Please Play Fate/Grand Order With Me

Everyone else wore knowing expressions, completely ignoring my explanation.

"I already told you, it's not like that!" Erina shouted angrily.

But the way they looked at her was filled with affectionate smiles.

After the award ceremony, Shirou walked off the stage with the huffing girl, heading towards a secluded corner.

"Hey, Miss, I won this time, right?" Shirou asked with a smile.

Even though he said it, seeing her smug grin made her incredibly frustrated! She wanted to knead that infuriating face like dough, bake it into bread, and then eat it!

How dare she humiliate her and then put on such a sinister smile! She was definitely scheming something wicked in her head! Was she planning to make her do something even more embarrassing? But as the queen of the Nakiri family, she couldn't go back on her word.

Erina braced herself, her face flushing as she stomped her foot. "Yes! You won, okay! What do you want me to do? Just say it!"

"Why do I feel like I've become the villain here? Anyway, can you tell me about the Servant possessing you?" Shirou asked.

Chapter 65: Heroic Spirits Are All Different

"Well, since I lost. As per our agreement, if you beg me, I might tell you," Erina said, twirling a strand of her hair. Although she was unwilling, she would still keep her promise.

So, Erina recounted to Shirou how she had summoned Tomoe Gozen while watching manga and playing games.

"Wait? How can you watch manga and play games at the same time?" Shirou asked, confused.

"Of course, otherwise this game would be so boring. Unless I'm preparing for cooking, I have to focus entirely. For the FGO game, apart from paying attention during the story, everyone else plays while doing other things, right!" Erina said matter-of-factly.

"Huh? Is that so?" Shirou asked, puzzled.

"There's nothing wrong with that. The initial purpose of the FGO system is to make people like Heroic Spirits. Heroic Spirits are beings similar to deities. The more faith and worship they receive from people, the stronger they become in maintaining their power." At this moment, Little Da's voice came from the phone.

Shirou took out his phone, and a miniature black-haired figure appeared on the screen.

"Ah, it's the little fairy I met before," Erina recognized Little Da and said.

"Hello, Miss Erina," Little Da waved and greeted.

"So you knew about this all along? Why didn't you tell us?" Shirou asked, looking at Little Da.

"Because during the previous battle, the world's restrictions on Mystery have loosened, making it easier for people to summon Heroic Spirits. The FGO system is like a simplified summoning circle, providing a channel for people to communicate with fated Heroic Spirits.

This time, Miss Erina, with her exceptional talent, summoned Tomoe Gozen on her own. Heroic Spirits have different purposes, and I can't force her to help us fight, can I?" Little Da explained.

"So there are Heroic Spirits who are summoned but don't want to fight?" Shirou asked.

"Not all Heroic Spirits are bloodthirsty. In fact, if they can achieve their wishes without fighting, most peace-loving Heroic Spirits would choose this method," Little Da explained.

Tomoe Gozen wasn't summoned when Erina was in danger; she came to this world to learn cooking. Therefore, as long as Miss Erina doesn't ask her to, she won't actively fight.

"I'm very satisfied with the current situation. I can solve problems myself and don't bother others. However, I need to concentrate on practicing my cooking, so I don't plan on going with you to defeat any Monsters. Of course, if they appear before me, I don't mind annihilating them all," Erina said, playing with the award certificate in her hand. She was destined to reach the pinnacle of the culinary world, the queen, and didn't need to take so-called Monsters seriously.

"I understand. Since you've made your decision of your own will, I will support you," Shirou said, nodding to the girl. Rather than dragging more people into dangerous battles, he actually wished for more people to be happy.

"What... What is it! Why are you suddenly saying something like that?" Erina was flustered by Shirou's gaze and words, her face flushing as she looked away. What's with this guy? Why can he say such embarrassing things so casually, supporting me?

At that moment, the smile of victory from before resurfaced in her mind, that victor's pose was still so infuriating! And it buzzed around her like a bee, this indescribable feeling making her feel restless and agitated.

