Chapter 7: Perseverance and Baking Powder
BOOM
The sound of an explosion echoed from within the kitchen of the Emiya household, something that had become a recurring event in recent days.
Footsteps were heard, but not hurried ones— slow, dragging steps, as if someone weary was shuffling across the floor.
— Seriously, Shirou-chan? Again?— Asked Taiga. The dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep were noticeable on her face.
Shirou's response was not long in coming. He emerged from the smoky kitchen to find Taiga in the dining room. His face, though smiling, was covered in a thick layer of soot. Even his hair had turned gray instead of white.
— Sorry if I woke you, Taiga-nee. I had to keep the promise I made— He said, his tone a mix of apologetic and enthusiastic.
— You've been using the same excuse for the last five days I've stayed over— Taiga's eyes narrowed in annoyance. She raised her arms and slumped onto the table, exhausted.— And the worst part is, not once have you failed to wake me up with an explosion you caused! How can you even make food explode?! It's just food! It's not freaking TNT!
Taiga's teary eyes turned to Shirou.— I know I told you you'd improve with a little practice, but this is too much. What did you do wrong this time?
— I don't know— Shirou scratched his head in confusion.— I followed the recipe to the letter. I'm even sure I didn't mix up the salt and sugar this time!... Although the temperature in the recipe was weird, it had an "F". Don't Celsius degrees start with a "C"?
Taiga let out a sigh of resignation.— You're hopeless...— She rubbed her eyes, clearing some of the sleep away. Then she squinted to get a better look at what her "little brother" was holding in his hand.— Shirou-chan... what is that?
— This?— He said, approaching with an enthusiastic smile, as if to show off his achievement.— It's salt! Look, I didn't mix it up this time! It's white, in small grains, and... sandy... I think.
— Shirou-chan...
— Yes, my dear Onee-chan?"
— That's industrial white sand..."
— Oh... That explains the taste..."
— Yeah, it does.— Taiga's expression was one of deep pity and indescribable regret.— It also explains why everything went wrong... again... and again... and again... and again...
— Taiga-nee?! Taiga-nee?! Don't leave me, please! Stay with me! Don't go toward the light!
Shirou shook Taiga desperately. But it was useless; her soul was already beginning to escape through her mouth. There was no hope.
Slurp
Right at that moment, a sipping sound was heard near the pair of failed comedians. Kiritsugu had arrived at some point during their routine and sat at the table to enjoy his morning coffee.
— Leave her, Shirou. Her soul has already left her body. There's nothing to be done...
— You!— Taiga suddenly erupted, freeing herself from Shirou's grip and pointing a finger at Kiritsugu's face. Her tone was full of complaints and accusations.— This is your fault that Shirou-chan is like this! He hasn't stopped only because you haven't told him to! Please... please, tell him to stop! My stomach can't take any more instant ramen!
Kiritsugu's face twisted into a subtle, unusual grimace.— I didn't expect this either...— He let out a resigned sigh.— I thought he'd improve, even if just a little, as long as he was motivated. He has the motivation, but the results... seem to be getting worse.
— And they are! I'm a model student with outstanding grades! But I still can't understand how one person is capable of setting fire to, exploding, and ruining the kitchen every time he tries to cook! It makes no sense!
'They know I'm still here, right?' thought Shirou. His smile grew wider but didn't reach his eyes. A vein on his forehead bulged slightly.
— Boy— Said Kiritsugu firmly, drawing the aforementioned boy's attention.— That's enough. You haven't failed. You've already shown through your actions how deeply you care for Taiga and that you won't give up without fulfilling your promise, no matter how many times you fail in the process... You can stop cooking now.
— YEEEEES!— Celebrated Taiga, doing little jumps around the table.
— Aww, but I wanted to make Taiga some tamagoyaki... Maybe if I try harder tomorrow, I could…
— NO.— Taiga grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing Shirou to gaze into her eyes, empty of any emotion.— Please, no... I'm begging you.
— O-oh... Okay, if you say so...
— Good!— She said cheerfully, her attitude doing a 180-degree turn.— Now that we've avoided culinary apocalypse, it's time to train, my little padawan! To the Bat-yard!—
— But what about breakfast...— Shirou's complaint didn't even finish before Taiga was already dragging him toward the backyard, two shinais already in hand. 'When did she grab those? I've been watching her the whole time!'
— Have fun, kids. I'll make breakfast— Said Kiritsugu with a calmness bordering on comical.
Shirou could only glare resentfully at his irresponsible father, who watched him intently with an unusual air of satisfaction about him, though he remained as stoic and expressionless as ever.
* * *
— The sky is very blue today, don't you think, Taiga-nee?
