Disclaimer: Shokugeki no Sōma is a work of Tsukuda Yuuto and Shun Saeki. The Fate series is owned by Type-Moon. I do not own any of the characters mentioned here.

Totsuki Tea Ceremony and Culinary Academy, a place where the most influential and world-renown chefs came from is a prestigious one across the globe. The term 'hell' perhaps is the nearest word that one can think of, the reason behind is because of its expectations towards its students. Kojiro Shinomiya, the owner of the French restaurant, SHINO's, a restaurant who recently earned its third Michelin star describe Totsuki in a simple and flat manner.

"Totsuki is not a place for those who settle for mediocrity."

True to his words, only a percentage of it's student population actually manage to graduate. Those students have ensured their places in the culinary world and make a name for themselves.

Did he want to come here? It's more of a 50:50 choice, per se, he can choose to downright ignore them. Yet, here he was at the gigantic wooden gates of the Academy.

"Alright, I need to find the administration building first." He immediately took striding steps and he was a bit fascinated by the scenery. Buildings of a different kind can be seen, ranging from Western style and ornate Japanese ones. There are also some students walking along the path who are conversing with one another.

Most of them are looking a bit anxious for an upcoming event and it seems to be an important one too. Whatever it was, it's probably on the level where they need to give everything they got. If they don't, it means expulsion and their dreams will be gone in the wind.

"Good luck to them."

After asking a few students for directions, he finally arrived at the administration building.

"Good morning, how may I help you?" The receptionist greets him as he puts his duffel bag down and grabs something from it.

"I'm here for a meeting with Sōe-dono," Shirou said.

"Are you," The receptionist looks over for the only man on the list and found his name. "Sir Emiya Shirou?" He nods his head in confirmation and was asked to wait at the hall for Sōe. He grabs his bag and sat in one of the sofas. His eyes wander around as he waits for the man's arrival.

Shirou took one of the food magazines lying on the table where the illustrious Director of Totsuki, Senzaemon Nakiri alongside with his two granddaughters, Erina and Alice, are featured on the cover. It was a known fact that the Nakiri's hold in the food industry is so strong; Senzaemon was given the nick more of 'Food's Demon King'. Not only is that, even his granddaughters are known for their talents too.

Erina is infamous for her delicate tongue thus she was known as the 'God's Tongue'. Her taste buds are so sensitive that she can accurately criticize the good and bad parts of a dish. Moreover, she is also merciless whenever she gave her opinions. To those who cannot take criticism too well are advised not to provoke her.

The next one is Sōe's only daughter, Alice. He is wondering how similar Alice was with Illya in terms of physical appearance. They both have the same color of hair and eyes; the only exception is their bodies. Illya might have grown beautiful like Alice did... perhaps even more.

Back on the topic, Alice became known for being a practitioner of molecular gastronomy, a subdiscipline of food science that seeks to investigate the physical and chemical transformations of ingredients that occur in cooking. She is also one of the youngest ones out there to receive an award for her ingenuity.

"Sir Emiya, please follow me." The receptionist calls for him as the woman led the way. After taking a few turns, they found themselves outside of the Director's office. "Nakiri-sama is waiting for you inside."

"Thank you." The woman disappears around the corner and Shirou takes a deep breath. He duly knocks and a man's voice motioned him to enter.

Across the room, he found himself face to face with him. His slick, dark hair has a notable crest that sweeps upwards and he somehow inherited the same defined eyebrows of his father, Senzaemon. His glasses have a bit of glint upon seeing him.

Sōe Nakiri, the head, and founder of Nakiri International sat in the swivel chair with a stoic expression on his face.

"This is a pleasure to meet you, Sōe-dono." Shirou bowed down in respect to him. The man motioned him to sit down.

"Mr. Emiya Shirou, the man that I'm looking for, you really took my offer into consideration, haven't you?"

"It's been almost two months since you sent me that letter. But I really can't get the point of me being here." Shirou said as he reminisces that time when he received a letter bearing the insignia of Tōtsuki with Sōe's signature imprinted on it

"It's fairly simple, I want you to guard my daughter whenever I'm not around," Sōe reach for a portrait of his family and he gently caressed it. "I'm afraid that an 'enemy' of ours is making moves now. It's only a matter of time before he comes here and executes his plans." Shirou has a hunch on which this 'enemy' might be. Even though it looks like a business problem at the surface, which is simply not the case anymore at this point.

