Skirmish​ ​(IV)

The​ ​sun​ ​was​ ​almost​ ​setting​ ​over​ ​Fuyuki​ ​city.

Dojima​ ​Ryutaro​ ​inhaled​ ​one​ ​last​ ​lungful​ ​of​ ​smoke​ ​for​ ​the​ ​cigarette​ ​in​ ​his​ ​mouth​ ​before
crushing​ ​it​ ​into​ ​the​ ​portable​ ​ashtray​ ​he​ ​carried​ ​with​ ​himself.

As​ ​he​ ​leaned​ ​against​ ​the​ ​wall,​ ​he​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​passersby.​ ​Normal​ ​people​ ​going​ ​about​ ​their
lives,​ ​completely​ ​ignorant​ ​of​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​they​ ​stood​ ​on​ ​a​ ​battlefield.

Dojima​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​them,​ ​until​ ​he​ ​stumbled​ ​on​ ​the​ ​hidden​ ​world​ ​of​ ​Magi​ ​and​ ​supernatural
entities.

Part​ ​of​ ​him​ ​wished​ ​he​ ​had​ ​never​ ​found​ ​out,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​he​ ​could​ ​return​ ​to​ ​a​ ​life​ ​that​ ​made​ ​sense.
Another​ ​part​ ​of​ ​him​ ​was​ ​glad​ ​that​ ​he​ ​had​ ​seen​ ​the​ ​true​ ​face​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​because​ ​with​ ​that
knowledge​ ​he​ ​could​ ​protect​ ​the​ ​people​ ​he​ ​had​ ​sworn​ ​to​ ​protect.

Even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​limit​ ​of​ ​his​ ​contribution​ ​was​ ​acting​ ​as​ ​bait​ ​for​ ​a​ ​blood-sucking​ ​ghost​ ​summoned
from​ ​ancient​ ​times.

Indeed,​ ​life​ ​was​ ​so​ ​much​ ​simpler​ ​when​ ​the​ ​worst​ ​that​ ​could​ ​happen​ ​to​ ​him​ ​was​ ​being​ ​shot​ ​by
a​ ​perp.​ ​At​ ​least​ ​ ​with​ ​those​ ​he​ ​could​ ​shoot​ ​back.

Still,​ ​he​ ​would​ ​do​ ​what​ ​he​ ​could​ ​to​ ​help​ ​Shirou​ ​and​ ​his​ ​allies​ ​solving​ ​the​ ​situation.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​the
least​ ​he​ ​could​ ​do,​ ​both​ ​as​ ​a​ ​cop​ ​and​ ​as​ ​a​ ​father.

Putting​ ​another​ ​cigarette​ ​in​ ​his​ ​mouth​ ​he​ ​pushed​ ​himself​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​wall​ ​and​ ​started
walking​ ​in​ ​the​ ​direction​ ​they​ ​had​ ​agreed​ ​upon.

His​ ​feet​ ​took​ ​him​ ​to​ ​a​ ​remote,​ ​dead​ ​end​ ​alley.​ ​A​ ​space​ ​between​ ​two​ ​building​ ​where​ ​nobody
had​ ​any​ ​business​ ​going.

At​ ​the​ ​end​ ​of​ ​it​ ​he​ ​found​ ​a​ ​pile​ ​of​ ​empty​ ​cardboard​ ​boxes​ ​which​ ​had​ ​taken​ ​more​ ​than​ ​their
fair​ ​share​ ​of​ ​rain.

Without​ ​hesitation​ ​he​ ​tossed​ ​them​ ​aside,​ ​to​ ​find​ ​hidden​ ​underneath​ ​them​ ​an​ ​inconspicuous
black​ ​back.​ ​A​ ​textbook​ ​dead-drop.

He​ ​felt​ ​just​ ​how​ ​heavy​ ​it​ ​was​ ​as​ ​he​ ​moved​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​the​ ​light,​ ​where​ ​he​ ​unzipped​ ​it​ ​and
looked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​contents.

The​ ​first​ ​thing​ ​was​ ​a​ ​small​ ​notebook,​ ​which​ ​he​ ​quickly​ ​flipped​ ​through.​ ​At​ ​a​ ​first​ ​glance​ ​it​ ​was
some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​instruction​ ​manual.
Immediately​ ​under​ ​it​ ​there​ ​was​ ​a​ ​coat​ ​not​ ​unlike​ ​the​ ​one​ ​he​ ​was​ ​wearing,​ ​but​ ​when​ ​he​ ​run
his​ ​fingers​ ​on​ ​it​ ​it​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​some​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​finely​ ​woven​ ​mesh.

"I've​ ​left​ ​you​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​extra​ ​protection,"​ ​Shirou​ ​had​ ​said​ ​earlier​ ​over​ ​the​ ​phone.

He​ ​quickly​ ​took​ ​it​ ​out​ ​and​ ​wore​ ​him​ ​in​ ​place​ ​of​ ​his​ ​usual​ ​one.​ ​In​ ​doing​ ​so,​ ​he​ ​revealed​ ​the
thing​ ​which​ ​was​ ​hiding​ ​underneath.​ ​His​ ​eyes​ ​widened​ ​considerably​ ​as​ ​his​ ​hand​ ​grabbed​ ​a
hold​ ​of​ ​it.

'And​ ​also​ ​a​ ​mean​ ​to​ ​fight​ ​back,​ ​if​ ​necessary.'

Quickly​ ​looking​ ​through​ ​the​ ​description​ ​that​ ​Shirou​ ​had​ ​written​ ​in​ ​the​ ​notebook,​ ​Dojima
couldn't​ ​help​ ​but​ ​grin.

It​ ​looked​ ​like,​ ​this​ ​time​ ​around,​ ​he​ ​could​ ​still​ ​shoot​ ​back.

Shirou​ ​sat​ ​on​ ​the​ ​veranda​ ​overlooking​ ​the​ ​courtyard,​ ​while​ ​the​ ​last​ ​strands​ ​of​ ​daylight
struggled​ ​against​ ​the​ ​horizon,​ ​until​ ​they​ ​inevitably​ ​lost​ ​their​ ​their​ ​battle​ ​and​ ​slowly​ ​conceded
victory​ ​to​ ​the​ ​darkness​ ​of​ ​the​ ​evening.

On​ ​cue,​ ​almost​ ​as​ ​if​ ​running​ ​on​ ​a​ ​finely​ ​tuned​ ​clock,​ ​the​ ​doorbell​ ​rang,​ ​signaling​ ​the​ ​arrival​ ​of
his​ ​allies.

Medea​ ​went​ ​to​ ​answer​ ​and​ ​soon​ ​after​ ​the​ ​sound​ ​several​ ​people's​ ​footsteps​ ​could​ ​be​ ​heard
approaching.

"Have​ ​you​ ​completed​ ​your​ ​preparations,​ ​Emiya-kun?"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​asked.

She​ ​had​ ​ditched​ ​her​ ​school​ ​uniform​ ​in​ ​favor​ ​of​ ​a​ ​red​ ​shirt​ ​with​ ​a​ ​white​ ​cross​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of
the​ ​chest​ ​area​ ​and​ ​a​ ​black​ ​miniskirt,​ ​underneath​ ​which​ ​she​ ​had​ ​already​ ​worn​ ​the​ ​Mystic
Code​ ​he​ ​had​ ​made​ ​for​ ​her,​ ​Ruby​ ​Red.

"Yeah,"​ ​Shirou​ ​nodded,​ ​standing​ ​up​ ​from​ ​his​ ​seat.

"No​ ​Mystic​ ​Code​ ​for​ ​you?"​ ​she​ ​asked.

"Mine​ ​can't​ ​be​ ​worn​ ​under​ ​normal​ ​clothes.​ ​I'll​ ​deploy​ ​it​ ​as​ ​necessary."

"I​ ​see,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​nodded.​ ​"Then,​ ​shall​ ​we​ ​proceed​ ​as​ ​agreed?​ ​Saber,​ ​you'll​ ​patrol​ ​with​ ​him
while​ ​Caster​ ​and​ ​I​ ​will​ ​be​ ​together."

"Understood,​ ​Rin,"​ ​her​ ​Servant​ ​complied​ ​immediately.

"I'll​ ​be​ ​in​ ​your​ ​care,​ ​then,"​ ​Shirou​ ​bowed​ ​slightly.

"And​ ​I​ ​in​ ​yours,"​ ​Saber​ ​replied​ ​with​ ​a​ ​small​ ​nod.

