries a lot..."
"I see," Zest murmured.
"She says strange things," Lutecia continued. "She even tried calling Shirou papa and Mama at times when half asleep."
Shirou, who listened, felt his eyes twitch at that mention, just a single instance that neither Fate nor even Lutecia was planning on letting go of any time soon.
"You don't like it?"
"I find it weird. Shirou is Shirou to me… not her papa." A small pout emerged on her face, one that she did not notice.
Bit by bit, Lutecia began to recount more of her day. Zest said little, his face unreadable, but it was clear from the calm in his posture that he was listening. At some point, the girl had seated herself beside him, her voice gradually brightening with every sentence. Her tone, once hesitant and reserved, grew lighter, even playful, more alive than the man had ever seen from her before.
Watching it unfold from a distance, Shirou couldn't help but smile faintly. But rather than stay and interrupt, he quietly took his leave, stepping away from the reunion.
He moved through the corridor in silence until he arrived at another cell, one that held a very different kind of occupant. The woman inside was not bound, her arms and legs free, though her posture was oddly casual. She lay back on the thin mattress of her cot, humming to herself with a singsong rhythm that echoed faintly through the hall.
Her brown eyes opened the moment he approached, widening with amusement from within. She behaved like a visitor who came for a vacation rather than a prisoner.
"Oh my~," she purred. "Come to visit little old me? I'm so touched. It does wonders for my heart to see a familiar face. This place is terribly dull, you know. Not good for my complexion."
Her fingers lazily stroked her stomach as she spoke, her voice velvety and composed. Shirou didn't react, his expression shifting from soft to flat in a blink.
"I think I heard Lady Lutecia speaking with Zest nearby," she continued, her tone as smooth as silk. "How marvelous that those two have finally reunited, a bit sad that she doesn't come by to see me, too. I must say, you must be quite proud of yourself, bringing them together and spoiling the doctor's little plan."
"What might your plan be?" Shirou asked, at last, cutting through her theatrics with the absence of any amusement in his tone. "How long do you plan to stay like this, pretending you're harmless? We both know you were captured back then deliberately. Why, I'm not sure. But you have more to gain here than staying loyal to someone on the run. Are you hoping he'll come to rescue you?"
Jail, that man wouldn't lift a finger for her. Of that, Shirou was almost certain… Even if the Numbers were like daughters to him, the way he treated them made it clear that their value only extended as far as their usefulness. The more he thought about it, the more memories related to a certain old man.
"That's quite the frightening look you're giving me," Quattro said with mock concern, her lips curling into a lazy smile. "What will you do if I say yes? Use one of your secret weapons to force me into being your ally? Torture me, maybe? Try to make me spill everything I know?"
"I won't do that," he said immediately without a hint of hesitation in his voice. "But I can't guarantee someone else won't. Hayate has already gone to great lengths to treat you decently despite you being one of the Numbers who tried to kidnap me and Vivio. She's risking a lot by keeping this arrangement going."
The woman stood up from her bed, her hips swaying slightly as she walked to the edge of the cell's translucent barrier, now standing less than a meter away from him. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as they locked onto his.
"This isn't her doing," she said softly. "We both know that. You can play the role of the cold interrogator all you like, talk to me with that flat voice and piercing stare, but I know. You wouldn't let anything happen to me." Quattro gently massaged her stomach while saying that.
He said nothing.
"Even if I am your enemy," she added, "you wouldn't let real harm come to us. That's just not who you are."
"You speak as though you know me," Shirou replied, a sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth. "A fair number of people here share my opinion. Nanoha, Fate, Hayate... none of them want things to escalate. They wouldn't resort to the kind of extremes your doctor already has. So why remain loyal to someone who would throw you away the moment you lost your usefulness?"
He didn't mask his frustration. He was still struggling to understand the reason behind her stubbornness. Part of him wondered if there was something more insidious behind it — some spell, some conditioning?
