Lancer, dressed in a blue bodysuit and carrying his crimson spear over his shoulder, raised a hand and greeted Sasuke with a cheerful smile:
"Hey, kid. Fancy meeting you again."
"Relax. I just got here."
"Besides, I'm not the sort who likes eavesdropping on people."
"But I'm not here for you this time."
As he spoke, Lancer stood up from the rooftop railing, where he had been crouching, and swung his spear, pointing its frost-cold, blood-red tip at Archer:
"You're my target tonight."
Sasuke had never once closed his Mangekyō Sharingan. He replied expressionlessly:
"Do what you want."
"But you'd better keep your distance, or..."
"I might kill both of you."
Lancer had been nearby when Sasuke fought Gilgamesh at Einzbern. As a Heroic Spirit, he couldn't possibly have missed such a fierce battle. That would have been a real shame.
Although Lancer had never expected Gilgamesh to lose so badly, he had to admit he was somewhat impressed by Sasuke.
Lancer figured that if he faced a serious Sasuke, he'd probably lose in just a few exchanges.
Fortunately, Lancer's Master wasn't completely foolish. At least he hadn't sent Lancer to deal with Sasuke.
Though Lancer still couldn't figure out why his Master wanted him to eliminate Archer.
Lancer grinned, keeping his eyes fixed on Archer:
"Archer, since the kid doesn't want either of us here, how about coming somewhere else with me?"
Archer hadn't expected his conversation with Sasuke to be interrupted like this. He was displeased, but showed no sign of it:
"Sorry, Lancer. I snuck out tonight without my Master knowing."
"I'll have to decline."
With that, Archer leaped into the air.
Lancer snorted at the sight and chased after him, spear in hand.
Only after the two of them had disappeared from the shopping street did Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan shift into the Three Tomoe, then finally return to his deep black eyes.
The cold wind swept through the shopping street, rushing along its crisscrossing roads.
The wind howled, but at least now the street had fallen quiet.
Sasuke gazed expressionlessly at the bright moon overhead, seeming to ponder something.
Archer never returned. Sasuke didn't know whether Lancer had killed him.
The night passed without incident.
But today, as usual, Sasuke opened the doors to Fish Fresh House early in the morning.
Dawn had barely broken, and a thick fog shrouded the distant streets in a hazy veil.
As Sasuke checked all the fish shop's equipment on the first floor, he heard soft footsteps coming from upstairs.
Illya, dressed in pink-and-white pajamas, slowly came down the stairs with one hand on the railing.
The loose pajamas she wore clearly belonged to Kaoru Sakura.
Illya looked a little better than she had the day before.
Perhaps a good night's sleep had helped.
Sasuke only glanced at her before returning to his work.
"Thank you."
Illya said it as Sasuke, wearing long rubber boots and a waterproof apron, calmly searched the tank for sluggish fish, then scooped one into a bucket with a net.
"It had nothing to do with me."
"If you want to thank someone, thank Kaoru."
If not for Kaoru Sakura, Sasuke wouldn't have been interested in taking in the troublesome Illya.
But it didn't matter. If Kaoru Sakura was happy, that was enough.
As for the troublesome Illya, she wasn't a big deal to Sasuke.
Illya understood, of course.
Without Kaoru Sakura, Sasuke wouldn't have paid her any attention, much less saved her.
Still, she was grateful to him.
So Illya nodded at his words:
"Yeah. Kaoru's been very good to me."
"I like her, too."
Sasuke's expression didn't change. He carried the bucket of fish to the chopping board and prepared to fillet them.
Seeing that Sasuke didn't seem particularly welcoming, Illya planned to head back upstairs after thanking him.
Just as she was about to pinch the hem of her clothes and bow before taking her leave,
Kaoru Sakura came downstairs in a white nightgown, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Her hair was tousled, and she yawned, drawing out the sound:
"Ah..."
"Good morning... Illya..."
"Morning, big bro... Thanks for getting up early to work..."
"What are we having for breakfast?"
"I'll get started."
As Sasuke sliced the fish, he glanced at Kaoru Sakura, who still looked half-asleep:
"It's early. If you're tired, go back to sleep."
Kaoru Sakura rubbed the tears from her eyes after yawning, looking a little more awake:
"I definitely won't be able to fall back asleep now."
Since she couldn't get an answer out of Sasuke, Kaoru Sakura quickly turned to Illya instead.
She slipped up behind Illya and leaned against her, looking utterly relaxed:
"Illya, is there anything you want for breakfast?"
Illya was doing her best to support Kaoru Sakura, who was draped over her back, but she smiled happily:
"I don't have anything in particular in mind."
"But I'll like anything you make, Kaoru."
Illya's answer delighted Kaoru Sakura. She narrowed her eyes and studied the fish Sasuke was preparing:
"Big bro, you're cutting sea bass, right?"
"I want a box of pan-fried fish fillets for breakfast."
"Let me know when you've sliced enough. I'll go put the rice on."
"Crispy, golden, fragrant fish fillets go perfectly with rice!"
"You'll love them, Illya!"
"I'm pretty confident in my cooking!"
Kaoru Sakura had made herself hungry just talking about it. She took Illya by the hand and led her upstairs.
Sasuke silently sliced the fish. Once he had enough for a box, he handed it to Kaoru Sakura to make breakfast.
It was a scene full of domestic warmth.
Noon and evening passed just as peacefully.
Time flew by in the tranquil atmosphere.
As the day's bustle and chores at Fish Fresh House gradually faded, all that remained was a sense of peace and contentment.
Night had just fallen. The shopping street was bright with lights, filled with women chatting about everyday things and children playing noisily in the street.
Perhaps the day would pass peacefully after all.
But as Sasuke tidied up the day's leftover trash on the first floor of Fish Fresh House, he suddenly heard a dull thud from upstairs.
Sasuke immediately sensed that something was wrong.
The moment he reached the second floor, his brows furrowed.
Illya lay sprawled on the living-room rug, unconscious.
Kaoru Sakura knelt on the floor, staring helplessly at the unconscious Illya.
Illya had said she felt a little dizzy and wanted to lie down in her room. But the moment she stood up, she collapsed onto the floor.
Kaoru Sakura had no idea what had happened.
All she knew was that Illya's forehead was burning, while her hands and feet were cold, as if she had a high fever.
No matter how many times Kaoru Sakura called Illya's name, she couldn't wake her.
When she saw Sasuke come upstairs, Kaoru Sakura finally had someone to rely on, but her voice was already breaking with tears:
"I don't know what happened to Illya! She suddenly passed out!"
"Her forehead's burning..."
"Should we hurry and take her to the hospital?"
After saying this, Kaoru Sakura looked up at Sasuke, frantic with worry.
But before she could get a good look at him, she suddenly felt terribly sleepy.
"Big bro..."
With Kaoru Sakura's final words, she collapsed on top of Illya.
Sasuke stared expressionlessly at the unconscious Illya, the Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes glowing with a dark, blood-red light.
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