Everyone, many thanks for the reviews and likes, I'm very pleased with how much attention this story has gotten in such a short time. On a first note, I apologize for the lates updates, personal issues as well as some annoying flue have kept me away from actual writing. Also, brainstorming does not make easy to choose an idea to keep the story going after the first chapters. Still here we are now.

I would like to add that this story is influenced by my own experience in both the Japanese and the NA servers, and since I started the first during Dango Festival Re-run there will be some inconsistences. Anyone who wishes to provide some information regarding important features that were not in FGO before is more than welcome.

With that out of the way, I give you the following chapter. I still don't have the rights on Typemoon source material, and most of the credit for the characters should go to the people responsible for their creation. I am merely creating my own story with my interpretation and ideas based on the original LNs, VN and other games.

Enjoy.

I Can't Believe It's Not a Game!

- Chapter II: Unfriend me, Friend me -

It is said that those bound by the threads of Fate will find a way to meet, whether they try or not.

Some locations are said to be hotspots for these predestined meetings, and for the many events to come.

For those who put on the hands of Fate their fortune as well as their misery, the unexpected may be known or unknown, but always an inevitable outcome.

For those who believed in making their own destiny, the unexpected was just the result of chance, possibilities that happened without anyone or anything behind to claim complete responsibility or control over them.

Regardless, none of the people currently seated in the living room of a traditional japanese house had expected this kind of meeting.

One of them had been already planning to check the place, concerned about the existence of a Bounded Field hiding something dangerous, fit for sending Enforcers in the city.

One had tagged along, surprised to find said character but nonetheless thankful for the assistance to her current situation (which of course was not for free).

Another had arrived during his exploration of the city's landscape, making sure to spot any of the targets that his mistress had assigned to him.

Another two had been sent by an irate woman, merely for the sake of curiosity. Not willing to deal with the consequences of refusing the command, they had both taken a similar mission as the one mentioned before.

Two friends, one of which was still ignorant to the Moonlit World, had decided to track the red-head that appeared in one of the cards of the new game. They had been joined by another whose whole demeanor spoke of wealth, and who apparently held some kind of rivalry with one of the original pair.

And finally, the aforementioned red-head and owner of the house all this characters were in, and who had been trying his best to handle the situation the only way he knew how.

Cooking.

Indeed, many of the people enjoying the feast had many reasons to be wary each other, some even considered jumping into fighting an hour before when they had first met in the Fuyuki Central Park. Even now, they halted any kind of aggression only because their attention was focused on the delicious meal they had been offered by their host.

But eventually the food would be no more, and the tensions would arise anew.

Until then, Emiya Shirou gave himself a moment to contemplate how he had ended up with some of the most dangerous characters in the Moonlit World as guests at his home.

The Fuyuki Central Park was a place avoided by many, both for the memories as well as the dreadful feeling it left on anyone trespassing into the area.

While he was not fond of the location, for him it held a particular relevance.

It had been the place where Emiya Shirou had died and been reborn.

Whatever he had been had met its end here, and everything that he was had started that fateful night in this very place.

He visited at least once in a year, as if compelled by his connection to the place. It reminded him of what had been lost, what could be lost again, and the promise he had made to his father the night he passed away.

It was also the best place to be by himself, especially now that so many things out of his control could happen.

His main concern then had been … What to do?

After spending the night playing the game, he still had no answers. Instead his own lack of knowledge had been made more evident to him. The only things he knew were that his status as a magus had been revealed to those who knew where to look, and that the game had its own version on the workings of Magecraft.

Well, there was also the Heroic Spirit "EMIYA", who apparently used Projection and shared the same family name as him and his father. But that was all he could gather from the game character, and it did not give him anything to work with.

So, what was he to do? Ignore the game and keep going with his life as before? Ask for help from someone related to the supernatural? Perhaps keep playing in order to get more answers?

None of those seemed plausible, since anyone that thought he had some responsibility in the leak from the game would be coming anytime. And his father had made sure he understood how much magi disliked leaks of secrecy.

Somebody out there knew about him, about people he was both familiar and unfamiliar with, and that person had linked all to the supernatural. What would he or she do with this knowledge? Did that someone want something from him?

