Well... Finally. I've finished the prologue. You've all been waiting quite a while for this. Bear with me, we're almost there.

So it's time to explain Shirou's background at the time of him leaving. Now, I haven't played HA, I only know bits and pieces of it, but I'm mostly drawing from what videos I have seen and the epilogue translated by rophomao on the Internet. Also, my own interpretations of the canon, considering the HA is kind of mish-mash when it comes to that...

You'll also notice that, instead of the unceremonius 'Scene Break' popping up, one of my sister's incessant complaints, I had the bright idea of trying to emulate F/SN by putting in scene titles. Not very good ones yet... But I'm trying, I'm trying.

Anyway, just hang in there guys. We'll be getting to dimension hopping soon enough.

I own no series I reference, and yes I will be saying this over and over.

... Anyway.

Let's begin...

*Prologue: Shining Days*

*Awakening*

"Ugh… Dammit…"

The warm sun bathes me in its light, awakening me from my slumber.

"What the heck… What was that…"

Another odd dream… That was an amazing sword, long, sleek and slender, forged with the scales of a wyvern and the very organs it uses to breathe its blazing flames…

But what does this all mean? Blades are all I've been dreaming about the past few months, and I couldn't trace any of them… Sure, I have more options to choose from, but still…

"Ah… Another sunny day today, huh…"

I shrug it off. It looks like another fine day today, and I'm not letting an odd premonition ruin it…

And they're swords anyway. Nothing wrong with dreaming about swords at all.

Better not waste it.

I get up quickly and slide the straw doors open. I walk over to the Emiya household breakfast table and find that others are there as well.

"Ah, good morning Shirou. It appears to be another fine day today. How was your sleep?"

"Emiya-kun, you got up a bit late today, you know?"

A woman with golden hair tied in a bun politely acknowledges me. The girl beside her, her hair black and her clothes as fiery red as her personality, voices her concern.

I smile at the first greetings of the day from Saber and Rin. I happily reply, "Good morning Saber, Rin. I'm fine, don't worry." I look around and curiously ask, "Where's Rider?"

"She left early. She had some errands to run at the shop," Saber answers me promptly.

I nod at her. "I see…"

The sounds of pots being heated and dishes being prepared echo from the kitchen.

That can only mean one thing…

"Ah, Senpai, good morning!"

I turn my head towards the voice to find another familiar sight, a caring girl with a soft face that hides the tragedies of a long, hard past.

"Good morning Sakura. It looks like you got breakfast today while I was sleeping. Ah well… Anyway, what are you cooking?"

Cheerfully, Sakura answers, "Oh, it's another Japanese breakfast! Just the usual rice, tofu miso soup and the sides!"

"Well, it definitely sounds good." I take a seat in front of our table, and begin waiting for Sakura to finish cooking.

"So, how long have you been here?"

"Since six. It's almost seven Emiya-kun, did anything happen?" Rin tries to probe, concerned.

"Nothing actually," I assure her quickly. "It's just one of those days where I got up late…"

"If you say so Shirou. Just make sure to let us know if anything's wrong," Saber requests, a tiny bit concerned.

"I will Saber. Don't worry."

Our conversation is interrupted by Sakura announcing, "Food's ready everybody!"

Sakura comes in and serves us the food she cooked. The smell is mouthwatering as always, and I'm eager to indulge.

"I'm looking forward to eating it," I compliment Sakura.

"Indeed. I do as well," Saber joins me with a smile.

Rin interrupts us here. "Well, then, let's begin. Sakura?"

"OK!" All of us put our palms together.

"Itadakimasu!"

Having said the traditional words to signal the start of a meal, we begin partaking of the food.

As usual, Sakura's cooking almost matches mine. I need to work harder to make sure she doesn't take the kitchen permanently.

"Another great meal Sakura. Thanks for the breakfast," I compliment the consistently impressive chef, who beams at me with a slight blush.

"Thank you, Senpai. That means a lot to me!" Sakura answers, almost more grateful than I am for some reason.

"Shirou, you have to leave soon! Get ready! And remember to pass by the Church!" Rin admonishes me, reminding me of the job I took yesterday.