"Still, do I have to take an entrance exam? I'm pretty sure that I can do that without the need to become a student of this Academy."

"I think it's necessary and at the same time good for you. Necessary because you have a legitimate reason to be near her. You can also benefit from it since you didn't finish your education." Sōe said while reading a file and Shirou already knew that it was chuck full of information about him. The head of the Nakiri International did do his research about him.

"I guess I could try taking the exam."

"That's good. Let's get over with it then." He gets up on his chair with Shirou following him from behind.

"You're gonna be my examiner, am I correct?" Shirou spoke to him.

"I'm not the only one, Emiya." That got him thinking, who would be the rest of the judges? The Director himself could be a possible candidate and a few professors might show up.

Moments later, Sōe and Shirou arrived at one of the kitchens in the building. The place itself is enormous at size and everything inside was spotless down to the smallest knives. The chrome tables were all lined in a row allowing multiple people to do their cooking. There is still plenty of space to move with multiple commercial fridges lined in a row.

"As to be expected of Tōtsuki, you have everything that a chef needs," Shirou commented as he opens one of the fridges. It was full of different ingredients with no doubt that have been locally imported.

"We have a reputation to uphold. As long as they have the skills, we provide them with the best," Sōe declared as he took his phone out. "I'll call in the other two judges. In the meantime, prepare yourself. You can use anything in here to prepare any kind of dish that should meet our standards."

With that, Sōe let him be in the counters as here removed his black jacket. He put on a white apron and cleaned both of his hands as here start to think of a good dish that could impress them.

"So, what is your assessment of him, Sōe?" A ruggish voice of an elder asks the man. Sōe replied, saying that Shirou has a bit of talent with him. Moreover, he could be a hidden gem if he can be polished properly.

"Hmm... but Alice already has Ryó-kun as her personal aide." A soft-spoken voice of a woman said to Sōe.

"This is for her own good too, Leonora," Sōe replied as he sways opens the doors, revealing the other judges. His hunch earlier was correct since the current the Food's Demon King himself is one of them, Senzaemon Nakiri.

"You are the one whom my son spoke of, I expect great things from you, Emiya Shirou." Senzaemon seats himself in one of the stools with his arms crossed.

"Ara? Aren't you a bit young to be traveling on your own, young man?" The woman named Leonora ask him and he inevitably gulped. What is up with European women and their beauty that send chills down to his spine?

"Um, yes... I've been traveling around the world with others. Likewise, I can assure you that I can at least decently cook a delicacy." Shirou said with slight embarrassment at her.

"Don't be so tense... Emiya-kun. I'm just testing the waters and see if you're good enough like my husband tells us." Leonora couldn't resist teasing the young man since he looks a bit stiff. Much like how her niece was.

"Alright, that's enough," Sōe called as he pulls over the stool and offering her wife to sit. She only giggled and sat right at her father-in-law while Sōe did the same. "I think you know the drill, Emiya. Make us a dish that could impress the three of us and you will be added to the 92nd class. Under normal circumstances, you must also go through what the first years did last month." Sōe glanced at his father who is unperturbed and he decided to continue.

"However, you are an exception to this rule; thus, we are here to evaluate your work."

"Fine by me, is there anything that you want to eat?" Shirou decided to ask the three since he cannot decide on what is good to make.

"I really don't have anything on my mind now. How about you, father?" Sōe call for his father.

"Do you have any forte when it comes to cooking, Emiya Shirou?" Senzaemon questions the redheaded teen.

"Um, my forte's are mostly Japanese but I've taken a keen interest in French cuisine."

Shirou remembered the first time that he had eaten an authentic French cuisine at SHINO's. It's owner, Kojirō Shinomiya is a known chef for bringing in the flavors of Japan to the domineering haute restaurants of France. Incorporating the delicate tastes, myriad of different colors all resulting in a flashy presentation of mix cultures, Shirou can say that Kōjiro is a 'magician' in the kitchen.

"Oh! How about desserts!" Leonora raised her hands in suggestion.

"Desserts?"

"Hmm! Lately, I've been craving for something sweet to eat. What do you think, honey?"

"Well, if father approves of it..."

"It's decided then, make us a dessert of any kind. Show us what you can put in a plate!"

The Director slammed his hands on the counter and it's the only signal that Shirou needed to start. While he maybe not that keen when it comes to desserts, he can surely make something out. He is on the face of three important figures in the food industry; the least that he can do is to impress them.

