Chapter 574

Would it be better if I stayed to take care of you?

"No... that's not it!"

Bazett shook his head frantically.

Deep down, I had fantasized that Shirou would stay and take care of me, but in the end, it was just an arm injury.

She watched Shirou leave the mansion.

After Shirou left, Bazett lay motionless on the bed.

My mind was filled with the conversation I had just had with Shirou, the process of receiving his treatment, and the moment he invited me to join him—

Those scenes played repeatedly in my mind like a movie.

As a result, she couldn't sleep all night, immersing herself in the beautiful memories of her first love as she greeted the sunrise.

"Bazett, are you awake? I'm here."

"!?!?!?!?"

A voice came from downstairs.

Bazett jolted and rushed out of the room.

"Shirou? What brings you here so early in the morning?"

The red-haired boy stood in the doorway, showing her the shopping bag in his hand.

--It contains various ingredients, seasonings, and cooking tools.

"It's unbearable to see canned food everywhere. Can I use the kitchen a little bit?"

"Ugh... I... I'll help too, Shirou!"

Bazett followed.

This is the perfect opportunity to showcase her feminine charm to Shirou.

However, she simply didn't possess that (feminine charm).

When Bazett smashed the third plate, Shirou angrily kicked him out of the kitchen.

Volume 8: Chapter 362 A Battleground! The Tohsaka Sisters vs. the Foreign Magecraft!

Today is Friday.

In the evening, Rin Tohsaka and Sakura Matou finished shopping in the shopping district and walked towards the Amamiya Residence.

They always felt bad about eating and drinking for free at Shirou's place, so to ease Shirou's burden, they would usually bring a shopping list on the weekend and buy some of the ingredients they would need for the following week.

Rin and Sakura discussed it and decided to cook hot pot tonight.

The shopping bag was filled with ingredients such as vegetables, mushrooms, and meat, with vegetables making up the majority, reflecting Rin's health-conscious approach.

"I'm really looking forward to the hot pot tonight, Tohsaka- senpai."

"Yeah... hehe, speaking of which..."

Rin Tohsaka seemed preoccupied, and Sakura Matou, noticing this keenly, asked, "What's wrong?"

The black-haired girl scratched her cheek a little shyly and said, "Sakura, perhaps you could consider changing how you address me?"

"Uh, should I use a different name?" Sakura Matou asked, puzzled.

"Calling me 'senior' is too formal... You can call me 'sister' like before, that's fine too."

"Rin Tohsaka said nervously."

The story dates back to a few days ago --

Rin and Shirou were sitting in the student council room chatting.

"Hey, Tohsaka. I've always wondered why Sakura calls you Tohsaka- senpai."

"W-What's wrong? Why are you asking this all of a sudden... You're so clueless!"

"No nerves... Is this some kind of sensitive issue?"

Rin Tohsaka was speechless at Shirou's nonchalant attitude.

"Of course! I'm telling you, you absolutely mustn't ask that child about it!"

Shirou said, "How could that be? Even I know that you shouldn't casually touch the sensitive heart of a young girl."

Rin gave a forced smile and drawled, "Is that so? Is that so? In Amamiya's opinion, I'm no longer considered a young girl?"

Hehe, hehehehe, you said something very interesting...

No, that's not what I meant!

Shirou had to coax her a lot before he finally got her to put down her fingers, which were beginning to gather magic power.

Rin Tohsaka sighed, "Haa," and said, "Seriously, do you think I wanted that?"

I don't want to be called "Tohsaka- senpai" by that kid either, but...

Eight years ago, when her younger sister was sent to the Matou Family by her father, she did nothing.

The girl firmly believed that Tokiomi Tohsaka was absolutely right.

Since this is Father's decision, then my sister will surely find happiness.

At that time, Shirou Amamiya appeared.

As an outsider, he sensed the resistance in Sakura's heart.

He was indignant about Sakura's situation and refuted Tokiomi Tohsaka.

Sakura didn't actually want to leave the Tohsaka Family.

