I wrap my fingers around the string of the bow, after awkwardly adjusting my splint, and give it a test draw to see the weight behind it. I pull my fingers back, but it doesn't budge. I push forward on the grip with my left arm as hard as I can and tug back on the string with all my strength, and I barely manage to pull a full draw. My fingers give out and the recoil of the string snapping in place echoes up my left arm while I exhale from the exertion.
How tight is this string!? Why are the limbs suddenly super sturdy? I begin to get pissed at Archer for not only wasting the wood but also ruining my favorite bow, when I realize what his intentions must've been. If I had to guess, this must be however much tautness he has on the bow he uses. Whether it be intentional or not, he matched this bow's draw weight to his preferred amount.
I look up at the roof to see it empty and void of his presence. Even so, I feel he must be up there in his dissipated form, watching me. Is it a test? A joke? A threat? While I couldn't discern his intention behind it, one thing I knew was that I wouldn't come in second place when it came to archery.
I quickly hoist the bow up and grab an arrow, knocking the bow while assuming the position to fire at the target. Not only will I take on his challenge, but I'll… excel at it! After thoroughly convincing myself I am more than capable of easily shooting this bow, I take the shot.
The string gets yanked back at full length, in compliance with my tug, with no resistance and the limbs bend to the point they almost look like they'll snap. I panic and let go. The bow recoils back into shape, swiftly spitting out the arrow. I regain my bearings in time to see the arrow collide into one of the outermost rings, a result of me choking at the end of the draw, and then forcefully knock the target over.
I stand still for a moment, gazing at the toppled over target, in a mixture of awe and shock. I pull my gaze and affix it to the bow in my lowered left hand. Soon my disbelief transforms into vigor and excitement, and I find myself running to the target to retrieve the arrow and set it back up.
Once I returned to my firing spot, I take another shot, making sure to not fully draw it this time so the target wouldn't knock over. Just as easily as before, the bow complies and the arrow fires, albeit much more accurately this time, hitting almost bullseye. Then I shoot another, and another, and another. Once the quiver was empty, I rush back to the target to refill it and resume shooting. I get possessed by a frenzy and begin firing off in a haze, enraptured by the ecstasy of it. As though I'm addicted, I continue shooting, having no other thoughts occupy my mind.
I pull back the string to shoot the next arrow but stop when I feel a weight fall from the arm holding the knocked arrow back. I look down to see the makeshift splint had unraveled and fallen off from me jerking the arm around so much. Wait I… wasn't supposed to take that off until Irisviel gave me the ok. My senses return to me and I look down at my hands to see they had become chaffed and red, with a few spots swelling up indicating blisters.
I tentatively set the euphoric bow down on the grass and lower myself to my knees, so I could try to reattach the cast. While struggling to press the two wooden planks to either side of the arm and retie the cloth with only one hand, I look around at my surroundings. The poor target had been torn up pretty bad, fraying and splitting in a few spots. It's pretty new too. I hate to have to replace it so soon… The sun had also risen significantly into the sky, indicating I'd been shooting for at least an hour.
"I was just going to give it a few test shots…" What came over me? I quietly question my own actions while tying the bandage and occasionally glancing at the bow. Even though I could barely pull the string the first time, I had no trouble the second, third, fourth- fiftieth time attempting it. Not only that, but even though my hands are a little sore, I don't even feel winded from doing it.
Once the cast is messily back in place, I stand up, leaving the bow in the grass out of fear of becoming drunk off touching it again. I walk towards the house, in a slight haste in case Irisviel was awake by now, and notice Archer was still nowhere to be seen atop the roof. Even so, I feel as though a leering gaze is affixed onto me as I walk across the backyard, telling me he is there.
After checking on Irisviel and seeing she was still contently snoozing away, curled up under her blanket fort, I return to my room to find… this. I wanted to get some sleep in, dammit. Lying on top of my futon, entangled messily with the blankets, is Tohsaka.
