Chapter 8: Dinner of competition

"Fuji-nee, what are you doing here?"

Out of all people, I did not expect her to come. Well, Fuji-nee visits me on a regular basis, so there is nothing too strange about it. Still, I did not expect this now.

"Hm, is there any problem? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's just… well, I didn't expect you now"

"Huh? What does that mean now? Haven't you promised that I can come to you tonight for a nice dinner? You promised it, right?"

She begs me with her eyes like she is about to starve. Guess I have no other choice than to step aside and let her enter.

"Yes, you're right. I invited you for a dinner tonight, so I have to give in"

"Perfect! I haven't eaten anything, because I prepared so much for the kendo lesson"

Fuji-nee enters the house and we both go back to the dining room where… the others are still sitting! I absolutely forgot about them and Fuji-nee does not know any of them. Now, this is a real emergency! As expected… Fuji-nee stops in her tracks as she spots the others. Wait, this is quite unnatural; she looks like she became stone! Did Medusa take of her blindfold? This is not good, really not good!

"Yo, hi! I am Straw Hat, this is knight-girl and this is Red Devil. Want to eat something with us?"

Straw Hat, that was way too straight forward! You cannot just tell everyone everything! Hold on, Rider is not here… so, she disappeared before Fuji-nee entered the house? At least one here can think for themselve. Fuji-nee slowly turns around towards me. This means she did not get turned into stone, thank God! However, Fuji-nee looks way more like a monster now than Rider did.

"Shirou, what, why, when, where, who!"

I am overwhelmed by this buttload of questions.

"You see… they are just visitors that will stay here for a longer period of time. There is nothing weird here, I promise!"

I think this answer makes everything worse. Maybe it is better when I just say nothing from here onwards.

"Two girls, one strange boy. Shirou, what have you done in the last few days?"

Is she not exaggerating this a little bit? Well, the fiery aura around her and her destructive eyes as well as her trembling nostrils make me somewhat feel shorter than her and also make me nervous.

"I am just here to visit Shirou, because I am a relative of Emiya Kiritsugu. It is only natural to visit a relative, wouldn't you agree?"

Fuji-nee looks at Saber and her anger vanished. Wow, that was fast even for Fuji-nee standards.

"Besides, my name is Saber"

Saber is really calm and she is not the slightest frightened nor nervous due to Fuji-nee's rage. She must have really met many intimidating enemies when she has no problems with this.

"And I am just here, because I forgot my memories and Shirou was a good old friend. Nice to meet ya!"

Straw Hat is as always cheery and grinning. Nothing can disturb his optimism, I assume.

"Oh, okay… Still, two random girls here that sleep at night in the same house as Shirou? Why didn't you tell me this before?"

I see, Fuji-nee is not angry because three strangers appeared out of nothing, but because nobody told her this before.

"Actually, why are you here?"

She points at Tohsaka who is unaffected by Fuji-nee's mood swings. For Tohsaka I can understand it, because nothing can really affect this cold heart.

"I'm here because of a bug plague at my home. Emiya-kun was so friendly to offer me hospitality until the problem is resolved. I have high standards and only his home fulfills the lowest minimum, so I can accept living at a house"

Straightforward, but at the same time hurting. Sounds like Tohsaka.

"I understand, but where are your parents currently?"

Suddenly, Tohsaka's eyes go blank again, but before she falls back into that weird state again, I hear a very familiar voice that raises my blood pressure by a quadrillion percent.

"Rin, I'm done observing the area. There was nothing, so can I finally rest now?"

We all turn around to Archer and Fuji-nee is as startled as we are. I look to Tohsaka to signalize her that she shall do something. Therefore, Tohsaka waves with her hand in panic and tries to convey Archer that he must get away right now. He understands it and fades away and Archer is gone.

Wait, he just disappeared right in front of Fuji-nee's eyes, how can we explain this to her? A man just came in, said hello and vanished again! Tohsaka, that was the dumbest idea ever!

"D-did you see that man, too?"

"Which man?", Tohsaka says.

Saber nods, too.

"Yes, I saw nothing as well. Must have been an illusion or so. Maybe you are too hungry and can't think properly anymore?"

"Hmmm, maybe you're right. See Shirou, I need the food right now! I can't even think straight anymore, give me fooood!"

Tohsaka, that was the best idea ever!

"What are you guys talking about, magic man was ju-"

"So, Shirou and I will prepare your food, just wait a little bit more, okay?"

Tohsaka laughs nervously as she stands up and gives Straw Hat a death stare.

"Hey, don't ignore me, he was rig-"

"Thank you, Rin"

"Oi, what is wro-"

Tohsaka stands up and triples over Straw Hat who consequently falls with her to the ground. We hear a loud sound like someone got punched. Then, Straw Hat rises again and grins to us.

"I… am also very thankful!"

Tohsaka also gets up and gives me a wink, so I get to the kitchen, too. I follow her lead and make my way towards the stove.

"What have you done to him that he suddenly realized what the plan was?", I whisper to Tohsaka.

