I feel the white sunlight upon me. There must be a draft. I feel a cold wind and slowly wake up.

"Huh... it's the shed" I pick my body up and shake my sleepy head. "I see, I fell asleep here yesterday." After yesterday's routineafter the training to create another sensation within me, I must have been too lazy to return to my room.

"It must still be before six. ...Damn, I should prepare breakfast." I fold up the blanket, straighten up the things I failed to "strengthen" yesterday, and head back to the house to wash my face.

"It's cold." When I leave the shed, it's really cold outside. Fuyuki City is warm during the winter, but the top of the mountain on this side has the chill of a normal winter.

"Oh, there's some frost... I should do something about the lawn soon." The sound of breaking ice. There is frost on the ground and footprints are formed as I walk.

So. I wash my face with freezing water and pull myself together.

"All right." I'm wide awake now. Now that I'm awake, all the things I don't want to think about, like the situation I'm in, come straight to mind.

"...Oh yeah. I shouldn't be washing my face so calmly......" It's five to six. There are a ton of things I have to do, but I should return to my room and check on Saber first.

"...Yeah. I guess I left the room without saying anything, so I should explain things to her." I'll be troubled if Saber misunderstands things. ...It's my daily routine to go out to the shed at night, so she should understand if I explain.

"After explaining things to Saber, I should make breakfast. ...It seems Tohsaka won't be eating, so I should just add Saber's share." Oh. In that case, I should go and buy more ingredients for the additional people. I should note that before I forget.

"...Hm? I'm sure I'm forgetting something..." What could it be? It feels like I'm forgetting something really important

"Gah, it's six. I have to hurry or I won't make it." Well, if I can't remember, it can't be anything important.

“...” I quietly open the door. The room is just like it was yesterday. There's no sign of Saber waking up in the middle of the night and searching this room. I guess she didn't realize that I escaped the room last night.

"...That's kind of a letdown. I thought Saber might notice." Or did she need sleep so much that she couldn't notice?

"...I see. That must be what she means when she said she needs to sleep frequently." That must be why she's sleeping as close to me as she can, so she can come to me in case something does happen.

"......" Either way, it won't make much difference where I go if it's within the house. I can detect intruders from the boundary field. I should be able to protect myself for about a minute with that, and Saber should be able to come save me in a minute wherever I may be in this house.

"...That's right. And if it's the shed, there'll be plenty of places to hide." Anyways, I shouldn't be scolded at for what I did last night. I was considering explaining this to Saber, but it seems there's no need for that. And I don't think I should wake her up either if she's asleep.

"Saber, I'm going to prepare breakfast. I'll prepare some for you, but you don't have to get up if you're tired. I'll come get you later, so rest until then." I call out to her and quietly leave the room.

There's no one in the living room. I open the refrigerator and consider what I should make for breakfast.

And then. "Mornin'. You're up pretty early." Tohsaka comes in, looking like she's in a really bad mood.

"T-Tohsaka...? What, did something happen...!?" "Nothing. I'm always like this in the mornings, so don't worry." Tohsaka crosses the living room like a ghost.

"Hey, are you all right? You don't look all right." "I'm telling you, don't worry, I'll wake up when I wash my face. ...Uh, how do I get to the bathroom from here?"

"You can take that hallway. There's a bathroom in the hallway by the entrance if you're going to wash your face." "Oh yeah, there was one there, wasn't there?" I'm not sure how much she heard, but Tohsaka waves her hand and leaves.

And then. Just as Tohsaka disappears into the hallway, I hear a bell informing me of a visitor.

"Shirou? Someone's here?" I hear Tohsaka's voice from the hallway. "Oh, don't worry about it! Only my friends come at this time!" It'll be Sakura arriving at this time. Sakura has a spare key, so I shouldn't need to go to the door.

"...Geez. She never listens, even though I keep telling her she doesn't need to ring the bell." Sakura is like a member of the family, so she can come in when she wants. But she's polite, and she only comes in after saying "excuse me". That must be one of Sakura's good points, but if she's considerate all the time, she'll

“...” Hold on. Sakura... is... at my house...?

"...!!!" I run through the hallway. Scolding myself for my stupidity comes later. I have to get to the entrance and make her go home before she sees Tohsaka!

"Haa... haa...!" I reach the entrance, out of breath. But it's too late. There...

“...” ...Is Tohsaka, greeting the guest, even though I didn't ask her to, "Huh?" and Sakura, just standing there, surprised.

Sakura is at the door, and Tohsaka is in the hallway. With an indescribable tension, the two look at each other.

"Good morning, Matou-san. Are you surprised to see me here?" Tohsaka asks, as if looking down on Sakura from the hallway.

"Tohsaka... Senpai." Her face asks why. Sakura looks up at Tohsaka with fear in her eyes.

“...” Damn it. I can't call out to them. They are ignoring me and staring at each other. There's no room for me to say anything.

All I can do is to think how to explain things to Sakura, but before I can think up a good explanation.... "Senpai... what is this...?" Sakura looks at me as if asking for help.

"Yeah. Well, it's a long story" "It's not long. I'm just staying over here." Clearly. She cuts off my sentence and just states the point.

"...Senpai, is that true?" "The short answer is yes. There are circumstances, so I have her staying here now. ...Sorry, I forgot to tell you and surprised you."

"P-Please don't apologize, Senpai. ...Um, I was certainly surprised, but that's fine. But what you said, you really" "Yes, this is what Shirou and I have decided. The head of the household, Shirou, decided, so that's how it is. You understand what this means, right, Matou-san?"

"...Understand what?" "It seems you have been taking care of Shirou up to now, but this means he doesn't need that anymore. It'll be a bother if you come here, and it's for your sake not to come here."

“...” Sakura looks down and falls silent. After a brief moment of silence... Suddenly, "...I don't understand." Sakura states so in a clear, small voice.

"Uhhuh?" "...I said, I have no idea what Tohsaka-Senpai is talking about."

"H-Hey Sakura" "Excuse me. Senpai, I'll be using the kitchen. Sakura enters the house with a bow and goes into the living room, ignoring Tohsaka.

"Wha" Tohsaka is standing there, astonished. The same goes for me too. This is the first time I've seen Sakura act like that, so I don't know what to say. ...No, that is surprising, but something else was unexpected too.

"Hey, Tohsaka. How did you know Sakura was coming over to my house? I don't remember telling you about it."

"Huh? Oh, I heard about it before somewhere. It's just a coincidence. But I'm surprised. Is she always so energetic here? She's totally different from when she's at school."

It must have been really unexpected, as Tohsaka says this with disappointment. That must mean Tohsaka knows Sakura pretty well.

Sakura seems to have known Tohsaka, so they must have had a friendship I didn't know about. ...Well, that aside.

"No, I'm surprised as well. That's the first time I've seen Sakura be so snappy. She's just the way she is at school when she comes to help around here. I'd say this is a special case." "Hmmm, I see... this is bad, I never knew Sakura was so perverse. I should have let you explain things."

She's right. I would have been able to explain things better than the merciless Tohsaka.

"What's done is done. But what's bad about it?"

"Of course it's bad. This place might turn into a battlefield. I warned Sakura so we can keep unrelated people away from here, but it seems it'll be harder to get her out now." "You were warning her? I thought you were tormenting her."

"Hey! Did you say something!?" "Just an honest opinion. Anyways, about Sakura. What should we do? I don't think she'll go home now. ...I'll make it clear now. I won't allow Sakura to get involved."

"We'll just have to do something. So, does Sakura only come in the mornings? Or are you using her during the evenings too?" "Don't word it to be misinterpreted. She always comes in the mornings, but not so much for dinner."

"I see. Then it would be every day from now on." "Huh? Every day? What is?" Tohsaka sighs at my response.

After that. Tohsaka remains in the living room and Sakura begins to prepare breakfast in the kitchen. I feel uneasy about leaving Sakura and Tohsaka together in the living room, but I'm not stupid enough to forget about Saber.

It seems Sakura is angry about Tohsaka being here, so things will only get worse if Saber comes out now. Because of that, I decide to explain the situation to Saber.

"...So, that's the situation. Sakuraoh, the person here right now is called Sakura. She's not a magus and she's just a normal girl, so we can't have her involved in the Holy Grail War. If I can help it, I want her to stay away from this place without learning anything" No, I didn't come here to consult her on how to get Sakura away from here!

"Well, Sakura is acting strangely this morning. Tohsaka is the reason, but I don't want to shock her even more. Well, Sakura is already surprised that a stranger's here. I think it will get worse if you come out, so... wait, I'm not insulting you, am I, Saber...?"

"No, I understand what you are saying. So I should remain here, yes?" "! Yes, that would really help! I'll come back as soon as I see Sakura out, so let's have breakfast then." Saber nods silently. Wow, thank God Saber is so understanding.

All right. I'm worried about the living room too, so I should hurry back there. "Shirou." "What is it, Saber?"

"You do not need to explain such things to me, but you should calm down a bit. Your actions are a bit strange." "Huham I panicking?"

"Yes. If you are to return to the living room, you should calm down beforehand." Saber advises me in her usual tone.

"] "] "] Gah. No conversation.

“...” It's not that terrible a mood, and anyway, it's always like this during breakfast. Sakura and I aren't talkative, so it's natural for our meals to be quiet. So, why is it that our breakfasts are always loud?

"...?" Hold on. Something's clicking in my head......

"Senpai? Um, was the fish seasoned too strongly...?" "No, it's fine. But I feel like I'm forgetting something."

What is it? I try to conclude that if I can't remember it, it can't be important. But I feel like that would be a terrible mistake. I feel uneasy, as if I'm ignoring a disease that could kill me if left untreated.

"Oh well. It probably isn't important." I forcefully make myself understand. And then... "Morning. Man, I slept in." Fuji-Nee enters with loud footsteps.

“...” I see. It's not that I couldn't remember. I just wanted to postpone the problem by forgetting about it.

"Shirou, food." Fuji-Nee sits Japanese-style in her usual seat. The two's greetings are in strange unison.

"Here you go, Sensei. It's not much, but please have some." Sakura gives her a bowl with her usual smile.

"Mm?" She receives the bowl from Sakura and tilts her head. She knows something is wrong, but she can't tell what it is. Fuji-Nee quietly starts to eat. And after finishing one bowl of rice, she quietly whispers in my ear.

"...Hey, Shirou. Why is Tohsaka-san here?" "That's because she's staying here now." I explain things to her truthfully.

"Oh, I see. Tohsaka-san sure does some strange things." "Yeah, she's a weirdo. She keeps a mask on at school."

"I see, so she's staying here, huh?" She understands and takes a sip of her miso soup.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'STAYING HERE', SHIROU!!!!?"

The table is thrown up. Fortunately, Sakura is on the other side and Tohsaka has already moved out of the way, so it seems I'm the only victim.

"Ahhhhh! W-W-W-W-What are you doing, Fuji-Nee!? This is miso soup, cooked rice, and food cooked in pot! It'll be hot if you spill that on mehey, why are we having food in a pot for breakfast anyway...!?"

"Shut up! What are you thinking, Shirou!? What kind of love-comedy are you in, letting a girl stay over? No, it's not even funny!"

"I'm not trying to make anyone laugh...! No, more importantly, this is hot! I'll get burned! Sakura, get me a towel!" "Here you go. I've prepared a cold towel, Senpai." "Thanks...! Whoa, a piece of chicken fell in my shirt, and a hot one too!?"

"The towel comes later. Listen up, Shirou. Are you saying this seriously!?" "Of course. You know I'm not one to joke like this. Anyways, I'm letting Tohsaka stay here. I'll listen to complaints, but I won't change my mind."