"Oh, crap, you're right! Well then, I'm off!" I take the folder she hands me from her, and take off to begin my work.

"Bye Senpai! See you later!"

"Good luck on your job Shirou. We'll take care of the house for you."

I dash outside the house and run over to the bike shed. I take note of all the bikes again. Not a single one of the usual ones are missing.

I smile in fond remembrance of the day I assembled Rider's own personal bike, the number four. The sight of her jumping up and down with so much sheer joy is still so strange to me, but all of us got a few laughs from Rider being embarrassed right afterwards.

Chuckling at the memory, I get on the number one, now modified with basket specifically for this job, and begin pedaling towards my destination.

*Delivery, The Dog and his Master*

"Well boy, you certainly have quite the haul today. Think you can handle it?"

"Of course I can, Fujimura ojii-san. It's the least I can do for all the help you've given me."

The old man who requested my assistance, old Raiga Fujimura, the man who took care of me after Kiritsugu died, simply laughs heartily.

"This is the least I can do for you having my freeloader of a daughter at your house all the time. You always ask how you can help even though its unnecessary… Kiritsugu would have been proud knowing you grew up into such a fine young man."

I smile warmly at his words. "Thank you, Fujimura ojii-san… I really hope he would."

Now with the box of goods in my hands, I get on the bike, fasten the bags to my back, put the smaller boxes into the basket, wish Raiga a good day, and begin the delivery run.

The last vestiges of the winter breeze greet me. Soon, spring will come, bringing new life.

One year has passed since the Fifth Grail War, and six months since I got two new tenants to the Emiya household. Fuyuki's become a normal, happy place in that time. No longer threatened by the supernatural world that forced itself upon the city, the days have been nothing but peaceful.

I eventually arrive at my destination, a small shop in the city. A man walks outside to greet me, and he gives me a wry smile when he sees me.

"Well, well, well, so you're the one who's getting us the goods, huh?"

I give him a grin of my own when I see him.

"Lancer."

A bit of a while after the war, Rin had some experiments which altered the event horizon changes in time and space. Probably because of this the seven Servants and the magi who became their masters, were brought back to life. Seeing no reason to fight anymore, all of them agreed to live alongside us as, well, friends. By some unspoken agreement, they even became the city's protectors.

I didn't know what to think at first. Almost all of these people tried to kill me at one point or another during the war.

But I can accept them now. They can make up for the atrocities they committed now, and live the happy lives they deserved.

The only people who we still wanted here that aren't have left the city, those three that I can consider some of my greatest allies during the war…

"At your service!" The blue-haired heroic spirit gives me a cheerful reply which brings me out of my thoughts. I shrug and hand him the boxes and bags, which he takes. Lancer whistles at the weight. "Damn, you carried these on a bike?-! You've really been working out, haven't you?"

"I guess I have. A lot can happen in a year," I tell him with a smirk. My back then bends as I sorrowfully recount, "Besides, compared to a lugging around a crapload of shopping bags for the girls, this is practically nothing for me…"

Again, a laugh from Lancer. "Hah! Damn, you're still as hilarious as ever, kid! Still got four lovely ladies running your show, huh?"

"Please, don't give me that crap Lancer… Thank God those other two finally left…" I then take notice of that and ask, "Wait, so where's Bazett?"

"Inside… Help me out with this stuff, willya?"

I park my bike and oblige, heaving a few boxes inside. I suddenly see the woman running the counter.

"Ah, Bazzet! How've you been?"

The red branch knight notices me and smiles. "Ah, Shirou-kun. You're the one delivering those goods… Thanks for the help." Bazzet McFraga Remitz, the first new occupant of my house. She only stayed for one week, and that was one of the most stressful times in my life. She moved out soon, thankfully, and getting on the good side of both a Red Branch Knight and someone who should ostensibly be hunting you down for practicing forbidden magecraft has its perks.

Somehow, Bazett managed to find a job here. She still messes up from time to time, but hey, six months can get you quite far.

I help unpack all the goods. As we do so, Bazzet asks me, "So, how have you been, Shirou-kun?"