Shirou's voice rang out cheerfully from the ground. His body was covered in bruises and scrapes, the result of intense training. His breathing, labored from the exercise, was slowly returning to its normal rhythm.
Taiga wasn't much better off. She didn't have as many bruises and almost no scrapes, but her breathing was also heavy. She collapsed next to her pupil, looking at him with a mix of consternation and admiration.
— I still can't understand how you have so much energy... No matter how much I hit you or how many times I knock you down, you won't stop until you literally can't move anymore.
And it was true. She no longer underestimated Shirou or his "lucky strikes." The bruises on her arms and torso proved it. That wasn't simple luck; this young boy— barely eight years old— had an inhuman talent for combat. No... it would be more accurate to say he had an inhuman talent for finding gaps in an opponent's defenses and punishing them with force disproportionate to his size— something that happened more frequently the more excited he got—, as well as an absurd ability to ignore his own pain and fatigue to keep pushing forward, chasing a victory that only he could see.
— Hehe, what can I say? I'm just that awesome!— Said Shirou, raising his nose to the sky with playful arrogance.
— Boop.— But his companion responded with a playful tap on the tip of his nose, earning a dissatisfied grunt from him.— Whatever you say, kid. Anyway, I'm sure that when you enter middle school and inevitably join the Kendo club, you'll sweep the competition!... Except for your Onee-chan! Hehehe. To beat me, you'll need another 10, no, 100 years! Because I'm just that awesome!
Shirou gave her the flattest look he could muster and whispered to himself— And I'm the arrogant one...
— What did you say?— She retorted immediately, her face darkening menacingly. But he didn't even flinch and responded naturally:
— I said it's more likely I'll join the 'Archery Club.' I have a feeling that if I join, I wouldn't miss a single shot.
Taiga's expression transformed into one of abject horror.— No, never! I absolutely won't allow it!— She pointed an accusing finger at him.— You're my little brother and a prodigy in the art of the sword! You must be in the Kendo club! No discussions!
Shirou just glanced at her sideways, giving her an amused smile.
— You just want me there so you have someone to hit as you please without complaints.— Then, his gaze turned a little fearful.— And I fear for my life if I have to show up every day in that dojo... Those girls will end up killing me someday with all that affection... It's scary...
— I said... no discussions! You're joining the Kendo club, no ifs or buts!— Taiga's fierce eyes softened a bit, and she turned her face away in embarrassment.— Although you might be a little right about the first part... But only a little!... And the second part... just resign yourself to it. It'll happen to you anyway, no matter what club you join.
— I think I'm starting to hate being "cute"— Said Shirou, his eyes empty. His heart sinking into despair.— Maybe I need to use hair dye and contact lenses...
— Hahaha, don't worry so much. It's not all bad— She gave him a smile that was both kind and amused.
— Speaking of which, aren't you supposed to be in your first year of high school now?— Said Shirou, tilting his head in confusion.— That's above middle school and elementary, where I am. By the time I get to middle school, you'd be about to graduate.
— Oh, don't worry about that— Taiga waved her hand dismissively.— Our school is multifunctional; it includes everything from elementary to high school. There are even some clubs, like mine, that allow students from other grades to join. So as long as you're in middle school, you can join the club no problem.
— But...— He asked curiously— If our school is as you say, doesn't that mean I could join right now?
Now it was Taiga's turn to give Shirou her best flat stare.— Brat, what do you think my club is? Literature? This is Kendo! There are strength and minimum age requirements to participate, even with our school's flexibility.— Then, she stood up, dusting off her clothes.— Now get up from there and change. We're going to be late.
— I hate school...— Murmured Shirou, but a mischievous smile appeared on his lips as he got up with an exaggerated groan.
* * *
Glossary of Chapter Terms
"Ramen": Japanese noodle dish in broth, very popular with many variations.
"Tamagoyaki": Sweet rolled Japanese omelette made with beaten eggs and cooked in thin layers.
"Padawan": Reference to Star Wars. There, the Jedi apprentices are called padawans.
"Batpatio": Reference to Batman and his bat-objects.
"Shinai": Bamboo sword used in kendo practice.
"Kendo": Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords (shinai) and armor (bōgu).
"Archery Club": This is a reference to the original story where Shirou joined the archery club, and from the time he joined until he left, he didn't miss a single shot. He only missed once, and the bastard said he "was going to miss," I think because his arm was injured or something like that.
"Homurahara Academy": For those who don't know, the academy attended by the main cast in the original story was not multifunctional. It was just a high school, but for the purpose of this fanfic, I decided to make it a bit of an AU (Alternate Universe).