Fate/stay Night: Across time
Chapter 24: Invitations and preparations
Sisigou was walking through the riverside park, going over the tactical possibilities he could exploit in his head. Ambush spots, possible escape routes, hideouts, cover and the likes. "No, good. Far too exposed." He concluded. "Some higher vantage points and bushes to hide in, but that's it. On to the next location." Kairi had scouted out most of Miyama Town by now. So he headed for Shinto next. It must have been fate, because as he crossed the bridge he ran into none other than Mordred. They stopped several meters from each other.
"Who are you? Identify yourself!" Mordred demanded for she recognized him as a Magus. She unwrapped Clarent's handle. This Magus reeked of blood and another smell she couldn't place. This guy was definitely battle-hardened. And what's more, the look in his eyes revealed that he knew her.
"I am Sisigou Kairi. The best bounty hunter the Association has to chose from. Pleased to meet you, Mordred." Mordred grinned for she felt the absolute confidence this magus had in his abilities.
Mordred lifted an eyebrow and answered with a clear voice. "I take it that you are here to send me back?"
"I guess there is a first time for everything." Kairi snickered.
"What are you on about?" Mordred had no idea what was so funny and that made her feel irritated.
"Nothing. Usually the first thing do people, when they interact with me for the first time, is saying that I scare them." Kairi looked her in the eye. "I don't even recall the last time that didn't happen."
Mordred gave him a blank stare. "Scare them? Your appearance is formidable, but it doesn't scare me?"
"I guess a knight as yourself has different standards. A welcome change." He laughed.
"Regardless, you didn't answer my question. Did you come to send me back?" Mordred pressed the issue.
"That is what my employers would want, though they are still unaware that you are here." Sisigou continued, as he took out a cigarette. "I only became aware that you were here, when my colleague and I ran into your 'father'."
"If you didn't knew about us, then why... Ah, I see. It was the kidnapping, right?" Mordred deduced. "It has to be. I heard from Shirou that that Association is concerned about keeping magic a secret. Am I right?"
"You are spot on." Sisigou clapped. "I was surprised though. The Legendary King Arthur and Mordred were both girls. That was..." He felt silent when he saw Mordred's face contort and was hit by a wave of killing intend.
"Don't call me a girl." Her growl was filled with murderous intent.
"Understood. I apologize." Kairi apologized sincerely, raising his hands. I better be careful, or she would most definitely kill me. "I heard from your father that you are here for the Grail, is that correct?"
Mordred breathed in deep to calm down. "Off course. I learned from it through Shirou. It's power could grant me my wish."
"That is logical. And also the problem. Your wish could upset the course of history. Whether or not the Association knows about you presence, they would most assuringly try to stop you. And I will probably be ordered to aid them." Kairi explained. "Well, not that I would complain, as long as they provide adequate compensation."
"Just try it." Mordred dared him.
Kairi stared at her with his sharp eyes. "That would certainly be a memorable fight. But there is no need to fight just yet. For now I just want to talk with you. Why don't we take a seat over there?" He pointed at a nearby bench.
Mordred's instincts told her it was okay, so she sat down with Kairi. "Hey, could I try one of those?" She pointed at his cigarette. Kairi nodded once and handed her one. After he lit it, Mordred took a deep breath. The smoke stung her airways, but she didn't dislike it. "What is this stuff?"
"It's called a cigarette. Basically dried tobacco in a paper roll. You can also use it in pipes. I believe that in your time they used herbal pipes."
Mordred pulled her nose up. "Yes. Those things reek."
"Not surprising. Anyway, how do you see your chances in obtaining the Grail at this point?"
Mordred answered resolute. "Very favorable. I am the only true successor to the King of Knights, Arthur Pendragon! I have no doubt that I will succeed." Kairi looked at her peculiarly. "What?"
"Aren't you rebelling against your father?" Mordred's face flushed.
She regained her composure, as she jumped up and stood in front of Kairi. With a cold tone, which belied the rage and animosity that shook her body, she declared. "Yes, I am. My father refuses to recognize my power. Even though I am his equal, no... surpass him in terms of rule and sword. And all because of my Pedigree! If that is the case, I will end it in rebellion." She straightened herself and with a burning gaze she continued. "I will prove to everyone that there is no meaning to the King's reign whatsoever!"
Mordred's Pedigree. She was born of infidelity between King Arthur and his own sister, Morgan le Fay. Kairi drew of his cigarette and exhaled the smoke calmly. "So, you will wish to become king."
