Chapter 38

"This boy reminds me of you in some ways, Kirei."

Gilgamesh casually tossed the documents aside and glanced at Kirei.

"In what way?"

"No, that's not right," Gilgamesh shook his head again, his lips curling into a faint, dismissive smile as if nothing in the world could truly catch his interest.

"At least this mortal boy has genuinely been interested in all the things he's done, even if that interest faded quickly. Unlike you, Kirei."

"There's no difference," Kirei responded coolly, his back still turned. "Despite the slight difference, this boy remains puzzled. After experiencing so many interesting things, he still hasn't found anything that can sustain his interest."

"That's why it's unfortunate. Such a guy has no magical talent. Even I, the King, feel like lending him a hand. It would certainly be interesting, bringing me much amusement. But it's still a pity he's not even a Master."

"Even though he's not a Master, isn't he effectively an extra Servant?" Kirei turned and spoke blandly, looking at Gilgamesh with indifference.

Gilgamesh suddenly laughed.

"Hahaha, true. It depends on my mood. If things get too dull, I might personally join the game. But I worry this boy won't bring me the expected fun. He's the first mongrel with a personality so similar to mine."

Kirei remained silent, understanding that Gilgamesh referred to both of them as people who acted entirely on their whims but always within their own principles.

Gilgamesh was someone who, when encountering unknown entities or concepts, would be interested like a child. But once he grew bored or thought he had thoroughly understood it, he would discard it just as quickly.

This was similar to how Shinji, after becoming interested in something, would quickly achieve what took ordinary people a long time to accomplish, then abandon it without any lingering attachment.

It was because of this that Gilgamesh found Shinji a bit intriguing.

"The Matou's early exit from this Holy Grail War was unexpected, and a complete exit at that. The Matou household has no Servant presence, meaning they have entirely abandoned not just this war but all future Holy Grail Wars.

But I've received information from the Church that Rider has been summoned and is present in the world. This suggests that a mage I haven't detected summoned Rider and is hiding with her. Quite an unexpected development…"

In the secluded mansion in the deep mountains, surrounded by moss, Rin Tohsaka lay on her bedroom bed, hugging a pillow with a complex expression.

Rin was one of the first to learn about Zouken Matou's death, through a voicemail from Shinji the previous night.

While Rin was happy that Sakura could completely become an ordinary person, she also felt a bit conflicted or regretful.

"Ah! Idiot! Why didn't you discuss such a decision with someone first?!"

Rin was a bit frantic and angry.

Even though seeing Sakura's expression from afar during the day made Rin understand that Sakura also approved of this decision (to leave the magical world), she still felt a bit irritated for no apparent reason.

She felt a mix of relief that her sister no longer had to face the magical world and could live freely, and a twinge of disappointment and complex emotions toward a certain person.

Does that guy really hate the magical world so much?

Am I also someone he dislikes?

Yes, these were very girlish worries.

....

Am I truly free from my nightmares?

In the past two days, Sakura frequently asked herself this in her heart.

Am I really in reality?

Is this not a dream that will burst with a single poke?

Did that figure I admired for so many years spend ten years in silent endurance and finally save me?

Why didn't I notice it all along? The seemingly indifferent actions were actually my brother's care and love for me.

This morning, as usual, I got up and saw a strange monk waiting outside the door through the window. That was when I found a bit of reality.

It wasn't until I saw my brother in mourning clothes that I felt more at ease.

My brother handled everything perfectly and maturely, as if we were from two different age groups, even though we were only a year apart.

I had been secretly protected by such a brother for ten years without realizing it...

Late at night.

"I'm back."

Shinji's voice pulled Sakura back from her thoughts as she sat in the living room.

"Welcome back, brother," Sakura quickly stood up, a bit nervous, fearing that her brother might revert to his old attitude.

"Your expression is a bit strange. What's wrong?" Shinji asked as he changed into slippers. "By the way, didn't you go to Emiya's place today?"

"I contacted Senpai. I won't be going to his house as often anymore," Sakura said, once again affectionately taking Shinji's arm.

"Huh? Why?"

Shinji was puzzled. What's with my sister? She finally got free, so why not take this chance to pursue happiness?

"Grandfather is already…" Sakura hesitated, her eyes complex before revealing a bit of relief. "And my initial reason for going to Senpai's house has already been completely fulfilled, even more beautifully than I imagined."

"Huh?" Shinji was a bit confused.

"No, it's nothing." Sakura's face turned a bit pink, and she couldn't bring herself to express her long-held admiration for her brother.

However, the next moment, Sakura suddenly sensed something and sniffed the air.

The smell of disinfectant, the aroma of cooking, and the scent of a woman.

"Brother, go take a bath first," Sakura said with a sweet smile.

"Oh."

As Shinji's figure disappeared down the hallway, Sakura's expression quickly turned shadowy.

A woman's intuition is frightening. The moment she sensed a woman's scent on her brother, Sakura was certain.

It was a woman she had never met!

At this moment, Shinji couldn't have imagined that even if she didn't become the Lesser Grail, his sister would develop a split personality with a yandere tendency due to certain events.

...Spending ten years to save me means that I am the most important to my brother, right?

Such a thought suddenly popped into Sakura's mind, but she quickly shook her head to dispel it.

However...

Once such thoughts start to grow, even a little bit, they don't disappear easily...