In the end, under everyone's strong insistence, Shirou picked up a bow.
However, since drawing a bow required a certain amount of arm strength, the Penguin Logistics group only asked him to try it once or twice so they could see.
Shirou briefly examined the bow, it was a recurve bow with a very simple structure.
The arrows had three fletchings at the tail, mainly used to stabilize and balance flight.
There were generally two common ways to draw a bow, and Shirou and Archer just happened to use different ones.
Shirou used his usual method, nocked the arrow, and drew the string.
"Looks like he really knows what he's doing."
Texas glanced at his posture and gave her evaluation.
Shirou's presence when drawing the bow was good and confident.
"No wonder his crossbow accuracy was so good."
Croissant and Exusiai both gave up trying to compete in this regard. After all, it was a good thing that Shirou had some self-defense ability and who knew maybe their dorm might get blown up one day.
Though the chances were pretty low.
With a burst of air, Shirou released the string.
When using a bow, Shirou could guarantee accuracy.
—As long as he wanted to hit, he could hit the bullseye.
It had always been like this for him. Before releasing the arrow, it was as if he had already seen the result of hitting the target.
The arrow cleanly shattered the airborne target.
"Phew… is that good enough?"
Shirou lowered the bow and asked the four of them.
He had been pushed into trying the bow out of nowhere, but at least he satisfied their curiosity.
"Alright, alright. Shirou, do you not like using a bow?"
Exusiai noticed that he seemed somewhat resistant earlier and his expression had looked pretty reluctant when they pushed him up.
"I would not say I dislike it… it just reminds me of someone I do not like."
Shirou showed a slightly disgusted expression.
"You actually have someone you dislike?"
Sora found this new side of Shirou surprisingly fresh.
"Of course I do. Though 'dislike' is not quite right… 'do not get along with' would be more accurate."
"Hmm… someone you do not get along with? That is hard to imagine."
Exusiai thought about Shirou's usual personality. He could be a bit sly or serious at times, but overall he was very easy to get along with, as long as you did not push him too far.
"I can not imagine it either. I mean, you even get along this well with us—"
Before Croissant could finish, she was knocked down by simultaneous punches from Exusiai and Texas.
"If you do not like it, then forget it. Forcing yourself to do something you dislike is not good. If there's nothing else, let's head out, it will get too late and the shops will close."
Texas ended the topic. In her view, everyone had things they did not want to talk about. Since curiosity was natural, it was best to stop here.
"Ah! It's already this late?!"
Hearing that, Exusiai checked her phone and realized how late it had gotten.
She had gotten so used to returning to a dorm with food already prepared that her internal "ordering clock" had long since disappeared.
"At this hour… how about we hit a fast food place?"
Croissant thought for a moment and suggested it. After eating so healthily for a month, treating themselves to fried food and cola was totally reasonable, right?
"Sounds good."
Exusiai raised her hand in agreement.
"Fine."
Texas had no objections—food was food. She did not care much for outside options anymore.
"Fast food… I guess it's okay."
Sora hesitated for a moment but ultimately agreed.
"Fast food, huh… not the healthiest… but once in a while it should be fine."
After considering it, Shirou accepted the plan.
He was not strictly against fast food, occasional indulgence was fine.
"Then it's settled! Let's go, let's go! I will call ahead and order two family meals, we will take them back to the dorm!"
With the chef's approval secured, Croissant took charge of ordering.
As for why they would bring it back to the dorm?
Because they could watch TV while eating, without worrying about others watching them. And since they were all heading back anyway, it just made sense.
After cleaning up the equipment they had used, the Penguin Logistics group set off to buy dinner and head back.
"So, Yith, you also think that kid Shirou is not a problem?"
The Emperor sat at the bar, swirling a glass of red wine in one hand while holding his phone in the other.
"Yes. Up to now, his actions have not shown anything particularly suspicious. The only slightly questionable instance was when he went to a street not far from the slums but that seemed to be based on a recommendation from a lady at the supermarket. He bought quite a bit of seafood, meat, and vegetables. Also, I have got two videos here."
Yith's voice came through the phone.
"Hmm… I already thought he was pretty simple-minded, but to this extent? What do you think, Yith?"
The Emperor opened the two videos.
The first showed Shirou rushing into and out of a burning building. The second showed him confronting the infected at the Mall.
Both videos had been obtained by hacking surveillance cameras.
"Neither incident looks staged. And his physical condition seems exceptional. He's probably hiding quite a few secrets."
"Then he's interesting and harmless. Seems like they picked up quite an interesting guy."
The Emperor placed the wine glass on the table and lightly tapped it, deep in thought.
"By the way, was he not taken in by the Guard Department? Where did they go afterward?"
The Emperor suddenly remembered that the whole discussion started because he had received a call from the Guard Department asking him to pick up the Penguin Logistics crew.
He had initially thought the four of them caused trouble again but it turned out Shirou had just been accidentally caught up in something strange.
"It seems they went to a shooting range."
Typing sounds came from Yith's side before he answered.
"A shooting range? They went to play around?"
"Yes, but it seems Shirou was the main one using it."
"You just hacked into that too, huh? Still… bringing someone inexperienced there? That's no fun at all."
The Emperor sighed, assuming the four had taken Shirou there just to show off and tease him for not knowing how to use crossbows.
"No, boss. Shirou beat Exusiai in crossbow shooting."
That sudden statement nearly made the Emperor fall off his chair.
"He beat Exusiai? Him?!"
After steadying himself, the Emperor gripped his phone tightly.
In response, Yith sent another video.
It showed them shooting at stationary targets. While the footage did not clearly show everything, Exusiai's dejected expression made it obvious—she had indeed lost to Shirou.
"Incomprehensible penguin screech Was this guy some kind of mercenary before? And I actually made someone like this a housekeeper?!"
Thinking back to the previous videos, Shirou's physical abilities and skill with bows and crossbows the Emperor felt it was a waste for him to just be a househusband.
But then again, Shirou seemed perfectly content with his current life. And the four members of Penguin Logistics had clearly grown dependent on him, if he reassigned Shirou now they might completely break down.
"…Sigh, forget it. For now, we'll stick to the original plan. Let the kid gradually get involved with other Penguin Logistics work. We'll decide the rest later."
After thinking it through, the Emperor realized that taking it easy was not such a bad option. He decided to ignore Shirou's combat potential for now and let him continue as a housekeeper.
Originally, the plan was for Shirou to gradually take over some of Yith's logistics duties so Yith could focus on other work.
But now, seeing Shirou's potential, the Emperor was considering a change, he planned to assign Shirou directly to the four-member team.
That way, they could maximize his abilities.
A win-win situation.