Shirou's Grand Heroic Saga

One step, two steps.

Shirou's heart sank. This street probably didn't have any shops either.

That made sense. If none of the previous streets had any, why would this one? He was thinking too much!

"Yo, kid. What are you doing out here at this hour? Hmm? And you brought a girl with you." A steady, low male voice appeared. That familiar voice, could it be...

Mapo, is that you!

But why was this Mapo carrying so many things?

With his EX-rank homemaking skills, Shirou immediately understood. One bag contained noodles, and the other contained tofu.

"Mapo?" Shirou blurted out. Kirei Kotomine's eyes flashed with golden light.

"Shirou Emiya, do you like Mapo Tofu too?"

Shirou and Sakura sat inside the shop, feeling the warmth of the establishment. On a day like this, staying home was so much more comfortable. Being outside was truly terrifying.

"Senpai, are we going to eat Mapo Tofu ramen?" Sakura asked softly.

"In this cold winter, eating something hot and spicy feels quite good," Shirou said righteously, completely ignoring the fact that he was too lazy to cook, which had left Sakura hungry for a long time and forced her to eat Mapo Tofu.

"Here you are, the ramen."

In the bowl, it was like a red sun had been captured. The red glow warmed the heart. Chili oil, tofu, fused into one. This was Mapo Tofu!

"Um, where's the ramen?" Sakura's hands, which had been clasped, stopped abruptly upon seeing the bowl.

"The ramen is just a garnish, hidden deep within the Mapo, to a degree that makes one feel a touch of sadness." Shirou sniffed. As expected, good Mapo. His skills were impressive.

"Hmph, Shirou Emiya. I didn't expect your research into Mapo Tofu to be so profound. I'll add some extra for you." Kirei Kotomine, wearing a shopkeeper's uniform, said with a pleased smile.

"Then I'm truly grateful." Shirou did have another soul within him, and in this regard, his skill was no less than Shirou's in Japanese cuisine!

"Itadakimasu!"

With that declaration, Shirou led the charge, devouring the Mapo Tofu. The fragrant, spicy red oil, the vibrantly colored tofu, each piece tantalized Shirou's taste buds, like a beautiful flame burning in his mouth!

In winter, eating something spicy, wasn't that the greatest pleasure in life?

A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. The way the Mapo Tofu's spiciness and aroma blended was truly excellent.

Sakura was no less impressive. Though she appeared to be eating at a leisurely pace, maintaining her elegance during this competition, the speed at which she finished her food was in no way inferior to Shirou's.

The speed at which they both finished the Mapo Tofu was astonishingly consistent. No, Sakura was faster!

"I'm done!" Sakura wiped the chili oil from the corner of her mouth and smiled at Shirou, who was still eating. "It looks like Senpai is going to lose to me this time."

"Hmph, Sakura, you're still too young. That's why you're the junior. See? The broth of this Mapo Tofu is the essence of this Mapo Tofu ramen. Watch me drink it all in one go!"

"Senpai, you're too sly, trying to drink that!"

Sakura and Shirou picked up their bowls and drank the soup in one gulp, leaving almost nothing behind.

"I'm finished!"

They both declared simultaneously.