Chapter 12: Day 5 ①

It's a dream.

It must be a dream.

No, that's impossible. Since I became an Archer—a Servant—something like that shouldn't be possible. I distinctly remember Touhouka telling me in the past that Servants don't dream.

Yet, my vision, though I should be asleep, is showing something.

I must be borrowing someone's point of view; the scene I see is monochrome.

What is reflected before my eyes is a black-haired girl who stands out even in the black-and-white world. A quiet-looking girl. A girl who looked like a miniature version of [      ], my younger sister figure.(I think this girl is Sakura, considering that servants and masters can see each other's past through dreams) 

I don't understand. What the girl is saying.

I don't understand. What I, the owner of this viewpoint, am saying.

Why is this girl crying? I don't understand anything at all...

"!"

I bolt upright. My breathing was ragged.

... The cause is probably this sorrow, crushing my chest almost to the point of suffocation. Was this also a nightmare?

Suddenly, I notice something strange around my eyes and reach up to touch them.

"Huh... what? Am I crying? Am I, the one crying?"

Tears were tracing paths down my cheeks before I knew it. Dropping one by one, the tears made stains on the futon.

Well, right now, as the one in charge of the Emiya household finances, I'm holding my head.

Even though I say I'm in charge of the finances, I was originally supposed to be the only one living here.

In just the last few days, my house has suddenly started becoming a large household.

It's fine that the number of people is increasing. I don't dislike it. Putting that aside... the problem is the food expenses. After all, the number of freeloaders instantly increased by three.

Cooking is certainly a lot of work, but that's okay. It's not too much trouble because I enjoy it.

The problem is the cost of ingredients. Setting aside Touhsaka, the remaining two seem to be quite hearty eaters. When you add in Sakura and Fujinee, who also eat a fair amount, and me, who is still growing, the food expenses are easily calculated to be double.

"... Hah."

After calculating, it seems I won't be able to get through this month without dipping into the savings I'd set aside. Since I probably won't have time to take on extra part-time work for a while, the fact that I have no means to replenish it is painful.

However, if I increase my part-time hours starting next month, the numbers should somehow balance out... provided that Saber and Archer were satisfied with the amount of food they had yesterday.

I fold the futon and head out of my room into the hallway. I had dozed off while training yesterday and ended up sleeping in the dojo, but I woke up from the cold in the morning and returned to my room.

With my body feeling somewhat sluggish because of that, I quietly leave the room, careful not to wake Saber, who must be sleeping in the adjacent room.

I stop by the washroom on the way to the kitchen to wash my face, forcibly waking myself up with cold water. With my fuzzy head now clear, I continue down the hallway.

"Huh?"

At this time in the early morning when it was still dimly lit outside, I stopped when I saw someone sitting in front of the living room table.

It was either Saber or Archer, sitting seiza with their eyes closed.

Yesterday, Touhsaka brought clothes, so now Saber and Archer are wearing exactly the same outfit. The hair tie ribbon is the only difference in color, but I can't see it from here. And of course, since their eyes are closed, I can't see their eye color.

Because of that, I can't tell whether it's Saber or Archer.

"... Saber, is that you?"

I couldn't be sure, and I didn't have confidence, but somehow I had a feeling that she was Saber.

"Shirou. Good morning."

—I guessed correctly.

Saber slowly opens her eyelids and looks my way. Our eyes naturally meet head-on.

... In this situation, facing Saber's slow movements and her beautifully colored eyes that are uncommon for a Japanese person, I feel somehow flustered.

"Ah, yeah, good morning. Just a moment. I'm going to make breakfast now."

"Yes. I look forward to it. Archer's cooking was also delicious, but the food of this country that you made, Shirou, had a careful and delicate flavor and was wonderful."

"Is, is that so. Well then, I have to live up to your expectations, Saber."

When she says something like that with a smile, it makes me feel like I have to try my best whether I want to or not. Just having someone eat my cooking with delight was enough to make me happy. If she's looking forward to it, all the more reason not to disappoint her.

Alright, I silently rally my spirit in my mind.

—Just from that short exchange, I could tell that Saber and Archer, who look so much alike, were different people.

It's even easier to tell after talking a bit. Both Saber and Archer speak in an earnest manner, but Saber gives a somewhat stiffer impression. There's also the fact that Archer's pronunciation of names has an intonation that is closer to a native Japanese speaker.

But still, I can't distinguish them by their appearance, so when Archer wakes up, I think I'll ask her to change the color of the ribbon at her chest to the same red as her hair tie, at least.

Thinking such things while scratching my cheek, I finally headed to the kitchen.

About thirty minutes later, Archer entered the living room. Unlike Saber, her eyes seemed bloodshot, so I wondered if something had happened.

"Oh, no. Nothing serious. It's just that, well, embarrassingly, I seemed to have cried a little after having a dream..."

When I asked her about it while cooking, she answered, though her words were vague. Her cheeks flushed, she looked down, and her eyes darted around restlessly—she truly seemed embarrassed.

