So~ Yeah, I guess imma continue this. I can't believe no light for the damned lost to this one in follows and favs lol.
anyways, made this to polish my writing for my main.
Asuna Yuuki walked through the city streets, her school bag slung over one shoulder, her grip on the strap tight. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the pavement, but she barely noticed. Her thoughts were elsewhere—lost in the quiet storm that had been brewing inside her for weeks.
To anyone who saw her, she looked like the perfect picture of a well-brought-up young woman. The elegant uniform, the straight posture, the polite nods to passersby. A daughter of the prestigious Yuuki family had to uphold a certain image. Perfection, discipline, excellence—words that had been drilled into her from the moment she could remember.
She should have been heading home. Dinner at the Yuuki estate was a formal affair, and her mother expected her to be punctual. But the thought of sitting through another evening of expectations, polite conversation, and subtle critiques made her chest feel tight.
Lately, she had begun to wonder—was this all there was to her life?
Her grades were flawless. Her manners impeccable. Her schedule filled with lessons and obligations. And yet, for all of that, she felt… restless.
It was a feeling she couldn't quite explain, only that it had been growing stronger. A sense of something missing, something just beyond her reach.
Maybe that was why her feet kept moving, even as the familiar streets faded into less familiar ones. Maybe that was why she let herself wander.
She wasn't sure how long she walked before she noticed it—a small café, tucked between two buildings like it had always been there, waiting for someone to find it.
Ahnenerbe.
The name was written in an old-fashioned script on the sign above the door. The windows glowed warmly from within, the kind of light that made a place feel lived in, welcoming.
She paused, her fingers tightening slightly on her bag strap. She didn't normally stop at places like this. Her outings were always planned, approved, structured.
But right now, she wanted something different.
A moment of quiet. A moment that was hers alone.
Before she could second-guess herself, she stepped forward and pushed open the door.
The bell above the door chimed softly as Asuna stepped inside.
Warmth wrapped around her, a contrast to the cool evening air outside. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and something faintly sweet lingered in the air. The interior had a cozy yet slightly surreal charm—like a place that existed outside of time. The wooden tables, the neatly arranged chairs, the soft glow of the hanging lights—it felt almost too peaceful, too untouched by the rush of the city just beyond the door.
Her steps were hesitant at first. It was empty, save for one person behind the counter.
A young man, perhaps a few years older than her, wearing an apron with a cute cat embroidered on it over casual clothes. His hair was slightly messy, his posture relaxed yet focused. In one hand, he held a steaming cup of coffee held in front of his lips as if he was about to drink yet stopped as he heard the chime of the bell, signaling the entrance of a customer.
He glanced up, noting her presence before setting his cup down, then gave her a welcoming smile.
"Welcome to Ahnenerbe," he said, his voice steady, calm. Not overly enthusiastic, but not cold either. Just… a warm and welcoming smile.
Asuna instinctively straightened, her years of etiquette training snapping into place like a well-oiled machine. She opened her mouth, ready to deliver the standard 'Good evening, I would like a table for one, thank you,' but somehow, all that came out was—
"Ah… thanks."
So much for eloquence.
She cleared her throat, scanning the chalkboard menu behind him. It wasn't a huge selection, but something about it felt deliberate. Thoughtful. Not just generic café fare, but the kind of menu where every item had a reason to be there.
Shirou—according to the simple name tag pinned to his apron—watched her without pressing. He didn't throw out the usual 'Can I get you something?' or 'Would you like a recommendation?' He just let her exist in the silence, which was… unexpected.
And oddly nice.
"Do you have tea?" she asked finally.
He nodded, taking another sip of his coffee like a man completely unbothered by the weight of the world. "Yeah. Any preference?"
Asuna hesitated. Normally, tea at home was chosen for her. Always sophisticated, always curated, never a choice she made herself.
"…Something calming."
He hummed in thought before nodding again. "Alright. I'll bring it to your table."
She blinked. No follow-up questions, no 'Would you like herbal or black or green or one infused with the tears of a mountain sage?' Just simple, unquestioning acceptance.
She picked a table by the window a few steps beside the counter, setting her bag down beside her. Outside, the city continued in its endless, restless rhythm. Inside, everything remained still.
