I was currently in the kitchen eating breakfast.
It has been 19 days since I came here. In the past days. I mainly talked with the people around here. I still did not explore much like that park. I was actually going to that place today and after that it would be about the dinner Miss Taiga invited me for.
After a talk with her she explained the place we were going to have dinner was actually that red boys place. I was wrong in my guess about her being his sister rather she was his caretaker.
After finishing my meal I got up. I was wearing a different suit today. Rather than the usual brown today it was dark blue. It would be rude to go to dinner with how I dress everyday.
Getting out of the house and locking the door I was greeted by a teacher I met at the temple.
"Good morning Mister Kuzuki. As serious as always?" This man never showed emotion on his face. One of those strict teachers but he always listens and helps when he is asked to.
"Good morning to you as well Mister Maxwell. I'm indeed the same as always. Going out everyday must be tiring to you, no? My advice is to not tire out your body much." Hmm indeed as serious as always.
"Hahaha if this body of mine got tired just after that I would put in a lot of work to make it so it doesn't. You don't need to worry about that. How are things going at the temple by the way?"
It's been a few days since I visited. Maybe I should go back there again and see there.
"It's as quiet as always. If you're wondering about the head then let me tell you that he is still healthy. This week he is busy but he said he would be happy if you visited him again" Hmm if he has something to do maybe at the weekend? I should ask the kid about it. He should know more than Mister Kuzuki.
"Well then Mister Kuzuki don't let me take much of your time. You should go to your classes. School bell should be ringing soon. Goodbye."
"Goodbye to you as well, Mister Maxwell." and with that he went on his way. I guess I should also go now.
It's time to visit that Park then. So I started my walk towards the Park. With getting to know the people around for the most part in these recent days most of the people greeted me. I also saw a few new faces too.
As I walked through, I passed through the foreign district. Close to the Fuyuki Park there were also some residents I heard. It seems the owner of the place was known among them but died in an incident where only his daughter was left.
It's truly a sad fate. Visiting her would also make me seem like a creep. She also should be going to academy anyways so let's not think about it much for now. But I should still go visit her later.
As I walked closer and closer to the park the less people I saw.
Just in a minute there were no more people here. Did people really feel tha uncomfortable around here that nobody comes here? At least change the place so it could be used. Seeing the entrance I saw how gloomy everything was.
Trees were dead, everything was in a tone of gray and more. I still could not understand why they say this place is cursed. It still does feel like a normal park. Yeah it does look gloomy but it's because nobody comes here right?
I started walking around the park. There was nothing here, not even an animal. It was lonely here. It was too quiet.
I spotted a bench while I was walking so I went near it and sat down. I walked from one end to the other. It's better to rest this body of mine. Maybe I could also draw something while I came here. It's been a long time since I drew something but one of the guys said he always carries a little notebook and a pen around him so I started to do the same.
I sometimes took notes around, like the most lively places around here and things like that.
"It's really quiet around here right?" Someone?
I turned my head towards my right. There was another guy sitting next to me. Did i really not see him?
"Oh sorry I didn't see you here"
"No, no. It's no problem. Nobody generally comes here anyways so it's nice to see someone here" The person next to me indicated for me to stay.
"Well then, nice to meet you by the way, name is William Maxwell Carter but you can just call me Maxwell"
"Oh the newcomer around here. I heard about you around the people. You made quite the first impression I must say. Name is Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. Nice to meet you too"
"Heh, thanks. So did you watch the match?" This confused the man.
"Match? which match?"
"Hahaha, no. It's a little habit of mine. Anyways, what do you do around here by the way?"
"Ah, just a little look around before my granddaughter comes here. I wanted to check around. It's still the same as ever. I must say I never thought someone else was going to come here in this day and age."
"Oh granddaughter? How old is she to be coming already? From your looks she must be beautiful" Rather basic compliment. He is rather handsome though so there is a truth behind those words.
"Hahaha yeah she has become old enough to go around on her own. She is indeed beautiful, no wonder why. How about you, do you have any grandchildren?" ah yeah…
"I do. A boy just 5 years old. They are pretty far away though. I imagine I won't be able to see them for a while." just 27 years more.
There was no talk between us for a while. We just sat down in this quiet park but it was broken with a request from him.
"You know, I won't be able to help my granddaughter when she comes here. Can you when she comes? She is rather not used to talking with others too and I imagine she will cause quite a lot of trouble for the people around her…" A genuine request. For a guy that looks after his daughter to ask someone else he just met to help her… I guess he can't help her at all.
"Of course. No problem at all." I wrote down my address on a page. Ripping the said page I held it towards the man and he took it from my hand.
"Thanks. There is still quite a while for her to come so don't expect her for the time being."
"Oh how long? and what her name by the way, it would be awkward to learn it later" let me take a note of this
"Around 10 years, her name is Arcueid Brunestud." I stopped writing at that moment. Sorry what?
"10 years?"
