Chapter 674

[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]

When he came back to his senses, he found Aoi Tohsaka watching him.

“Is something wrong?”

Aoi shook her head. “No. I was just thinking how unusual you are.”

Shirou gave a helpless shrug. “Everyone just treats me as someone to tease. That’s not the sort of popularity I want.”

Aoi’s expression turned serious. “That’s not true. Everyone is very fond of you, Shirou. That’s why they naturally gather around you. I’m no different…”

“Huh?”

“N-nothing!”

Aoi shook her head in a fluster, a faint blush rising to her face.

There really was something strange about Auntie Tohsaka today.

Watching her walk ahead, Shirou followed her onto the bus bound for Shinto.

Volume Nine: Chapter 417

The setting for Shirou and Aoi Tohsaka’s research outing shifted from Miyama Town to Shinto.

It was easy to run into someone they knew in Miyama Town, but much less likely in Shinto, so Shirou relaxed considerably.

“Let’s go to the aquarium, Auntie Tohsaka.”

“Yes, it’s been a long time since I last went… The last time was over ten years ago, when I brought Rin and Sakura.”

Ordinarily, Aoi would have looked sad when she brought up that subject. Today, however, she recalled the memory with a smile.

That was undoubtedly thanks to Shirou.

Ever since meeting him, she had begun to believe that she would one day be able to reconcile with Sakura.

A dreamlike scene came to mind: herself, Rin, Sakura, and Shirou, all four of them chatting happily together.

Without even realizing it, she had already come to think of Shirou as a member of the family.

Shirou and Aoi entered the aquarium.

Just inside the entrance, they were greeted by an underwater tunnel