Please play Fate/Go with me.

Chapter 112 Eriri Kasumigaoka

Inside the subway station, amidst the bustling crowd, one can already see office workers in business attire, hurrying forward as if racing against time, patiently waiting at the platform.

When the subway arrived, it was already packed with people.

After the people at the next stop got off, the flow of people behind pushed those in front into the train.

Fortunately, the senior student's house is in the same direction as Shirou and Eriri, so she doesn't need to take a second subway line.

The senior student walked into the innermost corner with practiced ease and stood still.

"Whoa!" Eriri was bumped by the person next to her and accidentally fell backward.

"Be careful, it's dangerous if you fall here." Shirou caught the girl from behind and led her inside, giving her a serious warning.

"Thank you..." the blonde girl said, her face slightly flushed, as she leaned against the boy's strong chest. It seemed like she hadn't been this close to a boy in many years.

Eriri thought to herself, 'Although Shirou's personality hasn't changed, he's definitely grown up a lot...'

Shirou said with concern, "Well, Eriri, you're quite petite and not used to taking the subway, so just stand next to me."

"Who's small! Don't touch me! Idiot!" Eriri angrily turned around and shoved Shirou, speaking fiercely like a kitten with its back arched and teeth bared.

"Hey, I'm trying to help you, so just accept it honestly," Shirou said, annoyed. He had already put up with her bad temper enough.

"I didn't ask you for help! Idiot! Idiot! Let me tell you! Don't underestimate me, I'm a woman who participated in the Holy War! This level of crowding is nothing!" Eriri said, showing her sharp canine teeth.

"Holy War? What kind of battle is that?" Shirou asked, puzzled.

"...Sigh, how pitiful, Sawamura-kun. It's so pathetic that I'm speechless." Kasumigaoka-senpai, who was standing nearby, covered her face in disbelief.

"What are you trying to say?" Eriri asked, annoyed.

"So, just give up! He's not from our world."

Which world are you referring to, "your world"? Or do you mean there's a generational gap between us, a whole world apart?

"You're just a cute, useless character, a resident of 2.5D. Do you really want to be stuck with the protagonist of a sports manga? What if the protagonist makes it to Koshien or gets selected for the U17 team, and then faces the most crucial match?"

Do you really want to reply, "Oh, sorry, the deadline is approaching, and I've been pulling all-nighters to finish my manuscript, so I can't be there to cheer you on?" Readers would want to tear you apart.

"Waaah... It's not like we all have to understand each other... right?" Eriri stubbornly retorted, pursing her lips.

Kasumigaoka Utaha shook her head and continued, "Imagine the expression on their face when they see the real you. It's disapproval, like looking at a paramecium with contempt."

“I know that without you saying it.” Eriri said sadly, tears streaming down her face. “But…I…even though Shirou is a nag, even though Shirou is more like my mother than my own mother! Even though Shirou’s interests are so narrow that all he knows is training and cleaning, and he’s practically useless except for studying, housework, and his looks…”

"Wait, don't cry while saying all my previous efforts were worthless, okay? Besides, I still play games, like FGO," Shirou retorted.

"Huh? Shirou, you play FGO?!" Eriri exclaimed in surprise.

“No, you usually come to my house to play with Komachi, and when you see me at school, you just turn your head and leave. How can I explain that to you?” Shirou retorted.

"Is...is that so? Never mind! Now give me your ID!" Eriri said, taking out her phone.

Kasumigaoka-senpai also took out her phone and started typing in numbers. She habitually tapped on the other player's support character first, and said slowly, "Don't do that! Just because someone has played FGO doesn't mean they are... Merlin!!"

"Merlin...!!!" In an instant, a group of men on the bus, regardless of height or age, all looked over with envious eyes.

Only a few well-dressed guys, who looked like gigolos, cast glances at me with an expression of 'Not bad, kid.' and a sense of camaraderie, like kindred spirits.

A few other seasoned drivers, dressed in unassuming attire but exuding an air of superiority, shook their heads dismissively, a smug smile playing on their lips. 'So young... after saving and paying off loans, they invest the rest of their monthly salary into the gacha pool, then eat instant noodles every day. Isn't that perfectly normal?'