"Well enough, I suppose. Things are as peaceful as they should be for now... Oh, and thanks for all the help you and Lancer gave me over the past few months. Sparring with the both of you alongside Saber really helped me a lot, not to mention your mysteries are quite an addition to my arsenal," I tell her. As I said, there are perks, and training with both of them proved to be a fruitful learning experience.

"Don't mention it. It was the least I could do after all you've done for me, and Lancer here was certainly happy to oblige," she tells me with a smile on her face.

Lancer grins at me due to Bazzet's words. "She's right kid! You've certainly been doing well, and I gotta tell ya, with all the training you've been doing, you'll be a great opponent one day!" The blue knight then gains an irritated expression on his face. "I can't wait till you get as good as that damn Archer... Just as fun to fight, and a hell of a lot less annoying, that's for sure," he grits out.

"We'll see if that happens," I give him a small grin of his own.

We continue sorting out all the goods. Finally, having finished, I bow to them and begin taking my leave.

"Thanks for the help kid! Have fun with your harem!"

My eyes twitch at those words and I jerk my head towards him to shoot back, but Bazzet takes care of that for me and whacks him on the head. "Really, Lancer… I still don't know how to handle you after six months…"

I manage to chuckle at the heroic spirit with a bump on his head. "Well, serves you right then, Lancer." I then smile at the two of them and wave goodbye. "See you two some time."

"Goodbye then, Shirou-kun! Thanks for the help again!"

I leave the shop and walk towards my bike leaning on the wall. I get on and begin making my way towards the next part of my delivery route.

*White-Haired Maiden*

Fuyuki Church.

I have so many memories of this place. Not all good ones, yes, but still memories. This was where I officially entered the Grail War and met Kotomine Kirei for the first time. That bastard proved to be one of the most dangerous and infuriating monsters I've ever met, and all of us were very surprised to see that he was the only one who hadn't come back considering his track record.

Not that we had any objections.

I lean my bike on one of the trees nearby and knock on the door.

"Who comes at this hour... Oh, it's just you, Shirou."

The doors open, and who else greets me but the woman who replaced him as the Church's representative in Fuyuki city and my second former occupant, Caren Ortensia.

"Hello Caren. Tohsaka couldn't come today because she was busy, so she decided to make me give this to you since I was going on a delivery route anyway," I explain to her, giving her the folder Rin ordered me to deliver to the nun.

Caren takes the folder and takes out the papers within. She then takes a few moments to scan through them and nods. Satisfied, she bows to me. "Thank you, Shirou. It appears that once again, you have proven to be quite helpful in these matters."

"You're welcome then, Caren," I reply. It was a bit unusual to see her like this, but then again, it's pretty obvious she'd like this. Seeing that I have some free time now, I ask a question whose answer has kept eluding me for the past six months. "Caren, about that day you came to ask to live with me..."

"Oh, what's this? You want me to come back with you again, Shirou?"

...That's right. That wasn't her true self awhile ago.

Her true self, just like Bazzet's, always has that demonic smile on her face and that teasing tone in her voice. It's the kind of demeanor that I would expect from the man she replaced. Come to think of it, she's a lot like him, and every now and then, I've briefly entertained the thought of them being related.

What a frightening thought.

But I hold my ground and keep a blank expression on my face. "Oh yes. I would love to have all of the women in my life rise up in rebellion over your presence there."

The day Bazzet came over to ask for a place to stay, the house descended into chaos, partially because Bazzet one of the people who should supposedly be hunting me down and slapping me with a Sealing Designation, and mostly because Rin and Sakura were getting scarily suspicious of how familiar she was with me. And then right out of nowhere came Caren, only adding to the confusion.

There's a small part of me that wonders if Rin sent me on this errand just because she can't stand the sight of her.

"Fufufu... I'm sure you do," Straightening up again, she asks, "So then, what did you want to inquire about?"

"Caren... When Tohsaka, Sakura and Saber were debating over whether they should let Bazzet stay, why did you grab me and cover me in paint?"

