Arturia must have had her own share of troubles, at least, it wasn't that difficult for Shirou to infer.
She kept to herself.
She avoided unnecessary conversation, rational to a point.
She rarely smiled.
Everything that he'd learned about her through observation and word of mouth over the last few days had portrayed her to be someone that did not want to be approached. The indifference that she constantly maintained on her face was almost uncanny in its ability to appear unfeeling and robotic. However, he'd never judged an individual on surface features alone.
It would be a lie to say that he wasn't enraptured by Arturia's noble-like disposition on their first meeting, but that wasn't what truly drew him in to constantly find himself gravitating around her. He was uncertain at first, but the longer that he had watched her train with her sword within Hamurahara's school facility, the more that he realized that there was more to her than what met the eye.
She practically glowed in her practice. Her swings were precise, her pacing even. It was as if nothing else existed in her mind other than the diligence of honing her skill.
She looked alive. A far cry from how anyone had described her to be, and it was then that he'd been able to see it. Right at the end of her session, just as she finished her final swing and began to review her forms, her shoulders slumped.
He'd thought that it was just a trick of the light or that he had just been too tired, but reality was different. Not only were her shoulder's slumped, but her eyes were downcast while staring silently at the tip of her wooden sword in bitter reminiscence. It was like she was doubting herself over matters that he knew that he had no right to interfere in, but, but, once he'd seen it, there was no way that he could just do nothing.
His heart had thumped. At that moment, he didn't know why, but he didn't like the sad expression that broke over her face. Therefore, to dispel that expression, he had picked up a sword and displayed his abilities to take her mind off of anything depressing.
For the most part, he thought that it had worked, but the fact that she never showed up again was a heavy blow.
Therefore, when Kaede and the others had run into him with news that Arturia was in danger, he hadn't hesitated in giving aid.
Looking at her now, her back pressed against his own as they shared each others company, he felt that his choice had been correct.
There were still many things about Arturia that he didn't know, but that was fine. He'd stick around her and wait for the day that she'd finally open up and share her problems. She had to realize for herself that she wasn't alone and that there were others around her that were willing to help.
Until then, he'd help her in his own way as best as he could.
It was raining; a sudden downpour that began without even a moment's notice.
The pitter-patter of the droplets echoed out from beneath the hollow structure of the child's playground where he and Arturia had taken refuge. The space was cramped as it was meant for children, however, it had just enough room to accommodate the both of them.
The rain was heavy, the quantity enough to a soak a person whole in a matter of seconds. There was no other choice than for the both of them to wait it out until the rain lightened. It was storm season, so the rain would simply come and go in brief showers, sometimes longer.
The two were seated next to each other.
He was on the left, and she was on the right. Their knees were touching, but there was nothing that they could do about it. At the very least, it wasn't too cramped.
It was just unfortunate that the both of them had gotten wet in the process of finding shelter.
Arturia was shivering, rubbing her palms together and breathing over them for heat. She had not brought much in the way of warm clothing. The extra baggage would have had been a hinderance in her training, and it would have had gotten too stuffy to move with. Everything was fine when she'd worked up a sweat, but now that she'd cooled off and was doused by rain, it was no wonder that she was feeling cold.
He in comparison was better off. He was actually wearing a jacket.
Watching Arturia in front of him rub her arms to keep warm, there was no way that he could just sit there and do nothing. When you see someone that you like or care about struggling in front of you, there was only one real reaction.
"Here," he removed his jacket and draped it over Arturia's back before she could get a word in. Hell, he had done it for her when she just stared at him dumbly.
"…" She was looking at him, her teal coloured eyes shifting up and down.
Beneath his jacket was only a simple T-shirt. There was no way that he wouldn't feel cold, but he had still given his jacket away. Knowing Arturia's personality, he could expect what kind of response was building up in her mind.
"I don't need it."
Yup.
That was exactly what he thought she'd say.
Arturia moved to take the jacket off of her shoulders, but he stopped her with his hands. Their close proximity made it far too easy to disrupt her movements.
"I'm fine," he insisted.
"No," she stared at the thin fabric of his shirt while biting her lower lip. "You're not."
Her hands moved to pull the jacket off once again, but seeing the look on his face, she faltered.
"Give it back to me, and I'll just toss it out into the rain. Your choice," he said bluntly. He was being serious.
Arturia froze before pursing her lips. She pulled the jacket tight around her and didn't say anything else afterwards. Her fingers were clutched around the zipper. The entire jacket was an entire size bigger than her.
"That was the lamest threat that I've ever heard," she whispered softly.
"It worked, didn't it?" He looked up at her, the distance between their faces less than a meter.