A smile formed on his face, maybe he can make that.

Shirou immediately grabs some eggs and he cracks open each one of them. He carefully separated the yolks and whites in different bowls. He went to the pan as he heated up milk while adding small amounts of cinnamon, vanilla, and lastly a pinch of cocoa powder. Bubbles are starting to form and he gently put in the yolks, while softly beating them.

Upon finishing the mix, Shirou went to grind up some coffee beans as he medium coarse them. He put in a few cups of sugar into the egg mixture and whisked them quickly with one hand. While he's whisking the mixture, he brews some coffee.

The egg mixture starts to get bubbly and Shirou grabs the tray of dark chocolate from earlier. Shirou took something out of his bags though he could have used the knives at the counters; he wanted to do an unorthodox way of cutting them. At first glance, they seem to be ordinary handles but when he starts to put them on his knuckles, a blade emerged out of it.

"Ooohhh... what are those, Emiya-kun?" Leonora wonders on what kind of knife that Shirou is holding. By her observations, the blade is retractable and it's length is over one meter.

"Black Keys," Sōe perked up and his father nods at him. "A set of blades that's been passed down to those individuals who have worked alongside with special 'people' in the Vatican."

Shirou makes a quick work of the dark chocolate by swiftly cutting them with the use of the Black Keys. Even though they are conceptual weapons for Executors to use during hunts, it's not like anyone would scold him for using them as knives.

"Now then, we're gonna need a spark to ignite this."

He ignited a match and put its flame on the finely grated chocolate powder causing a small explosion to happen.

'Cocoa beans have 50% to 57% density than its solid counterpart and gives chocolate its melting properties.' Senzaemon thought to himself as he assesses the young cook in front.

He repeated the process and made more, again finely cutting more while getting some flour to mix it with. He resumed whipping the mixture as he gained a nice smooth chocolatey base. Shirou put the cakes in the oven and while waiting for them to finish, he begins to make the toppings. It's composed of sliced cherries and strawberries.

A sound reaches his ears and he knew that it's time for the cake to be taken out. The glistening of the cake caught the attention of the judges.

"Ohh! Hurry it up, Emiya-kun!" Leonora is giddy like a child when she saw the perfectly baked cake that is about to be decorated.

The layer is composed of milk chocolate and the sliced cherries; nonetheless, Shirou paused for a minute since he is still a bit dissatisfied by it. He snapped his fingers, makes his way to the broiler, and drop some white chocolate and sugar causing it to melt completely.

He slowly poured the glistening mix into the sliced cherries and smothered the rest around the cake's base. For his last touch, Shirou grabs the remainder of the chocolates, sliced them and put it on the sides.

"Finished!" He exasperatedly sighed at himself and saw his own work. Though he wanted to taste it first, the judges must do it first beforehand.

"Now then, what is the name of your cake, Emiya." Sōe adjusted his glasses as the redhead sliced one portion for the each judge.

"This was more of an impromptu dessert that I made. If I were to call it... perhaps, Noire Chocolate Cake?" Though his answer is a bit hesitant, the likeliness of how he presents it is similar to how noire is being put on top of rice.

"Alright then, let's eat!" Leonora grabs her fork and carefully tear the cake down and the other two follow suit.

"It's good! The bitterness of the coffee and the sweetness of the chocolate is perfectly balanced! When you use that match to spark those chocolate powder, you were attempting to uneven the taste."

"That's right, Leonora-sama. If I didn't do that, there is a possibility that you three wouldn't like the cake to be so sweet. Considering that you all came here with the aftertaste of any dishes that you may have eaten." Shirou explained and it earned him nods from the white-haired beauty.

"Another factor is the human tongue itself," Senzaemon started as he took another bite from his cake. "The papillae is where the taste receptors are. This is the reason why some of us, including me, don't mix the creamer in my coffee."

"I must say, you surprised me with this, Emiya," Sōe said as he is enjoying the cake. "It reminds me of the private times I spent with Father and my lovely wife."

"Indeed, it's very rare for our whole family to have a little bonding time due to our schedules." Senzaemon reminisces the last time that he and his granddaughters together with their parents go out. Even though Erina didn't exactly have the best childhood, it was thanks to the effort of her secretary and Alice that she is in good conditions now.

"I duly approved of your Noire Chocolate Cake!" Leonora gave her a thumbs up.

