"Damn it, how did I end up getting noticed by the big boss?"
Shinji was frustrated as he walked, cursing his luck. He had remained calm when he passed by the helpful citizen, acting as if he was just another passerby on the street, not revealing any sign of recognition.
However, Shinji noticed that Mr. Gold had smirked. He had actually smirked at him!
Damn it, he really got the big boss's attention.
Shinji could only smile bitterly inside, becoming even more determined to act covertly.
Even though this world's Shinji didn't join the archery club and didn't ask Shirou to clean the dojo, fate still led Shirou to stay behind and clean the dojo thoroughly by himself.
The reason for this was simple.
In the original timeline, as the vice-captain, Shinji was asked by Taiga to clean the dojo, and he conveniently passed the job to the ever-helpful Shirou, acting as the matchmaker for all of Shirou's routes!
In this timeline, Shirou was the vice-captain and was entrusted by Taiga to clean the dojo. Shirou, being diligent and meticulous, completed the task without complaint, regardless of his hunger.
By the time Shinji realized this, it was almost midnight...
At 11:30 PM, after searching every corridor of the school building and finding no bloodstains, Shinji frowned in thought.
There were no signs of battle on the playground either, meaning that in this timeline, Archer hadn't encountered Lancer at the school.
... Should be fine, right? Shinji thought.
...
Leaving the school, Shinji walked about fifty meters before he noticed faint bloodstains that hadn't been cleaned properly.
He continued walking for about five hundred meters until he reached an intersection.
The upturned pavement, fallen streetlights, signal lights, and telephone poles, along with the still-sparking torn wires on the ground, all indicated that a battle had taken place here recently!
Shinji stroked his chin, closed his eyes, and thought for a moment, quickly deducing the likely scenario—
Failing to find anything unusual and with her stomach growling, Rin had left the school with Archer.
Upon reaching this intersection, they encountered Lancer, who was perched on a telephone pole with a long spear, looking as unlucky as his fate with women suggested.
A battle erupted instantly!
Archer and Lancer fought fiercely, while Rin watched with bated breath, her fist clutched to her chest, engrossed in the fight.
Each time Archer's sword was shattered by Lancer, Rin's expression grew more serious. Of course, Archer didn't realize his Master was mourning the loss of those swords.
Rin's thoughts were actually along the lines of: Those swords could sell for a lot, such a pity!
Meanwhile, a red-haired boy who had just finished cleaning the archery dojo stepped out of the school gate, ready to head home, but was drawn by the clanging sounds from the opposite direction.
Driven by curiosity, he stealthily approached the source of the noise...
In the ensuing battle, Lancer, growing impatient, prepared to use his Noble Phantasm but was interrupted by approaching footsteps.
The events unfolded just like the original timeline:
Bloodstains, the fallen boy, faint breathing, a guilt-ridden girl, the boy's identity, memories of his sister, and the high jump in the sunset...
Finally, after a mental struggle, the girl used her family's heirloom jewel.
Afterward, the boy lay by a roadside garbage bin for over two hours.
Yes, this seems right.
Shinji confirmed his speculation internally. This felt just about right.
Of course, there was one small difference in the actual events.
Rin, upon seeing that the boy stabbed in the heart was Shirou, thought of her sister but didn't recall any sunset high jump. Instead, she remembered what Shinji had said that afternoon: "Having something you like is a happiness for ordinary people. But having someone you love makes you even happier."
Ultimately, for Sakura's happiness, Rin sacrificed her heirloom jewel.
Emiya residence.
Hearing the sounds of weapons clashing from the courtyard, Shinji sighed in relief. As he opened the front door, he glanced at his clean left wrist.
Entering the house, Shinji calmly found the slippers he had worn on previous visits.
Yes, it's important to be polite when entering someone's home.
After changing into the slippers and neatly arranging his shoes, Shinji leisurely made his way down the corridor toward the backyard, not even pausing when he heard a loud crash.
...
"You dodged it, Saber. You actually dodged my killing blow!"
Lancer looked up, his eyes wide and face twisted in anger, at the golden-haired, green-eyed girl, Saber, who was sitting on the ground clutching her injured left shoulder.
"A curse… No, that was a reversal of causality! Gáe Bolg, you must be the Son of Light from Ireland!"
"Tch!" Realizing his identity had been discovered, Lancer clicked his tongue in self-mockery. "I messed up. If I can't kill with this move, it's trouble."
He shouldered his spear and started walking towards the wall, muttering, "My employer is a coward, telling me to retreat if my spear was dodged."
"Are you running away?!"
Saber shouted.
"You can chase me if you want…" Lancer paused, then turned sharply to glare at Saber with a fierce expression. "But you'd better be prepared to die!"
With that, Lancer was about to leave when he heard a voice.
"Uh, excuse me."
Shirou: !!!
Saber: !!!
Lancer: !!!
Shirou stood there, dumbfounded, staring at Shinji, who was standing by the broken glass door in the corridor.
"Shinji, why are you here at this time?"
"On my way back, I noticed bloodstains near the school. After checking around, I heard sounds from your place and came to see if you were okay."
Just then, Shirou yelled, "Get out of here, Shinji!!"
At that moment, Lancer had turned into spirit form!
This scene was all too familiar to Shirou!
Simultaneously, Shinji noticed the spear tip appearing suddenly and coming straight at him.
"Oh, crap!"
Stumbling back to dodge the spear, Shinji turned and ran back the way he came, shouting, "Emiya! Who is this guy?"
Lancer showed no emotion, but his steps quickened, moving swiftly even in the narrow corridor.
Rolling to avoid another strike, Shinji shouted back without looking, "Why are you chasing me like a mad dog?!"
"You're dead, kid!!"
Lancer's face turned livid, and in his fury, his spear missed for the third time!
Holding an iron pipe, Shirou yelled, "Stop joking around! Hang in there, Shinji! I'm coming to help!"
Saber, now standing, summoned her sword and chased after them.
"Stop, Lancer! Be careful, Master!"