Chapter Text
It was a night in 1994. Departing from Kyoto Airport, the nearest major Japanese city, the Moraes family's bus ride to Fuyuki, their new home, took only fifty minutes. Pedro and Akemi were surprised by how quickly the trip went. Even though a flight error had diverted their arrival from Osaka, making them more tired, they were used to the long commutes and public transport journeys in Rio de Janeiro. For them, a bus trip was something fast. This wasn't true for their children, though: Carlos Eduardo, the eight-year-old elder son, and four-year-old Beatriz, the youngest, were already exhausted and impatient with the journey.
"When will we get there, Mommy?" Carlos asked.
Akemi, with her usual patience, had already lost count of how many times she had answered Carlos and Beatriz. Tired but wanting to prevent the stress of the trip from worsening the children's mood, she repeated:
"We'll be there soon."
"But haven't we arrived yet? Where's our house?" Carlos questioned impatiently.
With a smile, Akemi pulled him to the window seat, showing him the city landscape.
"Yes, we've arrived in Fuyuki. It's the name of the city where my great-grandparents lived before moving to Brazil. Look, it's surrounded by forests."
"It's just like our city in Rio, isn't it, Mom?" Carlos interrupted.
"That's why it won't feel strange for us here," the mother smiled and continued, "We can see a large temple in the distance, to the left of the river that cuts through the city. And look at how nice the harbor is way over there, where the river meets the sea."
"That's so cool, Mom! There's a tiny church on the other side too! It's so small!" said Beatriz, joining the conversation and jumping from Pedro's lap to the bus window.
"Yes, sweetie," Akemi continued, "it's been here a very long time. We'll have many adventures in this city."
"Will we have friends here?" Carlos asked.
"Yes, you'll have many friends," the mother said, encouraging him on their new journey. "We already have some friends whom we'll visit once we get settled into our new home. They're the Fujimuras. Your grandfather stayed in touch with them even in Brazil. He was great friends with Fujimura Raiga. It was thanks to Raiga's father that my great-grandfather got help moving from Japan."
As the conversation continued, the other passengers politely ignored the strange Portuguese words. Tired from the night journey, they barely noticed the driver's skill in keeping the bus intact after a strange gust of wind impacted the ride. For the family, the conversation continued as if it were a normal day.
"Wow, you must be really good friends," Carlos said. "I didn't know you and your friends were so old, Mommy."
Pedro woke up with his own laughter upon hearing his son, and Akemi joined him.
"You'd better explain the whole story to him, dear," Pedro suggested.
The children, with their eyes fixed and attention turned to their mother, faced her. The window was no longer as interesting as the story Akemi was about to tell.
Fuyuki was once our city. Takeuchi Keiji, your great-grandfather – your grandparents' father – was the one who built our future in Brazil. He lived near the river, in what the travel map today calls Miyama Downtown. Keiji had a deep love for this land and for the emperor, whose royal lineage still exists in this country. So great was his appreciation for the nation that he pursued a military career in the Japanese army. He was highly sought after for his intelligence and advice, especially by his best friend, Matou Zouken. He greatly helped his friend build the city. It was during his time managing the city that he also met and befriended the Fujimuras.
In his adult life, due to his great achievements in Fuyuki, he and Zouken were asked to lead a battalion of the Japanese army during the war Japan fought against the Russians at the beginning of the century. Unfortunately, he ended up being severely wounded in battle and had to retire from the army due to these injuries. I still remember him, older, without one eye and with half of his left hand gone. I don't know all the details – he never even told my father, your grandfather – but something made him so sad at that time that he decided to go with his family to a place where there could be peace. At that time, many Japanese were emigrating to Brazil. Because he had helped the Fujimuras, they reciprocated and helped our family get to Brazil. They found a house for us in the Liberdade neighborhood of São Paulo. Sometimes Raiga visits your grandparents there. But your father and I have already gotten married and moved to Rio de Janeiro.
"That was a great time when we met in Liberdade, wasn't it, dear?" Pedro said, continuing, "We managed to talk to your grandparents, who recommended Raiga's contact. And that's how we met them. But no, your mom isn't that old; in fact, she's younger than me." Pedro finished speaking and laughed again, still thinking about what his son had said.
For Carlos, his father's words were too grown-up to be interesting. He was curious to meet this Fujimura Raiga, imagining that the last name was a first name and vice versa, still unaware of the different naming order in Japan. However, after the fascinating story of war and leadership that his great-great-grandfather carried, he became even more curious to observe the city landscape the bus window offered. At that moment, his eyes widened in horror, sending a message of fear throughout his entire body.
"Mom, what's that?" Carlos asked, his voice choked, without his previous childlike excitement.
Akemi followed her son's gaze, and her smile faltered. Pedro also leaned in to look. The scene was disturbing. It didn't seem like a common fire. In a few minutes, a massive flame had swallowed part of the city.