"No, my father would never acknowledge that." Mordred replied, which surprised Kairi.
"So, than what is your wish?"
"I... Why should I tell you?" Mordred looked at him blankly.
"No reason what so ever." Kairi admitted. "I must say, you have quite some confidence."
"Naturally. I feel that the same thing goes for you." Mordred smiled. "Looks like we have something in common. By the way, what is that other smell that hangs around you?"
"What other smell?"
"You reek of blood, but there is also this other stinging kind of smell, like something burning and sulphuric."
"Gunpowder." Kairi sat upright and procured something from underneath his jacket. Mordred moved in closer and examined it. It looked like the stock of a crossbow with two short metal tubes on top of it. "This is a sawed-off shotgun. The basic principal of any type of gun is a simple metal tube with one side closed off." Sisigou didn't mind telling her this, as she would learn about guns at some point in her stay here. "You fill the bottom with an explosive powder and put a projectile in it. When you ignite the powder, the explosion will hurtle the projectile through the tube. This thing has of course been threated with thaumaturgy." Sisigou was confident that as long as he wouldn't reveal what those rituals were, he could keep Mordred guessing should it come to blows. Especially, since the most important thing was the ammunition he used or this thing.
"A ranged weapon. Is that thing powerful?" Before Kairi could react, Mordred had already grabbed the thing and weighed it in her hand. "Rather light."
"Well, yeah. I shortened the barrels and cut off the stock. It is light and easily concealable. Normally shotguns are close range weapons. Devastating on light and unarmored targets. But like I said, this one is treated with thaumaturgical rites, so the normal specs don't apply to this thing."
Mordred tossed it back at him and he caught it deftly. "I don't think that normal magi would use it."
"You bet. They consider me a heretic because of it. I got some other guns as well." Kairi continued.
"I see... By the way, are you are a Necromancer?" Mordred listened to her instincts to come to that conclusion. Kairi slowly nodded. "No wonder you smell of death." She sat back down next to him. "Why did you decided to use that thing?"
"I prefer to go on the offense. Press my opponent and drive him into a corner. That is how I roll." He stated proudly.
Mordred smirked. She started to like him more and more. "I would like to see that."
"Perhaps you will."
"The Sword of Appointment." Mordred said suddenly.
"Excuse me?"
"My wish is to challenge the Sword of Appointment in front of my father." Her tone was imperious.
"You mean Caliburn." Kairi was intrigued. "I see. The Holly Grail could grant that wish, but..."
"But...?" Mordred echoed.
"What will you do if you cant pull it out?" He pointed out.
To this, Mordred stood up and stood in front of him. She puffed up with pride and proclaimed with tremendous, overpowering weight and dignity befitting of a King. "What nonsense are you spouting? Without a doubt I can pull out the sword!"
Kairi couldn't suppress his grin and growing excitement. Yes, she might very well succeed. "You are far more interesting than your father."
"You think?" Mordred raised her eyebrows a little. "Any way, don't tell anyone what I just told you."
"My lips are sealed." He threw down his cigarette butt and put it out with his boot. "Why did you decide to tell me this all of a sudden?"
"How would I put it. Don't you get the feeling that we are somewhat similar?"
Kairi felt the same. Both of them possessed rather aggressive personalities. But thing that was the most similar was that they both had an abundance in confidence. "Yes, I get that feeling too."
"thought so. Now, it is time for me to go. It is late and I would like to get some shut eye before the sun rises." She grabbed Clarent and started walking away. "Until next time."
"Yes. Until next time." Kairi stayed seated a while longer, until Mordred had disappeared from sight. He took another cigarette and walked away. "Mordred. She is certainly very interesting."
Arturia was standing in the yard, looking up at the star filled sky, reminiscing the discussion with El-Melloi. The fourth Holly Grail War had come up and El-Melloi had told them that she had been summoned during this War as Saber. While that certainly was a surprise, what bothered her were the words that Iskandar had said to her during the Banquet of Kings. He denounced her as a King and said that her path was that of a Martyr. She didn't mind being a martyr of course. She was willing to sacrifice anything for the safety of her country, but something kept nagging in the back of her head. She knew that there was more that he hadn't divulged.
"Everything alright?" Arturia turned around to see Kay standing on the porch.
"Yes, I was just thinking..."
"...about what El-Melloi, or rather, what Iskandar said about you." Kay finished her. Arturia gave a nod. "Don't let it get to you. You're a fine king."