Any further thinking on the topic had been forced to wait, however.

For a presence unlike any other had made itself known very close to him.

"…."

He had moved his body very slowly, careful to not show any sort of sudden reaction.

"…"

He had felt that whatever possessed this kind of feeling demanded more than attention. It needed to be addressed with the knowledge that it could end anyone who incurred on its ire.

"…"

When he had finished turning around, he had entered into the same kind of mentality he held when he was practicing Kyudo. Not betraying any emotion he had regarded the one that had made his presence known to the point that it drowned all others.

"…"

"…"

Emiya Shirou had seen death, he had felt death. The whole park was tainted by strong negative feelings and possessed an aura unmatched by anything he could remember.

Until then.

For the man in front of him, who also wore an impassive face, was able to make himself felt even amongst all of it. From nothingness, he had suddenly turned into the one thing that stood above all others in this lonely field.

Garbed in black, with pale skin and red irises, long black hair and a height that towered over his own, the mysterious man had made for an imposing figure.

And more importantly…

Even if this was his first time meeting him, Shirou had known deep inside that this man was dangerous, that if he so wished he could have ended his life right there and right then.

"…"

They had stood like that, just looking at each other for about a full minute, but to Shirou it had felt far longer. Then, the man had finally spoken.

"What does this place mean to you, Emiya?", -he had asked with his blank expression.

If Shirou had been surprised by this man knowing his family name, he hadn't shown it. But the black man was expecting an answer, and completely in control of the situation he could not risk a lie.

"This is the place where everything began for me. It is a reminder of what I desire to avoid, of those who I left behind, including myself, and of the promise I made to stop this kind of tragedy from happening ever again".

"An oath driven by guilt then, though I am sure there is more to it"- the man had said before adding -"Your eyes tell more than just regret, they have in them a conviction that can only be found in those who have lost a purpose of their own and seek to find it outside".

Shirou had stiffened, and his eyes had widened slightly as the words had pierced an old wound that only he had known about. He had been surprised by the man knowing his name, but he had then began speaking of things not even those closest to him had ever pointed out..,

"But it seems you have yet to find a proper answer. Finding yourself and finding others are two things that cannot be fulfilled at the same time. What gives meaning to you is not always what can realize others desires, and sometimes the frictions bring forth new tragedies".

With that comment, the man had pierced once more trough Shirou's defenses, making it harder for him to keep his demeanor. But he had steeled himself again, and had let the man continue his inquiry.

"As of now you care more for others, and you seek yourself in others. But the time will come when your willingness is tested, and if you will find your answers then. Perhaps the time will come sooner than you expected…"-, he had made a pause then.

For a moment, Shirou had been unaware of what had caught the attention of the man in black, until…

"Isn't that right, you lot in hiding?"

!

Then everything became chaos.

One moment he had been talking with the unknown man in black, and then everything had changed.

It had happened so fast. So fast that his eyes had been barely able to follow.

The place had turned into some kind of battleground, with other people jumping to fight his companion while he proceeded to weave through their attacks with impossible reflexes.

He was barely aware that he had been thrown aside, his mind still focused on the noises, the blurs and the chaos that had suddenly taken place in the park.

And not even 30 seconds later, time had resumed its normal flow.

And Shirou had been greeted with a very changed location.

Trees had been crushed and pulverized, the earth around him had been cracked, burned and slashed.

As for his companion, he had found him not too far from his original position, crossing blades with one hand against a blue-haired woman, while his other limb was holding the leg of another woman, wearing a suit that had clearly seen better days.

His feet were surrounded by some kind of silver liquid, but in spite of its efforts to advance it was being kept at bay by something.

Not too far from the ones engaged in combat, a tall man wearing a red long coat was grimacing, in the company of a slightly nervous man who was wearing priest-like robes.

And finally, some girls had been looking with wide eyes, apparently unwilling to move.

In that moment, Shirou had known that they were all trapped in a stalemate of sorts, with him included in the equation if the looks he was receiving from time to time were to be trusted.

When the stalemate was broken, someone would probably die.

His eyes went back to the girls, who looked unable or unwilling to move further.

If the fight resumed they would be dragged into it, which would have ended up most certainly with them hurt, or worse.

