Part - 4.5 Year in between

Please check out - A Soulless Banquet - by Emmanuelboss36_ in webnovel

"Mom, what does the 'x' mean? I keep seeing it in some places, but I don't understand why it's here..."

The scene shifts to reveal Shirou being homeschooled by Kiritsugu, an educational arrangement that seems to be exceeding Kiritsugu's expectations and indicates that Shirou is indeed a bright child.

"X is the unknown value you need to find. To solve for 'x,' you must..." Kiritsugu begins explaining, her tone simple and patient, assuming that she doesn't need to delve too deep into the details, which she doesn't as she sees Shirou jump up slightly in realization.

A while later, a knock at the door interrupts their lesson. "Coming!" Shirou cheerfully responds, already anticipating who might be on the other side.

As he opens the door, Sakura stands before him, offering a greeting, "Hello, Shirou-san." Instantly, a faint sigh escapes Shirou, and he corrects her with a kind smile, "I've told you before, Sakura, you can just call me Shirou." His concern for her is evident as he probes, "How was school? Everything okay?"

He's fully aware that Sakura has faced bullying at school, a matter she often keeps hidden. Despite this, he remains a steadfast friend, offering a supportive presence.

Not that he really kept it hidden... Nor his mother when their parents came to their house.

"Hello, Emiya-san. Can I come in?" Sakura inquired, her gaze shifting from Shirou to the person standing behind him. There stood Kiritsugu Emiya, her unblinking eyes focused on Sakura with a measured intensity.

Kiritsugu sighed knowing that Shirou while a good kid.... amazing even for any parent who is lucky to have someone like him..... listens to her completely, with almost no arguing.... he can be really stubborn... She really doesn't know where he gets it from..... Ignoring the fact of how stubborn she is about him being part of the Moonlit world aside....

So, saving herself and Shirou the trouble of arguing answered even though.... She was 89.9 % sure that Sakura shouldn't even be anywhere close to her or more importantly her son, which while alone with no one around gives her a smile thinking about him being her son and that she was able to raise him.

"Yes, you can. Just be cautious not to cause any damage inside." Kiritsugu the mother of Shirou says .... with a barely concealed underline threat, making Shirou internally rolle his eyes at his mother's subtle yet unmistakable warning. He had grown accustomed to her overprotective tendencies, particularly after his newfound friendship with Sakura or more probably because he started targeting her bullies. In a way, this explained why he was educated at home, sparing him from the complexities of regular school life.

He's not even sure why his mom doesn't seem to like Sakura especially when she's around him, He could almost always feel Kiritsugu's gaze fixed on him and Sakura, even when her back was turned to them, he was also sure she was letting him feel it or more specifically Sakura so she wouldn't do anything.

But he couldn't deny that he relished her attention, basking in it even when he couldn't quite explain why. He attributed it to his past, his real family likely dead, and an unconscious desire to hold onto the presence of someone he wouldn't lose, as he did with his memories consumed by the fire.

....to the fire....

" "Shirou... are you alright?" A concerned voice reached him, and he felt Kiritsugu's hand on his shoulder as she crouched before him. She had a good idea of what he had experienced from his previous episodes. 'Maybe we really should go to a thero.... No, it's still too early.....' Kiritsugu thinks sparing a quick glance at Sakura seeing her looking worried for Shirou.

A quick glance at Sakura revealed her own worry for him. Kiritsugu sighed inwardly – she could almost empathize with her son's situation. While many connected to the Moonlit World were no longer a concern in Fuyuki, uncertainties remained. She had even received word of an increase of-

"I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry. The fire isn't real right ? " Shirou reassured with a smile. Both Kiritsugu and Sakura breathed sighs of relief in the background.

Kiritsugu had often repeated these words to him during his bouts of reliving those traumatic memories. He was indeed improving, becoming more resilient. He could now navigate through the memories of the fire a bit easier now... He could survive there easier.

