IBHJ Chapter 984

Shirou ran a hand through his hair, glancing at his party. "Alright, first order of business: we need to blend in. Let's find a hotel and some normal clothes. The last thing we want is to attract any unwanted attention – monster or otherwise."

Sik just nodded, still looking a bit shell-shocked from their close call.

They made their way to a nearby department store, trading in their medieval armor for jeans and t-shirts. He worked a bit of extra [Suggestion] on Sik and Sac, masking their more... unusual features. When it came time to pay, Shirou was pleasantly surprised to find their QP automatically converted to yen. It made sense, he supposed, given this was all technically part of the South American Connection Point.

After securing a hotel room, he made a quick run to the lobby restaurant, returning with an armful of desserts for Mordred and Kiara.

Kiara's eyes lit up as she bit into a cream puff. "Oh my god," she practically purred, "this is heaven."

Mordred rolled her eyes. "You're pretty easy to impress, aren't you?"

"Mmm. That's because I've never had anything like this before," Kiara said with a pitiful expression.

The contrast was almost comical - Kiara, a grown woman, looking absolutely pitiful, while tiny Mordred stood there with her hands on her hips like a miniature drill sergeant.

Mordred's gaze drifted to Shirou, who sat off to the side, lost in thought. "What are you thinking about?"

He blinked, offering a quick smile. "Oh, it's nothing important."

Mordred's face fell. "You always say that," she grumbled, crossing her arms and turning away with a huff.

"Really, it's-" Shirou began, then thought better of it. Instead, he held out a slice of cake as a peace offering.

Before she could take it, Kiara swooped in and snatched the treat. Mordred's eyes flashed as she whirled on the older woman. "Oh, you're in for it now!"

Kiara backpedaled, suddenly realizing her mistake. "I'm sorry! I won't do it again, I swear!"

"If sorry was enough, we wouldn't need prisons!"

In a flash, she pounced, her fingers finding Kiara's most ticklish spots. Kiara dissolved into helpless laughter, tears streaming down her face as she begged for mercy between gasps.

"I'll let you off the hook this time," Mordred declared, hands on her hips. "But you owe me a cake."

Kiara nodded meekly, still catching her breath. "Mmm. I understand," Even in her current state, there was no mistaking the authority radiating from the tiny knight.

Shirou watched the exchange with amusement before his thoughts drifted back to their current predicament. At first glance, this place seemed to be a perfect replica of Shinjuku – as if the Moon Cell had plucked the memory straight from his mind.

But something didn't add up. The people they'd encountered weren't just faceless NPCs. Each had distinct features, unique personalities, individual mannerisms. This level of detail went far beyond what his memories could possibly provide.

He frowned, mulling it over. Even if someone had lived their entire life in a city, they couldn't possibly remember every person in the city, along with their faces, personalities, and mannerisms with such vivid clarity. It was simply impossible.

Shirou stood up and checked the calendar on the counter. August 1999. A frown deepened on his face.

At that moment, he saw Kiara walking towards the door. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"Oh. I'm going to buy a cake for Master Mordred," Kiara said.

Mordred nodded, looking incredibly pleased with herself. Her "disciple" was learning well.

Shirou looked at Kiara with a touch of helplessness. Demonic Bodhisattva was a mystery wrapped in a riddle, making it impossible to understand her true thoughts. Yet Kiara was pure to the point of being a bit foolish, making one worry that she might be taken advantage of and even help count the money for those who kidnapped her. She was truly two extremes.

Still, he wasn't worried about her safety. After all, she could be considered half-Beast, and only Top Servants, Grand Servants or beings of that caliber could pose a threat to her.

"Don't be too long," he said simply.

"I won't!" she nodded.

After a pause, he asked, "Do you know how to use money?"

Kiara whirled around, her cheeks puffing out in indignation. "Of course I do! Don't treat me like I'm an idiot!" With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

As she marched down the hallway, Kiara's irritation changed to determination. She'd show Mr. Shirou just how capable she could be. She'd bring back the best cake Master Mordred had ever tasted.

The hotel restaurant, unfortunately, didn't stock cakes quite grand enough for Kiara's vision. Undeterred, she approached the front desk, politely asking for directions to a nearby bakery. Armed with an address and brimming with confidence, she set out into the streets of Shinjuku.

She muttered the directions under her breath like a mantra as she walked. Left at the big intersection, right at the convenience store, then... wait, was it another left? Or straight ahead? The once-familiar landmarks of the staff's instructions began to blur together.

Before long, she found herself in a part of the city she didn't recognize at all, and everything started to look the same. The buildings blended together, the streets seemed to go on forever without changing, and a sinking feeling settled in her stomach. She was well and truly lost.

"Where am I?" Kiara looked around the street with a bewildered expression.

Streets and alleys were packed with people, crowded like waves. She couldn't stand on tiptoe to see the road ahead, and could only move with the surge of people.

"I'm so sorry!" she yelped as she stumbled into someone. "Oh! Please don't push—I didn't mean to—I'm sorry!"

Kiara was pushed out of the sea of people, then looked blankly at the crowded street. Turning to look at the road behind her, it was no longer the way she had come. She turned her head back, her face becoming very anxious.

She hurriedly opened her friends list to contact Mordred and Mr. Shirou.

But...

[System: Message sending failed.]

Help me, Mr. Shirou!

Left with no other choice, she took a deep breath and pushed her way back into the crowd. She'd retrace her steps, trying to find her way back.

Twenty minutes later, hopelessly turned around, Kiara realized she was more lost than ever.

She slumped onto a nearby bench, cradling her head in her hands. "Ugh... Is this the outside world? I just want to go back..."

It was her first time seeing such a bustling street, and her first time truly coming to the outside world, yet it had left her completely overwhelmed.

For a moment, she considered using her powers to fly up and figure out where she was. The thought vanished as quickly as it came – she'd only end up causing another scene like before, complete with gawking crowds and police sirens.

But if she didn't... how would she ever find her way back?

Kiara groaned, feeling completely lost.

"Pardon me, but you seem troubled, my dear."

The rich, masculine voice startled her from her spiral of self-pity. Kiara looked up, blinking in surprise at the silver-haired man before her. His bob cut made his kind face stand out, and he wore the typical outfit of a priest.

"I'm sorry, but... who are you?" she asked.

The man's smile was warm and reassuring. "I'm a priest from the church just down the street. I couldn't help but notice your distress. Perhaps I can be of some help?"

"A priest? That's wonderful!" Kiara's relief was obvious as she grabbed the man's hand. "Please, I'm so lost. Can you help me?"

The priest glanced at the hand Kiara had grabbed, and smiled, saying, "Of course, I'd be delighted to. May I ask where your home is?"

Kiara's brow furrowed. "It's a hotel... I can't remember the name, but there was definitely an Earth logo on the sign."

"Ah, that would be the International Hotel," the priest nodded, pointing down the street. "It's not far. I can show you the way."

"Thank you so much," she sighed, her shoulders sagging with relief.

As they walked, she found herself relaxing. How fortunate, she thought, to have met such a kind priest right after getting lost.