Chapter Six: Peaceful Fuyuki City

"It sounded more like a spirit, or an incarnation of a god." Kiritsugu turned to glance at Ritsuka, who was reading the notebook. "That's an accurate description. I'm not sure whether that power is what I seek, or even whether the Tsukishiro family possesses such power, but it's worth trying."

Is he unwilling to accept it? To just give up like this...

Ritsuka did not look at Kiritsugu's expression, but she understood. Kiritsugu would not give up on this last possibility. Only after investigating it could he decide whether to retire.

"What are you laughing at?"

Kiritsugu looked at the strange smile appearing on Ritsuka's face, unable to help feeling puzzled. He subconsciously touched his own face, his steps slowing slightly.

Ignoring Kiritsugu's stubborn refusal to admit defeat like an old child, Ritsuka crossed the road to the other side. She placed the closed notebook against her chest, then turned back to look toward Kiritsugu.

"Nothing. I just thought of something happy."

"Wow~ Is this going to be our home from now on?"

Ritsuka let out an excited exclamation. Standing before the courtyard, she was overjoyed. The Emiya family's home really was quite nice.

It was a standalone traditional Japanese house with a fairly large yard. The whole place was divided into two sections, and it had a storage room, dojo, and every other facility one could want. It was practically her ideal, super-comfortable living environment.

Though somewhat lively by nature, the maiden liked peace and quiet. Without noisy neighbors around, she felt immensely satisfied, nearly fainting on the spot from happiness.

Kiritsugu sighed. Ritsuka's exaggerated expression seemed to mock him. He had once owned a home of this caliber, yet had insisted on wandering around the world.

How disgraceful. I'm completely unqualified to be a father.

He mocked himself inwardly. Honestly, he also felt quite guilty for making a child suffer alongside him.

After giving it some thought, he reached out with his free hand and patted Ritsuka's head. "Yes, this will be our home from now on. Let's go inside and take a look."

"Yay!"

The gate to the courtyard opened. Kiritsugu carried the luggage and entered first, while Ritsuka followed behind and closed the gate along the way.

After walking down the path along the edge of the courtyard, Ritsuka entered the inner residence with Kiritsugu. They changed shoes before entering the house, and a surprised expression immediately appeared on her face.

After all, it was hard to believe that a house left unoccupied for several years could still be this clean.

"Don't worry. I have a friendly relationship with the local power, the Fujimura family. They often send people over to clean the house."

"That's good."

Ritsuka held a hand to her chest and let out a breath of relief.

The sight was rather amusing. Ritsuka's worried expression even brought a faint smile to the stern Kiritsugu's face. He pushed open the nearest door in the hallway, revealing a homey living room.

With furniture, appliances, and an open kitchen, this was clearly the center of the home. Cooking, eating, and daily relaxation would probably all happen here.

Kiritsugu looked around, then said to Ritsuka, "I'll go put down the luggage. Could I ask you to make something to eat?"

"Of course."

Ritsuka answered with a grin.

Kiritsugu gradually disappeared down the end of the hallway. After watching him leave, Ritsuka withdrew her gaze and began familiarizing herself with the house as she headed toward the kitchen.

It was worth mentioning that although Ritsuka was only around ten years old, thanks to Expert Housekeeping EX, she had an unbelievable talent for cooking. Even Kiritsugu had felt a little defeated after witnessing it. He was worse than a child.

She opened the refrigerator, but there were not many ingredients inside. The few instant foods were probably left behind by the Fujimura family.

Perhaps Kiritsugu had informed them beforehand?

"Looks like we'll have to make do."

Even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice. With neither rice nor flour, even Ritsuka, who was highly skilled at housekeeping, felt somewhat helpless. Fortunately, there were still some canned goods she could work with.

She picked them up and carefully read the labels. Canned beef that could serve as a staple, canned fruit that could be eaten as snacks, and, most importantly, a vacuum-packed can of luncheon meat...

Ritsuka had an idea.

Peaceful Fuyuki City

About dozens of minutes later, the two sat at the dining table and solved the breakfast problem. The sudden comfort put Ritsuka in a rather pleasant mood.

She felt even more motivated to cook and handle the housework.

"Thank you very much."

After finishing the meal, Kiritsugu pressed his hands together and let out a breath.

He had spent the whole morning cleaning the house on an empty stomach. Even someone as cool and aloof as him had been starving. Being able to eat a hot meal really was something worth thanking someone for.