"Indeed, this was made with your ingenuity and adaptability to the situation at hand. It's official, you are an official Tōtsuki student." Senzaemon declared and he felt a bit of satisfaction when he earned the man's favor.

"Hm, you could have improved this more if you wanted to, yet, you did not," Leonora was a bit confused when she heard his husband's words. In her estimate, Shirou has shown an exceptional talent to his cake. "Tell me, why is that?"

"If I ever pushed my 'skill' into that dessert, what's the point of me being a student? I would prefer to enter the least taken door rather than the easy one to go through."

"...That's good then. You get my approval, Emiya Shirou. From here and now on, you will be my daughter's new bodyguard. At the same time, you will be part of the 92nd Tōtsuki class. Congratulations." Sōe and Shirou shake hands with Senzaemon and Leonora follow suit.

A ring suddenly interrupted them and Sōe took it out, only to sigh at himself. "Well, duty calls, Father we are needed in Kyoto for a corporate meeting."

The Director nods at his son's words and excuses himself to them as he leaves the kitchen.

"Honey, kindly show him to his new room, will you?" The husband planted a kiss to her wife, causing her to stammer a bit. "Emiya, I expect you to do your job... professionally. If I ever heard that you're trying to hit on my Alice," He cracked his knuckles and smiled deviously at him.

"Of course, Sōe-dono."

With that, the three of them leave the kitchen premises as Shirou begins to adjust to his new life in here. He has yet to see his new 'mistress' but he kind of wish that Alice is different from Luviagelita Edelfelt.

"So, where did you come from, Emiya-kun?"

The two is now riding back to the Nakiri manor after Sōe and Senzaemon go to the respective meeting. It's probably about some kind of business proposal and he was told that he will be living with the Nakiri's. Not that he minds though but living under the same roof with the most known food personalities didn't do exact wonders to him.

"I came from Fuyuki City, Leonora-sama."

"I mean before you come here in Japan. Sōe told me that you used to have a job before this, care to tell me the details."

One of the reasons that he came back in Japan is due to his inability to use his Magic Circuits. A Dead Apostle hunt has gone terribly wrong and the target has a special Mystic Code. It can temporarily cause damage in the whole Circuit outline of a mage. Unfortunately, he got hit by it, thankfully, he already caught wind of someone that could help him with his recovery.

"Well, before I got this job, I'm an apprentice for a jeweler."

"Jeweler? Like those who go on the hunt for the rarest gems around the world?"

"You're right on point and whenever we got our hands in a valuable gem. We offer them to the highest bidder and that's where we get paid."

Leonora could only imagine the numerous times the young man has spent, traveling around the world to look for prized gems. Much like how a chef would do just to increase their knowledge in the culinary arts.

"In all the gems you have found. What is your favorite one so far?" To answer her question, Shirou took something out of his neck and shown it to Leonora.

"This one," He holds the very pendant that Rin use to save his life after Lancer attack him during the Fifth Heaven's Feel. "This ruby pendant has the most sentimental value to me."

"It's beautiful," Leonora commented as she grabs hold of it and put it around her neck. "It really suits me too, don't you think?"

"Yes, it looks good on you, Leonora-sama," Shirou said as the woman brings his pendant back to him.

"If you have such a good job on your hands, why did you leave it?" That got her confuse since Shirou's job sounds fun and it's something that everyone might enjoy.

"Let me ask you this, what is the very first thing that comes to your mind when you're finding gems?" She ponders for a bit as she tries to think of a good answer to his question.

"I guess the location of each one?"

"Correct, sometimes, we found ourselves in the middle of a war where we must fight for our lives just to get a diamond out. My 'master' told me that I need to take a break and I grab the opportunity to find another job."

Leonora can actually commend the redhead because of many things. At a very young age, he's dancing with Death itself to earn something in his pockets. Not only that, she can see that Shirou has seen many things in his life, something that her daughter is lacking. Maybe he can teach him a thing or two whenever he's around.

Shirou look outside of the car window as the silence fills in the vehicle. The woman felt more satisfied to know more about the new guy that her daughter's gonna be with.

After a few minutes, they arrived at the gates of the infamous Nakiri manor. It's no surprise that Shirou found the place to be enormously big, a mixture of Japanese and Western architecture and probably, he's one of the few lucky ones to see it from the inside. The security detail is as tight as they do outside of the academy.

