From Sword to Knife
By: Aria
Chapter 3: Introduction – Akira Hayama (Part 1)
Warning: Unbetaed, some miss typos, unreliable narrator, not based on fate lore. Literally uploaded it half-asleep without checking for the grammar.
"Do you really need to go?"
He sighed. "Yes, yes I am."
It was the last day of Jouchirou's job contract as Nakiri Family's Temporary Chef after almost two years, which mean it was finally the time they would start the world trip. At noon, both Shirou and Joichirou will fly to another country.
Thus, since yesterday, Erina was more than ready to explode and cry.
Shirou averted his eyes from Erina's saddened face. He might have a perfect control over his emotion, but goddammit please don't use that face oh my God.
He, also at the same time, was very weak in front of children, especially the one he had taken a liking for.
"I don't wanna you to go..." pouted Erina. Shirou's heart instantly fell.
"Hey, hey. Don't cry here. I'll send you letter everyday, okay?" he said patting her head gently. "It's only one or two years trip, so why the long face? It's not like I'll vanish anytime soon."
"But what if..." Her eyes trailed down and played with her dress nervously. "What if your letter doesn't arrive? Like Alice's was..."
Ah. He blinked. So she's been worrying about that, huh.
Shirou realized she was talking about her father's fiasco with Alice letter and winced. Damn you, Kotomine's incarnation.
He quickly put a reassuring smile. "Don't be such a downer, Erina. Of course it will arrive, I will make sure of it."
"Don't worry, Erina-san," Hisako, who was silent before, said with a confident smile adorned her face. "If one day Souma-san deliberately stop sending you letter without any notice, I am more than happy to bring him here. Just leave it to me!"
"He would regret thinking doing that," Sanzaemon added stroking his bread. "If I haven't mistaken, we still have some leftover of Joichirou's experiments, haven't we?"
Shirou went pale understanding the implication and casted a quick glare. Don't you dare, he mouthed.
Try us, was left unsaid as they gave him a look.
Erina went silent for a moment before smiling softly. Her mood was visibly lifted up after hearing Hisako and her grandfather's support. "You promise?" she asked shyly.
"How can't I when you put such a face?" He grinned cheekily followed by soft laugh. "But you and Hisako must make a promise to me, okay?"
""Eh? A promise?""
Shirou's mouth curved upward and faking a cough. "Promise me that you, Erina, will keep writing to your cousin and not throwing any food to the trash bin, which is rude and considerably childish by the way – "
"S-stop it! I am not doing it again, stop bringing it up!" Erina shouted with a heavy blush on her cheeks. Hisako giggled softly, but stopped when Shirou's stare landed at her.
" – and both Hisako and Tora-neesan won't destroying the dojo – seriously, don't – in my absence, okay?"
Now it was Hisako's turn to blush. She waved her hands up and down in panic, trying to find a good excuse which amused him.
"How mean! I'm–I'm not a child who always break their toy! I'm just, um," Hisako frowned in a cute manner. "Lack of experience! Yes, that's it! Inexperience!"
Not for a while ago Hisako started to practice kendo after inspired watching Shirou's determination with archery. I want to be strong so I can protect both Erina-san and Souma-san, she said to him when asked. Fortunately, Shirou knew someone who could privately teach her kendo.
Her name is Tora – the Fujimaru Taiga of this universe.
Not only she lived quite close to their place, she wasn't a person who loves to coax things. Like Taiga, she was passionate about kendo and didn't take lightly to teach about it–in other words, a woman with monstrous strength and determination.
At first Shirou was okay with it. He watched how Hisako practicing the swordsmanship like duck and water and couldn't help but feeling proud of it. It's like watching a rough diamond being sculpted by fine artist.
But for some reason, for some reason he repeated, Hisako seemed to pick up her destructive fighting style which always ended with a lot of broken things. Shirou had an urge to massage his temple whenever he reminisces about it. For the first time he was glad both parties came from rich family. Without the compensation money, the dojo wouldn't stay still until now.
It's a relief she didn't inherit Tora 'set the kitchen on fire' habit. Thank you, Arato bloodline.
"I'll get better in the future, you'll see!"
A shrug and smug smirk. "I'm sure you will, but just don't burn the whole dojo."
"Like I said, I'm not that reckless – !"
"So this is India, huh..."
"Pretty crowded, right Souma?" Joichirou grinned. "Stick close to me, son. Don't want to cause any ruckus here, don't we?"
"Yes, yes."
Shirou silently grabbed Joichirou's hand as he gazed the scenery outside. It doesn't change much, Shirou mused. He winced when his eyes met with the blazing sun. It's so bright as always. Truly the peak of summer season.
