Chapter 8: Day 4 ①

It was around the time the clock struck just past one in the morning. The location was a large Japanese-style house situated next to the Fujimura residence.

In the dead of night, after the date had changed, a strange scene unfolded in the living room of the residence where Shiro Emiya, a young man, was staying. Three women were silently seated around a table. Incidentally, one of them was only a woman in appearance; for some reason, the person inside was me.

Moreover, the air in this bizarre scene was filled with an appetizing aroma drifting from the kitchen, making the whole situation even more inexplicable.

Why am I in this situation? It felt horribly uncomfortable. All of this… wouldn’t have happened if that guy hadn't said something weird. I involuntarily cast a hostile glance at the red-haired youth standing in the kitchen.

He was the cause.

“Sorry. I don't have enough hands. Could someone help me plate the dishes?”

Shiro called out, completely oblivious to the heavy atmosphere. Even after his request, the other two women showed no signs of moving.

Saber did not move. She was guarding me with an intensely serious expression, but occasionally her attention would drift away from me, seemingly drawn by the smell of the food Shiro was cooking. Now that the food was nearly ready, it was safe to say her focus was not on me.

Rin, on the other hand, was either listening or not. She was lost in thought with a stern expression, perhaps analyzing something from the drifting aroma. She was silent, but her gaze was like that of someone on a battlefield. Honestly, it was not only difficult to talk to her, but I didn't even want to make eye contact.

As for me, given my position as Rin's Servant, I thought it best not to move much. Although I was thinking that—I had no choice. By process of elimination, I was the only one left.

Reluctantly, I got up and headed to the kitchen. Only then did Saber notice my movement and turn her gaze toward me, but for now, I ignored her and walked on.

“Ah, um, sorry. I need you to plate the boiled fish. I'll be there once I finish washing these, so could you take them out first?”

Shiro was washing used bowls, knives, and cutting boards.

Indeed, the preparations were almost complete. Four rice bowls and four soup bowls filled with miso soup were already placed on a tray, ready to be carried out.

Looking at the rice cooker, the rice seemed to be done. Perhaps out of consideration, three pairs of disposable chopsticks had been prepared.

I walked toward the stove. Catching sight of the boiled fish in the pan, I automatically took four rectangular platters from the cupboard.

“Are these plates alright?”

“Yeah, that's fine. I agree, that plate is best for the fish.”

Shiro glanced at the plates without stopping his washing and answered curtly.

Well, this house was exactly the same as my own, and I knew where the plates were kept. I just grabbed the long platters, thinking they were what I would use. Certainly, these plates made the fish look the best in my house.

Even so, I was amazed by Shiro's nonchalance, despite being me.

Saber was glaring at Rin and me, Rin was immersed in her own thoughts, and I didn't know how to act towards Saber. In that tense, prickly atmosphere, Shiro, without appearing to give it any thought, suddenly proposed:

“Why don’t we eat? It's late and you must be hungry, right? I haven't had dinner either.”

...Well, to be honest, it was helpful in some ways.

The silence that had been slowly grinding away at our mental fortitude had, at least temporarily, dissipated.

Afterward, the discomfort returned, but in a different sense. Neither Rin nor I had eaten anything since stopping at a fast-food place during the day.

The plates were laid out on the table. The menu consisted of boiled sablefish, blanched spinach with dressing (ohitashi), miso soup with fried tofu and green onion, and white rice. This was the first time I'd had Japanese food since becoming Archer.

The smell was so good. ...Wow, just looking at the glistening rice made my mouth water.

“Itadakimasu (I humbly receive).”

“Itadakimasu.”

“...Itadakimasu.”

After Shiro put his hands together and spoke, Rin and I followed. Saber watched the three of us and finally mumbled the phrase, imitating us. We all began to eat.

Tentatively, I reached for the chopsticks. First, the miso soup. I held the bowl with a trembling hand.

I touched the broth to my lips without taking any of the ingredients. The taste and aroma of miso, the dashi stock made from dried sardines. Perhaps due to the influence of being in Saber's body, the aroma felt both familiar and fresh.

