...Might be one shot? IDK, what you guys think?

Ahnenerbe. A cafe with an unusual charm, whispered about among those who know.

The staff? All with cat ears and tails, a quirk that's oddly fitting for such an otherworldly place.

The cafe appeared during the events of the 5th Carnival Festival, a spectacle that was supposed to be held in Fuyuki every 60 years—but somehow took place a decade earlier, right after the 4th.

It was a competition of fourteen participants, seven Masters and their strange yet powerful partners.

Or so the mundane believed.

In truth, it was a gathering of seven magi, competing for an artifact said to grant any wish. Its name? The Holy Grail.

But when victory was claimed, the "winner," staring at the wreckage left in the Grail War's wake, made a choice no one expected.

As he walked through the smoldering ruins, his footsteps echoed. Dust and smoke curled around him as he approached the Grail, now materialized in all its ominous glory. Its power pulsed, beckoning, but his resolve didn't falter.

He raised his hand. In his grip, a sword appeared, shimmering with conviction.

"Just because of this—!"

With a powerful swing, he cleaved the Grail in two.

But what happened next defied all logic.

While the other participants shouted in shock, something… a cat girl emerged from the grail with a puff. materialized from the split Grail. Out of the gleaming, cleaved remains, a sleek, futuristic rocket emerged, its metal glinting under the fading sunlight.

And from the rocket, countless cat-eared girls… Or, were they girls?

Their faces, strangely familiar, bore a resemblance to the cat-eared waitress of the Ahnenerbe cafe, which by now was being carried along with him. As the last of the girls boarded the rocket, the hatch sealed with a decisive hiss, cutting off his bewildered cries.

And then, they were gone.

—well, they returned to the cafe after being stranded on a beach for a few nights, failing to fix the rocket.

The Ahnenerbe cafe, with its surreal staff and peculiar charm, always held a lively atmosphere whenever it was open.

After the whirlwind events of the 5th Holy Grail War, Neco-Arc gathered the Ahnenerbe cafe staff to share a decision that had everyone in a reflective mood. The staff was leaving, returning to their own world. As they prepared to depart, Neco-Arc called Shirou aside with her usual mischievous grin.

"Yo, Shirou–nyaa!" she greeted, waving an envelope in front of his face. "Got something for you from the big guy. Y'know, the manager—nyaa."

Shirou blinked, surprised. "George-san? He never really… well, I guess he was always kind of mysterious."

With a dramatic flair, Neco-Arc handed him the envelope. "He's like that nyaa. But don't worry your spiky little head about it nyaa!" she said, winking. "Now, c'mere!"

Before Shirou could react, Neco-Arc lunged forward and wrapped her arms around him in a surprisingly warm hug.

Shirou's eyes widened. "Neco-san…?"

"It was fun, Shirou," she murmured with a laugh, the playful edge softened just a bit. "You know, for all the chaos and explosions. I'll miss ya nyaa, 'Master.'"

Across the room, Neco Chaos's mouth dropped open. He nudged Neco Destiny. "Hey, did you see that? Neco-Arc's hugging him! Since when did they get so close?"

Neco Destiny arched an eyebrow, whispering, "Maybe she's had a change of heart. Or maybe—just maybe—spring has finally come!"
"Hnhnhn" to which Neco Bubbles nodded a few times.
Meanwhile Evolution kept clicking his camera and saying something about commemoration of spring or something.

"What spring nyaa?" Neco-Arc snapped over her shoulder, hands on her hips, before quickly returning to her composed self. "I'm just being… polite nyaa. For once. And You!" her finger then pointed towards Evolution who seemed to be startled at being called out.
"If you don't stop that i'll break all you're camera nyaa!"
"W-Why?" evolution was about to protest, showing his rare moments of courage, yet when he looked up from his camera and saw Neco-arc's menacing appearance, his protest stuck to his throat and he dejectedly put it down.

Shirou chuckled, trying to suppress a smile. "Thanks, Neco. You guys made this… a lot more memorable."

One by one, the other staff members stepped forward, each offering their own peculiar goodbye.

Neco Chaos gave him a playful salute. "Don't think we're leaving for good, Emiya boy. We'll pop by now and then till the next carnival, just to keep things interesting. Y'know, gotta keep you on your toes!"

