10—Tag Along

With what's been eaten, little food remains. The plates, bowls and pots are collected. They rattle against each other as Shirou and Sakura carry them to the kitchen. The faucet squeaks, followed by the sound of water running into the sink over the dishes set inside it. Taiasu sits watching as they work, wearing a minor yet vexed frown for his being unable to do much else, given his stature.

The water stops running as the faucet is shut off, and from the TV they can all hear a newscaster making a report. The scrawl along the bottom of the screen reads ominously.

Gas Leak Accidents Continue.

The newscaster gives the details, telling of a large accident in the Shinto area of the neighboring town, in a building in the business district. An entire floor of people fell unconscious. Hypoxia from gas displacing the breathable air. Sakura watches, shifting her feet anxiously as Shirou frowns, drying his hands on a towel. Unable to make anything of it, Taiasu can only stare blankly at the screen.

"They're calling it that, but it's happening more and more…" Shirou mutters his thoughts as he watches the pictures shift on the screen.

Several ambulances and people carried out on stretchers. Mouth pieces regurgitating prepared PR statements to head off any public backlash. Finally, the camera returns to the newsroom. Shirou looks toward Sakura as she holds her hands to her chest, wearing a narrow frown, her eyes showing her concern.

"Are you worried about the news, Sakura?"

"No, not that. Not really, anyway. I was just thinking, isn't your workplace in the Shinto area, Senpai?"

He nods. "Yeah, but it's not a big place. I don't think an accident like that would happen there."

Though he speaks his reassurance in a calming tone, it does little to set her mind at ease. And it's not as if he's oblivious to the risks, either. This sort of thing can happen in any building.

"Still, it's upsetting…"

"Did you know any of those people?" Taiasu asks, looking at him from the TV.

Shirou shakes his head. "I don't think so. But just thinking about how all of those people are suffering because of shoddy work makes me angry. I get they had to rebuild everything quickly, but still…"

At his sides, his hands clench, then relax, and he grinds his teeth, finding the entire thing repugnant.

"… It's dangerous. We have to be careful here, too."

"Oh, don't worry Senpai. I check the gas for the stove twice before we leave. Every time."

Sakura's small, worried frown melts away, replaced with a proud smile.

"No, that's not the point…"

Shirou sighs as what he's trying to make clear, that gas leaks and accidents tend not to care what precautions one takes and can happen anywhere, doesn't come through.

He clicks off the TV. Now that the subject of his focus is no more, Taiasu finds his gaze wandering until it comes to rest on the door to the hall. He folds his arms across his chest, pondering as his stare falls to the floor.

Their teacher said all that stuff before. And I am interested in seeing more of this world… Still, I don't want to be putting people at risk. Is it really okay for me to be going with them?

Shirou moves toward the door, and Sakura moves toward the closet, reclaiming her shoes before she sees Taiasu has yet to come for his boots. She turns toward him, noting his narrow frown and scrunched brow as he stares fixedly at the door.

"Taruko-kun?"

He looks up for a moment, then his gaze falls again.

"It's nothing. I was just thinking about what your teacher said."

"About what Fuji-nee said? What about it?"

Yes, what indeed? School isn't a foreign concept for him, though it's been some time since he's needed to go. And it's something he never finished.

The calamity saw to that.

Part of him wonders about the similarities and differences he'll doubtlessly experience exploring the place. Another part of him, the part showing through in his words and expression, doesn't want to trouble his new friends.

Especially the one who's agreed to look after him.

Just thinking that causes the lines creased into his forehead to deepen.

"Is it really okay? I mean, for me to just go with you guys like that?"

Shirou sighs, frowning and nodding. "Yeah, I know what you mean." It's not the first time he's been so baffled by his teacher's behavior, and if history's set any precedent, it won't be the last. "I'm not sure what she was thinking, but our options are limited. I'd have no problem with you sticking it out here until Sakura gets back. Except you'd be bored to death. I've got nothing you can entertain yourself with." He pauses a moment, tapping his chin. "What about your place, Sakura?"

Just having slipped her shoes on, Sakura stands upright and looks over.

"My place? I mean—"

It's not as if her place would be any better. In fact, for at least one reason, it could be decidedly worse.

That's a bad idea. If Grandfather found him, and discovered what he is, there's no telling where that could lead.

Slowly, she shakes her head. "Probably not. It seems like we have to go with the best of our poor options."

All Taiasu can do is sigh as he yields reluctantly.

"Alright. I'll try to stay out of the way as much as possible."

He kneads the deep wrinkles in his forehead, smoothing them out.

And I'll just have to keep my curiosity in check, I guess.

