Fate: Emiya the Host

"What did you say?", Sella crossed her arms and entered battle mode, "A mere Servant actually wants to take over Illya-sama's meals?"

"If you don't unlock me, I'm going to burn my Cosmo!", Shirou declared with a line only a Saint Seiya would say.

"Cosmo?", Sella had never watched Saint Seiya, nor did she have time to. She assumed it was Berserker's Noble Phantasm.

She immediately took a defensive stance.

"As expected, Berserker is Berserker, even if he has reason, it's only temporary. So you've finally shown your claws!"

Shirou: "..."

He suddenly missed Ritsuka a little.

At least that person would say, 'In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!', and was willing to watch Dragon Ball.

"Anyway, just let me go first. I promise I won't do anything extra aside from cooking," Shirou tried to reason.

"No way!", Sella put her hands on her hips and brought her face close to Shirou's, her crimson eyes glaring sideways at him.

If it weren't for the Berserker aura being slightly intimidating, she would've poked this guy's face.

"Illya-sama's meals don't need a Servant like you worrying about them."

'Looks like talking it out is meaningless,' Shirou pondered.

"How about this," he said, "You're confident in your cooking?"

"Of course!", Sella puffed out her Eastern Front.

But Shirou had no mercy. Breasts were just that, any human, more or less, would have some volume.

However, based on what he saw in front of him, Shirou figured his own pectorals were more impressive.

"Let's do a Food War, Sella."

"Food War?", Sella blankly questioned, "What's that?"

"When both sides have a disagreement that can't be resolved and no way to judge who's right, at that time, use cooking to determine the winner."

Although Shirou tried to sound imposing, his tone was so calm that people might suspect he wasn't serious at all.

"I see," Sella wasn't dumb. She quickly grasped the meaning of 'Food War,' stroking her snow-white chin, "A Food War, huh… I refuse!"

"Feed me!", Shirou anticipated she wouldn't agree, so he planned to boil the frog slowly.

Sella glanced at him but didn't refuse. As a maid, she had her own manners.

First bite.

"Disgusting!"

Crack!

The spoon got gripped tightly.

Second bite.

"Disgusting! The potatoes weren't peeled before steaming, the mash isn't evenly blended, and the doneness is off too."

Creaaak!

The end of the spoon bent, and the mashed potatoes wobbled on top.

This is the third bite…

"Disg—"

"That's enough!", Sella couldn't take it anymore, threw down the spoon, and stormed out furiously.

"I'm going to report to Illya-sama and let you see the might of the head maid of the Einzbern!"

Watching her storm out, not even lifting her skirt and not afraid of tripping, Shirou thought, 'So impatient. I only said it three times.'

If it were him, the first time he dared say that, he'd be greeted by "EX Curry Stick."

'High jump is a good idea too.'

'If I can't conquer your stomach, then I'll conquer your heart.'

———

Not long after, Illya came proudly strutting in.

After Sella made the food and brought it to Shirou, then went back to find her, at least two hours had passed.

Illya had only eaten half her food, she couldn't finish it at all.

Hearing Sella's tearful complaint, her eyes sparkled with interest.

This was an experience she had never had before. So she agreed without a second thought.

It took her ten minutes to come before Shirou. Illya crossed her arms and said cutely, "Hey, wake up. Weren't you going to have a cook-off with Sella? Illya agrees."

"Alright, then unlock the chains," Shirou just lowered his head. He hadn't been sleeping.

"Got it," Illya waved dismissively, "So this is all a Servant can do."

"Sella, release him."

"Please be careful, Illya-sama," Sella stepped forward with the key, wary, "He's still a Berserker, after all. If he loses his reason…"

"What does it matter?", Illya cut her off carelessly, "I have a Command Seal. If this guy dares misbehave, I'll make him self-destruct."

"Illya-sama… Command Seals… use with caution!", Liz stepped in front of Illya to remind her.

"Hmph, whatever," Illya still obediently took two steps back.

Clink! Clink! Clink…

Sella carefully inserted the key into the lock and twisted it twice, cautiously pulling on the chains.

"Sella… release… then run!", Liz fixed her gaze on Shirou.

She indeed had good feelings toward Shirou, but that didn't affect her wariness. She even pulled out a massive axe taller than herself from you-know-where.

Shirou glanced at it, instinctively had the system learn and register the projection.

'That's right, your weapons and skills will mean nothing to me, because I can copy them too!'

All the chains binding Shirou were released. Sella immediately backed away, and Illya got ready to use her Command Seal in case he disobeyed.

However, Shirou just looked at them, or more precisely, looked at Illya, "If it's too painful, I'll stop moving immediately."

He said, without waiting for Illya's response, and began moving his fingers, then his whole body.

Magical energy drained, Illya instantly felt searing pain surging through her magic circuits.

Magical energy was being drawn from her body, followed by a searing, stinging backlash through her nerves.

"AHHH!"

Unable to bear it, she hugged her body and collapsed uncontrollably backward.

"Illya-sama!"

Sella instantly forgot to be cautious of Shirou and rushed forward to catch Illya.

As for Shirou… the moment Illya felt pain, he stopped moving.

Looking at Illya's small body trembling nonstop in Sella's arms, He calmly said, "Feed me first. Food can replenish my magical energy. That way, Illya will suffer less."

Liz moved quickly and directly grabbed the mashed potatoes with her hand and shoved it in Shirou's face.

Shirou: "?"

'What's with you guys and my eyes?'

After eating, his stomach felt slightly full, and magical energy was indeed replenished.

At least, he could move for now.

'Wait?'

'Am I going to inherit the King's Stomach now too?'

"How are you feeling now, Illya?", Shirou asked while testing his movement, looking at Illya supported by Sella.

Illya's complexion was much better. She endured the pain and replied defiantly, "It's nothing. If it's only this much pain."

"Illya-sama…", Sella was worried.

Shirou thought for a moment and suggested, "How about we don't do the cook-off?"

He didn't want Illya to suffer so much. Maybe in Fuyuki City, with the Greater Grail's support, things would be easier.

"Are you kidding me?", Illya immediately objected, provoking, "Scared, Berserker? Illya doesn't care about this level of pain. I now command you, complete the Food War with Sella!"

Looks like she heard that phrase from Sella.

Shirou didn't say anything and looked toward Sella.

Sella had a troubled expression, clearly hesitant, "Illya-sama, your current condition really…"

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

Illya angrily pushed Sella away, "All of you, just obey me and it'd be fine… If you all have your own opinions, then why listen to me?"

She was conflicted. Shirou saw through it too, this Illya in front of him was just an extremely love-deprived and rebellious child. Even though her body had matured, her heart was still too immature.

Shirou stepped in front of Illya.

"What, you too want to defy Illya?", Illya's magic circuits activated, as if preparing to fight Shirou.

No, maybe she was ready to use the Command Seal.

Shirou crouched down and said to her, "Illy-no, Master, I won't pity you. I'm just considering that you're going to be the judge between me and Sella. To ensure fairness, you need to rest, right?"

"Or do you think, in your current condition, you can properly watch me make a full meal?"

"…Hmph!", Illya turned away, "Then consider this a chance to prepare. Don't lose too badly when I'm done resting!"

'Huh? Already assuming I'll lose before we even start?', Shirou didn't accept that, 'Just because I'm a Servant, I can't cook? Where's the logic in that?'

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