I, Ritsuka, Siscon Grand Hero

Section 7: Chapter 7 - Sakura

Ritsuka accidentally bumped into a girl at a corner and, because the girl was too flustered to speak, Ritsuka, worried that she might have caused an injury from the fall, apologized and then forcibly dragged her to a clinic.

If something happened because of my carelessness, it would be terrible. I'd be so uneasy.

In the clinic hallway, Ritsuka watched the girl who had just come out and hurried to meet her. "How is it?"

"It's fine, just a scratch on my arm."

Matou Sakura chuckled softly.

Throughout the entire process, the girl named Sakura watched Ritsuka's anxious demeanor with genuine curiosity.

Leaving the clinic, the two walked along the road back to the residential area, and before they knew it, they started chatting.

Matou Sakura transformed into a curious child, as if she had finally found someone she could talk to as an equal. She chatted with Ritsuka about various topics, but due to her personality, she always struggled to express herself, requiring Ritsuka's guidance.

She's a bit of a strange child. Sakura left a deep impression on Ritsuka.

"So, Emiya-senpai, you just arrived in Fuyuki City."

Sakura sighed, walking along the roadside and looking at her bandaged arm.

During the fall, the scratch under her sleeve was quite severe, but it didn't hurt much at this level.

"That's right. I lived here for a while when I was very young, and then I lived elsewhere with my adoptive parents."

Walking on the bustling street, the two young girls, now familiar with each other after the recent accident, chatted as they headed in a certain direction.

Since they both lived in Miyamachi, in the residential area, they were walking home together.

Naturally shy and a little timid, Ritsuka found herself quite fond of the purple-haired girl in front of her, and once the conversation started, she couldn't stop talking.

Walking side-by-side, Sakura, with her head lowered, glanced at the shopping bag in Ritsuka's hand, looking slightly surprised. "You're amazing, being able to shop independently at such a young age."

No, no, no. I'm already ten years old. It's pretty normal to buy things.

Ritsuka silently complained in her mind.

Let alone buying things, she could run errands long ago. After all, with Kiritsugu, who wasn't good at housework, if she didn't try harder herself, who knows how messy their life would be right now.

Her gaze shifted slightly to the side, and Ritsuka carefully observed Sakura in front of her. For some reason, she had a very strange feeling.

They were strangers, yet they got along unexpectedly well. Sakura was very shy, yet she could communicate normally with Ritsuka, although Sakura would avert her gaze when their eyes met, seeming shy or timid.

It was a feeling that could be described as meeting someone too late... no, it should be as it should be. Their fate might be astonishingly significant.

Ritsuka glanced at the shopping bag in her hand and immediately invited Sakura.

"Sakura, why don't you come over to my place today? I bought some Kichiji fish to celebrate moving into the new house."

After being prepared by the shop owner, the fresh Kichiji fish lay in the bag. Ritsuka's eyes were full of confidence. With her talent for housework and cooking, preparing a small fish was naturally no problem.

Not only did she have recipe books to assist her, but she also had the shop owner's aunt's experience to draw upon. Honestly, if she still couldn't do it well, she'd find a noodle and hang herself.

Of course, there might be minor flaws the first time, so a taste-tester was necessary. Ritsuka felt that Kiritsugu alone might not be enough, so she felt a little sorry for her newly made friend...

"I'm sorry, Senpai, I have to go home early today and can't stay out for too long."

Sakura's face was full of apology as she reluctantly declined Ritsuka's invitation.

Although she genuinely didn't want to go back to that house and genuinely wanted to go to Senpai's place as a guest, she couldn't. On one hand, her grandfather would be angry if she returned late—

On the other hand, she didn't want to implicate Emiya-senpai and her guardian, Kiritsugu, because of herself.

Kind-hearted Sakura looked at the somewhat dejected Ritsuka and felt a pang of guilt. However, she didn't realize that this polite refusal would avert a potential tragedy for Kiritsugu.

Of course, if luck was on their side, it wouldn't be a problem.

Let us pray for the self-sacrificing Mr. Kiritsugu, Amen...

"Alright, if your family doesn't allow it, there's nothing we can do. Sakura, you don't need to feel guilty."

Ritsuka grinned and shook her head slightly.

She had seen some families with strict rules in her previous life, and family situations varied. Maybe Sakura was a young lady from a wealthy family?

Lost in thought, Ritsuka suddenly looked resentful.

The shameless Ritsuka grumbled, glancing at Sakura beside her, and teased her intentionally, "Ah, I suddenly wish I had a younger sister. It would be great if I had a cute sister like you, Sakura."

