[Shirou POV]
"Hmm, what a good morning."
"Nah, Shirou. You're making breakfast on your own again...!"
"Good morning, Sella. Well, then, I'm off to wake up Illya."
"Hold on! I'm definitely going to speak my mind today... (grumbling)"
Another typical morning. With a smile, I dodge Sella's sermon disguised as complaints, then leave the kitchen. We've been doing this same back-and-forth for many years now, so both Sella and I have become accustomed to it. Sella grumbles while taste-testing the food.
"By the way, Shirou, you've been sick, you know? Don't overdo it..."
"I'm fine now. Thanks for your concern, Sella."
"I-I'm not worried or anything..."
"You're a textbook tsundere, Sella."
"Who's acting tsundere here?! Liz, it seems we need to have a serious talk."
Listening to the usual exchange between the two housemaids, I head upstairs to wake up my little sister. It's such a peaceful time that it brings tears to my eyes. Reaching my sister's room, I knock on the door.
"Illya, it's morning. Breakfast is ready, so get up and get dressed."
"Hmm..."
She's not waking up. Well, I can't let her be late. There's still some time, but I promised Miyu we'd go to school together, and I don't want to keep Miyu waiting.
"I'm coming in, Illya."
After giving a warning, I enter the room. My sister, who appears to be sleeping soundly, is there. A smile escapes me, but I need to wake her up. I approach Illya's bed and shake her gently.
"Come on, wake up, Illya. You promised to go to school with Miyu, remember?"
"....Five more minutes..."
"Again with that cliché sleep talk? Good grief, really..."
Such a precious part of my everyday life. I feel like I've finally regained the peaceful days that I wanted to recover at any cost. I pull back the curtains on the bed, letting the sunlight fill the room. Now, wake up, Illya.
"... It's too bright, Onii-chan..."
"Look, Illya, the weather is so nice."
"... I can't get up by myself... Wake me up, so... hug me..."
"Hmm..."
Should I scold her for being so spoiled, or should I just go along with this nostalgic exchange? Up until about four years ago, Illya would say things like this. Recently, perhaps due to embarrassment, she stopped...
Illya, half-asleep, reaches out her arms, begging to be picked up. I find myself delighted by my little sister's full-on display of affection after such a long time. I guess I don't want her to become independent just yet.
Ruby:『Illya is a brocon, but you, Shirou, are a siscon, aren't you?』
"Whoa, Ruby? Speaking of which, you stayed here..."
While grappling with my feelings of wanting more affection as a brother, I hear the familiar voice of Ruby, who seems to have grown accustomed to it. It seems that Ruby decided to stay here even after the mission with the Tohsaka team ended.
Ruby:『Yes, indeed. There's no other interesting... I mean, good master out there.』
"You're so predictable..."
Ruby: 『I like to see the two siblings of you working together to solve crimes together... magical girl and super hero...』
"What kind of manga did ruby read to be so affected?"
This thing really has a terrible personality. As I sigh, realising this new reality where Illya is treated like a toy by a wicked magical stick, I understand that it's a waste of time to worry.
Ruby: 『Well, that's debatable.』
"I'm not praising you."
I've grown accustomed to this. As I'm talking to a magic stick, I let out a deep sigh, feeling slightly strange. I can't let my guard down, as Ruby will tease me at any opportunity.
Ruby: 『But, Shirou, you really are amazing. In many ways.』
"What do you mean?"
Ruby: 『You recovered to the point of being able to walk normally in just one day. What's going on with you?』
"Well, if you say so. I can't help it if I can move."
After lying still for a whole day, I recovered to the point where I could move without any problems, albeit with a slight pain. Even I am surprised at this recovery rate, but come to think of it, I don't think I've ever been hospitalised for an injury before.
"Well, I've never had a major injury, so I wouldn't know."
Saying that, I feel a slight headache for some reason. But it subsides quickly. What was that? I was a bit confused by the mysterious pain, but things like this have been happening a lot lately, so I decided not to worry about it.
