Chapter 15: The Curtain is About to Rise
Mrs. Orihara did want to buy clothes for Sakura, but Shirou didn't want them running around during the Holy Grail War.
So, he specifically postponed it until the weekend, planning to take Sakura out shopping and buy her a new set of clothes.
"Let's go, Sakura, we're going shopping."
After breakfast, Shirou left the house with Sakura.
.
.
.
Meanwhile.
At the closest airport in Fuyuki City, a private plane slowly descended.
Compared to the cold weather at the Einzbern Castle in Germany, the winter here in Fuyuki City was incomparable.
As the stairs slowly extended to the ground, a silver-haired woman named Irisviel von Einzbern stepped out.
"So this is Fuyuki City... hmm, what a lovely place..." Irisviel looked up at the soft sunlight, feeling instantly relaxed.
Her identity this time was that of a tourist, and her attire was as close as possible to the standard of an ordinary person. But even dressed in flat boots and a knee-length skirt, her exquisite beauty, skin as smooth as milk, and proud curves still completely set her apart from the standard of an ordinary person.
"To me, modern cities all seem pretty much the same. I still prefer the feeling of vastness that you can see through at a glance." The figure standing at the plane hatch gave a sense of ethereal distance from the mortal world.
Her light, soft, and charming golden hair was tied into a ponytail, and her slender figure was barely concealed by a black suit uniform. She possessed a beauty that needed no makeup, yet the aura she emitted made the surrounding air feel solemn and chilling.
That cool atmosphere was less the coldness of ice and more the purity of a stream. Anyone who looked would find her dignified and clear, serious eyes perfectly matching, a rare kind of beauty.
"How was the flight, Saber?" Irisviel asked curiously.
"To be honest, I didn't feel much..." Saber replied calmly. "I already acquired the basic information about this present world, so I was mentally prepared for these things."
"Is that so? That's a shame. I thought you would be the only Servant to physically take a plane, and I was hoping to see a side of you that's different from usual." Irisviel laughed.
"I apologize for that, Irisviel. It's because I don't have a spirit form." Saber seemed to have misunderstood, lowering her head apologetically.
"Ah, ah, don't say that, I didn't mean it that way." Irisviel quickly explained. "I'm just glad to be able to travel with Saber. Anyway, I never get tired of looking at you."
"Irisviel, what are you saying?" Saber didn't quite understand the meaning of Irisviel's words.
"Nothing, don't worry about it." Irisviel smiled and turned her face away, as if she had thought of something.
Seeing her reaction, Saber looked suspicious. "Whenever you smile like that, you must want me to do something with you. Tell me."
"I was just thinking that your continuous physical presence isn't entirely a bad thing, because I can help you choose clothes." Irisviel said with a hint of excitement.
"..." Saber was somewhat astonished by Irisviel's idea. She opened her mouth to refuse, but in the end, she didn't want to spoil Irisviel's excitement.
She knew this was Irisviel's first time seeing the outside world since her birth, and she thought it best to let her enjoy herself. It was just a change of clothes; Saber figured it couldn't hurt.
The two walked into the airport, accompanied by several maids who helped them with their luggage. This procession, like a princess traveling, naturally drew curious glances from many people.
"How strange, why is everyone looking at us?" Irisviel was somewhat confused by this. "Is there something wrong with my clothes..."
"I think it's because you're too beautiful," Saber said helplessly. Saber gained a deeper understanding of how lacking in common sense the woman accompanying her was. She truly had no awareness of her own beauty.
Just as Saber was sighing at this, she suddenly realized that many eyes were also being cast her way.
"..." Saber was not without confidence in her own looks, and with Irisviel accompanying her, it was difficult for them not to be noticed.
However, for Saber, who was accustomed to presenting herself as a man, this situation still made her feel somewhat embarrassed. Fortunately, after completing the immigration procedures, they could immediately leave the main hall.
When they stepped outside the airport, Irisviel looked at the bustling streetscape and became visibly excited.
"It's so lively..." Irisviel looked at the busy figures, her eyes sparkling as she exclaimed.
But Saber, standing beside her, was like a commander on the battlefield, coldly observing every detail of the surroundings. For Saber, this was natural; she would not be fooled by superficial tranquility.
Even though she knew the Holy Grail War would only take place at night, this did not mean that everyone would strictly adhere to the rules. Saber had seen many people like Kiritsugu Emiya, who would use any means necessary to achieve their goals.
However, a person who embraced the ideal of "saving the world" like him was someone she was encountering for the first time. But even with this first encounter, Saber was absolutely certain that she could not fight alongside such a person.
Kiritsugu Emiya also understood this, which was why he assigned her to be with Irisviel.
"Since we have to wait until tonight to start, why don't we go and explore the shopping district first!" Irisviel suggested to Saber, blinking her eyes with anticipation.
"Well... shouldn't we make some preparations or something?" Saber asked with some hesitation.
"About that..." Irisviel rested her chin on her hand as if thinking: "The current stage is all about observing changes in the situation and responding flexibly."
"Which means doing nothing?" Saber naturally understood the implied meaning.
"Ehehe~" Irisviel suddenly giggled foolishly. Her abrupt expression made Saber feel she looked a bit silly.
"It's a rare chance to come here, a precious opportunity. Come shopping with me, Saber~"
Saber sighed softly at her words.
"I can never say no to you..."
Hearing this, Irisviel immediately smiled sweetly, like a child who had been granted permission.
"Yay!"
The cheerfully skipping Irisviel ran toward the busiest shopping street in the New City area, her silver hair fluttering in the air, making her look like a leaping sprite.