"Mmm~ Senpai, you're being a bit much. I'm going to get angry, I'm really going to get angry!"

Sakura's cheeks turned slightly red, as rosy as a peach.

"Okay, I'm not joking anymore. Sakura, I'm home. I'll come find you next time when we have a chance."

"Okay, Senpai, goodbye."

Stopping in front of a huge mansion, Sakura's expression was one of surprise. To her, a building of this scale was quite extraordinary.

Compared to the Matou residence, which wasn't far away, it was just an ordinary two-story detached house. To have such a large house in Fuyuki City, Ritsuka must be a young lady from a wealthy family, even though there were only two people in the house, including herself.

After saying goodbye to Sakura, Ritsuka stood at the gate and watched Sakura walk away. At the same time, her gaze drifted to the top of the courtyard wall, above the entrance eaves, where a sneaky figure was lurking.

"Kiritsugu, what are you doing?"

Ritsuka's expression fell completely. She stared coldly at Kiritsugu, who was hiding high above, fixing her gaze on that spot.

Stare——

After a moment, unable to stand Ritsuka's piercing gaze, Kiritsugu jumped down from his high perch, landing smoothly in front of Ritsuka, maintaining his cool demeanor.

"I think I should ask again, what are you doing?" Ritsuka asked the silent man in front of him, her face stern.

"..." Kiritsugu remained silent.

"Are you worried about me, afraid I'll be deceived by new friends, or is it something else?"

Ritsuka's gaze was somewhat dangerous, as if it could see through people's hearts.

"..." A cold sweat trickled down Kiritsugu's forehead.

Ritsuka was good in every way: beautiful, adept at acting cute, exceptionally talented, and a master of housework. The only downside was that she was too mature, lacking the childish innocence expected of a child. Of course, Kiritsugu believed all of this was due to his decisions over the years.

In pursuit of sufficient mystery to achieve the illusory goal of saving the world, the two of them had traveled extensively around the globe over the years, and Ritsuka had been trained as his assistant.

Magecraft · Noble Phantasm · Ritual · Science · Religion · Mythology · Legend · Folklore · Oral Tradition

As long as there was a possibility, the means were irrelevant. Unfortunately, the possibilities they sought were all in vain, to the point where Kiritsugu even entertained the thought, 'Perhaps miracles don't exist in this world.'

Currently, there was one last possibility, linked to a legend of a Divine Child possibly associated with the New Moon family. Even though the probability of this legend was extremely low.

Kiritsugu's last hope...

Looking at Ritsuka, who was incredibly serious, Kiritsugu finally raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, I admit it. I was a bit excessive. I'm sorry."

He admitted it. He had been worrying like a foolish father, even resorting to peeking from a high vantage point. If Ritsuka had exposed him then, he would have lost all face.

However, he hadn't actually started tailing her from the beginning. After a brief conversation with the local fixer, Fujimura Raika, he'd had a momentary lapse in judgment on his way back and chosen this method, tracking her to assess Ritsuka's new friends.

After all, it was Old Man Fujimura who had warned him, about that Matou...

"I forgive you."

Ritsuka smiled, no longer dwelling on Kiritsugu's inappropriate behavior.

It was good that someone cared about her. Having once had almost nothing and then lost everything again, after such ups and downs, to have someone who doted on her and was willing to take care of her, she was already immensely satisfied.

PS: 1. Regarding Sakura's past, the Oath Under the Snow didn't elaborate much, and I haven't seen too far into the main story of Magical Girl Illya, so I'm not very clear. I've modified it myself—

A past that wasn't so terrible.

Section 8 Chapter Eight: The Pitch-Black Mud That Devours All Things

Carrying her purchases, Ritsuka turned towards the house, took out the key, and entered. She went straight to the kitchen and placed the ingredients there, waiting for dinner time to prepare them.

"What delicious things did you buy?"

Kiritsugu had noticed the bag Ritsuka had been carrying all along and now leaned in to take a look. When he had gone out earlier, he had guessed that Ritsuka would go shopping to stock the kitchen of this house, but he wasn't sure if he would have the chance to savor the food himself.

"The main dish is Kichiji fish, and there's also some Kanto cuisine," Ritsuka replied without turning her head, already starting to prepare the sauce for the Kichiji fish.

Kanto cuisine has a strong flavor, which Kiritsugu preferred. Ritsuka had also studied it extensively. She was particularly skilled at making tempura and Four Happiness Rice, possessing domestic skills that even ordinary housewives found hard to match.

