Chapter 12

Sakura has left.

Her departure has left a sense of emptiness. Although it's not necessarily a devastating or heart-wrenching feeling, it's undeniable that something is missing now that they've lived together for half a month. It would be false to say that there are no feelings involved at all.

However, because he had already prepared himself mentally, he can still bear it. In a few more days, the power of time will be enough to erase these psychological bumps. Besides, his own life is still hanging by a thread in the Holy Grail War, where does he have the energy to think about other people's affairs?

Is he so selfless? What a joke!

Survival is the top priority for any living being. It's a natural instinct to prioritize one's own safety and well-being.

It's just that - he can't sleep!

Shirou, who had been unable to sleep sat up in bed again, rubbing his tired eyes and scratching his head in frustration.

The moonlight outside leaked through the thin curtain, scattering faint mercury-colored patterns on the bedding.

Shirou, looking disheveled, realized that his inability to sleep was abnormal.

The missing person-shaped pillow that Shirou had hugged for the past half month was no longer on the bed, making it difficult for him to get comfortable no matter how he turned. The worst part was that whenever he did manage to fall asleep, he would dream of Sakura being dragged into an abyss by endless black worms, reaching out to him for help and calling out, "Brother... Brother..."

In the bathroom, Shirou splashed cold water on his face and looked at himself in the mirror. He gave himself a slap to try and snap out of it.

"Pa!"

"Damn it! Wake up, Shirou! Fujimaru Shirou! You're not the original owner of this body, you're not a hero, you're just an ordinary person! She's not your whoever, don't think so much! Go to sleep!"

However, despite his efforts, Shirou was still unable to fall asleep.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, bathed in cool moonlight, Shirou couldn't help but feel frustrated with himself. Was it his body or his own inability to let go that was preventing him from sleeping? The most annoying part was that his mind kept bringing up all of the memories from the past.

There is always an unforgettable memory in Shirou's heart.

That was a day from his second grade in elementary school in his previous life. China wasn't as developed then and was in the era of a real economy, where foreigners were more important than officials. Shirou, who walked to school with the other boys in the morning, saw a crying baby in a garbage heap on the way to the vegetable market. When he passed by again in the evening, the baby was still there, but it wasn't crying anymore.

If he remembered it because it was sad, that couldn't be the case. Shirou was not a saint, he was just an ordinary person. But if he had been indifferent, he wouldn't still remember it now.

And now, he was facing a similar scene. He was in the same second grade of elementary school, with similar problems. The difference was that he was no longer the little boy he used to be, but a mature soul in society. And being mature meant abandoning all immature elements and looking at things rationally.

But -

"Please! Don't let me think about these things anymore, I don't want to think about these! It's none of my business! It's none of my business! She's just a little girl I've known for half a month, I'm not her dad, her death has nothing to do with me!"

Shirou buried his head in the pillow and tried hard to fall asleep. But he still couldn't, no matter how hard he tried. Every time he closed his eyes, he thought about the problems he had been trying to avoid.

It's really this body's brain that has problems!

Shirou blamed the brain of his body, reaching out to the side and trying to hug the pillow like he was used to, but only grasping at air.

As he expected, the biggest problem was still his habits.

...

In the morning, Shirou went downstairs for breakfast and Fujimaru Chiyo habitually made three breakfasts. Yesterday, after Mr. Fujimaru dealt with Sakura's matter, he returned to the company for overtime and had not returned yet. It was clear that the third breakfast on the table was meant for someone else.

Shirou pretended not to notice and picked up the sandwich in front of him to eat.

"I don't know what kind of person Sakura's father is. He must have a really big heart. Despite his daughter being missing for half a month, he's still busy at work." Fujimaru Chiyo's remark made it difficult for Shirou to swallow his breakfast that day.

"Shirou, wait here and take care of the house, Mom is going to buy vegetables."

"I'll go too!"

Shirou stood up.

Fujimaru Chiyo found it strange that Shirou, who had not left the house since the serial killer incident, now wanted to go out. Was it because Sakura had been taken away?

She guessed right, that's exactly what happened.

Staying alone can make you think blindly, but going out and taking a walk can clear your mind and help alleviate your troubles. It can also help restore adult rationality.

Shirou thought to himself that, although he was not a bad person, he was definitely not a saint. To fight for a girl he had only known for half a month, only the protagonist of a juvenile fairy tale would do such a thing. In reality, no one else would.

This troubled Shirou, mostly because of his naive brain and maybe his inherent kindness. At least, that's what Shirou thought. Otherwise, how could a person with a mature soul be like someone with a karmic obstacle? At most, they would sigh and feel guilty for a while, and then return to a normal life.

Just relax, just relax.

In 1993, the shopping markets of this era did not have the function of a vegetable market, so housewives had to go to the crowded and dirty vegetable markets to buy vegetables. However, it was not an obstacle for relaxation.

It was just that——

Looking at the blond youth walking towards him, Shirou swallowed his saliva and unconsciously reached into his pocket with his right hand in the black leather gloves.

"My hand... could it really be a siscon hand? Why am I so unlucky?" Shirou mourned in his heart.

The youth walking towards him had short, golden hair, a clear-cut face, and a handsome, classical appearance. He had a tall and slender figure, dressed in a white shirt and black casual pants, exuding a noble temperament.

Gilgamesh.

The first BOSS of the Fourth Holy Grail War!

The most crucial thing is that this guy seems to have a future where he might be killed by the original Shirou!

And...

Does this guy have foresight?

Don't see me... Don't see me...

Shirou lowered his head, pretending to be an ordinary neighborhood boy, and leaned closer to his mother.

"Huh, what's wrong, Shiro?" Fujimaru Chiyo asked in confusion. Shirou didn't explain, but only leaned closer, trying to pretend to be an ordinary neighborhood boy who was close to his mother, in order to avoid Gilgamesh's passing route.

Having fused with the spiritual foundation of a Servant, becoming a Demi-Servant who is a participant and stand-in, but not knowing whether he is a substitute or not, Shirou only hoped that he would not attract the attention of Gilgamesh, the embodiment of Mr. Gold.

However-

Gilgamesh's gaze almost immediately fell on Shirou.

Surprise, shock, puzzlement, confusion... in an instant, many complex expressions passed through Gilgamesh's blood-red eyes, and finally, a very interested smile appeared on his face.

The two passed each other.

It seemed that he had not been discovered. Shirou breathed a sigh of relief.

However, just as they were about to completely pass each other, Gilgamesh's arrogant voice sounded in Shirou's ear: "A mongrel brat. No, a faker. In three days, that little girl will be sent to the abyss of worms."

Fear, doubt, confusion... in an instant, many complex expressions passed through Shirou's eyes. But when he turned to look again, Gilgamesh had already walked away.

"Shirou, what are you doing? Let's go!" Fujimaru Chise pulled on Shirou's arm, dismayed to find that she couldn't even move her son. This was too strange, right? He was just a six-year-old brat!

"Ah... Oh..."

Shirou followed his mother into the vegetable market in a daze.

His mind was full of doubts.

Did Gilgamesh recognize his identity? And, did he recognize the spiritual foundation that he had fused with?

It was understandable that he didn't do anything, because it was daytime now, and this hero king was also very arrogant.

But why?

Why did he tell me this?

Obviously I...

...

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