Shirou's Return from the Fae Kingdom

Shirou tilted his head. "Yeah, it should be enough for three days, even with Sister Fujimura's appetite, which is definitely not that of a middle schooler."

Sakura Matou said with a smile, "Hehe, Brother Shirou is really popular with the ladies at the store, they gave him a lot of freebies."

"I'm so embarrassed," Shirou replied.

"Yo, Amamiya, out shopping?"

The two turned around and saw a petite elementary school girl with short brown hair and a refreshing appearance.

"Miyadera."

The girl's name was Ayako Miyadera. She attended the same elementary school as Shirou. Despite being a girl, she had a bold personality that was in no way inferior to any boy's.

Shirou was the undisputed leader of the kids in Miyama Town, and his group of followers included Ayako Miyadera's younger brother.

Later, for some reason, Shirou became the target of Ayako Miyadera's attention.

Recently, she had been frequently dragging him along, insisting they train martial arts together, saying things like, "Amamiya, you absolutely have talent! I wouldn't misjudge you!" Shirou had politely declined every time.

Ayako Miyadera looked at the girl hiding behind Shirou and asked curiously, "Is this Amamiya's little sister?"

"No, she's a friend's little sister."

"A friend's little sister..."

The term caused Sakura Matou's pupils to gradually lose their sparkle.

Shirou quickly added, "To me, she's like a little sister, Sakura."

Ayako Miyadera suddenly understood, muttering softly, "So she's Tohsaka's... I see, you two really don't look alike... Ah, my parents are calling me. Amamiya, see you at school."

With that, she waved and turned to leave.

The girl arrived as quickly as she left, like a gust of wind.

"Sakura, let's head back too."

"Okay, Brother Shirou!"

The two elementary schoolers walked and chatted along the crowded shopping street.

"It's so lucky we caught the milk on sale. I can consider making some cake later."

"Brother Shirou can even make cake?" Sakura Matou asked in surprise.

Shirou nodded. "Yeah, but you still prefer drinking raw milk directly, don't you, Sakura?"

Sakura Matou drank a glass of milk every morning and evening, which was quite rare for an elementary schooler.

"I'd really love to try the cake Brother Shirou makes," Sakura Matou said with a look of longing.

"I'll definitely let you try it when I have the chance."

Shirou observed her expression and asked, "By the way, have you accepted me moving out of the Matou Family residence?"

The girl hesitated for a moment before replying, "Since it's Brother Shirou's decision, I can't really say anything. And..."

"And?"

"It's... nothing."

Sakura Matou hastily lowered her blushing cheeks.

The girl remembered a sentence she had read in a book a few days ago: "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."

"And I'll come visit Brother Shirou often from now on!"

Shirou nodded. "If it's you, Sakura, you're always welcome. Please also pass this message on to Shinji for me."

Hearing him say that, the girl showed a bright and cute smile. "Okay! I'll definitely bother Brother Shirou often."

Shirou: "..."

He felt like she had only heard the first half. What about Shinji?

Shirou suddenly felt that Sakura had become much more cheerful lately.

Her initial impression was that of a very introverted and silent girl, timid and prone to backing down in the face of adversity, a dark child.

But now, Sakura Matou had become steady and confident, so mature that she didn't seem like a child who had only recently turned seven.

Could she have grown this much just by leaving her parents and sister's protection and coming to a new environment?

Well, it wasn't a bad thing, was it?

Just as Shirou was marveling at the strong adaptability of humans--

"Everything I have today is thanks to Brother Shirou. Brother Shirou saved me."

Under the brilliant sunset, the girl's face was bathed in a beautiful color, making it impossible to tell if it was a blush or the reflection of the rosy sky.

Shirou felt something was off. "...Sakura?"

"If it weren't for Brother Shirou, I don't know what I would be like now, but it would surely be miserable. So..."

Sakura Matou put down her shopping bag and held Shirou's hand tightly.

"Even though I've left the Matou Family, Brother Shirou won't abandon me, right?"

A chill ran down Shirou's spine, and he nodded stiffly.

"Of course! How could I possibly abandon you? Sakura, we'll always be best fri—"

"That's great."

