FHA Afternoon light (EN)

“Saber, are you there?” I knock lightly on the door, but there's no response. There's no way Saber wouldn't notice that. I guess she's not around. I saw her in the living room just before, and since I have some spare time, I was going to ask her to come practice with me――― “Saber?” When did Rider get here? “Yeah, I'm looking for her. Did you see her around?” “No, not on the way here.” “I see. Oh well.” Alright, I wonder where she might be... But just as I'm about to head back to the main wing, Rider catches me by the sleeve. “By the way... Do you have a moment?” “Hm? What is it?” “Right, well, the bicycle has really gotten out of shape recently... The handlebars just keep turning right, and it is becoming problematic. If you have time, it would be nice if you could take a look.” Oh, I see. Now that she mentions it, I really have been skimping on maintenance lately. And the amount that goes into her steed would be considered luxury for any other regular bike. Rider's own city bike―――a so-called "mama-chari," had not been made to withstand things like drift turns. “Alright, I'll check it out.” ―――before I take it out with the rest of the garbage, that is. “Thank you.” So, with a light parting nod, I go inside my own room, right next to Saber's. Right, I guess I'll go have a look at the bicycle――― “...Whew.” And before I know it, it's all done. This is bicycle "Number Two," all fixed and polished to a sparkle. At first, I was just going to do the steering wheel bearings... and maybe adjust the brake cables, at most. And yet――― For every small part that bothered me, rather than overlook it, I kept thinking I'd be done soon anyway. So, I took it all apart and end up going over every single thing. But once it was all in pieces, the plan kept changing. “―――Well, I guess this should keep Rider happy.” I've even replaced the consumable parts with more durable ones. This is as good as this bike will get, so it should be fine... for another week or so. Oil and sweat all over me, I go back inside to have a shower, only to be met by Fuji-nee flying out of the living room. “Fuji-nee, "no running in the hallways" doesn't apply just to school...!” “Ah, sorry, Shirou. Please forgive me again!” Saying that, she runs away. “Ah, Senpai.” Breathing heavily, here comes Sakura. Fuji-nee is understandable, but seeing Sakura race around the house is a bit unusual, not to mention difficult to deal with. “What the heck is going on?” “Uh, Illya-san was going to come by, so I thought we'd have some tea. But it turned out that Fujimura-sensei had already snatched all the tea snacks. Storage number one, number two, even the emergency kit crackers...!” Sounds like a thorough job. So that's why she's being chased. “But such an uproar over a hungry tiger regressing to basic human instincts and wiping out the food reserves isn't really...” I'll just make sure that she is properly scolded and that the replenishments are paid for out of her own pocket before she has the chance to escape. “But you see, she ate Saber's share, has been identified as the culprit by Illya, yet she's intent on hiding, running, and taunting us until her heart stops beating...” “Catch her immediately. I'll apologize to Illya personally.” “But when I mentioned the how good the bits of candy in those snacks were, Illya-san just went nuts like never before.” “Those are emergency rations...” “Sakura, there she is! She's climbing up the roof.” Illya's voice is coming from the yard... Wait, the roof? “Eh, uh, right, I'll be right there. So yeah, excuse me, Senpai―――Hold on, Rider, what is the rope for!?” Throwing on her sandals, Sakura goes out into the yard. Whatever Rider's up to, I don't think I want to know. Let's look the other way for now. “Nevertheless...” As usual, some aspects of big-game hunting came out. I should help them before this really gets out of hand――― And thus, Fuji-nee is finally captured. Illya and Sakura are in the living room, teaching her a lesson. As for me, I'm repairing the roof that she trampled on. There might still be a typhoon this year or something. “Nevertheless―――” I feel kind of sorry for Archer. Could it be that he got cranky because we just left him perched on the rooftop all alone? “Just kidding, no way he would be.” With all the smoke and whatnot, I doubt that always staying here was one of his favorite jobs. Anyways, there's still time until dinner. I'll go get some rest someplace quiet. Nothing unnecessary, only a bare wooden floor. After all, no matter how many residents we had, this place never saw much use. From the beginning, I had forgotten it. ...I calm down my disarrayed mind. This is where it all began. I'll indulge in this nostalgic feeling for a while. “――――――” ...I guess I just wanted to stand there for as long as I could. Just quietly stand still at the entrance. “―――So you have come, Shirou.” I wonder how long did that last. All too fast, Saber's voice releases my bound body. “Yeah. What about you, how long have you been here for?” “Let me see... That would be since after lunch.” In other words, just about half a day. “...Shirou, what is wrong? It seems like you had something to talk about, but...” “Oh, nothing―――” Well, sure, I was going to ask Saber to help me train, but it's already starting to get dark. So what can we do now―――? “I just thought I'd relax here for a bit.” “I see. Indeed, here is a good place to calm down and meditate. In that case, I will be leaving.” “No, it's―――” Now that the two of us are here, I want Saber to stay for a while... Yeah, like I'm going to embarrass myself with that. “What is it?” “...Oh, nothing.” Answering thus, I sit down and get comfortable. I'll probably soon forget all the smalltalk exchanged today, anyway. Yet the evening sunlight dancing on the walls of the dojo, and Saber's gentle smile... Those will surely stay in my mind forever―――