"I'm not brainwashed," Quattro said, her tone flattening. As though she had plucked the suspicion right out of his head. "Not that it matters, given most won't believe me regardless. The Numbers aren't part of a hive mind. We're not bound by any shared directive or preset goal. Each of us was made to be independent. Our decisions are our own."
"Then why?" he asked.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
"Because I can." A simple response, one that he had nothing to say against. "Besides, I'll only be here for a little while. You've made a lot of friends, but it's clear they don't like me. Maybe I'll come find you to keep me safe? Just think of this fetus as a backup plan of sorts, that's all I'll say."
"You're really going to… Hah," barely a minute passed and he already felt a headache coming on by just trying to make sense of her. "I don't know what you're planning, I'm not sure if it's part of Jail's plan at all or something you're doing, but whatever it is doesn't matter in the end. Wherever he is, we'll eventually find him and hopefully one day you'll come to your senses — at least for the sake of the life inside you."
He turned his back, knowing that staying any longer would just make things worse and get him nowhere in the end.
"I'll be seeing you soon, Shirou~! Also, make sure to give Nanoha Takamichi my greetings. I can feel her seething glare all over me from the beginning of our conversation~!" Quattro said, her voice ringing in the distance as he walked past Zest's cell and near the entrance to this part of the facility where someone else was waiting for him.
One that, just as Quattro mentioned, held a nasty look in her eyes. Though it lessened the moment he appeared.
"Thanks for bringing me here, Nanoha." He said with genuine gratitude, facing the woman as it seemed she was monitoring everything from a screen.
"... I don't… I don't trust her." This was the first thing she said after he returned. "That Quattro, I'm not saying that it's not admirable that you're willing to put in the effort to help her — but she's only taking advantage of it."
He was aware of that, very much so.
"If there's a chance, then I'm willing to keep up with her."
"She is fixated on you," Nanoha argued back. "Willing to talk to no one except you. Even Fate could not get anything from her… What happened between you two in the cradle? This is just… odd."
With genuine confusion, he scratched the back of his head, not knowing what to say. "I just kinda took her as a hostage?"
"She's definitely trying to coerce you to join their side by using your caring side." She whispered, not having heard his response.
.
.
.
(An hour later)
Eventually, the group returned to his apartment once matters related to the prison were settled. Shirou kept a faint smile on his face, happy that Lutecia seemed to be in a much better mood, though his mind was elsewhere, still turning over the meaning behind Quattro's words. It was obvious the girl had her own agenda for being here, and honestly, he wasn't sure what to do with her anymore.
"You're thinking about her again, aren't you?" Nanoha's voice came from beside him. The brunette cast him a worried glance, her hands clasped behind her back. "Feeling like this is exactly what she wants," she continued, "letting her occupy your thoughts won't solve anything. It'll only make things more difficult for you."
"You're right. I'll just take a day off and rest," he replied, nodding slowly. That seemed like the best course of action, and besides, he was quietly looking forward to dinner tonight.
They reached the apartment, and as Shirou stepped in first to unlock the door, he barely managed to take a step inside before the sound of confetti bursting filled the room. Two voices shouted in unison, "Welcome back!"
Surprised, he blinked, taking in the sight before him. Subaru and Teana stood at the center of the living room, holding a large hand-painted banner that read "Welcome Back!" in bold, colorful letters. Confetti from the party poppers they had just fired rained down around them. Vivio stood just behind them, jumping with glee and blowing noisily into a party whistle.
There were more faces, too. Hayate and Fate were present, standing off to the side.
"What is this?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"It's to celebrate your return after everything that happened in Midchilda!" Subaru answered cheerfully, still holding one of the poppers. "Teana and I thought a small party would help lift your mood. Fate and Hayate joined in, too. Caro and Erio should be here soon as well!"
Before he could react further, Subaru grabbed his hand and tugged him fully into the apartment, her face bright with enthusiasm. Teana, standing beside her, gave him an apologetic smile.
