Senzaemon could not understand it. No matter how he looked at the food in front of him, Eizan's appeared better, both from the scent and the presentation. If not for the intoxicated expression that he could see on Arturia's face, then he truly wouldn't have had been able to fathom just how Shirou had won.

Was the taste really that good?

Senzaemon skimmed over the ingredients that Shirou had used out of the corner of his eyes and expressly concluded they're quality. They did not lose out to the ingredients that Eizan had used at all. It got Senzaemon thinking, was Joichiro actually still around?

How else was it possible to obtain such ingredients from a normal student's income?

Despite how suspicious Senzaemon was, it paled in comparison to his curiosity.

The food was already before him, and his question was still left hanging in the air.

For her part, Luvia had no idea who Senzaemon was and looked at him as if he was idiot. "You're not a judge, are you? Moreover, you're not even involved in this matter so why do we need to give this away?"

Luvia hugged the plate of food close to her as if it were a treasure, afraid that Senzaemon would lung at it. In fact, that's exactly what Luvia saw it as. It was basically a top-tier potion for any magus, and she'd only been willing to part with a 'tiny' amount of it to let Eizan take a sample and shut him up. Now that some 'stranger' walked up to her and asked to sample her food, she was clearly unwilling.

Senzaemon was directly taken aback. Did this woman not know who he was?

Senzaemon had taken off the majority of his disguise, and changed into his standard principle's attire. Without even saying anything, there was no way that he couldn't not be recognized especially when the Shokugeki was being hosted in Totsuki owned property.

"…" He coughed awkwardly into his hand and tried to see if that made any difference, but Luvia's expression hardly changed at all. In fact, she looked like she was scorning him heavier.

From Luvia's upbringing and natural grace, she exuded a noble aura that silently spoke of her social standing. She didn't seem the sort to not be able to tell when she was talking with someone important, but in her eyes, the food and its ability to raise her magical potential was all that mattered.

Her family would definitely forgive her current boorishness, but Shirou would not stand by any longer.

How could he not recognize who Senzaemon was? This was the very man whose villa he'd so generously lent for Shirou's use.

Without another word, Shirou appeared in front of Luvia, gently took the plate of food away from her, and presented it for Senzaemon to sample.

"Ah!" Luvia reacted only after the food was out of her hands, her arms reaching forward blankly as she opened and closed her mouth in disbelief.

T-That was mine... I-I only got a few bites.

She looked grief stricken, but Shirou hardly noticed in his embarrassment of putting someone as generous as Senzaemon on the spot.

"Feel free," he directly said, inadvertently freezing Luvia's countenance.

Luvia shifted her gaze towards the third judge she'd pulled from the crowd, but she was dismayed to see that he'd stuffed whatever was left of Shirou's food into his mouth already. In which case, there was only one judge left.

Luvia's eyes turned towards Arturia in desperation, but as if sensing a threat to her happiness, Arturia pushed her remaining food out of Luvia's view.

Try it, I dare you. This Holy Sword is ready to be unleashed!

Arturia didn't say such words, but that was what Luvia interpreted Arturia's expression as. Luvia deflated instantly. I-It's not fair. A Servant didn't even need to eat in the first place, and there was no way that Luvia could get the best of a Saber Class.

Realizing that her food was truly gone, the way she stared at Senzaemon for coming out at such a time became frigid.

For his part, Senzaemon did his best to ignore Luvia and focus on the food Shirou offered.

"My thanks," Senzaemon was a polite individual.

Without any longer lest Luvia lose her restraint and do something, Senzaemon cut a piece of the pork dish in front of him and directly placed it into his mouth.

How could anyone have had expected that the moment Senzaemon began to chew, his upper garments would rip apart entirely due to the sheer force of his toned body beneath.

"Gah,"

"What in the root?!"

"…"

Rin, Luvia, and Arturia stared in shock.

Finally! That's exactly how you're supposed to react! Shirou didn't know if he was losing his mind or not, but lately anyone who'd eaten his food would undergo such weird reactions. The fact that Rin and the others had not reacted sooner nearly caused Shirou to question his sanity after the Holy Grail War.

