Shirou ended up buying nearly three days' worth of ingredients, to the point where even his shopping bag was almost too full to carry.
Normally, he would not buy this much, after all the fridge could not hold it. But today, he had already planned to cook something more elaborate, so most of it would likely be used up in one go.
"Hopefully those fish I bought do not taste too different…"
He adjusted the bag in his hand, already thinking about how to prepare tonight's dinner.
He had more or less tried all the common meats and vegetables aside from a few with unique flavors, most were not that different.
Fish, however, was trickier. In the past, he mostly only cooked salmon, tuna, or horse mackerel and those were usually pre-processed.
Now, he could only guess based on appearance. As for the taste… he would have to experiment.
"The shop owner was pretty nice too. Next time, I will come back with Exusiai and the others."
Remembering Exusiai's warning, Shirou knew he should not come near the Lower City alone.
This time had been an accident but it also made him realize she had not been exaggerating. Along the way, he had genuinely felt quite a few hostile stares.
Still, it was just hostility, nothing more.
That kind of malice did not really affect him.
But if he could avoid trouble, it was better to do so.
After all, he was living under someone else's roof now.
Only after putting some distance between himself and the area did the hostile gazes finally fade.
For some reason, he felt especially sensitive to such malice lately.
After checking that he had not lost anything, Shirou prepared to head back.
As he walked, he mentally noted the shops he had visited, if the food turned out well, he would come back again.
Though first, he planned to explore the entire market before deciding.
Turning the next corner, Shirou noticed a group of people gathered ahead and smoke rising from a building.
"A fire?"
He frowned slightly.
The flames did not seem too large. It looked like a restaurant was burning, likely caused by a gas explosion.
At the thought of a gas explosion, Shirou instinctively began wondering if there was some hidden conspiracy.
"…No, no. This is not a world where mystery needs to be concealed."
He immediately corrected himself.
Still, the fire was right along his route back.
After assessing the situation, he judged that the flames were not too serious, and that he would not obstruct firefighters so he did not plan to detour.
"Do not worry boss, I have already called the fire department!"
A young Perro in a work uniform reassured an older Feline man covered in soot.
"Did all the customers get out?"
The middle-aged Feline asked the surrounding crowd. Some of them had been customers inside until everything suddenly went boom.
Fortunately, it was just a regular gas explosion. If it had been an Originium explosion, things would have been far worse.
Even so, an explosion was still an explosion. He had managed to dodge in time, so aside from getting covered in soot, he was not seriously hurt.
Everyone being safe was already a blessing but the fire was starting to grow. If this continued, the entire shop might burn down.
"Wooden interior? No… how can I even see that?"
Shirou glanced inside.
Despite the thick smoke and flames, he could clearly see the interior structure.
That puzzled him, his eyesight should not be that good.
Before he could dwell on it, a faint voice reached his ears.
"…Is anyone… there…?"
It was incredibly weak, barely audible unless one listened carefully.
Shirou stopped and focused, trying to locate the source.
The crackling of fire, the murmuring crowd, passing vehicles…
"Is… anyone outside…? cough cough…"
This time, the voice was clearer.
It was coming from inside the fire and it was growing weaker.
Without hesitation, Shirou dropped his shopping bag and rushed straight into the flames.
He did not even stop to think whether he should help or how to help.
His body had already moved.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
The Perro employee tried to stop him, but Shirou had already dashed inside.
"Trace on."
The moment he entered, Shirou placed his hand on the ground and used magecraft to analyze the building's structure.
Floor. Walls. Support beams…
When he detected a human presence, he did not stop and he continued analyzing until he mapped out the entire building.
It took only a few dozen seconds.
There was only one person inside the restroom.
At the current rate, the fire would reach the restroom in about a minute. The door was wooden, it would not hold long.
Smoke had likely already filled the room. The faint cries for help were punctuated by coughing.
Pulling up his collar to cover his mouth and nose, Shirou followed the path he had mapped out.
Carefully avoiding flames and weakened structures, he quickly reached the restroom.
"Hey! Can you hear me?!"
He shouted loudly.
"Cough… I… I'm here!"
As the voice responded, the restroom door opened.
The moment it did, thick smoke rushed inside, filling the space even more. Fortunately, the flames outside were not strong enough to trigger a flashover.
Shirou saw her, a very young Liberi girl.
Her face was smudged with soot, and she looked extremely weak, she must have inhaled a lot of smoke while calling for help.
But the moment she saw Shirou, the fear in her expression eased.
"Do not talk and wet your clothes."
Seeing that she was about to speak, Shirou quickly stopped her.
In a fire without proper gear, talking only meant inhaling more smoke and heat.
Fire itself was not the scariest part, smoke inhalation and explosions were.
The Liberi girl nodded, turning on the sink and splashing water onto her clothes.
Shirou did the same. His coat had already been scorched and torn in several places on the way in.
"Follow me."
He grabbed her hand and began retracing his path.
She obediently followed, without hesitation.
Or rather she did not even know what to do anymore.
She had only come here alone for a cheap meal. After ordering, she went to the restroom and when she came out, she saw flames raging outside.
Terrified, she had locked herself inside.
After calling for help repeatedly with no response, she had thought she would die there.
But then someone came to save her.
In that moment, it felt like a savior had descended.
Even though he did not have any protective gear and his clothes were already burned and damaged he remained calm.
He told her to wet her clothes, cover her mouth, and then led her through the fire without panic.
For some reason…
Just looking at him made her feel completely safe.
The Liberi girl thought quietly to herself.