The smoke was thick and heavy, and the reddish glow had a strange intensity, as if something monstrous was consuming itself. Akemi could only cover Carlos's eyes with her hands, trying to shield his childhood from the memories of such a traumatic scene, while Beatriz clung to the legs of her paralyzed body. Pedro, biting his lips, watched the scene with growing seriousness. He remembered news about disasters in Japan, where typhoons, tsunamis, and earthquakes were common, but this seemed different. There was something ominous about that reddish darkness. An old phrase echoed in his mind, referring to the search for a better life, now frustrated by the great fire. Pedro murmured to himself:
"To do justice in the land of the sun."
Carlos heard his father and stared intently at the scene outside the window. Silence briefly settled over the family as the bus approached the city, and the view of the affected area became clearer. Even through the windows, a subtle smell of burning permeated the air, a premonition of the devastation that had befallen Fuyuki. The passengers erupted in panic, desperate at the horrendous sight. The driver tried to calm everyone, assuring them it was still safe to enter the city, but he stopped at a station to get news from the authorities and follow safety protocols. The anticipation of a new life in Akemi's great-grandparents' hometown now carried a shadow of mystery and apprehension, etched on the faces of the Moraes family as they approached their new home.
The vivid memories of that arrival night in Japan faded with the timid sunrays rising in Fuyuki's winter. It was time to wake up. Carlos opened his eyes, questioning why such intense memories haunted him instead of good dreams.
Without lingering too long in his thoughts, Carlos Eduardo got up to get ready. The day started early for participants of Homurahara Academy's clubs, and he was a well-known figure in the sports clubs. He ate breakfast and headed to school.
Despite being well-liked, Carlos was also seen as annoying, and even hated by some captains of other clubs. This was because he insisted on creating the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) club, challenging most of the students who already trained karate or judo. After Carlos showcased Royce Gracie's victories in the early UFC editions, a large portion of his peers migrated to his club. He got into many fights with the captains, who were enraged by the loss of students.
Now, the new "battle” he was about to fight prioritized dialogue. His target was Ryuudou Issei, the student council president, and the goal: more funding for the new capoeira club, which had opened a few months earlier.
On the way to school, Carlos spotted some police officers cordoning off a crime scene. He approached one of them, who was supervising the still-empty street, and asked if everything was alright. The officer assured him that everything was under control but informed him about a murder, telling Carlos to go on his way. Carlos said goodbye, wishing them well, and the rest of his walk was filled with thoughts about the situation. He couldn't wait to share his distress with his friend, Emiya Shirou, once he got to school. He felt they could have deep conversations about these topics, not out of delight in 'gore,' but because he understood and shared Shirou's desire to help others.
The morning sun, a bit chilly in Fuyuki's winter, began to light up Homurahara Academy's courtyards. Carlos Eduardo walked, perhaps still with a lingering seriousness in his eyes because of the scene he had just witnessed. At the entrance, Ayako Mitsuzuri, in her perfectly adjusted uniform and with an athletic posture, caught up to him with firm steps. A smirk played on her face; she could barely wait to tease her older classmate. With all her morning energy, she said to Carlos:
"Good morning, Cadu! Looks like you made it to school in one piece today. I thought you'd be too busy with another revolution or getting into a fight somewhere before first period."
She crossed her arms, a shrewd look in her eyes observing his reaction. There was a hint of amusement in her voice, but also a genuine curiosity about his adventures. Ayako, like most students, knew Carlos had two sides: playful and affectionate, or quarrelsome, especially if he saw an injustice or was provoked by a captain in the BJJ dojo. Carlos let out a good laugh, grateful that Mitsuzuri had pulled him out of the disheartening thoughts caused by the crime scene, and replied:
"Good morning, Mitsuzuri-san. You forgot to call me senpai, didn't you? Look, for now, I don't have any bruises. I'd have a few on my arm if I were training archery with you. I'm sure you wouldn’t go easy on me just to mess with me."
Ayako laughed out loud, the sound echoing lightly in the still-empty courtyard. She shook her head, a playful smile on her lips.
"Senpai? Come on, Cadu! You're my partner in crime, not my senpai. And of course, I'd push you hard in training! You need to learn to take a few arrows in life without complaining, hahaha! But seriously, no bruises? That's new. I thought today we'd have another fight report in the principal's office, courtesy of you and some irritated kendo or karate club captain."
She gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, the force of the blow revealing a bit of her own athletic nature. Her keen eyes fixed on Carlos's face for a second, as if searching for something, before returning to her usual "trouble-making buddies" posture.
"Did you hear that Professor Kuzuki saved me last time? He broke up my fight with the karate club captain. He really chewed us out. And we weren't even fighting! He wanted to know if BJJ could be done on a concrete floor. And I thought his question was a great one for us to try!"
