An illusory dream

"Drink it!"

On a chilly morning, in the overly empty courtyard of the Emiya Residence, two girls were slashing at each other with bamboo swords. One of them had a brown ponytail and wore a tracksuit, while the other had long silver hair and wore casual clothes that were completely out of place for swordsmanship.

The bamboo swords clashed multiple times in an instant, and the two girls adjusted their positions and postures. Although it was just a simple practice session, their aura exuded the oppressive force of a life-or-death battle.

After several consecutive attacks were blocked, the silver-haired girl jumped back a short distance, catching her breath as she complained:

"Fuji-nee, really, can't you let me win just once?" (The novel website doesn't skip words.)

The brown-haired girl seemed more at ease. She raised her bamboo sword high and then brought it down, creating a gust of wind, before declaring boldly:

"Haha, competing with your opponent with the utmost seriousness is a sign of respect."

"It's alright if my disciple goes easy on me a little, right? I've been studying for so long, and not succeeding even once would really damage my confidence."

"If you were really that sensitive, you wouldn't deserve to be a disciple of the Fujimura Style, hahahahahaha!"

The silver-haired girl secretly scoffed at her opponent's unyielding attitude. She then raised her bamboo sword again, adopting an offensive stance, her legs bent into a bow, ready to strike.

Seeing this, the brown-haired girl also kept her eyes fixed on the front. Although she had never been defeated, she was still very clear that the difference in strength between this disciple and her was not much, and she could not show the slightest slack.

A powerful aura formed around the two, creating a whirlwind-like flow of energy that collided with each other. When this aura was compressed to its extreme—

"Take this!"

The silver-haired girl struck first. She took a large step forward, her sword thrusting forward with force, and then—

"Oh dear, old man!?"

A look of surprise suddenly appeared on her face, and her gaze focused on the air behind her opponent, as if someone were there.

"Kiritsugu, oh?"

The brown-haired girl's imposing aura vanished in an instant. She hurriedly turned around to look at the person, but—

"Chance!"

The sword tip hurtled through the air with a whooshing sound. She had barely turned her gaze slightly to see what was behind her, but there was nothing there. By then, her opponent's sword was already in front of her. Even if she wanted to counterattack, it was too late. Was her winning streak going to be ended by such a dishonorable means?

"Too young!"

The silver-haired girl felt no impact on the hilt of her sword, because her target had suddenly vanished from sight—was Fuji-nee -san Magecraft? No—this was—

"Succeed!"

Just now, the brown-haired girl used gravity to fall to the ground, dodging the fatal stab. Then, with her superb flexibility and coordination, she used her hands to brace herself and her feet to kick the silver-haired girl's sword, which she hadn't had time to retract. She then turned around and did a somersault, pressing her bamboo sword against her opponent's neck.

"The outcome is decided! Hahaha, even if you want to use tricks, it's useless against such an absolute difference in strength."

"Sigh, the old man always manages to fool others, but I just can't believe it..."

"It's Nai, the silver-haired girl, who's raised her hands in surrender," she complained.

"Still too inexperienced."

"That's true."

The brown-haired girl picked up the bamboo knife that she had kicked away, held it up, and waved it in their direction.

"That's all for today's competition. Go and pack up, I'll be eating in a bit, Jizi."

"You're clearly just trying to freeload, don't be so self-righteous!"

When Jizi finished showering and changed into her school uniform and came to the entrance hall, she saw that there were already people busy in the kitchen—or rather, two people.

Good morning, Jizi Jiang.

Good morning, Jizi.

A girl with long purple hair and a voluptuous figure, wearing the same school uniform as Jizi, and a boy with short red hair heard footsteps, put down their work, turned around, and greeted each other.

"Yo, good morning -- isn't it my shift today?" (The novel website doesn't skip words.)

"I saw you and Fuji-nee Teng were having a great time, so I did it for you."

"Thank you very much, I'll take care of it then -- by the way, Sakura, since you come every day, why don't you just stay here?"

"Okay, okay--no, no, I mean, this is too much trouble, haha, hahaha~"

"Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later anyway."

After having a routine conversation with her nominal older brother and practically betrothed sister-in-law, Jizi saw that there was nothing in the kitchen that needed her help, so she walked through the corridor and knocked on the door of a certain room.

"Grandpa, get up!"

"..."

There was no response from inside the door.

"Sigh..." Jizi sighed, then pulled open the sliding door.