Ruby: 『Wow. Even with Rin and the others' healing magecraft, it's still amazing.』
"Speaking of which, there was such a thing. So, it must have been Tohsaka and the others' magic that was amazing."
Ruby: 『Is that so? Well, let's leave it at that. Oh, by the way, didn't you come to wake up Illya? It's been five minutes, as per Illya's request.』
"Ah, right. Look, Illya, five minutes have passed. Now, wake up for real this time."
In this way, the morning of the regained everyday life passed. When Illya woke up and screamed again, Sella heard it and hit me, and Liz laughed at the sight. A noisy but precious everyday life.
It's back. I'm not sure how many times it's been, but I thought so.
.........…
"Good morning, Miyu."
"Er, sorry, Miyu! Have I kept you waiting?"
"No, I haven't been waiting that long. Good morning, Illya. Good morning, Shirou-san."
Sapphire:『Good morning, everyone. Big sister, too.』
Ruby: 『Oh, Sapphire-chan. Good morning.』
And so, I exchange morning greetings with Miyu, who has newly joined our daily lives. Right after leaving the house, we head to school with Miyu, who lives in Luvia's mansion. Not only Ruby but also Sapphire is with us.
"Sapphire is staying too?"
Sapphire:『Yes. Because I chose Miyu-sama as my new Master.』
Ruby and Sapphire are hiding in the hair of Illya and Miyu, respectively. It seems that even Sapphire will be joining my daily life. Speaking of which, I wonder if Miyu will continue to live here even after Luvia returns.
"Well, about that..."
"Hehehe..."
Ruby: 『Pu-ku-ku, that's something for you to look forward to when we go to school, Shirou-san.』
"Huh?"
What does she mean? In response to my question, Illya and Miyu awkwardly avert their eyes, and Ruby, finding it amusing, suggests that there might be something else.
Sapphire: 『There is nothing to worry about as you seem to be, Shirou-sama. Please rest assured. Your and Illya-sama everyday life has been undoubtedly regained. That's absolute. However...』
Ruby: 『Oops, no spoilers, Sapphire-chan. It's more fun if we keep it a secret.』
While Sapphire's words reassure me, I'm left with a sense of unease. Well, it doesn't seem like anything bad is going to happen, so it's fine. While walking to school, I talk with Illya and Miyu.
"I'm glad that Illya and Miyu have become friends."
"Yeah. I feel like we can get along well since that day."
"I also enjoy talking with Illya."
That's good. Seeing the two of them talking joyfully while looking at each other, I feel a deep sense of happiness from the bottom of my heart. And then, I remember the dream I had that day. The dream I saw on the night when all the turmoil began.
『May Miyu's world no longer be one of suffering. May she meet kind people - make friends who can laugh together - a warm, modest - somewhere, me. I entrust my sister to you -』
Is this okay? Hey, the me in the dream. Is this the scene you wanted to see? I think it's silly to take such a dream seriously. But, isn't it fine? The smiles of the two laughing sisters.
Just seeing this makes me feel so happy. I want to keep protecting this scene, I feel like that. Whether that was real or not, it doesn't matter.
"It's not just Illya. I think it'll be more fun if you become friends with the kids in class too."
"That's right. Miyu, let's become friends with Tatsuko and the others."
"If Shirou-san says so, I'll consider it."
At my suggestion, Illya agrees happily. I heard that there used to be a slight barrier between Miyu and Illya's friends. Miyu, being told by us, nodded with a slightly troubled expression, though she agreed easily.
Her words feel a bit heavy. Is Miyu saying that she'll do whatever I tell her? No, it must be my imagination. It has to be. I want it to be. Please, let it be!
I walked the road to school while enjoying the conversation with my two sisters, feeling slightly overwhelmed by Miyu's somewhat heavy gaze. Along the way, Illya tried to hold hands, which caused a bit of trouble.
Miyu tried to do the same in a competitive way, which attracted strange looks from other students who were on their way to school like us. It was normal when it was just Illya...
This time, there's even a girl who seems to be my sister's friend, so people started saying things like, "Hey, look at that Emiya guy. He's finally moved on to his sister's friend?" or "I knew he'd do it someday."
