Chapter 8

"Maybe." Shinji said nonchalantly as he continued eating. "But principles can indeed change, and sometimes it's easier if you do."

"What are you even talking about?"

"Nothing, just something to think about. Don't worry about it."

"Strange guy."

After dinner, it was nearly 2 AM.

The rain continued to fall steadily, and Shinji and Sakura eventually decided to stay at the Emiya household for the night.

The next morning.

When Shirou opened his door and stepped out, he saw Sakura had also just entered the living room.

"Where's Shinji?"

"He went out for his morning run at four."

"Still as early as ever," Shirou said, picking up the sticky note Shinji left on the table.

—— No need to make breakfast for me. See you the day after tomorrow, Emiya. ——Your fated one, Shinji Matou.

P.S.: Tell Sakura she doesn't need to wait for me at the school gate recently.

"Is this guy planning to skip class again?" Shirou sighed. "Why doesn't he just tell his own sister these things?"

"There's a message for me?" Sakura asked, surprised.

"Yes, he said you don't need to wait for him at the school gate. He's probably going to skip class again."

"I see..." Sakura's empty eyes showed a trace of disappointment. After a brief silence, she seemed to gather her courage and continued, "Um, Emiya-senpai, if it's alright, could you tell me about my brother?"

"Shinji? Aren't you his sister? You should know him well."

Sakura shook her head without responding, her expression speaking volumes.

Seeing this, Shirou began slowly.

"Shinji is the type who gets along with everyone. He's easy to be around, and you don't need to pretend around him. Although he skips classes often and rarely studies, he's always at the top of his class. He's also physically fit..."

Sakura listened eagerly as Shirou recounted various stories about Shinji at school.

Throughout breakfast, Sakura's ears were tuned to every detail Shirou shared about her brother.

After breakfast, as they left the house together, Sakura bowed to Shirou gratefully. "Thank you for telling me so much about my brother."

"It's nothing, really. No need to thank me. Let's head to school together since it's on the way."

"Emiya-senpai, I..." Sakura hesitated but then spoke resolutely, "I have a favor to ask!"

Seeing the girl bowing and earnestly requesting something, Shirou didn't hesitate to agree.

Four months passed in the blink of an eye, with Shinji balancing training, studies, and daily tasks more rigorously than ever before.

He never missed a day of grueling exercises, completed every ordinary task, and still had four years left for the main storyline mission.

As for the romance tasks, Shinji had no interest. Despite being a master of simulation games in his previous life, he didn't want to start such endeavors in this reality.

Playing a game where one could see affection levels felt odd to him.

Simply put——it didn't feel like love.

So, the romance task section remained untouched, and Shinji paid no attention to affection levels.

[Grandson, having a harem is the mark of an emperor. You need to get with the program.]

Ignoring the annoying system, Shinji stepped out of the classroom, only to be stopped by his homeroom teacher.

"Yukiko-sensei!" Shinji said, pretending to be shocked. "Is that handsome guy in a brand-name suit holding a bouquet behind you...?"

"Where?!" Yukiko immediately turned to look.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Shinji slipped through the classroom door and sprinted down the hallway toward the stairs.

Meanwhile, realizing she'd been tricked, Yukiko chased after him in a fury.

This scene was a common occurrence at their school, playing out every few days.

Against the backdrop of the setting sun, the corridor bathed in a golden hue, Shinji deliberately slowed down, engaging in playful banter with his teacher. This carefree daily life was something Shinji cherished deeply.

"Matou-kun! Stop——! And no running in the hallway, even if it's empty!"

"Who actually stops when told to stop? Besides, you're running too, teacher!"

As he ran, Shinji shouted back without turning his head. But just as he finished speaking, he noticed Shirou on the field outside, warming up for high jump.

A thought crossed his mind.

Hmm...Sakura is applying to this middle school, and it's the results announcement period. Though she hasn't officially started, she's already a student here.

She would come to handle some paperwork and attend orientation sessions around this time.

So,

——Today is the true starting point of the FSN storyline! The infamous day we all joke about not knowing how many people saw Shirou's high jump! With this realization, Shinji's expression subtly shifted into a smirk. The story was finally beginning!

Feeling unexpectedly relieved, Shinji quickened his pace, soon bursting out of the school building.

Shinji didn't know that his sister, who had just finished her orientation meeting and was supposed to watch Shirou's high jump, wasn't paying much attention. She glanced briefly before looking away.

On the other side, seeing Shinji about to run out of the school gate, Yukiko breathlessly called out to the middle-aged man at the entrance, "Sato-sensei! Close the gate! Stop Matou-kun!!"

The middle-aged man, understanding the situation immediately upon seeing Shinji, had a long-standing "relationship" with this troublemaker since he entered the school a year ago.

With short hair, a muscular build, and only wearing short sleeves despite the weather, the gym teacher and discipline head, Mr. Sato, didn't hesitate to close the gate.

"Matou-kun! You're checkmated!" Mr. Sato chuckled.

"Is that so?" Shinji responded with a light laugh, not slowing down. He ran straight to the gate, bent his legs, jumped, and cleared the gate, landing smoothly on the other side. The entire motion was fluid and effortless.

"Matou-kun!!" Yukiko yelled in frustration, but Shinji paid no heed, swiftly disappearing from sight.

Mr. Sato stared in amazement at the two-meter-high gate, murmuring, "Can he really jump that high so easily?"

At that moment, a certain black-haired, twin-tailed girl from another school, who had come to handle some student council materials, had just entered this middle school and passed by Shinji. Stopping in her tracks, she turned to look at the gate.

That guy just now...