Early the next morning, Miyama Town's shopping district.
Because dawn had only just broken, the temperature was relatively cold.
The weather wasn't particularly nice today. Dark clouds blanketed the sky, shrouding all of Fuyuki in gloom.
The wind gradually picked up, growing cold and biting.
Distant thunder rumbled. It would probably rain before long.
Although it was still early and the weather was awful, most of the shops in the district were already bustling with activity.
A white delivery truck was parked in front of Fish Fresh House. It belonged to the supplier that delivered fresh fish to the shop.
Though he was called a supplier, he was actually an old friend of Elder Sakura Masayoshi.
The friend had founded a seafood company many years ago, and had branches in several cities. Even after all these years, the two families were still on very good terms.
The driver who delivered the fresh fish each time was always this friend's eldest son, Ryoichi Hirata, a tall, slim, middle-aged man with short black hair.
The fact that Ryoichi Hirata came in person showed just how close their families were.
After Ryoichi Hirata helped Sasuke sort all the fresh fish and put them into the shop's tanks, he got back into the truck, ready to leave.
But just before he drove off, Ryoichi Hirata rolled down the window.
"Sasuke, how's the old man's health been lately?"
Sasuke was wiping the fishy smell from his hands with a dry towel. He looked at Ryoichi Hirata and replied,
"He's doing well."
"How's Elder Hirata?"
Ryoichi Hirata laughed at that.
"Dad wanted to go fishing with him the day before yesterday."
"But the old man turned him down."
It couldn't be helped. The old man preferred reading in the shop to fishing.
Ryoichi Hirata glanced at his watch, then said in a half-joking tone,
"Come by my place when you get the chance. My daughter keeps asking about you."
Sasuke only nodded, making no definite reply.
Seeing this, Ryoichi Hirata laughed loudly a few times.
"Anyway, Sasuke, I've got to get back to the company. I can't stay long today."
With that, Ryoichi Hirata started the truck and drove away from the shopping district, while Sasuke watched him go.
That was how people socialized in modern society. It was one of the essential skills for living in a modern city.
Fortunately, thanks to the old man, Sasuke was pretty good at it.
It was only around six in the morning. Aside from the shopkeepers, there shouldn't have been any customers.
But right then, a new customer arrived at Fish Fresh House.
Illyasviel von Einzbern.
Without activating the Sharingan, Sasuke couldn't sense a mage's magical energy unless she was acting with murderous intent or attacking him.
Since Illya hadn't shown any hostility, Sasuke had no intention of activating the Sharingan in the middle of the street.
As for how Illya had found where he lived, Sasuke wasn't surprised. If Lancer could find him, then Illya, as a Master, naturally had her own ways.
Still, Sasuke's expression was utterly indifferent toward an uninvited guest.
"When did you get here?"
Illya, dressed in a purple dress, smiled as sweetly as she had yesterday.
"There's no need to look at me like that. Masters can only fight at night."
"As for when I got here..."
Illya looked up at the sky as she thought, then turned to Sasuke with a faint smile.
"Probably while you were talking to that person just now?"
Illya's smile was adorable, but if you saw her at night, she might very well smile as she killed you.
Sasuke didn't know what Illya was really like, but there was little chance he would ever look at her kindly.
A blank expression was already the best treatment Sasuke could offer her.
"If you can't start a fight, what did you come here for?"
At Sasuke's question, Illya stopped smiling. Her expression turned meaningful.
"To get you to answer yesterday's question."
"What's your connection to Emiya?"
Sasuke didn't quite understand why Illya was so interested in Shirou Emiya. But to keep her from pestering him, he answered.
"My sister was attacked by a Servant at school yesterday. Tohsaka and Emiya saved her."
"That's all."
Illya hadn't expected that answer. She'd thought Sasuke and Shirou had some close connection.
Illya gave a cold snort.
"In that case, I'll spare your life."
Sasuke said nothing and quietly continued working. Berserker, Illya's Servant, was powerful, but killing him wouldn't be easy.
After getting her answer, Illya didn't leave. Instead, she walked into the shop, pinched her little nose, and looked at Sasuke with distaste.
"I can't stand this."
"Doesn't your place smell way too fishy?"
Sasuke was rolling up his sleeves and scooping out fish. He didn't even glance at Illya.
"If a place that sells fish doesn't smell fishy, it probably isn't a fish shop."
Illya seemed amused by his response. She laughed a few times before speaking.
"You look pretty taciturn, but you're more interesting than I expected."
By now, even Sasuke was getting a headache. His peaceful life had been completely disrupted by these mages.
Just as Sasuke was about to send Illya away, hurried footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Kaoru Sakura rushed down from the second floor, full of energy, and called out brightly,
"Big brother! What do you want for breakfast?"
But before Sasuke could answer, Kaoru noticed Illya.
"Big brother... who's this girl?"
Before Sasuke could think of an excuse, Illya made one up herself.
"I just moved here from overseas. You can call me Illya."
Kaoru didn't suspect a thing. She immediately went into sales mode.
"Oh, really? You came to buy fish this early?"
"Then you came to the right place, Illya! Today's our weekly delivery day, so all the fish in the tanks are fresh and lively!"
Illya hadn't expected Kaoru to be so "enthusiastic," and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.
Seeing how awkward Illya looked, Sasuke decided to help her out—and get her to leave.
"Kaoru, there's nothing for you to do here."
"Go upstairs and make breakfast."
Kaoru didn't know why her brother was being so forceful today, but she rather liked it.
Before heading upstairs, though, she muttered under her breath,
"I wish Tohsaka-senpai could try my cooking someday. Too bad she already has a great cook like Emiya-senpai by her side..."
This was bad.
In every sense.
Because Illya's expression and her eyes were both saying the same thing—
I'm very curious!
Before you continue