To be honest, over the past month, Shinji has indeed reached a level that many men can never attain in their lifetime!
That is, his heart is as still as water, unmoved by anything!
Every day and every night, facing Sakura, who had somehow suddenly mastered a charm skill, Shinji gradually developed an immunity.
After a month, he had reached a state where he remained calm and unperturbed no matter what tricks were played on him!
At four o'clock in the morning, in a room where Shinji had cast a soundproof barrier that Sakura couldn't detect.
Ignoring the enemy commander, who had been defeated and was now a mess on the floor after a long-awaited intense battle, Shinji couldn't help but praise himself in his heart.
Over the past month, he had probably reached the highest level of what it means to be a gentleman!
From Shinji's expression, Rider had already guessed most of his thoughts and cursed him as a scumbag in her heart.
But then again, it was unbelievable that she, who was tall and never considered herself cute, could one day adopt a posture only small women could.
...Although this "man" is a jerk.
"Shinji... are you just playing with me?"
Hearing Rider suddenly ask such out-of-character words, and seeing her pink vertical pupils staring straight at him, Shinji was momentarily dumbfounded.
It took him a full two seconds to respond.
"Aren't you?"
Seeing the natural look on Shinji's face and hearing his casual tone, Rider suddenly wanted to rub his face into the ground!
This bastard!
At this moment, Rider understood why Shinji treated her so casually but had never crossed the line with Sakura despite numerous hints over the past month!
Because he wasn't serious at all, or rather, he didn't dare to be serious!
He was just someone who could fool around but wouldn't continue if it became serious!
This is the true nature of this hateful Master!
"I told you not to watch those melodramatic dramas with Sakura. They mess with your brain."
"Sakura..."
Seeing Rider's concise expression, Shinji smiled lightly and said, "Don't overthink, Rider. I may seem casual with women, but that's only because I'm not yet someone who can sacrifice or give up everything for one person. It's not about being afraid of responsibility; it's just that I'm not that kind of person yet."
What a man who makes excuses! Hypocrite!
Rider spat hatefully in her heart.
Although Shinji's words sounded grand, Rider believed he was just afraid of being serious and responsible!
Knowing Rider had misunderstood him, Shinji didn't argue. He knew himself well enough.
His peculiar personality still needed a long time to be honed, a process that couldn't be skipped.
At this stage, if he indulged in temporary pleasure with Sakura...
That would be true irresponsibility and scum behavior.
No matter how many beauties there were or just one, Shinji had never considered it or cared about it.
Being serious about such matters should only happen when he could truly sacrifice everything for someone.
Shinji also knew Sakura wasn't stupid. By now, she must have understood he knew everything but chose not to confront it directly.
His sister must have understood his personality well during this time. After all, he had once told her to her face.
Furthermore, his lukewarm attitude of treating her as a sister was essentially a form of rejection.
Sakura understood but was unwilling to give up.
Sakura wanted to try harder, hoping to benefit when his personality finally matured.
As for his minor affairs with Rider?
Sakura was probably well aware but didn't care much because she knew he wasn't serious. She just slightly controlled their opportunities to be alone together.
Like during their trip, countless times "unintentionally" interrupting just as he and Rider had a chance to be alone...
Gradually pulling back his thoughts, Shinji looked at Rider, whose fighting spirit was rising, her demeanor now even colder. He suddenly thought of something and retrieved a pair of glasses and contact lenses from his system space.
"Right, Rider, use these normally. I bought them from an acquaintance, and they just arrived today."
Seeing the glasses that could obviously block her Mystic Eyes, Rider, who had just wanted to teach him a lesson, was stunned again, feeling a strange sensation in her heart.
Although he acted casual...
He seemed to treat her well, never lacking anything she needed, even if she never asked.
Of course, she hadn't been serious either!
Yes! Definitely not anything else!
After all, there was no other choice since her Master wasn't a mage.
He couldn't provide her with mana through ordinary means; it was just unavoidable!
Yes! That's it!
Rider convinced herself with this newfound excuse and also thought of another perfect plan!
You like to play? Then I'll play with you!
Play until you're too tired to even go out for tea!
This way, wouldn't it be like he only had her?
Although... well, although neither side was serious, the feeling was completely different!
She would become his only... playmate!
