Chapter 272

Following the arrival of the Enzworth trio, Issei Ryuudou and Ayako Mitsuzuri, who happened to be free, joined the gathering.

As soon as they arrived in the backyard and saw Shinji, Issei pulled out a ruler from his bag, specifically reserved for Shinji.

"Matou! You rascal!"

Seeing Issei rushing toward him, Shinji suddenly remembered that, in a way, he and Issei were fellow disciples at Ryuudou Temple.

"He even drank some alcohol earlier," Rin added, pointing at Shinji.

"Tohsaka, you traitor!"

Gritting his teeth, Shinji defended himself while fending off Issei's ruler, "Issei, calm down! Taiga already punished me for drinking!"

"I told you not to call her Taiga!!"

Instantly, the backyard turned chaotic with Issei and Taiga chasing Shinji around.

Adding fuel to the fire were Rin, Illya, and Archer, each giving one-liner instructions to Issei and Taiga to aim precisely and deliver fatal blows.

Seeing these three with no sense of integrity, Shinji couldn't help but wonder why a good person like him was so hated. Was it out of jealousy?

...

With two ruler marks on his arm and a large bump on his head, the chaotic backyard eventually returned to tranquility.

Of course, it wasn't because Issei had forgiven Shinji for his habitual truancy but because he noticed someone or something more intriguing.

Fixating his gaze on Julian in his Suiqun High uniform, Issei adjusted his glasses and scrutinized him from head to toe.

For some reason, Issei felt an inexplicable similarity between himself and Julian.

Realizing that staring for too long might seem impolite, Issei made a single-handed gesture and bowed slightly.

"Sorry, it's just that as the student council president, I don't recognize you wearing our school's uniform, so I was a bit curious."

Upon hearing the term "student council president," Julian sensed something but didn't pay much attention.

"No problem."

"So, are you a transfer student next term? What grade are you in?"

For some reason, Issei felt that Julian's cold exterior hid a meticulous personality, making him think this was an opportunity.

Perhaps the next student council president had been found!

Since he was wearing the Suiqun High uniform, Julian couldn't deny it and replied, "Second year."

"Really?!"

Issei was overjoyed, then quickly apologized for his excitement, "Sorry, I got a bit carried away. So, would you be interested in joining the student council after you enroll?"

Julian hesitated, not knowing how to answer. The "second year" he mentioned was just a casual remark.

Technically, he should be considered a third-year student, but due to some circumstances, he hadn't attended school since the second half of his second year.

That's why he said he was a second-year.

Seeing Julian's prolonged silence, Issei, thinking he was pondering, continued, "No rush to answer now. After you enroll, you can visit the student council first and then decide. My name is Issei Ryuudou. What's yours?"

After a few seconds of silence, Julian looked up and coldly replied, "Ju... no, Julian Enzworth."

Watching Julian conversing with the student council president of Suiqun High, the hero, for some reason, showed a fatherly, gratified expression.

After a few seconds, the hero seemed to make a decision in his heart and greeted Issei.

"Um, student council president, I'm also a transfer student next term and a friend of Julian's."

"Hmm?"

Issei was taken aback, then scrutinized the hero, feeling that, despite his worn appearance, he had a good-guy aura similar to Shirou Emiya.

Julian, hearing the word "friend" from the hero's mouth, showed clear displeasure, feeling that this man was always so annoying.

"Actually, Ju... Julian was the student council president at his previous school. He was very diligent and meticulous."

"What?!"

Issei was astonished, his worries about finding a suitable successor for the student council president easing bit by bit.

A bright path suddenly opened up in his mind!

The hero smiled and pointed at Julian, "Anyway, I'll remind him not to forget to visit the student council when school starts."

"Don't make decisions for me, Emiya Shirou! I just said it casually..."

"Emiya Shirou?" Issei was stunned again, looking back at the hero, "Your name..."

"It's similar to that Shirou Emiya, but he's Shirou, and I'm Shirou."

Seeing the hero pointing at Shirou with one hand and holding up four fingers with the other, Issei understood.

"Anyway, great! I look forward to seeing you both at school next term! Hahaha..."

Feeling relieved from solving a long-standing problem, Issei laughed heartily.

"Are you serious, Emiya Shirou? Are you really going back to school? Are you not planning to return?"

As Issei walked towards Shirou, Julian frowned and asked the hero quietly.

The hero didn't answer immediately but looked at Miyu, who was blushing and chatting with Illya and Beatrice.

Then he nodded gently and replied softly, "Of course. I've never planned to give up on my studies. Since coming to this world was the Holy Grail's answer, I'll watch over Miyu and live here."

Seeing the hero's eyes full of resolution and hope, Julian couldn't help but feel that this man was a disgusting siscon.

"And you too, Julian."

Looking at the hero who turned to him, Julian's skin crawled. Before he could retort, the hero continued.

"I was entrusted with this by your father. And, that girl wanted you to live well, right?"

"What do you know about Emilia?!"

"I know. Like Angelica, she wished for you to live well. The hope for family to live happily is the same for everyone."

Unable to refute the hero's gentle words, Julian finally gave up and clicked his tongue.

After a moment.

"Identity? Money? Don't simplify everything, Emiya Shirou!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Julian saw the hero pull out two file bags from behind.

Looking in Shinji's direction, the hero whispered gratefully, "I heard that when Miyu came to this world, Shinji Matou handled her identity, so I asked him to do yours too. As for money, we can borrow some for now. We can repay it slowly by working part-time while studying. There will always be a way."

Holding the file bags forced into his hands, Julian's mouth half-opened, his eye twitching, and his forehead dark.

Making bento for him during school was one thing, but now, in this world, he arranged his identity and insisted on going to school together. Was this guy his mom?

Not even a mom would be this meticulous! Disgusting!

...

"Really? You really had your brother pretend to be your boyfriend?"

Hearing Rin's big revelation, Shinji looked at Mitsuzuri with disbelief.

"Stop, stop! Let's end this topic here!"

Unable to bear the stares, Mitsuzuri raised her hand to halt the conversation. Any more, and her dignity would be gone.

"Mitsuzuri, didn't I suggest we date for a day, then break up to make him give up? Why so complicated?"

At this, Rin couldn't hold back and slapped Shinji hard, sending him flying over a meter.

"Haha, I was worried it might lead to more serious issues."

Mitsuzuri laughed heartily, hands on her hips.

Friends are like this; they see through things but don't say them.

These two had been dilly-dallying for years. She wouldn't get involved, fearing unforeseen complications.

"Listen, Ayako." Rin's expression turned serious, pointing at Shinji, "This guy is a genuine scumbag. Avoid him at all costs!"

"Hey, that's too harsh!"

"Huh?" Rin frowned, looking down at Shinji as if he were trash. "Am I wrong, you scumbag?"

With Mitsuzuri present, Shinji refrained from quoting Shirou's line, "Actually, I'm not a scumbag; I just want everyone to be happy."

"By the way, just one term left until graduation. Any plans?"

Mitsuzuri asked casually while sipping her drink. Rin fell silent, but Shinji remained unfazed.

"The world is full of fun things. I'll keep having fun."

Mitsuzuri was surprised, "Matou, aren't you planning to continue your studies?"

"I am. But it might feel the same as high school."

"University isn't like high school. You can't skip classes easily."

"Don't worry, I know that."

Rin looked surprised, "Oh? So you're planning not to skip classes in university?"

"No, I'm planning to buy the university."

Rin and Mitsuzuri were both silent, staring at Shinji's serious expression...