"Here,​ ​take​ ​this​ ​everyone,"​ ​Shirou​ ​said,​ ​handing​ ​over​ ​four​ ​devices,​ ​each​ ​with​ ​a​ ​single
earpiece.

"What​ ​are​ ​these?"​ ​Saber​ ​asked.

"Custom-made​ ​communication​ ​devices,"​ ​he​ ​explained.​ ​"This​ ​way​ ​we​ ​can​ ​have​ ​a​ ​five​ ​ways
conversation​ ​between​ ​the​ ​four​ ​of​ ​us​ ​and​ ​Dojima-san."

"Custom​ ​made?"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​asked,​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​the​ ​device​ ​as​ ​if​ ​it​ ​could​ ​explode​ ​at​ ​any​ ​time.​ ​"If
you​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​use​ ​technology,​ ​why​ ​not​ ​regular​ ​cellphones?"

"Because​ ​in​ ​the​ ​event​ ​of​ ​a​ ​breach​ ​of​ ​secrecy,​ ​the​ ​first​ ​things​ ​to​ ​be​ ​blacked​ ​out​ ​are​ ​going​ ​to
be​ ​the​ ​networks​ ​used​ ​by​ ​everyone.​ ​I'd​ ​rather​ ​not​ ​rely​ ​on​ ​a​ ​system​ ​I​ ​can't​ ​control."

"Good​ ​point,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​agreed,​ ​putting​ ​on​ ​the​ ​earpiece.​ ​Saber​ ​and​ ​Caster​ ​mimicked​ ​her​ ​with
some​ ​difficulty.

"Can​ ​you​ ​all​ ​hear​ ​me?"​ ​he​ ​asked.

"Loud​ ​and​ ​clear,"​ ​Dojima​ ​answered​ ​through​ ​the​ ​line.

"Yes,​ ​I​ ​can​ ​hear​ ​you​ ​perfectly,"​ ​Saber​ ​confirmed.​ ​"This​ ​is​ ​pretty​ ​useful."

"Hmm,"​ ​Caster​ ​murmured​ ​in​ ​agreement.

"Perfect,​ ​then​ ​let's​ ​move​ ​as​ ​agreed.​ ​Dojima-san,​ ​just​ ​walk​ ​around​ ​in​ ​the​ ​area​ ​of​ ​the​ ​park.
There's​ ​very​ ​few​ ​people​ ​during​ ​the​ ​day​ ​and​ ​none​ ​in​ ​the​ ​evening.​ ​That's​ ​good​ ​both​ ​to
apparently​ ​isolate​ ​you​ ​and​ ​as​ ​battlefield​ ​if​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​down​ ​to​ ​it.​ ​Tohsaka​ ​and​ ​Caster​ ​will​ ​patrol
around​ ​this​ ​side​ ​of​ ​the​ ​river,​ ​while​ ​Saber​ ​and​ ​I​ ​will​ ​take​ ​care​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other.​ ​In​ ​case​ ​you​ ​are
attacked,​ ​Dojima-san,​ ​Caster​ ​and​ ​Tohsaka​ ​will​ ​teleport​ ​to​ ​your​ ​location,​ ​while​ ​Saber​ ​and​ ​I
will​ ​make​ ​our​ ​way​ ​to​ ​you​ ​the​ ​old​ ​fashioned​ ​way,​ ​unless​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​requires​ ​Tohsaka​ ​to
summon​ ​Saber​ ​with​ ​a​ ​Command​ ​Seal.​ ​Is​ ​everything​ ​clear?"

He​ ​received​ ​a​ ​chorus​ ​of​ ​agreements.

"Alright,​ ​let's​ ​get​ ​moving​ ​then."

"Shirou,​ ​take​ ​care,”​ ​Caster​ ​said.​ ​“Saber,​ ​I'm​ ​leaving​ ​him​ ​in​ ​your​ ​hands.​ ​If​ ​anything​ ​happens
to​ ​him,​ ​you​ ​won't​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​afford​ ​the​ ​price​ ​for​ ​it."

"I​ ​shall​ ​protect​ ​your​ ​Master​ ​as​ ​if​ ​he​ ​were​ ​my​ ​own,"​ ​Saber​ ​promised.​ ​"So​ ​long​ ​as​ ​you'll​ ​do​ ​the
same​ ​with​ ​mine,​ ​Caster."
"Hmph,"​ ​she​ ​scoffed​ ​and​ ​walked​ ​after​ ​Rin.

"I​ ​suppose​ ​that's​ ​the​ ​closest​ ​thing​ ​to​ ​an​ ​oath​ ​I'm​ ​going​ ​to​ ​get​ ​from​ ​her,"​ ​Saber​ ​sighed.

"Don't​ ​worry,"​ ​Shirou​ ​said​ ​easily.​ ​"Caster...​ ​she​ ​can't​ ​really​ ​be​ ​called​ ​a​ ​nice​ ​person,​ ​but​ ​she's
someone​ ​who​ ​pays​ ​back​ ​in​ ​kind.​ ​Honesty​ ​with​ ​honesty​ ​and​ ​treachery​ ​with​ ​treachery.​ ​Trust
her​ ​and​ ​she'll​ ​trust​ ​you​ ​back....​ ​after​ ​some​ ​time."

"I​ ​shall​ ​put​ ​my​ ​trust​ ​in​ ​your​ ​experience​ ​with​ ​her,"​ ​Saber​ ​decided.

"I'll​ ​take​ ​whatever​ ​victory​ ​I​ ​can​ ​get​ ​away​ ​with,"​ ​Shirou​ ​replied​ ​in​ ​all​ ​seriousness,​ ​which​ ​made
Saber​ ​smile​ ​in​ ​amusement.

"You​ ​are​ ​quite​ ​the​ ​odd​ ​pair,​ ​you​ ​and​ ​her."

"Are​ ​we?"​ ​he​ ​asked.

"Yes.​ ​I​ ​did​ ​not​ ​think​ ​two​ ​people​ ​so​ ​different​ ​would​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​work​ ​together​ ​and​ ​trust​ ​each
other​ ​so​ ​seamlessly."

"Circumstances​ ​helped​ ​somewhat,​ ​and​ ​like​ ​I​ ​said,​ ​Caster​ ​isn't​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​person​ ​if​ ​one​ ​gives​ ​her
the​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​prove​ ​it."

"Maybe,"​ ​Saber​ ​said​ ​noncommittally.​ ​"However,​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​believe​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​been​ ​able​ ​to
trust​ ​her​ ​the​ ​way​ ​you​ ​did.​ ​Rin​ ​neither,​ ​for​ ​that​ ​matter."

"Well,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​bad​ ​history​ ​between​ ​them,​ ​though​ ​it​ ​wasn't​ ​really​ ​Caster's​ ​fault."

"Ah,​ ​yes.​ ​Rin​ ​told​ ​me​ ​about​ ​the​ ​incident​ ​with​ ​Caster's​ ​former​ ​Master.​ ​I​ ​understand​ ​you
played​ ​an​ ​important​ ​role​ ​in​ ​helping​ ​Rin​ ​out,​ ​back​ ​then."

Shirou​ ​shrugged.​ ​"I​ ​was​ ​just​ ​doing​ ​what​ ​needed​ ​done​ ​and​ ​helping​ ​out​ ​a​ ​friend."

"Indeed.​ ​You​ ​have​ ​little​ ​in​ ​common​ ​with​ ​ordinary​ ​Magi."

"That's​ ​hardly​ ​an​ ​achievement,"​ ​he​ ​observed,​ ​making​ ​Saber's​ ​lips​ ​quirk​ ​in​ ​a​ ​half​ ​smile.

"True.​ ​Most​ ​of​ ​those​ ​I've​ ​met​ ​were...​ ​unpleasant."

"You​ ​probably​ ​wouldn't​ ​have​ ​liked​ ​dad,​ ​then."

"Hm?"​ ​Saber​ ​tilted​ ​her​ ​head.​ ​"I​ ​thought​ ​you​ ​held​ ​your​ ​father​ ​in​ ​high​ ​esteem."

"I​ ​do.​ ​I​ ​just​ ​don't​ ​think​ ​many​ ​would​ ​have​ ​found​ ​him​ ​a​ ​nice​ ​person​ ​to​ ​be​ ​around.​ ​At​ ​least,​ ​not​ ​if
the​ ​people​ ​who​ ​have​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​kill​ ​me​ ​to​ ​get​ ​back​ ​at​ ​him​ ​are​ ​any​ ​indication."
"You​ ​must​ ​have​ ​an​ ​interesting​ ​life,"​ ​Saber​ ​mused.