"This was her idea, and we had Lutecia keep this a secret," Teana admitted. "But she's also kind of right. It's been obvious that you've been carrying a lot lately, and you aren't being your usual self. We thought this might help clear your mind."
"You guys…" Shirou murmured, glancing around at the group of friends who had taken the time to put this together.
He didn't know what to say. All he could feel was an overwhelming sense of gratitude, but it left him unsure of how to respond. "You didn't have to go so far for me. I know things have been busy for everyone. To invest your time on something like this..."
"Don't worry, Shirou," Fate said, stepping closer. "We wanted to. It's not like we're stuck working all day without rest or breaks. Besides, both Hayate and you need to stop thinking about duty for once and just enjoy yourselves."
Nanoha nodded in agreement, her expression soft. "So just relax. Let's have some fun. Like when you first arrived and brought Lutecia along with you."
"You knew as well?" He asked and she grinned a tiny bit.
"Of course, I had to keep you occupied, and fulfilling that request of yours was the best opportunity I had."
As if on cue, Lutecia stood quietly in the back, her expression unreadable once again, though a faint trace of the childlike softness she used to have still lingered in her features. "There are too many parties going on here," she said softly. "But I don't mind them."
If she was fine with it, then he certainly had no reason to object.
"All right then, this might actually be a good idea," Shirou admitted, rolling up his sleeves as he headed toward the kitchen. "I'll cook something special for the occasio—urgh!"
Unable to even finish his sentence, the boy choked on his words as soon as several hands grabbed him all at once, one clutching the collar of his shirt while others seized his arms. In a chaotic blur of motion, they dragged him backward and dropped him straight onto the sofa.
He landed with a surprised grunt, looking up to find himself surrounded. Half the girls stood with their arms crossed, staring down at him with amused disapproval, while the others shook their heads in tandem.
"D-Did I do something wrong?" he asked, genuinely confused and, though he wouldn't admit it out loud, just a little intimidated being surrounded like this.
"This was a party we organized for you to relax and enjoy some free time," Fate said, arms crossed and in an exasperated tone. "Not for you to disappear into the kitchen and work yourself into a sweat making a feast for us. It doesn't feel fair."
Her voice had the kind of stern edge that left no room for argument, and Shirou found himself unable to come up with a proper retort. Truthfully, the idea of anyone else stepping foot in his kitchen made him visibly uneasy — especially if it were them or worse, Lutecia and Vivio. The thought alone made him twitch, given that those two were likely to cause a fire.
"I'll be doing the cooking," Fate added plainly, already grabbing his personal apron and wrapping it around her body.
"You don't need to do that, Fate. Trust me, cooking for you is never a chore or something difficult for me. I enjoy it. It actually helps me relax." He tried to get up from his seat, only to be pushed back down by the blonde, who pressed her weight onto his shoulders. Surprisingly strong and close enough that some strands of her hair tickled his nose.
"Ara~! Someone is being a bit stubborn today. Does that mean you're not interested in my cooking?" she asked sweetly, though the calm smile on her face made it feel like walking straight into a trap. "Are you saying mine might not be good enough for a small celebration? Or just not good for your taste buds?"
It was the kind of smile Rin used to give him when he said something he shouldn't have… especially that one time he just made a simple joke about her gaining weight due to her underwear feeling tight on wear. Having a reinforced pillow thrown at his face, followed by a Gandr, had taught him a valuable lesson to keep his mouth shut. Shirou quickly realized that in such situations, answering either way would land him in trouble.
"Just stay here and relax for a change. You've got pretty girls all around your apartment willing to spend time with you. Surely, you can try to enjoy the evening with some of them."
"Fate..." Nanoha's voice carried a note of frustration from behind them, prompting the blonde to chuckle under her breath.
"Never mind that. Though if you're truly incapable of relaxing, then you can help set the table, if that helps."
"I also brought some sake I got as a gift a while ago from someone who was visiting Earth and brought this back," Hayate announced, earning surprised looks from the group. Lutecia and Vivio both glanced at the bottle with interest, only for Hayate to quickly shake her head.
