Prologue: 15 Light Years Apart

Bamboo is the best!

Especially Kyoto bamboo! It's breathtaking alongside those beautiful, incandescent lamps!

Um...no? That's not bamboo. That's bamboo grass.

... ...

What's the difference?

Uh... I'm not a plant scientist.

But I do know that bamboo shoots and bamboo grass are different, yeah?

WHO JUST SAID "BAMBOO SHOOTS"!?

Gah! Where'd you even come from!? We weren't talking about mushrooms or anything!

Oh wow!

This bamboo grass is beautiful. Look how big its leaves have grown!

？！

Let me see...

Tanabata is a Japanese festival that celebrates the one time per year when the lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to see each other, right?

But, why are there decorations for it here at Chaldea?

An excellent question.

It's not unreasonable to wonder if we really need to decorate for every little special occasion.

Emiya!

The fact remains that there are many different Heroic Spirits here and they all have seasons and holidays that are special to them.

So there's no harm in celebrating. It's a small price to pay if it keeps morale up.

And in Japan, July is the month of Tanabata. It's not much, but I did what I could to decorate the cafeteria with bamboo grass.

Fujimaru and Mash, why don't you go ahead and use those paper strips over there to write tanzakuwishes.

The soumen noodles and chirashizushi should be ready by the time you're done.

It's certainly a lot of extra work for me, though.

Emiya looks like he's really enjoying himself.

Yes! Formerly a hot pot head honcho, now a bamboo grass general!

Apparently, he's been going to a Singularity to fish up tuna and bonito and keeping them in a special icebox all for today.

It's like something out of an isekai. One minute he's a gloomy downer, the next he's a ray of sunshine, all thanks to his cooking skills.

？！

Gosh, there are already so many tanzaku hung up. I guess everyone at Chaldea is really enjoying this event.

Let's see... This one hopes they'll get to have a romance with Master...

This one hopes for world peace... This one hopes for a new entry in their favorite book series...

Bangs covering eyes... Mushrooms... ...A hundred Holy Grails?

... ...

Senpai, I just had a thought.

Doesn't Tanabata seem a little too much like...anything goes?

I can't imagine Orihime has the power to grant all these different wishes.

？！

Tanabata was originally dedicated to making offerings to Orihime, a revered sage, with the wish that she would help you improve your weaving and sewing skills.

Over time, those wishes came to cover topics like martial arts and academics.

Now, in the modern day, all that remains is the tradition of making a wish on Tanabata Day.

In short, the essence of the thing was lost over time. Hardly the first time and certainly not the last.

？！

I-I see.

So in modern times, the holiday is more a matter of entertainment and that isn't considered rude to the gods.

I feel a little better about it now.

Although...maybe I shouldn't, seeing what some of these wishes involve.

By the way, although Tanabata is primarily celebrated in Japan now, I believe it originally comes from China, right? Was it celebrated in Zhuge Liang's time?

Yes, it was. Tanabata originates from the Qǐqiǎo Festival, or Kikkouden in Japanese. It has a long and storied history.

Orihime and Hikoboshi's Chinese counterparts, Zhīnǚ and Niúláng, have been referenced as star names in books dating back to the B.C. era.

Meaning the myth's origins reach that far back as well.

All the way back to the B.C. era, huh...

People used to believe the stars in the sky were the gods' domain. It makes sense.

Stars have long been an essential navigational tool. Even today, many people wish on them.

That people would begin creating myths about them was inevitable.

The legend of Niúláng Zhīnǚthe Cowherd and the Weaver Girlthe festival that became the basis for Tanabata, is but one of them.

Their respective stars, Vega and Altair, are separated by the Milky Way.

According to myth, the two were tragic lovers who, after incurring the emperor's wrath, were kept apart.

Their stars are fifteen light-years from each other, so there's no way they could ever be reunited. But...

...it's said they can see each other once a year, on the day of Tanabata, thanks to the people praying for them.

"The dew is as tears shed with sorrow in partingbejeweled droplets falling fruitlessly to the ground..."

No matter the age or place, tales of lovers denied the chance to be together will always hold people's interest.

？！

Please forgive the intrusion. I couldn't help but notice you were discussing Kikkouden.

It was celebrated in the palace during my time there. Oh, it brings back so many memories.

