Matou Zouken's Choice / Those Who Believe in Miracles Are Themselves as Remarkable as Miracles!

After roughly calculating everything, Ritsuka looked around. "She'll need clothes for all four seasons, pajamas, and things like that. We can buy daily necessities at the department store later."

Ritsuka tapped her right fist against her left palm, then took out the note she had made after asking about Miyu's preferences and placed it in Sakura's hand.

"Please, Sakura, could you help weak, helpless, and pitiful little me?"

"Of course, senpai."

After picking things out for most of the afternoon, the two finally finished buying most of the clothes and began heading back the way they had come. The setting sun cast its fading light across the horizon, dyeing the roadside in deep hues.

Ritsuka had originally planned to buy daily necessities too, but looking at the bags filling both her hands and Sakura's arms, she could not help sighing. They would have to find time to come out again another day.

Still, this was supposed to be Kiritsugu's job. He was the adult of the household, after all. Making children handle this was really irresponsible...

"By the way, Sakura, we're friends now, right?"

Her voice sounded somewhat uneasy as Ritsuka stopped at the corner of the street. The Emiya Residence was already visible in the distance.

Sakura handed the things in her arms to Ritsuka, then smiled gently. "Friends? I suppose so. Though I haven't given senpai a gift yet."

"Sakura, how many times have I told you? You don't need to call me senpai, even if I am one year older than you."

Being called senpai felt nice, but it also seemed a little inappropriate. It made Ritsuka feel as though she were taking too much advantage of Sakura when they had only known each other for such a short time.

Remembering the preparations she had made earlier, Ritsuka carefully set all the shopping bags on the ground. Then she decisively took Sakura's hand and held her gaze, not allowing her eyes to wander away.

Secretly gathering her courage, Ritsuka parted her pink lips. "Sakura, I have something I want to give you. Could you close your eyes first?"

"Okay."

Though she had no idea what Ritsuka was up to, Sakura obediently closed her eyes. She knew senpai would never hurt her.

Only Ritsuka would never hurt her...

Gently taking Sakura's hand, Ritsuka drew a deep breath and took out the Crystal Dice. She could not help hesitating. Little girls probably liked plushies, right?

Limited by circumstances in her previous life, she had never experienced the mindset of a Little Girl. This life was even less worth mentioning.

Black ears and eye patches, an orange bow tie, a panda plushie plain to the extreme...

Ritsuka raised her eyes toward Sakura, whose eyelashes trembled faintly, and slowly said,

"You can open your eyes now."

"Hmm? Th-this is..."

Sakura let out a delighted sound as she looked at what Ritsuka held. Ritsuka had noticed it earlier—when they were choosing clothes, Sakura had stopped to stare at it for quite a while.

Ritsuka was such a thoughtful girl.

"This is a gift, proof that we became friends. You were there when I got it, and it isn't anything expensive, so you're not allowed to dislike it, Sakura~"

Within Ritsuka's joking tone, she saw tears welling at the corners of Sakura's eyes, along with a smile more beautiful than her age should have allowed.

"I definitely won't dislike it. This is the... the best gift I've ever received in my life!"

The Choice of Zouken Matou

After parting ways with the girl named Emiya Ritsuka, Matou Sakura walked home, gradually heading deeper into Miyamachi.

A gloomy estate stood at the end of her sight. It was a two-story villa with a Western style, yet it gave off the feeling of being haunted.

Without pausing, Sakura took out her key and opened the estate gate. Passing through the Matou family's magical barrier, she entered the residence.

There seemed to be no one inside. The quiet, dim environment looked rather frightening.

Having lived here for quite some time, Sakura had already grown used to the atmosphere of the Matou residence. She did not feel afraid. Hugging the gift from senpai—the Panda Plushie—to her chest, she quietly walked toward her room.

"Sakura, you're back."

"...I'm back, Grandfather."

Sakura paused, then forced a smile onto her face.

Zouken Matou, the aged head of the Matou family, stood not far from the staircase. Watching Sakura prepare to go upstairs, he showed a benevolent smile.

Unfortunately, due to his appearance, the Old Man's smile looked somewhat sinister instead.

The hunched old man leaned on his cane as he walked toward the small Sakura. A trace of puzzlement appeared on his face as his gaze fell upon the plushie in her arms, and an unreadable emotion flashed through his eyes.

The corner of the mouth lifted slightly. "Sakura, did you buy this plushie yourself?"