"I object! I don't know what you're up to, but I can't allow it! Onee-chan won't allow you to live with a girl your age!" Fuji-Nee roars.

...Well, I guessed it. Fuji-Nee is my guardian and a school teacher. I don't think I can escape such a situation with merely a hundred beatings from the shinai, or even from a real sword. But I guess you could say it's ill fortune that I have to push through with this.

"You have to. I don't have any bad intentions, and we're not like that. I could just say we got into an accident, and I ended up letting her use a room here as a result."

"SHUT UP! I CAN'T ALLOW IT!!!! I won't allow her to stay here! I don't know Tohsaka-san's circumstances, but make her go home at once!" Damn, she won't even listen. Crap, I guess she isn't someone I can convince...!

"Sensei. You say you would not allow me to stay here, but I have already spent a night here." And then. Tohsaka says those words, like pouring cold water on Fuji-Nee.

"Huh?" "I said, I was allowed to stay here yesterday. No, I stayed here from Saturday evening, so I have stayed here for two nights, to be accurate. I have borrowed the room in the outbuilding, and my luggage is already there. How about it, Sensei? Looking at things objectively, it seems that I am already staying here."

“...” Fuji-Nee's face goes pale.

"S-S-Shirou, what have you done...!? Do you know what would happen if Kiritsugu-san found out about this!?" "I bet he'd be happy. He'd say something about a man's resourcefulness or whatnot."

"Ugh... I feel the same way. Kiritsugu-san was really indulgent with girls... I see, so you inherited that, you idiot!" Fuji-Nee grabs my collar and shakes me around. ...Well, the inheritance aside, it was Father's belief that girls should be protected. I don't go around telling people that like Father did, but I do believe he was right.

But... "What? Do you need help?" I think a man would have to be tough to recognize that cold-hearted person as a girl.

"...Please. I can't do anything about the situation. I have high expectations of your political skills." I say, while being shaken. "Okay. Then I'll settle this immediately." Tohsaka, who was only watching from a distance, comes to stand directly beside Fuji-Nee.

"Fujimura-Sensei. Only screams will come out of Emiya-kun even if you shake him, so please stop. Well, breakfast might come out too." "Hmph... what, that serious face doesn't scare me, Tohsaka-san. As a teacher and as Shirou's guardian, I can't allow you to stay."

Fuji-Nee lets go of me and confronts Tohsaka. It must be her natural instincts. She must have thought Tohsaka would get her if she kept concentrating on me.

"Why is that? There are many students that are boarding at our school. Is it not our school policy to encourage the students' independence?"

"What, even if you use difficult words, you still can't stay. You can't get independence from staying in a place like this. This place is a dream house. It prepares meals for you, prepares baths for you, and is always clean without you doing anything. You'll be corrupted if you stay in a place like this." "...Fuji-Nee." That statement is problematic, coming from a teacher.

"And as a rule, only students living far away can board at someone's house. Tohsaka-san's house is farther from school than here, but it's not like you can't go to school from there, right? Even Sakura-chan commutes from that area, so there's no need to stay here."

"But my house is undergoing complete remodeling right now. It is an old building, so it's getting a bit unsteady. I was thinking of staying at a hotel until the remodeling is done, but when I explained the situation to Emiya-kun as he happened to pass by, he said I could use his house rather than waste money."

"Hm... that does sound like something Shirou would say." "Yes. I was surprised by the idea coming from Emiya-kun, with whom I am not too well acquainted. But staying at a hotel is indeed costly, and most of all, unstudent-like. So I thought it would be more beneficial for me to stay at Emiya-kun's house instead."

"Hm... Hmmmm." Fuji-Nee groans. Since Tohsaka's answer and attitude are so student-like, it seems that as a teacher supposedly, Fuji-Nee cannot object.

"I understand your situation. But isn't there a problem? You are a girl and Shirou is a boy, so I don't know what could happen if the two of you stay under one roof." "What do you mean by that, Sensei?"

"Uh... um, well, Tohsaka-san is pretty, and Shirou is a guy, so I thought I wouldn't like it if a mistake got made..." "There won't be any. My room is on the edge of the outbuilding, and Emiya-kun's room is the room by the shed. It's more than thirty meters away. I believe there won't be any problems with this much distance between us."

"Y-Yeah, the outbuilding can be locked, so it's like a separate house, but..."

"Right? Or are you saying you don't trust Emiya-kun? You said earlier that you are Shirou's teacher. Then, I believe you know his personality better than I do. If he was the type to make that sort of mistake, I would not stay here."

"How dare you, Shirou is a gentleman! He wouldn't make a girl cry!" "Then it should be fine. I trust Emiya-kun too. I knew I could stay here safely." "Hmmmmmm."

The intensity in Fuji-Nee disappears. ...I guess it's decided now. There are lots of things to follow up, but I bet Tohsaka can get through those. So I guess Tohsaka officially has citizenship in my house now....

And so breakfast ends. As expected, Fuji-Nee gave in after being talked down by Tohsaka. In conclusion, we decided to try to keep it a secret at school, and to have Fuji-Nee look after us at home. With that decided and with more people around the house, Fuji-Nee happily goes to school.

We finish breakfast, and I go to talk to Saber before I leave. Saber, as expected, calmly says, "Please obey Rin at school. Please consider me necessary when you are in danger. That will allow me to feel Master's danger." And she goes back to her room.

The hill road is full of students. It's past seven thirty in the morning. This is the time most students go to school. So... It's natural for me to be met with odd stares if I'm walking with people who stand out so much.

"......" Did she forget something? Tohsaka has been quiet like this for a while now.

"What's wrong, Tohsaka? You've been acting weird since around the road on the hill." "Huh...? I thought so, am I weird?"

"No, you're not weird, but that reaction is weird." "Senpai, that explanation is contradictory. I don't think Tohsaka-Senpai is asking about that..." It seems Sakura knows what Tohsaka wants to ask about.

"Hm? What does Tohsaka want to ask about?" "Everyone is staring at Tohsaka-Senpai, so she thinks there might be something wrong with her. Isn't that right?"

"T-That's right, but am I acting weird to your eyes as well? That's strange. I was tired, but I did my hair and there shouldn't be any wrinkles on my uniform. ...I slept in a new place, so do I have dark circles around my eyes!?"

"What are you yelling at me for? It's not my fault if you can't sleep in an unfamiliar place, and even if you do get dark circles, they're nothing much. Don't worry about it."

"How dare you! Girls care about their looks from the moment they're born. Geez, I've always tried hard to look perfect at least on the outside, but I guess that came to an end today...!"

"So, what are you yelling at me for? I don't know why you're weird, but it's definitely not my fault. Take it out on something else."

"You're mistaken, Tohsaka-Senpai. You're beautiful today as always. Everybody is staring at you because you're with us today. You have never come to school with anyone else before."

"Huh...? So I'm getting this treatment because of something so small? ...I should be more careful. I thought I had this school thing mastered since I've been here for ten years now, but there are still some mysteries to it."

Tohsaka ponders seriously. What kind of a person are you just to ignore praise like "you're beautiful as always"?

"...I don't get you. Of course there'll be a commotion if you go to school with someone. All the more so if it's a male student." "Right. But Tohsaka-Senpai isn't one to care about such matters. That's why there have never been any rumors about men."

"I see... that's good. That means that there's only one victim who got deceived by her looks and got devastated." I talk secretly with Sakura while following Tohsaka, who has a puzzled expression.

We go through the gate, still with people staring at us. We will be going our separate ways once we enter the building, so I only need to endure the stares for a bit longer.

"...Heh. A troublesome guy even shows up in the morning." Tohsaka murmurs. Before her is a familiar face, coming through the students.

"Sakura!" "Uh... Nii-san." Sakura trembles a little. Shinji must not see us, as he goes straight to Sakura.

"Why didn't you come to the dojo!? What are you doing, skipping it without my consent!?" Shinji raises his hand. I... "Yo, Shinji. Working hard in the mornings, huh?" ...Catch his hand and greet him.

"E-Emiya...!?" YouI see, you went to Emiya's house again, Sakura!?" "...Yes. I went to help Senpai. But, that's..."

"Your responsibility as a junior? You're so unrefined. You shouldn't care about a guy who hurt himself. Don't worry and just do as I say."

Shinji lowers his hand. ...I have no reason to hold his hand if he's not going to hit Sakura, so I let it go.

"But what about you, Emiya? Is it so much fun to trouble us? Sakura is a member of the archery club, so could you stop forcing her to do things that'll make her skip practice?" "Hm."

I can't object against that. Since I haven't stopped Sakura from coming to make breakfast, that does mean I'm restricting Sakura's time in the morning.

"That's not true...! I'm helping Senpai by my choice. Aren't you going a bit far, Nii-san?"

"Too far? That's you, Sakura. So what if Emiya doesn't have parents? He says he's fine alone, so you can leave him alone. Someone like Emiya would feel more comfortable that way."

"Nii-san...! ...That's terrible..." "Heh, fine. Don't go to Emiya's house from now on. You didn't come to the club when I told you to. You were prepared for this kind of a punishment, right?"

“...” Sakura gasps and freezes. Shinji tries to grab Sakura forcefully

"Good morning, Matou-kun. Sorry for eavesdropping, but that was a pretty interesting conversation right there." "HuhToh... saka? Why are you with Sakura?"

"It's nothing unusual. Sakura-san is an acquaintance of Emiya-kun, and I'm an acquaintance of Emiya-kun, so we all came together this morning. Didn't you notice?"

"Whaa-an acquaintance of Emiya...!?" "Yes. I know him well enough that we'll be coming to school and going home together from now on. So, I'm thinking of making friends with Sakura-san too."

"With Emiya...!!?" Shinji glares at me. ...I must be just imagining that I felt more than enmity there. Well, I haven't been doing well with Shinji lately, but I don't remember doing anything to make him resent me that much.

"Ha, that's ridiculous. That's a bad joke, Tohsaka. There's no way you'd be with Emiya. ...Oh, I see. You must have a misunderstanding. It's true that I was friends with Emiya a while ago, but we're detached now. So there isn't much point in that approach, you know?"

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear that. I didn't have the slightest interest in you."

"Wow." I pity Shinji. If that was me, it would be traumatic enough that I wouldn't recover for a while.

"You." "And, Matou-kun? About that conversation earlier. The morning practice of the archery club is open participation. I've never heard that you need permission to be absent. I'm sure Fujimura-Sensei and Ayako don't know of such a rule either."

"Uhshut up! An older brother can do whatever he likes with his sister! Don't poke your nose into our family affairs!" "Yes, I feel the same way. So isn't it wrong for you to say such things about Emiya-kun's household? Geez, you're rowdy so early in the day, Matou-kun."

"!" Shinji takes a step back and glares at me and Sakura.

"All right, I'll forgive you for this morning. But it won't happen again, Sakura. If something happens again, I'll make sure you understand your position." Saying what he wants, Shinji runs away to the school building. Yeah. He definitely ran away after losing to Tohsaka.

"...I'm sorry, Senpai. Nii-san, um... was rather rude." Sakura lowers her head apologetically. She must be apologizing to Tohsaka as well.

"No, it was good exercise. My mind went up a gear, so I'm finally up to par now. I love arguments."

"And I should be the one apologizing. I think I did a bit too much. He has his position to think of, so I shouldn't have done that in front of everybody, you know? If Matou-kun is feeling down, cheer him up. Tell him he doesn't have to learn from experience, and that he can come at me again."

"Ahyes. If he doesn't learn from experience, please talk to him again, Senpai." Sakura must be relieved, as she smiles cheerfully. Tohsaka is looking away, bashful.

