The scent of tatami mats is nice. Now that I think about it, the last time I was in a tatami room was before I came to this world. It's a little dusty, which is a shame, but it's still a traditional Japanese house.
We just finished inspecting this house, which will be our new base. In a corner of the large property, there's a distinctive earthen storehouse. That's definitely it. That holy place from Fate.
While I'm impressed, I'm not neglecting my duties. I open all the windows wide to properly ventilate the place.
"Oh, I'm done over here."
"Me too."
I meet up with Saber.
Kiritsugu decided to abandon the Einzbern castle, which had become a battlefield, and move our base here.
He'd just bought the place recently, so there was hardly any furniture. Our first task was cleaning.
The persuasion of Kayneth is already over. I had to boost his spirits no matter what, so I laid on the flattery thick. In the end, he started saying things like, "Such a twisted ritual would naturally not yield a correct result! It's not a wrong result that I, the great me, lost! It means that the military exploit I should be performing here is not a mere victory!" But he's keen on the dismantling of the Holy Grail, so I guess that's a good thing.
By the way, as a result of me just speaking with momentum, Kayneth ended up becoming the leader of our Servant alliance. How did this happen? Kiritsugu just said, "He's an easy one to handle."
Right now, I'm with Kiritsugu, scouting the Greater Grail. Maiya is at the abandoned factory to pick up Kayneth's fiancee, Sola-Ui.
The suite at the hotel where Kayneth and company were originally based for the Holy Grail War was blown up by a bomb by an unknown party. Kiritsugu did it, but it's probably better not to say anything. Some things are better left unsaid. Mainly for the sake of our relationship.
The only thing on my mind is the whereabouts of the Berserker faction. We still haven't been able to meet up with them after that. I'll just assume we'll see them eventually. There's an event coming up where we're likely to meet anyway.
"So, Caster first?"
"Yeah, with the directive from the Association, that's what it looks like."
This morning, the Church, which operates the Holy Grail War, called a meeting for the Masters of each faction. Kiritsugu and Waver went, and Kayneth sent a familiar.
The topic was about Caster. As in the original story, a subjugation order has been issued. The reward for the subjugation is one Command Seal. It seems it will be given to the Master of any Servant who is involved, directly or indirectly, in Caster's defeat.
It would have been good if we had defeated him last night, but without his Noble Phantasm, his combat power is limited. Waver is currently investigating his location. He's using Rider's speed for a wide-area search. We'll have the results tomorrow. I want to take him down in a surprise attack.
So, today is a day off. The long, eventful night is over, and the sun rises and morning arrives in the city where strange incidents have been happening lately. I have to replenish my magical energy and prepare for tomorrow's decisive battle.
"Irisviel. The inspection of the house is complete."
"Good work, Saber. And Sho-kun."
Irisviel and Sakura, who were drinking tea they bought from a vending machine, look at us as we enter the room. But they don't look like they're resting; they haven't put down their bags. They haven't even taken off their coats.
"Well then, shall we go?"
Go where?
---------
And so, we headed into town for a change of pace. We needed to buy various things that the house was lacking.
Kiritsugu is still continuing his "separate action plan with Saber." That's why not even Kiritsugu or Maiya came with us on this shopping trip. Of course, for a proper battle, there's no better escort than a Servant.
In the car driven by Saber, there's Irisviel, me, and Sakura-chan. The female-to-male ratio is high, as in, everyone except me is a woman.
"First, food, I guess..."
"That's right. We can put off things like furniture for later."
We exchange opinions as the car drives on.
Sakura-chan, probably because she stayed up late last night, was sleeping peacefully.
"Well, there's a certain someone who eats a lot..."
"Irregular, why are you looking at me?"
No, no, don't you know you're known as the "Hungry King" in the outside world? You don't, do you?
Saber, dressed impeccably in a black suit today as well, looks at me with a puzzled expression. It seems a bit too mature for her small body, which stopped growing when she drew the Holy Sword, but her dignified expression overwhelms any such doubts.
The combination of Saber and Irisviel looks just like a modern princess and her knight. No one would ever realize that a cunning assassin is working behind the scenes of these two 'seemingly' innocent people. It's a truly terrifying strategy.
I'm so glad they're on our side now.
We arrived at our destination in about ten minutes. Since it was early in the morning, there were hardly any cars in the parking lot. This classic car in the empty lot obviously stands out. It's clearly out of place in a common supermarket parking lot. The princess and the male-attired knight don't seem to mind at all.
We're the first customers to enter the large supermarket as soon as it opens.
And I'm appalled by their eating habits.
"Wait a minute."
"What is it?"
Irisviel filled the shopping cart with instant ramen without a moment's hesitation. Now that I think about it, it was easy to see this coming.
"Your nutrition will be unbalanced," Sakura-chan adds, with few words.
"But these are supposed to be really delicious! I was interested in them ever since I was in the castle! Kiritsugu told me about them."
"Yes, a great emergency food that's ready in three minutes with just hot water. It's also an excellent provision for soldiers."
"It's fine for a little bit, but it's not okay to eat just that."
Accepting their complaints, I return the mountain of instant ramen to the shelf, leaving only ten for the number of people. Looks like I'll be cooking today.
