It seems that my gambit paid off. Worldwide fame is not something people can achieve easily. However, now this is going to become a major bancing act.

  On the one hand, if I keep up this momentum, my presence will be constantly known. This won't give me much freedom, and since I pn to participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War, accidentally revealing the Moonlit World to the public is a godawful idea.

  On the other hand, if I don't do anything, I'll become a footnote at best or fade into obscurity at worst. In other words, I'll need to maintain a very fine quota.

  I managed to acquire one million dolrs. While not as much as said in the papers, it is quite a hefty sum. I could probably never have to work a day in this life.

  Despite that, I have other pns. After getting the money, I donated it to charities around the world. They were mostly the ones that helped children in need, as well as cancer and AIDS research.

  Money in the right hands can be a superpower. But I digress. If I don't do anything too outrageous, then I'm sure nothing will go wrong.

  Now it's time for school. While I did just help the scientific world, I'm passing off as someone with normal intelligence in every other field. Modesty is key here, despite recent events.

  Because of that, I'm now transferring into a cssroom filled with six- to seven-year-olds at the end of the school year.

  With the signal from the teacher to introduce myself, I spoke, "Hello everyone. My name is Emiya Shirou. I will be in your care." I bow afterwards. The stares intensified. It looks like they found out immediately.

  "Thank you, Emiya. Please take the empty seat near Tohsaka," my teacher said, pointing to where it was. I quickly head to the seat near Tohsa…

  Wait, Tohsaka? As in Tohsaka Rin?

  My head swivels 90 degrees instantly to confirm my theory.

  Long, wavy brown hair done in twin tails, aqua eyes staring back at me, cd in the standard Homurahara uniform, it's her in the flesh. A major pyer in the Fifth Holy Grail War. Getting closer to her will be very beneficial.

  ‘It looks like I might have some luck for once. Now let's see if I can make the most of it.’

  "It looks like we'll be sitting next to each other for the rest of the school year. I hope we get along well." I bowed forward politely.

  In response, Tohsaka merely huffed and turned away. The lesson had already started, but I could get away with not focusing on it. An elementary school-level math lesson is something anyone could follow without even trying.

  While not letting my face betray my thoughts, I let my mind wander. There are many things to pn that might determine my long-term standing, for better or worse.

  The first would have to be money. I couldn’t have kept the money from the military. I even managed to make them pay me less to help build the reputation of a good Samaritan.

  TAP TAP TAP

  I will be inheriting the Emiya fortune, but I’d like to use the money I make and save that for a rainy day expense.

  TAP TAP TAP

  Stock market trading is probably the best way to get money quickly since I know what the stocks will be in the future.

  TAP TAP TAP

  That is, if there isn’t an unexpected stock market crash that takes all my savings. How will I be able to make an account at this age?

  TAP TAP TAP

  Now, where could that be coming from? Turning to the side, I see the next head of the Tohsaka household with a scrunched-up face.

  I turn my attention to the teacher to see what’s giving her a headache. Repying the teacher's words but paying attention this time to his words. Imaginary numbers? Normally, a student in this grade would let something like that fly over their head. Tohsaka is not 'normal', however.

  "Excuse me, could you please stop making that noise?" I said politely, not to offend her.

  "I'm very sorry; I didn't mean to break your concentration," Tohsaka almost bit out. Did she catch me not paying attention? I'm not sure if I should be impressed with her skill at this age or worried about me slipping.

  "Are you trying to figure out what the teacher said about imaginary numbers? I think that’s not even taught in high school."

  "How do you know that?"

  "I remember hearing about it from a university professor."

  "Were they in your article?" A gre sent my way gets me to reconsider my words.

  "Why are you even here? Creating a material that is useful and rare could make you rich enough to retire now. If you wanted to pursue education, surely you could get a better one with your connections." So that's what this is about. Tohsaka wants to study at the Clock Tower while she's stuck here. Meanwhile, I have the chance to be taught by the greatest minds in the world, and yet I'm here.