"You too, Senpai. Um, please try not to get mad about it. You're the only friend Nii-san has." "I know. It's impossible not to get mad, but I knew he was that kind of a guy as soon as I got to know him. Well, I know we'll get to know each other better someday, so I'll be patient with him."

"Yesplease give him your best regards, Senpai." Sakura bows. ...Yeah. If I do get really mad at Shinji, it'll be because he's not satisfied with such a wonderful sister.

"Then, Senpai, let's do our best today." Sakura goes to the first year hallway.

We walk up the stairs and enter the second-year hallway, and... "Whoa!?" ...Run into the student council president.

"W-Why are you with Tohsaka, Emiya Shirou!?" I see. You are full of enmity too, for a different reason.

"Oh, good morning, Ryudou-kun. What kind of a greeting is 'whoa' supposed to be?" "Guh, I had a bad feeling when I woke up, but I never thought things would go in such an unpropitious direction! Ah, come here, Emiya! You'll be poisoned if you stay so close to Tohsaka!"

Issei forcefully pulls on my hand. After looking silently at us, Tohsaka heads to Class 2-A as if nothing has happened.

"Heh, go ahead. No one's going to stop you." "......" Tohsaka silently passes by us. And then... "Shirou, rooftop during lunch." She mutters that so Issei would not be able to hear it.

It's lunchtime. Since the events of this morning, Issei has avoided me, treating me like a traitor.

"...I guess I joked around a bit too much." I contemplate my actions for a moment. He asked me why I was with Tohsaka this morning. "We got close during the holidays." Answering like that was bad.

I think the problem is how we became close, but I couldn't explain that, and Issei walked away dizzily.

"...Well, I guess it's fine. I'll have to do a lot of things alone for a while." It's good to have less people involved.
Well, what I should do right now "]is

1. Go and meet Tohsaka as arranged.
2. Explain things to Sakura.

I arrive at the fourth floor, the first year hallway. When I look into the classroom from the hallway, Sakura notices me right away.

"Um, is there something wrong, Senpai?" She tilts her head in question as soon as she comes out. I thought she would be depressed after what happened with Shinji, but she seems okay.

"No, nothing happened. I just want you to forgive me for that thing with Tohsaka. I couldn't talk to you about it this morning, so I want to apologize before I went home." "...? Um, what thing with Tohsaka-Senpai should I forgive you for?"

"Well, her staying at my place for a while. I should have consulted you beforehand, so I'm sorry for making the decision on my own. But, there is a reason for her staying, and there aren't any bad intentions. Um, you might not forgive me, but I just wanted to say that." I lower my head to apologize.

"D-Don't do that, Senpai! You have nothing to apologize for.

"...I was certainly surprised that Tohsaka-Senpai was staying over, but Fujimura-Sensei approved of it, so I don't think there's any problem. That house is your house, so you can do as you wish with it, and it's not my place to say anything about it."

"Idiot, what are you saying, Sakura? That house is mine, Fuji-Nee's, and yours. It's not something I can just selfishly decide about." "EhSenpai?"

"So it's only natural for me to apologize. You should be mad at me, not at Tohsaka. ...Um, since I'm the one who invited Tohsaka without asking my family. About her staying over, I'll stop it if you don't want it. That doesn't make it forgivable, but I can't keep on doing something you don't like."

They're not words to smooth things over, but I say them from the bottom of my heart. Cooperating with Tohsaka doesn't necessarily mean living with her. There should be other ways to cooperate efficiently with her.

"Um, then I'll forgive you. I'll approve Tohsaka-Senpai's stay, and I'll forgive you for your selfishness. Is that okay, Senpai?" "Huh... is that all right, Sakura...?"

"Yes. I won't ask what kind of circumstances you're in. It's enough for me to have you say that."

Sakura is looking straight at me and smiling. There's no dishonesty in her expression. Sakura is approving Tohsaka's stay from the bottom of her heart.

"Thanks, Sakura. Um, I'm really glad." "No, I'm the one that's really glad. Uh, but Senpai... Just hypothetically, but what would you do if I said I didn't want it?"

"Hm? Well, I guess maybe I would have gone to her instead. I have to be with Tohsaka for a while." "Huh... Senpai goes instead, um... to..."

"Yeah, instead of having Tohsaka over, I think I would have stayed at Tohsaka's place. That way, I wouldn't bother Fuji-Nee or Sakura."

It's too terrifying to think about staying over with a girl I admire... no, admired. But there're no other options.

"...But, thanks. If that happened, I think she would tease me even more." Thank God. I'm so happy Sakura forgave me... huh?

"Sakura? What's wrong? You look pale." I call out to her, wondering if she's all right. Sakura seems to be deep in thought, "T-Thank God I didn't say that" And she lets out a sigh that I don't quite understand.

So, it's after school. While the bell is ringing to send the students home, I pack my bag along with everyone else. I should head straight back because Saber is waiting at home.

There are students scattered in the hallway. There are different kinds of students: some going to their club activities, some staying behind to kill time, and one ten meters away, charging at me with an angry face.

"...?" I think there's something strange mixed into that expression, so I turn and head to the stairs quickly.

"Oh yeah. I suddenly remember, but I was told something this morning." I was told something, but now, I'll go through with pretending that I forgot. No, I won't be able to explain if I do that, so let's say I didn't hear it or something...

"Hold on there. You're quite brave, running away after seeing someone's face."

"Ugh." I'm caught, as I expected. Well, even if I do go home, there's nowhere to run. It seems there'll be less damage if I'm caught here, so I stop.

"......" I turn around slowly. ...Yeah, she's really pissed. She's so angry, you'd never think she's the school's number one honor student.

"Hey. What a coincidence, Tohsaka. If you're going home, do you want to go home together? We're heading the sa"

"Not 'let's go home', you idiot...! Do you understand the situation you're in!? I was going to warn you, so why didn't you come to the rooftop!?"

"Ugh." This threatening attitude. It seems she won't listen to any excuses, but I bet she won't calm down unless I make some excuse.

"...Sorry. I was with Sakura during lunch, so I couldn't go to the rooftop." She doesn't seem too calm, so I tell her honestly.

...And then. Tohsaka looks at me in blank amazement, as if she's seen a ghost.

"With Sakura... you mean, talking about me staying at your place?" "Yeah. It was unclear this morning, so I had her approve of your stay."

"............[r] ...I see. Well, I guess it can't be helped in that case."

"...?" Tohsaka quickly gets rid of her anger, and for some reason,[r] "All right, I'll forget about what happened during lunch. I'm sorry Sakura caused you trouble." And she apologizes with a gentle expression.

"Uhno, there's no need for you to apologize, but... W-What was it you called me to the rooftop for? It was something important, right?"

"Y-Yeah. I called for you because I had something to tell you as a Master. I wanted to warn you to be careful, since there's a boundary field set up at the school"

"Huh...? H-Hold on. Boundary field... you mean, at this school...!?"

"Yeah, it seems you haven't noticed, but there's a troublesome one set here. The sign is constructed with a wide range, so once it is activated, it will pretty much encircle the whole school. This boundary field is the type that steals blood and meat from the humans inside it. It's still in the preparation phase, but haven't you noticed everyone's kind of listless?"

"Ah" Come to think of it... I felt a bit strange on Saturday, but was that it? Then that must mean

"Sothere's a Master at this school...?" "Right. There's certainly an enemy lurking here. Do you understand, Emiya-kun? I don't think he'll attack us at school, but I wanted to tell you to be on alert, so you'd be ready even if you're attacked."

“...” My relaxed feelings go tense. ...No wonder Tohsaka got so angry. I didn't even know about it and spent the day peacefully.

"...Sorry. I was at fault at lunch, Tohsaka."

"Well. Saber entrusted you to me, so if it had been a stupid reason, I would have cast geas on you. But I'll let it pass this time. Nothing happened today, even if it's just how things turned out."

All's well that ends well, huh? I feel a bit better if she says so.

"...So. Do you know who the Master that set this boundary field is, Tohsaka? ...Is it someone from this school?"

"No, I don't know that yet. ...I don't feel any magus-like presence here other than me, so it might be an outsider, but there are cases when an amateur like you becomes a Master, right? So I can't be sure. ...Well, it's most likely that it's the doing of someone from this school. It needs to be someone that wouldn't look suspicious here, since they had to set up a boundary field at the school."

“...” ...Someone who wouldn't be seen as suspicious even on school grounds. Student or teacher, either way, a Master other than ourselves is lurking here.

"That's not the only problem. Shirou. Once this boundary field is finished and activated, it will melt every human in it and absorb them. It's like we're in the stomach of something alive.

"...Well, it shouldn't have any effect on people like us who protect ourselves with magical energy, but those without magical energy will weaken and die without knowing why. It's not just a matter of dragging ordinary people into this mess. Once this boundary field is activated, everyone in this school will die. Do you understand? A Master at this school is absurd enough to prepare something like this."

“...” My vision blurs for a bit. Trying to comprehend what Tohsaka is saying, I take a deep breath.

That's it. Even though my understanding is incomplete, I imagine the worst possibility and engrave that image inside me, accepting the situation I am in.

"I get it. So, Tohsaka. Can you destroy that boundary field?"

"I tried, but it was useless. I found all the sources for the boundary field, but I can't destroy it. All I can do is to weaken the source temporarily and delay the activation."

"Delay the activation...? So the boundary field will not be activated as long as you're here?"

"...That'd be nice, but that's only optimism. The boundary field is already set up and the magical energy for activation is gathering bit by bit. According to Archer, it should be ready in about eight days. When that happens, this school will fall into hell as soon as the Master or the Servant puts their mind to it."

"Then before that happens..."

"We have to defeat the Master lurking at this school. But finding the Master will be difficult. The guy pretty much won as soon as he set up the boundary field. The boundary field will be activated even if he does nothing, so he won't appear until then. So if there is a chance..."

"...It'll only be when he emerges?" "Exactly. So you should stay quiet for now. You will have to fight when the time comes, so it's just stupid for you to go out searching and have the enemy find you before that."

...I get it. I can't forgive a guy who would set up such a field, but it might have the opposite effect if I just go randomly searching now, since I don't know the Master's identity.

"That's all. I've done everything I can to deal with the boundary field today, so the rest comes tomorrow. There's nothing left to do in the building now, so you go home ahead." "...? I'm fine with that, but what are you going to do?"

"Don't worry about me. You're making Saber wait, so she'll get mad if you don't hurry." "Geez..."

That's right. Saber was against me going to school, so I had her approve of my independent action on the condition that I go home before the sun goes down.

"Then I'll see you later. Go straight home." Maybe she has something to do at the gym, as Tohsaka heads to the back of the school. I see her off for a while, and leave the school building after that.

"I'm home." I call out and step into the hallway. As I try to enter the living room, the blond-haired girl appears.

"You are back, Master." The girl looks straight at me.

“...” For a moment. All sense of reality crumbles on me.

"Shirou? Did you not just return home?" Perhaps the surprise transferred to the girl, as she says this with a bit of surprise. She calls my name in a quiet voice. That finally returns my sense of reality.

"Oh... i-it's Saber, right? Sorry, it was so sudden, I was surprised." Just for an instant, I mistook her for a normal girl.

"...? I was on standby here as Master ordered, but was I wrong?" "Uh... no, I was misunderstanding, so don't worry about it. A-Anyway, how are you feeling? You said you'd be sleeping frequently, so, um..."

"There is no problem with staying awake. No, it is better to sleep except at times of battle, but that would cause my senses to dull. I should move around periodically, or my body will be slow when I will need it the most."

"...I see. You're right now that you mention it. Humans get headaches from sleeping too much, and it's not like you're sleeping because you're sleepy."