As she cleared away the plates with bits of food left on them, Ritsuka smiled and shook her head. "You're welcome."

Being able to cook was a rather happy thing, at least for Ritsuka. Not having to endure Kiritsugu's inexplicably smug dark cuisine was certainly something for which she ought to thank the heavens for granting her housekeeping talent.

So, was this talent something she had gained from the Crystal Dice, or was it something she had possessed all along?

Ritsuka fell into thought.

Without this ability, honestly, during those nearly five years of wandering, she might have starved to death one day.

Of course, they had not eaten this meal until nearly ten o'clock, mainly because she had cleaned the kitchen before cooking. A place that was seldom used was bound to get a little messy, so she had tidied it from top to bottom according to her own habits.

Kiritsugu put on his coat and looked toward Ritsuka, who was busy in the kitchen. "I need to go see Mr. Fujimura. You can take a walk around the streets, but come back early."

"Okay. Be careful on the way."

His footsteps gradually faded away. Cool water ran between her fingers, washing the grease from the plates, and the house suddenly became quiet.

"This really is... kind of unbelievable."

Ritsuka closed her eyes, then slowly opened them as she spoke with a sigh.

It was wonderful not to have to wander anymore. Traveling and adventuring alongside Kiritsugu had been quite fun, but constantly sleeping rough was not pleasant at all. Besides, the edges of battlefields truly were not good places.

Blood and wreckage everywhere, desolation and cold...

Ritsuka quickly shook her head. She thoroughly cleaned her hands, returned everything to its proper place, and finished cleaning up after their breakfast-lunch.

Leaving the open kitchen, Ritsuka crossed the hallway and wandered around the Emiya Residence. She found nothing that needed cleaning. It was unexpectedly spotless. The Fujimura family had done an incredible job.

"Suddenly, I have nothing to do. Peaceful Fuyuki City really is nice."

Compared to the Middle East, which was constantly engulfed in war, this place was almost absurdly nice. Still, she should go outside and take a look. After all, it was a city she had lived in for five years.

At the door at the end of the hallway, she picked up the keys and money Kiritsugu had left behind. Ritsuka got dressed, put on her shoes, and left the house.

She locked the gate behind her and slipped the key into her pocket. The gentle near-noon sunlight fell across her face, and the maiden contentedly narrowed her eyes before walking toward the department store.

They still needed to buy plenty of ingredients for the house. Soy sauce, vinegar, and the like were also essential. Ritsuka mentally listed everything they needed.

When she had arrived in Fuyuki City around four or five o'clock, she had already memorized the important locations along the route. They would surely be useful in the future—places like fresh markets, department stores, and daily-goods retailers.

"Mmm~ It should be this way."

It had been too early for stores to open before, but it was already time for every household to prepare lunch. If they still had not opened, that would really be unreasonable.

"Welcome."

Fortunately, the department store, where she could buy ingredients, seasonings, daily necessities, tools, and other goods, was open. Ritsuka walked straight inside and headed for the food section.

First came the seafood section. Fish of exceptional quality lay among piles of ice, making Ritsuka's eyes shine. "They look incredible."

Though she did not personally like eating fish, the maiden was extremely interested in fish dishes and seafood dishes. She was instantly captivated by the Kichiji fish that looked so wonderful.

Its vivid red patterns resembled rubies from the deep sea. She tapped it with her finger, and Ritsuka, who had only heard of this sort of fish, fell into thought.

It seemed like she had never cooked this kind of fish before...

Ritsuka stood hesitantly before the Kichiji fish. Her petite build and delicate face drew over the auntie in charge of this section.

"Is something troubling you?"

The auntie asked this, then followed Ritsuka's gaze to the Kichiji fish. In an instant, she imagined all sorts of things.

A petite, adorable girl was carefully choosing cooking ingredients here, yet there was no adult by her side. Was this deliberate training for the child, or were her parents simply lazy and irresponsible?

Thinking of her own grown son, who was utterly useless, the auntie's heart sank.

Hearing the question by her ear, Ritsuka, who had been biting her finger, pointed at the Kichiji fish and turned to look beside her. In an instant, the saleswoman's gloomy expression turned bright and cheerful, filled with motherly affection.

"I want to buy some, but I've never cooked it before. If I mess it up, it'll go to waste."

Ritsuka furrowed her pretty brows. The contrast between her serious demeanor and petite appearance instantly melted the auntie's heart. She even began wondering whether her future granddaughter might be this adorable.