Kasumigaoka Utaha said to the boy, "Hmm... even if there's a 310 Merlin, it doesn't mean anything. Anyway, add me as a friend first, and then leave your contact information."

“Eriri, and then this… Kasumi Utako is my senior, right? Kasumi Utako, that name sounds vaguely familiar.” Shirou accepted his friend’s reply.

Kasumigaoka Utaha deliberately leaned closer and said, "Have you heard of it? I'm so happy! It's my pen name, Shirou-kun."

Eriri quickly walked back to the boy, blocking the girl, and introduced, "Love Metronome, you've heard of him, right? The one who was all the rage a while ago, the author of beautiful light novels."

"Ah, um, Komachi seems to have this book. Senior is really amazing, an author with 50 copies sold." Shirou was impressed by his senior's sharp tongue and quirky sense of humor. He had originally thought she was just a writer of web novels or articles published in popular magazines, but he never expected her to be a genius author who had published books.

"Right? It was already a hot topic online, almost making headlines, but it was overshadowed by those two archery prodigies." Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled at the boy and said, as if black energy was emanating from her body.

To call it jealousy would be a bit much. She had only lightly cursed the popular guy, but she never expected that the person in question would be Eriri's childhood friend, and with such a complicated relationship at that.

"Senior, I don't think this is my fault," Shirou argued. He hadn't expected that the match would be filmed and posted online, causing such a huge reaction.

"Hehe, I didn't mean to blame you, Shirou-kun. Please don't have such disgusting delusions. I wouldn't hold a grudge against you just because my work, which I spent all night racking my brains to write, was ultimately defeated by a video I accidentally filmed."

Even though my novel's sales stopped at 50 because of you, and my exposure could have doubled if I'd made the front page, I didn't mean to blame you. So, how do you plan to compensate me for my losses?" Kasumigaoka Utaha's expression crumbled as she spoke in a cold, gloomy tone.

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t blame me…” Shirou said, taking a step back.

Kasumigaoka Utaha said in a low voice, "Ha, are you underestimating me? As a creator, I certainly won't blame others for poor results. But sales represent money, glory, and recognition. Because of you, my results are low and I'm earning less money, so of course I'm angry."

"It really is because of money, isn't it? You're too mercenary, senpai. Shouldn't creators be more pure in their hearts?" Shirou said.

Kasumigaoka Utaha said matter-of-factly, "As a light novel writer, isn't the ultimate goal to get your work adapted into an anime, sell over a million copies, and then get games, manga adaptations, TV dramas, and movies? So, studying the writing styles that different industries prefer and creating IPs that fit the market is also a good option. If I become more famous, maybe even FGO will invite me to write the script!"

Eriri said, "You know, this guy is only passable in terms of looks and talent, his personality is terrible."

“Oh dear, aren’t you talking about yourself, Sawamura-kun? As a colleague in the same industry, I still have to say, you should just clearly state your interests. If the other person can’t accept that, then you should give up as soon as possible.” Kasumigaoka Utaha said in a rare serious tone.

"Okay, okay! I'll tell you later, really, how am I supposed to bring this up!" Eriri covered her face.

"There are options for me to speak up for you, too," Kasumigaoka Utaha said in a calm tone. "Like, 'Although I usually like to act like a rich girl, I'm actually a high school girl who loves to draw...hehe.'"

"I know! I know! I can tell you myself!" Eriri said, her face flushed red.

The train arrived at its stop, and the young man and woman stepped outside. After exiting the station, they walked along the tree-lined path to the right, eventually arriving at a residential area.

Kasumigaoka stopped and turned to the boy, saying:

"My house is just ahead. You can leave here. Shirou, please take good care of this child on his way home."

“Okay, senpai.” Shirou nodded.

So Shirou and the blonde girl walked towards their home, their shadows illuminated only by the streetlights.

The boy walked ahead, while Eriri followed behind, fiddling with her fingers, biting her lip and revealing her fangs, looking conflicted as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

"Eri, if you have something to say, just say it," Shirou said.

