Clairvoyance - Chapter 2 (Fate/ Fic)

[polarissruler]

Fandom: Fate/Stay Night
Title: Clairvoyance
Characters: Taiga Fujimura, Archer, Emiya Shirou
Rating: T
Word Count: 5100
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Summary:

In spite of her claims, Taiga Fujimura's life has been completely normal. She met Servants, lived with mages, and survived two Holy Grail Wars - none the wiser about the existence of magic. All in all, she avoided the mystic - with one minor expectation.
A decade after the fourth War, banished memories grow into nightmares. In order to solve the mystery - and get back her peace of mind - Taiga jumps in the fight. A story that should not be with consequences even her Servant: a mysterious Archer, cannot predict.
The expanded version of 'Fight By My Side'.

Notes:
Here is the newest update of the fic - quite past the promised two weeks deadline. I had to make some changes to my outline because I had forgotten the park scene! Just a chapter or two more until all hell breaks loose for our characters.

Read it on AO3 or FFN!

 

Taiga’s nose caught the sweet aroma of breakfast. A wide silly grin formed on her face. “Mm… Pancakes!” Western food had never been her favorite, but after a day without enough meals, the plainest rice would taste sweeter than a piece of Heaven. “That’s a tasty start of an apology, Shirou.” She rolled over the futon, closer to the sweetness.

For a second, she weighted nothing - a soft feather carried on a cloud. In the next one, the harsh reality of gravity ferociously clashed against her pleasant dreams because Taiga fell face first. “Ouch!” She pushed herself up, huffing and grunting like an insulted locomotive, while she rubbed her poor forehead. “I swear Shirou set me up a futon, and I slept in it! Since when does he have beds?”

“To be correct, you lost consciousness on the floor.” A sharp reply came behind her. “Good morning, my Master. I advise you to have breakfast while we discuss our strategy.” Even without turning, Taiga imagined the smirk cutting across his face. “I doubt it would take much time.”

“Good morning to you, too, Archer.” One by one, the details of last night flooded back: the anxiety, the danger, and the magic arts… A red spot of blood still stained her pale yellow sleeve. She gave the familiar green bed and orange curtains a long look, then her gaze lingered on the bookshelf. “How did we come to my house? I am sorry, but my memory is a tad dizzy.” In plainer words: she remembered nothing.

“The spell drained most of your power. You barely stayed awake enough to tell me about your home. My, my -“ such a voice should always carry a charge for armed assault “- and I am supposed to win the War with such a Master. After taking care of the bloodied knife, I carried you here. Do not worry. I have not gone snooping around your room.” His smirk widened by a fraction of the millimeter; if Taiga was not training with Kuzuki, she would miss it. “The spines of the books speak for themselves.”

“Hey!” Taiga protested. “Every girl deserves her idols! Is there a problem to like handsome, loyal, tragic heroes like Diarmuid?” She stood up.

“I suppose not, as long as you recognize the inherent tragedy in heroics.” Taiga wanted to ask more; what hero would call their life an inherent tragedy? But Archer forced the topic away. “If you can complain, you should eat. We have more pressing matters to discuss.”

Taiga’s stomach rumbled, and she nodded. “For example, mister, do you go home with every woman you meet?” She took a chair and sat by the small desk, which would play the role of a breakfast table today. “At least, tell me your name first. What is it?” An accusing fork aimed at Archer. “And why did you cook me pancakes?”

“For the name: unfortunately, I cannot recall. Some mistake must have occurred with the ritual when you called for me, and my memories are far too incomplete. I remember my class, at least.”

Archer was practically gloating as Taiga’s pride deflated. She should have tried harder with the chant! Then she would not work around an amnesiac Servant and his secret past. But the deal has been sealed, no hope to change the terms.

“As for the meal, I simply picked it from the kitchen. Someone else has cooked it.”

There was her chance for a counterattack! “Cherry trees would bloom amid December before dad or grandpa asked for Western food. And nobody would make me breakfast here; I only eat at Shirou’s. Admit it: this is your deed.”

“Very well.” The smirk curled into a slight frown. “I did make it. What good would it do me if my Master fainted due to hunger?” He pulled the fork from Taiga’s hands. “Or if she stabbed me in the heart for leaving her hungry?”

“You can’t keep secrets, huh?” Taiga smiled. “They’re not my strength, either, so I won’t judge you. Oh!” She froze on the spot. “But don’t worry that I’ll spill out the War as soon as we start. Now, if I may, I am starving.”

