The night was like a dream.

Shirou and Cursed-Arm Hassan, careful not to disturb anyone, went to the outskirts of the village to clear out the monsters drawn by the smell of food.

Maybe it was because the food was especially tempting, or maybe the monsters had simply starved to desperation.

In any case, it took much longer than expected.

By the time they returned, the banquet had already completely ended.

Cursed-Arm Hassan said with respect, "Thanks to Lord Shirou, the extermination went so smoothly. It's only a pity the First Master has already ordered that tomorrow's temple mission… I am powerless to help."

"It's fine," Shirou said, "Everything that happens has its meaning. This trial is probably meant for me alone, you need not blame yourself."

"And besides, it's very late."

Shirou tilted his head upward for a moment, "Go get some rest. Tomorrow we still have much to deal with."

"True."

Cursed-Arm Hassan was about to leave, but noticing Shirou didn't plan on resting, asked, "Lord Shirou, you're not going to sleep?"

"Mm," Shirou answered, "there's still a little time. I plan to train a while."

"Even now?"

Cursed-Arm was speechless.

He suddenly understood, the man's strength wasn't just talent.

Or rather, that was exactly why he had such power.

From that moment, besides admiration, Cursed-Arm felt not the slightest trace of envy toward Shirou's talent.

But still, not resting was no way to live.

So he gave a kind reminder, "Lord Shirou, even training must be balanced with rest. You must take better care of your body."

"I will."

Shirou replied smoothly, "Go get some rest."

Seeing Shirou's firmness, Cursed-Arm could only leave respectfully.

———

Arriving at the clearing where he'd practiced swordsmanship before, Shirou sensed something, and shook his head helplessly, "Come out, you two."

"Hehe."

Fujimaru Ritsuka poked her little head out from behind a wall, acting cute, "Emiya-senpai's getting sharper and sharper. Mash and I just came over and you already noticed."

"Good evening, Emiya-senpai."

Mash greeted very politely.

Shirou sighed, "And if I'd said nothing? What would you have done?"

How many days now? Couldn't even practice in peace.

If not for the fact his status screen hadn't shown it, he'd think his High Jump had been swapped out for Moonlit Sword Dance.

So damn attractive to onlookers.

"Then let Senpai watch us."

Fujimaru Ritsuka answered right away, blinking her big eyes, looking very cute.

"That's right, let Senpai watch us!", Mash nodded along, pure and guileless like the girl next door.

Shirou was speechless.

"Well then. Out here in the middle of the night, instead of sleeping?"

Hearing this, Fujimaru Ritsuka finally sighed in relief, and ran out from behind the wall smiling.

She was holding a lot of food in her hands.

Mash too.

"What's this?"

"When I saw Senpai and Cursed-Arm leave earlier, I knew you wouldn't have eaten enough. So I hid this aside just for you."

"How about it?"

Faced with their expectant eyes, Shirou couldn't say anything harsh, and only replied, "Thanks. You really went through the trouble waiting this late."

And it wasn't like he and Cursed-Arm had returned early.

"Not at all," Fujimaru Ritsuka's eyes sparkled at his praise, "Senpai is the one working the hardest."

"Yes, you've helped us so much."

Mash added, "We can only do such little things for Senpai."

"This is no little thing."

Shirou set down the utensils that had held the food, "For me, food is very important."

Fujimaru Ritsuka: "?"

Mash: "!"

"That's already finished?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka cried out in shock, "Senpai, did you just use Time Stop?"

"Though…", Mash, stunned for a long while, finally said,n"Master's voice might disturb the others, but I'm really curious, how did Senpai do that?"

"So much food, and in an instant it was gone."

Mash used exaggerated gestures to show her agitation.

"Just a little trick to fool kids, don't mind it."

Shirou set the emptied dishes aside, "You're still not going to sleep?"

"Senpai doesn't want to talk with us?"

Fujimaru Ritsuka pretended to be disappointed.

"It's not that. I just think you should rest and look after your health."

That gentle tone left them both momentarily stunned.

Coming back to herself, Mash grew serious, and leaned closer to Shirou.

Very close, nearly pressing against his face.

Before Shirou could react, Mash solemnly said, "Senpai, you're the one who should take care of yourself. Since coming to this Singularity, I haven't seen you rest even once."

"Don't exaggerate, I've rested, three hours a day."

Mash: —_—

Fujimura: —_—

"Well then," Shirou lost the first eye-to-eye contest, looked away, and admitted uncertainly, "Maybe it's been one or two days since I slept."

"No way?"

Mash was shocked and sorrowful, "Senpai is always protecting us, but you never think about yourself?"

"If this keeps up, I'll really get angry!"

"No, that's wrong. I'm already angry!"

An angry Mash was dangerous.

Without a word, she pressed her legs together, and before Fujimaru Ritsuka's self-doubting expression, she patted her smooth, delicate thighs. without a trace of shyness, only seriousness, "Come, Senpai, lie down and rest properly!"

Shirou: "!!!"

A creeping sense of dread spread through him.

Above his head, a giant character for "DANGER" seemed to flash.

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