In fact, Orihime and Hikoboshi were frequently the subjects of popular poems back then.

Like the one you just recited?

Yes. It was written by Lord Sugawara-no-Michizane...

...about how Orihime and Hikoboshi must have wept when the morning forced them to once more go their separate ways.

A poem about Orihime and Hikoboshi... Two lovers forbidden from being together...

Indeed. This myth made its way to Japan in the seventh century, so your culture would have been intimately familiar with it by then.

Did you come to hang up a tanzaku wish of your own then, Ms. Kaoruko?

In fact, yes. In my time, we wrote our wishes on mulberry leaves.

But these modern colorful tanzaku are so much cu...ter...

... ...

Um... I-I just noticed this...

...I think a curse talisman has been mixed in among the tanzaku...

It must have been Douman...

？！

Hello? Fujimaru? Are you there too, Mash?

Da Vinci! What is it?

We just found another minute Singularity. Would you guys come to the Command Room so I can fill you in?

？！

And while I'm at it... Aha, I see you're there too, El-Melloi II.

This is perfect. Come with them, would you?

And while I'm at it... Aha, I see you're there too, El-Melloi II.

This is perfect. Come with them, would you?

Me?

This latest minute Singularity is occurring in nineteenth century Nagasaki, in the Kyushu region.

At the time, it was the only place in Japan that allowed open trade with other nations, as the rest of the country was subject to the shogunate's strict isolation policy.

Even as minute Singularities go, this one is pretty small. Better safe than sorry, though. The good news is that Sheba isn't detecting any danger for at least the next few days.

So we'd like you to take advantage of this window of time to investigate and, if possible, retrieve the Holy Grail there.

What do you think, Fujimaru? Are you up for it?

That's the spirit! Can't ever make too many memories, can you!?

Ooh, we're having soumen noodles today? That sounds great!

？！

Oh, and naturally, we're fully prepared for this kind of anomalous situation.

The Servants who'll be going with you should make this Rayshift as smooth as silk.

This latest minute Singularity is occurring in nineteenth century Nagasaki, in the Kyushu region.

At the time, it was the only place in Japan that allowed open trade with other nations, as the rest of the country was subject to the shogunate's strict isolation policy.

Even as minute Singularities go, this one is pretty small. Better safe than sorry, though. The good news is that Sheba isn't detecting any danger for at least the next few days.

So we'd like you to take advantage of this window of time to investigate and, if possible, retrieve the Holy Grail there.

What do you think, Fujimaru? Are you up for it?

That's the spirit! Can't ever make too many memories, can you!?

Ooh, we're having soumen noodles today? That sounds great!

？！

Oh, and naturally, we're fully prepared for this kind of anomalous situation.

The Servants who'll be going with you should make this Rayshift as smooth as silk.

So that's why you wanted me to come along.

The closer a Singularity is to the modern era, the more useful my knowledge can be.

Still, it's the hope that kills you. I'm by no means an expert on Japanese history.

Anyway, what do you say, Master? Any objections to me joining you?

？！

Understood.

And, for what it is worth, I shall do my very best to keep you safe.

Now then, am I the only one who'll be accompanying him, Da Vinci? I don't see anyone else arou

Check it out! Right in the nick of time!

Sorry I'm late, Chan-mas!

Nagiko, bamboo shoot enjoyer, present and ready to Rayshift!

？！

Well, you know... If anything comes up, Nagiko seems like she could deal with whatever it might be, right?

Well, you know... If anything comes up, Nagiko seems like she could deal with whatever it might be, right?

I am sooo hype! I've never even been to Hizen! As soon as we clock out, I'm doing all the sightsee

Oh, hey, Professor Liang! Are you coming, too? Awesome!

... ...

... ...

Da Vinci...

I'm just checking, but...I don't suppose you confused her with Ms. Kaoruko, did you?

It's understandable. Sei Shounagon and Murasaki Shikibu are so alike, it's easy to mix them up.

Ahaha. Yeah, they're really not.

Random trivia, but did you know that both Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shounagon have exactly seven characters between their names and respective most famous works, "The Tale of Genji" and "The Pillow Book," in their original language? It's true.

Ahaha. Yeah, they're really not.

Random trivia, but did you know that both Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shounagon have exactly seven characters between their names and respective most famous works, "The Tale of Genji" and "The Pillow Book," in their original language? It's true.