"Yeah," she lowered her head. "It did, but there really was no need. If need be, I could have had just run home. It's not too far from here."
He looked at her as if she was an idiot. It caused her to fall into silence. "But you didn't want to go home yet, right?"
His response rendered her unable to refute. She looked at him, and then away. It was true. She'd literally just asked him to stay with her until a bit later. Therefore, there was no way that he was going to leave her own right now. Not when she looked like she was troubled by something.
He had to change the subject somehow.
"How long have you been practicing with a sword for?" He asked, his attention shifting to the wooden sword that Arturia was still carrying.
"For as long as I can remember," Arturia's response was curt and to the point. She had her hands placed just on top of her knees.
"You must enjoy it then." His statement was based on his own observation of when he'd seen her practice.
"I did. I still do, but," she closed her mouth and reconsidered her answer. "No, it doesn't matter."
But it did matter. At least to him. He wanted to be of help to her. To be there for her whenever she was in danger or found herself in a tough spot. At the very least, he wanted to be someone that she could honestly rely on. However, to do so would require for him to be able to understand her. He wanted to understand.
"If it doesn't matter, then why hesitate over it?"
It was a fair point, but it didn't look like Arturia was comfortable talking about the subject any further. Her lips pursed, and her brows furrowed before she composed herself in her indecision. He watched every change and action that came over her. Even though she was starting to use an emotionless face again, sometimes one didn't have to look at a face to infer what a person was feeling. The eyes could be far more expressive than words or gestures alone.
"You ask too many questions," she grumbled, feeling somewhat awkward at his sincerity.
"Is it wrong for me to want to get to know you?"
She blinked, as if processing what she'd just heard and verifying if she'd heard right. Her back stood ramrod straight, her shoulders hunching. If there was enough room, he even suspected that she'd bring her legs up to hug her arms around them while dodging his stare.
"I'm not someone worth your time. I don't deserve it." She shook her head.
Don't deserve it?
What sort of things was she saying now?
They were Academy students in their last year before graduation. There was no way that she could have had done anything big enough to warrant constantly demeaning herself. Even if something tragic had happened in her past, at the very least, she was probably over complicating things. The people involved may not even hold grudges or count her as liable. Arturia really didn't seem like the type to involve others in her problems. This was to say, she would not have had verified what others really thought about her and would have had instead based things off her own self assumptions.
It was the same right now. What did she mean that she didn't deserve his time? What sort of person did she think herself as?
Shirou felt exasperated.
"Well, that sounds like something that's more for me to decide." He directly conveyed his opinion and watched Arturia fumble. There was a trace of annoyance in his tone that took her off guard. "Besides, I much prefer to trust my own judgment than be directed by the opinion of others. To me, it's worth feeling cold if it means keeping you company."
"I-Is that so?" Arturia had no real response. She just did not know what to say.
However, that was fine.
"I won't force you to say anything, but remember, no matter what, I will be there for you."
He just wanted to get at least that single point across to her thick skull.
"Are you still going to avoid me?"
Arturia looked hard at him, and he back.
She shakily lowered her gaze to the ground.
"No promises."
By the time that Arturia returned home, it was late in the evening. Shirou had walked her all the way back to her house when the rain had stopped. She'd wanted to invite him in at least for a small drink, but recalling the eviction notice still left on her table, she politely refused him entree.
She felt embarrassed for turning him away at the last moment, but it was better than having him concern himself with her. There were too many things that she had to think about right now.
"Then I'll be off." Shirou waved her goodbye and she watched him all the way until he'd turned the far corner and left her sights.
Although it didn't show on her face, she felt somewhat hollow now that she was alone. There was just something about Shirou that gave her a peace of mind. To be frank, he was honest in his opinions and refused to distance himself away from her regardless of what she said. How was she supposed to push that sort of guy away? Especially when a part of her actually enjoyed his company?
She sighed, a hand fumbling with her keys and clicking her lock open.
Closing the door behind her, she stopped and pressed her back against the door while gradually sliding down into a seated position.
Empty.
The house was still empty meaning that it was going to be another night on her own. Since papa Ector and Kay weren't back yet, papa Ector may have had been asked to stay overnight at the hospital for his health check ups. Kay subsequently must have had stayed behind.
Alone.
It was fine.
She was already used to toughing things out anyway.
A hand went to rub against her temple as her body deflated from all the tension. She was just so tired.
Her stomach growled, but she didn't exactly have anything to feed it with.
She fell into contemplation. Her stomach definitely couldn't growl at her in her sleep.
It was late, and therefore she was considering her chances of being able to sleep out the hunger. Milk alone could only go so far, but maybe if she drank a little more it would do her some good?
No. It won't work.
She knew herself well enough to know what was adequate.
