"I'm really tired today, Lisephyr—you should get some rest too. Good night!"
Shirou Emiya made up a casual excuse. Right now, he needed to properly surveil the Matou household—no time for chatting with Lisephyr.
His perfunctory message felt like brushing off someone persistently bugging him as a backup.
"Is that so? Then Shirou-kun, get some rest. Good night."
On the other end, Lisephyr buried her phone in her pillow, clutching it with reluctant afterglow.
For the past few days, they'd spent the days together at Fuyuki City's amusement park and strolling through its gardens. At night, Shirou came to keep watch on the Matou residence, gathering useful information.
To his surprise, Shirou discovered that no one from the Matou household ever left or came out. It made him wonder, is Zouken Matou really the only one left in that family?
…
Ever since arriving in Fuyuki City with Shirou Emiya, Lisephyr had lived happily every single day.
She loved seeing the convenience store shelves lined with goods, loved running on sandy beaches, and loved standing by the window of their hotel room, looking out at the city towers.
She adored everything here—and most of all, being together with Shirou.
And Shirou could feel Lisephyr's feelings for him growing rapidly. He'd become her best friend—maybe even more.
That afternoon, Shirou stood on a rooftop near the Matou house, feeling drowsy.
He'd been sleeping too little recently—making him sluggish during the day.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed. Shirou sighed but checked the message.
Lisephyr had been texting or calling him constantly—he felt helpless.
But the next moment, upon reading the text, he snapped awake—his lethargy gone in an instant.
A car has just arrived at the Tohsaka residence. An elderly man got out.
That was the entire text. Short, but conveying all the vital information.
"Could it be… they're finally coming for Sakura?"
Shirou couldn't help clenching his fist.
---
⎯ At the Tohsaka Manor
"That little Sakura really doesn't want to leave, does she?"
A skeletal, stooped old man—frail as a mummy—spoke in a raspy, moist tone that evoked nausea.
"Sakura… from now on, he will be your grandfather."
Sadness clouded Tokiomi Tohsaka's eyes.
Aoi turned away, her shoulders shaking in silent tears.
It's finally come—the day of that impossible decision.
They had two daughters, and one of them would be sent away—to another family.
As a mother, how could she bear to give up her child?
But ever since marrying into the Tohsaka family—the family of magi—Aoi had mentally prepared herself for this moment. Even so, the grief welled inside her uncontrollably.
A regular family's dream of normal happiness and a mage's legacy could not coexist.
"No! Sakura—don't leave us!"
"I promise I'll be good! I won't even want taiyaki anymore—Sakura… Sakura doesn't want to leave mommy and daddy…"
Her eyes red, tears streaming down her face, Sakura stood there like an abandoned child—helpless, heart-wrenching.
A child's heart is pure and small—parents fill almost their entire world.
"Be obedient, Sakura. Grandpa will raise you properly, you know."
Tokiomi tried to speak sternly—but couldn't. He loved his daughter deeply.
Yet… a Tohsaka inheritance could only go to one child.
Aoi couldn't even look at Sakura. She feared she'd collapse and refuse to let her go.
But she couldn't. Since marrying into the family, ordinary dreams were gone forever.
For a mother, this decision was the cruelest torment.
---
Eventually, Sakura was taken away by Zouken Matou.
The car's engine roared as it departed. Meanwhile, back at home, Rin Tohsaka came home late with her backpack. The house felt… different.
Her father sat dazed on the sofa; her mother wept quietly.
"Where's Sakura?"
Rin's eyes widened as she demanded.
"Sakura… she's gone. She is no longer a member of our family."
Tokiomi drew a deep breath and exhaled heavily.
Thinking that Matou would train her well and pass his own "magecraft crest" onto her—knowing she'd end up heading the Matou family—was the only thing easing his heart.
Rin searched every room but found no sign of her sister.
At that moment, it became real: her father wasn't lying. Sakura was really gone.
Rin flung her backpack at her father—only to have him catch it.
He was the father she'd always respected, admired—and now, he'd done the unthinkable.
Rin couldn't accept it. She burst through the front door and ran out.
"Where are you going?" Tokiomi called, lifting her by the hand.
"I'm going to find Sakura!"
Tears streamed down Rin's face.
---
⎯ Nearby the Matou Estate
In the darkness, a figure stood hidden—completely masked by the night.
"The first three days, she cried so loudly she could be heard throughout the house. By the fourth day, she couldn't even make a sound. This morning, I threw her into the worm pit to see how long she'd survive. I didn't expect her to be crawled on for half a day and still not dead. The Tohsaka lineage… high quality, indeed."
Those words echoed again in Shirou's mind.
He knew what horrors awaited Sakura next.
A fire surged within him—stronger than ever!
Zouken Matou had lived over 500 years and would stop at nothing for the Holy Grail—seeking eternal life.
He was no longer human. He was a parasite—a disgusting worm.
But no matter what, Shirou would save Sakura. He'd change everything!
---
Soon, headlights appeared in the distance.
A car pulled up in front of the Matou estate.
Zouken Matou stepped down, holding Sakura's hand.
Now, Sakura's eyes had lost all light—her vitality gone. Like a walking corpse.
In her heart, she believed herself discarded—no different from trash.
"I'll take this child."
The voice was as hoarse as a beast—it made hair stand on end.
On the road, a figure in a black robe emerged from the darkness.
"Who—are you?" Zouken Matou narrowed his eyes, glaring at the silhouette.
The figure's face was hidden beneath a hood—nothing could be seen at all. And there was magical power emanating from them; this was no ordinary person.
PS: Access advance chapters at
https://www.patreon.com/c/NanamiTL