Note: This Chapter is Re-Translated on 6 / 15 / 2025
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Chapter 20: It's a Miracle Britain Isn't Bankrupted by Now
At the Tohsaka estate.
"Thank you, Shinji-kun."
Tokiomi Tohsaka opened the invitation Shinji had handed him and gave it a brief glance.
"So, the day after tomorrow?"
He looked up, confirming the date with Shinji.
"That's right. Tomorrow night at 8 PM, at the Shinto theater," Shinji replied with a matter-of-fact tone. "It's the Fate/Stay Night preview screening."
Considering how much the Tohsaka family had helped with the Fate/Stay Night film, inviting them to the screening was only natural.
"So the film's finally being released, huh? As expected of you, Shinji-kun."
Tokiomi stroked the envelope with composed elegance, though a glint of something sharp flashed in his eyes. He murmured quietly to himself.
"If this movie succeeds… it might just be the turning point for the Tohsaka family…"
Shinji, who had sharp ears, caught the whispered words and raised an eyebrow.
'Wasn't this guy singing a very different tune when I first pitched the project…?'
If memory served, Tokiomi had only reluctantly agreed to the plan because of the generous compensation Shinji had promised. And even then, his agreement had been very reluctant.
If the Tohsaka family hadn't already fallen on hard times, someone as prideful and old-fashioned as Tokiomi would've never given his nod to Shinji's modern, commercial project.
And yet, the Tokiomi sitting in front of him now was acting completely different.
'Did someone change his mind?'
Shinji couldn't help but wonder.
Still, Tokiomi's attitude didn't really matter to him. After all, the one with the biggest slice of the pie was undoubtedly the Matou family. If the Tohsaka family wanted to jump in and sip a bit of the soup, Shinji was more than happy to let them—out of respect for their long-standing ties.
"Tokiomi-ojisan, about your response—"
"Rin and I will attend."
Tokiomi's answer came calmly, without hesitation.
Shinji grinned. "Good to hear. Then we're all set."
"Yes, indeed."
Shinji's overly casual tone made Tokiomi frown slightly.
"Shinji-kun, you really should—"
Noticing Tokiomi's lecturing expression, Shinji quickly changed the topic, turning to the third person in the room. "By the way, Risei-jii-chan, what brings you here to see Tokiomi-ojisan today?"
"It's been a while, Shinji," Kotomine Risei said with a hearty laugh. "You've done something truly amazing this time. You've brought quite a bit of honor to Fuyuki."
"Oh no, you're giving me too much credit, Risei-jii-chan."
Shinji scratched his head bashfully.
Compared to Tokiomi, this old man—who genuinely treated Shinji like a grandson—was harder for him to deal with emotionally.
"My rascal of a son didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"
Risei clapped a firm hand on Shinji's shoulder and asked loudly.
"Not at all. Kirei-ojisan has real talent as an actor. Just wait until tomorrow—you're in for a surprise."
Shinji hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided not to mention Kirei's relentless efforts to push mapo tofu on the cast and crew.
'Ugh… why does this feel like I'm a teacher giving a report to parents during a school conference?'
Unable to find much common ground with the two older men, Shinji quickly wrapped things up. After delivering the invitation and exchanging a few polite words, he made his exit.
"Well then, I'll be expecting both of you tomorrow night."
With a bright smile, Shinji saw the two elders off and gently closed the door to the sitting room behind him.
Left on the sofa, Tokiomi let out a quiet, almost imperceptible sigh. He turned his gaze toward the old man still sipping tea without a care in the world.
After a long silence, Tokiomi finally spoke again.
"What do you think of that boy, Shinji?"
Kotomine Risei chuckled lightly, his voice full of fondness. "Every time I see that kid, it feels like I've got a grandson. Especially when he and Caren are together."
At that, a subtle trace of melancholy surfaced in Risei's expression. Shinji had gone abroad to study five years ago, and Caren had left for further training at the Vatican four years back. As for his own son, Kirei… well, they'd never exactly been close.
These past few years, Kotomine Risei had truly been a lonely old man.
Tokiomi Tohsaka was momentarily stunned by his friend's sentiment, then nodded in shared understanding.
Back when Shinji and Rin were both learning the basics of magecraft under his tutelage, there had been moments when even Tokiomi felt as if he'd gained another son.
However, compared to Rin—who was both exceptionally gifted and impressively diligent—Shinji's talent for magecraft, while arguably superior, was paired with a frustratingly lax attitude.
He'd grasp a spell's fundamentals, then simply move on without polishing it to mastery.
In Tokiomi's eyes, if Rin was the dependable eldest daughter set to inherit the family's legacy, then Shinji was the spoiled youngest son who shirked responsibility yet somehow remained everyone's favorite.
"Haaah…"
A heavy sigh escaped Tokiomi's lips.
"If Shinji-kun had dedicated himself to the path of magecraft, he might've outshone all his peers… perhaps even become the future leader of Japan's magecraft world. What a waste."
Tokiomi spoke without reserve in front of his old friend.
"The Matou family, which had already fallen into decline, finally produced a prodigy. I had hoped that a union between Shinji and Rin would bring our two houses even closer together."
He paused. A shadow crossed his face.
"…But to think that boy, at such a young age, has already drowned himself in indulgence and desire! He is not someone I could ever entrust my daughter's future to!"
Hearing Tokiomi bring up the idea of marrying Rin off to Shinji, even Kotomine Risei's expression stiffened.