At the counter, Shirou moved with practiced ease, reaching for a container of loose-leaf tea. The faint floral scent drifted upward as he measured it out, boiling the water with quiet precision. His movements were efficient but unhurried, like someone who had done this a thousand times yet still found meaning in the small ritual of it all.
He had seen people like her before—the ones carrying something heavy, even if they didn't say it aloud. The ones who needed a pause, even if they didn't realize it themselves.
As the water reached the perfect temperature, he poured it over the tea leaves, letting the steam curl into the air. After a few minutes, he removed the leaves, the liquid now a rich amber hue. A simple preparation, but done with care.
He carried the tray to her table and set it down with quiet precision. "Chamomile and lavender," he said. "Good for stress."
Asuna looked up, momentarily caught off guard by how easily he had read her. She glanced at the cup, then back at him.
"…Thank you."
He nodded, then returned to the counter, giving her space.
She wrapped her hands around the cup, letting the warmth seep into her fingers. Slowly, she lifted it to her lips and took a careful sip.
It was good. Smooth, with a faint floral sweetness that lingered just enough. The kind of drink that didn't demand attention but simply existed, offering quiet comfort.
She exhaled, unaware she'd been holding her breath.
"…It's perfect."
Across the room, Shirou sipped his coffee and gave a small, satisfied nod. "Of course it is."
Asuna narrowed her eyes slightly. "…Do you say that about everything you make?"
"Only when I know I'm right."
She stared at him, half-irritated, half-impressed. He met her gaze with an expression so naturally composed that she couldn't tell if he was serious or just impossibly smug in a low-key way.
Maybe wandering off the expected path wasn't so bad after all.
And then—
BANG!
The door to Ahnenerbe slammed open with the force of a declaration, the bell above it clanging in protest.
Asuna nearly jumped in her seat, her hands gripping the cup tightly to keep from spilling.
A figure stepped inside, his presence impossible to ignore.
Gold.
That was her first thought.
For a moment, Asuna could only stare.
The man—no, this person—stood in the doorway like he expected the world to acknowledge his arrival. Every part of him radiated self-importance, from the way his crimson eyes lazily scanned the room to the sheer confidence in his stance. His golden hair practically gleamed under the café lights, as if refusing to be anything less than dazzling.
And his outfit.
A black leather jacket with a white shirt underneath. He wore black pants, but even those seemed extravagant in how perfectly tailored they were. Who even dressed like that?
Asuna blinked, struggling to process whether this was a real person or some escaped idol.
Meanwhile, Shirou, still behind the counter, barely spared him a glance.
"...Of course it's you," he muttered, the words heavy with exhaustion.
There was no surprise in his tone. No curiosity, no greeting—just a resigned acceptance, like a man who had just watched the inevitable ruin his day.
Asuna turned to Shirou, suddenly far more interested in his reaction than the bizarre new arrival.
A few minutes ago, this was the same person who had welcomed her with calm professionalism, who had brewed tea with quiet care, who had given off an air of patience and quiet attentiveness.
Now?
His shoulders had slumped, his hands gripped the counter slightly tighter, and the sigh he let out carried the weight of experience.
This had happened before. Many times, before.
And that realization—that contrast—was strangely amusing.
Asuna found herself sitting a little straighter, watching with growing curiosity.
The golden intruder stepped forward, taking in the room with an air of absolute entitlement. His smirk widened.
"Hmph! Watch your tone when speaking to me Mongrel!"
Shirou pinched the bridge of his nose, inhaling deeply. "What do you want, Gilgamesh?"
"How rude. Is that any way to address a king?" Gilgamesh huffed, dramatically tossing the sides of his open jacket like a cape. "I demand to be treated with the respect I am due!"
Shirou exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Alright, so why are you actually here, Gilgamesh, are you ordering or not?"
Gilgamesh took a slow, deliberate step forward, his smirk widening as if he were about to unveil some grand proclamation. "Faker, you should feel honored! I have graced your lowly establishment with my presence, and now, you shall prepare for me a drink worthy of a king!"
Shirou hummed, barely listening. His mind drifted back to earlier that day, just before arriving at the café.
A park.
A golden-haired child, swinging his legs on a bench.
An annoyingly cryptic remark.
"A true king never asks twice, Onii-san. He will take what he deemed worthy… and if it's particularly sweet?… That would be amusing, wouldn't it?"
