Chapter 12: Rin Tohsaka and Ai Hayasaka

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Morning.

Kashiwagi Utaha opened her eyes.

Instead of the familiar sight of her own home, she was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling.

"What a pity."

She sighed in mild disappointment and resigned herself to getting dressed.

As she stepped out of the bedroom and entered the living room, the aroma of food wafted in from the neighboring kitchen.

"You're awake just in time—breakfast is almost ready. Go wash up and eat," Roy called out from the kitchen as he poked his head out, smiling warmly at her.

He was dressed simply, just like the day before. His tall frame was complemented by the black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, and as always, his lips held a gentle, calm smile. His demeanor was approachable, almost soothing.

Utaha nodded and made her way to the washroom, feeling a bit embarrassed. She was supposed to be the Servant, yet here she was, waking up later than her Master and even letting him make breakfast.

"Master, is that girl your girlfriend?"

Saber's voice echoed in Roy's mind.

"No, why would you ask that?"

"Well, it just feels like Master treats her differently. When you talk to me, you're so cold, but when you speak to her, you're all soft and warm... Oh, not that I'm envious or anything!"

Saber's voice was filled with a subtle resentment, the kind that lingered when one wasn't entirely honest with themselves.

Roy could almost picture Saber pouting, her mouth twisting in dissatisfaction.

"Saber."

"Yes?"

"When I summoned you, I didn't use a relic."

"Huh? Why mention that now? Wait… Does that mean...?"

"Yes, I summoned you purely based on compatibility."

"You're quite the bold one, Master."

Saber, hearing this, gasped internally, clearly surprised.

The number of Heroic Spirits in the Throne of Heroes was vast—countless, really. To ensure a favorable outcome in the Holy Grail War, one would typically aim to summon a powerful Heroic Spirit. That's where relics came into play—items tied to a Heroic Spirit, such as their weapons or garments, which served to anchor their summon. Without a relic, the Grail would simply summon the Spirit whose nature best aligned with the summoner.

This method, however, came with considerable risk. One could end up summoning an extremely weak Servant, as history had far fewer great heroes than it did ordinary or even insignificant figures.

For most, such a summoning would elicit just one reaction:

"You don't actually want to win, do you?"

Summoning based on compatibility alone offered no guarantees of strength—there was no way it could compare to the assured might of a Heroic Spirit summoned through a relic.

If one truly sought victory in the Holy Grail War, they would prioritize seeking out a relic to summon a powerful hero. This was the consensus among all participants of the war.

"I care less about a Servant's strength and more about compatibility—the relationship between Master and Servant. Do you understand?"

"Oh!"

"So, my only request is that you fight for me with all your heart."

"I understand now, Master!"

Saber's voice grew bright, full of excitement and joy.

"To be honest, I've always wanted to serve under a Master like you! I, Okita Souji, swear upon the honor of the Shinsengumi to fight alongside you with all my heart. If I break this vow... well, then may I be cut down by my comrades in the Shinsengumi!"

Summoning based on compatibility...

This didn't just mean that the Master would gain a Servant who aligned with their spirit. It also meant that the Servant would gain a Master who suited them just as well. There would inevitably be common ground between them—similar goals, experiences, or shared ideals. This made forging a strong bond between Master and Servant far easier than with a Heroic Spirit summoned through a relic.

If they couldn't get along under such circumstances, the problem had to lie with the Master.

With that, Saber fell silent, seemingly content with Roy's explanation.

Seeing that she had finally quieted down, Roy smiled faintly.

Indeed, he valued his compatibility with Saber more than her strength. That much had been no lie.

Utaha finished washing up and took a seat in the kitchen. As expected, breakfast consisted of a traditional Chinese-style congee with side dishes. In Japan, congee was typically reserved for when one was sick, but as she had let her Master cook, she had no right to complain.

"And it's delicious," she thought, secretly impressed. The congee was remarkably flavorful for something so simple. She hadn't expected it to be this good, but after last night's dinner, she understood.

Roy's cooking was exceptional. At least when it came to authentic Chinese cuisine, he was a master. It was even better than the Chinese food she'd had at restaurants. This wasn't a skill honed over just a few months—clearly, it had taken years of dedication and practice.

"Is Roy-sama the only one living in this house?"

"There's also a pair of sisters, but they're usually out and about. No telling when they'll be back."

"Aren't there a lot of dangerous beasts in the wild?"

"If anything, the beasts should be afraid of them."

Utaha blinked, then slowly nodded as realization dawned on her.

So, the real powerhouses of the Aozaki family were those sisters who were always out in the field?

That made sense. Yesterday at the refugee shelter, the dark-skinned youth had seemed more concerned with Roy's family than with Roy himself. So Roy, despite being the youngest, held a special status—thanks to his powerful sisters.

Knock knock.

Just as they finished breakfast, the door rang out with a rhythmic knock.

The visitor had a certain elegance to them—the tapping was soft and polite, not at all bothersome.

Seeing this, Utaha stood up to clear the dishes, while Roy walked to the entrance and opened the door.

"Good morning, Mr. Roy."

Standing at the entrance was a beautiful young woman with sleek black hair, styled into twin tails tied with ribbons. She looked no older than sixteen or seventeen, her vivid red coat accentuating her noble bearing. With her elegant posture and dignified smile, she was clearly someone of high status.

Upon seeing Roy open the door, the girl greeted him with a perfect smile.

"Good morning, Miss Tohsaka."

Roy returned the greeting as if he had expected her, smiling warmly. The familiarity in his tone hinted that they knew each other well.

"And who might this be?"

Roy glanced at the girl standing behind Tohsaka.

Behind her stood a young woman dressed as a maid, her presence no less striking than Tohsaka's. Her golden hair, tied in a single ponytail, shimmered like gold, making her even more eye-catching. Despite her beauty, she stood deferentially, dimming her radiance to serve her mistress.

She was also clad in a traditional maid outfit.

"I believe this is the first time you've met her, Mr. Roy. She's the maid I've chosen to serve me," Tohsaka said, her eyes gesturing towards the blonde woman behind her.

"Good morning, Lord Roy."

At Tohsaka's prompting, the blonde maid stepped forward, bowing deeply in perfect form. Her movements were flawless, and not a single fault could be found.

"My name is Ai Hayasaka. I am currently serving Lady Rin."

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