Don't Call Me Master, Call Me Director

Of course, that didn't mean the two beauties hadn't talked about Master Shinji.

How could Rin possibly pass up such a rare chance to see Shinji get embarrassed?

But Shinji's embarrassing history was far too concentrated. Once Rin had finished recounting his exploits at the Clock Tower, there was nothing else left to discuss.

Thus, their conversation quickly shifted to the film. Chloe genuinely wanted to handle its distribution and learn more about it.

However, this had nothing to do with her friendship with Shinji. Rather, from a professional perspective, Chloe recognized Shinji's talent and wanted to distribute the film to make money.

The Jidai Group she worked for had currently reached a bottleneck in its development, and expanding into the film market was a major direction for the group's future.

That said, the Jidai Group was not a charity. To persuade the company to distribute Shinji's film, Chloe needed sufficient data to support her case.

As for Master Shinji's affairs, she could confirm them with the Clock Tower later.

If they were false, Chloe felt it would be necessary to clear Shinji's name and protect her business partner's reputation.

If they were true, then... hehehe.

Rin had guessed Chloe's thoughts as well, but she didn't care. After all, she had prefaced everything with, "I heard that..." Even if it turned out to be false, it had nothing to do with her.

But before the two had talked for long, the big screen lit up and the ceiling lights went out at the same time. The theater, which had been filled with chatter moments ago, fell silent in an instant.

Rin and Chloe, who had been chatting, also stopped talking and began waiting for the movie to start.

"It's starting."

Chloe felt a little excited. She had listened to Shinji theorize on paper for so long, and now she could finally inspect the actual product.

"Yeah."

Rin nodded slightly and sat quietly in her seat. Though she had already watched it more than once, the heir of the Tohsaka family would never do something as embarrassing as disturbing others while they watched a movie.

FSN soon began.

Unlike those slow-paced traditional films, the movie did not gradually unfold its story to play at being mysterious. Instead, it swiftly established its worldbuilding before getting straight to the point, drawing the audience into the intense Holy Grail War with the fierce battle between Lancer and Archer.

Chloe certainly knew less about film than the professionals, but she was not a complete layperson either.

FSN's extremely rapid pacing was fundamentally different from most films on the market, and Chloe found it difficult to adapt at first.

Not knowing that FSN used the storytelling pace of a mature commercial film, Chloe felt a trace of concern. She did not know whether the general public would accept a film like this.

But before even thirty minutes had passed, Chloe set aside her worries.

Because the audience, serving as the atmosphere crew, used their reactions to show every distributor present just how excellent this film was.

Unlike Japanese audiences, who were reserved and at most offered a few comments, Western audiences had more uninhibited personalities and expressed their feelings while watching a movie in a very direct manner.

The repeated cheers in the theater were these viewers' most straightforward appraisal of FSN.

Just like its rapidly developing opening, FSN as a whole did not try to be profound, nor did Director Matou put on airs and play at mystery. The plot was straightforward, but the action scenes were sharp, direct, thrilling, and spectacular.

The successive explosions and flashes, along with the light pollution on the screen, sent the audience's adrenaline soaring, leaving them no choice but to cheer loudly to calm themselves down.

Especially in the latter half of the film, after Gilgamesh appeared, the magnificent Gate of Babylon left everyone gasping in amazement!

How had anyone come up with such a gloriously chaotic attack method?!

Although Chloe maintained her composure and did not shout like the ordinary audience members, her gaze repeatedly turned toward the front rows, trying to find where that young man was sitting.

She desperately wanted to ask him how he had made a film this exciting without using naked women.

Merely using magic to create dazzling special effects could not make people this exhilarated.

Chloe even suspected that Shinji had hidden some kind of suggestion spell within the film's visuals, manipulating people's emotions as they watched.

After all, Shinji himself was an expert at using Suggestion Magic.

"You really are a genius, Shinji."

When the screening ended, Chloe was the first person to stand and applaud.

Prompted by Chloe, more applause rose around her, and soon the entire theater was engulfed in clapping.

"Very good, Shinji. I'm definitely taking this film."

As she applauded, Chloe became even more determined in her original decision.

May Sickness Is Terrifying

Fuyuki City, Matou Residence.

"Assassin! You used way too much oil in this dish! Zouken has high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol! Are you trying to send him straight to the grave after one meal?!"

"Lancer! Are you messing with me on purpose?! Who grills a fish without gutting it first?! Do you think this is the first century you lived in?!"

"Rider! Why the hell did you put so much wakame into the rice?! What? You want to eat steamed Shinji? Stop wasting food!"

"Berserker! You dragged a calf into the kitchen again! How many times do I have to tell you? The equipment in this kitchen can't roast an entire cow!!"

"Matou Sakura! You are not allowed to secretly throw the old man's bugs into the pot! Are you trying to make everyone lose their appetite?!"

"So, that's what happened. Master, Archer is practically being driven insane by them."

Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Artoria put the microphone aimed at the kitchen back to her ear and said with a wry smile, "Everyone is really energetic. They tirelessly keep causing trouble for Archer."

FSN's box office in Japan had surpassed 2 billion yen, and the excited Heroic Spirits were planning a lavish meal to celebrate.

Then the Matou Family kitchen became the stage for Red A's housewife-like roars.