Wetting my chopsticks with the miso soup, I turned to the white rice. I didn't need any side dishes. I put only the white rice into my mouth. As I chewed, it tasted particularly fluffy and sweet, perhaps because it was freshly cooked.

A surge of emotion welled up in my chest, and gratitude for being able to enjoy this meal overflowed from the depths of my heart.

Wow, this is seriously moving. My heart was so full of happiness that my eyes became teary. My chopsticks couldn't stop moving now. I quickly wiped my eyes with my sleeve and resumed eating.

Everyone must have been hungry, after all. We ate in silence, without saying a word.

Especially Saber, who masterfully used her chopsticks, nodding and clearly showing her emotion, and me, who was overflowing with happiness and slightly teary-eyed, were completely absorbed.

Ah, it’s delicious. This, and this, and that. Everything I put in my mouth was precious.

I used to focus only on adjusting the flavor and being particular about the ingredients when cooking, but it's not just that. Food is about emotion.

Because I can hardly recall any time in Shiro Emiya's memory when eating was this moving.

The closest thing might be the rice porridge I ate after two days of being bedridden and unable to eat anything.

...I know it might seem strange to say this after being so moved, but this meal could be just a little bit more delicious with one more effort.

What Shiro made was certainly delicious. But, having obtained this body, an unprecedented idea for improvement is emerging. I am confident that I could make the same menu better than Shiro right now.

"Alright!" "I won...!"

As I quietly pumped my fist, determined to do better next time, I heard someone else’s voice overlapping with mine.

I raised my head and looked at the source of the sound. It was Rin, who was in the same posture as me—a small victory pose—looking at me over her partially eaten meal.

The meal was over, and Shiro placed teacups in front of each of us. The aroma was also nostalgic. Green tea. It had been a while, as I had only been drinking black tea lately.

“Alright then, Tohsaka. Can I ask you for the explanation?”

“Understood. First... well, let's start with this conflict you're involved in.”

“Yeah, please do.”

Rin gave the explanation, and Shiro listened. Saber and I listened from a slightly detached position.

The explanation was largely the same as the one I had heard.

The mechanics of the Holy Grail War, the advantages of obtaining the Grail. The summoned Servants and Heroic Spirits. The fact that they, too, are summoned to grant their wishes. And the magi's purpose for participating in this war. The intensity of their obsession, and the resulting danger borne by the participants.

The only part where Rin hesitated was when describing the nature of the Servants. This was probably about me and Saber, who were virtually identical in appearance.

Once the explanation was finished, Shiro silently stared at the teacup in his hands.

Leaving the thoughtful Shiro, Rin quickly finished her tea and came closer to Saber and me, who were sitting a short distance away.

“Hey, Saber.”

“What is it?”

“You really are Saber, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I am certainly the Servant Saber.”

In her question to Saber and the confirmation, I saw what Rin was trying to get at.

I recalled the logic I had been constructing and refining in my head since yesterday morning. —Preparation complete. All that was left was to find the right time to speak.

“My Servant's class is Archer, but do you have any characteristics of an Archer, too?”

“Impossible. My existence is specialized entirely for the sword.”

Saber looked at me, the one called Archer, with suspicion after hearing her own words. Rin, who asked the question, seemed to have anticipated this; without any surprise, she continued speaking.

“Just as I thought. I had a feeling that would be the case. ...In that case, my Archer must be the irregularity. And, though this is out of order, there is something I need to confirm with both of you about your True Names.”

“What is it?”

I answered after composing my posture, and Saber remained silent, quietly glaring at me, who was sitting beside her.

“Saber. I will tell you Archer's True Name. If you and she have the same True Name, just nod. I'm not telling your Master because Emiya-kun seems to be an honest person who can't keep a secret. If your True Name is revealed to another Master through him, my Archer's True Name will also be revealed. The same is true if it is Archer's True Name. That wouldn’t be good, would it? Of course, even if your True Names are different, I won't press you for yours. Just shake your head. Archer, you don't mind telling Saber, do you? Since you can't say anything without understanding the current situation.”

