Matou Sakura looked at the two life-sized dolls in front of her. Red Queen cheerfully draped her arm around the shoulder of the other doll. Although the face slightly resembled her older sister, the personality was entirely different.
"Let's... let's call her Shirou!"
"Shirou?"
Red Queen and Kurumi exchanged glances, struggling to find a fitting comment.
"Is... is it not a good name?"
Sakura asked nervously, her expression uncertain, as if ready to change the name immediately if either of them said anything.
"Shirou..." Kurumi raised an eyebrow, holding back her laughter. The name reminded her of the big white dog her neighbor used to have.
"Is it okay?"
"There's nothing wrong with it. She's yours, after all. You are her only master~."
Sakura blinked and looked at Shirou with anticipation in her eyes.
After Red Queen exerted all her strength to dress Shirou in a complex Lolita outfit, she finally shut down the data transmission.
"DNA confirmed, retinal scan confirmed, magical energy signature confirmed. Highest authority: Matou Sakura."
"Shirou, at your service."
The alchemical doll, now named Shirou, slowly detached from the magical network. Her sapphire eyes were cold and devoid of any emotion.
Following the source of the magical energy, she found her master and promptly sat on the minor shoulder.
After a moment, she turned her head to Sakura, "Good afternoon, master."
While Sakura and Shirou were getting acquainted, Kurumi pulled Red Queen back into her embrace.
"Is this what she becomes when you remove your behavioral patterns?"
Red Queen scratched her cheek. "She's a bit slow, but she'll keep learning and gradually get smarter!"
"So, you're essentially this same kind of slow-witted, huh?"
"Who said that? I've always been smart!"
"Smart enough to let Sakura sneak out? Offering the control of 'Nightmare' just to study that pocket watch?"
The previously confident Red Queen suddenly became sheepish. Her eyes darted around as she tried to justify herself. "It's... it's for Sakura's safety~."
"Are you saying she's not safe with me around?"
"Of course not!" Red Queen vigorously shook her head, putting on a fawning smile. "Master, you're super busy! You must monitor the Heroic Spirits and study the [Gamma] magic patterns. There's simply no time!"
"Besides, I'm also stretched thin in this world. Who knows how long I'll be stuck if I enter a logic lock? With 'Nightmare' following Sakura, everyone can feel at ease."
Kurumi squinted, her alluring wine-red eyes putting significant pressure on Red Queen.
"Good excuse. I'll let you off this time."
Kurumi glanced at Sakura playing with Shirou. "I'm going back to studying the [Gamma] magic patterns. Don't bother me unless a Heroic Spirit is about to perish."
"And the matter of the 'King's Banquet'..."
Kurumi frowned, looking at her fair right arm. Except for the pale skin, nothing was visible, but there were complex magic patterns in her eyes.
Closing her eyes and gently rubbing her temples, she felt better after a daze.
"Find a way to create an opportunity. The first blood of the Holy Grail War shouldn't go to the King of Conquerors."
"You want to kill Assassin before the 'King's Banquet'?"
"Let it happen naturally. That guy is hard to find. Let Sakura go out and have fun if nothing else comes up."
Kurumi squinted her eyes. "After all, kids always want their mothers."
"Should we remove the monitoring Assassins?"
Kurumi waved her hand, heading towards the basement alone. "Do as you please."
Information about Assassins popped up in the magic network surrounding Red Queen.
One of them was guarding the Tohsaka mother and daughter!
Red Queen lowered her eyes, exposing all the Assassins around the various Masters, including the ones outside this villa!
Her red pupils, outlined by the silver light of the magic network, looked incredibly eerie!
"I'll let you live a bit longer."
"Miss Red Queen!"
"Hmm?"
"Shirou said she can take me out to play. Will big sister allow it?"
"Don't worry, she'll take you to eat cake and have afternoon tea. You can go wherever you want."
"Do we have to pay?"
"Shirou will take care of it."
"Will Miss Red Queen come along?"
"Me?" The magic network displayed numerous unfinished experiments. Red Queen shrugged. "It seems I don't have time to join you."
"Oh." Sakura's enthusiasm seemed to wane a bit. Red Queen, smiling, said, "Go ahead, you might even run into Rin Tohsaka."
"Will I see sister?"
"There's a good chance! Go to places with high magical energy, and you might even see your mother!"
"Mother?"
No one saw it, but a faint red line appeared around Sakura's eyes. The alchemical doll named Shirou was entangled in silver threads, completely immobilized!
Gradually, the red line disappeared, and Sakura felt more confident.
Once the magic network no longer blocked her, the alchemical doll circled Sakura twice, looking puzzled.
"Shirou!"
"Yes, master?" The silver-haired alchemical doll snapped out of her daze. "What are your orders?"
"Let's go out for some cake!"
"Your will."
Sakura hesitantly crossed her hands. "Shirou, can you not be so serious?"
Shirou forced a stiff smile. "Master, that is very complicated for Shirou."
Sakura tilted her head, seemingly thinking as well.
"Miss Red Queen, we're heading out!"
"Go ahead, but come back once you find your sister."
"Okay, got it!"
Shirou gave Red Queen a puzzled look before floating beside Sakura and gradually becoming transparent.
After stepping out the door, a bit of hesitation appeared on Sakura's face for the first time.
"Shirou?"
"Yes, master?"
"Can you sit on my shoulder?"
"With pleasure."
Feeling a small weight on her shoulder, Sakura gathered her courage and walked in the direction she remembered.
If she were to find her sister, she would likely be on the city's edge, right?
Mother often took them there to play, and Uncle Kariya always brought small gifts for them.
Uncle Kariya... I wonder if he's back at the Matou house. Grandpa... is he okay?
Will I just keep following Big Sister? What if Big Sister doesn't want me anymore?
"What should I do, Shirou?"
"Are you lost, master?"
"No," Sakura shook her head, her short hair swaying from side to side.
Sakura walked further, following her memory until she reached where Kurumi took her for cake and snacks.
"Why can't I find sister yet~."
Shirou blinked. "Do you need my help?"