Reclaiming the Four (Father and Daughter)

"Emiya Shirou... Emiya..." Illya's expression froze, and the look she gave Shirou carried a hint of hostility.

After all, he was about her age, shared her beloved father's surname, and more importantly, had managed to get here—it was hard to believe it was just a coincidence.

"Whatever. I've never seen him before, so he's probably an intruder. Lizelotte, take him down!" Illya commanded.

She had absolute confidence in Lizelotte. Unlike the other homunculi, Lizelotte was a special combat model, and one of the components of the Heaven's Dress of the Holy Grail.

Though neither party knew it, when Illya donned the Heaven's Dress, her own role would come to an end. In that sense, Lizelotte could be considered Illya's spare part—the moment Illya died, her life activity would also cease.

Receiving her master's order, Lizelotte grabbed a nearby battle-axe and swung it without hesitation at Shirou's head.

Shirou dodged quickly. Even if the blow had landed, it couldn't have breached his Steel Skin's defense, but getting hit still wouldn't feel good.

"Hey, didn't anyone tell you it's incredibly rude to just start fighting?" Shirou said.

"Stop at once, Lizelotte! Do not be discourteous to Mr. Emiya!" At that moment, Ahad walked over from the direction Shirou had come and barked the order at Lizelotte.

"Yes, Clan Head Ahad."

As her creator, Ahad's command was absolute to Lizelotte. After she halted, he stepped before Shirou.

"Mr. Emiya."

If he could help it, Ahad wouldn't want to grovel like this either, but the situation left him no choice. If Shirou wanted to, he could slap him dead with one palm.

Kiritsugu came over too. He looked at Illya, all the words he'd planned piling up in his throat, unable to find a way out. After a long pause, all he managed was: "I'm back, Illya."

Shirou knew his old man Emiya Kiritsugu had that tsundere streak, but he couldn't see what was so cute about a man being stubborn like that.

He tugged at Ahad's sleeve, and when the old man looked at him, Shirou said, "Hey, old-timer, let's take those two maids and step out. They're father and daughter who haven't seen each other in a year—let's give them some space."

Ahad nodded to show he understood. He couldn't grasp what use familial bonds had for a magus, but he certainly didn't dare refuse Emiya Shirou's order. Who knew if angering him would get him smacked to death? He had no desire to test that theory on himself.

"Sella, Lizelotte. You two, come with me."

"Yes, Clan Head Ahad."

Shirou turned and left the room, with Ahad and the two maids following behind.

"That kid, Shirou..."

Kiritsugu, now past thirty, saw through it immediately. Shirou clearly knew his personality and had cleared the room because he feared Kiritsugu wouldn't be able to say certain things with others present, leading to misunderstandings. He'd left space so Kiritsugu could talk to Illya properly.

"He's really gentle, but is being this mature for his age really a good thing? Well, what right do I have to judge him?" Kiritsugu thought. Then he looked at Illya. A year had passed, but because she was a half-homunculus, his daughter had barely aged at all—she looked exactly the same as a year ago.

"Kiritsugu..."

Everyone knew it was rude to address an elder by their first name, but when one was willing to give and the other to take, no one could say a word.

"Ah, I'm here."

"Welcome back... and this time, Kiritsugu didn't keep his promise. You came back so late. But Illya has been good and obedient, always waiting for Kiritsugu!" Illya said.

"I'm sorry, Illya. Daddy was late." Looking at his daughter, Kiritsugu didn't know what else to say.

"It's okay. Because it's you, Kiritsugu, I forgive you." Illya smiled.

"Kiritsugu."

"Hm?"

"Can you hug me this time?"

"...Yeah!"

Trembling, Kiritsugu extended his arms and wrapped them around Illya's small body. It was the first time he'd hugged her since she was born. Because of his profession, he'd always felt he had no right to hold Illya.

But since he'd decided to quit this line of work anyway, what was one hug? Kiritsugu thought to himself.

"Finally, I can feel it. Kiritsugu's embrace... it's so warm," Illya thought.

"I'm never leaving you again, Illya." Kiritsugu tightened his arms around her, as if the precious treasure in his embrace would vanish the moment he relaxed.

"Kiritsugu."

"What?"

"You're hugging me too tight. I can't breathe."

"Ah, sorry, sorry..."

At that, Kiritsugu immediately let go. Watching him fluster and fumble, Illya found it hard not to laugh.

The father and daughter talked for a long time. After all, Kiritsugu had been a whole year late. He spent considerable effort explaining to Illya what had happened with Irisviel.

Outside the door, Shirou was peeking in, along with Sella and Lizelotte. Ahad had initially wanted to stop the two maids, but seeing Shirou doing the same, he held his tongue.

"By the way, Kiritsugu. Who is that Emiya Shirou?"

"..."

Though Kiritsugu had expected Illya might ask about Shirou, he hadn't thought it would come this fast!

It was like in a family considering a second child—the eldest might oppose it, afraid of losing favor. Now that Illya's family had become a single-parent household, she wasn't about to let her grip on Kiritsugu slip.

"Probably... your little brother," Kiritsugu said, a bit nervously.

"Why? Isn't having Illya and Mama enough for Kiritsugu?" Illya struggled in his arms, dark aura swirling around her as if she were about to fall into darkness.

"Illya, let me explain, it's like this, I..." Kiritsugu scrambled to explain, but Illya wasn't buying it at all. In her eyes now, an explanation was just an excuse, and an excuse meant nothing!

This was trouble.

Kiritsugu thought to himself. In the past, the father and daughter had their spats, but every time Illya threw a tantrum, Kiritsugu quickly caved.

But this time, how could he cave? Just toss Shirou aside? Sure, Shirou could take care of himself, but his conscience wouldn't let him.

Besides, Kiritsugu had already gotten used to Shirou making breakfast for him. If they split up, who'd cook in the morning? (Hey!)

"Hey, Illya, how about we go outside and count the new buds on the walnut trees?" Unable to explain, Kiritsugu tried to change the subject.

But Kiritsugu, oh Kiritsugu, did you forget something? A third of the walnut trees outside Einzbern Castle had already been nuked flat by your adorable son's Light Cannon!

"Mm! Just me and Kiritsugu!" Kids were kids—mention play, and they forgot everything.

"Of course!" Even if he asked Shirou to join, he wouldn't. Kiritsugu thought to himself. In Shirou's words, "I never do pointless things."

...That cocky little brat! Just thinking about it made Kiritsugu fume. He was just a kid, after all! Acting all world-weary like that wasn't cute at all.

The two walked out of the room, only to find Shirou still standing at the doorway, talking with Ahad about something. Seeing Kiritsugu come out, Shirou asked:

"Hey, old man, are you two done talking?"

At the sight of Shirou acting like he hadn't noticed her, Illya immediately glared at him with hostile, puffed-up eyes.

Kiritsugu rubbed his forehead. What a mess this was!