Chapter Twenty: Obtained Legendary Item: Emiya's Lunchbox / Chapter One: Keep Reaching Out Like That and I'll Punch You!

Yuxian talked to her as they walked, distracting her so she would not become too immersed in her grief.

He comforted Sakura. "If you miss your sister in the future, you can go see them. They live so close by, so don't worry about never seeing her again."

"Mm." Sakura answered softly.

Yuxian was still worried. Sakura was a little too well-behaved—or rather, she was too timid and did not possess Rin's forcefulness.

He stopped, crouched in front of Sakura, and met her eyes. "Sakura, don't be afraid. If there's something you want to do, go ahead and do it boldly. No one will blame you."

"But..." Sakura hesitated. She did not want to cause everyone trouble.

"No buts." Yuxian looked at her seriously and encouraged her. "You are the head of the Matou Family, and your sister will be the head of the Tohsaka Family in the future. It's necessary for the two of you to keep in touch, understand?"

"Got it!" Sakura nodded firmly, seemingly accepting Yuxian's reasoning.

Though deceiving a child made Yuxian feel guilty, he believed the two sisters would thank him someday.

He had given Sakura a reason to visit the Tohsaka Family often, so she should become more proactive.

With Rin looking after her in the future, no one would bully her either.

Yuxian stood up, took Sakura's hand, and continued walking back slowly.

Sakura suddenly looked up and asked, "Big Brother, are you leaving?"

Yuxian froze. He had never mentioned leaving, but sensitive Sakura had noticed it from his behavior.

Being adopted into the Matou Family had made Sakura sensitive to the words and actions of those around her, terrified that she would once again be told to leave.

Yuxian fell silent. He did not know how to explain it.

He loved life in Fuyuki City. There was Emiya's delicious cooking, adorable little angels like Illya and Sakura, and Mash by his side.

He was deeply reluctant to leave such days behind.

Could he really choose not to search for the others from Chaldea? To him, those Servants he had never met were no different from strangers.

But those Servants had to be waiting for him somewhere.

"Are Sister Illya and Brother Emiya leaving too? Can't you stay?"

Sakura tilted her head back and looked at Yuxian with hopeful eyes.

Yuxian gently stroked her head. This time, he did not deceive her. Smiling, he said, "Sakura, grow up quickly. When you grow up, we'll come back."

Sakura lowered her head in silence.

After a long while, she raised her head again and said earnestly, "You have to keep your promise."

Yuxian promised her in a solemn tone, "I will!"

Hearing Yuxian's unequivocal promise, Sakura's mood brightened again. She believed his words.

Children always trusted others easily, and Yuxian could not bear to destroy that innocence.

I will definitely come back, Yuxian told himself.

When they returned to the Matou Family, it was time for everyone to eat together again.

The table was unusually laden with food today. Thinking it might be some kind of holiday, Yuxian happily ate until his stomach was bloated.

After the meal, Emiya wore a conflicted expression and hesitantly said, "Master, I..."

"What is it?" Yuxian looked at his unusual expression in confusion. Normally, Emiya was a very decisive person.

"I want to stay." Emiya finally voiced his thoughts.

"Mr. Emiya, aren't you returning to Chaldea with us?" Mash asked anxiously from the side.

Yuxian looked at Emiya and realized he was not joking at all. His expression was utterly serious.

Yuxian sighed inwardly. No wonder there had been so much food today. So that was what this was about.

Though he was reluctant to part with Emiya, the Grand Order Chef, he still respected his decision and said calmly:

"Then stay. You'll need to help Kiritsugu in Germany, otherwise it'll be difficult for him to rescue Illya from the Einzbern family. When it comes time to dismantle the Greater Grail, you can seek out Waver. You should know he has the ability. Sakura and Rin are both still young, and it will be more reassuring with you here. After all, both of them possess outstanding talent as Magi, and it will be easy for others to covet them."

"Master..."

Emiya looked at Yuxian gratefully, not knowing how to express himself.

Yuxian blinked, a wicked grin appearing on his face. "So, Mongrel, you've made up your mind to raise little girls, huh!"

As he spoke, he nudged Emiya with his elbow.

Emiya rolled his eyes and turned away. He did not want to pay Yuxian any more attention. He felt that he had been moved for nothing.

Obtaining a Legendary Item: Emiya's Lunchbox

Since Emiya planned to stay, Yuxian felt it was necessary to ask Illya what she thought and see whether she wished to return to Chaldea.

He found Illya and asked directly, "Emiya has decided to stay here. Do you want to stay too, Illya, or return to Chaldea with us?"

Illya's little face was conflicted, but in the end, she nodded firmly. "I want to return to Chaldea with Master."

She hated the thought of parting with Emiya and little Sakura, but she wanted even more to go with Yuxian and find Kuro, Chloe von Einzbern.

Seeing that she was sad, Yuxian reached out and patted her head, comforting her. "We'll have chances to come back here in the future. Chaldea has a record point for Fuyuki City. As long as you want to, you can teleport back anytime."

Illya felt much better upon hearing that.

Afterward, Yuxian went to Kiritsugu Emiya's home. They had not continued living in Einzbern Castle, instead choosing a residence in Miyama Town and settling down there.

The Emiya home was not far from the Matou Family, so Yuxian walked there alone at an unhurried pace.

Kiritsugu Emiya and Irisviel warmly welcomed Yuxian's visit and invited him into the living room to sit.

Irisviel had recovered well and could move normally now. The effects of the Black Mud did not seem severe.

Her face was filled with a blissful smile. Perhaps this was the life she had always longed for.

