Passing through the school gate, the first person he saw was Senior Jeanne.
'Even during holidays she came to maintain school discipline and rules. I acknowledge you, senpai.'
Shirou, who hadn't yet experienced "black whistle" refs, was full of admiration.
As for that bird flock just now, it was only a small trick cast by the System, nothing worth mentioning.
"Emiya-kun?", Jeanne, surprised to see Shirou come to school on a Saturday, her eyes lit up as she came closer, "Good morning."
After the polite greeting, she asked, "Is there some reason you came to school today?"
"Mm, looking for Teacher Roman."
Shirou didn't dwell much on that topic, instead he expressed his respect, "Jeanne-senpai, you work so hard. You're almost about to graduate, yet you don't even give yourself time to relax."
"By the way, your studies are fine, right?"
Looking at her always like this, it didn't seem like she had much time for studying.
'Could it be this Jeanne in front of me is actually a genius?'
"Uh…", Jeanne showed an embarrassed expression, even turning her eyes away.
Then Shirou knew, he was fine, and so was the saint.
So…
"Well, how should I put it…", Jeanne looked troubled, "Actually, I'm really bad with academics, it's just that during exams I get this special sense of guidance, basically like I always pass."
'Revelation A is awesome.'
'System, I want to learn it, hurry!'
[...]
The System stayed silent.
'Trash!'
Shirou spat at it.
Back to the point.
Obviously she was the big discipline committee member, yet in the end she relied on a skill cheat. Shouldn't she be punished with Ten Thousand Swords Through the Heart?
"By the way, Emiya-kun came to see Teacher Roman, is your body not fully recovered?", Jeanne showed appropriate concern.
"No, my body's fine, I just need a follow-up check."
"I see."
Jeanne looked at Shirou, then looked again, hesitating to speak.
"Is there something else, senpai?"
Standing at the gate like this wasn't good, so Shirou took the initiative.
"It's like this," Jeanne made up her mind, "I heard your teaching ability is higher than even the teachers. And since I feel I should make greater progress in my studies, could I trouble you to give me some guidance?"
"This…"
Facing Jeanne's sincere gaze, Shirou's first words were, "Would it be convenient to tell me who said that?"
"Ah?", Jeanne hadn't expected Shirou to care about that detail and was momentarily stunned.
Just as she hesitated on how to reply, Shirou changed his tone, "Sorry, I said something that put senpai in a difficult spot, please don't mind it."
"As for teaching ability, Jeanne-senpai, please don't believe or spread rumors. I've only learned a little, how could I possibly be stronger than a teacher."
"That's true."
Jeanne let out a light sigh, "I was being foolish. I wasted Emiya-kun's time, I apologize."
She bowed her head slightly, expressing her apology, and with that their conversation ended.
Finally able to leave, Shirou ran straight to the infirmary.
———
The door was open, but he still knocked.
"Come in."
Only after Roman's voice came from inside did Shirou step in.
All the curtains were drawn open, the sickbeds empty.
The window was half-open, a breeze carrying the sigh of spring's end mixed with soil and greenery drifted in.
The first thing he did was look at Roman.
The latter hadn't turned around, carefully scrolling on his phone.
Curious what Roman was doing, Shirou approached.
Roman immediately turned, speaking in the tone of announcing good news, "Emiya, the 71 International Plaza is holding a big eater challenge today, single and pair divisions. The entry fee is only fifty yen."
"There's such a good thing?"
Shirou's expression instantly grew serious, "When?"
"Three o'clock in the afternoon."
Roman checked his phone, "You can sign up for the single challenge."
"No pair event?"
'Aren't we two people?'
"Well…", Roman wiped sweat from his forehead, "The pair event is actually a couple's challenge."
"All right then," Shirou didn't hesitate even 0.1 seconds, giving it up instantly.
What a joke. If he dared to bring someone along to that, no matter who, the fake Unlimited Blade Works would definitely turn into the real Unlimited Blade Works.
"Three o'clock, right?"
"That's right," Roman opened navigation, "From here it'll take about an hour."
"Got it."
Shirou was full of drive, "I'll go borrow the storage key from a teacher to get equipment. I won't eat lunch, I'll hold out until then."
"Can you handle it?", Roman worried.
He roughly knew Shirou's level of exercise.
"Relax, until my bones break, I won't stop!"
With that resolve, Shirou hid at the office doorway, expressionless.
'Can someone explain why Fujimura-sensei is the one keeping the storage key?'
"I told you not to rush," Roman chuckled, hands in pockets, "Leave it to me."
"Thanks a lot, Teacher Roman."
Shirou showed his gratitude.
No wonder Fujimura-sensei hadn't come today. Probably too many school matters, she just couldn't make it.
It wasn't that he was afraid to face her, just that it'd be hard to explain why he wanted gym equipment.
This time, place, plus exercising… Really unusual.
Considering it was Fuji-nee, Shirou didn't even dare poke his head out.
In Magical Girl Illya, there was that plot.
Rin and Luvia took Illya's friend Ruby to spy on her school life.
Even the Ruby wand hadn't noticed, and they were nearly caught by Fuji-nee's animal-like instincts.
In the end, they only escaped by knocking her unconscious.
That alone showed just what kind of person Fujimura Taiga was.
After a not-very-long exchange, Roman came out with a light, victorious smile, winking at Shirou.
The meaning was, "Easy."
Shirou followed quickly, only speaking after they'd walked a good distance, "I'm truly grateful, Teacher Roman."
"It's nothing," Roman smiled, though his brow carried some loneliness, "In this school, aside from Ritsuka and Mash, you're the only one close with me. In fact, you coming to talk with me often, I'm the one who benefits."
'Huh? So even being disliked by Heroic Spirits carried over here.'
'Why does it feel like I have unlocked the school nurse storyline?'
Shaking away that strange thought, Shirou said, "I thought Teacher Roman was very popular."
"Not at all," Roman twirled the storage key on his finger, "But I'm satisfied with this kind of life. Or rather, for me this is already a rare blessing. To be greedy would make it ugly."
———
Together with Roman, they came to the storage room.
To be exact, the warehouse where sports equipment was kept.
"Our luck's pretty good."
Roman said as he opened the door, "Because of funding from an old German family, the Einzbern, the school's been planning to build a second-floor gym in the sports hall."
"These pieces of equipment just arrived recently, none of the sports clubs have used them yet."
Saying that, he suddenly smacked his forehead, "Almost forgot, you're from the Einzbern family."
Shirou corrected, "That's my sister Illya. I'm just from the Emiya family."
"Well, close enough."
Opening the warehouse door, Roman fumbled for a moment, then switched on the brightest light, only realizing after, "Wait, what did you just say? Illya, the super popular girl a year below you, is your sister?"
Roman's face froze, "Shouldn't she be your little sister?"
"Older sister."
Following inside, Shirou looked around.
Unbelievable, just the warehouse alone was huge. There were no less than twenty treadmills.
Not to mention barbells and all kinds of other equipment, too many to count.
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