"Come sit over here!"
Illya sat down on the wooden corridor and patted the empty space beside her, signaling for Shirou to sit.
"Uh... all right."
After hesitating for a moment, Shirou followed her instructions and sat down.
Only after sitting did he notice that he was not wearing his magecraft attire.
Instead, he was dressed in the operator jacket issued by Rhodes Island.
Beneath it was a Penguin Logistics T-shirt, making him look somewhat out of place in the current setting.
Illya, however, did not seem to care about that at all.
The moment Shirou settled down, she casually lay on her side and rested her head on his lap, looking completely at ease.
"...?"
Watching Illya perform the entire sequence so naturally, Shirou needed a few moments to process what had just happened.
Still, he did not reject her small request.
Instead, he raised his head and looked up at the sky.
It was the familiar starry sky he remembered.
A white moon hung overhead while countless stars twinkled around it, adding to its beauty.
At that moment, countless memories surfaced in Shirou's mind.
The most vivid among them were the times he had sat here with Kiritsugu, drinking tea and admiring the moon.
That included their final conversation.
At the time, Kiritsugu had already been on his deathbed.
And Shirou had promised him that he would inherit his ideal.
It had been one of the most important turning points in Emiya Shirou's short life.
"Sorry, Illya."
However, Shirou did not lose himself in nostalgia for long.
Despite everything that had happened, he still remembered that his real body was out there in the middle of a battle.
The effects of being engulfed by the Nation were still unclear, but he had to return.
There were still people outside who needed him.
"It's all right, Shirou. You felt it too, didt you?"
"The flow of time here is different."
"That black thing is made up of rather complicated components. Staying inside it for too long would have some effects."
"But you were invited here, Shirou, so there will not be any problems."
"So just enjoy this brief moment of peace."
"The string you keep yourself wound up with is stretched far too tight. If this continues, it is going to snap sooner or later."
"For now, all you need to do is stay here and wait for the right moment."
"Until then, just remain as you are."
Illya understood Shirou's concerns.
After all, he had always been this kind of person ever since she first met him.
Still, opportunities like this were rare.
Even she herself had not expected it.
If possible, she wanted to stay here with him for a little longer.
After all, it was not as though she could let Shirou walk straight into something that dangerous again.
More importantly, there was no guarantee he would be "invited" here a second time.
This time, she had helped him reject that invitation.
"All right."
Listening to Illya's words, Shirou did not question her.
Instead, he chose to follow her wishes and enjoy this brief period of tranquility and warmth.
The familiar surroundings and familiar company relaxed him considerably.
It was different from the relaxed atmosphere he experienced at Penguin Logistics.
That feeling came from spending time with close friends.
The atmosphere here was more like being with family.
A place where he did not need to pretend.
A place where he could reveal his true self without reservation.
After all, Illya probably knew more than he did.
Including why he had come to this world.
Including every detail of his past.
Yet Shirou did not dare ask.
He was afraid that the moment he voiced all the questions weighing on his heart, the warm atmosphere surrounding them would disappear.
He allowed himself to immerse in this fleeting gentleness.
But he did not become lost in it.
Because he knew that everything here was temporary.
Like a bubble.
Beautiful.
Dreamlike.
And destined to burst with the slightest touch.
"Shirou, what do you think about this worl—"
"No, perhaps I should say this land?"
After a long silence, Illya suddenly spoke.
However, she did not wait for Shirou to answer before continuing.
"Penguin Logistics, the Lungmen Guard Department, the people in the slums, and Rhodes Island."
"Most of the people you have met have treated you with kindness."
"So you probably think this land is not so bad, right?"
"But just as I said, most of the people you have met are good people."
"Even Penguin Logistics, despite its impressive reputation in Lungmen, has its own principles."
"This operation in Ursus allowed you to see another side of this land."
"And now you are lost."
"The contrast between those two completely different environments has caused your view of this land to become conflicted."
"But deep down, you know the truth."
"Most of what happens on this land resembles the latter."
"Lungmen and Rhodes Island are the exceptions."
