Chapter 8: The Suddenly Appearing Twin Tails
Regarding Sakura's evident fear of being abandoned again, Shirou spoke in a gentle, comforting tone.
"Hmm, I won't. Sleep peacefully."
Shirou raised his hand and stroked Sakura's head. Soothed by this gesture, the girl slightly closed her eyes, and the nervous look on her face gradually softened.
Gradually, she fell asleep in Shirou's arms.
Shirou stood up, carefully moving the head of the Sakura in his arms onto the pillow, and covered her with the blanket.
Shirou then lay down at the other end of the bed.
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Warm sunlight shone through the half-closed curtains. Dust motes floated in the orange-yellow beams of light.
Despite it being a winter morning, Shirou felt as if he were in summer. Fine sweat beaded on his forehead, and he felt somewhat stuffy.
He felt as if something was pressing down on him.
After his consciousness slowly awoke, Shirou opened his drowsy eyes and immediately discovered the girl who had curled up beside him at some point, her slender arms resting on his body.
Shirou looked with some confusion at Sakura, who was sleeping soundly in the crook of his arm, her peaceful and lovely sleeping face inspiring pity.
But hadn't she been sleeping on the opposite side last night?
Clearly, while Shirou was asleep, Sakura had climbed over to sleep next to him.
It seemed that having just left the Matou house, she subconsciously regarded the space next to Shirou as the only safe place.
Shirou moved the arm Sakura had draped over him and deftly got out of bed, heading to the bathroom.
After rinsing his mouth, Shirou looked at the still-flowing clear water, cupped it in his hands, and splashed the cold water onto his face.
"Hoo..."
Shirou looked at his reflection in the mirror as he lifted his head.
"Is today Friday... I almost forgot that I'm back one week ago."
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.
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After breakfast, Shirou took the lunch box prepared by Mrs. Orihara and temporarily bid farewell to Sakura.
"I'll be back tonight. Wait for me obediently at home, Sakura."
"No... don't..."
Sakura's small hand tightly clutched the corner of Shirou's clothes, still appearing somewhat afraid of being left alone at home.
Although Mrs. Orihara would be home to keep her company, she was still a stranger to Sakura.
After a long period of reassurance from Shirou, Sakura finally agreed.
Then, Shirou instructed Karna to guard the house.
"Master, will you be alright alone?"
Karna, in his spiritual form, asked worriedly.
"I'll be fine. You just need to protect the house."
Shirou replied.
For now, Shirou's strength completely overwhelmed any mages he might encounter, and even if he ran into other Servants, he could retreat safely.
Now was not the time to expose Unlimited Blade Works.
Moreover, having Karna, a top-tier Heroic Spirit, as his Servant meant there was no need to expose the power of Unlimited Blade Works.
After leaving the house, Shirou walked along the road toward Yachiyodai Elementary School.
The orange sunlight shone obliquely on his face, bringing a gentle warmth.
After the experience of one crystal-clear death, welcoming the morning sun like this, with his skin and eyes simultaneously enjoying the warmth of the sun, even the familiar scenery seemed different.
Shirou squinted slightly, enjoying the temporary calm.
This residential area east of the Mion River was a new town built on fields developed during the period of rapid growth.
Although it wasn't originally planned to be a deeply historical Miyama Town, Fuyuki City was currently undergoing a large-scale redevelopment due to government and public plans to utilize the former national railway site to build a modern commercial district.
Although four-tenths of the buildings slated to become the commercial district were still incomplete, the park and mall in front of the station were on the verge of opening.
The soon-to-be-completed New City would debut with a clean, pale, gorgeous, yet impersonal appearance.
The city government was gradually relocating to the New City, and steel, glass, and coatings formed various modern buildings.
The urban functions of this deep mountain city were gradually being forced to change.
It was only upon reaching the entrance of the elementary school that Shirou noticed even the school's name had changed.
"Yachiyodai Elementary School?"
Although somewhat confused, Shirou confirmed he hadn't taken the wrong route, so he calmly followed the footsteps of a group of elementary students into the school.
Dong—Clang—
A strange sound emerged from the speakers. The children walking in groups toward the school quickened their pace upon hearing the bell.
"Today, I have to deal with childish problems and study with a group of elementary students again..."
Shirou took a deep breath.
He truly wished this period would pass quickly.
Suddenly, from the group of students who were about to be late, Shirou keenly noticed a distinct girl. She appeared to be about his age, wore the same uniform as the other girls, but the twin tails on her head were like a trademark, making Shirou involuntarily glance sideways.
"Tohsaka Rin... shouldn't she be living in Zenjou?"
Shirou frowned slightly, feeling puzzled.
"It seems the world line reset has also changed some things."
Guessing this, he ascended the stairs.
Reaching the second floor, Shirou found his classroom.
Before stepping inside, Shirou saw Tohsaka Rin heading toward the fourth classroom, while his classroom was the first one after going up the stairs.
Gently pulling open the back door of the classroom, Shirou stepped inside. As soon as he entered, he saw a group of elementary students chattering noisily.
In the bottom right corner of the blackboard at the front of the classroom, today's date and the names of the students on duty were written in white chalk.
"Hmm, looks like it's not me."
Shirou felt a moment of relief, then walked to his seat in the back row.
As Shirou sat casually in his chair, resting his cheek on his hand and looking out the window at the bare cherry blossom tree,
"Hey, Orihara-kun, aren't you even bringing your school bag?"
A child sitting on his right, seeing Shirou looking completely unburdened, immediately asked, bewildered.
Hearing this, Shirou reached into his desk. A momentary, inexplicable flash of light occurred, and he took out his textbooks.
"...Are you doing magic!?"