"Alright then... let's finish the lesson," Kiritsugu agreed, prompting an idea from Shirou. "Can Sakura join? she can help and if she can't then you can help her too. " His gaze shifted between them, his perpetual smile holding an enigmatic charm that puzzled both Kiritsugu and Sakura. It was a smile he even wore unconsciously during his sleep, a mystery neither of them had unraveled.

Kiritsugu saw it even when he slept, she started to check on Shirou while he slept.... he looked like a small kitten.... or fox with his red hair, he always had a smile on.... even when unconscious somehow....

Kiritsugu felt Sakura's unease through the shuffling of her feet and the fidgeting of her hands. With a resigned sigh, she nodded her approval. "She can."

She answered not wanting to disappoint her son.

Sakura mentally braced herself for the persistent feeling of being under constant scrutiny, a sensation that had become oddly familiar to her over time.

But then again, she had grown accustomed to the weight of such watchful gazes.- Back to studying and helping (ish) Sakura with homework -

Turns out that Sakura didn't need any help at all, she seemed to figure everything out impressing Shirou who made Sakura blush by complimenting her so much, Shirou wasn't sure but he was around his mother long enough to know when she was impressed... no matter how slightly.... well, if he's .... what were the word again... right reading her correctly, Shirou thinks since she seems to hide things really, really, really well, even her emotions.... Not even talking about the candy....

... He only had 20 pieces... and he was fine... definitely not what his mother called a sugar rush. How can sugar make you rush even ?

"And done, thank you Shirou-kun for helping me ! You're a lifesaver! " Sakura says writing something down before placing her pen down, making Shirou blush at her words, he didn't really do anything special, he helped her with 1 problem and that's it.... And why did she call him a lifesaver he did nothing to earn being called something like that when his mom is the true hero?

....But maybe..... He could become a hero if Kiritsugu trained him... after all if she can save someone as weak as him.... Then she should be able to train him to be able to save everyone else.... even those he sacrificed right ?.... right?! maybe he might discover a magic spell that brings people or what was the other word revived ? ye revived people.

Or maybe... maybe the reason Kiritsugu hasn't taught me about the Moonlit world is because she sees my weakness. Maybe she's protecting me by keeping me away from it...

No ! Calm down... You're stronger thank you know Shirou ! Kiritsugu says it so it has to be true !

..... She just wants to keep you safe.... Yes, she just wants to keep you safe.... She is a hero after all.....

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Yes, that's right.....

Shirou seeing the worry appearing in her eyes quickly answered " No problem Sakura you're pretty smart after all ! I'm sure you would have solved everything on you're own .... Sakura are you ok ? "

Sakura's mind ' Pretty ? He called me pretty ! ' Sakura thinks in happiness until realizing Shirou said something else and was looking worried.

Blushing ..... was that a growl ? .... never mind....

Sakura asked " I'm sorry Shirou-kun I didn't hear what you said " Shirou gains a confused look but repeats what he said, " I said you're smart and I'm sure you would be able to solve this on your own. " Shirou repeats what he sai-

"Shirou ! FOOD noooooow I just came back from my kendo training so help " And here comes the tiger.... aka Taiga

"Were in the living room Taiga " Kiritsugu responds.... after unclenching her teeth ?

As soon as Taiga ran into the living roo- " Shirou where is the food !!!! " Taiga screamed ignoring everyone else except Shirou who with a blank stare just asks " Do you only care about food Taiga-nee, we haven't seen each other almost the whole week with you being busy with kendo and high school.... and you forgot to change your clothes " Shirou deadpans at his *older sister* seeing her look down and quickly turning to Kiritsugu " NO ! I came here so that Kiritsugu- nee... I mean sensei can train me a bit more in kendo ! Right sensei ?! " Taiga asked with a begging expression to Kiritsugu to agree with her small little lie.... it won't hurt anyone right ?