She'd just have to force herself. Eventually, she'd get tired anyway.
Standing up, she took off her shoes by the entryway before moving to her kitchen where she sat on a dining chair. She leaned forward over the wooden table in front of her. She was resting her head over her forearms, her left cheek pressed onto the groove of her elbow.
Directly in front of her gaze was the eviction notice, and further away was the flyer regarding the Holy Grail War that Merlin had precured for her benefit.
Right. She still had to prepare for that.
It was too late to try and get a job to pay for her immediate family's expenses so the Holy Grail War was the only chance that she got. Besides, the money she'd earn would be far more than what she'd need. Using the extra, she could use it to fulfill her own wish.
She picked up the eviction notice with her hand, and crumpled it into a ball which she tossed into the trash. Papa Ector and Kay didn't have to worry about anything else. Instead, she would handle it all even if she had to go out of her way on her own.
She could do it. Surely.
She pulled the jacket closer to herself, relishing in the comfort and support that it gave her.
Suddenly, she looked at her cellphone and stared silently at her most recent contact.
Shirou had exchanged his number with her before he had left on his own, and it was all that she could look at right now.
A part of her still didn't know what to make of Shirou, but she definitely knew that she appreciated all that he had done for her.
Caught up in her musings, her stomach growled again.
Her expression sunk, but in that moment, the door bell rang behind her, causing her to stiffen.
Knowing her family, she wasn't expecting anyone to visit at such a late hour. Wearily, she grabbed onto the hilt of her wooden sword and kept it hidden behind her as she moved to open the door.
Her door was an outdated version with no viewing hole to let her see who was knocking on her door in advance so she had to be careful. A part of her was already thinking that maybe the friends of the people she'd fought with earlier had found her.
She swallowed and maintained her cool.
There was no use just doing nothing, and it was better her to be exposed to danger than her family.
She swung open the door and blinked, her mouth suddenly dry.
There was no one.
Only three large-sized bento boxes wrapped within a convenience store grocery bag. A small note was attached to the side.
'Not sure if you ate already, and I didn't want to bother you any longer, but I had a feeling that even if I had asked, you'd say that you were fine. Therefore, I bought these just in case. Toss them aside if you don't want them. -Emiya.'
She felt butterflies converge within her gut.
She didn't know what to think anymore.
Wordlessly, she took the large bentos into her hands, closed the door behind her, and slid down onto her butt. Her lips were quivering, and her vision seemed somewhat blurred.
If it's Arturia, then she's fine.
She's always been strong.
As if she would ever have problems.
Look at her, her face says it all. She doesn't need any help.
All her life, she'd always been capable, smart, talented, and self-sufficient. Even in the past, anyone who saw her would only see an air of indifference and a drive to overcome any difficulties. That was just who she was, but just because she never needed help, didn't mean that she never wanted or appreciated it.
Often, it was always the ones who smiled or looked the happiest that hurt the most; unwilling to share their problems in consideration for those around them.
Therefore, she would smile to hide everything away. Smile even when she knew it hurts.
What's the point in crying out when it achieves nothing?
Breaking the chopsticks provided, she began eating while forcing back sniffles.
She shuddered visibly.
It wasn't raining any longer, but the pitter-patter of droplets echoed within the still house.
She'd win.
The Holy Grail War. She'd win for sure.
With the money she earned, she could fulfill her wish of writing off her wrongs and fade away into society. That was how it was supposed to go. She had too many regrets and had made too many mistakes. Yet, she glanced up. The light of her phone reflected into her irises. She'd received a text.
'Don't bother trying to pay me back. I won't accept it.'
Kindness was not something that she was ever used to receiving.
Not someone like her.
A leader unable to understand emotion.
However, just this once, maybe she didn't have to do everything on her own.
The next school day came quicker than Arturia could have had imagined.
Still, from the moment that she had stepped foot into Homurhara Academy, she felt a noticeable difference from the last few weeks since her transfer. Word had probably gotten out that Shirou had rushed to her aid after hearing about the incident with the students of Mob's Academy.
As it would turn out, it wasn't that Kaede and the other girls from the track team coincidently met Shirou on the road, it was that they had met him on the way to the police station by Homurahara.
Upon hearing of the situation, Shirou had dropped everything that he was doing to dash into a mad sprint. School activities had long since ended at that point, but there were still many extracurricular students that had witnessed Shirou's actions.
Arturia's reputation as a loner was already well established due her own actions, however, Shirou's reputation was different. He was kind, handy, and was relatively well off with his family. He lived in the large Emiya residence that resembled traditional Japanese carpentry, and it was said that his step mother Irisviel came from a substantial background in Germany.
