Check out A Soulless Banquet ( by - Emmanuelboss36_ ) on webnovel
*A month later *
Kiritsugu heaves a sigh as she catches the echo of Taiga's exclamation from the kitchen. Over the past week, Taiga has become a frequent presence, visiting nearly every day since her encounter with Shirou. She attempts to play the role of an older sister, but...
Entering the kitchen, Kiritsugu see's Taiga pouting, the reason being Shirou took away the cookies he cooked for her. Notably, Shirou is acting more like an older brother to her than a younger brother since he's the more mature of the two.
Noticing Kiritsugu's entrance into the kitchen, Shirou sets his plate onto the table, his gaze drifting to the time. "Taiga, aren't you supposed to be at your kendo club in five minutes?" he asks. Glancing at the clock, Taiga's reaction is a mixture of realization and panic, punctuated by her exclamation, "Oh crap!"
''Language'' Kiritsugu scolds, Taiga swiftly gathers her belongings and hastily scoops up all the cookies before dashing off with a hurried farewell.
Shirou sighs seeing the mess that the *Tiger* left behind while Kiritsugu, however, offers a soft chuckle as she takes her seat, finding her food notably improved from a month ago.... ''No'' Kiritsugu says seeing Shirou opening his mouth to ask the same question for the last month, the question regarding whether he could start learning magic from Kiritsugu or not.
After a moment of silence of them eating Shirou asks " Why don't you want to teach me? " looking down, Kiritsugu's heart twinges at his downcast gaze but doesn't change her mind as her resolve hold's firm.
They stay like that for a couple of minutes before Kiritsugu replies ''It's because I don't want you to be part of the Moonlit World'' Shirou perks up about hearing that and asks '' Why ?''
In response to his query, Kiritsugu's reply emerges in a voice devoid of life, "Because the Moonlit World is an unrelenting realm that thrives on exploitation," her gaze locked onto his with an unwavering intensity... Which confuses Shirou not understanding what she meant aside from getting that the magical world is most likely called the Moonlit World and that it brought her pain.
But... her voice... Shirou was taken back by it so much he doesn't know what to say so, he stays quiet until he asks again ''you really won't teach me anything about magic ?''
In return, Kiritsugu regards him with an expression of unyielding resolve, her features impassive as she returns her attention to her meal, the matter seemingly closed.
* A month later *
We can see Shirou walking in the park looking at the birds flying above the skies, however, the harmonious scene is disrupted by the distant sound of laughter from children not too far from him, and with him not spending practically any time with anyone aside from Kiritsugu and Taiga.
His interest is piqued to see what is causing them to laugh and maybe find someone else to spend some time with, because while Kiritsugu does seem nice... she's a bit cold and doesn't respond a lot.... especially lately with him asking her to teach him magic.... Maybe he should stop ?
Anway's he goes to check it out, when finds where the laughing came from, leading him to a scene that transforms his gentle smile into a simmering, angered grin.
Before him, a disheartening tableau unfolds—the sight of a pair of older youths bullying a girl with violet locks, her hair adorned with a vivid red ribbon.
But what pissed him off the most is the hollow look in her eyes like she gave up all hope in life so he does the most rational thing he thinks...
Which is rushing straight at the bullies and punching the one who holding her hair and actually knocking him out in one punch which surprised the other bullies, who realized what happened punch Shirou who ignores the pain since he felt something way worse, just punched another bully the other bullies seeing this get scared and just stop.
Shirou seeing this just says one thing ''Run'' with a dark voice thus scaring the shit out of them making them react as fast as sound pulling their friends away and running.
Shirou just watched them making sure they were gone before looking at the girl who was looking at him with those still hollow eyes just asks ''Are you okay ?'' the girl only tilts her head to the side before asking ''Why? Why are you worried about me ?''
To that question, Shirou just tilts his head to the side which unknowingly gives a blush to the purple-headed girl, and asks ''Why shouldn't I be worried about you? you're hurt'' after saying that he checks her injuries while the purple-headed girl not knowing how to respond to that stays quiet while Shirou finishes checking her seeing that her knee is scraped turns around and gets on his knees and says ''Get on''
''What ?'' Sakura replies with a small confused voice
''Your knee is hurt so let me carry you. I have a med kit at my house and my mom said to come to her if I get hurt so let me carry you to my house I'm sure she can help you also ''
Surprised at her savior's kindness, she complies and gets on his back and Shirou slowly carries her to his house in silence because neither of them know what to say to each other until Shirou tries to break the silence ''So why were they trying to hurt you ?'' But the purple-headed girl doesn't respond for a while leaving Shirou in an awkward silence thinking he should have just stayed quiet... '' Because my brother doesn't like me...'' She says quietly but Shirou heard it and replies with '' What? Why ?'' But she doesn't respond so they stay quiet again until Shirou declares ''If you're brother or his friends hurt you come to me I will save you '' hearing Shirou's declaration the girl's heart jumps a beat and a bigger blush appears on her face burying her face in his shoulder with a bit of light appearing in her eyes.
''Shirou'' hearing his name he turns his head to the familiar voice, seeing Kiritsugu with a stoic face ''Your hurt'' Her gaze shifts, noting the emerging bruise on his visage and the wounded girl beside him. Connecting the dots, she offers a directive, "Get inside the house. I'll fetch the first aid kit." going inside they're house
After getting patched up, Kiritsugu asks what happened with a dead voice so an anxious Shirou explains what happened getting more anxious as he continues until he starts fidgeting after he finishes.