"None for you, I'm afraid. This one's only for us grown-ups," she said, pulling out a second bottle. "But I brought you something else, I'm sure you'll like it."
It was juice. Vivio's eyes lit up, clearly pleased, but Lutecia's shoulders slumped with exaggerated disappointment as her gaze lingered curiously on the sake. In the end, she accepted her fate with quiet resignation and let the adults go about their business. Not before taking a seat on Shirou's lap, making it impossible for him to move, and bringing a controller up to his face. "Let's play."
Understanding that resisting would not help at all, Shirou accepted his fate and let them do as they pleased.
Soon after, the last two guests arrived, Caro and Erio, each carrying a tray of desserts and treats. The atmosphere became further boisterous, and Fate and Hayate proved themselves to be quite proficient in the kitchen. "Hayate hasn't done this for a while," Nanoha mentioned, having joined him by his side. "She used to prepare food for the Wolkenritteraughter. Signum regularly praised her and even mentioned how others missed such moments, with how busy everyone became. As for Fate, she picked up the hobby not that long ago."
Going by the fragrance coming from the kitchen, her words definitely held merit. Soon, time flowed, and the food was ready as they all gathered around for conversations mixed with stories.
"I'm so glad you're safe, Emiya-san!" Erio beamed during dinner, her eyes practically glittering with excitement. "Commander Hayate told me how you fought your way out, and I saw what was left of the Saint's Cradle. How did you manage something like that? Did you use Ruben?"
For a boy who normally carried himself with quiet maturity—often making him feel more like a grown-up than a child—this was the first time Shirou had seen her look like an actual child, utterly amazed.
"Do you want to see the sword?"
Perhaps feeling generous, or simply moved by everything that had happened that day, Shirou didn't mind showing it. The moment he offered, everyone's attention locked onto him.
"Yes!" Erio shouted, unable to contain her excitement, which made the others chuckle.
Right before their eyes, Shirou reached into his inner world and called forth the sword from his Reality Marble. A rainbow-hued spiral emerged in the air, spinning gently before solidifying into a silver weapon. It hovered there, gleaming with radiant light, its design alien compared to what was meant to be a sword, yet mesmerizing. The very sight of it drew quiet awe from those gathered, and Hayate was just trying to make sense of the weapon.
"That's the lance that punched a hole clean through a ship that size?" She asked, stepping in for a closer look, curiosity written across her face. Erio followed beside her, equally intrigued, "From the footage I saw, it would require a ton of energy. Also, why even call it a sword?" she added, tilting her head. "It looks more like a lance."
To that, he merely shrugged. "Don't ask me. The person who owned this weapon before me called it a sword, so that's what I'm going with."
"What's it called again?"
"Caladbolg." As expected, no one recognized the name. Unless they were fans of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, no one would recognize the name of the weapon that once belonged to Fergus mac Róich. Compared to legendary swords like Excalibur, its fame was limited in comparison.
Ironic given that Caladbolg served as a prototype for several famous holy swords, including Excalibur Galatine.
"Amazing. I've grown used to seeing you wield those black and white swords of yours, but never would I have imagined you'd have something like this as well," she said, gesturing toward the gleaming construct in his hands. He considered mentioning that they had, in fact, almost seen the sword once before when he got stranded on that planet when Rin sent him this word by accident, though back then it had taken on the form of an arrow. Given how drastically different the two appearances were, he wouldn't fault them for failing to recognize it.
"How does it work?
"Should we have a demonstration?"
"Subaru! Are you crazy!? Did you forget what happened with the Saint's Cradle? That giant hole will destroy our apartment!"
"Relax. I was just asking." Subaru answered before trying to grab the weapon's handle, and her eyes widened with surprise when it came close to toppling her figure. "Ah! This thing is heavy!"
"Well, its original owner was someone big enough to use it." That made him curious about their reaction if he were to bring out Nine Lives.
