The bright sunlight streamed through the window into Shirou's room.
Shirou woke up, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face.
"It's been so long since I slept this well..."
Ever since arriving in Orario, Shirou had been working tirelessly to strengthen himself—waking up early, going to bed late, and even abandoning his old Emiya habit of sleeping in.
He sat up in bed and walked over to the window, looking outside.
The courtyard was bustling with activity.
"As expected, the Twilight Manor is lively now that they've returned from the expedition."
Watching everyone moving around the courtyard, Shirou couldn't help but smile. He loved that energetic atmosphere.
"Hey! Shirou! Look over here!"
He heard someone calling his name and looked toward the source of the voice.
It was Tiona.
Next to her stood Ais, Tione, and Lefiya.
In response, Shirou smiled and waved at them.
"Come down!"
Tiona kept shouting, seeing that Shirou had noticed them.
"I knew they were looking for me."
After last night's party, Shirou had gotten to know them better and had a vague idea of their personalities.
If he didn't come down, the four of them would probably storm in, break his door down, and drag him out!
Figuring he'd end up going anyway, Shirou waved back and went to wash up.
After freshening up, Shirou—dressed casually—soon appeared in front of the four girls.
"Good morning, everyone! Ais, Tiona, Tione!"
He greeted the three girls who were working out, then turned and smiled at Lefiya, who had been watching from the side.
"Good morning, Lefiya!"
"Ah! G-Good morning, Mr. Emiya!"
The somewhat shy Lefiya quickly turned around and answered Shirou's greeting.
"No need to be so shy, Lefiya. We're all friends here—just relax."
Though Shirou already knew Lefiya was timid and reserved, he didn't expect her to be so bashful even when just saying hello.
"Sorry!"
Shirou was left speechless as he watched Lefiya bow as if she wanted to bury her head in the ground.
"Lefiya, Shirou's a member of our Familia now! You can't be so nervous!"
As Shirou approached, the three training partners stopped and gathered around him.
Looking at Tiona, who placed a hand on his shoulder and casually called him "Shirou," and then at Lefiya, who still seemed shy despite everyone's encouragement, Shirou could only smile.
"Don't worry, Lefiya. We'll all protect you."
He looked at Ais, who gently patted Lefiya's head, and at Lefiya, whose eyes sparkled under Ais's touch.
As expected, Ais had to step in.
As expected of you, Lefiya!
"Now that you're finally back, why not take it easy today?"
"Yeah! Let's fix up our gear first. Then we can walk around town. Sound good?"
Tiona asked with a smile, hands on her hips.
"Equipment maintenance and shopping?"
Honestly, even if Shirou hadn't spent much time in Orario yet, that didn't stop him from being reluctant about going shopping with four women.
Shopping with women was already exhausting—these four were top-tier adventurers.
Ah, except for Lefiya!
Shirou hesitated, but there wasn't much he could do.
With the two Amazon sisters hanging off his shoulders and Ais tugging on his clothes, Shirou knew they wouldn't give him a choice.
"Sure... I'd love to."
Shirou sighed as he walked at the back of the group through the busy street.
Looking at the shopping bags in his hands, he could only mutter the obvious:
"Ah... women..."
But those were small matters. After all, that little weight was nothing to him now.
What concerned him more were the strange looks he kept getting from people around them.
"Look, that's him!"
"That's the legendary newcomer to the Loki Familia?"
Now that he had reached level 2, Shirou was fully aware of the rumors circulating around him.
It was something that happened just yesterday, so how had he become so well-known already?
Were the people of Orario really that gossipy?
Alas...
Life is truly hard, Shirou sighed!
"Are the rumors really bothering you that much?"
At some point, the four girls who had been leading the way fell behind him.
Hearing Tiona's question, Shirou's face was filled with frustration.
"I'm just... not used to being the center of attention."
"That just means you need to get used to it!"
Tione, now walking beside him, patted his shoulder repeatedly and reassured him with a smile.
"As long as you're capable and strong, people are going to talk about you. You'll get used to it!"
Listening to her words and looking around at the curious stares, Shirou sighed.
"I really don't want to get used to this kind of life..."
"Ah~!"
Shirou looked at the roasted potato being handed to him and then at the person offering it—Ais.
Sensing his confusion, Ais calmly explained:
"These fried potato balls with red bean and cream filling won't make you feel sad if you eat them."
"Eat it!"
Looking at the potato ball being presented to him, Shirou suddenly felt a wave of resentment wash over him.
The gossiping crowd around them instantly darkened, glaring at him with red, jealous eyes.
The strongest resentment came from behind Ais—where Lefiya was seated.
"Hurry up and eat it, newbie! It's a symbol of our respect!"
Ah, those two idiot Amazon sisters were still fanning the flames.
What are you doing? Ais started this—it has nothing to do with me!
Is it really okay to threaten me like this?
Come on, I'm just a squishy guy, not some stone-hearted warrior!
Under the pressure of those hostile stares, Shirou casually bit into the potato ball offered to him.
Delicious!
Absolutely delicious!
He never imagined a potato ball could taste that good!
Swallowing the last bite, Shirou smiled and said,
"That was amazing. Thanks for the comfort, Ais!"
"You're welcome! We're all companions!"
"I just have one question for you."
Hearing her words, Shirou instantly understood what she was asking.
"Why are you so strong?"
"Strong?"
Ais's question brought back memories of that other world—of that war.
Am I strong?
Then why did Sakura die?
Am I strong?
Then why couldn't I protect Miyu?
Am I strong?
Then why am I still searching for strength here?
It's because I'm still weak!
"I'm not strong."
Though, by this world's level system, he had progressed rapidly—
Compared to his true goal, he was still far behind!
Before Ais could reply, Shirou continued:
"If I have something that could be called 'strength,' I think it's probably... my purpose!"
"A goal that must be fulfilled—even if it means going against the world itself!"
"That's where my strength comes from!"
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."