The pancakes were fluffy as if her Servant had torn apart a cloud, generously sugared it, and fried it until chewy perfection. Had angels descended from Heaven to bless Taiga’s tongue? While eating the spectacular meal, Taiga let out a happy grunt. After swallowing, she repeated it clearly. “You sure you’re not a Chef class? This is better than most of Shirou’s meals!”

“It is only natural. Heroic Spirits are above humans in everything, including cooking skill.” Archer leaned back in his chair and tilted his head up. “Although it is not enough of an ability for a class on its own. The seven major ones are -“

“Archer, Caster, Lancer, Berserker, Rider, Assassin - always Hassan  - and…” Taiga grimaced. Once again, she was a schoolgirl during an exam, so anxious that she would forget her own name. “Come on, brain! Um… A Sworder?” She frowned. “No, the blue girl had a different class. Right?”

After a silent second, Archer gave a reply as cold as steel. “Blue girl? Have you taken part in another War?”

Taiga scratched the back of her head. Freezing shivers climbed over her spine to her brain - like when Shirou had caught her sneaking food from his fridge in the night. But her Servant lacked the caring stare and the gentle questions. His accusing glare - a Kiritsugu double - probed the depths of her soul while he expected an answer.

“I have lived through one,” she admitted. “And I watched it from a distance. No,” Taiga cut his challenge, “I am not secretly over fifty. Neither I know any reason for the sudden start.” The grandest question; only Iri could answer with no speculation.

“You are quite informed about the War.” As if she was the prime suspect in a crime, Taiga suffered an interrogation led by her own Servant. A Command Seal would end it at any point; she still had three. But wasting it on their first true talk? Was that not one of the rash decisions her Instructor Warned against?

“And you can supply me with mana - adequate, but barely.” A thin smirk as if cut with scythe formed on Archer’s lips. “However, were I not an Archer, your powers would not suffice.”

Here it came. He would drop her because why would he follow the weakest Master when he could choose much better.

“Lock yourself in your house and leave the fighting to me. I doubt your abilities will help in killing the other Servants…”

“No.” Taiga slammed her hands on the table. If Archer was not planning betrayal before, he would surely start now. “We’re not attacking unless we have no other choice. No one should claim the Grail. If you want to leave me and find another master…”

“I doubt anyone would take in a stray Servant so early in the War. And even then, you summoned me; my fate is bound to your life. I will never raise my blade against you. In exchange, I would like an explanation. Why would you risk yourself if not for the prize?”

A loud alarm clock rang. “Come with me to school,” Taiga ordered. “I’ll show you my reason.” At least, the greater one. She would avoid the broken Grail for now.

---

Like a small shadow, Taiga slowly, slowly crawled to the school gates. The trees provided her a hiding place, and she crouched behind it, gulped, and glanced down the road. Zero percent probability of meeting Shirou. At every step, her Servant’s disappointed sigh weighted her further until she broke under the pressure.

“I am not running away! Nope!” She waved her hands in an x-shape. “But I can’t deal with surprise attacks now! Besides, it is training in case we need to ambush enemy Servants and…”

“Should we not avoid combat as much as possible? For reasons you have yet to disclose.” Taiga knew it in her soul: if her Archer had a body, he would stand with crossed arms. “If you wanted protection, you might have skipped the War as a whole. Why, then?”

“I’ll tell, I’ll tell! I promise! Give me time!” Taiga tiptoed - a poor dance mastered only by ballerinas without experience. The last stretch. Once she passed the schoolyard, she would barricade herself in the teacher’s lounge and prepare to launch an apology. If she fought on against Shirou’s persistence head-on…

“Fuji-nee?”

The blood froze in her veins. The time of judgment had come earlier than intended. With hands on her neck as if she was being arrested, Taiga turned to her executor. “Good morning, Shirou! We’re having nice weather, are we not?” It was a sunny and warm winter day, about to break into a deadly storm. Her closed eyes pointed to the ground. If she opened them, the care assault would begin. Why had she not brought herself a pair of shades?

“Don’t dodge the topic, Fuji-nee! I woke up, and I couldn’t find you anywhere - even after turning the whole house upside down… You were worried about me and now make me fear for you the entire morning! What happened?”