"Let's​ ​just​ ​say​ ​that​ ​I'm​ ​not​ ​familiar​ ​with​ ​boredom."

They​ ​kept​ ​having​ ​a​ ​casual​ ​conversation​ ​while​ ​they​ ​made​ ​their​ ​way​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​business
district.​ ​Casual​ ​for​ ​them,​ ​anyway,​ ​as​ ​ordinary​ ​people​ ​wouldn't​ ​have​ ​reason​ ​to​ ​discuss​ ​failed
assassination​ ​attempts​ ​on​ ​their​ ​persons.

Eventually​ ​they​ ​reached​ ​their​ ​destination.​ ​The​ ​tallest​ ​building​ ​in​ ​all​ ​of​ ​Fuyuki.​ ​They​ ​made
their​ ​way​ ​to​ ​the​ ​top​ ​through​ ​a​ ​set​ ​of​ ​stairs​ ​accessible​ ​from​ ​a​ ​service​ ​door​ ​to​ ​which​ ​Shirou
mysteriously​ ​had​ ​the​ ​key.

"You'd​ ​be​ ​surprised​ ​what​ ​the​ ​local​ ​Yakuza​ ​leadership​ ​can​ ​get​ ​you​ ​if​ ​you​ ​ask​ ​nice​ ​enough,"
the​ ​told​ ​Saber​ ​when​ ​she​ ​asked​ ​how​ ​he​ ​came​ ​by​ ​it.

In​ ​truth,​ ​old​ ​man​ ​Raiga​ ​thought​ ​Shirou​ ​just​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​take​ ​a​ ​pretty​ ​girl​ ​to​ ​see​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​the
city​ ​lights​ ​from​ ​up​ ​there...​ ​which​ ​was​ ​technically​ ​correct​ ​as​ ​of​ ​that​ ​moment,​ ​but​ ​probably​ ​not
what​ ​Taiga's​ ​grandfather​ ​had​ ​in​ ​mind.

When​ ​they​ ​opened​ ​the​ ​door​ ​to​ ​the​ ​roof,​ ​they​ ​were​ ​met​ ​by​ ​a​ ​strong​ ​wind,​ ​but​ ​they​ ​quickly
adjusted.

As​ ​they​ ​were​ ​far​ ​from​ ​prying​ ​eyes,​ ​Saber​ ​switched​ ​to​ ​her​ ​battle​ ​garment.​ ​The​ ​metal​ ​of​ ​her
battle​ ​dress​ ​fared​ ​better​ ​against​ ​the​ ​wind​ ​and​ ​in​ ​that​ ​way​ ​she​ ​would​ ​be​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​step​ ​into
action​ ​if​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​called​ ​for​ ​it.

Next​ ​to​ ​her,​ ​Shirou​ ​did​ ​the​ ​same.

"Trace​ ​On!​ ​Twisted​ ​Embrace!"

From​ ​the​ ​bracelet​ ​on​ ​his​ ​wrist​ ​faint​ ​lines​ ​of​ ​light​ ​shot​ ​out​ ​and​ ​wrapped​ ​around​ ​his​ ​body​ ​in​ ​the
same​ ​way​ ​Ruby​ ​Red​ ​did​ ​for​ ​Rin.​ ​A​ ​moment​ ​later,​ ​clad​ ​in​ ​black,​ ​the​ ​infamous​ ​Archer​ ​stood​ ​in
place​ ​of​ ​Emiya​ ​Shirou.​ ​Saber's​ ​reaction​ ​at​ ​his​ ​getup​ ​was​ ​merely​ ​to​ ​arch​ ​an​ ​eyebrow.

"What?"​ ​he​ ​asked.

"Nothing,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​Rin​ ​would​ ​have​ ​something​ ​to​ ​say​ ​about​ ​your​ ​equipment​ ​being
more...​ ​fashionable,​ ​if​ ​she​ ​saw​ ​it."

Shirou​ ​snorted.​ ​"This​ ​one​ ​was​ ​made​ ​by​ ​Caster​ ​so​ ​it​ ​reflects​ ​her​ ​tastes​ ​more​ ​than​ ​mine.​ ​I
would​ ​have​ ​gone​ ​for​ ​something​ ​more​ ​practical​ ​myself."

"You​ ​could​ ​make​ ​a​ ​new​ ​one​ ​for​ ​yourself,​ ​could​ ​you​ ​not?"

"Sure,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​takes​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​time,​ ​effort​ ​and​ ​resources.​ ​Besides,​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​want​ ​to​ ​give​ ​Caster​ ​the
impression​ ​that​ ​I​ ​don't​ ​like​ ​her​ ​creation​ ​enough.​ ​I’m​ ​not​ ​stupid."
"Indeed,"​ ​Saber​ ​nodded​ ​in​ ​understanding.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​familiar​ ​enough​ ​of​ ​the​ ​other​ ​Servant's
character​ ​to​ ​know​ ​she​ ​wouldn't​ ​take​ ​to​ ​criticism​ ​well.

"Emiya,​ ​Saber,​ ​are​ ​you​ ​there​ ​yet?"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​asked​ ​through​ ​the​ ​radio.

"We​ ​are​ ​in​ ​position,"​ ​Shirou​ ​confirmed​ ​taking​ ​his​ ​bow​ ​from​ ​his​ ​shoulder​ ​and​ ​an​ ​arrow​ ​from
his​ ​quiver.​ ​"I​ ​got​ ​eyes​ ​on​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​park​ ​and​ ​a​ ​good​ ​portion​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​Dojima-san,​ ​what's
your​ ​status?"

"I'm​ ​getting​ ​there​ ​now,"​ ​he​ ​confirmed.​​ ​"Jesus,​ ​this​ ​place​ ​is​ ​creepy​ ​as​ ​hell​ ​at​ ​night."

"I​ ​know.​ ​Alright,​ ​I​ ​can​ ​see​ ​you,"​ ​Shirou​ ​said.

"All​ ​the​ ​way​ ​from​ ​up​ ​there?"

"Sure.​ ​Clear​ ​as​ ​a​ ​day.​ ​By​ ​the​ ​way,​ ​you​ ​should​ ​really​ ​stop​ ​smoking.​ ​That's​ ​not​ ​good​ ​for​ ​your
health."

"Yeah,​ ​well,​ ​neither​ ​is​ ​being​ ​Servant​ ​bait.​ ​Besides,​ ​what​ ​are​ ​you,​ ​my​ ​mother?"

"Do​ ​you​ ​always​ ​get​ ​so​ ​cranky​ ​when​ ​you're​ ​under​ ​pressure,​ ​Dojima-san?"

"I​ ​swear,​ ​you​ ​are​ ​not​ ​too​ ​old​ ​for​ ​me​ ​to​ ​spank,​ ​Shirou.​ ​Goddamn​ ​kids​ ​these​ ​days."

"Are​ ​you​ ​boys​ ​done​ ​playing​ ​around​ ​yet?"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​asked,​ ​clearly​ ​annoyed.

"Yes,​ ​ma'am,"​ ​both​ ​replied​ ​and​ ​returned​ ​to​ ​radio​ ​silence​ ​and​ ​their​ ​respective​ ​tasks.

On​ ​the​ ​opposite​ ​side​ ​of​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​Tohsaka​ ​let​ ​out​ ​a​ ​long​ ​drawn​ ​sigh.

"Are​ ​those​ ​two​ ​always​ ​like​ ​that?"​ ​she​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​he​ ​companion.

"Most​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time,"​ ​Caster​ ​replied.​ ​"That​ ​man​ ​is​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​influence​ ​on​ ​my​ ​Master."

"Never​ ​thought​ ​I​ ​see​ ​the​ ​day​ ​when​ ​a​ ​police​ ​office​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​influence​ ​of​ ​anyone,​ ​least
of​ ​all​ ​the​ ​protegee​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Yakuza​ ​clan."

"Shirou​ ​is...​ ​unique."