Why didn't I, as the older sister, notice this?

Unable to lend a helping hand.

He lacked the courage to protect his younger sister.

I'm no longer qualified to be her older sister.

"Then why do you keep sticking to Sakura all the time?"

Huh?

"Actually, I just want to get along better with Sakura."

"Um... that's me!"

"If you want to get along with Sakura, just tell her directly. Do you, as the older sister, expect your younger sister to take the initiative?"

Rin Tohsaka was speechless, rendered silent by Shirou's words.

"I'm going back to the classroom now."

With that, Shirou waved his hand, turned around, and left the student council room.

Rin Tohsaka puffed out her cheeks, watching his retreating figure as he closed the door.

"What's going on? That guy... if he wants to encourage someone, can't he just say it properly? He's just showing off again... But, um."

Rin Tohsaka bit her lip.

She finally made up her mind.

Let's go back to the present--

"You can call me 'older sister' like before, that's fine too."

After Rin Tohsaka mustered up the courage to say it, she noticed Sakura Matou standing there in a daze, so she quickly added.

"Ah, no...! If Sakura feels embarrassed, she can just call you that when no one else is around..."

Well, if it really doesn't work out, then...

"Is it okay?!" Sakura suddenly shouted.

"Huh?" This time it was Rin's turn to be stunned.

Sakura's voice trembled as she asked, "May I call Tohsaka -senpai... older sister?"

"Yes, of course you can! In fact, I hope you'll do this, Sakura! Please do it!"

"... Sister, sister... sister! Waaah!"

"Hmm... Ah? Sakura? Why are you crying?"

Sakura Matou wiped away her tears, she said haltingly, "I've wanted for a long time... to be able to be with my sister like before... but I'm so afraid of being rejected by her..."

"How could I refuse? I've always dreamed of... getting along well with Sakura! To being as close as we used to be!"

Rin Tohsaka was so excited that she became incoherent.

It turned out to be just a misunderstanding.

The reason Sakura Matou calls herself "senpai" is not because she dislikes her, but quite the opposite.

Fortunately, I listened to Shirou's advice; otherwise, I don't know how much longer I would have had to wait to resolve my issues with Sakura.

Shirou... he must have noticed it a long time ago, his observation skills are so sharp.

"Hmph~"

Now I owe him another favor.

Rin Tohsaka thought happily that she had finally repaid part of his favor, but she immediately owed him an even bigger one.

We can never repay Shirou's kindness in this lifetime... neither can Sakura and I.

"What's wrong, sister?"

"It's nothing, let's go back, it's getting late."

"Um!"

The two sisters smiled at each other and then continued walking forward.

"Excuse me."

"I'm here, senior."

When they returned to the Amamiya Residence, the sun had already completely set, but no one came out to greet them at the entrance.

"Are there guests here?" Sakura Matou wondered.

"We're guests, aren't we?" Rin Tohsaka retorted.

"Oh yeah... hehe."

The two sisters chatted and laughed as they walked through the entrance hall with relaxed expressions.

Sakura Matou originally planned to go directly to the kitchen to make tea, but that would be a different story if there were guests.

A woman I'd never seen before appeared in the living room.

She is older than Rin and Sakura, around twenty years old.

She had short, bright pink hair, wore a dark business suit, and sat upright with remarkable composure, holding a steaming teacup in her hands.

The natural feeling of being one with the environment made it seem as if this was her home.

"Welcome back. Have some tea first."

The woman— Bazett— glanced at the frozen Tohsaka sisters and spoke.

"!"

Rin Tohsaka instinctively shielded her younger sister behind her.

Her Magecraft's Instinct told her that she sensed a strong sense of danger emanating from the woman dressed in office attire.

That's the aura that only warriors who have fought and survived countless battles in the Shura Field possess!

Who are you?

Bazett certainly sensed Rin's undisguised hostility.

She looked toward the kitchen and called out, "Shirou, Tohsaka and Matou are here. Could you make them some tea?"

Then, a familiar boy's voice came from the kitchen.