Taiga twirled a lock of her hair. “Sometimes you can’t sleep in your room and need to cool down in the shed.” That wrong word revolted Taiga, but she was appeasing an angry god; it took priority over her preferences. “It’s the same. Payback for all times I had to search for you!”

“Unlike someone else, I did not leave the house without a notice.” Shirou pressed his lips closed. “If you’re so ashamed that you can’t look at me, at least apologize.”

With pressed palms, Taiga bowed down so rapidly that she could lose consciousness. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Why did he catch her red-handed in the sneaking act?

“And?”

What demand would Shirou ask? Shakily, Taiga guessed, “And I’ll cook dinner in your place for the next few weeks?”

She could swear she heard two synchronized nervous gulps.

"If I wanted to eat only instant ramen, I would prepare it myself. Fuji-nee, listen," he groaned, "we'll talk it over at dinner. If you bother to come."

“Deal.”

“See you in class, then.”

After a few seconds - when he must have left on her own - Taiga exhaled and opened her eyes. The first subject started in a minute. Only a late student or two passed by her.

“That’s my reason,” she whispered. “We’re fighting so that nobody will hurt him.”

“You will throw your life to save someone else?”

Taiga sighed. “Who would not risk it for their child? You are a famous hero, so wrap your head around this.”

“How did you come to that conclusion?” Taiga felt that smug smirk once again!

“You found a place in the Throne. It means you must be chivalrous and brave and…”

“For a Master, you are quite naïve. Can I offer a piece of advice you will surely ignore?”

“We won’t leave him on his own. No chance. He’s not even a mage!”

“What if someone abducts him and uses him as a hostage? If he has no power…”

Taiga tapped her foot. “They can’t hurt normal people. It’s illegal.”

“Naivete is one thing,” Archer raised his tone, “but do you trust them so much? They break the rules with glee if nobody finds the violation! Think: why do you need to protect Shirou, if no Master would attack him?”

“But his dad was. And he hasn’t led the most exemplary life.” The trail of bullets and blood between the blurred memories spoke enough - if only she could focus on it… “Avengers rarely follow the law.”

“You will give me the worst headache ever. If his father angered the mages so much, he must have been a capable one. Should his son not inherit the Circuits?”

“Shirou is adopted. He knows nothing about magic.” He should not have been taught. “And no harm must come to my boy.” She pulled her glove, showing the red tips of her Command Seal.

Archer held back a hissing remark. “We will discuss it later. Someone is coming in our direction.”

An accurate prediction; Taiga had just hidden her mark when someone greeted her. “Fujimura-sensei!”

“Mitsuzuri? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same!” The girl put a fist on her hips and frowned. “I was entering school when I saw someone talking to themselves. You’re lucky I recognized you before I beat up the intruder.”

Taiga flinched. “Did anyone else notice?”

“Nah. Most people are in school; that’s why you surprised me. If someone did, they must have brushed it as you being yourself.” She smiled as an awesome idea lightened up her face. “You’re late, so why not skip the first class?”

“No chance! Reach the room before me, or you better prepare an excuse!”

Mitsuzuri flinched and ran towards the door. She was lucky Taiga fought with greater troubles. The War had not started, and her cover laid on the verge of tatters.

---

Two extremes bounded Taiga’s classes: the first years, who still adored their beloved teacher and everyone else, corrupted by the lies of her incompetence. And to top it off, there was homeroom - the liveliest class, where she unwound the pressure and goofed with her favorites or suffered merciless mockery. After this hurricane of emotion had blown her from one room to another and, finally, to the end of the day, she barely had time to catch her breath.

She was packing her belongings and making plans for tomorrow when her Servant cleared his throat. That sneaky expert had hidden so perfectly that - if not for the slight tug in Taiga’s hand - she would forget he was watching her back.

“Did I startle you?” His voice came from the desk. “My apologies. I did not want to frighten my Master.”

“Don’t worry! Everyone makes mistakes.” She had given Shirou a nasty series of shocks. An apology made all nice and good. “What’s the matter? Feeling rusty after you listened to classes the entire day? It’s not your usual work experience, but we had to monitor Shirou. We will be his watch all round the clock!” And she jousted at the one over the blackboard with such force, it would have shattered (if she could reach it). Her eyes opened wide, and her smile fell. “Half past five? When had it gotten so late?”

“While you were resting after your heavy effort, I believe.”