If he did something to upset the situation, it would be him to go first, and then who knows what would follow.

Being who he was, Emiya Shirou had made his decision and broke the tension in the most unexpected way.

"So…is anyone interested in having dinner at my home?"

To be fair, his nerves had finally gotten the best of him.

The grumble of some bellies, including the woman in suit whose face had gone from determination to awkwardness, gave his invitation some merit.

And so, Emiya Shirou had managed the first of his heroic deeds, by stopping a pitched battle between inhabitants of the Moonlit World and becoming the host of a most unusual gathering.

"Anyone else wants seconds?"

Shirou was glad he had enough time to spare to prepare enough food for all his guests, and even to spare for those who wished to have another go.

He had been expecting to use a good chunk of his money to feed them, but many of the group had objected to this, insisting that he was doing more than his share by cooking.

Still, walking from the Fuyuki Central Park to the store closest to his home had been a new experience with his new companions, especially with how many people kept staring, whispering, or even pointing at them.

Not that he could blame them. Mysterious man in black and brown haired girl aside, the group had something in common.

All of them had appeared in the game in one way or another.

Hell, one of them was supposedly a "Servant" viable for summoning!

To the eyes of anyone familiar with "Grand Order", they were in some sort of meeting related to the game.

Of course, none of them were comfortable with that level of attention, so they finished their trip to the grocery store quickly, and together they all marched to the Emiya Estate.

Now, assembled around the table from him living room, his guests were almost done with their food.

"This is so good! I still wish you had made some curry as well, but your food is amazing!", -that was the blue haired woman who was giving a big smile that contrasted with the cold killer expression she had about an hour ago in the park –"by the way, I'm Ciel. Sorry for not greeting you properly before, Emiya-san".

"Yes, very delicious. Back in our headquarters food is not exactly bad, but this is something I regret not trying before"- this time it was her companion, the priest guy who had politely acted as a mediator between the different members of the group. He had presented himself as Mr. Dawn.

"Indeed. You are well versed in the art of cooking, and you do know how to properly serve your guests. Mmm, perhaps with some tutoring of someone like August you could learn all the etiquette necessary to become an excellent butler"- now the blond girl with her hair in drills complimented him.

The men in red and black merely finished their meals, but nevertheless he received a brief stare from his first companion.

As for the rest, they were all focused on eating, either to calm their nerves or to satiate their hunger.

Guess who was the later.

When they were all done, and the dishes had been taken away, the meeting finally began.

It was the man in black who began.

"Since all of you have cooled down your moods to at least not try another fight, let us address the first issue: how do we deal with the witness?"

By witness, he was referring to the one person that had nothing to do with the Moonlit World, the girl who had been in the company of the other two magus and who had been dragged into the mess.

Currently, she was doing her best to not look at any of them, her body trembling and her hands held into fists.

"Wait a moment please"- Shirou intervened- "I know little when it comes to Magecraft, but can't any of you just hypnotize her so she forgets?"

"We have tried already during our trip to the store. All of us. Even the mystic eyes of a Dead Apostle Ancestor had no effect on her"- replied the man with the red coat- "Being the third person that Bazzet fails to put under hypnosis, I can only conclude that something interferes with the spell".

The man in black offered the simplest solution.

"Then get rid of her. One human dead in a city means nothing. They will search, they will find something, but they will eventually just give up. There are enough leaks already".

Shirou was about to rebuke him but he was beaten by the twin-tail girl.

"Like hell you will kill her!" –She exclaimed positioning in front of the person of interest, while pulling something out of her pockets.

Everyone got tense again.

The man was unfazed.

"The gem you are carrying with you is related to the Tohsaka, so that makes you both the current heir as well as the Second Owner. Isn't it your duty to ensure that the rules of the Moonlit World are followed, little girl?"

She was surprised by his awareness of her identity, but refused to concede. He continued.

"While it seems you hold a strong bond with this girl, you are also part of the Moonlit World. Failing to follow one of its main rules can be seen as failing as a magus. You would risk your position, your legacy, for one more of the masses?" - he added looking straight at her.

She was biting her lips now, her answer this time a little hesitant.

