Wayland glanced at the screen. It was the same skyscraper where he'd clashed with Archer only hours before.
From a distance, the exchange of blows had indeed looked like a sequence of brilliant, alternating red-and-white firework bursts.
"Grandmother, you don't have to get up this early. I can just grab some bread for breakfast," Wayland said, noticing the lights in the kitchen. "Now that I've joined the Archery club, I'll be having morning practice at seven. You need to look after your health."
"It's no big deal. I'm as healthy as ever. Besides, I can always head back to bed for a nap after I'm done with breakfast." Her voice was soft but carried an unmistakable note of finality.
Wayland sighed, feeling a touch helpless.
"Grandmother, let me take over."
Ereshkigal rolled up her sleeves and stepped into the kitchen.
"Eh?"
Wayland stared at her, genuinely surprised.
The scene felt almost surreal.
'When did Eresh-chan learn how to cook?'
He thought for a moment before standing up. "I'll help too."
"No need."
Ereshkigal turned him around and pushed him back out of the kitchen. "Three people is too crowded. Just wait until we're finished."
"Now I just feel useless," Wayland muttered to himself.
Ereshkigal peeked back through the kitchen curtain, her lips curving into a small, triumphant smile. ["This is a chance for me to demonstrate that a goddess is truly all-powerful."]
'Being this cute should be illegal.'
Wayland couldn't help but smile.
It wasn't long before the table was laden with food.
Things were becoming increasingly unsettled in Fuyuki. Wayland had initially considered moving out of his grandmother's estate, but he now realized that doing so might actually put her in more danger. With himself and Ereshkigal there, they could at least handle most of the threats that might arise.
"Grandmother, I made a protective charm out of spruce wood a while ago. I'd like you to have it."
Wayland pulled out a bracelet made of polished, rounded wooden beads.
"Oh, Wayland, that's so thoughtful of you."
Asuka beamed, sliding the bracelet onto her wrist and turning it several times. "Eresh-chan, what do you think?"
["It suits Grandmother perfectly,"] Ereshkigal praised.
"Hear that, Wayland?" Asuka turned her gaze on him.
"Eh?"
"You can't just give a gift to your grandmother and leave Eresh-chan out, can you?"
"Ah...?"
Wayland finally caught on, glancing at Ereshkigal, who suddenly seemed quite embarrassed.
The problem was that he didn't have anything else on him to give.
The bracelet had been a specialized Original Rune protection item he'd specifically crafted for Asuka.
["Wayland has already prepared a gift for me, actually."] Ereshkigal interjected smoothly, saving him from the awkward silence.
"Is that so?"
Asuka chuckled. "Well, it seems Wayland isn't as dense as I thought."
Wayland breathed a silent sigh of relief, making sure not to linger on the topic.
Packing his bento into his school bag, he said, "Grandmother, Eresh-chan and I are heading to school now."
***
The Archery Club
It was seven o'clock.
Wayland met Shirou Emiya at the intersection where their neighborhoods met.
"Morning, Emiya-san. Sorry to keep you waiting."
Shirou nodded politely. "I haven't been waiting long. I usually head to the Archery club at this time anyway."
Wayland glanced at the residential area behind them. "Miyama really is a place of stark contrasts. I heard your family has a massive dojo; would it be alright if I came to see it sometime?"
"Of course."
"Emiya-san, you used to be the star of the Archery club... why did you quit?"
Wayland walked alongside Shirou, chatting casually as they made their way toward the school.
"It wasn't for anything too complicated. About a year and a half ago, I accidentally injured my right shoulder while working part-time. In the Archery club, there's a formal ceremony where you have to expose your right shoulder. Along with being busy with work, I just decided to leave."
"I see."
They walked in silence for a few minutes.
Wayland's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He could sense a lingering trace of prana in the air.
In his vision, several police cruisers were parked in front of a three-story house. The atmosphere was heavy, and the few onlookers nearby looked visibly shaken.
"That's quite a crowd," Shirou remarked, his curiosity piqued.
However, it was already seven o'clock. If they lingered too long, the Archery club's morning practice would be over.
"Mhm. The authorities will handle it. Let's head to school," Wayland said.
The school wasn't far; after about fifteen minutes of walking, the gates came into view.
Given the early hour, the campus was mostly empty, with only a few students scattered here and there.
"Morning practice should be starting just about now. I'll take you to see Ayako," Shirou explained as they entered the gates.
Wayland followed him onto the school grounds.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]