He said that, but while she felt that he was sincere, she also felt something else in his voice. "There was more to what he said. I will ask him again the next time I see him."
"Some things are better left alone." Kay warned her.
"I know, but still..." It got stuck in her head. She sighed and turned around. "I will go and get some sleep now. See you tomorrow, Kay." Arturia walked passed him and went to her room.
Kay looked at the moon and punched the windowsill. "A martyr, hé. I always wondered what drives you to go that far as you do, you stupendously, over-serious fool." He felt angry, both at her and himself for not being able to understand her. He turned around and went to his chamber.
Shirou was already busy in the kitchen when Kay and Arturia awoke the next morning. "Good, morning, you two."
"Morning Shirou." Arturia sat down at the table. The delicious smell of his cooking tickled her nose.
"Good morning. Have you slept well?"
"Good enough." She sounded a bit heavy hearted.
"What are you going to do today? I have to work at Copenhagen today, but I was hoping that somebody could stay here. Raiga-san will send somebody over to pick up the bike." Shirou exited the kitchen and started setting the table.
"I think I will stay here for a while, but probably only until noon. So I will see to it."
"Thank you, Arturia. By the way, your birthday is coming up, right?" Shirou remembered.
"Yes. That is to say in about a week. Well, counting from the date that we left for this era." She explained. "But as I said, I don't need a present. I won't say no to a fine meal though."
"I understand." As he said that, Bedivere and Gawain entered.
"Can I have some sake?" Gawain asked, while Bedivere sat down and turned on the TV to watch the news.
"This early?" Shirou frowned. "A well. There is some in the fridge. Help yourself."
"Thanks."
"When do you think that El-Melloi comes to visit?" Bedivere started the topic. "I don't believe he mentioned that."
"That's right. But he has the phone number, so he can call us if necessary." Shirou reminded him. "I just hope that that Kairi guy won't come over when Fuji-nee or Sakura are here." The others could readily agree with that. Kairi had the stench of blood all over him. And then there was his intimidating, if not frightening, appearance which would certainly cause them to panic.
"His demeanor was somewhat different from any other magus we encountered before, wouldn't you say." Gawain said to Bedivere and Arturia.
"What do you mean?" Shirou wondered.
"Well, most Magi tend to be more arrogant. They are confident that they can defeat any one magus, or any magus they perceive weaker than themselves, with ease. Maintaining a strong defense while attacking from range." Gawain elaborated. "While I don't have anything to support this, this guy felt like he was more of the offensive type, one who focuses almost solely on offense and he didn't gave of that air of seeing himself superior to others."
"Indeed. He radiated very strong confidence, but not the excessive arrogance which is typical to most magi." Bedivere agreed. "The man also seemed rather pragmatic."
"I see." Shirou understood. "Are Kay and Merlin awake yet? Because breakfast is almost ready." As on cue Kay and Merlin entered the room the very next moment.
"Good morning. Aren't miss Sakura and Taiga here today?" Kay remarked.
"No. They had something else to do this morning, so they won't be joining us this morning." Shirou informed him.
"That's unfortunate." Merlin sighed slightly. A few minutes later, they all were enjoying breakfast.
"Delicious as always, Shirou." Gawain complemented him.
"Thank you, Gawain." Shirou turned to Arturia. "Do you have had any progress with Mordred?"
"No, unfortunately not. She keeps avoiding us. And when we do meet, there are usually other people around us." Arturia handed her bowl to Shirou for a third serving of rice. "And we still don't know where her men are hold up."
"At least, they are keeping quiet after the latest incident." Gawain remarked.
"Mordred may have betrayed us, but she still considers herself a knight." Arturia knew this for certain. "Will get them eventually. It's only a matter of time." Everybody agreed with that assessment. In her mind, Arturia thought about Mordred. What would she be doing now?
Mordred sneezed as she was strolling along the riverside, reminiscing about her encounter with Kairi. She found him a interesting guy for sure. The next moment she ran into Ayako. "Hey, Mordred. How are you doing?" She waved.
"Nothing special. Just passing time." Mordred said casually.
"No progress on your ...whatever you are planning?"
"Not really. I am just waiting for the right time. It will take awhile." Mordred admitted. Ayako eyed her questioningly.
"Say, Mordred can I ask you something?" Ayako smiled her teeth bare.
"Sure. What is it?"
"How is your acting?" Mordred looked at her blankly, momentarily confused by the question.
"Huh? What are you on about? I don't spend time on such drivel." Mordred responded. "What is this all about?"