"I just… made it clear for him", she whispers back. I guess, I should not further investigate this, but whatever she has done to him, it must have made it really clear to him…

"I will ask Archer later why he failed to guard the area. Not only did he fail, he also just appears before a non-magus…"

Tohsaka is really angry, it is obvious.

Quick Interlude: Oof

He disappeared at Rin's command and now he is outside again. Archer now sits on the ground and looks over to the wall on the other side of the yard.

"What the heck did they do there? And who was that? Wait… I know this person from somewhere… I have the feeling that I should really stay away from this person. Also, I feel like something bad awaits me…"

Interlude: End

"Shirou, won't Sakura help you out with cooking? I already asked myself where she has been all the day"

"She didn't come today, she said that she doesn't feel so good"

It is a plain lie, but I cannot force another person into this disaster. Hopefully, she believes it.

"I see, so that's why she didn't come to school today. Weird, I saw her in the morning and said to her that she shall tell you that I will not come for breakfast…"

After some time, we finished cooking and served it to the others. We all ate dinner together and Fuji-nee was astonished that not only one but two persons can eat more than she can. To be honest, today both gluttons ate much faster and more than usual. They exchanged some looks and their expression was quite serious. It was almost like… they held a competition. Are they still seeing this as a duel?

"I have won!"

Saber puts down her bowl after having swallowed up its content. She looks very proud and happy.

Straw Hat also puts down the bowl and looks evenly happy and proud.

"No, I won. I ate more than you did!"

"What, no you're lying! I paid attention how many bowls you have eaten. Our bowls are exactly the same size, so we can take those for measurement"

Do not tell me, they really held a competition?!

"But I also took a second bowl", Straw Hat explains and points to the bowl left of him.

"What, but that's against the rules! Only one bowl that has the same size"

"Which rules, I never heard of them!"

"I made the rules"

"Who gave you the permission? Besides, you still lost, I have eaten more. Accept it, knight-girl"

"Don't call me that!"

"Are they always like this, Shirou?", Fuji-nee asks quietly to me.

"I'm not sure myself…"

"Hey, both of you stop this! Can't you just both peacefully eat up like every sane normal person, too? Like-"

Tohsaka smirks now and I do not like this. Usually, her devil qualities take over when she does that.

"Since you both agreed to this competition and devoured the most that was cooked, why don't you both also wash the dishes?"

"What, wait Rin! You're making a terrible mistake; I can explain this all"

"Right, then let's settle it with this! The person who washes more dishes than the other ultimately wins!"

They both look at each other like they are about to enter a duel of death and life. How can they be so combative, yet they are just about to wash dishes?

"Agreed"

Then they both sprint like their day of judgment has come. It is a fierce battle, but both give their bes- THEY ARE STILL JUST WASHING THE DISHES!

"Well, well, well. While they have their own fight, how about a kendo fight?"

"What? Why Fuji-nee?"

"I only respect people if they can defeat me in kendo and I am quite interested whether your new friends are capable of this…"

Fuji-nee rises extremely fast and points at Tohsaka like a judge who sentences a defendant to prison.

"So, you will be my first opponent!"

"W-w-what? M-me? But why me?"

"Because the others are too busy right now. Don't worry, everyone will have a chance to get beaten by me"

So, after all… They are now standing there with a kendo sword and ready to beat the other one. Tohsaka holds the sword more like a baseball bat. Has she ever held a kendo sword before in her life?

The battle begins as Tohsaka quickly advances and raises her sword. She wants to hit Fuji-nee from above, but she can dodge this of course. Did you really think that could beat her, Tohsaka? But wait, she is smiling now. Tohsaka moves her sword to the right, aiming directly at Fuji-nee's leg! Maybe this can work, it was a feint after all. Tohsaka only wanted to let Fuji-nee think she is weak, so Fuji-nee lets her guard down, thus giving Tohsaka an opening to strike. This could actually work!

Despite the great preparation, Fuji-nee just jumps and the sword hits nothing but air.

"What?"

In her confusion, Tohsaka let her own defense fall and Fuji-nee lands back on the ground. She swings out with her sword and hits Tohsaka's very own legs. As a result, Tohsaka falls down and is defeated.

"You're better than expected…"

"Of course, I am the best kendo fighter here! No one can beat me"

Fuji-nee is so proud that it seems like she would have killed a bear after a long hunt.

Saber and Straw Hat finally return from their fight. While Saber looks quite normal, Straw Hat is completely destroyed. He lets his head hang down and all of his lively energy is gone. Apparently, Saber has won.

"Congratulations Saber, you won"

"No, Shirou. You got it all wrong, I did not win. I washed as many dishes as Straw Hat. Neither of us won"

Wow, that is… incredible. I have not expected this. Besides, their reaction is very different, although they both neither lost nor won. Suddenly, a sword flies over to Saber who catches it.

"You are next!"

That was Fuji-nee who said this and also-

"Tohsaka! What happened?"

Tohsaka is lying on the ground like she has not slept for three days. I quickly run to her and she lifts her head.

"Emiya-kun, I challenged her once again and I lost… I will never recover from this"

I see, so Tohsaka was obliterated. Only Saber and Straw Hat remain, but Saber is not called Saber for nothing, so she will-

"Saber! You, too?!"