  "This might not be a good answer, but I wanted a 'normal' life. The ceramic was something I just figured out. Granted, it was hard, mind you, but I had an idea and went through with it. I recently went through a pretty bad accident that made me think about my life. Others might think this is boring, but I want to do this," I said, trying to stay in character while not going into a spiel.

  Tohsaka goes silent. I can't bme her; I did drop a bomb on her. She doesn't look like she fully accepts it.

  "How about we help each other out then? I help you with stuff you don't understand, and you help me with things I don't understand." I propose.

  "What do you not understand?"

  "Well, I'm not too good with Japanese." This gets her to smile. Her face quickly goes back to neutral as she contemptes. For something as simple as helping each other with schoolwork, she's taking it very seriously.

  “Very well, I shall accept your proposal,” Tohsaka finally said, extending her hand. Handshakes are a more Western exchange. While this does confuse me, I know she is a Magus, and with that, she has more knowledge of general Western and European things. Nonetheless, I reached out to csp her hand. With that firm shake, the deal has been made.

  “Now then, would you like some help?” I asked. I knew the answer, but it didn’t hurt. Tohsaka scooted closer to me while trying to be quiet and doing it successfully.

  If there is one skill I could never doubt, it is my teaching ability. If I keep this up, I can maybe be her friend.

  After School…

  School is finally over for the day. It wasn’t hard, but trying to py dumb during Japanese css is not an easy bance act. Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to use my intelligence.

  Looking around, I see many students being picked up by their families, and I frown as it brings my thoughts to Kiristugu’s current parental supervision or ck thereof. I suppose it is in my favour since I can practice more openly. However, I will need to be prepared for when he does come back.

  "What are you looking at, weirdo?" That voice isn't far away, but it is not directed at me. I look over absentmindedly, still busy in thought.

  A small group of children of simir age to mine were huddled around someone.

  The sight of purple hair was the only thing I needed to see to intervene.

  "Excuse me," I said, clearly making my presence known. "Can I py with you guys?"

  "Eh?" I received a look from the tough guy act I've seen a thousand times and a hundred times better. "Who're you?"

  "My name is Shirou Emiya," I replied, bowing while pretending to be oblivious to the btant antagonism. “Are you pying tag?”

  None would admit they were bullying the girl, so they'll probably leave.

  One whispered into the leader's ear, and his eyes went wide.

  “Umm, actually, I just remembered I have to do something, so I have to go,” the leader said while backing away with his group. After he finished, they started running. I guess my fame is more useful than I thought. Turning around, I see the reason why I'm here.

  If I could only use one word to describe the girl before me, it would be purple. Purple hair, purple eyes, and a purple dress. The only thing not purple is the red-pink bow on the left side of her hair.

  Sakura Matou. Formerly, Sakura Tohsaka. ‘Student’ of Zouken Matou and adoptive sister of the world’s future greatest scumbag, Shinji Matou.

  As I’ve come to learn, I can assume that leaving her alone will create a tremendous obstacle in the future.

  One of the attributes of my curse is my minimal luck rather than fate. Put simply, if something with me is left to chance, it will take a turn for the worst. I've found ways to circumvent it, however. One of them is possessing someone with a higher 'luck'.

  "Hey, are you okay?" I asked. It takes too long for a response.

  "I'm fine,” she said too quickly. Some bruises on her face say otherwise. Asking again will give the same response.

  “My house is nearby; I can help treat your wounds,” I offered. A long silence was my answer. I guess I have to do this by force.

  I quickly move behind without the use of magecraft. One arm under her knees and one under her back.

  I am now holding Sakura in a princess carry, and before she can react, I start moving toward the Emiya household.

  As I look around, I see some older people smiling at me. Why are they doing that? Is this something to do with my fame?

  (At the Emiya Household)

  Thankfully, Sakura wasn’t very injured. I’m pretty sure the boys didn't even y a finger on her since the worst wound she suffered was a cut on her forehead.

  I used a wet cloth to clean the dirt and a band-aid to cover the wound. I can't use healing magecraft since I don't know any of this world, and it would expose me.

