Chapter 7

Watching the backs of Shinji and Sakura, Shirou wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent.

The relationship between his friend and his frequently seen sister was cold and distant. They rarely spoke, and their usual interaction was Shinji walking ahead while Sakura followed with her head down. It had always been like this.

Shirou had advised Shinji to be more affectionate towards his sister, but it seemed to have no effect. Moreover, Shinji didn't seem interested in discussing the matter.

It was probably due to the complexities of their family. Shirou thought to himself, recalling how Shinji had often mentioned seeing his father entering hotels with other women.

Late at night, a light rain was falling steadily.

Seeing Shinji and Sakura standing under the eaves of the school building, Shirou, who had just arrived, kindly offered, "Since it's raining, do you want to stay at my place? I can't make takoyaki today, but I have plenty of spare rooms."

"Emiya, I..." Shinji showed a startled expression, protectively covering his chest and joking half-seriously, "It's my first time! I'm not mentally prepared!"

"Cut it out." Shirou sighed, giving Shinji a light punch on the shoulder. "The buses to your place stopped running long ago. You can either come to my house or sleep at school."

Glancing at the silent Sakura, Shinji thought for a moment and replied, "Alright, after three seconds of thought, I'm mentally prepared. It was bound to happen eventually."

"I said stop joking." Shirou shook his head. But the next moment, Shinji lifted his chin close to Shirou's face, feigning deep emotion.

"I'm serious~"

"Can you really joke like this in front of your sister?" Shirou smacked Shinji's hand away, annoyed. "Anyway, we should hurry. I didn't bring an umbrella, so we'll have to run in the rain."

"Yeah," Shinji agreed, taking off his jacket and tossing it over Sakura's head.

Sakura blinked in surprise at her brother's action but quickly dismissed it, thinking it was probably just for appearances, like the birthday gift he had given her before.

——Just to maintain a good reputation.

"Follow us," Shirou said, using his bag to cover his head.

"Is that alright?" Sakura asked Shinji hesitantly, "Can I really go..."

"Whatever," Shinji responded indifferently, stepping into the rain with his bag over his head.

"Emiya, I get the first shower!"

"Don't worry. I have more than one bathroom. Besides, shouldn't girls go first?" Shirou frowned.

But Shinji was already far ahead, ignoring Shirou's words. Shirou sighed and turned to Sakura.

"Let's go."

After hesitating, Sakura finally decided to follow Shirou into the rain.

At the Emiya household.

"I'm back."

"Why are you saying that? This is my house," Shirou said, exasperated.

"Welcome home," Shinji turned and bowed to Shirou.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Say 'excuse me for intruding.' Repeat after me: 'ex-cu-se me for in-tru-ding.'"

"It's fine, please come in." Shinji waved off Shirou's complaint with a mock invitation.

"You!!"

Soaked, Shirou lunged at Shinji, and they playfully tussled in the entryway.

Watching them, Sakura felt an indescribable sense of difference. Seeing her brother so lively with Shirou, yet so cold towards her, stirred something within her.

Adding to this was the mention of the name "Tohsaka" she had overheard at the activity room door, combined with "another school" and "a girl Shinji liked and confessed to." At that moment, seeds of negative emotion began to take root in Sakura's heart.

Of course, Shinji was oblivious to this, foolishly believing that Sakura would eventually like Shirou.

In the game's affection chart, Sakura's section was mostly ignored.

Shinji had no idea that the countless times Sakura had watched his efforts had already caused something to grow inside her. Whether it was good or bad, no one could say.

"Ah, this feels great~"

In the bathroom, Shinji sighed contentedly, a towel on his head.

"Shinji, you're too cold to your sister."

"Emiya," Shinji opened his eyes, wagging his finger, "That's the thirteenth time you've said that."

"Then listen at least once."

"Everyone has things they don't want to talk about, right? This is mine."

"You..."

Then, as if something occurred to him, Shinji asked, "By the way, where's Fuji-nee?"

"Miss Fujimura is on a training retreat."

Shinji rested his chin on his hand, thinking, "I see. So you took the opportunity to lure me here."

"Don't worry, Shinji, my orientation is very normal."

"So you did plan to do something to me?!"

"Did you even hear what I said?"

In the living room, sitting casually at the low table, Shinji slurped his udon, grumbling, "Emiya's cooking is the best. I feel revived."

"Thanks for the compliment," Shirou replied, handing a plate of tempura to Sakura. He then looked at her, "Sakura, is it okay if I call you that?"

"Yes." Sakura, now in Shirou's spare clothes after a bath, nodded quietly, "Thank you."

"You should be more relaxed, like Shinji. He never hesitates with me."

"After all, we'll be living together eventually," Shinji started, but Shirou quickly stuffed a tempura shrimp in his mouth.

"Shut up."

Chewing and swallowing the tempura quickly, Shinji grinned, "This is strategy, Emiya."

"For a piece of tempura shrimp?"

"Remember, food is the only thing that must not be betrayed!"

"That sounds familiar. Didn't you just say cuteness must not be betrayed?"

"Then both cuteness and food must not be betrayed."

"Can't you stick to one principle?" Shirou was exasperated.

"Principles can change. If you eat the same favorite food every day, sometimes you want to try something different."

"That has nothing to do with principles! They're entirely different things!"