"..."
Without having to think for more than a few seconds, the boy already had his answer. It was obvious and simple.
He didn't know who the person was, or where the place was. But one thing he knew...
Shirou smiled and looked at the former shinigami, "Of course I am willing to make friends."
***
It was summer, the weather was hot, and the sky was clear. Not a single cloud in sight, except for a few wispy clouds that floated by. It was a perfect day for a summer vacation.
But not for Shirou and his classmates.
For the students of Karakura High, it was a nightmare. School had restarted, and the heat made it even more unbearable. They would much prefer to go back to their house and rest. The sun was beating down, and it was hard to move around in such weather.
Ichigo had gone ahead to school when Shirou prepared a lunch box. The orange-haired boy said he had something to do in school. He didn't tell him much, but it was related to his Shinigami activity.
Shirou decided to go to school on his own.
It wasn't a problem anyway.
He walked on a relatively empty sidewalk. Not many people walked on this road so he was basically alone, save for a few strangers who passed by.
As he walked down the street, a familiar face leaned against a telephone pole. She looked at him when she noticed his presence and put her hands on her hips.
"Yo, why are you so late?" Tatsuki asked, raising her eyebrow.
"Arisawa... Why are you here?" He asked back.
"What? Can't I wait for you? It's the first day of school and we're classmates." She frowned and walked toward the boy, standing in front of him. "Or do you hate me? To the point you don't want the others to see us walking to school together?"
Raising his hands, Shirou shook his head in denial, "How could I?" He asked back. "Of course I don't mind. I was just surprised. I mean, it has never happened before. We have been friends since elementary school, but this is the first time we go to school together, you know."
"Whatever." Tatsuki shrugged and walked along him. "Let's just go."
So they went to school together, walking side by side. The conversation they had wasn't exactly special, just about summer vacation.
Shirou noticed she deliberately avoided the topic that led to the extraordinary. She was smart and observant enough to realize that something was more dangerous and serious than before.
However, he could also see her hesitation and worry, as if she wanted to know more but was afraid of learning the truth. Shirou decided to say nothing, waiting until she was ready.
"Hey," She finally said, "Have you ever wondered what the meaning of life is?"
"Why so suddenly?" He asked back.
"Nothing, really." She looked at the sky, "I was just thinking. You know, why do I exist? Why am I living? Things like that."
"I see... That's quite a heavy thought." Shirou commented.
"Yeah, and it has been in my head since that day."
That day...
It must've referred to when Yammy attacked Karakura Town right in front of them.
Being so weak yet forced to watch as his friends put themselves in danger to protect her. It was a bitter experience for the tomboy girl.
She looked at him, "What is the meaning of your life, Shirou? What's your reason to live? Why are you here in the first place? What are you fighting for?"
Tatsuki's eyes were sharp as if she could see through him. Her question was pointed and her gaze intense, not allowing any evasion. It was like she knew the answer but she still wanted him to answer.
Reason for fighting? The answer was clear to him.
"I only have one reason."
Indeed, there was only one reason for him to fight.
No need for a grand goal like saving the world, nor was he interested in getting a happy end. He was no superhero, nor a knight of justice.
So, what was his reason for fighting?
"I am protecting my family and my friend."
Tatsuki's expression changed as she heard his reason.
Protecting family and friends? What kind of person would be so simple-minded and honest, she wondered.
The goal sounded easy and common, but not many people would be able to make it come true after seeing their enemies who could destroy the town.
Yet this man in front of him didn't even think twice in his answer. No doubt in his words.
And she saw him doing exactly what he said a few days ago.
"..."
She stared at him, dumbfounded.
"You have got to be kidding me," She said, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "You must be joking, right? There must be another goal, something you personally wanted."
"Nope. I am dead serious." He shook his head. "I am a bit childish, you see. So the best I could do is protect those dear to me and be a hero of justice on a smaller scale, just enough to cover them."
"That... is..."
She was speechless.
"Really stupid."
The girl looked down to her feet, her eyes downcast and sad, "You don't have to be the hero you know. You don't need to sacrifice yourself to save people, or even fight against them. If I were you, I would just think of myself and run away. It will be much easier."
"But then, it won't be me, will it?" He replied, smiling. "Kurosaki Shirou will always fight. It is not about winning, or becoming stronger, or being a hero, or saving the world. No, it's just the way I am, the core of who I am. Even if the world becomes hell, I will stand up and keep fighting for my ideals."
A smaller scale of what his ideal was supposed to be, but important enough for him.
The tomboy girl sighed, shaking her head. "That's not normal, you know. Most people would think about themselves first. Even I have my limits in doing things. There will come a time when you will break, unable to keep on your ideals because of that. Sooner or later, it will break you, Shirou."
Shirou laughed. He was used to hearing that. He didn't blame them, he understood. Normal people couldn't accept him as someone with an abnormal ideal.
He wasn't a perfect being, but the core of his being would never change.
And he knew he was going to break.
After all, he had seen it himself. The sight of his broken self on top of that hill of swords, that man with his red holy shroud, was proof of that.
"Probably," Shirou admitted, "But it doesn't matter. Even if my body is broken or my heart shattered, I will still fight."
Tatsuki looked at him again, disbelief written all over her face. She wanted to say something, but she knew that it would be futile.
At that moment, she felt a warm and dependable hand on her head. She raised her head, realizing that the owner was startled by what he did.
"Oops, my bad. I mean... you look a bit upset. So I patted you without permission. Umm... Don't hit me too hard?" He asked with nervous chuckles, while raising his arm as a shield to cover his head. "But hey, you're still our friend. And as long as you are here with me, I will protect you from the monster."
Tatsuki looked at him for a moment before nodding.
"Yeah... Thank you."
Shirou was her friend and that was all that mattered.