"I know that! But still… I just can't-"

"Please wait a moment Ossan. There is another option, right?"- Shirou decided to intervene to the rescue of the girl who had stood for an innocent –"If somebody-

"What you are suggesting is basically ending her freedom, and hoping somebody takes pity on the girl, boy"- now he directed his attention to him once more- "Who would take care of someone who has little to offer? The Church? She will be forced into the life of the hunters of the heresies, hoping to survive. The enforcer seems like she can barely care for herself, and the magi have their own problems to deal right now. Unless you are thinking I would be taking a common girl under my wing, which would mean a waste of my time if not a good chance of her becoming a mere thrall. And all of these choices have her losing forever her place outside of our world. It would be a fairer fate to spare her any of those by ending it now".

And Shirou knew he was right.

Unless anyone was actually interested in taking care of the girl, she had nowhere to go. All roads implied that she would be subject to either a life of danger or to a life of servitude, deprived of the means to live her own life for the rest of it. And Tohsaka seemed to be struggling with her decision, but that would end soon and the result may not be for the best of her friend.

That's why he had stepped in, fully aware that his next words would put him into the fire.

"In that case let me take care of her. I will be fully responsible for her"- he announced, looking at the man in black with determination –"You said that my conviction would be tested at one point, and this is one chance. If there is no guaranty that she will be safe alone or in any of your hands, then I will be the one to stand for her"- his piece said, he remained in silence, not flinching even once under the pressure of the man's stare.

"Then it will be you whose head will roll as well if she were to be found disruptive".

"It does not matter. If I can protect her now I will find a way to do so again if the time comes. Besides, I am but a third rate… my death will not upset anyone in the Moonlit World or put anyone here under risk."

Shirou knew he was way above himself trying to make a point against someone who could hold his ground against multiple opponents, but nevertheless he stood his ground.

What he didn't know was the impression he was leaving on all the other people present in the room.

The magus in red remained silent, but his eyes now regarded him with a mix of both interest and annoyance.

Tohsaka was wide-eyed, but paled in comparison to the girl that was the focus of all the debate.

The blonde girl and the woman in suit remained neutral, but the first one now wore a small smile in her face. The same could be said about Ciel.

Finally, the man in black broke their little contest.

"Naïve. You are very naïve, Shirou Emiya. You define yourself as a low tier magus, yet you refuse to back down in front of the will of others who have far more power. However, it is not arrogance that drives you. You will need to survive hell itself once more if you are to back up your claim in front of anyone like me and hope to convince them. But that is your burden now."

While his expression had not changed, Shirou knew it was the man's way of accepting his words.

"Is anyone in this table in disagreement?"

There were no raised hands, nor vocal complaints.

Tohsaka send him a silent thanks before resuming a more professional demeanor, while the girl continued looking at him wide-eyed.

But more was to be said.

"You are naïve also, because you called yourself an unimportant character, yet you are one of the pieces behind the puzzle that had caught the attention of my Master, and the reason I am here in the first place. In fact, most of you are connected to it, and this meeting has made my job far easier."

He pulled something from a bag he had who knew where. It appeared to be a group of papers, all sporting different images.

Images very familiar to all of the gathered.

"Are you all familiar with the game Fate Grand Order?"

And so, the true purpose behind the meeting was addressed.

Good news, nobody in the room was responsible for the mess that was the new videogame spoiling details about magecraft and Holy Grail Wars.

Bad news, they had no current leads aside from the general consensus that a certain vampire with a love for terrible pranks and the ability to play with dimensions was the most probable suspect. And that didn't mean they could just grab him to have him unmake it all.

Strange news… everyone's impressions of each other had taken a huge dump.

Rin would have laughed, if she had the energy for it in herself.

Because the current son of the fearsome Magus Killer, who had been living in her city for years without her knowledge, was a beginner whose biggest talent laid in the arts of cooking.

The two big shots from the Church and the Dead Apostle Ancestors had somehow become enthusiastic players from the very game Ayako had gotten into, and somehow shared with her a deep spite for the fake priest on the hill. Even if said spite came from one of the most ridiculous sources.

An Enforcer from a very powerful family had ended penniless because she decided to go pay to play and failed pretty bad at it (from her own perspective that is).

One of the most famous magus from the Clocktower and also survivor of the past Holy Grail War had ended up dragged into the mess by complete coincidence.