"Well, you see, the school festival is coming up in a couple of weeks. We of the archery club decided to perform a play and we are looking for some additional people who would like to participate."
Mordred blinked a few times letting it sink in. "You want me to perform on stage?"
"Yeah, that's what I'm asking." Ayako spoke calmly. "Interested?"
"Let's assume that I do, what is the topic of the play?" Mordred was slightly interested.
"Well, it's not exactly an old one. One of our members wrote it some time ago." Ayako explained. "It is a fictional tale during the Boshin War. A western knight on a journey arrives in Japan and befriends a samurai. The plot is pretty good for an amateur."
"Oh. Let me guess, you need someone to play the knight?" Now she was getting more interested. She never had stood on a stage before, but she was confident in her acting skills. After all she had fooled many people during her life. Hiding her dislike for others... her role in the rebellion.
"Yes. Though I would have to make some arrangements." Ayako admitted regretfully. "The play is supposed to be performed by students only, but I think I can persuade them to allow a guest star."
"I am sure that you will be able to manage it." Mordred reassured her.
"Well, Issei can be difficult to persuade at times." Ayako worried.
"That stiff guy with the glasses?" Mordred remembered him.
"Yeah, he is the student council president, so our propositions for our festival activity first goes through him." Ayako smirked. "He takes his job as the council president very serious. Whether it is events or the club budgets."
"Budgets? He is involved in finances?"
"Yeah. Every club gets a budget for the year. As the Student council president it is part of his duty to determine how much every club gets." Ayako sighed. "It's not that he is bad at it, but he tends to favor the non-sports clubs. The sports clubs get the largest budgets, so it isn't entirely unjustified."
"He sounds like that stingy idiot." Mordred laughed.
"Stingy idiot?" Ayako blinked.
"I am talking about Kay. Arturia's foster brother." Mordred smirked. "He is only a mediocre swordsman, who relies more on his words than his sword. Besides that, his only real talent is counting money."
"You don't seem to like him very much." Ayako concluded, with a questionable smile.
"Obviously." She scoffed. "That annoying, perfect honor student, Gawain. That happy-go lucky bastard, Merlin and that over-admiring Bedivere." Before she had realized it she had ranted about all of them. "Argh! Forget I said those things. It doesn't concern you."
"I guess that's for the best." Though she knew it was impossible to forget. "Shall we go for a walk?"
"Yohhh, guys!" Before Mordred could answer a loud cheer from non other than Kaede rang out. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Makidera." Ayako reacted slightly startled.
"Ah, the dimwit." Mordred wasn't surprised at all.
"Oy! Is that what you say first thing, Mo-san?" Makidera frowned from annoyance.
"It's Mordred." She grumbled. "Don't call me that."
"If you refrain from calling me dimwit." She retorted.
"It seems you can get along with each other just fine." Ayako laughed.
"Don't jest about that." Mordred frowned.
"So, Mitsuzuri. What is the archery cub doing this year?" Kaede jumped to the next topic. "We are going to do a small restaurant."
"We are doing a play." Ayako patted Mordred on the shoulder. "I was just asking Mordred if she wanted to play as a guest star."
"Really!?" Kaede clamored loudly. "You'll have to convince Issei first. Tough assignment."
"I will manage." She smiled.
"Hey, Mo-san. I wanted to tell you...I want a rematch for last time." Kaede pointed challengingly at Mordred, who stared calmly at her. "As the Black panther of Homurahara I can't let this go unanswered."
"It will just end like last time." Mordred sighed. "But I'll recognize your tenacity. If you really want I will indulge you, but not today."
"I'll hold you to it, Mo-san." Kaede declared loudly. "May the best girl ..." She quickly fell silent and swallowed when she swallowed Mordred's angry glare. "M-may the best win." She laughed nervously, before running off.
Mordred sighed annoyed. "Mo-san." She looked at Ayako who snickered. "I must say, I think it suits you." Mordred looked at her incredulously. "Would you mind if I call you that?"
"As a matter of fact I do." She fretted. "It sounds so... I don't know. It feels so off. So I would prefer if you don't."
Ayako shrugged her shoulders. "If that is what you want." Mordred nodded slowly. "Very well. About something else... Are you always going to carry around that thing?" she pointed to the bundle containing Clarent. "I know it is important to you, but still... I don' think anyone will just steal it. Can't you leave it at home once in a while. Carrying a real sword in public is kinda illegal in Japan without the right license. And minors aren't allowed to carry one regardless."
