"It's okay, Emiya-kun. I believe in you."
Still Ritsuka is considerate, truly worthy of being the current generation's Type-Moon succubus.
'Her charm stat must have already reached EX.'
Speaking of charm stat, Shirou, who had left learning to the system through Hosting, checked his panel.
Not much had changed, but it had only been half a day since the system started working. It'd be strange if there was any change.
'However, is there a problem with this Charm EX?'
'Ritsuka is at least a beautiful girl. But me?'
'A guy with honest, clumsy-looking facial features, pursuing a youthful dream of being a hero of justice?'
'System, care to explain?'
Even though he answered all the questions and even extrapolated beyond them, Shirou was still punished by Taiga and made to stand in the hallway holding buckets.
["Hosting available: increase charm stat?"]
'Huh, Charm of EX level can still be increased?'
Then he had to try. Just as he clicked confirm, "thud," Shirou set the water bucket down.
The water in the bucket splashed, and immediately Taiga, who was teaching, threw him a glance.
That was a sharper and colder gaze than radar.
Tiger raged, "Shirou, what are you doing? Didn't I tell you to stand still?"
System Shirou didn't answer, standing as straight as a rod, and then began walking away from the hallway.
That attitude enraged Taiga. She dashed forward and blocked Shirou's path.
"Getting cocky now, Shirou? Not even going to listen to your teacher?", Taiga's eyes emitted killing intent, and she started cracking her knuckles.
If this were an anime with special effects, Shirou would probably see the volcano behind her about to erupt.
He had been careless. He clearly knew the system wasn't smart enough, yet still messed around during class.
Next time, he would be careful. Shirou learned his lesson from this failed termination attempt.
"What's wrong with Emiya-kun?", Ritsuka and Mash were worried.
Issei figured Shirou must have been toyed with by that demon again.
Only Shirou coldly walked past the raging Taiga.
And then the volcano erupted.
"Take this, Shirou!", With the textbook rolled into a tube, Taiga unleashed the power of her swordsmanship.
But Shirou perfectly dodged with a sidestep, seized her wrist, snatched the textbook, and bonked it on her head in return.
Instantly, the students poking their heads out of the classroom went silent.
It was as if time had frozen; even Ritsuka had her mouth wide open.
Taiga, struck, had an expression of utter disbelief.
This state lasted only one second.
"You, what are you doing, Shirou?", Tiger roar.
Taiga was now truly at full blast.
No, rather than full blast, she was more like furious out of humiliation.
Her loud voice attracted people from the entire floor. Students and teachers alike came out to see what happened.
Kuzuki Souichirou stood upright, his face expressionless, watching Shirou.
That move just now, clean and decisive. If he were an assassin, defeating Taiga would have taken but an instant.
'Emiya Shirou, huh? Interesting.'
Ding~ Dong~
Never before had Shirou thought that the class bell was the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard.
'Surely now it will stop, right?'
"..."
'Still going?'
'Why not?'
Shirou, with long strides, walked past everyone, including Tohsaka Rin, and headed toward the school building exit.
"Wha-hey! Don't ignore me!", Taiga nearly lost it.
Shirou felt a bit sorry for her… but also suspicious.
'What exactly is the system going to do to raise my charm?'
This Hosting System was absolutely reckless in everything it did.
Storming out of class like this, completely doing things his own way, this was way too dangerous.
If not for the restriction of laws and regulations, Shirou had a strong feeling that the system might've just eliminated Taiga as a hindrance.
Just like how it wanted to break the window that early morning.
'Wait!'
Shirou suddenly thought of something.
'If Hosting tasks can add a rule to obey laws and regulations, can't I also add one to follow school rules?'
Shirou made an attempt.
'Input: While at school, follow school regulations and rules.'
["Confirm: While in the academy, all actions will follow school rules and regulations?"]
Shirou breathed a sigh of relief.
That would do.
He selected "Yes." It took effect immediately.
