If Arturia was being honest, she didn't dislike her new job of the past three days more than she was letting on from the embarrassment of her uniform. She'd wipe tables, serve the occasional guest a menu from the cafe's moderate selection, and if she was lucky, she could even take small breaks during her shift with the manager of Ahnenerbe's permission. Of course, she failed to realize it was because management thought that she was working too hard when she opted to work through her scheduled breaks to prevent pressure on other employees.

Diligence was always rewarded, and she'd always been studious and earnest in her work and character. She had papa Ector to thank for her upright principles even in times of hardship.

The thing was, people will notice certain characteristics of others, and hers was certainly one that was appreciative. Therefore, when the cat-like managers would tell her that there was nothing for her to do during points in her shift, management hinted that she should wait in the mess room until she heard the sound of a bell signalling a new customer's entry.

Hence, her current circumstance.

She sat by a small rectangular table with lockers on either side where other employees locked their belongings away during shift. Ahnenerbe only had six other workers excluding her, so a majority of the lockers weren't in use. Generally, five people worked in the café per day.

There was a chef and a sous-chef, one order taker, one member of management, and a server maid. Shirou worked part-time as the sous-chef, and she worked part-time as the server maid.

Ice clinked lightly over a cup that was suddenly placed in front of her, droplets of condensation trickling over the sides of the cold lemon iced-tea. Following the cup came a moderately sized platter with chicken sandwiches, biscuits, and a side of frozen dessert.

She looked up only to quickly glance back down again when Shirou took a seat across from her.

"I'm on break," he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"I'm not," she replied flatly. "I'm just waiting for customers here on the manager's instructions."

An odd look crossed over Shirou's face, but for the life of her, Arturia couldn't understand why, granted her short stature prevented her from seeing the small 'closed' sign that was flipped at the front door for at least ten minutes now. The sign would surely remain that way for another twenty or thirty minutes.

Shirou hummed as she observed him nod at the food that he'd laid in front of her, something that she was ashamed to admit, her eyes hadn't strayed away from longer than a few seconds. She could feel the saliva building in her mouth, and it was with sheer determination that she kept her features schooled.

She looked to the food, then to Shirou, then back to the food.

"It's on the house," he said kindly, grinning at how confused she was acting. "Part of my contract as a sous-chef in Ahnenerbe is that I can have one or two free meals. Generally, I don't since there's always food waiting at home, but I figured I'd start using it."

She blinked at the honest admissions before her mouth opened wordlessly. She took in a breath, her hands balling into fists over her lap. "Y-You really didn't have to," she said for lack of better response, doing her best to maintain an air of decorum and class ingrained into her since young. "I'm fine as it is."

She carefully avoided making eye contact with Shirou while she made her admission.

"Oh?" She watched as Shirou leaned his back on his chair. He seemed all to used to dealing with head-strong people, and if she was able to think clearly, that list certainly included her.

"You ordered only water during dinner shift," he said flatly.

"So?" The knee-jerk reaction was to defend her actions, and the word was out of her mouth before she could process it.

"It's free," Shirou stressed while sighing. "I thought they were joking when Kaede and the others said how reserved you can be, but in the time that we've spent together, I think I've gotten to know you better even if just a bit during our afterschool spars and lunch breaks."

Arturia ignored the fact that Shirou was pointedly staring at her stomach, a flush of shame reddening her cheeks. He pushed the food and drink closer to her, the scent wafting up to her nose and stirring up her appetite.

"It's on me, and there's no way I can finish this much. There's no need to throw it all into waste, right?" Shirou reasoned.

She knew exactly what he was doing. He was playing into her sense of integrity, and she had to give him props for that. It was working. Nothing else would have worked no matter how much he would have insisted as she knew that she could be stubborn.

A leader must depend on herself and lead a life to the benefit of others. It should be a lonely road, at least that was how it had always been for her as the hidden child of a powerful corporate group raised in secrecy as a modest boy. After all, the official inheritance was designated for an Arturia Pendragon, not an 'Arthur.' Many would see her dead if the secret was out which was why she was in Japan after a corporate fall out orchestrated by the hands of her jealous elder sister, Morgan.