"Didn't I tell you to sleep in the laundry room?" I question her sarcastically while tiptoeing around her to retrieve my lucky arrow from my bag. After grabbing it, I look at her again while taking my leave. She has my pillow in a chokehold and the top of it has a wet spot from, assumedly, her drool. Her skirt is unzipped and about 4 inches lower than it is supposed to be, revealing the top of her red polka dot panties. I conclude that she is overall a brutish and unladylike girl after closing the bedroom door and walking down the hall to the ambience of her snoring.
At first, I decided I would go cook breakfast, but after entering the kitchen and seeing that Saber was nowhere to be found, I am now exploring the house to see where she is hiding. I check every nook and cranny, wanting to find the spirit before she started digging through personal belongings.
After turning over the entire house and still not finding her, I become confused as to where the hell she could be. Wait, maybe she's in that spirit form that Archer keeps turning into? I haven't seen her use it, so I just assumed she couldn't, but… Just as I decide this must be the answer to her whereabouts, I remember there's one place I haven't checked; the old dojo.
While walking to the training dojo, I realize how long it's been since I've actually gone inside. I used to spend a great deal of time working out in there, but I've scarcely been inside in the past 2 years. As time passed, archery became of a higher priority to me and practicing kendo and exercising any way other than firing my bow seemed less important. All I needed was my workshop and the backyard.
Upon reaching the door, I notice a slight gap, telling me I've found the girl in question. I open the door. The old room had the lights turned off, being illuminated only by the daylight pouring in from the one window high on the left wall of the dojo. The walls are adorned with dusty shinai, exactly as they were years ago. The stream of light from the window is littered with dust particles floating freely in the air, and it ends in a small halo in the middle of the room. Within the circle of light kneels Saber, sitting still as can be with her eyes shut. What's she doing out here by herself? Is she meditating? While wondering what she's doing, I debate whether I should ask or leave her uninterrupted.
"Shirou." My thoughts are interrupted by her calling out my name, without even opening her eyes to look.
"Uh, yes? How'd you know it was me?" She kept her eyes shut, the only change in her face seeming to be the slight frustration apparent in her furrowed brow.
"Your footsteps are heavier and faster paced than Irisviel's and Rin's. Archer wouldn't bother looking for me out of spirit form." Her sharp reply made it evident she wasn't interested in idle chit-chat with me. I, however, am far too curious about why she's playing hermit out in this old shack.
"I see. Well, what are you doing out here? Did you not sleep last night? I know I jokingly told Tohsaka she had to sleep in the laundry room, but we have tons of spare rooms…" She finally opened her eyes to look at me.
"I'm fine, thank you. You needn't bother yourself with me, our relationship is purely that of acquaintances. I'm here only to serve Irisviel to my fullest extent and to win the Grail. I saw this place to be uninhabited and unused, so I took up lodgings in here. Here, I'll remain out of your way and you out of mine." I feel my eye twitch slightly as I nervously laugh at her harsh response. Jeez, she really wants nothing to do with me.
"A-Alright then. Well, I'm going to go start breakfast. Feel free to join whenever you're done… uh, meditating." Her expression changed at the mention of food, becoming more enthused and somehow even more serious. She quickly reverted to her previous stern, slightly annoyed expression and closed her eyes once more.
"Very well. I will join you once Irisviel awakens." After hearing her response, I leave the old room, feeling guilty for making her stay in the dust-filled dojo.
My arm begins to lose feeling from me laying on top of it, so I roll over and onto my back. I've been laying on the dining room floor for a while now. I finished cooking breakfast, set the table, and have been waiting ever since. Irisviel, Sakura, Tohsaka, no one had graced my presence so far. It's been almost an hour since I finished cooking! Well… I suppose everyone did stay up all night. After reflecting on how we were awake all during that crazy night, I realize I've still yet to sleep nor am I particularly tired. Weird…
My lousing around is interrupted by the phone in the hallway ringing. I jump up and step out to answer it, just in time to bump into Saber in the hall. "Oh, Saber. Irisviel still isn't up." She nods at me, then turns to face the ringing house phone. "Let me get that real quick…" She nods again. I quickly pick up the phone and place it up to my ear just in time to hear-
"SHIROU, HEY!" I grimace from my eardrum being assaulted by Miss Fujimura's energetic, almost shouting, voice.