Of those present, only Rin, Luvia, and Arturia seemed to show any reaction. To many students in Tosuki, they'd long since gotten used to Senzaemon's tendency to shred apart his clothing when sampling exceedingly good food. As for why Shirou didn't react, he was already numb to it.

The world was changing. It was truly weird.

"This pork loin dish may appear ordinary at first glance, but biting into it reveals its true complexity," Senzaemon's mouth began to move on its own, almost as if the man was entranced. "The flavours blend together not just because of their ability to match well with each other, but because they were mixed directly with the oils the pork meat naturally produces upon being fried. The outside is crisp, while the inside remains tender, but, but this feeling…"

Senzaemon simply could not describe it. Why did it feel like he wanted to cry?

For a magus, the effect of Shirou's cooking enhanced the potential of the individual.

In those people who didn't possess the ability to use magic however, it instead had a different effect. It directly brought out feelings of nostalgia and marginally increased a person's physical capabilities. The method and reason for such an effect was fairly simple.

In a Magus, the magical properties in the food that Shirou made could be directly ingested and converted for the Magus's use, but for ordinary humans, the magic inside would linger. This was the reason why Rin and Luvia contemplated the effect of a normal human exploding by consuming Shirou's food. Too much magical energy could be lethal for those who didn't know how to use it, but fortunately, there wasn't much magic to be found in only a couple of mouthfuls. Moreover, the body adapted.

By consuming small amounts of magical energy at every bite, the person's body would adjust to the strain and strengthen itself accordingly, thereby improving physical capability over time. The magic itself would only linger for a while before dissipating in normal humans.

Still, the shock of consuming any kind of magic laced in the food for a normal human had the inadvertent effect of triggering fond memories.

It was like Senzaemon could see it. The very first time his parents had served him a simple meal of mackerel. It was nothing high-class or expensive, but he cherished the taste nonetheless.

Chewing on the pork made him remember such times and only enhanced the flavour of the pork in his mouth. "Splendid," the words left Senzaemon's lips. The way he looked at Shirou's abruptly changed.

It was clear to Senzaemon that Shirou indeed possessed the abilities to cook on a professional level, but the problem was, Senzaemon simply couldn't see one of the largest driving factors of success in the culinary world within Shirou. That factor was Motivation.

One could be talented or skilled in certain aspect of daily life or work, but if there was no passion or drive, then ultimately that talent would be wasted or would never live up to its potential.

This was where Senzaemon had to step in above all things as the principle of Totsuki Academy to foster the younger generation of culinary arts. From how he saw things presently, Shirou was only attending Totsuki due to the arrangements made by Joichiro and had nothing else holding him down but familial ties. Senzaemon had to change that, and fortunately, Shirou did not appear averse to cooking in the slightest, in fact, he probably did enjoy cooking if only to see the expression on the faces of those he cooked for.

It was workable then.

The matter of the Villa he had given to Shirou was also something arranged by Jochiro. The villa was in fact a building owned and bought by Joichiro himself which was why Senzaemon would not have had interfered in the selling process if Shirou had lost. In all honesty, the villa was in fact Shirou's and Soma's to live within. The thing was though, Shirou had no idea of this arrangement and was probably feeling indebted to Senzaemon for providing him such grand housing for a simple self-taught chef.

Senzaemon knew that his planned future arrangements were going to be slightly underhanded, but it was better than allowing such a cooking talent to go astray right before his very eyes.

He straightened his back and observed Shirou slowly, placing a hand beneath his chin as he hummed after swallowing. Unsaid was that not only did Senzaemon not just take a single bite of Shirou's pork dish, he had eaten all of it in his food-induced daze.

Luvia's grief at the sight was perhaps the most noticeable, but it didn't matter much for all else concerned in the results of the Shokugeki.

"Well done," the way Senzaemon spoke seemed absentminded, but the hint of seriousness within it was enough to convey what he did not say in just two short words. "You have astonishing talent."

Senzaemon nodded his head and ignored the way Eizan was looking at the empty plate of food that he'd not been able to sample. Instead, Senzaemon kept his focus on Shirou after dismissing Eizan who left reluctantly.

