WILD [Shirou Ogami x OC]

Chapter Ten- Time for Dinner, Shirou's resolve softens!

After the police had finally finished collecting our statements, they escorted Yaba out, his massive form subdued and chained, now under the custody of the Anima City Police. Relief washed over me, but it was tinged with guilt. I didn't want to see Yaba locked up like some criminal, but I knew deep down it was probably for the best. His rage had been dangerous, and even if his intentions had stemmed from pain, there was no telling what damage he might cause if left unchecked. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that something larger was at play. Anima City was changing, and not for the better.

As I mulled over the events, Michiru piped up with her usual burst of enthusiasm. "You guys hungry? Let's grab something to eat."

I didn't have it in me to refuse her offer, and apparently, neither did Shirou, despite the irritated glance he shot her way. I could tell she'd been bugging him to join us, her persistence wearing him down. He finally gave in with a reluctant sigh.

Rin smirked, nudging him lightly. "C'mon, Shirou, it'll be fun. We're a team now, right?"

His eyes flicked to mine for the briefest second, and I caught something different in his expression—something almost uncertain. But instead of acknowledging it, he just grunted and looked away, the faintest hint of color rising to his cheeks. I stifled a chuckle. Was the great Shirou Ogami actually... shy? The thought made me smile to myself as we headed out of the hospital.

The restaurant we ended up in was simple and cozy, tucked away in one of the quieter parts of the city. It wasn't anything fancy, but it didn't need to be. After everything that had happened today, it felt like a much-needed break from the chaos.

Michiru kept the conversation going, as she always did. "So, what do you guys like to do when you're not, you know, saving the city from rampaging Beastmen?"

I didn't have to think too hard about my answer. "I like going for walks," I said, pausing for a moment before adding, "and listening to music. It helps me clear my head."

"Music, huh? What kind of music?" Michiru asked, leaning in with genuine interest.

"Mostly instrumental stuff. Something with a steady rhythm that lets me focus." I glanced at Shirou, who was seated across from us, his arms crossed and his usual scowl in place. Michiru wasn't about to let him off easy, though.

"What about you, Shirou? There's gotta be something you do for fun."

His golden eyes remained fixed on his plate, barely acknowledging her. "I don't have time for that."

"Oh, come on!" Michiru groaned, clearly trying to break through his walls. "Everyone has something they like to do. We can't all be serious 24/7, right, Rin?"

I nodded, smiling slightly. "She's got a point."

Shirou sighed heavily, as if even entertaining the idea of fun was exhausting for him. "I protect Anima City," he said flatly. "That's what I do."

Michiru rolled her eyes but let it drop, clearly not in the mood to start a debate over dinner. She turned her attention back to me, asking more questions about my walks and what music I liked, and I happily indulged her curiosity.

But as the conversation flowed, I kept sneaking glances at Shirou. He didn't say much, but his presence spoke volumes. Despite his gruff exterior, there was something undeniably compelling about him. His sense of justice ran deep—deeper than most people could ever understand. And yet, sitting here in this small restaurant with us, it was hard not to notice how out of place he seemed in a moment of normalcy.

I couldn't help but wonder what was really going on in his head. Was he always this guarded, or had he simply forgotten how to let people in? Either way, Michiru's attempts to get to know us better seemed to bounce right off him. Still, it was comforting in a strange way, knowing that even if Shirou wasn't the most social, he was always there when it mattered.

As the evening wore on, I found myself enjoying the quiet moments between bites of food and conversation. It felt good, sitting there with Michiru and Shirou, even if he was his usual stone-faced self. For the first time in a while, I allowed myself to relax, just a little. We were a team now, and that meant something.

And while Shirou might never admit it, I could tell that, deep down, he felt the same.