Tags:
Apologies to all blacksmiths and bakers in the world. Actual Japanese schools too I guess.
Ritsuka gets a HALP check fail.
Why is changing relationship dynamics so difficult?
Chapter 06 – Forward/Progress
The snow covering the barren city of Fuyuki slowly thawed away, giving way for the next season.
Shirou, at this time, was bored. The ban on the shed was near expiration, but he found himself with nothing to do at all before that time comes.
He looked at his lap where Miyu is currently sitting at, reading a book he took from the library. He couldn't find the energy to start reading the recently remembered books from the library, while Miyu used them to pass away the idle time she had with Shirou. For Miyu, the arrangement was perfect, for Shirou, not so much.
Ritsuka on the other hand, was simply in the shed and only comes out when it was time to eat or if she decided to allocate her time for teaching Miyu.
Shirou's schedule went something like this nowadays:
Wake up together with Miyu.
Cook breakfast with Miyu.
Eat breakfast with everyone.
Clean up.
Free time.
Exercise/Play with Miyu.
Cook lunch with Miyu.
Eat lunch with everyone.
Clean up.
Free time.
Have a bath with Miyu. (She is now allowed to bathe by herself but chose not to. Shirou was certainly not coerced by puppy dog eyes.)
Help Miyu with drying and putting on clothes.
Free time.
Cook dinner with Miyu.
Eat dinner with everyone.
Clean up.
Free time.
Exercise.
Take a short bath.
Sleep with Miyu.
Rinse and repeat.
Shiro thinks that he has too much free time. 'Hmmm, what kind of things should I do before the shed is available?' He thought about it, an activity that would be enjoyable and time consuming, one that he could do without assistance or need for a partner. Come to think of it, he's feeling a little hungry, maybe he should—
"That's it!" Shirou exclaimed in epiphany.
"Kyaaa?!" Miyu, who was in Shirou's lap, was startled because of the shout.
"Oh, sorry Miyu." He apologized. "I just thought of doing something new." Now that he thought about it, Miyu will probably enjoy it too. "Do you want to join me?" He offered.
"Un, just let me get the camera." Miyu accepted as she bolted for her room, leaving the book she was reading lying on the floor.
"…better set aside this book where it can be found easily, I guess."
Miyu found Shirou molding things that looked like poop(?) as she entered the kitchen with the camera.
"Ummm, Shirou, that is?" She asked with trepidation while pointing at the poop(?).
"This?" Shirou asked as he lifted the… object for her to see. Miyu nodded. "This is a cookie. They're really delicious, I think you will like them." He placed all the molded cookies on the tray and sent them all to the oven.
Miyu peeked at the oven curiously. There she saw the cookies slowly changing their shapes little by little, it fascinated her young mind as a cook. 'Since Shirou said so, it will definitely be delicious.' She didn't know what kind of taste it will have since she didn't see the ingredients, but she believed in Shirou's assessment. After all, he has never lied to her before, and he was also a better cook than her.
"Miyu, don't block the oven, I have to take them out now." Miyu didn't realize that she let her mind wonder that long, with a sorry, she moved out of the way and let Shirou take the cookies out.
The smell hit her, a fragrant scent that made her salivate unconsciously. As she realized what was happening, she immediately wiped it away and readied her camera as if nothing has happened.
With Shirou and the cookies in the frame, she clicked the button and added another photo to her collection. Approaching the tray, she thought of trying one of the cookies, curious on how they taste. She reached out for the tray—
"Don't Miyu." Shirou stopped her. "You have to wait a bit for it to cool."
Miyu didn't object and retracted her hand. She observed Shirou as he transferred the cookies into the plate and moved to the table in the dining room. After a while, Shirou seems to be satisfied with the cookies.
"Dig in Miyu."
Miyu took a single cookie. It no longer looked like poop, now it looked like a circular bread with black spots. She brought it to her mouth and took a bite. The chocolatey sweetness spreads in her mouth as she chewed on the crunchy confectionary. She kept on putting more cookies in her mouth after that, and another, and another, and another, and another, and—
*Ka-chick*
She stopped eating as she heard the distinct sound that the camera she had produces.