"Really? That's such a hassle." Mordred said perplexed. "Where I come from it is completely normal for a knight to walk around with a sword."
Where or rather when was that? Do you live in the middle-ages? Ayako thought. "Sure, but this isn't your home country, right. Can't you at least leave it at home if you aren't going to use it? You can get into serious problems with..." She suddenly fell silent, looking scared at something behind Mordred. When Mordred turned around he saw Kairi walking up to them. No wonder Mitsuzuri was so alarmed.
"Good day, Mordred." He waved.
"Yoh. We meet again." Mordred greeted him.
"Mo-san. You know this guy?" Ayako stared at her.
"Sort of. I met him yesterday. We had a friendly chat." Mordred replied casually. Ayako just glanced to Mordred nervously, before looking at Kairi again. "Here for another chat?"
"No, not really. Just a coincidence." Kairi drew from his cigarette. "I see that you have a friend? Who's name is..."
"Mitsuzuri Ayako." She said as she backed down a bit. "Pleased to meet you."
"Same here. Don't worry I don't bite." He laughed. "So, what are you doing?"
"We were discussing something. And you?" Mordred answered.
"Just exploring the city some more. The people though, tend to avoid me." He scoffed. "Anyway, can I have a private conversation with Mordred, please?"
Ayako looked uncertain at Mordred, who gave a nod. "Very well, I will go to the temple and discuss things with Issei and get it over with. Until next time, Mordred." She waved as he walked away.
"Yep. Let me know how it went. I'll be here tomorrow at 20 pm." Mordred informed her, to which she nodded before walking of.
"You know the time?" Kairi asked surprised. Mordred showed him her watch. "Ah, I see. You adapted quite quickly."
"You bet. It has been quite useful." Mordred admitted. "It's a shame that we didn't have these in my time."
"I can imagine."
"So, what do you want to talk about?" Mordred cut to the case.
Kairi's eyes looked sharply into hers. "I wanted to learn more about Esdelot."
Gawain and Kay returned home after spending the entire afternoon in the city. They were greeted by Taiga's cheerful banter first thing when they entered the dining room. "Hoy, Arturia-san, Kay. How was your day?"
"It was good. Thank you miss Taiga." Kay replied politely. "Does your father has his bike back?"
"Indeed. He was quite pleased, as always, with Shirou's repairs." She grabbed a beer can she had opened and took a big gulp.
"I think I will have some too." Gawain was quite thirsty. "Say, Shirou. Do you have some more in the fridge?"
"Sure. Help yourself." Shirou responded from the kitchen. "Do you guys know where Arturia is? I haven't seen her since this morning."
"No, We don't? Do you need something from her?" Gawain sat down next to Taiga with his can of beer.
"Not really. I was just wondering." Shirou said as he prepared to take out the cooking utensils.
"If you are wondering, she is currently taking a bath." It was Bedivere who walked answered, having heard their conversation from the hallway. "She will join us shortly. Oh, and Shirou." Bedivere walked up to him and whispered in his ear. "Merlin has beefed up the defenses of your house while you were away."
"He did? I didn't notice anything though." Shirou scratched his head.
"He did put quite some time in it. He guaranteed that it won't affect your daily life." Bediver explained.
"If that is so, then I am alright with it." Shirou approved. Bedivere nodded and sat down on Taiga's other side.
"What were you guys discussing, Bedi-chan?" Taiga giggled waving back and fort, her eyes gleaming curiously.
"Nothing of importance. I just wanted to know what he wanted to inform him of something Merlin did." Bedivere said. Taiga leaned in expectingly, but before she could press the issue, Bedivere noticed a big bag standing against the wall and took advantage of it. "My I ask what is in that bag?"
Taiga quickly grabbed the bag and put it on the table. "Just some plush toys." The next moment Arturia walked in. Hawing just finished her bath, her hair hang loose over her shoulders. Everybody looked at her quietly, taken in by her appearance.
"You look beautiful with your hair down." Kay remarked sincerely.
"Uhm? Ah, thank you, brother." Arturia answered slightly flushed. And she sat down next to Kay. "Good evening, Taiga. We missed you at breakfast."
"Aye. My father and grandfather wanted to discuss something with me." Taiga said.
"What about?" Bedivere inquired.
"Just some boring family business. Do you want to see what is in the back." She glazed over the topic and emptied the bag on the table. "I bought these for Shirou."
"You mean you got them from a Claw game." Shirou sighed. "A 100 yen each right?"