Shirou's brow twitched. He hadn't thought much of it at the time. But now…
Without a word, he turned, moving behind the counter with smooth efficiency.
Gilgamesh waited, arms crossed, an expectant air about him. "Hmph. See that you put effort into—"
A glass slid onto the counter in front of him with practiced precision.
A tall, elegant serving of…
Strawberry milkshake.
Gilgamesh froze. His crimson eyes flicked from the pink concoction to Shirou's utterly blank expression. His smirk twitched.
"...Faker." His voice was dangerously slow. "What… is this?"
Shirou leaned against the counter, propping his chin on one hand. "A drink. You wanted one, didn't you?"
"A king does not drink something so—so frivolous!" Gilgamesh scoffed, as though personally offended by the mere sight of it. "This is an insult! A mockery! You dare to serve me something so unbecoming—?!"
Shirou raised an eyebrow. "So you don't want it?"
A tense silence.
Gilgamesh clicked his tongue. His fingers twitched slightly, and his gaze flickered toward the milkshake.
He wouldn't.
He absolutely wouldn't.
And yet…
With a sharp, defiant motion, Gilgamesh seized the glass and took a slow, deliberate sip.
The room was silent.
Shirou said nothing.
Asuna said nothing.
Gilgamesh set the glass down with a firm clack against the counter.
"...Hmph. Acceptable."
Shirou blinked.
Asuna stared.
Then, a small giggle escaped her, unable to contain herself at the sheer absurdity of the situation.
Gilgamesh turned to her sharply. "You dare to laugh, girl?!"
Shirou, deadpan, took the opportunity to grab a dishcloth. "So, you're finishing it, then?"
"Silence, Faker!" Gilgamesh huffed, crossing his arms—but he didn't push the drink away. "Be grateful I have deigned to accept this… lowly tribute!"
Shirou scoffed, but there was a slight tug on his lips. "Right."
Asuna shook her head, now managing to control herself not to appear rude, yet there was a slight smile on her lips as she sipped her tea.
Shirou sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright, so why are you actually here, Gilgamesh?"
Shirou crossed his arms, watching Gilgamesh's unimpressed expression as he continued sipping the milkshake despite his earlier protest.
"what?" Shirou asked, voice even. "You were just bored and decided to drop by?"
Gilgamesh froze mid-sip. His crimson eyes slowly lifted, locking onto Shirou with something between disbelief and offended grandeur.
"Bored?" he repeated, setting his glass down with an exaggerated clack. "You think I, the King of Heroes, would lower myself to visit this lowly establishment out of sheer boredom?!"
Shirou raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you?"
"Fool!" Gilgamesh snapped, flipping his hair back with an unnecessary amount of flair. "You fail to grasp the magnitude of my presence! I have come to witness the birth of a comedy!"
Shirou blinked.
Asuna, still seated at her table, gave him a sidelong glance, eyes shining with curiosity.
Gilgamesh smirked, as if that explained everything. Then he leaned back, sipping his milkshake again like a smug cat.
Shirou exhaled through his nose. "Yeah, that clears up nothing."
But before Shirou could inquire further, the bell at the entrance jingled again.
The person who stepped in was… underwhelming, at least compared to the golden self-proclaimed king.
A teenage boy, around Shirou's age, shuffled inside with hunched shoulders, wearing a zip-up hoodie over a plain T-shirt, along with a pair of sweatpants that looked like they hadn't seen a washing machine in days. He had the distinct air of someone who had barely been outside, blinking as if the lighting was too much for him.
His brown hair was slightly messy, and his expression wavered between nervousness and exhaustion. Under one arm, he clutched a plastic shopping bag from a nearby electronics store.
The boy paused just inside the doorway, eyes flicking around the café, clearly debating whether to step in further or just turn back and leave.
Asuna tilted her head slightly, curious. Shirou, however, smoothly shifted into his usual role.
"Welcome to Ahnenerbe," he greeted, his tone calm and inviting. "Take a seat wherever you like."
The boy hesitated for a second before awkwardly shuffling to the nearest empty table. His movements were stiff, like he wasn't used to being in places like this—like social interaction itself was some tedious chore.
Gilgamesh, meanwhile, set his cup down and leaned back, watching the newcomer with interest.
Shirou stepped out from behind the counter, holding a water jug and a glass cup, approaching the table with a warm attitude, somewhat contrasting to what he displayed towards Gilgamesh. "Water?"
