"I object!"
Even after they had deboarded the plane and left the airport in Japan, Nono still wore a sullen face, protesting stubbornly and full of indignation.
But her fragile, feeble protests were shattered mercilessly by the cold, unyielding reality—scattered like rubble in the wind.
Because along the way, she had tried every angle to question how a mere freshman like Xia Mi could possibly qualify as an assistant. She even tried to quiz her directly—yet every time, Xia Mi crushed her with such overwhelming mastery that Nono began to doubt her entire existence.
Sure, Xia Mi was no match for a true master like Norton, but she was certainly no pushover. Especially not someone like Nono, who was still an early-stage magic theory student, just barely out of the beginner zone.
And so, all debate crumbled and faded.
Shirou's group moved swiftly through the brightly lit halls of Tokyo's Haneda International Airport, its announcements echoing in a mix of languages. People bustled past like a tide: businessmen rushing to meetings, tourists soaking in the sights, and even some locals turning heads in awe at the striking crew walking past.
A stunning group: the fiery red-haired pair up front looked like walking flames, while the silver-haired girl trailing them resembled a living porcelain doll. Even Xia Mi, with her plain outfit and no makeup, stood out—her natural cuteness was just too powerful.
Some bystanders whispered, wondering if they were celebrities. Others reached for phones, clearly hoping for a photo. A few couples had awkward spats after one partner was caught staring too long.
"…Yeah, I got it. Okay, thanks. Goodbye."
Shirou hung up his phone and turned to the still-pouting Nono. "I double-checked with the Zhou clan. Xia Mi passed the assistant test with outstanding results. We don't really have grounds to reject her."
There wasn't much else to say. He'd made the offer publicly days ago—he couldn't just go back on his word now. He hadn't expected such a rare outcome, but she had clearly earned the spot fair and square.
"Hmph… fine, I'll let it go."
Nono glanced sideways at Xia Mi, whose looks could make any girl jealous. From head to toe, she was practically a character drawn straight from a manga—except for one important department…
Well, thank heavens she's got nothing up top, Nono thought with a sigh of relief. At least that was one thing she could hold over her.
Feeling a bit better, her anger started to fade—maybe even replaced by a tinge of pity.
"Thanks for the generosity, onee-sama," Xia Mi said with a sunny smile, pressing a hand to her flat chest as if she'd felt the malice. "Any further instructions from you?"
"What's your job here exactly?" Nono asked coldly, her glare sharp like an interrogator with a whip.
"Well, onee-sama," Xia Mi replied, unfazed, "I'm the assistant to the project leader. That would be Shirou-senpai. I'll do whatever he tells me to. If he wants his name as second author on my paper, I wouldn't dream of claiming first!"
"In short, I follow Master Shirou's lead—wherever it goes!"
Her words flowed like silk. She deflected Nono's hostility effortlessly, even as she glanced between Shirou and Nono's matching red hair, wondering what their connection could be. But she got no answers from that train of thought.
So, she refocused—flatter Shirou enough, and she wouldn't need to worry about Nono's sabotage.
"Xia Mi, cut the flattery. I'm not taking first author credit from you," Shirou said firmly. "You'll be doing your own research. I'll give guidance, but I'm not doing the work for you."
They had just picked up their massive pile of luggage, and everyone was now loading up the Zhou clan's arranged vehicles. While the other clan members were headed to their hotel, Shirou's group was headed somewhere else.
"Wait, I thought your house was in Tokyo?" Nono asked as Shirou stuffed the bags into the trunk.
"It's not. We're heading to Yokohama."
———
Yokohama wasn't technically Tokyo, but it was still part of the greater metropolitan area, well-connected by JR railways. A bustling port city known for its mix of sleek skyscrapers and classic Japanese architecture, it was home to landmarks like Yamashita Park and Chinatown—both tourist magnets.
But more importantly, it was home to Daikoku Wharf, one of Japan's largest shipping hubs, and the colossal Daikoku C3 terminal built in 1992.
From the car, Shirou stared at the familiar yet distant cityscape. He felt no real sense of belonging. Each time he saw these landmarks, he couldn't help but think of Fuyuki.
But those fleeting memories had dulled over time. They didn't stir him like they used to.
All he asked now was that among the powerful families of Tokyo, none bore the name "Sajou." That was his only prayer.
As for his actual home, it sat in Yokohama's outskirts—a traditional Japanese-style house with a large yard, wooden buildings, and even an open lot that doubled as an archery range.
They arrived and began unloading the luggage into the so-called "Emiya Residence."
Nono and Melusine looked around without much reaction. Melusine likely saw no real difference between human "dens," and Nono was used to the far more extravagant Chen family estates. By comparison, Shirou's home was humble.
But for Xia Mi, who'd spent her life in a crammed, shared apartment with no air conditioning, this house was a palace.
Her eyes shimmered as she whispered, "Mom, Dad, even my dumb big bro… are you seeing this? I made it. I'm living in the kind of house I thought I'd never afford in a lifetime. Thank you, heavens…"
"Hey! Stop zoning out and talking to yourself!" Nono yelled, arms full of clothes. "You're the assistant, right? Get over here and help carry stuff!"
She didn't dare let Melusine do it. That girl was strong enough to accidentally demolish the house just by trying to help.
Shirou was already scrubbing the floors. The house had sat empty for months and was now covered in dust, mold, and maybe even pests.
This wasn't a cleaning job—it was a battlefield.
By nightfall, the Emiya residence would likely be ablaze with lights, as Shirou, Nono, and Xia Mi worked themselves to exhaustion cleaning every last corner.
And Melusine?
Well, she'd just be watching from the side like a useless mascot.
———
By the next morning, the chill mist had faded from the windows, the sun climbing into the sky.
At a desk elsewhere in Tokyo, Genji Asuka still sat slouched in his chair, eyes closed in thought.
His summer had been anything but restful.
His father, Tachibana Masamune, had already clued him in—now was the time for the Genji clan to act. All plans needed to move faster, all resources accelerated.
The Genji Heavy Industries tower, originally planned for completion by year's end, might now be rushed to finish months early.
Even Asuka's graduation from the Kassel Academy's training program might be skipped. His father believed that if they could break free from the Secret Party's control, there was no need to finish their schooling.
Most of all, his father had made a new request:
Get Shirou Emiya on their side.
That… would be the hardest part of all.
(End of Chapter)
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