There were many scenarios that I expected after I finally decided to take in Asia Argento for the moment after understanding her situation and clearing it with Zelretch. (The old man was rather ecstatic for some reason and even volunteered to repair the Ryuudou Temple to serve as the temporary home for the girl should my parents disagree about it, along with sending me an artifact that could act as a translator for the girl. Very suspicious. Why did he have such a thing handy in the first place?)
However, what I am seeing now is something that I definitely did not expect.
"Here, try this."
"Um, O-Ok."
Irisviel von Einzbern, my mother, hovered over Asia as if she were her own daughter and was trying to make her try my food, while Kiritsugu Emiya, my father, sat in a chair and stared hollowly into the sky, as if he were a war veteran going through PTSD.
Sella and Liz, on the other hand, had already joined Mom in spoiling Asia while the poor girl looked like she might break down any moment.
Honestly, I expected suspicion and rejection when I pitched the idea after learning about Asia's circumstances in the morning. (and wasn't that an ordeal? I thought someone had somehow figured out my identity and found my home when I felt the faint Holy Aura around Asia. I was ready to pull out Gae Bolg for god's sake.)
But I did not expect Mom to immediately adopt Asia after I explained her circumstances (curated version) and promptly designate the girl as my new 'sister'.
As for Issei, he fled like his life depended on it after he too became the victim of mom's coddeling and dad's glares. (I may or may not be the cause of that since I told him a lot about Issei's activities last year, soon after entering Kuoh.)
Turning to my side, I spotted Illya sporting the same confused look that I probably had as well, trying to take in the whole situation. Although I may also have a look of pity.
After all, as the usual victim of mom's clinginess, Asia is not getting out of this for a few more hours yet.
But maybe this is what the girl needs right now.
After learning about her life upto this point, which were probably watered down a lot given the girl's low self-esteem, I can't help but feel very angry at the Church.
If they dare show their face in this city, I'll have to have a really good talk with them about treating people like objects or weapons.
That being said, the biggest problem right now is to try and make sure Asia does not out her involvement with the Supernatural, and by extention, bust my secret as well.
At least not until I take care of the Class Cards. Because if Zelretch's warnings are anything to go by, the upcoming fights are going to take a real mental toll on me.
I remember when I asked Zelretch how the Class Cards were even able to handle the full power of a Heroic Spirit like Vritra in the first place, even if it was Angra Mainyu who made them.
The answer I got was chilling to say the least.
Angra Mainyu was specifically picking Heroic Spirits who could harm my mentality. He was specifically choosing Heroic Spirits that my counterparts had close bonds with or had regrets about, just like how Counter Guardian EMIYA regretted what he was forced to do to Vritra and Ritsuka during the Indian Lostbelt. Or, he was picking up powerful Servants who might be able to kill me very quickly.
Whatever the case might be, it is clear that, somehow, the evil god was targeting me.
Why go to such lengths? Zelretch did not say, but I had a guess. A really dangerous one that would prove to be disastrous for everyone involved if I were right.
"Hey, Onii-chan. I don't think the food's going to last."
At Illya's whisper, I looked at the table, and sure enough, the food was disappearing at an alarming rate.
I always make more food than we require, just in case Illya, Sell, or Liz end up eating more than usual. But then, Dad and Mom suddenly showed up out of nowhere like they always do, which meant that those extra servings went to them.
Then, in the middle of our breakfast, Issei and Asia showed up, which led to this situation where Mom is feeding her like a mother.
'Definitely not enough food left for anyone. Good thing I was going to take the day off anyway.'
I turned to Illya.
"You going to school today?"
"Nope. Not going."
Illya's eyes gleamed with happiness and excitement as she stared at our parents. This is how it always is with us. Given how rarely they return home from their jobs, Illya and I usually take the day off to spend some time with them.
It also helps that today is the day when I need to prepare for the Assassin Card anyways so this works just fine.
With a smile, I got up and headed into the kitchen, ready to cook up some meals for my family.
Looks like, aside from Asia's issue, this is going to be a rather good day.
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Kuoh river banks.
In the middle of the night, Shirou Emiya ran across rooftops to reach the river banks while using his Archer Card.
'Damn it. The excitement from the morning made me sleep in. Now I am late, well past midnight when my magical energy should be at its peak.'
Sighing to himself for this miscalculation, Shirou made his way to the riverside, where he had originally scouted out the location and found out that the Assassin Class Card was located there.
Once at the spot, he wasted no time and plunged his dagger straight into the ground, opening the rift to the Mirror World.
However, all of his preparations and expectations went out the window.
Because the moment he made it through, he took an Excalibur blast to his face.
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Author Notes: Read 5 chapters ahead on Patreon: patreon.com/Ruijard1