The boy flinched slightly at being addressed directly but nodded. "Uh… yeah."
Shirou gave a small, reassuring smile, then pour him some water. "No rush. Just take your time looking at the menu."
The boy shifted, glancing around again before hesitantly picking up the menu. His fingers tapped the edge of the plastic, his posture still tense. He wasn't used to this—he probably hadn't gone out for food in a long time. Maybe ever, at least not alone.
Shirou didn't push.
Instead, he gave him space, walking back behind the counter.
The boy exhaled, shoulders loosening just a little as he skimmed the menu.
Gilgamesh smirked, eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Hmph. this one is quite the shut-in—but I must say, his destiny is perhaps the most hilarious I have seen in a while."
Shirou shot him a look. "You're not about to mess with him, are you?"
"As if I would waste my efforts on something so minor," Gilgamesh scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "No, I am simply here to enjoy the show."
Shirou frowned, glancing back at the boy, who was now studying the menu with a bit more focus.
With a sigh, Shirou picked up his coffee, which by now had become warm. Whatever this was about, he had a feeling, things were only going to get weirder from here.
The boy sat stiffly at his table, fingers still tapping at the menu's plastic cover. His eyes darted around the café, as if he was half-expecting someone to point at him and ask what the hell he was doing here.
It wasn't like he frequented places like this. If anything, he usually avoided them. Social interaction had never been his strong suit—not that he was bad at it per se, but rather, he preferred the comfort of his room, where he could game in peace without the exhausting presence of other people.
He hadn't even planned to be here.
It had all started with him going out to buy a new game. A limited-edition release—one of those titles he had been hyping himself up for over the past few weeks. The kind that would keep him occupied for days, maybe weeks, providing a nice escape from the tedium of real life.
The purchase had gone smoothly. But as he was heading home, he was tired and with the hot summer sun he needed a shade to cool off.
Maybe it was just the fact that he had actually gone outside for once, making everything feel unfamiliar. Or maybe it was the way his feet had carried him without thinking, down a street he didn't quite recognize, until he found himself in front of this place.
Ahnenerbe.
The name was unfamiliar, and yet, standing outside the door, he had felt the strangest pull—
He had nearly walked away. But before he could, the door had opened with the lightest chime, the warm scent of coffee and something nostalgic spilling into the cool air.
And now, here he was, sitting awkwardly at a table, trying not to overthink everything.
Across the room, Asuna watched him for a moment, then turned her attention back to Shirou. She noticed how naturally he handled the situation—how he gave the newcomer space, allowing him to settle in at his own pace without overwhelming him. It was a subtle kindness, one she hadn't expected but found oddly fitting.
Shirou approached the boy's table again, casual and easy. "Ready to order?"
The boy hesitated. He had been so focused on his surroundings that he hadn't actually looked at the menu properly. His eyes flicked downward, scanning the options, before he muttered, "Uh… orange juice, I guess."
Shirou nodded. "Got it. Anything to eat?"
The boy glanced at the menu again, uncertain. Normally, he wouldn't bother ordering food. He usually just grabbed convenience store meals or whatever required the least amount of effort. But something about the warm atmosphere made him second-guess himself.
"Uh… what do you recommend?" he asked, voice quieter than before.
Shirou smiled slightly. "Depends on what you like. Something light? Something filling?"
The boy fidgeted, debating. "Something… easy to eat."
Shirou nodded. "How about a sandwich? I make a pretty good ham and cheese melt."
There was something reassuring about how simply Shirou presented it—no pressure, no expectation. Just an offer.
"Yeah," The boy mumbled. "That sounds fine."
As Shirou walked back toward the counter, Gilgamesh let out an amused chuckle.
"Interesting," the golden-haired king mused. "So even a shut-in can be coaxed into the world with the promise of sustenance."
The boy stiffened slightly at the remark, throwing Gilgamesh a wary glance. He hadn't paid much attention to the other customers before, but now that he got a better look, something about this guy screamed trouble.
Blonde, smug, draped in some ridiculous black and gold jacket, sitting like he owned the entire café. The kind of person The boy instinctively avoided—mostly because dealing with guys like that was never worth the headache.
But more than that, something about the way the blonde ikemen was looking at him was weird.
Like he knew something.
The boy turned back toward the table, gripping the edge slightly.
