Chapter 12
The first thing Shirou noticed through the heady residual fog of the anesthesia was that she felt...nice. As though something that was “wrong” had been suddenly corrected. She'd never noticed it before or, if she had, simply chalked it up to one of the many, many impossible elements of her strange situation. Even now it was hard to adequately describe what the “wrongness” had been. It wasn't a physical thing, but something harder to pin down. It might be best described as...a sense of dissonance within her consciousness. A passive rejection of her own being entirely beyond her control. Now it was as if a metaphorical weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She wasn't entirely sure what the implications of something like that were, but she was pleased by the change nonetheless. Now if only she could forget that anesthesia dream featuring her father and what looked like an adult version of Illya singing show tunes to a choral accompaniment provided by a choir of Einzbern homunculi. She shivered slightly at how surreal it had been before hissing as her back objected to the movement.
“Senpai! You're awake!” Sakura exclaimed in a sleepy yet happy way. Shirou looked at her room's only other occupant. Sakura's violet blouse stood out against the clinical off-white tones of the hospital room. Though it seemed Sakura had nodded off earlier, Shirou noticed that her own small hand was clasped tightly in Sakura's. The realization made her smile.
“Hi Sakura. I hope you weren't waiting too long.” Shirou replied. Sakura shook her head in the negative.
“It's alright. You needed the rest.” the older girl replied. “I should tell you now, the doctor doesn't want you attempting any magecraft for a while. He said he knew you'd be curious how the procedure might have affected things, but to patient for a few days while things 'settle down in there.'” she said, evidently quoting him at the end. “...I'm not completely sure what he means by that.” she admitted.
“I think I maybe get it a bit.” Shirou claimed. She definitely didn't want to risk messing things up now and go back to the “wrongness” of before. Sakura quirked a skeptical eyebrow before noticing Shirou looking around the empty room curiously. She quickly deduced where Shirou's thoughts were heading.
“Sella and Rider left a short while ago to get some food. They'll be back soon.” she explained. Shirou nodded in understanding.
“Did the doctor say how long I'd need to stay here?” Shirou asked. Sakura nodded.
“He said the procedure went well, and that he'd feel okay about discharging you after a couple of days of observation.” she said, then gained a slightly sly expression. “Sella is highly impressed with him.” she continued impishly. Shirou's frosty eyebrow lifted as a similar smirk formed on her own face.
“Is she now? Should I inform her she has my blessing to seek new employment?” Shirou asked dryly. Sakura chuckled lightly.
“She might be upset with you if you implied any such thing.” Sakura said. “She's nothing if not loyal. I think she's more impressed with his skill than anything else. She began addressing him as Amachi-sensei. All formal and everything. He seemed highly embarrassed.” Sakura continued in amusement. Shirou snickered.
“I can picture it.” she agreed. Sakura was silent for a moment, and her smile grew a bit fragile.
“Senpai? I...I know we have to be careful, and that this place most likely isn't what it seems, but...I'm glad we came here.” she declared thickly as her grip on Shirou's hand tightened. Shirou squeezed her hand reassuringly.
“Yeah. I know. I feel the same way.” she replied earnestly.
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Meanwhile, at a nearby fast food restaurant...
“I am not at all sure that this 'MacRonall Burger' is up to the nutritional standards I require for Shirou-sama's meals.” Sella declared obstinately. Rider rolled her eyes in response.
“It doesn't really matter. We don't actually have a lot of money lying around at the moment anyway, what with Rin trying to finance her education in London. Those student stipends the kids got aren't going to last too long either if you insist on five-star cuisine all the time. This gets the job done and for a lot less than most other places. From the stories I've heard, I'm sure it's better than hospital food.” she argued from their place in line behind another customer.
“In terms of taste perhaps, though one imagines that styrofoam would be of greater nutritional value...” Sella muttered mutinously as the customer ahead of them completed their transaction and departed.
“Welcome to Macronall Burger! May I take your order?” the small, brunette cashier asked dutifully.
“Yes, I think we'll take four Big Rons. Those come as meals, right?” Rider asked in a businesslike manner.
“Yes ma'am. They come with a soda and fries.” the cashier replied.
“We'll take that then.” Rider confirmed. The cashier totaled their order and made change from the bills Rider provided, then handed her the receipt. Before they could step back and wait for the burgers however, the cashier spoke again.
“Ma'am, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation a moment ago. If you're interested, we're currently hiring.” she pointed out, gesturing to a nearby 'Help Wanted' sign. Fate chose that precise moment for a younger child in a nearby booth to begin throwing a tantrum. Sella and Rider glanced together at the unruly child and then back to the cashier who was visibly suppressing her annoyance.
“No offense to you or your chosen profession, but I strongly suspect I would rather die.” Rider replied bluntly. As the child knocked their soda into the floor, creating a sticky mess the cashier suspected she would eventually be tasked to clean up, her smile grew ever more strained.
“Believe me ma'am, I sympathize with your position more than you know.” she declared with equal bluntness.
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Well. This kinda came out of the blue, apparently the author is updating again. Maybe. I think.
We'll see what happens going forward.