Taking out the kelp to be used that evening from the bag, Ritsuka soaked it in water. "Kiritsugu, I have a question for you."

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

Kiritsugu, holding the record book of the Sakutsuki clan, sat on the sofa, engrossed in it without looking up, but still responded to Ritsuka.

After all, the last time he had ignored Ritsuka, the outcome had been quite miserable. He hadn't had a hot, satisfying meal for three days, subsisting on hard biscuits and pickles until he appeased Ritsuka.

From then on, he understood one thing: if you can't cook, you absolutely cannot ignore Ritsuka, or the consequences would be dire.

"Do you know the background of the Matou family?"

Hearing this, Kiritsugu's pupils contracted, and he fell silent, seemingly unsure how to respond.

After a moment of hesitation, Kiritsugu's gaze flickered slightly.

"Well, the Matou family is an ordinary local family. I'm not very clear on the specifics."

Although Ritsuka was displeased with Kiritsugu's obvious concealment, she didn't say anything and didn't think too much about it. She let out a hum and walked back to the kitchen, ignoring Kiritsugu behind her.

With the sound of the television from the living room and the chopping of vegetables from the kitchen, Kiritsugu let out a soft sigh and sat on the sofa, watching TV. However, his mind had long since drifted to the mystery known as the Matou family, which was not something to be trifled with.

As the local power in Magecraft, the Matou family controlled the underworld of Fuyuki City, comparable in strength to the local Church. His friend, Fujimura Raika, was merely a person of influence in the surface world in comparison.

In fact, as soon as he received the warning from Fujimura, he had intended to caution Ritsuka against interacting with anyone from the Matou family.

Unfortunately, it was too late...

It was barely noon, and Ritsuka had eaten a late breakfast, so she didn't have much appetite. She decided to start preparing dinner in advance. With plenty of time, she had ample room for choices.

Opening the refrigerator, she took out some fresh seaweed and set it aside. At the same time, she took out a package of sushi rice, tore it open, and poured out enough rice for two cups.

She washed the rice and put it in a clean pot, soaking it in water before adding a few drops of oil. Then, it was just normal rice cooking.

Steaming crab sticks, julienning carrots, beating eggs – Ritsuka quickly prepared all the ingredients for the evening's sushi. She covered them to prevent dust from falling in, then pushed open the door and left the room.

"Let me think, hmmm, I'll go tidy up my room first."

Tapping her right palm with her left hand, Ritsuka decided to check on her room first.

Entering the backyard and finding the room with the sign that read [Ritsuka], she pushed the door open and pulled out the suitcase from the corner.

She had known for a long time that Kiritsugu wouldn't help her unpack her suitcase and put things away one by one. That guy wouldn't even necessarily tidy his own things. In terms of housework, she, at just ten years old, was already streets ahead of Kiritsugu; the gap was truly not small.

Pants, pajamas, a coat, a dress...

One by one, Ritsuka took them out and put them into the closet that had already been cleaned. After emptying the suitcase and tidying up, Ritsuka wiped a nonexistent bead of sweat from her forehead and headed outside, preparing to go to the dojo for some training.

After training and rinsing off the sweat, Ritsuka went to the kitchen. Kiritsugu was still sprawled on the sofa like a lump, watching TV. There was a pack of Pocky on the table.

Of course, if you ignored the light sniper rifle next to the sofa, he was no different from a decadent old man.

Or rather, was Kiritsugu a military otaku?

The sound of knives hitting the cutting board echoed in her ears as Ritsuka began to prepare the Kichiji fish she held, a cookbook open in front of her.

Following the preparation method described in the book, she skillfully began to scale and gut the fish.

Soy sauce, sake, sugar... Ritsuka chuckled as she followed the steps in the cookbook, taking a pot and adding about half of it with water to begin the final steps.

"I still need ginger and mirin."

Her gaze shifted between the cookbook and the pot as Ritsuka took out the pre-soaked kelp and bonito flakes.

She prepared them in order, maintaining a medium heat to let the sauce simmer slowly. Ritsuka then started preparing other dishes. A housewarming celebration couldn't just be fish, even a famous Japanese fish like Kichiji would be too meager.

Suddenly, Ritsuka seemed to have an idea. Her eyes lit up, and she turned to look at Kiritsugu, who was lounging on the sofa. "Don't just watch TV! Come over here and help me with the vegetables!"

"Hai, hai."

Kiritsugu, who had been inexplicably told off, silently endured it. He got up and walked towards the kitchen, knowing he was in the wrong and doing as he was told.