Ayako blinked once, twice. Her mouth opened slightly in a small expression of disbelief, before she burst into an even louder and more uncontrolled fit of laughter, even needing to lean on her knee for a moment. People around them started to look at the two.
"Oh, Carlos! You... you're unbelievable! Professor Kuzuki? The one who's scary just to look at? You managed to pique his curiosity enough to... to test Jiu-Jitsu on concrete?! Hahaha! Only you! I can almost imagine the scene: 'Mr. Eduardo, why are you rolling with a classmate on the corridor floor?' And you: 'Oh, Professor, it's for scientific and athletic purposes!'"
She wiped an imaginary tear from the corner of her eye, still smiling widely.
Cadu, laughing along with Mitsuzuri, replied:
"If only it were just that. I've known Professor Kuzuki since I was a kid. He's always had that look. So I don't get scared anymore. I think I'd be more scared if he came over for dinner and talked to my parents. Then I'd really get chewed out."
"But seriously, Cadu, don't get into any more trouble because of that. Though... you're going to see President Issei, aren't you? More 'experiments' in sight, or this time it's just about the funding for your new 'fighting rhythm'?"
"Oh, for someone from the temple, Issei's way too gossipy! Hahaha! I told him I wanted to talk about getting some funding to open the capoeira club. You're more than welcome to join! What do you think?"
Ayako raised an eyebrow, an intrigued smile on her face. The idea of capoeira was new, and coming from Carlos, it promised to be, at the very least... interesting. She considered it for a moment, her curiosity overcoming any reservations.
"Capoeira, huh? You and your inventions, Cadu. If I'm not mistaken, it's that 'fighting dance,' right? I confess I've never seen it up close. But... funding? With Issei? Now that's a noteworthy fight. He's as stubborn as you are when it comes to student council money. And of course, if it's to see chaos unfold and give you some advice... or mess with you, I'm in! But no 'experiments' on concrete, please!"
She let out a final laugh, and then, as if something reminded her, glanced at the watch on her wrist, then at the school entrance, which was now more crowded. Her gaze lingered for an instant on a newly arrived figure with black hair: Tohsaka Rin, who had just been approached by Matou Shinji, with his usual arrogant expression and some insistence that made Rin roll her eyes. Ayako turned back to Carlos, a friendly glint of gossip in her eyes.
"Speaking of fights... look over there. It seems Matou has already started annoying Tohsaka even before first period. Poor Rin-san, she doesn't get a day of peace."
"Wow! She arrived pretty early. Has she joined any club? I've never seen her participate in one before. But I agree, that's a good fight to watch. I'm not against Shinji trying his luck, but he deserves to be rejected. What do you bet will happen?"
Ayako laughed, throwing her head back, seemingly amused by the situation and Carlos's enthusiasm.
"Seriously, Cadu? You've never seen Tohsaka participate in any club because she is the 'Tohsaka Rin: Perfect at Everything' club herself. She only shows up early because she was probably reading some five-hundred-page book before sunrise or practicing her 'do not disturb' face for the rest of the day. Club? I doubt it. She's too mysterious for that. And Shinji? Ah, Shinji is a classic. He tries and tries and tries... and she ignores him, ignores him, and ignores him. It's almost their daily ritual. My bet?"
Ayako narrowed her eyes, observing Rin and Shinji's interaction from a safe distance, a satisfied smile appearing on her lips.
"I bet five yen he'll walk away with his tail between his legs, and she'll have that 'I didn't even see you' expression. It's the natural cycle of life at Homurahara when it comes to Shinji and Tohsaka. But now that you're here to watch, maybe he'll try harder to make your audience worthwhile, Cadu. Haha!"
She gave him a friendly nudge, indicating it was his turn to act, or at least to observe the 'show.'
"Nah, leave her alone; she's already putting up with Shinji. My rejection is cooler. Honestly, I say 'good morning' to her because I have no problem talking to her. I don't want her to feel like I'm a burden on her day. Let Tohsaka have her mysteries; she's not harming anyone. Now Shinji, if I go over there, he'll run away. Just watch."
Carlos gave Ayako a wink, a confident and somewhat mischievous smile on his face. Ayako shook her head, a soft laugh escaping, already accustomed to Cadu's eccentricities. The way he saw Tohsaka – not with distant admiration or fear, but with an almost childlike curiosity and a genuine lack of pretension – was something she found fascinating.
"You and your theories, Cadu. But indeed, Shinji has a special talent for escaping when things get tough. And Tohsaka... well, she really doesn't harm anyone, unless you irritate her, of course. But good luck with Issei. He's a battle all on his own."
