[At Shirou's house]
Shirou: scrolling through his phone
Man, I'm bored...
Shizuka: Want something to do?
Shirou: Hmm... How about we play something?
Shizuka: Play? Like what?
Shirou: There's this popular mobile game I used to play back in high school. I heard it's still pretty big. Want to give it a go?
Shizuka: Oh, I think I've heard of it. Sure, let's try!
[They both start playing the game.]
Shizuka: How do you play this again?
Shirou: I'll show you. It's pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Just follow my lead.
[As they were playing, there was a knock on the door. Shirou opened it.]
Shirou: Who is it?
Mio: cheerfully Hello, Shirou-kun! I'm here to see Shizuka. Is she here?
Shirou: Yeah, she's here. Come inside.
Mio: grinning With pleasure!
Shirou: calling out to Shizuka
Shizuka-san, Mio's here.
Mio: waving
Hi, bestie!
Shizuka: smiling
Oh, bestie! What brings you here?
Mio: Nothing. I just wanted to see you.
Shizuka: teasing
Is that so? Well, join us then.
Mio: Join? What are you guys playing? peeks in
Mio: Oh, I've been playing that game for months! Let me join in!
Shirou: Sure thing. By the way, what roles do you guys play?
Shizuka: I'm a mage.
Mio: I'm a marksman.
Shirou: grinning
I'll go jungle core then.
[The three of them played the game, laughing at their wins and groaning at their losses.]
Shizuka: takes a break from the game
I think I'm good for now. You guys continue.
Mio: enthusiastically
Okay!
Shirou: Sure.
[Shizuka took a break and sat down. Just then, there was another knock at the door.]
Shizuka: opening the door
Who is it?
Kei:smiling
Morning, miss. Is Shirou here?
Shizuka: smiling back
Yeah, he's here. Is there something you need with him, sir?
Kei: waving his hand
No need to be so formal, just call him out for me.
Shizuka:smiling sweetly
No need, just come inside.
Kei: nodding
Thanks, miss.
[Kei entered, and Shirou glanced over at him before approaching to greet him.]
Shirou: Kei, long time no see! How have you been?
Kei: grinning
I've been good. You know I can't stand going back to jail. That place stinks.
Shirou: laughing
Well, at least you've learned your lesson. Come on, have a seat. I'll make some snacks for everyone.
Mio: perking up
Ooh, snacks! I'll help! But wait, who's this guy? glancing at Kei
Shirou: smiling
Kei and I were classmates back in high school. We're pretty different, but we've got some things in common.
Mio:raising an eyebrow, teasing
You mean you're a criminal too?
Shirou: quickly shaking his head
No! Not like that! I mean, we've both done some good things, you know?
Mio: relieved
Oh, okay then.
Kei: grinning
Yeah, Shirou and I are like... twins in different ways, if you know what I mean?
Kei: turning to Shirou
Bro, can I crash here tonight?
Shirou: grinning
Sure, bro. Make yourself at home.
Kei: grinning wider
Nice! You're the best!
Shizuka: smiling
I'm sure we'll all be happy to have you here, Kei.
Kei: nodding
Thanks, miss.
Shizuka: gently
No need to be formal, just call me Shizuka.
Kei: blushing slightly
Y-yeah, sure...
Mio: beaming
The name's Mio. Nice to meet you, Kei!
Kei: shyly
Y-yeah. Likewise...
[Minutes later, Shirou came back with snacks.]
Shirou: Snacks are done! Dig in, everyone.
Mio: grinning
Yes! It's here! Wait, I thought I was supposed to help?
Shirou: blushing a little
Oh, uh, sorry about that.
Mio: laughing
Nah, never mind. These look delicious anyway. grabs a cookie and takes a bite
Shizuka: smiling sweetly
Thanks for the treat, Shirou.
Shirou:grinning
It's my pleasure.
Kei:getting up from the couch
Alright, I'll be back. I need to use the restroom.
[As Kei walked off, everyone else continued eating and chatting. Moments later, Kei returned.]
Kei: sitting back down
Alright, I'm back. What's the news?
Shirou:grinning
Oh, we had a 1v1 match, and of course, I won. Just as expected.
Mio:pouting playfully
Hmph! Next time, I'll win, Shirou. Mark my words!
Shizuka: teasing
Mio, be sure to climb the ranks, or you'll be stuck in Legend. We won't be able to play ranked with you.
Mio: mock groaning
Ugh, fine. I'll get stronger and come back at you.
Shizuka:smiling softly
Good luck with that.
Mio:jumping at Shizuka playfully
Aww, look at you, cutie! initiates a playful cuddle
Shizuka:laughing
Ah! Hey, stop it! laughs uncontrollably
[Minutes later, Mio stood up to leave.]
Mio: yawning
It's getting late. I should head home. Bye, bestie!
Shizuka:waving
Take care, bestie. pauses Oh, wait! hands Mio an umbrella It's raining hard outside. Take this.
Mio: smiling
Oh, I almost forgot! Thanks! grabs the umbrella
Shizuka: concerned
It's still raining pretty hard. I'm not sure if the umbrella will hold up.
Mio: shrugging
Don't worry, bestie! It's just a short rain— thunder cracks loudly
Shirou: decisively
I'll drive you home. It's not safe. Get in the car.
Mio:nervously
O-okay, then. Bye, bestie! gives Kei a quick wave
Shizuka: smiling
Take care!
Kei: waving
Take care!
Shirou: starting the car
We'll be quick.
[On the way to Mio's place, the atmosphere was light but a bit charged. Mio turned to Shirou as the car sped through the rain.]
Mio: So, Shirou, what do you think of Shizuka?
Shirou: pauses, thinking
Eh? Me? Umm... fidgets
She's kind, cute, and... just a really good friend to have.
Mio: grinning
Sounds like someone's interested.
Shirou: flustered
I-I'm not! I just... I like her attitude. That's all.
Mio:teasing
Admit it, knight in shining armor. You saved her life! You two are starting to get pretty close. That's a good start, don't you think?
Shirou: shifting uncomfortably
I... I don't know. We just met. I don't think it would be smooth if I just make a move out of nowhere.
Mio: playfully smacking his head
Insensitive idiot!
Shirou: groaning
Ouch! Hey, I'm driving!
Mio: grinning
Sorry, but if you don't do something soon, someone else might snatch her up.
Shirou: nervously
...I-I won't let that happen. blushes
Mio:excited
Yieee! That's what I wanted to hear!
[They arrived at Mio's apartment.]
Shirou: stopping the car
We're here.
Mio:stretching
Just in time for the storm to clear, huh? Oh, here's the umbrella. hands it to him
Thanks again for the ride.
Shirou: smiling
Of course. Stay safe.
Mio: grinning
Take care of my bestie, okay? She's the only friend I've got. Can I trust you with that?
Shirou: serious
Sure thing. No matter what, I'll protect her.
Mio: smiling, relieved
That's good to hear. See you sometime, Shirou. Take care!
Shirou: nodding
I will. drives off, heading back home
[He arrived home, noticing Kei was sleeping soundly on the couch. Shirou quietly went upstairs to check on Shizuka. She was peacefully asleep in her room.]
Shirou: whispering to himself
They sure slept early. Well, I've got a busy day tomorrow. quietly closing his room door
Time to get some rest.
[He laid down in his own room, settling in for the night.]