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Archer's life had gone in a different direction than he could have ever foreseen. Of course, this was nothing new, his life never turned out the way he wanted. From chasing the broken ideals he once held dear that damned him to a lifetime of regrets to his current situation. Now stuck in Fuyuki City with all the other servants, in the worst possible period. There was a sense of relief, that he was no longer a counter guardian, but he hated being in this specific time. He did his best to try and avoid anyone from his past life. Of course, he sometimes came across his idiot past self, resulting in some argument between the two. Although, those only happened very rarely. Both he and the boy had no real interest in one another, which was fine by him. The only exception is his former master, Rin Tohsaka. He tried to settle for an easy life. He would do landscaping and cleaning at the Tohsaka Estate, go fishing near the docks, and recently started working in the kitchen at a restaurant. It all started with Lancer needing someone to cook, and soon enough he found himself often working here.
It was yet another mundane day, Archer was diligently cooking food for patrons. The place was busy, with A constant stream of patrons coming in and out of the restaurant. Even though he tried to live a low-profile life, his food was well-known and well-loved by staff and customers. As his day was about to end, he heard the voice of someone he wished he didn't. The woman wasn't someone he hated, not at all. But when she heard him speak to Lancer, he felt nothing but regret.
"Oi, Archer. The lovely lady wants zosui." Archer nodded as he began working on his next dish. It didn't take long, as he gave it to Lancer, who in turn gave it to the woman. Archer looked on to the woman's cheerful disposition. Despite his neutral expression, he felt a pain in his chest. Despite not remembering many things from his past, she was someone he never forgot. The person who cared for him was like an older sister, who was there for him once Kiritsugu and another loved one he cast aside for his ideals. He knew the severe heartbreak he must have caused her when she learned about his death. That was why it would have been better if she wasn't around.
"Archer, I think the lady is into you! She kept shooting glances at you while she was eating."
"Okay."
"Seriously, that's it? Man, you really are a boring guy."
"Why does it matter to you, Lancer?"
"Because you need excitement in your life. Go talk to her, she might not leave until you do."
"If I talk to her, will you leave me alone?" Lancer shot him a smile.
"Sure!" Archer sighed and walked over to her. The restaurant would be closing up in around 15 minutes anyway. There wasn't anyone else around, so he might as well talk.
"How was the food, ma'am." The woman looked up to him causing Archer to feel another strike internally. He could see the joy on her face, the love in her eyes. The same love his Taiga once showed him.
"Oh, it was wonderful! You make the second-best zosui I know!"
"Who would be the first?"
"Oh, that would be my little brother! Both of your zosuis are very similar, but he is a tiny bit better." Archer tried to suppress the rage and annoyance boiling inside to the best of his abilities.
"I see I have been beaten, that's a shame."
"Oh, it isn't by that much! Anyway, my name is Taiga Fujimura, and you're?"
"Archer."
"Archer? My, there are a lot of people with weird names I have met. Saber, Rider, and now Archer. But, I suppose a name is a name."
"I suppose it's."
"So, Archer are you a foreigner?"
"Why do you ask?"
"You don't look Japanese." She said it so bluntly, without hesitation on her part.
"You would be correct, I'm not from here. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I found myself here."
"I knew it!" The woman didn't realize she raised her voice with her declaration. She quickly calmed down before speaking again.
"How do you like Fuyuki? Are you a newcomer?"
"It is much more peaceful compared to other places I have been to."
"Mhm, it is. It was somewhat bad about a month ago, something to do with gas leaks. Thankfully, those have been resolved."
"I heard about that when I moved here. As for the other question, I'm pretty new to this place. I have only been here for about two months."
"If you would like people to talk to, I could help. Being in a new place all alone can be very lonely. There are many great people here you can get acquainted with quickly!"
"I appreciate that, Taiga. However, I will have to decline the offer, I have been very busy since moving here. I barely have much time to myself."
"I see. Well, if you ever change your mind, don't hesitate to reach out. You can find me near Homuhura Academy. Just make sure to come after school hours, I'm busy during the day molding the minds of the younger generation!" Despite him keeping a neutral face, this did make Archer smile a bit. The boisterous woman was still just as endearing as she was in his time.