Saber is also lying on the ground now like Tohsaka and is obviously defeated, too. I run over to Saber as well.

"Saber, everything okay?"

"Shirou, she is… superior"

And with these words only one is left. Is Fuji-nee really that overpowered? When she said that she is the best kendo master in town, she did not understate it. Straw Hat is once again our only hope!

Straw Hat charges mindlessly at Fuji-nee and she dodges it. He tries it again and fails again. Fuji-nee runs behind Straw Hat and kicks his back, so he falls down on all fours and Fuji-nee is about to give him the decisive strike as Straw Hat rolls away. He hits Fuji-nee's feet who falls down as well, thus falling into Straw Hat. She rolls over him, but can stand up again.

"Ugh, that was hard, but I won, right? Also, what is that weird feeling on my head…"

Fuji-nee has not noticed that while falling down, she took the hat! It is already too late as Straw Hat also gets up again.

"Shirou, do you also have this bad… fee-….ling?"

She freezes as she can hear Straw Hat behind her. He is baring his teeth and growling like a predator. I think Fuji-nee has created a monster.

"Fuji-nee! Give him his Hat back immediately-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Fuji-nee screams and runs away from Straw Hat who chases after her on all four like a cheetah hunts his prey. They run a few rounds around the table before Straw hat eventually reaches Fuji-nee, hence he jumps at her. Fuji-nee falls down and Straw Hat retrieves his Hat. He stands up again and he puts on his straw hat.

"Hm, I think you lost"

"You became sane very fast. However, you're right, you won against Fuji-nee… in some kind of distorted illegal bestial way"

Fuji-nee meanwhile is whimpering on the ground.

"Fuji-nee?"

She turns around and seems really frightened.

"I accept my defeat and respect you from now on, but please don't jump at me again. I'm really lucky that you weren't accompanying Shirou today to my lesson…"

Today? It was bothering me before, but something is wrong here. Yeah… the lesson Fuji-nee is talking about…

"That was yesterday Fuji-nee. You messed up the days"

Fuji-nee gets up and looks me into my face like she did when I came too late.

"No, you also promised me that you will make delicious food for me tonight, don't you remember? That is why I came today to you so excited; I was really hungry"

"But, don't you remember what happened that day later?", Straw Hat asks her.

Wait, what did Shinji say again? Ah yes, I remember. He said that the food was poisoned and the school had a pipe problem or something like that.

"Did you perhaps eat from the poisoned food? Shinji told me that the food was poisoned, so maybe your memories are distorted or something like that…"

Now Fuji-nee looks at me worried. She views me like I lost my sanity.

"Shirou, are you ill?"

"What?"

"There was no poisoned food that you have been talking about"

…What? Did not Tohsaka mention that the Mage's Association took care of the matter? Fuji-nee should have no memories about what really happened that day and why is she pretending like it is still the same day?

That must have also peaked the other's interest, as Saber and Tohsaka also stand up.

"Do you remember anything that happened yester- I mean today?", Tohsaka questions her.

Fuji-nee thinks about the question and then shakes her head.

"No, I went to school as always and had a normal day, except of course the kendo lesson"

"Do you know what date it is?", Saber asks her.

"Why are you asking so many strange questions? It is the same date as this morning"

This is… weird. So, she really did not notice that all of it happened yesterday. Did someone manipulate her memories? But who? No one apart from the Mage's Association would do something like that, right? However, someone must have manipulated her memories.

"Everything is fine, after this long day we are all exhausted. So, we were just confused, isn't that right Saber?"

"Yes, that is indeed true, Rin"

Fuji-nee is still not convinced, I guess. I must quickly say something to her, so she does not get confused any further. Saber and Tohsaka are trying to calm the situation and play along. So, I also have to act out my role.

"Y-yeah, you see… after this kendo training, I really felt exhausted. We also stayed up very late last night, so we all lost track of time"

We focus our glances at Straw Hat and hope he understands. These are the tensest seconds I had today. Why does he not say anything? Come on, say something!

"Like the others say"

I am so relieved. This was the easiest, but also most effective answer. Now, Fuji-nee has to believe our story. Still, she seems to think about it once again, but then she smiles at me.

"I see, so the kendo training really challenged you all! I have reached my goal"

Well, that was unexpected, but I guess this is also fine. She is obviously really proud of her work and oversees it.

"However, I will now go"

"What, won't you stay a little bit longer with us?"

"You said you're all exhausted, so you should rest now. After all, tomorrow will be even more intense than today"

"Well, I guess we see each other then… tomorrow?"

"Await me for breakfast"

Fuji-nee goes to the door, but before she leaves, she turns around once again and smirks at Saber and Tohsaka.

"And don't do anything weird"

Then she slowly closes the door. What was that supposed to mean? Whatever, I have no time, so I sprint to the door and put on my shoes.

"Shirou, wait! Where are you going?", Saber asks me from behind.

The others followed me of course.

"I have to talk to the only person who can explain this"

I quickly grab my jacket and open the door… just to see Archer.

"Archer, you too now?"

I feel like everything tries to hinder me to go to him.