Looking at the paintings Shinji had carelessly tossed on the floor, Rin's voice trembled.
"Are these...really Da Vinci and Van Gogh's originals?"
"Sort of," Shinji replied, looking at Rin with a strange expression as she rushed over. "What's wrong with you? Your expression looks weird."
"Do you realize the true value of these originals?!"
"Around a billion dollars combined?" Shinji said nonchalantly.
"And you just leave these priceless treasures, which people would fight over in the magical world... just lying around on the floor! What is wrong with you?!"
In this world, famous painters like Da Vinci, Van Gogh, and Picasso were also renowned and powerful magicians. The two paintings Shinji picked up could be used as holy relics. Besides their collectible value, they had practical value, making these masterpieces much more expensive than their counterparts in the previous world.
"These need extensive authentication, right? So, for now, they're just paintings I bought for a few million."
"A few...million?" Rin could barely control herself. She then noticed something else—the fireplace was burning not with wood, but with the Matou family's collection of books!
"They finally have some use."
Saying this, Shinji tossed the last few books into the fireplace.
Among them, Rin saw the cover of one book clearly—"An Analysis of the Holy Grail Command Spell System (Volume One)."
"What have you been doing?!" Rin finally snapped.
"Sister!!" Sakura called out instinctively.
Watching Rin kneeling on the floor, staring blankly at the rescued cover of the command spell system book, Shinji nonchalantly tossed his used tissue into the fireplace.
"We've left the world of magic. These things are useless now. Why are you so upset?"
"That may be true, but..." Rin clenched her fists, her face full of pain. "Do you know the value of these books? Do you?"
"Over a hundred million dollars, maybe?"
"And you burned them all! Are you an idiot?!"
"Is that a lot?"
This was the most soul-crushing question Rin had ever heard.
"Huh?" Rin mechanically turned her head, her vacant eyes staring at Shinji. "Say that again."
Shinji shrugged. "It's just some money. No need to keep such risks. Since we've left the magical world, we should do it thoroughly. Besides, Sakura agreed with me."
Sakura covered her mouth, murmuring in shock, "I didn't know those books were so valuable when you asked me. I had no idea."
"Come on, Sakura, aim higher," Shinji said with a hint of exasperation. "It's just some money, far less than the gifts I've given you."
"Gifts more valuable than those books?" Rin looked at Sakura, then realized something: Did Sakura just call her sister?
"What are you staring at me for?"
Shinji, bored and watching the stock market on his laptop, looked at Rin with disdain as she peeked over at his screen.
"Nothing."
Rin turned away, feigning disinterest, but kept glancing at Shinji's screen. She had learned from Sakura that Shinji had initially multiplied their family's assets through stock trading.
"Do as you like." Shinji closed his laptop and stood up. "By the way, are you staying for lunch?"
"Uh..." Rin hesitated, thinking Shinji would mock her if she said yes.
"Today, it's okay."
"What?" Rin was surprised. Normally, Shinji would mock her at this point.
She realized Shinji's reason—Sakura was sitting quietly nearby.
He's a pretty good brother, Rin thought.
Rin quickly understood that Shinji just wanted Sakura to bond with her.
"But I'm not making anything complicated. How about Chinese fried noodles?"
"Brother, you're cooking?" Sakura stood up, surprised. "You're still not fully recovered. Let me do it."
"I'm almost better. You just need to do what you want to do."
With a wink from Shinji, Sakura looked a bit embarrassed.
Shinji turned to Rin and said, "And you, don't forget why you're here. There's still some time before lunch, so I'll leave it to you two. See you."
Without looking back, Shinji left the living room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him, giving the sisters a rare chance to be alone.
"Rin, this girl named Sakura, what is she to you?"
"None of your business. Archer, you can leave too."
After being told this, Archer left in spirit form.
Having sensed only faint remnants of magic where there had once been barriers throughout the Matou house, Archer fully understood the true meaning of "leaving the world of magic" that Shinji and Rin had discussed.
Realizing there was no Master here, Archer decided to head to the roof for some fresh air. However, he was intrigued by Shinji's expert knife skills as he passed by the kitchen.
Time flew by, and it was soon noon.
Knock, knock.
Shinji gently knocked on the living room door.
"Ladies, lunch is ready."
12:40 PM
"Thank you for the meal."
Rin, having just finished lunch, clasped her hands together in thanks. Then she looked at Shinji, who had also finished eating.
"You really surprised me, Shinji. I didn't expect you to have such cooking skills."
Shinji smirked, making a disdainful noise but didn't respond. If he spoke, he might end up arguing with Rin as usual.
Even the noise was enough to annoy Rin. She'd known for a long time that her compatibility with Shinji was probably the worst in the world.
"Brother's cooking has always been amazing," Sakura said with a smile, trying to ease the tension. "He's made midnight snacks for me since we were little."
"Oh?" Rin looked at Shinji again, crossing her arms and humming lightly. "It seems you really are a good brother."
"Ah," Shinji shrugged, pretending to be distressed. "Compared to someone, I guess I'm a bit more decent."
"You...!"
Seeing Rin grind her teeth, feeling the tension rise between them again, Sakura quickly changed the topic. "By the way, Brother, these noodles are really delicious. Can you teach me how to make them next time?"
"Sakura, these aren't regular meat sauce noodles. They're zhajiangmian," Shinji corrected. "To make them authentic, I even made the noodles myself."
Sakura nodded, holding her chin. "No wonder they taste different from usual. The texture and chewiness are great."
"Really, Shinji, you impress me," Rin admitted.