"I'll consider that. Anyway, you should get going, we are about to close now."
"Oh, right!" She got up and went to the exit. Before opening the door, she looked back to Archer.
"It was nice meeting you, Archer! Take care!"
"Likewise, have a good night Taiga." After she left, Archer sighed. He knew Lancer would have something to say about this. When he turned around, he saw the blue-haired man with a giant smile on his face.
"My, you can talk to others! You aren't just a jerk all the time! I must say this is very intriguing, Archer!"
"Very humorous, Lancer. Anyway, I'm going to head out. See you later." Lancer waved goodbye at him, as Archer began walking around the city. The only thing on his mind was Taiga. Despite him looking neutral during their entire conversation, on the inside it was a different story. The feelings of sadness and regret loomed heavily in his heart. He couldn't do anything but let the feelings loom there however long they would be in his heart. It wasn't like things could get worse for him.
Things had gotten worse when the worst person in the world showed up at Archer's doorstep.
"She isn't available, Archer"
"What?"
"Fuji-nee."
"Who?"
"Taiga Fujimura." You won't come in with your fake charm and good cooking, and make her fall for you. She would never fall for a horrible guy like you."
"Shirou Emiya, what the fuck are you talking about?"
"I think we both know what I'm talking about. You and her will never be together, not in a million years. All Fuji-nee was talking about was you. The handsome foreigner with dark skin, white hair, and silver eyes. Does that ring a bell?" Archer sighed, he hated the boy more than anything in the world.
"You really are the biggest idiot I have ever come across. Let me put your stupid mind at ease, I have no interest in your "Fuji-nee", so stop coming to illogical conclusions. Although I know that's hard for you."
"Good, keep it that way." Archer was relieved, he didn't have to deal with the boy's idiotic blabber anymore. He soon got back to work taking care of the Tohsaka estate landscaping.
Yet another day passed, and he saw Taiga once again. At the restaurant right before closing. Lancer came up to him and told him she wanted to talk to him, and Archer once again was talking to someone he wanted to avoid so badly.
"I'm sorry about my little brother. I heard him talking to someone about meeting up with you, telling you off for no reason, and making wild accusations."
"Accusations of what kind?"
"He thinks I'm into you, and you were trying to charm me or something stupid like that."
"It's alright, Taiga. You don't need to apologize, the boy is the one who caused a problem. Truthfully, he sounded pretty idiotic when talking to me yesterday. Almost like he wasn't fully thinking before coming at me."
"Mhm, he can be. He's always going on about wanting to help others no matter what. Even though in this case he caused more problems for other people. I know he does these things out of concern for me, but he should still think before he acts. He has a habit of doing things without thinking them through. Sometimes he does these things without thinking how it will affect everyone who cares about him."
"Sounds like a problem. No matter, I quickly forgot what he said right after he left."
"Good, I don't think of you that way. You seem like a nice man, Archer, but I'm not interested in you know that way."
"That's fine with me, Taiga. If I may, can I give you some advice regarding your younger brother?"
"Hmm, what would that be?"
"Make sure to keep him as grounded as you can. He sounds stubborn with the way you described him. Make sure he knows that others appreciate and value him, so he thinks twice before making choices that will cause problems for the ones who love him. If he were to make a choice that truly hurts the one he loves, he will forever regret it until the end of his days."
"You seem to talk from experience, Archer."
"In my youth, I was somewhat like your little brother. It caused me many regrets later on in my life."
"I see." She put a hand on his shoulder. "I hope you find peace here and move on as much as you can from whatever problems you had in the past."
"I hope so too." Taiga began leaving again, flashing him a smile before exiting the door. Archer looked out the window, seeing the sun setting on the city. He hoped the Shirou Emiya of this time didn't leave his Taiga and everyone else behind, mindlessly chasing his ideals to the bitter end. However, despite what happens to the boy, it won't change his situation. All he could do now was live with the reminder he abandoned the ones who loved him . He let out a mirthless chuckle, this was his punishment for his choices. All he could do now was live with it.