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Meanwhile, Shirou sat in his room, replaying the events of the previous day in his mind. Lying on the bed, his gaze wandered to the ceiling, lost in the vivid memories.
First, he recalled how close he had been to Riveria the previous night. Moments when her mature beauty and graceful demeanor appeared different than usual. She wasn't just the respected leader of the Loki Familia but a woman who had suddenly become so warm and close. The beauty he always saw in her stood out even more that night, making Shirou feel nervous. How Riveria lay on his lap, teasing him lightly with playful words, and the meaningful smile on her face—all of it seemed to tell Shirou that there might be something deeper she was feeling.
However, despite everything, Shirou couldn't forget his dance with Aiz. While they danced together, he felt a sweet awkwardness, a closeness that arose without them realizing it. How Aiz looked so beautiful in her green dress, how she tried to learn how to dance, and the moment Little Ariel lifted her off the ground. There was a brief moment when their faces nearly touched—a moment that made Shirou's heart race. In those seconds, he felt a connection that went beyond comradeship.
Shirou closed his eyes, his face reddening as his thoughts drifted further. Could it be that both women were interested in him? He felt embarrassed thinking about it. Since arriving in Orario, he had always been focused on his missions and challenges, never expecting any attention from them. But seeing how Aiz and Riveria had been behaving recently, Shirou began to wonder... could there be something more?
"Could they possibly...?" Shirou murmured in his mind, growing more flustered at his own thoughts. He wasn't used to receiving this kind of attention, and he didn't know how to respond. But one thing was clear—both women had left a strong impression on his heart.
Then, Shirou shifted his thoughts to another important figure in his life—Lefiya, the brown-haired elf who always brought him comfort and peace. Lefiya's smile, filled with warmth and gentleness, always managed to ease any awkwardness in their conversations.
He remembered their walk together in Melen, enjoying the calm evening, accompanied by the sound of the waves and the beautiful view of the beach. How Lefiya enthusiastically talked about small things, keeping him company as they strolled through the city. All of it felt so natural, as if they had known each other for a long time. There was one moment during that walk that stood out clearly in Shirou's memory.
At one point, Lefiya suddenly said, "Isn't the moon beautiful tonight?" A simple statement that made Shirou freeze. In his mind, Shirou immediately recalled the expression from his own world, "Tsuki ga kirei desu ne," a phrase used to confess love in Japan. His face turned red, thinking Lefiya was expressing her feelings for him. But when Shirou awkwardly responded, "I could die happy," Lefiya only laughed in confusion, unaware of Shirou's misunderstanding. It was then Shirou realized he had misinterpreted Lefiya's words, and embarrassment swept over him.
Now, as Shirou reflected on that moment, he feared misreading other people's feelings again. He worried whether he might also be misunderstanding the attention Aiz and Riveria were giving him. Was it just friendly concern, or was there something more?
The comfort he always felt with Lefiya, the warmth Aiz gave, and the mature allure of Riveria—all these feelings swirled in Shirou's mind. He feared making the same mistake as with Lefiya, afraid of assuming too quickly that they might share the same feelings.
"I don't want to make another mistake...," Shirou thought, filled with uncertainty about how to interpret Aiz and Riveria's signals. Sometimes, feelings can be misunderstood, and Shirou didn't want to risk making things awkward with them because of a misunderstanding.
Shirou sighed deeply, staring out the window of his room at Twilight Manor. His mind was tangled with confusion and mixed emotions. Although some recent events left him feeling a little flattered, he couldn't shake the deep sense of embarrassment and doubt.
With a heart full of uncertainty, Shirou began contemplating the slim possibility that Aiz, Riveria, and Lefiya might all have special feelings for him. In his mind, each of them had a unique personality and charm that was undeniable.
Aiz, with her incredible bravery and simple yet captivating beauty, always showed genuine care. Every time they were together, Shirou felt a connection with her, especially since they had started swimming practice together in Melen. Those moments, filled with laughter and awkwardness, had brought them closer. However, behind Aiz's sweet smile, Shirou couldn't fully tell if she saw him only as a training partner or something more.
