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Shirou POV

A new routine had been formed where I now spent most much of my lunch and afterschool time with both Shinji and Sakura.

It was difficult at first since I had no idea what to even talk about with them, but Shinji actually helped with that surprisingly.

He brought up if I played any video games and from there the conversation moved forward into a discussion of our favorite play station two games for me it was Metal Gear Solid three. I also had plans to buy the upcoming Nintendo DS so that I could play some of the more classic games. It was just about the only thing I could do when I needed the occasional break from magecraft and figuring out the poem about myself.

Talking with Shinji was a bit easier compared to Sakura who was very meek and shy but when I shared some of my lunch Shinji had made a comment about how good it was prompting Sakura to ask who made my bentos "I actually cook my own food," I replied taking a calm sip of my water.

"That's amazing Shirou-senpai...m-my big brother and I usually have to buy bentos since neither of us knows how to cook," Sakura said in a depressed tone.

"You guys can come over to my place and I could teach you both..." I offered without thinking causing me to pause for a bit...strange why did I do that it's a waste of time I need to be focusing on my magecraft studies I am close to making a breakthrough on how I can use my Atom origin.

I furrow my brows it wasn't the shard influencing me so why I did I offer to essentially waste my time.

"About time you finally invite us over to your place Emiya hahaha alright we can meet up afterschool so you can lead us!" came Shinji's excited shout snapping me out of my thoughts

As I snapped out of my thoughts, I noticed Shinji's broad grin he looked genuinely thrilled by the invitation Sakura on the other hand had a more subdued reaction, but I caught a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth a quiet excitement in her eyes. I couldn't help but feel a strange warmth seeing them both look so eager.

The bell soon rang, and we all split apart although I couldn't but stay behind a bit trying to understand why I had done something so...impulsively

-Afterschool-

After school the three of us walked to my house together it was odd normally, I'd have headed straight home alone following my routine. However now with both Shinji and Sakura walking and talking beside me there was an oddly pleasant feeling in my heart.

"Shirou-senpai," Sakura spoke up as we walked her voice barely above a whisper "I... I've never really cooked anything before. I'm not sure if I'll be any good at it."

I smiled trying to reassure her "don't worry Sakura everyone has to start somewhere. We can start with something simple like making rice or preparing vegetables once you get the basics it becomes easier," I replied as we got closer to my house.

She nodded shyly seeming a bit more at easy Shinji, meanwhile walked confidently on my other side "I am sure it won't be that bad if it's just cutting veggies and mixing things," he exclaimed acting like he was already a pro in the kitchen causing me to let out a chuckle "guess we'll have to see Shinji."

When we arrived, I led them to the kitchen pointing out where the ingredients and utensils were. The place was filled with the faint scent of the spices and herbs I'd been experimenting with recently. I could tell Shinji was impressed as he surveyed everything with an appreciative nod.

"Alright," I began, rolling up my sleeves "first we'll wash the rice and start it cooking then we'll chop some vegetables simple stuff,"

I guided Sakura through the steps showing her how to measure the rice and rinse it until the water ran clear. She was hesitant at first but as she got into it her confidence grew.

Shinji on the other hand watched closely occasionally jumping in with questions that had me going off on small tangents about how to balance flavors and choose ingredients...teaching them was something that I found to be enjoyable oddly enough.

However, that same thought of why I was wasting my time came to me again I needed to be using this time to get stronger.

Yet here I was though showing Sakura how to chop a carrot without cutting herself and laughing when Shinji joked about how terrible the food would turn out if left to him alone for even a second.

It was simple, easygoing, and somehow... comforting.

Once the food was ready, I set the dishes out on the chabudai we each took a seat on the floor Shinji and Sakura on one side myself on the other.

I glanced at them as we dug in Sakura tasted her food timidly at first, then gave a tiny, pleased smile Shinji, on the other hand let out a satisfied sigh as he bit into his food.

"Wow... this is turned out to be really great Shirou-senpai," Sakura said softly her normally emotionless eyes suddenly gaining light in them "thank you for this," she continued while Shinji nodded "yeah this was way better than going back home to our grandfather who never wants to do anything fun," Shinji added with a tone of emotion that I couldn't quite identify.

I nodded "It's no problem. If you ever want to learn more feel free to come by, I'm usually here most of the time on the weekends," I said.

As the meal went on, I found myself laughing more than I had in a long time Shinji made jokes Sakura blushed at his antics, and for just a moment the endless need to improve to get stronger, to experiment faded.

After we finished as I walked them to the door Shinji clapped me on the back his smirk back in full force "thanks for today Emiya I can probably use those cooking skills to get a date for the upcoming school dance," he said.

I chuckled "well knowing you Shinji won't even have to use those skills," I said remembering his high school counterpart in the anime being able to instantly charm the girls around him.

"Right guess I'll see you tomorrow ja ne Emiya," he said with a lazy wave as both he and Sakura walked off leaving me to stare at their retreating backs.

The glow of the sun slowly began to go down while the wind danced around my face messing around with my hair "yeah...tomorrow," I muttered as that pleasant feeling in my heart slowly vanished away.

-end of chapter nine-

Day # 25

How strange...I don't know why I invited Shinji or Sakura over to my home. The time I have at home is what I use for more important things.

This is not the influence of the shard I would have noticed it for sure there is also the case of emotions I felt as I watched the duo leave my home...I felt happy then completely devoid of life.

Perhaps it's because my heart has been yearning for real interactions with people to rid myself of the constant emptiness I feel whenever I am here in the house by myself even though I am alway occupied with my studies.

I can't stand brats...but I guess I can tolerate the duo.

It seems as though I'll have to work harder on manifesting my Reality Marble if I truly wish to 'save' the duo...I blame the shard for all of this.

-From the journal entry of 'Shirou Emiya'

Alright so there you have it chapter nine I hope you all enjoyed it as we now get to see what his relationships with Shinji and Sakura are like.

I've also updated the previous chapters to have journal entries (yes I was inspired by the secret reports from Kingdom Hearts as you all can doubt tell)

Pay attention to the reports as those will sometimes have more details that are not mentioned in the chapter. For example, in the previous chapter entry it mentions how the MC manages to record Caliburn and the weapons of Lancelot, Tristan, and Gawain.