Shirou and even Sakura deadpanned at her pathetic attempt at a lie and dance she's doing in happiness after Kirtsugu just sighed and nodded probably thinking that they now have to believe her.... well, that's unless it was Taiga's plan all along to make Kiritsugu agree with teaching/sparring with her since Kiritsugu stopped teaching her for a while now for some reason...

But knowing her ... that's so close to impossible that no one would believe that.

Though not missing the chance to mess with his older/to him he feels like younger sister Shirou responds with " So I guess I will cook after you're done training " making Taiga snaps her head towards him and starts to get tears in her eyes " NO ! NO ! WAIT YOU CAN COOK WHILE WE PRACTICE CANT YOU ? " Taiga shouts in despair.

Shirou just laughs a bit before saying he was joking and with the help of Sakura start cooking okazu along with gohan and kouno mono.... and pure slightly undercooked stake for Taiga also since it's her favorite food.

After putting the last plate on the giant chabudai table which is filled with plates and food for his family... The thought always makes his eyes light up.

"Thank you Sakura I wouldn't be able to finish it so quickly and you're becoming better ! Your food is practically glowing ! " Shirou responds looking at Sakura's food which is not glowing.... unlike his which he misses somehow.

Making Sakura like always blush or rather blush harder " Thank you Shirou-kun it all thanks to you teaching me " Sakura responds.

"Let's go tell them that the food is done, " Shirou says while going to the dojo in their house that Raiga created with his *Employees* and Kirtitsugu's permission.

So walking to i-

*Whack*

" I'm sorry ! I need mean t- *Cough * * Cough* "

Shirou dashed to the dojo, sliding the shoji door open in his haste, his eyes widening as he found Kiritsugu slightly hunched over with her shinai resting on the floor beside her.

Concern etched across his features, Shirou hurried over to Kiritsugu, a mixture of worry and relief visible in his eyes. About to inquire if she was okay, he was halted as Kiritsugu raised a hand to stop him. "I'm alright, Shirou. No need to worry. I'm fine," she assured him, though the final words left her lips in a softer, almost hushed tone.

"Shall we go ahead to the kitchen ? That's the reason you're here, isn't it?" Kiritsugu asked, aware of Shirou's habit of occasionally observing her or Taiga's training sessions.

Shirou nodded in response. "Um, yes. Sakura and I just finished... Are you really okay?" He voiced his concern, his eyes reflecting his genuine worry for his mother's well-being.

" Don't worry I just have to wash up a bit and I will be alright " Kiritsugu calms down her son and went to the bathroom...

Not seeing Shirou's concerned gaze.... as he's feeling something dark...

But he drops it.... She is a hero.... She will be ok.... She's better than he will ever be.

With Taiga's cheerful energy and Sakura's more subdued happiness, the trio made their way to the kitchen. While Taiga's demeanor resembled a jubilant cat, Shirou attempted to disregard the heavy scent of sweat emanating from her after her kendo training. The lively scene didn't escape Kiritsugu's notice, who was yet to rejoin them.

In the bathroom, Kiritsugu glanced at her hand, now tinged with the scarlet evidence of her struggle. It was a chilling sight, a stark reminder of her internal turmoil. Swiftly, she cleansed her hand and washed her face.

Kiritsugu takes a deep breath.

.

.

.

.

And walks into the kitchen where her family is....

She is no longer part of that world after all...

Looking at the table she sees Taiga eating her stake while trying to say something to Shirou while he tries to calm her down and tell her not to talk with a mouth full. Sakura just giggling while staring at the comedic duo, well more Shirou than Taiga since Taiga accidentally dropped her plate on him and now Shirou is ragging about wasting food that Sakura cooked.

....

Kiritsugu smiles....

Even tho she doesn't trust Matou Sakura.... She is slowly growing on her.

They all are becoming family....

No, they're already family....

That she always wanted...

And nothing will stop her from enjoying it...

And that's how most of her days were spent...

.

.

.

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Please check out - A Soulless Banquet - by Emmanuelboss36_ in webnovel

To be continued.....