Invincible Me Only Wants to Slack Off

"Shirou," Rin's voice had calmed considerably, carrying a sense of finality and clarity after the dust had settled. "My 'brother-in-law' is right. This nightmare is over. Completely and utterly over."

Shirou jerked his head up, his eyes still burning with unspent resentment and confusion.

"Whether it's you," Rin met his gaze, her tone firm, "or me, or my sister Sakura, who's about to come back to me... from now on, a peaceful life is what we should focus on. That's what's truly worth fighting for and holding onto."

"I know..." Shirou's voice came out hoarse and dry. He shut his eyes in pain, then opened them again, the bitterness even sharper. "I just... I can't accept it! I can't accept that he just took Saber... took her away like that!"

He was almost shouting now, his voice echoing across the empty ruins, carrying the raw indignation of a young man.

Rin watched his stubborn face and felt a mix of amusement and pity.

She stepped forward and slapped him hard on the shoulder!

The blow was strong enough to make him stumble, nearly losing his balance.

He stared at her in shock.

"Enough!" Rin's voice rose, sharp and crisp, as if trying to slap some sense into him. "The Holy Grail War is really over! The mana is gone! Look around you!"

She raised her hand and swept it in a circle, pointing at the scorched earth and collapsed rubble. "Do you think Saber could stay by your side even if she wanted to? What good would it do?"

"With your pitiful mana reserves, how could you sustain her existence in a world that's already lost all its mystical foundations? What would hold the summoning contract together? Your sheer stubbornness?"

Rin's words struck like cold hammers of reality against Shirou's heart.

"If she stayed, she'd just fade away like a ghost right in front of you! It's better to let her follow a new Master who can actually maintain her existence! This outcome—for her, for us—is the best release!" Rin's words were decisive, laced with brutal clarity.

Shirou opened his mouth to argue, but found every word she said weighing on him like heavy stones, choking his breath.

He knew she was right. That helplessness was more suffocating than the loss itself.

Seeing him at a loss for words, Rin's expression softened, a light smile returning to her face. She said nothing more, turned, and started walking away from the ruins.

"Hey! Rin!" Shirou called out instinctively, a hint of panic in his voice. "Where are you going?"

The red figure ahead stopped at his voice.

Rin turned around with a radiant smile, brighter than ever before.

Sunlight broke through the scattered clouds just then, spilling over her. Her twin-tails traced a lively, golden arc through the air as she turned.

"Me?" The corners of her mouth lifted, her smile as dazzling as the first ray of light tearing through the gloom.

Her voice rang out clear and bright, brimming with hope for the future. "I'm going to pick up my sister Sakura, of course! And then—"

She paused, her eyes sparkling.

"—to welcome our new life!"

With that, she turned and strode away without looking back.

Her red silhouette stood out starkly against the scorched earth, her steps light and resolute, as if she had shed a thousand-pound burden, marching unwaveringly toward a hopeful horizon.

Only Emiya Shirou remained, standing frozen in place, watching Rin's retreating back, then glancing back at where Saber had vanished.

Finally, his gaze fell to his own empty hand—where a crimson Command Seal had once marked his skin.

Wind swept up the dust, blowing across his bewildered face, carrying the lingering echo of "new life" as it scattered softly over the desolate ruins.

Chapter 41: From Now On, Address Marin as 'First Wife'

The morning sun, carrying Tokyo's unique warmth, gently streamed into the spacious bedroom.

Chen Tian slowly opened his eyes, still groggy. His hand instinctively reached for the warm spot beside him—empty.

His fingertips only met the cool sheets. Then he remembered: his little sun, Kitagawa Marin, had gotten up unusually early today to go pick up her long-absent father from the airport, Kitagawa Saburo. (Name purely fictional, as Marin's father's name is unknown.)

Chen Tian had just propped himself up on his arm, not yet fully awake—

The bedroom door was shoved open with considerable force!

Standing in the doorway was Tohsaka Rin, wearing an apron clearly belonging to Marin, decorated with cute cartoon patterns, and holding a... frying pan spatula that looked utterly out of place with her Young Miss demeanor.

"Chen Tian!" The girl's voice rang out crisp, a mix of urgency and irritation. "Are you still not up?! Didn't Marin-nee specifically ask you to take me and Sakura to school?!"