Right after Sakura left with my Servant and tutor, Caren and Bazzet began staring at me with unnerving intensity. Fearing for my life, I immediately tried to escape, but the former's Magdala Cloth, which can bind any man, impeded my escape. I thought to myself that that would be the end, that I would become their plaything soon enough.

I wasn't completely wrong. Immediately after restraining me, they began covering me with oil-paint and scribbling glyphs of the most savage kind. And then, they made me act rough and bitter for whatever reason. I actually became so frustrated that I began acting exactly as they wished.

And then they liked it. For whatever reason.

Mentioning this topic to Caren brought out her rare flustered side. To be honest, it's rather cute to look at. But that makes it conflict even more with her usual self.

"T-there is nothing to be said..." She stutters out, and when she starts blushing, I begin worrying.

"Are you sure? There really isn't anything to say?"

The moment her cloth starts floating behind her, threatening to strangle me, I instantly regret my decision to probe and stiffen to apologize, my voice monotone with fear. "Understood. There is nothing to be said about this."

The red shroud becomes lax and gradually falls behind her again, making me feel safe again. Looking around, I ask her, "Hey... where's Gilgamesh? Shouldn't he be around?"

"Oh... he's right behind you, actually."

I become curious at her words and look back, and find that it is indeed Gilgamesh. Or rather, as people call him now, Gil-ko.

"Ah, Shirou! It's you!"

It was always something that's mystified me. The King of Heroes can be called an insufferable jerk at best and an absolutely infuriating bastard at worst, but when he drinks the Potion of Youth from his fabled treasury of the Gate of Babylon, he becomes polite, friendly, kind, relatable... Everything he isn't under his normal form.

Why does Gil become such delinquent when he grows up anyway? I've always wondered that. Maybe I ought to brush up on the Epic a bit more...

"Hey Gil. How's it going? You have a lot of groceries there I see... Need some help with that?" I offer, seeing the transformed ruler of Uruk struggle under the weight of the heavy bags.

"No, it's OK, I'll be fine!" Gil assures me gratefully. He seems to have adapted to the weight now, and his posture is much straighter at this point, so I can leave him be if he's convinced about it."

"Well, I suppose I'll be on my way now..." I bow to the nun, who composes herself again and gains the grace to smile and say, "Very well then, Shirou. I'll see you again some time."

"And so will I Caren. See you around."

"Bye Shirou! See you around!" The transformed King of Heroes waves towards me despite the weight of his bags.

"I'll see you soon Gil. In this form, I hope..."

I walk towards my bike again. As I breathe in the fresh air, I look up at the sky and smile again.

Perhaps a few detours wouldn't be too bad at all.

*The Mistress of Ryuudou Temple and her Servant*

The Ryuudou temple stairs, once so ominous and reeking of death to me, are now quite calm and peaceful. Nobody's there, as usual.

Except for a lone soul at the top.

"Well, well… If it isn't Emiya Shirou."

"Assassin. A pleasure as always..." The samurai, unable to be sensed most people, voices his thoughts. He apparently had a conversation with Yukika, Homuhara's track team manager, once. He said it was actually quite amusing, but knowing that charmer he probably had other things on his mind…

"Is your master here?"

Assassin smirks and raises his thumb towards the temple. "Go in if you want to see her. She's sweeping the outside of the temple again."

I palm my face. Assassin is still being a useless minion for her, as the only thing he can do is guard the gates, and yet he still won't take the effort to clean them. I'm pretty sure he's still taking advantage of Caster's traditionalistic magus ways of conserving prana too…

And there's a zero percent chance she'll ever get around to using a Command Seal just for that.

At least, I hope so. At this rate he really will be a janitor, and he won't exactly be helpful during a crisis if all he can do is sweep the floors…

"Yes, very well… Is Issei here?" I actually wouldn't mind helping Caster out for once, but I'd still prefer it if Issei weren't around to question how I know her.

"Nah, kid's busy and he's out. It's just the two of them, my master and her master," the sarcastic Servant explains to me.

"OK then. Well, I'll be going in now, Assassin. Thanks for the information," I begin walking and he lets me in without hindrance.

As expected, Caster is indeed sweeping the front of the temple grounds. As she finishes up, she notices me and manages a small smile.

