Rin Tohsaka's Clock Tower Visit-Morning / Rin Tohsaka's Clock Tower Visit-Arrival in London

No one present noticed that atop a distant building, a doll-like blonde, blue-eyed girl around Rin's age was gazing at Rin in the square with infatuated eyes.

"Rin Tohsaka, so it was you!"

A few days later.

As the magical energy of the more than fifty Magi within the Holy Grail was exhausted, Ryougi Shiki and Fujino left their Servant state. Rin, who feared "Shiki," had already left Garan no Dou after that night's battle.

At a café in Kanfushi City, after Touko and the others arrived, Rin snapped her fingers and activated a spell to dismiss bystanders. Once the café's customers had left one after another, Rin spoke to everyone.

"I'm going back!"

Aoko nodded and said to Rin.

"It's about time you went back, Rin. You've been away for months already."

"But before I leave, there are a few things I want to say. Arisu, would you like to visit my home? Sakura is also looking forward to having you over."

"Sure!"

"That's great! Sakura will definitely be happy!"

As she spoke, Rin took out a stack of documents from her small shoulder bag and handed them to Touko. Touko froze the instant she looked them over.

There were three documents in total. One was a document Rin had obtained through Kirei's connections to revoke Touko's Sealing Designation status. Compared to the original story, this document had arrived several years early.

The second and third documents were respectively an invitation from the Tohsaka family for Touko to assist in managing Fuyuki City's spiritual veins, and a contract hiring Touko as a consultant to the Tohsaka family.

Touko first set aside the document revoking her Sealing Designation, then picked up the other two and asked Rin.

"Rin, what's the reason?"

"Don't you think we get along well, Touko? At the same time, I need your help. In another two years, I'll begin searching the world for Holy Relics to prepare for the next Holy Grail War. With you helping look after my parents and Sakura, I'll be more at ease. Besides, Touko, as a Grand Magus, now that you no longer have a Sealing Designation, if you were willing, any family would probably be fighting to beg you to join them, right?"

Touko slowly lit a cigarette, then noticed Kallian frowning. With an awkward smile, she put it out.

Aoko looked at her sister, got up, walked behind Touko, and slapped her across the back.

"What are you hesitating for, Touko? You'll be taking part in the Holy Grail War anyway, so wouldn't it be good to prepare in advance? And the pay is generous too. You're making me want to go as well. Rin, how about I become a consultant for your family too?"

Knowing that Aoko was a woman like the wind who would never allow herself to be bound, Rin ignored her joke and stared at Touko instead.

"Touko, ten years at most. Although I don't know exactly when the next Holy Grail War will begin, the current sealed state absolutely won't last ten years. You can investigate that yourself when the time comes. Touko, I promise you that once the Holy Grail War is over, no matter how many years remain on the contract, if you want to leave, you can leave whenever you wish."

Though she got along well with Rin, Touko absolutely did not want to be tied down forever. However, after receiving Rin's promise, she readily signed her name on the contract. For Touko, who was practically immortal, ten years was still bearable.

Rin took the contract bearing Touko's name, happily hugged her, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"YES! All that's left is Fujino's issue. Fujino, do you plan to continue studying at Reien Girls' Academy, or give up school and return with me to focus on magecraft?"

"I'll return with you, Master!" Fujino answered without hesitation.

"Then go pack your luggage now, Fujino. I'll ask Kirei to buy our train tickets for tonight later."

Outside Kanfushi City Grand Hotel.

Having finished their final group meal, Rin waved goodbye to Aoko and Touko with Arisu, Fujino, Da Vinci, Kallian, and Shirou Emiya at her side.

"Remember to settle the matter with Ryougi Shiki as soon as possible, Touko. I'll be waiting for you in Fuyuki City. Aoko, you're welcome to visit Fuyuki City anytime!"

"Fine, I get it, Rin. You already said that a 'hundred' times at the dinner table!"

After parting with Touko and Aoko, Rin walked with everyone toward the Shinkansen station not far from the hotel, feeling reluctant to leave. Seeing Kirei Kotomine already waiting there with their luggage, Rin finally regained her composure and set out on the journey home with the others.

It was already past nine at night when they arrived in Fuyuki City. As Rin left the station and saw the familiar streets and buildings, she could not help shouting.

"Fuyuki City! I, Rin Tohsaka, am back!"

Kallian covered her mouth and giggled at Rin. She walked over, took out a bracelet, and handed it to her.

"Big Sister Rin, Shirou and I got this from a very famous temple in Kanfushi City. Thank you for taking care of us during this time."

Rin accepted the bracelet and scratched her head awkwardly. When had she ever taken care of Kallian and Shirou? During most of their time in Kanfushi City, Arisu had looked after them, and later Fujino had taken over.

Kirei Kotomine stepped forward, set down Rin and the others' luggage, took Kallian's little hand, and nodded at Rin.

"Alright, Kallian, it's already very late. We'll return to the church first. You can visit Rin's home when you have time. Rin, we'll head back to the church now."

"Mm, Kirei, thank you for all your help during this time."

Tohsaka Estate.

