"Delicious... As expected, Shirou-senpai's cooking is the best." Mash blurted it out, immersed in a world of fine food.
"Thank you. Then I win." Shirou chuckled as he looked at the black-haired girl.
Mash hurriedly corrected herself. "But Yukino-senpai's cooking is super delicious too! I finished all of it!"
"Thanks, Mash. But I could tell the result just from your expression earlier. I don't want to admit it, but Shirou's cooking really is better." Yukino glanced at the Youth, then gave Mash half the steak on her own plate.
"Ah... Thank you, senpai." Mash had wanted to refuse, but in the end, she bashfully accepted. The delicious steak overcame her reserve.
Shirou smiled at that. "Here, have half of mine too. Mash, you're obviously so slender, but you can eat surprisingly well. Is that why you can lift a shield as big as a dining table?"
"Senpai! My appetite wasn't that big in Chaldea." Mash complained, though she obediently accepted the steak anyway.
Shirou and Yukino sat on either side of Mash. Watching her bury her head in her food as though she had been completely captivated by the meal, they both found her childishly adorable and couldn't help shaking their heads with amused smiles. Then their eyes met, and they smiled at each other.
Yukino also sat down and carefully sampled the Youth's stir-fried beef with radish. The heat was perfect, the finely sliced pieces cut with masterful knife skills, and the juices burst forth with every bite. Tender, smooth, and refreshing, every detail had been handled flawlessly. Together, they made this humble homemade dish exude an unprecedented charm.
"As expected, no matter how many times I eat it, your cooking is truly astonishing." The girl thought that perhaps the Youth's culinary skills were even better than his archery.
"I like the steak you make too, Yukino. The crunchy broccoli suits my taste perfectly. Living alone has really improved your cooking." Shirou said as he seriously savored her food.
"Is that so? Thank you." Yukino calmly accepted the praise, though a trace of delight showed in her eyes. It seemed the effort she had spent every day learning to cook since meeting the Youth had not been wasted.
After dinner, they sat in the living room. It was time to discuss serious matters.
"Thank you, Yukino-senpai and Shirou-senpai, for helping me today. First, I'd like to introduce Chaldea's director, the organization I belong to." Mash took out her phone and connected to Chaldea in the other world.
A screen of light projected from the phone, like a hologram. Within it appeared a black-haired noblewoman who looked as though she had stepped out of a medieval Western painting. She was sitting in a chair, leisurely drinking tea.
"Da Vinci, what are you doing? The video call is already connected." Mash reminded her.
"As you can see, I'm run ragged dealing with foreign enemies who return to attack us again after only a few days, no matter how many times we defeat them." Da Vinci spread her hands.
"Da Vinci, you're drinking tea! You're slacking off!" Mash said to the screen.
Da Vinci replied matter-of-factly, "A genius needs three times as much rest as an ordinary person, so her work efficiency is thirty times greater."
"Ah, I find this person rather unpleasant," Yukino said quietly to Shirou.
"Yeah. She looks like a shady merchant. Mash said she made FGO." Shirou lowered his voice as well.
"Oh, how rude. We haven't even exchanged greetings yet, and you already dislike me? Is tsundere the trend in your world right now? Actually, the next banner will feature the limited 'Last Pharaoh,' Cleopatra. Her voice is super tsundere too. Interested?" Da Vinci asked with a Mona Lisa smile.
"Da Vinci, please work properly! Otherwise, I... even if I summon you in the future, I'll burn you!" Mash glared at Da Vinci and threatened her.
"That's fine. You wouldn't summon me anyway~!" Da Vinci laughed without caring. Then she turned her gaze toward the Youth and the girl. "All right, let's get to the point. First, let me explain my situation."
Da Vinci then began telling Shirou and Yukino how everything had happened, what kind of organization Chaldea was, why Mash had come to this world, and so on...
The More You Grind, the Stronger You Become
In the living room, the Youth and the girl sat quietly on the sofa, listening to Da Vinci's hologram tell the story of Mash following the ever-forward Gudako to save humanity.
Again and again, they had risked their lives entering different Singularities, facing heroes and kings from every era, monsters from legends, and even gods.
"Over ninety percent of this game's story is real. They are miracles Mash and Chaldea's finest Master, Gudako, truly experienced together. Few people in our world know they accomplished such tremendous feats, but you are their witnesses," Da Vinci said.