"Ah, it's you again."

Again, she's wearing her usual cloaked garb, though she doesn't look menacing at all without the hood.

"Hello, Caster. I just decided to pass by and say hi." I pause and ask somewhat cautiously, "… So. Assassin's still giving you a smart mouth."

Her expression changes again she irritatedly nurses her forehead. "Of course he is. He hasn't changed at all, even after one year…"

"Nope. He hasn't. And neither have you. If he really annoys you that much, shouldn't you give up going against his logic and materialize him already?"

A very frightening glare from the annoyed Servant makes me drop my words and freeze up. I simply nod in 'agreement' with her and she accepts my apology.

"Good that you understand." She's about to go inside the temple when I interrupt her.

"Would you like my help since Issei's not here?"

Just like the other times I asked her that question, Caster manages to smile again and shakes her head. "Thanks again, kid. Issei might come back soon, and I wouldn't want him getting nosy." I nod again. I move on to another topic. "So… How have things been going with Kuzuki?"

In an instant, Caster's face reddens and she looks away. When she faces me again, a sincere smile is on her face.

"I'm the happiest I've ever been. Thank you for asking."

I beam at her. Caster and Kuzuki married a few months after the war. Not just because it'll keep both of them in check, many of us were genuinely happy for the both of them.

"That's good to know." I begin walking away from her to leave the temple. "Goodbye then, Caster. See you some other time."

"You too, kid. See you later."

I begin walking down the steps when Assassin stops me and smirks at me.

"So, where are those two flowers that you promised to bring…"

"No. I'm not bringing the girls here. No."

His reply is full of false pain, and if he were materialized I could picture him stepping back and dramatically putting a hand on his forehead. "Alas. Such a shame."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" With that, the temple guardian bothers me no longer and I leave Ryuudou Temple.

*Brother and Sister*

I suppose I wouldn't mind one last stop.

The Einzbern Forest is still as big as ever. The magic field around it doesn't shock me, so I ride through the trees easily into the Einzbern estate.

I knock on the huge doors and am greeted by the sight of two maids, still in their identical Florence Nightingale outfits.

"It's you again…"

Sella still doesn't like me, but Leysritt doesn't seem to mind…

But they aren't who I came here for anyway. "May I please speak to Illya?"

Sighing, Sella tells me, "Very well then… Leysritt?"

The second maid bows graciously and tells me, "Follow me."

Despite having been a major battleground for the war, the castle still appears to be fine, for some reason. Sure, some of the rooms are still wrecked, but it's generally fine.

I walk through the gigantic halls and finally find myself in front of the biggest room here.

"Ojou-sama, a visitor."

Illya's usually annoyed with visitors. "Who is it Leys? I'm busy!"

"It's Shirou Emiya, ojou-sama. He wanted to visit."

Rather quickly becoming not busy anymore, Illya dashes out the door and launches into a hug. "Shirou!"

I embrace her happily and balance myself so the both of us don't fall. "Hey, Illya. How've you been?"

I always make sure to check on my stepsister. Even though she may be older than me and even though she's put her resentment towards me and Kiritsugu to rest, I still feel responsible for her. She's a homunculus who wasn't made to live normally, so her mind is still that of a child…

"Always fine when you're here, onii-chan!"

Seeing her happy like this… I'm trying my best to make up for what I stole from her, whatever people may think.

I chuckle at her. "Is Berserker in here?"

A few stomps answer my question and the giant pounds the ground as he walks. He stares at the both of us, but he isn't hostile, thankfully.

Angry as always, yes. But not hostile.

"Oh, hey, Berserker! Shirou came to visit!"

"]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]!"

… Yes, he's always angry.

I let go of Illya and weakly tremble out, "Hey, Berserker… How've you been?"

"]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]!"

… Should've seen that coming.

"Oh, he's great! He can't do much but guard the place, but it's always good to have him around!"

"That's nice to know." I turn to him and tell him, "Just be sure to take care of her, OK Berserker?"

"]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]!"

"I'll assume that's a yes then." I look at one of the overhanging clocks and then turn to Illya again. "Well Illya, it's getting late. I just came by to check on you."

