Bananas Are Sweetest Right Before They Rot!

"Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?!" Taiga reached out and smacked away Shinji's hand, which was gripping Shirou's. "And don't make jokes like that again! What if Shirou actually takes it to heart and awakens some weird interest?!"

"Huh? Weird?" Shinji murmured in confusion, then pinched his chin and frowned thoughtfully. "Didn't the teacher say in class that love comes in many forms? How did it become weird?"

"I don't remember ever teaching anything like that!"

"Oh! I get it now!" Shinji suddenly seemed to realize something. He cupped one hand and tapped his palm, saying in sudden enlightenment, "Could it be that Taiga-san feels lonely because Emiya is going to the Netherlands with me?"

Shirou spoke somewhat speechlessly. "No, I never said I was going to immigrate to a place like that with you. Besides, I've long since become immune to jokes like this."

"Who's lonely?!" Taiga retorted. "And call me teacher!!"

"No need to say it, Teacher. I understand." Shinji raised a hand to stop her, then immediately put on a tender expression. "Teacher, don't worry. One day, you'll find a hero who can protect you for the rest of your life."

"Matou, honestly, you change topics so quickly that I can barely keep up."

"If you're asking why..." Shinji said, his eyes curving into a beautiful smile. "You see, bananas are sweetest when they're just about to rot."

"Hm?" Taiga failed to understand at first. Only after thinking for a long while did she finally get it.

"You brat, who are you calling a banana that's about to rot?!"

Taiga got up and once again locked Shinji's neck tightly from behind. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Your teacher is still a green apple on the tree! A very unripe apple!"

"No, Fuji-nee, that metaphor is kind of..." Shirou could only smile awkwardly.

"Shirou, do you think I'm a banana that's about to rot too?!"

"No, that's not what I meant... Ah! Fuji-nee! I'm still injured! Don't pounce on me!"

Watching the three of them make a fuss in the tiny living room, a distinct trace of envy flashed through Sakura's still lifeless eyes.

A hero who could protect her for the rest of her life...

Sakura's thoughts were pulled back to a distant past, to a time when a small blue-haired boy had stood before her as if showing off.

"Sakura, just wait. Once your brother learns those amazing things, I'll definitely protect you from being bullied!"

"Amazing things?"

"Yeah, really amazing things! But I can't tell you yet, because they're connected to the family secret I told you about before."

That little boy had ultimately forgotten those words completely...

"Come to think of it, what are we doing about dinner?" Shinji suddenly asked from the floor, where Taiga had him in a hold.

That made Taiga stop, and she turned to look at Shirou beside her.

"Yeah, what are we doing about dinner?"

Looking at the two of them staring at him at the same time, Shirou let out a long sigh. "Could you two stop reacting exactly the same way over something like this? Also, don't forget that I'm injured right now."

Shinji got up, propped his chin on his hand, and frowned as he reached a conclusion. "I see. So we're going hungry today?"

Taiga propped her chin on her hand and nodded. "It's unfortunate, but in this situation, that seems to be the only option."

"...Fuji-nee, have you been led astray by Shinji?" After a long silence, Shirou could only say that helplessly.

At the sight of a table full of Chinese Cuisine, everyone, including Sakura, wore astonished expressions.

After setting the final dish of Kung Pao Chicken on the table, Shinji sat down and looked at their surprised faces in puzzlement. "What's wrong? Why do you all look so incredulous?"

"Shinji, you could cook?" Shirou had recovered somewhat, but he still could not quite believe it.

"Are you really Matou?!" Taiga voiced her doubts.

"What exactly is your impression of me?!" Shinji complained irritably. "Anyway, I can cook, but I only know Chinese Cuisine. And I haven't cooked in a long time, so the taste might not be perfect."

"Oh my..." Taiga covered her mouth, looking utterly incredulous. "I thought Matou would definitely only know how to make instant cup noodles or something. I never expected you to have a talent like this."

"Sorry for being able to do more than make cup noodles." Shinji complained again as he casually handed bowls of rice to the others. "But I'm not doing the dishes or anything."

Sakura knew that Shinji could cook. It had been one night about five years ago. Zouken had been inspecting spiritual lands all around the country, while Tsuruno basically slept at hotels every day. So that night, aside from the maids, only Shinji and Sakura had been home. Since it was already late, all the maids had gone to bed.

Late at night, while she was still awake in bed, Sakura heard soft footsteps in the hallway outside. Curious, she opened her door to take a look and saw her brother wearing an apron and carrying two plates of fried rice toward the dining room.

Hearing the sound, her brother turned around. When he saw her, he asked indifferently, "Want some?"

That was how it had started. Perhaps because he was not yet skilled enough, the fried rice that night had not tasted perfect. But to Sakura, it was a memory worth cherishing.

After that, she would occasionally hear her brother's footsteps in the hallway late at night. Whenever that happened, Sakura would silently open her door.

And as if he had grown accustomed to it, Shinji would always make an extra portion. The food he cooked also became more and more perfect.

However, there had been almost no such opportunities in the past year or so. Shinji no longer came home often, and the late-night meals where the two of them would occasionally sit in silence, each burdened with their own thoughts, had vanished completely.

Sometimes, Sakura could not help feeling that her brother was truly almost capable of anything.

"This sweet and sour fish is amazing!"

Taiga's praise pulled Sakura back from her thoughts.

"That's Sweet and Sour Fish," Shirou corrected helplessly.

"Hehe, I know this one. It's Green Pepper Shredded Pork! I've had it at a Chinese restaurant before."

"Well, it is just green peppers and shredded pork." Shinji quietly snarked.

After dinner.

"Be careful on your way home. And don't be late for club activities tomorrow."

Standing at the entrance, Taiga wore a kindly expression.

"What, you found out already?" Shinji rubbed his forehead.

"Of course. After all, I'm the Archery Club's faculty advisor. Don't skip club activities like you usually do."

"Don't worry. When it comes to something I've taken an interest in on a whim, I'll still work hard until the very end—at least until that interest completely fades. Goodbye, Taiga-san, Emiya."

"There's something wrong with that phrasing too! What do you mean, your interest will gradually fade?! And call me Fujimura-sensei properly!!"