"Here it is, Emiya-kun, this will be your new home for the next three years. The maid will be escorting you to your new room." Leonora said as a maid walks in and motioned him to follow it. "I'll just call my Alice-chan. For the meantime, make yourself at home."

Shirou dutifully bows at her as they both separate ways with him following the maid. His eyes wondered on every corner of the mansion and he can say that his mansion is Fuyuki is nothing compared to this. A few twists and turns and the maid opened one of the doors.

"This will be your room from now on, sir."

"Um, thank you."

The maid takes her leave as Shirou entered the gigantic room that could rival both his and Rin's back in the Clock Tower. It was mostly decorated in a Western style to fit in the others, a king sized bed and a few cabinets to put his clothes in. He looks outside of the window of his room and saw the garden beneath it.

"Huh, even their gardens are beautiful."

He sighed at himself and begin fixing his things. From his clothes up to his other belongings such as books about Japanese and Spanish cuisine. He still has others that will be delivered to him next week too. Five minutes later, all of his things are now arranged where they must be.

'What am I going to do now?'

Somehow, if he's out of things to do, he would often go out and fix some stuff. However, with the numerous amount of maids and butlers that greeted them earlier, he has doubts that a broken appliance is present around.

A ring suddenly interrupted his train of thoughts and he took his phone out. One of the professors of the Mages' Association is calling him. Under circumstances, if magi and technology were mix, the result was never been pleasant. Not all magi are open-minded like him and this person calling him.

"Waver, how's everything going on there?" Shirou started and wait for the caller on the other side of the line.

"Hah, same old stuff, Shirou. By the way, I did not call to check on you."

"Let me guess, it's Rin, isn't it?" Shirou said and he heard Waver's voice on the line as the man call out for the twin-tailed hair magus.

"How do I speak with this?" He inevitably let out a small chuckle and tries to imagine her frustration about the newest model of phones today.

"Just touch the symbol with the speaker on it."

"Wait, this one?"

"No! That's the handset that you have touch! It's the one next to it!"

"Just when did these barbaric phones get so complicated anyway!?"

Shirou chose to speak up before Rin throws the smartphone that she is currently holding. "Hey, Rin, how you holding up?"

"Shirou? Thank goodness, you're alive! I'm still in one piece, I guess."

"That's good, guess what? It looks like I'm finishing my remaining school years here. They made me a student of Tōtsuki!"

"A student? I thought that you'll be a bodyguard there?"

"Apparently, my presence here might trigger some suspicions. In order to get a valid reason to be near my subject, I am to become a student."

Rin was quiet for the most part and thought of these thoroughly. She did not expect it to be like this since Shirou was to be a bodyguard only. Nonetheless, Rin sees this as a perfect opportunity to keep the young man out of danger. Ever since his Magic Circuits are damaged due to the fiasco with that Dead Apostle, Shirou is on a low profile.

"Hm, considering that you like cooking so much, this is an opportunity for you."

"Yeah... ever since that incident, I cannot feel that much in my body."

"I really can't blame you for that. You're supposed to be escorting that team to safety but turns out..." Rin's voice trailed off since Shirou already knew what happened to his comrades after that.

"There's no use to think about that. He has been brought to where he belonged and their sacrifices were not in vain." He offered a moment of silence to his comrades. While death is always close to every mage, it's something that they all knew. May it be a researcher that's within the walls of the Clock Tower. May it be an Enforcer that's dealing with anyone whose threatening the secrecy of magecraft, they always implanted this to their minds.

To be a magus is to walk with death.

"Alright, this is turning into a somber one to boot, don't you think, Rin?"

"Agreed... Waver, what's happening with your phone, the screen goes on and off. Is this thing going to self-destruct by itself or what?"

"That means that the battery is almost out," Shirou interjected. "I'll call you again later."

He can still hear the shuffling of both mages as the call has been cut off. Shirou lied to his bed as he contemplates on some things that have been running on his mind. He has a new job to guard the daughter of an influential man and a new student in this academy. Truly, things will change here and now on.

"Emiya-sama." The same maid entered the room as he stood up from his position. "Leonora-sama wishes your presence in Alice-sama's room."

"Okay then, please lead the way."

The walk itself was fairly not long as he was shown the door to Alice Nakiri's room. Shirou let out his breath a bit and twist the handles and he immediately noticed the two whose chatting happily. Leonora was obviously pleased with her daughter's antics. Shirou got a good look at Alice. She has short silver hair with a longer left bang that initially reaches the bottom of her chin. Her skin has the same whiteness like her mother's and her eyes are more pronounced.

