Emiya...
Are you awake?
Good morning, Sakura.
Good morning to you too, Emiya.
Sorry, I should be helping out with the morning chores.
Don't worry about that.
You were up late again last night, weren't you?
Dummy, that's no excuse.
Let me handle the morning chores.
If you leave the storehouse this messy, you'll get scolded by Ms. Fujimura.
Good point.
You really don't mind, then?
Not at all, I'll be waiting for you, Emiya.
Falling asleep before finishing shows that I lack focus.
We are always hounded by a despair so powerful
as to threaten to burn our hearts to ash,
and yet you manage
to smile at me
with infinite forgiveness
The wind erases our voices
Our words are carried away
I cling to the path I walk
despite the difficulty it gives me
I know that paradise awaits us,
and that future is our one and only hope
That blind feeling
might be the only emotion
that I have left
No judgment is final
I am always seeking
my very own
dawn
#01 A Winter Day, A Fateful Night
Perfect.
I feel terrible making you do all this, Sakura.
It's no trouble at all!
I do it because I enjoy it.
Morning, Fuji.
'Sup. Mornin'.
Let's eat!
Let's eat.
What's wrong?!
Th-This isn't soy sauce!
No other sauces belong on rice with creamed yam!
Especially not oyster sauce!
I swapped the labels on the bottles earlier!
Oh yeah!
Who pulls a stunt like that first thing in the morning?!
You'll be 25 this year,
but you'll always be the same old Fuji.
You deserved it!
It's payback from yesterday!
Have some tea, Emiya.
You seemed awfully quiet,
but it's because you've been plotting this since yesterday.
Damn straight.
And as a result, I need to rush off and mark some tests!
So I gotta run, or I'll never finish in time!
Thanks for breakfast!
See you at school!
Make sure you're not late.
And don't fall back asleep, okay?
Well, I'm out of here!
Breakfast was as delicious as ever, Sakura!
It was nothing, Ms. Fujimura.
Damn that Fuji,
she may be the landlord's daughter, but why does she eat here every day?
She's a total freeloader.
Did you do something to her yesterday?
I accidentally called her by her nickname.
I guess you deserved it then.
You should be more careful.
The only thing she hates is being called that nickname.
The suspect didn't have a license and the minivan had malfunctioning brakes
In our next story,
Gas leak at Shinto office
workers in a building in Shinto's office district passed out
and were taken to the hospital late last night.
According to the police, the victims seemed to be suffering from hypoxia when found,
Gas leak at Shinto office
so they believe it may be the result of a gas leak.
Hear that? Another gas leak in Shinto.
However, given that a similar incident occurred last month,
police are exercising extreme caution in their investigation due to the possible link.
That's messed up.
We need to be careful too.
Don't worry.
I always double-check the gas valve, so we're safe.
That's... not what I meant.
Right, work hard at practice.
About that...
Maybe you could stop by the dojo?
I have to go to the student council office this morning.
O-Oh, of course.
I'm sorry. Forget I asked.
Well, I should get going.
Look forward to dinner tonight, okay?
The school's budgeting priorities are completely out of whack.
Yeah, sports clubs get the lion's share of the budget, and the rest get the crumbs.
As a result, the non-sports club rooms have fallen into disrepair.
They've given zero thought to how to deal with our stove crisis.
There are more broken heaters?
Indeed.
Like I figured, this one's just showing its age.
Can you fix it, Emiya?
I can.
Really?!
I'll have it fixed in a jiffy, Issei, so could you wait outside?
Of course. I'll get out of your way.
Right. Now...
Two spots where the heating element's about to break...
The heat transfer pipe is still good.
I can patch the power cord with electrical tape for now.
Tohsaka...
Tohsaka?
Why, if it isn't the student council president!
Patrolling the campus so early in the morning?
Or are you doing maintenance rounds of the club rooms?
Not that I care either way. Still, diligent as always, huh?
And what about yourself?
Why are you here so early when you aren't in any clubs?
Just felt like it.