"Yes. There is no fatigue to require sleep. But Shirou, do you get a headache when you sleep too much?"

"Of course. Usually, you'll get sick if you sleep for half a day. In my case, I'll wake up from the headache, so I won't be able to sleep for half a day."

"...That is a strange story. It does not happen to me. I can sleep as much as I want, now and in the past."

"Hm. I think that's wrong for a living thing, Saber. It's a waste to sleep all day. It's more fun to wake up and play when you're not sleepy."

"...You are right. Less time is wasted that way." "Right? You're like that now because of me, but go back to your normal cycle when your bond with me ends. It's not for me to say, but if this becomes a habit and you sleep all day, people might think of you as lazy."

"It may be too late. People might have thought so of me already."

She creases her brow and ponders. ...It was just light-hearted, but it seems like Saber doesn't get normal jokes.

We move into the living room. It seems Saber wants to know what happened today, so I decide to tell her about the boundary field at school that Tohsaka told me about.

"...I see. That Master must be planning to use the people gathered at the school as a sacrifice." "Frankly, yes. Tohsaka said it should take more time, though."

"I feel the same way. It will take time to construct such a large-scale boundary field. The school is a building that can be easily locked up, so it must be an altar chosen as a temple. To completely activate a boundary field of that scale, at least ten days are needed."

"Ten days... I felt something strange two days ago on Saturday, so that means we still have about eight more days. That's the same as Tohsaka's estimate..."

"Yes. It does not matter if that boundary field is to gather sacrifices or to solidify the defenses, as it will be a problem if we allow it to be completed. I hope we will be able to find the Master that created this boundary field before that..."

"Yeah. Tohsaka said it would be difficult, but he should be easy to identify since the Master will be lurking at school. Let's find him somehow and stop the boundary field."

The instant they think of setting up a boundary field at school, they must be someone associated with the school. A student or a teacher. I'll try to search the school as thoroughly as possible during lunch from tomorrow on and try to find anyone suspicious.

"And... yeah, the problem of which Servant that Master has." No, that'll only be clear when I actually encounter it.

Then, I should think about a Servant I have already encountered. Saber is awake right now, so this would be a good time to ask. All right "]then

1. About Lancer.
2. About Archer.
3. About Berserker.

I'll ask about the first Servant I encountered, Lancer. Saber fought with him, and it seems like she realized who he was.

"Hey Saber. About Lancer... do you know who he is?" "Huh? Lancer?"

"Yeah. You were saying something when you chased him out. About Ireland or something. So I thought you might have discovered his identity."

"Oh, I see your point now. ...I'm surprised, I did not think you would be interested in knowing your enemy's true identity." "I heard you have to know about them. ...But why do you look so happy about it, Saber?"

"Because you are showing the will to fight. We can come up with strategies against a Servant whose true identity we know. It is an appropriate battle tactic to first bring down the ones whose weaknesses are known."

"...Hm." I have no intention of going out to fight someone who isn't attacking me, but it'd only end the conversation if I said that now.

"Anyways, Lancer's true identity. So I guess you know, Saber?"

"Yes. That red lance and those runic protections around his body, and on top of that, his abilities specialized in survival. There can be no mistake. His true name is Cu Chulainn. He is the great hero of Ireland, wielder of the devil lance Gae Bolg."

"...Cu Chulainn...?" It's a name I've never heard before. ...Well, I don't know much about Irish mythology, so I guess that's only natural.

"...So. Is he strong, this Cu Chulainn guy?" "He is not famous in this country, so his existence is diminished, but he still has more than enough power. His agility is second to none, and I believe his Noble Phantasm is the most suitable for this war."

"Noble Phantasm...? Oh, that lance. Come to think of it, his lance moved strangely at the end. Is that the Gae Bolg thing?"

"...Probably. There are many variations on Gae Bolg's legend. They say it is a cursed lance thrown using the legs, a devil lance that grows a thousand thorns once it stabs its enemy..." "...? Aren't those just completely different legends? Can you really call it a legendary weapon?"

"There is more. Many abilities of Gae Bolg are handed down in the legends, but in every one is the fact that it will always pierce the heart. ...I had thought it was the ability of the possessor rather than the power of the weapon, but it seems I was wrong. The nature of the devil lance, Lancer's Gae Bolg, is to always pierce the heart."

"Oh" That said, I can recall vividly. That night... The lance thrust at Saber's feet moved in an impossible fashion and went toward her heart.

"So, his lance is" "Yes. It is a devil lance, guaranteed to strike the opponent's heart when used. It must be bending space or changing the order of cause and effect. Either way, it must be Lancer's skill and the curse of the lance itself. There is no weapon more efficient in hand-to-hand combat. It has no unnecessary aspects."

"No unnecessary aspects...? What do you mean by that?"

"Do you not understand? Lancer's lance cannot destroy a castle, but it is enough to kill one person. Noble Phantasms require different amounts of magical energy depending on their scale. A servant with a rank A Noble Phantasm will need great amount of magical energy to use it. Once it is used, time is needed to replenish the magical energy that is lost."

"But to kill one personno, one Servant, you do not need great power. If you can kill your opponent with one blow, there is no better result." "...? So you mean, there's less cost for one arrow than for one cannonball?"

"Yes. But arrows would not hit a Servant. As a result, battling Servants end up firing cannons at each other, but" "...Lancer's Gae Bolg is a lance that allows this arrow to hit, huh? Not only that, but it hits the heart where it will definitely take the opponent's life."

"That is correct. And on top of that, not much magical energy is needed to use it. With that amount of magical energy usage, there should be no need to replenish magical energy even if he uses it seven times. That is why his devil lance is well-suited for this war. A normal Servant must rest after fighting a few times, but Lancer is able to fight six battles in a row. ...Well, that is on the condition that each must be one on one."

"...Hm." So he's a Servant who's not flashy, but can definitely win, huh?

"He seemed to be doing a lot of useless stuff, though. He was playing around with me as well." "Right. It seems Lancer is an inconsistent person. He was heartless, but he also had a side that was difficult to hate."

I feel the same way, but we can't let our guard down. He stabbed me through heart as if he was cutting grass. Servants like Berserker and Lancer have no hesitation when it comes to using their weapons.

"I'm home. Well done, you came home early like I asked you to." Tohsaka is holding a grocery bag and.... "Excuse me, Senpai. It's rare for you to be home this early." Sakura comes in, smiling happily.

"All right, preparations are perfect. Then let's begin." Tohsaka shouts and goes into the kitchen. Sakura looks at her worriedly. "Senpai...? Um, about dinner preparation..."

"Oh, it's Tohsaka's turn today, so you don't have to worry about it. You made breakfast today, so leave the dinner to us. We'll make dinner as long as Tohsaka is here." "Oh... y-yes. If you say so, I will do that." Sakura sits on a cushion obediently. There is a flashy, fiery sound coming from the kitchen, but there's nothing dangerous-looking about Tohsaka's appearance from behind.

"...I guess it's okay to trust her..." So there's no point in staying here. There's Saber to think about, so I should go back to my room until dinner is prepared.

"I'm going to go rest in my room. If Fuji-Nee comes, tell her to prepare the bath herself once in a while." "Ah, yes. Please take your time, Senpai. I will come and get you when dinner's ready."

"Yeah. ...Oh, don't forget to knock when you come to my room." It's a little before six o'clock. From the way things are going, it looks like dinner will be at around seven o'clock.

When I get back to the room, Saber is asleep in the room next to mine.

"Man, I thought I could talk to her." I click my tongue and sit on a cushion. "...Hey, what am I saying? I don't even know what I'd talk to her about other than this Holy Grail War stuff." Anyways, didn't I have trouble talking to Saber?

"Oh well. If she's asleep, it's fine." I say that and just stare at the clock. Yesterday's dinner was just me, Saber, and Tohsaka. But today, it'll be five people, including Sakura and Fuji-Nee.

"...Oh, no... Saber can't come." As long as Sakura and Fuji-Nee are there, I can't let Saber out of this room. "I wonder if Saber ate breakfast." Saber was nodding while eating dinner last night. Judging from that, I guess it's not like she doesn't need food.

"...I didn't prepare lunch for her. Of course she'll be hungry." Once Sakura and Fuji-Nee go home, I have to warm up dinner and serve it to her. She'll need to eat alone, but that can't be helped

"......" Hrm. Imagining Saber eating by herself is really annoying me.

"Shirou, are you awake?" Tohsaka knocks on the door and looks inside.

"Tohsaka? What's up?" "Dinnertime. It's ready, so come along." That time already, huh? I get up and leave the room, glancing at the sleeping Saber.

"Oh, there you are. Hey, look at this stuff! Finally, with Tohsaka-san here, we have someone who can cook Chinese food!" Fuji-Nee is looking excitedly at all the food prepared on the table. Now that she mentions it, the food certainly is Chinese.

On the four big plates are crab with eggs, shredded beef with pepper, some stir-fry of an elegant looking meat I've never seen before with vegetables, and a plate full of steamed meat dumplings.

There are salads on the side plates, and various follow-ups are ready. Put simply, it's the kind of gorgeous dinner Fuji-Nee loves.

"...I'm surprised. I was expecting you to make Western-style dishes." "Oh, she was actually thinking of a Western-style dish, but when I told that her no one at our house cooks Chinese, she said she would."

"Why does she have to live her life poking at holes? ...? Hey Sakura, you came home with Tohsaka, so did you actually go shopping with her?" "Yes. Tohsaka-Senpai was waiting for me when the archery club finished, so we went grocery shopping on our way back."

"...I see. Wow, you two are closer than I thought." "Yes, we've talked often at school. I don't know why she likes me, but she has been nice to me ever since I entered the school." Wow. She really is a nice Senpai at school.

"Let's quit talking and eat. I'm hungry already." Fuji-Nee sits down happily. "Like she says. Why don't you two sit down too? Chinese food gets really bad when it gets cold." Saying this coldly, Tohsaka sits down as well.

“...” I sit down silently. Everyone bows and eats the food.

"!" Annoyingly, it's good. I've never cooked Chinese because I thought "it all tastes the same", but this is so good it makes me realize it was just prejudice.

"Wow, this is great! It's been a while since I've had food that makes rice taste this good. Yeah, I'll give you top score on this one!" "Thank you. I am pleased to receive an honest response like that."

"Yes. I have a better opinion of Chinese food now. I'm not good with hot food, but this is really good!" Sakura is happily enjoying the food too.

After watching this with a smile, "Fufu." Tohsaka Rin looks at me with an expression of triumph.

"What? You look like you want to say something." "Noooothing. I'm just glad everyone's enjoying the food. Well, one isn't being honest, but that's fun in its own way, so I'll call it good. I understand what it feels like to lose at something you're good at."

"GuhI see, then you made me cook last night to gauge my potential!" "Fufufufufu. Yes. Today's lesson is, always hide your potential." She says this happily and starts eating her own food.

“...” When I leave the living room, Tohsaka is staring at me silently.

I just couldn't take it. That's the only reason. I don't like it when she's in the same house, but alone.

So, before considering the consequences, I grab her hand.

"S-Shirou!? What are you doing all of a sudden...!?" "Just come with me. I'll introduce you to everyone." "Are you insane!? Hold on, this is..."

"I'm taking you because I am sane. Here, let's go. Whatever happens later can be dealt with." "Hey, Shirou...!?"

I grab Saber's hand and take her to the living room.

"Sorry, Tohsaka. Can I add one more?" Tohsaka doesn't object. But Fuji-Nee and Sakura are looking at Saber with astonishment.

"It's a bit late, but let me introduce her. Her name is Saber, and we're going to be taking care of her for a while. As you can tell, she's a foreigner and not used to living in Japan, so please help her with that."