"I said, wake up!"

The windows were covered by dark bed curtains, letting in no sunlight. Jizi went in and pulled back the curtains first. The black sun was already high in the sky—wait, why is the sun black?

Jizi suddenly felt a strange sense of unease. The black morning sun emitted a dazzling light. She covered her eyes to avoid the stimulation of the light and turned around. There was a half-full cigarette box on the ground.

"How many times have I told you, no smoking! Honestly, you're such a grown man, you have no self-control at all."

She put the sun problem out of her mind, put away Jizi cigarette case, and then shouted at the top of her lungs at the person still sleeping on the tatami:

"Hey! Grandpa! Wake up! La la la!"

"... ah?"

The middle-aged man finally opened his eyes and mumbled groggily:

"I... Lia?"

"It's me, Grandpa—we both have silver hair, but Illya won't be able to come to Japan until winter break."

--Huh? Am I silver-haired?

Jizi grabbed a strand of hair from the back of her head and brought it to her eyes, gazing at the holy and mysterious silver light that reflected like Mercury. A thought flashed through her mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.

"Like? Jizi?"

Before she knew it, Kiritsugu was already up. Jizi quickly shook her head. "No, go wash up. I'll make the bed."

"Hmm, thank you for your help."

Watching Kiritsugu leave the room, Jizi knelt on the floor and tidied the messy bed—she seemed to be thinking about something, but what was it?

--Never mind, if it's so easy to forget, it probably wasn't important.

Back at the restaurant, Jizi was the last one there. Shiro, Kiritsugu, Maiya, Fuji-nee, and Sakura were all seated around the table. She quickly walked over, pulled out a chair, and took her seat.

"Here, some tea."

Sakura, who was standing next to her, pushed a steaming cup towards her. Jizi was about to thank her when she froze again.

"Is that right, Jizi -chan?"

"No—do we even have tableware like this at home?" (The novel website doesn't skip words.)

It was a golden stemmed wine glass, often used at formal the West dinner parties, with strange patterns engraved on its surface. Putting aside whether it was odd to use a stemmed glass for tea, all the furniture in the Emiya Residence was purchased by Jizi, and she didn't remember ever buying a glass of this style.

"Oh, everyone's been using it all along, haven't they?" (The novel website doesn't skip words.)

Sakura smiled and raised her cup. Only then did Jizi realize that everyone had the same style of gold cup in front of them. Well, since everyone is using them, maybe I just remembered them.

Similarly, although the steaming, bubbling black emulsion in the cup didn't look like tea, everyone was drinking the same thing, so it must be fine.

The family gathered around the table happily, enjoying a delicious breakfast. The ingredients were simple, but Shiro and Sakura's cooking elevated the flavor to a whole new level.

Then, with Kiritsugu and Maiya waving goodbye, Jizi and her companions set off for school.

"By the way, don't wait for me and Sakura for dinner tonight."

"Huh?" Jizi looked at Shi Lang with some surprise, then a mischievous smile appeared on her face. "Hehehe, as expected, it's come to this—congratulations then."

"No, no!" Sakura's face was flushed, but her eyes didn't seem to show much denial.

"I'd like to!" Shiro waved his hand. "Mitsuzuri needs to undergo intensive training to prepare for the upcoming match. I am, after all, the captain."

"Archery club activities, huh? I thought it was... hehehe~"

"Girls shouldn't laugh like that!"

"Is Shiro from the archery club? It seems like that's true—" Jizi tilted his head. "I just can't shake this off today; something just doesn't feel right."

"Since it's an event for the archery club, aren't you going, Fuji-nee?" (Novel website doesn't skip words.)

"Why do you want me to go?" asked the brown-haired girl, Taiga Fujimura, walking beside him, in a puzzled tone.

"You're not the archery club instructor..." Jizi didn't finish the word "teacher," because Fuji-nee, carrying a schoolbag and wearing the same style of school uniform, didn't look like a teacher at all—why would she think Fuji-nee was a teacher? Was she out of her mind today?

"No, no... I'm sorry."

"It's alright, but Jizi, you don't look too well."

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired—I've been going to bed a bit late lately, sorry."

Jizi made up a reason on the spot, but it displeased Shi Lang:

"It was Tohsaka who asked you for help, right? I'm saying it's a good thing you're learning from her, but don't overwork yourself."