"Chaldea is constantly suffering monster attacks, and the monsters appearing in your world are unavoidable as well. Someone has to solve this problem, so I sincerely ask you to join hands with us and overcome this crisis," Da Vinci said as she looked earnestly at the Youth and the girl.
Yukino looked at Mash sympathetically. She had never expected such a delicate-looking girl to be the poor child from the game who had gone through so much...
Shirou tried to sum it up. "So Mash is inviting us to play a game adapted from the adventure story she experienced? And this game can help us defeat the invading Monsters, right?"
Da Vinci nodded approvingly. "Exactly. You understand quickly. We're letting everyone play Mash's adventure story."
"Shirou-senpai, Da Vinci, why does that summary somehow sound strange?" Mash asked, her face slightly red.
"This may be too shocking and difficult for you to accept after living in a peaceful world for so long. But can you give me an answer to my request now?" Da Vinci asked.
"No. Even if it's hard to accept, after encountering a monster like that, we have no choice but to believe it. Before deciding whether to help, I have some questions," Yukino said.
"Yukino, please ask," Da Vinci said.
"Then why are you from another world spreading this game here? Or rather, what do you gain from helping this world?" Yukino asked. Other than Shirou, perhaps there were justice-minded people somewhere in this world who would save others without expecting anything in return, but the person before them clearly was not one.
"Of course, there are benefits for us as well." Da Vinci gave the girl a light smile and answered.
"A Servant is an existence formed from heroes in legends and epics who have become objects of people's faith. A 'Servant' is a summoned incarnation of one of those heroes.
As I said before, an unknown anomaly is occurring in Chaldea. It isn't merely a matter of being suddenly attacked. Chaldea's mechanism for summoning Servants has also become incomplete. Summoning new Servants has become difficult, and even the Servants remaining in Chaldea have unstable existences.
So we need to raise the Servants' fame to replenish their strength.
By spreading FGO, on the one hand, players act as 'batteries,' replenishing the energy of the Servants staying in Chaldea. On the other hand, it serves as a safeguard. The appearance of dangerous Monsters in your world is an unchangeable fact. To fight Monsters, or even higher-ranking Phantasmal Beasts, you need methods of the same level. For people like you, who possess no mysterious power, summoning Servants is the only option.
So through this method, I use Chaldea as a channel that provides energy and connects to the Throne of Heroes. Your players' 'bonds' are the opportunity to summon Servants."
"Although most Servants in the mobile game are currently only data I provide, Masters with a true affinity may be able to contact Servants from the Throne of Heroes through this FGO system. Even Servants Chaldea has never observed could appear in this world because of you."
"And after the Servants you summon finish fighting, they will remain in Chaldea and help us defeat the attacking Monsters. It can be called the perfect win-win arrangement."
"Earlier, it was because a Servant answered your summons and helped you defeat the monster, wasn't it? So cooperation is truly our only better option, right?" Da Vinci asked with a smile.
"That's true... Though I really don't want to get dragged into a fantasy story like this," Yukino said helplessly.
"Then what do we need to do to restore this world to normal?" Shirou asked seriously. Compared to Chaldea's purpose, this was what concerned him more.
"To investigate why the world changed, Mash and Gudako need to look into it. On a personal note, I ask you to help this girl as well, Shirou Emiya," Da Vinci said solemnly.
"My name here is Hikigaya Shirou! Mash is my junior, so of course I'll help her. And this is my world. My important family and friends are here, and I will protect them all!" Shirou answered firmly.
"Senpai..." Mash looked at the Youth with deep emotion. Besides Dr. Roman and Gudako-senpai, she had once again met someone who sincerely cared for her. Her heart felt so warm, and she no longer felt lonely at all.
"Shirou..." Yukino's eyes flickered as she looked at him. Yes... she knew that Hikigaya Shirou was this kind of person. Half a year ago, when they had officially formed their bond in the Service Club, she had received his help many times. She knew his kindness, his gentleness, and his pursuit of justice.
But the Youth always put others before himself. Sometimes, he would even sacrifice himself to help others. She truly could not set her mind at ease over that.
"Thank you! Shirou-senpai, I'll support you with everything I have by your side!" Mash promised.
"Well, since you've said that much, as your friend from the same club, I can only help too." Yukino smiled.
"Is that so? I understand. It seems you are not the Shirou I know. But you are just as strong and dependable. Thank you for your assistance. I'll support all of you with everything I have from Chaldea," Da Vinci said with a smile.
"Then what should we do first?" Shirou asked.