Halfway down the stairs, Shirou suddenly turned around under everyone's gaze, returned to the now furious Taiga, bowed in a perfect apology posture, and recited like lines from a script, "I'm sorry, Fujimura-sensei. As a student, I shouldn't have clashed with you, and I especially shouldn't have been doing unrelated things during class."
"What the- he's apologizing already?", Some students looking for drama were disappointed.
Even Tohsaka Rin seemed to lose interest and returned to the classroom.
Taiga froze for a moment, looked at Shirou with his head bowed, waiting for her forgiveness, and her anger finally cooled a bit. She threatened fiercely, "This time, I'll let you off. Next time, I'm telling Kiritsugu!"
Realizing that her usual authority and brute force didn't work anymore, Taiga's only remaining tactic was calling the guardian.
"Thank you, teacher. I'll study hard and live up to your expectations."
"Eh?", Taiga rubbed her eyes hard, 'Is this really the same defiant Shirou from earlier?'
Shirou didn't say anything. After confirming she'd truly calmed down, he returned to the classroom.
"Emiya-kun, you just now…", Ritsuka seemed like she wanted to say something but stopped.
Shirou calmly explained, "Sorry, I was in a hurry and forgot to report to Fujimura-sensei that I was going to the restroom."
"But you didn't go to the restroom," Mash had seen him go halfway down the stairs and then come back.
"I see," Shirou thought seriously, "Is it hard to accept that I said a joke with a serious face?"
"That was a joke?", Ritsuka looked like she needed confirmation.
"Yeah, it was a joke," Shirou nodded seriously. If you ignored his stiff expression, maybe he'd seem more sincere.
"Emiya-kun… unexpectedly eccentric."
'Eccentric, huh? Did she just say "independent-minded" earlier?'
Shirou drifted off in thought.
He diligently attended the afternoon classes, absorbing 100% of the knowledge.
Under the restriction of school rules, Shirou took class seriously. All the notes the teacher required, any questions that needed answering, he didn't miss a single one.
He was now the model of a third-year student.
And helpful too, just during one break he helped classmates seven times.
Including small tasks like fetching water.
'Wait a minute, am I really becoming a hero of justice?'
"You don't have to take it so seriously, Emiya-kun," Ritsuka smiled awkwardly.
Today she and Mash were on cleaning duty, and naturally were cleaning the school after dismissal.
At first, she was happy that Shirou was willing to help, but...
Squatting in the corner, using a toothbrush to scrub gaps, Shirou wore a focused expression. No, more like no expression at all.
"Since we're cleaning the school, it has to be spotless," Not only did he polish the chalkboard until it gleamed, but he also wiped the desks and floors until they reflected light.
Only then did Shirou finish the cleaning.
He looked at Ritsuka and Mash, who exchanged glances and saw liberation in each other's eyes.
'It's finally over!'
"Let's go to the clubroom," Shirou picked up his bag.
"We still have club?"
After such a thorough cleaning, Ritsuka and Mash were completely exhausted. They just wanted to go home and rest.
As for club activities, Ritsuka was the club president. If she said no one was absent, then no one was absent. Besides, it was already 5:30, only half an hour left before club ended.
"Since we joined the club, we should take club activities seriously. Even if it's just half an hour, we shouldn't slack off."
Shirou answered like that, slung his bag over one shoulder, took one person in each hand, and dragged them toward the club building.
"Wa-wait! Emiya-kun!"
Because it was too sudden, Ritsuka didn't react in time.
Until her hand was enveloped by warmth, then she finally responded.
Her cheeks turned bright red.
"Okay, okay! Let go already, Emiya-kun! I'll walk on my own!"
"Me too, Emiya-kun," Mash pleaded.
Shirou turned to look at the two of them and, confirming they weren't lying, let go.
"Let's go."
"Hai!!"
Defeated, the two sighed helplessly.
'Today's Emiya-kun is really strange!'
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