We take the escalator to the second floor to buy clothes.
Actually, Waver chickened out. He bought some clothes for Sakura-chan, which was nice, but he didn't buy any underwear. When I pressed him about it, he yelled back, "Why do I have to do all that?!" I don't get it.
Which means Sakura-chan has been wearing the same thing...
"Well then, I'll leave it to you."
"Yes, you can count on me. Let's go, Sakura-chan."
"...'kay."
This is where Irisviel, the mother figure, comes in. I'm leaving everything to her. Please. Apparently, even Irisviel, who had never left the castle, can handle this much. I was so relieved when she said she'd take care of it.
"You two, take a little break."
With that, the two of them entered a store. Well, now it's just me and Saber here.
"..."
She's not letting her guard down at all, even here. She's not looking around frantically, but she's probably getting more information from her other senses than just her eyes.
"Hey, Saber. Don't you think you should rest a bit? Your Master told you to, right?"
"Irregular, that's being too careless. It's true there are many people, but that doesn't guarantee we won't be attacked. Besides, do you think I'm using up my stamina on just this?"
I was defeated in the argument. If she says that, I can't just rest by myself. It would be awkward. That's the hard part about being Japanese.
Well, I'll go buy some food, then. I'm getting hungry in this strange state of mine. I haven't eaten anything all night, so I'll put something in to boost my performance. It might also be a conversation starter with Saber.
I excuse myself from Saber and go look for a store.
"Takoyaki will do..."
I don't want to make her wait long, so I quickly choose a store that catches my eye and buy some.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"No, it's not a problem."
I start getting the takoyaki ready to eat, with a glance at Saber who is standing there without changing her expression. I put on the sauce and the mayonnaise.
"...Would you like one?"
"No, thank you—"
"Come on, don't be shy."
"Mmgh!!"
I shoot a hot, fresh takoyaki into Saber's mouth.
"Is it tasty?"
"Agh! Agh!"
Saber covers her mouth and is desperately trying to say something. But with her small mouth, if she eats a whole, large takoyaki, especially a hot one, this is bound to happen. I planned it, of course.
She can't just spit out what's in her mouth. Saber somehow manages to chew it while fighting the heat. I time my next question to the moment she's done.
"Was it delicious?"
"I couldn't taste anything!"
A sharp retort comes back. So, I...
"Here, have another one."
"..."
I hold out a takoyaki on a skewer to Saber. She makes an unreadable expression, but...
"Haa... Then..."
Understanding that I won't back down, Saber reluctantly opens her mouth. She's basically saying "aah," but neither of us pays it any mind.
"Nom... This is..."
This time, she was prepared, so even with a whole one in her mouth, she doesn't seem overly hot. She's properly savoring it.
I start eating mine, too. Thanks to playing around with Saber, the takoyaki has cooled down just right, and I pop it into my mouth. The hot, melting takoyaki, the sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes create a perfect harmony...
"Want another one?"
"...Is it alright?"
When she gives me that look, like she wants more, I can't resist. I try to keep my expression neutral as I hold out another takoyaki.
"Yes, say 'aah'."
I say that with a little bit of mischief, but Saber doesn't have much of a reaction.
Unhealthy food and drinks are generally delicious. I'm not saying takoyaki is unhealthy, though. What I'm saying is that this King of Knights was so easily swayed by food.
From then on, I just kept offering her takoyaki without saying a word. Of course, I don't intend to give her all of them. The takoyaki, which were being eaten at double the pace, were gone in an instant. There was only one left.
"..."
"..."
There was a silent exchange. This is not going anywhere.
"It's fine, you can have it."
"O-Oh, is that so?"
Her voice is clearly excited. To ask again even though I said it was okay is very Japanese. Her serious personality is showing here.
"Here, the last one."
"Aah—ah..."
Saber's expression freezes just as she's about to accept it without resistance. I know why, though. As a Servant, I can sense where my Master is.
Without even turning around, I know that Irisviel and Sakura-chan, with their shopping done, are standing behind me.
"Oh my, what are you two eating?"
"Takoyaki... or are you feeding each other?"
"We are not feeding each other!"
Irisviel, to my eyes, is smiling without any malice. However, to Saber, who has been living with her for a while, she might be seen in a different light.
On the other hand, my Master is clearly in a bad mood. I don't need to ask why.
In their hands are shopping bags, presumably from their trip.
"Are you done shopping?"
"Yes, we're all done. I was so nervous since I'd never been to a store to shop before. But it was perfect. No problems at all."
Is that so? That's good.
"And you know, since we were here, I thought we'd buy some more clothes, not just underwear... but we'd stand out like this, wouldn't we?"
Indeed, until now, our residence was a castle far from the city, so our slightly otherworldly clothing was probably acceptable. Now that our base of operations has moved to a residential area, is it necessary to make an effort to blend in with our surroundings?
"You're just saying that, but you really just want to shop, don't you?"
"Oh, did I get found out? But don't you think it's a good idea?"
"Of course."
Today is a day with plenty of free time. A little relaxation like this won't hurt.
For now,
"Sakura-chan, let's go. I'll buy you whatever clothes you like."
I'll start by cheering up this girl.
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