"At least, at least let Mom and Sakura escape."
Rin, trapped in a desperate situation, made a decision amidst regret and unwillingness.
"Sakura, give me all of your 'bombs.' I'll deal with these monsters. You take Mom and find an opportunity to escape."
"No, that's too dangerous. Let Mom do it. Mom is an adult. I will be the one to protect both of you."
Before Sakura could speak, Aoi grabbed her daughter's shoulder and, trying to appear strong, even clenched her fist.
"No, Mom doesn't know magecraft and can't handle these monsters. It's because of my mistakes that we're in this situation. 'I have to fix my own mistakes and bear my responsibilities. The children of the Tohsaka family cannot evade responsibility.' That's what you taught me, Mom. And you also taught me that 'being an older sister means protecting my younger sister.' So, it has to be me."
Rin gazed at her mother with a determined look. In that moment, Rin truly embodied the calmness and elegance mentioned in the family motto.
"Rin..." Aoi's eyes turned red, speechless.
"Sakura, hurry, there's no time." Rin urged.
Unlike her crying mother and her sister who was prepared to fight desperately, Sakura's expression remained calm, as if she didn't even consider the surrounding monsters.
"Don't worry, big sister. We'll be fine."
"Huh?" Rin was taken aback.
"Big brother is here."
Before the words had finished, a loud rumble came from the group of monsters blocking the entrance to the parking lot. It was accompanied by intense flames.
The monsters, positioned closely together to block the road, were overturned by the impact of the explosions and then engulfed in fierce flames, emitting piercing screams.
Amidst the flames, a blurry figure held a uniquely shaped short knife and swung it at the struggling monsters. With an icy tone, he declared:
"Who allowed you filthy monsters to touch my sister? Die! Die! Die!"
Before the flames had even extinguished, the five monsters blocking the way had already turned into pools of blood.
Amidst blood and fire, a boy with blue curly hair and blue eyes wiped the blood from his face with his sleeve. He shouted at the three women, "Run, quickly! Leave the monsters behind to me."
Sakura reacted the fastest. She grabbed her mother and sister's hands and ran towards the parking lot. As she passed by Shinji, she didn't forget to say, "Big brother, be careful."
Shinji waved his hand casually, leaving behind a self-proclaimed cool figure.
"Well, it's time to settle the score. How do you plan to repay the debt of leaving a psychological trauma on my adorable little sister?"
As Shinji spoke, he deactivated his exclusive equipment, the "Divine Gunblade," and switched it to a medium-range rapid-fire slingshot.
"Even if I ask you, you won't answer, right? Then I can only decide unilaterally."
Several differently shaped runestones appeared in Shinji's right hand, and these were his creations. The previous explosive attack was the work of Scáthach. Due to the urgent situation and the need for a swift resolution without revealing his Noble Phantasm, he used these magic bullets that were one shot short.
"Although their power is not as great as what my mentor creates, it's enough to make you die in agony."
The remaining monsters crossed the blood left by their companions and approached fearfully.
Shinji opened the mesh of the "Divine Gunblade" and activated a blue runestone on the second magic bullet, marked with an "i" for ice.
The blood on the ground froze, and the already damp monsters began to slip on the icy surface.
Shinji sneered and loaded the second magic bullet.
"It's time for the execution."
...
On the other side, the mother and two daughters continued to run with all their might.
Due to the prolonged intense physical activity and the lingering fear in their hearts, they felt their chests growing increasingly suffocated.
But they dared not stop and rest. No one knew if they would be attacked again. Only by leaving this cursed place could they truly be safe.
The parking lot was not large, as it was still 1994 and not the car-overcrowded 21st century. There was no need for so many parking spaces in a small park like this.
There was only one car in the small parking lot of the Civic Park, and that was Aoi's white Toyota sedan.
No, it couldn't be called white anymore. The originally pristine car was now covered in purple-red liquid and chunks of flesh as if a child had scribbled all over it. The twitching chunks of flesh were gradually melting into blood.
The monsters had surrounded their car, but someone had helped them eliminate these monsters.
Aoi, who had regained her composure, easily reached this conclusion. Soon, she felt a gaze—a person was observing her from a spot beyond the reach of the streetlights.
"Who's there?"
Aoi shouted nervously.
The figure hiding in the bushes slowly emerged into the light of the streetlamp. It was a man wrapped in a wide windbreaker, with the hood pulled down deep as if to conceal his face.
"Sorry, Aoi. I've dirtied your car."
