"Is Eichi still feeling down?"
Satoru looked at Suguru beside him while casually tossing Kikufuku into his mouth.
Kikufuku were soft mochi dumplings with different fillings. They were cool to the taste, and their flavor depended on the filling used. The snack had different names in different regions.
"Yes. Although he doesn't show it on his face, he hasn't been talking much lately and is often hard to find," Suguru replied with a nod. Ever since the White Divine Dog was killed by a Special Grade Demon Spirit, Eichi's mood had been low. Suguru had tried comforting him, but it didn't help.
That was when Suguru realized it was usually Eichi who comforted him.
Though he often spoke about justice and ideals, when it came to consoling someone close to him, he didn't know what to do.
He felt a bit guilty. If they hadn't split up, or if he had moved faster, Eichi might not have lost one of his Divine Dogs.
After he "casually" mentioned to his parents that his friend didn't know how to comfort people, they suggested a simple idea:
Take him out to relax and distract his friend.
So Suguru thought of Gojo Satoru.
Wherever Satoru went, it was bound to be lively. If Eichi spent a few days with him, maybe he would get caught up in Satoru's energy and temporarily forget his sadness.
"Oh~, this kind of scene is rare. I have to capture it."
Satoru pulled out his phone, looking eager.
"Satoru, we're here to comfort Eichi," Suguru said helplessly, already feeling a headache coming on. He only hoped bringing Satoru along wouldn't backfire.
Meanwhile, the person they were worried about was in his room, drawing a summoning circle for a ritual. A golden Rider chess piece rested in its center.
Each user of the Ten Shadows Technique had only one Shikigami of each kind.
Once a Shikigami was completely destroyed, it could never be summoned again. Restarting the subjugation ritual would not work, as there would be no Shikigami left to respond.
Knowing this, Eichi had been deeply saddened by the White Divine Dog's death.
In his previous life, Eichi had also experienced losing a dog, a fox dog named Pochi raised by his grandmother.
His grandmother would even stir-fry small dishes especially for Pochi.
When Pochi passed away, the family gathered around. His grandmother gently stroked the dog's head and whispered blessings.
"Don't be afraid, Pochi. When you go there, you'll have endless meat to eat."
"If you're not happy there, come back and be our family dog again."
It was only after a long while that they buried Pochi.
When Eichi said farewell to his Divine Dog this time, the pain he felt was even greater than that of Pochi's passing in his previous life.
The Divine Dogs had been his longest companions, his family in every sense.
When he first came to this world, his father had already died, and his mother, expressionless and empty, eventually hanged herself.
He was ridiculed for lacking talent.
Though not outright abused, he was constantly bullied and pressured by those around him. At night, he was forced to study feudal and oppressive doctrines. With his modern education and independent thoughts, Eichi could never accept it.
After leaving the Zen'in Family, he awakened the Ten Shadows Technique, and from then on, the Divine Dogs had always been by his side.
He had been in this world for eight years, and for seven of those years, the Divine Dogs had accompanied him.
The Black Divine Dog, Kuro, usually quiet and reserved, bore the Assassin chess piece and often rested silently by Eichi's feet.
The White Divine Dog, holding the Rider chess piece, was the opposite—overly lively and energetic, even more hyperactive than a husky.
Because of this, the Divine Dogs held an irreplaceable place in Eichi's heart, which explained why he had been so depressed after losing the White Divine Dog.
To overcome his grief, Eichi began studying the Illusion Power gathered within the Holy Grail.
Since Director Yamaguchi confirmed the Fate/stay night production plan at Heroic Spirit Film and Television, he immediately led the team into full production and secured a broadcasting slot.
Although it wasn't prime time, it was still a good time slot.
Now, Fate/stay night had aired its second episode, the one introducing King Arthur—Artoria Pendragon.
To maximize the collection of Illusion Power, Eichi had invested heavily in the animation of Artoria's summoning scene.
The stunning animation, dreamlike atmosphere, and the beautiful King of Knights captivated audiences. The first wave of "King's fans" had emerged, and faint strands of Illusion Power were being collected and recorded by the Holy Grail.
While studying Illusion Power, Eichi discovered that it was fundamentally different from Cursed Energy. Unlike Cursed Energy, born from curses and negativity, Illusion Power carried warmth and beauty.
This insight gave him a new understanding of Heroic Spirits. They weren't Cursed Spirits, but beings closer to deities born from faith and admiration.
Most importantly, while analyzing the Rider chess piece, Eichi found detailed information about the Divine Dogs within it.
Indeed, the existence of the Divine Dogs had been recorded by the Rider chess piece all along.
It wasn't surprising, since ever since Eichi had discovered that Heroic Spirit chess pieces could be used by Shikigami summoned through the Ten Shadows Technique, the Assassin and Rider chess pieces had always been placed on the two Divine Dogs, while other pieces were used as needed.
At that moment, a bold idea struck him: summon the Divine Dogs as Heroic Spirits.
With the Illusion Power from Artoria's fans as reference, Eichi quickly succeeded in converting his Cursed Energy into the Illusion Power necessary for a Heroic Spirit summoning through the Holy Grail.
He dedicated himself to researching the Holy Grail and Heroic Spirit summoning, continually converting his Cursed Energy into Illusion Power.
That was why Suguru hadn't been able to contact him recently.
Normally, Heroic Spirits required large amounts of Illusion Power since the Holy Grail needed it as an anchor to shape their form and legend.
But the White Divine Dog was different. For the past seven years, the Holy Grail had continuously recorded its data through the Rider chess piece.
"Phew, it's done."
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Eichi gazed at the completed summoning circle and the golden chess piece at its center.
"The stored Illusion Power is sufficient. Now I just need to…"
He felt a little nervous.
The Holy Grail naturally had the function of absorbing and storing energy. With his immense Cursed Energy and talent, Eichi could afford to inject surplus energy into it every day.
Even though the Ten Shadows Technique consumed tremendous energy, he had never run out.
That was why, after discovering this method, he had been able to quickly convert enough Illusion Power to summon the White Divine Dog again.
"Declare."
"Your body shall be under my command, and my fate shall be upon your sword."
"You are the seven heavens bound by three great incantations, coming from the wheel of restraint, the guardian of the scales."
The golden chess piece emitted a brilliant white light, and a white figure slowly appeared within the summoning circle.
"Woof, woof!"
As soon as the figure fully manifested, it leapt onto Eichi.
The White Divine Dog placed its front paws on Eichi's shoulders and began licking his face nonstop.
Eichi didn't dodge. He hugged the dog tightly, rubbing its head vigorously.
"Welcome back, White."
"Woof, woof!"
Just then, a figure jumped through the window.
"Yo, Eichi! Let me see if you've been crying!"
Eichi and the White Divine Dog both turned to look at Satoru, who had struck a grand pose by the window.
"Huh? What's this?"
Satoru lowered his sunglasses, his Six Eyes observing the two with curiosity.
Eichi and the White Divine Dog exchanged glances.
"Bite him!"
"Woof!"
"Hey! That's a sneak attack! You're ambushing me, Young Man, that's not martial ethics! Don't bite my pants, they're new!"
For a brief moment, everything felt like it had returned to that small countryside courtyard seven years ago.
"What's happening?"
Suguru, who entered through the door moments later, blinked in disbelief.
The Divine Dog: Totality beside him yawned lazily and went back to its afternoon nap.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇◇◇
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