The girls in the academy were never too outspoken in their interests, but without a doubt, Shirou had always been a prime candidate for a relationship. It was just too bad that he'd never showed any initiative to get to know anyone compared to taking joy in helping others.
Rin Tohsaka, one of the most prominent and enchanting girls in Homurahara had not even once garnered too much attention. However, it wasn't that she wasn't attractive though. The fault lied with Rin to begin with. Her 'true' personality was horrid, and her pride misplaced.
Even if Rin had an interest in Shirou, rather than approach him, she had instead made herself constantly appear around him in hopes that he would realize his affection for her and start a conversation. She was always vexed however when Shirou didn't have the balls to talk to her. The closest that Rin ever came to starting a conversation was when she was having technical problems and Shirou came over to help. She'd been over joyed, but like a mother lion guarding its cubs, Issei Ryoudo, Homurahara Academy's student president and Shirou's friend, butted in like a third wheel.
Rin was still suffering in her inability to be truthful to herself and as such, constantly observed Shirou without his knowledge in wait for an opportunity.
Rin, like many of the other girls who had scene Shirou sprint to aid Arturia were left floored. The look of concern on Shirou's face had not been the expression of a man who just wanted to help, but the desperate expression of a man who wanted to protect someone that they cared for.
Homurahara's underground Women's Society fell into an uproar.
The Homurahara Academy rumour mill was not to be underestimated, and Arturia had only made it worse by wearing Shirou's jacket to school.
She was just being practical. Shirou's jacket was warm, and it was always colder in the morning before the sun came up. By the time that she would finish her own practice, she would have had worked enough of a sweat to get by with her own body heat, making the jacket unnecessary. She had decided to wear Shirou's jacket to school to return it to him after his club activities just as hers started.
However, what was going on right now?
All around her she could see people pointing and whispering as she walked through Homurahara Academy's hallway.
It unnerved her.
Student life had always been a battle. While the boys had their own open circles such as sports clubs and friendly gatherings, the girls operated differently. Theirs was a society that was more private and less straightforward, filled with barbed words and double meanings.
To be honest, Arturia was still trying to get used to it.
Admittedly, she'd been what was known as a tomboy for most of her life.
She'd been raised like a guy, and she liked to dress and act like one too. It had always been easier. When she was mad at something, then she could be vocal. When she wanted to get a point across, she need only say it until it was heard. In short, she could be as direct as she wanted.
Now though? Now it was different. Academy uniforms were mandatory.
The skirt that she was wearing still felt uncomfortable compared to her previous attire. It was, loose, almost too breezy, for her to feel any sense of security when compared to a pair of joggers that she generally pilfered from Kay's old belongings.
Whatever.
She was strong.
She would face all the obstacles in front of her.
She steeled her features, adopting an impassive expression.
The stares around her continued throughout the day and it was impossible for her to figure out why. Unable to find an answer, she accepted the situation for what it was. It wasn't like anyone was going to approach her anyway.
She thought wrong.
Kaede Makidera, Yukika Saegusa, and Kane Himuro, Class 2-A's track girl trio, cornered her during her lunch break and forcibly dragged her off.
The three were like the wind, utterly unable to be stopped.
Then again, they were treating her to lunch which greatly contributed to Arturia's level of resistance. Which in hindsight, was close to nil when they began talking about the newest deserts and pastries in a recently opened cafe.
The stomach was greater than the mind.
Arturia had no choice but to comply.
Unexpectedly though, the flyer regarding the Holy Grail War that Arturia had kept in her bag slipped out as Kaede and the others pulled her away.
Gliding through the air, the flyer circled a couple of times before drifting under the feet of a woman who stared at it in peculiarity and recognition. Her black hair held up by ribbons in pigtails swayed as she bent over and picked up the parchment into her hand.
The woman looked from Arturia, then back to the flyer before her expression grew more serious.
"Now isn't this interesting?"
The woman began to grin.
"You see that smile, Emiya?" A voice caused the woman to stiffen. "That's why I keep telling you that Tohsaka's a witch. Honour student? More like two-faced."
Rin Tohsaka's lip twitched while staring at Issei Ryoudo.
One day. Oh, one day surely.
Issei Ryoudo.
She loomed closer.
"Back, begone! C'mon Shirou run!"
You better watch your back.
Thanks for reading! Sorry for shorter chapter but thanksgiving this weekend and school work this week was almost crippling in the mount of time I could spend to actually write. Regular schedule of Saturday and Monday updates for this semester will resume from now on.
Chapter focus was based on developing the relationships between character. Core of the story will begin in the next one to two updates with the beginning of the 'Holy Grail War'
Next update: Fate-In Time
P a treon. com (slash) Parcasious