Shirou chuckles, looking him over with a simple glance. "I doubt that will be a problem."

Sakura looks him over as well, though in a less relaxed fashion.

Him being in the way isn't a concern, but that outfit… Maybe I should explain cosplay to him?

"So people dress in funny clothes and pretend to be stuff?"

Taiasu leans against the wall outside the houses, staring up at Sakura as they stand near the entrance, waiting for Shirou. She's just finished explaining the concept of 'cosplay', and Taiasu now has 'doubt' deeply etched all over. From his mouth, narrowed and pulled to one corner, to his brow, one side arched fully upward, the other pinched down, to how he holds his arms folded across his chest.

"Why would anyone do that outside of a stage play? Wait, before that, why are you telling me about this?"

That he finds the concept strange strikes her as both humorous and ironic, given the getup he's currently wearing, and she lets out a small laugh.

He says that, but he'd fit in well at most cosplay events.

Now setting those thoughts to one side, she tries to explain her reasoning.

"Well, your outfit sticks out a lot. Senpai noticed it first, then Fujimura-sensei. I just thought it might be easier on you if you told people the truth?"

"Huh?" Unsure of what he's heard, he digs into his ear, then flicks his finger, discarding a small goober. He then returns his focus. "But you said all that stuff before, about—"

"Not the other world stuff, or anything about magic. Just tell them you're an adventurer."

"Ah… What?"

Still not believing what he's hearing, he's unable to form an effective sentence. Sakura shows a simple smile, holding up her index finger as she explains.

"People won't believe you. I mean, I still have trouble with that myself. They see what they want, and it would explain why you're so strangely dressed."

"Strangely—hey!" Taiasu's mouth quickly turns down in a sharp frown, and Sakura shakes her head.

"For here, Taruko-kun. You're strangely dressed for this world, is what I'm saying."

"Oh."

Though her explanation makes sense, and helps dull his minor annoyance, he still has doubts that show plainly on his face. Still smiling, Sakura offers a small bit of encouragement.

"Just try it with Senpai. You'll see what I mean."

Even as she says this, in the back of her mind, the idea falls squarely in between 'crazy enough to work' and 'sane enough to fail'. And no sooner do they finish discussing the issue than the front door opens and Shirou steps out, blinking his eyes against the midmorning sun.

"Back door's locked. Double-checked it and everything."

"Thanks for checking, Senpai. I'll lock the front door. When do you think you'll be home?" She moves toward the door, slipping her key into the lock and listening carefully for the click as she turns it. She tries the knob, just to be sure, then turns back toward him.

"I think I'll be later than usual. Probably. What about you, Sakura?"

"I should be back at the usual time, so earlier than you then. I'll get started with dinner when I return."

Carefully, Taiasu weighs Sakura's suggestion in his mind. On the one hand, she's said he can't talk about magic, or his world, and that doing so would cause problems for anyone who heard. But now, she's almost completely contradicted herself with a suggestion that feels almost dubious. And now, some part of him is curious about just how accurate her supposition is.

She's from this world, after all. She should know, right? Except now that she's talked about my clothes, and that cosplay stuff, I'm feeling all self-conscious! Damn it! Whatever, I'll just—!

With his decision made, he turns toward Shirou, trying to replace the doubt and uncertainty in his frown with a firm resolve.

"Shirou!"

"Huh?" He looks down, his eyes widening, slightly surprised at his tone and expression. "What's up, Taiasu?"

As soon as Shirou looks down, Taiasu can feel his resolve slip, and he has to swallow down his doubts again. He clenches his hands at his sides, and his gaze wavers for a moment before he locks eyes with Shirou, who continues to stare down at him, blinking, confused.

Taiasu grinds his teeth.

D-Damn it! Why does this feel so awkward?! I almost came right out and said it in the yard, no problem!

He shakes his head, firming his resolve, then meets Shirou's gaze again.

"I'm an adventurer!"

The suddenness of it causes Sakura to draw in a sharp breath. Even though it's her idea, there's still a lot of worry. In the worst case, she'll have to alter his memory of the past few moments.

Shirou blinks a few times, scrutinizing Taiasu. From his firm frown, set jaw, and tightly clenched fists, it seems clear he believes what he's saying with every cell in his body.

Like he's actually spoken the truth.

Finally, Shirou's mouth wrinkles into a slight grin, and he lets out a small laugh.

So that's what it's about! Someone gifted him a costume, and he's just playing along with it!

Quickly, his laughter escalates, and Taiasu's firm resolve and expression both falter, his hands and mouth falling open as he stares, blinking blankly into Shirou's closed eyes and laughing face. Behind them, Sakura lets out a low and relieved sigh, some of the tension in her back and shoulders relaxing away.