Carlos said goodbye to Mitsuzuri, respecting the time, as he also had a club to manage and another to try to get funding for. He approached the entrance and simply looked at Shinji, without saying anything. A few meters away, Matou Shinji was, as predicted by Ayako, desperately trying to get Tohsaka Rin's attention. She, with her impeccable posture and a bored look, barely bothered to avert her gaze from anything other than the boy annoying her.
Shinji was in the middle of a whiny sentence about her lack of attention when his eyes, by sheer bad luck, met Carlos Eduardo's. Shinji's petulant smile froze. His shoulders subtly hunched, and a shiver seemed to run down his spine. That look from Carlos, which contained no anger or threat, just a silent observation, was somehow more intimidating to Shinji than any fight. Carlos wasn't speaking, wasn't lecturing; just existing. And that was enough for panic to creep into Shinji's chest. He started to stammer and look away to avoid direct eye contact with Carlos.
"Uh... um... Rin! I... I just remembered I have something important to do before class! Talk to you later!"
Before Rin could even process what he said, Shinji turned abruptly, almost tripping over his own feet, and darted down the corridor, disappearing into the crowd of students. Rin observed Shinji's dramatic escape with an expression of surprise mixed with slight irritation, as if he had ruined her moment of morning tranquility. Her eyes then slowly turned to the source of the "interruption": Carlos Eduardo. She stared at him with a mixture of curiosity, mild annoyance, and the familiar seriousness that never left her. Her lips tightened slightly, as if she were deciding between a scolding and a simple sigh.
Carlos stopped far from Rin. He turned to her and cast an affectionate gaze, a slight smile accompanying his face. Without him saying anything, his expression already told Tohsaka: 'I won't bother you. This is my good morning today. For now.' Rin kept her gaze fixed on Carlos for a moment. Her face, usually a mask of composure and occasional irritation, showed a flash of barely disguised surprise. She wasn't used to being greeted this way – without words, without Shinji's usual flourish, just a slight smile and a look that seemed to carry a silent message. She processed his expression, deciphering the unsaid intention behind that peculiar greeting. A small and almost imperceptible lift of one eyebrow was Rin's only immediate response. The annoyance on her face softened, replaced by a curiosity she wouldn't allow herself to display openly. She pondered the situation, perhaps a little intrigued by the audacity and, at the same time, the simplicity of Carlos's gesture. With a slight, almost inaudible sigh, Rin finally looked away from Carlos. She didn't wave back, didn't smile, but also made no mention of reprimanding him. She simply turned and walked towards the school building with her usual grace, leaving Carlos behind with the implication that his 'silent good morning' had been received and, perhaps, even understood in some way. The scene with Shinji seemed to have already been swept from her mind.
Carlos tried his best to distance himself and head to the student council room. As tough as he wanted to appear, he felt a shiver run down his spine and his stomach churned. It was no wonder he couldn't say 'good morning' to Tohsaka, and his own playful remark was turning against him. He knew he was developing a crush on her. And who wouldn't? he thought to himself. He might not want to bother her and even lie if someone asked if he was interested in her, but he wouldn't lie to himself about it. So much so that, in a moment of intimacy and impulsive teasing, he made a challenge to Shirou, just as he had bet with Mitsuzuri at the school entrance: that he would succeed with Tohsaka, and Shirou wouldn't. As he plunged into his daydreams, his head full of Tohsaka Rin and the silly bets he was making, he ran headfirst into Issei.
Issei Ryuudou, with his perpetually upright posture and the serious air of someone carrying the weight of the student world on his shoulders, was leaving the council room, likely to retrieve something or check the flow in the hallways. His brown eyes, usually focused and intense, widened slightly upon seeing Carlos Eduardo, almost literally, bump into him.
Carlos, needing that moment to speak with the president, shook his head to clear his daydreams and forced an inviting smile:
"Good to see you here! I really needed to talk to you, Issei!"
Issei adjusted his glasses on his nose, his expression quickly returning to his usual student council president demeanor. He didn't seem surprised by Carlos's sudden appearance, as if he had already expected his impulsive classmate to intercept him at any moment.
"Eduardo-kun. I imagined we'd run into each other sooner or later, considering your notorious passion for 'projects.' I presume this is about the funding for the... Capoeira club, correct?"
Issei's voice was calm and controlled, but there was a note of skepticism and perhaps a hint of resignation. He was already familiar with Carlos's battles for his 'alternative' clubs.
"Oh, you can call me Cadu! It's like you don't even know me with that serious look, haha. It really is about the capoeira club! Since sports clubs tend to get more funding, I wanted to see if you could release a little bit for this new club. I promise you the materials list is very small. And I already have Mitsuzuri as a member of the class with me. If the archery club captain is there, you know it's going to be packed with interested people!"