"Miss Fujimura? Do you have to shriek into the phone every time you call? What do you want?" She giggles after hearing my annoyance at her loud, obnoxious voice.
"Awww, don't be like that! Aren't you happy to hear from your favorite teacher-aunt?"
"You're not my aunt."
"Don't stress the small stuff. Anyways, WHERE ARE YOU?! Practice started over half an hour ago! Not only that, you didn't even show up to last practice!" I move the phone a few inches away from my ear, realizing she had no intention of lowering her voice. I then realize I did in fact forget about practice today.
"I'm sorry Miss Fujimura, I completely forgot about practice today. I knew I missed the last one, but that's because I had to deal with some stuff here."
"Ah, don't worry 'bout it. Since I forgot my lunch, all you have to do is bring me some food when you get here and all will be forgiven!"
"W-What? No Miss Fujimura, I can't come tod-"
"Great! See you in a few minutes!" *click* I lower the phone and glare at it in annoyance. I place it back on the receiver and turn to Saber. Her face indicated she heard the conversation, no surprise given how loud Miss Fujimura is.
"Well, I guess I have to go bring her some food." Saber nods.
"I shall accompany you." Her offer catches me off-guard, considering I thought she hated me prior to this.
"Are you sure? I thought you were oath-bound to protect Irisviel or whatever. Shouldn't you stay here?" She answers while walking past me and towards the front door.
"It will be fine, Archer is here. And from what I've gathered, the school is not too far. If something were to happen, I can return quickly." I walk through the dining room and into the small kitchen to pack a lunch, calling out my response over my shoulder.
"Alright, but why? Why do you want to come?" As I quickly finish throwing it together and wrapping it up, Saber answers.
"It's a place of interest. Lancer and Archer have fought there and one or more of the other masters may be attending school there. I want to gather intel." I join her in the hallway and hand her the lunch, so I can pull my shoes on. I giggle at her comment of a master potentially being at my school, remembering the young child of a master that tried to kill me.
"Maybe an elementary school would be a better place to check." I finish tying my shoes and look up to see Saber glaring at my inquisitively.
"What do you mean 'an elementary school'?" Crap, did I say that out loud?
"Uhhh, nothing! C'mon, let's go." I grab the lunch from her and quickly run out the house before she can question me further.
The walk to the school was going fine; Saber remained quiet, occasionally asking questions about the school or the surrounding area, but there were no hiccups during our trek. Then I saw the giant gash Berserker left in the street, which was now surrounded by little wooden posts and caution tape. No later than I did, Saber also sees it.
"Shirou, look! Do you see that?" After asking me, she rushes across the street without waiting for an answer and homes in on the slash mark. I follow her and psyche myself up to play ignorant about it as best I can. Once I reach her, she looks up at me with concern. "Shirou, a servant caused this."
"Really? Y-You think so?" She nods at my weak response.
"No doubt. This gash was caused by a weapon. However… it's too broad to be from Lancer's spear… A sword or an axe caused this." I recall Berserker's giant stone weapon and realize she is spot on. It wasn't quite a sword, but it wasn't quite an axe; it was a bit of both.
"Interesting. Well is there any point in inspecting it any longer? I really have to get this food to Fujimura." She rises up to her feet and shakes her head.
"No. Please, let's continue onwards." I sigh, relieved to leave behind the mark. Saber follows close behind me, her face evident that she's deep in thought about the evidence. I felt ashamed to be keeping the master/servant duo a secret from her, but if I can't tell Irisviel, then I very well can't let her servant know… not just yet, anyways.