Ever since the family had bought electronic devices, Tokiomi Tohsaka had become addicted to television. At that moment, he was watching a drama in the living room with Sakura and Aoi Tohsaka. However, unlike Tokiomi, who was engrossed in analyzing the drama's plot for Aoi—

Sakura kept showing worried looks toward the window. Then, when she instinctively looked outside once again—

"Big Sister?"

At Sakura's cry, Tokiomi and Aoi, who had been absorbed in the drama, turned around as well. "Rin!" x2

Rin led everyone into the courtyard and opened the mansion doors.

Having already noticed Rin's return, Tokiomi had brought Aoi and Sakura to give her a surprise. Seeing Rin freeze after opening the door, he smiled and spoke.

"Welcome home, Rin—Little Rin—Big Sister!"

Rin's nose stung at the sight before her. Excited, she threw down her luggage, leaped into Aoi's arms, and shouted.

"I'm home, Dad, Mom, Sakura..."

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Rin Tohsaka's Journey to the Clock Tower—Morning

Rin Tohsaka's room.

Rin was sprawled on her bed, sleeping soundly. Her messy long hair lay scattered over the pillow, and one corner of her blanket had been kicked aside, exposing her pale belly to the air. Feeling a little cold in her sleep, Rin subconsciously covered her stomach with one small hand.

Rin's door quietly opened, and Sakura cautiously poked her head into the room. Only after seeing Rin sleeping soundly did she push the door open and enter. She carefully locked it, walked to Rin's bedside, cupped her cheeks in her hands, and stared motionlessly at Rin.

"Big Sister is so cute when she's asleep too..."

At that moment, someone twisted the doorknob from outside. The person outside seemed to realize the door was locked and clicked their tongue unwillingly.

Hearing the sound, Sakura frowned, as if she knew who had come. Sure enough, before long, the lock twisted out of shape. The visitor was Fujino Asagami.

After using her Mystic Eyes to unlock the door, Fujino gently pushed it open and entered Rin's room. Her eyes lit up when she saw Rin sleeping, but the instant she noticed Sakura was also there, her expression fell.

Five years had passed since the Kara no Kyoukai incident, and it was now July of 2003. During the five years since becoming Rin's disciple, Fujino had fallen deeply in love with Rin and often clashed head-on with Sakura over her. Sakura likewise disliked the disciple Rin had taken in five years ago. As for Fujino, who constantly clung to Rin, Sakura even felt that she intended to compete with her for Big Sister.

Seeing Fujino forcibly break the lock and interrupt her "time alone" with Big Sister, Sakura first stepped sideways to block Fujino's view of Rin. Then she lowered her voice angrily and spoke to Fujino.

"Fujino, what are you doing in Big Sister's room so early in the morning? You even broke the lock."

Looking at the angry Sakura, Fujino wore a mocking smile. A magic circle lit up in her hand, and she gripped the doorknob. As the spell took effect, the lock was repaired. Then Fujino walked up to Sakura, pushed her aside, and stared at Rin excitedly.

"Did I break the lock?"

"Fujino Asagami! Close your eyes! I won't allow you to look at my Big Sister!"

After saying that, Sakura saw Fujino still staring at Rin and became flustered with anger. She grabbed Fujino's clothes and pulled hard backward, trying to drive her out of Rin's room. Caught off guard by Sakura's sudden tug, Fujino lost her balance. In the instant she fell toward the floor, she reached out, grabbed Sakura's hand, and yanked hard as well, throwing Sakura off balance. Just like that, Sakura and Fujino fell to the floor and rolled into a heap.

Rin was startled awake by the sound of Sakura and Fujino falling. She sat up and looked toward the source of the noise.

Sakura and Fujino, who were lying on the floor and pinching each other's cheeks, simultaneously released their grips in embarrassment. They exchanged awkward smiles, then turned toward Rin on the bed.

"Good morning, Big Sister, Master!"

Rin, who had hurriedly ended a search for Holy Relics and only returned home late last night, twitched at the sight of her little sister and disciple tangled together on the floor. She stiffly turned her head away, then lay back down, pulled the blanket over her head, and muttered.

"I must still be asleep. Yes, I'm not awake yet. Fujino and Sakura couldn't possibly be like this..."

Sakura and Fujino released each other, climbed up from the floor, and awkwardly looked at Rin, who had hidden beneath the blanket like a turtle.

Sakura had depended on Rin since childhood. In everyone else's eyes, aside from being somewhat timid and hesitant, she had always been the "good child next door"—gentle, kind, cute, and dependable when it mattered. Those were Sakura's labels. But Fujino knew they were all a facade. When it came to Rin, Sakura was unbelievably forceful.

Ever since becoming Rin's disciple, Fujino had always appeared ladylike, polite, gentle, and strong before everyone else. Yet Sakura knew exactly how bitchy and obsessive Fujino could be whenever Rin was involved. During the years she had spent with Fujino, Sakura had repeatedly discovered that Fujino was secretly hoarding Rin's personal belongings. Not only that, Fujino had always harbored hostility toward anyone close to Rin and tried every possible way to ruin their image in Rin's eyes.

