Back in his seat, Ritsuka handed over a prop "little note."
Shirou didn't accept it, focusing on the lesson.
Mash turned her head, but Shirou ignored her.
Then they all paid serious attention in class.
As mentioned before, the students here all had plans for further education. Being serious in class was just the baseline.
Ritsuka passed the note mainly because Shirou was ten minutes late, she was curious about the reason.
The class ended.
Ritsuka immediately turned around, "Emiya-san, why were you late today?"
Shirou used to be very punctual.
"I lost myself on the path to becoming an ally of justice," Shirou digested the knowledge just taught in class. He was becoming more adept at switching between system hosting and manual control.
"Ally of justice?", Ritsuka's eyes were full of confusion. Another reference she hadn't heard of.
"Don't mind it, just think of it as me talking nonsense," Shirou explained.
"Okay then," Since Shirou didn't want to talk about the reason for being late, Ritsuka gave up on asking.
Whether he said it or not didn't matter, Shirou simply judged there was no need to say it.
"Ah~", Mash yawned.
"Until what time were you studying last night?", Shirou coldly asked.
"Eh!", Mash was startled and guiltily replied, "N-no, we watched anime with Rika until 11 and then went to bed."
"Really, Fujimaru-san?", Shirou asked.
"Really, we went to bed at eleven," Ritsuka answered firmly.
"Lying will definitely lead to mistakes in the monthly test and a ten-point deduction per subject," Shirou used his trump card.
"..."
"Why aren't you saying anything?", Shirou asked again.
"Speaking of which, I still don't know why Frieza wanted to wipe out the Saiyans," Ritsuka casually changed the topic.
"Y-yeah…"
"Please don't change the subject," Shirou had no intention of letting them off. He could fall asleep listening to keyboard tapping, but page-turning was different.
How could they be more intense than him.
"Emiya," Ryuudou Issei spoke in a faint tone. Only then did Shirou remember his neglected friend.
"Issei, huh," He waved naturally, "I was just about to come find you."
Ritsuka and Mash looked at him, 'Who was it just now who was chasing us down relentlessly?'
"Never mind, I won't ask you," Issei gave up on asking about Shirou's reason for being late and instead asked, "Have you been feeling unwell these past two days? You look kind of pale."
"I think so too," Mash focused on Shirou's face, "Just a few days ago you looked so healthy."
"Are you really sick?", Ritsuka showed concern.
'Exercise shouldn't make me look pale, right?'
"Shouldn't I be more energetic?", Shirou was puzzled.
He had been waking up early and working out. No matter how you look at it, he should be refreshed.
"Do you have a mirror?", He asked the two girls.
Unfortunately, neither girl carried a mirror like a typical girl would.
"I'll go to the bathroom," Shirou got up. Issei followed.
———
Outside the classroom, he asked, "Why were you late today?"
"I gained another older sister," Shirou stood up straight.
This was the effect of system hosting.
"What?", Issei felt like his ears had been tossed into a freezer.
After the unavoidable explanation, Shirou was already washing his hands. After washing, he carefully observed his face.
"Do I look really pale?"
Issei stood nearby, "A little."
In the mirror, Shirou didn't look haggard, just a bit undernourished, "Maybe it's due to getting up early and training."
'System, get out here and explain!'
["Remember to replenish nutrients."]
'That's it?'
The system said no more, so Shirou gave up.
He thought about buying some nutritious food after school.
Before the prep bell rang, he and Issei returned to the classroom.
This period was Taiga's class. She arrived on time but forgot to bring the textbook, so it became self-study.
During self-study, Shirou took out his English book to memorize vocabulary.
People without a system should work hard, those with a system must work even harder. One regretful life was enough.
Though no matter how many times life restarted, there would always be regrets. For example, Shirou also wanted to ask Gilgamesh if he had enough weapon inventory.
About halfway through class, Ritsuka and Mash pushed their desks together. They were going to test their study results.
One read while the other wrote from memory, and they invited Shirou, "Emiya-san, want to join us?"
Cancelling hosting, Shirou replied, "No need."
"Don't be shy, Emiya-san," Ritsuka smiled, "If there's anything you don't understand, Mash and I can teach you."
Hard to argue. Ritsuka and Mash weren't top 100 in the entire grade, but definitely better than Shirou who was mid-to-lower tier.
'Next test, I'll surpass you two.'
After refusing again, Shirou entered full concentration mode.
He now had that confidence.
When class ended, no one messed around, everyone was studying. That was the study atmosphere of Chaldea.
———
The morning passed quickly.
During lunch break, Issei brought his bento over.
"Are you going to the literature club or eating with me?", The way he asked was just like a girlfriend asking her boyfriend.
"Hold on a sec," Shirou replied.
Miyu asked if he wanted to eat together, Illya was there too.
Since Illya was there, Shirou decided not to join them.
After replying, a new friend notification popped up on his phone.
He had a hunch, it had to be Illya.
After adding her, she immediately sent a message.
[Illya: Shirou, not coming to eat with me?]
[Shirou: No, get along well with Miyu. I'll make matcha cake for you two tonight.]
[Illya: Are we watching a movie again?]
[Shirou: Studying.]
Even Ritsuka worked so hard, he had to…
[Illya: You need to study such simple knowledge?]
[Shirou: Well said. No matcha cake for today.]
[Illya: ⊙_⊙]
After ending the chat, Shirou felt great, "Let's go, Issei."
"Emiya-san, aren't you forgetting something?", Ritsuka stared with a wistful gaze.
"Ah, this…", Sirou didn't expect Ritsuka to still be waiting for him.
"Where's Mash?", He tried to decline politely.
"Went to buy drinks," Ritsuka stared at him, "Got one for you too."
"Me?", Shirou was puzzled, "Why me?"
"You treated us yesterday, this is repayment."
Ritsuka meant that she hoped Shirou would eat with them.
Issei said nothing, just muttered to himself, "It was me who came first."
But he didn't want to make Shirou uncomfortable, so he said, "Forget it, I'll go eat at the student council, and take care of some affairs."
"Sorry, Issei," Shirou clasped his hands together and apologized sincerely.
He usually ate with Issei, didn't expect Ritsuka to invite him today. Yesterday was a special case, they were touring clubs.
Speaking of which, he still hadn't filled out the club application.
'Did Ritsuka forget?'
Not thinking much, Shirou opened his lunch box and said to Issei, "You can have half my lunch, Issei."
"…Forget it," Considering Shirou looked a bit weak, Issei refused the temptation of glowing cuisine.
Ritsuka, on the other hand, swallowed hard.
'Emiya-san's bento today, why does it look even more delicious than yesterday's?'
'Hmm?'
'Is it an illusion?'
'It looks like the food is glowing.'
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