Rin​ ​regarded​ ​Caster​ ​with​ ​a​ ​speculative​ ​gaze.​ ​The​ ​Heroic​ ​Spirit​ ​had​ ​already​ ​made​ ​her
feelings​ ​about​ ​her​ ​own​ ​Master​ ​quite​ ​clear.
Rin​ ​had​ ​thought​ ​that​ ​Caster​ ​confession​ ​hadn't​ ​gone​ ​well,​ ​judging​ ​from​ ​Emiya's​ ​expression
after​ ​the​ ​event,​ ​but​ ​Caster​ ​looked​ ​remarkably​ ​serene​ ​despite​ ​having​ ​been​ ​seemingly
rejected.
Was​ ​it​ ​merely​ ​a​ ​quirk​ ​of​ ​her​ ​character​ ​and​ ​she​ ​hadn't​ ​given​ ​up​ ​on​ ​him,​ ​or​ ​had​ ​Rin​ ​herself
misread​ ​something?

More​ ​importantly,​ ​why​ ​was​ ​she​ ​giving​ ​it​ ​so​ ​much​ ​thought?​ ​Whether​ ​Emiya​ ​and​ ​Caster​ ​got
together​ ​was​ ​none​ ​of​ ​her​ ​business​ ​as​ ​long​ ​as​ ​it​ ​didn't​ ​come​ ​in​ ​the​ ​way​ ​of​ ​their​ ​alliance.

However,​ ​Rin​ ​was​ ​quite​ ​curious​ ​about​ ​it,​ ​regardless​ ​of​ ​what​ ​she​ ​told​ ​herself​ ​her​ ​own
personal​ ​investment.​ ​She​ ​kept​ ​sneaking​ ​glances​ ​to​ ​Caster​ ​in​ ​an​ ​attempt​ ​to​ ​divine​ ​her​ ​mood
and​ ​understand​ ​how​ ​her​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Emiya​ ​had​ ​changed​ ​from​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​day.

Rin​ ​considered​ ​herself​ ​to​ ​be​ ​level​ ​headed​ ​and​ ​professional​ ​enough​ ​that​ ​she​ ​could​ ​work
alongside​ ​a​ ​man​ ​that​ ​rejected​ ​her​ ​feelings​ ​if​ ​such​ ​an​ ​unlikely​ ​event​ ​ever​ ​came​ ​to​ ​pass,​ ​but
she​ ​didn't​ ​think​ ​she​ ​could​ ​look​ ​as​ ​relaxed​ ​as​ ​Caster​ ​in​ ​that​ ​moment.

"Is​ ​there​ ​something​ ​on​ ​my​ ​face,​ ​Rin?"​ ​Caster​ ​asked,​ ​making​ ​Rin​ ​flinch.​ ​"You​ ​have​ ​been
staring​ ​at​ ​me​ ​for​ ​a​ ​while​ ​now."

"I​ ​was​ ​just​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​figure​ ​your​ ​true​ ​identity,"​ ​she​ ​lied.

"Hmm.​ ​Any​ ​luck​ ​with​ ​that?"

"I've​ ​narrowed​ ​the​ ​list​ ​of​ ​possible​ ​candidates​ ​a​ ​little,"​ ​she​ ​lied​ ​again.​ ​In​ ​truth,​ ​Rin​ ​was​ ​fairly
sure​ ​of​ ​Caster's​ ​true​ ​name.​ ​There​ ​were​ ​only​ ​so​ ​many​ ​Female​ ​Greek​ ​Anti-Heroines​ ​that
could​ ​fit​ ​the​ ​description.​ ​ ​With​ ​enough​ ​time​ ​at​ ​her​ ​disposal​ ​to​ ​brush​ ​up​ ​on​ ​Greek​ ​myths​ ​and
Emiya's​ ​slip​ ​of​ ​the​ ​tongue​ ​a​ ​few​ ​weeks​ ​prior,​ ​Rin​ ​was​ ​sure​ ​that​ ​Caster​ ​was​ ​none​ ​other​ ​than
Medea​ ​of​ ​Colchis.

Of​ ​course​ ​she​ ​had​ ​no​ ​intention​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​anyone​ ​other​ ​than​ ​Saber,​ ​much​ ​less​ ​Caster​ ​herself.
That​ ​knowledge​ ​could​ ​be​ ​better​ ​employed​ ​if​ ​the​ ​opposing​ ​party​ ​wasn't​ ​aware​ ​they​ ​had​ ​it.
If​ ​everything​ ​went​ ​smoothly,​ ​there​ ​would​ ​never​ ​be​ ​a​ ​need​ ​to​ ​use​ ​this​ ​intel,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​things​ ​ever
went​ ​sour​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​an​ ​important​ ​advantage​ ​to​ ​have.

"Well,​ ​keep​ ​looking​ ​then,"​ ​Caster​ ​said,​ ​completely​ ​unfazed.​ ​Her​ ​nonchalant​ ​attitude​ ​gave​ ​Rin
a​ ​moment​ ​of​ ​pause.

Was​ ​Caster​ ​really​ ​unconcerned​ ​about​ ​it,​ ​or​ ​was​ ​she​ ​bluffing?​ ​The​ ​same​ ​question​ ​could​ ​also
be​ ​applied​ ​to​ ​her​ ​relationship​ ​with​ ​Emiya.​ ​How​ ​was​ ​she​ ​actually​ ​feeling​ ​about​ ​it?​ ​Was​ ​her
tranquility​ ​just​ ​appearance?​ ​Whichever​ ​the​ ​answer​ ​was,​ ​Caster​ ​was​ ​a​ ​hard​ ​one​ ​to​ ​read.​ ​As
expected​ ​from​ ​a​ ​first​ ​rate​ ​Magus.

The​ ​duo​ ​kept​ ​patrolling​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​exchanging​ ​a​ ​few​ ​words​ ​every​ ​now​ ​and​ ​then.​ ​They​ ​passed
by​ ​a​ ​few​ ​people​ ​here​ ​and​ ​there,​ ​both​ ​in​ ​groups​ ​and​ ​alone.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​still​ ​relatively​ ​early​ ​in​ ​the
evening​ ​so​ ​it​ ​wasn't​ ​strange​ ​to​ ​see​ ​people​ ​around,​ ​but​ ​Ayako​ ​had​ ​been​ ​attacked​ ​around​ ​this
hour,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​wasn't​ ​exactly​ ​safe.

In​ ​truth,​ ​no​ ​one​ ​expected​ ​anything​ ​to​ ​come​ ​out​ ​of​ ​this​ ​patrol.​ ​The​ ​chances​ ​that​ ​a​ ​Servant
would​ ​make​ ​a​ ​move​ ​against​ ​them​ ​at​ ​this​ ​point​ ​was​ ​too​ ​low.

There​ ​was​ ​a​ ​reason​ ​why​ ​the​ ​War​ ​didn't​ ​usually​ ​start​ ​until​ ​at​ ​least​ ​six​ ​Servants​ ​had​ ​been
summoned​ ​and​ ​that​ ​was​ ​because​ ​the​ ​best​ ​strategy​ ​was​ ​always​ ​letting​ ​the​ ​competition​ ​take
care​ ​of​ ​itself.​ ​The​ ​patrol​ ​was​ ​merely​ ​a​ ​ruse​ ​to​ ​show​ ​they​ ​were​ ​doing​ ​something,​ ​to​ ​shift​ ​the
enemy's​ ​attention​ ​away​ ​from​ ​their​ ​true​ ​preparations,​ ​namely​ ​Caster's​ ​Grail​ ​Suppression
System.

It​ ​was​ ​still​ ​a​ ​work​ ​in​ ​progress​ ​and​ ​the​ ​last​ ​thing​ ​they​ ​needed​ ​was​ ​someone​ ​messing​ ​around
with​ ​that.​ ​The​ ​city​ ​was​ ​just​ ​too​ ​big​ ​to​ ​hope​ ​to​ ​come​ ​by​ ​another​ ​Servant​ ​by​ ​accident.​ ​Emiya
had​ ​a​ ​better​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​spot​ ​them​ ​from​ ​his​ ​vantage​ ​point​ ​and​ ​with​ ​Dojima​ ​acting​ ​as​ ​bait.
Still,​ ​no​ ​one​ ​really​ ​really​ ​expected​ ​anything​ ​to​ ​come​ ​out​ ​of​ ​it.

Time​ ​passed.​ ​The​ ​evening​ ​shifted​ ​into​ ​the​ ​night.​ ​The​ ​streets​ ​of​ ​Fuyuki​ ​emptied​ ​until​ ​a​ ​few
lonesome​ ​stragglers​ ​were​ ​left.

Salarymen​ ​returning​ ​home​ ​after​ ​drinking​ ​the​ ​evening​ ​away​ ​with​ ​their​ ​colleagues​ ​or​ ​other
people​ ​working​ ​night​ ​shifts.

