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Shirou and Lefiya were busy in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the members of the Loki Familia. The delicious smell of cooking filled the air as Shirou calmly chopped vegetables and prepared various dishes.
Lefiya, standing beside him, stirred the soup and checked on the bread that was baking. As she noticed Shirou preparing a larger, more special portion, her curiosity was piqued. "That portion... is it for Aiz?" she asked softly, pointing to the dish that looked more elaborate.
Shirou nodded with a smile. "Yes, it's for Aiz. As usual, she went out early to train Bell."
Lefiya sighed deeply at his words. A slight hint of jealousy flashed across her face, but she tried to hide it. "I hope that training ends soon. It seems like Aiz has been spending a lot of time with Bell lately."
Shirou noticed the subtle tone in Lefiya's words but chose not to dwell on it. "Yeah, I hope they're ready in time. The War Game is going to be tough for Bell."
They continued their work smoothly, and once all the dishes were ready, Shirou and Lefiya began carrying the breakfast plates into the Loki Familia dining room. The dining hall was already buzzing with some members who had gathered at the table, eagerly awaiting their meals.
Shirou skillfully served breakfast in front of everyone, while Lefiya helped with a cheerful smile on her face. When they finished, Shirou placed the special large portion he had prepared for Aiz at one of the empty spots at the table, hoping she would return from her training soon.
After all the food was served, the two of them sat at a separate table, enjoying breakfast with the other members of the Loki Familia, though Lefiya's mind seemed a bit distracted. Shirou glanced at Lefiya, sensing that there was something she wanted to express, but for now, they enjoyed the moment together without much conversation.
Riveria smiled gently at Lefiya for serving her breakfast. "Thank you, Lefiya," she said gracefully before starting her meal. But before picking up her fork, Riveria decided to use Magecraft Structural Analysis on the salad that had been served.
As she examined the salad, Riveria was surprised. "There's... prana in this?" she whispered in shock. She quickly turned to Shirou. "Did you use Reinforcement on this food?"
Shirou simply smiled and shrugged. "Well, I guess my secret recipe is out," he said playfully, making Lefiya, who was sitting nearby, chuckle.
However, Riveria became even more intrigued. "So, what effect does Reinforcement have on the food? Does it change the taste or just add prana?"
Shirou smiled again and explained, "Actually, besides enhancing physical strength or objects, Reinforcement can also enhance the flavor of food. That's why the salad might taste better than usual."
Riveria's eyes sparkled as she heard this explanation. She began imagining that one day, if she mastered Reinforcement perfectly, she could cook food that was not only nutritious but also extraordinarily flavorful. "In that case, when I master Reinforcement, I'll be able to make amazing dishes too," Riveria murmured with a glowing smile on her face, clearly enchanted by the idea.
However, the atmosphere at the dining table began to shift as everyone noticed Riveria's unusual behavior. It was rare to see their typically composed and elegant leader so excited. Curious looks from the members of the Loki Familia made Riveria realize she was being watched.
Her face flushed with embarrassment, but she maintained her composure. "W-what?" she asked, trying to keep her cool despite clearly feeling self-conscious. A few people, like Gareth and Tiona, stifled their laughter, while Lefiya just smiled understandingly.
Shirou, knowing that Riveria rarely showed this side of herself, could only smile softly. "Maybe next time, I could teach you how to cook with Reinforcement," he said, glancing at Riveria, who was trying to avoid the gazes of those around her.
"Alright then... I'll look forward to that lesson," Riveria replied with a slightly shy expression, though she still tried to remain calm, even though deep inside, she felt pleased to have Shirou's attention.
The breakfast at Twilight Manor continued in a warmer atmosphere, even though Riveria felt a bit more embarrassed than usual.
Loki ate her food quickly but still seemed to enjoy every bite of Shirou's always flavorful cooking. Her gaze occasionally flicked to the clock on the dining room wall.
Finn, sitting nearby, noticed Loki's unusually hurried demeanor. He raised an eyebrow and asked calmly, "Why are you in such a rush, Loki?"
Loki quickly swallowed her food and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "The gods are holding a Denatus meeting today," she said. "You know, about the War Game between Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia. All the gods and goddesses are invited, and I have to attend."