Even if Eizan was part of the Elite Ten, it still didn't mean that he could overwrite Senzaemon's authority as the Head Master by himself. He'd need the approval of more members from the Elite Ten to do such a thing.

Left with little choice after Senzaemon gestured for him to leave, Eizan could only grit his teeth and bear with it. A loss was still a loss, and only a loser would stick around when even the Head Master of Totsuki was swayed by Shirou's food. It would be the next morning when Eizan delivered the money for the bet.

With Eizan having left, Senzaemon took the opportunity to speak on more private matters.

"You've heard of the training camp occurring for the freshmen students of this year, have you not?" Senzaemon placed his hands behind his back and waited for an answer.

"Yes," Shirou nodded his head. He didn't know what Senzaemon was trying to say, but feigning ignorance to the training camp that most first-years including Soma would be going to was a bit too much. Despite having spent most of his time in the villa, it didn't mean that he didn't have ears or failed to attend one or two mandatory classes in which the trip was mentioned.

Still, what did it matter?

From what was explained to him by a culinary teacher, he didn't have to attend due to his special status at the beginning of the term which allowed him to be exempt from a few classes. The classes he missed were rather important so until he completed his premediated requirements, he had no need to go to the training camp.

"Is there a problem?" He couldn't help but ask while noticing Senzaemon stay quiet.

"No no, not at all," Senzaemon's lips gradually curled upwards into a small smile. Rin wasn't buying it. She could feel that something was off.

Nevertheless, she wasn't knowledgeable enough to understand the situation in full, so she held her tongue while Senzaemon continued.

"Although it's true that you won't have to participate in the training camp, it would be unfair for the other students to continue giving you such preferential treatment on behalf of your father." Senzaemon crossed his arms and tried to give off an authoritative image, but it was impossible given the sight of him stripping his clothes off with his bare muscles alone. At the very least, it had taken even someone like Arturia off guard; enough to get her to monetarily get her to pause eating her snacks mid-bite.

The ripped and toned muscles Senzaemon showed off when he crossed his arms were impressive for a man of his age, but Shirou digressed. It was more important to hear what Senzaemon had to say as he was indeed somewhat embarrassed at the treatment that he'd been receiving from Totsuki.

"I understand, but what exactly is it that you need me to do?" Shirou got straight to the point.

Senzaemon was impressed with Shirou's decisiveness and inwardly felt guilty at trying to con such a person. Regardless, "Ahem," he coughed into his hand to resolve himself. "To pay off Totsuki's hospitality and your renting of your current accommodations, rather than the training camp, there another task you are to fulfill."

Senzaemon shifted a hand and rummaged through his pockets to produce a small Totsuki Academy pamphlet. He opened it and extended it out for Shirou to see. It was something of an advertisement that emphasized the benefits students had by studying within Totsuki. At the same time though, it listed off a couple red points on the bottom that Senzaemon had clearly jotted down as notes.

School Reputation High, but students' express points of superiority towards non-Totsuki members.

Arrogance.

Haughtiness.

Image needs changing.

The red ink was written in cursive writing, and it was glaringly obvious that it was listing off Totsuki Academy's short comings.

Shirou looked over the pamphlet once, then twice before handing it back to Senzaemon. "What did you want me to do after seeing this?"

"It's something that only you can do as of this moment," Senzaemon carefully put away the pamphlet within an inner pocket of his attire. "As much as Tostuki is hailed for its prodigious standing and students, its reputation is starting to get into the heads of its students. You however are completely different in that you possess neither conceit nor egotism despite your attending status."

Senzaemon suddenly grew serious, his eyes narrowing and head full of hair seemingly lifting at a sudden breeze. "Totsuki is not easy academy. If you fail to meet any requirements, any and all students are immediately expelled. This is the level of harshness that all students face and you will no longer be an exception as you have proven your culinary skill. Without pressure, there can not be any advancement. While your peers attend a training camp, you Shirou are to help improve Totsuki's image among the common populace."

