Chapter 76

The bridge that connects Shinto and Miyama Town, Miyamakawa Bridge, had a pedestrian walkway in the middle where Rin was violently shaking Shinji by his neck, pinned against the railing.

"You... scoundrel!!"

Her voice was full of anger, and her face was covered in veins, showing just how much Rin wanted to strangle the culprit responsible for her embarrassment to death.

"Just die already! Go to hell! Idiot! Moron! Fool!"

Watching Rin vent her fury, much fiercer than any previous arguments with Shinji, Shirou didn't dare to say a word. He couldn't help but reflect that only in front of Shinji did the honor student, Rin Tohsaka, show this side of herself.

Shinji, nearly suffocating and with his vision blurring, showed a serene smile, as if he had seen through the world.

"Big sister~ be gentler, please."

Hearing Shinji's words, Rin's expression darkened, and Shirou, realizing the situation, hurriedly intervened.

"Calm down, Tohsaka! Shinji is hallucinating! He'll really die if you continue!"

Only then did Rin release her grip on Shinji, though her forehead was still shrouded in darkness.

Cough Cough Shinji, collapsing to the ground, coughed a few times and gradually regained focus. As he came to, he looked around frantically.

"Emiya, where's that super cute, well-endowed girl who said she liked me and wanted to give me her first kiss?"

"Uh..." Shirou awkwardly scratched his head, unsure how to respond.

Rin, her forehead now marked with several red veins from anger, squinted her eyes in a dangerous smile and began cracking her knuckles again.

"Look here, Matou-kun, I'll make sure you see her again right away..."

"What? You?" Shinji interrupted Rin, waving dismissively with a look of disdain. "Don't be ridiculous. You don't match any of the traits I described. Have some self-awareness, will you?"

In an instant, Rin's anger shot through the roof. Ignoring the surroundings, she pounced on Shinji like a wild beast.

"Hey, calm down, Rin. After all, what he said wasn't wrong. Those traits don't fit you."

Archer, who had materialized, crossed his arms and made a fair comment.

Rin, who was straddling Shinji and pounding his chest with her fists, froze, turning to glare at Archer.

You call this being well-matched in personality?

You call this being highly compatible?!

You call this having similar experiences and personalities?!

"It seems you've calmed down, Rin." Archer continued.

I'll calm you down, you ******!!!

If it weren't for her family's teachings and the fact that she only had two Command Seals left, Rin might have used a Command Seal to give Archer a good thrashing.

"Good grief, the interval between wars must be too short. This Holy Grail War feels like a children's game," Shinji said, standing up gracefully and dusting off his clothes.

"Indeed, it does." Archer laughed lightly, echoing Shinji's sentiment, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness. "So I don't know whether it's fortunate or unfortunate."

You two are the ones who are well-matched!

You're practically identical!

After comparing Archer and Shinji in her mind, Rin cursed silently several times.

"Tonight seems like a good conclusion," Archer said with a slightly regretful tone, looking at Saber, "At least for you."

"What do you mean, Archer?"

Saber frowned.

"Just what it sounds like, Saber."

Saber's irritation grew: "Underestimating people should have its limits, Archer!"

"Rin, what should we do?" Archer turned to Rin for her opinion, "Without Berserker here, should we squash these weaklings?"

"Squash your head!" Rin snapped. "Besides, I felt like I got kicked twice earlier. Apart from this idiot, who else kicked me?! Explain that first!"

"I just saw a fly," Archer said, arms crossed, unapologetically.

"You!!"

Rin's clenched fists creaked as she mentally reminded herself.

There are only two Command Seals left! Only two Command Seals! Don't do anything rash!!

Meanwhile, on the other side of town...

Illya hummed a cheerful tune, skipping happily toward her castle. But...

"A Servant?"

Illya stopped, blinking her clear, glass-like eyes. Accompanied by the clinking of chains, a purple phantom instantly appeared before Illya!

Clang!!

Slash—!

The purple phantom, which was instantly repelled by Berserker and forced ten meters back, finally revealed its form.

It was Rider!!

"Well, going back empty-handed might get me scolded by Sella. Bringing back a trophy should be enough." Illya tapped her chin thoughtfully, then smiled sweetly, "Take her down, Berserker."

Five minutes later.

Illya stared at the rapidly disappearing bright light in the sky, still puzzled.

What was that all about?

Was it just to show off their Noble Phantasm?

It was indeed fast!

"Roar."

Berserker scratched his head, his intimidating aura subdued, as he looked equally confused.

"Forget it. Let's go back. I'm really looking forward to the amusement park tomorrow."

In Miyama Town, Shinji, Rin, and Shirou parted ways at the junction between the western-style houses and the traditional Japanese homes.

Of course, Rin didn't leave without some harsh words.

Something about being prepared for their next meeting.

"Don't forget our appointment tomorrow morning. Otherwise, that little girl from the Einzbern family will really kill you, Emiya."

This was Shinji's parting reminder. It took Shirou a while to understand the hidden message: the little girl from the Einzbern family had a connection to him! She was targeting him!

Realizing this, Shirou finally understood why he had run into Illya on his way back from work the other day and why she had such palpable killing intent toward him today.

Wanting to ask about his connection to the Einzbern family, Shirou realized that Shinji and Rin were already far away. He had no choice but to swallow his questions.

Rin, escorting Shinji home, also realized this.

"Emiya-kun has a connection to the Einzberns?"

"Huh? What connection?" Shinji looked genuinely puzzled.

Rin clenched her fists, veins popping on her forehead: "Can't you stop pretending?! Are you that afraid of getting involved?"

"The problem is I don't understand what you're talking about." Shinji spread his hands, looking innocent. "I was just reminding Emiya not to forget his promise to a girl. Girls take these things very seriously, and if she gets angry, it's serious business."