Thinking about Berserker caused my mind to become occupied with anxious thoughts as we entered the front gate to the school. I reach into the front hem of my pants to rub my lucky arrow that I had tucked away, to soothe my worries. We continue walking, but suddenly Saber stops midstep.
"Sh-Shirou!" I stop and look at her to see her face is beet red and she's staring at me in a mixture of rage and embarrassment. I take a step back from her nervously.
"W-What's wrong?" She closes her eyes and raises her hand up as though she's about to backhand me.
"Just what do you think you're doing in broad daylight?!" She shouts at me while stepping forward, hand ready to be swung across my cheek. I look around in confusion until my eyes land on what must've caused the misunderstanding. My hand, tucked away in the front of my pants, rubbing my arrow; which, to the untrained eye, appears that I'm doing something much more publicly indecent.
"Wait, wait, WAIT! It's not what you think! Look!" I quickly yank the arrow out from my pantline and point it at her. She stops her charge but still looks at me with burning embarrassment.
"D-Don't point it at me! Why was it in your pants!" I lower the arrow to my side and fumble for an explanation.
"No particular reason… It's just where I decided to put it." She groans in annoyance and begins lecturing me on why sharp things shouldn't be put there.
Halfway into the lecture, she turns her attention to the object in question. "What is it anyway?" She asks me. I look at her in confusion.
"It's an arrow." I state matter-of-factly. She returns my confused look with one of her own.
"An arrow?" I nod. She continues staring. "I'm not sure I'd qualify that as an arrow…" Her comment irritated me, but I held my tongue. She continues staring at it intently. "How strange," she comments while burning her gaze into my possession. "May I see it for a moment?"
"Uh… Sure." I hand it over and she gingerly grabs it. After inspecting it up and down, she glares at it intensely. "Is something wrong?" She neglects my question and just continues to stare it down, rubbing every possible surface of it with her fingers. "S-Saber, should I remind you that was tucked in the front of my pants just moments ago?" Her serious, inquisitive gaze shatters and is painted over in the embarrassed hues of red once more. She drops it on the ground and begins stammering.
"I-I know that! There's no need to make it weird! I was just looking at it!" I barely hear her as I quickly drop down to my knees and pick up my precious arrow that she carelessly dropped in the dirt.
"Don't just drop other people's belongings on the ground! What was so interesting about it anyways?" I shove it back in my pants after rising up to my feet, not intending to let her touch it again. Her embarrassed guise slowly fades away after I inquire why she was so intrigued by it.
"Nothing. I just thought… it felt familiar." I look at her in confusion for a moment, but after she doesn't continue, I turn and begin walking towards the archery range again, gesturing for her to follow. Weird. It "felt" familiar, not "looked"?
Once inside, I'm immediately greeted by Miss Fujimura… Or, I would call it a greeting, but all she did was dash up to me, pluck the lunch from my hands, then run off to some obscure corner to devour it; without so much as saying a word. Not long after she pillaged the lunch, I receive a proper greeting from Sakura and another member of the club, a brown-haired girl named Ayako Mitsuzuri.
"How's it goin Emiya?" Mitsuzuri asks before draping her arm over my shoulder.
"Fine, I'm just here to bring Fujimura her lunch. Actually, why'd you let her go without food for so long? One of you should've gone and bought her something from the cafeteria. You know how she gets when without food for an extended period of time." Mitsuzuri yanks her arm away and averts her gaze, whistling in a childish manner to proclaim her innocence. I frown at her response and Sakura lets out a little giggle. She then looks to my lowered right arm and gasps.
"Senpai! What happened to your arm!?" Her eyes fill with worry and she stares at me impatiently for an answer.
"Oh I… um- I sprained my wrist! When I was trying to reach something on a high shelf in my workshop yesterday; I fell and landed on it. It looks worse than it actually is." As I explained, Sakura's worried face diminished, and she soon looked fully relieved. Meanwhile, Mitsuzuri just laughed her butt off at my fake story. Actually… this is the perfect opportunity! "Yeah in fact, would you mind telling Miss Fujimura that I won't be able to attend the next few practices because of it? I would appreciate it." She nods eagerly.