"Well, due to the limitations of your world, with this current method of secretly supplying energy through loopholes in the world, the strength Servants can wield through incomplete possession is less than half of what they originally had. It is even lower when compatibility is poor. But if you can achieve one hundred percent compatibility and become one with a Servant, perhaps a new change may occur."
"In short, grind the game! Spend more money, summon more cards, and strengthen Servants who may be compatible with you. Learn about their deeds. Once your bond reaches maximum level, perhaps some miracle will occur. An Archer Heracles with the complete Twelve Labors, the King of Heroes with Sha Naqba Imuru activated... Perhaps even King Arthur with Avalon on her person, the Holy Sword in her left hand and the Holy Lance in her right isn't impossible!"
"Humans are creatures who create miracles. Even in another world, there may be people with deep bonds to Servants and gods. So go find more fellow Masters who can be compatible with Servants! Youth and girl, do your best! Yeah!" Da Vinci raised her fist high and cheered them on.
"Wait? So you're just telling us to play the game? You're the operator, aren't you? Why not just let me collect every Servant at max Noble Phantasm and max ascension, or give me tens of thousands of Saint Quartz?" Shirou complained.
"Then it would be meaningless. All I can alter is data. What connects you to Servants is your feelings and will. That is the FGO system! The stronger a player Master's feelings toward a Servant, the higher the chance of a possession summon! So spend more time building deep feelings with Servants you like! Well then... I still have work to do. We'll contact you next time~!" Da Vinci fled as soon as she finished speaking. The screen dimmed, and the hologram vanished with it.
"She ran away... Just like a heartless corporate boss who wants employees to work overtime but doesn't want to discuss a raise!" The Youth and the girl reached another shared conclusion. That shady merchant really was unpleasant.
"Shirou-senpai, Yukino-senpai! Let's work hard together! Playing FGO is justice! Anyone who likes FGO is a good person! Everyone is my wonderful senpai!" Mash clenched her fists and tried her best to smooth things over.
"That's enough... Mash." Shirou pressed down on the pink-haired girl's head as she tried to defend Da Vinci further. Since he had decided to help, he would not go back on it. Besides, this was the only way to save the world.
The Youth turned to Yukino. "Yukino, sorry. I dragged you into this. I didn't expect things to turn out this way."
Yukino shook her head. "No, this was my own choice. If we don't solve the problem ourselves, it won't end. And if things are truly as Da Vinci said, then as someone qualified for Servant possession, once I came into contact with FGO, I would have been dragged into this sooner or later."
"Besides, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. That is my principle in life. Since Monsters want to harm me, I'll repay them before that can happen." The black-haired girl revealed a cold smile.
"What can I say... That's so like you, Yukino. All right, then from now on, we'll fight side by side!" Shirou said with a chuckle.
"Yes! Yukino-senpai is beautiful, dependable, cool, and her cooking is super delicious too!" Mash agreed. To find two dependable senpai at once, she was truly lucky! She even had a feeling that she might summon a gold card next time!
"Mash, that's enough..." Yukino also reached out and pressed down on Mash's head as she laughed softly. She did not dislike this junior. After learning what Mash had experienced, all she felt now was the desire to cherish her.
The three of them actually shared the same goal. Yukino wanted to return to her ordinary life, so she needed to drive away the Monsters causing trouble.
Shirou wanted to protect the peace of this world and help his junior find happiness.
And Mash wanted to resolve Chaldea's crisis, investigate the reason the world had changed, and reunite with Gudako-senpai.
"It's getting late, so we'll be going now." Shirou checked his phone at that moment.
"I understand. We can discuss a detailed battle plan later." Yukino nodded.
Shirou led Mash outside.
"Mash, Shirou... See you tomorrow." Yukino stood by the door, raised a hand slightly, and gave it a gentle wave.
"Mm, see you tomorrow, Yukino-senpai!" Mash bowed.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Yukino." Shirou waved.
After leaving the luxury apartment, Shirou saw Mash onto the subway, then went home himself.
Chiffon Cake and Little Sister
Moonlight shone upon the quiet earth. The surrounding lights had all gone out, leaving only dark clouds in the sky shifting shape. The weather had gradually turned colder, and the Youth walked home alone through a silence that felt somewhat endless.
In his previous life, he had also spent a long period walking home alone at night like this. Back then, everything around him had been pitch-black, with only the night sky and the shadows cast by streetlights for company. Sometimes while walking, he would suddenly forget why he was returning to his destination, because even if he went back to that large mansion, no one would be waiting for him there.