I fixed it, Issei.
Oh, sorry.
I feel bad for asking you to do all the work, Emiya.
Where's the next one?
I don't have a lot of time.
The next one's in the A/V room.
It was giving us a lot of trouble, and now it's finally broke down.
I can't fix it if it's dead. You're better off buying a new one.
That's true, but I'd appreciate it if you could take a look at it anyway.
It looked dead to me,
but it wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion.
Okay, I'll check it out.
You're here early, Tohsaka.
The Art Club's stove will have to wait until lunch.
Sure.
You're quite the busy bee this morning, Emiya.
I was wondering what you've been up to after quitting the club.
You're the student council president's errand boy, eh?
If you need anything, you can ask me, Shinji.
If it's something I can help with, I will.
You were never very good at re-stringing and mending bows.
I don't want your help.
And anyway, you're not a member anymore,
so stay out of the dojo!
What an ass, talking to you like that when he's the one who drove you out of the club.
It's okay. That's just how he is.
You get used to it the longer you know him.
Do you, now?
You do.
Oops, Ms. Fujimura is about to come barreling in.
Yes! I made it!
Good morning, class!
Take your seats, everyone!
Emiya, you'd better wolf that down, or you won't finish it before lunch break ends.
It's okay, I'm almost done.
You could've stopped with the stoves.
You didn't have to agree to fix personal items too.
Don't worry about it.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
It's possible to be too considerate.
Being helpful is good and all, but you should consider who you help.
You take "turn no one away" too far, Emiya.
Do I look that unprincipled to you?
You're opening yourself up to be exploited by the inconsiderate.
Surely you could turn people down every once in a while.
What're you talking about? Helping others is a good thing.
The heir to a temple shouldn't fuss over that.
I'm just saying that you take it too far, Emiya.
If you keep going like this, it'll burn you out.
Duly noted.
Okay, all done!
You'll die if you don't summon yours soon, mister.
You should really come home early at times like this.
I said in homeroom that it hasn't been safe in town lately, remember?
Um... Something came up.
Do you get that from Kiritsugu?
I worry about you because you're always trying to help people.
Excuse me, Ms. Fujimura?
Has he always been this way?
Yeah, for as long as I've known him.
Shirou just doesn't have it in him to ignore people in need.
"Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable," you know?
In an essay he wrote as a kid, he said,
"My dream when I grow up is to become a hero of justice."
Wow, he was an amazing little boy.
Chalk it up to Fuji.
When kids see immature adults, they get funny ideas in their heads.
If you don't like it, cook your own damn meal for once.
Wha—?!
You're bringing your dear big sister to tears...
Sakura, refill.
Trace on.
Analyzing basic structure.
Analyzing component materials.
Altering fundamental structure.
Strengthening component materials.
Damn, I failed again.
I can't believe that I still can't do something this basic.
I'm gonna be a novice forever.
I just don't know...
How do I become a hero of justice?
Sakura, wait a second.
Yes?
What happened to your wrist?
Shinji again?
What's he thinking, beating his own little sister?
N-No, that's not it!
I... um... got this when I tripped and fell.
You can't get a bruise like that from tripping.
I knew it!
Honestly, my brother really had nothing to do with this!
I got hurt by myself, that's all.
If that's what you say happened, then I'll leave it at that.
It is. I'm sorry, Emiya.
Why are you apologizing, Sakura?
It's Shinji who's to blame.
Ooh, is that your famous rolled omelettes I smell, Shirou?
Finally, it's lunch time!
Hurry up, I'm starving!
What's up, Emiya?
Let's eat.
Sorry, Issei, I'm going to eat in the cafeteria today.
You never eat there. Did something happen?
Not really.
Excuse me, is Ryuudou here?
I'm here, sir. What is it, Mr. Kuzuki?
Going for the Chef's Choice for lunch today, huh?
You're not eating with the student council president today.
Yeah.
Say, Mitsuzuri...
Has Sakura seemed okay to you lately?
Sakura?
Yeah, she's practicing her heart out.
