Chapter 56 Rider Has Something to Say
After Shirou gave her his leave, Rider formally entered the room. She first surveyed the surroundings and then closed the door without a sound. Like a serpent invited to slip into a room, Rider made no noise throughout the process.
Her mature figure, full of feminine charm, seemed even more ethereal—likely because she had taken a bath at some point earlier. But distinct from her undeniably beautiful aura, Rider's expression was incredibly serious.
As someone who didn't fuss over minor details, Shirou didn't think much of Rider pushing the door open to enter. In truth, she could have passed through the door by spiritualizing; the fact that she greeted him properly and then pointedly pushed the door open was a display of sheer politeness.
Furthermore, Rider seemed to be carrying a plate of cut fruit. It looked prepared for Shirou, containing several different kinds of peeled fruits with bamboo picks placed on the plate to serve as forks.
She naturally handed the fruit plate to Shirou. Shirou took the portion meant for him and, under Rider's gaze—which held goodwill yet reflected a shadowed, expectant light—he skewered a piece.
"I've really troubled you."
"I am merely helping to deliver the fruit plate. More importantly than that..."
Rider paused for a moment, appearing hesitant, then said: "I want to talk to Shirou about some important matters."
She looked as if her heart was weighed down by heavy thoughts, and she sorrowfully averted her gaze.
"Did Sakura do something with you just now?"
Shirou thought for a moment and replied: "It's exactly as you suspect—the routine."
Shirou hesitated for a second but decided to let Sakura come clean herself within the one-day window she requested, so he didn't intend to disrupt her plans. Since Sakura hadn't told Rider, Shirou didn't want to reveal it without permission. Although he didn't know what topic Rider wanted to discuss, this was a perfect opportunity. Shirou had just come up with some questions he wanted to verify; Rider's timely arrival meant she could surely provide the answers.
Though her original topic seemed to have been interrupted, Rider was never averse to discussing Sakura's situation.
"I happen to have something I'd like to ask as well. Rider, please indulge my curiosity—was Sakura's 'venting' date really that urgent?"
That's right, asking Rider about Sakura's matters was common sense. They were, so to speak, an inseparable Master and Servant, close friends, or perhaps best confidantes.
Rider's expression became visibly nuanced.
She seemed to let out a silent sigh.
And then, there was no follow-up. If this was considered the prelude to speaking, the prelude was a bit too long. Rider, as a Servant, appeared taciturn, but her thoughts were delicate; in reality, the words she spoke were often far more numerous than her calm and quiet tone would suggest.
And if she was silent... that might mean she truly did not want to speak.
'Um. Say something, Rider.'
Shirou tentatively leaned a bit closer to her face in confusion. Rider looked troubled and allowed Shirou to approach to a distance that was perhaps a bit too close, only tilting her head slightly to the side.
"Rider, so, about Sakura—"
Rider extended a finger and pressed it against her lips: "For Sakura, making a 'supplement' at this time is necessary."
The bewitching timbre of her voice made one instinctively want to believe her.
'I see, I see...'
"Please tell the truth, Rider."
Besides, wasn't it "venting"? What on earth is a "supplement"? Supplementing what?
"Shirou, you must understand that the truth has many facets, and not telling a lie is also the truth."
Rider spoke with an incredibly calm facial expression, sounding like a philosopher.
'............Fine, Shirou might, perhaps, just maybe, have understood.'
While feeling worried for a certain younger sister, Shirou returned to his original spot and said politely:
"Sorry, Rider. I was a bit offensive just now, both in my questioning and the distance."
"No, I do not mind such things. ...There is no need for Shirou to mind either. I do not dislike it."
Shirou tentatively skewered a piece of apple with another clean toothpick as an apology; Rider ate it quietly. Then, she solemnly and gently placed the toothpick back onto the fruit plate, even straightening it.
"Shirou, I have some important words to discuss with you," Rider said, coughing once to restart the conversation.
With Shirou listening, Rider returned to the previous atmosphere as if nothing had happened: "This Holy Grail War is dangerous. It can even be viewed as being likely more dangerous than the Fifth Holy Grail War."
Shirou had long anticipated the situation Rider described, so he nodded.
"Originally, from my standpoint, I did not want Sakura to participate in this. ...Because there are too many uncertain factors and powerhouses in this war. You understand as well—this city is not normal.
However, for Sakura, fighting together with us is a responsibility and a wish she has set for herself. I do not intend to deny the strong will Sakura has already decided upon."
Up to this point, Shirou and Rider's views on Sakura were perfectly aligned. This might be why Rider was confiding in Shirou.
"However, since we are participating in such a dangerous situation, I must protect her well by her side."
Rider continued: "In that case, I will be investing the majority of my time into her protection."
She pursed her lips tightly.
"Yeah, Rider is working very hard too."
Shirou spoke his sincere feelings, only to be met by a strange look from Rider.
'Did I say something wrong?'
"Shirou, do you really know what I am saying?"
As if finding Shirou's density exasperating, the purple-haired gorgon let out a breath, her Mystic Eyes half-closed in helplessness behind her transparent glasses. She spoke in an elegant voice—intellectual and calm, yet realizing a certain cruelty—befitting a beautiful snake-woman:
"When you returned yesterday in such a tragic state, even I felt heartache. Precisely because of that, what I am about to say is undoubtedly a malicious statement, made with full knowledge of your danger but choosing to ignore it—knowingly allowing an action that is bad for Shirou. I have this self-awareness; please take it seriously."
Only then did Shirou realize... the emotion permeating her words was a sense of indebtedness. Rider's expression looked as if she were standing in the rain.
"I will protect Sakura.
I cannot, like Saber, stay by your side without leaving an inch as you go out to attack and help you.
Even in such circumstances, I will prioritize Sakura. In fact, because of the previous incident where that King of Heroes appeared within four kilometers of our residence, I might remain on guard here constantly.
Even so, can you accept this?"
Because her expression was so sorrowful, Shirou thought for a moment: "......"
The conclusion he finally reached was...
'isn't that perfectly fine?'
What was wrong with protecting Sakura?
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