I'm sorry. I was just a little taken aback.

You're right. She's as much a Servant as any other, and a renowned Heian period writer is nothing to sneeze at.

I'm sure she's nothing like as monstrous as she's been made out.

...I hope.

Hehe. I knew you'd get it, Professor Liang. You really know how to see right through to the heart of what makes someone who they are.

？！

Hell yeah!

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was peak even back in our time! I dare anybody to make it through "Chu Shi Biao" without bawling their eyes out!

Hmm... I see.

I'm sure he would be delighted to hear as much from an author so renowned as you.

But right now, I'm only his vessel, so it feels strange to be treated as if I were indeed him.

I'd prefer you address me as "El-Melloi II." You might be tempted to leave the "II" part out, but

Wait, really!? So you're the Great Big-Ben☆London Star!?

WHO TOLD YOU THAT!?

No, never mind. There's only one person in all of Chaldea who would spread that nickname!

Oh, you don't like "London Star"? That's low-key so you, but 'kay.

Theeen...

I'll go with Professor Mellocchi! Done and done!

Now let's go repair the shit out of this Singularity, Prof. Mel!

... ...

...!!!

... ...

？！

Okay, so everyone's on the same page? Great! That's how you get a good, productive working relationship!

And now, to get everything ready so we can Rayshift you on your way! Good luck!

Okay, so everyone's on the same page? Great! That's how you get a good, productive working relationship!

And now, to get everything ready so we can Rayshift you on your way! Good luck!

U-um, excuse me, but...

...am I not going with him on this Rayshift, Da Vinci?

No, sorry, Mash. I need you to support the field team remotely this time.

Hopefully, everything will go smoothly. In case it doesn't, though, we're better off with you here, ready to help.

No, sorry, Mash. I need you to support the field team remotely this time.

Hopefully, everything will go smoothly. In case it doesn't, though, we're better off with you here, ready to help.

I see...

All right, I understand! I'll do my best to support Senpai and the others from here!

？！

Huh?

？！

A year...

Oh! Y-you're making a little Tanabata-themed joke, right!?

Th-then, um...

...I'll write a tanzaku praying for your safe return, so...

... ...

...Um, Senpai? There's something I've been thinking about in regards to Tanabata...

？！

... ...

N-never mind! It's nothing!

I might not be able to accompany you this time, but please don't take any undue risks over there, okay?

By the time you get back, I'm sure the Tanabata celebration will be well underway.

And I'm also sure Emiya will have a delicious Tanabata-themed meal ready and waiting!

Phew...

There they go, off without a hitch. Looks like smooth sailing ahead, too. That's a relief.

Phew...

There they go, off without a hitch. Looks like smooth sailing ahead, too. That's a relief.

Yes, and I'll continue to monitor them from here. I'll also make sure we're ready to receive transmissions from them once they arrive on-site.

Great, thanks, I'm counting on you. ...Hm?

Great, thanks, I'm counting on you. ...Hm?

... ...

Oh, hi, Gray. If you're here to see El-Melloi II off, I'm afraid you just missed him.

N-no, it's not that...

Heeheeheehee! Get a load of this!

She's all worried something bad's gonna happen to her mentor just 'cause her hairbrush handle broke!

That's why she's all nervous and fidgety! She's going out of her mind with worry over a little nothingburger!

S-s-stop that, Add!

I know how you feel. Even tiny problems can feel like bad omens at times like these.

But knowing El-Melloi II, I'm sure everything will be fine. After all, he's the Great Big-Ben

Oh, he didn't like that, did he?

Ah, gold-dammit! Am I too late!?

K-Kintoki!?

See, uh, I just dropped Kiyoko's mug by accident and...

Look, the whole handle just snapped off. I wanted to apologize before she Rayshifted, but I guess I missed my chance.

I-I see... Well, I can contact the team to let her know...

Excuse me, is Nagiko still here?

I'm afraid the candy dish she left behind in the library just broke clean in half...

Hey, hey! Nagiko around?

The head just randomly fell off that statue she got me as a souvenir and it's kinda low-key freakin' me out.

... ...

...Okay.

Even I can admit this is starting to look bad.

...Okay.

Even I can admit this is starting to look bad.

S-Senpai... Please be safe out there!