Thank goodness. And this will make things easier for everyone, I think.

But Taiasu isn't having it.

"H-Hey! Don't laugh! I'm really an adventurer!"

Despite his protest, or perhaps because of it, Shirou lets out one more before choking down his amused laughter, stifling it into a small giggle as he wipes his eyes.

"S-Sure, Taiasu. A regular crimson-clad Indiana Jones without the fedora. Looks like you're gonna have your hands full, Sakura." He draws in a deep breath to suppress another small laughing fit. "Thanks for breakfast, and for preparing dinner. I'll try to be home early, if I can."

He looks from her back to Taiasu, who stands staring, almost glaring, with his arms folded and frowning hard. Again, he has to swallow down another laugh.

For everything Taiasu is, intimidating, he is not.

"W-we should hurry if you're g-going to make morning practice, Sakura." Shirou thumps his chest, trying to regain his composure, and Sakura nods.

"You're right. We're already cutting it close."

She and Shirou walk, leaving Taiasu standing there, staring at their backs.

His frustration fractures under the weight of a sudden realization, and he can only gawk.

I-I don't believe it! She was right! He didn't even bat an eye! No adventurers, no Lalafell, and I've seen neither hide, hair, nor fetid leaving of fiend, beast or monster since I arrived! And now this?! He just laughs at what I said? What sort of crazy world did that old man send me to!?

Violently, he shakes his head, then runs to catch up. Shirou looks over his shoulder, then forward again, grinning inwardly.

An adventurer, huh? Well, maybe when he grows up, he can be one for real.

Expectedly, their trip to the school is quiet and uneventful, and Taiasu spends most of it scanning his surroundings, taking care to note how they get to where they're going.

There's little to see and less of concern as they walk. To their right, an enormous wall stands holding back the earth, and on the hill supported by it are several houses. Most are styled in the western aesthetic, and they remind him of the work that's been going on to restore the Firmament. A place in the far north, in Ishgard, razed during one of his world's 'forever-wars.' Aptly called the Dragonsong War, for having been fought between man and dragon.

To their left, across the street, stand more houses. The road, though hilly, leads straight to an intersection, with few branching paths before. Taiasu lingers, taking in the unfamiliar sights, making them familiar. At the intersection, he stops to inspect. There are poles at each corner, four in total, and to each is affixed a mirror revealing anything that might be coming around the blind corners.

Taiasu looks down each path, prodding his chin.

Is this the town's center? I don't know… All I know is Shirou's house, so to get back there, I'd—?

Looking back, he nods.

Just follow the main path, Simple enough—crap!

Turning forward again, he steps up his pace to close the growing gap.

"Hey, Shirou!" Taiasu taps the back of his leg and Shirou turns, looking down.

"What's up, little adventurer?"

Immediately, he's frowning and glaring.

Gods damn it. If I didn't know better, I'd say she did this on purpose to make fun of me.

The resignation setting in eases his expression, and he sighs, letting his shoulders slump for a moment. "I'm just trying to get the lay of the land. Where are we?"

"Huh? Where?" Shirou stops, then looks around, scratching his head. "Well, this is how we get to school. That way—" To their left, he gestures to a road which he knows leads to a long, stone staircase leading into a forest. "—leads to the Ryuudou Temple. My friend Issei lives there. And that way—" He points in another direction, toward some place Taiasu can't see. "—leads to a bridge to the neighboring town. Other than the residential parts of town, the one where I live and the one where Sakura lives, there's not much else to see."

"Senpai?" Sakura stops as well, turning around. "What about the shopping district?"

"Oh, right. That too. It's close to where Sakura lives. I imagine you'll be going there a few times, but besides that it's just the school, where we're headed now."

With his eyes closed, Taiasu carefully absorbs the information. It's mostly gray and indistinct in his mind. Blobs to be filled in later, but at least it gives him a general enough idea, and he nods.

"Okay, I think I've got it."

Shirou shrugs. "If you're sure. It's a small town, so it'd be pretty hard to get… lost…?"

As he realizes something, his voice trails off.

I say that, but he's just a kid, right? It'd be pretty easy for him to get lost, wouldn't it? I mean, he's been on his own though, so maybe it's wrong to think of him like that? But just look at him! And he keeps saying so many ridiculous things, like stuff about friends. And that he's an adventurer? Who says stuff like that but kids?

Smirking, he shakes his head.

Except maybe for real adventurers?

They all resume walking, and he lets out a chuckle at the thought. Up past the top of the hill, the street continues. On one side, a red brick sidewalk with some houses beside it, and on the other side, a guardrail beyond which descends a steep embankment.