Shinji's exploits at the Clock Tower were far too notorious. Even they, two elderly magi from across the sea, had caught wind of them.
Though the rumors were likely exaggerated, it was true that Shinji had maintained a number of… parallel romantic arrangements with female students, all at the same time.
"I, too, once considered leaving Caren in Shinji's care, but…"
Risei and Tokiomi exchanged a long look—and both saw the exact same exasperation in the other's eyes.
If only that brat would tone it down when it comes to women…
Risei took a deep, slightly bitter sip of strong tea.
"Well, let's not force things between the younger generation," Tokiomi said, as if to console himself. "Rin's already more than capable. I'm confident the Tohsaka family will flourish under her leadership."
At the mention of his daughter, a soft, satisfied smile finally bloomed on Tokiomi's otherwise composed face.
"Don't worry. Shinji will support her," Risei said with a chuckle. "That rascal may be a scoundrel, but he's got a strong sense of loyalty. With the friendship between him and Rin, I'm sure he'll lend a hand when needed."
—Meanwhile.
"Achoo!!"
Shinji, who had just stepped out of the Tohsaka estate, sneezed hard without warning.
"Jeez… Which beauty's talking about me behind my back?"
He rubbed his nose with a finger, muttering under his breath with a sniff.
Naturally, Shinji had no idea what the two old men had been saying about him just moments ago.
If he had heard it, he would've snorted in disdain.
Because the idea of marrying Rin had never once been on his list of romantic considerations.
Rin's personality was far too lively and independent—completely not his type.
To Shinji, she felt more like someone destined to become the captain of a pirate ship rather than a wife.
Compared to that, Shinji vastly preferred a more traditional, demure Yamato Nadeshiko-type woman.
Sure, Rin was top-tier in terms of looks—no question there.
But if it weren't for the Matou and Tohsaka families being so close, Shinji might've just… gone after her for fun.
Unfortunately for Rin, as the future head of the Tohsaka family, the option of a casual fling just didn't exist.
Which meant—for Shinji—she'd forever remain just a friend.
Sure, Rin was beautiful. Gorgeous, even. But no matter how stunning she was, she wasn't worth giving up the whole forest for a single tree.
Seriously, in every single parallel universe, Tokiomi always managed to think only from his own point of view. Wishful thinking at its finest.
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The next evening.
The Fate/Stay Night film crew had all gathered right on time at the front of the Fuyuki City cinema.
"I still can't believe a city the size of Fuyuki only has one movie theater," Shinji muttered, standing near the entrance as he waited for the others.
"That's normal, isn't it? It's not like this is Tokyo. Why would a small city need more than one theater?"
Emiya Shirou, ever the embodiment of rural Japanese acceptance, didn't see the issue.
"You're hopeless."
Shinji rolled his eyes.
To someone like him—who'd grown up with four theaters within walking distance back in his previous life—this was practically barbaric.
"Shinji."
A familiar voice called out. It was Kariya.
He walked up and placed a hand firmly on Shinji's shoulder. "I got in touch with the Flora family from the Time Group the day before yesterday…"
Shinji's expression stiffened instantly. His voice dropped an octave.
"They didn't agree to a deal, did they?"
"Well… they didn't exactly agree, but—"
"Good enough!" Shinji cut him off abruptly, grabbing Shirou by the wrist and pulling him away. "Come on. Rin and the others are here."
He didn't even glance back, leaving a confused Kariya behind.
"…What the hell is up with him?"
Kariya frowned, still standing in place. "I didn't even get to mention that the Floras are already in talks with the El-Melloi faction…"
Despite his usual clumsy demeanor, Kariya wasn't an idiot. Shinji clearly had some kind of history with the Flora family. A history he didn't want brought up.
"…Please tell me Shinji didn't piss them off somehow. That family's on a completely different level than the Matous."
He pressed his fingers against his temples with a sigh, already developing a headache.
Meanwhile, Shinji had no idea his uncle was stressing over him. Once most of the crew had arrived, he gathered everyone outside the theater for a group photo.
There wasn't going to be some fancy red carpet premiere or anything like that—Bandai's promotional plan for Fate/Stay Night was way too conservative for that.
In fact, even this small Fuyuki preview screening only existed because he had gone out of his way to insist on it.
So to commemorate the occasion, Shinji had decided to organize a little something himself.
A photo for the memories.
"How shabby."
Gilgamesh's voice oozed disdain as he looked around. "Why are we being herded in with the common rabble?"
"It's not so bad. This screening was a last-minute addition anyway."
Shinji kept his voice low as he tried to soothe the golden king. "Once we hit it big, I'll arrange a private screening just for you and Enkidu. I promise."
"Hmm…"
Gilgamesh frowned, his face flushing with complicated emotions.
Clearly, he was torn between the shame of being seen by Enkidu in such a 'common' setting… and the pride of having his radiant form displayed on the big screen.
"Hmph. Boring!"
With a sharp snort, he stormed ahead into the theater.
Left standing at the entrance, Shinji couldn't help but let out a sly fox-like smile.
Right then, Arturia trotted over.
"Hey, Master," she asked with bright eyes, "if we have a private screening, will there be special snacks?"
Shinji glanced at her eager expression… then down at the industrial-sized popcorn tub she was holding—already one-third empty.
He was silent for a long moment.
'Seriously, how the hell did Britain survive feeding her for that many years without going bankrupt?'
Shinji sighed internally, a resigned look on his face.