Oh.
It's her brother that's the problem.
He's been tearing into the freshman boys.
What for?
From what I hear, he got shot down pretty hard by Tohsaka.
By Tohsaka?!
Keep your voice down!
Anyway, Shinji's been in a foul mood ever since yesterday.
I've had to keep a close eye on him during practice, so I'm exhausted.
Yeah, Shinji does have a nasty temper.
I hear he's planning to do something to Tohsaka to get even.
Nah, Shinji would stay far away from someone who rejected him.
But he can't avoid her if they're at the same place.
I don't know why, but Tohsaka's been coming to watch at the dojo a lot lately.
You probably don't know, since you quit and all.
That was hilarious earlier!
He practically peed his pants!
When Shinji gets mad, he doesn't know when to stop.
Hey, you there!
Matou Shinji, I hate to break it to you,
but Tohsaka Rin isn't coming no matter how long you wait!
Maki, this guy doesn't match the description Mitsuzuri gave.
He doesn't have wavy hair, either.
The way I see it, he just wet down his naturally curly hair today!
A face that looks this stupid can only belong to Matou Shinji!
No, I'm not Shinji.
See what I mean? That's what the bad guys all say.
Wait.
Sorry, would you mind showing us your student ID?
Sure.
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
Emiya Shirou
Name
Class
Issued April 1st
Certifies that the one named above is a student of Homurabara Academy
Homurabara Academy
See, I told you we had the wrong man.
Emiya? That Emiya?
The guy who fixes our gear whenever he has a spare moment?
The one they call Homurahara's brownie?
I don't know that nickname,
but I do know the Track Club's president when I see her.
We're sorry, it seemed like you were looking for someone,
so we just assumed.
That's okay. What was that about Tohsaka not coming?
Did something happen?
She stayed home today.
Yeah. Tohsaka said she has a cold, so she stayed at home, buddy.
It's hard to believe that a model student like her is capable of catching a cold, though.
We're sorry if our exotic beast here caused you any trouble, Emiya.
But you shouldn't be here, either.
Weren't you told that students with no club meetings should go straight home?
Did something happen?
You don't know?
There was a murder at an intersection near school.
It was a family of four. They say the parents and older daughter were all stabbed to death.
The only survivor was a child.
The killer is still at large,
and everyone's freaking out about how it seems like a random killing.
In Shinto, it's those gas leaks.
Over here, we've got a grisly murder.
It's no wonder that they're sending students home early.
I know...
Helping others and being a hero of justice aren't the same thing.
Ah, I see.
Thank you.
Hello.
You must be Shirou.
I'll come right out and ask you which you would prefer,
being sent off to an orphanage, or being taken in by a man you just met?
I'm glad.
Then let's get you dressed right away.
You need to get acclimated to your new home as soon as possible.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention something important.
There is something extremely important that I have to tell you. Ready?
Yeah.
I should get this out of the way.
I'm...
a magic-user.
I have some time before I need to get to work.
He's alive... He's alive...
He's alive!
Thank you... Thank you...
I'm so glad I found you.
By rescuing just one person,
I'm saved.
All I remember of that day ten years ago is that it was hot and I couldn't breathe.
And people trying to save others and all dying in the process.
I hate that.
It makes me mad when people who try so hard die.
Is it greedy of me to wish for an outcome
where everyone was saved and are happy and can share a laugh about it afterwards?
It's not that simple.
Because what you described is trying to save everyone, Shirou.
My kid self wasn't convinced by Kiritsugu's answer.
I mean, Kiritsugu saved my life, right?
I knew that he was a magic-user who could do anything.
So I asked Kiritsugu if he could have saved everyone back then.
But Kiritsugu, he...
Shirou.
Saving one person means being unable to save another.
You see, a person can only save those who belong to the side they're on.
It should be obvious, but that is the very definition of a hero of justice.
I understand that now.
When you put it like that, it's obvious.
But still...
But still, I hate it.
I'm not interested in salvation that's inherently limited to a set number of people.