The man's voice was deep, tinged with a hint of melancholy. He reached out and lowered the hood, revealing a face that Aoi and her daughters were all familiar with.
"...Kariya...?"
Seeing that face, the mother and two daughters all let out a sigh of relief simultaneously, although it might not be the most appropriate way to describe it. But the presence of this man in front of them did bring them a sense of security.
"Uncle Kariya, is it you who defeated those monsters?"
Facing Rin's curious gaze, Kariya shook his head.
"It wasn't me, it was my Servant."
The term "Servant" that Kariya mentioned made Aoi feel a chilling sensation as if she was experiencing a dizzying coldness.
She sincerely hoped that she had misheard, but Kariya seemed to be confirming her fears. He extended his right hand, showing her the three distinct Command Seals imprinted on the back of it.
"Kariya... you..."
"Aoi, don't say anything, don't ask anything."
For the first time, the first time since they became adults, Kariya interrupted Aoi's words.
"This is the fate of the Three Great Families. It concerns the Tohsaka and Matou families, Tohsaka Tokiomi, and me. You... don't get involved. Take Rin and Sakura, leave Fuyuki City, and return to the Zenjou family. Sakura, go with Aoi to the Zenjou family for a few days. It will all be over soon."
After speaking, Kariya put on his hood and turned to walk into the shadows.
"Kariya, wait—"
There was no response to Aoi's final call. The sound of footsteps faded into the distance.
...
Outside the parking lot, Shinji leaned against the wall, playing with two runic bullets in his hand.
"Where's Sensei?" Kariya approached his nephew, leaning against the wall just like him.
"She went to find Ryuunosuke Uryuu. Since we're both here, there's no need for her to expose herself."
"Indeed..."
Kariya nodded slightly but noticed that Shinji was staring at him with a contemptuous look.
"Um, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because you're unbelievably foolish." Shinji covered his face and sighed. "You had the perfect opportunity to be the hero who saves the beauty, but you managed to mess it up like this. What am I supposed to say?"
P.S.: In fact, Sakura's magical abilities are slightly higher than Shinji's, but Sakura is still underage and lacks the tactical flexibility and adaptability that Shinji possesses. And Shinji's ultimate means of victory is to cut you down.
"At least, at least let Mom and Sakura escape."
Rin, trapped in a desperate situation, made a decision amidst regret and unwillingness.
"Sakura, give me all of your 'bombs.' I'll deal with these monsters. You take Mom and find an opportunity to escape."
"No, that's too dangerous. Let Mom do it. Mom is an adult. I will be the one to protect both of you."
Before Sakura could speak, Aoi grabbed her daughter's shoulder and, trying to appear strong, even clenched her fist.
"No, Mom doesn't know magecraft and can't handle these monsters. It's because of my mistakes that we're in this situation. 'I have to fix my own mistakes and bear my responsibilities. The children of the Tohsaka family cannot evade responsibility.' That's what you taught me, Mom. And you also taught me that 'being an older sister means protecting my younger sister.' So, it has to be me."
Rin gazed at her mother with a determined look. In that moment, Rin truly embodied the calmness and elegance mentioned in the family motto.
"Rin..." Aoi's eyes turned red, speechless.
"Sakura, hurry, there's no time." Rin urged.
Unlike her crying mother and her sister who was prepared to fight desperately, Sakura's expression remained calm, as if she didn't even consider the surrounding monsters.
"Don't worry, big sister. We'll be fine."
"Huh?" Rin was taken aback.
"Big brother is here."
Before the words had finished, a loud rumble came from the group of monsters blocking the entrance to the parking lot. It was accompanied by intense flames.
The monsters, positioned closely together to block the road, were overturned by the impact of the explosions and then engulfed in fierce flames, emitting piercing screams.
Amidst the flames, a blurry figure held a uniquely shaped short knife and swung it at the struggling monsters. With an icy tone, he declared:
"Who allowed you filthy monsters to touch my sister? Die! Die! Die!"
Before the flames had even extinguished, the five monsters blocking the way had already turned into pools of blood.
Amidst blood and fire, a boy with blue curly hair and blue eyes wiped the blood from his face with his sleeve. He shouted at the three women, "Run, quickly! Leave the monsters behind to me."
Sakura reacted the fastest. She grabbed her mother and sister's hands and ran towards the parking lot. As she passed by Shinji, she didn't forget to say, "Big brother, be careful."
Shinji waved his hand casually, leaving behind a self-proclaimed cool figure.
