The night has come.
There is a different atmosphere in the air, as if it carries the weight of impending storms, making one feel a sense of oppression in the chest.
The dining table at the Matou household was also filled with silence. Everyone eats food quietly without the usual lively conversations.
"I'm full. I won't be coming back tonight, and maybe not even tomorrow."
Being the first to finish eating, Kariya nods at everyone, grabs his coat, and heads towards the basement.
Yes, the basement.
As one of the three families participating in the Holy Grail War, the Matou family was highly likely to be monitored by other masters. Therefore, a month ago, Kariya dug a secret tunnel in the basement, allowing them to enter and exit the Matou household without being noticed.
"I'm full too."
Shinji is the second to finish eating, following the same procedure as Kariya. However, he does not go to the basement but returns to his room.
"Ah, big brother, wait for me."
Sakura follows closely behind Shinji, leaving Byakuya alone in the empty dining room, lost in thought for a while before sighing.
"They're all so secretive. Even if the Holy Grail War began, we would still enjoy meals. I am the most unruly person in my household. Oh well, if you won't eat, then I'll eat!"
However, after only a few bites, Byakuya's movements slowed.
"It was so hard to finally have a semblance of a home. Please do not get into trouble I'm begging you, Kariya, Shinji."
...
In Shinji's bedroom, Sakura holds onto his arm.
"Big brother, are you planning to go out like Uncle?"
Shinji denies, "No, it's just that I'm really tired today and want to rest early."
"You're lying." Sakura exposes, "I know, you're going to participate in that Holy Grail War."
Shinji turns around and looks unwaveringly at his sister, who now has the same hair and eye color scheme as himself.
Currently, Sakura is no longer a girl with black hair or sapphire eyes. She transforms into the unique appearance of the Matou family, with purple hair and purple eyes. It wasn't the result of the inhumane crest worm modification like what Zouken did, but rather, it was Scathach who gradually changed Sakura's appearance over two months using runes. This was to display Sakura fully integrated into the Matou family and to ease the Tokiomi Tohsaka. It also satisfied Shinji's desires— in his memories, the Matou Sakura he knew had always been a soft, purple-haired girl, while the black-haired, green-eyed tsundere was characteristic of Tohsaka Rin.
"Why do you think that?"
"I... I saw it. Sensei suddenly disappeared, just like Uncle's silent Servant," Sakura weakly spoke. "Uncle also mentioned that Sensei and Justeaze-sama gave him a strange feeling, not quite like humans. And, it's been several days since Sensei and Justeaze returned."
...
Shinji's body stiffened, and he remained silent.
Sakura held onto her brother's hand, her frail yet determined appearance tugging at one's heartstrings.
Ultimately, Shinji could not resist his sister's gaze. He forced a bitter smile and used his free hand to gently rub Sakura's foreheads.
"Ah, I thought I did a good job keeping it a secret. Turns out, you all had suspicions... Should I feel like a failure, or should I say it's no wonder you're my family?"
"Big brother..."
"Never mind, after tonight, Uncle should be able to recognize Lady Justeaze's true identity, so there's no need for me to continue hiding."
Shinji gently freed his sister's hand and walked over to the window.
"You're right, I am indeed participating in the Holy Grail War. I made an agreement with Lady Justeaze a long time ago."
Sakura clung to the corners of Shinji's clothes. "But, but, big brother... it's very dangerous."
Shinji smiled softly at his sister. "It's okay. Compared to the training with Sensei, the Holy Grail War is nothing."
Sakura's grip on Shinji's clothes tightened more and more. "Then, then I want to go too. I am also Sensei's disciple."
The smile on Shinji's lips became even softer. "If you leave, who will protect Father? Father doesn't know magecraft, so what will we do if a bad person breaks in?"
"Sob..." Sakura hesitated. On one side was her brother and the other was her father. She didn't know how to choose.
Shinji extended his pinky finger. "Little Sakura, you protect Father, and I will protect Uncle. Let's support each other, okay?"
Sakura looked at her brother's face and then at his hand. Finally, she nodded. "Okay, big brother, let's pinky promise."
"Hmm, pinky promise. If someone lies, they have to swallow a thousand needles."
Their pinky fingers were interlocked, and their thumbs touched.
Having reassured his sister, Shinji draped a brown cloak over himself with one hand and pushed open the window with the other.
In the next second, his body floated lightly and out of the window, soaring into the sky.
Sakura waved vigorously at her brother, who was flying higher.
"Big brother, do your best!"
The sound was blocked by a barrier and could not be reached; however, Sakura's heartfelt message had long been conveyed to Shinji's heart.
The frigid night wind pierced through, but Shinji, suspended in the air, paid no mind.
Due to their physiological differences, Scáthach's training for Shinji focused more on warrior aspects rather than magecraft.
In warrior training, physical fitness is of utmost importance. Over the past three months, Scáthach has relentlessly honed Shinji's physique using various methods. By now, typical changes in weather would have had little effect on him.
Under the cover of the night, Shinji rode the wind, heading west until he reached the banks of the Unfaring River, before turning north.
The Unfaring River was the main water source of Fuyuki City, flowing through the city from south to north before finally merging with the sea.
On one side of the river mouth was the seaside park, renowned for its beautiful sea view and pristine white beaches, a popular destination for leisure and entertainment among the city's residents. Unfortunately, it was winter and nighttime, rendering the beach deserted and even couples on dates reluctant to approach. The only exceptions were Irisviel, accustomed to the cold of the northern lands, and Saber, whose nature as a Servant defied measurement by human standards.
When Shinji arrived, Irisviel was frolicking in seawater barefoot and was completely unconcerned about the temperature in the single digits. Her smile carried innocence that belied her age.
Observing Irisviel in this state, Shinji understood why she had caused such a disturbance in Justeaze's heart.
The two were like two sides of a mirror: similar backgrounds, similar experiences, similar destinies, and similar choices. However, their attitudes were opposite.
Silently descending from the air, Shinji hid himself in the shade of the trees at the edge of the beach, where Justeaze was hiding.
"Perhaps our encounter can change each other's fate, who knows."
"Shinji..." Justeaze remained intangible, but Shinji still sensed her differences. It was as if tiny cracks appeared in her icy heart, subtle yet prominent.
Shinji shook his head at Justeaze and whispered, "No need to say anything, just watch."
Before the words fully settled, Saber suddenly grabbed Irisviel's arms and pulled her closer, instantly replacing the warm atmosphere with a sense of solemnity.
"It's about to begin," Shinji's body tensed.
"The second battle."