There​ ​weren't​ ​many,​ ​but​ ​there​ ​weren't​ ​few​ ​either​ ​and​ ​they​ ​were​ ​too​ ​dispersed​ ​for​ ​just​ ​four
people​ ​to​ ​effectively​ ​watch​ ​over​ ​them.

Rider​ ​steered​ ​clear​ ​of​ ​Caster​ ​and​ ​Saber.​ ​She​ ​avoided​ ​the​ ​streets​ ​altogether​ ​and​ ​instead
slipped​ ​into​ ​a​ ​house​ ​where​ ​a​ ​window​ ​had​ ​been​ ​left​ ​open.

Doors​ ​and​ ​walls​ ​wouldn't​ ​have​ ​been​ ​much​ ​on​ ​an​ ​hindrance​ ​for​ ​her,​ ​especially​ ​not​ ​while​ ​in
spirit​ ​form,​ ​but​ ​an​ ​open​ ​window​ ​was​ ​basically​ ​an​ ​invitation.

The​ ​room​ ​belonged​ ​to​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​in​ ​her​ ​early​ ​twenties.​ ​She​ ​was​ ​sleeping​ ​soundly​ ​and
wouldn't​ ​have​ ​heard​ ​Rider​ ​even​ ​if​ ​she​ ​had​ ​been​ ​manifested.

The​ ​Servant​ ​shifted​ ​in​ ​her​ ​physical​ ​form​ ​and​ ​leaned​ ​over​ ​her​ ​unaware​ ​prey.​ ​Despite​ ​being
slowly​ ​drained​ ​of​ ​her​ ​life,​ ​she​ ​would​ ​have​ ​wonderful​ ​dreams​ ​until​ ​dawn.

Rider​ ​stopped​ ​short​ ​of​ ​killing​ ​her,​ ​shited​ ​into​ ​spirit​ ​form​ ​and​ ​slipped​ ​out​ ​undetected​ ​again.
Dawn​ ​was​ ​almost​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​city​ ​and​ ​so​ ​she​ ​quickly​ ​made​ ​her​ ​way​ ​back​ ​as​ ​quickly​ ​as​ ​she
could.​ ​Shinji​ ​would​ ​still​ ​be​ ​sleeping,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​had​ ​made​ ​it​ ​clear​ ​she​ ​had​ ​to​ ​return​ ​before​ ​he
woke​ ​up​ ​in​ ​the​ ​morning​ ​so​ ​that​ ​she​ ​could...​ ​attend​ ​him.​ ​In​ ​a​ ​way,​ ​Shinji​ ​was​ ​extremely​ ​lucky.
He​ ​expected​ ​total​ ​subservience​ ​from​ ​her.​ ​Another​ ​Heroic​ ​Spirit​ ​would​ ​have​ ​separated​ ​his
head​ ​from​ ​his​ ​shoulders​ ​five​ ​minutes​ ​after​ ​getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​him.
Rider​ ​didn't​ ​do​ ​so​ ​herself​ ​for​ ​two​ ​reasons.​ ​The​ ​first​ ​was​ ​that​ ​she​ ​didn't​ ​really​ ​care​ ​about​ ​what
happened​ ​to​ ​her​ ​body.​ ​She​ ​felt​ ​no​ ​loss​ ​at​ ​Shinji's​ ​abuse​ ​of​ ​her.​ ​She​ ​didn't​ ​have​ ​any​ ​pride
worth​ ​sullying​ ​anymore.

The​ ​other​ ​reason​ ​was​ ​Sakura.​ ​For​ ​whatever​ ​reason​ ​the​ ​young​ ​woman​ ​really​ ​cared​ ​about​ ​her
brother.​ ​Technically​ ​speaking,​ ​Rider​ ​had​ ​no​ ​obligation​ ​toward​ ​Sakura​ ​either,​ ​considering​ ​she
had​ ​unceremoniously​ ​dumped​ ​her​ ​into​ ​Shinji's​ ​lap,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​female​ ​Matou​ ​reminded​ ​her​ ​too
much​ ​of​ ​herself,​ ​from​ ​the​ ​way​ ​she​ ​loved​ ​her​ ​abusive​ ​sibling​ ​to​ ​her​ ​own​ ​sense​ ​of
worthlessness​ ​and​ ​inadequacy.

Medusa​ ​felt​ ​compelled​ ​to​ ​protect​ ​her,​ ​possibly​ ​better​ ​than​ ​Stheno​ ​and​ ​Euryale.​ ​Because​ ​she
knew​ ​the​ ​darkness​ ​inside​ ​of​ ​Sakura's​ ​heart​ ​and​ ​it​ ​didn't​ ​differ​ ​much​ ​from​ ​her​ ​own.

Left​ ​by​ ​herself,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​only​ ​a​ ​matter​ ​of​ ​time​ ​before​ ​she​ ​too​ ​would​ ​become​ ​a​ ​monster.​ ​To
prevent​ ​a​ ​repeat​ ​of​ ​her​ ​own​ ​history,​ ​Rider​ ​would​ ​put​ ​up​ ​with​ ​Shinji​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​what
humiliation​ ​he'd​ ​put​ ​her​ ​through.

She​ ​made​ ​it​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Matou​ ​residence​ ​shortly​ ​before​ ​sunrise.​ ​The​ ​house​ ​was​ ​eerily​ ​quiet​ ​at
that​ ​hour,​ ​which​ ​wasn't​ ​all​ ​that​ ​surprising​ ​considering​ ​the​ ​dark​ ​secrets​ ​it​ ​was​ ​built​ ​upon.
Rider​ ​could​ ​faintly​ ​sense​ ​Matou​ ​Zouken​ ​presence​ ​all​ ​around​ ​her.​ ​Despite​ ​being​ ​currently
disembodied​ ​a​ ​feeling​ ​of​ ​disgust​ ​crawled​ ​up​ ​her​ ​spine.

How​ ​much​ ​of​ ​a​ ​monster​ ​did​ ​one​ ​have​ ​to​ ​be,​ ​she​ ​wondered,​ ​to​ ​give​ ​the​ ​creeps​ ​to​ ​the
legendary​ ​Gorgon​ ​Medusa?

The​ ​sound​ ​of​ ​footsteps​ ​drew​ ​her​ ​attention.​ ​Sakura​ ​emerged​ ​from​ ​a​ ​door,​ ​scanning​ ​the​ ​room
with​ ​her​ ​eyes.

"Rider?"​ ​she​ ​asked​ ​to​ ​the​ ​seemingly​ ​empty​ ​room.

"Yes,"​ ​Rider​ ​answered​ ​as​ ​she​ ​materialized.

"O-okay.​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​that​ ​maybe..."

"An​ ​enemy​ ​Servant​ ​wouldn't​ ​make​ ​it​ ​past​ ​the​ ​Boundary​ ​Field​ ​ ​without​ ​triggering​ ​the​ ​alarm,"
she​ ​explained.​ ​That​ ​wasn't​ ​necessarily​ ​true,​ ​unless​ ​the​ ​Heroic​ ​Spirit​ ​summoned​ ​as​ ​Caster
was​ ​woefully​ ​inept.​ ​Assassin​ ​too​ ​should​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​come​ ​and​ ​go​ ​as​ ​he​ ​pleased.​ ​However,
she​ ​wouldn't​ ​believe​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​that​ ​Matou​ ​Zouken​ ​would​ ​be​ ​caught​ ​unaware​ ​on​ ​his​ ​own
territory.

"I-​ ​I​ ​see,"​ ​she​ ​replied​ ​meekly.​ ​"Thank​ ​you."

Rider​ ​did​ ​not​ ​answer​ ​and​ ​merely​ ​reverted​ ​to​ ​spirit​ ​form.​ ​Her​ ​time​ ​in​ ​this​ ​world​ ​was​ ​limited​ ​to
the​ ​duration​ ​of​ ​this​ ​conflict​ ​or​ ​until​ ​she​ ​was​ ​killed.​ ​She​ ​had​ ​no​ ​illusion​ ​about​ ​how​ ​well​ ​she'd
fare​ ​against​ ​other​ ​Servant,​ ​particularly​ ​limited​ ​as​ ​she​ ​was​ ​with​ ​Shinji​ ​as​ ​her​ ​Master.​ ​In​ ​light
of​ ​that,​ ​iIt​ ​would​ ​be​ ​better​ ​if​ ​Sakura​ ​didn't​ ​grow​ ​to​ ​rely​ ​on​ ​her​ ​in​ ​any​ ​shape​ ​or​ ​form.