Overall, he can say that he's looking at what could possibly be the supposed to be 'future version' of Illya.

'That's not the psychopath of a sister that tried to kill you back in the Holy Grail War, kid.'

'Thank you for that remark, future me.'

"Oh, Emiya-kun! Come here!" Shirou did exactly what he was told as he stood before them. Alice begins to examine him and check to herself if he's good enough to be her second 'dog'.

"Tell me, Emiya Shirou... have I seen you before?" Alice starts her interrogation since he was a bit familiar.

"No, I don't think so..." Shirou replies as he looks away from her scrutinizing gaze and she puts her hands to her chin. She could have sworn that she saw him somewhere but she just can't pinpoint where.

"You hail from Fuyuki City, correct?" He simply nods at her words and that's when it hits her. "I remember now! You are the winner of the national archery competitions!" Alice exclaims to him as if she got herself a new found toy. She can still trace some of her memories from it.

It was in the middle of autumn in her 3rd-year middle school when her grandfather invited her and Erina to watch the finals. Erina was a bit skeptical at first to come but it only took her good old persuasion to make her cousin come. There were many participants hailing from different prefectures. But there is one contestant that caught her eyes.

It just so happens that it was the same boy that she's facing now.

"I see, you were one of the audiences of that. That tells a lot." Shirou said as he can still remember it since that was the last time that he have entered a competition.

"To think that you'll be my bodyguard! I don't know... but can you show me if you're still good at archery. As your new owner, I demand you to show me your gracefulness again in kyudo." Alice demanded to him. Shirou literally has no problems to hold a bow and an arrow. But he clearly didn't like the way she calls herself, he felt that he is some kind of a slave under her command.

"Erm, Leonora-sama, is it really necessary for me to do anything that she wanted?" Shirou glanced at Alice's mother who only smiled at her. She briefly told him that her orders are absolute.

"Okay, but just this once, alright. But before that... do you even have an archery range here?" As far as he knows, he hasn't seen anything around of sorts unless...

"We have one here in the manor! Come on!" Alice literally drags him on his shirt.

'This will be a headache for me.'

For the first time in her cooking career, Nakiri Erina felt... humiliated. She only finished the entrance examination for the incoming first years. Erina did her usual formula of scaring the incompetent ones out. However, to her surprise, one examinee stay in line.

Yukihira Sōma. It has been some time since anyone challenges her palate, so she allowed him to take it. When the young man presented his dish, Erina thought that he was joking. What he made was a commoner's style rice bowl with seasoning. She is branded as the God's Tongue, her palate is exceptional than anyone. Thus, without even tasting it, she failed Soma at the spot.

The reason behind her anger is that Sōma's dish was...

'I can't believe that stupid plebeian nearly beat my palate!' Erina huffed as she walked on the corridors of the Nakiri manor. 'It doesn't matter since I won't see him every again.'

She opened her eyes and noticed a figure standing near the hallway. Erina rubbed her eyes and try to discern who it was.

'Is that, Yukihira!?' Her eyes might be playing tricks on her or perhaps it was that commoner's dish. They have the same color hair though his body build is more toned than him.

"Who are we looking for again, Alice?" The man asks the name who was familiar to her now.

"Ryō-kun, my very first dog that I took under my wing before you!" Alice said with a hint of pride in her voice. Erina sighed to herself, it looks like she's not satisfied with having one aide at her side.

"Oh, Erina! There you are!" Alice calls out to her as her Danish cousin walks up with the young man following behind.

"Erina, do you remember this man?" She motioned her hand to the red auburn-haired teenager. Erina was sure that she hasn't seen him yet his appearance ticks her off a bit. It's like she's looking at a grown up version of Sōma.

"No, I don't. But who is he?"

"His name is Emiya Shirou, my newest dog. My parents pick him up for me from Europe." Alice declared proudly and her cousin deadpanned at her words.

"You're making it sound like the way you introduced me to Kurokiba." Erina discerns the young man whose eyes are closed. If it was her aunt and uncle that chose Shirou, surely he got the skills much like Ryō showed. None of that matters to her anyway.

"This is a pleasure meeting you, Nakiri Erina. I do hope that we get along." Shirou bowed at her. It seems that the young man knows her place around here. She might as well take the curtsey back.