"Of course, senpai!" She turns on her heel and heads off to wherever Fujimura perched herself to eat lunch. After taking her first step, she stops. She turns back to look at me. "And… thanks senpai." I could barely hear what she whispered out to me. Did she thank me? For what? She glances behind me and her eyes light up in curiosity, but she then quickly turns and runs off to find Fujimura. I glance behind me and see it must've been Saber that caught her attention. After pondering for a moment, I realize she may have been thanking me for knocking Shinji's teeth out.
"So, Emiya," My thoughts are halted by Mitsuzuri once again returning her arm to the spot on my shoulder and addressing me. "You can't come to practice for a while because you sprained your wrist? Even though you kept coming every practice for months after you fractured your shoulder? Interesting." I brush her arm off.
"Yeah, that's right. There a problem with that?" She laughs and playfully punches me in my right shoulder; the specific one that'd been fractured.
"Nope, no problem at all! Now tell me who this gorgeous blonde with you is!" I groan in annoyance at her carefree attitude and begin to messily piece together a cover story for my heroic spirit companion.
After conversing with Sakura and Mitsuzuri a while longer, I took Saber into the school to look around since she asked me to. It remained largely uneventful, but she did take an interest in one of my teacher's, Souichirou Kuzuki. We ran into him while walking down a hallway on the second floor. After exchanging a few words, he leaves us. Saber looks at me.
"Shirou-"
"I know." I cut her off, already knowing what she's going to say. "He's an incredible guy, isn't he?" She looks shocked by my statement.
"Y-Yes, how'd you know?" It was quite obvious to me.
"It's easy to see; his stature and the way he walks, there's no wasted movement or energy. His breathing is constantly controlled, even when he's lecturing our class. And one look into his eyes; anyone could tell he's seen his fair share of shit. I wouldn't be surprised if he's witnessed a murder… or committed one." She appears dumbfounded by my assessment.
"Yes, I thought the exact same thing. You may not be as ignorant as you look." I glare at her slightly, not knowing whether to consider what she said an insult or a compliment.
"Yeah, thanks. So, do you think he could be a master?" She shakes her head and looks down the hallway in the direction he went.
"Despite giving the air of a fighter, he's by no means a mage. There isn't a good chance he's involved in the Grail War." I follow her gaze down the hallway, just in time to see him cut the corner and walk out of sight.
"Huh." I reply simply. "Well, let's go. I promised I would walk Sakura home. She said she wouldn't be able to eat with us anymore for a couple of weeks; walking her home today is the least we can do." I begin walking towards the stairwell.
"Shirou." Saber states my name, stopping me in my steps.
"Yes?" Her tone denotes that she's about to talk seriously.
"You care deeply for Irisviel, yes?" I turn to face her.
"What makes you think that?" She scoffs at my sarcastic question.
"It's obvious in everything you do. Everything you say. Or are you saying the act of brushing her teeth for her, something a parent doesn't even do for their own child, is not indicative of that?" I blush profusely at her recalling that event, hoping she'd forgotten. "Well, I know not how deep you care for her. However, if you care anywhere near as much as I think you do, then you'll remain as uninvolved in this War as possible." I laugh vehemently at her once again suggesting this to me.
Once I'm done belting out my chuckles, indicative of how ludicrous I thought the proposal was, I crack the smuggest grin possible at her.
"No." I state plainly. Without waiting for her to respond, I turn and begin jogging towards the stairwell. I hear her begin fumbling at how lightly I treated her serious talk before jogging after me.
"H-Hey! Don't walk away from me! I'm not finished talking to you! Th… This isn't over!" I continue laughing at her frustration from not being taken seriously as run around the corner of the intersecting halls. Yes, running. In a school hallway. In non-school approved shoes. Where running was prohibited.