Steam filled the bathroom, forming a dense mist that clung to the walls and fogged the mirror.
Rin was submerged up to her shoulders in the bathtub, the hot water licking her skin. The heat should have relaxed her muscles, but her brow remained furrowed.
In her mind, a phrase echoed again and again, as if someone had pressed repeat inside her head:
"I will handle it."
Those words from Damian. So calm, so certain… yet loaded with a force that didn't match what anyone would say when facing something like the Holy Grail War.
'Handle… what exactly? How?' she thought, sinking a little deeper into the water until her chin brushed the surface.
The memory stretched further back, to the moment in the car, and that other sentence sent another shiver through her: "…I'll smash your Holy Grail to pieces."
Her stomach clenched at the memory. Destroy the Holy Grail. Just like that, as if it were possible, as if it were simple.
That chalice was the reason why countless families of magi had fought, schemed for generations, and stained every corner of Fuyuki with blood.
She had read the family grimoires, pages tainted with cruel histories, desperate battles, betrayals, and Heroic Spirits summoned to kill and die. All for a single wish.
Every war had meant death, mutilation, treachery… a ritual built upon corpses.
And yet, in Damian's mouth, ending it all sounded trivial.
"I will handle it."
Arrogant, overflowing with a confidence that ignored rules and hierarchies. It was as if, in his eyes, the danger surrounding the Grail simply did not exist.
Rin's eyes snapped open, breaking the stream of images. Confusion cut through her pupils like lightning.
Logic screamed at her that it was absurd. He wasn't a magus, nor a legendary hero, just… a normal person.
What right did he have to speak that way?
But deep, deep inside, something wavered. A spark of trust she didn't want to acknowledge.
She frowned in irritation and ran both hands through her wet hair, tangling her fingers as if she could tear out the thoughts building in her head.
"Ugh, enough thinking!" she growled in frustration, dunking her face under for a moment before rising abruptly.
Water splashed as she broke the surface, her entire body emerging wrapped in steam.
Her pale skin gleamed damp under the warm light, and her full, firm breasts swayed naturally as she straightened.
Her flat stomach and the smooth curve of her hips shaped a figure both slender and athletic. There was not a single mark, not a single flaw; her whole body seemed sculpted, pristine, meticulously cared for, as perfect as her demanding character.
She walked to the towel unhurriedly, wet hair clinging to her back, not bothering to cover herself.
She grabbed the large towel from the side and began drying her body with somewhat rough movements, as if still trying to scrub away the thoughts clinging to her. She rubbed her hair vigorously, then wrapped herself up without much care, and left the bathroom already dressed in comfortable home clothes.
But her mind remained unsettled.
Suddenly, a sharp thirst dried her throat.
She needed to drink something, maybe cold water could put out the restless irritation that refused to leave her alone.
She opened the bathroom door and, barefoot, walked slowly across the cool floor, leaving an invisible trail of warmth with each step.
"M-mmmh…"
Just as she reached the start of the stairs, a sound drifted up from below and made her skin prickle.
She strained her ears.
The sweet, playful tone of Marin, broken up by laughter and splashes, floated from the bathroom on the first floor.
"Damian-kun… slower…"
Then, a sharp "pa!" and a muffled moan.
"…"
Rin froze on the spot.
Her ears caught every splash, every kiss, every restrained moan. The blush climbed so fast her ears turned red to the tips.
"I-Idiots… those two!" she muttered through clenched teeth, her toes curling against the wooden floor.
When she turned to flee, she accidentally hit the railing, making a sound, and nearly jumped out of her skin.
Inside the bathroom, the sound of water stopped instantly.
"R-Rin-chan?" Marin's flustered voice called out.
Like a startled cat, Rin bolted up the stairs, darted into the guest room, and dove under the blankets.
She buried her burning face in the pillow, but the sounds remained, replaying mercilessly in her mind.
"Hen…tai…" she whispered through gritted teeth, squeezing her eyes shut tight.
But then, as if her memory were teasing her, Damian's gaze returned to her mind: "I will handle it."
The blush on her cheeks deepened.
….
The soft morning light filtered through the living room curtains, and from the kitchen came a tempting smell of frying eggs.
In the yard, Marin hummed a tune as she shook out and hung the last load of laundry.
Rin appeared from the hallway with slow steps and an enormous yawn she couldn't hide. She had dark circles under her eyes and her hair was still a bit messy.
Just as she stepped into the living room, she ran straight into Marin, who was carrying an empty laundry basket.
"Good morning, Rin-chan~!" Marin greeted her, full of energy, a radiant smile on her face, in stark contrast to Rin's sleepy expression.
"Good morning…" Rin mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
Before she could say anything else, the kitchen door opened and Damian appeared, carrying three steaming bowls of noodles.
He was wearing a simple white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the steam rising from the bowls filled the scene with a comforting aroma.
"Good morning, Miss Rin." Damian's calm voice sounded as he carefully set the bowls down on the table. Then he looked up and gave her a gentle smile.
!
Rin's heart skipped a beat, and without meaning to, her mind replayed in an instant the sounds she had heard the night before: the water, the splashes, the broken moans, and Damian's deep voice…
Her face flushed instantly.
"G-good… morning…" she stammered before spinning around as if something had stung her and darting toward the bathroom. In her hurry, she nearly collided with the door frame.
"..."
