Shinji Matou at Your Service-Chapter 1076: The One Who Cannot Enjoy

The atmosphere at the banquet was lively—people eating, drinking, and having fun. After the Grand Prix, the barriers between heroes and their Masters had diminished significantly.

Although they might soon face each other as enemies, locked in a life-or-death struggle, at this moment, everyone was friends, enjoying the present to the fullest.

However, not everyone fits into this scene.

A young red-haired boy, handsome but broad-shouldered and strong, quietly left the banquet shortly after it began. He went alone to the top of the tower and stared blankly at the moon.

A few minutes later, a boy with blue hair, around the same age, also ascended the tower.

"What's wrong, Shirou? Why are you here by yourself? Is the food not to your taste?"

"Oh, Matou-san."

Shirou seemed a bit uneasy, perhaps not expecting Shinji to suddenly appear.

"No, the food is really good."

"If it's good, you should eat more. Blacksmithing is hard work; how can you swing a hammer without eating your fill?"

"Yeah, I know. It's just—I'm not used to being around so many people."

The Senji Muramasa clan had always lived in seclusion, rarely interacting with society.

"And besides, I'm not in the mood to join the banquet right now."

Hearing the dejection in Shirou's voice, and considering the fantastic stories he had been told recently, Shinji could guess the reason.

"Is it because of Faker—Senji Muramasa?"

Shirou nodded heavily, his expression grim.

"Master had to face those monsters to protect us. If he had wanted to leave, he definitely could have. But... if I hadn't held him back... If I had been just a little more useful, maybe..."

Shinji let out a long sigh. He could understand Shirou's mindset. While running for his life and receiving his master's legacy, Shirou had been full of passion. But once they escaped to safety and he had time to reflect, he was consumed by regret and confusion. After all, he was still just a seventeen-year-old boy.

"Indeed, in the face of those monsters, you were powerless. I won't deny that. You can feel frustrated, blame yourself, and regret what happened. I won't lecture you about how you're letting down Muramasa or the people who care about you. Because, honestly, these feelings are completely normal. The real question is how you're going to handle them. Will you be trapped by your emotions, becoming more confused and withdrawn? Or will you use them as fuel to keep moving forward?"

"I..."

Shirou opened his mouth but hesitated to continue.

Shinji didn't mind. Smiling, he pointed at Shirou's chest.

"It doesn't matter if you tell me. What matters is whether you're true to your own heart and to the people who care about you. Listen."

From below, faint shouts could be heard echoing up the stairway.

"Shirou! Shirou?"

"Where did that kid run off to?"

"Ah, it looks like there's someone up top."

"Found him! Over here."

"Hey, Shirou! Oh, Shinji's here too."

"Why didn't you say something before leaving? We thought you got lost."

The ones who found them were a couple dressed in black and white: Kiritsugu Emiya and Irisviel. Shirou had been staying with them for some time now.

It was obvious that this was Shinji's doing.

After the fierce battle that night, the two comrades from another world finally reunited.

When Shinji first saw Shirou, he was a bit surprised. This guy had shown up—and had even become a Master, summoning an ancient version of himself. And then he met Ryougi Shiki. Fate is a strange thing.

Of course, after the initial moment of surprise, Shinji didn't think much more of it. After all, this wasn't their original timeline; they hadn't crossed paths and didn't know each other. Being overly friendly would only arouse suspicion. The only thing Shinji could do was protect this former protagonist, and that was it.

So, he arranged for Shirou to stay at his family's private residence, where the Emiya family was currently living.

Officially, Masters who had withdrawn from the Holy Grail War were supposed to be placed under the church's care, which was Fiore's initial plan. But Shinji argued that the now-dilapidated church wasn't particularly safe and that his place, with the protection of the Ryougi family, would be much more secure. Fiore didn't object.

Of course, that was the official reason. The real reason was obvious to everyone. In several different timelines, Shirou had been adopted by the Emiya family, and the compatibility between them was extraordinary.

In Shinji's subconscious, Shirou was always meant to be Emiya Shirou, raised by the Emiya family. With such a colorful cast of characters around him, Shirou would have an easier time stepping out of the shadows. At the very least, he smiled a lot more when he was with them than when he was with Shinji.

The truth was, he wasn't uncomfortable with large groups of people—it just depended on who he was with.

Knowing that he wasn't the right person for Shirou, Shinji quietly slipped into the stairwell while Shirou was busy dealing with the Emiya couple. Just as he stepped into the shadows, he stopped.

"Mana, stop hiding. I know you're there."

"Ah, I've been spotted."

A small girl emerged from the corner.

"Go on, what scheme are you plotting this time?"

"I'm not plotting anything!"

Mana darted her eyes around as she sidled up to Shinji.

"I'm worried about Big Brother too. I was the first one to find him, you know!"

"Oh? Then why didn't you come out? And why didn't you ask your mom to help search either?"

Shinji asked with a teasing smile. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Minna continued to shift her gaze.

"Because... Mommy's not good at finding people."

"And what about your little mom?"

Ayako had been spending a lot of time with Ryougi Shiki recently, doing something mysterious.

"Uh... I forgot."

Mana stuck out her tongue defiantly.

Most people would be fooled by her innocent act, but Shinji knew Mana too well and wasn't buying it.

"Alright, stop pretending. I know you love playing tricks on people, especially the honest ones—your dad, your mom, your uncle Shiki, your little mom, and now Shirou. Am I right?"

Mana finally dropped the act.

"Ugh... Ahahaha, future master saw through me again."

"Of course I did. How could I be your master if I didn't? Here's another lesson for you: it's okay to tease people but know your limits. A little mischief can help them relax, which might be good for Shirou. But go too far and you'll just annoy them."

"Got it."

Shinji sighed.

"You're a clever kid. Sometimes too clever."

"Aunt Akiha says the same thing. Hehe, but Mana will try to learn how to play dumb. However, this time I don't think I should. I saw someone just now—an older, dark-skinned sister dressed—um, very lightly—on the other side. Not a prank, I swear."

After saying that, Mana skipped away. Shinji lowered his head, gently rubbing his palm.

"Yeah, I know. I've always known."