"Look after me. As you know, I'm a bit hopeless"

Giant gears hanging in the desolate clouds. Unlimited number of swords pierced in the barren land. Remarkably, each sword seemed to be pristinely well preserved - at the same time, all of them look dull.

If one where to describe it, it was simply a treasure of lost history.

If He were to describe it; it was like grave markers in a quiet wasteland.

Despite the silence of the lonely place however, an echo can be heard all over the place no matter the distance. It was his baritone voice again, speaking to someone dear.

"Give me a shoulder to lean on."

Overlooking the scenery on top the hill of swords, sat a Guardian on a conveniently protruding rock, lamenting this new piece of information. Not just an information, but a newly acquired memory.

It seems the copy of himself has been summoned in the Holy Grail War. On top of that, it was a capable master that used to be his precious friend.

Rin Tohsaka.To summarize, she was an old friend that he had abandoned over his ideal, to have once again reunited through unique circumstances. And at that moment, it was time for him disappear.

EMIYA has accomplished his goal. There was no right for him to stay in a place where Shirou Emiya is in. Unfortunately, the boy will hold unto his ideal that could possibly lead him to ruin, at the very least however: that boy will live differently from him.

Besides,

—Yeah, I know. I'll do my best I'll try my hardest to make sure he doesn't end up a twisted jerk like you." Tohsaka's voice echoed in his Soul, or rather, his miserable looking Reality Marble.

He has found his answer.

"Don't worry Tohsaka."

He closed his eyes, seemingly content with himself as he indulging in that memory. His copy showing Tohsaka an accepting smile.

I'll try my best from now on, too."

It was a smile imitating that old man. He planned a fake one to reassure Rin, but it seems there was something genuine inching through his expression.

It seems his copy was more satisfied with the outcome than he realized as he reminisce his new memories.

It's funny, making that claim considering his eternal occupation. But what can he do? It is what it is.

For what it is worth, he will try to do his best as he trudges his journey as a Counter Guardian. Who knows, maybe during his missions, he'll find a Magi's Workshop researching something similar to Rule Breaker — one that could possibly get out from the World's contract.

He just didn't expect it to be now though...

"Oh no, Archer-san. Saying those last words is no good, you know~? I wouldn't want someone like you trying his best at killing, don't you agree? You've captured my heart with such a story i've witnessed~! I couldn't let you go after watching that~"

"Who... might you be?" Now he could notify the Counter Force that an anomoly was inside his Reality Marble, but he was curious as to how she has hidden her presence inside his Soul that is quite literally being monitored by Alaya everyday.

'What is she? Is she a Magician like Zelretch?'

"Oh my, apologies for the confusion, Archer-san~ My name is Yukari Yakumo. I am a Yokai, and I would like to extend my offer to you— and trust me when I offer you this. It is NOT a trick nor a scam!" EMIYA raised his brow, seemed more like a scam by the second.

Not to mention, she'd been probably watching him since the start of the Holy Grail based on what just said. A "story" she called, he couldn't tell whether to be insulted or complimented by this Magici—

Ah, his mistake, this Phantasmal classified as 'Yokai'.

Rarely many Yokai he hunted has this much human characteristics and a... unique personality? Granted, he isn't optimized with the nature of Yokai and their attitudes, but neither was he with other humanoid Phantasmals such as Dead Apostles to begin with.

Aside from slaying them fast and efficiently. He couldn't say he knew much about them.

"All you have to do is become my temporary Shikigami and protect Reimu for the rest of her life. Once her lifespan expires, you can choose whether to be freed from the constraints of time or become a True Shikigami serving under me! All you have to do is shake my hand. How about it, Archer-san?"

"So, I'll be serving another master? And when she dies — of old age may I properly add. I'll be freed?" He huffed, as if doubting the terms already, "Tempting offer, however, I can't help but find it hard to believe."

"Oh dear, didn't i say to trust my—

"Last time I did, I became what I am now. What makes you think you're any better — other than being possibly worse than the World itself?"

"It's simple." The Guardian reeled back as the energetic lady closed in on his face, then she pointed her fan at him. "You're EMIYA, not Shirou. Isn't that more than enough for me?"

Yukari then flicked her her fan open and covered her (excited) mouth to present a mysterious vibe — as if overconfident with her answer.

"Care to elaborate...?" EMIYA Incredulous questioned. Genuinely curious as to what she has to say.

"Well, you're the end of that cute boy's ideal. Basically, a old veteran that supposed to retire long ago. He deserves that break, no? As for that boy, a human spirit for happiness isn't something to obstruct. So I can't take him." EMIYA was actually surprised that a Phantasmal comprehended a human's nature that much. Unfortunately for her, the human she's mentioning is far from normal.

'If only that happiness extended to the realm of ordinary; I would not have been here.' The Guardian, lamenting over his mistakes stilling his expression.

Then, the lady crossed her arms and brought her hand to rest on her cheek. Making it appear she's thinking hard of something.

"Hmm, other than those two reason, I don't really have any other motive other than the fact to watch your life until it becomes boring. Not you though, you'll never be~"

"... You're kidding."