Rider confirmed this plan, which seemed feasible except for needing to enhance her combat power a bit more.
After handing over the Mystic Eye Killers, Shinji thought of something else and said, "I'm going out for a while soon. Stay home and protect Sakura. If any mage with ill intentions or harmful plans approaches her, don't hesitate. If you have the chance to eliminate them, do so without hesitation. Understand?"
Rider nodded silently, not showing any reluctance despite her newly devised plan potentially being ruined immediately, but she still tentatively asked:
"But if you encounter danger..."
"Don't worry. If there's no danger at all, it would be boring. Like this Holy Grail War, it's really... extremely boring."
Seeing the slight curve of Shinji's lips, Rider felt more certain that her Master was indeed a pervert.
But then she thought of something else.
If he's gone for a while, what about her mana supply?
No, she couldn't sleep tonight!
She needed to stock up for the war!
March 9th, 10 AM.
Because she was too excited about the changes at home and slept late, Sakura only woke up at eight.
But since it was spring break, it didn't matter.
Shinji, who woke up even later than Sakura, finished washing up and came to the living room at ten, only to find some unexpected guests.
They were—
Gilgamesh, sitting with his legs crossed, swirling a wine glass and looking playful and at ease as if on his own sofa.
And on the other side, Rin, who had been invited by Sakura over the phone last night to chat about daily life and girl talk but remained silent because of Gilgamesh's presence, just sitting with Sakura.
Lastly, Red Archer standing behind Rin, looking displeased but secretly vigilant of Gilgamesh, and Rider, Medusa, standing behind Sakura.
"Yo, long time no see."
Seeing Shinji greet with a raised hand and a grin, Rin was instantly furious. If not for the guests, she would have exploded.
"Sakura, didn't you bring gifts for everyone?"
Sakura suddenly remembered and quickly got up.
"Almost forgot, onee-san, please wait a moment."
Saying this, Sakura ran out of the living room.
After Sakura left, Rin spoke to Shinji first: "Anyway, let's get you, the main culprit, up to date on the aftermath of the Holy Grail War as handled by the Mage's Association and the Holy Church."
Rin then briefly explained the actions of the Mage's Association and the Holy Church after the Holy Grail War ended.
First, Kirei Kotomine, the overseer, was found guilty of breaking the rules of the Holy Grail War, suspected of murdering mages sent by the Mage's Association, and harming ordinary people.
He was excommunicated and put on the Holy Church's hit list, but the pursuit ended with his death.
By the way, Lancer had buried Kirei's body alone the night he left Shinji's house, perhaps out of gratitude for being saved three times by Kirei's Command Seals.
The Fuyuki Church was still under reconstruction, and a new priest had been sent.
The new priest seemed to be a kind old man who had already visited the Tohsaka household and was temporarily staying in a small inn until the church's reconstruction was complete.
Hearing it wasn't Caren, who didn't wear skirts, Shinji felt a bit disappointed.
He had hoped to meet her in real life to tell her about his unfortunate experience of being tainted by a demon (Angra Mainyu).
Unaware of Shinji's thoughts, Rin continued—
"The common understanding of both the Holy Church and the Mage's Association is that the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki has come to a complete end due to 'accidental' destruction of its ritual."
The Mage's Association received no reports suggesting the ancient and bloody Holy Grail War ritual in the Far East was a path to the Root, and both Rin and Bazett kept this fact hidden.
Furthermore, the strange magical fluctuations in Fuyuki City a month ago were attributed to the Einzberns. With Rin's testimony and Bazett's support, the Mage's Association didn't pursue it further.
The presence of summoned Servants was undeniable, but as long as there was no exposure of the Mysteries, the Mage's Association wouldn't interfere.
Finally, regarding the Matou family's withdrawal from magecraft—
Rin was surprised by the Mage's Association's lenient handling, which turned out to be favorable.
Despite Matou's withdrawal from magecraft, the Mage's Association surprisingly chose to overlook the issue of "a commoner possessing a Servant."
This was illogical!
"Hey, did you do something?" Rin asked Shinji, raising an eyebrow.
Shinji took a sip of tea and replied, "I used some political resources from the company to have a word with the Mage's Association as a commoner."
"Uh..."
Rin was taken aback but then remembered Shinji was an undeniable monster, and let it go.