Then there was Riveria. Full of charisma and maturity, Riveria had shown a softer and warmer side that few others ever saw. While teaching her Magecraft, Shirou had witnessed how a usually strict leader could open her heart. Their recent moment together in the storeroom felt so intimate, where Riveria shyly revealed a more feminine, even teasing side. Shirou was captivated by her beauty and the gentleness she rarely displayed. But he couldn't be sure if that was just her way of expressing gratitude for his help or if it was something deeper.
And finally, there was Lefiya, who always made him feel at ease. Lefiya was someone who constantly supported him, with her sweet smile and gentle attention. Their walk together in Melen felt so natural, though occasionally tinged with awkwardness. Even though Shirou had once misunderstood Lefiya's words about the moon, that moment still lingered in his thoughts. Lefiya had a sincere and honest side that made Shirou always want to protect her.
However, despite feeling connected to each of them, Shirou didn't want to ignore the emotions that were beginning to grow. He couldn't decide, and that left him anxious. Each of them held a special place in his heart, and Shirou knew that if he chose one, there was a strong chance someone would be hurt. And that was the last thing he wanted to happen.
"That's why... I'll wait," Shirou murmured quietly to himself, making up his mind. "I'll wait for the first one to confess their feelings to me."
Yet behind that decision, Shirou felt a pang of guilt. He realized that waiting for one of them to confess meant he was leaving their feelings in limbo. He didn't want to leave them guessing or make them think that he was unaware of the signs they might have already shown.
"This all feels so complicated," Shirou thought. "I don't want to hurt them... but I also don't know who to choose."
With uncertainty weighing on him, Shirou knew that whatever decision he made would affect his relationships with the three women. And that was a heavy burden to bear, especially since he didn't want anyone to get hurt in the end.
Shirou sat at the edge of his bed, his thoughts drifting back to his past—more specifically, to Tohsaka Rin. The love he had once felt for her seemed far simpler compared to the confusion he was experiencing now. Back then, everything had centered around one person: Rin. Despite the complications of the Holy Grail War, their relationship had felt much easier to understand.
Shirou recalled how he had confessed his feelings to Rin, without much hesitation or doubt. He had simply spoken from the heart, following what he felt. Although his relationship with Rin was marked by battles and sacrifices, they had always understood each other. There wasn't the same complex confusion he was feeling now with Aiz, Riveria, and Lefiya.
However, the longer Shirou thought about Rin, the deeper his worries grew. How was Rin doing now? Was she okay? Did she miss him? Or perhaps, was she crying when she thought of him?
These questions haunted Shirou, but he also knew one thing for sure: Rin was not the kind of person to let herself be consumed by sadness. Rin was strong, independent, and intelligent. She wouldn't let Shirou's departure ruin her life. Yet, despite this, Shirou couldn't shake the thought that Rin might be struggling, living her life alone without him by her side.
Shirou knew that if Rin could hear his thoughts right now, she would tell him to move forward. "Don't dwell on the past, Shirou," she would likely say. Rin would never want him to keep brooding over things that couldn't be changed. She would push him to focus on the present, on the people right in front of him.
Taking a deep breath, Shirou tried to calm his mind. He knew he couldn't remain trapped in the shadows of his past with Rin. The world he was in now was entirely different, and while he would always have fond memories of Rin, he had to move forward.
"Maybe it's true," Shirou muttered to himself. "If Rin knew I was still thinking about this, she'd definitely be angry and tell me to live my life. It's not fair to me or to the people here."
With that thought, Shirou resolved to steady his heart. He knew that the world he was in now demanded his full focus and attention, especially when it came to his relationships with Aiz, Riveria, and Lefiya. Although his past with Rin still held meaning for him, Shirou knew he had to embrace the reality that his life now was different—and maybe, it was time to truly open his heart to a new future in this new world.
"It's not easy to move on," he thought. "But if Rin can do it, so can I."
Shirou left his room, his mind still filled with confusion about how to handle the three women who might be interested in him: Aiz, Riveria, and Lefiya. For now, he decided to keep some distance and let the status quo remain, not wanting to hurt any of them or disrupt the bonds they had formed.
