Illya's Choice

Sure enough, the moment Kaoru Sakura and Illya appeared together, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka were completely stunned.

In their eyes, there was no logical reason for Illya to be here.

But the facts were right before their eyes, and they had no choice but to believe it.

Shirou Emiya, in particular, even took a small step back out of shock.

Rin Tohsaka, for her part, had no idea what to do.

Illya, conversely, appeared unfazed, though her symbolic smile had vanished, her expression flat as she gazed at Shirou Emiya and Rin.

Kaoru Sakura, who had been carrying bags full of goods from her shopping trip, happily walked up to greet Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya.

"Are you two here to buy fish?"

Clearly, Kaoru Sakura had failed to notice the atmosphere, instead looking at Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka with a gossipy glint in her eyes.

It seemed Kaoru Sakura had misinterpreted their reactions, assuming they were flustered because they had been caught shopping together by a junior from their school.

However, Kaoru Sakura wasn't the type to pry; she preferred to keep things light.

"Big brother, can you give my senior and her friend a discount?"

Faced with Kaoru Sakura, the only one kept in the dark, Sasuke desperately wanted to say that if anyone could resolve this situation, he would gladly give the fish away for free out of his own pocket.

But for now, Sasuke could only nod, playing along with Kaoru Sakura:

"Oh, no problem."

With that, Sasuke rounded down the price for Shirou Emiya.

Just as Kaoru Sakura was about to linger, Illya grabbed her hand and said with a calm expression:

"Kaoru, don't we still have things to do?"

Kaoru Sakura was puzzled; after all, Illya had been asking her about Shirou Emiya earlier, so why leave now that they had actually run into him?

Kaoru Sakura's gossip radar went off instantly, and she looked at Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya apologetically:

"Um, seniors, I won't bother you anymore. Please come visit our shop again when you have the chance!"

"Thank you very much!"

Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya both nodded woodenly.

Seeing this, Kaoru Sakura followed Illya toward the second floor.

Not until Illya and Kaoru Sakura had completely disappeared upstairs did Rin Tohsaka, who had been wanting to interrogate him, approach Sasuke with a look of confusion:

"What is going on here?"

"Why is that girl at your place?"

Shirou Emiya's expression was a mix of shock and confusion; clearly, he was just as interested in this matter.

After all, when they had encountered Berserker, Rin Tohsaka's Archer and his Saber had fought together and still failed to defeat him.

Had Illya not chosen to withdraw, no one knew what the consequences might have been.

Thus, both Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya were agitated and bewildered.

Sasuke quickly and simply explained the sequence of events to the two of them.

After hearing Sasuke's explanation, both Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya furrowed their brows.

Sasuke had encountered Lancer and then Berserker?

And he had escaped unscathed?

Assassin and Caster were present at Ryudou Temple?

This was truly shocking news.

Although Rin Tohsaka was more concerned about Illya and Berserker, there was an urgent matter at hand, which was one of the reasons she had come to the shopping district with Shirou Emiya today.

Rin Tohsaka didn't waste any more words, looking at Sasuke with a serious expression:

"If possible, could you come to Shirou Emiya's house tonight?"

"Some things have exceeded my expectations, and if you're willing, I'd like you to come to his place so we can discuss them."

"This really isn't the place to talk."

Sasuke pondered for a moment, looking at Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya:

"I can."

"But I won't be able to make it until later."

Sasuke naturally wouldn't ignore a request for help from Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya, though the two of them should understand his own situation.

Rin Tohsaka didn't mind at all; she was already satisfied that Sasuke was willing to help her and Shirou.

Shirou Emiya, already understanding what Rin wanted from Sasuke, replied with gratitude:

"Thank you so much!"

"I'll send you the address via message."

Sasuke nodded at these words, watching the two of them leave.

As the sun began to set, Sasuke gazed at the fiery clouds on the horizon and hung the "Temporarily Closed" sign on the Fish Fresh House.

He then headed upstairs, but upon reaching the second-floor living room, he ran into Kaoru Sakura as she emerged from her room.

Illya, standing to the side, also wore a smile, though given what had just transpired, it was hard not to feel that she was merely putting on a show.

Beaming with joy, Kaoru Sakura handed a beautifully wrapped gift box to Sasuke:

"Big Brother, I realized my mistake deeply during lunch."

"So, as compensation, I picked out a gift specifically for you."

"Illya provided quite a few suggestions as well."

Seeing Kaoru Sakura so serious, Sasuke felt a bit unaccustomed to it, but he still reached out and took the elegantly wrapped gift.

There isn't some kind of trap inside this, is there?

Although Sasuke really wanted to ask that, looking at Kaoru Sakura's expression, it didn't seem like she was faking it.

So, Sasuke said nothing and silently unwrapped the package.

It was a leaf pendant shimmering with a silver light.

Sasuke could tell at a glance that the leaf pendant must have come from the jewelry store in the shopping district.

It was a shop known for good value, and its prices and styles were quite popular among high school students.

Sasuke put it on without hesitation; it suited him quite well.

Seeing that Sasuke seemed satisfied, Kaoru Sakura curled her lips into a smile:

"Big brother, I definitely won't do it again next time. Please forgive me."

To this, Sasuke raised his hand and gently poked Kaoru Sakura on the forehead, saying with a faint smile:

"You'd better mean that."

Kaoru Sakura covered her forehead, which felt a bit ticklish from the poke, and chuckled:

"I promise!"

Beside them, Illya's eyes held a hint of envy, and the emotions overflowing in her heart at this moment were beyond words.

Sasuke naturally noticed some of this, and for a moment, he couldn't quite figure Illya out—what exactly did she hope to gain by participating in this Holy Grail War, or did she have some other motive?

However, Sasuke did not dwell on it.

The sun set, and night fell.

Illya knew very well that she could no longer stay at the Fish Fresh House, so she bid farewell to Kaoru Sakura.

Sasuke naturally became the one to escort Illya home.

Taking advantage of the night, Sasuke used a Shadow Clone, while his original body returned to the Fish Fresh House.

Seeing this, Illya's expression fluctuated slightly, but she quickly returned to her calm demeanor.

Neither of them spoke, and Sasuke simply followed Illya.

Tonight was not as harsh as yesterday; the bright moonlight spilled over the earth, and the incredibly prominent Milky Way hung high in the sky.

It wasn't until the two of them walked into the suburbs, where there weren't even any streetlights, and Illya still showed no signs of speaking, that Sasuke finally said:

"Just to ask, do you have a grudge against Emiya and Tohsaka?"

"If you want to understand Emiya, perhaps today would be a good opportunity."