"I'm aware of Shinji's actions, but there's little I can do to stop him. Please, take Sakura with you."
Before Shirou could even request a private word with Shinji, Matou Zouken raised his hand and made his intention clear.
"Grandfather!"
Shinji sprang from his seat, anxious to protest.
"Not another word! I've made my decision—keep your mouth shut!"
Zouken fiercely struck the floor with his cane. Immediately, Shinji felt as if something vile was crawling up his neck.
His expression twisted into panic, and he snapped his mouth shut, trembling.
"But what about you?"
Shirou hesitated. Leaving this kind-hearted old man here alone would surely invite endless retaliation from Shinji.
"No need to worry about me. I may be old, but I'm more than capable of disciplining this spoiled brat!"
Zouken punctuated his words with a sharp strike of his cane against Shinji's arm.
Shinji gripped his arm tightly, pain radiating through his body. Yet the chill climbing up his neck silenced any cry he might have let out.
Face crimson, Shinji crumpled to the ground, silently writhing in agony.
Thank goodness!
Sakura sighed softly in relief. But she quickly understood Zouken's real intention—to have her keep constant watch on Emiya Shirou.
Previously, she could only accompany Shirou occasionally each day, limiting the observation. Now, if she moved in with Shirou, she'd effectively be monitoring him around the clock.
Matou Zouken needed to uncover the secrets Shirou had gained during his two-month disappearance.
Of course, Zouken could have easily trapped Shirou now and forced him to speak. He doubted Shirou had the strength to escape his workshop.
Yet now wasn't the time for rash actions. Slowly squeezing every secret out of him was Zouken's preferred approach.
The son of the Magus Killer… You really do keep surprising me.
Unsurprisingly, Shirou brought Sakura back to his home by nightfall.
Initially, Shirou worried about misunderstandings and inconveniences of sharing his house with a girl. But on second thought, he realized he wouldn't often be home himself anyway. It was better to provide Sakura with safety from Shinji's abuse.
Besides, Shirou was confident that Shinji wouldn't dare mistreat Sakura at school. Just today, he'd observed Shinji maintaining his carefully crafted image as the perfect student—the idol of countless girls. To preserve this façade, Shinji wouldn't harm Sakura openly.
This allowed Shirou peace of mind to return his focus to the other world—still plagued by endless demon attacks.
He could never ignore those in peril, even if it meant sacrificing his studies. After all, academic obligations paled beside saving lives.
Returning home, Shirou and Sakura prepared dinner together for the first time in months.
Fujimura Taiga, celebrating both Shirou's return and Sakura's move-in, drank enthusiastically—quickly ending up sprawled drunkenly on the floor.
After dinner, Shirou promptly arranged a room for Sakura.
Never underestimate Shirou's skill at housework—especially since Sakura, who often assisted him, was also remarkably capable.
"Senpai, do I really deserve everything you're doing for me?"
Standing beneath the moonlight, Sakura's voice carried deep guilt, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
From beginning to end, Shirou had always considered Sakura's well-being, determined to save her from Shinji's cruelty.
Yet she had approached him only to monitor him, intentionally getting closer to someone she deeply admired, all with selfish motives.
She didn't believe herself worthy of Shirou's kindness.
Few people ever escaped Zouken's grasp alive. Sakura was terrified of what would happen once Zouken finally targeted Shirou.
She had no power to resist Zouken.
If Zouken truly made his move, Sakura had no idea how she'd respond.
She feared slipping back into her former despairing self—living as a lifeless puppet. She didn't want to live like that again, nor did she wish any harm upon Shirou.
If only he would grow to hate me… Then I could leave his side without feeling such guilt.
"What are you talking about? You're my best friend!"
Shirou gently stepped forward, patting Sakura affectionately on her head to comfort her.
Given Shirou's limited magical ability, he couldn't sense Zouken's hidden workshop at all. After all, Zouken had masked Sakura's magical energy so thoroughly that even Tohsaka Rin remained oblivious, let alone a novice magus like Shirou.
If Zouken hadn't concealed it so perfectly, would Tohsaka Tokiomi have entrusted Sakura to him without hesitation?
Even he couldn't see through Zouken's deception, much less Shirou, who was barely even half-trained.
Shirou had no idea just how much danger he'd faced earlier. To him, he'd merely paid the Matou family a casual visit. It was Zouken who had truly allowed Sakura to leave Shinji's control.
Without Zouken's explicit consent, Shirou couldn't possibly abduct Sakura forcibly—such actions were both wrong and unrealistic.
After all, both he and Shinji lived in Fuyuki, not far apart. Any attempt to forcibly take Sakura would be futile; tomorrow he'd have to send her right back.
Eventually, exhausted from crying against Shirou's chest, Sakura drifted off into sleep.
Her breathing softened, gentle as a child's.
For a brief moment, Sakura recalled the warmth of falling asleep in her mother's embrace.
Shirou gently tucked Sakura in, carefully returning to his own room.
But unbeknownst to either of them, a centipede-like creature quietly crawled out from Sakura's chest.
This was Zouken's familiar, tasked with watching Shirou continuously—even when Sakura slept, Zouken would monitor Shirou directly.
Back in his room, Shirou quickly grabbed a pen and paper.
He was leaving again tomorrow. Unlike last time, he couldn't disappear without a word. He had to leave a note.
[I'm going to England for work. I'll be back in a few months. Don't worry!]
After wracking his brain, that was the best Shirou could manage.
He worried that saying too much would give something away, so a brief note was all he left behind.
Just then, a pitch-black wooden door materialized on Shirou's bedroom wall.
[00:00:01]
So punctual… I don't even know what to say.
Watching the time flicker on the clock, Shirou felt utterly defeated. He'd assumed the door would appear later in the morning.
But the moment midnight passed, it materialized—allowing him no time to rest at all.
"Well… maybe this is for the best."
Shirou sighed quietly. Once Sakura and Fuji-nee woke up, leaving unnoticed would be difficult.
He gently opened the dark wooden door, stepping through—
"Die——!"
An icy flash of silver sliced through the frozen night air, aiming precisely for Shirou's neck.