Night Before 2nd Duel

As the sun sank below the horizon, a quiet stillness settled over the orphanage grounds. Sarah, Chris, Alica, Cherry, and Shirou walked together along the worn path, their voices mingling in soft chatter. Shirou, however, trailed behind, his gaze fixed on the ground, his steps heavy and uncertain.
"Did something happen, Shirou?" Sarah asked gently, noticing his distant expression.
He lifted his head, his eyes meeting theirs. Worry lingered in the air, pressing against him like a weight. Clenching his fists, Shirou raised his voice—
"I want to challenge them to a duel."
The words stunned everyone into silence.
"What…?" Sarah looked at him in confusion.
Before anyone else could react, Cherry suddenly rushed forward, wrapping her arms around him as tears welled in her eyes.
"You haven't forgotten, right? Back at the orphanage, when I called you a rabbit…" she whispered, trembling as she clung tighter.
"Don't—don't hug me." Shirou struggled to free himself, pushing against her hold as she leaned closer, trying to press her lips to his cheek.
Annoyed, Chris stepped forward and rapped Cherry sharply on the head.
"Ah—ow!" Cherry yelped, clutching her forehead.
"Don't you see? He's annoyed," Chris scolded her bluntly.
Then, turning his attention back to Shirou, Chris asked with calm seriousness, "So. Did something happen? What made you decide to challenge us?"
For a moment, only silence answered him. Sarah, Alica, and even Cherry held their breaths, waiting.
Finally, Shirou spoke, his voice low but unwavering.
"I heard from the younger kids that you two… you're stronger than Alica. And my late mother once told me—if I want to grow stronger, I must face those who are stronger than me. If I can overcome that strength, then I'll become stronger too."
His words fell heavy in the air.
Alica's eyes widened at first—but then narrowed. She stepped forward, her expression tightening with irritation.
"Are you saying… that I'm weak?" she demanded. "That the time we fought before—when Mother declared you the winner—it was just a fluke?"
"N-no! I didn't mean it like that—" Shirou stammered.
"Don't lie." Alica's voice trembled with frustration. "You said it. You did."
Chris and Cherry exchanged glances, torn between laughter and shock at the rising tension.
"Enough," Sarah's firm voice cut through the air, drawing everyone's attention. She crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering.
"If you want this duel so badly, then I agree. But on one condition—"
Everyone leaned forward, waiting.
"It will be a four-way match. Shirou and Alica… against Chris and Cherry."
For a moment, silence.
And then—
"Whaaaaat?!"
"But why do I have to team up with him?" Alica complained, folding her arms stubbornly.
"I agree," Shirou added. "I want to challenge them alone, not in a team."
Sarah shook her head, her voice firm. "No excuses. If you truly want to fight, then you'll fight with Alica by your side. That's my condition."
Shirou clenched his fists, frustration battling against reason. But he knew—if he rejected the chance, it would be wasted. "…Fine. I agree."
"I don't want—" Alica started to protest, but froze when her eyes met her mother's serious gaze. She sighed in defeat and looked away. "…Tch. Fine."
"Then it's decided." Sarah clapped her hands. "The match will be held tomorrow. For now, get some rest and prepare your hearts."
As they walked back, Alica kept grumbling under her breath at Shirou, who didn't bother replying. Meanwhile, Cherry, Chris, and Sarah walked a few paces ahead of them.
"Mother Sarah…" Cherry whispered with concern. "Is it really alright? I mean, Alica's fought us plenty of times. We know she's strong. But Shirou…?"
Before Sarah could answer, Chris interrupted. "Didn't you hear? Shirou actually defeated Alica once."
Cherry blinked in shock. "Really? So that's why she gets annoyed whenever he mentions strength…"
Sarah chuckled softly. "That's not the only reason. Mark my words—Shirou will surpass all of us in town, and faster than you think.""Whaaaat?!" Cherry and Chris exclaimed together, their eyes wide.
"That's why," Sarah said with a warm smile as she patted their heads, "you two need to do your best tomorrow."
That night, after dinner, the house fell into silence as everyone drifted into sleep. Everyone except Shirou. Restless, he slipped outside, lifting his gaze toward the starlit sky.
"Hey—what are you doing out here this late?"
Shirou turned and saw Alica standing near the doorway, dressed in pale-pink pajamas."…Nothing. Just—" he hesitated, his voice low, "I don't know." He looked lost in thoughts he couldn't quite grasp.
Alica sighed and walked over, sitting beside him, though not too close. "Geez… I'll never understand why Mother took you in."
Shirou glanced at her, lips parting as if to ask something, but then stopped when he saw her pouting face. He thought better of it.
After a moment, Alica spoke again, her voice quieter now. "So… about your past. I'm not that curious, but… you always mention your late mother. Who was she, really?"
He opened his mouth to answer, but his words faltered. At last, he muttered, "…I don't want to talk about her now. Sorry."
"…Alright. Sorry for asking," Alica replied softly.
Silence lingered between them as the night breeze brushed past. Both of them turned their eyes toward the endless sky above.
"You know," Alica began again, her tone distant but gentle, "I never got to meet my father. He died before I was born. Mother raised me on her own. I don't have many memories with her cause she is hero and for others people she was always in war, but the ones memories I do have… they're precious. And now, I'm happy I still have her with me."
Her words made Shirou keep silent, listening.
"Mother always said—when you feel lonely, close your eyes and remember the person you miss the most. And when you open them—"
"—you hear that person's voice," Shirou interrupted quietly. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah. She told me the same thing. Maybe… that's where you and Sarah really match."
Alica turned red, caught off-guard by the comment. "…Idiot."
Recovering quickly, she crossed her arms. "Anyway, about tomorrow… you know we can't beat them, right? Chris and Cherry are strong. So I'll tell you their weak points—"
"I don't want to hear it," Shirou cut in, shaking his head firmly. "In war, you don't always know your enemy. The fear of death forces you to adapt—the battlefield itself teaches you how to win. That's what my late mother told me."
For a moment, Alica just stared at him. And then, unexpectedly, she laughed—a soft, trembling laugh as she wiped the hint of tears from her eyes.
"You really are… the strangest kid my mother ever adopted." She smiled, and for the first time that night, her voice held a warmth she rarely showed him.