“...” There's no reaction from the two. That's only natural, but I don't have enough composure to care about them right now.

"Here, sit here, Saber. It's better to eat with everyone." "That is... certainly more efficient, but I..." "Don't be reserved. After all, you're going to be living together with us from now on. Since we're living in the same house, it's natural to eat together."

"...Yes. If Shirou says so, I will obey."

"You can't d" "YOU CAN'T DO THAAAAAAT!" "...!" My ears! My ears are ringing!

"What's wrong with you, Shirou!? You bring in not only Tohsaka-san, but a girl like this too? Since when did this place turn into a hotel!?" "W-What? It'll be fine. It's as big as a hotel, so we can lend a room or two. If Tohsaka staying is fine, Saber should be fine too."

"No way! I approve of Tohsaka-san, but I don't know about this stranger! Who is she anyways!?" "Whoshe's a distant relative of mine. She had some problems so she came here, counting on Father."

"I can't believe such a ridiculous story. Even if it were the case, why did she come to your house? There's no way Kiritsugu-san would have an acquaintance in another countr" She can't really say that. Because Father was a simpleton who went to foreign countries all the time, he would have more acquaintances overseas than in Japan.

"Well, I can't say that, but it's still strange. You, why did you come here?" Fuji-Nee glares at Saber.

"Well, that's..." "You be quiet, Shirou. Um, Saber-san? I'm asking you."

Saber is silent. It's only natural. Saber doesn't have any reason to go along with my lies nor a dexterous enough mind, so "]she "I do not know. I was only doing as Kiritsugu said." Well, I guess she does.

"Hm. Kiritsugu-san entrusted Shirou to you?" "Yes. He told me to defend Shirou from all enemies." Quietly. Saber says this with the greatest purity.

...Who could object to that? Even if it's a lie, it's the ultimate truth for Saber herself.

"......" Even Fuji-Nee can't object to those words. But...

She stands up with a frown, glaring at Saber, "...All right. If you say so, I'll test your skill." Fuji-Nee responds strangely.

So. With a sound of wind, Fuji-Nee takes us outside.

"......" She takes the shinai from the wall and glares at Saber. ...Well. Just what is our Fuji-Nee thinking about?

"You. You said you'd protect Shirou, right? Then you must be confident in your skills." "Are you telling me to take a sword?"

"Yes. I'll approve of you if you're stronger than me. But if you're weaker, I'm sending you back home." "...I do not mind, but what is the purpose of this?"

"I'm the one that's gonna protect Shirou! I'm gonna be by his side until he grows up!" “...” It seems Saber doesn't understand what Fuji-Nee is trying to say. Of course, no one else around here does either.

"Sooooo, I don't need anyone weaker than me! If you're stronger than me, you'll be more dependable, right? If that's the case, I can entrust Shirou to you just for a bit." Fuji-Nee plays with her shinai as if she's sulking.

"I understand. So I must earn your approval?" "Right. But it's not going to be easy!" Just as she says that, Fuji-Nee rushes at Saber and attacks her with the shinai...!

"Man, Fuji-Nee's being ridiculous!" Not only was that a surprise attack, but she didn't even give Saber a shinai. Are you really a teacher, Tiger!?

"...?" Saber must be surprised by Fuji-Nee's surprise attack as she just stands there distractedly. Fuji-Nee's clever attack to the body strikes!

"Huh?" Fuji-Nee tilts her head curiously. ...That's only natural. It's strange even for those of us watching, so it must be as strange as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for Fuji-Nee.

“...” Saber is still standing. The difference is, she is now holding the shinai Fuji-Nee was wielding until now.

"Uh... is this real?" I don't know what's real, but it's certainly true.

Saber does not even take a stance. Fuji-Nee doesn't move, standing before Saber. Fuji-Nee is a kendo expert, said to be unmatched. That experience must have made her realize that the person in front of her is on a completely different level.

"...If you want me to take a stance, I will. But you should be skilled enough to understand already." "Uhh, hauuuu, hau..." Fuji-Nee backs away unsteadily and drops to her knees.

"The contest is over. Do you approve of me?" "Uh, guh..." Fuji-Nee hangs her head and slumps her shoulders. The very moment I think she'll calm down...

"UWAAAAAAAN! "SOME STRANGER TOOK SHIROU AWAY...!"

She starts to cry so loudly that those around her get dizzy.

...In the end, it took two hours to persuade Fuji-Nee. Fuji-Nee said "I want to talk a bit" and went into Father's room for two hours. When she came out, she nodded and said "I guess I have to approve of her", with an unhappy face.

On the other hand, Sakura is silent. It was getting late, so Fuji-Nee ended up walking Sakura home, but Sakura said nothing and merely bowed and went home.

"Then I'll go back to the outbuilding." ...Oh. Come to think of it, Tohsaka is like this too.

"...Sorry. I bet you think I did something stupid." "Nope. But what you're doing is extra weight on your mind. If you keep doing such things, you'll end up being unable to move."

Saying good night with a wave, Tohsaka leaves. "Sigh." I'm tired. I'll rest early too.

"Hold on, Shirou. I have something to ask you as well." "Hm? What is it?" "Why did you introduce me to everyone? I believe your actions were unnecessary as Rin said." "No reason. I just introduced you because I didn't like it."

"Shirou, that is not an answer. You have to tell me what you didn't like." Saber draws closer. ...Was what happened tonight that strange for Saber?

"I don't know. I was just eating and I just didn't like it when I thought about you being alone. If anything, I just thought there'd be fewer secrets if I let Sakura and Fuji-Nee know about you."

"This is meaningless. Rather, it is a disadvantage to let them know of my existence. I can hide myself in this house, so it would have been better if I was just standing by."

“...” What's better? Is she better off being an outcast while we're all eating?

"That's not true. It couldn't be helped because even if it was good for you, Saber, it wasn't good for me. I don't think it's based on reason." Saying so, I avert my gaze from Saber.

"I'm going out to the shed, so go back to the room first. I'll come back after I'm done." “...” There's no response. Turning my back on Saber who doesn't seem to agree, I head out to the shed.

I go outside. The quiet yard, lit by the pale moonlight. The winter sky is high, and the stars are clear.

"Sigh." I sigh without realizing. Tohsaka is right. I'm certainly contradicting myself.

The me that's trying to go to the shed, avoiding the room Saber's sleeping in. On the other hand, the me that doesn't want to leave Saber alone. Even though I find it hard to deal with Saber as a member of the opposite sex, I can't leave her alone as a human. ...It's only natural for Tohsaka to be disgusted with me.

"...Geez. I thought I was only inexperienced at magic, but my mental training is bad as well."

I murmur, looking up into the sky absent-mindedly. The night wears on. Since I'm inexperienced, I can't skip my training. I can only refine myself, believing that I can reach something if I continue my effort.

The next day. After a normal morning, I enter the living room to find a complicated breakfast table.

"Sorry, Sakura. I can't eat butter. Pass me that marmalade over there." "Really? Tohsaka-Senpai, you seemed like you didn't like sweet things." "Nonsense, no such girl exists. It's not that I don't like sugar, but I can't take it. If I let my guard down, I grow where you can't see, so I can only eat sweets once a week."

"...? But you're still eating marmalade, Senpai?" "I eat sugar in the mornings. I have to eat at least a bit, or the backlash later on could get scary." "I see. Even if you eat only twice a day, it will get worse if you eat twice as much." "That's right. ...Hey, I wasn't going to say anything, but you eat a lot, Saber. You have a small frame, but you're eating as much as Sakura."

"Is that so? I think I am average. I believe the bread Sakura is eating is much more substantial than mine." "T-That's not true...! You, Tohsaka-Senpai, and I all have two slices of toast." "But the thickness is different. Ours are one centimeter thick while yours are two, so you are eating a lot. You are in your growing period, so it is good to get energy. How about eating not just one but actually finishing your share, Rin?"

"I'm telling you I can't. It's not like I'm Sakura and all the nutrients go to my chest. If I eat a lot in the morning, it'll increase. I usually don't eat breakfast, so I'm compromising already." "...Tohsaka-Senpai, um, please don't talk about that in front of Senpai."

"...Hmm. You say 'it' will increase, but why do you avoid using specific terms, Rin?" "Well, it's about those things you can't see. Oh well, you can see Sakura's, so you can leave her out of this." "S-So please don't talk about it!"

“...” I take a bite of the well-done toast. Perhaps my brain just doesn't follow what's going in front of me, but I'm eating toast and not joining the conversation. ...Well, the truth is that there's no room for me to cut into the conversation.

"...I guess I didn't need to worry." They seem to have a good relationship for now. Tohsaka is the same as always, and Saber is more open than she was last night. Sakura is... well, she still seems to be a bit resistant to Saber, but it doesn't look like she dislikes her.

"...I'm worried that Fuji-Nee isn't here, but she should be here tonight......" The shock last night must have been a big one. Well, she will probably come and eat dinner, so I'd think she'll have calmed down by then.

Breakfast ends, and I start cleaning up. "Senpai, is it really okay leaving all the cleaning up to you?"

"Yeah, I'll do it. You have a club to go to. There was that incident yesterday, so you should go." "...Yes. Then I'll go on ahead, Senpai."

Sakura bows also to Tohsaka and leaves the living room in a hurry. That leaves the three of us. Which means, once Sakura leaves, the three of us who know the secret remain.

"Then I shall excuse myself as well. Please call for me if you need anything." "See ya, Saber. I'll look after Shirou, so please take care of this place while we're gone."

"Yes. Please take care of Shirou, Rin." Bowing lightly to Tohsaka, Saber returns to her room.

...Well, there's nothing to do here. So she must want to save her energy by sleeping, but......

"...Geez. Does she only think about fighting?" "Of course. You should start to show some willingness or Saber will lose patience with you. Even though her wound isn't healed yet, she's not one to stay quiet forever, right?"

A clicking sound. As she makes a scary comment, Tohsaka turns on the TV.

"Hm? This news again." The morning news streams from the TV. I listen to it while washing the dishes in the kitchen. ...Well. The content is the same as the news I heard a while ago.

"They're saying there was another gas leak incident over in the Shinto area. ...That's stupid. That kind of thing is happening here too." "?" Hold on. Did Tohsaka say something really worrying?

"Tohsaka, what do you mean by that?" "It's that the people are weakening with no obvious cause, right? People that have lost consciousness without an obvious cause, carried off to the hospital in a coma. There must be a lot of them by now. There doesn't seem to be a danger in the victims' lives right now, but what happens in the future will depend on what the instigator decides."

"Wha" Wait. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Not only in the neighboring town, but over here too? Comas with no cause? Numerous victims? No, the problem is

"Tohsaka, are you saying it's the work of another Master?"

"Who else could it be? Please get used to it. You are a Master too, you know." "That'strue. ...But, why didn't you tell me before, Tohsaka?"

"This incident isn't as simple. The Master that put up the boundary field at school is third class, but this Master is first class. He isn't killing anyone. He's just storing power by absorbing half of their lives."

"...Well, it is true that the speed is slower, it doesn't break the rules of magi. And there's also no need to push oneself. This Master is stealing the simplest form of magical energy, 'life force', out of people in the city from a place far away."

"A place far away... can this person collect magical energy from such a distance?" "It must be a really skilled magus. Both Shinto and Miyama City. Only great magi can create an 'absorption' that can cover two towns."

"...Or maybe the Master has secured a superior spiritual ground. My father was saying something about a ley line in Fuyuki City, so if one took up a position there, it would be easy to collect life force..."