Shirou, seeing Miyu stuff herself with the cookies he baked couldn't resist. He just had to take a picture of her devouring the goodies with gusto, with her face filled with crumbs. 'So cute.'
Miyu didn't seem to care much about being pictured since she just continued eating the cookies. She simply thought that Shirou also wanted to remember the memories they made together, although she would regret ignoring Shirou as he took pictures of embarrassing moments such as these in the future.
It seems that Shirou has finally found his new past time, baking.
"Ritsuka, I have something for you." Shirou called as he knocked on the door of the shed.
"Is that cookies?" Asked Ritsuka from a speaker.
"Yeah, I just wanted to know if you want some." He wondered how in the world she saw him holding the cookies when he hasn't even entered the shed, but he just chalked it off to Magecraft.
"Denied." Ritsuka firmly refused.
"Eh, why? Are you allergic to chocolate?" Questioned Shirou surprised at her refusal.
"Sorry, Shirou, I won't get swayed with bribes to reduce your ban time. In fact, I'm going to extend it for a week." She suddenly jumped to conclusions.
"Wait, Ritsuka! It's not—" Shirou tried to correct her misunderstanding.
"Bye."
"Ritsuka? Ritsuka!" Shirou regretted making extra cookies for Ritsuka out of the goodness of his heart.
Time passed by. Shirou bought more educational material for Miyu to study, with Ritsuka helping out once in a while. He also taught her how to bake, not only the cookies, but also cakes, various breads, puddings, and more. She has now memorized everything regarding the educational materials and her skills in baking would make you think she had been doing it for years now. Miyu is truly talented, she learns everything at an astounding rate that even Ritsuka finds surprising.
The ban was expiring soon, he can finally return to his workshop and continue his projects. This time, without neglecting Miyu. Who knows, maybe he can finally destroy even one of those tough golems that Ritsuka has.
Time passed by. Miyu received tutelage from the brother and sister duo. She could feel Ritsuka worm her way into her heart during Miyu's lessons and eventually, Ritsuka established herself as the second most important person to Miyu. It was not an incredible feat though, considering that they were the only people she knew.
From the conversations she heard between the siblings, Shirou was going to return to the shed soon. She was sad, but with the photos she has amassed in her room, she would use them to stave off her loneliness. And although she knew that it would trouble Shirou, she hopes that he gets banned from the shed again.
Shirou was finally back to his workshop. He refamiliarized himself with the various tools that he hasn't touched for quite some time. The materials that he uses to make weapons, the alloys, and metals; The tools for the job, the hammer, the anvil, and he used tongs before, but he could use his hands that have [Reinforced] fire resistant glovesnow; The other things that blacksmiths need to forge weapons, the flames, the sand, and the various containers for putting most of his stuff away.
He got most of the basics in the manual down, but the ones that need high levels of skill were quite difficult. One of them was trying to give a sword a concept. Severing, flames, ice, power, speed, and many more, Shirou wanted to give these properties to the weapons he made. He was successful in imbuing them, but Ritsuka told him that while the concepts like speed, power, and severing showed decent performance, those that had elemental attributes added to them were weaker with fire being the exception. It was not on the level of the former, but it was not as weak as the latter. It was a middle ground, so to speak.
The manual was very informative and helpful, but there was one thing that he wouldn't touch until his skills were sufficient, curses. Curses by nature were dangerous, if Shirou were to say, create a sword that has a curse that prevents healing. He might accidentally hit himself since he was a terrible Magus. If he was not careful, he might get an unhealable wound. Ritsuka said that she would be able to get rid of them, but he didn't want to waste her resources for something like that.
"It's fine if you don't want to touch on curses for now." Ritsuka said. "We don't have proper targets and a Magus' mental state during Magecraft is important. If you are not confident, it will reflect in your work, in other words, your chance of failing is higher if you don't believe in your own ability." She paused as she turned off her teacher mode.
Shirou put away his tools, it seems that the sword he was trying to make didn't have the result he wanted, he would have to check all the steps to see where he went wrong.
"By the way, you resolved your problem regarding Miyu-chan right?"
Shirou froze at Ritsuka's words. Carefully, he asked. "What do you mean by that?"
