Looking at Ikki, who was being embraced and comforted by Shizuku, Shirou smiled and winked at Stella and Nagi Arisu. Actually, he already knew about Ikki's return on his way back. That's why he sent a message to Shizuku, asking her to find someone to bolster Ikki's confidence.
For a child abandoned by his father, Ikki needed all sorts of support. Now, seeing the smile reappear on Ikki's face, Shirou nodded with satisfaction. Then he walked into the kitchen to prepare food. Tonight's dinner was destined to be a very lively banquet.
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Ikki overcame the ordeal from his father and grew once again. In his daily practice, Shirou could feel that Ikki's sword had become heavier. Although it still couldn't compare to his own, it was a symbol of his transformation. At this moment, he was no longer alone.
In the afternoon, after quickly dispatching yet another opponent, Shirou walked straight out.
"Shirou, where are you going?" Hearing the call beside him, Shirou looked back and saw Stella and the others.
"Weren't you all going to watch Ikki's match?"
"Brother's match is later, so we came to watch yours first!" Hearing Shizuku's explanation, Shirou suddenly understood. Indeed, after all, there were almost ten matches held daily at the same training ground. Not every two-person battle would be scheduled at the same time. The text message notifying the match came when Shirou and the others were searching for the giant in the mountains. So, Shirou didn't ask for details then. This was why Shirou had misjudged.
"Let's go, Brother, let's go cheer for Ikki. His match is about to start!" Hearing Stella's call, Shirou paused and then said, "Sorry, Stella and everyone, I have other things to do today. I won't be watching the match!"
"Huh, is it something troublesome? Do you need our help?"
"No, it's nothing!" Waving his hand at the three, Shirou turned and walked towards the school gate.
"Ugh, really, what could be more important than watching a match with your cute sister?!" Stella grumbled unhappily, then followed Shizuku and the others towards Ikki's match venue.
"Since Shirou isn't willing to say, it must be something quite important, otherwise he wouldn't hide it from us," Nagi Arisu, walking beside Stella, said with a comforting smile after hearing her grumbling.
"That's right, and everyone has their privacy. Stella must have things she doesn't want others to know too!"
"Wh-what are you talking about!" As soon as they
mentioned things she didn't want others to know, Stella thought of her love for Shirou. Thinking of this, her face turned red. Seeing this scene, Shizuku and Nagi Arisu exchanged glances, then nodded to each other, confirming in their minds: "She must be thinking about her feelings for Shirou!"
"Isn't that obvious from one look?" Looking at Stella, whose face was steaming, Shizuku and Nagi Arisu kept complaining in their minds.
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Leaving Hagun Academy and taking a bus outside the campus, Shirou leisurely headed home. Thanks to the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival representative selection match, Hagun Academy students had no classes every afternoon, allowing Shirou to leave school at any time.
Getting off at his stop, walking through alleys, Shirou returned to his home. Although the shop downstairs wasn't open, Shirou could smell the aroma of desserts from far away.
"Is Edelweiss making desserts?" Thinking this, Shirou took out his key and opened the door. Then, in the dessert preparation room, he saw Edelweiss, dressed in a chef's uniform, humming a tune.
"You seem to be in a very good mood!"
"Master, you're here!" Looking at Shirou's figure, Edelweiss couldn't help but smile. With Shirou, she learned a lot of knowledge about making desserts, and even some theories she had never heard of before. And each of those theories surprised her. At the same time, these theories were also the main reason why the desserts tasted better. Learning knowledge related to desserts and honing her dessert-making skills, Edelweiss was naturally very happy.
To be honest, Edelweiss was even surprised by her current state. Ever since that battle with the Alliance, she had lived alone on a mountain top. There, besides practicing swordsmanship, she made desserts, living a reclusive life. Apart from the recruitment attempts of some top-tier Devilmen, no one would seek her out for conversation.
Therefore, her personality was originally a bit aloof and cold. But by Shirou's side, she seemed to be influenced by him, unconsciously relaxing and integrating into the environment. So much so that her personality had brightened considerably; it was truly marvelous. If she hadn't seen Shirou's ability was Projection in videos, and that Blazers couldn't have two abilities, Edelweiss would definitely have thought Shirou's ability was Charm! He just feels very approachable!
"It's good to see you happy. Did you sleep well here last night?" Last night, after Shirou left, Edelweiss didn't leave. After all, she wasn't a local, and since Shirou's house was empty, he let her move directly into a room upstairs.
"Yes, I slept very well yesterday. Thank you for your hospitality, Master!"
"I was going to help you clean the room, but every part of the upstairs was so tidy. Does Master have a cleanliness obsession?" Hearing Edelweiss's question, Shirou smiled wryly, "I don't have a cleanliness obsession; I just really like cleaning. I can't sit still; I always want to do something when I have nothing to do."
Although it might sound shameless to boast, Shirou had to say, he was a master of housework! Housekeeping EX, it wasn't just about cooking!
"Master, is your match over today?" After their conversation yesterday, both of them had understood each other's identities. Knowing Shirou's identity as a Blazer, Edelweiss also frankly told Shirou her identity as the world's most heinous criminal. But Shirou showed no reaction to this.
After all, he had known about it for a long time. Edelweiss also knew Shirou's identity as a student knight and that he was participating in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival representative selection match. And he had a match today. Therefore, she specifically looked up Shirou's match videos last night.
Although Hagun Academy's official website didn't have videos of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival representative selection matches, because there were so many spectators, someone would always record the moment with a camera. As a result, Shirou and the others had already become famous nationwide.
"That's right, today's opponent wasn't very strong; I easily dealt with him!" After responding to Edelweiss, Shirou walked into the preparation room and tasted Edelweiss's work.
"Very well done. This shows your excellent fundamentals.
However, there are still some flaws." Saying that, Shirou personally took over and began to guide Edelweiss.
Today's learning time thus began.
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