"Byakuya, it had been a long time."
One year remained until the Fourth Holy Grail War began.
Fuyuki, Tohsaka residence, Tohsaka Tokiomi's study.
Tohsaka Tokiomi placed two gemstone goblets before himself and Matou Byakuya, who sat opposite him. He picked up a bottle of red wine and poured each of them a glass.
"How is Kariya?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi treated Matou Byakuya with great warmth, a gentle smile always resting on his face.
"He is making preparations to welcome Sakura. You know, although I will be Sakura's adoptive father in name, once she arrives at the Matou Family, Kariya will be her actual guardian. Moreover, Sakura will inherit the most important Magecraft Crest among the Matou Family's branch lines."
"That would be for the best. That was my intention from the start."
Hearing Matou Byakuya's words, Tohsaka Tokiomi nodded in satisfaction.
It was common knowledge that a magecraft family's Crest could only be inherited by one person.
"I have two daughters, and both are equally outstanding. I cannot bring myself to favor either one, so I asked you, Byakuya, to look after little Sakura."
As he explained the reasons behind his reluctant decision, he took a light sip of red wine, elegance apparent in every movement.
"Of course, Kariya has remained unmarried all his life. Having a daughter to care for him is a blessing for him as well."
"This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, Tokiomi."
There was a trace of mockery in his eyes, though he did not show it. Like Tohsaka Tokiomi, he merely took a small sip of red wine.
This was the most typical kind of [Mage].
"Of course," Tokiomi readily agreed.
The two gemstone goblets gently clinked together, producing a crisp chime.
Though it truly was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Just as Byakuya had planned, Kariya