If we were to talk about the most famous shrine in Fuyuki City, it would undoubtedly be the Ryuudou Temple located at the top of Mount Enzou.
This temple, with its deep connection to the Holy Grail War, has a long history and is said to be even older than Fuyuki City itself. It holds a high position in the hearts of the locals. However, due to the unique nature of Japanese Buddhism, the temple is not usually bustling with activity. Instead, during major festivals, the number of people visiting the temple reaches a terrifying height.
Even though Byakuya carefully calculated the timing and chose a relatively less crowded period between the two peaks, it was still relatively crowded. Compared to its usual quiet and deserted state, it was still considered bustling with people.
Based on experience, Byakuya didn't drive the car directly to the temple's affiliated parking lot. Instead, they parked the car a little further away and walked along the foot of the mountain.
Not far from the parking spot, there was a fork in the road that led to a nearby hill adjacent to the Ryuudou Temple. There were a few scattered houses there, most of which were mountain villas owned by affluent individuals.
One of the villas belonged to the Matou family, currently serving as Touko Aozaki's workshop.
At this moment, the owner of the workshop was standing at the intersection, waiting. Accompanying her was the last member of the Matou family, Justeaze von Einzbern.
"Happy New Year, Justeaze, Touko."
With the contract connection between him and Justeaze, Shinji was the first to notice their figures. He waved and greeted them, followed by exchanging New Year's greetings with the rest of the family.
It was only at this moment that Shinji realized he wasn't the only one who stood out.
"I must say, Justeaze, you really wore a kimono."
Justeaze was indeed wearing a kimono, but her kimono was incredibly plain. It was completely devoid of any patterns, just pure white, even whiter than her silver hair.
"What's wrong?" Justeaze looked bewildered. "I think it's quite suitable. What do you all think?"
"I think it's fine, very beautiful," Fujino said.
"Yes, yes," Sakura nodded repeatedly. "Just like the legendary Yuki-onna."
Two days ago, Fuyuki City experienced heavy snowfall, and there are no signs of the snow melting yet. In this icy world, a beautiful woman with silver hair dressed in a white kimono would easily be mistaken for a Yuki-onna, a snow woman.
Shinji turned back and exchanged glances with the adults. "That's the problem right there. If you show up like this tomorrow, even on the city news, I wouldn't find it strange."
Although the Einzbern family has little connection with the outside world, this is still Fuyuki, the only place the Einzberns pay attention to. If they were discovered, it would be troublesome.
"You don't have to worry about that," Touko lazily yawned. "I took care of her outfit last night. Ordinary people won't notice Justeaze's presence. Just look around."
The pedestrians around them were all looking at the whole family. The members of the Matou family were all good-looking, with none of them scoring below eighty. Moreover, each person had a different style, making it seem like a cast from a popular drama. However, none of those onlookers' gazes fell upon Justeaze.
Shinji pondered for a moment and uncertainly asked, "Is this the 'hide a tree in the forest'?"
"That's right," Touko nodded. "By making minor manipulations to the environment, we can divert the attention of humans."
The best way to hide a tree is to conceal it within a forest, and the best way to hide a Yuki-onna is to hide her in the snow. Touko simply attached subtle suggestion magecraft to Justeaze's kimono, making passersby mistake her for an unremarkable pile of snow. This Grand Magus, who was always striving for the highest level of magecraft, demonstrated through practical actions that the level of magic is not solely determined by its complexity. Even the simplest magecraft, when applied in the right place, can produce unexpected effects.
"Amazing, truly amazing."
Shinji sighed in admiration. When it came to actual combat power, he might surpass Touko, but when it came to the application of magecraft, he might never catch up to her in his lifetime.
"By the way, Touko, you're not wearing a kimono either."
Today, Touko was dressed as usual, with a white shirt on top and dark trousers below, covered by a coat. However, today, instead of her usual orange coat, she had changed it to dark green, a symbol of the new year and a fresh start.
"Because her old habit acted up again," Justeaze blinked at Shinji.
Touko's old habit was that she couldn't wake up in the morning, and sometimes she would feel dizzy due to low blood sugar. The reason Justeaze didn't stay at the Matou mansion last night was to prevent Touko from oversleeping. But even so, she didn't have enough time to wear a kimono and just put on some clothes haphazardly and came out.
"I really can't resist the temptation of the blanket. I'm sorry," Touko said listlessly.
"Have you had breakfast?" Shinji asked out of habit, not finding it strange.
"No," Touko shook her head. "Didn't have time."
"I knew it, Fujino, Sakura," Shinji snapped his fingers.
The two girls handed over a tote bag each from the left and right.
"Sensei, here's milk and sandwiches."
"And coffee and cigarettes."
Of course, these things were specially prepared by the three of them. Breakfast was Sakura's creation, coffee was brewed by Fujino and poured into a thermos, and before leaving home, Shinji specifically took a pack of cigarettes from his father, and put it in Fujino's tote bag.
With these, Touko would quickly shake off her languid state and revive to full energy.
"Do you like it~?"
"Kimochi!"
Cough, cough.
These two lines only existed in Shinji's imagination. In reality, Touko didn't even say thank you. She just took the two tote bags and started replenishing her energy.
After traveling together for such a long time, they were well aware of each other's habits. Just as Shinji and the others had prepared in advance, Touko knew that they would have everything ready, which was why she had no reservations about her battle with the blanket for nearly an hour.
Such understanding and thoughtful preparation naturally sparked some "discontent" among the elders.
The lady of the house, Elza, complained, "Ah~ I envy Miss Touko. Why doesn't anyone treat me like that? It seems like my son and daughter have grown up and started rebelling."
Her husband, Byakuya, chimed in, "Yes, yes, I miss the old Shinji and Sakura."
Kariya sighed pretentiously, "You kids, sigh~"
Sakura and Fujino were a bit embarrassed by being called out like that.
Shinji couldn't let it slide and started to fight back, "Mother, let's not talk about you for now. You indeed used to spoil us, but as for Father and Uncle, do you dare to speak? Should I expose your dark history?"
"Go ahead, expose it."
"We have a dark history, but don't you have one too?"
Byakuya wasn't willing to back down either.
"Shall I go first? I found a manuscript in a hidden compartment in the library at home. The title of the manuscript is 'The Dark Swordsman'—"
"Ah ah ah ah ah! Don't mention that name, don't mention that name!" Kariya seemed to have received a critical hit of ten thousand points.
PS: Touko, hiding in the blanket, said, "I'm already a useless orange."
PS2: Aoko was somewhat better during her teenage years, but it seems that she turned into a "useless adult" like Touko after becoming an adult.