"Well, it's time to settle the score. How do you plan to repay the debt of leaving a psychological trauma on my adorable little sister?"
As Shinji spoke, he deactivated his exclusive equipment, the "Divine Gunblade," and switched it to a medium-range rapid-fire slingshot.
"Even if I ask you, you won't answer, right? Then I can only decide unilaterally."
Several differently shaped runestones appeared in Shinji's right hand, and these were his creations. The previous explosive attack was the work of Scáthach. Due to the urgent situation and the need for a swift resolution without revealing his Noble Phantasm, he used these magic bullets that were one shot short.
"Although their power is not as great as what my mentor creates, it's enough to make you die in agony."
The remaining monsters crossed the blood left by their companions and approached fearfully.
Shinji opened the mesh of the "Divine Gunblade" and activated a blue runestone on the second magic bullet, marked with an "i" for ice.
The blood on the ground froze, and the already damp monsters began to slip on the icy surface.
Shinji sneered and loaded the second magic bullet.
"It's time for the execution."
...
On the other side, the mother and two daughters continued to run with all their might.
Due to the prolonged intense physical activity and the lingering fear in their hearts, they felt their chests growing increasingly suffocated.
But they dared not stop and rest. No one knew if they would be attacked again. Only by leaving this cursed place could they truly be safe.
The parking lot was not large, as it was still 1994 and not the car-overcrowded 21st century. There was no need for so many parking spaces in a small park like this.
There was only one car in the small parking lot of the Civic Park, and that was Aoi's white Toyota sedan.
No, it couldn't be called white anymore. The originally pristine car was now covered in purple-red liquid and chunks of flesh as if a child had scribbled all over it. The twitching chunks of flesh were gradually melting into blood.
The monsters had surrounded their car, but someone had helped them eliminate these monsters.
Aoi, who had regained her composure, easily reached this conclusion. Soon, she felt a gaze—a person was observing her from a spot beyond the reach of the streetlights.
"Who's there?"
Aoi shouted nervously.
The figure hiding in the bushes slowly emerged into the light of the streetlamp. It was a man wrapped in a wide windbreaker, with the hood pulled down deep as if to conceal his face.
"Sorry, Aoi. I've dirtied your car."
The man's voice was deep, tinged with a hint of melancholy. He reached out and lowered the hood, revealing a face that Aoi and her daughters were all familiar with.
"...Kariya...?"
Seeing that face, the mother and two daughters all let out a sigh of relief simultaneously, although it might not be the most appropriate way to describe it. But the presence of this man in front of them did bring them a sense of security.
"Uncle Kariya, is it you who defeated those monsters?"
Facing Rin's curious gaze, Kariya shook his head.
"It wasn't me, it was my Servant."
The term "Servant" that Kariya mentioned made Aoi feel a chilling sensation as if she was experiencing a dizzying coldness.
She sincerely hoped that she had misheard, but Kariya seemed to be confirming her fears. He extended his right hand, showing her the three distinct Command Seals imprinted on the back of it.
"Kariya... you..."
"Aoi, don't say anything, don't ask anything."
For the first time, the first time since they became adults, Kariya interrupted Aoi's words.
"This is the fate of the Three Great Families. It concerns the Tohsaka and Matou families, Tohsaka Tokiomi, and me. You... don't get involved. Take Rin and Sakura, leave Fuyuki City, and return to the Zenjou family. Sakura, go with Aoi to the Zenjou family for a few days. It will all be over soon."
After speaking, Kariya put on his hood and turned to walk into the shadows.
"Kariya, wait—"
There was no response to Aoi's final call. The sound of footsteps faded into the distance.
...
Outside the parking lot, Shinji leaned against the wall, playing with two runic bullets in his hand.
"Where's Sensei?" Kariya approached his nephew, leaning against the wall just like him.
"She went to find Ryuunosuke Uryuu. Since we're both here, there's no need for her to expose herself."
"Indeed..."
Kariya nodded slightly but noticed that Shinji was staring at him with a contemptuous look.
"Um, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because you're unbelievably foolish." Shinji covered his face and sighed. "You had the perfect opportunity to be the hero who saves the beauty, but you managed to mess it up like this. What am I supposed to say?"
P.S.: In fact, Sakura's magical abilities are slightly higher than Shinji's, but Sakura is still underage and lacks the tactical flexibility and adaptability that Shinji possesses. And Shinji's ultimate means of victory is to cut you down.