Its official, he hated this bastard.
Gilgamesh smirked but said nothing more.
Asuna, meanwhile, observed the interaction but didn't interfere. Instead, she quietly sipped her tea, glancing between Shirou and the two strangers.
She was beginning to notice the contrast between Shirou's demeanor when dealing with the blonde handsome guy and how he had handled The boy.
With Gilgamesh, there was that air of tired familiarity, the way someone might react to an annoying but unavoidable force in their life. It was amusing to watch—how Shirou, despite his composed nature, subtly tensed when dealing with the so-called king, as if bracing for whatever nonsense was about to happen next.
But with The boy, Shirou was different.
More patient. Less resigned. Like he actually cared about making the café feel welcoming.
That difference was what made Asuna smile slightly.
Meanwhile, The boy sat in awkward silence, occasionally glancing at the counter where Shirou prepared his food.
And Gilgamesh?
Gilgamesh just kept smiling, as if watching an inside joke no one else understood.
As The boy stepped out of Ahnenerbe, the cold air of the outside world hit him, and he immediately regretted leaving the café's warm, inviting interior. He still wasn't sure how he had ended up there in the first place—just that he had been on his way home after buying his game, avoiding as much human interaction as possible, and then suddenly, a strange, out-of-place café had caught his eye, when the searing heat had become unbearable.
He had hesitated at first. Going into a café alone wasn't exactly his thing—being around people at all wasn't his thing—but for some reason, the warm glow coming from the windows had felt… safe. Like a place where he didn't have to be on edge. Where no one would judge him.
And sure enough, once he stepped inside, he hadn't felt pressured. The guy behind the counter, Shirou, hadn't treated him with the same quiet disdain that most people did. He hadn't judged him for looking awkward, for struggling with small talk. He had just… been there, calmly serving drinks, making it easy to relax.
It was nice. Almost nostalgic.
But now that he was back outside, reality was creeping in again. The momentary comfort was gone, and his usual social exhaustion set in. He just wanted to get home, install his game, and finally lose himself in an MMORPG where he didn't have to deal with the real world.
The boy adjusted his grip on the bag holding his brand-new game, took a deep breath, and continued walking for some time, he internally complained, once more he was drenched in sweat, his vision became hazy due to exhaustion, if only he exercised more.
That was when he saw the girl.
the large truck slowly making its way toward her.
Iin that instant, he moved.
His body acted before his brain could catch up, and suddenly he was pushing the girl out of the way—
Inside Ahnenerbe
Back inside the café, Gilgamesh suddenly stopped mid-sip. His eyes flickered with recognition, and then—
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"—he burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Gilgamesh's laughter exploded through the café like thunder.
Shirou, who had been wiping down the counter with the patience of a man who had seen far too much, immediately stopped. His grip on the cloth tightened as his eye twitched.
Asuna, who had just taken a sip of her tea, flinched slightly at the sudden outburst.
"Oh, this is rich!" Gilgamesh cackled, practically doubling over. "A tractor?! Ahahahaha! He thought—he truly thought—!"
Shirou let out a slow, controlled breath, setting down the cup he had been cleaning. "Gil. Why. Are you laughing."
Gilgamesh wiped at his eyes, still chuckling. "Ah, Faker, my dear, oblivious fool. A grand farce has just taken place beyond this very door."
Asuna tilted her head slightly. "Huh?"
Shirou folded his arms, fixing Gil with a deadpan look. "And let me guess. You're not going to explain anything properly, are you?"
Gilgamesh leaned back into his chair, still grinning like he had just watched the funniest comedy routine in history. "Oh, but where would be the fun in that?" He smirked. "Just know that the mongrel has embarked on an... unexpected journey."
Shirou frowned. "So he—"
"Ah-ah." Gil cut him off, wagging a finger. "Let's not ruin the mystery."
Shirou exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. He had a feeling that whatever had just happened was something stupid. Something monumentally, impossibly stupid.
And if Gilgamesh of all people was laughing this much…
Yeah. It had to be really bad.
Asuna, meanwhile, blinked between them, entirely unaware of the underlying meaning in their conversation. "I don't get it," she admitted. "Did something happen?"
Gilgamesh gave her an amused glance, then merely swirled his wine. "Oh, nothing at all. Just fate playing a delightful little trick."
