I'm Not A Master, I'm A Director (Patreon)

Chapter 43: Come With Me

With the loyal protection of Arturia, Cu Chulainn, and Heracles, Shinji was spared from being strangled by Gilgamesh with the oldest rope. After a commotion, they finally decided to compromise.

Gilgamesh agreed to appear in the Fate/Zero film and provide the Noble Phantasms needed for the production. In return, Shinji promised to expedite the preparations for a Gilgamesh and Enkidu movie, aiming to start production within three years.

"Brother, are you sure you can make such a promise?" On the way home, Sakura asked with some concern.

Annoyed, Shinji grinned. "No problem. I didn't promise to direct the movie myself. When the time comes, I'll just find any film crew with two male leads and slot Gilgamesh and his green-haired buddy in there."

Sakura tilted her head in confusion. "Are there even any film crews making movies in Fuyuki City besides you?"

Shinji proudly raised his eyebrows. "Why wouldn't there be? There will be many more in the future."

– – – – – – – – --

"So... Shinji, you're back to see me?"

In the living room of the Matou household, Zouken Matou stared silently at Shinji, who was sitting across from him, smiling.

"FSN has already succeeded. It's time to move on to the next phase, Grandfather."

Shinji leaned back, propping his chin on the back of his hand, smiling mischievously.

The so-called second phase in Shinji's plan involved utilizing the influence of the successful film, the cost-effectiveness of the Heroic Spirit actors, and an excellent late-stage magical team to attract other film crews to come to Fuyuki City for shooting. However, for this second phase to work, Fuyuki City's infrastructure needed to keep up.

This required Type-Moon Film and Television Company to recruit numerous magus staff and have professional and well-equipped studios in Fuyuki City.

"For the indoor scenes, the large warehouse we used when filming FSN should suffice. As for outdoor scenes... Grandfather, what do you think about Fuyuki City's hinterland?" When Shinji presented his plan, Zouken Matou slightly shook his head.

"But that's the private territory of the Einzbern family. You would at least need their consent to do any construction there, right?"

Shinji confidently pushed the Fate/Zero project proposal forward and said, "No problem. As long as I use them, the husband and wife as the male and female leads, I'm not worried about Irisviel not agreeing."

Given Irisviel's playful nature, if Shinji proposed something fun like having her and Kiritsugu act as a couple in a film, she would probably agree without hesitation.

"Anyone who knows you is quite unfortunate. You've ensnared them all."

"Come on, Grandfather," Shinji chuckled, "It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"I see... But, Shinji..." Zouken's smile suddenly disappeared, and he pointed at the Fate/Zero project proposal, "Do you have any grudge against your old grandpa? You've portrayed me in such a terrifying manner."

"Oh, come on, Grandfather. What dirty deeds Makiri Zolgen did had nothing to do with Zouken Matou, right?"

Smack!

Zouken struck Shinji on the head with his cane.

"You brat, show some respect. That man is your ancestor," Zouken reminded him.

"If you really don't want it, I can change the script to have Uncle Kariya go off the deep end due to a failed love affair," Shinji teased with a sly grin.

Shinji was well aware of his family's accommodating nature. This version of Fate/Zero didn't need to adhere to the strict guidelines of the Heaven's Feel route, so involving Uncle Kariya in the story wouldn't be a problem.

"Shinji, you truly are Uncle Kariya's nephew."

"Oh, thanks, Grandfather."

"You're welcome? I wasn't complimenting you!"

Zouken raised his cane in frustration.

– – – – – – – –

After the conversation with Zouken, Shinji's purpose wasn't to give his old man a heart attack. He hoped Zouken could help identify potential Japanese magus families to collaborate with.

With FSN's fame growing, Japanese magus families were eager to establish connections with the Matou family. Shinji wanted Zouken to select suitable partners from these families.

Given Zouken's extensive network in the Japanese magus community, he was the ideal person to negotiate with these families. If Shinji had been the one seeking their cooperation in the past, now it was the other way around.

Shinji believed that his grandfather, with his vast experience and shrewdness, would secure the best conditions for the Matou family.

After the discussion with Zouken, Shinji returned to his room and took a refreshing nap. It was only in the late afternoon, when he couldn't fall asleep again, that he decided to visit a certain senior.

Over the past few months, Aozaki Touko, who had moved to Fuyuki City, had fully embraced her new identity and role. Although Shinji hadn't given her any specific tasks for a while, she wasn't idle.

