Era of Heroic Spirits: I Was Exposed by Alaya

Why did things turn out like this just from going out to buy a few things?

Illya stood at the doorway, eyes wide with disbelief.

Outside, snow was falling.

Countless snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the earth in pure white.

Her heart felt as cold as the biting wind outside the window.

I was here first… so why has it come to this?

Illya stared at the two of them, sinking into an abyss of existential doubt.

You were only gone for less than half an hour, and this happens?

If you had a little more time, would you have ended up making a whole new life?

Souma turned his head and greeted her, "Huh? Illya, you're here too?"

The situation was just a tiny bit awkward.

Both of these little girls were connected to him.

One was technically his nominal older sister, and the other was his nominal younger sister.

Well, if you traced it through him, they could be considered sisters too.

"Why are you two so practiced at this? Just how many times have you done this behind my back?" Illya couldn't help but ask.

The moment those words left her mouth—

Souma was even more stunned. "What are you even talking about?"

How did you jump to that conclusion?

Meanwhile, another figure at the doorway silently pulled out her phone.

"Hello, police? There's a man here who's targeting elementary school girls he just met, bringing them home—"

Seriously? You're really trying to send me to jail?

Souma quickly rushed over and snatched away the Huawei phone he had just gifted the brat that morning.

"Let go of me, you pervert!" Roya reached out, trying to grab it back.

I was only gone for a little while—why did I come back to this scene?

Is it really that White Album season again, and I've become the third wheel watching from the sidelines?

"What nonsense are you spouting? If I were that kind of person, would you still be standing here unharmed?" Souma pinched her ear.

Think about it, you brat. If I really liked little girls, would I have spared you, the one who's always mouthing off right in front of me?

"You bastard… so you do have your eyes on me!" Roya pointed a trembling finger at him.

"..."

Souma felt a headache coming on.

This brat really needs to be disciplined.

Just wait until those two leave—you're in for it!

"Um… I was just fixing his clothes earlier. I couldn't stand how messy they looked, especially since we'll be receiving Qin Shi Huang later," Miyu said, fiddling with the hem of her clothes, looking slightly embarrassed.

Then—

Like a startled little rabbit, she quickly ducked away.

"..."

Souma's temple throbbed.

Just moments ago, she had been the picture of a virtuous wife, but in an instant, she distanced herself as if he were some kind of pervert.

Seriously, are elementary school kids this dramatic nowadays?

"Oh, meeting Qin Shi Huang does require some extra preparation."

Roya's eyes instantly sparkled with excitement. "It's been so long since His Majesty made an appearance! I wonder if I can get close enough to see him!"

This time, the heroic spirits had gathered in Fuyuki Magecraft Academy.

And by some stroke of luck, she had managed to meet King Arthur and the Dark Saint up close.

She had even hit it off with Mordred at first sight, becoming like sisters!

For the past two days, it had all felt like a dream, something she couldn't quite believe.

If she could also meet Qin Shi Huang, she'd truly die without regrets!

"Don't even think about it. Maybe in your dreams!"

Souma shot her a sidelong glance.

Damn brat, did she really think he'd let her meet Qin Shi Huang again?

He'd have to talk to Gilgamesh later and come up with something fun to distract her.

"Tch!"

Roya pouted.

She knew full well that, given her status, wanting to meet Qin Shi Huang was nothing short of a pipe dream.

Lunch began.

The table was laden with plates of home-cooked dishes.

Miyu smiled sweetly. "Just sit there and eat. No need to trouble yourself—I'll handle it."

"Uh, okay."

Souma paused briefly, washed his hands, and sat down to eat.

Looking around at everyone, he suddenly felt as if he were in a dream.

It had been so, so long since he'd experienced such a warm, ordinary moment.

Illya chewed on the tender potatoes stewed in the pressure cooker while deep in thought.

