Illya: I'm Very Curious!!!

Early the next morning, the Miyama Town shopping district.

Because the sky had only just begun to brighten, the temperature was relatively cold.

The weather today was not particularly pleasant; dark clouds gathered, and a pitch-black canopy shrouded the entirety of Fuyuki.

The wind gradually intensified, becoming frigid and bone-chilling.

A rumble of thunder echoed from the distance; it would likely rain before long.

Although it was still early and the weather was quite wretched, most of the shops in the district had already begun their work.

Parked in front of the Fish Fresh House was a white delivery truck, specifically there to supply fresh fish to the shop.

Though called a supplier, the man was actually a close friend of old man Sakura Masayoshi.

This friend had established a seafood company many years ago with branches in multiple cities, yet after all this time, the relationship between the two families remained excellent.

In particular, the driver who came to deliver the fresh fish every time was this friend's eldest son, Ryoichi Hirata, a tall, thin, middle-aged man with short black hair.

The fact that Ryoichi Hirata came in person was enough to show how close the two families were.

After Ryoichi Hirata helped Sasuke categorize all the fresh fish and place them into the shop's tanks, he climbed back into his truck to leave.

However, just before departing, Ryoichi Hirata rolled down the window:

"Sasuke, how has the old man been feeling lately?"

Sasuke, who was wiping the fishy smell from his hands with a dry towel, looked at Ryoichi Hirata and replied:

"He's doing well."

"How is old man Hirata doing?"

Hearing this, Ryoichi Hirata laughed out loud:

"The day before yesterday, Dad wanted to ask the old man to go fishing together."

"But the old man turned him down."

There was no helping it; compared to fishing, the old man preferred reading books in the shop.

Ryoichi Hirata glanced at the watch on his wrist, then said in a half-joking tone:

"Remember to come visit my house when you have time; my girl talks about you every day."

Sasuke merely nodded at this, not giving a definitive response.

Seeing this, Ryoichi Hirata laughed heartily a few times:

"Anyway, Sasuke, I have to hurry back to the company for business, so I won't stay long today."

After these words, Ryoichi Hirata started the vehicle and left the shopping district under Sasuke's watchful gaze.

This was interpersonal interaction in modern society, and it was a required skill for living in a modern city.

Fortunately, thanks to the old man, Sasuke was doing alright in this regard.

Logically speaking, it was only about six in the morning, and it was impossible for there to be any customers other than the merchants.

But it was precisely at this moment that a new customer arrived at the Fish Fresh House.

Illyasviel von Einzbern.

Without activating his Sharingan, Sasuke could not perceive a mage possessing magical energy unless she harbored killing intent or launched an attack against him.

Because Illyasviel did not display any killing intent, Sasuke had no intention of activating his Sharingan out in the street.

As for the fact that Illyasviel was able to find his residence, Sasuke was not surprised. Since Lancer could find him, Illyasviel, as a Master, naturally had her own ways.

However, toward someone who had arrived uninvited, Sasuke's expression was indifferent:

"When did you get here?"

Illyasviel, wearing a purple dress, offered a cute smile just like yesterday's:

"There's no need to look at me with those eyes; Masters can only fight at night."

"As for when I arrived..."

Illyasviel looked up at the sky in thought, then looked at Sasuke and smiled slightly:

"Probably when you were talking to that person just now?"

Although Illyasviel smiled very cutely, if you were to meet her at night, there was a high probability she would kill you while smiling.

Although Sasuke did not know Illyasviel's true nature, it was basically impossible for him to treat her with a friendly look.

A blank expression was already the best attitude Sasuke could offer Illyasviel.

"Since a battle cannot be initiated, why have you come here?"

Facing Sasuke's question, Illyasviel stopped her smile, her expression becoming somewhat meaningful:

"Naturally, to have you answer my question from yesterday."

"What is your relationship with Emiya?"

Sasuke did not quite understand why Illyasviel was so focused on Shirou Emiya, but in order to stop this person from pestering him, Sasuke answered the question:

"My sister was attacked by a Servant at school yesterday. It was Tohsaka and Emiya who saved her."

"That is all."

Illya hadn't expected such a result; she had assumed there was some close connection between Sasuke and Shiro.

Hearing this, Illya let out a cold snort:

"Since that's the case, I'll spare your life."

Sasuke didn't speak, continuing his work in silence. Although Illya's Servant Berserker was strong, killing him wouldn't be a difficult task.

Having received Sasuke's answer, Illya didn't leave. Instead, she walked into the shop, pinched her little nose, and said to Sasuke with a look of disgust:

"I can't stand it."

"Isn't the fishy smell here a bit too strong?"

Sasuke, who was rolling up his sleeves to scoop fish, didn't even look at Illya:

"If a place that sells fish doesn't have a fishy smell, it shouldn't be a fish shop."

Hearing this, Illya seemed amused by Sasuke, laughing a few times before saying:

"You seem quite dull, but you're actually pretty interesting."

At this moment, even Sasuke felt a headache coming on; his peaceful life had been completely disrupted by these mages.

Just as Sasuke was about to drive Illya away, rapid footsteps sounded on the stairs.

Kaoru Sakura rushed down from the second floor, full of energy:

"Big brother! What do you want for breakfast?"

But before Sasuke could reply, Kaoru Sakura spotted Illya.

"Big brother... who is this child?"

Just as Sasuke was wondering what excuse to use to brush it off, Illya fabricated a lie herself:

"I just moved here from abroad recently. You can call me Illya."

Kaoru Sakura didn't have the slightest suspicion after hearing this and immediately switched into sales mode:

"Is that so? Are you here to buy fish this early?"

"Then you really came to the right place, Illya! Today is our weekly restocking day at Fish Fresh House, and the tanks are full of the freshest live fish!"

Illya hadn't expected Kaoru Sakura to be so 'enthusiastic,' so for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Seeing Illya's awkwardness, Sasuke intended to help her out of the situation and, incidentally, get Illya to leave.

"Kaoru, this has nothing to do with you."

"Go upstairs and cook."

Although Kaoru Sakura didn't know why her brother's attitude had become so firm today, she was quite receptive to it.

However, before heading upstairs, she muttered under her breath:

"It would be great if I could get Senior Tohsaka to taste my cooking next time, but it's a pity she already has Senior Emiya as her personal chef..."

It's over.

In every sense of the word.

Because both Illya's expression and her gaze were written all over with—

I'm very curious!