As a magus pursuing the secrets of magecraft, Touko's thirst for mystical knowledge was insatiable, and Fuyuki City offered an abundance of secrets. The Heroic Spirits who had lived in the Age of God were living textbooks of ancient magecraft.

After spending months with Cu Chulainn and the others, Touko felt that her knowledge of magecraft had greatly expanded, and her magecraft had improved significantly. In particular, the Chinese dao arts that EMIYA knew and Cu Chulainn's Rune magic had provided her with valuable insights.

Receiving a monthly salary without having to work and gaining knowledge from the Heroic Spirits filled Touko's days.

Touko was thoroughly enjoying her perfect life of delving into mysteries. Even if someone were to push her away, she wouldn't leave Fuyuki City.

– – – – – – – –

When Shinji found Touko, she was in her workshop, deeply engrossed in her work. She was lying on a worktable, her right hand carving a piece of wood, and her left hand holding a pen, making continuous notes on paper.

Observing Touko engrossed in her work, Shinji chose to stand at the door and watch.

Perhaps due to the warmth of the workshop, Touko had loosely tied her work attire around her waist, and her upper body was only covered by a white sleeveless tank top, which gave Shinji quite a visual treat.

The only disappointment for him was Touko's body. While she had a good figure compared to Rin, it still fell short when compared to the well-endowed mature woman he remembered.

'It seems the rumors about Touko padding her chest when making her doll bodies are true.'

In this world, the age of mysteries had already waned, and Touko was not using a doll body anymore. This gave Shinji the opportunity to see the "original" with its imperfections.

However, unless Shinji went completely mad, he wouldn't dare to voice his thoughts aloud.

It wasn't until Touko stopped her work, wiped her sweat, and looked up that Shinji called out to her.

"Senpai, are you busy?"

Touko heard the voice, turned her head, and immediately smiled when she saw Shinji.

"Ah, Shinji, you've come."

"Yes."

Without much ceremony, Shinji grabbed a chair and sat directly across from Touko, she had put on her work attire and elegantly lit a cigarette.

"You, the busybody, finally found time to visit me today," Touko remarked with a tone that was difficult to interpret. It had a hint of resentment, as if she were a neglected pet complaining to her master about the lack of attention she got.

However, this was not directed at Shinji. Otherwise, she wouldn't be smiling at him. Her words were more like gentle teasing.

Having been lured to this unfamiliar city as bait to counteract the old man, and with Shinji being occupied with his own affairs, she had been somewhat neglected. If it weren't for the monthly salary Shinji paid her and the unique opportunity to discuss magic with the Heroic Spirits, she might have left.

Nonetheless, seeing Shinji now made Touko happy. At least it meant she hadn't been completely forgotten by her junior.

Shinji could sense the underlying emotions in Touko's words. This puppeteer, known for her indifferent demeanor in front of others, was now mocking him somewhat playfully, like a tsundere, Shinji found it amusing.

Their relationship was still relatively new, so he couldn't tease Touko like he did Rin. Thus, he put on a gentlemanly smile and said, "It seems that Senpai is enjoying her time in Fuyuki City. I've been too occupied with my own affairs lately, and I apologize for not being able to spend more time with you."

"That's good to know," Touko said with a lazy grin, her eyes half-closed. "As long as you keep paying my salary, I won't complain. There are advantages to being here that you can't find elsewhere."

"I'm glad you like it here, Senpai."

Touko didn't pay much attention to Shinji's flattery and asked curiously, "So, why do you have time to visit me today? I heard from Cu Chulainn and the others that you've been quite busy recently."

Shinji replied, "Because I wanted to see Senpai and invite you for dinner."

Touko raised an eyebrow, "You're being this generous? You're not planning to get me drunk and do something unspeakable, are you?"

"I would never do such a thing."

Shinji, who had developed a psychological aversion to alcohol, quickly denied.

"I just think that we, Senpai and Junior, should strengthen our bond."

Touko continued to regard Shinji with suspicion.

"How do you imagine me, Senpai? Why would I do something dirty like that?"

"Considering you bothered all the Clock Tower girls, you're not qualified to say that."

Touko frowned, looking somewhat displeased.

Shinji raised his hands in a French salute, "Alright, alright. Senpai, please consider this my bribe."

"Bribe?"

"Yes. I'm going to visit the Clock Tower next, and I'd like you to accompany me."

Shinji smiled as he revealed his intention.