Shirou was confused, and it showed in the way his brows began to furrow. Senzaemon could have had chosen anyone similar to him for this assignment if it was only to better Totsuki's reputation. Conceit? Egotism? Of course, he had neither, but surely there were others as well? In short, why him?

Perhaps the question was showing on his face, but it was exactly what Senzaemon was waiting for.

"It can only be you," Senzaemon didn't explain, but simply proceeded on to say what Shirou had to do. "I will make arrangements to set up a stall outside Totsuki's Academy's gates for you to man. Your goal will be to successfully serve and satisfy a thousand people in the time span of the training camp. Failure will mean expulsion and paying rental fees for staying in the villa."

"R-Rental fees?" Rin suddenly spoke up. "H-How much are we talking about here?" It was true that with the Shokugeki's conclusion Shirou had won around three million, but based on how large and expensive the villa looked, its rent must have been just as staggering. They'd eventually burn through the three million if that was the case.

Senzaemon hummed and looked at Rin thoughtfully. "Considering the private land that its on and the property rights, the monthly could equate for quite a sum." Not that Shirou was paying it. Joichiro already had everything handled, but Senzaemon did not share that information.

"Best of luck to you," Senzaemon bid himself adieu. "And yes, you'll have to find your own way of attracting customers. It's what every chef should be able to do through the uniqueness of their own shops."

Senzaemon waved his hand behind him as he walked away. By instating the requirement of attracting and attending to customers, he wanted Shirou to experience the type of joy all chefs had when others praised and patronized their food. Perhaps then, Shirou would gain the true motivation that he needed for his cooking.

While he was at it, Senzaemon contemplated silently, his lips curling upwards.

Shirou had defeated Eizan which meant that his cooking skill was comparable to an Elite Student.

Shirou was like a metal that had yet to be mended and purified into its sharpest form.

With a thought, Senzaemon once again pulled out the Totsuki pamphlet that he'd been jotting notes on and added one more reminder for himself.

A requirement that he'd soon set for the members of the Elite Ten to compete with Shirou at least once in a friendly match.

It was a decision that gave Shirou's admittance into Totsuki another layer of mysteriousness.

If Eizan was the First Knife to hone the unknown sword.

Then there were still nine Knives left until perfection.

It really happened.

By the time Shirou woke up in the next morning and received a cheque from Eizan's attendant giving him three million in funds, he had already been staring at the food truck Senzaemon had prepared for him in a daze.

It was large and could accommodate at least five people inside the ready-made kitchen within. On such short notice, Senzaemon had not been able to erect a new stall for Shirou to man outside Totsuki for his assignment. Therefore, in the meantime, he'd sent the food truck for Shirou to use as a substitute. This proved how serious Senzaemon was about the entire assignment.

There was not one day wasted, and it sort of jolted Shirou's mind to his current reality.

What was he supposed to do now?

His task would begin at the dawn of the next day, and he had to use his remaining time to sort out a plan.

It was giving him a headache, more so with the new addition to his life in the villa.

"Get out! Your kind isn't welcome here!" Rin's voice was laced with animosity.

"Ohhoho, truly the words of a crass woman. Are you jealous of me living in the same roof as my Shero?"

"Y-You, why are you so hard to deal with?!" Rin pointed her finger out in her exasperation. "It was your side who lost so why are you even here!?"

Luvia remained entirely straight-faced. "Eizan's loss or victory has nothing to do with me. Frankly if he won, I may have had just let you stay in this villa Tohsaka if you admitted your inferiority towards me. Unfortunately, Eizan lost, so I suppose I'll just have to put up with you."

"Oh? It's my honour to have someone like you put up with someone like me." The way Rin was smiling was not healthy.

At the very least, Shirou didn't want to get involved in the slightest.

He tried to move away from the two, but the fact that everyone was living together meant that his escape was only temporary.

Luvia had chosen to accommodate one of the spare rooms within the villa after the Shokugki against Eizan. Shirou was fine with it as he couldn't just allow Luvia to live on the streets after coming to Japan, but Rin saw through the ruse form the very beginning.

Living on the streets? No Housing?

The Edelfelt family was rich. There was no way that Luvia couldn't find herself a hotel to stay within.