"Whoa! There's nothing there! Why do I have to tell you anything? You idiot!" Eriri yelled angrily.

Shirou looked at the girl and said, "But your expression right now is exactly the same as when I bumped into you in junior high school, sitting on your bed with a red face, agonizing over whether to play the all-ages version of the game or the 18-ages version."

"Hey! Did you see it back then?" Eriri asked, her face flushed red.

Shirou scratched his face and said tactfully, "No, the Sawamura family is a bit special in many ways, and the neighbors all know that. Ah! I didn't mean Eriri looks strange, Eriri is just a little strange among otaku girls."

"This is hardly a consolation! So you knew from the beginning that I had that kind of interest?" Eriri asked, blushing.

"What are you still saying now?" Shirou had a subtle expression on his face. Back in middle school, he went to Eriri's house to deliver her lecture notes.

Eriri is careless and messy, and she was sick at the time. She thought she had hidden everything well, but most of the time, he was the one who helped tidy up and arrange things neatly.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have advised the girl not to play so many games when she was sick, but to pay attention to exercising.

So this guy kicked him out without knowing any of this?

"Pfft..." A girl's laughter came from behind.

"Senior, you've been with us all this way, why don't you want to go back?" Shirou turned around and asked.

“No, how could I possibly miss something this interesting?” Kasumigaoka Utaha stepped forward and answered matter-of-factly.

"Ah...it doesn't matter anymore..." Eriri lowered her head, tears of disappointment welling up in her eyes.

Kasumigaoka Utaha asked, "So, Shirou-kun, you actually knew from the beginning that Eriri was drawing doujinshi?"

Shirou said, "I don't know the details, but I do know that she likes this kind of thing and draws it very well. But judging from Eriri's reaction, I can guess the general idea."

"What?! What?! Is it wrong for me to enjoy drawing these pictures? It doesn't bother you or cause trouble for anyone! I've gained readers' approval, and I've paid all the taxes I owed!"

"I just love those adorable characters! I want to dress them up in all sorts of beautiful clothes, draw them in different poses, and see their different expressions. I love everything about them! Is that so wrong?!" Eriri clenched her fists and shouted furiously.

"If you did something criminal, I'd beat you up and force you to turn yourself in. But it's just a matter of different interests, I don't care. My interests are making weapons and cleaning, which is pretty strange, isn't it?" Shirou said with a light laugh, deliberately hiding his proud cooking skills to avoid upsetting the girl.

Eriri coldly retorted, "Is that so? If Shirou committed a crime, I would definitely call the police immediately. But then again, there are quite a few weapon enthusiasts, but it's really strange that a guy treats cleaning as a hobby."

Kasumigaoka nodded and exclaimed in admiration, "Indeed, Shirou-kun is quite peculiar."

"Hey, weren't you guys the ones saying weird things in the first place?" Shirou said, annoyed.

Eriri looked at the boy with disdain and said, "What are you talking about? It's not strange that you like otaku culture, but Shirou is really strange."

Kasumigaoka Utaha said softly, "Yes, strange Shirou-kun, please don't assume that other people's interests are strange just because you are strange yourself."

"You two are actually very close, right?" Shirou frowned as he looked at the two who had achieved a coordinated attack.

"How could this be! You're so slow and dawdling, it's unbearable! I'm leaving now!" Eriri turned her head away and walked forward.

“That’s true. Well, I’ll head back now. Please take that blond tsundere home properly. Goodbye, Shirou-kun. Please make it up to me next time.” Kasumigaoka Utaha said with a smile, then turned and walked away.

"Shirou! If you don't catch up, I'm going to leave you behind!" Eriri shouted from ahead.

Shirou shook his head helplessly and followed.

Chapter 113 Eriri's Great Self-Destruction

Under the streetlights at night, the blonde girl walked ahead, taking three big steps to create distance between herself and the boy, then stopping to look at him from behind.

Influenced by her parents, who were hardcore otaku, from a young age, she was exposed to a lot of anime and visuals in this genre. She also became fascinated with drawing, gradually honing her skills to become quite proficient. With her parents' support, she began drawing manga, which gained a large following.