Tohsaka... A lightbulb went off above Jizi's head—she really should talk to Rin-senpai. She looks like she's under a spell. Since it's Magecraft problem, Rin-senpai must have a solution.

However, when Jizi arrived at school, she didn't see Rin Tohsaka. After inquiring, she learned that the unattainable beauty of the Homurahara Academy had taken the day off.

"Well, in that case, let's go tonight."

After a day of school life, Jizi said goodbye to the archery club and went home with Taiga Fujimura. They first went to the Fujimura Group to help prepare dinner, and then returned to the Emiya Residence to cook for Kiritsugu and Maiya. During this time, she repeatedly kept Taiga, who wanted to help but was actually just causing Taiga, out of the kitchen. By the time they finally finished all these tasks, it was already quite dark.

After leaving some food for Shiro and Sakura, Jizi put on casual clothes, told Kiritsugu, and headed out towards the Tohsaka Residence.

There were few pedestrians on the street, but Miyama Town- cho was never as bustling as Shinto. A cool evening breeze blew by.

The sunlight had faded half an hour ago, but the black sun still hung in the sky. Jizi looked up at the eerie, round object, darker than the night sky—was that really the sun?

Forget it, let's find Rin first.

The Tohsaka Family, one of the most prominent and influential families in Fuyuki City, owns a European-style mansion in the suburbs near the mountains. The mansion is beautifully designed and comes with a meticulously maintained garden. (Jizi herself quite likes that style, so she often goes there) -- but her real purpose is for someone else.

Even though she hadn't seen Rin for only a day, Jizi felt a strange sense of longing rising in her heart. After a self-deprecating laugh, she quickened her pace and soon saw the outline of the Tohsaka Residence.

It's already night, but why isn't a single light on when I look through the window? Is Rin not here? But if she had to leave, she would surely have told me.

For the first time today, Jizi felt uneasy.

She ran to the front door of the villa. The Magecraft Bounded Field in Jizi's courtyard had all disappeared. She hurriedly crossed the dilapidated courtyard and knocked hard on the door, but there was no response.

"Cold!"

Having no other choice, Jizi took two steps back and rammed into the other person hard with his shoulder.

"Bang!"

The door scraped against the ground with a screeching sound, and Jizi, having exerted too much force, fell inside.

"Cough cough cough."

A thick layer of dust had accumulated on the floor, which was shaken up by Jizi's movements, causing her to cough.

Once inside, she noticed that the floor and furniture were covered in dust, and the ceiling was covered in cobwebs, as if the room hadn't been used for many years.

What happened?

In my memory, I spent almost every day here with Rin, enjoying some pleasant time, but—

The Basement! The Tohsaka Family's Magecraft Workshop is in the Basement. Let's go check it out first.

Following her memory, Jizi opened several rusty mechanisms and entered Tohsaka's Basement. Just like the one above, it looked like no one had been there for many years, and everything was covered in dust.

"No, that's impossible!"

Jizi Zi frantically searched the Workshop, opening every drawer and rummaging through every corner, trying to find some clues, but only becoming more certain that the house had indeed been uninhabited for a long time.

"No, that's not it, it's definitely not like that, why..."

She braced her hands on the table, her mind a jumbled mess of thoughts, a chaotic jumble of ideas, and felt the world spinning around her before collapsing.

Ouch!

She bumped her head on it, the pain bringing tears to her eyes—this also brought her to her senses for a moment. There was a box on the table, which she hadn't noticed at first because of the thick layer of dust.

"This is..."

There was a faint connection passing through the inside of the box, Jizi had a gut feeling that there must be something inside that could solve her mystery. However, she hesitated again, wondering whether to open it or not.

If we simply ignore everything and continue living in the Emiya Residence with the old man, Maiya, Fuji-nee, Shiro, and Sakura, wouldn't that be a wonderful life?

But then—a red figure floated before Jizi's eyes again, sometimes a young girl who pretended to be mature, sometimes a sophisticated young woman who seemed unapproachable.

"Cold!"

As I softly uttered the name, like a magic spell to open sesame, the box on the table popped open automatically.

Jizi looked inside and saw a chaotic mass of matter flowing, with a black, hollow Mask missing a corner floating on it.

"Is that you, Jizi...?"

--------------------------------ps------------------

P. S. 1. Things have calmed down recently, and I'm considering whether to slightly revise the epilogue of the C Route before posting it again. What do you all think?

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