Evidently, Luvia's true motive for staying was in fact Shirou's food.

All of Shirou's food had the same unique magic imbued within it as the one from the Shokugeki. There was no way that Luvia would allow herself to leave with such temptation in front of her, much less if Rin would be one of the people enjoying the luxury.

"Shero, be my butler," Luvia called out to him again for the fifth time.

He pretended that he didn't hear her.

Taiga was around, but for her part, his surrogate elder sister was just as transfixed on his food as everyone else.

Taiga too had taken up lodgings in the villa with the reason of maintaining public moral standards. One man living alone with so many women nearby was clearly a red sign that Taiga used for justification against illicit relationships. It was like Fuyuki all over again.

The only one missing was Sakura, and Shirou would hardly bat an eye if she spontaneously appeared the next day. He suddenly cut off that line of thought. God only knows that he'd be kicking himself in the foot if it actually happened.

He shuddered, no longer thinking about it.

He found an excuse to retreat.

With the surprise of the food truck early in the morning, he had spent most of his time until lunch moving the truck to find a suitable location to hold business on the next day.

By the time he found an appropriate location and returned back to the villa, it was to the current sight of Rin, Arturia, Taiga, and Luvia hovering around the table of food that he had prepared beforehand.

Rin and Luvia were arguing while Arturia sat on her knees in seiza to the side. Taiga was actually the closest person to his proximity at the moment.

As a teacher, the first thing that Taiga did upon learning of Shirou admittance into Totsuki was go right up to Senzaemon and question Shirou's current circumstances; the story of which would be left for another time. After all, Taiga did not start by questioning Senzaemon, but with the regular staff at Tostuki.

Taiga must have done something excessive because Shirou was certain that he could actually see fear and paranoia emerge in some of the teacher's eyes when they saw her.

Taiga got all the information that she needed and that was enough to keep her happy and cheerful.

Upon seeing him return to the Villa, she was the first to walk up to him and welcome him back along with Arturia who nodded her head at her position by the table. If Rin and Luvia wanted to fight for food, then Arturia had to remain constantly ready and vigilant. Hunger was the enemy.

"Ready for tomorrow?" Taiga asked him as she approached. "I for one am a hundred percent confident in your cooking and your ability to serve over a thousand customers. In fact, I can see the entire street filled up now." She gestured with her hand flamboyantly, but for his part, he didn't share all of Taiga's enthusiasm.

The question was, what could cooking alone do? If he truly devoted all of his efforts into cooking and staying at Totsuki, what did it mean for his dream of becoming a Hero of Justice?

Rindo had once touched upon the concept; that there were multiple ways that cooking could save others, but even now he still found some of the things that she said unrealistic.

He could be guided, but he couldn't be convinced by others.

He had to think and believe about his own future himself.

His own path to willingly follow. At least then, his conviction in regards to cooking would not be so flimsy and he could devote himself to the cause.

"You know something, Shirou," Taiga suddenly made an off-handed comment while watching Rin and Luvia pushing each other's faces away while lunging at the food before them. Evidently, the two could not hold themselves back any longer. "Those two, they look like they'd kill for your food."

T-They just might.

He turned to stare at them. The words Taiga said giving him a type of inspiration.

Cooking had influence.

The concept gradually imprinted inside him as he watched Rin, Luvia, and Arturia.

He wasn't clear about it yet, but Rin and Luvia were increasingly contending over the food that he made such that Saber hardly got any unless she forced herself to break character and compete. However, how could Arturia's image and noble upbringing as a King allow her to demean herself in such a way? While Rin and Luvia fought, she was left staring anxiously at the side.

Arturia's back was straight and her shoulders were poised slightly forward. Her pair of chopsticks lunged in like lightning whenever an opportunity presented itself. Still, she didn't look satisfied, her eyes hollow as she watched the food disappear into Rin and Luvia's stomachs. He could tell from her expression that she was seriously considering tossing away her bearings and flaunting her weight as a Servant.

If Arturia truly got serious, then there really wouldn't be anything left.

The fact that Arturia was even contemplating such a thing was tantamount to how much she enjoyed the food in front of her.