"...Y-yes, I bought it myself. I'm sorry, Grandfather. I spent money carelessly."

The children of the Matou family received a certain amount of allowance because the family business was quite prosperous. It was far more than what children their age usually had.

For some unspoken reason, Sakura instinctively lied to Zouken Matou.

She did not want her newly gained friend to be implicated because of her...

"Well, it's only a little plushie. Grandfather won't say anything. Be good, Little Sakura. Put the plushie back in your room first, then go to the basement."

Little Sakura said nothing further, but her body began trembling instinctively, and fear showed within the pupils.

Watching Little Sakura leave, Zouken Matou stood quietly by the stairs and pondered for a moment. Then a man suddenly stepped out from the corner behind him.

"Father, Sakura's plushie was given to her by a girl named Emiya Ritsuka. Her father is named Kiritsugu Emiya."

Kiritsugu Emiya.

Upon hearing that name, Zouken Matou narrowed his eyes and looked toward the son reporting to him, Tsuruno Matou, the Matou family's nominal current head.

"The Magus Killer... He's quite a troublesome character. Could he have set his sights on Little Sakura..."

Zouken Matou muttered to himself. Naturally, he had heard of the famous "Magus Killer." It was said that the man possessed methods specifically designed to deal with magi and was extremely formidable.

But Zouken Matou was not particularly afraid. After all, he had the foundation of having lived for several hundred years.

"Father, do you really not intend to tell Little Sakura the truth?"

"Tsuruno! Shut up."

With an angry shout, Zouken Matou glared, and the man named Tsuruno Matou did not dare continue.

Turning around and confirming that Little Sakura had entered the basement, Zouken Matou looked at his nominal son and could not help sighing.

"Don't you hate me? For devouring your father."

"..."

Tsuruno Matou remained silent. He did not answer, merely keeping his head lowered as though a flower might grow from the floor.

"You and Shinji lack talent, and Enzō is closing in step by step. Sakura is my only choice. Butterfly Magic can contend against that Replacement."

"Go. Your task is to manage the Matou family's businesses and support Sakura's magical training."

"I understand, Father."

The two parted ways. Tsuruno Matou left the Matou residence at once, while Zouken Matou headed toward the basement. At the same time, he used magical energy to awaken the swarm of insects within, and his body underwent slight changes as well.

Even caterpillars would eventually break their cocoons and become butterflies. The Crest Worms had all been replaced, and he did not have much time left...

In the cold, damp basement, a swarm of insects rose in a vast cloud and enveloped the small figure. Imaginary Number magical energy manifested as Little Sakura, who had only learned the bare basics of magecraft, struggled against the sea of insects controlled by Zouken Matou.

"Try a little harder, Little Sakura. Otherwise, Grandfather's bugs will eat you alive."

The twisted smile on his aged face terrified Sakura. Especially when the corner of the mouth split open, insects even fell out from it.

Her fear broke past its limit, and for a moment, Little Sakura's magecraft nearly collapsed.

Frowning, Zouken Matou immediately controlled the insect swarm and reduced the number rushing forward, keeping it within the level Sakura could handle.

Even a remnant of the genius-like Tohsaka family was simply too young. Yet Zouken Matou did not have much time left, so he could only be a little harsher. Only then could he provide the Matou family with greater protection before he departed.

For example, by raising an heir to the magecraft.

But merely imparting knowledge and practical experience was not enough. He had been holding back completely, after all. Once Little Sakura's growth reached a certain point, it would plateau. She needed more extreme stimulation...

Using magical energy to control an insect, he had it flap around Little Sakura's magical shield. Its blade-sharp wings cut her tender cheek.

"Ah!"

The magical shield shattered instantly, and her lightning-like offensive magecraft vanished with it. The insects swarmed over her, tearing at Sakura's hair as pain swept through her entire body.

Butterflies danced through the air. Little Sakura, whose Butterfly Magic was still unrefined, brought out her ultimate technique. The illusion-specialized Butterfly Magic briefly "affected" the insect swarm and even "affected" Zouken Matou.

Flames rose. The best element for dealing with insects was held in Little Sakura's hand, and several fireballs "overturned" the sea of insects in an instant.

Sakura possessed exceptionally outstanding magical aptitude. Her magical attribute was the extremely rare Imaginary Number.

Though it had never been developed, its uniquely powerful properties allowed Sakura to learn other types of magecraft very quickly. After pulling back, she clutched two gems.