In his former life, he had visited India several times both for job and holiday. It's safe to say that he was familiar with this country, from the famous tourist spot until some tiny villages. Also there was one time he accidentally got into a fight with some local too, just because of an empty wallet and mistranslated words, followed by angry shouting match.
Which the latter mostly caused by yours truly madam Tohsaka Rin and her eternal rival Luvia Edelfelt.
He still had a good laugh for that.
"India is one of the famous Asian countries because of several aspects: fashion, culture, religion, and most importantly, cuisines. India's cuisines itself, especially curry, lay in how they mix all kinds of spices and herbs to make such a complex taste. One may say that only the chosen one who can produce a high quality curry from the scratch."
Shirou blinked, recognized the familiar voice. He almost forgot that they had a new follower.
I forgot Yoshi-san also followed us here.
"You're pretty well informed, huh, Yoshi-san?" exclaimed Joichirou as they picked their luggage. "But man, I'm truly saved. I have been worried about Souma's education if he followed me to this world trip, but luckily that old man sends you here."
"Rest assured, Yukihira-san," Yoshi, or Yoshida, spoke calmly. "I am assigned by Sanzaemon-sama to teach and protect Souma-san until he is deemed adult enough. In a simple way of speech, I will follow your job trip until it finish."
Shirou was surprised. He knew Sanzaemon was a little bit protective after his six hours Fuyuki-but-not-Fuyuki trip incident, but he didn't realize it would be on this level.
Well, I guess overprotectiveness run on Nakiri's blood, he thought. But to send one of their loyal workers... Isn't that a little bit too much?
Yoshida was a handsome middle-aged man who has a slicked gray hair and piercing gray eyes. Even though Shirou suspected he had hit over forties, his aged lines somehow only accelerated his killer look. He was that kind of man who was dubbed as 'Silver Fox'.
According to several maids, he had been worked under Sanzaemon since years ago even before the marriage of his daughter. There were many versions on how Yoshida became one of several trusted servant of Sanzaemon, with most of them was about how Sanzaemon saved Yoshida's life numerous time and kindly patronised him until he reached adult age.
The others were just a wild fantasy about forbidden love, drama, and passion.
...Uh,
– Well, it's not like he was allergic to it–he was an open-minded man, you see. But it's really, really uncomfortable to be the sole man in a girls gossip session. Especially in a body of a ten years old kid.
It's not funny.
But what's catching Shirou's attention most was not his face, rather the choice of attires. He kept glancing at him totally weirded out. It's in the middle of summer season and he wears a dress shirt and well-fitted vest? Isn't it hot? What if he suddenly gets heat stroke? His mind was raced with questions. But he isn't sweating – is he even sweating? Maybe he uses a cooling charm? Wait, is that even exist?
He noticed some people sent incredulous look at him, and from the corner of his eyes Shirou saw a kid pointed at Yoshida before was pulled by their mom.
It's a wonder how the adults beside him didn't falter–or at least self-concious–with their surrounding and kept talking. Maybe this is the power of ikemen.
"Eh, really?" Joichirou blinked numerous time. It seemed he also didn't know about that. "So you can watch over him, too?"
Yoshida nodded as he threw a polite smile. He didn't faze when the hot air meeting their skin, like he wasn't clad in a mid-formal clothes in the middle of the day much to Shirou's bewilderment.
He nodded at the passing red-faced attendant and responded, "To tell the truth, my official job is tutoring Souma-san. Yet, I think it is unneeded as we both know his intellect is far above kids around his age, at least on par with middle-schooler."
"Mmm-hmm. And then?"
"And so, according to Sanzaemon-sama himself, my job is merely to protect him and teach the international languages, which once again it's unneeded, yet."
He raised his hand to call the taxi and discreetly winked at Shirou. The red head was laughing nervously, realizing what it meant was.
Joichirou's eyebrow quirked up, clearly wanted to ask but was held when the awaited car had arrived. Yoshida smoothly gave the driver the direction and took the front seat while the Yukihiras sat on the passenger seat.
After a moment, Joichirou asked, "Unneeded?"
Yoshida peered from the mirror. "Yes. As we only be here for relatively short time, at very least Souma-san need to master English language," he explained. "But I recently found out he has already mastered it by himself. Apparently, he spent his 'me time' that he loves very much to learn English, hence several books was missing for days before it got back."
"Ahaha..." Shirou chuckled weakly. Learning English was actually an excuse to cover his experiment with [Magecraft] and he coincidentally picked English dictionaries and bilingual books for experimenting [Structural Analysis]. He only noticed it when he put it back.
