Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

In the Fuyuki Magecraft Academy campus.

Souma stood at the bottom of a slope lined with cherry blossom trees.

As the ordinary student representative assigned to greet heroic spirits, he had to stay by their side even when there was nothing to do.

Now was considered a break.

He idly scrolled through a side story titled "How Many Peepers Were Charmed by Emiya the Great's High Jump?"

Countless comments speculated whether Alaya had feelings for him.

Souma couldn't help but curl his lips: "Hah, her 'favorite' means making me work 24/7 without rest?"

The affection of a vampire capitalist like Alaya—did people think this was some twisted anime romance? Who'd want this kind of pathological devotion!

Ever since he sacrificed everything to save humanity and restart the world, he had sworn a silent oath:

"Blessings shall come. From this day forward, I embrace the art of lying flat until death."

"I shall not marry, not buy property, nor bear children."

"I am the slacker at my post, the wanderer in the city, the light that repels capitalist vampires, the horn that awakens workers from traps, the steadfast shield against rat races."

"I dedicate my life and honor to the lying-flat movement, today and every day henceforth!"

After centuries of 24/7 labor, did they really think he'd return to that grind?

Not a chance!

Souma stood beneath the cherry tree.

Pity it was already winter—no blossoms remained.

Only withered leaves drifted down from the branches.

Just then, a colorful ball came rolling down the slope. He casually stopped it with his foot and picked it up.

A petite, adorable figure hurried down after it, her cheeks flushed pink beneath a white down jacket and red scarf. Amber eyes locked onto him.

This little loli was none other than Miyu!

Souma froze, never expecting to meet her like this.

She... probably wouldn't recognize him...

His certainty wavered slightly.

Back in the "Vow in the Snow" timeline, after rescuing Miyu, he'd sent her to a happy world without Holy Grail Wars or disasters.

She'd even wished to become his real sister.

But during the final battle, countless timelines were consumed in flames.

Souma sacrificed his very [existence], vanishing from all memories, forgotten by the entire world.

Naturally, his connection with Miyu was severed completely.

Even Fou, the mighty Fourth Beast, forgot everything about him, following only by instinct.

Mash, the kouhai who'd forged unbreakable bonds with him? Likewise erased from her memory.

Let alone Miyu, now an ordinary girl without Holy Grail powers.

Yet—

Tears welled in those beautiful amber eyes as she whispered timidly, "B-Big... brother?"

So unfamiliar... yet so achingly familiar.

Souma stood stunned.

That address belonged to her alone.

After carrying her home from the ruins, he'd basked in that soft, tender "big brother" calling for so long.

But—

After single-handedly ending the Holy Grail War, he'd granted her happiness while losing the chance to watch her grow.

[Your world has no place for me]

She walked toward a bright future while his name was buried deep, condemned to endless 24/7 battles to preserve humanity.

Years—who knew how many—had passed since then...

Souma's heart churned with indescribable complexity.

His kouhai had similarly blurted out recognition upon seeing him.

But—

Meeting as strangers, she'd only smiled and asked, "Senpai, where do you come from?"

The invisible threads of knowledge entwined their fates, bringing them face to face once more.

This encounter would probably be just like with his kouhai, he thought.

Souma smiled as he handed over the ball. "Here, your ball."

The greatest sorrow in this world is standing before someone who no longer recognizes you.

"Mm, thank you."

Miyu blinked in slight surprise, cradling the ball against her chest.

Just as she prepared to speak, someone called out to him.

In the distance, a figure waved. "Souma, hurry up!"

"Sorry, I've got to go."

With a friendly wave, Souma turned and disappeared from her sight.

The little girl beamed sweetly. "Okay, big brother. Go do what you need to do."

"Hmm..."

Souma's footsteps faltered momentarily before he continued walking away.

That address—so achingly nostalgic.

It was the bond known as family...

Behind him.

Miyu watched his retreating figure quietly, amber eyes welling with tears that fell like broken strings of pearls.

Yet her small face blossomed with joy—radiant, sunlit happiness.

How wonderful—to see her brother again after all this time.

That boy who'd once been so fragile had willingly challenged the entire world for her sake.

When forced to choose between the world and her, he'd never hesitated.

Through unimaginably brutal battles, he'd sacrificed everything to shatter the Holy Grail War.

And ultimately, to save the world, he'd forged a contract with Alaya, embarking on endless campaigns.

Now he appeared as an utterly ordinary high school student.

No more fighting—how marvelous.

Wiping her tears, Miyu's heart ached for him, unable to fathom how long he'd endured those battles.

Back then, as the Holy Grail's vessel, she'd wished to become his sister—only for that fabricated bond to be severed in catastrophic combat.

Perhaps that final battle had erased him from everyone's memories, from the world itself.

Turning homeward, Miyu's steps felt featherlight.

Her body seemed weightless—there was nothing left to fear, for she was no longer alone.

This time, let her be the one to protect him!

Miyu returned to the slope.

Looking across the street at the juice shop, there were still a few customers waiting in line.

After a while, the person finally cheered upon buying orange juice.

But to come back, she had to climb the tall steps.

Illya, holding the orange juice, carefully extended her foot downward—it wasn't too difficult yet.

When climbing back up, she placed the juice on the high platform first.

Her petite body leaned slightly to the left as she struggled to lift her short legs up the steps.

Miyu quickly pulled out a tissue to dry her tears, afraid of being seen by the other girl or anyone else.

"Miyu, I'm back with the juice!"

Illya flashed a triumphant smile and handed over a steaming cup of juice, looking slightly surprised. "Huh? Why are you crying?"

"Just got some sand in my eyes earlier."

Miyu took the cup silently and lowered her head to drink.

"Oh, let's go then."

Illya didn't seem too concerned.

The wind was indeed quite strong today.

She took a sip of juice, her small face brimming with excitement: "His Majesty Qin Shi Huang will arrive in Fuyuki City this evening. I wonder how he'll make his entrance—I'm really looking forward to it!"

"I don't know."

Miyu replied.

She didn't care about His Majesty's arrival.

What mattered more was how to approach the boy she'd met earlier.

Back then, he was the one who saved her, who gave everything for her.

***

I'll be uploading 2 bonus chapters per 100 Power Stones, so throw your PS for more chapters.

Thanks for reading!