"Although Grandpa is no longer with us, and the Matou family has officially withdrawn from the magical path, I was raised with this kind of education, so I..."
Seeing Sakura's small hands tightly clenched at her chest, her pretty face blushing, Shinji couldn't help but admire his sister's acting skills. She even thought of using this kind of situation to break the ice.
Of course, this was just Sakura's assumption.
She believed that to give birth to an heir for the Matou family, a so-called legitimate Matou bloodline was necessary. However, Shinji never truly understood what Zouken was thinking.
Since it wasn't particularly important, Shinji never asked about it when Zouken passed away.
Perhaps Zouken never had such an idea.
After all, with ten or twenty years of magical adjustments, Sakura had, in a certain sense, already become the heir to the Matou family. As long as she could perform Matou magic, what need was there for Matou blood?
From Shinji's perspective, instead of letting Sakura combine with someone like him, who had no magical circuits, to produce an unreliable Matou heir, wouldn't it be better for Zouken to trick a young man with decent magical aptitude into joining the family?
Shinji didn't believe that bloodline was that important to Zouken. As long as the child born bore the Matou name, had the right attributes, and could learn Matou magic to fight in the Holy Grail War, that was enough.
Thinking from Zouken's perspective, no matter what, he would never choose someone like himself. For a war, victory is the priority.
Choosing a worthless person, what if things go wrong?
Returning to the present, seeing Sakura's blushing face and her unwillingness to look up, Shinji pretended to be surprised as if hearing about this for the first time.
"Is what you're saying true, Sakura?"
Sakura's expression froze for nearly a second before returning to normal. This brother acted even more convincingly than she did!
"I didn't expect Zouken to originally think this way. It's my first time knowing this," Shinji nodded, his expression full of sighs, proving his utmost cooperation with his sister's performance.
This left Sakura a bit at a loss.
She had expected her brother to show an awkward expression upon hearing this, and she would then continue to play the pitiful role, making him feel guilty and inducing him to change his ways.
Growing up with such education, losing life's meaning after Grandpa's death and Matou's withdrawal from magic, she didn't know what to do anymore...
In short, her goal was to make her scumbag brother feel some guilt towards her, giving her an opportunity to make him realize...
But she failed!
Instead of guilt, Shinji showed a perfect act of surprise, making it impossible to tell if it was genuine or not!
She couldn't handle it. This method wouldn't work on her brother.
Seeing the subtle changes in Sakura's expression, Shinji understood her little thoughts and deliberately said,
"Daiyu... ahem, Sakura. One must look forward! If you've lost your meaning, then find a new one! Life's meaning is diverse!"
Seeing Shinji's serious expression as he spoke these words, Sakura knew her carefully planned scheme had been seen through by her brother, failing midway.
This brother would never be manipulated by her in such matters, never.
At this moment, Sakura was convinced of this fact.
Seeing Sakura lowering her head, capturing the fleeting helplessness of her failed plan in her eyes, Shinji secretly smiled.
Too naive, Sakura!
"Haha, I just suddenly remembered a somewhat concerning past, brother," Sakura raised her head and smiled. Then she stood up.
"It's so late, good night, brother."
"Yes, good night."
Shinji nodded, somewhat admiring his sister. Despite everything, she hadn't given up and wasn't planning to.
Just like a man would never give up persuading a girl to change her ways, Sakura would never give up waiting for him to change his casual attitude towards women.
In this sense, Sakura was indeed strong.
Watching Sakura's back, Shinji silently nodded.
Yes, I support it!
Late at night, back in his room, Shinji was greeted by Rider posing provocatively on the bed, wearing an outfit so bold it defied description.
Click—! The sound of the door closing.
Click-click!
Hearing the additional two clicks beyond the door closing, Rider realized something was off and turned to see Shinji holding his phone, adjusting the angle.
Bastard!
Rider cursed inwardly but showed no displeasure on her face. Instead, she posed seductively for the camera.
Rider knew tonight's task was challenging.
This Master seemed ready to go on another long trip, and she had to find a way to make him take her along!
Having Saber at home to protect Sakura was fine, but Master also needed protection. This time, she had to use this reason to argue against not bringing her along!
"Master..."
"Don't think about it. Not taking you."
Shinji was straightforward, shutting down Rider's thoughts, leaving her internally cursing him again. This jerk never let her finish her sentences!