Shirou shot Gil a glare. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"And you should learn to enjoy the grand comedy of life, Mongrel. Fate's greatest joke has only just begun."
Shirou sighed, shaking his head. "I don't even want to know."
Asuna, still in the dark, simply took another sip of her tea, before picking up a cookie. "You guys are weird."
Shirou exhaled. "Yeah. Yeah, I know."
With that the Café Returns to Normal... Kind Of
For a moment, the café was quiet again. The storm of Gilgamesh's laughter had passed, leaving behind only the occasional amused chuckle from the golden king.
Shirou, for his part, decided to ignore it. He was used to dealing with nonsense, and if he spent all his energy trying to figure out Gilgamesh's cryptic remarks, he'd lose his mind.
Asuna let the warmth of the tea settle in her hands, watching the faint wisps of steam curl into the air. The café, despite its odd patrons, was peaceful. Comfortable. A stark contrast to the restless thoughts that had led her here.
She wasn't sure why she felt at peace. Maybe it was his presence—calm, steady, with none of the pressure she often felt in her daily life.
But before she could fully articulate her thoughts, Gilgamesh spoke.
"You are dissatisfied with your world."
Asuna blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
Gilgamesh smirked, swirling his milkshake lazily. "It is written all over you, girl. You are burdened by expectations, suffocated by the chains of obligation. You tread a path you did not choose, yet you walk it with feigned conviction." He chuckled. "How utterly dull."
Asuna bristled, sitting up straighter. "I—That's not—"
"Oh?" Gilgamesh raised an eyebrow, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "Then tell me, if you could cast aside all the constraints of your world, what would you do?"
Asuna opened her mouth to answer—but hesitated.
Because she didn't know.
Gilgamesh watched her reaction with a knowing smirk. "See? That is precisely the problem. You allow yourself to be bound by the expectations of lesser beings, never even pausing to consider your own desires. Such is the folly of those who live without true freedom."
Asuna clenched her hands around her cup, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "That's easy for you to say," she muttered. "Not everyone has the luxury of ignoring their responsibilities."
"Responsibilities?" Gilgamesh scoffed. "Spoken like a well-trained puppet." He leaned forward, his gaze sharp. "Let me enlighten you, girl. The strongest of us do not follow paths laid by others. We carve our own."
Asuna frowned, his words stirring something uneasy inside her.
Gilgamesh leaned back, seemingly satisfied. "At the very least, you should learn to walk your path for your own sake—not for those who demand it of you."
His words lingered in the air, heavy yet strangely compelling.
Shirou, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, finally exhaled. "Gil, could you not mess with the customers?"
Gilgamesh chuckled. "Oh, but I am merely imparting wisdom. Whether she heeds it or not is her own decision."
Asuna remained quiet, her thoughts swirling.
Gilgamesh's words—arrogant, dismissive as they were—had struck a nerve.
Was she really just following a path set for her?
She didn't know.
Shirou rubbed his temple, sighing. "Gil, do you have to go around giving dramatic life advice to people?"
Gilgamesh, still looking immensely pleased with himself, took another sip of his drink. "I was merely speaking the truth. If she lacks the resolve to face it, that is hardly my concern."
Shirou shot him a flat look. "You call it 'truth,' but it's just your usual ego with extra steps."
Gilgamesh smirked. "And yet, the girl is thinking, is she not? A king's wisdom moves hearts."
Shirou rolled his eyes, but when he glanced at Asuna, noticing her quiet contemplation, let out a small breath and rubbed the back of his neck. He cast a quick glance at Gilgamesh, who looked immensely pleased with himself, before shifting his focus back to her. Her fingers lightly traced the rim of her cup, her eyes distant, lost in thought.
"... Look," he started, his voice quieter now, more careful. "I'm sorry about him. He's always like this—thinks every conversation has to be some kind of grand lecture on life." He shot Gilgamesh a mildly exasperated look before returning to Asuna. "You came here to relax, not to get hit with an existential crisis over tea."
Asuna blinked, pulled slightly from her thoughts, before shaking her head. "It's fine," she said, though the slight hesitation in her voice told him she was still processing everything. "I think."
Shirou frowned slightly, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the counter. "No, really," he insisted. "You're a first-time customer, and instead of just enjoying your drink, you got stuck listening to Gilgamesh analyze your entire life philosophy like some kind of over dramatic critic." He sighed, shaking his head. "I should've stepped in sooner."