They fired off more questions after another, and he answered each calmly and with patience. Still, Shirou noticed none of them asked what other weapons he could trace or create, choosing instead to keep their questions focused solely on this one. Whether out of respect for his privacy or simply tact, the restraint was appreciated but unnecessary. He would have answered them anyway — these were people who trusted him, and he returned that trust without hesitation.
Soon enough, they dismissed the weapon, and the conversation drifted toward lighter topics. Caro and Erio ended up in the living room, playing some kind of console game, while Shirou found himself cleaning up the table and chatting with the others. Through this, he learned more about their childhood. While bits of their past had been shared before, this time they got more details.
Once again, the thought of children being thrust into lives not far from that of soldiers left a sour taste in his mouth. The age Nanoha had been when she first received Raising Heart... at that same age, he still remembered taking care of the old man when he was still alive and feeding the always hungry Taiga. The scars of the fire back then had not fully healed, with nightmares occurring every other day.
"He probably doesn't know, but Fate used to be more… cold and broody back then."
"You're bringing that up?" Fate groaned as soon as Hayate brought up matters of the past. "It's been a while, people change."
Hayate, on the other hand, didn't seem to have heard that and just continued her story. "Seriously, these two would always fight when they first met — rivals, really. That's where the whole joke about Nanoha making friends by blasting them first came from."
On the other hand, Hayate had perhaps overestimated her tolerance, between the alcohol and her long day at work. She'd quietly excused herself and retreated to one of the spare rooms. Shirou took it upon himself to handle the remaining cleanup and would not take no for an answer, teasing that if he let any of them near the plates in their slightly drunken state, there would be nothing left unbroken.
With the cleaning done, he carried Vivio and Lutecia off to bed, while Carol and Alicia left the apartment shortly after with Subaru and Teana following behind to return to theirs. The previously boisterous home had settled into a calm, peaceful, quiet atmosphere, which he welcomed. After a while, Shirou headed out to the balcony and was surprised to find Nanoha already there. She leaned against the metal rail, arms crossed loosely, eyes turned toward the star-filled sky.
"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"
She broke the silence first, sounding a bit tired. Understandable given how late it was already, the redhead already guessed most would wake up tomorrow with a headache after having drunk and eaten so much.
"Yes, it is," he replied, deciding to keep her company for a bit.
"It's rare for everyone to gather like this outside of training and missions. In the past, it barely happened, but lately, it's become more frequent. I feel like I'm being spoiled," she said with a soft laugh. "Fate's really taken her role in raising Vivio seriously, hasn't she?"
"That she has."
He joined her, standing by her side, and sniffed the air. His brow rose as he spotted the empty sake bottle on the ground.
"You drank the whole thing?" he asked, incredulous. They had shared it between themselves, but no one drank that much. Alcohol was not something he drank often, and the same could be said for everyone else from his own observation.
A sheepish smile tugged at Nanoha's lips, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "I ended up bringing it with me without realizing it, felt a little thirsty... and just kept drinking. It doesn't even taste like alcohol, and before I knew it — I think I might have overdone it."
"That's an understatement. But for someone who drank it all, you don't look that far gone," he added, even her voice did not sound slurred, outside of the flushed complexion and a slight smell; she just looked normal. "I know today was supposed to be a celebration to have me relax a bit, but I can't help but notice you're going through the same thing as well."
For a brief moment, her body froze. From his position, he saw the girl finding herself surprised that he managed to spot that. "Was it that obvious?"
"It was hard to notice it at first, but these last few hours, you were somewhat quiet. And even Lutecia commented about that."
"She is quite sharp," she replied quietly, not denying his words but letting them settle, holding her silence for several seconds before asking a question that took him completely by surprise.
"Shirou… do you have any bad feelings toward me? Any hatred towards me or the Time Space Administrative Bureau for bringing you here? If not hatred, then maybe regret?"
"Eh?" For a moment, he believed he had heard incorrectly, but seeing her downcast face made him realize that she was being serious.