Good thing he already mastered English well enough in the past.
"...Huh," was an intelligent respond from a speechless Joichirou. "That's... convenient."
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((Briefly, Shirou wondered how would they react if he told them that, in fact, Indian languages was the fourth language he had mastered before succumb into deep sleep))
Joichirou stared at Souma.
Souma stared back at him, looked a little bit bored.
"Well?" he began,
"You remember what should you do, right?"
"Yes, Dad," From his expression, Joichirou could tell how annoyed he was right now. But hey, it's necessary! "In my best behavior, greet your old friend and their plus one if they bring 'em, and then apologize at them if they're your victim in the past who, possibly, has a trauma with anything related to you."
"As I expected from my – huh? Hey!" Joichirou was taken aback and glared. "I'm not that bad! Jun is always willing to eat my experiment, like the others!"
That brat had a nerve to stare at him with dead eyes. "Really."
"You little – "
"I'm sorry, Yukihira-san, Souma-san," cut Yoshida as he entered their hotel room, didn't care even slightest about the heated atmosphere. "Your guest has arrived. She is now waiting at the lobby."
"She is? Thanks, Yoshi-san."
Joichirou stood and giving his son a look. "Well? Why don't we prove your last statement, Souma?"
He was confident his son was very, very wrong.
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He grinned broadly when saw the familiar brunette sat patiently on the couch. Joichirou loudly called her and said,
"Long time no see, Ju – "
A fist connected into his nose.
Shirou bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry for my dad," he said, as sincere as possible. In front of him was a traumatic woman full of revenge and there was a high possibility her wrath also fall into him – as he was the culprit's spawn. He prayed to all deities he wouldn't end up in the same fate with his father who was sprawled pathetically on floor.
So once again, he pleaded, "I'm, so, so sorry for everything he had done to you. Please, don't hold back to take your revenge onto him. But don't kill him please."
He briefly took a glimpse of Yoshida's calm figure who was busy making excuses to an approaching workers and guests.
"...No, no. It's alright, yet," she chuckled darkly. "Hehe... Finally... I can hit him... hehehe..."
Dad, I don't know what you did to her, but she is hell-bent to make you suffer.
"Hehehe... HAHAHAHAHA!"
May you rest in peace.
Later he learned that her full name is Shiomi Jun, a former underclassman of his dad who often was tortured to eat his failed dishes to the level she had a PTSD and would react violently if she heard or saw anything related to Joichirou.
On unrelated notes, for an adult Jun had a petite body and youthful face that could be mistaken as a middle school student. It's only because of his experience with Illya, her unrelated 'older' sister who had a body of ten years old when she hit her twenties he wasn't fooled by her appearance.
Umu. If he remembered correctly, the term is 'legal loli', isn't it?
Talking about her, though...
"I'm–I'm so sorry..."
...she currently hid her reddening face with her palms. He could see imaginary smokes came out from her head.
When she recovered from her dark state, she quickly realized she had attracted unwanted attention and went panic. After a little bit smooth talking and a lot, lot, of apologies, it all went back to normal.
Well, as normal as possible.
"Damn it, Jun..." His father, Joichirou, groaned as he caressed his abused nose. "You sure hit hard, huh? Even though your height doesn't grow an inch."
Shirou's eyebrow twitched a bit. Dad, you're just asking for another war.
"H-How rude, Saiba-senpai!" she spat, hand raised ready to hit him. "Do you want me to hit you again?!"
"Hey, I already said sorry!"
"I don't care! You insult me!"
Shirou silently watched their exchange while slurping his juice, together with Yoshida who stood patiently beside the armchair. He wondered how they didn't attract more people with their shenanigans, and the fact that there was no higher authority other than the harmless worker handled the previous incident was kind of suspicious. It's like they're used with this kind of thing.
"This hotel has been informed by Sanzaemon-sama if this occurred, so they're already prepared," Yoshida piped in as he saw Shirou's bemused face. "In fact, that was the first thing Sanzaemon-sama did once he found out who is Joichirou-san's partner."
Shirou made a soft 'ah' sound. It explained everything. "Then we should give a thanks to him. Hmmm, do you think fresh spices from here will make him happy?"
He gave him a small, amused smile. "I believe, just keeping your father on line is more than enough for Sanzaemon-sama."
After they settled down their business, Joichirou entrusted Shirou for half a day to Jun while he went off to somewhere together with Yoshida.
Just don't give her heart attack and you're good, was Joichirou's only message to him.
And now, walking tow-in-tow, they walked in silence to a traditional market place on the end of the town.