Issei blinked slowly, the seriousness in his eyes not wavering, but a muscle in his jaw subtly twitched, as if containing a smile or a sigh. The mention of Mitsuzuri Ayako, the archery club captain and one of the most respected students for her dedication and discipline, clearly captured his attention more than Carlos's flattery.
"Cadu, then. Understood." He paused slightly, as if pondering the nickname. "Regarding the funding, you know the student council budget isn't unlimited, and every request goes through a rigorous analysis. It's not a matter of 'releasing a little bit' because you have someone's sympathy." He adjusted his glasses again; his serious gaze fixed on Carlos. "However, Mitsuzuri-san's participation is, in fact, a point to be considered. She doesn't get involved in projects without substance. That gives a... certain weight to your proposal."
He gestured with his head towards the council room.
"Let's go inside. Please, present me with the detailed plan for the Capoeira club, including the proposed curriculum, class frequency, the list of necessary equipment, however small — and, more importantly, the number of potential members you expect to attract with Mitsuzuri-san's presence. I need concrete data, Cadu, not just optimism and charisma."
He opened the council room door, inviting Carlos to enter. Issei's tone was professional, but the slight softening upon hearing Ayako's name and the acceptance of the nickname "Cadu" showed that Carlos had, indeed, taken a small step forward. Inside the room, the atmosphere was organized and somewhat austere, filled with folders and documents.
Emiya Shirou was already in the room, as Issei had asked for his help fixing a printer that should have been retired to the junkyard long ago. Even so, Shirou managed to save the machine. Carlos admired his friend's talent. He believed that Shirou's persistence was what helped him fix awkward contraptions. But to greet his friend, he ignored the conversation with Issei and practically pounced on Shirou as a form of greeting.
"Good morning, bro! Another machine saved by your hands?"
Shirou, who had been bent over the printer, tinkering with wires and gears with a screwdriver, almost fell backward from Carlos's sudden jump. He lost his balance but managed to stay upright, an expression of surprise quickly morphing into a somewhat awkward smile, as he scratched the back of his neck with his free hand.
"C-Carlos! Good morning! Uh... yeah, this printer was more trouble than expected, but I think I managed to unclog it. It's nothing much, just a few misplaced parts." He looked away for a second, a slight blush on his cheeks, embarrassed by his friend's effusive praise. His gaze then fell on the abandoned heater in the corner of the room. "But the printer works now. I guess the heater over there is next on Issei's list. It's making a strange noise."
Carlos released him, a satisfied smile on his face for having "greeted" Shirou in his own way. He turned to Issei, who had been observing their interaction with his usual seriousness, but without reprimanding them. Carlos refocused his attention on the student president.
"I haven't forgotten about you, Issei," Carlos said, picking up a sheet of paper from a pile on the table and, with surprising dexterity, began to fold a parakeet origami as he responded about the capoeira club's curriculum. "The capoeira club would meet once a week, so it won't interfere with other clubs or studies. But the materials on this list are necessary. Since they don't exist in Japan, I'll build the instrument called a berimbau myself. For drums, we can improvise with some wadaiko. The instruments are essential because they provide rhythm and cadence for the forms taught in the fight. It's similar to the kati styles in Kung Fu presented with music."
While Carlos spoke, Shirou had already picked up the heater and placed it on a side table. He frowned in concentration, running his hand over the metallic casing as if feeling for something. His eyes narrowed. A faint, ethereal glow began to emanate from his hands, almost imperceptible at first, but soon gaining a blue-green tint. Metallic sounds and a low hum, as if many microscopic gears were moving rapidly, could be heard for a few seconds. The light pulsed, and for a fleeting instant, the heater's internal form seemed to project into the air around Shirou's hands, like a translucent, three-dimensional diagram, before vanishing.
In a way, normal people weren't sensitive enough to perceive or see magic happen. Another factor that helped was Shirou's lack of aptitude for magic; his adoptive father, Kiritsugu, had told him his magic level was near zero. Even so, Shirou was disciplined in always practicing. The heater emitted a loud click and, suddenly, began to work perfectly, emitting a gentle, steady heat. Shirou let out a satisfied sigh, oblivious to the small 'magic' display he had just performed. He turned to Issei and Carlos.
"I think the heater had an internal connection problem. But it should work now. If it's not too much trouble, Issei, Carlos... could you excuse me for a moment? I need a bit more concentration for the next repairs, and silence helps."
He vaguely gestured towards other more complex appliances piled in the corner of the room. To avoid any suspicion of magic, now with more appliances around, he intended for his two friends to leave the area. Issei and Carlos exchanged glances. Issei, always respectful of Shirou's work, nodded his head. Carlos, though a little curious about Shirou's sudden 'concentration' and the strange light he saw for a second, understood his friend's request.
"Sure, bro! Let's go, Issei, I haven't finished convincing you about capoeira yet. The parakeet here still has a lot to say!" He waved the newly finished origami towards Issei, with a wide smile.