I can't bear the thought of strangers dying around me like they did that day.
That was Tohsaka just now, wasn't it?
Where's Sakura?
She went home early tonight.
Why'd you send her home by herself?
You were the one who warned us that it wasn't safe to go out alone, remember?!
No problem, I sent one of my guys with her.
You should've been the one to go.
You're our teacher, after all.
If I did that, I wouldn't get to eat dinner until after 10!
Anyway, it's your own fault for coming home so late because of work!
My stomach always waits patiently on your work days.
Hey, why don't you eat dinner at your own house, woman?
I've told you a million times, this is my own house.
Dammit...
What's this?
Oh, I came to pick it up, but I don't want it anymore, so you can have it.
I don't want it either!
You're sadly mistaken if you think you can hit me with skills like yours.
If you don't like it, I suggest you practice some more.
More importantly, Shirou, I'm famished!
Hurry up and make dinner. I've been waiting for ages!
Yes, ma'am.
I won't be able to help with dinner for a while after tonight.
Do you mind?
Sure, don't worry about it. Besides, it's the weekend.
You should be hanging out with your friends.
No, it's not like that!
It's a personal thing, but I'll still be going to club practices,
so if anything comes up, please come to the dojo, and I'll see what I can do!
It's not like I'm goofing off just because it's the weekend!
So... I'd appreciate it if you didn't get the wrong idea.
Got it.
I'll go to the dojo if anything comes up.
Sure, that would be great.
Emiya, your hand!
Where'd this come from?
Did I cut myself while I was tinkering with my old junk?
It doesn't hurt or anything, so it should fade soon.
I'm fine, it's nothing to worry about.
Okay, if you say so.
I guess I'm tired...
Thanks to you, Emiya, it looks like we'll have all the equipment fixed before tests begin.
I have to thank you again.
No problem. See you later.
No, it was nothing! You think that was amazing?
Shinji...
Still at school, Emiya?
I need to talk to you. Come with me for a minute.
A minute? Sorry.
As you can see, I'm busy.
Whatever your little problem is, it can wait.
Isn't that right, girls?
Hang on, Shinji.
This is about the bruise on Sakura's wrist.
What's this about Sakura?
Don't dodge the question. You hurt her again!
Like I know anything about her.
Even though you're siblings?
Look, Emiya.
You're getting on my nerves.
It's a sibling matter, so all the more reason for you to keep your nose out of it, right?
You really don't know how she got it?
Nope.
Or is Sakura saying that I beat her?
No.
There you go, then.
It's not nice to make reckless accusations, Emiya.
I suppose. I'm sorry I doubted you.
If you feel bad, then do me a favor.
See, the dojo's kind of a mess right now.
Since you're always so free, maybe you could do something about it, Emiya?
Didn't Ms. Fujimura tell you to clean up, Matou?
She did. If you don't do it, she'll—
It's fine.
Anyway, if I started cleaning now, the store'll be closed by the time I finished.
I know I can count on you!
Hey, wait up!
Thank you very much!
Man, this place never changes.
Done!
Who are they?
Who's there?!
Hey, there.
Guess today just wasn't your lucky day.
After seeing me, you had to die.
Dead men tell no tales, and all that.
Curse with your dying breath that you were born with no luck and no power.
You make me do some nasty jobs.
It's a sick joke for a hero to act like this.
I understand. I'm not complaining.
The girl's Servant saw me.
I'll be a good boy and return.
Jeez. My Master is a real nasty piece of work...
If his heart was hit, there's no way of saving him.
Don't do this to me...
Why are you here?
Why did you have to pick this hour, on this day, to be here?
There's still a way.
What happened?
That man in blue and that man in red...
Who were those two?
They weren't ordinary humans.
So I really was nearly killed.
No, I wasn't nearly killed, I was actually killed.
But here I am, alive.
I was saved by someone who came along afterwards.
Who was that?
I wish I could at least thank them.
I was trying to be considerate, figuring it would hurt more if you saw it coming.
