Sakura / The All-Consuming Black Mud

Section 7 Chapter Seven Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)

After accidentally knocking over a girl she had happened to meet at a corner, Ritsuka could only apologize and forcibly drag her to a clinic when the girl stammered too much to explain herself. She was worried the fall might have caused some kind of injury.

If something went wrong because of her carelessness, that would be terrible. She would never be able to rest easy.

In the clinic corridor, Ritsuka saw the girl emerge and hurried over. "How was it?"

"I'm fine. Just a scrape on my arm."

Matou Sakura smiled softly.

Throughout the entire process, the girl had watched Ritsuka's anxious expression. The girl named Sakura found herself genuinely curious about Ritsuka.

After leaving the clinic, the two began talking as they walked back toward the residential district.

Sakura turned into a bundle of curiosity, chatting with Ritsuka about all kinds of things as though she had finally found someone she could speak to as an equal. Yet because of her personality, she often struggled to get the words out and needed Ritsuka to guide the conversation.

She was a somewhat strange child. Sakura left a deep impression on Ritsuka.

"So, Senior Emiya, you just arrived in Fuyuki City?"

Sakura let out a small sigh as she walked beside the road, looking at her freshly bandaged arm.

The scrape beneath her sleeve had been rather serious from the fall, but an injury of this level did not hurt much.

"That's right. I lived here for a while when I was very young, then later lived elsewhere with the person who adopted me."

Walking down the bustling street, the two little girls, who had become acquainted through the earlier accident, chatted as they headed in the same direction.

Since they both lived in Miyamachi's residential district, they ended up walking home together.

Naturally shy and somewhat timid, the purple-haired girl before her appealed greatly to Ritsuka. Once the conversation started flowing, Ritsuka found herself talking nonstop.

Walking side by side, Sakura lowered her head and looked at the shopping bag in Ritsuka's hand, slightly surprised. "You're amazing. You can already go shopping by yourself at such a young age."

No, no, no. I'm already ten. Buying things is perfectly normal.

Ritsuka grumbled to herself.

Forget shopping—she had learned how to run errands ages ago. After all, with Kiritsugu being so hopeless at housework, if she did not put in some effort herself, who knew how filthy their lives would be by now?

Ritsuka glanced to the side and carefully observed Sakura before her. For some reason, she had a very strange feeling.

They were clearly strangers, yet they got along unexpectedly well. Sakura was obviously someone who feared unfamiliar people, yet she could speak with Ritsuka normally. Although whenever their eyes met, Sakura would look away, as if she were embarrassed or frightened.

It was a feeling that could be called... wishing they had met sooner. No, perhaps it was more like things were simply meant to be this way. Maybe the bond between them was surprisingly deep.

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

"Sakura, how about coming to my house today? I bought Kichiji fish to celebrate moving into our new home."

After being prepared by the shopkeeper auntie, the fresh Kichiji fish lay in the bag. Ritsuka's eyes were full of confidence. With her talent for housework and cooking, preparing one small fish would naturally be no problem.

Not only did she have cookbooks to help her, but she had also received the auntie's guidance from experience. Honestly, if she still could not make it properly, she ought to find a noodle and hang herself with it.

Of course, there might be some minor flaws the first time she made it, so taste testers were necessary. Ritsuka felt that Kiritsugu alone might not be enough, so she spared a little sympathy for her newly acquired friend...

"I'm sorry, Senior. I need to go home early today. I can't stay outside for too long."

Sakura's face was full of apology as she helplessly refused Ritsuka's invitation.

Although she truly did not want to return to that home, and truly wanted to visit her senior's house, she could not do so. On one hand, her grandfather would get angry if she came home late—

On the other hand, she did not want to drag Senior Emiya and her guardian, Kiritsugu, into trouble because of herself.

Kind-hearted Sakura looked at Ritsuka's slightly disappointed expression and felt a little guilty. Little did she know that this polite refusal had prevented a tragedy Kiritsugu might otherwise have suffered next.

Of course, if he was lucky, things would still be fine.

Let us pray for Mr. Kiritsugu, who sacrificed himself for others. Amen...

"All right. If your family doesn't allow it, there's nothing to be done. You don't need to feel guilty, Sakura."

Ritsuka grinned and shook her head slightly.

She had seen quite a few families with strict rules in her previous life, and every family had different circumstances. Maybe Sakura was a Young Lady?

For some reason, Ritsuka suddenly wore a resentful expression.