"When you think about it, you have all the reasons to feel like that." she continued, her voice wavering, "I brought you here from Earth with the promise that we'd find a way to bring you back someday, that you'd have a better life here, something safer and more stable. But since your arrival, just think about how many attacks we've had to deal with. Three? Four? And Jail is still out there, still on the run, and almost certainly holding a grudge against you. It's not going to get better from here. If anything, it'll very well get worse if he tries to target you alone."
She paused, drawing a slow, unsteady breath. "I want to say that we'll protect you, but if I said that, I'd be lying, given I already failed twice. I wasn't there during the auction, and I wasn't there that night, even your escape, I contributed nothing. I don't want to be proven wrong again. That kind of failure would become a regret I don't think I could ever recover from."
The guilt in her voice was hard to ignore. He saw it plainly in her eyes, heard it in every syllable, and felt the previous pleasant atmosphere turn awkward. Maybe it was the alcohol making her say such things, even though he had told her previously that not once did he blame or feel faulted for such a thing.
Regardless, to Shirou, that guilt had no place.
"I made my choice to join the Riot Force with a clear conscience," he said, his voice calm but resolute. "Remember when you first found me back on Earth back then? I actually felt miserable, out of place, practically blind to my future in a way, and just… did not know what to do anymore. That changed when you came back. I knew from the beginning that not everything would go as planned, and that there would be times when I'd face danger. I accepted that long before I ever stepped foot here."
He hoped she would understand, not just hear him, but truly understand what he was trying to say. It had become clearer over time that several people around him worried far more than they needed to. Even though he had demonstrated more than once that he was capable of defending himself, their concern hadn't faded. But did he hate that? No, not in the slightest. Their concern came from genuine care, and after everything he had been through… he had learned how to accept that kind of kindness.
Still, even if he appreciated it, he needed them to see things from his perspective, too.
"Back when we were facing the doctor, Zest tried to sacrifice himself for me, to hold back the others while I could escape. I couldn't accept it then, and I won't ever. If something ever happens, and one of you ends up in danger, I'll come to help, no matter who the enemy is or what they're trying to do. If there's someone out there besides Jail who's bent on hurting people and spreading chaos, I can't just sit back and let it happen. I have to do something. I have to make sure people don't have reasons to cry anymore, to suffer like that."
"I wish for that too," she said softly, voice lowered to almost a whisper. "But the truth is, it's impossible to save everyone."
"I know." He turned to face her fully now, and for a moment his expression softened, a faint smile forming on his lips. "But that doesn't mean I can't try. I know this path won't be easy. I know I'll be walking into danger more times than I can count. I know I might never reach the goal I've set for myself, and I might never fully achieve my dream. But I'm still going to try. I'll give it everything I've got, every time."
His gaze didn't waver.
"So that is why I am not angry at you, nor do I have any regrets. Quite the opposite, I'm grateful that you came into my life, and I wouldn't want to change that. I hope you'll let me stay by your side. Let me help you. Let me help all of you, for just a while longer. And next time... I promise I won't get kidnapped so easily." He joked at the end, wanting to lift the mood from what it was previously.
"Shirou…"
"So don't beat yourself up for no reason, Nanoha. I've gotten to know you better, and the more I learn about you, the more I'm happy to have someone like you by my side."
"..."
That earned him a soft, melodic chuckle from the brunette beside him. Her shoulders relaxed, and the cloud of worry that had lingered over her seemed to lift, even if only slightly. The heaviness in her eyes faded, replaced by a warmth that hadn't been there moments ago. Her mood, finally, had begun to lighten.
"You, it's dangerous if you say such things so casually… You are really making it hard for me to figure things out and not misunderstand your intentions." She raised her head, hazy eyes looking at his face for a long moment as she whispered. Whether it was deliberately or unconsciously, the woman's body leaned against him. "You're not great at acting, aren't you, Shirou?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're still thinking about her, aren't you?" A statement rather than a question, one that she sounded so certain about that denying it would not even work. So he just let out a breath of air before nodding his head slightly.