"Who asked for your support! Isn't that enough! I'm going back! Let me make this clear, I won't give up easily. Next time, I'll definitely beat you and then make you have a cooking competition with me!" Erina shouted, pointing at Shirou with her hand, then turned to leave.

"About that cooking competition, you know, once you get into the International High School, we can use the school's cooking classroom to make something and taste each other's dishes," Shirou said after hearing the girl's words.

"Really! I know! Let's have the competition when we get back to school then!" Erina's eyes lit up at his words, and she quickly ran back.

"No, you haven't confirmed you'll be attending our school yet, have you?" Shirou asked.

"That's a small matter. Just one phone call and the principal will let me in. Let's compete! How about we go to the school right now!" Erina grabbed Shirou's arm, eager to go.

"No, we still have the tournament awards ceremony tomorrow, don't we?" Shirou said helplessly, being held by the suddenly excited girl.

"Hey~! Erina-chan, Brother, what are you two doing?"

"Shirou~!"

At that moment, Komachi and Yuihama ran over, waving. Yukino, Asuna, and Mash followed closely behind.

"Eh? Erina-chan, have you and Brother gotten this close already? Is a duel really the best catalyst for strengthening feelings between two people?" Komachi said with some surprise, not expecting such an arrogant young lady to open up to her brother in less than two hours.

"No way! I just asked him to accompany me for a cooking competition," Erina quickly retracted her hand and retorted.

Well done, Brother. Komachi secretly gave her brother a thumbs-up. This was already a win, wasn't it!

"Komachi, can you introduce us? This is the child with the baseball cap who dueled with Shirou earlier, is she your friend?" Yuihama asked curiously.

"Okay! Erina-chan, let me introduce you. These are all senpais from the International High School," Komachi introduced each of them to the girl.

"Yukino-senpai, Yuihama-senpai, Yukinoshita-senpai, hello. I am Nakiri Erina, please take care of me." Erina bowed slightly. She considered herself noble and acted arrogantly but not rudely. She paid more attention to basic etiquette in social interactions than most people. Of course, except for that boy who annoyed her.

"And this is Mash-senpai, a first-year high school student this year! She's a member of the Kyudo Club, just like Brother," Komachi said, moving to Mash.

"Hello, Mash-senpai," Erina bowed.

"Senpai, Mash-senpai..." Mash's face turned slightly red. For some reason, she felt a sense of exhilaration.

In Mash's life, the only things that could surpass this delightful feeling were the dreams she had on New Year's Day when she was 18, playing with Gudako-senpai, throwing a frisbee for her to fetch, and having her belly rubbed – that kind of unparalleled joy.

"Wait, why are you so polite to everyone else? I'm your senpai, you know," Shirou reminded the blonde girl.

"Hmph! If you want me to respect you, at least wait until you beat me in cooking!" Erina snorted and turned her head away.

"What a disagreeable kouhai. I suppose Mashu is still the better junior... right?" Shirou looked at the pink-haired girl.

At this moment, Mashu was still immersed in her beautiful dream.

Image: "Mashu's Dream", Location: "Images/1523621855-100062415-101824358.jpg"

Chapter 66: The Tokyo Trip Ends

"I still need to take the trophy to Teacher, so I'll be going ahead," Shirou said, slinging his stored archery equipment onto his back and heading towards the meeting point.

Teacher Hiratsuka was sitting on a bench in the smoking area near the meeting point, idly smoking and playing a game.

"You're the supervising teacher, right? Is it really okay to be slacking off here?" Shirou quipped.

"It's fine, it's fine. You're the only one competing now anyway, Shirou. I have complete faith in you," Teacher Hiratsuka said dismissively, extinguishing her cigarette and tossing it into the trash can.

"Here, this should clear me, right?" Shirou handed over the trophy he had won to the teacher.