The moment she thought of that, then recalled the good-for-nothing who had made her a mother, the auntie's face darkened again.

"Well, you can give it a try. I can recommend some suitable methods. It's delicious with sauce, grilled, braised, or even as sashimi."

The auntie introduced it with a smile.

Over the next short while, the auntie verbally taught Ritsuka everything she knew about cooking Kichiji fish. "There's also a book here about various ways to cook Kichiji fish. I'll go find it for you."

"Thank you, Auntie."

After having her head patted, Ritsuka watched the auntie temporarily leave. Happily, she picked up the plastic bag containing the Kichiji fish the auntie had selected for her. Apparently, they were the best in the store in both size and quality.

"I should still buy some..."

The delicious Kichiji fish was worth buying. Though she had never cooked it before, that man would surely be happy to taste it for her.

That was what Ritsuka thought, showing no concern whatsoever for Uncle Kiritsugu's fate.

After not waiting long, the auntie, who was the store manager here and also worked part-time selling fish, returned and handed Ritsuka a book. "Take this, little one. Consider it a gift from Auntie."

"How can I accept that? You've already helped me so much. I have to pay for this, or Kiritsugu will be unhappy too."

"So his name is Kiritsugu. Your father... What a filial child. Go on now."

"Mm. Goodbye, Auntie."

She waved and ran toward the seasoning section with the fish in hand. Without the proper ingredients to accompany it, even the best fish would not taste good.

As Ritsuka searched through the shelves, the auntie watched that small figure from afar. Since Ritsuka could not reach the top shelf, she went next door to get a stool, inwardly despising a certain someone.

"Making such a little child handle the housework... What an irresponsible father. Kiritsugu, was it? He's probably a bastard."

"Kichiji fish... Let's make something lavish today, as a housewarming celebration?"

Kichiji fish was quite expensive, making it perfect for a housewarming meal. Ritsuka did not particularly like sashimi and other raw preparations, so she planned to make it with sauce.

Opening the cookbook the auntie had recommended, Ritsuka walked beneath the roadside cherry blossom tree and suddenly closed her eyes slightly. A passing car kicked up a strong gust of wind, sending countless cherry blossom petals into her eyes. It was beautiful, but terribly uncomfortable for her eyes.

When she turned back, the car had already disappeared. Ritsuka could not scam it for compensation, nor did she intend to. Perhaps they had been in a hurry.

Returning by the original route, Ritsuka was carrying several bags after coming out shopping. She could be said to have returned with a full haul. In a slightly cheerful mood, she unconsciously began humming a song.

The season when the cherry blossoms bloomed was beautiful, and Ritsuka let her thoughts drift.

A quiet street, crisp footsteps, and a girl hurrying past—

As she rounded a street corner, the distracted Ritsuka collided head-on with a hurried figure. The other person noticed her, but unfortunately had no time to dodge and could only close her eyes in fear.

"Ah!"

There was an unexpected collision and a scream. Ritsuka swayed, but did not fall or show any other normal reaction. The person who had collided with her was very light.

Because she held them tightly enough, the things in her hands did not fall to the ground. The figure she had run into, however, landed directly on her butt.

"Mm~ Sorry, are you okay?"

Having accidentally bumped into someone, Ritsuka hurriedly set down her shopping bags and wanted to help the other person up. Taking hold of that soft, boneless little hand, she found the girl unbelievably light. The purple-haired Little Girl, even smaller and thinner than Ritsuka, kept her head lowered and stared at her toes.

"Mm! It hurts..."

Ritsuka reached out and removed a cherry blossom petal caught at the edge of the girl's short purple hair. "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"N-No, I'm fine..."

Her eyes darted away. Slightly long bangs covered her beautiful amethyst-like eyes. As she gave a perfunctory answer, the girl pulled her hand back.

"I'm really sorry. I was thinking about something and didn't watch where I was going. I accidentally ran into you."

"If you feel unwell anywhere, you have to tell me. I'll pay to take you to the hospital."

Ritsuka pressed her hands together and bent at the waist in apology. Her attitude stunned the girl, as though no one had ever treated her this way before.

Almost instinctively, she leaned back to avoid further contact with Ritsuka's hands.

This was a girl with a story. She was young and small, yet unusually afraid of contact with others. She was a timid Little Girl. That was Ritsuka's conclusion.