But this world was different. He had more than enough reasons to return to this home. Though the house was smaller, it was warmer.
Sure enough, when the Youth rounded the corner and looked down the long straight alley leading to his home, he saw the light outside the door. It shone onto the ground, forming a pale yellow path. Moths fluttered in the glow, as though welcoming him home.
The Youth felt his steps grow lighter. He pushed open the gate and walked in. Through the window, he saw that the living room lights were on as well. The moment he took out his key and opened the door, a series of hurried thumps came from inside.
Komachi came running over in a rush.
"Yo, Komachi." Shirou raised a hand to greet his younger sister.
"Yo your sister!" Komachi puffed out her cheeks and glared at Shirou. "Brother! Where were you fooling around so late?"
"I am your brother, though." Shirou turned his head away and complained. He had prepared himself mentally, but he had not expected her to seize on him the moment he entered.
"Ah! Your clothes are all dirty too. Don't tell me you got into a fight with delinquents? Take it easy already. You're not a child anymore. Aren't you entering a kyudo competition in Tokyo soon? What if you hurt your hand?"
"No, there are circumstances that made it unavoidable." Shirou defended himself.
"What? Was it a hero saving a beauty? Tell me about it." Komachi asked with great interest.
"No, if anything, it was the opposite? Komachi, you're an exam candidate, right? Go back and study." Shirou walked into the house while ushering his younger sister toward her room.
"Tch... Stingy! And here I was worrying while waiting for you to come back." Komachi grumbled as she headed toward her room.
"Go study properly first. I'll bring you a late-night snack later," Shirou said.
"Komachi wants black tea and baked cake! Thanks, Brother! Your Brother points are super high tonight! Haha!" Komachi's expression immediately brightened, and she ran laughing back into her room.
"Are you some Young Lady from somewhere?" Shirou complained helplessly.
The Higashiya family's parents were always busy with work. During particularly hectic periods of overtime, they might not return home until late at night, then leave for work again early in the morning, sometimes unable to exchange even a word with their children all day.
Because of that, Komachi felt neglected by her parents. When she was in elementary school, she had even run away from home over it.
Back then, he had searched all around the neighborhood and run several laps before finally finding his younger sister and bringing her home.
Everyone had times when they felt lonely. Knowing someone was waiting at home was actually very important.
Neither Komachi nor Shirou had ever said it aloud, but they had developed an understanding: whoever got home first would always wait in the living room for the other to return.
After washing himself clean, Shirou returned to the kitchen and began making chiffon cake. He made it often, so it was not much trouble. He separated the egg whites and yolks, added sugar, flour, oil, and other ingredients, poured in honey and mixed everything evenly, then whipped the egg whites. Finally, he combined them, poured the batter into a mold, placed it in the oven, and set the temperature changes for each stage.
Then came forty minutes of waiting. Shirou took out his textbooks and prepared to finish today's homework.
Since he had no magical energy in this life, he could not even do his usual nighttime magic training. So he could only choose to do schoolwork instead, which was why his grades were quite good. Every now and then, he could even place in the top three of his year.
Just as he finished his homework, the oven chimed. When he opened it, the kitchen immediately filled with the sweet fragrance of cake. A golden, round chiffon cake had officially come out of the oven.
Not long afterward, Shirou carried sliced cake and black tea to Komachi's room. After knocking, he entered.
Komachi immediately ran over with a grin, took the black tea Shirou offered her, and looked at the golden cake with a satisfied smile.
"Thanks. Brother might actually be suited to being a butler," Komachi praised.
"You don't mean being your butler, right? Then I refuse." Shirou placed the tray on the small table, sat down, and poured himself a cup of tea.
"No! How about serving a Young Lady from Finland or something? So good~! As expected of Komachi's brother: an all-around domestic master and a handsome guy." Sitting in the chair by her desk, Komachi took a bite of chiffon cake and happily kicked her feet, not forgetting to blink at Shirou.
"I see. Make sure you study properly after you finish eating." Though he had no idea why Finland had come up, Shirou answered casually. He took out his phone, turned it to silent mode, and opened FGO.
"Yeah..." Komachi replied listlessly. Her next line had been going to be, "Want to play FGO together for a while?" Her strategy of currying favor with her brother and asking for mercy had failed spectacularly.
FGO slowly entered the login screen. Sure enough, when he had not been dragged into another space, tapping into the game led to its normal state.
Just then, a message came through in the group chat.
Before you continue