In the school corridor, Shin walked side by side with Hitori Gotou, giving her the unsettling sensation of "walking on pins and needles" for the first time.
Although she wanted to use the guitar on her back as a way to connect with fellow music enthusiasts and make friends, this kind of attention was entirely different.
Shin was already somewhat popular in school. His good looks had naturally drawn admiration from many girls.
Yet, since he hadn't accepted any girl's confession, everyone wondered what kind of girl could be the first to get close to him.
No one expected that the girl walking beside Shin would be one in sportswear, with her head lowered, looking very much like an introvert.
"Your posture is way too weak. Lift your head, straighten up, and don't slouch!"
Shin shot a look at Hitori Gotou, who was walking with her head down beside him, and said to her in an annoyed tone.
Hitori 's appearance, following him around like that, would make people think he was bullying her.
"Ah! Yes!"
At his command, Hitori instinctively straightened her head, puffed out her chest, and walked with her limbs rigidly stiff.
Although her actions still looked quite awkward, at least she no longer looked like she was being bullied.
"Shin... why are you paying so much attention to me?"
Hitori had wanted to ask this question for a while, but she hadn't found the right opportunity.
This time, she finally managed to ask, even though the gazes of the students around her made her wish she could disappear.
Still, it was precisely this feeling of facing death that gave her the courage to voice her question.
Her expression might have been conflicted, but deep down, Hitori was a bit curious.
What if this handsome classmate, Shin, actually liked her? What would she do?
Would she... accept him?
"Why am I paying attention to you? Let's just say you have potential."
Shin touched his chin as he looked at Hitori beside him.
Her long bangs hid the upper half of her face, making it hard for people to notice, but she was actually quite attractive.
Moreover, hidden under her wrinkled sportswear was a physique that could turn heads—a detail noted in her "character design."
Her fingers were very nimble, and she played guitar with incredible skill, enough to have gathered a large following online.
In terms of looks, figure, and ability, Hitori was exceptional.
However, her social anxiety had left her unkempt and isolated. Despite her potential to be popular, she remained on the fringes.
For Shin, though, her "stand" potential was what mattered most.
"P-potential?"
Hitori had no idea what Shin was thinking, but his answer shocked her.
Did... did he notice her musical talent? Could he be trying to groom her as an idol or something?
Hadn't she heard that some talent agencies had underworld ties? Could Shin also be...
If he wanted to make moves on her, what would she do?
Would she... accept it?
Lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, Hitori 's mind was as jumbled as her emotions.
But her daydream was quickly interrupted by Shin:
"Yep, you have the skills to work with me. Want to team up?"
"Is that the kind of potential you meant!?"
Hitori was even more taken aback. Since she didn't know about her "stand" potential, her immediate thought was...
Does he want me to join the underworld?
After all, she saw Shin as some kind of gang boss, so when he said "team up," that's naturally where her mind went.
In her imagination, a scene of her life in the underworld began to unfold.
"Hand over your turf, kora! Otherwise, I'll take you down with this guitar!"
In a dark alleyway, Hitori wore pitch-black sunglasses, followed by a large group of bald thugs. She sneered, brandishing her guitar.
Across from her stood another group of thugs, who cowered in terror at the sight of her and scattered in all directions.
Cries filled the air:
"It's the Guitar Hero!"
"I heard she once took out ten thousand men with that guitar!"
"No, I don't want to see that guitar again!"
Hitori clenched a cigarette in her teeth, gave a cold swing of her guitar, and knocked out the thug in front of her.
Then Shin stepped out from behind her, grabbing her by the shoulders, and Hitori pointed at the camera:
"This is the legend of the Guitar Hero in the underworld—Rock on, baby!"
"No, no, no, no way! I can't do that!"
Hitori shook her head wildly, terrified by her own daydream.
"What on earth are you thinking?"
Seeing her frantic head-shaking, Shin knew she was lost in another one of her wild imaginations.
But he didn't mind; he simply ruffled her pink hair.
"Today, you'll probably have some classmates wanting to chat with you. Take the chance to practice talking with people and work on your odd personality. At the very least, learn to hold a conversation."
With that, Shin walked ahead, as Hitori 's classroom was here, and his was further down the hall.
"Huh?"
Before she could process what happened, her classmates quickly surrounded her.
"How did you and Shin meet, Hitori ?"
"You don't usually hang out with him at school, right? Did you meet outside of school?"
"Can you tell us what Shin likes?"
Shin was well aware that he had a bit of a fan club at school, so he wasn't surprised that Hitori was surrounded.
Hitori , who had never attracted any attention from classmates despite bringing her guitar, was now overwhelmed by the barrage of questions.
This feeling... left her suffocating.
"I... I can't breathe."
For someone with social anxiety, being surrounded was torture, and Hitori almost fainted.
Fortunately, a female classmate supported her, escorting her into the classroom as if she were royalty.
Then, Hitori realized.
This must be Shin's punishment! Since I didn't agree to his offer right away, he's making me suffer!
He really is like a gang boss... terrifying!
To be continued…
Irisviel, Zuke, and RIn appear in the Tohsaka household!
Irisviel deeply resents Emiya…
Zuke goes back to the scene!
Artoria and Emiya Kiritsugu have an argument!
Suddenly, a streak of blood emerges!
Find out more about these events in my Patreon!
Btw, Hoi Ningen, FBI is after you after going through your search history. Hand over your Power Stones to me so I can bribe them for you winks.
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