When a Woman Becomes Too Curious About a Man, Her First Step into the Abyss

In the end, Rider did not continue asking questions. Even though she was truly curious, she did not press further.

"All right." Shinji patted Sakura's head as she continued leaning against his side. "Go wash up and get ready to rest. All the pain and sadness you've endured until now will end today."

"Brother..." Sakura raised her head and suddenly asked, "Brother, do you think I'm dirty?"

"Ah, of course." Shinji answered without thinking.

Seeing the matter-of-fact look on Shinji's face, Sakura's expression froze.

But at that moment, Shinji raised a finger and continued, "Tears are clean while they're inside your body, but once they fall, they pick up dust and get mixed with all sorts of bacteria. Not to mention that you've cried yourself into a little mess. And didn't your nose run just now? Ah, ah, what am I supposed to do about my clothes now~~"

Pfft!

Seeing Shinji's deliberately disgusted expression, Sakura could not help laughing, rubbing herself against his shoulder.

"Brother, you're mean."

"Sakura, did your nose run again just now? You rubbed it on me on purpose, didn't you?"

"No, I didn't!"

"Then why is there something sticky on my shoulder?"

"There isn't anything! Honestly, Brother!"

"Ah, sorry. Looks like I wiped it there myself earlier."

"Brother—!!"

While Sakura went to take a bath, Shinji once again sat on the sofa with his laptop, taking care of some matters at hand.

As Shinji browsed the files on his laptop, he said, "Because Sakura's body was affected by Imprint Worms for such a long time, even though all the Imprint Worms have now been removed, she'll still need a very, very long period of recuperation before she can bring out her original talent as a magus.

"Because of that, the magical energy you can obtain from Sakura right now is negligible. A Servant manifests and acts in the present world through their Master's magical energy. In other words, you currently cannot wield your true power."

Rider asked, "Are you saying I should go outside and acquire magical energy myself?"

"No, that's not what I mean." Shinji replied without looking up. "I don't want ordinary people getting dragged in because of the Holy Grail War. And honestly, neither Sakura nor I have any intention of participating in this Holy Grail War. What matters now is what you want. If you wish to take part, I can help you resolve a few insignificant problems so that you can participate."

"You..." Rider's brows furrowed slightly. "Why are you helping me?"

"It's nothing. I simply thought that if you have a wish, you might be unwilling to just stay here doing nothing. Of course, I won't ask what wish you want to fulfill either."

Rider did not answer. Instead, she carefully considered the matter. The big boy before her still looked somewhat youthful, yet he was meticulous in both speech and action. She could not help feeling that he was unfathomable.

Even though she knew he was not lying, something still felt off. Someone who could disguise himself and endure for ten years could not possibly be seen through so easily.

As for Shinji's claim that he had no interest in the Holy Grail and no wish he wanted to fulfill, Rider was only half-convinced.

Everyone in this world had wishes they wanted to fulfill. Before an omnipotent wishing machine that could grant any wish, this boy was far too indifferent.

There was clearly something wrong with that.

As Rider thought it over, a terrifying yet perfectly reasonable possibility suddenly occurred to her. A hint of urgency entered her usually detached voice.

"Could it be... that to you, the Holy Grail is something within easy reach?"

Realizing that Rider had gotten the wrong idea, Shinji could not help laughing.

"Don't let your imagination run wild. I clearly reminded you earlier—becoming too curious about a man is the first step into the abyss."

"But the feeling you give me..."

"Hmm..." Shinji stopped what he was doing, propped up his chin, and pondered for a few seconds. "Actually, aside from a very small portion of my actions that I feel I must take—whose driving force could even be called something like duty and responsibility—most of what I do is on a whim, driven by interest. But right now, I don't have even the slightest whim of interest in the Holy Grail. Do you understand?"

Rider did not respond and instead fell into thought once more.

At that moment, Shinji smiled softly and continued, "Of course, what you said wasn't entirely wrong. If I truly wanted the Holy Grail, then even though my power is still weak compared to those proper magi, I would still have a chance of winning this Holy Grail War."

"Then you—"

Shinji raised a finger and shook it, interrupting Rider. "I already said it. Right now, I have no interest whatsoever in obtaining the Holy Grail."

Looking at the warm smile on Shinji's face, the kind that naturally made others like him, Rider ultimately did not continue. She could tell that Shinji was not lying.

"But don't worry," Shinji said, lowering his head and continuing to type on his laptop. "Since you're the Servant summoned by my little sister, if you truly want to participate in the Holy Grail War and fight for the Holy Grail, I can help you join it properly. Of course, on the condition that Sakura and I don't get dragged into it."

"Properly... what do you mean?"

"Who knows?" Shinji did not answer directly, merely shrugging. "That depends on your answer. On the other hand, if you don't want to participate, you can stay here and enjoy life in modern society. After all, getting to live with a beautiful woman for a while is something any man would dearly wish for."

"I..."

Shinji interrupted Rider again. "What I'm about to say may sound a little like persuasion, but it's the truth. You don't need to worry about Sakura. This older brother of hers is enough to protect her. So you can also think about your own affairs. Opportunities like this don't come often."

"What an open and aboveboard persuasion that somehow makes it impossible to dislike." Rider seemed somewhat moved as she spoke softly.

"Then think it over carefully. Sakura will understand as well. She's a considerate girl."

With that, Shinji once more focused his attention on the computer and continued his unfinished work.

Watching Shinji fully immerse himself in his work, his fingers flying across the keyboard, Rider sighed softly to herself.

He really is an impossible man to read.

Tap, tap, tap. Accompanied by a hurried yet light set of footsteps, Sakura quickly approached in her slippers.

Before Shinji could say anything, Sakura sat down on the sofa as she had before, wrapped her arms around one of Shinji's, and leaned against his shoulder.

"Sakura, it's already past midnight. You can go to sleep now," Shinji said, turning to look at her.

But when he saw Sakura, wrapped only in a bath towel, her hair not yet fully dry and her pretty face slightly flushed, he could not help complaining inwardly.

Why is she even more alluring than before?