Hmm. I don't think it's anything to be embarrassed about, but is that how girls are?

A man would have the pride of "I'll never cry easily," but since she's young enough to be called a girl, I feel like it should be fine.

Rather, am I the one who is wrong for having my protective instincts stirred up by a wish to guard her in such a state? Honestly, I don't know.

Next to wake up was Touhsaka.

I have to say, she was incredible. First, her gaze was sharp and unfriendly. Her steps were unsteady as she walked in, as if a dinosaur were lumbering along. With that look and gait, I would instinctively yield the path if I met her on the street. At any rate, not a shred of her usual impeccable elegance was anywhere to be seen.

The image I had of her came crashing down with a rattle.

She must have been putting on an act at school... While I'm largely happy to feel closer to her, I still feel a bit lonely somehow.

Haa... Honestly. What on earth am I thinking about?

I was frozen, unable to even offer a greeting, but in the meantime, Touhsaka took milk from the refrigerator without asking, poured it into a glass, and gulped it down.

I managed to answer when she asked where the wash basin was, and she lumbered off down the corridor again.

Collecting myself, I was about to resume cooking when the doorbell rang, announcing a visitor. I glanced at the wall clock and saw that quite a bit of time had passed since I woke up.

Hmm—looking at the time, the visitor must be Sakura. I always tell her that since I've given her a key, she can just open the door and come in, but she still makes a point of ringing the bell once.

She's finally starting to feel less reserved lately, but she's always been scrupulous about things like this.

"Shirou, it seems you have a visitor."

Perhaps sensing no hostility, Saber spoke to me calmly.

Archer, who looks identical to her, was sitting seiza at a distance, silently watching Saber, who had spoken.

"Ah. Uh, it's someone I know, but I need to open the door for them."

"If it is a matter of the key, I shall go and open it. Please complete the meal, Shirou."

"... Is that so? Well then, I apologize for the trouble, but I'll leave that to you."

Saber stood up, held out a hand to stop me, and started walking toward the entrance. I see no reason to refuse her offer... I think, so I entrust it to Saber and get back to cooking.

No, wait—it feels like I've forgotten something. The thing that's bothering me must be this whole exchange.

Uhm, well, since it's just opening the door, Saber should be fine. It's not a complex lock, and she should understand it just by looking.

As for Sakura, there's no problem at all letting her into the house. No, I'm grateful she comes over every morning.

... Wait, I forgot! Sakura and Saber haven't met! More importantly, I haven't explained the situation to Sakura yet!

"Shirou?"

As soon as the realization hit me, I dashed out of the kitchen and hurried towards the entrance. I hear Archer's question from behind me, but I don't have time to answer.

"Wait, Saber!"

Saber was about to put her hand on the key, but she stopped and looked over her shoulder when I called out to her. I was just a few steps from the entrance.

I must have let down my guard, thinking I had made it in time. I tripped over something there. Because I had been running so frantically, the momentum was huge, and my body was flung into the air.

In my rapidly spinning vision, the cause of my slip rolled out from under my feet. It was a small green jewel. I think it was a type called peridot.

"Why is there a jewel... Touhsaka!!"

I distinctly remember being snapped at by Touhsaka yesterday during the explanation of Magecraft: "My Magecraft uses jewels! It costs a fortune, you know!"

This peridot was used as an example of what jewel Magecraft was. Apparently, it can be used as a 'catalyst' when synthesizing two things. I still don't fully understand it even after the explanation.

For now, before lamenting my poor luck with money, I wish she would fix her habit of dropping jewels.

"Whoa!"

I had too much momentum to even attempt a breakfall. I was going to plunge headfirst onto the tiles of the entrance—the doma area—powerlessly.

"Shirou, watch out!"

The moment I heard that voice, Saber caught me in her arms. If she hadn't, I would have certainly hit the ground headfirst.

That being said, I have no idea how she managed to catch me. It seemed as if Saber had suddenly materialized right in front of me.

But... well, something soft is pressing against my face.

"Senpai!? Is something wrong!?"

A muffled but panicked voice came from behind the door. Following that, I heard the jangling sound of the lock being opened.

Before I could even stand up, Sakura opened the door with her spare key and came in. She must have been worried because of all the commotion. Unusually for Sakura, her eyebrows were furrowed. However, the moment she caught sight of me, she froze.

"Sa-Sakura? What is it?"

When I moved my face to try and turn towards Sakura while still being held, I felt a soft cushion-like sensation against my cheek. —Um, what is this?

"Shirou, are you alright? Um, did you hit your head or anything...?"

A gentle pat was placed on my head. That's when I realized the situation I was in.

"W-Whoa, sorry! I'm fine! Thanks to you, Saber, I didn't hit anything!"

I quickly leaped away from Saber. She replied, "If that is the case, then that is good," and tilted her head, gazing at me, who was likely acting suspiciously.

I looked at her face, dropped my gaze to her chest, and the memory of that earlier sensation made my face flush hot.

"—Senpai. Would you be so kind as to explain?"

