Chapter 184

April 9th, the second day of the new school term.

Morning, 7 AM.

Outside Homurahara Academy's main gate, Sakura, holding her brother's arm, spotted the blonde girl with curly hair who could rival her. She greeted her warmly, and the two immediately started chatting about school, girls' topics, and everyday life.

Judging by their familiarity, it was clear they had talked for quite a while the previous night, at least for an hour.

...

Hearing something unbelievable, Sakura covered her mouth in surprise.

"Really? Then, can I visit you during the break? I want to learn some cooking from the head chef at Luvia-senpai's house."

"Of course, anytime, Sakura-chan," Luvia replied, placing her right hand over her chest. "You are always welcome, especially since we're neighbors and attend the same school. What a coincidence!"

"Thank you, Luvia-senpai." Sakura bowed sincerely, then added, "Lastly, I must apologize on behalf of my brother. He has always been like this, even rude to girls. I'm very sorry."

At this moment, Sakura's inner thoughts were: She's targeting my brother! I'll see what this "new neighbor" is up to! As long as I'm here, I won't let any other woman get close to my brother!

"No, no, it's just a small misunderstanding. I've already forgotten about it," Luvia said, shaking her head, though inwardly she was seething with rage: Matou Shinji, I will never forget the insult you gave me at 12:11:39 PM on April 8, 2004! Just you wait!

Approaching through his sister seemed to be a good strategy. Auguste's investigation about this man's affection for his sister was accurate. He hasn't interrupted us once, proving his doting nature! Once I've secured his trust, I'll pay him back for that insult tenfold!

Oh hohohoho...

Guessing Luvia's inner thoughts pretty accurately, Shinji sighed inwardly.

I really am a "femme fatale."

When is this domineering president going to corner this "Cinderella" who won't resist and kiss me?

To avoid that scenario, I brushed my teeth eight times this morning and even chewed four pieces of gum!

Shinji's thoughts were interrupted by a voice from the campus not far away.

"Sakura—Morning practice is starting soon!"

"Oh, I'll be right there—" Sakura let go of her brother's arm, bowed to Luvia, and left, inviting her to visit the archery club if she was interested.

Luvia responded with enthusiasm, saying she would definitely visit if she had the time.

Seeing these courteous, seemingly sisterly exchanges, Shinji couldn't help but applaud both for their acting skills.

After waving goodbye to Sakura, Luvia's enthusiastic expression faded. She cast a cold glance at Shinji, snorted, and walked into the school with an air of superiority.

Seeing her overly proud back, Shinji was left speechless.

That's it?

I was ready to resist her, and she just leaves?

What does that mean?

At that moment, Shirou approached Shinji and greeted him, "Good morning, Shinji. What are you looking at?"

"Morning." Shinji replied absentmindedly, still looking at Luvia's retreating figure. "Hey, Emiya, do you prefer bigger or smaller?"

Hearing his friend's sudden question, Shirou blushed, realizing the implication. "Shin-Shinji, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Don't play dumb! This is a typical high school boys' topic. Answer me! Big or small?"

Just then, Rin, who had just arrived and overheard parts of their conversation, picked up on key words like "big," "small," and "type." Her face darkened as she glanced at her own chest.

"I-I-I..." Shirou stammered, desperately trying to change the subject. "Speaking of which, thanks for helping with Miyu's identity so quickly, Shinji."

"Don't change the subject! Answer me!"

"Aren't we on duty today? We need to hurry, Shinji!"

"No, we have plenty of time. Now answer me, Emiya!"

Unable to take it any longer, Rin raised her fist, which cracked audibly.

"Talking about such vulgar things first thing in the morning! You pervert!"

"Ow!" Shinji yelped as Rin's punch landed. He then looked at her with a strange expression. "What are you thinking about? I was asking about ages!"

"Oh, is that so..." Shirou sighed in relief, patting his chest. "I was worried you meant something else..."

"Hey, Emiya-kun, why did you look at me when you said 'something else'?"

Realizing the danger, Shirou quickly turned and walked into the school. "We need to hurry, or we won't finish our duties in time."

Watching Shirou's hasty retreat, Rin decided to let him off the hook, focusing her irritation on Shinji instead.

...

"By the way, when we passed the elementary school, didn't the kids seem really lively and adorable?" Shirou remarked as they walked.

Hearing this, Shinji and Rin stopped in their tracks, their mouths twitching and black lines forming on their foreheads.

After a few seconds, Rin glanced at Shinji and whispered, "I think we have our answer."

Shinji nodded silently, "Yes, it seems so."

"Should I have Archer keep an eye on him? Just as a precaution?"

"One's already dangerous enough. Adding another would form a gang, increasing the risk and potential harm."

Rin frowned, crossing her arms. "What are you implying? Archer wouldn't be interested in such things."

Just as Shinji was about to retort, Shirou, who had already changed into his indoor shoes, called out from the front. "You two, hurry up, or we really will be late."

...

While Shinji and the others were living their noisy high school life, a certain silver-haired, red-eyed girl, who had learned about an uninvited guest at Shirou's house the day before, arrived at her "home" (the Emiya residence) at exactly 11 AM and rang the doorbell.

Ding dong, ding dong.

To Illya, the Emiya residence was her home. She would never allow someone to move in without her permission, especially not a new (female) guest!

Standing at the door with her arms crossed, Illya nodded to herself, reaffirming her resolve to chase out the intruder.

One sister role is enough for me!

Creak—

The door opened, and Miyu, dressed in casual clothes, saw the silver-haired, red-eyed girl she had met two nights ago. She bowed respectfully.

"Hello, welcome. Are you here to see Shirou-san? He won't be back until after school. Would you like to come in?"

Hearing this, Illya became even more furious. She wanted to scold the girl, saying, "This is my home, so of course I can come in!" and "Stop pretending to belong here!" But she suddenly sensed something strange about the girl's magical energy and body.

This feeling is...

Illya's expression grew serious.

"Who exactly are you..."

"Who is it, Miyu?"

Illya's question was interrupted by Saber's voice from behind Miyu.

"Saber-san." Miyu turned and bowed to Saber.

Approaching the door, Saber looked at Illya curiously. "Illyasviel, you..."

Planning to investigate first, Illya smiled, hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly. "Even if Shirou isn't here, it's not proper to leave a guest outside, right, Saber?"

...

"I wish upon the Holy Grail..."

"To create a world where Miyu never feels pain again."

"Where she meets kind people, makes good friends..."

"A warm, little..."

"...place where she can be happy."

From the moment she saw Illya, Miyu's mind echoed with someone's wish for her from another world.

"Hey, hey—"

Illya's voice snapped Miyu out of her thoughts. She quickly apologized, "Sorry."

"Hmph! How rude to zone out when someone is talking to you."

"I'm really sorry, I just..."

Seeing the sadness in Miyu's eyes, Illya suppressed her urge to berate her.

Although she didn't know the girl's background, she could tell that she was similar yet different from herself.

"What is going on..."

Illya couldn't understand. If Miyu was also a Holy Grail vessel, whose family did she belong to?

The Fifth Holy Grail War had two vessels: herself and Matou Sakura.

For some reason, Matou Sakura had escaped her fate as a vessel, leaving only Illya. If Miyu was a vessel, whose family was she from?

If not, what was her identity?

Illya couldn't make sense of it.

Sorry for being late, I was helping out at the shop.

Let me explain why Illya can sense something different about Miyu.

In the Magical Girl Illya storyline, Kuro, who had knowledge, also sensed Miyu's uniqueness, feeling something was off.

So, it's natural that the original Illya would sense it too.