Chapter 178

After seeing the class allocation list, Shinji couldn't help but sigh. Just as he had heard from rumors, he was placed in the same class as Shirou and Rin. The class teacher would still be Taiga.

Speaking of which, in the original timeline, only one in three versions of himself lived to see the beginning of the third year of high school. So it was a cause for celebration that he safely advanced to the third year.

Rewarding himself with a good cup of tea didn't seem excessive.

While Shinji was lost in his thoughts, Shirou wasn't paying attention to the class allocation list on the whiteboard. Instead, he was deep in thought, furrowing his brow.

Knowing that Shirou was thinking about the girl he brought home who caused a misunderstanding with Taiga in the morning, Shinji felt a bit worried about his friend's intelligence.

"Emiya, if you need help from a friend, just ask."

"Huh?"

Shirou looked confused for a moment, but then Shinji tossed a thin file folder at his chest.

"Just remember that. See you."

Watching Shinji walk away, Shirou was still puzzled, but when he opened the file folder and saw the thin stack of documents inside, he understood.

Miyu—female, last name unknown, ten years old.

She lived in Fuyuki with her brother and father when she was young, then moved abroad with her father and brother.

It seems her family experienced some changes. She returned to Fuyuki alone last night and is now a lonely, helpless orphan in Fuyuki. According to the investigation, her brother resembles Shirou Emiya.

Looking at the overly brief information, Shirou felt deeply grateful to his friend, understanding that Shinji did this secretly for his sake. He also realized why Miyu had run into his arms and called him "Onii-chan."

"Just like Miyu said. There's nothing to worry about now. But she's really a pitiful child."

After putting the documents back into his bag, Shirou ran after Shinji.

"Wait for me, Shinji!"

...

Since it was the third year, almost time for graduation, the morning welcome ceremony for new students didn't require their attendance. The only one who attended was Issei, who still held the student council president title.

However, Issei wasn't in the same class as Shinji in the third year, so Shinji didn't pay much attention. His mind was occupied with how to deal with the twin-tailed girl in his class.

"Shinji, thank you."

"Mm..." Shinji nodded slightly, accepting the gratitude from Shirou standing in front of him. Then he crossed his arms and looked up at Shirou. "So, what are you going to do?"

Hearing this, Shirou looked troubled. Clearly, he hadn't figured out what to do about the lone girl's situation and didn't know how to decide.

"If you need help getting that girl's legal status sorted, I can help. But before that, say 'I need my friend's help' properly."

"Shinji, I..."

Shirou, accustomed to bearing everything alone, found it difficult to ask friends for help.

"This is what makes you a bit annoying. Human strength alone is limited. Being overly stubborn on your own will only lead to a dead end. You still don't understand the true meaning of the word 'friend.'"

Listening to Shinji's words, Shirou clenched his fists and remained silent for a long time. Finally, he bowed deeply to Shinji, suppressing the strange feeling inside him.

"Please, Shinji!"

Seeing Shirou, with his hands stiffly at his sides and his body bent at a perfect ninety-degree angle, face twisted in reluctance, Shinji felt speechless. He then crossed his arms and scolded him.

"That's too formal! When you need help from a friend, relax a bit!"

Hearing the conversation, Rin, who was not far from Shinji, couldn't help but come closer, frowning and looking exasperated at the embarrassed Shirou scratching his cheek.

"Emiya, you didn't really chase after that elementary school girl last night, did you?"

Shinji snorted and said, "Be more confident and turn that question into a statement."

"What kind of confidence is that..."

Rin retorted, then looked at Shirou again. This time, her expression changed, thinking:

Does this Emiya really have a thing for little girls? That would explain his actions during the previous Holy Grail War (abandoning me for Illya)!

"Don't worry, my friend is very unlikely to break the law."

Shinji assured her, adding that Shirou would probably just sigh, "Kids these days are developing well."

"Very unlikely..." Rin took a few steps back from Shirou, her face filled with more and more black lines.

...

"The new term has started. Everyone is now in the third year of high school. For the sake of your future, you absolutely cannot be as playful as before! Especially certain students who love to skip classes. No names mentioned, but in the third year, absolutely no skipping classes!"

Before the first class, Taiga spent half an hour wasting her breath, tirelessly emphasizing the importance of the third year to the students and listing a certain student's numerous bad behaviors without naming names!