Hey, what do they mean by that? I'm not happy being whispered about as a siscon, but I've gotten used to it, so it's not a problem. But when they called me a lolicon, I was genuinely on the verge of tears. Even when I said it was a misunderstanding, it was useless.
Why? I wonder what kind of eyes the people around me usually look at me with. I felt a complicated mix of wanting to know and not wanting to know, and in a way, the hellish time of going to school passed.
Honestly in my mind, I'm not a lolicon, when I think back on my situation, it's like a manga I read last month, a manga that tells about the romantic comedy, daily life of a high school student named Hachiman Hikigaya, but I'm not anti-social like the character in that manga, I screamed in my mind.
"Then, onii-chan, I'm going now."
"Shirou-san, see you after school..."
"Yeah, both of you study hard."
back from school, I'll try to re-read the romantic comedy manga to make sure my situation is the same as when it wasn't.
Upon reaching Homurahara Academy, where we attend, we parted ways - I headed to the high school section, and Illya and the others to the elementary section. Illya waved her right hand energetically while Miyu bowed politely as they said goodbye.
I waved back as I sent them off. From now on, I suppose every day will be like this. My new daily life, which began in this way, was filled with more liveliness and happiness than before.
Ruby: 『Well, there are people who are gone.』
The class card collection ended, and the two girls who had come for it probably went home. At this time, I thought so. Not knowing the meaning of Ruby's words and attitude, I put on my indoor shoes and headed for the classroom.
...............…
"...? What's going on, it's rather noisy."
As I approached my own classroom, I tilted my head at the unusually loud atmosphere. Looking around, I noticed that a large crowd had gathered at the entrance to the classroom. And there was Issei Ryudo, a friend of mine, looking into the classroom while holding his head.
"Issei, what's the matter? Why isn't everyone entering the classroom?"
"Oh, Emiya. Good morning. That's beside the point now. Stop those two!"
"Those two? Stop them?"
"Look inside, and you'll understand."
When I asked Issei, that's the reply I received. Pushing through the crowd, I peered into the noisy classroom. There I found all the answers. Not "found," but rather, they "were there."
"It's all your fault for trying to hog all the credit, and now look at the mess we're in!"
"Quiet, please! Don't pretend you're innocent! You have a part in this too!"
"God, you really piss me off, blonde drill!"
"The feeling is mutual, twin-tail gorilla woman!"
"... Ah, yes, I see what you mean, Issei."
Inside the classroom, the familiar exchange between the two was happening again. A battered Tohsaka and Luvia were having a fistfight, pulling each other's hair. You two...
Desks were overturned, the floor was a mess, and erasers and chalk were scattered all over. Wait, why are these two still here? The task of collecting the class cards should have been completed, so shouldn't they have returned home?
"Forget about that for now! Both of you, stop!"
While everyone had become accustomed to these two fighting over the past few days, and no one was surprised anymore, I couldn't just leave them to their own devices. I tried to intervene in the heated dispute between the two.
"Don't get in the way, Emiya. Today, I'm going to give her a piece of my mind."
"That's my line. Emiya Shirou, please step aside."
"Like I said, calm down. What's going on with you two? Weren't you supposed to have returned to London?"
As I tried to calm them down, I asked the question that had been bothering me. At that moment, the two's anger intensified. Wait, did I step on a landmine? The two of them looked terrifying. Scary!
"Yes, that's right. It was supposed to happen, as you said, Emiya. If only she weren't here!"
"Humph, if you hadn't provoked me, things would have gone smoothly."
"The cause was you!"
"Oh-ho-ho, I can't hear you."
"What... happened?"
Although I was scared to ask, the conversation wouldn't progress if I didn't. As my classmates began to flee from the front of the classroom, sensing the ominous atmosphere, I cautiously tried to keep the conversation going. I felt like I was on a bomb disposal team.
Issei communicated with eye contact, telling me he was going to get the teacher and asked me to handle the situation. How heartless of him. He intended to leave it all to me. I felt the atmosphere in the classroom becoming more and more twisted with each passing second...