If not me, then who? Saber?
You truly are an animal!
Seeing Rider's resentful eyes, Shinji shrugged and said, "Don't look at me like that. I'm not taking anyone."
Rider: ...
Sorry, the number you dialed is busy.
The next morning.
After dropping Sakura off at the school gate, Shinji didn't go inside. He gave a few instructions and then turned to skip classes and head home.
Sakura had noticed yesterday that her brother was about to go on another trip, so she calmly accepted it, having experienced it twice before.
There were some benefits to this. Sakura felt that each time her brother returned from a trip, his sense of belonging to the family deepened.
This feeling wasn't bad.
If the sense of belonging grew stronger, it might have some unusual effects.
At this moment, a luxury car stopped at the entrance of Homurahara Academy. Getting off, Luvia looked at Sakura, who was staring into the distance, and naturally followed her gaze.
"Matou... Shinji? He's not coming to class?"
"Yes, my brother has to go on a business trip for a while."
"What?!"
Luvia exclaimed instinctively but quickly adjusted her composure, resuming her ladylike demeanor and apologizing to Sakura.
Sakura repeatedly shook her head, saying it was fine.
Watching Shinji walk away, Luvia felt an inexplicable anger. Did he not care about her at all?
After all, she stayed in Fuyuki partly because of him!
Unbearable! Absolutely unbearable!
And... during yesterday's lunch break, he and that Tohsaka Rin, on the rooftop...
Shameless!
On the other hand, Shinji, unaware of Luvia's resentment, thought about how to explain this to Saber.
Everyone else had been informed, not just Rin, Sakura, and Rider. Even Bazett had been notified, leaving only Saber, who was the hardest to deal with.
Morning, 8:30.
As expected, Saber was indeed the hardest to deal with. It took Shinji a whole hour to get her to stay home obediently.
In the basement, looking at Saber, who was no longer arguing but clearly unhappy, Shinji suddenly thought of something.
"Saber, do you have enough magical energy?"
Hearing this, Saber's face turned red.
"Don't misunderstand, I just think if I'm not here and something unexpected happens, you might have trouble handling it without sufficient magical energy."
"Since there hasn't been any fighting, my magical energy is ample."
"Didn't I tell you to prepare in advance?"
"Master is right. Then, please replenish my magical energy."
Seeing Saber close her eyes after saying this, Shinji fell silent.
You need to transform first!
At this size... I can't do it!
After a few seconds with no movement, Saber opened her eyes and saw Shinji holding his forehead, looking helpless.
"Shinji, what's wrong?"
"Nothing... it's just that..." Shinji adjusted his expression and said seriously, "You need to return to your original form to replenish magical energy! Saber!"
"Really?! Only that way works?!"
"Absolutely!" Shinji nodded, mentally adding: because I can't do it in this form! It feels too criminal!
Believing Shinji, Saber returned to her normal size, summoning only her blue dress to save magical energy, no armor!
Feeling his upcoming departure might be lengthy, Shinji left Saber with ample backup magical energy, making this the longest replenishment session.
As a result, Shinji heard the knight king's incredible and unbelievable soft moan.
Seeing Shinji leave the basement and Saber, now in her child form, blushing and unable to look up, Rider's eyes grew more resentful.
This beastly Master!
Ignoring Rider's intense resentment, Shinji turned to leave. But then...
Slap!
"Master, I'm low on magical energy."
...
Seeing Shinji and Rider kissing in front of her, Saber was stunned. Isn't this supposed to be done privately?
This is too shameless!
Was I like this just now?
Feeling her face burning, Saber silently turned away. Can't watch this!
Of course, Saber didn't know Rider was provoking her, nor that Rider's goal was to be the last person Shinji kissed before he left!
For Rider, she couldn't let Saber occupy that final moment in Shinji's heart.
It had to be her!
...
Dragging his feet, seeing it approaching 10 o'clock, Shinji hurriedly said goodbye to Rider and Saber and left the house alone, finding a secluded spot on the street.
However...
Just as Shinji asked the system to take him to another world, a chain suddenly appeared and tightly bound him!
It's over, can't break free!
World travel can't be stopped either!
"Gil..."
Before he finished speaking, Shinji disappeared with a flash.
A few seconds later, Child Gil appeared at the alley's entrance.
Looking at the empty alley, Child Gil sighed.
"Yare yare, looks like I was a step too late~"