"Aww, come on Shirou! Can't you just stay here?" She pleads with me.

"Sorry Illya I have to go." I ruffle her hair one more time before making for the door. "Well, see you tomorrow Illya. Don't worry, you can come visit too. Everyone would love to see you."

Conceding, the Maiden of the Grail simply replies, "OK Shirou…"

"And no chasing after me with Bersercar either, OK?"

"Aww, butterfingers… OK, Shirou. I'll see you tomorrow, onii-chan!"

I make for the door while waving Illya and her Servant goodbye. The maids wordlessly let me out, and I bow towards them before getting on my bike and riding through the forest.

I stop in the middle when I sense another presence following me. Without any emotion, I simply say, "What is it, Archer?"

The heroic spirit of the bow, my twisted future self, materializes up on the trees. "I see you've been busy helping everyone, as always."

"And I see you're here, still annoying me as always." I turn to the robed figure and ask him, "Why don't you tell her who you are? She may not be your Illya, but I'm pretty sure she'd be happy knowing you're there."

"My, my. Aren't we inviting this time?" He leans back on the tree, crossing his arms. "But as you said, she is not my Illya. And I am not her Shirou. I am not even Shirou. I am just EMIYA. She wouldn't settle for that."

"But that doesn't mean you shouldn't let her know, Archer. And I'm sure that it'll help you out a bit," I try to argue with him, no matter how pointless this will be.

"Instead of trying to help me, why not focus on saving yourself so I don't exist anymore? I'd prefer it that way, you know..."

"Yes, yes, a lot of us would…" I begin walking again. "Still, give it a try, Archer. Who knows what could help you, or how much?"

Archer remains silent. I walk as I wait for the reply, and begin pedaling when I feel that EMIYA probably won't be speaking up anytime soon.

*Celebration of the Year Before*

Finally, after a long day, I manage to get back to the Emiya household, where Saber and Rin are there to greet me.

"Ah, good evening Shirou. You came back a bit late... Did you get interrupted?"

I smile at the Saber. I explain tiredly, "Oh, I checked up on everybody. Wanted to see how they were doing, you." Saber gives me an 'ah' of understanding, accepting the explanation.

"Did you give that woman the letter, Emiya-kun? You were gone pretty late after all. We could've gotten some more studying in..."

"Sorry, Tohsaka. I just felt like checking up on everybody, that's all." I raise my hands up to appeal, and just to make sure, I confirm for her, "And yes, I made sure to give Caren your report. She seemed to be satisfied with it, so another good job, I guess."

Rin sighs in relief and says, "Thank you, Emiya-kun. You know I can't stand the sight of that woman..."

As I thought, Rin wasn't busy at all, and just decided to use me as a way to avoid coming in contact with Caren. Honestly, if she could handle Kotomine for ten years, I don't see why she can't handle her.

Then again, anyone would get sick of him even after spending half a night with him.

"Anyway, come in. Sakura's cooking already, and we've been waiting for you and Rider, so hurry up." With a forceful gesture, Rin orders me into my own house.

Two things make me feel a bit peeved. One, the authority with which Rin commanded me. I have to be careful. At this rate, I'll lose any influence I have on my own household...

Two, the fact that I lost an entire day of cooking. I WILL wake up early tomorrow.

As I walk in, I find another visitor greeting us.

"Ah, Shirou, it's you! Come on, come on, sit, I'm hungry already!"

... Of course Fuji-nee would be here...

"Good evening Fuji-nee. I see you've come for some more food?" I tease her playfully.

My teacher waves her hand up and down and shrugs it off, responding, "Bah, don't be that way Shirou! I have to watch over you every day to make sure you don't do anything stupid with these girls!"

I palm my face as Rin begins to tremble with embarrassment and a bit of anger. "Fu-fujimura-sensei, please! Don't do that, Shirou and I aren't like that!"

"She's right Fuji-nee, you can't just make assumptions like that..." I say to her as I scratch my head awkwardly.

As usual, Saber has no idea of what we're talking about.

Fuji-nee clasps her hands together and looks at us mischievously. "Oh, pshaw, but it's so fun to do!"