"Eh!? Oh, yeah. I don't mind, but..."

Called out by Sakura, I felt unnecessarily flustered.

Also, about the explanation, I can't say anything reckless when Touhsaka, the 'excuse-maker,' isn't here.

—Speaking of which, why is Sakura radiating such a sharp sense of intimidation toward me even though her face is smiling? Enduring the pain inflicted on my stomach by her gaze, I led Sakura into the living room.

After my cooking, Archer had taken over, and all that was left was to set the table.

Even though I say 'took over,' about eighty percent of the work was already done, but I had left the burner on in my agitation. If Archer hadn't had the presence of mind to notice, the food itself would have been ruined. I need to thank Archer.

I look around the living room, and Touhsaka has already returned to her usual 'Rin Touhsaka' persona and is sitting down with a composed expression.

"Touhsaka... Senpai?"

"Good morning, Matou-san."

Sakura, who had followed behind me, froze upon entering the living room and stared at Touhsaka with wide eyes.

In contrast, Touhsaka looked completely at ease, smiling at the bewildered Sakura.

"W-Why is Touhsaka-senpai at Senpai's house!"

"Calm down a little, okay, Sakura."

Sakura was visibly agitated. I had never seen her so distraught before. I feel like I am currently witnessing a rare occurrence.

—No, I shouldn't be thinking about that.

"I'll give you a proper explanation, so calm down, Matou-san."

As she spoke, Touhsaka received a teacup from Archer. Her manner made her look almost like the mistress of the house.

By the way, Sakura's vision probably didn't include Saber, Archer, or even me. Or rather, she only had eyes for Touhsaka. After all, when Archer, who looked identical, came out of the kitchen while Saber was right next to her, there was no reaction at all.

"My house is currently undergoing full renovations. I was wondering what to do, but since I had nowhere to go, I was planning on staying at a hotel. Just then, Shi... Emiya-kun happened to be there. When he saw me in trouble, he told me that since he had spare rooms, I should just use one."

"Is that... Is that true, Senpai!?"

"U-Uh, yeah. It's true."

Touhsaka, how could you spew such a lie so smoothly? It pains me to lie to Sakura, but it can't be helped.

"The cost of accommodation would be ridiculous, and since Emiya-kun told me not to hold back, I decided to impose on him. So, I'll be relying on this place for a while starting now."

"—!"

"What's for break-faast todayyy? Shirou—good morning—"

Just as Sakura knitted her brows and gasped, the sound of the front door being violently thrown open echoed. A strange song followed. That cheerful voice and bizarre lyrics belong to Fujinee. There's no mistaking it this time.

When I looked, even Saber and Touhsaka were dumbfounded. Sakura, who is used to coming here, had her momentum broken and her expression returned to normal. Archer was nowhere to be seen since a moment ago. After finishing placing the dishes on the table, she seems to have gone into the kitchen.

For better or worse, this heavy atmosphere was shattered into a million pieces, utterly pulverized.

"Mmm~. Smells good again today. Shirou, did you get better at cooking? Your Big Sister is happy."

After the sound of thumping footsteps, it was indeed Fujinee, who burst through the door with gusto.

"Good morning, Fujimura-sensei."

Sakura and Touhsaka greeted Fujinee as she appeared. Their timing was perfect; I heard their voices simultaneously from both sides. They were just at each other's throats, but maybe these two actually get along somehow?

Fujinee barely returned the greeting, sat down, and started eating the food placed before her without permission. Her head seemed to be completely filled with breakfast. For an older person, her manners are utterly dreadful.

"Mmm! It really is better! And so Shirou continues his ascent on the path to becoming a chef!! Aiming to open a restaurant someday and becoming a culinary professional might be a good route for you. Then I can taste-test for you every day! ... A-nd, uh, Shirou. Why is Touhsaka-san here? Also, who is this foreigner?"

Did it only occur to her after she had sampled the food? A sigh mixed with exhaustion inadvertently escaped my throat. Even I and Sakura, who have known her for so long, couldn't help but be exasperated.

To Fujinee, who demanded an explanation, Touhsaka recounted the exact same story as before. Fujinee desperately tried to argue against the explanation, but she had met her match. Touhsaka was clearly superior. She referred to my good nature, even brought up the school's ethos, and systematically refuted every counter-argument Fujinee raised.

Nevertheless, Fujinee was incredibly noisy. When she realized she couldn't win with logic, she roared things like, "How can I allow her to lodge here—!!!" and finally, she even tried to flip the table loaded with food.

At that point, Saber wouldn't stay silent. Fujinee, who attempted the outrage, was subdued by Saber with physical force. ... I'm glad the food I worked hard on wasn't ruined. As a thank-you, I'll give Saber one of Fujinee's side dishes as a present.

Putting that aside. Even though this is quite a large house, Fujinee's roaring probably reached the neighbors.

As always, I feel apologetic to the neighbors. Since Fujinee is constantly causing trouble, I'll have to take them a gift box of sweets sometime.