96 Dancing with the Girl
"A singularity originally refers to the moment when history changes, a 'turning point.' But the Shinjuku here has already detached from history, no longer connected to the original world. It's become irrelevant and already doomed to have no future."
To put it simply, the world is like a big tree, and a singularity is like a branch in which a worm has burrowed.
Because the branch is connected to the big tree, if you don't quickly get rid of the worm, sooner or later the worm will crawl along the branch and bore into other parts of the tree.
But now the branch has been cut off and thrown far away, so naturally there's no need to worry about the worm in that branch anymore.
The big tree will grow new branches, and the detached branch, whether it's burned by fire or eaten by worms later, has nothing to do with the tree anymore.
The current Shinjuku is that cut-off and discarded branch; what the girl wants to save is just that branch lying on the ground, destined to dry up and decay sooner or later.
Moriarty said, "That's exactly right. The world will perish, and this Shinjuku will meet its end as a city of sin.
But as long as you, Master, safely return to Chaldea, there will be no problems.
Though we here will die, it is merely a return to the Throne; everything will simply return to zero."
"I don't think that's acceptable," Gudako shook her head.
"Same here. Just leaving like that is basically running away.
Even if this is a world isolated from history, and even if its destruction won't affect the original world, many people will still die," Shirou said firmly. Indeed, he had made up his mind in this life to seek happiness for those around him, but that didn't mean he would give up on others.
"That's true, but from Chaldea's perspective, I will not allow Gudako and Shirou to risk their lives for such a Shinjuku.
However, as comrades who repair human history and save the world, I will ask you one last time!" Da Vinci asked seriously:
"Even if you save this Shinjuku, there will be no result; it will not benefit human history; the people you protect will not return to the world; and the Servants fighting alongside you will eventually return to the Throne.
Even so, do you still believe this place is worth saving?"
"It is worth it!" the girl and the boy answered naturally.
"Is that so? That's just like you, as always," Da Vinci said with a somewhat helpless but pleased look at the girl.
"Shirou, since you agreed, Chaldea will fully support you! But preparations for forced transfer will still proceed, and if things go wrong, I guarantee I will bring you back safely."
"Yeah! Thank you, Da Vinci, Mash, and everyone at Chaldea!" Gudako answered with a smile.
"Then let's prepare to change clothes," Holmes said.
"Huh? What's going on?" Gudako asked in confusion.
Led by the great detective and the professor, the boys and girls chased away the Mohawk gangsters on the street and then arrived at an abandoned formal wear shop.
"Ladies here, please change into these beautiful dresses," Holmes said, pointing into the shop.
"Is this really okay?" Artoria asked skeptically.
"Well, it's a plan devised by a famous detective and a crime boss, so it should be fine," Shirou said.
"Yes. This person's plans may seem chaotic, but they are precisely calculated.
As long as they can be carried out, there usually won't be any problems.
Besides, the young man here is very much looking forward to seeing the ladies in gorgeous new looks," Holmes said, patting Shirou on the shoulder as he came over.
"Is that so…" Artoria glanced at Shirou, and without hesitation, walked into the clothing store.
"Hmph…" Jeanne glanced at Shirou, rolled her eyes, and followed inside.
"I'll go too…" Gudako said as she ran forward but was grabbed by the collar from behind by Holmes.
"Master, please go to the men's suit section over here," Moriarty said with a smile, pointing to the men's clothing area.
"Huh?" Gudako was dragged inside by Holmes.
"Ehhh!!!" A few minutes later, Mash on the screen covered her blushing face and gasped in amazement.
First, two girls walked out of the formal wear shop dressed in gowns.
The blonde girl had her ponytail pinned up, tied with a black bow, wearing a black long dress that exposed her collarbone, pale as jade, with butterfly patterns unfolding across her chest that covered her buds, like the fairy queen of the night.
Her noble and aloof aura was soul-stirring. Even if someone eagerly wanted to pursue her, when they gazed into those turquoise eyes, they would shrink back in fear, like the legendary Pandora made by the gods: beautiful yet deadly.
At this moment, the girl looked at the boy and smiled—a smile like a fleeting snow lotus blooming on a cold mountain, only for the first to reach the summit.
'As expected of Saber, she looks beautiful in anything,' Shirou thought.
Shirou smiled back at the girl, clearly admiring her, though he said nothing—everything was unspoken.
"Ahem." On the other side, the silver-haired girl cleared her throat lightly.
She let her long hair down, looking as beautiful as a waterfall covered in winter ice and snow, wearing a purple-black long dress.
Her tall, voluptuous figure revealed smooth skin like snow on her back; beneath flawless white shoulders, her hands were covered in black sheer gloves, giving her a mysterious and graceful beauty.
Of course, it would be better if her expression were softer at this moment.
'So… why is she staring at me like that?' Shirou wondered, but being stared at wasn't so bad.
Anyway, he thought he'd try complimenting her.
Praising a woman's outfit never goes wrong.
He tried to say, "The dress suits you well; you look especially beautiful."
"Hmph! You mean I'm not usually pretty enough?" Jeanne snorted and turned her head away. Through the gaps in her silver hair, her ear was slightly red.
Shirou didn't quite understand her reaction but seeing she didn't glare anymore, he guessed she was in a decent mood.
At this time, Gudako, dressed up, also walked out.
"Why do I have to dress as a man? I want to wear pretty dresses too!" Gudako complained.
"Well, Master, since you've been in close contact with Assassin, you can't just fool them with something fun like this," Moriarty chuckled.
"You said it's fun? You just said that!" Gudako angrily questioned.
"Don't say that. Although I don't have much experience helping people dress up, judging by how you look now, I can say you're my proudest work," Holmes said, looking at her.
At this moment, the girl had changed into a black suit, wearing black gloves. Her red-orange hair flared like a blooming red lotus, and her amber eyes were bright and determined like stars. She gave off a cool, heroic air, looking like a handsome and beautiful young man.
Shirou studied her carefully, nodded, and said, "Gudako, looking at you like this… you really do look quite a bit like me."
"Really? You think this looks good? Shirou-senpai… then don't think of escaping! Assassin will definitely recognize you, so it has to be cross-dressing! Cross-dressing!!" Gudako grabbed the boy's arm and pulled him with a look that said she wouldn't let go unless he joined her.
"Whoa…" Mash on the screen looked very excited, staring directly at the boy.