"Yeah, I know it's quite long. You can refuse it if you want to." Now man after all that you make it hard for me to refuse. Ahh maybe i will have to stay here longer than necessary.
I guess he can't help her because he will no longer be with us. He doesn't look that old too, maybe cancer?
"Forget about it. I will help." I can't just leave the request of a dying man unfulfilled.
He just smiled after that. It was getting rather late. I should not be late for dinner.
"Well then it was nice to meet with you. I need to go now thought. If you want we can talk later" it is apparent his children are not here right now.
"Hahaha thanks but no. I will be going from here tomorrow. This was actually my last day here. It's nice of you to still offer when I made such a request to you. How about this.." his hand went inside his coat and pulled out a clock. One of those circular ones with chains. ".. i don't have much with me so please take this." he held it towards me as if saying take it.
"I can refuse such a gift. Thank you " I took it. It was a beautiful looking watch with gold access over it.
"Now then, I shouldn't stall you more. It was nice to meet you too, Mister Maxwell. Goodbye"
"Goodbye to you as well Mister Zelretch" I got up and left the park after that. Going for the place Miss Fujimaru told me to.
(Zelretch Pov)
It was wonderful.
Such a meeting that should have been impossible. A person I have no idea of. It was the first time this was happening over all the timelines. This man who doesn't exist in another but this timeline.
Someone who is not tied to anything. I wonder what he is. His actions change the timeline but also it can't be seen by any type of future sight.
I saw many beings but none of them could do what he does. I have many questions but none answered. He does seem to be rather passive and on the kind side.
Thankfully he accepted my request. I wonder how he will change it. Will it stay the same or will there be a new ending? Will he prevent Solomon or will he let him do as he pleases?
He sure is fearful. Giving him the clock made my long stopped heart start beating then stop again. Playing with my emotions like that…
I guess I shouldn't have tried to make a joke on him.
(Maxwell Pov)
Such a weird man but I just couldn't refuse him. Anyways, what's done is done. I will have to think about it later.
Right now let's just go to dinner. It feels like i forgot to do something.. let me check
I pulled out my notebook. It really is useful. I will need to give my thanks to the guy later. Now let's see… go to the park, check. Don't go late, also check. Don't forget to buy a gift… shit.
Hmm i can give them a better taught gift later for now let's just go so i did.
Walking towards the given address I saw the entrance after a while. This place was huge!
It was even bigger than the Tohsaka residence. Coming towards the door I clicked on the bell button. After waiting for a while it opened and I was met with a purple haired girl.
"Hello. Miss Fujimaru invited me for dinner, i hope i'm not late." the gril seemed to think than gave an answer "Mister Maxwell right? come in please, we were just about to start actually."
she opened the door letting me in.
Looking around I must say it's a pretty nice looking place. Following the girl we entered one buildings, the largest looking one among them.
After a while i saw Miss Fujimaru together with the red haired boy Shirou.
"Hello Miss Fujimaru, it seems i came just right" I while taking out my suit. Let's not make it dirty now.
"You indeed did Mister Carter. Please sit, let's not make the food cold." I went towards the table and sat down "Please call me Maxwell. Calling me by my surname sounds weird, It still does not sit well with me."
"If you insist, Mister Maxwell" now there is still the Mister tag. Just Old Man Maxwell is pretty fine too but anyways.
I got served the first, it was looking pretty good.
"İtadakimasu" ah right, me not doing is not rude right?
I took my first bite and it was a blast. This was the best food I've ever eaten. It's just too good. Not even my wife could cook this well.
"This is awesome, Miss Fujimaru. God bless your hands. You could even sell this food around, it's really good" Really this food deserved everything i said.
"Oh Mister Maxwell, you should say those words to Shirou, not me. He is the cook" What? Skipping the fact Miss Fujimaru is not cooking even though she is his caretaker, at this age he can cook this well? such a genius.
"You young man should think about being a chef. You are the best cook i've ever met. Did you go to any cooking programs before?"
"Ah… I may think about it but I have different thoughts in my mind, sir. Thanks for the compliment and to answer your question it's a no. I'm self-taught" Self-taught and this good? amazing.
"Oh what are your future plans? I heard stuff to do with electricity is gonna hit soon."
"Ah sir, well.. It's kinda embarrassing. I was aiming for law and politics in school but well…" let me guess a childish dream?
"No need to be an embarrassed child. I've seen even the childish of the dreams so you can just tell me."
" Well then sir, My dream was to become a Hero of Justice. While people are saying it's impossible in this day and age, I still want to be one" Oh a hero basically.
"There is nothing childish about it, child. Being a hero and inspiring to be one is a good thing. While others may say it's but a childish dream in actuality there are many heroes among us. Most basic one would be soldiers. But there also exist doctors, police and especially sewage workers." this bewildered the young man
"Sewage workers?"
