Shirou took out the career selection sheet from his bag, and he gave it to Taiga Fujimura's hand. He sat near Sakura, drinking her tea slowly. Taiga Fujimura only glanced at the paper just once. She remembered the paper she wrote as an English teacher, just because of one person. It's been years since he's gone for good.
In her heart, he is still alive. She blushed while reminiscing about the first time she met him. She was the same age as Shirou.
"Listen, I know you're a very selfless person," Taiga raised her index finger in the air. "You're doing a job because you want to survive in this cruel, indifferent world."
"Is that a problem if I became selfless?" Shirou closed his eyes, and he took a deep breath. "If I can help someone, then how is it going to be a problem?"
Shirou crossed his arms, and he raised his one eyebrow to look at the serious Taiga Fujimura's face. He became serious after seeing her.
"See, Shirou, we're not living in an all-good utopia." She placed her hand on her heart. "Everyone wants money, status, and power when it comes to their career. So they will try to emotionally manipulate you to get credit which you worked hard for… even as a teacher, more than helping students, I want to get a pay raise."
"Then what should I do? Is helping others a sin in professional life?" Shirou inquired, "Then I chose a career that involves helping others."
Taiga Fujimura felt helpless in the face of this boy's hero complex. She didn't know if these problematic mental symptoms were inherited from that man. She thought, 'This boy is not going to change…what shall I do with him?'
"I'm not saying, not to help others. I'm saying focus on your business. Besides…" Taiga exclaimed. "After getting into a job, your priority should be to take care of your own family and find a way to feed them."
The word 'family' made Shirou look down. It wasn't that he wasn't interested in girls. He loved a girl; this time, that girl wasn't with him. Since she wasn't here, he has looked for another girl to fill her role. He thought, 'What I'm thinking… Nobody can replace her.'
He doesn't want to forget her after all the events that happened a few months ago. But the grail wars have ended, so there is no need to worry about anything other than minding his business. Taiga Fujimura knew this, and he helped others even when they used him for their own benefit.
This is why she wants Shirou to be selfish for his own promising future.
Shirou understood it, then convinced himself to listen to others a little. They weren't crazy, as this wasn't the first time she had pointed out this trait. Even Rin, Shinji, Sabre, Archer and many more advised him the same.
He didn't listen to them and did what he thought was good. But he has to mature more as a person.
This time, I can grapple with this Idealistic Vision of Kiritsugu Emiya.
Illya came near Shirou, hugging him while curiously looking at the sheet. She took the paper in her hand and made a suggestion.
"If Shirou wants to become a champion of justice. Then he can be a police man or a detective." Illya proudly said, puffing his chest out. "In that way, he can uphold justice, and if he excels in a higher position, then he can be 'champion' as a title. Am I right, Rin and Big sis Sakura?"
With that, Shirou's eyes shone brightly. "That's a good idea, Illya!"
Rin snorted at the idea as if she wasn't interested in what she was saying. She placed her hand on her chin and glanced at Shirou with her eyes sideways. She sighed as she pointed out the flaws in the suggestions.
"See, Illya, it is not as easy as it sounds like an office job. The crime rates are increasing unusually." She paused, looking at Sakura. "He doesn't know how to fight.. Then again, he'll show them sympathy, too. And his family's heart won't be calm if he takes the job."
"I'm not that stupid!" Shirou barked. He unfolded Illya's arms. "If these jobs can fulfil my dreams, then I'll take them despite the danger."
This answer made everyone sigh with frustration. Rin laughed, Sakura smiling with hesitation, Illya smiling mischievously, and Fujimura shrugging her shoulders. These people knew that some people only learn the hard way. If the person is still stubborn, then they can't do anything about it.
Sakura was still a junior, so she still had time to decide on a suitable career for herself. But for now, the only thing she is concerned about is her elder brother and Shirou.
"If senpai wants a suitable job, then he should go for it. We shouldn't force him." She waved her hand. "But senpai, you should equally prioritise your family with your career."