"...? Hey, Tohsaka." "There weren't any references to it in Father's study, so if there is one, it'll be in the master's room... Oh man, that place is so weird even now, so I'd like to stay away from it if I can. ...But then, all I can do is ask Kirei... no, I can't. I can't be in debt to him."

"Tohsaka, hey" There's no answer. ...It's no good. Tohsaka is immersed in talking to herself.

I reach the school gate with Tohsaka halfheartedly. The front gate has students arriving at school, and the school is starting another normal day.

“...” But still, there is an odd feel to it. I went through the front gate without noticing it yesterday, but I can certainly sense it if I look for it. ...How can I put this... it's so calm that even my instincts go numb.

"...You're right. The air is different from outside. It's like sweet honey." "Oh, that's the way you feel it, huh? ...You're unskilled at detecting magical energy, but you might be sensitive to disorders in the world." Tohsaka ponders.

"But sweet honey, huh? Speaking figuratively, like an insectivorous plant? Yeah, that's a good way of putting it." "...An insectivorous plant... that image is really bad."

"Really? I don't think your instinct is off. Because in this school, everyone will be eaten alive when the lid of the boundary field closes."

"!" She sees through the aspect I didn't say, and I gasp. "As I thought. You're fun because you're easy to understand." "Whatever. It's not fun for me."

"Don't get mad. Don't worry because I know what you want to say. You're thinking you don't want to involve the students here, and I don't want to use this place as a battlefield. So there's only one thing to do, right?"

"......" These are words to test me. Tohsaka is telling me... The Holy Grail Warthe "enemy" I said I will fight against, the Master who is willing to drag in innocent people in order to win, is at this school.

"I know. We have to find the Master who constructed this boundary field and do something about it. And if he isn't willing to remove the boundary field, we'll just beat him." "That's right. I'm glad you understand."

"Well then, I'll look for whoever constructed the boundary field, so you go and check suspicious areas. I already looked around, but there might have been something I missed. You seem to be good at finding these points, so I'll let you do it." Tohsaka waves her hand and runs into the school building.

"HeyEven if you say that, I have no idea...! What kind of places are suspicious ones, Tohsaka!?" "To put it in your words, somewhere where the air is sweet! Just look for a place where the honey is really sweet!" She yells back, running.

And Tohsaka disappears into the school building. "...What is she? Running away suddenly like that, I don't get what she's thinkin"

"Oh." The bell for homeroom rings.

"I-I seehey, why didn't she tell me that if she knew...!?" I hold my bag and run full speed. After that incident yesterday, who knows what Fuji-Nee will say if I'm late.

I finish lunch in a few minutes and go out into the hallway. This is no time to complain that I've never done anything like this before. The battle has already begun. So I have to find the "suspicious places" Tohsaka was talking about in my own way.

"...I guess I should start with places where there aren't many people." Well. An hour until lunch break ends... I hope I can get good results out of this

After checking through the school building, I go outside just in case. There's nothing wrong with the ground or behind the school building, but this area is too different.

"Could it be here too?" ...There were several strange places inside the school building as well. Unpopular places like behind the stairs or within empty classrooms. But this place is different. Far from nobody coming here, this is a place people come every day.

"...Why didn't I notice? Talking about strangeness, this place is the strangest" I mutter, grasping my chest. ...This place is somehow suffocating. The thick wind and moist air aren't just strange. No, once I notice this smell, I actually feel like throwing up.

"Tohsaka was saying that there's a basis point for a boundary field. I don't know how many there are, but this must mean the first basis point is around here..." Then there should be some sign of it.

... ...... ......... ...It's no good. As I have no skill in detecting magical energy, there's no way I can see the sign that's constructing the boundary field.

"...Phew." I guess it can't be helped. I'll go and tell Tohsaka about this place "]and "What, are you looking for something, Emiya?" "!" I turn around at the sudden voice. Standing in front of the deserted archery dojo is

"Shinji." "Hey. What a coincidence. I came because I had business in that area too... did you happen to see it?" With a grin, Matou Shinji asks this happily.

"...See... what? There's nothing here." "Oh, so you did see it. ...I see, so that's why you were with Tohsaka. That's right, it's more efficient to join up with other Masters." "! Shinji, you..."

"Don't guard yourself too much Emiya. It's you and me, let's not hide anything from each other. I don't know who you have. But you were forced into this ugly role of Master too, right?"

Shinji states it clearly without holding anything back. That he, Matou Shinji, is also a Master.

"...Could it be? You're a Master, Shinji?" "That's what I'm telling you. Oh, but don't get it wrong. I don't intend to fight with anyone. Well, I'll certainly retaliate with deadly force if I'm attacked, but I won't do anything when nothing's done to me. See, I'm like you in that regard, right?"

Shinji laughs. From his words, there seems to be no doubt that Shinji's a Master, but

"Well, I'm also surprised to find out that you're a Master. Let's call us equal in that regard. So, do you want to discuss something?" "Discuss... I don't mind, but discuss what?"

"About what we do now. Like I said earlier, I have no intention of fighting. But others aren't the same, right? So I feel uneasy unless I prepare for future misfortunes. It's troubling alone, but don't you think something would be possible with the two of us?"

... So in other words, Shinji is asking me to cooperate with him?

"Well, let's not talk here. We don't know if someone might overhear us, so let's go somewhere else. Hmm... yeah, my place would be good. Tohsaka won't be able to notice and it's safe even if we're attacked."

"What are you talking about? Lunch break is almost over, so if you have" "Are you stupid? We can skip classes. Let's go, Emiya. I'm happy to know that you're a Master, so don't alienate me too much."

"I can't do that. People would be suspicious if we skipped classes." "Damn, you're really stubborn... oh, I see! You're right, people would normally stay safe!"

"But don't worry, I won't attack you no matter what. See, do I look like someone who would attack you from behind?"

"...? OhI see. You're right, I certainly can't just follow you."

".... Well, it's all right. You have a Servant with you too. I won't pick a fight against such a dangerous opponent."

...? Does Shinji think I have Saber with me? No, that's wrongShinji couldn't see a Servant in spirit form. That's why he's wrongly guessing that I have Saber with me right now.

"Let's just go. It'll be no good if Tohsaka finds us." Saying that, Shinji starts to walk away. “...” ...I guess I have to follow him. I'm interested in what Shinji has to say, so I'll skip the afternoon classes.

We go up the hill road. The Western-style houses, on the opposite side to my house. I guess Tohsaka's house is at the top, but I recall that Matou's house is on the back, as if avoiding public eyes.

“...” It's an amazing building as always. I came here to play a few times during middle school, but I haven't even been near it recently. I haven't been invited since I became estranged from Shinji, and most of all, Sakura didn't like me coming to this house.

...Even though it's daytime, it's dim inside the house. This building is made so that sunlight cannot enter it, and there aren't many lights in here. I'm exaggerating, but you'd walk into the wall if you're not used to this place.

"Emiya, this way. I'm in the living room." I don't know when he went in, but I can hear Shinji's voice from the inner room. Even though it's been a year, my body still remembers this place and I make my way to the living room without getting lost.

There's no kind of light in the living room either. The curtains are closed, and the sunlight is blocked off. There are no artificial lights and the living room is in the dark.

"Emiya, over here." I look over in the direction of the voice. There is Shinji sitting in a chair, "]and A figure of a woman like crystallized darkness.



"Let me introduce her. This is my Servant, Rider." “...” I feel a chill. It's so bad that the back of my neck hurts like it's been slashed.

"...Weren't we going to talk with just the two of us, Shinji?" I back up a bit and manage to say that.

"Oh no, it's just a precaution. I'd be scared if you just came and attacked me, so I have to have Rider by my side." Stretching his hand out, Shinji touches his black ServantRider. He caresses from her waist down to her thighs, as if tasting them.

“...” Rider does not move at all. She stands there like a statue, and keeps watch on me with her covered eyes. ...It can't just be an illusion that it feels like she sees even my fingertips shivering.

"You're like this even when you've invited someone? Aren't you being a little too wary, Shinji?" "Come on, it was just a joke. I know you can't do anything like that. But your Servant is a different story. Even I had trouble training mine. It's not unusual for a Servant not to obey its Master, so think of this as just keeping a small check on things."

...A Servant that doesn't obey its Master? Certainly, Rider in front of me is different from Saber. Saber is quiet, but not coldhearted. But I can only feel coldness from Rider.

A human lacking humanity. A black figure like discolored blood. She doesn't seem like a Servant or a heroic spirit. She's so inorganic with no sense of lightness.

"...Rider's a way to keep a check on my Servant? I don't feel too good about that." "Sorry. I'm just a novice, so I'm not experienced like you are. Forgive me for that." "...Heh. It's not like I'm experienced either."

"Is that so? Then you should summon yours too. We would understand each other better that way, and it's more fair too. Yeah, that'll be great! Hey Emiya, I showed you mine, so you show me yours."

...So Shinji is wrongly guessing that Saber is with me. But there's no need to correct him on that.

"I refuse. If you're going to keep me in check, that's fine. This should be enough if we're here just to talk." "...What's with that? Hey, I'm saying I want to see it. I don't know what you're being a snob about, but shouldn't you listen to me?"

"Then our conversation's over. I didn't come here to show you my Servant. If that was your plan, I'm going home now." "Damnall right. You're useless as always." Shinji comments discontentedly and leans back in his chair.

"All right, let's get to it. Well, there's only one thing I want to talk about. ...Like I said before, do you want to collaborate with me, Emiya? I became a Master, but I don't know about this Holy Grail War thing. I want to cooperate with someone I know rather than staying on my own."

"Hold on. I want to ask you something too before that. I'll answer your question after that." "What, you want to know why I became a Master?" I nod. As far as I know, Shinji isn't a magus. I have to know how someone like that became a Master, or I can't cooperate at all.

"I heard Masters have to be magi as a basic prerequisite. Even though I'm inexperienced, I know a bit of magic. I summoned my Servant by accident and became a Master after forming a contract, but... did you summon your Servant by accident and get dragged into this Holy Grail War too?"

If that's the case, we're the same. I won't easily be able to refuse his proposal of cooperation if that's the case

"I see. You became a Master by accident, huh? ...I see, I see. Good, that makes it more understandable." Shinji smiles delightedly.

"Well, I guess it's similar in my case. The fact that I became a Master against my will is the same. But don't get me wrong. I knew what a Master was, and I've known about the Holy Grail War for a long time. The Matou family isn't like your family. We're a respected lineage of magi."

"!?" The Matou is a lineage of magi...!? "What, I never heard about that...!? Hold on. Then, you and" His sister Sakura knows magic too...!?

"Calm down, Emiya. The Matou family is a family of magi, but we're already dead. I guess the ancestors of the Matou family came to this land with Tohsaka's family, but didn't adapt to the land here. Down the generations, what's that thing, the Magic Circuit? That thing faded, and by the time I was born, the Matou blood had returned to that of an ordinary person's. So members of the Matou family aren't magi. We're just a family that used to be magi."

"You guys were magi... then, only the knowledge remains?" "Yeah, unfortunately. But even if we don't have Magic Circuits, that doesn't change the fact that we're studying magic. It was easy to find out about the Masters and the Holy Grail War with a bit of research. I'm able to relax even after suddenly being chosen as a Master, because of the teachings of the previous generations."

“...” ...I see. I became a Master and understood the Holy Grail War because of Tohsaka. Similarly, Shinji understood his situation because of the literature passed down his family.

"So in other words, you were taught just the knowledge of magic. ...Then, did Sakura learn magic as well?"

"Huh? Geez, you really don't know anything, do you? Look, it probably doesn't matter to you since your family is a hybrid,[l] but a magus of an old lineage only teaches his secret arts to one. If there are two children, you only make the eldest son the successor.

