"Ugh-!"

Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash, hiding in the corner to eavesdrop, stiffened at the same time.

This was shocking.

Especially for Mash.

She almost cried out on the spot, but Ritsuka reacted instantly and clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Shhh!"

Mash froze, then nodded frantically.

Only then did Ritsuka let go.

"...That was close."

"Stay low, Mash."

"I-I'll be more careful from now on, Senpai."

Mash nodded seriously.

She meant it.

What the two of them didn't know was that they had already been discovered.

Long ago.

Shirou Emiya's magical perception was no joke. From the moment they started listening in, he had noticed them.

He simply didn't stop them.

There was nothing wrong with them knowing Anna's true identity.

In fact, according to Shirou Emiya's plan, he had never intended to let Anna walk toward her own death.

-

After hearing Shirou Emiya's revelation, Anna fell silent.

After a long moment, she lowered her head.

"I'm sorry."

"I hid my identity."

"I deceived everyone."

"Don't say that."

Shirou Emiya replied immediately.

"If you hid your identity, it was probably Merlin's suggestion."

"So if anyone's at fault, it's him."

Merlin wasn't here.

Which made him the perfect scapegoat.

"Besides," Shirou Emiya continued, "this was your secret."

"Even the closest friends have things they can't share."

"That's just human nature."

"So don't feel guilty."

"...Thank you."

Anna's tense expression finally softened.

Then she spoke again, quietly but firmly.

"Since you already know who I am, Shirou..."

"You should also know my purpose."

"Tomorrow's battle against Gorgon."

"Please take me with you."

"Killing Gorgon is the mission that brought me to this Singularity."

She stood before him, her posture straight.

Her gaze didn't waver.

She waited.

After a brief silence, Shirou Emiya answered flatly.

"I refuse."

Anna's body jolted.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Why...?"

"Because that isn't your mission."

"And it's not a reason for you to throw your life away."

Shirou Emiya turned fully to face her.

His expression was serious.

"I understand what you're thinking, Anna."

"But I can't agree."

"In your eyes, you were summoned to slay Gorgon."

"And later, to stop Tiamat, you might even revert to Gorgon's form."

"But those are your assumptions."

"As your friend, none of us can accept that."

"You've made so many new friends in Uruk."

"You've earned their trust."

"You've found the life you always wanted."

"So why give it up?"

Anna opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

Memories flooded her mind.

The streets of Uruk.

The people.

The quiet days.

The warmth.

All the arguments she had prepared fell apart.

"I..."

"No 'I.'"

Shirou Emiya stepped closer.

He gently placed a wreath on her head.

"This is from the old grandmother at the flower shop."

"She came by today to thank you in person."

"It's a shame you weren't there."

"So Ritsuka accepted it for you."

As he relayed the grandmother's words, Anna's eyes filled with tears.

"Anna."

"Don't you want to see her again?"

"And everyone in Uruk?"

"...I do."

"I want to see everyone again."

Her voice broke as she rubbed her eyes.

"Then live."

Shirou Emiya smiled and gently patted her head.

"I'll be the one to slay Gorgon."

"I'll be the one to sever your past."

"So you live well."

"Enjoy the life you have now."

"Do you hear me?"

"...Yes."

-

After sending Anna away with a few carefully chosen words, Shirou Emiya spoke calmly.

"She's gone."

"You two can come out now."

Still hiding, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash stiffened.

Then, awkwardly, they stepped out.

"Ah-what a coincidence, Senpai Shirou."

"Y-yeah. Total coincidence."

Their delivery was painfully stiff.

Shirou Emiya rolled his eyes.

At that, they finally gave up pretending.

"...You noticed, didn't you?"

"With skills like yours, you think you can eavesdrop without being found?"

"Who are you looking down on?"

"Hehehe..."

Ritsuka and Mash laughed weakly.

"That's enough."

"I won't scold you."

"Since you already know, you also know what to do next, right?"

Ritsuka immediately puffed out her chest.

"Don't worry, Senpai."

"Mash and I will keep an eye on Anna."

"We won't let her run off."

"Good."

Shirou Emiya waved them off.

They turned to leave, eager to escape their embarrassment.

Then-

"Wait."

They stopped.

"...Yes?"

Shirou Emiya spoke evenly.

"After tomorrow's battle, I might disappear for a few days."

"Don't worry about me."

"I'll be back."

"...Eh?"

How could they not worry?

That sounded exactly like someone planning to disappear with the enemy.

"Senpai Shirou..."

Mash hesitated, then asked the question she couldn't hold back.

"You're not planning to die together with Gorgon, are you?"

Shirou Emiya froze.

Then laughed bitterly.

"What kind of imagination is that?"

"How could I die with her?"

"Don't forget."

"I'm alive."

"If anyone had to be sacrificed as combat power, it would be Merlin."

"Since when did I imply it would be me?"

Ritsuka suddenly realized something.

"...That's true."

"If a Heroic Spirit dies, we might meet them again someday."

"But if Senpai Shirou dies..."

"We'd never see you again."

She looked at him seriously.

"Then what are you going to do?"

Shirou Emiya answered simply.

"Do you remember the Divine Grace I mentioned?"

"I'm going to level up."

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