Rin's eyebrows shot up, her twin-tails quivering slightly with her agitation, sunlight dancing on those dazzling strands.

Chen Tian turned, his gaze landing on Rin's unexpectedly domestic "housewife" pose. His foggy brain felt like someone had hit the reset button, and last night's rambling instructions from Marin before bed came flooding back.

"Ah..." He slapped his forehead with a short sigh, a wry smile on his lips. "Right, right, I remember. Coming, coming."

With that, he threw off the covers and stood up directly—wearing only a pair of dark athletic shorts, his upper body bare.

His well-defined muscles were clearly visible in the morning light, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, radiating a powerful strength.

"Wha—!!"

Rin clearly hadn't expected that. Her expression instantly shifted from "demanding an explanation" to "caught off guard shock." Her fair cheeks flushed a vivid red, spreading all the way to her ears.

"Y-you idiot!!" she shrieked, her voice cracking. She instinctively pointed the spatula at Chen Tian. "Put! Put some clothes on, you exhibitionist!!!"

As she yelled, she spun around as if burned, nearly tripping over her slippers, then stumbled out of the bedroom in a fluster, leaving only a trail of hurried footsteps.

Chen Tian watched Rin's panicked retreat and couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.

He was about to head to the walk-in closet when his gaze casually swept the doorway.

There, peeking around the half-open bedroom door, was a small head with soft blue hair.

Matou Sakura—or rather, Tohsaka Sakura now—was blinking her bright, curious eyes as she peered inside.

Her face lacked the exaggerated shyness of her sister Rin. Instead, when she noticed Chen Tian looking over, she revealed an utterly pure, slightly mischievous, radiant smile.

Sunlight happened to pass through the corridor window, gently falling on her blue hair tips, also illuminating the smile on her face that was now free of shadows.

She simply watched quietly, her eyes filled with trust and closeness toward this "brother-in-law" who had saved her from hell.

Chen Tian looked at Sakura and smiled gently. "Good morning, Sakura."

Sakura's smile grew even brighter, the corner of her mouth curling into a sly arc. "Good morning, pervy brother-in-law."

Chen Tian's smile froze, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.

This... sigh... He silently sighed in his heart.

Since the last incident in Fuyuki City ended, Rin and Sakura had arrived in Tokyo on the third day.

With Chen Tian asking Satoru Gojo for help, the guardianship agreement was signed quickly. From then on, two more people lived in Chen Tian's home—Tohsaka Rin and Tohsaka Sakura. Oh, and Artoria too.

Artoria's appearance at the time had nearly sparked a "family crisis."

Kitagawa Marin looked at Chen Tian with eyes like an "abandoned puppy," tears welling up in her gaze, her voice trembling. "Tian... Tian-kun... are you... are you abandoning Marin...?"

It took him a long time to explain, with Tohsaka Rin backing him up, before Marin believed that Artoria was just "a close friend of Rin's" and not some "new flame."

(New flame? This... who knows? Heh heh.)

Only then did Kitagawa break into a smile through her tears, immediately regaining her usual energy. She enthusiastically helped Artoria set up her room and even specially prepared a lavish welcome feast.

It had been nearly half a month since the three of them moved into Chen Tian's home.

During this time, Sakura's change was the most obvious.

She was no longer as timid and self-conscious as before, and the complex of "both admiring and envying Rin immensely" had been resolved.

But what Chen Tian hadn't expected was that somehow, this girl had become so... sharp-tongued.

"Pervy brother-in-law~" Sakura tilted her head, her short blue hair swaying gently with the motion, a pure angelic smile on her face while devilish words came out of her mouth. "Sister Marin was pretty loud last night."

"Hey!" Chen Tian nearly choked on his own saliva. "That, that was because..."

"Because of what?" Sakura blinked her big eyes, looking utterly innocent. "Brother-in-law doesn't need to explain. I know everything."

Chen Tian felt a headache coming on.

When had this girl turned into a little devil?!

"Sakura--!!" A roar from Rin suddenly came from the kitchen. "Stop harassing that pervert over there! Come help set the tableware!"

"Coming~" Sakura replied cheerfully, stuck her tongue out at Chen Tian, and skipped away.

