One morning, at the Penguin Logistics dorm.
"So, Oripathy is…"
Shirou was holding Mr. Blood, Volume 1 and studying it. Even though it was labeled as an introductory volume, the technical terms still gave him a headache.
Fortunately, he could look up rough meanings online.
Unfortunately, everyone from Penguin Logistics was home today, it was a rare group day off.
"Hahaha! Take my Originium Pulse Cyclone Cannon!"
Holding a controller, Exusiai shouted loudly. As she called out the move, her halo and wings even seemed to glow brighter.
"Seriously, Exusiai, that is so unfair! You actually used a cheat item!"
Croissant gritted her teeth as the character on screen representing her had just been KO'd.
From their conversation, it was clear Exusiai had used some kind of cheat item to take her out.
"If you get an item in a game, you are supposed to use it! Otherwise it is a waste!"
Exusiai looked smug.
The two were having fun but things were not so great on Shirou's side.
"…Maybe I should buy some headphones."
After struggling for a bit, Shirou closed his book.
Reading light material in a noisy environment was fine but something this mentally demanding definitely was not.
If someone asked him about Oripathy later and he accidentally replied "Originium Pulse Cyclone Cannon," that would be extremely awkward.
He could read in his room, but that would feel a bit antisocial, especially since everyone was home.
"Headphones? Do you want a recommendation?"
Texas, who was reading a novel nearby, asked after hearing him.
Among Penguin Logistics, she was probably the most familiar with that kind of thing.
"That is not urgent."
Shirou stood up and stretched. He had been immersed in books these past few days and his body felt stiff.
He still went jogging daily, but after the previous delivery mission and those two sets of memories, he felt it was not enough. He needed more activity to burn off excess energy.
"If only there was a dojo…"
At that moment, Shirou really missed the dojo back home. Even though cleaning it was a hassle, at least it gave him a place to move freely.
"A dojo? You mean a training ground? If so, there is one nearby."
Sora, flipping through a fashion magazine, spoke up.
"Public ones… are a bit inconvenient."
Shirou knew Lungmen had such places, but being outside was not ideal. Mainly because he could not freely use Projection Magecraft and being able to casually summon weapons would attract unwanted attention. He still remembered what Yith had told him.
Without that, he might as well just go to a gym.
"It is not public but it is one of Penguin Logistics facilities. It has lots of training equipment, though hardly anyone uses it."
Sora put down her magazine and explained.
"You never mentioned this…"
Shirou felt a bit pained. He'd been considering whether to get a gym membership but turns out he did not need to.
"Well, we hardly use it! Deliveries and fights are already tiring enough."
Croissant put down her controller and joined the conversation.
What she did not mention was that before Shirou arrived, they did occasionally go train together on days off.
As for now?
Come on, fighting is bad civilization. Missing mealtime is worse!
"That makes sense… Can you give me the address? I would like to check it out."
Shirou thought Croissant had a point. Penguin Logistics' work was complicated and they often encountered people trying to steal their cargo.
He remembered Croissant complaining about delivering sweets once only to run into a group trying to rob her, so she knocked them all flying with a hammer.
Still, since there was a ready-made place, he wanted to take a look.
It would also help him avoid being caught by a certain "social monster" during his runs, and increase his training intensity.
"How about we go together? It has been a while since we exercised."
Exusiai rubbed her slightly soft belly. Even though she had been controlling it lately, what woman would not want some definition?
She envied Texas and Croissant, they could eat as much as they wanted without worry.
Though to be fair, their daily activity levels were high, one specialized in close combat, the other ran around carrying a hammer and shield.
As for Exusiai, she mostly just used her guns and did not move as much.
She also envied Sora's self-control, Exusiai did not think she could resist good food like Sora could.
"I do not mind. We can treat it as checking the place out."
Shirou had no objections and more people meant more liveliness.
"Wow, what a rare sight! Exusiai is actually suggesting exercise~!"
Croissant teased with a grin. She knew exactly what Exusiai had been worrying about lately.
But since Exusiai had leverage over her, she did not dare say it outright, otherwise, photos of her getting arrested might spread across Lungmen.
She did not mind personally but it would hurt her street stall business!
"S-shut up! I just happened to think of it!"
Exusiai defended herself.
"I am fine with it."
Texas was casual about it, she would just go along with everyone.
"Then let's change clothes and head out together!"
Sora stood up. Everyone was in casual homewear which was not suitable for exercise and there was no need for uniforms, they just needed something comfortable for movement.
With the plan set, everyone was excited.
Even though it was not for fun or food, just going out together made them happy.
"Ah! Shirou, do not peek, okay?"
After entering the rooms, now effectively changing rooms Exusiai poked her head out with a mischievous grin.
"I will not. Do not worry. I am not interested."
Shirou immediately denied it flatly and returned to his room.
After closing the door, he covered his forehead and sighed.
He was seriously starting to regret this.
Ever since they turned the rooms into changing rooms, things had felt… off.
Playful noises during showers, coming out with wet hair, running around in just towels, he had already encountered all of it in just a few days.
