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Amidst the small commotion of conversations involving Shirou's name, the atmosphere shifted briefly when the sound of steady footsteps approached.
"Eina," someone called in a calm yet firm voice.
The figure of a man with brown furry dog ears and small glasses—Rehmer, a Chienthrope and Eina's direct superior at the Guild—stopped near their table. With an upright posture and a serious expression, he swept his gaze over the documents still scattered on the table.
"The meeting is about to resume. Have you gathered all the documents?"
"Oh! Yes, everything's ready!" Eina reflexively grabbed the paper bag containing the bundled reports that had nearly drowned her in embarrassment earlier and stood up quickly.
Before following Rehmer, she bowed slightly to her mother. "Sorry, Mom! I have to go now. But tonight... I promise I'll come home!"
Aina nodded happily with a smile. "I'll wait, then. Don't forget to bring exciting stories from the Guild."
After Eina left, Misha rested her chin on her palm, her eyes observing her friend's retreating back as she hummed softly. "Wow, Eina is so diligent. If it were me... forget being enthusiastic about a meeting, I'd probably sneak away to get some sweet tea," she joked lightly.
Aina chuckled. "That's because you haven't been promoted yet. Once you're in Eina's position, you'll be just as diligent."
From where he stood, Shirou, who had been silent and contemplative, finally let out a sigh and stepped decisively toward the reception desk. His mind returned to his original purpose for coming here.
"I came here to pick up a quest for Aiz and Lefiya... it should be time now."
He glanced at the large board on the wall and spoke softly, "Excuse me... I'd like to ask about taking a quest." His voice was clear enough for Misha, who immediately shifted her gaze to Shirou.
Aina, standing in front of the reception desk, suddenly felt like an obstacle to the red-haired young man who seemed to have important business. She quickly picked up the cloth bag containing the three remaining lunch boxes and stepped aside slightly.
"Sorry, dear. Go ahead. Auntie didn't mean to block you," she said gently with a polite smile.
Shirou nodded slowly. "It's fine, ma'am."
As soon as Aina made way, Misha stood behind the reception desk and opened the list in front of her.
"In that case, may I have your full name, level, and Familia?" she asked in a formal tone, though she couldn't hide the amused expression lingering from the earlier incident.
"Shirou Emiya. Level one. From Loki Familia," Shirou replied flatly.
Instantly, Misha's eyes widened. "Ahhh! So you're the one!" she exclaimed, half-surprised.
Aina, who had just taken a light breath, also paused for a moment, studying Shirou more closely. This young man was far from the image of a "mysterious middle-aged man" that had crossed her mind earlier. In fact... he was very young and—she admitted to herself—quite attractive.
Shirou sighed softly. "Yeah... I heard you mentioning my name earlier," he said resignedly.
Misha grinned shamelessly. "That's your fault for not completing your data! Otherwise, we wouldn't have gossiped," she retorted while pulling out the quest request forms. "But unfortunately... if you want to take a quest, the first requirement is... to complete your data first."
"...Alright," Shirou lowered his head slightly, trying to suppress a long breath. "Can I do it now? The quest is for tomorrow. I'm taking it for my comrades."
But before Misha could answer, the small metal bell at the end of the room rang loudly with a ring ring ring, signaling that it was exactly one o'clock in the afternoon.
Misha immediately slapped the desk. "Lunchtime! Sorry, Shirou, the rules are strict. Guild staff must take a break. Come back later, after lunchtime."
Grabbing one of the lunch boxes Aina had left behind, Misha smirked and scurried to the back. "I can't wait to eat your mom's cooking, Eina!"
Shirou stood still for a moment in front of the reception desk, his eyes inadvertently landing on Aina, who was now tidying up her lunch boxes at the corner of the table. His gaze held no particular meaning, but his mind couldn't help drawing an automatic comparison—that face... long green hair, gentle green eyes, a friendly smile that felt soothing.
Aina, aware of his gaze, simply turned her head with a raised eyebrow and teased lightly, "Be careful, young man. You're staring at a married woman, you know~"
Shirou jolted, his posture stiffening instantly. "A-Ah! Sorry! That's not what I meant..." He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "It's just... You look so much like Riveria."
That statement made Aina turn fully, her eyebrows rising slightly higher than before.
Riveria? Not "Lady Riveria"? Aina thought quickly. She knew very well that only a handful of people were close enough—or bold enough—to address the Vice-Captain of Loki Familia without an honorific. And this young man... did it so naturally.
Interesting.
"Oh, so you're close to Riveria, huh?" she teased, masking her growing curiosity.
Shirou only responded with a faint smile. Neither denying nor explaining. Classic Shirou.
Seeing his neutral expression, Aina decided to change the subject. She lifted the cloth bag containing the three remaining lunch boxes and held it slightly toward Shirou.
"In that case, as 'the aunt who looks like Riveria'... want to have lunch together?" she offered lightly. "I cooked too much. It'd be a waste."