With the aid of tools, if she could not hold on for long head-on, then she had to work harder through something else.

Flames and lightning shattered countless insects, while overflowing magical energy crushed many of the fragile bugs. Sakura, having expended considerable magical energy, began panting.

As one of the most famously money-burning forms of magecraft, Jewel Magic was somewhat connected to Sakura as well. She had been born into the Tohsaka family, which had been wiped out during the Holy Grail War several years ago. That family had believed Enzō's lies, and of the family of four, only Little Sakura had survived under Zouken Matou's protection.

Jewel Magic itself did not consume magical energy, but maintaining Butterfly Magic to "successfully" interfere with Zouken Matou was still too difficult. Her performance today had definitely exceeded her usual limits.

"Very good, Little Sakura, but you still have a long way to go."

Zouken Matou, who had long been "hit" by Butterfly Magic, broke free from it. The magical backlash instantly sent Matou Sakura flying, and countless insects rushed forward to bite her body.

In only an instant, Matou Sakura fell unconscious.

The sea of insects instantly fell silent, then all burrowed deeper beneath the basement, leaving Sakura covered in bloody marks as she lay quietly in the center of the pit.

Zouken Matou gently picked her up and walked out of the basement—

"You held on for nine minutes today. At this rate of improvement, Little Sakura, you will surely be able to bear the Matou family's burden."

Those Who Believe in Miracles Are as Great as Miracles Themselves!

Time flew by in the blink of an eye. Ritsuka lived an unprecedentedly peaceful life, cooking, cleaning, and having only two other options each day: playing with Miyu and training.

While the days passed quickly, one problem continued to hang over this fragile family. As Miyu grew, the power known as Divine Child was about to disappear, and the boundary was Miyu's approaching sixth birthday.

There were only seven days left until the time recorded in the Tsukishiro family's ancient texts, when the Divine Child's power would vanish...

Morning arrived. Listening to the pattering rain outside, Ritsuka woke up on time and yawned. Then she gently pried Miyu's arm, which was hugging her, away from herself.

Ritsuka swiftly climbed up from the tatami, put on her slippers, and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast as usual. It was still rather early, and Kiritsugu and Miyu, who often stayed up late, were generally still asleep.

Light rain fell over Fuyuki, suppressing the growing heat in the air and filling it with a fresh scent.

The cold wind rose. Ritsuka shivered after opening the door and stepping outside, then immediately closed it behind her to keep Miyu from catching a cold while asleep.

Having lived here for nearly a month, Ritsuka was already familiar with everything. She quickly arrived at Kiritsugu's room, intending to clear out the daily trash.

Gently pushing the door open, Ritsuka froze in place. Kiritsugu sat at a low table in the corner amid curling smoke, constantly flipping through an ancient book in his hands.

"Kiritsugu, did you stay up all night again?"

Pinching her nose, Ritsuka walked into the room and opened every window to air it out. The morning sunlight pouring inside made Kiritsugu squint uncomfortably. His eyes were filled with bloodshot veins from pulling an all-nighter, making him look somewhat frightening.

"And smoke less. Your health isn't good either."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Seeing Kiritsugu cough nonstop, Ritsuka's face filled with concern. In recent days, Kiritsugu's physical condition had worsened by the day, and even seeing a doctor had brought no improvement.

Clearly, Kiritsugu's body remained critically ill. Some substance was constantly eroding him from within, leaving his body riddled with damage. He had also somewhat given up on himself, refusing to adjust his condition, which left him in terrible shape every day.

"Don't push yourself so hard. Um... Miyu's birthday is in a week. She wants to spend time properly with you too."

Ever since bringing Miyu home, Kiritsugu had rarely appeared before her. He kept himself shut in his room, most likely reading ancient texts and struggling with his own thoughts.

Ritsuka still remembered what Miyu had asked her before. Miyu had asked whether Kiritsugu disliked her, which was why he did not want to sit down and eat with her.

"..."

"Has Miyu shown any signs of her Divine Child traits recently?"

After a long silence, Kiritsugu finally raised his head toward Ritsuka, but asked an entirely different question.

Holding the ashtray and preparing to take it away for cleaning, Ritsuka paused slightly before smiling bitterly. "She's becoming more and more human."

A Divine Child was a human child close to gods and spirits, inherently possessing the ability to grant wishes without distinction. The moment they reached the age of seven by traditional reckoning was when they lost their power and completely became a child of humanity, so this was truly not good news.