She​ ​would​ ​protect​ ​her,​ ​but​ ​there​ ​was​ ​no​ ​reason​ ​for​ ​Sakura​ ​to​ ​know.​ ​Besides,​ ​if​ ​Sakura​ ​was
anything​ ​like​ ​her,​ ​she​ ​would​ ​not​ ​consider​ ​herself​ ​worth​ ​being​ ​protected​ ​in​ ​the​ ​first​ ​place.

Having​ ​come​ ​to​ ​that​ ​conclusion,​ ​she​ ​resumed​ ​her​ ​advance​ ​toward​ ​Shinji's​ ​room.

[br]

Dawn​ ​had​ ​come​ ​with​ ​no​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​third​ ​Servant.

The​ ​Saber/Caster​ ​alliance​ ​(temporary​ ​name)​ ​didn't​ ​believe​ ​for​ ​a​ ​moment​ ​that​ ​the​ ​enemy
Servant​ ​had​ ​stayed​ ​put​ ​through​ ​the​ ​night.

A​ ​suspicion​ ​that​ ​was​ ​confirmed​ ​by​ ​Dojima,​ ​who​ ​had​ ​received​ ​a​ ​call​ ​from​ ​a​ ​colleague
reporting​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​hospitalized​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​conditions​ ​as​ ​Ayako.

That​ ​was​ ​cause​ ​for​ ​more​ ​than​ ​a​ ​little​ ​frustration​ ​to​ ​the​ ​detective,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​other​ ​four​ ​hadn't
expected​ ​much​ ​better.​ ​It​ ​would​ ​have​ ​been​ ​a​ ​colossal​ ​stroke​ ​of​ ​luck​ ​if​ ​the​ ​enemy​ ​had
immediately​ ​fallen​ ​for​ ​their​ ​trap.​ ​Even​ ​if​ ​the​ ​result​ ​within​ ​their​ ​expectations,​ ​it​ ​was​ ​with​ ​a
heavy​ ​heart​ ​that​ ​they​ ​returned​ ​home​ ​that​ ​morning.

At​ ​least​ ​this​ ​more​ ​or​ ​less​ ​confirmed​ ​that​ ​the​ ​enemy​ ​wasn't​ ​out​ ​to​ ​kill​ ​their​ ​unlucky​ ​prey,​ ​but
people​ ​being​ ​put​ ​into​ ​the​ ​hospital​ ​wasn't​ ​a​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​could​ ​be​ ​overlooked.

Still,​ ​who​ ​knew​ ​just​ ​how​ ​many​ ​victims​ ​there​ ​would​ ​be​ ​before​ ​they​ ​could​ ​put​ ​a​ ​stop​ ​to​ ​it.

"I'll​ ​see​ ​you​ ​later​ ​at​ ​school,​ ​Emiya,"​ ​Tohsaka​ ​said​ ​as​ ​they​ ​parted​ ​ways.

"Yeah.​ ​See​ ​you​ ​in​ ​a​ ​while,​ ​Tohsaka.​ ​Saber."

The​ ​Servant​ ​of​ ​the​ ​sword,​ ​back​ ​in​ ​her​ ​civilian​ ​clothes,​ ​nodded​ ​and​ ​followed​ ​after​ ​her​ ​Master.
Dojima​ ​had​ ​already​ ​left​ ​for​ ​the​ ​police​ ​station.

Only​ ​Shirou​ ​and​ ​Caster​ ​remained.

"Well,​ ​that​ ​went​ ​just​ ​about​ ​as​ ​we​ ​expected,"​ ​he​ ​eventually​ ​said.

"Hm.​ ​It​ ​can't​ ​be​ ​helped,"​ ​Caster​ ​agreed.​ ​In​ ​an​ ​ideal​ ​world,​ ​one​ ​could​ ​bring​ ​down​ ​their
enemies​ ​in​ ​one​ ​fell​ ​swoop​ ​without​ ​bystanders​ ​being​ ​caught​ ​in​ ​the​ ​crossfire.​ ​However​ ​such
outcome​ ​was​ ​always​ ​unlikely​ ​and​ ​that​ ​was​ ​why​ ​the​ ​Grail​ ​War​ ​was​ ​a​ ​terrible​ ​thing.

As​ ​frustrating​ ​as​ ​it​ ​was,​ ​they​ ​had​ ​no​ ​other​ ​option​ ​but​ ​calling​ ​it​ ​a​ ​night​ ​and​ ​go​ ​back​ ​home.
They​ ​still​ ​had​ ​the​ ​entire​ ​day​ ​ahead​ ​of​ ​them​ ​and​ ​Shirou​ ​was​ ​starting​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​quite​ ​tired.​ ​He
hadn’t​ ​slept​ ​one​ ​minute​ ​in​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​forty-eight​ ​hours​ ​and​ ​that​ ​wouldn’t​ ​change​ ​until​ ​later
that​ ​afternoon.

As​ ​there​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​he​ ​could​ ​do​ ​about​ ​it,​ ​he​ ​simply​ ​returned​ ​home,​ ​took​ ​a​ ​shower​ ​and​ ​had
breakfast​ ​before​ ​setting​ ​off​ ​for​ ​school.

“Yo!​ ​Emiya!”

Shinji​ ​came​ ​up​ ​to​ ​him​ ​shortly​ ​after​ ​classes​ ​were​ ​over.​ ​His​ ​long​ ​time​ ​friend​ ​looked​ ​somewhat
different​ ​than​ ​usual.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​always​ ​the​ ​cocky​ ​sort​ ​of​ ​person,​ ​but​ ​today​ ​he​ ​looked​ ​like​ ​he
owned​ ​the​ ​place.

“Shinji.​ ​How​ ​are​ ​you​ ​doing?”​ ​he​ ​asked.

“Ahhh,​ ​not​ ​great,​ ​actually,”​ ​he​ ​replied.​ ​“With​ ​Mitsuzuri​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hospital,​ ​I​ ​had​ ​to​ ​take​ ​over​ ​her
duties​ ​at​ ​the​ ​club.​ ​It’s​ ​been​ ​tough,​ ​I’ll​ ​tell​ ​you​ ​that​ ​much.”

“I’m​ ​sorry​ ​to​ ​hear​ ​that.​ ​Let’s​ ​hope​ ​Mitsuzuri​ ​makes​ ​as​ ​swift​ ​recovery.”

“Yeah,​ ​no​ ​kidding,”​ ​he​ ​laughed.​ ​“So,​ ​anyway,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​thinking​ ​that​ ​this​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a​ ​good​ ​time
for​ ​you​ ​to​ ​get​ ​back​ ​and​ ​get​ ​something​ ​done​ ​over​ ​there.”

“Shinji…”​ ​Shirou​ ​sighed.​ ​“I’ve​ ​quit​ ​for​ ​a​ ​reason.”

“Yeah,​ ​I​ ​know,”​ ​he​ ​replied​ ​dismissively.​ ​“I’m​ ​not​ ​asking​ ​you​ ​to​ ​come​ ​back​ ​full​ ​time,​ ​but​ ​with
Mitsuzuri​ ​out​ ​of​ ​commission​ ​we’re​ ​really​ ​short​ ​staffed​ ​right​ ​now.​ ​I​ ​just​ ​want​ ​you​ ​to​ ​take​ ​care
of​ ​the​ ​equipment​ ​after​ ​club​ ​activities​ ​are​ ​over.​ ​You​ ​should​ ​know​ ​enough​ ​about​ ​that​ ​to​ ​get​ ​it
done​ ​quickly,​ ​don’t​ ​you?​ ​So,​ ​anyway,​ ​I’ll​ ​see​ ​you​ ​there.​ ​Bye,​ ​Emiya!”

Thus​ ​Shinji​ ​left​ ​without​ ​giving​ ​Shirou​ ​the​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​reply​ ​in​ ​any​ ​way.​ ​He​ ​could​ ​of​ ​course
have​ ​refused,​ ​but​ ​with​ ​him​ ​being​ ​who​ ​he​ ​was​ ​he​ ​just​ ​couldn’t​ ​turn​ ​his​ ​back​ ​on​ ​the​ ​club.​ ​He
felt​ ​somewhat​ ​responsible​ ​about​ ​the​ ​situation,​ ​as​ ​he​ ​couldn’t​ ​prevent​ ​what​ ​happened​ ​to
Ayako.

