Chapter 181

Under the pitiful and aggrieved gaze of Ruby, akin to "I never thought Rin would grow up to sell herself like this," Shinji and Rin signed a very formal lease agreement in duplicate.

After leaving a month's rent, which made Rin's eyes sparkle with joy, Shinji left with the magic wand.

As he reached the doorway, Ruby, having recovered from her previous displeasure, whispered mysteriously into Shinji's ear, "Shinji-san, are there really cute, little girls troubled by love?"

Glancing back at Rin, who was still enraptured by the rent money, Shinji smiled slyly, "Don't rush. Help me out a bit, and I'll tell you where to find them. Plus, there are more than one, and you can even choose according to your preferences."

"Oh~~! Choices! To think... to think there are choices! Ruby-chan is... ya~~~! Woohoo~!"

...

On the way home from the Tohsaka residence, Ruby couldn't stop asking questions, like the names of the girls Shinji mentioned, where they lived, and if they had graduated from elementary school.

"Don't worry. Once you help me, I'll grant you freedom! Then you can see for yourself by visiting their homes...ahem, bathrooms."

"Paying such a high rent just to give Ruby freedom, what a selfless person! Ruby has decided! I'll make sure to send you copies of any photos I take!"

"Isn't that understanding?" Shinji chuckled lightly.

Ruby shook her head modestly, "Not at all, after all, we do everything for love and justice."

"Exactly, it's all for love and justice. Hahaha..."

"Oh hohohohoho..."

Thus, having sealed their improper... ahem, secret agreement, these two gentlemen of different species burst into wild laughter together on the deserted hillside where the Tohsaka residence stood.

Their laughter echoed across the hillside, not disturbing Rin, who was still lost in her small fortune, but sending shivers down the spine of a certain Archer who had just bought groceries in the shopping district for his Master.

Although he didn't know what Shinji was planning, just hearing the laughter made him sure it was nothing good!

Feeling it best to avoid Shinji, the red Archer hid, only revealing himself from behind a tree after Shinji had left.

...

"I'm back."

As Shirou opened the door of the Emiya residence with the groceries he bought, he casually called out, immediately hearing hurried footsteps.

"Welcome back, Shirou-san!"

Seeing Miyu, holding a ladle and wearing an apron, her face slightly flushed and out of breath, Shirou didn't know what to say, especially about the apron and ladle...

"Shirou-san, let me take that."

Understanding quickly what Miyu wanted to take, Shirou handed over his bag.

"Miyu, why are you dressed like this? Were you cooking? That's something I can handle."

Seeing Miyu's disappointed expression, Shirou quickly realized she must feel obligated to help out because she was staying at his house. She reminded him of Sakura when she first started helping around the house, both being so stubborn.

Knowing he couldn't win against a stubborn girl, Shirou gave in.

"Alright, if you really want to help, you can assist me. Come on, Miyu."

With a smile, Miyu followed Shirou into the living room, her little feet eagerly tapping the floor.

"Okay!"

...

Preparing to cook dinner for Taiga, Saber, and Miyu, Shirou opened the living room door and was at a loss for words when he saw Saber and Taiga already at the table, waiting, with a spread of exquisite dishes before them.

Taiga, lying on the floor and watching TV, turned to Shirou, "Shirou, why are you so late? Miyu-chan already made dinner, we're just waiting for you."

"Yeah, if someone's already cooking at home, you should come back earlier, Shirou!"

Saber, growing impatient, also spoke up.

"Uh..."

Shirou could only smile awkwardly. He had planned to have Miyu assist him, but she had already prepared everything, leaving only the serving of rice for him.

Determined not to lose even that task, Shirou insisted on serving the rice himself.

Taiga, sitting up, sniffed the aroma from the table and swallowed her saliva.

"Miyu-chan's cooking smells so good! Her skills are almost as good as yours, Shirou!"

"Indeed," Saber added, placing her hand on her chest, "Miyu's lunch was also delicious, not inferior to Shirou's cooking."

Though he felt a bit annoyed at having his job taken over, seeing their reactions made Shirou realize he didn't have to worry about any problems in their interactions.

By the way, when Shirou introduced Miyu to Taiga in the morning, he used the excuse, "She's an old acquaintance of Kiritsugu from abroad, staying here temporarily like Saber."

...

"Miyu! Let me handle the cleaning up after dinner!"

Seeing Miyu eagerly cleaning up the table after dinner, Shirou quickly intervened.

Otherwise, it would seem like he was exploiting child labor without pay!

Miyu thought for a moment and then nodded, "Then I'll make tea. Saber-san showed me where everything is."

"No, let me make the tea! You don't need to do that, Miyu! I'll handle everything!"

"Then I'll prepare the bath for you and Saber-san."

Completely defeated by Miyu, Shirou sighed, "Please, Miyu, let me handle that too. Speaking of which..."

He glanced at Taiga, who was lying on the floor watching TV, and Saber, who was meditating at the table, sighing again without saying anything.

Seeing Miyu's expectant face, Shirou decided to let her make the tea. Just then, the doorbell rang.

Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong.

"Alright, Miyu, could you get the door?"

"Leave it to me!"

Watching Miyu's eager footsteps as she walked towards the door, Shirou couldn't help but compare her to Taiga and Saber again.

"What kind of family raises such a child, sigh~"

Taiga, taking Shirou's words at face value, chimed in, "Just like how capable you were as a child, Shirou."

"Fujimura-sensei..."

Shirou thought about retorting but decided against it, knowing it wouldn't have any effect.

Shirou then remembered the words "family crisis" and "no relatives in this city" from the information Shinji had given him about Miyu, feeling a sharp pain in his heart.

...

Late at night, Shirou sat on the hallway floor leading to the backyard, holding a thick envelope Miyu had received after dinner. He was deeply grateful to his friend Shinji for his quick help.

The envelope contained identity documents, including national health insurance, and some children's clothes were delivered alongside it.

"I really need to thank Shinji properly."

Just as he said this, he noticed Miyu, freshly bathed and wearing pajamas, approaching shyly.

"Shirou-san, how... how do I look?"

Seeing Miyu in her little lion pajamas, Shirou felt something within him becoming clearer.

"They fit perfectly, Miyu," he complimented, patting the spot next to him. "Come sit with me, Miyu."

...

Sitting next to Shirou, gazing at the stars, Miyu felt incredibly happy.

Though this world had a heroic spirit like Saber, everyone got along well, and there was no war.

Saber was very kind, not prying into her background, just eating a lot.

"Miyu, I don't know what happened to your family, and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But if you have nowhere else to go, you can consider this place your home."

Hearing Shirou's sincere words, Miyu, not yet understanding the term "lolicon," nodded tearfully.

"Thank you! Shirou-san!"

By the way, Shirou was not a lolicon. He simply saw himself and Miyu as reflecting Kiritsugu and himself.

He decided to take on the baton of justice handed to him by Kiritsugu and pass it on.

"Alright, it's late. Time for bed, Miyu."

"I'll prepare your bed, Shirou-san."

Seeing Miyu quickly get up and start preparing his bed, Shirou hurried to stop her, "Wait, I can handle that myself! Miyu! When I said treat this place like your home, I didn't mean like this! And I'm not ready to sleep yet!"

From that day on, the Emiya household gained a versatile little cook. Congratulations!