Asuna let out a small, almost self-conscious laugh. "He wasn't entirely wrong, though," she admitted, her voice quieter this time. "I just… wasn't expecting to hear it like that."
Shirou studied her for a moment, noting the way her grip on the cup tightened slightly, the subtle tension in her shoulders. He sighed again, softer this time. "Even so, no one should have to deal with that kind of conversation. customers shouldn't feel like they've walked into some kind of trial by fire."
He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as he gave her a sheepish look. "And… if we're being honest here, I should probably apologize for myself too."
Asuna tilted her head slightly. "For what?"
Shirou exhaled, rubbing his temple. "For rambling at you like some self-proclaimed life coach. You came in for tea, not for listening to some ramblings of strangers." He let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
Asuna blinked at him, then smiled—small at first, but warm. "I don't mind," she said after a pause. "Actually… I think I needed to hear it."
Shirou raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
She looked down at her tea, her fingers still absently tracing the rim of the cup. "Yeah. It's not exactly easy to talk about this stuff with people I know. They expect me to always have a plan, to always be certain. It's kind of… nice, hearing it from someone who doesn't have any expectations of me."
Shirou studied her expression—thoughtful, a little tired, but more at ease than before. He let out a breath, his tone softening. "Well, if it helps, you don't have to figure everything out all at once."
Asuna glanced at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"Sometimes, it's okay to just take a step back, and let things be simple for a while," Shirou continued. "You don't have to justify everything you do. Sometimes, liking something just because you like it is enough."
Gilgamesh scoffed, smirking. "Hmph. Leave it to you to give the most mundane answer possible."
Shirou shot him a flat look. "Says the guy who still shows up here just to mess with people."
Gilgamesh chuckled, taking another slow sip of his milkshake. "Naturally. It is a king's duty to enlighten his subjects."
Shirou rolled his eyes but turned back to Asuna with a small, more genuine smile. "Anyway, if you ever just want to stop by and enjoy a drink without the unsolicited life advice, you're welcome to. No philosophy, no lectures—just a quiet place to relax."
Asuna looked at him for a long moment, then smiled—more openly this time, the tension in her shoulders easing. "That… sounds nice."
Shirou smirked slightly, tilting his head. "Well, let's see if we can actually get through a whole visit without Gil starting another debate."
Gilgamesh chuckled, looking far too amused. "Doubtful."
Asuna let out a small laugh, shaking her head. But as she lifted her tea again, this time, she sipped it with a little more ease.
Meanwhile to the unfortunate soul that piqued the golden king's interest.
The boy found himself in a pure white room, utterly confused by the sudden turn of events.
"Satou Kazuma-san, welcome to the afterlife. Unfortunately, you've died. It might've been short, but your life's now over."
A voice rang out, drawing his attention to the only other presence in the room. Sitting behind an office desk was a young woman whose beauty was beyond human standards. If a goddess existed, she had to be it.
Her long, silky blue hair cascaded down her shoulders, complementing her aqua-blue eyes. She appeared to be around Kazuma's age, her features well-balanced—neither overly endowed nor lacking. Draped over her clothing was a light-purple hagoromo, enhancing her ethereal presence.
She blinked at him as he struggled to process what had just happened.
Moments ago, he had been outside—an uncommon occurrence for a self-proclaimed hikikomori. The only reason he left his house was to purchase a limited first-release version of a popular online game. After securing his prize, he had been in high spirits, eager to return home and play to his heart's content, the heat, then Finding a slight refuge in a cafe, the golden bastard.
Then—a girl walking ahead of him, eyes glued to her phone. She wore a uniform from his school. As soon as the traffic light turned green, she stepped onto the road without checking her surroundings.
That was when he noticed the large shadow bearing down on her.
A truck.
Without hesitation, his body moved on its own. He lunged forward, shoving the girl out of the way.
Then, darkness.
Now, standing in the afterlife, a peculiar sense of calm settled over him as he looked at the goddess before him.
"… May I ask one thing?" he inquired.
The goddess nodded. "Please, go ahead."
"… The girl that I pushed away—is she still alive?"
More than anything, that was what mattered. That single moment had been the most worthwhile thing he had ever done. If he had failed to save her despite risking his life, it would have been unbearable.