He​ ​knew​ ​there​ ​was​ ​nothing​ ​he​ ​could​ ​have​ ​done​ ​to​ ​avoid​ ​it,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​still​ ​felt​ ​he​ ​should​ ​do
something​ ​about​ ​it.​ ​Besides,​ ​if​ ​he​ ​didn’t​ ​do​ ​it​ ​the​ ​other​ ​club​ ​members​ ​would​ ​suffer​ ​from​ ​it.
Shinji​ ​certainly​ ​wouldn’t​ ​stay​ ​behind​ ​and​ ​do​ ​it​ ​himself​ ​if​ ​Shirou​ ​refused​ ​it.

‘Caster,​ ​I’m​ ​going​ ​to​ ​get​ ​back​ ​a​ ​little​ ​later​ ​today,’​ ​he​ ​said​ ​through​ ​their​ ​connection.

‘Did​ ​something​ ​happen?’

‘No,​ ​just​ ​school​ ​stuff.​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​back​ ​in​ ​time​ ​for​ ​dinner,’​ ​he​ ​explained.

‘Fine.​ ​Make​ ​sure​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​work​ ​yourself​ ​too​ ​much,​ ​alright?’
‘Don’t​ ​worry.​ ​Compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​training​ ​I’d​ ​do​ ​at​ ​home,​ ​this​ ​will​ ​be​ ​quite​ ​relaxing.’

‘Well​ ​then,​ ​get​ ​to​ ​it.​ ​The​ ​sooner​ ​you’re​ ​done,​ ​the​ ​sooner​ ​you’ll​ ​come​ ​home​ ​to​ ​me.’

‘Yes,​ ​ma’am,’​ ​ ​he​ ​quickly​ ​agreed.

Since​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​going​ ​to​ ​return​ ​home​ ​immediately​ ​he​ ​went​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Student​ ​Council​ ​room.
There​ ​he​ ​could​ ​catch​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​sleep​ ​undisturbed.​ ​Besides​ ​himself​ ​only​ ​Issei​ ​would​ ​hang
around​ ​the​ ​place​ ​after​ ​classes​ ​and​ ​the​ ​monk-in-training​ ​wasn’t​ ​likely​ ​to​ ​wake​ ​him​ ​if​ ​he
stumbled​ ​upon​ ​him.

As​ ​he​ ​was​ ​making​ ​his​ ​way​ ​there,​ ​the​ ​school-wide​ ​announcement​ ​system​ ​sounded​ ​a​ ​chime.

“Due​ ​to​ ​the​ ​recent​ ​cases​ ​of​ ​violence​ ​around​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​all​ ​students​ ​and​ ​staff​ ​not​ ​involved​ ​in
club​ ​activities​ ​are​ ​suggested​ ​to​ ​return​ ​home​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​regular​ ​classes​ ​are​ ​concluded.​ ​I
repeat:​ ​all​ ​students​ ​and​ ​staff​ ​not​ ​involved​ ​in​ ​club​ ​activities​ ​are​ ​suggested​ ​to​ ​return​ ​home​ ​as
soon​ ​as​ ​regular​ ​classes​ ​are​ ​concluded.”

Well,​ ​that​ ​was​ ​only​ ​reasonable,​ ​Shirou​ ​decided.​ ​With​ ​now​ ​two​ ​victims​ ​one​ ​of​ ​which​ ​a​ ​student
of​ ​this​ ​school​ ​it​ ​was​ ​only​ ​reasonable​ ​to​ ​issue​ ​such​ ​a​ ​warning.​ ​It​ ​was​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​an​ ​isolated
accident,​ ​so​ ​people​ ​were​ ​starting​ ​to​ ​get​ ​worried.

All​ ​things​ ​considered​ ​it​ ​was​ ​better​ ​for​ ​him​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​one​ ​closing​ ​the​ ​club​ ​after​ ​they​ ​were​ ​done
training.​ ​At​ ​least​ ​he​ ​could​ ​defend​ ​himself​ ​better​ ​than​ ​anyone​ ​else​ ​on​ ​the​ ​school​ ​grounds​ ​with
the​ ​exception​ ​of​ ​Saber​ ​and​ ​Tohsaka.

Feeling​ ​somewhat​ ​better​ ​about​ ​the​ ​additional​ ​chore,​ ​Shirou​ ​took​ ​a​ ​seat​ ​at​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​desk​ ​in
the​ ​Student​ ​Council​ ​room​ ​and​ ​put​ ​his​ ​head​ ​down.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​asleep​ ​in​ ​a​ ​matter​ ​of​ ​seconds.

“Emiya-kun.​ ​Emiya-kun,​ ​wake​ ​up.”

Shirou’s​ ​eyes​ ​opened​ ​to​ ​the​ ​sight​ ​of​ ​Issei​ ​peering​ ​down​ ​on​ ​him.

“Oh,​ ​Issei.​ ​What​ ​time​ ​is​ ​it?”

“It’s​ ​almost​ ​five,​ ​Emiya-kun,”​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​president​ ​replied.​ ​“I​ ​was​ ​informed​ ​that​ ​you​ ​were
going​ ​to​ ​take​ ​over​ ​Mitsuzuri-san​ ​duties​ ​today,​ ​so​ ​I​ ​thought​ ​it​ ​was​ ​time​ ​to​ ​wake​ ​you​ ​up.”

“Thanks,”​ ​he​ ​yawned.​ ​“I​ ​think​ ​I​ ​would​ ​have​ ​overslept​ ​if​ ​you​ ​hadn’t​ ​called​ ​me.”

“Don’t​ ​worry​ ​about​ ​it.​ ​Though​ ​I​ ​can’t​ ​help​ ​but​ ​wonder​ ​what​ ​you​ ​are​ ​doing​ ​at​ ​night​ ​if​ ​you​ ​are
this​ ​tired​ ​during​ ​the​ ​day.”
“Ahhh,​ ​well​ ​that​ ​would​ ​be​ ​a​ ​long,​ ​tedious​ ​story.”

“If​ ​you​ ​were​ ​someone​ ​else,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​think​ ​you​ ​were​ ​up​ ​to​ ​no​ ​good.​ ​Regardless,​ ​you​ ​should
make​ ​sure​ ​to​ ​sleep​ ​properly​ ​every​ ​night.”

“Eh.​ ​I’ll​ ​keep​ ​that​ ​in​ ​mind.​ ​Thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​your​ ​concern,​ ​Issei.”

“Hmm.​ ​Somehow​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​think​ ​you’re​ ​going​ ​to​ ​heed​ ​my​ ​advice.​ ​Anyway,​ ​you​ ​should​ ​probably
get​ ​going​ ​if​ ​you​ ​want​ ​to​ ​finished​ ​before​ ​dark.​ ​This​ ​isn’t​ ​a​ ​good​ ​time​ ​to​ ​loitering​ ​around.”

“That​ ​goes​ ​for​ ​you​ ​as​ ​well,”​ ​Shirou​ ​replied.

“Don’t​ ​worry.​ ​I’m​ ​just​ ​about​ ​finished​ ​with​ ​my​ ​tasks​ ​and​ ​I’ll​ ​be​ ​heading​ ​home​ ​soon.”

“Good.​ ​I’m​ ​going​ ​over​ ​to​ ​the​ ​club​ ​and​ ​wrap​ ​up​ ​this​ ​business​ ​as​ ​quickly​ ​as​ ​possible.​ ​See​ ​you
tomorrow​ ​Issei.”

His​ ​friend​ ​nodded​ ​and​ ​left​ ​the​ ​room.​ ​Shirou​ ​took​ ​his​ ​bag​ ​and​ ​left​ ​in​ ​a​ ​different​ ​direction.

The​ ​school​ ​was​ ​already​ ​quite​ ​empty​ ​and​ ​with​ ​the​ ​clubs​ ​being​ ​almost​ ​done​ ​with​ ​their
activities​ ​it​ ​would​ ​soon​ ​become​ ​completely​ ​deserted.​ ​Shirou​ ​hurried​ ​towards​ ​the​ ​archery
range,​ ​where​ ​the​ ​club​ ​members​ ​had​ ​just​ ​finished​ ​and​ ​they​ ​were​ ​going​ ​to​ ​get​ ​changed.

On​ ​the​ ​way​ ​there,​ ​he​ ​ran​ ​into​ ​Sakura.