He felt like he was gradually no longer being treated as a man, and he was worried whether his still-adolescent self could handle it.
That was also why he wanted a place to exercise, if he did not redirect his attention, his reputation might completely collapse.
Thinking about their usual carefree behavior, he calmed himself down and finally relaxed.
After quickly changing clothes, Shirou stepped out and prepared things.
"Large water bottle, cups…"
In the kitchen, he filled a water jug. Hydration was essential for exercise. As for food there was no time so he would just make dinner more lavish later.
Once everything was ready, the others came out as well.
"Got everything? Then let's go."
Texas checked briefly, and once everyone was ready, they set off.
The Penguin Logistics training facility was not far. It had been set up because the Emperor thought it was "low" for Penguin Logistics not to have their own training space.
Inside, it had all the necessary equipment.
If there was anything missing, it would be a shooting range for Exusiai.
Though apparently there was one nearby but since she would have to clean it herself, she preferred commercial ranges where she could just shoot freely.
"That is pretty big."
After putting his things down, Shirou looked around the training facility.
Although no one else was there when they arrived, the place was quite clean with not a speck of dust, so it was clearly well maintained.
After stretching a bit, Croissant headed straight for the weight-training area. The amount of weight she set, however, surprised Shirou.
He knew she was the strongest in Penguin Logistics when it came to carrying loads, but this was still a bit excessive.
Compared to Croissant jumping straight into heavy training, the other three were more conservative. They warmed up properly before heading to their respective equipment.
Exusiai and Sora went to the treadmills, while Texas walked to an open space, picked up two swords, and said to Shirou, who was still warming up:
"Practice with me."
She handed one of the swords to him.
"No problem. First to touch?"
Taking the sword, Shirou examined it carefully. It was not sharpened, but it still had proper weight, enough to hurt someone if used bluntly.
"First to touch is fine."
Texas swung her sword a couple of times, getting used to the weight.
Her reason for wanting to spar with Shirou was simple, she had only seen him fight at long range with a bow.
But from what she heard from Yith, his close combat skills were highly regarded.
That made her curious, what kind of combat technique could earn such praise?
"What's this? Texas is going to spar with Shirou?"
Croissant noticed the two and called out loudly.
Seeing the sparring about to begin, Exusiai, Sora, and Croissant all stopped what they were doing and found good spots to watch.
Texas was their close-combat specialist!
Against her barehanded, the others basically had no chance and now she was even using her best weapon, a sword.
"Go Shirou! Take Texas down!"
Exusiai, victim number one of Texas's hand-to-hand combat, cheered for Shirou.
"Quiet."
Texas narrowed her eyes slightly at Exusiai, making Croissant and Sora instinctively move a bit away from her to avoid getting caught in that glare.
"Haha…"
Shirou let out an awkward laugh.
He was already used to the feel of a sword. It was not as good as one created through projection but for sparring, it was more than enough.
"Sora, count us down from ten. Exusiai, record it."
After putting some distance between herself and Shirou, Texas gave instructions.
"Alright—countdown starting. Ten, nine…"
Sora began counting loudly. Aside from her voice, the place fell silent.
Croissant and Exusiai both took out their phones and focused on recording.
Meanwhile, Shirou and Texas focused entirely on each other.
Since he only had one sword and its weight was decent, Shirou held it with both hands like Saber.
Texas, on the other hand, was more casual, holding her sword in one hand in a forward-leaning stance.
"Three, two, one!"
As Sora reached one, Texas dashed toward Shirou.
"Fast…"
Shirou murmured, impressed by her speed, but he did not strike recklessly.
Without using magecraft, his strength and speed were inferior to Texas.
The only thing he likely surpassed her in was the combat techniques stored in his mind.
But knowing how to fight and actually executing it were two different things.
"Hmph."
Texas's first strike was cleanly blocked by Shirou.
Instead of retreating, she continued pressing forward, unleashing a fierce barrage of attacks.
In just a few seconds, she struck more than ten times but Shirou blocked them all.
He even managed to counterattack, forcing Texas back.
"Are you only defending?"
Texas taunted after being pushed back.
She wanted to see his real ability and if he did not attack, there was no point.
"As you wish."
Shirou accepted the provocation. After all, it was just sparring.
Holding the sword in both hands in front of him, he swung toward Texas.
"Too slow!"
Texas sidestepped the attack and thrust her sword forward.
Shirou twisted his body to avoid it, then suddenly switched to a one-handed grip and launched a counterattack.
"!"
Caught off guard by the sudden change in style, Texas could not react in time. After barely blocking a few strikes, her sword was knocked out of her hand.
"My win."
Shirou lowered his sword and smiled lightly.
The reason he started with a two-handed style was to mislead Texas.
After all, his specialty was surprise attacks and catching opponents off guard.
"…Yeah. It is."
Texas replayed the exchange in her mind and understood she had been tricked.
But she did not seem upset.
If it had been real combat, she would already be dead.
And besides she had not gone all out either.