"She's alive! But she fractured her leg."
Relief washed over him.
At least he hadn't died in vain. At least, in the end, he had done something good.
The goddess, however, tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"But, she wouldn't have been hurt if you hadn't knocked her away."
"… Huh?"
What had she just said?
"The tractor would've stopped before hitting the girl. I mean, it was just a slow tractor after all. Your unnecessary meddling by acting like a hero actually made things worse… Puhehe!"
Kazuma stiffened.
This was their first meeting, yet he already had the overwhelming urge to punch her.
…Wait. Something was off.
"… What did you say? A tractor? Not a truck?"
"That's right, a tractor. If it had been a speeding truck, the girl would've noticed it and moved out of the way."
His mind reeled.
"Then… what about me? Did I die after getting hit by the tractor?"
"No, you died from shock. You thought you were run over by a truck and went into shock. I've been doing this for a long time, but you're the first to die in such a hilarious way!"
"…"
"Because of your close call with the tractor, you lost consciousness and control of your bowels, and you were sent to a nearby hospital. As the doctors and nurses laughed at how ridiculous your situation was, saying, 'What's with this guy? How useless—' you never regained consciousness, and your heart gave out."
"Shut up! I don't want to hear it! I don't want to hear something so humiliating!"
As he clutched his ears, the goddess leaned in close, a devious smirk on her lips.
"Your family rushed to the hospital, but before they could grieve, they burst into laughter upon hearing the cause of your death."
"Shut up, shut up! This can't be real! There's no way I died in such a useless way!"
Squatting down with his head in his hands, Kazuma trembled in despair.
Meanwhile, the goddess covered her mouth, stifling a giggle.
"… Well, that was a great stress relief. Now then, nice to meet you, Satou Kazuma-san. My name is Aqua. I'm a goddess who guides young people who die in Japan. Now, putting aside how funny your demise was, you have two options."
Kazuma took a deep breath. This girl…!
But getting worked up wouldn't help. He just had to endure.
"The first option is reincarnating and beginning a new life. The second option is staying in a place sort of like heaven and living a retirement home-like existence."
Her explanation was ridiculously lazy.
"Eh, well, what's this 'heaven' place like? And what do you mean by 'retirement home'?"
"Heaven isn't as great as you humans imagine. Since you're dead, you don't need to eat, and naturally, there's no food. No ingredients, no cooking. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but heaven has nothing. No television, no manga, no games—just other dead people. And since you don't have a body, you can't do anything pervy, either. You'll just sit in the sun and chat with your predecessors. Forever."
No video games? No entertainment?
That wasn't heaven. That was hell.
Reincarnation, then? But becoming a baby and starting over from scratch…?
As Kazuma weighed his options, Aqua smirked knowingly.
"Hey… You don't want to go to a boring place like heaven, right? But giving up all of your memories and starting over as a baby is basically the same as erasing your existence. So, I've got great news for you!"
Her enthusiasm only made him more suspicious.
Aqua clapped her hands together.
"Do you like games?"
And so, she began explaining her so-called "great news."
In a world separate from his own, a Demon King had thrown the land into chaos. Magic and monsters existed there, much like in famous games such as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy.
"The people who died in that world were so terrified of the Demon King's army that they refused to reincarnate there. Because of that, fewer and fewer babies are being born, and if this continues, that world will end. So, we decided to solve the problem by sending people from other worlds over there! That's where you come in."
Kazuma listened in disbelief. What kind of lazy immigration policy is this…?
"And since we need strong individuals to fight the Demon King," Aqua continued with a grin, "I'm going to give you a special privilege! You can take one thing of your choice with you—anything—as a bonus."
She leaned forward, her voice dripping with temptation.
"Well, Kazuma? What will you do?"
Kazuma swallowed.
A new world filled with magic, adventure, and monsters…
And a cheat ability of his choice?
Despite himself, he began to consider it.
And thus, his ridiculous journey began.
...I guess this was a bit underwhelming huh...I hope Ch 3 would make me more comfortable in writing comedy, kind of got used to writing serious stuff, the transitions were kind of rough lmao.
the Strawberry milkshake idea was from Fate CC.. I think? saw it sometime ago but can't remember.
let me know if theres some grammar error or inconsistencies, thanks.
Ps: I'm open for anime/novel/manhwa/manhua recommendation you want me to incorporate.