And her not-cousin and pain in the ass better known as Edelfelt had also become a part of all of this.

Yes, she had reasons to laugh at the strange situation she found herself in, along all others in the House of the Magus Killer's son.

And yet she could not.

Even after their meeting was over and most of her new acquaintances went on their own way, Rin found the events of today taking a heavy toll on her.

Her uselessness at dealing with an unexpected fight between powerhouses from different factions of the Moonlit World.

Her dilemma between her friendship with Ayako and her upbringing as a magus from the Tohsaka Clan.

The fact that it took a third rate, a complete stranger, to take the burden in her place.

The fact that something may be going on with the game in relation with the upcoming Grail War.

Compared to all this, even Edelfelt's presence seemed like a minor headache.

A part of her just wanted to go home and let sleep take her, to think about all the next morning.

But another part, that which stood initially for her friend, wanted to go to her and…

And what?

Offer an apology?

Ask if she was ok?

Just pretend that things would be better?

…

She knew things would never be the same.

Even when she approached her friend, after she finished giving a call to her family, she knew.

Even when she stood behind her, she knew.

That is why she dared not to say anything.

And the silence reigned for a few minutes, even after Ayako let herself fall into a sitting position, in front of the backyard of the house.

Finally, it was the normal girl who took the initiative.

"So… you are a witch, huh?", she said attempting to add some humor in her voice, still not looking at Rin in the eyes.

"Technically, I'm a magus. Just like Emiya. Just like half of the people you met tonight", - was her reply, professional and without beating around the bush.

"You know, I dragged you into the chase for Emiya-kun expecting some kind of adventure, but none of this. I thought that maybe we would make fools of ourselves, or perhaps even meet and interesting guy" -she began clenching her hands over her knees, a trembling running from her fingers to her arms- "But this… all of this. I don't know what to believe."

"Ayako I-"

"All I know is that that man was serious. You all were seriously thinking what to do with me"- her friend continued without paying attention to her.

"I …"

"When they moved, I couldn't see anything Rin. I have seen my grandfather and father sparring before. I have seen other people good with martial arts, even saw Fujimura Taiga once on her time as a candidate for the local Kendo contest. But when they moved, when that guy moved…I couldn't see a damn thing. Everything exploded in front of us and then they were all in some kind of stalemate, and I couldn't follow at all!", –Ayako finished with an odd expression, trying to resemble excitement but closer to disbelief and fear.

"They are the some of the strongest of their groups, people who train specifically to face against each other or those like them. I believe the only other beings capable of winning against them would be Heroic Spirits."- Rin answered, willing to share that detail with her friend. This, however, seemed to only aggravate Ayako more.

"Oh yes, of course. How could I forget!"- the girl exclaimed with her hands in the air- "Apparently the little game we were playing happens to be inspired in reality, and the Servants have actually been part of our lives for about two hundred years. Because knowing that one day those guys are going into a battle royale in my home makes me feel more secure!"- Rin could tell that Ayako had stopped bothering with niceties as her voice went higher and fuller of a cynical tone.

This time Rin said nothing.

She could not blame Ayako for feeling so insecure. Being exposed to so many things of the Moonlit World in one day was bad enough, but the fact that it was so out of her league must have been the worst part for her.

So she let Ayako rant over the situation instead of trying to argue, as nothing she could say would offer relief to the girl at the brink of a mental breakdown.

"What will happen to me now, Rin?"

In spite of the obvious grievance in her friend's voice, Rin didn't offer an immediate response. After another moment of silence there was only one thing she could say in honest reply.

"I don't know, Ayako. In all honesty the easiest solution would have been to make you forget about everything instead of telling you more. But as of now your life has become a part of the Moonlit World, whether we like it or not. Still, we ARE friends, so I will offer you to stay at my home tonight if you-".

"I'll stay here, Tohsaka".

That surprised the Tohsaka heiress.

"What?"

"I already spoke to my parents, telling them that I would be staying in your house for tonight, but I would prefer to sleep here instead. I already told Emiya-kun about it, and I would appreciate if you could go along with the lie for now", -Ayako explained, even as Rin was still coming to terms with the fact that her friend had used her with her family name instead of her own.