This looks like a major thoroughfare. I can't imagine they walk everywhere. I wonder how they get around in this—!

As if in answer to his unasked question, something zooms past, and his eyes snap wide with recognition.

H-hey! I know what that is! I've seen a few people with them back on my world!

A black vehicle. Four doors, four wheels, windows and a roof. A car, if he'd known what it's called. How could he know that, having never had one himself? All he can do is stare at it in unknowing awe.

Or something similar, anyroad. But that's strange. Does that mean they have Magitek in this world, too?

Everyone arrives at the school. The newest among them looks around at the gate and the fence running the perimeter. Trees dot the landscape, along with several large buildings, but most of the grounds are covered with brick paving where grass might otherwise be growing.

"Alright, I've got to be going. Have fun at practice, Sakura." Shirou waves them off as he heads toward the largest of the buildings on campus, but he stops, looking back over his shoulder. "And don't cause my junior too much trouble, Mr. Adventurer."

Taiasu bristles, forcing a hard smirk.

"I'll try," he mutters stiffly.

Shirou laughs, nodding, then looks toward Sakura and stops. He turns toward her fully, seeing her tense frown as she fiddles with her hands about her waist, some unspoken concern weighing on her mind.

"Sakura? Everything alright?"

She shakes her head, then looks down and away.

"No, but…"

There's some hesitation in her voice as she holds her question back. Some worry about what the answer might be, or that it might trouble him.

Finally, she resolves to ask.

"Would you like to come with me to the dojo?"

From the side, she glances up and sees him shaking his head, breathing a soft sigh through his light frown.

"Sorry, I can't. There's no reason for me to be there. Even if there was, Issei said he needed my help with a few things, so I have to go meet him at the student council room this morning."

Sakura wrings her hands at her chest, her mouth turning in a small frown of disappointment. Her gaze falls to the ground. It's about what she expected, but it doesn't make it any easier to hear.

"I understand. Sorry for troubling you…" She bows as if in apology, then stands, showing an unconvincing, forced smile.

As Taiasu watches the scene play out, he winces against a sharp twinge in his heart.

Right. She… But what about him? I mean, how can he be so oblivious? It's plain as day! Is he just pretending not to know?

Crestfallen, Sakura walks through the gate, into the school grounds, and Taiasu trots along in her wake, glancing over his shoulder, back toward Shirou, who stands awkwardly ruffling his rough-cut red hair. Shirou finishes seeing them off before turning and making his own way into the schoolyard, toward the largest building on campus.

She was being kind of odd all morning. Is she really alright?

In front of them, a large building. Outside, it appears mostly modern, but for the traditional, eastern styled doors. Translucent, paper-covered sliding doors. By this time, more students are entering the school grounds, and more than a few are taking notice of them, pointing and casting prying stares in their direction.

Sakura looks toward them, fidgeting anxiously.

This is going to be difficult.

After straightening her uniform, she looks down at Taiasu, who stands staring fixedly at the sliding doors, trying to see through the paper.

"Taruko-kun, I have morning practice here. Will you be alright waiting inside for me to finish?"

He shakes his head, then looks over and up, nodding. "Should be fine. I'll try to keep out of the way." Then he tilts his head and prods his chin, looking back at the door, then up and back at Sakura. "Shirou said this is a club? What kind?"

For the distraction, Sakura's nerves ease somewhat, and she shows a light smile.

"This is where we practice archery."

Taiasu's eyes widen. "Archery? Really?"

Sakura nods, and his eyes widen further. "Wow. So like a guild, then…"

"Guild?" She tilts her head, and he nods this time.

"Yeah. Where we learn various martial disciplines. The first one I joined, I learned how to fight without weapons. At another, I learned to shoot a bow. Like here, maybe? There are others, but it'd take too long to talk about all of them. Still…" He folds his arms again, staring at the ground. "Just how similar are our worlds?"

Sakura nods, letting out a small sigh.

I'm starting to wonder, myself.

Then she shakes her head.

"Well, for now we should leave that sort of talk unsaid." She puts her hand on the door. "Just remember what I said. If anyone asks too many questions, just tell them you're an adventurer, okay?"

As he recalls Shirou's reaction to her suggestion, his shoulders slump and he lets out a despondent sigh. "Sure, and then they'll laugh and think I'm some weirdo." He frowns, pulling his hand down his face.

Sakura lets out a small laugh.

"Well, it's that or we'll be dealing with too many questions, Taruko-kun."

Again, he sighs, but nodding. "Yeah, I know. I can endure a bit of hazing if it makes things easier for you."

She nods, then slides the door open. He waits for her to step in, then follows.