"What's with that look on your face?" Rin asked, annoyed. She then folded her arms and turned away. "Didn't I already tell you not to worry? I bet you can't even summon a Servant."
No matter how Shinji heard it, it sounded like a flag. He had a feeling that if he really drew the summoning circle and recited the incantation, he would likely end up summoning not just any Servant, but something akin to a skeleton.
"Actually, Tohsaka, not being a magus doesn't mean you can't summon a Servant. Besides, as one of the Three Founding Families, the Matou family has many methods to control a summoned Servant, as written in the books I burned."
"Wait." Rin's expression changed slightly, glancing at Shinji. "Are you saying that in just a few minutes, you've developed a sudden interest in the Holy Grail War?"
"Tch!" Shinji clicked his tongue, propping his cheek with one hand and waving the other. "Don't act like you know me so well. I was just stating some objective facts to remind you not to be too careless in the upcoming war."
As he spoke, Shinji glanced at the Command Spells on Rin's hand. "After all, it looks like the war hasn't even started yet, and you've already used one of the most important Command Spells on something trivial, right? Miss Screw-up."
"You!" Rin was struck where it hurt but still retorted stubbornly, "I didn't use the Command Spell on something trivial! It was something very necessary!"
'Rin, I also don't think that was necessary,' Archer commented.
'Shut up! Besides, isn't it all your fault?!'
'Still, this guy's insight is not to be underestimated.'
'I know that! It's exactly why I can't stand him!'
Shinji spread his hands and said, "Anyway, as Sakura's brother, I just wanted to remind you to avoid anything that might upset her. Also, don't worry, I'm not interested in participating in that war or fighting for that thing. I have no interest in anything related to magic. I was just thinking about why the Holy Grail chose me."
Rin was a bit surprised. "Huh? Didn't you already analyze the reason earlier?"
"Ah, but I just reanalyzed it and came up with another possibility! This one is probably the real reason why I was chosen!"
Seeing Shinji's serious expression, Rin couldn't help but swallow nervously and tentatively asked, "What is it?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Shinji looked at Rin confidently, "Of course, it's because my looks and talent deeply attracted the Winter Saint, Justeaze, residing in the Holy Grail! It's love at first sight!"
"Please just drop dead," Rin retorted with a vein throbbing on her forehead. Then she suddenly realized, "Wait, did you just say the Winter Saint Justeaze resides in the Holy Grail?"
With a melancholy look, Shinji rested his cheek on his hand and glanced at Rin.
"Why are you staring at me? I was just making stuff up."
Rin gritted her teeth and glared at Shinji. From their conversation and his attitude, she could tell this guy knew more about the Holy Grail War than she did!
The Winter Saint Justeaze, that name had appeared in her family's library. She knew its significance. Given her understanding of this guy, what he just said about the Winter Saint Justeaze residing in the Holy Grail was probably true!
Although she could verify it later with Kirei, it irked her that this non-magus knew more than she did.
It was infuriating!
With a plan forming in her mind, Rin huffed disdainfully.
"Hmph! Don't misunderstand. I just think you're too full of yourself. How could the Winter Saint Justeaze in the Holy Grail possibly take a liking to someone like you?"
'Rin? Do you know—'
'No, I don't. I'm just trying to bait him. Maybe I can get some critical information out of him.'
"Tohsaka."
"What?"
Shinji grinned. "You're really an easy-to-fool idiot."
"You!" Rin's temper flared up again.
She got it now, she understood completely!
This man had intentionally slipped up to see her reaction!
His goal was to watch her pretend to know what she didn't and make a fool of herself!
After silently reciting her family's creed three times, Rin unclenched her fists.
After chatting with Shinji for a while, Rin took a sip of tea and calmly said, "I didn't expect you, raised as an ordinary person, to know so much about the Holy Grail War."
Shinji shrugged. "Well, it's not much. But it's nothing compared to someone like you who was raised as a magus."
"What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on me, Matou?" Rin smiled sweetly, though her eye was twitching.
"No, I just find it surprising that someone from the Tohsaka family knows so little about the Holy Grail system."
"I'm the one who's surprised! How does a guy without a magic circuit know as much as I do—if not more? I can't understand it!"
"Brains work differently for different people, Tohsaka."
Rin snapped, "You really want to fight, don't you? Fine, bring it on, you jerk!"
"See, you can't even accept being called dumb," Shinji sighed, waving his hand. "Forget it. Unlike you, I'm not stupid enough to fight a magus."
"Ah—! I've had enough!"
Rin finally lost her patience, grabbed her head in frustration, and stood up.
Seeing Rin's aggressive stance and clenched teeth, Shinji raised his hand to stop her. "Hey, what are you doing? Wait, calm down! Don't—"
"Calm down my foot!"
Rin finally lunged at Shinji.
Just then, Sakura's voice came along with the sound of the door opening.
"Brother, I bought the manga magazine you—"
Sakura's words stopped as she saw the scene in front of her—Shinji being pinned down by Rin, who was straddling him with her fists raised.
"—wanted."
"Sa-Sakura." Rin froze mid-action, a slightly awkward smile on her face. "This is just, uh—"
Shinji got up nonchalantly. "Sakura, based on my preliminary diagnosis, your sister likely has a serious mental illness. You should contact the best psychiatric hospital for her. Don't worry about the money. For your sake, I can cover the initial costs."
"You jerk!!"