As Shirou walked toward the dining hall, he saw Aiz sitting there in casual clothes. A small smile crossed his face as he approached her and sat down beside her. "Morning, Aiz," he greeted her. "Did you enjoy the party yesterday?"
Aiz turned toward Shirou and gave a small nod. "The party... was okay. I accompanied Loki to the party at Apollo Familia's mansion," she said in her usual flat tone, though there was a hint of hesitation in her voice.
Shirou nodded, trying to stay casual. "Wow, that sounds fun. There must have been a lot of gods and goddesses there, right?"
Aiz nodded again, but this time, there was something that made her blush slightly. "I... also danced with Bell," she said quietly.
Hearing Bell's name, Shirou smiled. He had known Bell for a while and knew how much the young man admired Aiz. "Oh, really? How was it dancing with him?"
Aiz hesitated for a moment, then her eyes looked slightly embarrassed. "Actually... when I danced with him, I remembered how we danced before," Aiz said, glancing at Shirou. "And... without meaning to, Little Ariel activated."
Shirou almost laughed at that. He could imagine Bell being unprepared for Aiz's wind magic suddenly flaring up. "So, what happened to Bell?"
Aiz lowered her head a bit, and a small, shy smile appeared on her face. "He was surprised... then fell," she said softly.
Shirou tried to hold back his laughter, though he felt a bit sorry for Bell having to deal with Aiz's overwhelming magical strength. "I can imagine his face when that happened," Shirou said with a small chuckle.
Aiz smiled faintly, relieved that Shirou didn't seem bothered by the incident. "I didn't mean to make him fall," she said softly, with a tone of slight regret.
Shirou shook his head. "I'm sure Bell is fine. He was probably just surprised, but I'm sure he still enjoyed dancing with you."
Aiz smiled a little wider this time. "I hope so," she replied quietly. But deep down, there was a warm feeling as she recalled how different she had felt while dancing with Shirou—something much more intimate than her dance with Bell.
Then, Aiz's expression turned serious, her eyes hardening slightly as she began to speak. "There's something more important than the party last night," she said. Shirou, noticing the change in Aiz's tone, turned his full attention to her.
"Apollo has challenged Hestia to a War Game."
Shirou frowned and asked, "War Game? What's that?"
Aiz calmly explained, "A War Game is a large-scale battle between Familias. It usually happens when there's a major conflict, and it's often approved by the Guild. Both sides fight in a predetermined scenario, like castle sieges or duels. The winning side usually gains some form of power or rights over the losing side."
Hearing that, Shirou began to understand, but then he furrowed his brow even more deeply. "But why is Apollo challenging Hestia? What does he want?"
Aiz continued calmly, though there was a hint of tension in her voice. "Apollo wants to take Bell from the Hestia Familia. He's obsessed with him."
Shirou was shocked. "Take Bell? Can he really do that?"
Aiz nodded slowly. "In a War Game, the winning Familia can gain the right to recruit members from the losing Familia. So, if Hestia loses, Bell could be forced to join the Apollo Familia."
Shirou started to feel anxious. He knew how important Bell was to Hestia and how strong their bond was. "But... Hestia Familia only has one member, right? Just Bell. And Apollo Familia... they're much bigger and stronger than her Familia."
Aiz nodded in agreement. "That's what worries me. Apollo has many members, and they're all more experienced. Bell may be strong, but he's only at level two. Facing such a large Familia in a War Game is nearly impossible."
Shirou sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the situation. "So, what happened? Hestia wouldn't agree to such an unfair fight."
Aiz gave a faint smile. "Exactly. Hestia refused the challenge."
Shirou felt a bit of relief, though the worry still lingered in his heart. "So, the War Game won't happen?"
Aiz shook her head gently. "At least for now. But I'm not sure Apollo will give up that easily. He's really obsessed with Bell."
Shirou pondered the situation for a moment. Apollo Familia was powerful, and even though Hestia had refused, Shirou knew Apollo could still try other ways to get Bell.
"I hope Bell will be alright," Shirou murmured, though he knew this problem might not be over yet.
After Shirou finished his breakfast, the atmosphere in Twilight Manor suddenly changed when Tiona burst into the room, panting. "Important news!" she shouted. All eyes turned to her, sensing something urgent.