"The foods going to get cold," Shirou reminded as she lost herself in her thoughts.

She blinked and bit down on her lower lip. "But I'm on shift," she said torn, glancing at the empty lobby as if a customer could walk in at any moment. Again, she missed the odd way Shirou's mouth curved upward in a snort.

"Trust me," he said, reaching out to her and removing the restrictive lacey hat of her blue French-maid uniform, and placing it down on the table. "I'm certain that no one will be around for a while."

One more look at Shirou was all that it took to see how earnest he was being. Tentatively, she nodded before reaching a hand out, picking up a biscuit, placing it to her mouth, and then nibling on it. Her eyes darted around as if she was committing a heinous crime since she wasn't officially on 'break,' but when no customer stepped in after another two minutes, her hands gravitated towards the chicken sandwiches stuffed with crispy chicken, mayo, shred lettuce, and tomatoes.

Her stomach growled, urging her to hurry, and she complied.

As an athletic individual who maintained constant practice with her sword, the number of calories her body needed was far greater than average high-schooler. The fact that Shirou had brought her six sandwiches was something she didn't miss, just that, the realization made it that much harder to stare him in the face for his consideration. He was kind, attentive, patient, attractive enough, and more than anything, being around him made it seem as if she'd found a place to rest her sword; to just put her troubles away and relax like a worn sword that had found its sheath.

What was he to her?

She chewed longer than intended to avoid conversation and to just glance at Shirou from the corner of her eye. Other than just accompanying her as she ate, she watched as he picked up a napkin? Time seemed to slow as he brought the napkin to the side of her mouth and wiped away a dab of mayo stuck to her cheek.

Her face burned, her heart doing funny things as her lips quivered in her fluster.

She'd always had the best table manners, but had she really gotten so comfortable with Shirou's presence that she'd chosen not to mind them and eat as if she was alone? It was a subconscious thing, and her ingrained integrity spoke out for her.

"Thanks," she said hurriedly, her hands grabbing her own napkin and dabbing at the sides of her mouth as her back straightened. "Forgive my slip of manners."

"No-no. It's my fault, sorry!" Shirou seemed to be just as flustered as her, granted, his action was likely too intimate. "It's just I have a little sister I generally dote and clean after."

He had a little sister? Arturia filed the piece of information away, but didn't even know why she'd do such a thing. Instead, a small smile worked its way over her face at Shirou's fluster.

"Uhm, so yeah, I'll just excuse myself here for now and let you eat," Shirou abruptly decided to escape while scratching the back of his head. If she looked closely, she would have been able to see himself kicking himself in the foot under the table.

Why though? Well, there was no way she was going to come up to the correct conclusion that he was feeling down because he might have left a bad impression.

All boys were the same one way or another when it came to those that they cared about.

Making another poorly orchestrated excuse, Shirou retreated into the kitchen leaving her to eat the meal before her. Still, she felt odd considering that a part of her had actually wished to keep Shirou's company.

She took another bite of her sandwich before taking a sip of her lemon iced-tea. The taste was good, but somehow, she just knew it would have tasted better if Shirou was still around.

Good food and good company were what papa Ector would have said.

She glanced at the clock and decided to eat quickly lest the food Shirou had prepared for her go to waste if a customer walked in.

This job really wasn't so bad. She couldn't help but smile.

Secretly, the shop manager flipped Ahnenerbe's sign to open thirty minutes later.

"It's almost nine. I can at least walk you home."

Arturia didn't know what to do. Her mouth kept opening and closing, and she had yet to come up with anything plausible to refuse Shirou's kind-hearted intentions with. The evening shift was over, but unlike the last few days, she couldn't take Shirou up on his offer this time. This was the day she was going to be evicted from her apartment. The only good news to come of this situation was that the manager promised to keep the room as it is until she could scrounge enough funds for the rent with her part-time job. Still, this didn't make the situation any easier, and there was no way she wanted to burden Shirou with anything.

She'd just changed back into her school uniform and was holding her hand-bag in front of her while standing right outside Ahnenerbe. Shirou was beside her saying goodbye to the manager who both waved them a safe trip home.