Issei and Carlos consented and left the room, with Issei closing the door behind them, leaving Shirou immersed in his world of repairs. Carlos continued to talk about the capoeira club as they walked down the hallway, with the origami parakeet in hand.
"And funding for uniforms would be important. Even though Mitsuzuri agreed to participate, I think it's better to open only ten spots for now. Let people get interested, and we'll gain more at the start. You know I don't disappoint. Just look at the row of medals I hung in the BJJ club," Carlos said, completely pleased, holding his finished origami.
Issei listened attentively, his expression seriously, but his eyes examined the origami parakeet in Carlos's hand. He seemed to ponder the points, especially the mention of Mitsuzuri and the strategy of the initial ten spots, which sounded more sensible than Carlos's previous ideas. However, Carlos's informality and exaggerated confidence still made him somewhat skeptical.
"Cadu, I understand your enthusiasm and your ability to mobilize people. The history of the Jiu-Jitsu club is, indeed, notable. And Mitsuzuri-san's participation is a strong point. However, the budget for uniforms and the viability of the 'improvised instruments' need to be evaluated more rigorously. Ten spots is a good start for a pilot project, but you'll need to present me with a detailed budgetary forecast and an activity schedule before I can take this to the council."
Issei's voice was firm, but less rigid than before, indicating that Carlos's proposal was, in fact, being taken into consideration, albeit with bureaucratic reservations.
At that moment, Tohsaka Rin, with her natural elegance and a distant expression, ascended the stairs from the floor below. Her steps were light and firm, and her eyes swept the corridor with an air of someone who expected to find some form of triviality. She saw Issei standing in the corridor, seemingly in a heated discussion—though for Carlos and him, it was just a conversation about funding—and, for an instant, a flicker of interest crossed her gaze. Noticing Tohsaka's approach, a slight surprise and even a certain discomfort crossed Issei's usually controlled face. He adjusted his glasses with his middle finger, releasing his usual distrust towards her, as if he were facing an anomaly.
"Tohsaka..."
Tohsaka Rin replied to Issei, wanting to provoke him:
"Well, if it isn't the student council president? Patrolling so early, or rummaging through the club rooms? Not that it matters, I just notice you're still quite diligent." Rin's voice was soft, but with a hint of sarcasm. Her eyes scanned Issei up and down with an almost imperceptible mockery, as if his seriousness was a curiosity to be observed but never understood.
Issei seemed to stiffen slightly. Rin's subtle provocation, which he likely interpreted as a lack of respect for his dedication, always irritated him. His air of dignity seemed to grow, like a wall against Rin's relaxed attitude.
"Tohsaka-san. I am, as always, fulfilling my duties as student council president to ensure the order and smooth operation of this institution. I am not 'patrolling'; I'm simply making sure club activities are in accordance with regulations. Unlike some, I value discipline and decorum." He emphasized the last words, casting a subtle look of disapproval at Rin, as if she were the embodiment of everything he considered "undisciplined" within the student body. His gaze then shifted to Carlos, as if seeking an ally in his formal stance, or perhaps fearing Carlos would join Rin's "mockery."
Carlos struggled to suppress his laughter at Rin's sarcasm. At the same time, the knot in his stomach and a chilling sensation in his chest, with his heart tightening, appeared as he listened to that soft voice. For Carlos, every millisecond counted to avoid an embarrassing episode that would expose those two titanic school forces—the student president and the model student—who made the great second-year adventurer's stomach churn and chest tighten. The best way out would be to apologize for the betrayal he was about to commit against his friend Issei, because he couldn't resist participating in a mockery session. For him, that's how friends should interact with each other. He closed his eyes with a smile on his face and his arms crossed, showing approval of Issei's actions, and said:
"Fine words, student patrolman." He then let out a chuckle. Wanting to play along with the situation, he continued: "But I admit it's curious to see you so early, Tohsaka-san. If you're late getting to our class, I'll invite you to join the capoeira club. Mitsuzuri's already in!"
Issei's face, which had been preparing for another formal retort to Rin, contorted in a mix of surprise and, to his frustration, an undeniable air of betrayal. He blinked, his glasses almost slipping off his nose, as he tried to process the sudden shift in "alliance." His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
Tohsaka Rin, for her part, reacted with her usual composure, but a small, almost imperceptible, flicker of surprise and even a gleam of amusement danced in her eyes. Carlos's direct and unexpected mention, and the comical "betrayal" of Issei, was something she hadn't anticipated. Her subtle sarcasm vanished for a second, replaced by genuine curiosity. The idea of Mitsuzuri Ayako in the Capoeira club and Carlos's cheekiness in inviting her were, at the very least, noteworthy.
