Thump!
Beautiful feathers wavered in a graceful arc before the target.
Before sunset, Shirou, having finished training, changed clothes.
Sakura, carrying her bag, tucked her hair behind her ear with her hand and smiled lightly, "Senpai, today you seem even more serious than usual."
"Mm, because I have a goal."
Shirou held Miyu's hand.
Mitsuzuri Ayako's cheerful footsteps rang out as she chased after them from behind, "Planning to make the archery club flourish?"
"That's something the captain should consider, not the members."
"What the heck!", Mitsuzuri ran ahead and blocked Shirou, the brightness in her eyes plainly showing her dissatisfaction.
"You need to treat your talent properly."
"To maintain 'nothingness' means staying away from the vulgar."
"Ah, is that how it is?", Mitsuzuri looked taken aback, her forward steps halting.
To prevent her from bumping into Shirou, Miyu kindly tugged her to the side.
"That's not right!", She suddenly snapped awake, "If you want to stay away from the vulgar, why are you even going to school?"
"This is training of body and mind."
"Don't give me all that ancient rhetoric."
Mitsuzuri half-squinted at him, turning sideways so her delicate profile was revealed, "I'm a modern person. Communicate with me in modern language."
"I only follow heaven's will, and do what must be done."
"The main spot in the national competition is yours then!", Mitsuzuri declared without hesitation.
Miyu jumped in surprise, "But couldn't Mitsuzuri-senpai understanding him?"
"If not in the archery club, just call me senpai."
Mitsuzuri said self-assuredly, "I just happen to understand that part."
"I do not drift with the tide…"
She had barely gotten halfway when Mitsuzuri was already clenching her fists in anger, "Emiya, are you making fun of me?"
"Did you get it, Miyu?", Shirou gave a live demonstration.
Miyu, half in a daze, nodded dizzily.
His left-hand fingers were lightly brushed, when he turned his head, he saw Sakura's smile.
"Senpai really knows a lot."
"No, I was just saying random things," Shirou's expression didn't change.
Looks like his D-rank insight wasn't enough yet, he had to keep leveling up.
The system was useless after all. It couldn't even handle a harem war.
Before leaving the school gates, as part of the daily routine he was about to greet Jeanne.
Sakura stopped in front of the gate and bowed, "I'll be going now. See you Monday, Miyu, Senpai, Mitsuzuri-senpai."
"Mm, see you Monday. I'll be going too."
Mitsuzuri waved energetically while warning, "Don't you dare two-time, Emiya."
Was that really the right way to use the word "two-time"?
Shirou nodded, answering silently.
He too was curious what kind of person could defeat Mitsuzuri and Sakura.
"Shirou."
Because she had trained a little late, Illya came bouncing over.
"You're in a good mood today," Shirou patted her head.
"Mm," Illya closed her eyes to enjoy it, her tone cheerful, "Being able to spend two days with Shirou, I'm really happy. How about we go to the aquarium tomorrow?"
"Onii-chan," Hearing "aquarium," Miyu's eyes lit up, her face showing the same hopeful look.
Shirou: "..."
"How about another day, maybe during Golden Week?", He used a tone of negotiation.
After exams, he had to work part-time. His plan for the next few days was nothing but study and intense training.
Raise his magic power to C so he could open his Reality Marble, and bring strength and agility up to B.
Hearing this, the two fell silent. Then: "If Shirou has things to do, it can't be helped."
Illya smiled considerately.
Miyu, though disappointed, cheered herself up, "Is there anywhere I can help, Onii-chan?"
"No need. You two having fun is already the biggest help to me."
A smile appeared on his face.
But inside, his heart grew heavy, even suffocating, like a weight of ten thousand catties.
Yet this was something he had no choice but to do.
It wasn't about the terms he had discussed with Alaya.
Judging from the way Rin and Sakura were acting, and more importantly Miyu and Saber, they might all need him to save them.
Until that was done, how could he stop, how dare he stop?
For that, he had to keep getting stronger.
"See you Monday, Emiya," As a car drove past, Rin rolled down the window and waved.
She got no reply.
The boy, weighed down with heavy thoughts, walked with the two girls toward the parking area.
Rin's waving hand froze midair.
Sakura, sitting beside her, smiled lightly, "Are you close with Senpai?"
Paired with his cold indifference just now, it was like a blade straight to the heart.
"More or less," Rin closed the window, sitting elegantly, "You could say… close enough to whisper into each other's ears."
The car drove smoothly, silent as if making no sound.
Along with Sakura's smile, everything dissolved into the air.
———
After returning from the academy, Shirou immediately began preparing the meal.
Illya and Miyu stayed quiet, not disturbing him.
Seeing the boy move quickly yet without fluster, Sella naturally said, "If you have things to do, go ahead, I'll take my time."
"It's fine."
Steam rose, misting his lashes, as Shirou said, "Food is also an important part."
'For increasing magic power.'
As long as he reached the level of using a Reality Marble, he'd be the strongest.
The jeweled sword was good too.
But having to project the jeweled sword in every fight meant occupying one hand, interfering with his dual-blade fighting.
Crack!
Chopsticks broke. Sella's eye twitched as she suppressed her anger, "Are you saying the food I make isn't good?"
"Not at all," Shirou was fully focused on cooking, "I just don't want you to overwork yourself."
"..."
"Hand me a colander, Sella."
Shirou stretched out his hand. After a long while without response, he looked up in confusion.
"Sella?"
"Ah~"
Her face flushed red, the girl stammered, putting on a front of strength, speaking awkwardly, "Fine, do as you like then?"
"What are you talking about, Sella?"
Meeting Shirou's speechless gaze, "I asked you to hand me the colander."
"..."
The air grew a little heavier, only the fire and bubbling broth filling the silence.
Moments later, Sella's face turned bright red, like a pressure cooker about to blow its lid, sirens screaming.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.