IBHJ 1031 (Patreon)

Fujimaru's special day wasn't really anything special, just completing his graduation. But since the past plane had completely disappeared and the once-bustling crowds had disappeared without a trace, they could only have Gilgamesh and Arthur act as teachers.

"Congratulations on your graduation, Reiroukan Misaya. I'm proud of you," Arthur said as he handed her the diploma.

Misaya took it, feeling like she was in a dream. It was both real and unreal at the same time.

"Misaya-senpai, Misaya-senpai—"

Fujimaru's gentle voice broke through her thoughts. "We graduated today. Cheer up."

Cheer up... The words echoed in her mind. Was such a thing even possible anymore? Misaya stared down at the diploma in her hands, the formal text blurring as emotion overwhelmed her. She tried to speak, but no words came. Instead, tears began falling silently onto the crisp paper, each drop creating tiny circular ripples across her name printed at the paper.

"Misaya-senpai?"

"Yes," she smiled. "We graduated."

"Thank you, Fujimaru Shirou. And… do your best—"

Through the tears streaming down her face, Misaya gave him one last bright smile. Then, like a dream fading at dawn, she simply ceased to be. She vanished like a soap bubble touching the ground, leaving nothing behind but her diploma falling softly to the floor.

Wind rushed in through the window, ruffling the pages of the diploma. That piece of paper, with "Reiroukan Misaya" written on it in black ink, was the only proof that she had ever existed.

Everyone was silent.

Fujimaru picked up her diploma and said quietly, "Today, we graduated."

Shirou watched him, then nodded. "Yes," he said with a small smile.

He understood. He'd understood from the moment Eternal Emperor was born, from the moment past and present intertwined. This was the regret that lingered from the past. Just as they were about to graduate and start their new lives, ready to make a difference in the world, they were pulled into the Holy Grail War. They never even got to hold their diplomas, let alone make their mark.

Yes, that was the past's biggest regret.

Perhaps Fujimaru had also realized that once this version of the past disappeared, they would return to Shirou's original timeline, with Ayaka, Manaka, and the others, and everything here would dissipate like passing clouds.

Ayaka looked at him, unable to hold back her question. "Why don't you go up too, Fujimaru Shirou?"

He smiled and shook his head, looking at Fujimaru, saying: "This is his moment."

The past couldn't be changed, and the future remained out of reach. Misaya couldn't move forward into the future, and he, Shirou, was destined to become his future.

As Fujimaru stood on the stage, holding his diploma, talking about his thesis, his time studying abroad, and his hopes for the future… Shirou clapped, but he didn't say anything.

All those efforts were like clouds; that envisioned future was also void.

Everything was meaningless.

But...

Was it truly meaningless?

When Arthur announced that the ceremony was over, Fujimaru walked out, diploma in hand, with a happy expression on his face.

Shirou went to meet him, smiling and saying: "Congratulations."

"Congratulations to you too," Fujimaru replied, smiling back.

Shirou hesitated for a moment, then smiled broadly and nodded. "Thank you…"

"Misaya was just so happy that she went back first," Fujimaru said. He was holding Misaya's diploma and looking at Shirou with a smile. "But this way, I won't have any regrets…"

He looked up at Shirou, his expression serious. "The past can't be changed, but maybe the future can. I'll work hard to become you, so… you have to win! Whether it's against the Council or the Lord of Salvation, you have to win!"

He held out his fist towards Shirou.

Shirou paused, then smiled and nodded, bumping his fist against Fujimaru's. "Ah!"

Fujimaru grinned, and then his figure began to fade, finally disappearing like a bubble.

"Hey, future mongrel!"

"I told you not to call me that." Shirou turned to face Gilgamesh, though he already knew who'd made such an arrogant comment without even looking.

"Hmph. I'm also leaving, mongrel."

"I know. Goodbye, Gil."

"You're odd. You complain about being called 'mongrel' but don't react when I say it."

"I've gotten used to it."

"The adult version of me, huh... Let me ask, what do you call my adult version?"

"Mongrel."

Gilgamesh went quiet, then burst into laughter. "You really are— worthy of being cut into thousand pieces..."

Still laughing, he turned away, his body dissolving into particles. "Goodbye, future Master."

"Yeah. Goodbye, Gil," Shirou said quietly.

"We should also get going, Ayaka." Arthur and Perseus gave her a small wave.

"Goodbye... Arthur." Ayaka said with a complicated expression.

Arthur smiled and vanished with Perseus.

"Farewell." Medea snorted and turned away, disappearing down the dark corridor.

The surrounding buildings cracked and crumbled, collapsing like sandcastles.

Shirou looked at Mordred and the others, smiling and saying: "We should also go."

"Mm." Kiara nodded and walked towards him.

Arcueid followed while giggling.

As for Mordred?

She was still in Arcueid's arms with a lifeless expression like a salted fish.

Shirou walked towards the exit, leaving the trial behind and heading back to the outside world.

Brilliant light filled his vision, and for a moment, he saw the terrifying eye of the Lord of Salvation again. Fear still flickered in his heart, but he didn't hesitate.

He looked towards the eye of the Lord of Salvation. "The past isn't the end, It's the beginning of a better future."

Even if he didn't know what lay ahead, he had to keep moving forward. That was the only way to face the future.

"I'm afraid of you, but I'm not afraid of you. Because I am Fujimaru Shirou."

...

Fujimaru woke up at his desk, his vision blurry. He noticed a white cape draped over his shoulders.

"Oh? You're awake?"

He turned to see Gilgamesh sitting by the window, enjoying the breeze.

"Hm? Why are you crying?" Gilgamesh noticed the tears on Fujimaru's face. His brow furrowed. "Did some mongrel use a dream invasion Noble Phantasm on you? This I absolutely cannot tolerate."

"No," Fujimaru shook his head. "I just had a sad dream."

What kind of dream was it? He couldn't say for sure. It was hazy, unclear. But it felt like he had seen his own future, his own fate. He couldn't remember any of the details, only the lingering sadness.

"Oh? How curious. I've decided to protect you, haven't I? So what's there to be sad about? What's there to worry about? Or are you saying you doubt my strength? If so, prepare yourself for a most unpleasant punishment!" Gilgamesh said coldly.

"Gil..."

"Hm?"

Fujimaru looked at him with a smile. "Thank you."

Gilgamesh was taken aback. He crossed his arms and turned his head. "Hmph. There's no need for thanks. That's an insult. You are the Master, I am the Servant. You chose me, didn't you? And since you are my Master, I will protect you. So you don't need to be sad, and you certainly don't need to have nightmares. Because I am your Servant."

"Mm..." Fujimaru turned back to his desk, clutching the cape around him. Tears fell onto the mountain of thesis papers before him, landing on the signature.

—Fujimaru Shirou.