"Likewise, though I must warn you. Alice is like a spoiled child, it will be a handful to deal with her." Erina stated the obvious and that got her a pout from her cousin. Alice retorted back at her, saying that she is only trying everything the world has to offer to her. At the back of his mind, Shirou could clearly tell that this is the way both Nakiri's express their concern to each other.

"I must attend to other important matters today rather than to argue with you." Erina did her signature flick as she leaves both Shirou and Alice.

"Mou! That's the problem with her, Shirou-kun! She's so boring and doesn't know how to spice her life unlike me."

"You really can't blame her. Trying new things often instill fear to everyone but once you get past to that, fear won't be a problem anymore."

"Are you speaking from experience?" Alice curiously asks and the man mysteriously smiles at her.

"Maybe... do you still want to continue your search for him?"

"Of course! He must be punished and the appropriate punishment is the apple in the head."

"Is this really necessary, mistress?" Ryō Kurokiba asks the white haired 'master' of his who is sitting across the room.

"Yes, I've been calling you for over an hour and where do I find you? You're working in the kitchen!" Alice said with displeasure to him. Ryō simply looks away at her, clearly telling her that he must know his place. "Now, I want you to be as steady as a rock, got it?"

"Hai."

Shirou, Alice, and Ryō are currently occupying the archery range of the manor. He has yet to properly greet Ryō yet Alice immediately grab the man and drag both of them in here. She commenced her punishment by making him stand at the end of the room with an apple on top of his head. He didn't even faze by her at all.

"Now then, Shirou-kun here is a former archer national champion. He's going to demonstrate his skills to us by shooting that apple off your head."

Ryō immediately searches his pockets and he took some kind of bandana out. The moment that he wrap it on his forehead, Shirou noticed that something change from him.

"Are you out of your mind, woman!?" Ryō screamed at Alice and she only shrugged him off. The almost lifeless man that he saw earlier was now gone and the one here is a different person.

"I'm completely in my mind, Ryō-kun. Besides, I trust Shirou-kun and his meticulous archery." Alice confidently at Shirou who is readying his wooden bow.

"You better have some insurance plan for me because seriously, I will haunt you down even in your sleep!" Ryō growls out as Alice pulls the bandana from his forehead. When she did that, he instantly reverts back.

'It's almost like he has two persona's.'

"Okay, Shirou-kun, ready when you are!" She signaled him to start as he assumes his position. How many times that he had done this in the past? Many times that he could actually count, may it be the competitions that he used to participate in or a Dead Apostle hunt.

'Be one with the arrow.'

Shirou released his hold on the string as the arrow soared through the air, Alice anticipated his shot while Ryō was shaking a bit. A loud thud was heard and to his surprise, the apple broke into halves.

"Now that's what I call archery! Okay, Ryō-kun, you can go now! Me and Shirou-kun will stay here." Ryō nonchalantly waves back at them and muttered something how grateful he is to have someone to replace him once in awhile.

"Can you teach me how to use that?"

"Eh? It depends, I mean... I never teach anyone besides my underclassman."

"Teach me then!" Alice's eyes are literally begging for him to thought her about archery. While he only took interest on archery because of it's philosophy, Shirou can't say the same to Alice. She only looks at archery as some time to kill off.

"Fine, but whenever I'm teaching you this, I want you to refer me as 'sensei'. Got it?"

"Hmm... fair enough. Our roles are somewhat reverse, huh? I'll be in your care, Shirou-sensei." Even though this master-student relationship is still new to Alice, maybe she can ride along with it. Under normal circumstances, it was her that teach the other way around with some students back in Denmark.

"Let us begin but first... the basics of kyudo first."

On the other side of the archery range, Leonora was only eavesdropping on both teenagers. Never before that she had seen Alice take interest other than cooking itself. In the past, her daughter was very determined to surpass Erina. She's always under the fame of her cousin thus Alice only concentrates on her specialty.

Maybe her new bodyguard was to be thanked too, if this keeps up, Alice might be able to experience the subtleties that girls of her age must know.

"This will be interesting to watch."

A/N: Welcome to my rewrite of Fate: Culinary Sword! Now, there are some notable changes that I have made, I didn't use the 'replace the MC' trope on this one. Instead, Shirou will act as Alice's bodyguard. I would like to thank Ray O'Neill for sharing some ideas to this.

Please leave a review and have a good day to all of you.