Reclaiming Four (Father and Daughter)

"Emiya Shirou, Emiya..." Illya's expression froze, and she looked at Shirou with a hint of hostility.

It made sense. He was about the same age as her, shared a surname with her beloved father, and, most importantly, had managed to come here. No matter how she thought about it, it could not have been a mere coincidence.

"Never mind. Since I've never seen him before, he's probably an intruder. Lizelotte, take him down!" Illya ordered.

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

Though neither party knew it, when Illya put on Heaven's Dress, Lizelotte's duty would come to an end as well. In that sense, she could be considered Illya's spare part. The moment Illya died, Lizelotte's life functions would cease too.

Upon receiving her master's order, Lizelotte grabbed the massive axe beside her and swung it mercilessly at Shirou's head.

Shirou hurriedly dodged. Even if the blow had landed cleanly, it could not have broken through his Steel Skin defense, but getting hit still would not feel good.

"Hey, didn't anyone tell you that starting a fight without a word is incredibly rude?" Shirou said.

"Stop at once, Lizelotte! Do not be disrespectful to Mr. Emiya!" Ahad Clan Head walked over from the direction Shirou had just come from and sternly stopped Lizelotte.

"Yes, Ahad Clan Head."

As her creator, Ahad's orders were absolute to Lizelotte. Once she stopped, he walked up to Shirou.

"Mr. Emiya."

If possible, Ahad did not want to humble himself like this either, but circumstances were stronger than him now. If Shirou wished it, he could slap Ahad to death with a single hand.

Kiritsugu came over as well. Looking at Illya, he found that all the words he had prepared had vanished. After holding it in for a long time, he only managed to say, "I'm back, Illya."

Shirou knew his old man Emiya Kiritsugu had a somewhat hopelessly tsundere personality, but he did not understand what was supposed to be cute about a tsundere man.

He tugged on Ahad's sleeve. Once Ahad looked at him, Shirou said, "Hey, old man, let's take those two maids outside. Those two haven't seen each other for a year, so let's give them some space."

Ahad nodded to show that he understood. Though he could not understand what use familial affection had to a mage, he absolutely did not dare refuse Emiya Shirou's order. Who knew whether angering him would get Ahad slapped to death? He did not want to become an experiment.

"Sella, Lizelotte, you two come outside with me."

"Yes, Ahad Clan Head."

Shirou turned and left the room, followed by Ahad and the two maids.

"That child Shirou..."

Having already reached his thirties, Kiritsugu naturally understood what was happening. Shirou clearly knew his personality and had made space for him because he feared that, with others present, Kiritsugu might fail to say certain things and create misunderstandings with Illya.

He really is kind. But is it really good for him to be this mature so early? Well, what right do I have to say that about him? Kiritsugu thought. Then he looked at Illya. A year had passed, but due to her being half-homunculus, his daughter had barely grown at all. She looked exactly the same as she had a year ago.

"Kiritsugu..."

Everyone knew that calling an elder by name was impolite, but when one was willing to call and the other was willing to answer, no one could say anything about it.

"Yeah, I'm here."

"Welcome back... Also, Kiritsugu didn't keep his promise this time. You came back so much later than you said you would. But Illya was good the whole time and kept waiting for Kiritsugu!" Illya said.

"I'm sorry, Illya. Dad was late." Looking at his daughter, Kiritsugu did not know what to say.

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

"Kiritsugu."

"Hmm?"

"This time, you can hug me, right?"

"...Yeah!"

Trembling, Kiritsugu stretched out his arms and embraced Illya's tiny body. This was the first time he had hugged her since her birth. Because of his profession, Kiritsugu had always believed he had no right to hold Illya.

I've decided not to do this line of work anymore anyway. So I'll hold her, Kiritsugu thought.

I can finally feel it. Kiritsugu's embrace is so warm! Illya thought.

"I won't leave you again, Illya." Kiritsugu tightened his arms around Illya, as though the treasure in his embrace would vanish the moment he loosened his hold.

"Kiritsugu."

"What is it?"

"You're holding me too tightly. I can barely breathe."

"Ah, sorry, sorry..."

Kiritsugu immediately loosened his arms upon hearing that. Seeing him fluster about so helplessly, Illya desperately wanted to laugh.

The father and daughter talked for a long time. After all, Kiritsugu had been late by an entire year, and it took him great effort to explain Irisviel's situation to Illya.

Outside the door, Shirou, Sella, and Lizelotte were peeking in. Ahad had initially wanted to stop the two of them, but when he saw Shirou doing the same thing, he said nothing.

"Oh, right, Kiritsugu. Who is that Emiya Shirou?"

"..."

Kiritsugu had expected Illya might care about Shirou, but he had not expected her to bring it up this quickly!

In some families that wanted a second child, the eldest might object because they feared losing their parents' affection to the younger sibling. Now that Illya was effectively from a single-parent family, she naturally would not let her guard down around Kiritsugu at all.

"He's probably your little brother," Kiritsugu said timidly.

"Why? Isn't having Illya and Mom enough for Kiritsugu?" Illya struggled in Kiritsugu's arms as black aura seemed to rise around her, looking as though she was about to go dark.

"Illya, listen to my explanation. It's like this, I..." Kiritsugu hurriedly tried to explain, but Illya would not buy it at all. To her right now, explanations meant excuses, and excuses meant there was no excuse!

This was troublesome.

Kiritsugu thought. It was not as if father and daughter had never had disagreements before. Whenever Illya got upset, Kiritsugu would promptly surrender.

But could he surrender this time? Throw Shirou aside? Shirou certainly had the ability to take care of himself, but Kiritsugu's conscience would not allow it.

Besides, Kiritsugu had grown used to Shirou making breakfast for him. If they separated, who would make breakfast? (Hey!)

"Um, Illya, how about we go outside and have a contest counting the new walnut buds?" Unable to explain himself, Kiritsugu could only change the subject.

But Kiritsugu, had you forgotten something? One-third of the walnut trees outside Einzbern Castle had been flattened by your adorable son's Light Cannon!

"Okay! Just Kiritsugu and me!" A child was still a child. The moment play was mentioned, she forgot everything else.

"Of course!" Even if he invited Shirou, he would not come. In his words, "I never do meaningless things." Kiritsugu thought.

...That smug little brat! The thought made Kiritsugu furious. He was clearly just a child! Acting like he had seen through all worldly affairs was not cute at all.

The two walked out of the room, only to find Shirou still standing by the door talking to Ahad. Seeing Kiritsugu come out, Shirou asked:

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

The moment Illya saw Shirou acting as though she did not exist, she immediately glared at him with puffed cheeks and hostile eyes.

Kiritsugu rubbed his forehead. What was this mess?