"Well, yeah." She laughed. "Your room is so empty. These will lively it up a bit. Don't you guys think so too?" Taiga looked at the others hopefully.
"Well, I guess so. They do look funny." Bedivere grabbed one which was modeled after a western dragon. It's big eyes and goofy grin, made him chuckle a bit. If only real dragons were this cute.
"Let's see. We have also a cow, a horse, a crab, a hippo..." She started to sum them up.
"Uhm, now that we are on the topic of toys." Shirou reached behind the counter and procured a package wrapped in blue paper. He walked over to Arturia and handed it to her. She took it in surprise. "You said that you didn't want any presents, but I got you one anyway. Don't worry, it only cost 100 yen. I also got it from a Claw game, but I asked a clerk to wrap it in."
"Uhm, thank you." Arturia responded as she unwrapped it. It contained a plushy. "Oh, this is modeled after a baby lion, right?" She looked at it seemingly indifferent for a moment.
"A rather unconventional gift, I would say. " Gawain examined it from a distance. In his eyes, a plush toy would definitely not be something you give to a king.
"Uhh...well, she likes lions, so I thought..." He looked at Arturia, who still looked at the plushy rather questionable. "Do you dislike it?"
She turned to look at him and answered with a dead serious face. "No. I like it very much. Thank you very much, Shirou." She took it firmly in her arms, and a smile appeared on her face. Gawain stared at her with mild surprise. Kay and Bedivere on the other-hand were obviously pleased by this development. "I never had much opportunities to hold something small and cute. So this is a most precious gift. Thank you, Shirou."
"You're welcome." Shirou returned the smile, before heading back into the kitchen, to prepare diner.
"Wait! Is it your birthday today, Arturia?" Taiga raised her voice in surprise. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Actually my birthday is during spring." Arturia affirmed. "But something important caused it to be skipped."
Yeah. I arrived in her time and they all ended up in our time. Shirou sighed.
"That is unacceptable!" Taiga declared seriously. "Canceling a birthday? Not on my watch!" She was getting fired up.
"She's got that right." Bedivere agreed with a nod. "We should hold a celebration. Better late then never."
"Bedivere. That is not necessary. If you want to, then a simple meal would do." Arturia objected.
"I am sorry, sis. But I have to concur with them." Kay nodded heavily, his tone denied any argument. Even Gawain agreed.
Arturia realized that they wouldn't budge. "If everyone feels so strongly about it."
"That's settled. So what will we do for the party?" Taiga moved on to the next point. "We will definitely need a birthday cake of course. When is it?"
"I would suggest after twenty more days. That way, it won't interfere with your preparations for the school festival." Kay informed her.
"Two days after the school festival." Taiga thought about it. "Taking that into account cleaning up after the festival... Hmmm. Yup, I don't think that will be an issue. Speaking of which, will you guys be coming to the festival?"
"I have been hearing about this festival for a while now." Gawain drank some more beer. "I would be interested to come."
"That goes for the rest of us, too." Arturia straightened from anticipation. "We have never been to a school festival, so we are all curious to experience it first hand."
"Hear, hear." Gawain knocked on the table. "Can't wait to see it." And so they started to get fired up. The next moment Sakura and Merlin entered.
"Is there something to celebrate?" Sakura tilted her head. "We heard cheering."
"Ah, Sakura-chan. We are holding a birthday party for Arturia-chan." Taiga chirped exited.
"Oh, congratulations, Arturia-san." Sakura congratulated her. "I didn't realize it was your birthday?"
"Apparently her birthday was postponed due to some event." Taiga continued. "So, now we are holding one while she is here."
"W-When are you planning to do that? The festival is coming up, so there is a lot of work to be done." Sakura reminded her.
"I know. So I was thinking to do it after the festival. What do you think?" Taiga directed the question at Arturia.
"Ah, uhm. I'm fine with that." Arturia said hesitantly.
"Yosh. That is settled. I think around two days after the festival would do." Taiga was already enjoying it. "We can start thinking about what will do during the party."
Sakura smiled nervously, while Taiga was fantasizing. Her eye caught the plushy that Arturia held. "Do you like plushies, Arturia-san?"
Arturia looked at the plushy for a moment before answering. "I believe I do. I never had many opportunities to hold cute things. It was a gift from Shirou for my birthday."
"Ah, I see. That's senpai for you. I will go and help him to prepare dinner now. If you will excuse me." Sakura said before joining Shirou in the kitchen. In her heart however, she felt a little jealous of Arturia.