From Miyu's earlier behavior, it seemed she hadn't recognized this otaku as the "Heroic Spirit Emiya" from the video.

Illya was torn.

In the exposed video Vow in the Snow, Miyu and Shirou had been as close as siblings.

If she confirmed that Souma was Shirou, she'd definitely throw herself at him and never let go.

But now, Miyu had remained completely composed the entire time, treating him merely as a friend's older brother.

Huh, had she misread the situation?

But if she had, why had seeing the two of them like that earlier made her so unbearably restless, to the point where she'd wanted to rush between them?

"There's more in the pot. I'll serve you when you finish," Miyu said, her gentle smile unwavering as she watched everyone eat heartily.

Her gaze lingered especially on Roya, who was eating with particular gusto, and her smile grew even warmer.

This was a child her brother had taken in, so naturally, she was also her junior.

Love me, love my dog.

Miyu looked at her with added fondness.

A somewhat mischievous but utterly adorable child.

After learning more, Miyu understood that her brother's current life was quite modest.

Average in academics, average in sports—everything about him was unremarkable, yet he seemed perfectly content.

No need for desperate struggles, no need for sacrificial battles… peace itself was a blessing.

Perhaps this was the choice he'd made in the depths of his soul.

In his past life, he had burned brightly, dazzling the world.

In this life, he was content to remain ordinary.

After fighting for so long, once everything settled, it was time to rest.

As Miyu watched him, she faintly sensed his unease and loneliness, as if he stood utterly alone.

My brother, who fought silently for humanity—the world you protected has found peace.

It's alright. Let me quietly safeguard this ordinary life of yours.

No one must be allowed to disturb us.

Not even Illya!

"Miyu, your cooking is really delicious. Could you teach me?"

Roya patted her full little belly, looking at the other with admiration.

We're about the same age, so why are you so skilled while I can only make inedible dishes?

Come to think of it, the taste of their cooking is quite similar to Souma's—there's a certain, how should I put it...

A "mother's touch," perhaps?

Do all good cooks follow similar paths?

It seems that when Souma is too lazy to cook in the future, I can go over to their place for meals...

"Of course. I'll come by often, and we can have cooking lessons together too." Miyu took out a tissue and gently wiped the liquid from the corner of Roya's mouth.

My dear, I was just lacking an excuse to visit—you're truly a godsend!

Souma, sitting across from the two, watched their interaction with utter confusion.

So... can someone explain to me what this heartwarming mother-child bonding scene is supposed to mean?

My adorable little sister, you're really going to spoil people rotten like this!

Souma sighed deeply in his heart.

Kind, considerate, virtuous, and adorable Miyu—if they lived together daily, they would undoubtedly turn his lazy tendencies into full-blown NEET habits.

By then.

The dashingly handsome Hero Emiya in countless people's hearts would gradually balloon into a 200-pound overweight otaku!

A harmonious lunch filled with sisterly affection and familial warmth concluded satisfactorily.

After the meal, Illya and Roya took charge of washing the dishes and cleaning the pots.

Souma felt a vague sense of loss.

Having played the role of a caretaker for so long, he found it strangely uncomfortable when he wasn't given chores to do.

Damn it, he really had been conditioned by Alaya into a life of endless labor!

"You should head back early too."

Souma put on his coat, preparing to head to the welcome ceremony.

The arrival of His Majesty Qin Shi Huang was a momentous occasion for the entire Fuyuki City—no, for the entire Japan.

"I'll go back early later," Miyu nodded.

Suddenly, she stepped forward again, reaching out to straighten his collar and smooth his slightly tousled hair.

"..."

Souma fell silent but didn't refuse her gesture.

For a fleeting moment, he once again felt that rare warmth.

What a gentle and adorable little sister.

In stark contrast, the other Heroic Spirits were nothing but troublemakers, constantly disrupting his peaceful daily life.

Alright, time to go greet Qin Shi Huang.

This time, surely nothing would go wrong...

***

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