Chapter 60

Ryudou Temple, situated on Mount Enzo at the eastern edge of Fuyuki Town, was quite a distance from the Matou residence, taking about an hour to walk there.

So, Shinji chose to ride a motorcycle.

Coincidentally, on the way to Ryudou Temple, Shinji happened to run into Issei, who was walking home at a leisurely pace after school.

"Hey, Issei, need a ride?"

Shinji stopped his bike and called out to Issei.

"Matou!" Issei, carrying his bag, stopped in surprise. "Weren't you supposed to be home sick with a cold today? Were you faking it?!"

"No, no, it was real. I'm feeling much better now. I just wanted to check on the progress at the temple before dinner."

Issei's expression softened a bit. "I see. As for the progress, the craftsmen arrived this morning. According to my brother, they discussed the plan and started work before noon. I was surprised you offered to gild the Buddha statue, Matou."

"It's nothing. After all, gilding Buddha statues brings great merit, and it was thanks to Reikan-nii-san that my grandfather's hasty funeral was well-managed."

At the foot of Mount Enzo, Shinji parked his motorcycle and looked up at the long staircase, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Every time I see it, it looks exhausting. A cable car would be nice."

"Matou! Have you become so lazy?!" Issei rebuked sharply. "You used to carry water up and down ten times a day without complaint when you trained with my father! I think you should come back to the temple during the holidays to train your mind again!"

"No, thanks~" Shinji waved his hand dismissively. "By the way, didn't you just choose the easy way? Riding my motorcycle~ It's hard to imagine Issei being lazy too~"

"Shut up!" Issei blushed slightly, as if his sore spot had been hit. "I'm not like you! I just have no energy left!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes," Issei adjusted his glasses and started climbing the long stairs. "For some reason, my energy was depleted unusually fast today. After lunch, I was hungry again before school ended, whereas I usually don't feel hungry until around seven."

"Probably a growth spurt," Shinji replied nonchalantly. "Your body needs more nutrients. Besides, your bento is always simple. It might not meet your daily nutritional needs."

"That makes sense," Issei nodded. "Everyone must be going through a growth spurt."

"Everyone?"

"Yes, during breaks, the students chat about being hungry around three or four in the afternoon. I should remind everyone to eat more nutrients at our next meeting; otherwise, they'll lack energy in class."

"You're really dedicated," Shinji muttered.

"Being hungry is uncomfortable and causes problems. Many students ran home for dinner after school, which is against the rules!"

"Sounds like elementary school kids," Shinji commented.

"It does. They're high schoolers but still rush home to eat," Issei grumbled. "But because of this, another task is progressing smoothly."

"Another task?"

"You weren't at school today, Matou, so you missed it. Last night, there was a murder at a crossroads near the school. A family of four was attacked; only the child survived.

The parents and sister were killed by a sharp object to the chest. This is the second home invasion murder recently.

First, there was a gas leak in Shinto, and now this murder. For students' safety, the school decided that everyone, except those in club activities, must leave by six."

"These are troubling times," Shinji sighed.

"Indeed," Issei sighed as well, then glanced sharply at Shinji. "Speaking of which, it's strange for you, who often skips school without reason, to actually take a sick day."

"What do you mean?" Shinji asked, puzzled.

"I mean, with your usual behavior, I'd expect you to skip without any excuse."

"Issei, are you..."

Shinji almost said, "Are you suspecting me?" but he stopped, thinking Issei probably wouldn't make that connection.

"Another honor student took a sick day today too, also for a cold."

"Oh? Who?" Shinji feigned surprise.

Issei withdrew his gaze. "Forget it. From your reaction, it's not what I thought. If it was, I'd suggest my father confine you to the temple for retraining."

Shinji knew who Issei was referring to and what he suspected. But to Shinji, Rin wasn't someone he liked or disliked intensely. He found her attractive and appreciated her personality but didn't harbor romantic feelings.

Standing by the temple gate was a man with long, dark blue hair tied in a ponytail with a light purple ribbon, strands falling to his collarbone. He was handsome, wearing a deep purple sleeveless haori over a purple kimono, with purple wrist guards and straw sandals. He had a twig in his mouth.

Behind him was a five-foot-long pole with a purple sheath for his sword, named Monohoshizao.

Sasaki Kojirou stood with his arms crossed, calmly gazing ahead. He made no sound and his presence was almost undetectable, blending perfectly with his surroundings.

Shinji knew this ability wasn't a class skill but a technique called "Presence Concealment," which Kojirou had mastered as a swordsman.

This wasn't a skill for sneaking around but a technique of blending his presence into his surroundings, achieved through spiritual discipline.

Though not as refined for assassination as Hassan's Presence Concealment, Kojirou's skill made him a formidable opponent, hard to detect even for other Servants.

Shinji could sense Kojirou's presence for two reasons.

First, Shinji knew Kojirou was here, so he deliberately searched for him.

In fact, knowing Kojirou's existence in advance made it easier to detect him.

Second, Kojirou's Presence Concealment had similarities to Shinji's own techniques for hiding his presence.