"It's not as bad as before, I'm just… I'm sure what she's planning to do now. I fear that she will try to use the life growing inside her as a shield and will endanger everyone involved. She called it his backup plan, what that means I don't know. What if… What if it's not just her, but there is more than one case within the Numbers? Why is he pushing them into battle knowing full well what will—"
"Shirou," Nanoha called his name, her tone sounding more firm than before, making him turn around to gaze back, only to find her face close to his. The boy's eyes widened as the next thing he felt was the softness of her lips pressing against his.
His heartbeat went wild with several thoughts and explanations trying to make sense of the situation raging within his mind. Yet even as he tried to stay composed, the intimate gesture felt like it was melting his mind.
This went on for a handful of seconds before she pulled back, leaving him frozen in time practically, her face looking far more crimson than earlier. For a moment, her hazy look remained before it was replaced with confusion, almost as if she was trying to find words to explain what just happened but failed to do so.
"U-Um… t-that…" Stuttering, dodging his gaze, and looking around nervously, he heard her whisper. "F-Feel better now…?"
"... Yes." Those words came out of his mouth before his brain could even catch up. While not a stranger when it came to such intimate moments in his life, he had not expected Nanoha of all people to do it. This made him think about every single moment they spent together and start to question just when she started feeling that way.
'Is it the alcohol?'
Again, another question he felt he should keep to himself as part of him knew that asking such a thing could lead to a bad situation.
"I feel much better."
Now it felt like the alcohol was affecting him, both mentally and physically with his heartbeat showing no signs of slowing down and several explicit thoughts crossing her mind when looking at the girl in front of him, noticing small details he had not paid much attention to before, like the loose clothing which only consisted of a shirt which wasn't buttoned up all the way giving him a clear view of her breast—
Pa!
"Ah!" Nanoha yelped when Shirou out of nowhere slapped his face with both hands. "E-eh?"
"Nothing… my mind was just going in a different path." Looking back at her and seeing how she was also having trouble formulating words. "Maybe the taste of the sake wasn't so bad after all."
"..."
Did he perhaps go too strong there? The redhead was uncertain, they'd soon get his response when she answered back with,
"Want to try tasting it… again?"
She tried to look more composed and calm than before, her face already leaning against his which he answered back by doing the same as well. This time, he welcomed her lips, tasting the alcohol and even some of the fruits she had before, her scent, her breathing, and even the slightest twitch, he felt all of it.
Surprisingly bold on her end, as she leaned in for more, he seriously started to wonder if it was the alcohol or not.
Their surroundings, his prior worries, and any other thoughts slowly disappeared and turned into a blurry haze. His hands moved on their own as he snaked around her waist and…
Flash!
"—!?"
Both of their eyes snapped open at the sudden bright light and sound of a camera's shutter, pulling themselves away from one another wherefore but split second a string of saliva connected their lips. The brunettes had turned towards the source of the sound and grew more to fight upon finding a certain blonde and their commander huddled behind the door trying to hide with the curtains while the latter held a device that had taken the picture.
"Damn it, I forgot to turn off the flash," Hayate grumbled with Fate just staring at them with her mouth wide open and shocked. "Alright, I'll just take a video instead. You two, continue doing whatever was going on before, don't worry, Lutecia and Vivio are asleep and won't hear a thing."
There was a clear presence of mischief within her words, though perhaps not the right time to make such a joke as the next thing she did was dodge a white and brown blur which happened to be Nanoha that had tried to take away the device in her hand.
"Delete. It. Now."
In response, Hayate just smiled cutely, tapped a few buttons, and slipped the phone into her pocket. "Tehe~"
"You!"
It had to turn into a cat-and-mouse chase, Fate remained rooted in her spot still processing what happened. All the while Shirou stayed outside, taking a deep breath and grateful for that small distraction.
"I almost lost myself there…"
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