Shameless Ritsuka complained loudly, glancing at Sakura beside her as she deliberately teased, "Ah, I suddenly really want a little sister. It would be wonderful if I had a cute little sister like Sakura."

"Mmm~ Senior, that's too much. I'm getting angry. I'm really getting angry!"

Sakura's cheeks reddened, moist and soft like peaches.

"All right, I'm done joking. Sakura, I'm home. Come play with me next time you have time."

"Okay. Goodbye, Senior."

Stopping before the enormous estate, Sakura looked surprised. Even in her eyes, a building of this scale was truly incredible.

Compared to the not-so-distant Matou residence, which was only an ordinary two-story detached house, owning such a large home in Fuyuki City meant Ritsuka was practically a rich family's Young Lady, even if there were only two people in the household including her.

After saying goodbye to Sakura, Ritsuka stood at the gate and watched her leave. At the same time, her gaze drifted upward toward the courtyard wall. A sneaky figure was lying atop the entrance awning.

"Kiritsugu, what are you doing?"

All expression vanished from Ritsuka's face as she coldly stared at Kiritsugu hiding above.

Stare—

Before long, perhaps unable to bear Ritsuka's piercing gaze any longer, Kiritsugu jumped down from above and landed steadily before her, his aloof expression unchanged.

"I think I should ask again. What are you doing?" Ritsuka asked with a stern face, looking at the silent man before her.

"..."

"Were you worried about me? Afraid that a new friend might trick me, or was there some other reason?"

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

"..."

A bead of cold sweat ran down Kiritsugu's forehead.

There was nothing wrong with Ritsuka. She was pretty, good at acting cute, exceptionally talented, and capable at every household task. The only not-so-good thing was that she was too mature, lacking much of the innocence a child ought to have. Of course, Kiritsugu believed that was all because of his decisions over the years.

In pursuit of enough mystery to fulfill the illusory proposition of saving the world, the two of them had traveled all over the world over the years. Kiritsugu had also trained Ritsuka like an assistant.

Magecraft · Noble Phantasm · Rituals · Science · Religion · Mythology · Legends · Folklore · Oral Traditions

As long as there was a possibility, the means did not matter. Unfortunately, every possibility they had pursued proved futile, to the point that Kiritsugu had begun wondering whether miracles simply did not exist in this world.

At present, there was still one final possibility: the legend of the Divine Child, which might be connected to the Sakutsuki Clan. Even though the possibility of that legend being true was equally low.

It was the last straw in Kiritsugu's eyes...

Looking at the incomparably serious Ritsuka before him, Kiritsugu finally raised both hands in surrender. "All right, I admit it. I went a little too far. I'm sorry."

He admitted it. He had worried like an idiot father, even lying in a high place and doing something that amounted to peeping. If Ritsuka had exposed him directly, he would have lost all face.

However, he had not been following her from the beginning. After a brief conversation with local bigshot Fujimura Raika, he had encountered her on the way back. His thought process had gone wrong, and he chose to follow Ritsuka to judge what her new friend was like.

After all, it had been old man Fujimura's warning. That Matou family...

"I forgive you."

Ritsuka smiled brightly and no longer dwelled on Kiritsugu's inappropriate behavior.

It was a good thing to have someone care about her. She had once had almost nothing, then lost everything again. After those immense ups and downs, having someone who loved her and was willing to take care of her left her incomparably satisfied.

PS: As for Little Sakura's past, because Oath Under Snow did not explain much, and I did not get very far into the main Magical Girl Illya story either, I'm not entirely sure, so I made some changes myself—

A past that was not quite so terrible.

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

Carrying the groceries, Ritsuka turned toward the house. After taking out her key and opening the door, she went straight to the kitchen and placed all the ingredients there, waiting to deal with them when dinner time arrived.

"What delicious things did you buy?"

Kiritsugu had noticed the bag Ritsuka had carried all the way home. He came over to take a look. He had guessed before leaving that Ritsuka would go shopping to fill the kitchen, but whether he would get the chance to enjoy a feast was another matter entirely.

"The main dish is Kichiji fish. There are also some Kanto dishes." Ritsuka began preparing the sauce in advance for Kichiji fish with sauce that evening, answering without turning around.

Kanto cuisine had stronger flavors and suited Kiritsugu's preferred style of cooking. Ritsuka had specifically studied it as well. Fried tempura and Four Happiness Rice were dishes she was particularly good at, and her housekeeping ability surpassed that of most ordinary housewives.

