Chapter 3: Shirley, What Kind of Adult Do You Want to Be
In the video.
A brilliant starry sky adorned the heavens, outside the backyard of a house.
The figures of an old man and a young boy sat side by side, enjoying the cool night air.
A mournful musical melody played as the camera zoomed out.
The areas of shadow and negative space increased, creating a sense of distance from near to far.
The two figures stood against a backdrop of solitude and desolation.
Those unaware would only see this as a depiction of why Shirou Emiya carried the wish to become a Hero of Justice.
But to those in the Type-Moon world, it was entirely different.
Especially for Kiritsugu, who recognized the silhouette as unmistakably his own.
What exactly was happening?
He sat on the left.
To his right was a red-haired child.
The child's eyes shone with light.
He pestered the adult, murmuring incessantly.
"Kiritsugu..."
The familiar scene stirred Shirou's memories.
How could he ever forget the man who had bestowed upon him his dream?
The foster father he had admired since childhood.
"He is a person worthy of respect."
Shirou introduced him this way to his curious classmates.
At the same time, the scene slowly continued.
Fragments of conversation began to play.
Kiritsugu, weathered and numb, said, "When I was a child, I once aspired to become a Hero of Justice."
"What do you mean... you say 'once'... have you given up now?" The young voice of Shirou chimed in.
A casual exchange.
Yet, in Kiritsugu of the Fourth Holy Grail War, it stirred a storm of emotions.
"Me, abandoning my ideal?" Watching his on-screen self utter such absurd words.
Kiritsugu grew conflicted, furrowing his brow.
The cigarette pinched between his fingers trembled slightly.
He couldn't fathom it.
Having reached the Holy Grail War, staking everything he had—how could he possibly abandon his dream?
What... had happened?
"Are you alright, Kiritsugu?" Irisviel's concerned voice came through the earpiece.
Though Kiritsugu was utterly bewildered, he could only murmur in response, "I'm fine."
He stared intently at the screen, desperate to see the expression on his own face as he declared his abandonment of the dream.
And why did the creator of this edited video refer to this ideal as a "Cursed Inheritance"?
Kiritsugu widened his eyes.
Unfortunately, the scene didn't show it.
Only the voice of his on-screen self was heard: "Yes... regrettably, I have given up."
Heroes have an expiration date.
Once you grow up, you're no longer a hero.
"If only I had realized this sooner."
The scene shifted back to the older and younger figures, their backs turned to the screen as they conversed.
They continued their conversation, seemingly at ease.
"Is that so... then there's nothing to be done."
"Yes, truly, there's nothing to be done."
The camera zoomed in on Kiritsugu's figure, but alas, it still didn't show his face, leaving only a sigh.
He finally murmured, "The moonlight is beautiful tonight."
A silent scene.
It fully conveyed the weariness of a hero past his prime.
Similarly, opinions varied on his concept of justice.
Does justice truly exist?
"In life, there are always things one can only dream of. So-called justice is merely about fulfilling the goals one sets for oneself."
Frieza from the Dragon Ball world offered the most fitting explanation.
So-called justice is self-indulgence.
The essence of justice is neutral.
This word is purely a solemn declaration used to justify one's desires and the chaos they spawn.
Justice is the biggest fist.
Only the victor has the right to speak of justice and evil.
This, perhaps, was something Kiritsugu had come to understand after the Fourth Holy Grail War.
That's why he never forced Shirou to inherit his legacy.
Or perhaps, from the moment he refused to pass on his Magecraft to Shirou... it was enough to reveal his state of mind.
However...
"Since it can't be helped, I'll become it in your place."
The child's words fell.
On the screen, Kiritsugu turned his head.
His dying appearance stood in stark contrast to the lively Shirou beside him.
Shirou's eyes held light, like a spark.
He calmly said:
"Old man is an adult, so it's impossible for you."
"But I can still become it, right?"
"Old man's dream..."
As if sensing something, Kiritsugu turned his face.
The young Shirou looked back at him, eyes shining: "Leave it to me."
He didn't understand what this promise would bring.
And Kiritsugu, hearing Shirou's vow, trembled slightly in his sunken eye sockets.
Then, as if freed from a long struggle, he closed his eyes peacefully.
"Is that so..."
"Then I can rest easy..."
Dreams need to be passed on, and so it was that a single sentence from Shirou allowed the man—tormented by illness for years and burdened with a painful past—to slowly close his eyes.
In his final moments, it was as if he had returned to that island where the dream began.
His childhood sweetheart asked him that question by the lake...
"Shirley, what kind of adult do you want to be?"
"..."
Just like when he was young, the adult Kiritsugu gave the same answer:
"I want to become a Hero of Justice."
The curtain gradually fell.
Juwon's voice rang out once more.
"The curse of justice has been planted in his heart."
"The boy's fate will grow more turbulent the more he values justice."
"And because of this, the three girls destined to be connected to him will face different outcomes in the approaching Fateful Night."
The black screen lingered for a few seconds before unveiling the second act.
[Hero of Justice Route...]
[Fated Encounter]