C393

Inside the Fujimaru family house...

"I like you, onii-chan," Illya said to him, her smile pure and genuine.

Miyu, who had been closing the door, was taken aback by her unexpected confession. Even Gray, who was busy watering the plants in the living room, couldn't help but glance over at the scene.

Shirou looked at Illya with a hint of confusion. He couldn't help but feel surprised, as this was something she wouldn't normally say.

"Hehehe..."

With her school bag slung over her back, she pounced on him playfully, surprising Shirou as she planted a sweet kiss on his cheek.

Shirou stiffened. 

Miyu stood frozen in place.

Artoria: "!"

Gray's ahoge couldn't help but stand up.

"The... the atmosphere seems to have become a bit strange..." Cold sweat formed on Gray's face as she put down the watering can and hastily pulled up her hood, retreating to a corner while secretly observing the scene.

Even Miyu, known for her composed expression, appeared visibly tense, and Artoria's expression seemed somewhat off, adding to Gray's sense of apprehension.

Shirou, taken aback by Illya's unexpected behavior, reacted by grabbing the back of her collar and gently pulling her away from him. His brows furrowed as he peered at her with a questioning look, voicing his doubts, "You... aren't Illya. Who are you?"

"What are you saying, onii-chan?" she smiled and said, "I am Illyasviel von Einzbern! The Illya who met you nine years ago! Don't tell me onii-chan has forgotten. Well, then let me help you remember."

She reached into her school bag and pulled out a slightly tattered notebook.

She handled the notebook with utmost care, treating it like a precious treasure, as she slowly and gently opened the first page, as if afraid of causing any harm to its contents. She began narrating the memories written within the pages.

"On April 5, 1994, I met my first friend, Fujimaru Shirou. It was also on this day that I received my first gift—mizu-yōkan. And the one who gave me this gift was Shirou-oniichan. Afterwards, I received my second gift, a 'spiritual compensation,' from onee-chan named Edelfelt."

"On April 6, Kiritsugu took me to a coffee shop. On April 7..."

But before she could continue reading, a loud and forceful knocking abruptly echoed through the Fujimaru family's front door.

Miyu opened the door, her face showing a hint of surprise as she came face to face with a visibly flustered Illya standing on the doorstep.

"Good afternoon, Miyu," the newcomer greeted Miyu with a polite tone.

"Good afternoon... Illya?" Miyu responded, her confusion evident as she couldn't help but steal a quick glance at the Illya who was already inside the house.

Her head felt a bit dizzy, trying to make sense of the situation. Why was there another Illya?

The Illya at the door looked at the "Illya" inside the house, pointed at her, and said with embarrassment, "You're here after all, Chloe!"

The "Illya" holding the diary let out a dissatisfied click of her tongue and said, "Don't call me by such a strange name! Ugh, did I hold back too much? How come you're not gone for good?"

"You... So, you really wanted to get rid of me, Chloe! You wanted to get rid of me and impersonate me, disrupting my life, all for the sake of taking everything from me!" she said angrily.

Chloe, now angered, retorted, "Don't be ridiculous! It's you who ruined everything for me! You took everything from me! Now that I'm back, I'll take it all back!"

The two Illyas confronted each other.

"Two... two Illyas," Miyu mumbled, feeling dizzy.

Shirou looked at Chloe next to him and then at the Illya standing beside Miyu at the door. He let out a heavy sigh, understanding what was going on.

Nine years ago, Illya had used the Holy Grail Crystal to transform into an ordinary person, sacrificing all her magical energy, memories, knowledge, and even her original personality.

Therefore, when he returned from Britain, she couldn't recognize him due to the tremendous sacrifice she had made. Her memory of their past encounters was wiped away as a result.

And now, the child who appeared before them, whom Illya referred to as "Chloe," was evidently the personality of the Illya he encountered nine years ago, seemingly emerging independently from Illya's body.

This event also occurred in the original world line of "Magical Girl ☆ Illya." However, in that world line, Chloe appeared by manifesting through Archer's Class Card. But now, she doesn't even have a Class Card, so how could Chloe manifest without it?

Moreover, in the original world line, Chloe's skin had taken on a somewhat darker tone due to her connection with Archer Class Card. However, the one standing before them looked exactly like Illya, with no noticeable difference in appearance.

In fact, the current Chloe and Illya were undeniably identical, except for their distinct personalities and wills. They shared the same physical attributes, leaving everyone puzzled about what could possibly be happening.

"Enough, onii-chan. Let's not pay her any attention and focus on remembering what happened nine years ago," Chloe interjected, wrapping her hands around his arm and lightly touching it with her small, slender fingers. Her exquisitely delicate face bore a faint smile, appearing as pure as a snow fairy, yet with an inexplicable allure that seemed almost devilish.

Gray's ahoge stood even straighter, almost lifting her hood.

Illya pointed at Chloe, her expression stiff. "You... How can you do something like this? Shameless!"

A cold, almost murderous, intent flashed in Chloe's eyes, but she maintained her smiling face as she looked at him. "Onii-chan, let's ignore her and continue our conversation."

"Chloe..."

"It's not Chloe! Don't call me by such a strange name, onii-chan!" Chloe said with dissatisfaction. "I am Illya, and you should know that, right? Nine years ago, you saved me using your Holy Grail Crystal. Nine years ago, you took me to Ryuudou Temple to make a wish. Nine years ago, you took me shopping in Fuyuki City... It was all me!"

"And, onii-chan, you also made a promise to me, didn't you? You promised to perform a pole vault in front of me! I've been looking forward to it all these years. In those nine years of darkness, with no one and nothing, I clung to that promise, always looking forward to the day we would meet again. So... please call me by my name."

Chloe gazed at him, her eyes brimming with hope and expectation, longing for him to address her by her rightful name.

—Illyasviel von Einzbern!