"You know, I feel like this whole 'keeping eyes' on you is only Saiba-senpai's dirty scheme to seek peace from me," Jun absentmindedly said with deadpanned face. Her eyes staring off the sky like she asked for God's guidance.
Rather than offended, Shirou felt sympathize with her. He couldn't imagine what it feels like to be force-fed an almost edible food with questionable taste almost everyday. That kind of hostile way of thinking was highly understandable.
She quickly realized the extra presence beside her and frantically added, "N–no offense, though! You're not a bother, really! Aaaaaah please don't–"
"No, no. It's alright, Shiomi-san," Shirou winced in pity. "God knows what you've been through with my Dad. I mean, I don't think I can look any grasshopper again in normal way after what Dad did to those poor insects."
Shirou shuddered in fright. Fried it was alright, but a deep-fry grasshopper covered in chocolate sauce, mayonnaise, and kiwi juice? And his special made strawberry jam?
He was pretty sure even Gilgamesh would be sent back to the Throne of Heroes in second.
"Right?" Jun sighed. "I can't believe him. What kind of man he – uh, wait."
Jun did a double take. Suddenly, all color's drained from her face. "That father of yours is also feeding you with his horrid creation?!" she half-shrieked, scaring people around them shitless. Jun grabbed both of his shoulders and shook him frantically. "Don't tell me you also pick up that terrible hobby of his!"
"N–No!" Shirou quickly shook his head. "I never experiment any weird dish! I swear!"
"You aren't?" Jun breathed out and letting go her hold. "Good. At very least you know how priceless every ingredient is."
"A–ahaha..." He rubbed his head.
Well, to be honest, He might have done some experiments here and there, but no way in hell he would admit that. Especially to this woman.
Jun hummed as she stared down Shirou from top to bottom. "You are more mature than people around your age..." She mumbled. "How old are you again? Eleven?"
"Almost twelve, actually." was his instant response.
"Still, you're too mature for a kid in your ages. Are you sure you are not Gin-senpai's kid? It's unbelievable how different you are compared to Saiba-senpai."
Shirou didn't blame her. People kept doubting him as Jouchirou's spawn, seeing how contrast their personalities are. Even though his hair is a dead way sign.
He never met this Gin person, but knew he is Joichirou's best friend and still loyal to him – although what he did for the first time after disappeared without trace was just calling him about his current life and disappeared again. No hellos, no goodbyes, no 'hey-lets-go-meeting-somewhere'.
Some friend his father was.
He knew that from Sanzaemon who was more than happy to share all of it. He had told him about his father back in Tootsuki and all headaches he had caused, complete with his dramatic shenanigans in Third Year.
He might not understand his feeling completely – it's cooking, for the love of God, not a World War Three – but he could understand how lost his father must have been felt. It's like Post-Fourth Holy Grail War once again, but not as extreme as that.
Shirou gave a small shrug and smiled. "Really, I'm my Dad's son," he said in a fond tone.
"Even though sometimes he is insufferable, he is the best father I can ask for."
He may be a second dad figure to me, but it doesn't mean he isn't special.
Needless to say, he was glad he finally met his new parents – his recent anchor and sheath, like Rin, Saber, and Sakura in his previous life. He truly couldn't think the outcome of his life if they weren't there. He might have been wandering aimlessly, just to fulfill his dream as 'Hero of Justice' with black and white view.
(Also, thanks to his dear mom too, he was somehow reincarnated into this world – as absurd as this universe can be.)
If Rin was here, she must have been planned to conquer this world, his mind suddenly piped up in good humor. Shirou could perfectly imagine his beautiful crushschoolmateteachergirlfri e walking beside him with eyes glinting in mischief. Or just enjoyed everything like a child.
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((...God, how I missed her so much.))
((I hope Ritsuka won't do anything stupid though. Like traveling across time and dimension to correct the timeline, or summoning massive amount of Heroic Spirits for 'waifu material'. Heh, that stupid child of mine.))
((...They won't do it, right? RIGHT?))
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((Somehow, somehow, he felt like the universe has betrayed him.))
"–and there is a record curry with over 20 spices! I haven't tried that yet but I heard it is tasted wonderful!"
"For real? But I thought you said that it is not good to add too many spices."
"Yes, it is true, but somehow that chef manages to balance the taste. Isn't that amazing? I need to test it out! Ooh, I wonder what kind of technique he has... I wonder it is about related to someone's hand? Or maybe, or maybe–?"
"Um, Shiomi-san, you're drooling..."
"–eh? Ah! S-sorry, I didn't realize it!"
