Chapter 42: Another Group's Alliance

"You'll join me in dealing with my father's Servant!"

Outside a fast food restaurant in Fuyuki City, Chihiro, who was enjoying a simple lunch, looked at Tohsaka Rin beside him with a bewildered expression.

The reason Chihiro and Rin ended up here together started about half an hour ago.

After the quiz session, Chihiro noticed it was past noon, so he decided to head out for lunch with Zhang Jiao and Red Hare.

Why not just cook at home? Well, because the only dish Chihiro could manage to make was fried rice, and it always turned out either too salty or too bland. His other culinary skill was boiling instant noodles.

As for Zhang Jiao and Red Hare? Expecting them to know how to cook was out of the question.

While they were trying to decide what to eat, they happened to bump into the Tohsaka family, who were also out for a meal.

To be precise, it was Tohsaka Aoi and her two daughters, Rin and Sakura—along with Ishtar, wearing her usual midriff-baring attire.

The moment Sakura saw Chihiro, she ran up to him and hugged him tightly, refusing to let go. Her expression looked so pitiful that it tugged at the heartstrings of everyone around her.

The ordeal with Zouken Matou had left a deep scar on her. She'd been having nightmares ever since, and it was only thanks to Aoi and Rin's care that she'd been able to recover somewhat.

Even so, Sakura had become quiet and withdrawn, no longer as lively as she used to be. She didn't talk much in the group chat and rarely spoke at home either.

With Tokiomi entirely focused on the Holy Grail War and Gilgamesh's oppressive presence looming over the household Sakura felt more stifled than ever.

Right now, the only person who made her feel safe was Chihiro.

After Sakura clung to him, Aoi realized who Chihiro was and quickly offered to treat him to a meal as thanks for saving Sakura.

Chihiro didn't refuse and suggested they eat at a fast food place. He wasn't in the mood for fancy cuisine that was expensive and not particularly filling.

Aoi was agreeable, so they found outdoor seating at a fast food restaurant and began eating.

Once they sat down, Sakura produced a lunch box and handed it to Chihiro.

After a bit of questioning, Chihiro learned that this lunch box had come from a bronze treasure chest Sakura had obtained yesterday.

Magical Gift – Sakura's Special Bento.

Eating it would restore some physical stamina, but only if one finished the entire meal.

It turned out that, just like Chihiro's daily Mapo Tofu, Sakura could produce one of these bentos each day.

Without hesitation, Chihiro accepted the lunch box and started eating.

Mm, it tastes really good, he thought, savoring each bite.

Meanwhile, Rin sat beside him, feeling a little jealous.

After all, Sakura had never offered her a bento like that.

A short while later, Aoi excused herself to go to the restroom, and Rin took the opportunity to lean closer to Chihiro.

Chihiro thought Rin was about to express her jealousy, but instead, she hit him with a surprising proposition.

"Would you work with me to deal with that golden-eyed showoff?"

Wow, Chihiro thought, she really is her father's daughter.

"Not my father," Rin corrected immediately. "Just… that arrogant jerk!"

"Is there a difference?" Chihiro chuckled. "Gilgamesh is your father's Servant. Dealing with him is basically dealing with Tokiomi."

Rin scowled. "No, don't lump my father together with that."

"Alright, alright," Chihiro relented, still amused. "So, what made you decide to ask me for help with Gilgamesh?"

"Because you don't get along with him, and neither do I," Rin pouted. "That jerk keeps talking down to everyone, calling people 'mongrels,' and acting like he owns my house. Now he's practically forced my family out of our own home. I'm fed up with him!"

Chihiro chuckled. "Well, that 'great god' was invited by your own father, remember?"

Seeing how flustered Rin was, he couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her cheek lightly.

"Just tell me if you'll help or not," Rin huffed, her cheeks turning red but maintaining a calm front.

"You want my help?" Chihiro asked plainly, his meaning clear.

Even friends settle accounts properly. She couldn't expect him to help for free.

Rin's face scrunched up in frustration.

She hadn't thought about any kind of payment. She'd assumed Chihiro would jump at the chance to go up against Gilgamesh.

"Fine, if you help us, this goddess will assist you in obtaining the Holy Grail," Ishtar interjected, sounding slightly smug.

Ishtar and Rin had already discussed joining forces with Chihiro against Gilgamesh. Though it was somewhat embarrassing for a goddess to rely on others, she had no chance of defeating Gilgamesh on her own; his Chains of Heaven completely suppressed her.

Since Ishtar had no interest in the Holy Grail, she figured it made a fair bargaining chip.

"How about that? Agree to this alliance, and you'll gain the help of a goddess. Not a bad deal, right?"

"Well, it's definitely not a bad deal," Chihiro admitted, nodding.

Having a powerful entity like Ishtar on his side was certainly an advantage.

Of course, that depended on whether the Holy Grail could even be used. Chihiro had no interest in the Grail if it had already been corrupted by Angra Mainyu and turned into a tainted vessel.

But it didn't really matter. Even if he had no use for the Grail, teaming up to teach Gilgamesh a lesson sounded satisfying enough.

Chihiro grinned. "Alright, I'm in."

"Great!" Rin exclaimed, her eyes shining. "Then let's do it tonight."

"You're awfully eager, aren't you?" Chihiro smirked, coughing slightly. "No need to rush. We need to wait for Gilgamesh to leave your house first."

"True… I can't destroy my own home just to deal with him," Rin agreed, her expression turning thoughtful.

Chihiro added silently to himself, And Tohsaka Tokiomi isn't likely to let us just eliminate Gilgamesh so easily.

---

"Rin! Sakura! Are you both alright?"

A figure suddenly ran up to them. It was Matou Kariya.

Kariya had been passing by and spotted the Tohsaka sisters. He immediately rushed over, concern etched on his face.

"Uncle Kariya…" Rin's face froze upon seeing him.

She hadn't forgotten that in the first video they watched, Matou Kariya had killed her father.

Though that event hadn't happened yet, she couldn't help but feel conflicted toward this man who had once shown her kindness.