"When you were in the workshop, I had a feeling that you were purposefully staying for extended periods of time to avoid Miyu-chan. Since you were being an inconsiderate oaf to her, I felt that I wanted to help her out, so I banned you." She explained.
Shirou was relieved, it seems that she didn't actually—
"To be honest, I don't know the exact reason as to why you were trying to distance yourself from her before, but as for me, I have no reason to do harm to her. Even if she is a Holy Grail."
'!' Shirou was shocked. "How did you—!" He cut off his words immediately. It was possible that Ritsuka was just probing for answers, and he had inadvertently fell into her trap.
"Calm down Shirou, I knew that she was a Grail a few days after I established the workshop."
"What are your intentions?" Shirou growled at her. He didn't even notice that Miyu was already discovered in just a few days. He was too careless, he knew that Ritsuka was an excellent Magus, so he should've taken countermeasures to prevent her from detecting Miyu's status.
"Nothing." Ritsuka replied coolly.
"Nothing? You're lying! Miyu has the power to grant any wish, and you're saying that you don't want it?!"
"Yes, that kind of thing, I don't need it. How about you, what kind of wish do you have?"
"…" Shirou was silent. 'Should I tell her?' He thought about it and decided that yes, he would tell Ritsuka his dreams, his ideals.
"I want to use Miyu to save the world. To make a world where no one has to get hurt!"
Ritsuka stared at him blankly. Her eyes glazed over in reminiscence as if seeing a faraway land. After light returned to her eyes, she stared directly at him and replied. "Give up on your dream Shirou, that kind of world shouldn't exist." [1]
Shirou was livid, she just rejected his entire way of life, his hopes and dreams were dismi—
"And I can see that you don't actually mean that. After all, you are empty."
Shirou's entire body shivered. He felt as if Ritsuka's gaze was peering to his soul. No, he wasn't empty, he had ideals, he had dreams! He would deny it with every fiber of his being, because if he didn't, he would be…!
"Throw it away Shirou, your way of life. True, it would be difficult to reject everything you believed in. It's scary right? Not knowing what would become of you after that." She solemnly spoke. "But you know Shirou, you could gain so much more than that. To obtain something genuine." [2]
Shirou heard enough, he ran out of the shed, away from Ritsuka's condemning words.
Miyu knew that something went wrong. Shirou bolted out of the shed with a face that she hasn't seen before, one that seems to be anger. She was petrified in place. She didn't know what she should do in this situation. 'Family shouldn't fight.' Her image of what a family should be and the reality in front of her clashed. Was she wrong on what a family is supposed to be? If so, what is the answer?
Whatever the case, Miyu could only wait for what happens next. Her previous wish was granted, just not in the way she expected.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner were suffocating, Miyu never thought that Shirou could show such a cold demeanor to someone, and Ritsuka was acting like nothing happened.
When she is alone with one of them, they act normally. But when they meet the atmosphere became stifling, just like in the dining room.
'I just have to wait, maybe they'll make up with each other.' Miyu hopefully thought. 'After all, they are family.' Her idealized bias allowed her to carry on as if everything were normal.
"I won't push, but I won't budge from my opinion either." Ritsuka said.
Miyu became alert as she heard Ritsuka's voice. Hiding behind a pillar, she strained her ears to eavesdrop on their conversation. A few months have already passed. It seems that their relationship was mending as time goes on. Miyu was glad that she wasn't wrong, that family bonds were as strong as she thought. She can't help but feel envious of such a strong connection.
"I thought about what you said before." [3] Miyu heard Shirou respond. "Even when I realized that what I have is merely a borrowed ideal… I just can't let go of it. Because I don't know any other way to live."
"Give it time, Shirou. I'm confident that you'll find the answer by yourself. Although don't mind if I help a little with your problem."
"Heh, I leave it to you then."
Miyu didn't understand the significance of the conversation that they had, but one thing was for sure: They have finally reconciled.
"School?" Questioned Ritsuka. "Why in the world are they planning to resume classes?"
Even when they gather students from all over Fuyuki city, it was unlikely that they would meet even half the quota for enrollment.