Now she's a well-known doujinshi artist in the deep-sea industry, and her doujinshi sell for a good price. Of course, her parents are in charge of selling them.

The girl had been cared for by the boy since childhood, which is why she fell in love with him. Therefore, being rejected back then was very painful for her. She wanted to reconcile, but was afraid of being rejected again, so she maintained a distant, ambiguous relationship.

But now it seems there's a misunderstanding. This makes the girl want to ask what's going on, but she doesn't know how to start.

Because she was so conflicted, Eriri decided to just give up and do nothing.

"Shirou!" Eriri glared at the boy, then lowered her head and asked softly, "...When did you find out that I was drawing doujinshi?"

"You gave Komachi a drawing you made yourself, right? She praised you for being really good at drawing cute yet slightly erotic pictures. Also, your mother deliberately kept it from me; she often said things like, 'My Eriri won such and such an award,' and that her picture books sold very well," Shirou replied.

"As expected... that brother-obsessed spy town, and Mom, you can't do this to your daughter like this..." Eriri said, covering her face in anguish.

Although she was reluctant to admit it, it seemed that her own mother and Shirou were actually more familiar with each other in the end.

Over the years, she viewed Shirou as someone she couldn't understand, seeing watching anime and playing games as childish imaginary enemies, and thus intentionally or unintentionally avoided him.

She was a shut-in who lived a simple life between school, home, and Akihabara. Even when she went to someone else's house, she would only hang out with Komachi.

She only learned about things like Shirou sending a return gift or that Shirou had recently started getting a dog from her own mother.

Whenever she heard that Shirou had won an award or done something good, the boy's face would involuntarily appear in her mind, which only made her more upset. Therefore, their relationship remained more than friends but less than family.

But then she thought it was fine this way, since Shirou had taught her about her interests when she was little, even though she had already hidden things that her boyfriend couldn't see back then.

Despite her distress, she was still lectured. She was already feeling down because she was constantly sick and unable to attend school properly. So, she kicked Shirou out, who showed absolutely no consideration for a girl's feelings.

Unexpectedly, after being kicked out, Shirou never came back to look for her again.

Although they are junior high school students and minors, isn't this rule made by a bunch of adults with dark minds who don't know what they've done behind the scenes, and therefore feel they must use morality to restrain others?

What's wrong with playing visual novels? If teenagers don't play games and have nowhere to vent their energy, the world will only get worse. In an era filled with violence, where people can argue for half an hour over a game, it's anyone's guess where the pent-up emotions from not being able to be released through games will go.

What she never expected was that the other party already knew from the beginning...

It turns out that her secret playing of the erotic visual novel was exposed from the very beginning...

Thinking back on it this way...

It seems like Shirou's lectures to her back then were all about...

"Eri, you're sick at home, so don't play so many 'those' games." [Tactful tone]

"Eri, why don't you play less video games and train with me? I'll teach you swordsmanship or archery." [With goodwill]

"Even if Eriri is feeling down and wants to vent, she shouldn't get addicted to 'that kind' of games." [A heartfelt concern]

"Since you already knew! Then you should have told me from the beginning!" Eriri rushed forward in a fit of embarrassment and anger, flicking one side of her long ponytail at the boy's face.

"I've already hinted at it several times, and then you kicked me out. How could I dare say these things to you again?" Shirou reached out and grabbed the girl's golden, silky hair. The cool, smooth texture was surprisingly pleasant, and he casually ran his fingers through it. "Besides, when you come to my house, you always go into Komachi's room. When we bump into each other at school, I greet you, but you either ignore me or just snort and run away."

Shirou looked directly into the girl's eyes and said earnestly, "So now I'll speak properly. I consider you a good friend, so if anything I said before hurt you, I apologize to you now."

Eriri pulled her ponytail back, blushing as she shouted, "Don't play with my hair while apologizing! You should have explained that to me in the first place!"

"I always thought you stopped coming to your room because you were offended," Shirou said helplessly.