At the mention of Hestia, Shirou, who was sitting on the other side of the table, was reminded of Bell and the difficult situation faced by the Hestia Familia. Carefully, he looked at Loki, hesitating for a moment before speaking. "Loki, could you... could you help Hestia Familia at that meeting? They really need support."
Loki, who was in the middle of taking a sip of water, almost choked at Shirou's request. She sputtered a little, visibly shocked by his plea. "Help Hestia? Are you crazy? I have no intention of helping that goddess, especially now," she replied, half-joking but clearly unwilling.
Shirou, despite knowing the bad relationship between Loki and Hestia, continued to plead earnestly. "I know you two don't get along. But this isn't about Hestia. This is about Bell, and he doesn't deserve to be crushed in the War Game. I know you can make a difference there."
Shirou's determined gaze made Loki groan in annoyance, though she also knew Shirou didn't ask for help easily. Loki stared at him for a moment, considering his request with a confused expression. Finally, after letting out a long sigh, she gave in.
"Alright, alright," Loki muttered while waving her hand. "But don't think I'm doing this voluntarily. I'm only doing it because you asked, Shirou."
Shirou's face immediately brightened. "Thank you, Loki," he said sincerely, bowing his head slightly in gratitude. Loki merely glanced at him with a scowl, but deep down, she felt a bit pleased that Shirou valued her help so much.
Finn smiled faintly from afar, understanding the interaction well. "Good job, Loki. You still have a heart, after all," he teased, making Loki glare at him.
"Shut up! I could still change my mind!" Loki retorted, though it was clear she wasn't entirely serious. The atmosphere at the dining table warmed up a bit afterward, with Loki quickly finishing her meal before rushing off to attend the Denatus meeting, leaving Shirou feeling slightly relieved.
After the members of the Loki Familia finished breakfast and left the dining room, Shirou and Lefiya stayed behind to clean up the messy kitchen and dining area. They worked in silence for a while, sweeping up crumbs and washing dishes. The sound of running water and the scraping of cloth across the table were the only sounds filling the room.
In the midst of their busyness, Lefiya looked at Shirou with growing curiosity. She then paused and asked a question she had long wanted to ask. "Shirou, why are you so eager to help Bell? I mean, you're not that close to him."
Shirou smiled gently while lifting the last dish he had washed and began drying it. "There's nothing wrong with helping someone who's in trouble, Lefiya," he replied calmly. "Sometimes, we don't need a special reason to help someone. If we can do it, why not?"
Shirou's words were simple, yet full of meaning. They echoed in Lefiya's mind, reminding her of all the moments when Shirou had helped her without being asked. From the times Shirou had saved her from danger to small things like today when they cleaned the kitchen together. Shirou was always there, always offering help without expecting anything in return. For him, helping was something natural.
Silently, Lefiya gazed at Shirou with deeper admiration. She whispered softly, too quietly for him to hear, "You're truly amazing, Shirou..."
Unaware of the hidden compliment, Shirou simply smiled, thinking Lefiya was talking to herself. They continued cleaning together until everything was done.
Not long after, Aiz returned from training Bell. Her face was slightly sweaty, but her expression seemed lighter, as if she was satisfied with the training. When she saw Shirou and Lefiya, she gave them a small smile.
Without many words, Shirou brought out the special portion he had prepared for Aiz. "This is for you, Aiz," he said while serving the large, more luxurious breakfast. "You must be tired after training."
Aiz smiled widely at the sight of the food, her hunger suddenly rising. "Thank you, Shirou," she said before sitting down and starting to eat.
While Aiz enjoyed her meal, Lefiya could only smile at the interaction. Though she sometimes felt jealous, she couldn't help but feel happy seeing Aiz content, especially after working so hard training Bell for the War Game.
The atmosphere in the room became warmer and more peaceful, even though everyone had their own concerns about what lay ahead.
Afterward, as Shirou watched Aiz eat heartily, he finally asked, "How was the training with Bell?"
Aiz glanced at Shirou for a moment before swallowing her food and answering calmly, "He's improving quickly. Bell is getting stronger. I gave him advice on how to exploit his opponent's weaknesses and strike when they're off guard."