"School… Ah! That's the place where people learn right?" Miyu voiced out.
"That's right Miyu." Shirou stroked her head reflexively.
As Miyu shook off the bliss from Shirou's affection, she asked. "Why does Shirou need to go to school? Ritsuka-san can just teach Shirou everything he needs."
Shirou couldn't deny that Ritsuka would probably be able to teach well, but she didn't have the necessary knowledge to—
"Yeah, whether it's Science, Mathematics, History, or any other subject, I can definitely teach you whatever it is." Ritsuka casually answers.
"Un, Shirou doesn't need to leave the house." Miyu nodded, looking very satisfied with herself.
"Sorry, I can't do that. I'll probably get in trouble for truancy." Shirou said. 'Truancy isn't really the problem, it's the investigation that would follow if I didn't show a valid reason to not go.' He was fine not attending classes, but the attention that would inevitably be placed on him would give all sorts of trouble.
"I see…" Miyu acknowledged with a dejected expression.
Shirou thought about what he could do to cheer up Miyu, but he came up short on ideas, resulting in a depressing atmosphere. Thankfully, it seems that Ritsuka was about to do something about it. She approached Miyu and took her in a hug.
"Don't worry Miyu-chan, think about the bright side." She made her hand run circles around her back. "When Shirou is in school, you can be the one who will cook meals for him when he comes back. You can help Shirou with his assignments while learning at the same time. And you can cook bento for Shirou when he goes to school." With each sentence, Ritsuka was able to improve Miyu's mood.
Shirou wanted to object, he truly did, but Ritsuka's pointed look and Miyu's joyous smile destroyed any hope he had of regaining his kitchen. *Sigh* The things he did for Miyu's happiness… maybe he spoils her too much.
'The school is lifeless.' Sakura thought. The number of students didn't even fill at least two sections per grade level and the students themselves were listless, ditto for the teaching staff. Right now, she was trying to see which club she should join since it was mandatory. As she entered a new club room, she saw him.
'Ah.' A familiar face in the midst of the faceless classmates she has. A person that she grew to love even when their meeting was but a fleeting moment. Emiya Shirou, she unconsciously fostered her feelings for him even without meaning to. And after meeting him, she understood that she loves him with all her being. It was irrational, to love a person who she just met a single time, but for Sakura that was fine. This time, THIS TIME she would finally be able to hold on to her happiness. [4]
"Shirou-san, no, senpai, it's nice to meet you again." She took the initiative, after all, she wanted to express her feelings more, unlike in the sad past that she had.
Shirou was glad that he met Sakura again. This time, she looked more upbeat and expressive, that's a good sign if he saw any. She and one other person could be said to be his only friends in school. Everyone else were in cliques or lethargic.
"Hey, Sakura." It has been months now. Going to school and spending time with his friends, learning more about his own Magecraft, and being taught by… Miyu of all people school related subjects.
"Yes senpai?" He had been thinking about Ritsuka's words before, but he wanted a different perspective. One who was impartial and uninvolved with the entire scenario. And so, he asked one of the people he feels that he could trust this.
"Let's say that the great fire that occurred five years ago happens again, and this time, in a scale that covers the entire world. If you would choose to sacrifice one person to save everyone else. How would you choose?"
Sakura made a pensive expression. "Who are you talking about specifically senpai? Who is this person that would be sacrificed?"
"Hmmm, nobody in particular, it's just a hypothetical question anyways. Let's just say it's your imouto—"
"Imouto." Sakura interrupted. "That's my answer senpai."
"Why?" This was it, the reason for their choice, the thing that he wanted an opinion in.
"Isn't it obvious senpai?" She gave a melancholic smile and said. "It's natural to protect the ones you love right?"
It was such a simple answer, but to Shirou, it contained a great amount of weight. After all this time, Shirou finally realized that losing Miyu would weigh heavier on him than failing to save the world. He didn't need to think about it, he just wanted to protect Miyu, that's all there was to it. He suddenly hugged Sakura.
"Eh?! S-s-senpai?!" Sakura was flustered from the sudden show of affection towards her.
"Thank you, Sakura. I needed that." He broke off his hug. "Sorry, but I need to hurry back home."