Red A probably never imagined even in his dreams that this group of Heroic Spirits could become so insanely unreliable, or that the deviously minded Young Lady of the Matou Family would actually be preparing to toss her grandfather's prized collection into the pot.

"Then did you cause Emiya... Archer any trouble?"

On the other end of the line, Shinji asked with a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

Artoria answered righteously, "Of course not. Only Gilgamesh and I didn't cause Archer any trouble. That is the dignity of kings."

"Give me a break~~" Shinji yawned. "Gilgamesh just couldn't be bothered to move, and you were banned from entering the kitchen, weren't you? Otherwise, there'd be no need for a banquet at all—you'd have eaten all the food before it ever left the kitchen."

"That's not true at all!"

Artoria protested loudly, but judging by how her tongue was already tripping over her words, Master Shinji's guess was pretty much spot-on.

"Master, you're being far too cruel. No matter how much I eat, I would never do something like that."

"..."

"Master? Master!"

When she received no response from Shinji on the other end, Artoria called out twice.

"Huh?"

Shinji made the sound of someone being startled awake from a doze.

Artoria asked sternly, "Honestly, Master, were you even listening to me?"

"Sorry, I spaced out for a moment." Shinji scratched his cheek and asked sheepishly, "What did you just say?"

"Never mind..."

Artoria paused, then asked, "Master, are you all right?"

"Mm... I'm just a little sleepy."

Unable to hold it back, Shinji yawned again.

"Sorry, Artoria. I need to rest over here. Let's talk tomorrow."

Unable to resist his drowsiness any longer, Shinji hurriedly hung up.

"Master..."

Artoria pinched her chin and fell into thought as she stared at the receiver emitting a busy tone.

How strange. Master has always been so energetic, yet he sounds completely listless.

It's almost as if something has drained all his energy away...

At that moment, Sakura, who had been chased out of the kitchen by Red A, happened to spot the pensive Artoria.

"Miss Saber, what's wrong?"

Artoria told Sakura about her concern. "Master called just now, and he sounded very low on energy."

"Older Brother has no energy?" Sakura casually waved her hand. "I'd say May Sickness is acting up."

"Huh?"

Not noticing Artoria's puzzled expression, Sakura continued talking to herself. "I've been lacking energy lately too. I guess that's just what happens when May comes around..."

"Sakura, you too?"

"Yes."

"Um..." Artoria asked awkwardly, "What exactly is May Sickness? Is it some kind of magical curse?"

"..."

"..."

Sakura, who had been shrugging, froze when she heard Artoria's question. She looked Artoria up and down as though she were examining something unbelievable.

"Saber, you really don't know?"

Artoria said shamefully, "I'm sorry... Although the Holy Grail granted me knowledge, when it comes to relatively obscure magecraft formulas..."

Oh? I see. Looks like she'd be very fun to tease.

Bored because Shinji had left, Sakura immediately realized this was a perfect opportunity to pass the time.

"Well... so-called May Sickness..."

Sakura forcibly held back her urge to laugh and deliberately put on a listless expression.

"May Sickness, formally known as Magic Circuit Dysregulation Psychosis, is an illness mainly caused by a mage's Magic Circuits failing to adapt to the local environment. Since it tends to break out in Japan between May and June, it is also called May Sickness."

Sakura spouted complete nonsense at Artoria with a perfectly serious face.

"The initial symptoms are physical fatigue and reduced concentration. In severe cases, it causes dizziness, vomiting, and an inability to use magecraft. In the final stage, the patient vomits blood and dies."

"W-What?"

Artoria's face changed completely after being thoroughly fooled by Sakura.

"Will Master die?"

"Probably not that severely." Sakura waved a hand. "Although it was incurable before the decline of Mystery, it's not that serious in this era anymore. Still, if left untreated, it'll greatly affect the use of magecraft."

"How could this..."

The thought of Shinji having trouble using magecraft, perhaps even affecting all the Heroic Spirits at home, immediately made Artoria nervous.

"Sakura, is there any way to help you and Master? How should we treat you?"

Sakura's eyes shifted before she leaned close and whispered into Artoria's ear, "Well... as long as you wear all kinds of different clothes, it'll be fine."

After hearing Sakura's "treatment plan," Artoria was clearly skeptical. "Really? That alone will do it? You're not joking, are you, Sakura?"

Sakura smiled sweetly. "For me, anyone wearing clothes will work. But for Older Brother, that might not be the case. He likes you best, Saber."

Artoria lightly tapped her clenched fist against her palm, her expression turning to sudden realization. "I see. I understand now."

The more Medusa listened from the side, the less reliable it sounded. She had no idea what May Sickness was, but she was certain it could not possibly be as terrifying as Sakura claimed.

"Um... Sakura."

"Sister Rider~~ You want me to get better too, don't you?"

Sakura turned toward Medusa, a black aura emanating from her body.

"Y-Yes."

Frightened, Medusa could only nod obediently.

[Sakura... what a terrifying child.]

In truth, Shinji, far away in Cannes, had absolutely nothing to do with May Sickness. He was simply exhausted from having too much to handle over the past few days.

FSN's perfect premiere had made a name for itself in Cannes, drawing countless viewers eager to see what this film was really like.