"…Are you sure about this, Mitsuzuri?"

She had opted to follow the same pattern and use the family name of her friend as well.

"Tohsaka, I thank you for the concern and I offer an apology for getting you into the park on a whim. But I think this is t only place I can feel secure for tonight. Since I know your hands are tied, I'll do with what I can"- the flat tone of Ayako's voice and the tacit way of accusing her for her inaction stung.

"Ayako, I'm sorry I didn't say anything the second time but- "

"Tohsaka, I get it. You have duties to your family and a difficult position from what I've learned. I'm not going to scream at you and demand why you couldn't say something else, I'm not going to break our friendship either"- Ayako paused for a moment before releasing a sad sigh – "but I need some time to cool down, in the house of the one guy who stuck with me".

For the third time silence took place between them for less than a minute.

Then…

"Good night to you, Mitsuzuri"- Rin finished politely and offering a bow, before making her way to the entrance.

"Good night, Tohsaka"- replied Ayako, before going back to looking at the horizon.

After that, it was a solitary walk home for the Tohsaka Heiress.

Sleep would not come to her until two hours after she went to bed.

Until then, she took out her cellphone and stared at the game that had brought all these problems.

She decided to take out her cellphone and check on the game.

She had spent some time looking at the floor, then looking at the sky.

She found no way to get rid of her nervousness, of the still remaining fear. So she decided that if the game had brought so much problems, it might as well provide some distraction.

Before she could get started, however, somebody had decided to take a seat beside her.

It was Shirou Emiya, the boy who has stood up for her, declaring his responsibility over her.

He had brought some warm tea with him, and sweets as well.

"Here, I bring something for the night, Mitsuzuri-san"- he offered a small smile, offering the treats he probably prepared himself.

Her stomach grumbled a little, and she decided to just go for it.

It was good.

Very good in fact.

She felt slightly better and she had just tried the food.

"Hey are you using some king of magic to make food this good?"

Emiya looked surprised before making a face of mock anger.

"I'll have you know that I do not use magic to tamper with any ingredient, Mitsuzuri-san. Everything you tried this afternoon, and what you are having now are the results of hard training and a father who made food taste like military rations".

She smiled and kept the charade.

"Oh scary, so scary. I better not piss off the one in charge of breakfast, who knows what revenge he will cook for poor little me"- she had a hand on her chest and her other arm up in her front, leaning slightly so she could make the full gesture of a parody of a damsel in distress.

"Hey now, I wouldn't go with such low tactics just to have the last laugh. But anything else is free game".

"Bring your best game then, Emiya. I'll be sure to show you how I got a perfect student to break from her shell and actually fear my wrath!"

They looked at each other for a few seconds, trying to keep straight faces.

Then they broke into bigger smiles.

…

Her tea cup almost empty, Ayako decided to make the question that was on her mind for so long.

"Why?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you do it Emiya?"

Why, indeed. From what she saw, from what she heard, from what even Rin told her, Shirou Emiya was another member of the people that used magic, moved way faster than any martial artist or even athlete she had seen, and who had been considering killing her to avoid spilling their secret arts.

Why had he stood for her, even more resolutely than her best friend?

Why had someone who, by his own admission, lacked the skills and power of the man in black stood his ground against the later?

Why had he taken her in?

Shirou looked somewhere else before answering.

"Is it wrong to help someone in need?"

…

Well, certainly no, but he was risking going against the guy who could go toe to toe against three other impossible fighters. And besides, even if she was thankful for his words, didn't he belong to the same group of people as Rin?

"Strout-san was speaking of you as a nuisance, a problem that needed to be removed. From what I can tell that is a sound answer for anyone in the Moonlit World, but for me and I believe for Tohsaka-san as well that was something against our beliefs."

"But Rin didn't stand the same way you did, Emiya"- she countered - "she told me you are another mage just like her, but you are telling me you protected me because it was right to help me. I don't know what to feel about that right now".

Shirou put his cup on the ground before speaking again.

"I don't know Tohsaka-san as a person, and less as a magus. I only found out today that she is the Second Owner in Fuyuki and that the old man and I were living in here without her permission for years. But my old man told me about the way the Moonlit World works, and the basics of the magical families around the world. Being the heir of a family is already hard for those living the life of a magus, but she is also the one responsible for Fuyuki in front of others of the same side.