“Shirou must have already left school! Why did you not tell me earlier?” She shot the accusation like a bullet. “Where would that boy be?” Taiga asked slowly, to herself, not seeking the treacherous Servant’s opinion. She snapped her fingers, trying to pin down the date. “Part-time work today!” After grabbing her coat so suddenly that the hanger waddled, she dashed forward and - while forcing her right hand in the left sleeve - called for Archer. “You’ll make up for this! He’s at Copenhagen - check on him now!”

She jumped over the stairs and slammed in the front door. After fiddling with the handle and tangling her fingers together (why was it so hard to open; she was having an emergency there!), Taiga broke through it and flew to the gate. A chill froze her feet, and she almost fell. “Archer!”

“Unfortunately, I have no idea about this Copenhagen’s location.” That smug smirk graced his invisible face again; Taiga would bet her house on it! (And throw in Shirou’s for good measure.) “We will walk together.”

Taiga clenched fists. “What information is the Grail giving you? Fine - follow me! And don’t drop my pace!”

They must have made a strange pair; a lonely, frantic woman ran through the city and gave orders to an invisible knight.

What if someone had caught him? No, nobody would attack around onlookers. But if he were left alone? Then… Taiga gulped. No, Shirou had to be alright!

Taiga’s energy was running short. Panting heavily, she brushed the sweat on her forehead with one hand. She must have set at least ten new records while crossing the city on such limited notice. “There… -” she pointed towards a small bar. Her body crouched so much while she caught her breath that her legs would snap in two.

A trail of sudden wind rode past Archer. Taiga shivered as the coldness hit her skin.

They had arrived on time. Shirou should be alright. But what if they were too late?

A few seconds later, Archer’s deep voice destroyed the fears. “He is there. What will we do now? Should we stay around until he finishes?”

“Nope. Change of plans. As long as he stays there, he is safe. Once the job ends, you will guard him. I will go home first, and then we’ll meet in his house.”

“And until then?”

Taiga pulled where Archer’s arm should be. Yes, her fingers held only air, but she carried a spirit. He should have no weight! “I’m touring you around the town! Once you learn the places, you can find him around the city. Our first stop - the park!”

Once she entered it, Archer’s voice spoke to her back. Had Taiga dragged emptiness with herself? And he had said nothing! “Quite the fine place, I admit. But is it not somewhat light on the visitors’ side?”

Such an understatement; they were the only two inside. “Most people avoid it after… After…” Accident? No, it did not sound right. Taiga put a hand to her forehead. Ungodly heat seeped through the ground, melted reality, and drained consciousness out of her. The gentle winter air vibrated like a summer shimmer. Trees danced and fused, only to break in another wave. Sludgy, stick mud climbed over her left leg and sluggishly sought her heart.

Taiga sprang back and landed on unbalanced feet, all while rubbing her eyes. No, it was a normal park, if empty and built over… “After a large fire destroyed everything. The park was built over the ashes.”

Archer gave no reply. What else? Fine, Taiga relied on her weak gut feeling that pretended to be a memory.

“And it might be connected to the Holy Grail War.”

“I expected as much. The area is full of grudges. They reached for you, did they not? The entire city is like that, but here… “

Taiga stepped away from the boundary. Where had the War not dug its greedy fangs? Had someone died in the school? Was a mage killed in her favorite restaurant? Did Emiya concoct his strategy in Shirou’s living room? 

“Here it resembles a Reality Marble,” her Servant finished. At Taiga’s puzzled expression, he continued. “A magic among magics, close to the sorcery. The ability to project one’s heart onto the world and subject it to every whim.”

“And if it is built on hate and fear?”

Archer did not have to reply.

She grit her teeth. One more reason to end everything.

---

As soon as the alarm rang, Taiga cut the short city trip in the middle, sent Archer to follow Shirou, and dashed to her home. After a quick greeting to her dad, an abrupt reminder she would not eat there, and a swift picking up of personal items, she set on to his house. The faster, the better; her Servant hardly enjoyed taking care of the boy.

“Freeloading off him tonight?” As proud as a royal guard, Archer stood before the gate. The vibrant red of his coat was like a splotch of blood on the white stone. “If you want to keep him out of the war, we should avoid his house.”

“An enemy Master might attack him if I leave him alone.” The snow child had warned (or threatened) them: Shirou was hanging on a shoestring, and any Servant could cut the thread unless he summoned a protector. She would first burn Fuyuki before letting him join! “We’re staying with him as much as necessary.”