Subtly, he placed a portion beside Arturia and made eye-contact with her while Rin and Luvia were distracted.

She looked at him as if she was staring at a saint.

She ate it swiftly, but it was clear that it simply wasn't enough, and before she realized it, the plate was empty. She stared at him with large doleful eyes. He simply could not bare the aggrieved expression that then made its way onto her face as she stared at the empty plate. It was too pitiful. Her lips were pursed and her eyes seemed to droop. The only food left were the ones being fought over at the table.

I-If only she wasn't a King.

It was like he could read what Arturia was thinking as her attention shifted back to Rin and Luvia competing for the remaining food.

Arturia's actions and expression inadvertently solidified the concept forming within his mind.

There was merit to be found in Taiga's comment.

If Rin and Luvia already appeared as if they'd kill for his food, then what of anyone else who would taste it?

Although he didn't quite understand the importance of his own food, he could infer from Rin and Luvia's reactions as Magi that there was something unique about it that any Magus would prioritize.

That being the case, what would happen if he threatened to stop making it or at least set terms for other Magi to help out at war zones and other points of conflict in exchange for food?

He could save as many people as he wanted himself, but he'd never be able to save as many people as an entire collective.

The idea definitely had merit.

Rin had warned him that there was a chance that the Clock Tower would simply capture him should they discover the properties of his cooking, but at the same time, it wasn't as if he didn't have any counters. Food had to be made, and if he didn't make it, then there was no point in keeping him detained. Forcing or killing him would be the most counter productive, and if anything, his food was addictive. One taste was all that it would take.

The only problem now was convincing Rin, Arturia, and Luvia to give up on their 'assumed' monopoly.

Watching their cheeks bulge as they fought for dominancy against each other and joined by Taiga, he realized that the biggest hurdle was already before him.

No Arturia, hold firm, you can do it! Don't let them tempt you!

There's still more food left, why the hell were they all fighting!

It was like everyone was devolving from sophisticated dining etiquette to three-year old children.

Food scraps flew into the air while the clinking of plates and knives were the only sounds to be heard in a lively dining room.

Yet if one listened closely, they'd hear the sound of a defeated sigh, then utter silence.

Arturia.

Arturia had not been able to endure.

A food stall?

Ever since Eizan's defeat, the man had taken it upon himself to view Shirou as an eyesore who had to be dealt with. It was to the point that it was close to an obsession.

He felt that his loss was utterly wrong, and if to make matters worse, the first woman he'd ever taken a fancy too was smitten with his opponent. How could he not be angry?

His hands balled into fists and he was constantly frowning with a look of consternation on his face. Since his defeat in the Shokugeki, he'd started a personal investigation on Shirou including his background and associates. It was why Eizan already knew the task given to Shirou by the Head Master to serve a thousand people and improve Totsuki's reputation to the common masses.

The key point of Eizan's current fixation was the penalty on Shirou for failing to complete his task.

Expulsion.

The sooner the better.

Eizan pushed up the rims of his glasses and pulled out a small ledger that he always kept on his person. He'd calculated again and again in regards to the expenses that he'd have to pay to thoroughly eliminate Shirou from the equation, but something wasn't quite sitting right with him.

Lately, he'd felt an ominous sort of feeling following him around wherever he went, and it was the same presently.

He was walking down the streets on his way back to his private residency located outside of Totsuki before a sudden chill travelled down his back.

He furrowed his brows and increased his pace before pulling out his cell phone and making a call.

He dialed a number and placed the phone to his ear. "How are the preparations?" He asked once the line connected.

Eizan wasn't going to the extent of harming Shirou, but he damn hell had the money to make it difficult for Shirou to serve customers in his current task. If Shirou was unable to play host to over a thousand customers and leave a favourable impression, Shirou would undoubtably fail his assignment. That was all Eizan was currently aiming for.

He'd already hired around a hundred associates to buy food from Shirou and then rate the food badly. It wasn't hard to convince the people in the slightest when he presented a fat cheque. Money made the world easy. The more of it one had, the simpler it was to deal with problems, and Eizan had plenty of it.