Chen Tian stood there, rubbing his temples.

He suddenly noticed at the end of the hallway that Artoria had been standing there for who knows how long.

The King of Knights was wearing the casual clothes Marin had bought her—a T-shirt printed with a bear pattern and loose sweatpants—a stark contrast to her usual dignified image.

"Good morning, Master." Artoria gave a slight nod, her voice as steady as ever.

But Chen Tian clearly saw a suspicious twitch at the corner of her mouth.

"...You heard all that?"

Artoria didn't answer directly, only said calmly, "I hope Master will keep the noise down at night from now on."

Great. Even Artoria had been corrupted.

Chen Tian stood in the room, feeling his temples throb again.

He finally understood why Japan's birth rate was so low—make even a little noise, and the whole house could hear it! Was this crappy house's soundproofing made of paper?!

(Are you sure it was just a little noise?????)

While frantically complaining in his mind, he wondered if he really should get a bigger house.

At least the bedroom walls had to be thick enough!

He threw on a T-shirt and pants, quickly washed up, and pushed open the dining room door.

A wave of invisible low pressure hit him.

At one side of the table sat Shinomiya Kaguya.

Her posture was impeccable, hands folded on her lap, a flawless, formulaic smile on her face.

Standing slightly behind her to the side was Hayasaka Ai, whom he hadn't seen in a while. Her maid uniform was immaculate, her expression calm, but her gaze swept sharply across the room.

Across from them, Tohsaka Rin sat like an angry cat, arms crossed, chin raised, eyes sharp as she stared at Shinomiya Kaguya.

Beside her, Sakura wore a sweet, harmless smile, but her slightly narrowed eyes looked more like she was cheering her sister on.

The most relaxed one was Artoria in the middle.

The King of Knights sat upright, holding a cup of black tea, with a small slice of strawberry cake in front of her.

She was enjoying the cake with devout focus, taking small bites, as if the tense atmosphere around her had nothing to do with her.

Chen Tian raised an eyebrow and walked into the dining room.

Shinomiya Kaguya heard the sound and immediately turned her head toward the door.

When she saw it was Chen Tian, she and Hayasaka Ai behind her moved almost reflexively in perfect sync, their motions as practiced as if rehearsed a thousand times, bowing deeply in unison.

"Good day, Tian Jun." Kaguya's voice was crisp and pleasant, yet carried a flawless, emotionless formal tone.

Hearing that familiar greeting, as if filtered through thick glass, Chen Tian let out a silent sigh.

Well, the little bit of pretense I managed to peel off when I took her to the amusement park is now firmly back in place.

This Young Miss of the Shiongo Family had once again locked her heart inside that exquisite cage called the "perfect heir."

He walked over to Kaguya in a few steps, naturally reached out, and gently patted her meticulously neat black hair.

"Young Miss," Chen Tian said with a hint of helpless amusement in his tone, though his gesture was gentle, "I told you, just be yourself around me. No need for that official talk."

Kaguya's lowered face froze instantly. Feeling the warmth of that large hand on her head, a rush of warmth and embarrassment surged through her heart!

The perfect composure she had barely maintained crumbled in an instant, her fair cheeks flushing visibly red, spreading all the way to her ears and neck.

She instinctively looked up, meeting Chen Tian's smiling eyes, and felt her heart racing uncontrollably, her breathing growing labored.

"I... I..." Kaguya opened her mouth, but found her prized eloquence and logic had completely abandoned her. Her mind went blank, leaving only flustered stammering.

She could even feel Hayasaka Ai's gaze from behind, which only made her more mortified.

Yet, in this moment of slight warmth (which for Kaguya was sheer panic)—

"Brother-in-law!!!!!"

A furious, piercing cry exploded like a thunderclap across the dining room!

Tohsaka Rin shot up from her seat, slamming her hands on the table with a loud bang, leaning forward slightly. Her beautiful eyes blazed with fiery anger, glaring at Chen Tian's hand still resting on Kaguya's head.

"How rude!!!"

Rin's voice was shrill and loud, brimming with fury and accusation. She bit down especially hard on the words "Brother-in-law," raising her volume several notches, as if trying to nail Chen Tian firmly to his place as Marin's partner through that title.

She didn't even know where this surging anger came from.