"What happened, Tiona?" asked Finn, while Shirou and Aiz also looked at her intently.
"Apollo Familia... they've surrounded Hestia Familia!" Tiona answered seriously, her face full of concern.
Shirou and Aiz immediately stood up from their seats. "We have to go help them!" Shirou said, feeling a growing sense of responsibility to help Bell and Hestia.
But before they could move, Finn raised his hand, signaling them to stop. "Wait," he commanded firmly. "You two need to stay here."
Aiz, who had great respect for Finn, obeyed without question, though her eyes showed her worry for Bell. However, Shirou couldn't accept the order so easily. Frustration and anger started to burn inside him.
"What do you mean, we have to stay?" Shirou asked with objection in his voice. "If we have the power to help, why should we just stand by?"
Finn was slightly surprised by Shirou's direct challenge to his orders. He recognized that, even though Shirou was a new member of Loki Familia, his desire to protect others was incredibly strong. But Finn remained calm, and after a few seconds of thought, he explained in a firm yet patient voice.
"You need to understand something, Shirou," Finn said, looking straight into his eyes. "Loki Familia and Freya Familia are the strongest in Orario. We can't just interfere with the affairs of weaker Familias. This rule has been in place since the era of Zeus and Hera Familia to prevent tyranny. If we get involved now, it could be seen as an abuse of power."
Shirou clenched his fists tightly, still feeling upset and dissatisfied. To him, the power he had gained, the levels he had reached, weren't meant for sitting idly by while others suffered. Bell was his friend, and Hestia was a kind goddess. How could he let them face this situation without helping?
Shirou looked at Finn and said in a low but determined voice, "I didn't fight all this time and grow stronger just to sit still while the people I care about are in danger."
Finn gazed deeply at Shirou, admiring the spirit within him. "I understand how you feel," Finn said in a softer tone. "But there are times when we have to choose when to get involved and when to hold back. Believe me, Hestia Familia needs to face this challenge on their own. If we step in, it could change everything and potentially make things worse."
Shirou stood silently, his gaze blank as he pondered Finn's words. Deep down, he knew Finn was right, but the feeling of helplessness made him more restless.
Even though Finn had tried to calm Shirou, a deep worry still rumbled inside Shirou's heart. Every word Finn said about rules and limits felt true, but Shirou's instinct to protect others, especially Bell, kept urging him forward. His heart was conflicted between his duty as a member of Loki Familia and his instinct to save others, regardless of the consequences.
Shirou began to think, "If I weren't a member of Loki Familia, would I be free to act?" That thought only deepened his frustration. He highly valued his new friends in Loki Familia, but this burden was pressing down on his heart. He didn't want to cause them trouble, but at the same time, he couldn't allow Bell to face danger alone.
With a sudden surge of resolve, Shirou looked at Finn seriously and said, "No one will know if a member of Loki Familia was involved... if they can't see my identity."
Before Finn could respond, Shirou closed his eyes for a moment and silently cast his spell. "Trace on." A faint light surrounded him, and in an instant, Shirou projected Hassan ibn Sabbah's mask and a black cloak that completely concealed his identity.
With incredible speed, he activated Presence Concealment, a technique that made him nearly invisible. Silently, Shirou leaped out of the room's window with such speed and agility that, within seconds, he had vanished into the shadows of the buildings.
Aiz, seeing Shirou's actions, immediately wanted to follow him. "Shirou!" she called out, but her step was halted by Finn.
"Don't," Finn said, raising his hand to stop her. "Let him go."
"But he—"
Finn calmly shook his head. "I'm sure he'll keep his identity hidden. We've seen for ourselves—he's more than capable of that."
Aiz stared at the now-empty window, her heart filled with worry. However, she knew Finn was right. Shirou had a unique ability and was highly skilled in stealth, just like when he first joined Loki Familia. Still, Aiz's heart couldn't rest easy.
Meanwhile, Shirou sped across the rooftops with incredible speed, slipping into the shadows without a sound. In the darkness, he was no longer Shirou Emiya, a member of Loki Familia. He was a nameless figure, a shadow assassin, ready to protect Bell without breaking the rules that bound him.