"Ooh! I got a Holy Grail! But is it really okay for me to have it?" Teacher Hiratsuka asked, accepting the trophy with a very happy smile.

"Yeah, I don't have anywhere to put this kind of thing in my room," Shirou said nonchalantly.

"Thank you! Shirou~! Now I can get reimbursed by the school for the money I spent on my bow! I love you~!" Teacher Hiratsuka hugged the trophy, rubbing it up and down, a blissful smile on her face.

"Speaking of which, with your family's background, Teacher, you shouldn't have to worry about that kind of money, should you?" Shirou asked, puzzled.

Teacher Hiratsuka wagged a finger at the boy. "Shirou, you don't understand. Real estate, cars, those can come from my family. It's a way for parents to show their love for their daughters, and a way for them to entrust their life's achievements to their children. As a daughter, I should accept it.

But as an adult, living expenses, gas money, and entertainment costs still need to be earned through my own wits or labor. That's the basis of having an independent and healthy life!"

"I see." Shirou's opinion of the teacher changed somewhat. So she had put thought into her own lifestyle.

"Besides, if I can't support myself at this age, it won't just be about being forced into blind dates. I might be shoved into some politician's house to be a punching bag wife," Teacher Hiratsuka said with a dark expression.

"Ahaha..." Shirou gave a dry laugh, feeling like her life wasn't easy either.

Come to think of it, Teacher Hiratsuka was quite similar to Sister Fuji. Sister Fuji also grew up to be a good person under the loving but not indulgent education of her grandfather in the Fujimura family. Although she was a bit eccentric and overly enthusiastic, that was probably a good thing, right?

Teacher Hiratsuka clenched her fist, her emotions surging. "And the money for gacha pulls must be earned by myself! That way, when I draw a favorite Heroic Spirit, the joy is doubled!"

This person was truly hopeless. She should go say these things to Mashu.

"Is that so... Well then, goodbye. I'm heading back," Shirou said, abandoning the suddenly fervent teacher and turning to leave.

After that, Shirou met up with the girls, spent some time with them sightseeing nearby, and then saw them off at the station.

On the morning of the third day, the awards ceremony was successfully completed. In the afternoon, Shirou boarded a chartered bus with the Kyudo Club and set off back to Chiba. His trip to Tokyo had officially ended.

What Shirou didn't know was that his archery duel with Erina had been recorded and uploaded to a popular bullet-commentary website.

The boy in the video was like a sheathed sword, only revealing his sharpness at the moment he released an arrow. The girl was like a burning fire, displaying a beauty of violence and iron will, allowing many people who had never experienced compound bows to feel the coolness and charm of archery.

When the video panned to their faces, it revealed that both protagonists were handsome and beautiful. The click-through rate surpassed one million overnight, becoming a sensation and sparking a trend of people taking up archery.

Meanwhile, at the event's organizing committee, someone called the principal of the International High School. They greatly praised Shirou.

Principal Qin, you truly have excellent teaching methods. Your student, Shirou, performed wonderfully at this tournament! The event's great success is also thanks to your school's participation.

"Ahaha, you flatter me. I merely always educate my students not to be arrogant and to diligently do every small task before them."

"...For the next event, please ensure your school participates in the competition as well."

"...We'll see, we'll see."

Principal Qin was in a great mood, his face flushed with joy. He happily hung up the phone. He hadn't expected an archery competition to receive such a positive response. This would be another achievement to add to his resume as the principal of Huameng International Branch School.

"Ah, right. Such an outstanding student must participate in the exchange program this winter. I'll have Teacher Hiratsuka work on it then," the principal mused.

Shirou slept on the chartered bus. When he woke up, the bus had already returned to the school. Since it was Sunday, the members of the Kyudo Club who had participated in the competition put away their archery equipment, said their goodbyes, and went home.

As soon as Shirou opened his front door and stepped inside, Komachi greeted him with a smile, holding a color-printed flyer.