Stuck with killing the same person twice in one day...
I guess the human world is a bloody place whatever the era.
Trace on.
Find your way to the other side this time, boy.
Strengthening component materials.
That's an odd style.
It's faint, but I sense mana.
So that's why you're still alive after having your heart skewered.
This might be fun after all.
I gave you a chance, but you went and wasted it.
If you're a man, show some dignity, damn it.
Checkmate.
That last move was pretty surprising, kiddo.
I don't get it, though.
You think fast on your feet, but you're hopeless at Magecraft.
You seem to have a knack for it...
Maybe you were meant to be the seventh.
Well, even if you were, this is the end for you.
Piss off...
My life was spared.
My life was saved. I'm not dying again that easily!
I have to live and fulfill my obligations,
and I can't do that if I'm dead!
I'm not gonna be killed in a place like this
for no good reason by someone like you,
who kills people like it's nothing!
The seventh Servant?!
I ask of you.
Are you...
my Master?
"Master"?
Your Servant, Saber, has come in response to your summons.
Henceforth, my sword shall ever be at your side.
Your fate is henceforth my fate.
The pact is now sealed.
What do you mean "pact"?
Coward! What's the meaning of this, concealing your weapon?
Whatever is the matter, Lancer?
Simply standing there, you shame all spearmen.
If you will not come to me, I shall go to you!
Before you do, let me ask you one thing.
Your Noble Phantasm, is it a sword?
Perhaps, perhaps not.
It may be a battleaxe. Or perhaps it is a polearm.
It might perchance even be a bow, Lancer.
Very funny, swordswoman!
That stance...
One more question.
Since this is our first meeting,
would you be interested in calling it a draw?
I think not.
This is where you fall, Lancer!
Is that so?
Damn, my objective was simply to observe...
I'll have your heart instead!
Gae...
...Bolg!
So, you dodged my unavoidable blow, Saber.
A curse?
No, a blow that reverses causality?
Gae Bolg...
You are Ireland's Child of Light!
I messed up.
If I use that move, it has to be fatal, or I'm in trouble.
My lord is a coward, you see.
You dodged my spear, so he's ordering me home.
Are you fleeing?!
You're more than welcome to follow.
But if you do, be prepared to die!
Halt, Lancer!
Is... Is she an idiot?
Hey, are you all right?
What the hell are you?
As you can see, I am your Servant, Saber.
As such, please call me Saber.
I'm Shirou.
Emiya Shirou.
Emiya...
This house—
No, that's not right. That isn't what I want to ask you.
I understand.
You are not a proper Master, are you?
The fact remains though, you are my Master regardless.
Hang on, isn't it weird to start calling me "Master" all of a sudden like that?
Then I shall call you Shirou.
Yes, I find that sound palatable.
What are these?
These are known as Command Seals.
Do try to avoid using them carelessly.
Shirou, my wounds, if you please.
You're asking me?
Sorry, but complex magic like that's beyond me.
Then I shall face them in my current condition.
There are two enemies outside.
One more battle should not pose a problem.
Enemies outside?!
What do you mean?
Stop, Saber!
What lunacy is this, Shirou?!
Commanding me to stop when I can handily defeat them?!
Just hold on, Saber!
I have no idea what's going on.
If I'm your Master, at least fill me in!
You would demand such a thing when the enemy stands before us?!
Ah, is that how it is,
my good novice Master?
For starters, good evening,
Emiya.
We didn't understand anything
My left hand groped for things that vanished to my touch
A moral conflict
stays your hand
and tricks you
out of your future
I don't know how to protect anyone,
and my love might well be fake,
but I want to live my life
The past repeats before my eyes
Here I will trust the me that now stands with you
Until my dream crumbles and withers,
we will open a path together
with prayers on our lips
I have no reason to fight.
He is certainly a dubious priest.
Shirou is my Master.
Berserker?
Whether or not you decide to participate in the Holy Grail War,
let us decide here, Emiya Shirou.
Next Time
The Curtain Rises