Shirou seemed about to decline, but his stomach let out a quiet growl, changing his mind. He nodded politely. "In that case... I'd be happy to accept."
Soon after, the two of them stepped out of the Guild building. Aina walked ahead with light steps, carrying her lunch bag, while Shirou followed quietly. In the distance, the midday sun shone over the bustling streets of Orario.
And in Shirou's mind, a small question arose silently.
Are Riveria's old friends always this warm... or does she want something from me?
Aina walked slowly through the shady city park, her eyes quickly spotting a long bench under the shade of a large tree. The lush leaves shielded the area from the scorching midday sun. She glanced at Shirou walking beside her and gestured softly with her hand.
"Let's sit there. It's nice and cool," she said, stepping ahead and sitting gracefully on the left end of the bench.
Shirou nodded politely and followed, but when he was about to sit, he unconsciously kept his distance, leaving a wide gap between them. For some reason, Aina's earlier comment about "staring at a married woman" still echoed faintly in his mind. He felt the need to maintain decorum... or more precisely, to protect his reputation.
Aina glanced sideways, noticing the empty space between them that was wide enough for another person to sit. She suppressed a small laugh.
"Relax, young man. I'm not some cougar teasing a young guy in the park," she joked while opening the cloth bag on her lap.
Shirou blushed slightly but remained silent. He didn't know whether to laugh or apologize, so he opted for a neutral smile—his diplomatic weapon.
Aina then took out one of the three lunch boxes and handed it to Shirou. "Here. This one has the most meat. I figured a young man like you would need the energy," she said warmly.
"Thank you, ma'am," Shirou accepted it carefully and opened the lid.
The aroma of black pepper stir-fried meat immediately filled his nose, mingling with the fragrance of white rice, neatly rolled omelet, and stir-fried vegetables. The meal was simple yet beautifully arranged—colorful and clearly made with care.
"This looks delicious..." Shirou murmured.
While Aina opened her own lunch box, she also pulled out a pair of spoons and forks from the cloth bag—one set for her, one for Shirou. But before she could hand it over, Shirou had already retrieved something from his tunic pocket.
Clink—a pair of sleek black wooden chopsticks appeared from the folds of his clothes, elegant and slender.
Aina paused mid-motion, eyeing the chopsticks. "Huh? You brought your own chopsticks?"
"Yeah... something like that," Shirou replied, lowering his head slightly to avoid direct eye contact. He certainly couldn't explain that the chopsticks had just been projected in an instant.
"Wow, how diligent," Aina remarked with a smile before picking up her fork. "Well then... bon appétit?"
Shirou lifted his lunchbox slightly and nodded. "Bon appétit."
The two of them began eating in comfortable silence, accompanied only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirping of birds in the distance.
In Aina's mind, as she chewed slowly, she stole glances at the young man beside her, who ate quietly but neatly.
Riveria... you're keeping a very interesting secret, she mused inwardly.
Shirou took the last bite of the stir-fried meat and closed his eyes briefly, letting the flavors of the spices and the tender texture of the meat meld on his tongue. He swallowed slowly and exhaled lightly.
"This... is really delicious, ma'am. The seasoning is perfect, the stir-fry isn't too oily, and the texture is just right. The stir-fried vegetables are still crisp, too," Shirou said honestly, his tone sincere and straightforward.
Aina smiled, her eyes shining softly like a mother receiving praise from her own child. But for an Elf like her, whose appearance barely changed with age, many stories lay hidden beneath the surface.
"Hm... is that so?" she replied with a teasing smile. "You speak like someone who's more than just a food enthusiast. Don't tell me you're a good cook yourself?"
Shirou shrugged slightly and averted his gaze to the now-empty lunch box. "I'm decent. At Loki Familia, I usually help cook breakfast. Mostly with Lefiya."
Aina was slightly startled. Lefiya? Ah, that little girl who often follows Riveria around... But more importantly, cooking for the entire Loki Familia? That wasn't a trivial role.
So it's true... Aina stared at Shirou intently, as if piecing together an unfinished puzzle. In her mind, an imaginary checklist began ticking itself:
✅ Skilled at cooking.
✅ Often with Lefiya and Riveria.
✅ Known in the Familia but not fully registered at the Guild.
✅ Polite, yet close enough to call Riveria without honorifics.
Aina smiled faintly, gazing at the blue sky through the swaying leaves.
Twenty years ago, I was like this too... she thought. Sitting in a park, having lunch with a naive young man who eventually became my daughter's father.
She glanced at Shirou, who was now twirling his chopsticks casually, his gaze calm like someone who had experienced much despite his youthful appearance. Riveria, you've chosen well...
Aina looked at Shirou for a moment, her smile still lingering. But this time, her tone shifted to something more serious, slightly probing.
"By the way... Shirou, you know about Magecraft, don't you?"
Shirou, who had been tidying up the lunch box, froze mid-motion. The chopsticks he had been holding loosely now lay on the lid of the box. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing the right answer.