"Brother! This one! Komachi's celebration is for you to accompany me to this festival!" Komachi held the flyer in front of her brother.

Shirou looked closely. It was a fireworks festival to be held nearby next Wednesday evening.

"Oh, sure. Do you want to invite friends too? Or will it just be you and me?" Shirou asked.

Komachi covered her face in disappointment and sighed heavily. "Brother... why can't you think things through? Of course, it'll be more lively if we invite more friends!"

"Then why don't you just invite your friends?" Shirou asked, confused.

"Komachi has a generous heart and will surely become even more generous in the future, but even for your sake, Brother, it's probably best not to exceed five people. So, for Komachi's sake, Brother, please invite your best senpais. And! Absolutely no boys! Here!" Komachi instructed.

"Oh, oh..." Shirou took the fireworks festival flyer from Komachi as if accepting a commission. He didn't quite understand, but as long as he invited everyone, that was fine, right?

"As an admission gift for Komachi, besides a delicious and abundant dinner and a carefully prepared gift, Komachi is satisfied just seeing Brother's happiness. Ah~! Komachi is scoring so high right now!" Komachi became lost in her own reverie.

"Dinner and gifts, you've already received more than enough," Shirou retorted.

ps: [1 more update pending]

Chapter 67: Peerless Genius Swordsman

On Monday afternoon, Shirou made an appearance at the Kyudo Club and then went to the Service Club. The girls were already gathered there.

"Heehee, Shirou, look at this!" Yuihama ran over with a giggle, pulling out a flyer with fireworks in the night sky printed on it.

"Ah, I was just about to say that," Shirou said, looking at the flyer. He then pulled out an identical one from his school bag.

"So, we're definitely going then! You guys are okay with it, right, Yukino, Asuna?" Yuihama asked with a happy smile.

"If you all are going, then I'll go too," Yukinoshita replied softly, still looking at her book.

"Sure, fireworks in winter have their own unique charm," Asuna agreed with a smile.

"Mash, you're coming with us too, right?" Yuihama asked, looking at the pink-haired junior.

"Yes, I'd like to see them too," Mash nodded. She recalled her past experiences at Chaldea and murmured, "Festivals, huh... Speaking of which, Gudako-senpai once told Jack and Jeanne d'Arc Lily that she'd take them goldfish scooping."

"That's great! Then we'll all go to the festival and watch the fireworks together!" Yuihama shouted, raising her hands in excitement.

This winter fireworks festival had become a customary annual event in Chiba in recent years. The fireworks would be launched from a large bridge connecting to the waterfront park after nightfall. There would be at least several thousand shells, lasting for half an hour, during which the sky and water would be enveloped in a kaleidoscope of colorful lights.

People who came to watch the fireworks usually arrived around 5 PM, finding high vantage points near the park to secure their spots. They would then wait for the festival to begin. After the fireworks concluded, families would find a place to have dinner.

If you were worried about getting hungry, there was no need. Whenever such an event was held, nearby shops would have already submitted their applications and set up stalls selling various snacks and sweets, making the area as lively as a festival.

After school on Wednesday afternoon, Shirou and the girls went home to change out of their school uniforms before meeting at their agreed-upon spot.

Afterward, they all headed to the waterfront park, the viewing location for the fireworks. Since it was a winter night and they were by the bridge, everyone had changed into warm coats, parkas, or down jackets.

Yukino Yukinoshita wore a white down jacket that complemented her long, black, pearl-like hair. She walked alongside Shirou.

"Hey, are you guys really not going to eat anything?" Yuihama called out from ahead, holding a skewer of oden in one hand and a meat bun in the other.

"Yeah! Brother! It's rare to have so much good food, you can eat to your heart's content!" Komachi said, a candied hawthorn in her mouth and a paper-wrapped sweet potato in her hand.

Asuna and Mash, who had been dragged along to buy food and couldn't resist the temptation, were now happily eating yakisoba and takoyaki, respectively.