"You get less power if you separate something into two, right? Magi place ten magics into one crystal and leave them behind to create a stronger blood. We don't make exceptions just because someone is from our family.

"So a family of magi doesn't teach magic to anyone other than their successors. It's common for the children who aren't chosen as the successor to be raised without knowing that their family studies magic, or they are to be given out for adoption.

"I seethank God, then." I'm glad. Sakura is a girl who should stay in a peaceful world without magic. I can't let her get involved in a battle that forces you to kill others without reason.

"Well, now you know, Emiya. Even though I became a Master, I'm not experienced with magic. You're... let's see, you say you can use a bit, but your knowledge is that of an amateur. See, don't you think we're a good combination? Let's cooperate since both of us became Masters against our will."

"...I don't mind that. But just to make sure, it's just to protect yourself, right Shinji?" "No. There's that, but we have to attack the enemy right in front of us first. It seems she considers me her enemy."

"...Considers you an enemy...? You mean, Tohsaka?"

"Of course! She wouldn't be so unkind to me if that weren't the case...! ...Look, she's the type that won't forgive other Masters. You should know that by now if you've been with her. I don't know what the reason is, but she lets her guard down when she's with you. I don't know why, but that perfect girl has her guard down! Don't you see that it's a great opportunity to defeat her?"

Saying that, Shinji puts out his hand as if asking for a handshake.

Surprisingly, Shinji seems to have given up. He doesn't try to stop me from going home, and he doesn't try to make Rider attack me.

...He's a really difficult person. He acts like this, but he seems to try to be fair in his own way.

"...Hey Shinji. I might be persistent, but does Sakura know about you?"

"She doesn't, and I have no intention of telling her. I'm the successor of the Matou family. I'll let her be my sister and not know anything."

"That'll help. I want Sakura to stay like that."

"Huh. I see. If you're worried about Sakura that much, I should thank you as her brother. ...All right then, I'll tell you something good, Emiya. I don't know who it is, but one of the Masters is nesting at the temple."

"!? Temple... you mean Ryudou Temple!?" "Yeah. As my Servant puts it, there's a witch up there. She is supposedly collecting souls on a large scale, so it'll be a problem if we don't do something about it fast."

"Wha" If that's true, that is the fifth one. And if that one is collecting souls on a large scale, there's a high probability that it is the cause of the story on this morning's news.

"That's all. Well Rider, see him off. Emiya is on our side, so don't hurt him." So ordered by Shinji, Rider approaches me.

"Uh... no, that's..."

"Don't be so reserved. You're my responsibility until you leave the house, so it'll be troublesome if you got hurt. Oh Rider, you only have to see him to the front door. He has nothing to do with me once he exits, so treat him well until then." Shinji retreats into the back room.

"......" I look silently at Rider.

"......" Rider, covered in black clothes, doesn't say anything. But surprisinglylooking at her closely, I notice that she has clean features.

The long purple hair reaching to the ground only reminds me of the smell of blood, but at the same time, I understand it's really beautiful. ...She's wearing this outfit, so it's embarrassing to directly stare at her, but can it be that her outfit doesn't match her face?

To put it into a phrase, she's a shrine maiden covered in blood. That contradictory appearance of one who is both holy and evil is this Servant called Rider.

"...But..." Are all heroic spirits beautiful? I think so while looking up at Rider's face out of curiosithey, Rider's tall for a girl. Rider must be at least 170 centimeters tall.

"...Hmm" This is no time to calmly observe Rider. It's a problem to be alone with Rider, so I should get out of this place quickly.

Rider really follows me out to the entrance. ...I wonder. She doesn't feel alive, but she might answer me if I talk to her.

1. Talk to Rider.
2. Keep away from dangerous things.

"...Rider. Was it true, what Shinji said earlier?" I call out to her, not expecting a response.

“...” There's no change in Rider. Her hair flutters in the wind.

"...Right. Sorry for asking a stupid question when we're enemies." I raise my hand to thank her and exit. Then.

"It was not a lie. It is true that a witch is up on the mountain."

"Huh... Rider?" "Be careful if you are to challenge her. That witch knows men inside out."

Rider talks without interest. I notice myself getting drawn in by her voice and quickly shake my head.

"Uh, um... thanks for the warning. And please take care of Shinji. He's always like that, so please protect him." I'm taken aback, but I manage a reply. That must have sounded funny.

"...You must be a good person. I understand why Shinji is trying to have you on his side." Rider smiles a bit and returns to the house after saying so.

The sun is already setting by the time I reach my house. I'm home first just like yesterday. Sakura and Fuji-Nee will be here soon, and Tohsaka should be back too.

"...I'll talk to her about what I heard from Shinji after Sakura and Fuji-Nee go home..." There's no point in talking about it when those two are here. That decided, I have to go and prepare dinner.

Tohsaka got me yesterday, and I have to try to put Fuji-Nee in a better mood. Cooking takes time and effort before love. If I am to go for a sure win, I will have to spend twice as much time.

So. After all that, what happened is...

"Huumph! What, I didn't lose! Stupid Tohsaka-san! Bully!" "I'm talking about the taste of the food. Um, it's the best dinner so far according to Fujimura-Sensei, so I'm saying we should share it among everyone."

"... Hmmm... I think she's saying something else. Tohsaka-san said she didn't want to eat the food Shirou cooked."

"That's only in the mornings. I eat dinner like normal and we take turns cooking dinner, so it is my right to eat. If you don't like that, please take my place tomorrow."

"Ughthat personality that strikes precisely at my weak point. Man, I didn't think you were such a terrible student." Fuji-Nee reluctantly returns the pot to the table. And so, the specially prepared rice returns to the table safely.

"...Hold on, Fuji-Nee, I cooked a lot so you don't need to hurry. I made enough for everyone." Munch, munch.

"T-That's right... but Senpai, isn't this a bit too much?" Munch, munch.

"Yes. Two casks for four people is obviously too much." Munch, munch.

"It's not a cask, it's a pot. And it's fine. The rice is today's main dish, so there can be lots of it. If there's any left over, I'll make some riceballs and it'll be lunch for tomorrow." Munch, munch.

"Oh, can I have some too? I usually don't like fried rice, but this is exceptional. There are lots of things in it. What exactly did you use?" Munch, munch.

"It's basically rice mixed with mushrooms, right? There are lots of details, like the way it's using citrus instead of fried things for its aroma." Munch, munch.

"...Fine! I'll eat it all myself then! You watch!"

Fuji-Nee must have given up taking the pot for herself, as she starts to eat really fast. She empties her bowl quickly and asks for more in no time.

"...Fine, but it won't run out even if you take it slow, Fuji-Nee." "That's fine! I'm going to eat Shirou's food, so I won't give it to some stranger!" She snatches away the bowl.

"?" I don't get it. Sakura is smiling awkwardly, Tohsaka is ignoring Fuji-Nee, and Saber is eating her food. ...I put in a lot of effort to make this, but it might have had the opposite of the desired effect. The dinner that was supposed to have Tohsaka admit defeat ends loudly because of Fuji-Nee's strange actions.

"Then, see you Senpai." "Yeah. Fuji-Nee, please take Sakura home safely." "Yeah, yeah, I know. Don't worry." Stepping lightly, Fuji-Nee holds Sakura's hand.

"What? Shirou, you look like you're wondering about something." "Of course I'm wondering. Usually, people can't move after eating that much."

"Really? It was tough, but it's fine once you swallow it." So you should realize the problem is that there's no limit to that, Tiger. Just as one would expect from a wild tiger. If possible, I don't want it accidentally trespassing into human society.

"Then see you tomorrow. Don't stay up late, you two." "Yes, good night Senpai." "Yeah, night Shirou."

"Do not get mad!? No, I am not mad. I am only stunned by your actions." "...Me too. Well, it's no use arguing over what's done. So, what's going on Shirou?"

Tohsaka and Saber glare at me with obvious anger in their eyes. ...Geez. I thought they would say something about me being thoughtless, but I didn't think they would get this mad.

"...I met him this afternoon. I only went because he wanted to talk to me, and it's not like we fought." "I can tell by looking. So, what kind of a guy was Rider's Master?"

"What kind of guy... well, it's Shinji. He called out to me when I was searching for the boundary field. He said he wanted to talk to me and asked me to follow him, so I went to Matou's house."

"WhaShinji? You mean, that Shinji!?" "Yeah. Rider was obeying him, and he knew about the Holy Grail War. According to him, the Matou family is a lineage of magi with a history."

"Huhyeah, well, that's true, but... it can't be true. The Matou family was exhausted in the last generation. No matter what they do, their children won't have a Magic Circuit. That's for certain."

Tohsaka declares so. If so, Shinji and Sakura really should be normal people without Magic Circuits.

"Yeah, Shinji said that too. But he said they still had the knowledge. Something about it being taught only to Shinji, the eldest son, so Sakura didn't know about it. ...In short, he's a Master rather like me. He said he doesn't have any magical energy, so he wouldn't be detected by your perceptions."

"...I see. I messed up. There certainly could be such cases... If they have grimoires remaining, he would be able to become a Master. Then geez, my actions were totally obvious to him! I'm an idiot."

Tohsaka is mumbling, reflecting on her actions. ...Hm. Tohsaka is close to perfect, but I think there are a few things missing. Unfortunately, they're the most crucial ones.

"That was a mistake on my part. I should have kept an eye on Shinji. If I'd known, I wouldn't have let him construct that boundary field." "Oh, Shinji said the boundary field at school wasn't his. He said there's another Master at school."

"Yes, that's true. It's obvious that there's another Master at school who we don't know about. But Shirou... don't tell me you're just trusting Shinji's word that he's not the one who constructed the boundary field?"

"...No, I'm not that good-natured. As long as Shinji goes to our school, I think there's an even chance it's his doing. The alternative being the unknown Master."

"Even, huh? ...I think you're still being very good-natured. Well, that's fine. That good nature is just the way you are, and that must be why Shinji told you his true identity." "...?"

"Oh well. So what did you talk with Shinji about?" "He asked me if I wanted to cooperate with him. It seems Shinji has no intention of fighting, so he seemed to want to ally with someone he knew."

"EhShirou, then you..." "No, isn't it natural to refuse? I've already joined up with you. Even if I were to agree, I'd have to ask you first."

"Oh... yeah. That... is true. But didn't you say you refused?" "Yeah. Like I said, I answered Shinji on my own. It wasn't something to debate. ...Oh, was I too hasty?"

"...Not particularly. I think your decision was correct. Well, if you were the one asked, it's not something I can complain about." The way she mumbles so isn't like Tohsaka at all.

"That was it from Shinji. From what I saw, Rider isn't a strong Servant. Even putting Berserker outside of the picture, I don't think she had the same presence as Lancer. And Rider herself was more normal than I expected."

"...If you think so, it must be true. But a Servant's true power is determined by their Noble Phantasm. Please do not underestimate her until we find out Rider's true identity."

"...Yeah. I couldn't tell at all which heroine she was. See, Lancer and Berserker feel like heroes, right? But Rider didn't have that feeling. I felt like she was different from a normal Servant."

"Different from a normal Servant? I do not understand. Rin, can you explain Shirou's strange feeling?"

"Huh...? Uh... yeah, I think I understand. Well, it's because the Master influences which heroic spirit is summoned as the Servant. The Master and Servant end up being similar people.

"So if the Master is a noble person, a heroic spirit similar to them will be summoned. And if a person with a huge scar in their mind summons a heroic spirit, a heroic spirit with a scar in their mind appears as well. The strange feeling Shirou had towards Rider must be that. A Master with a crooked mind sometimes summons vengeful ghosts almost like heroic spirits instead of a hero."