Rin's trip to search for Holy Relics had lasted several months. Having gone so long without seeing Rin, Sakura and Fujino had both taken desperate measures, accidentally exposing their other sides before her.

Sakura and Fujino looked at Rin, who was still hiding under the blanket, snorted coldly at each other, and left Rin's room together. They could only hope Rin truly treated what had just happened as a dream.

At ten-thirty in the morning, Rin climbed out of bed with bleary eyes, casually pulled open the curtains, felt the warm sunlight outside, and lazily stretched.

Rin dawdled through washing up and combing her hair. By the time she was done, it was already eleven-forty. Following the scent of food, Rin walked to the kitchen entrance and saw Sakura and Fujino happily preparing lunch under Aoi's guidance. She nodded.

"I knew it. How could Sakura and Fujino possibly fight in my room? It really was a dream!"

Sakura and Fujino, who were helping Aoi prepare lunch in the kitchen, had also noticed Rin's arrival. Nervously awaiting Rin's "judgment," they finally let out their held breaths when they heard Rin dismiss the morning's events as a dream.

Aoi, who was stir-frying, only noticed Rin at that moment. She had missed her daughter, whom she had not seen for several months, just as much. Giving Fujino an apologetic look, she handed her the spatula.

"Please, Fujino. Could you help Auntie for a moment?"

Fujino obediently accepted the spatula and smiled at Aoi.

"Auntie, go spend some time with Master. She must have missed you too after not seeing you for months. Leave this to Sakura and me, alright, Sakura?"

Sakura had originally wanted to go find Rin with her mother, but after hearing Fujino's words, she could only nod unwillingly and accept her excuse.

After taking off her apron, Aoi walked to the kitchen entrance, reached out to hold Rin's hand, and led her toward the living room while asking about how she had been.

Looking at Aoi constantly chattering beside her, Rin wore a happy smile. Seeing the few wrinkles that had appeared on Aoi's face, she suddenly realized she had been with this family for nearly seventeen years. The gentle, lovely mother from her childhood was beginning to grow old.

Rin silently made up her mind. Once I deal with this Holy Grail War, I'll definitely take over as family head, then bring the whole family to the United Kingdom. That way, I'll never have to be separated from them again. Touko can have Fuyuki City's spiritual veins.

In the living room, Touko was discussing recent news from the magecraft world with Tokiomi. Seeing Aoi lead Rin into the room, Touko and Tokiomi stopped talking and turned to look at Rin together.

"Rin, when did you get back?"

"Dad, yesterday. After I received the message Touko sent me, I rushed back to Fuyuki City. I got home at around three in the morning."

Book recommendation: "Open the Door, Ruri Gokou Has Come to Deliver Happiness!"

Rin Tohsaka's Journey to the Clock Tower—Arrival in London

Yesterday, while Rin had been directing an excavation at ruins in the Middle East, she suddenly received a call from Touko. After listening to what Touko said over the phone, Rin hurriedly dismissed the workers.

After all the workers had been sent away, Rin used Kaikiri Leshith's connections to arrange a helicopter. Risking being shot down by anti-aircraft fire, she flew to Russia, then used magecraft to hypnotize airport staff before taking a flight from Russia back to Fuyuki City.

The message Touko had sent was an invitation from Marisbury Animusphere, Lord of Celestial Mechanics at the Clock Tower. He had invited Rin to visit the Animsphere family, and the three words "Chaldea" mentioned within were exactly why Rin had been so anxious.

After explaining to Tokiomi why she had returned last night, Rin took the invitation from Touko. After reading it carefully, she handed it to Tokiomi, who had been glancing at it from time to time.

Upon hearing Rin and Tokiomi begin discussing matters of the magecraft world again, and learning that Rin was about to travel far away once more, Aoi could only sit silently to one side, both helpless and distressed.

Rin keenly noticed Aoi's dejected expression. She reached out and held Aoi's hand, then turned to give her a reassuring look.

"Mom, it's alright. Once I've dealt with things during this period, we'll never be separated again."

Looking at Rin, who had already grown up, Aoi raised a hand and touched her cheek.

"Rin, you've grown up. Go do what you want to do. Mom is just feeling a little sad. I absolutely don't want to become something that holds you back."

"Mom, you are absolutely not holding me back. I've only made it this far because of all of your support. Don't worry, Mom. Once the Holy Grail War is over, we'll live happily together."

At that moment, Tokiomi, who had been carefully studying the invitation in his hand, raised his head in surprise and looked at Rin.

"Rin, the Holy Grail War? Isn't the Holy Grail War held once every sixty years?"

"Dad, you know the Holy Grail is broken. According to my investigation, the next Holy Grail War will begin by next year at the latest. I won't go into the details with you."

"Rin, are you confident?"

Rin patted her chest and proudly raised her chin.

"Of course, Dad!"

A few days later, aboard a flight from Fuyuki City to London.

Rin looked at Fujino and Sakura, who had secretly followed her onto the plane and were seated beside her, with a headache.

"Did you two tell Dad and Mom?"

"Big Sister, we left them a note!" Fujino nodded along as well.