Magecraft... he thought. This isn't a topic to be discussed casually, especially in public. But looking at Aina, who sat calmly—someone he knew as Riveria's friend and no ordinary person herself, an old and wise Elf who, despite her gentle demeanor, might understand more than most—he reconsidered.
Besides, it seemed Riveria had already told her about the Magecraft system during her visit a few days ago. Perhaps... this woman already knows a lot.
Shirou took a quiet breath and nodded honestly. "Yes. I know Magecraft."
Aina raised her eyebrows casually, but her smile widened in satisfaction, like a detective solving a small mystery. She leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice.
"So... you're the one who taught Riveria all that, huh? The new magic she's been so carefully hiding?"
Shirou was slightly taken aback by the interrogative tone, though it held no threat—just the curiosity of an old friend who knew Riveria too well to let her keep secrets.
"Yes, that's right," he finally admitted. "I've been training her for a few months now. Usually at dawn... before cooking breakfast." He ended with a soft expression, trying to lighten the mood.
Aina nodded as if everything had finally fallen into place. "My guess was right. So the mysterious man Riveria mentioned is... you." She didn't add "the one she likes," but her tone implied enough.
Shirou tilted his head slightly, then finally asked in return, "Did Riveria explain Magecraft to you?"
Aina turned, her green eyes glowing softly. "Of course. I even helped Riveria translate ancient Elf hieroglyphs with the help of the old dictionary she brought. About the tree symbol—I'm sure you know which one."
Shirou immediately recalled the tree-shaped rune written on Riveria's back when he first unlocked her magic circuits. So Aina really knows that much...
"She hasn't had the chance to tell me about her research yet," Shirou said honestly, then added inwardly, ...Because this morning, she spent her time flying with a balloon I projected, only to nearly get blown away from the Manor.
"That's understandable," Aina replied softly. "Riveria is the type who prefers to show results rather than talk about the process. But from the way she spoke about it... I think you're more than just her teacher."
Shirou turned to her, confused. "What do you mean?"
Aina only smiled mysteriously, offering no answer.
The midday sunlight began to filter down through the leaves, casting a soft glow on Aina's green hair and painting Shirou's face in calm shadows. Two generations sat under one tree, bound by one name: Riveria.
Shirou stared at the empty lunch box in his hands for a moment before handing it back politely to Aina. She accepted it with a warm smile, then opened the cloth bag on her lap and began packing the lunch boxes neatly, one by one, with the practiced movements of a homemaker.
Shirou remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. His fingers fidgeted restlessly on his thighs. Finally, with a slightly hesitant tone, he spoke up.
"Umm... can I ask something that might be a bit... sensitive?"
Aina, who had just finished tying the cloth bag, turned to him calmly. "Of course. Ask away, dear."
Shirou took a brief breath, then looked at her seriously. "Ma'am... how much older are you than Riveria?"
The question made Aina laugh softly, bright but not mocking, like a breeze laughing at a confused cloud. "Ahahaha... you..." She covered her mouth briefly, then glanced at Shirou, who was now scratching his head, realizing his question might have sounded bold.
"Don't worry," Aina said, straightening her posture. "I won't get angry over being asked my age. But... I know why you're asking."
Shirou lowered his head sheepishly. "Because I feel like my interactions with the two of you are... very different."
Aina nodded slowly. "Actually... I was Riveria's personal attendant long ago. But more accurately, we've been childhood friends."
Shirou looked at Aina, his eyes widening. "So... you two are the same age?"
"Correct. We're both 99 years old," Aina answered calmly, as if stating an ordinary number. "Elves age slowly. We look like women in our twenties... even when we're nearing a hundred."
Shirou fell silent for a moment. Ninety-nine years... he thought. No wonder Aina seemed so mature and composed—she practically exuded the aura of an experienced homemaker. But Riveria... she felt entirely different, more like... a brilliant yet stubborn college student.
"Ma'am..." Shirou turned to her, more cautiously this time. "To be honest... I'm worried that I might have been treating Riveria inappropriately. Too casually, or disrespectfully?"
Without warning, Aina flicked Shirou's forehead. "You fool," she said with a mock-scolding expression. "I don't mind you treating me like an auntie. Even Eina is older than you, dear."
Shirou rubbed his reddened forehead, looking up weakly. "Yeah... I often forget that an Elf's age isn't reflected in their appearance."
"But Riveria..." Aina continued, her tone deeper, "...She wouldn't like being treated like that. Especially if you called her 'auntie.'"
Shirou immediately imagined Riveria's expression if that happened—and shuddered in horror. "Good grief... she'd be furious."
Aina only shook her head slowly. But in her heart, she kept one thought unspoken.
Not furious... she'd cry. Because the person she likes... called her old.
Riveria is tough on the outside, fragile with those she cares about.
Aina gazed at the sky for a moment, then glanced at Shirou beside her. This young man... doesn't realize it yet. But perhaps... one day, he will.