"Unable to accept that reality, you buried yourself in work."
"You stopped thinking about these questions and locked them away deep within your heart."
"I am not criticizing you."
"No matter what you choose to do, I will support you completely."
"After all, I am your big sister."
"Is it not only natural for an older sister to support her younger brother?"
"What I want is for you to look farther ahead."
"Learn more about this land, its people, and its cultures."
"Do the things you have always wanted to do."
"Do not keep drowning in self-contradiction and self-doubt."
"Shirou, you need to understand this."
"Every gift has its price marked upon it the moment it is given."
"The fact that you came to this land was never a coincidence..."
Illya spoke at great length.
Completely unaware that her hand had already clenched tightly around Shirou's jacket.
She, too, was reluctant to let this moment end.
After all, it was something she had once longed for.
And she was equally reluctant to see Shirou return to that land filled with fighting and strife.
The people and things within the world of magecraft had hardly been admirable either.
But at least they mostly remained hidden in the shadows.
There, Shirou could have chosen to spend his life peacefully in the ordinary world.
Here, he did not have that choice.
That was also why she was so reluctant to part with this moment.
Just as she had said, every gift came with a price engraved upon it somewhere beyond sight. This was a responsibility that Shirou was destined to bear.
Even she, as his older sister, could do nothing to shoulder it for him.
"I know. Do not worry about me. Right now, I know very clearly what I should do."
Sensing Illya's anxiety, Shirou quickly pulled his thoughts away from her earlier words and instead comforted her.
Many things had left traces behind.
Combined with everything he had seen earlier, many of the questions that had troubled him now had answers.
And now that he knew the answers, it was time for him to make a choice.
But before that, perhaps it was not a bad idea to listen to Illya's advice.
To see more of the people and cultures of this land.
To understand its inhabitants more deeply.
To do what he wanted to do—
And continue walking the path known as the ideal of a Ally of Justice.
When he had first arrived in this world, he had not possessed the memories of the Fifth Holy Grail War.
Yet somewhere deep in his subconscious, he had already become less obsessed with that ideal than he once was.
That did not mean he rejected it or wanted to abandon it.
Otherwise, he would never have rushed into burning buildings to save people, nor would he have taken in the children from the slums.
"That is good. It would be even better if you paid a little more attention to yourself... though that is probably impossible, isn't it?"
Looking at the expression on Shirou's face, Illya knew that he had taken her words to heart.
Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that, when he had been lost and uncertain, she had pointed out a path he could accept.
That was why he had embraced her advice.
Regardless of the exact reason, she had already done everything she could.
The road ahead could only be chosen by Shirou himself.
Whether he decided to live a peaceful life like before and occasionally pursue his own interests...
Or whether he continued following the path Kiritsugu had once walked...
As long as Shirou could live well, nothing else mattered.
Being alone might have been difficult.
But now, he had friends who were like family and companions who shared his ideals standing beside him.
People who would fight alongside him.
At the very least, he would not end up following the same road alone that those two had once walked.
"I will do my best."
Hearing the teasing hidden within Illya's words, Shirou did not look embarrassed.
Instead, he answered with complete seriousness.
Of course, he knew exactly what kind of person he was.
That was why he could not confidently promise that he would become exactly what Illya hoped for.
"The way you are now is already quite good. There is no need to force yourself too much."
Although she did not get to see an embarrassed reaction, Illya still noticed a faint redness on Shirou's face and ears.
It was obvious that being called out on his flaws had left him a little self-conscious.
Reaching out, she gently touched the white hair that had been caused by his magecracft.
Unlike those two Archers, Shirou's condition was only temporary.
The hair that grew in later would still be red.
That was, of course, assuming he did not continue recklessly overusing his magecracft.
Fortunately, for the current Shirou, pushing himself to that extent was actually rather difficult.
Because of Arches and Nameless's mana crystals and his previous experiences using the powers of the Red Archer and the Black Archer, his body had unknowingly become far more resistant to the strain of his own magecraft.
As long as he did not attempt to project Noble Phantasms on the level of Excalibur, there would generally not be any major problems.