"Whatever..." All of us take a seat at the table and wait for dinner to be set. As we do so, however, the sound of a bike being parked outside signifies another arrival, and I know just who it is. I turn towards the door, and when the final occupant of the house comes in, I welcome her.

"Good evening, Rider. Had a hard day today?"

Rider always had an obsession with fast mounts. Logical, considering her class. What was surprising, however, was that she also had a fondness for culture and history, reading books in her spare time and, when choosing a job, decided to take one as an antique store assistant.

Her outfit, a very different one compared to her clothes as a Servant in battle, only reinforced this image. Whereas her battle dress was quite short, skimpy and very revealing, the one she had on now exhumed an air of a history buff, her sweater and jogging pants covering her up and making her much more decent, while her glasses make her seem like a librarian or such.
Aside from that, they're Mystic Eye Killing glasses, which is good since we can't exactly have Rider going around and petrifying everybody.

Or giving them erotic dreams. I shudder at that last action, remembering the events behind it.

Rider tiredly sighs out, confirming my suspicions. "Yes... We had to take stock of our inventory, make new arrangements for the pieces... All the heavy lifting and accounting was a bit stressful..."

"Take a seat then, Rider. Sakura will be done preparing dinner soon, and it will be good as it always has been," Saber tells her in anticipation, and Rider obliges.

At that point, a mouthwatering smell comes out from the kitchen, signalling the beginning of dinner.

"Dinner's ready everyone... Ah, Senpai, welcome back!"

Sakura comes in with a massive banquet, and i have to say it looks amazing. It's a fusion of Chinese and Japanese, with dumplings, sashimi, chicken done in two styles and so much more. Saber's eyes in particular begin to sparkle and shine as usual, and Fuji-nee joins her.

"Oh my, Sakura-chan... This is huge! What's all this for?"

Sakura sets all of the delicious food down on the table and explains, "Oh... It's already been one year since Saber-san and everyone else started living here... I just wanted to cook up a feast to celebrate!"

Rin, Rider, Saber and I all share a nostalgic glance at each other at her words.

Indeed, it's a miracle. All of us had been fighting alongside or against each other in a war that was so dangerous, so traumatizing, so lethal. Alliances forged in the fire, battles won and lost, grief, deaths, victory...

And now, here we are. It's been one year after the war. All of us, still here, laughing together, smiling together, being happy together. Foes became friends. Enemies became allies. The sins of the past gave way to a bright future for all of us.

A celebration would be perfect.

"Ah, that's right! And then all of you started living in Shirou's house... First Saber-san, than Tohsaka-san, then Sakura then Rider! I was so surprised at the other two who lived here for only a week or two as well! But now... One year! Time really flies by, doesn't it?"

"It really does, Fuji-nee. It really does."

Having whetted our appetites long enough, I announce, "Well then... Let's get this dinner underway, shall we?"

All of us clasp our hands together and, in anticipation, we shout the words that will begin the meal.

"Itadakimasu!"

*Ataraxia*

"Bye Shirou! I'll see you tomorrow, OK?"

All of us wave goodbye to Fuji-nee on the porch. We would go back inside, but something compels the four of us, Rider, Sakura, Rin, Saber and I, to sit on the porch and gaze at the beautiful night sky.

The stars hold so much hope for us in the future. Maybe I can be happy now. Maybe I can avert the fate presented for me...

"... It really has been one year, hasn't it?"

Rin's words come down over all of us, and make us nod in contentment.

Rider gains a content expression on her face."Yes... I would never imagine being able to live a peaceful life after the War, nor in my whole existence."

Sakura smiles warmly at all of us. "Yes... If only these days would last forever...

Saber joins in as well. "With a little bit of luck... Maybe they can, right Shirou?"

I turn to look at my friends, the women beside me.

Their faces are filled with the same hope as those stars. Just like the lights in the sky, they'll be a shining beacon for me, guiding me down the right path for a brighter future.

"Yes Saber. Let's hope for the best."

And that's how the day ends for us, all of us gazing at the night sky, wondering about the hopes and dreams of a brighter tomorrow.