Shirou casted an exasperated look at a frazzled Jun furiously wiping her mouth. For an adult, she acted like she was ten years younger that he couldn't help but be concerned. She must've been being teased for her whole life. She acted too loose for her own good, no wonder Dad loves to tease her endlessly.
He sighed and praying to the gods above. Poor kid.
"Oh, look! We have arrived at the famous traditional market!" Jun's excited exclamation pulled Shirou from his musing. She pointed to one of the stalls who seemed to sell assorted spices. "I heard from my colleagues this one of this stall sells a lot of rare spices with reasonable price! Ah, Yukihira-kun, come. I don't know if you can speak Indian, but probably you will learn one or two phrases."
"Eh, but I want–" Shirou paused. He almost forgot that now he wasn't an adult anymore who could go anywhere he wanted. Furthermore, it would've been created chaos if he repeated the same mistake. Nope, he still wanted to leave a good impression as Japanese man in a foreign country. So he sighed inwardly and relented. "Okay, I'll follow you."
Jun's bright smile almost blinded his eyes. "As expected of you! Let's go, Yukihira-kun. I'll teach you how to pick the best spices just by looking!"
She took his hand and pulled him to the stall, humming softly. Shirou once again sighed exasperatedly.
Oh, Shiomi Jun-san, it's harder to be serious with you if you keep acting like this. He thought grimly. But I think she doesn't even notice it... Is this what people call as 'natural airhead'?
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"Ah."
Jun frowned as suddenly a short scene popped up on her memories. "I forgot."
Souma, who was walking beside her, gave her a worried look. "Forgot about what?"
Jun shook her hand and replied, "Ah, no, no. Nothing important. It's just..."
"'It's just?"
She was silent for a while. "No, it's nothing. I'll tell you later."
"Well, if you say so..."
Jun watched as the young boy went back to his musing and breathed. Is it okay to lie? She fidgeted. Well... It is not like I can call tell him that I forgot what else my colleagues had said. I think they're talking about a white-haired bloodhound. Umu. I'm certain it's about that.
"Do you like dog, Yukihira-kun?"
"Rather than like, I prefer the term 'tolerate', Shiomi-san," Somehow there was a little bit grumpiness inside his tone. "Damn... blue dog... freeloader..." he then heatedly whispering nonsense much to her confusion.
Jun chose not to dwell with it and focused on the former. "But it means you like it, right? I once heard there is a white wild bloodhound live in this area," she said.
"White bloodhound?" His youthful face scrunched up into confusion. "That's sounded impossible. India is a very hot place, and for albino's animal wander freely for such a long time..."
She shrugged helplessly. "I also don't really sure, for my friend told me that thing with an excited expression, I'm bound to be curious too, you see?"
To be honest, Jun was more worried about their wellbeings. Like Souma had said, the climatic of India was not for an albino like them, especially a wild one. They must've suffered... Poor doggie.
"I wonder if I can adopt it?" Jun wondered out loud. Souma only answered it with a soft laugh and encouraging smile. Jun couldn't help but followed suit. "I want to have someone to be taken care too."
I hope they haven't died yet.
Hello, Aria here.
Er, so.
It has been a very long time, isn't it. Hehe.
Well... to tell you the truth, I have lost all the fire to write this since I binge-writing the previous oneshot. Not the best experience to write but I kind of satisfied with the outcome. Kind of.
I also have been indulged myself in... FGO, as always, and recently, Light Novel. Since I am too impatient waiting for the newest chapter of Bakarina and Regarding Being Reincarnated into Slime. Ah, what a sinful heaven.
Plus, this is the crucial year where reality has finally dragged my sorry ass to the deepest hell. Probably need to say goodbye to all happy things and study like there's tomorrow.
God I hate exams.
Once again, I'm deeply sorry for all the typos and grammar errors since I don't beta this chapter at all. Yes, I yolo-ed writing this baby in the midnight fighting sleepiness and multitasked farming socks with... the wrong set of team for a while. Damn I just realized it.
...on the other side, I want to rant unrelated things like–why the flying pancakes I keep getting Salter until I np4 her. I don't know if this is a good luck or what since I roll for lancelot not her. Oh, by the way, I don't regret grailed robin and hans to level 90.
Still hate farming qp and items tho
Thank you for all the favs and follows reviews. I am glad you all enjoyed this self-indulgent fanfic.
Update: thank you so much for those who pointed out the word 'spouse'. It's so embarassing that I could die. By the way, like I said in previous chapter feel free to add me but please mention to me what is your account name otherwise I can't add you at all or even accidentally refuse your account. Don't want that to happen, do we?