Matou Zouken was the current head of the Matou family—or so it appeared. In truth, he was the original patriarch from six generations ago, a sorcerer who had lived for over five centuries.
He was an insect mage, having discarded his original body long ago. Now, he relied on swarms of magical bugs to construct a temporary form for himself.
A grotesque way to cling to life—and all for one purpose: to use the Holy Grail War to achieve true immortality.
Compared to vampires, what he had done to his body was straight-up monstrous. An abomination.
After leaving the Matou estate, Shichen didn't head straight back to the hotel. Instead, he walked, carrying Sakura gently in his arms.
He hadn't fought Zouken. In fact, Zouken had let him go. The moment Shichen called out his real name, the old monster didn't dare make a move. Anyone who knew that kind of secret clearly wasn't ordinary.
Even if Shichen didn't look threatening on the surface.
To keep his identity a secret, Zouken agreed to hand Sakura over.
It worked out. Shichen had no intention of fighting him anyway. As far as he was concerned, once Sakura was safe, the old bug wasn't worth the trouble.
Maybe Zouken would even go back to experimenting on his own grandson next—with bugs or whatever else he used.
"Where are we going?" Sakura asked quietly. "M–Master…"
Shichen stopped walking. His expression turned odd as he glanced down at her. "What did you just call me?"
"Master," she repeated, completely serious.
"Why would you call me that?"
"You saved me… isn't that what I should call you?"
"Hell no."
"Then… what should I call you?"
"Whatever you want. Just not 'Master.'"
"Then… how about… Dad?"
Shichen's face twitched. "…No."
"But I'm using your last name now, aren't I?"
"That doesn't automatically mean you're my daughter."
"…Onii-chan?"
"Yeah, that works." Shichen nodded.
"Okay then! I'll call you Onii-chan from now on!"
"Sounds good. From now on, don't hold back around me. No fear, no hesitation. Just be yourself."
"Really?"
"Of course. I'm your Onii-chan."
"Okay! Onii-chan!" Sakura beamed and hugged his neck.
"Is this okay?" she asked softly.
"Whatever makes you feel safe," Shichen replied with a warm smile.
"Mmhm." She nestled against him, eyes closed, a smile tugging at her lips.
Everything today felt like something out of a fairy tale—she'd been rescued by a prince.
No one could understand what she felt in this moment. It wasn't something that could be put into words. It was overwhelming, like her soul had been claimed. Deep down, she swore: from now on, her heart and body belonged to her Onii-chan.
That light called 'salvation' had pulled her out of the abyss. And she never wanted to let go.
"Getting sleepy?" Shichen asked when he noticed her eyes closed.
"…No," she mumbled, lightly shaking her head.
"Wanna walk a bit longer?"
To Shichen, this marked the beginning of her new life. He wanted her to have time to slowly transition—step by step—toward something better.
"I'll go wherever you go, Onii-chan." Her eyes stayed closed, but her arms never loosened.
"Alright."
Shichen smiled, adjusted his hold on her, and walked toward the hotel. It was a long walk, but when you have someone by your side, distance doesn't matter.
Winter nights in Fuyuki were cold. The wind bit at his face, stealing heat with ease.
But the little girl in his arms—Sakura—was warm.
They didn't say a single word the entire way, yet the bond between them deepened in silence. Both of them felt it.
When they reached the hotel entrance, Shichen gently tapped the back of Sakura's head.
"We're here."
She looked up at the building. "Is this where Onii-chan lives?"
"No, I'm just staying here for now. Got into town this morning."
"This morning…" Sakura whispered. So he'd just arrived… and that very night, he came to save her?
The thought made her hold him even tighter. "I'm really glad you're here, Onii-chan."
"That was sudden. What's up?"
"Nothing. I'm just really… glad I was born."
"You're being dramatic." Shichen chuckled and shook his head.
Sakura didn't explain. She just held onto him tighter, as if trying to memorize his scent and warmth—imprinting it onto her soul.
"Oh, by the way—there's someone else with me. Don't be scared when you meet her."
"She's your…?"
"Family. Just like you."
"Like me?" Sakura echoed. "Okay. I'll do my best to get along with her."
"Haha. Don't overthink it. It's not some test. Just know that you're part of my family now. You don't owe anyone an apology or explanation."
"You sure?"
"Quit worrying so much. You're my sister now." He ruffled her hair.
This girl… already worrying about how to fit in? At her age? Being abandoned must've done a number on her.
From now on, he'd spoil her as much as it took to heal those scars.
"Let's go."
With Sakura still in his arms, Shichen walked into the hotel.
Just in case, he registered her at the front desk before heading up to the room.
He knocked on the door.
A few seconds later, it opened—and Irisviel's elegant face appeared.
"Shichen, you're back."
"Yeah."
Her smile brightened—until her eyes drifted down and landed on the little girl in his arms.
"...And this is…?"
"Hi! I'm Sakura." The girl gave a polite little bow.
"…Sakura?" Irisviel glanced at Shichen.
"Let's talk inside."
"Okay…"
Once inside, Shichen looked around. "Where's Illya?"
"She fell asleep on her own. Not sure if it's great for her stomach, but…" Irisviel chuckled.
"It's fine. She's still growing." Shichen sat on the couch and gently set Sakura beside him. She sat quietly, well-behaved.
Irisviel sat across from them, gave Sakura a glance, then looked at Shichen, clearly waiting for an explanation.
At first, she thought the girl might actually be his daughter. But seeing how things were… maybe she'd guessed wrong.
She let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Shichen placed his hand on Sakura's head, gave it a soft pat, and said, "Her real name was Tohsaka Sakura."
"Tohsaka? As in that Tohsaka?" Irisviel frowned.
"Yeah. She's the youngest daughter of Tohsaka Tokiomi."
"Tokiomi?!" Irisviel's eyes widened. She stared at Sakura in shock.
As a member of the Magecraft's Three Great Families, she absolutely knew who Tokiomi was. And this girl was his daughter?
Naturally, she was stunned.
"No need to look so shocked," Shichen laughed.
"How can I not be? You basically walked off with the daughter of a major family head."
"I didn't kidnap her. Just listen—it's a sad story."
He started explaining what had happened to Sakura. The whole thing could be summed up in a few sentences, but the hopelessness behind it… that was something words couldn't really express.
Sakura listened silently, showing no emotion. Like it wasn't even about her.
"…I see." Irisviel murmured. Then, unable to resist, she got up and sat beside Sakura, gently wrapping her in her arms.
"From now on, you'll live with us."
"…Thank you."
Sakura, who'd shown almost no reaction this whole time, relaxed into Irisviel's embrace, finally allowing herself to feel safe.
"She's called Irisviel. You can call her Iri-nee," Shichen added.
"Okay. Iri-nee."
"Nee…?" Irisviel looked awkward. "Is that really appropriate? Illya's about the same age as her…"
"What, you want her to call you 'Mom'? She calls me 'Onii-chan,' you know."
"Ah—well, when you put it like that… fine." Irisviel looked a little embarrassed.
"Alright, it's getting late. Time for bed. Sakura, where do you want to sleep?"
"I… I'm okay with anything."
"Hm? Didn't I say not to be polite with me?"
"Then… can I sleep with Onii-chan?"
"Haha, of course. But we should take a bath first."
"…Can I bathe with Onii-chan too?"
~~~
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