Yuxian did not want to disturb their time together too much, so he went straight to the point. "We're about to leave. I came to say goodbye."

"Leave?" Kiritsugu and Irisviel were both surprised.

Yuxian said calmly, "Yes. We came from Chaldea, and now it is time for us to return."

Kiritsugu and the others knew he did not belong to this world, but they had simply not thought of it for the moment.

Only now that Yuxian had come to bid them farewell did they remember it again.

Irisviel hurriedly asked, "Is Illya leaving too?"

She cared deeply about Illya. Though they had spent only a short time together, she had already grown fond of the little girl who looked so much like her daughter.

Yuxian nodded. "Illya will leave with us. I already asked her."

Then he said to the silent Kiritsugu beside her, "Emiya will stay behind. You can ask him for help when you go to Germany to bring back your daughter. The Einzbern family is not so easy to enter. You will need his strength."

Kiritsugu Emiya would certainly go to Germany. With his strength alone, it would be difficult for him to bring his daughter Illya back. With Emiya's help, Yuxian believed they could succeed.

Kiritsugu nodded. He had already moved past his former obsession. Now, all he wanted was for his family to live peacefully in Fuyuki City. He would definitely bring his daughter here.

Yuxian said no more and rose to take his leave.

After leaving the Emiya home, he had only gone a few steps when he encountered Maiya Hisau.

Maiya leaned against a lamppost, standing alone in silence. Her eyes were fixed on the direction of the Emiya home, lost in a daze.

A suitcase lay beside her. She was ready for a long journey. At this final moment, she only wanted to see him one more time from afar.

Yuxian sighed inwardly and stepped forward. "Aren't you going in to say goodbye?"

Maiya's gaze did not shift for even an instant. Her eyes were full of reluctance.

But she slowly shook her head, her tone resolute. "No. Farewells would only leave sorrow behind. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to bear leaving this place."

Yuxian asked, "Where do you plan to go?"

Maiya was silent for a long time before she answered, "I don't know where to go either. I'll travel around the world first and see the scenery elsewhere. Maybe I'll find a place I like and stay there for the rest of my life."

Yuxian knew she had made her decision, so all he could do was sincerely wish her well. "Then I hope you find that place soon."

Maiya bade him farewell and slowly walked away, dragging her suitcase behind her. She had gone to seek her new life.

Watching her gradually vanishing figure, Yuxian offered her a silent blessing, hoping she would find a good home.

She was a woman who had given everything for Kiritsugu, treating herself as nothing more than his tool.

And when Kiritsugu wished to live peacefully, she had resolutely chosen to leave, no longer disturbing him or causing him any trouble.

Several more peaceful days passed before Yuxian finally gritted his teeth and decided to leave.

He feared that if he continued living here, he would become increasingly reluctant to go.

That day, a large group gathered at the Matou Family home. Even Kiritsugu and Irisviel, as well as the Tohsaka mother and daughter, had come specifically to see them off after hearing the news.

Yuxian hugged Emiya and said, "You are still one of Chaldea's people. If anything happens, make sure to come find us."

"The same goes for you, Master. You can come find me anytime if you need anything."

Emiya smiled, then turned to Mash beside him and instructed, "Mash, protect Master well."

"I will, Mr. Emiya." Mash nodded, her face full of reluctance.

Yuxian walked over to Sakura and Rin, extending both hands to rest them atop their heads.

Rin Tohsaka shook off Yuxian's hands forcefully. She did not like being treated like a child at all.

Sakura remained obediently still. Looking up at Yuxian, she said, "Big Brother, you have to come back."

"Mm!" Yuxian nodded, then told Rin, "Rin, take good care of your little sister. Don't let anyone bully Sakura."

"Of course!" Rin Tohsaka answered with complete certainty.

At that moment, Illya walked over and hugged Sakura, whispering several words into her ear.

Whatever she said, the sadness on Sakura's face faded considerably. Sakura softly said to Illya, "Goodbye, Sister Illya."

Illya then ran over to Kiritsugu and Irisviel to say goodbye.

Irisviel crouched down and hugged her, speaking to her reluctantly with sorrow written across her face.

Illya comforted her in turn, saying with a smile, "I'm a Magical Girl, so don't worry about me. Make sure you tell little Illya all about Magical Girls."

After their farewells, Yuxian, Mash, and Illya stood in the center of the prepared magic circle, ready to leave.

At that moment, Emiya took out a large lunchbox and stuffed it into Yuxian's hands.

"This is a parting gift for you, so Master won't end up weak from hunger all over again like last time."

Feeling its weight in his hands, Yuxian estimated it was enough to feed the three of them for several meals. It was heavy with affection.

"Goodbye!"

As the farewell fell, Yuxian and the other two had already vanished, leaving...

(End of Volume One)

If You Keep Reaching Out Randomly, Be Careful or I'll Hammer You

Back in Chaldea, nothing had changed. It was just as empty as when Yuxian had left.

Mash checked through the records and said regretfully, "Senpai, there are no signs that anyone else returned to Chaldea."

Though it was within his expectations, Yuxian could not help feeling disappointed.

Mash's tone suddenly changed as she said in surprise, "The time display shows that less than a day has passed in Chaldea."

"Oh? Are the times out of sync?"

Too many strange things had happened to Yuxian already. Time being out of sync could no longer shock him.

As for the reason behind all this, he would wait until they found a research-oriented Servant and let them investigate it. Yuxian knew he had no talent in that field, and blind speculation would only give him needless trouble.

Beep, beep, beep!!!