“What do you plan for the night?” Archer leaned on the wall. Moonlight colored the cold features of his face - emotionless like a statue.

“I’ll sleep here!” Taiga patted the sack she carried. “Now follow me! I have an apology to make!”

“I would rather not. A Bounded Field surrounds the house. If I try to enter, the owner will sense it. Remarkable work for - in your words - a non-mage. He knows nothing, you promised. He needs protection, you promised.”

“Shirou isn’t a mage!” Taiga stomped before the sill.

“Let us suppose so. In such a case, who has put the spell?” Smug, as if he had a question for every answer in the world, Archer walked closer to Taiga. “Why have you not crossed the border if you trust your boy?”

“I told you, did I not? His father was the Mage Killer; perhaps he had set it!” Taiga pushed the gate open, stood in the yard, and faced Archer. “See! No alarm!”

“Your magical power barely sustains me. And if you live here, the Field might have been adjusted for you. I would much rather not risk it.”

How many times should she repeat it? “Shirou -“ she made long pauses after each word to make sure Archer understood it - “is not a mage!”

“You don’t say.” Archer stabbed her in the heart with dry disbelief. “And I am the Queen of Sheba.”

“Are you?” Taiga squinted, imagining her brave warrior in an ancient, regal grab. Putting her fingers in a frame, she locked onto him. “No, I can’t see it. Shouldn’t your clothes be more… exotic, then?”

“Me?” Archer pointed to his black, solid armor. “Your male Servant - a queen?”

“King Arthur is a woman; Iskander has red hair. You don’t have to resemble yourselves…” She clutched her face and grit her teeth. “No, you look like yourselves, but the recorders have messed up. Are you hiding a royal treasury somewhere?”

Archer bowed his head fast, yet Taiga knew she caught a wince. She was beating him! “Most people seldom meet one Heroic Spirit unless they take part in a War, but you have met two? Curiouser and curiouser.”

“Please!” Taiga gently punched her Servant at the armor. “Ouch, tough material!” Now, rubbing her knuckles furiously, she glanced at his face. “Don’t act like your Master is a high enigma to solve. Just ask me - or even better, listen when I am talking! I said I had lived through a Holy Grail War and observed it sometime later.”

“Hitting your Servant, speaking such nonsense…” Archer smirked. “I hope you can explain yourself.”

“Why should I? You had not listened; teachers punish unruly students. You can’t disobey your Master as you please. There are rules.”

“One of them - perhaps the most important - being to strive for the Grail.”

Taiga sighed. Fine, if he wanted all the truth… “It cannot bring a happy ending. I am sorry to rain down on your hopes -“ not that Archer showed any change in his expression “- but I have broken into it. I was taught how it works - and why it grants no wishes anymore. A shadow has possessed it, and I…”

Archer rose his hand in a gesture to make her stop. “I believe we should not discuss such matters on the street.” The tip of his hair glowed red and dissolved in the night air. His body followed, crumbling to dust and melting in the darkness. His shoes and the end of his mantle caved in last and flickered away.

Before Taiga could argue, two people passed by her - so absorbed in their conversation that they paid her no notice. She heard Archer’s bodiless, prideful voice. “We had luck with them. But I advise you to take care. What if the next one is not so distracted?”

“Note taken! Even the teacher has to learn, huh?” Taiga walked deeper to the front door, yet the sarcastic spirit did not follow her. “Come on!”

“Who has not listened now? I would not risk entering. I will enjoy the tale of the Grail later. Until then, goodbye, Master.”

---

Before Taiga had taken off her shoes, a harsh, accusing glare assaulted her and did not allow her to greet Shirou. Her caring boy had transformed into a stern warden of order, an unflinching frown frozen on his face. He had his arms crossed, his index finger drumming on the left one. The red deity turned head once she stared back as if glancing at the tragic sinner would force him into a sacrilege. Instead, he would rather dig deep into her thoughts and coil around her most discreet intentions.

What mistake had she committed to earn the harsh judgment of that prosecutor? Could she absolve his ire? A sacrifice - she ought to prepare an offering! Giving him a gesture to wait, she opened her sack and took out the topmost item - a large paper sheet, rolled and folded in two.

“Here!” Taiga bowed before the mighty divinity, who would decide her dinner fate tonight. “Accept this gift, meant to soothe your anger. In fact -“ she pulled out a second one - this unbent “- I offer another!”