She looked intently at Shirou with her usual smile. But Taiga Fujimura returned the sheet to Shirou. Rin looked at Sakura with a very bored expression. Illya playfully danced around the corner.
"Idiot."
-Break
Ancient Britain, England.
Artoria woke up from her deep sleep. She recalled all the memories of the fourth and fifth Holy Grail Wars. Under the big tree trunk, she was lying. She stood up using her remaining strength. She was still alive.
She couldn't believe it, after everything that had happened.
Tears streamed down her cheek while recalling her last memory with Shirou. The time she confessed her feelings to him. She ordered Bedivere to throw her sword into the lake.
When she stood up in this forest, she started walking to the kingdom. She wasn't weak anymore; as she fell, someone picked her up. Artoria turned her face to look, and as a reflex, she quickly called out of habit.
"Shirou!"
The person who aided her was none other than her knight Bedivere. She smiled at her king. There was a flash of disappointment on Artoria's face. Bedivere was also confused. Why did her king call an unfamiliar phrase?
"Your majesty. Are you alright?" Bedivere calmly replied. "I'm glad you're safe from the injuries."
Bediverse sensed that something was wrong with the usual king's behaviour. She thought it might be because of the wounds; her king is acting strangely. Artoria balanced her stance and stood properly under Bedivere's help.
Artoria walked along with her towards their horses, "I had a pleasant dream, Bedivere."
"Is that so, sire?" Bedivere intently listened to his king's every word. "You slept for two hours dreaming it."
"Oh, just two hours. It may be rather a long dream." Artoria muttered. "It was soothing from our everyday life."
Bedivere smiled politely and grabbed Artoria's arm on her shoulder. Carrying her towards their destination. They both walked slowly. Bedivere wore a serious expression.
"What happened to our kingdom?" Bedivere calmly replied, "They are in turmoil. But since the sire has returned, there is no problem. We'll reclaim everything we lost."
"What happened is for our good," Artoria smiled faintly, "Yes. We will. This, I put an end to everything."
"Sabre. I need you." A mysterious whisper shook Artoria.
"Shirou!" looked back, but she didn't see anyone but the giant tree.
"Who is this Shirou?" Bedivere asked curiously. Since this was the second time she had heard this phrase.
"He is…" Artoria flushed red. Bedivere was slightly surprised by her king's face. "He is my scabberd, and I'm his sword."
"Do you mean, he is an object?" Bedivere confusedly inquired about it. "No, he by means of any weapon."
"No… The mere boy, 15 years old," Artoria blurred out, "He is the person I love."
"What?" Bedivere didn't expect this to come. "Is he a king, noble, or warrior?"
Artoria guessed it correctly; she couldn't comprehend the fact that there was something like a Holy Grail War.
"He is… a student in a peaceful country." Artoria began speaking passionately. "He treated me like a woman, like no one ever did. Seeing his conviction, I fell in love with him."
"Oh. That is the case. A skilful diplomat. Am I correct, sir?" Bedivere naively said those words.
"Yes. He is a very good man." Artoria smiled, "He never abandoned me in my weakest state."
"…." Bedivere didn't know how to respond to that. She was herself a woman. Naturally, she likes men who are reliable enough. "If Sire finds that man good, then he'll be naturally suitable for you."
"He is…" Artoria Smiled.
-Break-
USA. Magi Association.
The black church was a place where all magecraft communities gathered. More priests and nuns came inside. All of them wore a serious expression as they were iterating a broken spell. All of them wore black robes, and all of them raised their chests. They were casting to repair.
"Now everyone uses reinforcement spells to revive this weapon in its perfect form." The head priest ordered. "Oh, the god of light, heal the wounds of the past. Recalibrate into the original phase of the object!"
[Reinforce!]
The weapon they were using wasn't standard, but it ended the calamity. Where is everything going to end, but there were those good people who want to save humanity, despite the price they have to pay.