4 years old and already on pills

"Have you taken your medicine today Minori?" My father asks from behind me on the couch.

Instead of answering him I merely continue watching TV while sitting on the floor with my toys.

"So no huh." He sighs, getting up he moves to the kitchen to grab a suspiciously unlabeled bottle of pills. The sound of the faucet turning on is my cue to head to my room before he makes me take that terrible medicine.

Standing up I begin my escape to my room only to be stopped by a wild 8 year old Shinji at the very start of the hallway making me pout in frustration.

"Why are you always ready for my sneaky escapes?" I ask annoyed by the fact that this is like the third time since I started being forced to take those pills that he has intercepted me.

"Because you have a set time everyday you're supposed to take them so I know exactly when you'll start trying to slither off." He says with a smirk,

"Onii-chan, won't you let your precious little sister get out of this just once?" I beg while putting on my best puppy dog eyes, this makes him hesitate slightly, but before he can think about it further my father appears behind me confirming the fact that I won't simply be able to run away.

"Minori, you know it's important that you take these." He states handing me two white pills along with a glass of water.

"But it tastes bad and makes me feel so slow! Why do I even need to take these? I feel fine without them."

"Minori, this isn't something up for discussion." He says simply,

"If you won't tell me then I'm not taking it." I say, crossing my arms over my chest with a huff only to be met with my father scowling at my defiance.

Quickly in fear I take the items from his waiting hands, I know for a fact he wouldn't lay a hand on me, but just a disappointed or angry face from my parents makes me feel bad.

"You have to explain it soon okay?" I tentatively ask,

"Of course, when you're older i'll tell you all about it." He answers, losing his scowl. Accepting this answer I nod my head and take my medicine. Just as always it tastes like spoiled milk, the water doesn't make it all that much better going down. After finishing the water father then takes the glass from my hands and heads towards the kitchen.

Seeing my grossed out expression Shinji steps up to me while putting a hand on my head.

'The famous Onii-chan head pats!?!' I exclaim in my head, I think I know why girls in anime love it so much it feels so comforting in a way having the warmth of a person so close like this.

"Here." He says curtly while shoving something in my now empty, when I open it I see a small piece of wrapped candy. Slightly confused I look up at him only for him to quickly turn around and begin to walk away.

"Every time you take your medicine like a good girl I'll make sure to give you a piece of candy, so bear with it for now." He says before his back disappears down the hall.

--

A few weeks later

I watch as my father moves about the house collecting all manner of gadgets and gizmos for magecraft and the like packing them into his bag.

'Shinji is 8 so I guess it makes sense that the 4th grail war would start soon.'

"Papa, you're leaving for a while?" I ask innocently as I follow him around the house,

"Yes I am." His usual short response feels colder than normal making me follow behind him more closely.

Seeing my worry he finally stops once he's at the door, his bag ready for travel.

"Minori, do you have something to say?" He asks, turning to face me making me flinch ever so slightly.

"W-Well You have to promise me you'll stay safe." I say timidly, his eyes narrow a bit at my response. Slowly he puts his hand into his pocket before taking out a golden card with the iconic image of a berserker on it.

"Minori, can you tell me what servant is in this card?" He asks, his face the epitome of seriousness. Confused by his question I go to answer, with my meta knowledge of course I know what servant he's summoned though I don't know anything about golden cards.

"Lancelo-" Before I finish, I feel a tug in my mind screaming at me telling me that I'm wrong. Focusing on this feeling slightly my eyes heat up slowly but surely, looking deeply into the card mirror like fragments appear within my vision each reflecting odd grey images. As I look around one fragment shines far more brightly than the rest, with each dull fragment the light reaches they shatter like glass leaving only the truth. Only what is certain.

"Ibaraki-douji?" I say my voice oozing more than a little confusion,

"Have you taken your pills today Minori?" He asks, getting a nod as a response he continues,

"Do you have any specific advice for me by chance?"

At that question, the fragments reappear around him yet again revealing a certainty I shouldn't know by any means.

"Saber is a well known oni-slayer, if you engage with him recklessly you're certain to die." My voice feels oddly forced or mechanical as if even if I wanted to lie or put it more lightly I couldn't possibly.

Putting his hand on his chin he takes a moment to think about my response, before mumbling something about not wanting me to overdose and powers or something.

"What about an old man? Do you see anything about an old man?"

Tilting my head I do notice something about an old man but none of the fragments are bright enough to even consider.

"No, I can't really." I say in response.

Nodding at my answer he puts a hand on my head rubbing it in a very comforting circular motion.

"I promise that I'll try my best to stay safe." His voice filled with a warmth completely unlike his regular kuudere vibe.

"Okay papa I'll be waiting." I say sadly, even if I wanted to I couldn't possibly help him. Not just because of a lack of ability nor simply just because of my age, but instead because a parent will always be opposed to their child going to war for them. A parent like my father simply would never let me go in his place whether I was an existence such as Manaka Sajyou or a faker like Shirou. I respect that, it warms my heart knowing how much he cares, but it also makes it hurt that much more when I know I'm probably going to lose him.