“Oh…​ ​senpai,”​ ​she​ ​said​ ​awkwardly,​ ​looking​ ​away

“Sakura…​ ​it’s​ ​been​ ​a​ ​while,”​ ​he​ ​replied​ ​just​ ​as​ ​awkwardly.

He​ ​felt​ ​very​ ​self-conscious​ ​in​ ​that​ ​moment.​ ​After​ ​Medea​ ​had​ ​told​ ​him​ ​that​ ​she​ ​was​ ​crushing
on​ ​him​ ​to​ ​the​ ​point​ ​of​ ​swooning,​ ​Shirou​ ​had​ ​become​ ​quite​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​the​ ​way​ ​she​ ​acted
demurely​ ​around​ ​him.

Sakura​ ​was​ ​shy​ ​and​ ​reserved​ ​around​ ​everyone,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​suddenly​ ​realized​ ​that​ ​her​ ​behavior
was​ ​different​ ​than​ ​from​ ​anyone​ ​else.

How​ ​had​ ​he​ ​missed​ ​it​ ​all​ ​this​ ​time?

“Y-yes.​ ​Sorry​ ​for​ ​not​ ​coming​ ​over​ ​to​ ​your​ ​place​ ​anymore.​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​very​ ​busy​ ​around​ ​the
house​ ​lately.”

“You​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​apologize.​ ​I’ve​ ​been​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​busy​ ​myself.​ ​I’m​ ​sure​ ​there​ ​will​ ​be​ ​more​ ​time
to​ ​hang​ ​around​ ​in​ ​the​ ​future.”

“...​ ​do​ ​you​ ​really​ ​think​ ​so?”

“Hm.​ ​Don’t​ ​worry​ ​about​ ​anything.​ ​As​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​this…​ ​unpleasant​ ​business​ ​I’m​ ​overseeing​ ​is
over,​ ​I’m​ ​sure​ ​things​ ​would​ ​go​ ​back​ ​to​ ​how​ ​they​ ​used​ ​to​ ​be.”

“I…​ ​I​ ​really​ ​hope​ ​so,​ ​senpai,”​ ​she​ ​replied​ ​with​ ​a​ ​small​ ​smile.

“Run​ ​along​ ​now,”​ ​he​ ​told​ ​her,​ ​feeling​ ​a​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​awkwardness​ ​melt​ ​away.​ ​“This​ ​is​ ​a​ ​bad​ ​time​ ​to
be​ ​out​ ​alone​ ​after​ ​dark.”

“I​ ​know.​ ​Thank​ ​you,​ ​senpai.​ ​You​ ​be​ ​safe​ ​as​ ​well,​ ​okay?”

“Of​ ​course.​ ​I’ll​ ​see​ ​you​ ​soon,​ ​Sakura.”

He​ ​waved​ ​at​ ​her​ ​and​ ​she​ ​left,​ ​turning​ ​back​ ​every​ ​few​ ​steps​ ​to​ ​look​ ​at​ ​him​ ​with​ ​a​ ​stare​ ​full​ ​of
longing.

‘How​ ​the​ ​hell​ ​did​ ​I​ ​miss​ ​that?’​ ​he​ ​asked​ ​himself.​ ​‘Caster’s​ ​right​ ​I​ ​really​ ​am​ ​dense.’

Shaking​ ​his​ ​head​ ​he​ ​entered​ ​the​ ​archery​ ​range.​ ​There​ ​was​ ​no​ ​point​ ​mulling​ ​over​ ​it.​ ​Even​ ​if
he​ ​had​ ​known​ ​beforehand,​ ​and​ ​even​ ​if​ ​he​ ​had​ ​felt​ ​the​ ​same,​ ​Shirou​ ​wouldn’t​ ​have​ ​done
anything​ ​about​ ​it.​ ​He​ ​had​ ​pushed​ ​away​ ​Medea,​ ​or​ ​at​ ​least​ ​tried​ ​to,​ ​despite​ ​her​ ​being​ ​more
than​ ​capable​ ​to​ ​protect​ ​herself.

Someone​ ​like​ ​Sakura​ ​had​ ​no​ ​business​ ​getting​ ​involved​ ​with​ ​him​ ​more​ ​than​ ​she​ ​already​ ​was
as​ ​his​ ​friend.

It​ ​took​ ​Shirou​ ​the​ ​better​ ​part​ ​of​ ​an​ ​hour​ ​to​ ​run​ ​the​ ​usual​ ​maintenance​ ​on​ ​the​ ​equipment​ ​of
the​ ​Archery​ ​club.​ ​He​ ​was​ ​certainly​ ​more​ ​familiar​ ​with​ ​it​ ​than​ ​any​ ​other​ ​new​ ​recruit,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​took
him​ ​less​ ​than​ ​half​ ​the​ ​time​ ​it​ ​would​ ​take​ ​anyone​ ​else.

By​ ​the​ ​time​ ​he​ ​was​ ​done,​ ​however,​ ​there​ ​was​ ​already​ ​no​ ​one​ ​left​ ​on​ ​the​ ​school​ ​grounds.
The​ ​sun​ ​was​ ​just​ ​about​ ​to​ ​set,​ ​casting​ ​crimson​ ​light​ ​over​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​If​ ​he​ ​left​ ​immediately,​ ​he
would​ ​make​ ​it​ ​back​ ​way​ ​before​ ​it​ ​got​ ​dark.

After​ ​locking​ ​the​ ​archery​ ​range​ ​behind​ ​him,​ ​Shirou​ ​stretched​ ​out​ ​his​ ​arms.​ ​Between​ ​his​ ​high
intensity​ ​training​ ​(read:​ ​get​ ​beaten​ ​up​ ​by​ ​Saber)​ ​and​ ​the​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​proper​ ​sleep​ ​he​ ​was​ ​starting
to​ ​feel​ ​quite​ ​tired.

In​ ​fact​ ​he​ ​was​ ​so​ ​tired​ ​that​ ​he​ ​almost​ ​missed​ ​the​ ​figure​ ​staring​ ​at​ ​him​ ​from​ ​the​ ​edge​ ​of​ ​the
trees​ ​on​ ​next​ ​to​ ​the​ ​archery​ ​range.

“...​ ​Shinji?​ ​What​ ​are​ ​you​ ​still​ ​doing​ ​here?”​ ​he​ ​asked.

“Sup’​ ​Emiya!​ ​Did​ ​you​ ​finish​ ​with​ ​the​ ​maintenance​ ​already?​ ​That’s​ ​good,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​you​ ​had​ ​been
just​ ​a​ ​little​ ​bit​ ​faster​ ​I​ ​might​ ​have​ ​missed​ ​you.”
“You​ ​were​ ​looking​ ​for​ ​me?”

“As​ ​a​ ​matter​ ​of​ ​fact,​ ​I​ ​did.​ ​There​ ​is​ ​a​ ​certain​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​business​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​take​ ​care​ ​of​ ​with
you.”

Shirou’s​ ​growing​ ​suspicion​ ​was​ ​confirmed​ ​when​ ​the​ ​shape​ ​of​ ​a​ ​tall,​ ​purple​ ​haired​ ​woman
materialized​ ​next​ ​to​ ​Shinji.​ ​If​ ​the​ ​act​ ​itself​ ​wasn’t​ ​enough​ ​of​ ​an​ ​indication,​ ​the​ ​magnitude​ ​of
her​ ​presence​ ​left​ ​little​ ​doubt​ ​as​ ​to​ ​her​ ​nature.

The​ ​third​ ​Servant​ ​had​ ​appeared​ ​in​ ​front​ ​of​ ​him.

“So,​ ​Emiya,​ ​my​ ​old​ ​buddy…​ ​shall​ ​we​ ​talk?”

Shirou​ ​clenched​ ​his​ ​fist​ ​and​ ​tensed​ ​his​ ​shoulders.​ ​Well…​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​was​ ​less​ ​than​ ​optimal,
but​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​about​ ​to​ ​look​ ​into​ ​a​ ​gift​ ​horse’s​ ​mouth.​ ​If​ ​he​ ​played​ ​his​ ​cards​ ​right,​ ​he​ ​could
solve​ ​the​ ​current​ ​crisis​ ​now​ ​and​ ​prevent​ ​further​ ​victims.​ ​However,​ ​if​ ​he​ ​made​ ​a​ ​wrong​ ​move,
he​ ​would​ ​die​ ​in​ ​this​ ​place.

He​ ​really​ ​couldn’t​ ​tell​ ​anymore​ ​whether​ ​is​ ​luck​ ​was​ ​good​ ​or​ ​bad.

XXX