Chapter 11 A Love Speech Triggered by a Lion
As for what Saber is doing right now: she is standing stock-still, staring unblinkingly at the lion plushie inside the glass display case.
Shirou hadn't been able to stop her from seeing the lion plushie (not that he particularly wanted to), or rather, by the time he heard the commentary, it was already too late.
While a strange chemical reaction was occurring between her and the lion, Shirou gathered from the host's introduction that the Jotai Company, which produced that lion plushie, was the parent company of a certain Fuyuki toy corporation he knew. That was why he was seeing something so familiar in a foreign land.
"Shirou, this lion—may I strive for it?"
"Saber wants it?"
"Indeed, Shirou. Don't you think the newly added shoulder cape has a great feel to it? Specifically, look at that outer robe embroidered with majestic patterns and the gold-trimmed silver shawl. Even without a crown, it still possesses a solemn aura."
'I don't think so at all. No matter how you look at it, that's just a quilt.'
However, Shirou still didn't plan on stopping Saber. It was for relaxation anyway; letting her play a bit was fine. Unfortunately, because they had arrived late, Shirou hadn't clearly heard the announced competition details—he only heard that it was a team-based contest, and the sole winning pair would receive the plushie.
Amidst the noise, Shirou leaned down and whispered: "By the way, Saber, you already have a lion plushie, don't you?"
"As you know, Shirou, I left that one at the old home."
The "old home" Saber referred to wasn't Britain, but the Emiya residence where Fuji-nee lived. Traveling around the world with a plushie was unrealistic; as such, it was better to keep it in a stable location from the start.
Despite it only being a difference in model, Saber looked at it as if seeing an old friend for the first time, a longing gaze flickering deep within her eyes.
"Alright then, I'll go along with you, Saber. However, looking at how packed it is here, there are at least fifty competing teams. I hope you're prepared."
Shirou pulled Saber toward the front desk, while Saber flashed a confident smile.
She said: "As a knight, it is only natural to rise to a challenge and face difficulties head-on. It is not worth fearing in the least."
When they reached the front desk, the receptionist explained it to them in simple terms:
"It's just a speech. Stand on the stage and talk about the love and daily life shared with your family and such. Originally, it was limited to children going up."
In other words, the park organizers had come up with this event and theme to attract foot traffic from the surrounding area. If children mentioned having fun at the amusement park, it would attract the idle crowd watching nearby to enter the park and play.
"But it's not that rigid anymore~ Right now, couples can also have the lady go up and speak. As long as things get a bit lovey-dovey, you'll harvest a bunch of whistles, so nobody's going to stop you."
The receptionist spoke with an unbelievably lighthearted tone.
In short, you either get treated as a child or as a couple.
Pick one.
Shirou slowly raised his hand: "Is there a third option?"
"Sorry, not for now... we might add one later." The receptionist gave a troubled, perfunctory smile.
This is where we must mention Miss Rise-to-the-Challenge-Who-Vowed-an-Oath. Saber's neck turned with a creaking sound like a doll's.
Predicting Saber's next head movement based on this, Shirou met her gaze ahead of time.
Shirou didn't say a word; he just stared. Consequently, Saber's matching gaze gradually grew stiff.
Shirou's eyes asked back: Do you think we look like father and daughter?
Saber's expression froze. For some reason, her voice became hesitant:
"No, Shirou, that..."
"Of course it's fine, Saber! It's no problem if you give up! It's just that I seem to remember someone saying about 1 minute and 40 seconds ago that 'as a knight, rising to a challenge is only natural,' but I must have misheard. There's absolutely nothing to worry about."
Afterward, Shirou would need to reflect; he shouldn't have let his playfulness get the better of him and teased Saber so reflexively.
Because there is an old saying: "A cornered rat will bite the cat."
As for Saber...
If you push her too hard, she really will go for it.
Giving Shirou a fierce glare filled with a resentment that would make even a cat flee, Saber took large strides toward the registration desk.
Her silhouette looked a bit shaky.
"Wait... Saber? That was just a joke, I'm sorry, so please stop for a second."
"Do not dissuade me, Shirou! Since I have said the words, I must take responsibility—this, too, is a truth! Even if I feel my legs trembling, I shall not retreat!"
'No, Saber, are your legs actually trembling right now!? If so, why are you forcing yourself to keep it up?'
Right now, even ten wild bulls couldn't pull Saber back. The only thing that could probably pull her back was that plushie lion.
Shirou could only watch with twitching cheeks as she, with mysteriously soaring spirits, signed the registration form and set the pen down with a grand flourish.
A "good woman" who adds burdens to herself.
After the thirtieth-something team finished speaking, a little girl came down from the stage. Shirou escorted Saber to the steps leading up.
Saber was so expressionless she had reached a state of enlightenment, yet the "statue" was covered in a cold sweat.
At least she was indeed keeping her word. This might be Chivalry; Shirou was quite moved.
"Shirou, I will surely win back the lion plushie that belongs to us."
"..................Oh. Um. Okay. Good luck."
What can I say?
Shirou tentatively brushed away the stray hairs on Saber's forehead.
After Saber resolutely stated she needed no more comfort, Shirou silently walked down the steps and returned to the audience.
"Huh? Is that...?"
After walking into the center of the crowd, Shirou suddenly looked toward the southwest instinctively.
The time left for Shirou to see that object was probably less than three seconds. A sound came from the stage, making Shirou turn back immediately.
Standing there was an ordinary girl, yet one with an extraordinary aura.
Golden hair tied up, emerald eyes, and delicate, clear skin echoed her soft stance.
She clearly should have been used to inspiring entire armies as a King, but right now, that kind of momentum was nowhere to be seen.
Her hair hung down, and a blush seemed to spread all the way to the roots of her ears.
Inhale, exhale. Inhale~ exhale.
Saber looked up, a "do-or-die" expression on her face.
"Good morning, everyone!"
I see; the very first sentence is already a heavy-hitter.
"Actually, I was forced to come up here by my... my partner."
She seemed to get stuck on a specific word halfway through.
Then, starting with the second sentence, she began to slander him. Quickly remember your nobility, Saber.
"Regarding Shir—... no, regarding my partner, what can I say... he is a very good person, but first, allow me to raise a strong condemnation regarding his intermittent sharp tongue!"
Upon the stage under the gaze of ten thousand people.
So spoke Miss Saber.
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting