Chapter 268

"Archer, you really..."

Rin was about to scold him but was cut off by Archer, who spread his hands innocently.

"What's wrong? I'm just stating a fact. Are you satisfied with his cooking too? No way, right? Your sense of taste shouldn't be that dull."

Shirou, who couldn't stand it anymore, felt an inexplicable surge of determination rising within him. He lowered his head, hiding his expression in the shadows, clenched his fists, and spoke softly.

"Archer, if you're saying that, it means you think your cooking skills are better than mine, right?"

At this, Archer smirked, seemingly expecting this reaction, and walked towards the kitchen.

"Unable to accept it without seeing it for yourself, huh? Fine, Emiya Shirou! See for yourself how your cooking doesn't measure up!"

With those words, Archer swiftly donned an apron. His tall figure holding two knives impressed both Shirou and Saber.

He's using dual blades for cooking too!

Over the next few minutes, Shirou watched in awe as Archer displayed his exceptionally skilled cooking techniques. Sweat began to bead on Shirou's forehead.

Unparalleled, lightning-fast knife skills!

Effortlessly cooking two dishes while washing utensils!

Plating as refined as high-class kaiseki cuisine!

Colorful, well-balanced dishes!

Watching Archer quickly prepare four dishes and a soup in just a few minutes, Shirou felt an indescribable pressure.

This guy... wasn't lying.

"Wow, that's impressive," Rin couldn't help but praise. The dishes indeed looked perfect—though simple, they were visually appealing, fragrant, and well-balanced.

Seeing Saber's astonished look, Archer toyed with the ladle and teased, "What's wrong? Are you scared to try, Saber?"

"Of course not!" Saber retorted immediately, nervously reaching for the four dishes and soup under everyone's gaze.

No one can cook better than Shirou!

Absolutely impossible!

Saber firmly believed this until she took a bite. Her eyes widened instantly.

A minute later, after sampling everything, Saber set down her chopsticks, quietly sat in her place, and lowered her head without a word.

Seeing Saber's reluctance to give her verdict, Archer dropped his triumphant smirk and casually remarked, "If you don't speak, no one will know the result, Saber."

"You..." Saber hesitated for several seconds before finally speaking. "You do have reason to be arrogant."

"What?!!" Shirou's heart raced as he saw Saber quietly reaching for more food. It felt like a thousand wild horses were trampling his heart.

"That's it?" Archer folded his arms, turning slightly away from Shirou, and continued, "You should be clearer. His type won't understand unless you spell it out."

"Huh?!" Shirou couldn't hold back any longer and hurried to the table, anxiously asking Saber, "Saber, whose cooking is better, mine or his?"

Faced with Shirou's earnest gaze, Saber turned her head slightly, whispering, "I... I think your cooking has its own merits, Shirou..."

At this answer, Shirou's jaw dropped, and he stood frozen as if petrified by Rider's Mystic Eyes.

Meanwhile, Archer resumed his traditional sneer at Shirou.

"Do you understand now, Emiya Shirou? Your cooking is just that. If you're satisfied with that, you might as well stop cooking!"

Shirou's entire body trembled, his teeth clenched as he supported himself on the table, slowly standing up.

"I... I can't accept this! Just because Saber acknowledges you doesn't mean I will! No way! Fujimura-sensei, Illya, and Miyu have all genuinely praised my cooking! I refuse to believe I'd lose to you!"

At that moment, Taiga, who had somehow arrived and was already eating at the table, mumbled nonchalantly, "But Shirou, you did lose. Though for breakfast, I'd prefer Shirou's cooking."

Taiga's words were like invisible arrows piercing Shirou's heart, a chilling blow.

"Indeed, Shirou does have a stubborn streak," Illya added, nodding. Another unseen arrow struck Shirou.

"Archer, could you teach me some cooking techniques? I want to cook for my brother," Miyu asked, delivering the final blow to Shirou.

Archer's disdainful taunt followed, "Emiya Shirou, once again, you've been betrayed by those few allies. What a pitiful fate you have!"

Silent until now, Shirou tightened his fists and gritted his teeth before finally speaking up.

"So what? I still don't think I've lost!"

Seeing the determined look in Shirou's eyes, Archer's expression turned serious.

"It seems I'll have to show you the difference between us, Emiya Shirou."

"Enough talk! Let's get started!"

—End of Flashback—

"...Then another Shirou—no, Miyu's brother—arrived, leading to this current situation. Do you understand now?"

Rin explained earnestly, but noticing no response from Shinji, she turned to see Taiga choking Shinji while he frantically patted her hand, struggling to breathe.

"Quite bold, Matou-kun! Skipping school for months and only showing up during summer vacation!"

"I can't... breathe! I surrender, Taiga!"

"Don't call me Taiga!"

"Teacher, please, more strength," Rin said casually, turning her attention back to the intense cooking competition.

"Emiya Shirou, why do you cook?" Archer asked suddenly while cooking.

"What?" Shirou was puzzled, not quite understanding the question.

"I'll be blunt." Archer, covering a pot, folded his arms and glanced at Shirou. "Your cooking has no meaning."

"What?!" Shirou's knife stopped mid-air as he questioned himself, staring at the ingredients on the counter.

Why do I cook? Isn't it obvious? Because people enjoy my cooking! But...

Archer's words, "Your cooking has no meaning," lingered in Shirou's mind, making him unable to shake them off.

"Emiya Shirou, your knife skills have dulled. Cooking for others is your limit!"

"What are you saying?" Shirou exclaimed, then asked, "Why do you cook, then?"

"Isn't it obvious? For myself! I act on my desires, striving to make better food!"

"What..."

Shirou was shocked but was interrupted by Archer's rapid chopping.

"Striving for others is just hypocrisy. Eating is a basic instinct, but you lack the basic human desire to eat well yourself.

Exactly, you cook for others but settle for mediocre food when alone. Am I wrong?"

"How do you know that?!"

Shirou was stunned, ignoring the fact that Archer was himself, thus knowing him thoroughly.

"Your cooking isn't for yourself, but for others. If you can't satisfy yourself, how can you satisfy others? Trying to fulfill everyone with your insincere desires is laughable! That's why your cooking has no meaning!"

Shirou's knife stopped, his head hung low, unable to refute.

"If you don't understand that, drown in your ideals!"

This line sounds familiar!

Shinji, grateful to have survived Taiga's wrath, mentally sighed. Archer never missed a chance to criticize Shirou's life philosophy, even through cooking.

"Wait, Archer."

Saber stood up, placing a hand on her chest, sincerely saying, "Your cooking is perfect, better tasting than Shirou's. But I still look forward to Shirou's cooking every day. My feelings will never change. I love Shirou's cooking."

"Saber..."

Shirou stared at Saber, his memories flooding back, recalling the man with stubble who seldom shaved clean.

That was the beginning of his cooking journey.

He started cooking because that man, his father, was almost useless in the kitchen.

The first meal he made for him was a failure, but his father ate it all without complaint, even smiling afterward.

Yes, that was the start of Shirou Emiya's culinary path!

With this in mind, Shirou's eyes grew determined, and he gripped the knife again firmly.

Even if this sentiment is false, as long as it brings joy to others, I'll keep cooking!