"Emi... Shirou..."
The warm atmosphere did not last forever.
A fragmented voice drifted in from outside.
"Amiya?"
Though broken and accompanied by static, Shirou immediately recognized the voice.
It belonged to Amiya.
"Heave-ho~ Looks like this is where we part."
Illya sat up from his lap and then stood.
Looking down at Shirou, she stared at the top of his head for three seconds.
Then she suddenly reached out with both hands and began vigorously ruffling his hair.
"Wah!"
The somewhat sentimental Shirou was completely caught off guard by her sudden attack.
It was not because she used too much force.
Compared to the members of Penguin Logistics or their boss, this level of strength was practically nothing.
It was simply too unexpected.
One moment they had been having a heartfelt conversation.
The next moment, she was aggressively messing up his hair.
The contrast was so great that he could not react in time.
"Shirou, it is time for you to go."
"Someone outside is looking for you."
Retracting her mischievous hands, Illya spoke.
Despite how short their conversation had seemed, it was only possible because that black thing had distorted their perception of time, and because a certain someone had been unusually accommodating.
In reality, Amiya's reaction outside had already been incredibly fast.
The instant she saw Shirou being swallowed, she immediately used her Originium Arts.
When that failed, she resorted to the Command Seal in her hand.
Strictly speaking, the Command Seal should not have had any effect on Shirou.
But Shirou had someone backing him.
And compared to that, such a minor problem was hardly a problem at all.
That was also why she was so reluctant to part with this moment.
As long as Shirou did not turn to evil or commit acts that would harm this land, that person would undoubtedly continue standing by his side.
"..."
Hearing Illya's words, Shirou fell silent for a moment.
But only for a moment.
Soon, he made his decision.
"Sorry, Illya..."
Before he could finish, Illya stepped forward and hugged him.
"There is no need to apologize, Shirou! You are only going to do what you are supposed to do. You have not done anything wrong."
"But I—"
Shirou wanted to say something more, but Illya gave him no chance.
"Do you feel like you are abandoning me?"
Naturally, she knew exactly what he was thinking.
That was the kind of person he was.
Even while struggling himself, he would still worry about how others felt.
Unless the one who was hurt happened to be himself.
"..."
Having his thoughts exposed so directly, Shirou said nothing.
Instead, he simply raised a hand and gently patted the head of the Illya who was tightly embracing him.
She was holding him very, very tightly.
Shirou knew what had happened between Illya and Kiritsugu.
That was why he had hesitated the moment this situation arose.
"You do not need to feel sad or guilty about this. Compared to us remnants of the past, the present right in front of you is what matters most."
Being considered by him naturally made her happy.
But Illya understood very well what she was now.
To put it bluntly, she was merely a fragment of the past residing within Shirou.
Something that could disappear at any moment.
No.
More accurately, she should have disappeared long ago.
Someone had simply reached out and pulled her back, giving her enough time to talk to Shirou.
If that was the case, then there was no reason to hesitate.
The obvious choice was the present before his eyes.
Even if she were the one making the decision, she would choose the same.
"So go without worries. Do not put too much pressure on yourself."
Letting go of him, Illya began tidying up his clothes.
The design and coordination were admittedly a little strange, but the outfit had undeniably been made for combat.
Because it had been borrowed, it hung somewhat loosely on him.
Yet the pockets were filled with various medicines and other items she could not recognize.
Still, none of that was what caught her attention.
Most of her focus was drawn to the name tag pinned to his chest.
The photograph on it showed Shirou wearing this very outfit.
A somewhat shy smile rested on his face.
Beside the Rhodes Island emblem was the logo of Penguin Logistics.
It was proof that he existed on this land.
Proof that his efforts over the past year had been recognized.
She gazed at it for a long time.
After engraving into her memory the image of the Shirou before her, now noticeably taller than before, Illya smoothed out the wrinkles in his jacket.
Once she had straightened everything properly, she moved behind him and gave him a firm push.
"Go do the things you want to do."
"Go do the things you are meant to do!"