"Well, shall we get going?" Shirou pulled the scarf around his neck tighter. It's been getting colder lately and there was a chilling wind blowing tonight.

She shivered. "No, really it's fine," she still refused as politely as she could. She already felt bad that she was still using the jacket Shirou had lent her. He'd already been helping her enough; at this point, she wouldn't budge.

"This isn't the way to your apartment," Shirou noted as they walked.

"I thought I didn't agree to you walking me home," she argued weakly while Shirou hummed. "You didn't exactly try to stop me either? If you really didn't want me to come, the Arturia I know would have been sterner."

Shirou had a point and she knew it. Inwardly, she flinched, her gaze furtively focusing on her feet as Shirou walked a little in front of her, his strides longer than hers. He was carrying his school bag with one hand over his right shoulder, and he was looking at her in order to match her pace.

"Even still. You shouldn't make me have to say it twice," she reasoned justly, and she knew that she had him there since he started frowning. He stopped, and she stopped too.

"Look, Arturia. I might be coming off as a bit forceful right now, but listen," he leaned in closer to her ear so that other passersby wouldn't overhear. Those that were looking muttered something like 'young love' and 'how daring,' but this went over both of their heads. "I've been told that something dangerous might happen during the evenings soon by Fuji-nee and my 'family friends.'"

Family friends? Why did that matter?

The puzzled look she leveled on Shirou caused him to be more specific and whisper even lower.

"They're Yakuza, but their good people, I swear," Shirou sounded like he didn't just admit he was affiliated with a criminal organization, but the thought was lost on Arturia as he continued. "They said something about some mysterious event called the Holy Grail War starting up soon. It's apparently dangerous, and other than the promise of money, there's rumours that aby wish can be granted to the victors."

"V-Victors?" Arturia stuttered, utterly caught off guard that Shirou knew about the Grail War, and knew more than her.

"My adoptive father knows more than I do, but apparently each participant is designated to a partner team with Master and Servant roles." Shirou suddenly shook his head. "That's not exactly the point that matters right now though. This event is apparently dangerous, like lethal dangerous if you're not careful. It's not safe at night, and you can get annoyed at me all you want, but I'd rather be around if something happens."

Arturia felt her muscles tense. This was the first time she'd been informed of the actual dangers involved. She should have known better than to trust Merlin's word that it was 'just a tournament;' however, at this point, there was no turning back.

"Then all the more reason for you to stay away from me," she gathered her resolve and stared Shirou straight in the eyes. "This Holy Grail War. I'm going to participate," she bluntly informed him.

He froze in a stupor, and she used that moment to walk ahead of him, only to nearly trip when she heard the distinct noise of Shirou resuming his walk beside her.

"What are you doing?" She wet her suddenly dry mouth then asked tentatively. "I told you I'm going to be part of this dangerous war, so I ask again, what do you think you're doing?"

"Probably something stupid," Shirou was quick to reply with his brows creased in deep thought. "This Holy Grail War, you're going to need a partner."

Yes, she would, and she hadn't exactly considered the prospect until now. There was no way she'd be able to participate on her own which basically just floored all her preparations.

"You would be correct," she answered, feigning calm to mask her distress.

Shirou picked up his pace and cut her off by blocking her way. "Then would you consider me? I'm good with a bow, and I at least know how to fight if it comes down to it. How about it? Partners?"

She stared in muted silence at the offered hand, unable to understand what was going through Shirou's mind. He'd just warned her to be careful of danger, and now he was offering himself to jump right into it? For…for her? The thought clouded her mind.

"You shouldn't get involved," she said strictly, hands gripping tightly onto the case of her wooden sword that she had slinged over her shoulder. "This has nothing to do with you, and I'm plenty strong."

Shirou nodded in agreement, but he floored her in the next. "But everyone has times when they're weak. Your family's not in town at the moment, right? So I want to be the person you can depend on while they're gone." He looked flustered, anxious even at the admission, but it was nothing compared to the blood rushing up to her face at the honest statement.

"…" She had nothing to say. More accurately, she didn't want to risk talking right now, and Shirou took her silence as an answer.

"So, where to now, partner?" The frown on his face was replaced by an easy-going grin.

"I-I didn't agree," she said weakly, barely above a whisper.

