"...In other words, Darius may have seen through everything and is trying to use Pandora's Box to escape the fate of being pruned by the Counter Force of human history. But it's impossible because there's still an observer in this world. Even if humanity is wiped out, the observer known as the world itself (Gaia) still exists..."
Listening to Rin's endless monologue at five in the morning, Shinji realized he probably wouldn't get any sleep today.
He sighed silently, lowering his head heavily. Why did he bother explaining so many theories to her?
"Why not just shut her up more forcefully? You're alone with a girl; it's the perfect opportunity!"
It was as if a little devil whispered in his left ear.
Then, a little angel appeared by his right ear.
"I think the guy on the left is right!"
Shaking his head to dismiss both the angel and the devil, Shinji decided to listen to neither.
Besides, their relationship hadn't reached that point, and he prided himself on being a true gentleman! A true gentleman would never do such a thing!
"Wait, Shinji, if Darius succeeds, then the new human history..."
"I told you it won't succeed..."
Shinji rubbed his forehead with a hint of exasperation. Based on Darius's actions in the original story, it seemed like he was forcefully trying to create an alternate reality.
But compared to a proper Lostbelt, he seemed to be doing the work of both blank paper transformation and fantasy trees by himself.
Whether it was erasing the map of human history or re-writing a new one, he did it in a way that was different from the standard Lostbelts.
However, it was probably because of this difference that his plan had such a huge flaw—he couldn't succeed without eliminating all observers!
And besides, even if Gaia didn't block his way, Shinji estimated that the next day a meteor would crash down and create a huge crater on the ground!
After the dust settled, the crater would reveal a short-haired beauty with a large shield and a black-haired or orange-haired youth with a strange pet on their shoulder.
"Anyway, don't think too much about it. It's a never-ending cycle, something that can't be escaped. Sleep, sleep!"
"Wait! If that's the case, maybe we could persuade Darius to give up..."
Hearing this, Shinji's expression turned serious and cold as he glanced at Rin.
"Listen, Tohsaka. For some people, that might be possible, but for others, it absolutely isn't! Darius is one of the latter. He can't be reasoned with and will never believe that his ideas are wrong or destined to fail."
Seeing Shinji's rare serious expression, Rin opened her mouth but ended up saying nothing, clenching her fists tightly instead.
"It's like... If you were to make a move on me now, I would definitely resist. I know you wouldn't believe it, but you'd understand after trying!"
Hearing Shinji's sudden change in tone and the peculiar example he gave, Rin twitched her eyes, black lines appearing on her forehead.
"What kind of example is that?! You could have just said 'A leopard can't change its spots'!"
"I thought a specific example would help you understand better."
"It's harder to understand!" Rin retorted.
Shinji shrugged and began the guest dismissal mode.
"Anyway, I overdid it yesterday and need to sleep now. If you want to sleep with me, you'd better promise not to make a move."
"Who wants to sleep with you?!"
Rin's face turned red with anger, wishing she could bite this man who she hadn't seen for months to vent her frustration!
"You said it yourself..."
"When did I ever say that?!"
Rin argued, but the next moment, Shinji pulled out his phone and played back a recording.
"Big sister, I really want to sleep..."
"Don't worry, I'll join you later."
As the memories resurfaced, Rin realized she did say that unconsciously, and her face turned even redder as she loudly defended herself.
"That was just an unconscious remark!"
Seeing Rin's ears turning red, Shinji thought of something and decided to ask a question he'd wanted to confirm.
"Tohsaka, can I ask you something?"
"W-What?"
Rin crossed her arms and turned her flushed face away, trying to act indifferent.
"Do you remember back in middle school... the playground and the high jump?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Then, by the river..."
Hearing the word "river," Rin's already red face turned even redder, and Shinji realized he had hit the mark.
"Anyway, today's discussion ends here. Just pretend I didn't ask anything. Goodnight!"
"Wait!"
Rin was instantly furious. This man was doing it on purpose!
He was intentionally bringing up embarrassing memories to make her show such an embarrassing reaction!
This was just to amuse himself at her expense!
Remembering something, Shinji kindly reminded her, "You should avoid wandering by the river. The water is too deep for a girl like you to handle!"
"Matou Shinji!"
Rin was so ashamed and furious that she wanted to die or strangle the man in front of her!
In an instant, she decided to do the latter before the former, rushing at Shinji with gritted teeth.
...
As the saying goes, once the paper window is torn, it can never be mended. So, after much thought, Shinji decided to replace the torn window with bulletproof glass.
"Tohsaka, I... I'm actually a scumbag."
Shinji, with symmetrical slap marks on his cheeks and red handprints on his neck, decided to be honest with the girl in front of him. After all, hiding it would only lead to bigger problems!
Of course, he didn't mention the issue with his sister since it wasn't as important.
"Hmph!" Rin turned her head away and scoffed, no longer pretending. "I already knew that, and don't get too cocky. I just have a slight liking for you right now! It might disappear tomorrow! I'm still young..."
"Yes, you're right, still quite small."
Shinji nodded in agreement, but the next moment, he had two more slap marks on his face.
"Do you want to die?"
Feeling Rin's cold, piercing gaze, Shinji chose to endure it silently. After all, he wasn't wrong and didn't feel guilty, just being magnanimous!
"Anyway, I've figured it out. Men are all pigs and scum. I'll just end up alone, it's no big deal without a man."
"Why does it sound like you're blaming me for losing faith in men? This has nothing to do with me!"
"If not you, then who?" Rin's eyes turned cold again as she coldly mentioned two names.
"Rider... Ayako..."
Hearing the second name, Shinji immediately denied it, "Wait a minute! Who is Ayako? Mitsuzuri? Are you talking about Mitsuzuri? Hey, don't joke around! Me and Mitsuzuri? Who spread that rumor?"
"So, Rider is true?"
Seeing Rin's rising aura, Shinji realized he had fallen into her trap!
...
At nine in the morning.
Shinji went to the living room alone, ignoring young Gilgamesh, who was watching the magical girl livestream in boredom, and lay down on the sofa.
"That sister made quite a scene... By the way, that must hurt, right?"
"Hmph!" Shinji, with red slap marks all over his face, laughed, "A kid wouldn't understand. These are the badges of an honest man!"
"I don't want those badges. It's quite humiliating to be kicked out of your room."
"You don't understand, kid. This is just a phase! A little excitement now and then is the secret to keeping things fresh!"
"But you two haven't even started yet?"
Young Gilgamesh sweated and retorted silently, then changed the topic, "So, have you decided on the Noble Phantasm for the bet? Although I don't like it, one isn't too hard to accept."
"Harpe."
Hearing the name of the Noble Phantasm, young Gilgamesh was stunned.
He couldn't understand why Shinji chose this particular Noble Phantasm from Greek mythology, used by Perseus to behead Medusa, when there were better options.
"Have you heard of role-playing?"
Hearing Shinji's question, young Gilgamesh paused for two seconds, then laughed helplessly and shook his head.
"Big brother, you will definitely die at the hands of a woman."
"Thanks for the good wish. I'd rather die by a beautiful woman's hand than be killed by a man."
"Hahaha... You're really funny, big brother. Well, I look forward to your future..."
Hearing this, Shinji sat up and stared seriously at young Gilgamesh, "If you dare to peek into my private life, I will fight you to the death."