Yukari, was in fact, not kidding.

"Fufu, you could say it was a... heat of a moment. Oh my, I shouldn't be saying this~ But I'm actually your fan~ I'm not usually like this, you see? Ran would've fainted seeing me act like this. Kyaa~"

This... This stalker... Is there even a term for this behavior?

"Moving on... Why not Shi— that boy? Though our mindsets are different, we're essentially the same person; the same quirks you might like to poke fun of. I would appreciate if it isn't a vague answer such as the subject of his happiness." Sounding like the whispers of Satan himself, whilst adding a little bit of spite at idiotic boy.

He's not just using this to fuck with that boy in case she does accepts this train of thought. If what she's offering is true, then he's giving him a privilege that's better than the Counter Force.

Truly, this is two birds with one sword.

"It's because you're the Heroic Spirit, EMIYA. Shirou would've taken my proposal if it meant saving anyone, that's boring!" Archer curled his lips, irritated by the fact she's basically imitating Alaya when he was in the verge of despair — Therefore, contracting him. "But if it's you, I can rest at ease while watching you take care of Reimu. After all, Shirou wouldn't hesitate to break the Great Barrier if it meant to save everyone inside of it."

Barrier? Great Barrier... Does she mean the 'Reverse Side of The World'? That leaves even more questions. Were humans being used like those 'slaughter houses' where pigs and cows being processed as food? That's disturbing, even he couldn't controll his furrowed expression.

'Well, they're Yokai, ultimately. They should be considered the same as Dead Apostle. With a little bit of decency at least.'

No wonder this Yakumo lady here implied that Shirou Emiya will cause trouble. But he'll give her the benefit of the doubt, at least. It's been a long time he talked to someone, after all.

"Although, I'm missing some context here. What makes you think I wouldn't?" He asked, probing a reaction.

"I'm confident you won't. In fact, I'll even bet that you'll become a crucial part in Gensokyo. Not just another killer, but actually living up to the role of a Guardian."

"What does that even—"

"Unless you want to be stay like this for the rest of your life~ Then oh well~ it can't be help..." She wipes her (fake) tears with a handkerchief. "An existence such as yourself will only suffer forever, and i truly find it sad. Killing and Killing... Until, you cease to care again..."

Did she just recited what he said to that boy during that confrontation...?

"Surely, you promise to 'try my best from now on', didn't you? I wonder what your copy was implying to Tohsaka back then. Did he really mean it or was it false reassurance perhaps? Hmm~?"

He knew it's just a bait, nontheless, it was grating his nerves. He pinch the nose of his bridge as if actually considering her offer.

Then he hears a a portal-like sound open behind him. (Don't ask how he knows.)

"Hold on..."

Again, this lady was suspicious in more ways than one, he certainly didn't expect her first impression to offer a guy who literally got scammed in the most horrible way possible by the World itself.

What makes her think he will accept this... contract of her's done by a handshake?

Therefore, he did the most asshole thing that only celebrities do on those korean drama shows. One that makes fans heartbroken and betrayed, that they'll surely leave the celebrity out of anger, right?

Truly, Shirou's TV is a saving grace.

He stood up from the protruding rock. Walked towards her. As if steel, resolute in his decision. Yes, as if to accept the terms conditions. Then as if to expect an agreement. EMIYA smirked. It might be the first time being this petty for a long, long time.

Besides, he doesn't have the right among the living anymore. He won't regret this course of action.

"I politely decline. As you can see, I'm already occupied with my occupa—!?

His gesturing hand got clasped. Immediately, it felt like his entire being got burning! This— This felt like an hot iron rod into his arm— Hang on, that sounds oddly familiar.

"Ara? It seems my hands got too excited~ I'm so sorry, it seems you'll have to take a temporary retirement from your work? Hm, I believe the term is called "sabbatical" leave? Whatever, I'm sure you'll be having a satisfying experiencing working here~!"

This eccentric... perso— Phantasamal is really infuriating than the ones he normally encountered!

"Oh, one last thing. There will be consequences if you of all people, cause chaos in Gensokyo... Maybe worse than Alaya itself, fufu~. Anyways, that's all I have to say. Have fun Archer-kun~!"

"You—

Then he is gone. The reality of the wasteland began to tremble.

Yukari wasn't going to stick around, she doesn't want to get caught and be chased by Alaya-chan. Therefore, he'll have to thank and give condolences to Zelretch for this.

"Surely, that remarkable Human will survive this ordeal, fufu."

At another reality. Zelretch sneezed like kingdom come that it shook his space-time Workshop.

"Is this where I say "someone's talking to me"? Heh, must be that ridiculously overpowered Yokai."

All of a sudden, reality started to break. The presence is faintly/painfully familiar... Almost like an amalgamation of human subconsciousness...

That fucking Yokai—

"Oh, very funny, how very funny... Yukari Yakumo!!"

A/N: Leave your comments/reviews below! Staying on character isn't my forte, especially for Touhou characters, so I'd appreciate it if you gave me fun facts about them!