The gloom on Sakura Matou's face vanished, replaced by a shy smile.

"Oh, right, where's Shinji?"

"Ah, shoot... I lost Brother!"

They had already left the shopping street when they finally realized they had forgotten something.

They eventually found the lost Shinji Matou at the police booth in the shopping street.

He was crying terribly.

"I'll go prepare dinner. You can wait in the living room or your room."

"Brother Shirou, do you really not need any help?"

"Yeah, Sakura, you've been with me all day, you must be tired. Get some rest now."

After managing to convince Sakura Matou, Shirou entered the brand-new kitchen and put on a brand-new apron.

Although he felt a little bad saying this to Sakura, he really wanted to be the only one to experience this kitchen's first time.

"--hiss."

Shirou took a deep breath, his expression returning to normal. After washing his hands, he opened the shopping bags, which were full of purchases.

Seasonings, vegetables, and meat bought at the shopping street... He put the items not needed for tonight into the refrigerator.

It took about twenty minutes to organize the kitchen, and then he officially began cooking.

As for what to make for dinner, Shirou had already decided while shopping.

The star of the meal was the fish that the Fujimura Group had delivered that day to celebrate the completion of the new mansion.

Britain, like Japan, is an island nation, so fish was the most convenient and frequently prepared ingredient during his travels.

Once he started cooking, Shirou became so absorbed that he lost track of time.

When he looked up again, an hour had already passed.

"Dinner's ready, Sister Fujimura, don't sleep."

Shirou placed the prepared dishes on the table one by one, and the aroma of food instantly filled the spacious living room.

Even though he was mentally prepared, this...

Everyone stared at the rich and luxurious dinner, their mouths agape in surprise.

"Shirou, what can't you do...?"

"It's just what I know how to do."

Shirou took off his apron. "I thought I had bought all the necessary cookware and seasonings, but I realized some things were still missing after I got back... I can do even better tomorrow."

Taiga Fujimura said in astonishment, "No, no, no, this is already perfect! If you did any better, I, as a woman, would truly have nowhere to hide! Ah... Sakura is about to cry! It's okay, Sakura~ This child Shirou isn't ordinary, so you don't have to use him as a standard~"

"What do you mean by 'not ordinary,' Sister Fujimura?" Shirou asked indignantly. "I haven't cooked in a while, so I might be a bit rusty. Please excuse me if the taste isn't to your liking."

"Rusty... How old are you this year?"

"I just turned 8 a few days ago," Shirou replied matter-of-factly, taking his seat.

Volume 1, Chapter 025: Mixed Bathing!?

"Let's eat while the food is still hot."

Everyone swallowed, said a simple "Itadakimasu," and then relaxed.

The Fujimura Group's meals were generally Japanese-style, while the Matou Family's were primarily Western.

Considering their different dietary habits, Shirou had prepared a menu that was half Japanese and half Western tonight.

Taiga Fujimura took a sip of the miso soup first. As the aroma of the dashi broth filled her nostrils, the miso flavor, matching the aroma, spread throughout her mouth.

"Uwaa... It's delicious! So delicious! I haven't had such delicious miso soup in so long, Shirou!"

Shirou closed his eyes in relief. "Thank you for the compliment, Sister Fujimura. I'm very happy you say that."

Soon, the Matou siblings also gave their respective evaluations.

"Much tastier than what the servants make at home."

Although a bit rude, this was the highest praise for a chef, coming from Shinji Matou.

"It's really delicious..."

A simple and honest compliment, from Sakura Matou.

After that, the three of them turned into merciless compliment machines.

They devoured the food while praising Shirou's cooking, and the cheerful atmosphere lasted until the meal ended.

"I'm full."

"Me too."

"I can't eat anymore."

The dishes on the table were wiped clean, and all three wore satisfied expressions.

Seeing them enjoy the meal so much made Shirou happy too.

It was a noisy but very happy dinner time—

Perhaps this was the very reason he moved in here.

After the meal, Shirou intended to wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen, but he was held in his seat by Sister Fujimura.

"Leave the rest to us."

Taiga Fujimura said with a smile, "It's about time I showed off my adult strength too. I can't always be looked down on by elementary schoolers."

"Okay."