"Of course, child. Think about it. While it doesn't seem like much, the amount of bacteria that are inside the sewers can cause many deaths all around. Don't look down on other's jobs. Everyone is a hero in their own right. For example, let's take your father. He was your hero right? Most childs think their father is their hero as well. You can be a hero any way possible so it's not as childish as you think it is" He was looking at like i hit him in the wrong place
"Sorry did I say something wrong?" this time Miss Fujimaru answered instead of Shirou
"It's that Shirou here lost his father to a sickness so when you mentioned it…"
"Ah sorry boy. I didn't mean to."
"No problems sir. I'm fine, it's been a while anyways." We did not talk about it anymore and continued to eat till we finished it. After leaving the bowl to table Shirou started to collect the dishes.
"How about you little girl. What do you want to be?" this time i turned towards the purple haired one. "Ah also i didn't hear your name, could you tell me?"
"Of course sir. I'm Sakura Matou. I.. I did not really think about what I wanted to be honestly sir." While she was saying this she gave some looks towards Shirou who was now in the kitchen. I see now.
"Don't worry little miss, if you guys are meant to be it will surely happen. Of course this doesn't mean you should stay passive. Give it a chance when you're ready." this made the girl drop his head a little and her ears seemed to get red too. Heh young love.
I talked a bit more with Miss Fujimaru and Shirou too. Little Sakura did not speak much.
"Hmm it seems to be getting late, I should probably go back now. Let me not disturb you guys anymore ". The last part was mainly towards the little sakura as I turned my head towards her and winked my one eye.
"Ah sir I should show you out" Shirou got up from where he was standing before Miss Fujimaru could.
I wore my suit back again and took back my cane. After we got out the building while we were walking back towards the entrance Shirou asked me a question
"Ah sir, you remember how I said I wanted to be a Hero of Justice right?" now what is this…
"Sure, I may be old but not that old" this got a little smile from him
"You see sir actually I wanted to be someone that saves other, rather psychically. Like the heroes from the tales. This was the reason it was embarrassing." ohhh. I see now.
"Hmm that is quite the hard thing to achieve buuut it's possible. You will be a criminal, will be cursed on, will need to kill a lot of people for that you know? For example you could try to prevent war but it will cost a lot. You will also won't be able to escape killing normal people. Everyone will be blamed." This made the kid stay silent for a while. I will say not all of these are true but it's the highest possibility from what i think.
"Personally I would be against you going this way Shirou. Especially if you were my kid. I would try everything I have to change your mind even a little bit but if you really want to do it… go all the way. Never be ashamed of what you did. Maybe it was wrong and it will be but never stop mid way. Never doubt yourself. You will destroy yourself, destroy others but in the end you will try what you thought was best for the people." He was looking at me with his eyes open. I hope I'm not doing something wrong and he will turn into another path.
"My advice to you little Shirou. Be selfish. Every hero is a selfish one. They save people because they want to, not because they were asked to. Protect the people you hold close to rather than others, this will make your journey way easier. They will prevent you from faltering. Take the old heroes for example. Since you wanted to be like them, first look at their lives. Gilgamesh becomes the hero for humanity because he cares about others more than himself. He becomes their king, shows them the way. But even then he gets a friend and losing that single friend almost brakes him. He goes on a long journey to find a meaning but in the end he manages to become a hero and a king. He is one of the best examples you can follow. On the other hand there are heroes like Sigurd who helps others no matter what and leaves his wife. Do not ever become like him. He is but a tragic hero."
"But sir isn't being selfish, just the opposite of what a hero is?" this kid, did he even listen to me.
"Tell me Shirou why do you want to be a hero"
it seems he was debating whether to tell me or not
"Well it was my Father's dying wish. It's the only thing I have of him and I want to do it. It's not just that too, whenever i help other i feel just happy"
"See you are selfish"
"Huh? what?" he really doesn't get it.
"You still don't see it? You are selfishly taking your fathers wish trying to fulfill it because it's the only thing left of him. You are helping others because you want to be happy too. This is why being selfish is a requirement. Be too selfish about making others happy then you will be like King Arthur or Sigurd in the end betrayed but not so much and you become King Gilgamesh who is known as one of the greatest heroes. You still need to take care of yourself and people close to you or you will break. Don't let yourself break because of the pressure."
"Think about it carefully Shirou. You still have quite a lot of time so think carefully. Think about what Miss Fujimaru will think after you leave them. She cares much about you, don't break her heart. I will be going now, you should also get inside before it gets cold. Goodbye little Shirou"
I walked out of the residence after that. Shirou was still standing still after my talk. I admit it was not great but I hope he can see that this way will only be harming himself.
It was too late. I just teleported inside my bedroom. Undressing myself, once again I got inside the bed.
Today was quite the day.
—-
I tried? Funnily enough I was talking about King Arthur and Gilgamesh with my father today so that's the reason I wrote about them. While not much it's still something. Sorry if I butcher the characters and the timeline by the way.