In everyone's eyes, Aoi Tohsaka was the perfect wife. Her looks spoke for themselves—elegant features, graceful figure, and smooth long hair that made people envious. As for her character, if you had to describe her in one phrase, it would be "Yamato Nadeshiko"—the ideal Japanese woman. Dignified yet careful, attentive to everything, supporting her husband without getting in his way, valuing loyalty and duty above love... She was basically the textbook definition of a traditional good wife and mother.
But this strong woman had been silently living with grief for over a year now. It all began a year ago. Although Aoi hadn't studied magecraft herself, she knew both her daughters were incredibly gifted—once-in-a-century magical prodigies. So talented, in fact, that the Matou family, longtime allies of the Tohsaka family and a respected magical house, wanted them badly.
More than a year ago, Tokiomi finally gave in to the Matou family's persistent requests and handed over his second daughter, Sakura, to them.
In the world of magi, each family could only have one heir. The greatest gift magical parents could leave their children wasn't money or knowledge, but their Magic Crest. These Magic Crests, passed down and built upon through generations, had created a classic aristocratic society where older meant more powerful.
In magus families, the child who inherited the Magic Crest got everything, while the others received nothing. That's why it was such a tragedy when two talented children like Rin and Sakura were born in the same generation.
"Sakura's talent shouldn't go to waste. If anyone can achieve greatness, it's her." After telling his wife this, the head of the Tohsaka family made the decision to let his second daughter inherit the Magic Crest of the Matou family. Mother and daughter, sisters who loved each other, were forced apart.
Sometimes, Aoi would secretly wonder: what did her husband really mean by giving Sakura a "brighter future"? Was he thinking of her future as a magus? Or as a person? But since this was a decision made by the head of the Tohsaka family, Aoi felt she had no right to question it. From the day she decided to marry into the Tohsaka family, she knew she couldn't expect the happiness of a normal family.
Since being separated from her daughter, Aoi had been drowning in a grief she couldn't express. Then, a month ago, her suffering deepened even further when the Matou family that had adopted Sakura was completely wiped out.
When she heard that the Matou mansion had burned down and Sakura was missing, Aoi—who thought she had already cried all her tears—finally broke down.
From that day on, the Tohsaka family's mistress changed dramatically. Aoi lost the gentle smile that had always graced her face, becoming quiet and taciturn.
…
That night, Aoi walked along the winter streets of Shinto wearing a light outfit and a scarf. Since years ago, she had developed this unusual habit of walking alone through the city at night. This wasn't considered an appropriate activity for a lady, but Tokiomi never objected.
In her husband's view, all of Fuyuki City was Tohsaka territory. As the one who controlled the leylines, he considered himself the unofficial ruler of this city. He saw nothing wrong with his wife taking a pleasant walk in what he considered their backyard. Because of this, Aoi continued her nighttime walks.
The late-night streets were deserted, with dim streetlights barely holding back the darkness. The silence felt somewhat unsettling. Mentally exhausted, Aoi wandered without expression.
"Ma'am, out so late by yourself? You must be feeling lonely," a voice called out.
"What's wrong? Your husband not taking care of you properly?" Another voice followed with coarse laughter.
The crude remarks came from a group of men nearby. She turned to look at them with vacant eyes.
There were four of them, appearing young—some with bleached blond hair, others with tanned skin. They all stared at her feminine curves, which her light clothing failed to conceal.
"No, no, anyone out walking at this hour must be looking for customers!"
"That's right! Now even street workers are dressing like high-class ladies? Japan really is competitive!"
Aoi ignored them, quickened her pace, and continued walking along the path of streetlights.
"Hey! Don't just walk away!" One of the men with bleached hair grabbed her wrist. "What's your problem, lady? Ignoring us like that."
"Please let go of me," Aoi said quietly, keeping her head down.
"What? I couldn't hear you."
"Please let go of me, or else—"
The men looked at each other and smirked.
"Or else what?" The man tightened his grip on her wrist, causing Aoi to wince.
Under normal circumstances, the Tohsaka family's familiar would have emerged from the shadows to chase away these troublemakers. But tonight, no familiar appeared to protect the Tohsaka mistress.
Aoi suddenly remembered why. The Holy Grail War had already begun. Her husband had been preparing for the conflict and had asked her to leave Fuyuki City. Tonight, she had left Rin at her parents' home and returned to Fuyuki on her own.
"Please let go of me. My daughter is waiting for me at home." Aoi tried to keep her voice steady as she pulled her arm away, fighting back both fear and tears.
"You have a daughter? Why not bring her along?" one of them said.
"Yeah, I happen to like little girls. How many daughters do you have, anyway?"
Aoi's entire body trembled at this. She bit her lip and looked up at them with sudden anger.
"You're disgusting," she said through clenched teeth.
"What did you just say?" The smiles disappeared from their faces. "Hey! I don't think I heard you right. What did you call us?"
"She called you guys disgusting." A young voice suddenly interrupted.
Aoi turned in surprise to see a boy who couldn't have been older than ten standing beside her. With his black hair and black eyes, he reminded her of her daughter. She hadn't even noticed when he appeared.
"Excuse me, but could you losers just go away?" The boy stepped in front of Aoi and said. "This lady already has plans tonight. She's with me."