(a/n) – Random prompt I'm too lazy to make an intro for. Let's just say Shirou, Gil, Sakura, Miya, and even Rin are out of the house.
Fate/School Days – 16
Karin's brows furrowed as she concentrated on the problem at hand.
Leaning forward so her head was resting against the surface, Arturia moaned in discontent as her stomach growled audibly.
From the doorway to the dining hall, Keiko blinked in confusion. "What are you two doing?" she asked.
"Foo~od" the petite blonde wailed.
"We're hungry," Karin added.
"And everybody who can cook is out?" Keiko scratched her head as she walked past them and into the kitchen. "Hm, they wouldn't have left us completely high and dry, would they?" There was the sound of doors opening and closing as Keiko searched cabinets. She came back through the swinging doors and tossed a pair of plastic-wrapped styrofoam cups towards her sister and mother. "Here, instant noodles. That should tide you over until one of them gets back."
Karin poked into the lid and stared down at the dehydrated square block, while Arturia still looked as if a kitten had died. "What am I supposed to do with this?" the redhead asked.
Keiko's eye twitched. "You throw in hot water for a few minutes and eat it. It's instant noodles."
Her sister flipped the cup around in her hands dubiously. "Where do you get the hot water from?"
"Are you serious?" Keiko pointed at a small machine in the corner of the kitchen. "Right there, a water heater. Pour in some water and just turn it on for a bit."
"How do I turn it on?"
Keiko blinked. "I thought you were good with machines... "
Karin rolled her eyes, "Oh please, Aisai, it's not even connected to any networks, what do you expect me to do with it?"
Keiko sputtered, "It... it's hot water and instant noodles."
ooo
"Ahah!" the redhead perked up suddenly. "I've got an idea!" She suddenly leaned across the table, reaching out an arm for the top of Arturia's head.
*SNAP*
There was a sudden blur of motion and suddenly Karin found her wrist ensnared in Arturia's iron-grip. She stared into green eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"Don't even think about it," Arturia warned her. "I'm not going out to get you hamburgers. Besides, all of my black clothes are in the wash." She released her step-daughter's arm and leaned in her chair. "Also, there hasn't been a Burger King in this area for several years now, so it would be a pointless effort."
"Mos Burger's still open," Karin replied.
"How lazy can you be?" Keiko growled.
ooo
Kiritsugu wandered into the kitchen and found the three women sitting around the dinner table with sullen expressions. "What's going on?"
"They're hungry and don't know how to get food without Dad and the others around," Keiko said. She nodded at Karin, "She can't even boil water to save her life, apparently."
Karin was poking at the noodles, breaking off small pieces and tossing them into her mouth. "They're dry," she complained.
Keiko snorted.
Kiri's eyes lit up, "Is that it? Well if you need to then I—"
""No!"" shouted the other three.
"Son, you are my pride and joy," Arturia said. She stood up and loomed over him, "But if you take one step into that kitchen then I will end you."
Kiri gulped and slowly found a seat at the table.
ooo
Karin's head popped up as yet another person walked into the room. "Yuki!"
Koyuki stared at the three females and one annoyed-looking male sitting around the table. "Sister," she greeted in return. She nodded greetings towards the others, "What are you all doing here?"
"Apparently we're waiting for food to magically appear in front of us," Kiri said in annoyance. "Since they don't know how to cook and they won't let me even go into the kitchen."
Koyuki froze momentarily as her mind conjured up the horrors that would result if her brother was allowed to have his way. She shook her head to clear her thoughts and stepped into the kitchen herself. "I... see," she said. "I might be able to do something about that... "
"Yes! I knew 'Yuki would save us!" Karin cheered as she heard the sound of condiments and bowls clinking together. "She's totally the type to have learned how to cook and do all those wifely—" She broke off as Koyuki returned with a bowl of ice cream for each of them. "Ah, 'Yuki? This isn't what I quite had in mind."
"It is the only thing I know how to make," Koyuki said apologetically. "Maybe it will alleviate your hunger slightly?"
"But... but... I believed in you!" Karin cried.
Keiko shrugged and dug in to an early dessert. "I'm not the one who's starving, but isn't this better than nothing?" She lifted her spoon, then froze in place as she looked up.
Kiri and Arturia both held out their empty bowls towards the bluenette. "More, please."
ooo
"Maa~ what's with all the long faces?"
Karin looked up dejectedly, "Hey, Sakuya." Her head collapsed back onto the table's surface. Then it lifted again as she sat up straight in her chair, "What's that you've got there?"
Sakuya dropped the two large bags she had been carrying onto the table and rubbed her arms. "The groceries. How else am I supposed to make dinner tonight?"
"Wha? But... you... "
"Gil-ojisan asked me to cover for him tonight," the purple-haired girl said as she brought one of the bags into the kitchen. She came back out for the second set, a pink, frilly apron slung over her arm. "Didn't you hear?"
"No, but... you can cook?" Karin looked around the table as if for confirmation.
Koyuki nodded as if it had been the most obvious thing in the world. Kiri was nodding and grumbling about the unfairness of life. Arturia had pulled a plate out of nowhere and was sharpening her chopsticks.
"Since when?"
Keiko had a fist held up to her mouth, her eyes shining with amusement. "She's only been helping out when it's her mom's turn since she was, I dunno, eight?"
"Seven and a half," Sakuya sniffed with an air of wounded pride. She finished tying her apron And started to push the kitchen door open. She paused in the frame. "Oh, Karin?"
"Yeah?" Karin looked up nervously.
"I'll be sure to whip up something special just for you," Sakuya said without turning around. "Be sure to enjoy it! Dinner should be ready in about two hours, everyone!"
Keiko started laughing as Karin's face paled. She stumbled out of her seat, clutching at her stomach as she headed for the far door. "I'll just go let the others know... "
Arturia's hands shook as she clutched her chopsticks. Tears streamed down her face. "Two hours?" she wailed.