As he waited for a response from his phone, Eizan suddenly stilled.

All he could hear form the other end was a long silence.

What was going on?

He hung up and dialed the same number again only to get the same result. It wasn't as if the service was bad either because the phone actually did ring. It was just that whenever the phone was picked up, there would be no one to respond.

The oddity of the situation had him feeling nervous.

He powered down his phone and hastened his steps to get back to the safety of his own home when he suddenly became keenly aware of a particular noise.

Footsteps.

They were light and soft, but it became increasingly evident to Eizan that he was alone while walking down the street. It made the footsteps that much clearer to hear no matter how soft-footed they were.

He turned left on the nearest intersection.

The footsteps followed.

He turned right, forward, then left.

The footsteps still followed.

Beads of sweat were forming on his brow and Eizan was finally certain of a single fact. He was being followed.

His body tensed subconsciously, and he nearly struck out in alarm when a hand placed itself on his shoulder. Fortunately, he caught sight of who was behind just in time to keep himself together.

"Damn it Rindo! What the hell are you doing?!" he was rightfully mad. He could feel his heart still thumping rapidly within his chest. "What kind of person follows behind an acquaintance without saying anything?"

Eizan soon composed himself.

At least for her part, Rindo appeared somewhat sorry, her eyes were apologetic.

She peddled back by two steps and straightened her back to stare at Eizan up and down. There was a reason why she'd sought him out, and it wasn't only because they knew each other. She had to give him a warning before he dug himself too deep into a hole in which he would not be able to get out of.

In the same way that Eizan could use his resources to monitor and keep tabs on Shirou, so too could a certain syndicate.

"You really should stop before you cross a red line, Eizan. It's not hard to predict what your thinking of doing right now." Rindo was awfully serious when she spoke. There was not a hint of the general playfulness that she normally exuded on her person.

"Oh, and why should that matter to you?" Eizan was on guard immediately. "I did take you for one to meddle in someone else's affairs, but to have you meddle in mine is a first."

Rather than respond immediately, Rindo moved closer to Eizan so that she tip onto her feet and whisper into Eizan's left ear.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

"Six."

"Ten."

Rindo counted off numbers before once again backing away.

Eizan was confused by the response, but he stilled when he saw Rindo gesturing with her eyes to the area around him.

She cupped a hand to her mouth and spoke softly. "I wasn't the only one following. Play along."

Saying that, Rindo smiled and suddenly crossed her arm around Eizan's. From afar, it looked as if the two were close friends who had just met coincidently on the road home.

Eizan was too stunned by Rindo's admission to put up much of a resistance.

That ominous feeling that had been following him everywhere as of late, it was now evident to him what had been the cause.

H-He was being watched.

"You may not know this Eizan, but don't think about making trouble for Shirou anymore," Rindo muttered lowly. Eizan looked closer, and he could swear that he'd never seen Rindo so out of character.

What was this crazy woman thinking right now?

"Let go of me already, you're too close," He pushed Rindo away, but he still nodded his head.

Despite Rindo's eccentricity, she wasn't a bad person. The fact that she was warning him to stay away from Shirou meant that there was actual danger involved should he maintain his current plans. Moreover, the fact that he never realized that he was being watched made him weary.

"Is there actually something about his background that I should know?" Eizan murmured apprehensively.

Rindo smiled, her response throwing Eizan for a loop.

"He's Special Forces," she said in all seriousness. "Also, I don't recommend sending anyone else to that forest by the villa. I-I think it's actually both cursed and haunted. I-I found bodies there."

Rindo shuddered as if recalling a traumatic memory.

Eizan's response was perhaps the most appropriate given Rindo's lack of explanation. And besides, Special Forces?

"Huh?" Was the only sound that he released from his mouth.

Rindo shushed him.

"Don't take Shioru lightly. Even the Head Master has plans to get the remaining members of the Elite Ten to test Shirou individually, including myself."

Rindo fell silent, prompting Eizan to think on his own.

In the end, he reluctantly reached only a single conclusion.

Shirou really wasn't ordinary.

He was a disaster that would sooner change everything.

Thanks for Reading!

Next update: Fate in time

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