"Hmm, did you say something?" He turned around to face her. "Speaking of which, this really isn't the way to your apartment."

Her mouth shut just when she was about to repeat herself louder. The two had been walking while conversing, and now they were back at Homurahara Academy school grounds. The fact that Shirou was following her, meant that she had been the one leading.

She'd put aside the partner issue for now, she still hadn't solved her initial dilemma.

"I just forgot something and need to do that first," she reasoned.

"You forgot something at school?" Shirou looked at Homurahara's closed gates.

"Yes, ugh, yes. Yes, I did," she skirted around the issue, remaining as vague as possible. "It seems like I'll just have to come back early tomorrow though. We're close enough to my apartment now so we should just part ways here." She suggested.

She was relieved that Shirou looked like he was actually considering it since her apartment was only seven minutes away by walking at this point. However, misfortune was always unpredictable.

"Well, if it isn't Homurahara Academy's Archery Captain? I've heard that you're strong." A suave voice called out in challenge.

She had no clue whose voice it was, but Shirou looked like he knew as he suddenly put down his bags and inched a hand towards his practice bow which he carried in a holder over his shoulder.

She used the moment to glance in the direction of the voice to spot a rugged-looking youth in a simple green uniform and checkered dress pants of Celt's Academy. His blue hair was cropped spikey at the top, but the back was tied into a long pony tail. In the youth's hands was an actual red spear, blade and all which he rested across his shoulders.

"Cu Chulainn." Shirou called out the youth's name.

"Oh, you know me?" Cu grinned savagely, the fangs of his teeth out in display. "This makes things simpler," Cu pointed his spear at Shirou. "Fight me."

Arturia's eyes widened at how unreasonable Cu was being to just demand a fight out in the open. She looked around at the other passersby but quickly noticed that everyone had vacated the area. Was…was this a common occurrence around these parts?

Regardless, she soon took notice of the other girl beside Cu who was tiredly rubbing at her temples at Cu's actions. The girl was a natural red-head with shoulder length hair, and she was wearing the checkered skirt and green unform of Celt's Academy. Long silver ovaloid earrings that matched Cu's dangled from her ears.

"Cu, you know what Scathatch-sensei said about challenging others outside the club," The girl reminded with exasperated red eyes, another feature she matched with Cu.

"You mean, just don't get caught?" Cu replied eagerly while flourishing his spear and getting into a combat stance. "You know I promised I'll beat her one day, and there's no way I'll be able to do so without decent opponents, right Archer?"

"Mom's gonna kill me for being even later for dinner," Shirou just sighed as he readied his bow.

Arturia winced in sympathy. There was no reasoning with battle idiots.

Moreover, it would seem that it wasn't just Shirou who was going to get into a fight. The girl by Cu placed on leather fighting gloves and Arturia took this as the signal to ready her wooden practice sword.

"Sorry about this," the woman said while Cu and Shirou eyed each other. "Cu means well, but he loves to fight." The woman was blushing while glancing at Cu. "He wouldn't like it if others interfered, so would it be too much to ask you for a spar in the meantime?"

Arturia took on a stance with her sword. If there was one thing right about what the woman said, it was that she would certainly move to help Shirou if things started going poorly for him.

"I thought that would be you're answer." The woman smiled with a trace of excitement. She was just as competitive as Cu. "For what it's worth, sorry if Cu's attacking your boyfriend."

What? What did she say and why was she so hesitant to deny it?

"Bazett Fraga McRemitz," the woman introduced while raising her arms up into a guard.

That sounded like a name that she should know, but Arturia wasn't exactly thinking straight. "Arturia Pendragon," she introduced herself. "H-He's not my boyfriend," she finally stuttered out in reply.

For a fleeting moment, Bazett looked from Arturia to Shirou, then to her and Cu.

"Oh," it clicked in Bazett's mind while staring at Arturia. "We're more similar than I thought."

What was that supposed to mean?

For the life of her, Arturia didn't know, just that Bazett could punch hard.

Like really hard.

Thanks for reading! There's been a bug going on in fanfiction preventing chapters from being uploaded, so please leave a review and let me know if you were able to read the chapter.

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