A Day Out Together

East Main Street.

Following the crowded flow of people, Shirou Emiya and Riveria walked side by side along the streets of East Main Street, looking around at the various stalls.

Various wreaths were displayed on both sides of the street, while countless colorful flags fluttered in the breeze above their heads.

Looking at the lively crowds around them, Shirou Emiya could not help smiling. "As expected of a festival, it's really lively. Riveria, have you really never taken part in one of these festivals before?"

"Not exactly. I've attended some smaller festivals. As for the Monster Festival, that would have to be a long time ago, when I had just arrived in Orario."

Dressed in casual clothes and walking beside Shirou Emiya, Riveria constantly attracted the attention of the surrounding visitors.

Unlike her usual attire, Riveria's casual outfit—changed into at Shirou Emiya's urging—gave her an especially beautiful air from head to toe.

As expected of Elf Royalty, whose beauty surpassed that of the gods.

Even in casual clothes, she was still so beautiful.

Besides, elves had excellent taste in clothing.

"Really? Then you must usually be too strict, so they don't dare invite you. You should smile more."

"Smile more?"

Because of her identity as Elf Royalty, every elf acted with utmost respect whenever they faced Riveria.

But she did not like this attitude. In fact, she even found it somewhat distasteful.

Yet changing it was hardly an easy matter.

Looking at the troubled Riveria, Shirou Emiya said with a smile, "Don't worry about it too much. How could changing a person be that simple? You only need to do what you want to do."

Shirou Emiya always felt that Riveria resembled Saber, Artoria, in some ways.

It was not merely because their voices sounded alike. (After all, they had the same voice actress!)

Their personalities were similar as well. Both had somewhat stubborn personalities.

And yet they were unexpectedly adorable.

There were all kinds of stalls on both sides of the street, and the aromas drifting from them made passersby drool.

Even Shirou Emiya found it hard to resist the urge to buy something to eat.

After all, how could one attend a festival without buying food?

After buying two portions of fried potato balls from a stall, Shirou Emiya handed one to Riveria.

After hesitating for a moment, Riveria accepted it.

"I remember this is Ais's favorite food!"

"That's right. She's liked it since she was little. If I remember correctly, her favorite flavor is red-bean cream, right?"

The moment Ais was mentioned, Riveria's gaze softened. It was clear that Ais held an extremely important place in her heart.

As expected of a mother figure!

Holding the fried potato balls in their hands, the two were about to continue forward when they suddenly heard familiar voices beside them.

"Uh, one regular fried potato ball and—"

"One red-bean cream flavor."

The sudden voices brought both their steps to a halt, and they immediately turned around.

"I'd considered that this might happen, but this is way too coincidental!"

"It really is. There are so many people here, after all."

Since they had run into each other, they could not simply avoid saying hello. Looking at Loki and Ais standing at the fried potato ball stall, Shirou Emiya called out helplessly, "What a coincidence, Loki, Ais!"

"What? Oh, it's Shirou after all..."

"Huh!!!"

"Why is Riveria here?"

Loki, who had turned around upon hearing the familiar voice, instantly looked as though she had been struck by lightning, her expression becoming exaggerated.

"Why am I here? Naturally, because Shirou invited me."

"Then why didn't you come when I invited you? I invite you every year!"

Loki looked as though she had been struck by lightning again. Unable to hold it in any longer in the face of such obvious preferential treatment, she shouted.

Before Riveria could explain, Shirou Emiya stepped forward and patted Loki on the shoulder. "Of course, it's because I'm the one who invited her!"

Beep beep—Loki had been critically damaged!

Hearing Shirou Emiya's answer, Loki turned completely gray and collapsed onto the ground.

She kept muttering, "Riveria's been stolen away!"

Facing the critically damaged Loki, Shirou Emiya turned back and smiled at Riveria while making an OK gesture.

After all, Riveria had been invited out by him. How could he let Loki give her a hard time?

Looking at Loki lying on the ground and Shirou Emiya's smug expression, Riveria helplessly pressed a hand to her forehead.

Although things were indeed as Shirou Emiya had said, why did she feel that something was not quite right?

After this chance encounter, the four of them began touring the festival together at Loki's insistent suggestion.

After all, she had never gone to a festival with Ais and Riveria at the same time.

After obtaining Ais's agreement yesterday, she had tentatively invited Riveria as well, hoping to achieve the feat of having both women on her arms.

Unfortunately, Riveria had quickly seen through her plan and had not allowed her to succeed.

Now Riveria had been invited out by Shirou, and they had run into each other. How could Loki possibly let such a perfect opportunity pass?

That was what Loki thought.

And that was what she did.

But why was the result different from what she had imagined?

Walking behind the other three, Loki stared blankly at Shirou Emiya walking between Ais and Riveria, chatting happily with both of them.

Why had things turned out like this? It was her first time inviting Ais and Riveria out together, and her first time attending a festival with them both.

These two wonderful things had become intertwined. And these two joys should have brought her countless more joys.

She should have been enjoying this dreamlike happiness.

But why had things turned out like this?

Shouldn't she have been the one standing there?

"Ais."

"Big brother seems to really like festivals."

"Riveria."

"Indeed. I've never seen you this happy before."

"Shirou."

"If we have the chance, let's come out together again next time!"

Looking at the trio she could not interrupt at all, Loki's eyes filled with darkness.

Heh heh heh!

Shirou Emiya, you oversized jerk! How dare you steal my women right in front of me?

Drop dead! There's no place for you in the Loki Familia anymore.

I'll definitely kick you out of the Loki Familia.

I, Loki, always keep my word.

"Loki, come with us next time too. It's definitely better when there are more people!"

"Yeah, definitely!"

Looking at Shirou Emiya, who had turned around, Loki smiled and said, "As expected of the pillar of our Loki Familia. After Finn retires, you'll have to become the captain of the Loki Familia!"

No, why was she suddenly talking about something so far in the future? What was she thinking?

Completely bewildered, Shirou Emiya hurriedly declined.

After passing through the crowded alleyways and arriving near the arena, Shirou Emiya and the others soon noticed that the Guild members were anxiously looking around.

Members of the Ganesha Familia were also periodically leaving in a hurry with weapons in hand.

"It seems something troublesome has happened here?"