"...Sister Rin?"
Illya cried out in surprise.
Of course, she knew the beautiful girl greeting her from nearby. She was Tohsaka Rin, known as Homonculus Academy's number-one beauty—a graceful big sister who occasionally visited her home.
That was right. Illya had a deep impression of this big sister... She spoke elegantly, excelled academically, was good at every sport, and was a perfect girl through and through.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Illya looked up to her.
"Illya, I have something I'd like to talk to you about..."
Tohsaka Rin gave her a playful wink and said with a smile, "So, could you come with me for a chat? I won't take up much of your time."
"Eh... Is that so?"
Illya blinked her ruby-like eyes. After thinking for a moment, she turned toward the school gate, waved to her friends as she slowly walked away, and said:
"Everyone, I still have something to do... I'll be going first."
With that, she ran toward Tohsaka Rin with her little schoolbag on her back.
She had wanted to find some time to practice the special power she had awakened today, but since Sister Rin had said it would not take long, there was no need to dwell on it... She would just go over and chat for a while.
*
*
Ten minutes later.
In a deserted alley.
Illya nervously glanced around, then turned her gaze toward Tohsaka Rin walking ahead and asked uneasily:
"Sister Rin... why are we going somewhere more and more deserted?"
"This is a shortcut."
Tohsaka Rin answered flatly without looking back. She kept a steady pace, leading Illya step by step toward their destination.
In the empty alley, the crisp sound of footsteps echoed.
Illya's expression began to turn panicked. She suddenly realized