"Vengeful ghost almost like heroic spirits... could that be what you were talking about before" "Yes. A mass murderer that loves the sight of blood and thinks nothing of killing people. Actually, there are heroes with only massacres to their legend, so it's not strange for something like that to become a Servant."

“...” Is that so? Certainly, I could only smell blood on Rider, but she didn't seem like a blood-thirsty killer....

"...Well, that's all there is to say about Rider. There's one more thing, but it might be the most important. According to Rider, there seems to be another Master at the Ryudou Temple. I guess this Master is collecting magical energy from everyone in this town. What do you two make of this?"

"Ryudou Temple...? You mean that temple at the top of the mountain?" "Yeah. What, does it mean something to you, Tohsaka?"

"Of course not. It's just the opposite. I've never been to the Ryudou Temple. I don't know what kind of a Master this person is, but normally, you wouldn't choose to position yourself in such a remote place."

"Right. I was also surprised when I heard that a Master's at the Ryudou Temple. Even though it won't draw people's attention, there are many monks living there. If they act strangely, I think there'd be an quick uproar."

"Hmmm... I can't quite trust that story. Even if it was the case, the Ryudou Temple is on the outskirts of the suburbs, right? To reach out to Miyama City and Shinto is more like a waste of magical energy than a great magic. Such large scale magic is impossible even with the magical energy collected from it."

Then, Tohsaka starts to think with a troubled face. I'm relying on Tohsaka's opinion, so there's nothing I can do until she talks again.

"No, that story is very plausible. If one takes that temple, such magic would be naturally possible." "...? Saber by 'that temple'you know of Ryudou Temple? I haven't taken you there yet."

"Did you forget, Shirou? I have participated in the Holy Grail War previously as well. I am well-informed about the city, and I know that the temple is a fallen ley line."

"Fallen ley line!? Hold on, that's what my house is! Why are there two foci of ley lines in one area!?"

"I do not know, but that temple is a place magi can call sacred. I hear it is where the life of the region flows to, so it would be a perfect base to collect souls from. A magus need only to intervene in the natural flow to collect life forces from the whole city."

"...I've never heard of that. But if that's the case, then it would certainly be possible for someone to steal life forces from all the people in the city..."

"In other words, it's just an area that's spiritually superior, right? That's only natural. You don't build a temple anywhere else."

"Ugho-of course. You don't need to tell me that." "I thought so. Temples and shrines have been built in sacred places to protect the town since ancient times. It's not that the monks pray to grant happiness. They remove evil by sealing the ill-omened. On that basis, it's only natural that the mountain Ryudou Temple is on would be a sacred place."

"!" "HeyI don't want to consider this, but did you think that Ryudou Temple was just for show?" "Yeah, I did, is there something wrong with that!? Until now, I thought that temple was just for show because it didn't have any practicing healers!" "Practicing healers...? What is that?"

"People who let ghosts go to heaven without using chants, faith, or prayers. Enlightened people try to do so with just Buddhist powers, but monks without enough training haven't reached that level yet, so they add their own power to create spells like ours. There's some kind of organization of those kinds of people in this country. But they're incompatible with the Magic Association, so I don't know too much about them.

"No, more importantly, the temple. If that temple is a ley line, Masters should try to take it immediately. That's strange... why are others ignoring that place?"

"Because the Ryudou Temple is there, right? They keep watch so it doesn't get misused." "The monks at the Ryudou Temple are all pure monks in training. They aren't like us, so it'd be easy for a Master to control them."

"No, Rin, that is wrong. It would certainly be easy for a Master to gain control of that temple. But that mountain has a boundary field that is inconvenient for Masters."

"...? A boundary field that's inconvenient for us?" "Yes. There is a spell on that mountain that tries to eliminate anything other than natural spirits. It has no effect on normal humans, but it is a dreadful place for us Servants."

"Eliminates anything other than natural spiritsthen that means Servants can't enter the mountain!"

"It is possible, but our abilities would degrade. It is much like receiving a Command Spell telling us not to go near that place." "Then how is the Master at the Ryudou Temple maintaining its Servant?"

"There is no boundary field once you enter the temple. I hear that the boundary field was originally a border to protect the temple. The boundary field is only something that rejects people from outside, so it has no other powers."

"...Then if we make it inside, there's nothing that affects the Servant? "...But that's strange. If you close the temple off like that, the ley line itself would stop. You would have to at least keep one way open or it couldn't be the center of the ley line, right?"

"Yes. If you think in terms of the temple, it cannot refuse those visiting through the proper entrance. It may be following on this idea, but I heard that the road leading to the temple does not have the boundary field. At that temple, only the main gate does not have the power to command us Servants."

"...I see. That must be it. If you close off all the gates, the air inside will stagnate. Hmm, only the main gate, huh...?"

"That is all that I can tell you. So, please come up with a plan. We have proven that there is a Master, so I believe there is only one action to take."

“...” I know what Saber wants to say. Her eyes tell me that since the location of the enemy is known, all that's left is to attack. But

"I'm going to pass on this. It seems like a trap, and honestly, I can't take any action with this little information. If you're going to go to their homeground, you should at least wait until you find out what kind of Servant they have."

"...That is unexpected. I thought that you would go and fight." "Go ahead and insult me. Archer isn't fully healed yet, so I'll remain a spectator for a while."

"I understand. Then Shirou, let us go to the temple by ourselves." “...” Saber says this as if it is the natural thing to do. But that's...

1. Fight
2. Don't fight

"Then let us go, Shirou. I am glad you are being proactive." "...I see. If that's your decision, there's nothing for me to say. Just be careful."

"Tohsaka?" "I'm going to rest. I'm not interested in a fight we've no chance of winning. If you don't come back tomorrow, I'll go and collect your remains since we're cooperating."

"What's with her? Saying such ominous things." "That must be Rin's way of warning us. There will be defenses against outside enemies at Ryudou Temple. We will have to pass through enemy traps and beat the Master." "...Mm. Well, that's true, but..."

It's true that I'm not enthusiastic about beating this Master. I only want to know who the Master at Ryudou Temple is and what their motives are. Battle might be avoidable, and we'll retreat if things get dangerous.

...That's right. I won't let her look like that again. If I judge that it's dangerous, we'll retreat immediately. Even if Saber doesn't want to, I'll have to forcefully pull her back and bring her home

The clouds are moving fast. There is a strong wind way up in the sky.

"Master, it is almost midnight." "...Yeah. The town's fallen asleep. It's a good time to head out."

I nod, picking up my shinai bag. Inside is a wooden sword I found in the shed. It's not promising equipment for fighting against a Servant, but it should withstand at least one blow if strengthened successfully.

"Saber. We're just going to the Ryudou Temple to check things out. It's enough if we can find out what kind of person the Master is and which class of Servant it has. There's no need to start a fight ourselves."

"...I understand. But if the enemy desires a battle and if I judge that you are in danger, that will not be the case. As long as we are proceeding into enemy territory, I want you to be prepared for the death on either side."

The death on one side. The scale of fate is divided between the Master at the Ryudou Temple and us, the intruders. The scale is balanced now, but it might tilt towards one side or the other in a few hours

We go west from the intersection and run through the empty road. Ryudou Temple is in the opposite direction from the developed Shinto, at the end of the winding mountain path.

“...” A long set of stairs. The road leading up to the remarkably tall mountain in Fuyuki City is engulfed in ominous darkness.

"...Saber. Can you feel the presence of the Servant...?" "Yes. I cannot perceive it precisely, but I can certainly feel a Servant's presence." It may be the effect of the boundary field on the Ryudou Temple, but it seems Saber's perceptive abilities have deteriorated.

"This is not a good wind. This place was an ominous place last time, but it is worse now. ...Shirou, please do not leave my side even for a moment." "......" I answer with a nod and start up the stone steps.

The air is tense. The forest submerged in the black of night is trembling with sounds. “...” With every step, a bad premonition settles into my back.

...The temple gates can be seen now. Nothing has happened yet. There's no sign of the enemy, and the temple gates are open as if inviting us in.

"Shirou, please stop." "...! An enemy, Saber?" "Yes. But it is not a Servant. The presence is too weak. It probably is a familiar for surveillance. We can ignore it, but"

There must be something wrong about it. Saber makes a troubled expression and glares at the temple gates a few steps away.

"...Saber? Is something wrong...?" "...I do not know. I cannot tell if this chill is because of the familiar or if it is the presence of the one protecting this temple gate. There was some kind of a watcher at the gate, but it seems to be absent now. ...I do not want to admit it, but I consider that fact fortunate. It would be good not to confront the one protecting this gate."

"There was a watcher here, but it's not here now...?" "Yes. They already know we are here. There are two reasons the watcher would depart in spite of that. Which do you think it is, Shirou?"

“...” ...To hide from us, or to let us inside so we won't be able to get away. ...Either way, there will be no more progress unless we go in.

"...I definitely think it's a trap. Saber, can you tell what's going on inside from here?" "No. I can only determine that there is some sign of a Servant in there."

"...I see. I guess we won't know anything until we go inside." Saber nods.

"Let's go. No matter what they do to us, nothing will happen until we see their faces." I approach the temple gate with Saber.

For a moment, the moon is covered by clouds. My vision is engulfed in darkness. "...Huh?" In it, I thinkI see a beautiful snake within the trees.

"Hold on, Saber-" I stop Saber who is trying to go through the temple gate. "Shirou?" Her golden hair turns around. But that's-

"Enforced transference...!? Impossible! Transference magic in this ageI see, Caster...!" Saber's figure is distorted. What kind of magic is this? Saber is distorted like a mirage and like that

"This is bad! Pull back, Saber...! Your body is fading away...!" "No, Shirou...! It is you that is being transported...! Please take my hand quickly...!" "...!?" Transportation...!?

"Shirou, please give me your hand...! You will be pulled" Saber charges forward to grab my hand. At that moment.... "Kuh, uh!?" ...The figure of a Servant knocks her away from the side.

"You have let your guard down, Saber. Your powerful magic resistance was harmful. If you weren't so powerful, you would have been able to protect him."

"What? A Servant...!"

Silver armor and black cloth collide. Saber and Rider. The two confront each other on top of the stone paving and... "WhaSaber, Saber...!" My existence is pulled out of the third dimension, goes through many dimensions, and is dropped back into my original dimension.

"AhUgu...!" The blood in my body runs backwards. For an instant, my organs go inside out and the sickness is as if I'm another living thing

"Oh. I tried to hook a dragon, but I only caught a small fish in my net." "...!" I turn to face the presence behind me.

"Guh...!" There's no time to check who it is. I swing my wooden sword, still in the bag, behind me.

"[aero]" "Oh" I'm blown away. I'm struck on the right side of my chest, and I fall into the water.

"Huh?" ...The water surface is dyed red. My bodythe right side of my chest is gone as if engulfed by a huge electrical fan.

"Stupid boy. To come to my temple with such rubbish magic resistance. It seems Saber too wasn't fortunate with her Master."

“...” ...The purple robe sneers. I feel dizzyI have to stand up quickly and take Saber's hand, but I feel dizzy, and my body...

"Are you worried about Saber...? Don't worry, I'll take her. I need her Noble Phantasm to beat Berserker. You will die here, but she will continue her life as my slave."

"...Ah." I can't find strength anywhere. Blood. There's no blood left in my body, and I can't keep my consciousness

"Goodbye, boy. With such weak abilities, you have no value even as a slavebut I shall use your Command Spells effectively."

The bent dagger cuts my left arm off. ...In the black water... Only the movement of the clouds swallowing the moon is burned into my motionless eyeballs

DEAD END

Take advice?

1. Yes
2. No