[You started trying to instill in Elysia the concepts of "life and death" and "parting," but for some reason, every time you were about to discuss this topic with her, she would find all kinds of reasons to run away from your eyes.]
[You feel a little helpless. Although you haven't doubted Elysia because of this, after going through this, you understand that you were a little too hasty.]
[After all, not everyone is like you, who became accustomed to death at a very young age.]
[Elysia is not a magician either. She is different from you, and under normal circumstances, she doesn't need to grasp the concept of "death" at such a young age.]
[You can't help but recall what Kiritsugu once taught you.]
[Since you've learning magic, there is the possibility of self-destruction, and when necessary, you may have to fight against other magicians.]
[As a magician, the first thing you must do is come to terms with death.]
[But after saying these words, Kiritsugu also told you more than once that, for a person, it is a very sad thing.]
[At that time, you couldn't fully comprehend what Kiritsugu meant, but after experiencing the joys and sorrows of being a parent, you finally understood.]
[Perhaps Kiritsugu, at that time, just like you now, didn't want his children to have such awareness.]
[Moreover, even if you instill these concepts in Elysia now, it is truly too early for a five-year-old like her.]
[In the end, you convinced yourself and temporarily let go of the idea of continuing to discuss these matters with Elysia.]
[You returned to your previous life, and when you completely abandoned the plan to discuss these things with Elysia, the child seemed to sense something. She had a bright expression on her face and became more relentless in sticking to you.]
[The simulated entity became even more attached to you.]
[The simulation time was extended by one year.]
[In this manner, time continued to pass quickly in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.]
[After two years, Elysia, who was about to turn seven, finally surpassed you in height.]
[The moment she realized she was taller than you, Elysia became extremely excited.]
"I'm finally taller than my mother!"
At noon, in the kitchen, Elysia stood behind Emiya Shiro, wearing a pure smile on her lovely face. Standing on her tiptoes, she incessantly stroked Emiya Shirou's hair with her small, white, and immature palms.
"Yes, yes, our lovely Elysia has finally grown taller than me. Congratulations, congratulations."
Shirou Emiya, who had long grown accustomed to little girl calling him "Mom" in private, held a kitchen knife. He had a resigned expression as he sliced a piece of ribs on the cutting board. To the left of the ribs, there was a small pile of minced garlic, and to the right, a small bowl of pre-prepared sauce.
"Alright, I'm happy for you, but now it's time to leave me alone. I can't cook properly if you keep standing here like this."
Elysia couldn't help pouting in dissatisfaction.
"I'm already taller than my mother, so why are you still treating me like a child? Hmph! I'm angry!"
"Being angry won't change anything. No matter how tall you
are, for me, you'll always be a little girl who can't grow up." Emiya Shirou turned his face to the side, casting a disdainful glance at Elysia, his expression saying, "If you think being taller than me makes you equal to me, I advise you to give up on that idea."
"Huh~~"
Elysia placed her hands on her hips, shook her head, and fixed her gaze on Emiya Shirou's not-so-wide back. Suddenly, she seemed lost in thought.
"Okay, if you're not busy, help me light the gas stove over there." Emiya Shirou energetically chopped the ribs on the cutting board and placed them in the pressure cooker, which was already filled with water.
"If you keep standing behind me like this, I won't be able to move, and you'll end up having no lunch."
"..."
"Elysia?"
After waiting for a long time without receiving a response, Emiya Shirou couldn't help but sigh. He took a breath, set down the kitchen knife, turned around, and called Elysia's name.
"I already told you not to stand here..."
Before Emiya Shirou could finish his sentence, his face was suddenly slapped by a pair of hands.
"???"
Before the unsuspecting Emiya Shirou could react, darkness suddenly covered his forehead.
The next second.
Bang! Accompanied by a painful sound.
His forehead fiercely collided with the other person's forehead without any barriers.
"Ouch! That hurts!"
Dazzling stars danced before his eyes.
Emiya Shirou held his forehead, squatted down with a gasp, his eyes watering uncontrollably.
"What... what were you thinking!!!"
Shirou Emiya's question was destined to go unanswered.
Because after hitting him hard, Elysia dashed out of the kitchen as if fleeing.
She returned to her bedroom, slamming the door shut, and then leaned against it, her reddened forehead pressed against the wooden surface. Slowly, she slid down to the floor.
...When she was standing behind Emiya Shirou in the kitchen just now, looking at his far-from-broad back, two contrasting and opposing emotions surged within Elysia's heart. Struggling, they emerged in her mind.
"Hate... why do I feel this way..."
Her cheeks turned even rosier than the forehead she had flushed on her own.
Her heart raced.
...She has become taller than her "mother," who had always taken care of her. The moment she realized this, a tremendous fear exploded in Elysia's chest.
After all, if her "mother" remained the same and never grew up, the distance between "mother" and "herself" would undoubtedly grow wider in the days to come.
However, before the emotions of fear and sadness completely overwhelmed her, a stronger desire suddenly extinguished those fears.
If one day she became bigger than her little "mother," could she use her greater power to keep him by her side?
A wish to be with "Mom" forever. Who one day, might leave her reality.
As the two desires conflicted and clashed, Elysia could only choose one course of action.
—She was only contemplating it.
A twisted desire flashed through Elysia's chest.
However, Elysia herself promptly suppressed this twisted desire.
No.
"Mother" had never taught her such a thing.
Forcing others to act was wrong.
This twisted desire was undoubtedly a mistake.
Yet, even though she had learned all this knowledge, the desire itself took advantage of the void, infiltrating her pure heart, and took root in its deepest recesses.
