Kayneth's side seemed to have some kind of information network.
A glint of thought flashed in the eyes of the man named Emiya Kiritsugu.
P.S. We're already more than halfway through the story. I can't keep having the protagonist stay behind the scenes like this forever, lol.
After all, none of the factions involved are idiots~
Household Registration
"Mm..."
He opened his eyes blearily. It took Wang Xiaoming a moment to remember where he was. Just as he tried to get up, he heard a rustle beside him.
A familiar trench coat had fallen off the side of the sofa.
"..."
After picking up the coat from the floor and returning to his room next door, Wang Xiaoming found Shirou in the living room, practicing the morning exercises Medea had assigned him.
"Uncle, where did you go last night?"
Seeing Wang Xiaoming come in from outside, Shirou stopped his Magecraft practice and asked.
"You got up too late. You just didn't see me leave."
Wang Xiaoming felt no guilt about lying to Shirou. Ignoring his crestfallen expression, he asked:
"Where's Medea?"
"Teacher Medea hasn't come out of her room."
Knock, knock, knock—
As the two were talking, a sudden knock sounded at the door. When they opened it, they found Kariya standing outside.
"Kariya, you look a lot better today."
Looking at Kariya, whose spirits seemed completely different from the day before, Wang Xiaoming said with a smile.
"Yeah, thanks for asking."
Kariya smiled back at Wang Xiaoming, then explained why he had come. "Breakfast is ready. Just come downstairs and eat."
"Okay, we'll be down in a bit."
As he watched Kariya walk away, a strange thought came to Wang Xiaoming:
Was this a last burst of energy before the end?
He hoped not...
After seeing Kariya off, Wang Xiaoming went to Medea's door and knocked.
"What is it?"
Medea opened the door and regarded Wang Xiaoming expressionlessly.
"Um... I came to eat. And... thanks for the clothes."
Wang Xiaoming held up the coat in his hand.
"Got it."
As soon as she spoke, the door closed again, and Medea's voice came from inside.
Staring at the closed door, Wang Xiaoming rubbed his nose. That attitude...
She'd accepted his thanks, right?
Nearby, Shirou struggled to keep from laughing.
"Huh? Shirou, what's wrong? Don't like the food?"
Since Kayneth didn't want to come downstairs, only the two families were gathered around the dining table in the Matou House dining room. Kariya looked at the downcast Shirou and asked, while Sakura gave him a curious glance.
"Ahem!" Someone suddenly coughed.
"N-no, I'm fine!"
After hearing Wang Xiaoming's "warning," Shirou gave everyone a big smile, though it looked strained no matter how you saw it.
Watching the "father and son" interact, everyone around them chuckled softly.
After breakfast, Wang Xiaoming found Kariya.
"You want me to look after Shirou for the day? Sure."
Kariya was a little surprised when Wang Xiaoming explained what he wanted, but he quickly nodded in agreement. Seeing the look of relief on Wang Xiaoming's face, though, Kariya couldn't resist asking nosily, "What are you going to do?"
"I've got to go out for a while."
Wang Xiaoming's gaze drifted unconsciously toward Medea, who was still sitting at the table.
Kariya's eyes moved between Wang Xiaoming and Medea. Then he suddenly understood.
"I just have a few errands to run."
Wang Xiaoming felt a little awkward when he saw Kariya's expression and offered an explanation.
"Sure. I'll take care of Shirou."
Kariya nodded, assuring him that looking after Shirou wouldn't be a problem.
"Then I'll leave him to you."
As Wang Xiaoming walked away, a knowing smile appeared at the corner of Kariya's mouth.
"Ah, youth... I'm so jealous."
"Mr. Wang, please sign here."
A uniformed staff member handed Wang Xiaoming a document.
Wang Xiaoming did as he was asked, signing his name before handing the document back to be filed.
"Thank you for your contribution to Fuyuki City."
The staff member spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, but the sincerity in his eyes was plain to see. The authorities hadn't made the aftermath of Ryunosuke's arrest public, but as a police department employee, he knew something about it.
That was right—Wang Xiaoming was at the Fuyuki City police station. As for why—
"This is the reward for helping us catch that murderer, along with some additional compensation from our department."
As he spoke, the staff member handed him a card.
Taking it, Wang Xiaoming smiled at the staff member. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
As a reporter, Wang Xiaoming knew how these things worked. In a situation like this, all he had to do was accept the card and keep his mouth shut.
"This is the child's household registration certificate. It's now been transferred to your name."
After hearing Wang Xiaoming say that, the staff member handed him another folder.
"Sorry for the trouble. We'll be going now."
Wang Xiaoming stood and bowed slightly to the staff member.
After Wang Xiaoming and the woman accompanying him left the office, the staff member fell silent for a moment. Then he picked up the internal phone beside him and dialed a number.
"...Has he left?"
Once the call connected, a low voice came from the other end.
"Yes, he's already gone."
The staff member spoke with great respect.
"How did he behave?" the voice asked.
"Very calmly. He didn't press for answers about anything he shouldn't ask."
"Heh." A soft chuckle came through the phone. The voice continued, "For a reporter, he certainly understands how things work."
Then the voice grew stern. "Now that this matter's been settled, it's time to deal with that murderer!"
The staff member's heart gave a slight tremor at those words. Then he answered solemnly, "Understood, Chief!"
"All right. Hang up if there's nothing else."
There was a hint of weariness in the chief's voice. It seemed the Ryunosuke incident had taken quite a lot out of him.
The staff member suddenly remembered something and cautiously brought it up.
"Chief, there's one more thing..."
"Go on."
"It seems the Tohsaka Family is trying to find out about this man."
"...Forget it."
After a moment's silence, the chief said, "This man helped us, after all. We have no reason to make things difficult for him. Besides—"
A cold snort sounded.
"Our police department has no obligation to cater to these so-called noble families!"
"Heave-ho!"
Walking out of the police station, Wang Xiaoming stretched under the warm early-winter sun. Shirou's household registration had been sorted out, and it felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders.
"If everything's settled, let's go back."
Medea's voice sounded beside Wang Xiaoming. She didn't like the atmosphere at the police station, and hadn't said a word since they arrived.
"No rush."
With money in his pocket, Wang Xiaoming felt much more at ease.
"It's still early. Why don't we walk around downtown first?"
Book recommendation: There's Nothing Wrong with Raising a Champion of Justice
The gods gave me a sword and charged me with upholding justice in this world.
What is justice?
My heart and my actions are as clear as a mirror. Everything I do is just!
Read as "justice," written as "recklessness."
You think I'm Saber? Actually, I'm Berserker!
A story about everyday and extraordinary life in a multiverse setting. The male lead has sound values, and the writing is pretty good.
Thanks to the awesome Kuxiao~
"Date" (Part 1)
"Why don't we walk around downtown first?"
Medea gave Wang Xiaoming a suspicious look in response to his suggestion.
After spending time together the night before, the two seemed to have become more at ease around each other. Seeing Medea's expression, Wang Xiaoming protested:
"I'm sincerely inviting you to come out with me, Miss Medea."
Medea gave a soft snort. "Who knows what you're really up to?"
"Come on, I wouldn't dare try anything with you." Wang Xiaoming couldn't help protesting.
"So you're saying I'm not attractive enough?"
Apparently unsatisfied with his answer, Medea suddenly moved close to him, her tone displeased. But the smile she struggled to suppress gave away her mischievous mood.
Before you continue