Christmas Eve—A Chance Encounter (New Book—Please Support!)

2002.

December 24th, Christmas Eve.

Emiya Residence.

"Sorry, Sakura. I couldn't bring Shinji over."

A hint of apology showed on Shirou's face.

"No, it's not your fault, Senpai." Sakura gently shook her head, though a clear trace of disappointment flashed through her eyes.

Recently, Shinji had been going home less and less often. He would frequently disappear for ten days or even half a month at a time.

"But he gave me this."

Shirou took a white rabbit plushie from his bag and held it out to Sakura, who was busy in the kitchen.

Seeing the rabbit plushie Shirou handed her, delight clearly flashed in Sakura's eyes. It might have been nothing more than an ordinary gesture for her brother, but to her, it held an extraordinary meaning.

"Merry Christmas!"

Taiga, dressed as Santa Claus, called out as she opened the door. The next moment, though, she spotted the little rabbit in Sakura's hands.

"Huh? You're exchanging Christmas presents this early?"

"No, Shinji gave her that," Shirou explained.

"Matou?" Taiga looked somewhat surprised, then smiled and gave Sakura an encouraging thumbs-up. "Sakura-chan, keep it up! Even your cold brother has started giving presents."

"Yes." Sakura replied with a smile.

On a snowy night, Shinji, dressed in a khaki wool coat, wandered the streets aimlessly while checking the System panel.

After all this time, he had only barely managed to condense the first two of the three souls—or rather, three spirits—the Primordial Spirit and the Yang Spirit. As for the Yin Spirit... he had only just reached the threshold.

Whenever he thought about having barely more than a year left to form the Yin Spirit and temper the Three Souls, Shinji felt somewhat despairing.

With a helpless sigh, Shinji closed the System panel and came to a stop.

He looked at the shops lining the street, all brimming with holiday cheer. After thinking for a long time, he finally stepped inside one.

Not knowing what to buy on a day like this, Shinji ultimately bought a small Christmas specialty cake at the shop owner's recommendation.

"Am I an idiot for buying something like this?"

Standing outside the shop, Shinji stared at the cake in his hands with a strange expression.

"I never expected Matou to have such self-awareness."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Shinji audibly clicked his tongue and looked at Rin, whom he had happened to run into, with obvious disgust.

Seeing the exceptionally clear look of disdain on Shinji's face, Rin's eye twitched several times. "You're as irritating as ever."

"You too."

"You bastard!"

"Begone, demon!" Shinji raised a hand and shouted.

"Die--!!"

Unlike the noisy shops outside, the retro-style café on the street corner was exceptionally quiet beneath the soft, gentle music, forming a stark contrast with the holiday-filled stores outside.

At one booth, Rin stared at Shinji, who was elegantly cutting his cake. Several minutes had passed, yet she still had not processed what was happening.

"Tell me, what exactly are we doing?"

"What do you mean, what are we doing?" Shinji replied without looking up. "Didn't you say you knew a quiet café? Then I had you bring me here."

Rin held her forehead, looking like she had lost all will to live. "That's true, but no matter how I look at it, something about this feels wrong, doesn't it?"

"What?"

"No matter how you look at it, this looks like a date between a couple!"

"Huh?" Shinji looked up in surprise, giving Rin a strange look. "What stupid nonsense are you talking about? Do I look like someone whose brain is beyond saving? Going on a date with a woman like you?"

"Hey, explain that properly." Rin narrowed her eyes and wore a sweet smile that contained no hint of amusement.

"I mean only a man with something wrong with his brain would date a woman like you. Ah! Why'd you kick me? You crazy woman! I was just telling the truth!"

"Do you want to die, Shinji Matou?"

"Tch." Shinji curled his lip, then casually held a piece of cut cake out before Rin. "This is your reward for leading the way. I can't finish it alone anyway, and don't worry, there's no poison in it today."

"Can't you ever say something that makes people feel good?"

"Right back at you."

The next instant, invisible sparks that could only be heard crackling seemed to fly between them. Then they both snorted at the same time, picked up their cake, turned away from each other, and began eating.

Several more minutes passed before Rin was the first to speak, breaking the silence.

"Matou, you have a younger sister, right?"

"Yeah. What about it?" Shinji glanced at Rin casually.

"N-Nothing! I was just a little curious!" Rin hurriedly waved her hands.

"Tch." Shinji clicked his tongue. "Tohsaka, could you stop treating me like an idiot? There are some things I know too."

Rin froze upon hearing that, disbelief appearing on her face. "Y-You know?"

"Yeah, I know."

"I see... Then, is Sakura doing well lately?"

Shinji shrugged, looking unconcerned. "Probably."

"What do you mean, probably? Aren't you her brother?" Rin's brows furrowed slightly.

"I haven't been home much lately because of some things. As for her, she's been going to the Emiya Residence almost every day."

"Emiya's house? What does she go there for?"

"How should I know? If you care that much, go take a look yourself."

"Care a little more about your own sister!"

"Right back at you."

"You!" Rin was somewhat exasperated, but she ultimately sighed softly. "Even if the Matou Family has declined, you understand, don't you? Magi are..."

"I don't understand." Shinji casually cut her off. "I'm not a magus. I don't know much about things between you magi."

"Could you be a little more serious?"

Shinji did not answer. Instead, he changed the subject. "You know, Tohsaka, things like cake only taste good at certain times."

"Huh?" Rin blanked for a moment.

"What I mean is, don't waste it. Eat as much as you can while it still tastes good."

"No, the certain time you mean is..." Rin's face reddened slightly.

"Like when you have it with bitter coffee. Doesn't the bitterness of coffee bring out the sweetness of cake even more?"

"That does make a bit of sense." Rin nodded lightly, but the next moment, she suddenly realized something. She narrowed her eyes again and gave an awkward yet polite smile. "Matou, are you saying I'm bitter coffee?"

"So Tohsaka has self-awareness too. I'm impressed." Shinji answered perfunctorily.

"Go die!!" Rin forcefully kicked Shinji under the table.

"Ah! Be careful! The cake almost fell on the floor!"

"Who cares about you?! Just hurry up and go to hell!"

"You go to hell! Besides, even if I go to hell, I'll drag you down with me! You crazy woman!"

"That's my line!!"

"Oh my, so the two of you intend to stay together even in death?"

The teasing voice that suddenly rang out beside them made Shinji and Rin turn their heads at the same time and retort in unison.

"That's not what we mean!!" X2