CHP 20: A Strange Reunion (Patreon)

Shirou Emiya sat on a wooden bunch, holding a cone of ice cream as he curiously took in his new surroundings.

It was a stereotypical park, with neatly cut grass, a tree here and there, a fountain in the middle and happy or depressed people scattered throughout the place, either enjoying themselves with friends or family or lamenting their life decisions.

His 'friend' had taken him for quite the wild ride but Shirou couldn't exactly say no when he was asked for help.

Still... two days ago he was in his home, with no idea that he'd be touring a country halfway across the world... though people were a bit too prone to stabbing each other here.

That wasn't to say he didn't like it.

He even felt guilty for how much he was enjoying himself lately when he remembered all the people who died in the Fuyuki Incident. 

His life usually consisted of practising magecraft, cleaning up, looking after his legal guardian and attending school with an odd job here and there from Raiga Fujimura... not a particularly exciting life, admittedly.

Then, Shinji'd come in like a storm and in a few weeks, Shirou had done more things he'd usually do in a year or something.

They'd been chased by dogs, got into an altercation with delinquents, started a candy scam business, rescued a girl from her family by blowing said family to kingdom come, fought magi and summoned a literal Goddess... among a lot of other things but you get the gist.

"So..." Shirou glanced over at the grey haired eight year old sitting next to him, "Nice weather?"

Caren looked over at him, licking her ice cream, "Come back when you're not a trauma riddled husk with survivor's guilt."

"...Good talk." Shirou laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head.

"No. For that, you'd need to have something in your head other than sacrificing yourself for people that don't care." Caren spoke in a tone eerily similar to the one Shinji's little robot thing spoke in, "...I'm only here for Shinji."

Shirou closed his eyes and relented, "That's alright too."

"I don't recall asking for your approval."

Shirou deadpanned.

Her words would've been a lot more cold and hurtful if she wasn't coddling a puppy in her lap.

-

I knew I knocked on the right door this time when the door slowly opened to reveal a miniature Rin Tohsaka.

No, trust me. I'm not being sarcastic or goofy here.

She's got her brown hair in that same twintail hairstyle, and the red sweater with white cross on the chest, even the black skirt and stockings and...oh... she's taller than me by an inch or two.

Oh I don't like this, I don't like this at all.

"Umm... hi?" She tilted her head slightly as Sakura quickly hid behind me.

"You don't know me?" I asked curiously, mimicking her tilted head.

Don't worry, I don't blame you.

Shinjiberg is extremely low profile right now... and you were never particularly smart.

I could see the gears turning in her head as she tried to remember who I was but failed to, "No, I'm sorry."

"Alright..." I flashed her my innocent shota smile, holding out a hand, "I'm Shinji Matou. The new head of the family your dad abandoned your little sister to."

Don't judge me, I'm a kid, I get to be spiteful about things like these... I will never like a person who can abandon an innocent kid to someone like Diddy Zouken and firmly believe that it was a 'good' choice.

The Tohsaka heir flinched as realisation flashed in her aqua eyes.

"Yes of course, what can I do for you?" She asked cautiously, taking a step back.

What a rude girl.

"You won't invite a guest inside?"

She nodded hesitantly and backed away even more, "I'm sorry, I wasn't told someone would be coming."

Seriously? I'm 100% sure I had a message sent before I got on my flight, or are they telling me messages take longer than that to deliver around here?

Damn, magi are outdated as hell.

Her room was... nothing too special, modest and clean, with a brown carpet on the floor and neatly made lying single bed in the corner, right next to a study table under a window and a shelf against the wall right across from it with a number of books in it.

There was a dark closet behind the door, with four drawers.

It looked expensive but simple... strange.

Of course I stomped in like I owned the place and plopped my 12 year old ass down on her comfy bed, much to her chagrin, "Nice place."

Sakura scurried to my side and lowered her head, avoiding even looking at her sister.

"Thank you..." Rin's lips twitched as she walked over and took a seat at the study table, "Can I get you... anything?"

Dear Rin, stop looking so annoyed. People are going to like you less than they do right now.

And of course, because it seemed like she'd be annoyed by a request, I complied with a sweet smile, crossing one leg over the other, "I'll have some coffee."

I hate coffee, I'm getting it just to tell her it sucks.

"H-How lucky, I just made some." Rin stomped into one of the rooms, probably the kitchen.

Oh... it was for herself, even better.

Now she'll have to make more later.

"Hm."

When she was gone, I tapped Sakura on the shoulder, "You're not going to talk to your sister?"

The girl shook her head in silence, refusing to meet even my gaze.

Ugh... why do people have to be complicated?

Everyone should aspire to be more like me, honestly.

"So..." I called out as soon as Rin entered the room with a cup in her hand, "Any plans on returning to Fuyuki?"

Rin looked at me in surprise, "Now that you mention it, yes. I'll be back for middle school."

"Huh." I shrugged, taking the cup and putting it near my mouth as I gestured to the girl sitting at my side with my head, "Then I guess you'll be visiting Sakura?"

Come on, take the hint already!

Why are kids so stupid?

"Hmm, I think she won't want that." She smiled bitterly, sitting down again, "She's happier with your family anyway. I've been barely managing with how much money Kirei is taking."

...What?

I knew she thinks Sakura's been enjoying her life but hearing it irks me in a way that shouldn't be possible for a mad genius like myself.

"I imagine being the heir to a prestigious family like the Matou makes for a very happy and fulfilling life." She continued with a small smile as Sakura trembled, "She'd have to work hard but the Matou family is a really amaz-"

Sakura stood up abruptly as I put my hand to my chin with an unbecomingly calm expression.

"W-Who's she?"

She glared at the oblivious Rin before running out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Honestly, I really liked Rin... but... damn.

I don't even wanna fuck with her about her coffee anymore.

"I'm the Matou head." I spoke out, "Byakuya Matou and Zouken Matou are dead. Who's the only living person in my family?"

Rin looked at me in alarm, connecting the dots, "Then... that was-?"

I nodded and stood up, "Her body was a parasite infested husk until not too long ago and she spent years in a pit with bugs that went in and morphed her body for the 'crest'."

"A-And you let it happen?"

I know you're feeling angry and all Rin but I've never liked how people blame others for the strangest reasons even if it's just their brain trying to make excuses for overwhelming grief... I feel like punching you right now but I have to get to my sister.

I calmly put my cup down, and walked away.

"...I killed all the Matou when I found out."

-

I tugged at my jaw as I closed the door to Rin's room behind me.

That was... extremely uncomfortable.

"Oh? What did you want with that barbaric gorilla?" Luviagelita asked curiously, holding a detached doorknob in her hand.

I don't think she gets to call anybody a gorilla.

"Can you do me a favour?" I asked politely.

She tilted her head slightly but nodded, "Most certainly, what do you want?"

"I need to find my sister."

"Of course, family is the most important. I shall help you any way I can." She gave a small bow with her hand on her chest, "Let us find your sister this instant."

Hm... she and I could be friends.

-

Hope you enjoyed.

I like Rin as much as the next guy but I won't destroy a character just to make them look good. Rin convinced herself that Sakura was leading a happy and fulfilling life as Sakura Matou while the latter kept hoping that her sister would come rescue her one day.

then there's this, which I am putting here because of a reccomendation