"Y-y-yes, s-see you again next t-time, senpai." Her blushing face never abated even as she got home.
He ran, back to his home, back to Miyu, he has something in his heart that he wanted to tell her. He ran even faster as if to shake his doubts about his decision.
'…I don't know if this is the right choice or not.' Good or evil, right or wrong, responsibility and justice, all of them were disregarded. 'But I do know that I won't regret it.' He resolutely believed as he hurried home.
"Miyu-chan, what do you think a family is?" Ritsuka asked Miyu one day.
"Ummm, it's a group of people who are related to each other by blood." Miyu answered with confusion.
"I see, so that's why you never called Shirou onii-chan even when you clearly like him. Miyu, I think you are misunderstanding what a family is." Ritsuka declared. [5]
"Eh, really?" Miyu was quite confused, after all, the dictionary definition of family was the one she just said, albeit a bit paraphrased.
"You don't need to be related to someone to be family you know."
Miyu's worldview was suddenly flipped upside-down. If that was wrong, what does family truly mean?
"I see that you're confused. The literal meaning is correct, but it isn't right either. A family is well… also a group of people who are connected with a strong bond of mutual love. In simple terms, I guess that as long as they want to, anyone can become their family, even if they aren't related by blood."
"R-r-really?" Miyu was delighted, she can finally be part of the family, she can finally call Shirou onii-chan. Her dream was going to come true, but… but…
"Are you thinking that Shirou might not accept?" Asked Ritsuka, baffled by Miyu's insecurity. As she gave a meek nod, Ritsuka told her. "Don't worry too much about it. I'm sure that he will definitely accept you being his imouto. I mean, I already consider you MY imouto you know, so Shirou will definitely agree to it since he loves you even more than me." Ritsuka assured with a bright smile. "By the way Miyu, can you call me onee-chan?" She prompted with stars in her eyes.
"Ah." Miyu thought about it. Ritsuka has always been helping her when an opportunity shows itself, whether it was in her studies, her relationship with Shirou, and all of her encouraging speeches that made her a better version of herself. Yes, she can certainly…
"O-onee-chan" She tested the words in her tongue. It was warm and delightful.
"Ooooooohhhhhhh!" Ritsuka enveloped Miyu in her arms and rubbed their cheeks together. "Sooooo, cuuuuute! With that kind of expression, Shirou is sure to fall!"
Miyu wasn't one to shy from affection, but she can't help but feel that it was quite embarrassing. "Onee-chan, sorry but…"
"I see… don't worry, Shirou isn't going anywhere you know? Just gather your courage, and when the time comes…"
Yes, Miyu would definitely ask Shirou, but that day is not today. She would prepare for it, she would cook Shirou's favorite food, boost her spirit and mind, and beautify herself. With that out of the way, she continued her lessons with Rits—, no onee-chan. Miyu will be teaching Shirou and help with his homework after all.
Months passed by, Miyu never got the courage to do it even after all that time.
[1] Referring to Lostbelt 3 - SIN. Ritsuka knows that if Shirou's wish comes true, the timeline he is in will be pruned away.
[2] She basically says abandon your ideals and obtain normal happiness with Miyu.
[3] Off-screen conversations.
[4] I think that Type-moon girls with tragic backgrounds fall in love too easily, but who am I to say anything about what Nasu and co think?
[5] If I remember correctly, calling someone with onii-chan, onee-chan, otou-san, okaa-san, obaa-san, ojii-san means that they are close, correct me if I am wrong though.
AN:
I implemented the bracket and number to navigate easily. What do you guys think?
School has started, as expected, the number of students are extremely low, and it is the only school in operation in this fanfic.
I REALLY had difficulty with how Miyuverse Shirou reacts to someone who is dissing his dream, the relationship dynamics and dialogue after that event, and the family talk.
The pacing is picking up quickly, the routines and actions are pretty much the same nearly everyday, so I only put in scenes that I think are relevant or new.
Timeskip to September 25
Shirou – 15, 7 months till 16 April 15
Miyu – 8, 10 months till 9 July 20
Sakura – 14, 6 months till 15 March 2