Chapter 53

(Flashback)

A few days ago, she and Berserker had snuck out of the manor, supposedly under the nose of the two maids, though it was really due to Berserker negotiating with them that she'd protect Illya and make sure she didn't expose herself to potential enemies. If Heracles had been summoned, this wouldn't have been allowed before the war started, but since this Berserker possessed no communication disorders and had mostly sane mentality, they were able to go out on a stint in the shopping center at Mount Miyama.

Lugging around six bags of clothes and food, Berserker munched on a kibidango as they walked around the place, ignoring all the suspicious gazes and curious stares thrown at the two of them. Illya went walking from store to store, taking in all they had to offer with greedy eyes and impulsively buying whatever caught her eye, resulting in Berserker's current burden. Berserker wouldn't complain though, as long as her Master was happy, and she had something to eat.

Dressed in the scarf and glasses with the uniform of a classic sailor high school female uniform, she also drew the admiring gazes of both sexes, some checking out her from head to toe, the thigh high tights clinging to the pale white thighs exposed under her blue dress enticingly. Her scarf hid her features as well, making their imaginations run wild as to what her true appearance was like.

Even for a Saberface without Charisma, they still attracted attention wherever they went.

Two men walked up to her, one with bleached blond hair, the other with natural black hair. Their swaggering, toned bodies exuded confidence and charm as they walked up to her like they knew her, wearing a wide, friendly smile on their faces.

"Are you from overseas?"

Berserker's pale skin and pale blond hair, almost to the point of being white, were traits almost unheard of in Japan, not to mention her unearthly yellow eyes.

"Yes." Technically, she was from a different galaxy, but the meaning was similar.

"Is that so? So is this your first time in this area?"

It was an innocent question, and she saw no reason to refuse them information of this degree.

"Yes. Me and my little sister have just arrived in Fuyuki to visit a relative, and we decided to come to the local shopping district to have a look around."

Her toneless voice rehearsed the story they had prepared beforehand in case anybody asked them about their background. After all, it was much easier than casting magecraft on them in broad daylight.

"I see, I see! Then, we can show you around the place for a bit today. We know quite a few good spots for tourists."

The man with blond hair extended an invitation to take them around town, his somewhat handsome features brightening in an effort to appear friendly.

"Ah, those bags look heavy as well. Let us help you carry them."

Showing an act of perceived kindness helped improve their impressions, as well as giving them further incentive to follow them by creating a feeling of indebtedness through providing unsolicited help. This was one of the ploys used by these pickup artists, and it had helped them several times in the past before.

Just as the black haired man was reaching for the blue plastic bags containing the snacks she had bought, Berserker reached out a hand to clutch his wrist, stopping him firmly in place.

"That won't be necessary, thank you very much."

The black haired man tried to break free of her grip, and his face grew perplexed when he failed to do so, the veins in his hand throbbing as he mustered all his strength to pull free.

Failing to notice his predicament, his partner continued to talk to Berserker.

"Hey, we also know a great restaurant for dinner, we'll even treat you to a meal there with your little sister? What do you say to that?"

His grin stretched just a bit wider, stepping slightly closer to create a sense of pressure to accept on the target.

Before Berserker could respond or push him back, a flash of red hair cut in between the two of them, making Berserker release the black haired man's wrist in surprise as well.

"Stop bothering her please. She clearly said no just now to your offer of help."

A young teen stood in front of her, staring at the two older men in defiance.

"Tch, you again? What do you think you are, some kind of hero?"

The blond haired man turned away with his hands in his pockets, the black haired man still staring at his wrist.

"Come on, let's go Tsukasa."

Giving Berserker one last glance, Tsukasa turned around to follow his partner further down the street.

Once they were out of sight, the teen breathed a sigh of relief as he turned to face her.

"Haaah, I can't believe they're still going around the place trying to pick up girls like that. It isn't right to pressure other people into decisions like that."

The teen shook his head in disappointment, having seen the same situation happen before with other people. Then he looked back up at her.

"Don't worry though, there aren't many people like them around here. Most of the folks around the neighbourhood here are pretty friendly once you get to know them, and even those guys from earlier are just a bit too pushy at times."

He smiled as he said so, giving a fond smile when he mentioned the people around them.

"Who are you?"

Berserker was more interested in knowing who he was. Despite the size, age and musculature gap between him and the two men, he had still willingly stood up for her, while everyone else had just walked past them while pretending to not notice.

"Ah, I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Emiya. Emiya Shirou. You can call me Emiya-san if you'd like."

Abruptly, a killing intent rose up behind Berserker.

Threads of white light rose up into the air as they stealthily fashioned into blades, concealed under a curtain of white hair.

Noticing something different in the air suddenly, Shirou sniffed the air as he sensed mana being used near him.

"STOP."

Berserker yelled into her Master's mind with all the strength she could muster, the first time she had ever ordered her to do anything.

Illya, who had been watching the entire exchange from start to finish nearby, froze in shock at the sheer intensity from the mental scream in her mind. Slowly, her Mystic Code deactivated, the white threads falling limp under her hair.

*drip*

Looking down, she saw a droplet of blood, then more and more dropped onto the ground, until she realized she had drawn blood from her palms by gripping her fists too tightly with her fingernails.

"Thank you Emiya-san for standing up for me earlier, but I'm afraid I have to leave right now."

Saying so, she turned around with the multiple bags swaying around and quickly walked away, escaping before he had the chance to say anything else.

He stood there staring at the corner where she had disappeared for a moment, before scratching the back of his head and walking back to the grocery store he was supposed to buy food from. As long as he had helped someone, it didn't really matter if they were grateful or not, and repaying or thanking him were inconsequential things.

Behind the corner where Berserker had disappeared from his sight, Illya was smiling at Berserker as the Servant carried her on her shoulders through the street.

"Thanks for holding me back Berserker."

"It was my duty." After experiencing that small incident, Berserker wondered what kind person Emiya Shirou was, besides being the demon that Illya pictured him to be.

"If I had killed him there, I wouldn't have had the chance to make him suffer like I did."

Well, at least her Master had bounced back pretty quickly.