Neco Evolution rolled his eyes but smiled. "G-Good luck running this place without us, S-Shirou. Don't let it burn down in a week."

Neco Destiny looked like she was holding back tears. "Be careful, Shirou! And make sure you feed everyone well!"

"Hnnhnhn" Neco Bubbles nodded in agreement to the others while patting him in the back.

Finally, Neco-Arc pointed at him with a grin. "And remember, we're always just a dimensional portal away nyaa! Though, you might have to be careful opening that door during a full moon nya."

Shirou nodded, a lump forming in his throat. "Take care, everyone."

With one last wave, the Neco team turned and headed toward the door. But just as they reached it, Neco Chaos turned back and smirked. "Oh, and Shirou? When we visit, we expect free parfaits."

Shirou gave a wry smile. "Deal."

As the door closed behind them, Shirou let out a long breath, glancing down at the envelope in his hand. Moving behind the counter, he took a seat and opened it carefully.

Inside, a letter written in elegant handwriting read:

"Dear Shirou,

First, I apologize for springing this on you. But I have my reasons—and I think you'll understand soon enough.

As you emerged as the 'winner' of this… unique Grail War, I've decided that the Ahnenerbe Cafe should be entrusted to you for now. It's a place for the unusual, the strange, and the unexpected—which, by now, I trust you can handle.

So Rejoice, young Emiya! You are now the Acting owner of the Ahnenerbe Cafe. May it bring you as many challenges, laughs, and surprises as it did me. After all, someone has to keep it running, and who better than a hero of justice?

Take good care of it. And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll see me on the other side of the counter.

Best wishes,

—By George Z."

Shirou blinked, a smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "Running the Ahnenerbe… huh. Well, guess it's just another kind of adventure."

And from somewhere in the distance, he could almost hear the familiar, mischievous laughter of Neco-Arc echoing through the cafe, like a promise of many chaotic days yet to come.

With the staff gone and the cafe now silent, Shirou took a deep breath, glancing around at the empty tables and dimmed lights. For the first time, he was alone in the Ahnenerbe—his Ahnenerbe.

Looking down at the envelope in his hand, he felt a sense of quiet determination well up in him. Rolling up his sleeves, he found one of the cafe's signature aprons and slipped it on, its familiar cat-eared emblem feeling almost like a badge of honor now. He started by wiping down the counter and polishing the glasses, moving with a calm efficiency. Each glass gleamed under the soft cafe lights, reflecting back fragments of memories from countless absurd yet heartfelt encounters he'd had here.

Once he finished, he decided to treat himself to a moment of quiet. Shirou moved to the coffee station, running his fingers over the espresso machine and taking in the earthy scent of freshly ground beans. He measured the coffee precisely, filling the portafilter, pressing it down with a smooth, practiced motion, then securing it in place with a gentle twist. The hum of the machine filled the cafe as he pressed the button, starting the brew.

As the espresso poured into the cup, rich and dark, he watched the coffee ripple as it settled, filling the air with warmth and a hint of chocolate. He placed a small kettle on the stovetop, heating milk until tiny bubbles began to form at the edges. Pouring the milk into a frothing pitcher, he whisked it until it reached a perfect, creamy texture, silky and smooth. He gently poured the milk over the espresso, creating a delicate swirl on top of his drink—a latte art heart, a touch of warmth in an empty room.

He inhaled deeply, appreciating the aromatic blend of coffee and milk, then poured himself a cup. Just as he brought it to his lips, the familiar ding of the bell at the entrance door broke the stillness.

Setting his cup down, he turned toward the entrance, instinctively slipping into a welcoming smile. "Welcome to Ahnenerbe," he called, his voice carrying a warmth he hadn't realized he was capable of.

As he stood by the counter, ready to welcome whoever had stepped through the door, something shifted quietly within him. He felt a sense of calm resolve settle in—a feeling that this place, with all its quirks and mysteries, was now his to take care of. Whatever strange encounters lay ahead, this was his beginning as the new keeper(temp) of Ahnenerbe.

TO BE CONTINUED~...OR NOT?