Hearing this, Lefiya, who was helping tidy the table, said, "That's all thanks to you, Aiz. If it weren't for your intense training, Bell wouldn't be improving this fast."
Shirou smiled slightly at the praise, though there was still concern in his heart. He turned back to Aiz and asked, "Do you think Bell has a chance against Apollo Familia?"
Aiz paused for a moment, her usually calm face showing a bit of hesitation. "If it's a one-on-one fight, Bell might have a chance. But if he's up against the entire Apollo Familia, I doubt he has any chance of winning."
Aiz's words cast a slight heaviness over the room. Shirou sighed deeply, feeling more worried about Bell's fate. He asked again, this time more seriously, "Can't Bell's party members like Welf and Lily join him?"
Lefiya, who was well-versed in the structure of familias in Orario, answered, "As far as I know, Welf is a member of Hephaestus Familia, and Lily is from Soma Familia. Since they belong to different familias, they can't participate in the War Game. Only members of Hestia Familia are allowed to fight."
Shirou sighed heavily after hearing Lefiya's explanation. The situation seemed increasingly unfair to Bell. Without the help of his friends, how could Bell stand a chance against the large and powerful Apollo Familia?
Seeing the deepening concern on Shirou's face, Lefiya tried to comfort him. "Don't worry too much, Shirou. Maybe during the Denatus meeting, the gods and goddesses will consider Bell's situation and grant an exception. Who knows, there might be more hope than we think."
Shirou looked at Lefiya and gave her a small smile, though his heart remained heavy. "I hope so," he replied briefly, knowing that the outcome of the Denatus could be highly unpredictable, depending on who dominated the discussion. Still, Lefiya's words gave him a bit of encouragement, and he tried to stay positive.
Aiz continued eating, though it was clear her mind was also preoccupied with what lay ahead. This War Game was a huge challenge for Bell, and she could only hope that their training so far would be enough to give Bell a fighting chance against his opponents.
Shirou sat quietly, his worry for Bell still lingering. He held his plate with slightly trembling hands. "I still don't know the full chronology of how Apollo Familia besieged Hestia Familia earlier," he said with a heavy tone. "I arrived late and only saw Hestia challenge Apollo to the War Game."
Aiz, having finished her meal, looked at Shirou calmly. "Hestia Familia's home is quite close to the Hostess of Fertility. Maybe the staff there know more about what happened before."
Upon hearing Aiz's suggestion, Lefiya, sitting next to Shirou, added with a slightly teasing tone, "Yeah, maybe you could ask them, Shirou. You seem to be getting pretty close to the pretty waitresses there."
Shirou blushed a little, feeling accused, and scratched his head. "We're just friends. Besides, they've helped me a lot since I came to Orario," he replied, trying to dispel the misunderstanding. But in his heart, he knew he had grown quite familiar with the staff there, especially with Syr.
Aiz smiled faintly, looking at Shirou calmly. Meanwhile, Lefiya, though she was half-joking, couldn't completely hide the slight unease that lingered in her heart.
Sensing this was a useful lead, Shirou stood up from his chair. "Alright, thanks for the suggestion, Aiz, Lefiya. I'll head over to the Hostess of Fertility to find out what happened."
After saying his goodbyes, Shirou left the dining room of Twilight Manor. As he walked out, his thoughts remained focused on Bell and Hestia Familia. He knew how difficult it would be to face Apollo Familia, but getting clearer information about the siege might help him better understand the situation and perhaps find a way to assist Bell. With that determination, he made his way to the Hostess of Fertility, hoping to find answers from the familiar waitresses.
Shirou stepped into the Hostess of Fertility, and the warm, cozy atmosphere immediately greeted him. Standing by the door, Ryuu welcomed him with her usual small, calm smile.
"Welcome, Shirou," Ryuu greeted him calmly, as always. However, today something felt odd to Shirou. He glanced around the restaurant, his eyes landing on a miniature ship proudly displayed in one corner.
Chloe, busy cleaning tables, noticed Shirou eyeing the miniature ship. "Hey, Shirou! Thanks for the souvenir! Mama Mia really loves that little ship, so now it's on display in the restaurant!" she said with a grin.