Until Kiritsugu puts a hand on his head and says ''You did a good thing..... and... I'm proud of you...'' with a small, rare smile, getting Shirou happy ''Next time, call an adult. You shouldn't risk getting into trouble." Kiritsugu finishes and finally turning to the purple-haired girl looking at Shirou with a small blush, which makes Kiritsugu feel jealous for some reason but ignores it and asks a question '' And who are you miss?'' a bit darker than she wanted but doesn't know why. Getting the girl nervous which to her is an old feeling she didn't feel for a long time responds.
'' I'm Sakura To-Matou'' The admission has an unintended impact, triggering an understated surprise in Kiritsugu, which is carefully concealed behind her exterior.
''Matou ?'' " Kiritsugu probes, a layer of complexity tinting her inquiry, veering close to a warning. The uncertainty plagues Sakura's thoughts—does she know her grandfather?
Sakura thinks feeling more nervous than before looking at Kiritisugu.
But thankfully Shirou was there, who didn't see how his mother was looking at the girl. More interested with interacting with someone more his age and was probably still worried that she was hurting.
" I'm Shirou Emiya.... sorry that I didn't introduce myself earlier " while scratching the back of his head a bit with a nervous smile which confuses her since she didn't see it leave for the whole way here even when he said it stings when Kiritsugu touched his cheek which made her feel a bit envious for touching her saviors face not knowing why either.
Kiritusug meanwhile was mentally cursing Shirou... Well, more like wanting to slap the back of his head.... of course, he had to say his name.... especially the Emiya part to a Matou.
After everything she did over the years to disappear and to not be found out about them.
And Shirou knowing that his mother won't introduce herself introduces her himself " This is my mother Kiritsugu Emiya " which is when he looked at her... more specificaly her face and started to feel a bit of tension which led him to the next question between " is there something wrong ? "
Which interrupts the two from the staring contest they started unknowingly ''Nothings wrong Shirou. I just think it's time for Sakura Matou to go home'' Kiritsugu says looking at Sakura when she says her family name which confirms Sakura's suspicion that she's a magus which makes her think if her savior is a magus too.
" yes, you're right my grandfather and brother will be mad if I come home late " Sakura responds getting ready to leave until Shirou says " Wait didn't you say your brother doesn't like you? Why doesn't you're grandfather step in? If he doesn't like you too, you can stay with us and if he comes here we can call the police " Which confuses her since it seems that Shirou doesn't know anything about magecraft and she doesn't want to brag or anything but her family is pretty famous for helping make the holy grail even if her's family's magic circuits started to fail which makes her think that he's not a magus or Kiritsugu didn't start teaching him yet.
''No, he makes sure that Shinji doesn't step over any boundaries so don't worry'' Sakura says hoping not to anger her grandfather so he doesn't kill the Emiya family which she thinks is weak or maybe a new lineage since she didn't hear anything about them before and her grandfather warned about all potential magus in the town.... aka threatened.
'' Well... If some problems appear you can come live with us, we have plenty of rooms '' which is an understatement, Shirou doesn't know why Kiritsugu basically bought a mansion that can fit hundreds of people, or where she got the money for it, but chalks it up to magic, maybe she can create gold or something like that ?
''Yes thank you I have to get going now'' Sakura says while getting up ignoring Kiritsugus eyes watching her like a hawk and getting to the front door pretty quickly ''Thank you for your help Shirou-san and Your hospitality Kiritsuga-san I hope I can repay you'' Sakura says while bowing respectfully to which Shirou replies ''You don't need to add the san to our last names or bow Sakura if you want to repay me.... hm.... we can be friends !'' Shirou says with a big happy grin, finally Taiga won't tease him about having no friends.
The unexpected proposal elicits genuine laughter from Sakura—an act that astonishes her, considering the weight of her recent experiences. Dismissing the troubling thoughts that surface, she replies with earnestness, "I'd be delighted to be your friend, Shirou." happy to be friends with her protector.
His grin widening, Shirou extends the offer of friendship further, "Also, as friends, you're welcome to come to our house anytime you'd like." Sakura is momentarily puzzled, only to realize his subtle maneuver in coaxing her into a promise to visit his home...Which is not what he is trying to do, she's just used to things having an underlying meaning....
A newfound laughter escapes her, and with a certain light in her glazed over eyes, as she acts on an impulse, leaning in to plant a fleeting kiss on his cheek. The surprising exchange leaves Sakura blushing in embarrassment and shock while causing Shirou to become confused why she kissed him on a cheek, Kiritsugu tried to kiss him on the check and crown on his head but each time it looked awkward and then stopped after doing it once. On the periphery, Kiritsugu's watchful eyes hold a mixture of protectiveness and an underlying emotion she battles to suppress.
After a moment of blushing and embarrassment, Sakura steps back, her voice carrying a smile, " I promise to take you up on that and visit your house whenever I'd like. " With that, she quickly departs, leaving a stunned Shirou behind. As he recovers from the moment, the front door swings open once more, and his anticipation for Sakura's return transforms into surprise at the sight of Taiga. Her exclamation fills the air, " Shirou!! Why is there a girl leaving your house?! "
Check out A Soulless Banquet ( by - Emmanuelboss36_ ) on webnovel
TO BE CONTINUED !!!