“I don't mind.” “I don't mind.”

Saber's voice overlapped with mine. Rin blinked in surprise at the voice that must have sounded like stereo.

Gathering herself, Rin whispered the True Name I had told her into Saber's ear. By this point, Saber must have anticipated it, and she nodded without surprise.

“Hmm. I have no idea why your clothes and eye colors are different, but Saber and Archer really are the same person. Still, the Archer classing is questionable, but is it possible for the same individual to be summoned in the same Holy Grail War?”

“Rin. May I speak?”

“What is it? Archer, do you have any ideas?”

“Yes. However, I have no concrete proof. After all, I have never heard of a case like this either. Please keep that in mind as you listen.”

I paused there and took a small breath.

“First, as a premise, we Heroic Spirits summoned as Servants are not the original beings. Our 'main body' resides in the Throne of Heroes, and we, as copies, are summoned to various timelines. This is regardless of whether it is the past before death or the far future. And the summoned Servants, being copies, can be influenced by legends and fame, acquiring elements they did not possess in life. It may be that the differences that arose between Saber and me allowed us to be summoned simultaneously.”

...How was that? I said what I had thought up, but I know only the bare minimum about the Servant system, and I don't know if such a possibility even exists.

I am hoping that Saber, who is an actual Servant, doesn't find any fatal inconsistencies in what I just said...

“...I see. If identical existences were observed simultaneously, the world's distortion would likely expel them, but since that hasn't happened, Archer and Saber must not be completely identical. No, I can't think of any other possibility. Above all, the information is too scarce...”

...Did I somehow succeed? Rin seemed to have concluded we were the same person, but a look of confusion was visible in Saber’s eyes.

“By the way... Saber, have you been using that way of speaking since you were summoned?”

“Eh, yes, I have. Is there a problem?”

“Aghhhhh, really! What am I going to do about that Command Spell I wasted?! Archer!!”

Rin bellowed. I was the one being yelled at. Saber looked bewildered by the sight.

It was certainly due to my way of speaking, but I don't think that was the only reason.

“So, Emiya-kun. I'd like to go to the church now.”

“Huh? The church?”

Rin addressed Shiro, who had finished his thinking and was now looking at us. Shiro knitted his brows, not understanding the sudden proposal.

“Yes. There's a person who manages the Holy Grail War at the church. He'll surely be able to tell you all sorts of things about the Holy Grail War. Wouldn't it be less trouble for you later if you knew the details, Emiya-kun?”

“That's fine, but... where is it?”

“Fuyuki Church in the next town. It's the church managed by a priest with an unfitting name, Kirei Kotomine.”

With an "oof" that sounded old, Rin stood up. Shiro and I followed suit, and Saber also stood up after Shiro.

“Saber. Your armor stands out, so disarm it. I don't think many people are out at this hour, but if you are seen, you'll look like nothing but a suspicious person.”

As we reached the entrance, Rin, who was walking ahead, turned back and spoke to Saber. Saber is Shiro's Servant, but for some reason, Rin was giving the instructions.

“However, Archer’s Master.”

“Rin is fine.”

“Then, Rin. Disarming the armor is possible, but won't I still be conspicuous if I'm not wearing the clothes of this country and this era? Furthermore, in this case, I believe I should go into spirit form.”

“Ah, you're right. That was my mistake. But Saber, can you go into spirit form?”

“No. Perhaps because the supply status from my Master is poor, I cannot go into spirit form. Could it be the same for Archer?”

“Well, yeah. I seem to have made a small blunder during the summoning. The connection is solid, though. Oh, dear. I keep instinctively mixing up Archer and Saber, treating you both the same way. Ah, in that case, you need a change of clothes... I could lend you mine, but of course, I didn't bring any. You'll have to make do with a raincoat for now.”

Saying this, she arbitrarily handed Saber a yellow raincoat from the entrance. She was lending out another person's possessions without permission. Although the decision was strategically correct, what about the conduct?

