Shirou took the plug of the heater and then connected it to an outlet. Flipping the switch, the heater started to rumble and emit warmth.
“Done.”
“Amazing.” Issei smiled. “You saved us a lot of effort, Emiya-kun.”
Shirou turned off the heater and shrugged. “It was a learning experience. Now, about that food…”
“Ah, yes. Here. I’ve already laid out your portion.”
Shirou took a seat by Issei and then began eating. The food was simple, just some boiled vegetables and grilled meat with rice, but it was well prepared. After eating a few bites, Shirou took a sip from his tea.
“I apologize that it could not be better,” Issei said. “But compared to you my cooking skills are more than a bit lacking.”
“It’s fine, Issei. It wasn’t a big deal anyway, and you saved me the trouble of having to fight for bread at the cafeteria.”
“Hm? Did you not pack a lunch today, Emiya-kun?”
Shirou shook his head. “I woke up late today so I didn’t get a chance to.”
Issei smiled. “So even the diligent Emiya-kun can wake up late.”
“I’m only human, after all.”
“Oh? Did Matou-san finally get through to you?”
“Issei.”
The student council president smiled and waved his hand. “I jest. But it is good that you are relaxing a bit more.”
“I guess.”
Lunch went by with idle banter. Despite feeling out of place at first, Shirou found himself slowly acclimitizing to his new memories and identity.
And then lunch was finished.
Shirou handed his containers back to Issei, who packed them away.
“Thanks again for the food, Issei.”
The young man shook his head, causing his blue hair to shift, and said, “Thank you, Emiya-kun. You truly helped us with fixing the heater. With the saved expenses, we might finally have the funds for a proper celebration later in the year.”
“I hope that goes well.”
Issei nodded. “I as well, Emiya-kun. Ah, and you are invited when it happens, of course. And might I trouble you to prepare something for us?”
Shirou opened the door and laughed. “Some food, right?”
“Yes. The grilled chicken you made last time went over well with our members.”
“Well, I’ll see what I can do. Just tell me when you have it all arranged so I know to get ready.”
The pair of students left the student council room and entered the hallway. There were other students around, heading back to their classes. An ordinary scene, with nothing out of the ordinary… at first. However, at the end of the hallway and walking towards the two students was an oddity in the usual turn of events.
A beautiful young woman with raven-colored hair fashioned in twin-tails. Clear, blue eyes that seemed to peer into the soul. An aloof but enchanting beauty. But most of all, a crimson coat that stuck out among the students that wore a uniform.
Issei reacted first. “You! Tohsaka!”
“Hm?” The young woman, Tohsaka Rin, tilted her head. “Issei-kun. You seem quite energetic today.”
“You fox! What are you doing here?”
Rin smiled. “Why, isn’t it obvious? I’m heading back to my class.”
Issei grit his teeth, unable to respond.
Rin brushed her hair and sighed. “Every time… in any case.” She shifted her attention to Shirou and gave a small wave. “Good afternoon, Emiya-kun.”
Shirou nodded. “Afternoon, Tohsaka. Has your day been well?”
Suddenly, a hush came over the hallway. Even the students that had been quietly trying to head back to classroom became dead silent, frozen in place.
Shirou blinked, confused on what was going on. Before he could realize it, Rin smiled and said, “Why yes. It has been going quite well. And yours, Emiya-kun?”
“Not bad. I got a free lunch today and the morning classes were a breeze for once.”
“Is that so?” Rin kept smiling.
For some reason, Shirou felt that the situation was off, but couldn’t place why.
“Well,” Rin said. “I’ll leave you and Issei-kun be. Have a good day, Emiya-kun.”
“You too, Tohsaka.”
Rin smiled again and walked past Shirou, giving him a small wave as she did.
After her footsteps faded away when she rounded the corner, Issei turned to Shirou and grabbed the collar of his shirt.
“What is wrong with you, Emiya? Did that Tohsaka seduce you?! Don’t tell me that her foxy wiles have enchanted you!”
“I-Issei! Calm down! People are watching!”
Issei blinked and then let Shirou go. He coughed and said, “Apologies. However, don’t tell me that you fancy that Toshaka.”
“Not really? She’s the school idol and all, but she’s not really my type.”
“…Good. I was concerned for a moment.”
“Yeah, yeah…” Shirou picked up his dropped bag and started walking back to class. “Come on. I think we’ve caused enough of a hassle here.”
===
The school bell rang, signalling the end of the school day. Shirou’s peers began packing up and drifted out to their after school activities or to walk home. Issei did as well, but not before reminding him that they would be in touch about the celebration.
Shirou lagged behind, filling out his notebook with various thoughts as well as considering his next actions.
From that point onward he would be entering the first parts of the story. If he walked out, he’d encounter Shinji who would bug him to clean up the Archery Club. Shirou didn’t mind, but after that came the problem.
“Archer and Lancer… and then the fight.”
If he followed through with it, he’d have to face death. However, if that was the case, would he live through it? Emiya Shirou seemed fated to live beyond the day, but that was the story and not reality. Besides, did he really count as Emiya Shirou?
Before he could sort it out, a young man with scraggly blue hair walked into the classroom. A pair of girls accompanied him.
That young man looked around for a few moments before focusing on Shirou. He let out a smile and walked inside. “Emiya-kun! Buddy! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“Shinji.” Shirou gave a curt response. “It’s been a while.”
“It has! But we’re still friends, aren’t we?”
Shirou reflected what he knew about the young man in front of him.
Matou Shinji. Sakura’s “brother” and the “master” of Rider in the grail war. A delusional young man who sought after the glory of the Matou family, obsessed with power and dominance.
…Also a party involved behind Sakura’s dark past.
A surge of anger welled up from that, but Shirou managed to keep it in check. Instead, he smiled. “Of course we are. But you said you were looking for me?”
“That’s right.” A cocky smirk crossed Shinji’s face. “I heard that you helped that Issei fix a heater at lunch. Since you have so much free time, I thought what better person would there be than you to clean up the Archery Club!”
“Hm…”
Shinji’s smirk vanished, replaced with a frown. At the same time, his eyes narrowed. “What. Can’t do a favor for an old friend?”
It was the turning point. If he accepted here, he would be taking on the path towards a Master in the grail war. But he could still refuse. Return back home like Sakura asked him to.
“Well?”
Shirou decided. “Of course I will. Leave it to me, Shinji.”
The young Matou smirked. “I definitely will. Don’t mess things up, Emiya-kun.”
Saying that, Shinji tossed something at Shirou. “The keys to the Archery Club. Make sure to lock up when you’re finished. You can give those back to Fujimura-sensei later.”
“…Sure.”
With that, Shinji and his fan girls left.
Shirou stood alone in the empty classroom for a few moments, clutching the keys. After a while, he sighed and muttered, “Sorry, Sakura. I can’t keep your promise.”