Bright sunlight streamed through the window into Shirou Emiya's bedroom. Feeling the scorching warmth of the sunlight, Shirou Emiya slowly awoke from his dreams.
"What a long time it's been since I've slept this comfortably!"
Ever since arriving in Orario, Shirou Emiya had worked hard every day to improve his strength. He often rose early and went to bed late, to the point that even his habit of sleeping in from his days as Emiya had been broken.
It seemed like it had been a long time since he had last slept until he woke naturally like this.
He sat up in bed, walked to the window, and looked outside. The usually somewhat empty courtyard had become lively.
"As expected, Twilight Manor became lively the moment everyone returned from the expedition."
Looking at the members of the Familia moving about in the courtyard, Shirou Emiya couldn't help chuckling. He liked this lively atmosphere.
"Hey! Shirou! Over here!"
Hearing someone call his name, Shirou Emiya looked over and found Tiona calling out to him.
Ais, Tione, and Lefia were standing beside her.
Shirou Emiya smiled and waved at them.
"Come down!"
Seeing that Shirou Emiya had noticed her greeting, Tiona continued shouting loudly.
"I knew you were looking for me!"
After last night's party, Shirou Emiya had become familiar with them and gained a rough understanding of their personalities.
If he didn't go down, the four of them would probably come up and personally invite him down in a little while!
Since he was going down anyway, Shirou Emiya nodded at them before going to wash up.
After tidying himself up, Shirou Emiya, dressed in casual clothes, soon appeared before the four of them.
"Good morning, everyone! Ais, Tiona, Tione!"
After greeting the three who were training, Shirou Emiya walked over to Lefia, who was also watching them train, and said with a smile, "Good morning, Lefia!"
"Ah! Good morning, Mr. Emiya!"
Lefia, somewhat bashful, hurriedly turned around to reply when she heard Shirou Emiya greet her.
"Don't get so worked up, Lefia. We're all companions, so you can be more relaxed."
Although he had known that Lefia was easily embarrassed and timid at this point in time, he hadn't expected her to be so shy even when greeting a slightly unfamiliar companion.
"Sorry!"
Looking at Lefia bowing her head, as if she wanted to bury it in the ground, Shirou Emiya was speechless.
"Lefia, Shirou is a companion of our Familia! You can't be so nervous around him!"
After Shirou Emiya came over, the three who had been sparring also stopped and gathered around.
Now that's what you call being a social butterfly.
Looking at Tiona, who had draped an arm over his shoulder and kept calling him "Shirou," then at Lefia, who remained somewhat bashful despite everyone's encouragement, Shirou Emiya could only say that people truly couldn't be compared to one another.
"Don't be afraid, Lefia. Everyone will protect you."
Looking at Ais gently stroking Lefia's head, and Lefia's eyes shining brightly beneath Ais's touch—
As expected, Ais is the one who has to step in.
Just as expected of you, Mountain Blonde Elf Lefia!
"Speaking of which, since we finally got back today, why don't you rest a little longer?"
"Of course it's to get our equipment maintained! We can also stroll around the streets while we're at it. How about it? Want to come?"
Tiona asked with a grin, planting her hands on her hips.
"Get our equipment maintained and go shopping?"
To be honest, although Shirou Emiya hadn't really explored Orario yet, that didn't change the fact that he didn't want to go shopping with these four women.
Shopping with women was exhausting enough on its own, and these women were all top-tier adventurers.
Oh, except Lefia!
In any case, Shirou Emiya was extremely unwilling, but there was nothing he could do.
Looking at the two sisters holding onto his shoulders and Ais tugging at the hem of his clothes, Shirou Emiya knew that these women had never given him an option to refuse.
"Of course. I'd be delighted!"
On the bustling streets, Shirou Emiya walked at the very back of the group with a sigh.
Looking at the shopping bags in his hands, he could only say that it was exactly as he had expected.
Hah, women!
But those were all minor matters. After all, he wasn't afraid of this little bit of weight anymore.
What concerned him more were the strange looks coming from those around him.
"Look, that's him!"
"Is that the legendary newcomer from Loki Familia?"
"The legendary archer whose shots possess power comparable to a magic sword!"
Thanks to his Level 2 abilities, Shirou Emiya could hear the surrounding discussions loud and clear.
It had only happened yesterday, so how did everyone on the streets already know about it today?
Did the people of Orario really have that much free time?
Sigh!
Life is hard. Even the cat has to sigh!
"Are the discussions around you really bothering you that much?"
At some point, the group of four who had originally been walking ahead had already fallen back to Shirou Emiya's side.
Hearing Tiona's question, Shirou Emiya wore an utterly helpless expression.
"I'm just not used to being the center of everyone's attention."
"That means you still need to get used to it!"
Tione moved to Shirou Emiya's side and kept patting him on the shoulder, smiling as she comforted him. "As long as you have the strength and belong among the strong, you're bound to become a topic of discussion. You'll get used to it eventually!"
Listening to their consolation and looking at the eyes surrounding him, Shirou Emiya sighed. "I really don't want to get used to this kind of life!"
"Ah~!"
?
Looking at the fried potato ball being held out in front of him, Shirou Emiya stared in confusion at its owner, Ais.
As if sensing Shirou Emiya's confusion, Ais said calmly, "It's a red bean cream fried potato ball. Eating it will make you feel better!"
"Eat it!"
Looking at the fried potato ball held to his mouth, Shirou Emiya felt waves of resentment enveloping him.
The spectators who had been discussing him had all turned dark with jealousy. Every one of them stared at him with glowing red eyes.
The strongest resentment around him came from behind Ais—from where Lefia stood.
"Hurry up and eat it, rookie! This is a senior's consolation!"
Ah, those two idiot Amazon Sisters are fanning the flames again.
Hey, hey, hey!
What are you people doing? Ais offered this herself—it has nothing to do with me!
Is it really okay to threaten me like this?
But then again, I'd rather accept kindness than force!
Under everyone's threatening gazes, Shirou Emiya calmly bit into the fried potato ball held before him.
Delicious!
It was truly delicious!
He never would have expected such a small fried potato ball to taste this good!
After swallowing the fried potato ball in his mouth, Shirou Emiya said with a grin, "It's delicious. Thank you for comforting me, Ais!"
"It's nothing. We're companions."
"But there's something I want to ask you!"
Hearing Ais's words, Shirou Emiya could more or less guess what she wanted to ask.
"Why are you so strong?"
"Strong?"
Hearing Ais's question, Shirou Emiya's memories involuntarily returned to that world—to that war.
Am I strong?
Then why did Sakura have to die?
Am I strong?
Then why couldn't I protect Miyu's life?
Am I strong?
Then why am I pursuing even greater strength here?
Because I'm still weak!
"I'm not strong at all!"
Although, according to this world's level system, he had indeed improved very quickly—
Compared to his goal, he still had a very long way to go!
Hearing Shirou Emiya's answer, Ais immediately intended to refute him. But before she could speak, Shirou Emiya's voice rang out again.
"If there's really something about me that can be called 'strength,' I think it's probably conviction."
"The conviction to accomplish something even if it means standing against the entire world!"
"That is the strength that belongs to me!"
Before you continue