Chapter 179

Seeing Luvia clutching her cheek, tears welling in her eyes and trembling with rage, Shinji crossed his arms and snorted with a laugh, saying, "Don't be ridiculous. Why would I give you a chance to finish speaking? If you were going to apologize, how could I return the slap with a clear conscience?"

"Who said I was going to apologize?!"

Luvia gritted her teeth and forced each word out, her voice seething with anger.

At this point, Rin, feeling a strange satisfaction watching Shinji bully another girl but also feeling the need to intervene as a classmate and fellow girl, stepped forward, hands on her hips, and spoke up.

"Shinji, Luvia is a girl!"

"Rin Tohsaka, shut up! This has nothing to do with you!"

Rin was taken aback as Luvia's anger shifted toward her. "What's wrong with you? I'm on your side!"

"Hmph! Don't pretend to be kind. I know all about the Tohsaka family's deceitful, despicable ways!"

"Ha?!" Rin was instantly furious, but seeing many classmates watching, she didn't dare discuss magic matters and instead whispered, "Luvia, dare to settle this on the rooftop?"

Two minutes later, with Rin and Luvia storming out of the classroom, Shirou finally caught on.

"Shinji, are they going to the rooftop..."

"Probably to duel or something," Shinji said nonchalantly, taking out his bento.

"Ha?!!"

Shirou couldn't stay calm anymore. Without knowing what happened, he sensed a fight brewing and grabbed Shinji, rushing out of the classroom.

"Hey, why are you dragging me along?" Shinji asked.

"You're the cause of the conflict, so you need to help stop the duel!"

Hearing this, Shinji imagined a humiliating scenario—him tearfully begging them to stop fighting.

Shuddering at the thought, he quickly corrected Shirou, "You've got it wrong, Emiya. Their conflict has nothing to do with me. They're practically lifelong enemies."

"Lifelong enemies?" Shirou caught a hint, unsure. "So, Luvia is a mage too?"

"Emiya, can't you sense other people's magic by now? I heard Illya corrected your training methods."

"Uh..." Shirou smiled awkwardly, then realized the urgency. "That's not the point! If they're mages, their fight could be disastrous!"

Shirou quickened his pace, reaching the rooftop door.

He burst through with determination, "Both of you, calm down! Whatever the reason, fighting at school is not allowed, especially between girls..."

Seeing the two girls on the ground, locked in a wrestling hold, Shirou's voice trailed off, black lines forming on his forehead.

So this is how girls fight...?

Shinji wasn't surprised by their grappling. He had expected Luvia to win decisively but was impressed that Rin was holding her own.

"Why are you just standing there? Help separate them, Shinji!"

Snapping out of it, Shirou dragged Shinji forward, but a familiar voice from behind made them stop.

"Luvia, Rin~ what are you two doing? And Shinji, Shirou~ what are you up to?"

Seeing Taiga's unusually friendly smile, Shinji quickly raised his hand, "Taiga, this has nothing to do with me. I'm a victim here."

Forced to release each other and stand up because of Taiga's presence, Rin gritted her teeth, "What do you mean, 'nothing to do with you'? You're the cause of all this!"

"Oh hohoho~ As expected from a Tohsaka, shifting blame so easily. Such shamelessness is eye-opening."

Luvia's taunt made Rin want to start another round, but she restrained herself because of Taiga.

"Let's all go to my office," Taiga said, smiling and gesturing for them to go downstairs.

"Hmph! Unlike Tohsaka, I take responsibility for my actions!"

Luvia huffed and led the way, arms crossed.

Not to be outdone, Rin followed quickly.

Seeing the two about to clash over who goes first, Taiga sighed heavily, "Enough! Shinji! Shirou! You go first!"

"Me too?" Shirou asked, puzzled.

"You failed to mediate and didn't notify a teacher in time, Shirou. That's your responsibility!"

"I understand!"

"Taiga, I really am innocent," Shinji said, raising his hand with a pitiful look.

"I heard from classmates that it's because of you they fought!"

"Taiga, are you saying it's my fault for being handsome?"

"Of course! Haven't you heard of 'beauty causing trouble'? Also... call me Ms. Fujimura! And Luvia, Rin, stop fighting!"

Hearing Taiga, the girls finally stopped their silent struggle.

Thus, on the first day of the new term, Luvia, Rin, Shinji, and Shirou enjoyed a day-long visit to the office, receiving a lengthy lecture about how looks alone are not enough and how studies are more important at this stage.

"Taiga, haven't you never dated?" Shinji questioned.

Taiga handed him a week of class duty.

...

"Don't worry, Shinji. I'll help out."

Leaving the office, Shirou reassured Shinji, patting his friend's shoulder.

Luvia generously offered to share the class duties, unlike Tohsaka.

Translating this meant she wanted to join the cleaning duty.

Feeling insulted, Rin declared that the Tohsaka family doesn't avoid responsibility, so she'd help too!

Hearing this, Shinji happily left the week's cleaning to them, emotionally cheering for them inwardly.

"...Good luck!"

Seeing Shinji's smiling face, Shirou promised to clean the classroom thoroughly.

Luvia, realizing she couldn't use the cleaning duty to get closer to Shinji, graciously let Rin take her place.

Noticing she had fallen into another trap, Rin angrily threatened, "If you dare skip, I'll dismantle you..."

Afternoon classes were interesting. Whenever the teacher wasn't looking, Rin and Luvia bickered.

Shinji hoped they'd fight more, enjoying watching their 'ugly' struggle.

Thus, before school ended, Shinji had two noticeable lumps on his head.

...

At 5 PM, after cleaning, Rin lay on her desk, exhausted. Cleaning a classroom untouched for a holiday took four people an hour!

"Ugh... I'm dead..."

"This is the difference between us, Rin!"

Luvia proudly announced, her chest heaving.

Seeing Luvia, Rin remained silent, wanting to go home and enjoy dinner before sleeping.

"Shirou, I'll leave Sakura to you and Mitsuzuri."

Shinji reminded Shirou of Sakura's role as archery club captain and asked them to support her.

"Don't worry. Sakura's doing well. She'll soon adapt to being captain."

"Alright, let's go home."

After organizing the cleaning tools, Shinji stretched.

"It's all your fault..."

Hearing the grumbling and feeling the resentful stares, Shinji remembered his plan to borrow Rin's wand.

"Rin, want to discuss a business deal?"

"Huh?!" Rin perked up, showing her merchant side. "What kind of deal? No stock investments! Archer invested in your family's stock, but the growth was so slow! It barely doubled in a month!"

Is that even humanly possible? Shinji thought, stunned.