I glanced sideways and saw Shiro, the homeowner and supposedly Saber's Master, standing awkwardly.

His back looked small. Now that I thought about it, he hadn't joined the conversation with Saber just now. It was like he was being naturally excluded.

Feeling a sudden sympathy for Shiro, who was similarly being ignored by his Master, I spoke to him.

“Saber's Master, I apologize for the trouble my Master is causing you.”

Shiro, who had been vaguely watching the two, saw me bow slightly and waved his hand, smiling sheepishly. “No,” he said.

“Thank you, Archer, was it? Oh, my name is Shiro Emiya. I would prefer if you would call me that, too.”

...Hearing those words, a mischievous impulse welled up in me. Since I was going to call him Shiro anyway, there couldn't be a better time.

“—Yes. In that case, Shiro, it is. I also prefer that address.”

I turned fully to Shiro, lifted the corner of my mouth, and smiled.

I instinctively mimicked the words and smile of Saber from my memory. I don't know if it resembled her. No, it was just a small impulse, after all.

“Ah, um... You're going to call me by name too, Archer...”

As soon as he said that, Shiro's cheeks flushed red, and he turned away awkwardly, scratching his cheek. ...Hmm. I guess I succeeded, but somehow, I wasn't happy about it.

We walked down the dark road, where no cars were driving, in a single line. The two Masters were in the middle, and their respective Servants were on the sides.

Only Shiro and Rin were speaking. Saber and I walked silently, not talking to each other. I would reply if spoken to, but I had become cautious about speaking carelessly since meeting Saber.

I do not intend to reveal my true identity to these three. If possible, it is best if they continue to perceive me as Saber, who was summoned in an irregular form.

If I, who is currently being guarded against by Saber, were to tell her, "I'm actually Shiro Emiya," she wouldn't believe me. It would only incite anger, let alone create unnecessary distrust.

The relationship between Rin and Shiro would also become unpredictable. I can't think of how things would turn out for the better, but I certainly don't believe that confessing my identity now would allow us to build a good relationship.

In that case, I have no choice but to behave as Saber, but even that will eventually reach its limit.

It might be due to combat ability, my usual behavior, or some other factor. Ultimately, I am Shiro Emiya inside. I don't think I can keep pretending to be the Heroic Spirit of the Sword forever.

But revealing it now is a bad idea. If I rock the boat in this situation where we haven't even formed a cooperative relationship, it could cause a rift between the two.

I absolutely cannot do anything that would reveal me as Shiro Emiya. I must continue to trace the Saber in my memory. That's why I can't speak in front of her. If I speak in a way that is unlike Saber carelessly, Saber herself would be the first to sense the unnaturalness.

We walked up a slope, passed by a foreign cemetery, and arrived in front of the church on the hilltop. At the entrance to the grounds, we naturally stopped, though no one specifically called for it.

“—What is this place? What's going on? This church has a strange sense of pressure.”

Shiro muttered to himself, looking at the church. Indeed, there was something about this building that made one feel overwhelmed.

“...Shiro, I will remain here.”

“Huh? Why would you do that—why not come with us since we’ve made it this far?”

“I came with you to protect you, Shiro. I personally have no business at the church. I will wait here.”

Saber seemed determined to wait here. Now that I think about it, Saber did wait here last time as well.

“I agree. I will also remain on standby here.”

“I understand. Then please wait for a little while.”

Following suit, I also decided to stay behind. While I wasn't entirely comfortable being alone with Saber, I felt I should take the same actions and make the same choices as Saber as much as possible.

“Let's go, Emiya-kun.”

“Okay. Then I'll be going.”

“Please be careful.” “Please be careful.”

When I spoke, my voice overlapped with Saber's. Since our speaking style is the same, if the nuance I want to convey and the timing of my speaking align, our voices seem to become synchronized. It was a strange feeling that our voices overlapped as if planned, even though I was speaking by my own will.

Sent off by Saber and me, who spoke the same words in unison, the two quietly entered the church.

Saber and I remained motionless, watching the backs of our Masters until the church entrance door closed completely.