For Tohsaka-san, it must have been a big pressure to stand for you in face of so many big names, since prestige and upholding the rules of our side are a must for a magus."

Ayako looked down to the floor once more

I understand that, but, if that is the case, what does our friendship mean?

Before she could begin brooding or even express her feelings, Shirou kept talking.

"However, Rin's first reaction was trying to protect you from Strout-san, never forget that. Yes, she made a decision that affected you, and you have all rights to feel anger for that. I felt anger for a moment before I looked at her face. When Strout-san let the matter go and accepted my choice, she gave me a look of relief. She was happy that you were safe, Mitsuzuri-san"

She said nothing, jut biting her lower lip.

"So I don't think you should just end all things with her. I think you should let her make amends, ad be willing to listen to her. In the meantime, I promise that I will protect you, Mitsuzuri-san".

She let out a snort. She couldn't help it.

"So what, are you going to escort me home every day from now on, Emiya?"

"Of course".

Eh?

"Eh?"

"If you feel more secure with someone at your side in your road home tomorrow, I will accompany you. If you need me to stick with you somewhere else, just tell me."

…

"…you're serious about this".

Her hands let go of the now empty cup.

He said nothing but his face remained resolute, no jokes and no hesitation.

"…thank you".

Shirou smiled, a smile so small and yet so reassuring to her.

"There is nothing to thank me, Mitsuzuri-san. I said-"

She proceeded to throw herself at him, surrounding him into an embrace, which he did not immediately return due to the surprise.

"I insist. Thank you Emiya…no, thank you Shirou.

"Mitsuzuri".

"Thank you…thank you, thank you thank you…"

She repeated snuggling her face in his shoulder, her embrace tightening even if not painfully.

"…"

Shirou said nothing this time.

She knew he could feel it all.

Her trembling all but released.

The last remnants of her self-control gone.

The tears that slipped from her face and were probably staining his shirt.

And yet he simply returned the embrace and remained in that position for a while, letting her release all her anxiety and out of her system.

When she felt that it was enough, she awkwardly broke the intimate gesture and offered her own smile.

"Mitzuri-"

"Ayako"- she interrupted- call me Ayako from now on, just like I will call you Shirou.

"…"

"…"

Her smile grew seeing his hesitation, already enjoying the contrast between the guy willing to banter from before and this prudish who insisted on formalities after what he did.

"…Alright then, Ayako".

"That is much better. See? We can begin this whole deal by getting rid of all those pesky formalities, Hero-kun. Now I undertand that you are also part of this mess with the game, so I assume you play as well?"

"Yes, since yesterday actually. I thought that I could find some clue about why I appeared on it and why there were things only I should know about me but nothing has come so far"- she watched him stratch the back of his neck with his right hand, showing some embarrassment.

"Well that is no good. Games are for enjoying before any sort of spy thing, and If you are going to be in charge of my safety, it falls to me to make sure you play for the right reasons. After all that happened today, might as well get our deserved enjoyment from this thing."

And so, late night came to Fuyuki City.

Two strangers became friends out of an unexpected meeting, while two friends had their bond hurt due to the same event.

Different strangers with power became aware of each others' pressence and of the interest they somehow shared.

And all could agree on two things.

Shirou Emiya had an unnatural talent with cooking that had to be nurtured and enjoyed as much as possible.

And the mysterious game known as Fate Grand Order would be in the center of all the changes to come for the Moonlit World.

Chaos, order, fun.

Who could say for sure?

A/N: Next update is hopefully before the month ends, but is going to take a while. I apologize if the quality of the chapter is not to your liking after all the waiting, I'm trying to keep the game as a part of the story and all ideas on the reviews sound great. But if something creates some drama I believe that should be the focus before allowing the fun to return. Worry not, more conspiracy theories and the rest of the characters are returning for th next chapter.

Also I hate Shinjuku's fights, with all those cheaps NP drains and buffs from the bossess.

Congratulations to anyone that rolled Edmond Dantes.

Do not hesitate to offer constructive criticism as well as ideas, PM if you feel like it.

Have a good week.