Ritsuka took out the kelp she would need that night and soaked it in water. "Kiritsugu, I have something I want to ask you."

"Go ahead. I'm listening."

Kiritsugu sat on the sofa with the Sakutsuki Clan's record book in his hands. Without looking up, he remained engrossed in it, but still answered Ritsuka.

After all, the last time he had chosen to ignore Ritsuka, the result had been rather tragic. For three days, he had been unable to eat a single hot, filling meal, gnawing on hard biscuits and pickles until he had finally placated her.

From then on, he understood one thing: as long as he could not cook, he absolutely could not ignore Ritsuka. The consequences would be terrible.

"Do you know anything about the Matou family?"

At those words, Kiritsugu's pupils contracted slightly. He fell silent, seemingly unsure how to answer.

After hesitating for a moment, Kiritsugu's eyes shifted slightly.

"Well, the Matou family... they're an ordinary local family. I don't know much about the specifics either."

Although Ritsuka was dissatisfied with Kiritsugu's obvious concealment, she said nothing and did not think too much about it. After snorting, she walked toward the kitchen and ignored him behind her.

Amid the sound of the television in the living room and the chopping from the kitchen, Kiritsugu let out a soft sigh. He sat on the sofa watching television, but his thoughts had long drifted away with the mystery known as the Matou family. They were not something to provoke lightly.

As the local power in the world of magecraft, the Matou family controlled Fuyuki City's hidden side and possessed strength comparable to the Church here. His friend Fujimura Raika was merely an influential figure in the ordinary world by comparison.

In truth, after receiving Fujimura's warning, he had already planned to caution Ritsuka and keep her from interacting with anyone from the Matou family.

Unfortunately, he had been a step too late...

It was only noon. Since she had eaten breakfast rather late, Ritsuka did not have much appetite, so she simply began preparing dinner early. With plenty of time, she had ample freedom to choose what to make.

She opened the refrigerator, took out some fresher nori, and set it aside. Then she took out a package of sushi rice, tore it open, and poured out two cups' worth.

After washing the rice and placing it in a clean pot, she soaked it in water, added a few drops of oil, and then cooked it as normal.

She steamed crab sticks, sliced carrots into strips, cracked eggs, and swiftly prepared all the ingredients for dinner's sushi. Ritsuka covered everything to keep dust off, then pushed open the door and left the room.

"Let me think... emmmm, I should clean up my room first."

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

She entered the back courtyard, found the room marked with Ritsuka's name, pushed the door open, and pulled over the suitcase in the corner.

She had known long ago that Kiritsugu would not take the things out of her suitcase and put them away one by one. That guy might not even bother organizing his own belongings. In terms of housework, despite being only ten years old, she was already dozens of streets ahead of Kiritsugu. The difference was simply enormous.

Pantsu, pajamas, coats, dresses...

She took them out one by one and placed them into the already-cleaned cabinet. After completely emptying and organizing the suitcase, Ritsuka wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead and headed outside. She planned to train in the dojo for a while.

After finishing her training and washing off the sweat, Ritsuka came to the kitchen. Kiritsugu was still sprawled on the sofa like a salted fish, watching television. There was even a pack of Pocky on the table.

Of course, if one ignored the light sniper rifle beside the sofa, he was no different from a decadent stay-at-home old man.

Or rather, was Kiritsugu a military nerd?

The sound of knives striking the cutting board rang out. Ritsuka began preparing the Kichiji fish in her hands, with the cookbook spread open directly in front of her.

Following the preparation method described in the book, she deftly began removing the scales and gills.

Soy sauce, sake, sugar... Following the cookbook's steps steadily, Ritsuka smiled softly and took out a pot, adding half a pot of water as she began the final steps.

"Still need ginger and mirin."

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

After preparing everything in order, she kept the heat at medium and slowly reduced the sauce. Ritsuka then began working on the other dishes. Fish alone would definitely not do for a housewarming celebration. Even a famous Japanese fish like Kichiji fish would be too plain.

Suddenly remembering something, Ritsuka narrowed her eyes and turned to look at Kiritsugu lounging on the sofa. "Stop just watching TV! Come help me pick the vegetables!"

"Yeah, yeah."

For no apparent reason, Kiritsugu had been snapped at, but silently accepted it. He stood and walked toward the kitchen. Knowing he was in the wrong, he did whatever he was told.