"Having collected all the class cards, we were supposed to return to the Clock Tower in London. However, this malicious blonde drill-haired woman tried to hog all the glory. She even tried to push me off the helicopter!"
I wondered if it was okay for her to say such things so loudly, but when I looked around, there was no one left in front of the classroom. Most likely, Tohsaka must have used her magic to clear everyone out. I wished she had used it from the start or that they could have gone to the rooftop or somewhere.
If I tried to retort now, Tohsaka's anger would undoubtedly be directed at me. I couldn't risk that. I tried to gather information while avoiding interrupting the two of them as much as possible.
"Hogging all the glory? What does that mean?"
"Perhaps we haven't told you, Emiya-kun. We accepted this mission because we had a chance to become apprentices to a famous mage. We were told that if we completed this mission successfully, both of us would become apprentices."
"Haah…"
"At that time, I may have gotten a little… out of hand…"
"Just a little, huh…"
I'm sure it was more than just a little. That's an answer as simple as one plus one, but I decided not to say it. Upon understanding Tohsaka's situation, I recalled her previous words about Luvia trying to hog all the glory.
That is to say, Luvia planned to bring all the cards back to London by herself and become that person's apprentice alone. To achieve that, she attempted to push Tohsaka off the helicopter... I could easily picture the scene.
"…So, then?"
"Listen, Emiya Shirou, this twin-tailed gorilla woman barbarically shot down the helicopter I was in with gem magic! I almost died!"
"Who are you calling a gorilla woman!"
"…"
Not that she attempted to shoot it down, but that she actually did. As much as Luvia was to blame, Tohsaka was equally at fault. I didn't need to hear the rest. I could already visualize the flashy magic battle that must have ensued.
"In order to get the cards back from her, I used all the magic I had."
"We fought all night, and before we knew it, it was morning. My hair, my clothes, everything was in tatters…"
"And you destroyed everything around you, right?"
"You understand well, Emiya-kun. And because of that, our grand master found out. We were scolded harshly."
"If Tohsaka Rin hadn't interfered, everything would have been resolved smoothly."
"Don't be ridiculous, blonde drill woman!"
I've had enough. Can I go home now? I've done enough, right? Listening to the two of them bicker endlessly, I heaved a deep sigh. Wasn't the original mistake giving these two magic in the first place?
"And so, we were punished. We were told to stay in Japan for a while and learn about harmony."
"Our stay is supposed to last one year. It's ridiculous."
I see. In other words, they were banished. I didn't say this out loud, as it would undoubtedly anger the two of them, but I was convinced in my mind. However, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Japan.
Is this the reason for Illya and the others' awkward expressions? My head was starting to ache, and I alternated between looking at the two magus. Is it really going to become a part of my new everyday life, dealing with these two reckless individuals?
That seems…
"…Heh."
"What's so funny, Emiya-kun? It's rude to laugh while looking at someone's face."
"Isn't it somewhat impolite?"
"No, it's not like that. I didn't laugh to make fun of you two…"
It seems like my everyday life is about to become even more lively. My head hurts, but I find myself slightly looking forward to it. That's why I laughed. At least it won't be boring. There are limits, though.
Remembering the normalcy I had regained and the noisy but enjoyable everyday life that was about to begin, I laughed.
"I look forward to working with you, Tohsaka, Luvia."
"…Fine."
"This is really something."
With a smile on my face, I extended my hand to the two of them. Reluctantly, they both responded in kind.
____________________________________________________________________________
Explanation:
Yes, the main part is concluded with this. From the next installment, it will be the Fate/Kaleid Season 2 "Zwei" arc. There might be a story about Rin and Luvia falling in love with Shirou for real in an extra chapter or something. Although there have been hints so far, it has been difficult to prioritize their mission.
Oh, and this time, I've planted a certain foreshadowing. It might be completely obvious though. That's the situation. I'll write about it gradually in the Fate/Kaleid Season 2 "Zwei" arc.