FGO/KONOSUBA: GOD BLESSINGS ON THOSE WONDERFUL HEROES

[F] Those Who Called Themselves A Hero Must Have Courage!

I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Caster Cu, a tense silence hanging in the air as we both glare down the Heroic Spirit Emiya. He's as composed and battle-ready as ever, that usual cold determination lighting his eyes. 

My focus drifts to Cu's hand, stained with fresh blood—his usual reckless fighting style leaves him open to damage as much as it puts others in danger. I mutter a quick spell and cast {Heal} on him, watching as the wound slowly closes.

He glances at me and smirks in appreciation, the kind of proud, slightly teasing grin he always wears. "Not bad, Kazuma. You've got some talent with healing magic," he says.

But I can't take the compliment. "It's... not really at Aqua-sama's level," I mutter back. I can't help it. Every time I heal someone, I'm reminded of Aqua-sama's effortless mastery over healing magic, how she can mend even the worst wounds without a hint of struggle. 

It's something I've always envied in her—something I'll probably never measure up to. Cu gives me a look, raising an eyebrow as if he doesn't quite understand why I'd doubt myself. "Give yourself some credit, Kazuma. You're not bad at all."

I shake my head. It's nice of him to say, but the truth is, I know my own limits. I know my skills—flaws and all—so well, sometimes it's annoying. Compared to the powerhouses I fight alongside, I'm just... average. Someone like me should have been on the sidelines, watching the "real" heroes fight. 

Why did I decide to stay here, to fight with him? What made me think I should face Emiya by his side? Was it because I care about Cu? I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but... that's not it. That's not enough to keep me here, staring down a Heroic Spirit that could finish me with a flick of his wrist. So, is it because I want to beat Emiya?

I narrow my eyes, trying to find some sort of truth in this frustrating situation. Part of me wants to believe it, that maybe I'm just being competitive, wanting to prove I'm not completely useless. But that's not quite right either. 

I never cared that much about winning before—not this much. This feeling in my chest, the knot of nervous energy, of strange excitement... it's like I'm waiting for something, something that won't come unless I stay.

I run a hand through my hair, sighing as my mind spins. The thought alone makes my head ache. I'm not someone who stays behind for the sake of something noble or reckless. I've always been the first one to suggest retreat if it meant staying alive another day, so why am I still here? The logic doesn't add up, and the more I think about it, the more my head hurts. This isn't like me at all.

"Stop thinking so hard," Cu says, snapping me back to reality. I blink, caught off guard, but he just chuckles. "Save the energy for the fight, Kazuma. I've got your back, so try to have mine, yeah?"

I look at him, realizing he's not expecting me to change. He knows who I am—probably even the selfish, sometimes-cowardly parts of me—and he doesn't care. And that... maybe that's the reason I'm still here.

"Watch my back," Cu had said. I wish it were that simple. If only I had Chunchumaru or at least my bow and quiver. I'd be able to do more than just fire off a few spells and hide behind him, but here I am, weaponless and forced to rely only on my mana. Not exactly ideal when facing someone like Emiya.

I grit my teeth as I watch Emiya raise his hand, forming that unmistakable black bow out of thin air. A slight flicker of magic glimmers in the air as he places a sword—not an arrow—in the bowstring's slot. More swords appear above him, hovering ominously, each of them gleaming with deadly precision. This isn't looking good.

"Cu-san," I whisper quickly, hoping he has a plan, "you try to hold him off with your magic or runes, or whatever else you've got up your sleeve."

He gives me a quick nod, already gathering mana into his hand, but I don't stick around to watch him cast. Instead, I activate {Lurk}, a skill that lets me blend into the shadows, masking my presence and allowing me to slip out of sight. It's not foolproof, but it's my best shot at getting closer to him without attracting every single blade in the area.