“Did you hit your head in class again, Fuji-nee?” Shirou frowned and took the posters. “And now you’re trying to buy me with trash… What’s the story this time? A rare mass-printed painting? A discounted unique scroll?” He spread the roll on the table, smoothing it with his forearm. His eyes twitched as he read the bright red letters.

Taiga beamed; die he accept her gifts?

Shirou turned his head to her with the glacial speed of impending disaster. “Out of all rubbish you have brought home -“ his words dug icicles under Taiga’s skin “- this recruitment poster is the cheapest, ugliest, most useless one!”

“I did not want it either!” Taiga defended herself. “Someone had left it at my place, and I needed to use it.” No, she should present it as a treasure. “But a youngster will enjoy it! You like things such as -“ she squinted, reading the disjointed font “- Love’s Lovely Rangers.” For that, she deserved a pat on the back. “Yes, I am sure you will adore it!”

“Fuji-nee, my goodwill is not for sale. And if it was, I have higher prices than a cheap…” Shirou tried to crumple it and prove his point. “A cheap…” His fingers slid over the metal surface.

Taiga slyly grinned. “This one is a steel plate - first edition. It caused me so many headaches while I lugged it across town. Now I’m passing the responsibility on you, my young student.”

Shirou sat down in resignation. “Will you remind me why I handle your personality?”

“You need someone to assure you how you are still a better chef than Sakura - because your pupil is advancing on you. Wait a moment.” Taiga put a finger to her lips and scanned the kitchen. “Where’s she?”

“You finally noticed. She had passed by here, cooked dinner, and left it along with a note. Thank her tomorrow because otherwise, you would have starved tonight.”

Taiga slammed a hand over her poor heart. “Shirou! Would you have made your teacher leave hungry?”

“You had breakfast at your house. Now you’ve come later than me. I thought you’re finally having meals there. How should I expect I need to cook for you?”

“Touché.” Taiga sat opposite him. “But it was once in a lifetime! Don’t get used to slacking off with the breakfasts! To make up for it, I’ll start eating even more!”

“It is possible to devour more than you already do? Color me impressed, Fuji-nee.”

“Definitely!” Taiga struck a triumphant pose, her clenched fist over her chest. “If the need arises, I can eat you out of your house. With two of me, you’d be stuck in the kitchen all day long, cooking for us. You’d have no free time.”

“Two like you? No one has such a savage imagination.” Shirou pointed an accusing chopstick at her. “You are strictly one of a kind. And for that, I am eternally thankful.”

Exalted, Taiga stood up: a performer ready to bow for her appreciating audience. “I agree! Nobody can measure up to me!”

“Especially in hypocrisy.” The sharp, quick jab popped her bubble and crashed her on the ground. “After you so zealously remind me not to stay late, you come home at half past ten. Have you not heard about leading by example?”

Shirou kicked the gates of hell open and dragged her. The missed nights and meals would rise in number once the War spread its shroud. How should Taiga explain it without revealing the grave secret and still wrap it acceptably? So close to the fabled 18, Shirou would not listen to the default ‘I am an adult, and I can make you worry as I please.’ Why did teenagers not come with a bundled manual? Taiga could resort to her own dad’s tricks, except they had dubious effectiveness.

“Once again, I apologize.” Taiga bowed, fiddling with her fingers. “Might we reach a compromise? If one of us needs to stay out late, we should leave a note - or tell Sakura, or something else. Then the other would not worry and look all over Fuyuki.” If she knew where he would be, she could dispatch Archer."

“I cannot hope for better terms, can I?”

“You’re lucky I let you walk outside instead of forcing you home after school. But we both know you will listen to it as much as I listened to my dad. I’d rather not get early gray hairs over raising you.” Taiga offered a handshake.

“Fine.” Shirou extended his hand, brushed Taiga’s fingertips, and pulled back. “But tell me this: where were you today?”

The blood froze in Taiga’s veins. How would she explain taking her Servant on a walk around the town? If she made it too vague, Shirou might decide she was on a date of all… That was it! “You are so interested in my personal life?” Taiga rose her head proudly. “If you must know, I met an amazing man. And we spend the entire day with each other. I will not spare a detail about our wonderful -“

“I understand.” Shirou grasped her hand. “Just don’t flaunt your new boyfriend at every talk.” His harsh expression softened into a smile. “And don’t weird him out too much.”

Disaster: avoided.

“Wait, what was that about me weirding him out?”