For example, loving to skip classes with an absentee rate of seventy percent, and not only skipping themselves but also taking their younger sister from the lower grade along!

With five minutes left before the end of the pep talk, Taiga glanced at the time and got to the main point.

"Finally, one more thing. First, our class will welcome a transfer student this term. But before that, there's something else..."

Saying this, the furious Taiga slammed two career plan forms on the podium and glared angrily at their owners—Shinji and Shirou.

"Matou Shinji, Emiya Shirou! Why do your career plans say exactly the same thing? Why do they both say 'The world is so big, I want to see it'? Explain!"

"Report, it's original. Absolutely no copying."

Shinji raised his hand, calm and composed.

"Report, it came from the heart..." Shirou scratched his head awkwardly.

"Change it immediately! Can't you learn from Tohsaka? She clearly wrote out her plans to study abroad in England after graduation!"

After this small interlude, Taiga finally moved on to the final announcement, gesturing towards the classroom door.

"Let's welcome our transfer student from abroad—Luvia Celineta Edelfelt! Luvia, please come in~"

Hearing the new student's name, Rin felt it was familiar, especially the surname Edelfelt.

Watching Luvia gracefully walk to the podium with every move exuding pride, Shinji couldn't help but admire her. He didn't expect someone so young to bear a burden similar to his sister's!

Truly admirable!

After a brief yet elegant introduction, Luvia took her seat in the last row under Taiga's guidance.

Feeling the intense gaze from the "lady" behind him as soon as she sat down, Shinji was interested in how she would try to connect with him after being refused by Rider the previous night.

Sitting to Luvia's left, Rin sensed the same strong magic power as herself, confirming that Luvia was a mage.

From Finland... Edelfelt from Finland...

Suddenly, Rin remembered something from the documents in her basement. The Edelfelt family participated in the Third Holy Grail War!

The records said the Edelfelt sisters turned against each other, with one dying and the other returning home in disgrace.

What is she here for?

Guessing Luvia's identity, Rin couldn't help but be curious about her purpose. Was she here to settle a score?

But the Holy Grail War has ended...

Feeling it necessary to talk with Luvia as the manager of Fuyuki's ley lines, Rin decided to greet her.

"Hello, Luvia Celineta Edelfelt. My name is Rin Tohsaka. You must be new to Fuyuki, right? If you have any questions, feel free to ask me..."

"Hmph!"

Luvia's cold snort interrupted Rin.

This annoyed Rin. Her goodwill was met with such rudeness. And Rin could clearly sense the hostility in that snort!

Clearly... she's not here with good intentions!

Rin realized this and noticed Luvia's malicious gaze at Shinji's back, despite trying to hide it.

Could it be...

Rin thought, puzzled. Is there some connection between them? Why else would she be staring at Shinji?

At that moment, Rin was conflicted. Although it seemed unrelated to her, she felt it might be. Should she intervene or not?

Thinking it over, Rin remembered her duty as the manager of Fuyuki's ley lines. Regardless of the connection, she had to be vigilant when a stranger mage came to Fuyuki! It was her responsibility!

...

By lunchtime, after staring at Luvia all morning and not seeing any unusual behavior, Rin wondered if she had overthought it. Luvia hadn't even spoken to Shinji!

Did I think too much?

Rin, feeling confused, picked up the bento prepared by her servant and left her seat, heading to the rooftop to eat and think alone.

But just then...

Slap!

"Com..."

Slap!!

Rin, having just turned around, stopped in her tracks, looking back at the strange scene behind her.

Shinji, with a handprint on his face, and Luvia, holding her cheek, staring at Shinji in disbelief.

Before Rin could figure out what had happened, Shirou rushed forward.

"Shinji! How could you... How could you hit a girl?"

"No, she slapped me for no reason first, so I retaliated."

At that moment, Rin felt an odd sense of satisfaction and silently applauded Shinji.

"You... at least let me finish speaking!"

Luvia, holding her cheek with teary eyes, angrily said, cursing inwardly that the novel scenes were all lies!

I didn't even finish my lines, and he hit back!

Sorry, my dog ate a roll of toilet paper, had to take it to the vet.

Luckily, it's fine now, everything was thrown up.