Rin, in a voice slightly more neutral than usual, as if analyzing a complex equation, said to Carlos: "Capoeira? Mitsuzuri-san? I see you're still pursuing your... initiatives, Eduardo-kun. I'm not late for class; I'm merely appreciating the peculiar landscape of the hallways this morning. And clubs aren't my focus, as you should know." She cast a quick glance at Issei, who still looked like a fish out of water, and a second, more prolonged and intrigued, look at Carlos. There was a tone of challenge and curiosity in the latter part of her statement. "Besides, I doubt the student council president will approve funding for yet another of your... artistic adventures. He seems to have high standards for 'discipline and decorum,' doesn't he, Ryuudou-kun?"
She cast one last piercing look at Issei, who seemed to shrink slightly under the dual assault from Carlos and Rin. Then her eyes returned to Carlos, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on her lips, before she finally began to ascend the stairs, leaving the two behind with the playful taunt hanging in the air.
As Shirou exited the room, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes from having fixed the heater and the printer, he saw Tohsaka Rin going up the stairs. With his usual kindness, but somewhat awkwardly in social interactions, he said to her, without Issei's formality, but with an honest simplicity:
"You're here early, Tohsaka."
Tohsaka didn't turn around and continued up the stairs. Her response was an almost inaudible murmur, unsure if what Shirou said was a greeting or not, a minimal nod that barely broke the line of her shoulders, indicating she heard him but wouldn't linger.
Carlos, amused by the situation and now lighter from the tightness in his chest, ignored the interest in the capoeira club and the need to follow Issei. Instead, following his impulses, he quickly climbed the stairs. In a short time, he reached Rin's shoulders. He spoke softly and low, as if it were a secret just for the two of them:
"A gift for you to have a good day."
He gently placed the origami parakeet on Tohsaka's right shoulder. He did it carefully, as if to show it was an affectionate prank, so she wouldn't feel bad about it. Deep down, he wished she would accept that simple present. Without waiting for the model student's reaction to his origami, he went down the stairs, without looking back. The mystery of the pranks was what entertained him now.
Rin, her attention already divided between Shirou and the corridor ahead, felt the light weight, almost a tickle, on her shoulder. She stopped mid-step, frozen for an instant, the surprise on her face manifesting only as a slight tightening of her lips. She knew it was Carlos. His boldness and peculiarity wouldn't let her forget. Her gaze slowly dropped to her shoulder, where the small, carefully folded origami parakeet rested. It was simple yet made with a precision that contrasted with the playful attitude of its giver. A complex mix of irritation—for being surprised and "pranked”and an undeniable pang of curiosity and, perhaps, even a slight, very slight, touch of... affection? —passed through her eyes.
Rin picked up the origami with two fingers, examining it as if it were a strange artifact. She didn't throw it away or crumple it. Instead, her eyes sparkled for an instant, and a sigh escaped her lips, but not out of annoyance. It was a sigh that seemed to acknowledge the effort and intention behind the gesture. She clutched the small parakeet in her palm and continued up the stairs, without saying a word, but the small colorful figure in her hand was silent proof that the "gift" had been accepted.
Shirou, who had just fixed the heater and was preparing for the next appliance, glanced at his wristwatch and realized that classes were about to start. He made a subtle movement with his arm, a gesture Carlos knew well: it was Shirou's signal that time was running out. Carlos, turning back to Issei with a conciliatory smile but still with a playful glint in his eyes, said:
"Issei-kun, please don't take it seriously; it was just a joke. I recognize your effort, and we won't have a better president at Homurahara. But I'll come back to the capoeira club matter later. Let me steal my friend from your services, or he'll be late for class fixing more machines in this school."
Issei, who still seemed to be recovering from Rin's sudden verbal attack and Carlos's 'betrayal,' blinked a few times. Carlos's compliment, though mixed with a teasing tone, seemed to disarm him a little. He adjusted his glasses on his nose, a slight blush perhaps coloring his cheeks, a rare sight on his serious face.
"Uh... yes, Eduardo-kun. I... understand. Indeed, the school schedule is a priority. Come back with the club proposal formalized. And... thank you. For the recognition." His voice was a little softer than usual, though still formal. He watched Carlos grab Shirou.
Carlos wasted no time, taking Shirou by the arms with a light laugh and pulling him towards the exit of the room, accompanying him to his classroom. Shirou, caught by surprise, stumbled a little but didn't resist, already used to his friend's bursts of affection and impulsiveness. Carlos broke the silence:
"I'm ahead in the challenge, huh, hahaha! Can I come over for dinner tonight? How are things going with Sakura helping out at your place?"
Shirou blinked, a little dazed by the abrupt change of subject and the speed with which Carlos was dragging him along. The mention of Sakura made him smile softly, a genuine and warm expression that always appeared when he talked about her.