Shirou smiled with relief, glad to hear that Mama Mia liked the gift he had brought back from Melen. But something was nagging at him. He scanned the room again, noticing that Syr, who usually greeted him enthusiastically, was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Syr?" Shirou asked, thinking. Syr was rarely absent from the restaurant unless she had a special reason.
Anya, who was tidying the chairs, chimed in with her usual lively voice. "Oh, Syr asked to come in late today. She probably has something important to take care of," she said with a small laugh.
Shirou nodded slowly, but another thought began to form in his mind. He was becoming increasingly convinced that Syr was a disguised goddess. Her sometimes mysterious behavior, her sudden appearances and disappearances without a trace—it all hinted at something more than just an ordinary waitress. And now, with the Denatus meeting going on, Shirou felt even more certain that Syr might be attending that meeting alongside the other gods and goddesses.
However, Shirou kept his suspicions to himself. There was no point in speculating further without concrete proof. For now, the more pressing matter was getting information about Apollo Familia's siege on Hestia Familia.
"By the way, does anyone know what happened near the old church yesterday?" Shirou asked, trying to gather information from the other waitresses.
Ryuu and Anya exchanged glances before responding. "There was a big commotion around there, lots of people coming and going. We heard rumors that Apollo Familia had surrounded Hestia Familia," Ryuu said calmly but clearly.
Shirou listened carefully, trying to piece together the new bits of information he had just received.
Anya, in her usual casual yet slightly teasing tone, said, "If you want to know more about what happened yesterday, it might be better to wait for Syr. She probably knows more."
Shirou nodded, agreeing with Anya's suggestion. Syr always seemed to know more than she let on.
Ryuu, who had been observing the conversation, added, "While you're waiting for Syr, you can help us in the kitchen as usual. You always enjoy cooking, right?"
Shirou's face brightened immediately. "Of course! I'd love to."
But just as Shirou was about to head toward the kitchen, Anya quickly blocked his path, grinning mischievously. "Wait, don't forget something!"
Shirou frowned, confused. "What?"
Anya giggled. "You forgot your uniform! You can't cook in the kitchen without your server uniform, right? It's still in your old room, isn't it?"
With a resigned sigh but a smile at Anya's playful jab, Shirou gave in. He headed upstairs to his old room at the Hostess of Fertility. The room was filled with memories—it was where he had first set foot in Orario and where Syr had helped him when he was still lost in this new world. Once in the room, Shirou opened the small closet that still held his green server uniform.
"Seems like I've done this a lot," Shirou muttered to himself as he changed into the familiar outfit that had become his trademark in the restaurant.
After he finished changing, he checked his appearance in the mirror. The green uniform still contrasted sharply with his red hair, as his friends often teased him about. But there was a comforting feeling about wearing the uniform again, like he was once more part of the small family at the Hostess of Fertility.
Smiling to himself, Shirou made his way back downstairs, ready to help in the kitchen while waiting for Syr, who might have more information to offer.
As Shirou came down in his bright green server uniform, barely able to blend in with his red hair, Ryuu, Chloe, and Anya couldn't hold back their laughter any longer. They tried to be polite, but it was hard to hide how amusing they found the contrast.
Shirou, already used to their teasing, could only blush. "What?" he asked, his face a mix of confusion and endearing embarrassment.
Ryuu, her usual stoic expression softened, handed Shirou an apron. "Here, at least wear this to protect your uniform," she said, gently helping him put it on.
Chloe, known for her sharp jokes, grinned and said, "Maybe we should give you a headband like ours to complete the look!"
At that, Shirou waved his hands frantically, declining the suggestion without hesitation. "No, no! I'm already embarrassed enough with this uniform."
Anya, who had been holding in her laughter, finally burst out laughing at the thought of Shirou wearing a maid headband like theirs. "Oh, Shirou! I can just imagine you with a headband—you'd look even cuter!"
Feeling cornered, Shirou quickly escaped to the kitchen to avoid further embarrassment. "I'll just get started on cooking!" he called out, ducking his head to hide his reddening face.
Meanwhile, the cheerful laughter of Ryuu, Chloe, and Anya echoed behind him, enjoying the moment before they all returned to their work.