  “I need to leave; Grandpa will get mad at me,” Sakura said. Shit, I need to keep her here longer to form a proper bond. I was in a panic.

  “Do you want to have lunch? I'm a pretty good cook,” I said, hastily grabbing her wrist, taking care not to put too much force into it.

  "...okay." She eventually said, I led her to the table and made her sit down.

  The first step in making food is to gather ingredients. The grocery run the other day fully stocked the fridge with everything needed. Of course, I’m not going to use all of it in one meal. It doesn’t take much to feed two small children.

  Pulling out the step stool, I now start using the items. Being efficient and quick is a high priority to make sure Sakura can’t second-guess herself.

  A while passes before I start sensing eyes boring into my skull. When I look back, Sakura is staring at the wall. But when I turn towards the kitchen counter, the feeling returns.

  Carefully, my eyes gnce over my shoulder. Unsurprisingly, she’s looking at me cooking. This could work in my favour.

  “Want to help?” I asked. Sakura was startled by this. She couldn't even string a sentence, let alone a word.

  "You don't have to. It'll help speed things up, and you won't have to do much." Sakura stops and thinks for a moment. She stands up and walks over.

  Grabbing a spare apron, I tie it around her and show her the singur stepping stool. Unfortunately, the only thing left that needed to be done was cutting carrots. I would have preferred if I didn’t have to teach a child who hasn’t even reached double digits how to use a knife, but it seems like I ck any choice.

  I head towards Sakura on the stool slowly and pnt my feet behind Sakura, whose body immediately goes rigid in response. I gently guide her to the proper form and motions. Thankfully, Sakura quickly loosened up, and teaching her went more smoothly than I thought.

  We pte the dishes and start eating. Only the sounds of utensils clinking and food being chewed are heard.

  ‘What should I talk about?’ That thought was a constant in my mind, and Sakura seemed to be awkwardly silent as well.

  “Are you feeling better?” I asked. A nod was my answer. “Do you like the food?” A rger nod. That's something, at least.

  “Do you know why those guys were surrounding you?” Sakura’s head was about to move when she must have realized that this wasn't a yes-or-no question.

  “I tripped and fell on my face. The boys walked up to me and said things I couldn't hear. Shortly after you came by,” Sakura answered. Her story does line up with what I saw.

  “Is there someone you can talk to about this?”

  “I have my grandpa and my older brother but I don't want to bother him."

  “You wouldn't be bothering him. An older brother has to help his younger siblings." Sakura's face shifts as I say that. I hope her retionship with her blood sister can be mended, and if so, sooner rather than ter.

  After that, we became silent and continued eating. Knowing I probably won't be able to get more of a response, I let my mind wander.

  My previous issue with being famous rears its head. I’ve decided to increase my reputation, but I don't know how.

  “Are you okay?” The question brings me back to reality. If Sakura managed to catch that, then I must be slipping. Actually, letting her in on my plight might not be the worst idea I've had.

  “Well, I'm not sure if you know this, but I'm a little famous around the world." No response; I guess the Matous aren't very interested in modern news.

  “With my newfound fame, I was thinking of doing some good with it. The problem is, I don't know what." I ponder aloud. There is an awkward silence in the air as I wait for an answer. I thought to continue speaking.

  “What if you make a book?” Sakura offers. I pause as it goes through my mind.

  “Lots of famous people make books. Either about themselves or some issue, maybe you could do that." A moment passes before an almost genuine smile appears in my mouth.

  “That's genius!” I shouted. Sakura was startled by this. It seems like my positive reinforcement was not well received.

  “Sorry, I got excited. Are you alright?” A quick nod is my answer. Good enough, I suppose. We finish our food and walk her out.

  The courteous thing to do would be to walk Sakura to her house. I would do that, but I don't want to risk an encounter with Zouken Matou. The element of surprise is something I will cling onto until it’s ripped out of my grasp.

  Hopefully, all goes well. But enough about that; I have a book to write.