"Huh? Dinner? Oh, sure, Carlos. You're always welcome. It's just... you know, I have a few things to do after school, and Sakura... Sakura's amazing, as always. She helps me a lot with chores and... and with dinner too. She's a fantastic cook." He seemed almost to ramble, his face acquiring an expression of pure admiration and gratitude when speaking of Shinji's sister. There was a slight hesitation about the 'organization' of the Emiya household, but the joy of having Carlos around outweighed it. "But yes, come! It'll be good to have you there!"
"Cool! I already told my parents I wanted to visit you. But you'd better keep an eye on Sakura. I'm already closer to winning the challenge of winning over Rin first, haha! But can I be honest? And please, don't tell anyone. I think I need to ease up on teasing her. Just this morning, being in her presence, my stomach was churning, and I felt a terrible chill in my chest. But please, don't tell anyone. Otherwise, I'll have to face a bunch of club captains wanting to challenge me as a wimp again. And I don't want that anymore."
Shirou listened to Carlos attentively, his eyes widening in surprise at the confession about Rin. But quickly, his confused expression gave way to one of genuine concern. He looked at Carlos, who now seemed strangely vulnerable, and his instinct to help surged. With a furrowed brow, speaking in a serious and slightly worried tone, Shirou blurted out to Carlos:
"A chill in your chest? Stomach churning? Carlos, are you okay? That doesn't sound good... Did you eat something strange for breakfast? Or maybe it's Fuyuki's winter cold? We can go to the infirmary if you're feeling unwell. It's not good to feel those things, especially if it's because of a 'joke' that's making you sick. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I promised, didn't I? A secret between friends."
He seemed to take Carlos's physical complaint very seriously, somewhat missing the subtlety of his friend's emotional dilemma. The idea of Carlos worrying about his reputation as a 'wimp' for feeling unwell was something Shirou, in his simplicity, considered secondary to his friend's health. He gave Carlos an awkward pat on the shoulder, trying to be comforting.
"But... about Tohsaka... she's truly... impressive. I'm sure if you talk to her about your feelings, she'll understand. And don't feel bad about this, Carlos. Everyone has their moments of weakness, you know? It's not being a wimp; it's... it's being human. And I don't think a club captain would care about what you feel for someone." He paused, realizing he might not be helping much with the romantic issue, but the promise of secrecy was unwavering in his eyes.
"Thanks for the support, man. I'm fine now, I don't feel what I told you anymore. And relax about Tohsaka. It's still fun to mess with her. I have a challenge with you to win, haha!"
Shirou gave an relieved smile, though somewhat confused by Carlos's sudden return to the 'teasing' and the 'challenge' with Rin. He was happy his friend felt better, even without fully understanding the initial cause of the discomfort. Carlos's loyalty was something Shirou deeply valued.
Entering Shirou's classroom, Carlos stopped abruptly. His eyes met Matou Shinji's, who was already seated at his desk, looking even more petulant than usual after his escape from Rin. The smile on Carlos's face vanished, replaced by a cold, piercing glare. He didn't say a word, but the scowl on his face, full of silent disapproval, was a clear message. Shinji, seeing Carlos's expression, shrunk slightly in his chair, looking away towards the window as if suddenly fascinated by the landscape outside, his face pale.
Carlos, turning back to Shirou, his expression relaxed once more, thanked his friend:
"Thanks for listening to me. Know that I'll be by your side when you need me too, okay?"
With a quick nod to Shirou, Carlos ran off to avoid being late, but without success. The first-period teacher, a severe and punctual man, cast him a disapproving look. Carlos got reprimanded, as usual, and was sent to his seat. As he entered the classroom, his eyes automatically sought out Tohsaka Rin's desk. She was already there, sitting with her impeccable posture, focused on her books as if the outside world didn't exist. Carlos, feeling his stomach churn again, but now mixed with apprehension about her reaction to the origami, walked straight past her, almost hiding behind other students, without even risking a glance in her direction. He didn't want to know the response to his little silent gift, not yet. The mystery of the pranks was fun, but the uncertainty of her reaction made him uneasy.
The day continued, with Carlos participating in classes with his peculiar energy. To the surprise of all his classmates, and even Tohsaka Rin, who occasionally cast a discreet glance his way, and to the veiled frustration of the teachers, Carlos once again aced the latest exam. His results were inconsistent: sometimes perfect, sometimes just average, but when he applied himself, it was undeniable. Many teachers wished Carlos would get a bad grade on some assignment or test to justify his mischievousness and his reputation as a 'troublemaker,' but to everyone's astonishment, they couldn't make him truly a 'back-of-the-class' student. His occasional brilliance was an irritating mystery to them, contrasting with his outgoing and, at times, defiant personality. Little did Carlos know how important it would be to stand firm in his defiant attitude to face the challenges that lay ahead.