Chapter 9 The Rider is Busy, but the Saber is Not
"If you really go over there, it will probably be very taxing, Sakura."
Sakura put on her socks and donned an overcoat that resembled a cloak. She brushed her hair, clearing away the strands that had caught in her clothes. Hearing her sister's call, Sakura smiled.
"It's alright. Besides, the feeling of being unable to do anything at all is much worse, isn't it?"
The girl dazed out for less than a second as if recalling something distant, but she immediately perked up again.
"Anyway, wherever Nee-san points, that's where we'll go."
They were discussing their battle plan. Since she began intruding into the ley lines several dozen minutes ago, Rin was temporarily confined to this hotel. What Sakura had to do to help her sister was to check the vicinity of the area where Rin had detected magical energy.
This was the privilege of Sakura, who could use Imaginary Number Magecraft to perform what could be called a Great Ritual—a pseudo-spatial transfer.
Of course, one couldn't say this was foolproof. However, there was also a snake woman with an extremely low presence on the scene. Rider took off her glasses, keeping her eyes closed as her mystic eye-killer materialized.
Because Rider was still in casual clothes rather than her combat bodysuit, Sakura began to firmly resolve that this look—which seemed to hint at some strange fetish—absolutely must not be seen by her Senior.
"Take care to rest."
Rin sighed. After a moment, she added: "Including Shirou, he said that he and Saber will take a proper rest themselves after they finish investigating."
Sakura gave an "Ah-haha" bitter laugh, merely curling her lips in a silent smile.
"I'll be on standby in the city, waiting for Nee-san's call."
Sakura closed the door, and Illya followed her out, drifting along as if they were going shopping together.
"Hey, wait, Illya, you're going too!?"
Left behind was Rin, who was a step behind and had heard nothing of this. Illya shot a sidelong glance at her, leaving only her child-like voice echoing in the hotel corridor:
"The feeling of being unable to do anything is worse."
She shook her head and touched her forehead, appearing exasperated, as if she realized just how blessed Rin was.
"It's just as Sakura said. —And on that point, Saber and Rin are exact opposites, aren't they?"
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When one lies on the grass for too long, the process of standing up inevitably involves a bit of wobbling.
As a warrior, she could certainly avoid this, but if she were in an extremely relaxed state, she would show a different face. Because of this, she allowed the person before her to very naturally take the initiative, reaching out a hand to pull her up.
Saber felt this was highly improper. It was a definitive loss to her image as a knight. However, the comfort she felt while basking in the sun as she was pulled up was beyond her control; there was simply no helping it.
"Let's stop here for now. After we get back, we'll make a plan regarding the hospital."
"...A wise choice."
Shirou looked at the sun and then at Saber, wondering why she seemed a bit strange. Even facing the same sun, people's moods differ. Whether it be a child, a guardian, or a knight and her former Master.
In any case, Shirou made a guess based purely on experience:
"I see, Saber is hungry. You shouldn't push your body; if you're feeling hungry, we should eat soon."
"Shirou?"
The temperature of the air around Saber dropped sharply. However, Shirou didn't think his words were false. Because there was evidence.
Grumble, grumble.
The golden knight's stomach voiced its protest. Whatever atmosphere Saber was trying to maintain seemed to collapse.
"Fine, I admit that this incarnated body is indeed too indulged in appetite..."
She admitted it begrudgingly. The current Saber's stamina consumption was directly proportional to her food intake.
"Yeah, it's not that Saber herself wants to eat, I understand."
Shirou skillfully smoothed her feathers. As long as Saber was willing to eat, it didn't matter how it was phrased. Though it felt like he was recklessly stroking a lion's back hair, that was
surely just an illusion. It certainly wasn't because Shirou's life might be in danger if he rashly admitted the truth.
"It really is best to rest first. After all, we did promise to relax once the investigation was over," Shirou said, looking toward the park gate.
Being able to disengage from a life-and-death combat state for two or three hours meant that eating or going on a date would be a good change of pace.
"Saber, which restaurant do you want to choose?"
It was almost frightening. Saber's eyes were shining. While maintaining that sparkling gaze, she emphasized: "Shirou, the most basic trait of a knight is to be able to eat anything without being picky about the type of dish. When necessary, one must swallow even mashed potatoes without hesitation."
'When my King uses the phrase "swallow without hesitation," if I were the retainer who made those mashed potatoes, I might be so devastated I'd collapse and never get up again...'
Shirou didn't understand and decided not to comment, simply following Saber out through the park gate. The King of Knights hadn't even realized she was walking in the lead, maintaining a marching posture as she added:
"And also... I think the food Shirou makes tastes better than the food outside."
Shirou's footsteps faltered instinctively.
"Actually, I don't really want to eat outside dishes that much right now... but since Shirou doesn't have the time to cook right now, there's no helping it. I quite like the food Shirou makes. But since it's not the right time, I must endure."
Hearing this shocking fact he hadn't known before, Shirou suddenly felt a bit embarrassed again.
"I'll make it up to Saber later," Shirou finally promised, catching up to walk side-by-side with her.
With Saber's golden hair fluttering, the two walked together into the streets and alleys of Snowfield.
Pale Rider? Who's that? Never heard of him.
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The following is an aside. Two hours later.
"Wait, a limited edition ultra-collector's type Lion Plushie!?"
An exclamation carrying the meaning of "What on earth is this?" unexpectedly rang out through the streets of Snowfield.
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