Shirou Emiya

The vast blue sky looked freshly washed, dotted with a few white clouds.

A majestic spire pierced the clouds, covered in countless intricately carved patterns. Sunlight filtered through colored enamel windows, casting mysterious patterns of light and shadow that lent it an otherworldly beauty.

This church stood high above the earth. Rather than whole and resplendent, it was broken and dilapidated, with moss and plants growing amid its ruins. Yet its religious atmosphere remained undiminished, and the surrounding buildings only gave it a different sort of beauty.

It was like the place where an epic tale would end. A lone wall stood upright, and a silver-haired girl sat on steps built of gray-white stone, gazing listlessly at the miniature city below.

A black giant stood guard behind her without a word, his head tilted toward the clouds as he sank into some distant memory.

Time passed, second by second.

"Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?" Shirou Emiya emerged silently beside her. He had taken off his cultivator's robes and changed back into his usual sportswear. With his bag slung over his shoulder, he gave the girl a helpless smile.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I just think you looked more handsome with long hair." Illya withdrew her gaze and gently patted the stone step beside her.

"Did I?" Taking the hint, Shirou Emiya sat down.

This was the abandoned floating island where they had filmed the movie. Illya had originally said she wanted another look around the cultivators' gathering, so Shirou Emiya had not expected her to wait here for him.

"Come closer," Illya said.

Shirou Emiya shifted a little toward her.

"Closer," Illya said again. "Never mind. Stay there, Shirou."

She moved over to him herself, resting her head against his right arm.