The winter sunset painted the streets and trees in a soft wine-red glow, while the clouds on the horizon took on the faint shimmer of a goddess's veil, mysterious yet inviting.
The air was turning crisp, and snow felt just around the corner.
"Life really is something special," murmured a sharp-eyed boy, resting his chin on his hand as he stared out the window. He was only an elementary schooler, but his voice carried the weight of someone who'd seen more than his years should allow.
"Haru's saying odd stuff again…" sighed the ponytail girl beside him. Her childhood friend always had a quirky streak.
He didn't chase around like other kids, showed no interest in pranks or games, and spent most of his time lost in books or gazing at the scenery.
Oh, and he practiced kendo.
What was so great about that? She couldn't figure it out.
But he wasn't the "good kid" adults loved to praise. At least, she knew better. Haru often wore a faint, knowing smile that hinted at something more.
"You don't get it, Rias," Haru said, his grin bright and warm, like a burst of spring cutting through the winter chill. "Just being alive, breathing freely, walking wherever I want that's more than enough for me."
"I love this freedom. Having a healthy body, a full family… sure, Mom nags a lot, and my childhood friend's kind of a mini-version of her, but this life? It's perfect."
Kamizuki Rias let out a small "heh," her voice tinged with annoyance. "I could tell your mom about that, you know..."
"...Please, have mercy!" Haru backed down fast, his bravado crumbling.
He was seven years old physically, but his mind was far older.
In his past life, Haru had been a teenager, born with brittle bones, what people called "glass bone disease." As far back as he could remember, he'd been stuck in a hospital bed, rarely stepping outside.
Books and the internet were his only windows to the world, turning him into a seasoned shut-in by necessity. Beyond that, all he had was a small, two meter wide glass window to peek at life outside.
That miserable existence ended at seventeen. Then he was reborn in this world, and by some twist of fate, his parents named him Haru again.
After such a grim past life, Haru treasured this one beyond measure. Days where he could move freely, run, play, those had only been dreams before.
Live life to the fullest!
That was his motto now. He threw himself into everything he'd missed out on; sports, kendo, anything. But old habits lingered, and he still loved reading.
That love made him a bit of an outsider among other kids. He wasn't bullied, exactly, just friendless except for Rias, his one true companion from childhood.
As Haru marveled again at life's beauty, a flat, female voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! StarGate activated. Binding complete. Host: Haru. Welcome!]
[Please note: This is a one-of-a-kind prototype. The original creators are gone, so repairs or returns are impossible. Handle with care!]
At the same time, a gate covered in strange patterns and glowing with starlight appeared in his thoughts.
Haru's smile faltered.
'Wait a minute, what's this? Am I about to get dragged into some crazy adventure? I am perfectly happy in this peaceful life; I don't need any of that isekai nonsense!'
All he wanted was a normal life: enjoying simple joys, marrying, raising kids, growing old, and passing away quietly. Maybe with a kind, pretty wife, if he got lucky.
Fighting for power in some other world? He had zero interest in that.
'Why should I give up this stable life to go fight and kill? I'm not an idiot!'
So, even with this shiny new cheat ability, Haru brushed it off and ignored it.
"Ding dong, attention all students," a school announcement cut in. "Due to recent incidents, school will be closed for three days starting tomorrow. Stay home as much as possible, and don't go out at night."
"Hmm? Did the sun rise from the west today?" Haru muttered, caught off guard by the broadcast.
Haru was just in elementary school, so an unexpected holiday like this... Has the Prime Minister died or something?
'That'd be a national event... I mean, condolences to the nation,' he corrected himself.
"Wait, Haru, you don't know?" Rias asked, surprised. "About what happened in the next city over..."
Haru shifted awkwardly. He never watched the news. He didn't even know the neighboring city's name.
"It's Fuyuki City, Fu-yu-ki!" Rias said, exasperated. "Seriously, Haru, your quirks need a limit. Care about something besides kendo for once."
She sighed. "A luxury hotel in Fuyuki's Shinto district got blown up recently. Then there were reports of kids going missing. The school's probably worried it'll spread here... Haru, are you listening?"
He didn't answer, too stunned by the words "Fuyuki City."
Fuyuki. A hotel explosion. Missing children.
It all pointed to one thing: the Fourth Holy Grail War!
Haru took a deep breath. As a hardcore otaku in his past life, how could he not know about the Holy Grail War? He'd loved the series.
The Holy Grail War happened every sixty years. Seven magi and their Servants battled for a legendary Grail said to grant any wish.
But Haru knew the truth. This "Grail" wasn't some perfect prize, it was a cursed chalice, at least this time. Using it was like opening Pandora's box.
That didn't matter, though!
Grail or disaster, he didn't care. What hit him was what this meant.
The city next door was Fuyuki, the Fuyuki of the Holy Grail War. That meant... he was in the Type-Moon universe!
His expression darkened.
The Type-Moon world looked peaceful on the surface, but underneath, it was a mess deep enough to swallow you whole.
Vampires, the Church, the Mage's Association, all these weird things existed here, lumped together as "mysteries," the opposite of science.
Normally, the mystical side left regular people alone. But when they crossed paths, it always spelled trouble for the ordinary.
Take this Grail War. The rules said not to involve civilians or at least, not too many. In practice, those rules were weak. Participants would blow up buildings to win.
In a place like this, you could get caught in the chaos any second and it wouldn't end well.
'No way! I haven't enjoyed this life enough yet! My family and friends can't get hurt either!'
Haru turned his focus to the StarGate. Looked like he had no choice but to use this cheat after all.