Marin blinked, puzzled, and tilted her head as she watched her disappear. "Today Rin-chan is acting so weird…"
Damian followed her with his eyes for a few seconds, thoughtful, and then a brief smile lit up his face as he carefully placed the chopsticks next to each bowl. "...Maybe she didn't sleep well."
"Hmm…" Marin murmured, though her curiosity lasted only a moment before shifting back to the table.
"Eat first, before the noodles get cold," Damian said as he calmly arranged everything.
In the bathroom, Rin closed the door behind her and leaned against the sink, openly gasping for air.
She turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face, trying to cool the heat consuming her cheeks. When she lifted her head, the girl in the mirror had a face as red as a tomato and looked clearly frustrated.
"Idiot…" she muttered through her teeth, not sure if she meant Damian, Marin, or herself.
…
At the station, right in front of the ticket control gates, Marin was holding both of Rin's hands tightly.
"Rin-chan, you have to text me when you get home! Every single day!"
"Mm."
"And if you have any problem, even the tiniest silly thing, you tell me right away!" Marin insisted.
"Understood," Rin replied, keeping her tone calm.
"Do you have enough money? Do you want me to give you some extra for expenses? How's the weather in Fuyuki? Did you pack enough clothes…?"
While listening to that warm yet chaotic shower of questions, Rin averted her gaze for a moment and let it fall on Damian. He was standing to the side, silent, wearing a black visor cap and a white mask covering his face, leaving only his emotionless eyes visible, as if detached from the scene.
"The bullet train bound for the city of Fuyuki is about to arrive at the station. Please prepare to board," announced the female voice over the loudspeaker.
As soon as she heard the announcement, Marin opened her arms and wrapped Rin in a tight hug.
"Rin-chan, take good care on the way!"
Rin stayed stiff for a few seconds, surprised, but ended up responding with a few clumsy pats on her back.
"Mm."
When they pulled away, Marin's eyes were slightly red and shining with moisture, though she tried to smile.
"Text me when you arrive!"
"I will," Rin replied. She took her small suitcase and, without another word, passed her ticket through the reader. Her silhouette faded into the crowd and soon disappeared down the corridor leading to the train.
The moment her figure vanished, the melancholy on Marin's face dissolved as if it had never existed.
She turned halfway toward Damian and, with one quick sweep of her hand, brushed away the image of a worried older sister, transforming into an excited child preparing for an adventure.
"Quick, quick, quick!" she exclaimed, bouncing in place.
"Don't rush."
"What do you mean don't?! I have to hurry!" Marin raised her right arm and made a couple of movements in the air, "Find a place where there's no one and bring out that thing of yours! That 'shua——'!"
She made an excited gesture as if slicing the air with her hand.
"That way we can go 'fiu' straight to Fuyuki and give Rin-chan a super surprise!"
Surprise? Damian looked at her for a second, the cap covering part of his face, and under the mask the corner of his lips barely moved.
He knew that if they did that, Rin would be so startled she would probably release magic right away… and Fuyuki, at that moment, was a real powder keg.
He sighed, "Alright, alright… first let's get out of here."
Marin kept nodding as she clung to Damian's arm and pulled him along enthusiastically.
"Come on, come on, come on! I know there's a super hidden alley behind the station!"
She was tugging him with so much energy she looked ready to open a portal at any moment. Damian stumbled slightly as he was dragged along, but he didn't resist and only raised one hand to adjust the visor of his cap and sighed patiently.
He cast a glance at his girlfriend, seeing her excitement, and resigned himself to being pulled along. Then he adjusted his stride to match her pace and together they blended into the crowd leaving the station.
"Quick, quick, quick!" Marin murmured under her breath, as if afraid someone might catch up with them.
It didn't take long for them to reach an empty, silent alley. Marin stopped abruptly, turned to him with shining eyes and a clear expression that said: "start now."
Damian looked at her and could only let out a resigned sigh before ruffling her hair with his hand.
"Mmph!" Marin puffed out her cheeks, indignant, but the protest died in her throat when he turned his wrist in one smooth motion.
A blue spark flickered and, without warning, Yamato appeared in his hand like a natural extension of his body. Without adding any dramatic flourish, he drew a cross in the air.
Space tore like fabric, opening a luminous, warped rift that revealed a distorted, shadowed passage on the other side.
"Woooow!" Marin's mouth fell open, and the annoyance from just a moment ago vanished instantly. "Even if it's not the first time… it's still super amazing!"
Damian didn't answer and slid his left arm around her slender waist, pulling her close.
"Hold on tight."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, taking her with him, and they both entered the rift. In an instant, their figures were swallowed by the bluish light.
The alley was left empty, and the radiant opening slowly closed until it disappeared.
…
City of Fuyuki, right in the urban center.
A tall man stood motionless on the sidewalk. He wore a long black coat that revealed the clerical collar peeking out beneath the fabric: Kirei Kotomine.
Next to him, standing slightly apart, was another man with a majestic and arrogant bearing, dressed in a perfectly tailored modern suit: Gilgamesh.
Kirei's gaze was fixed on the huge illuminated billboard across the street. The pitch-black background made the blood-red letters stand out even more, as if drawn with crimson strokes:
Devil May Cry
Below, a white line announced:
"Star of great popularity, coming soon in concert!"
And, in the end, one detail shone clearly:
"In two days! Municipal Gymnasium! Grand opening!"
Gilgamesh followed the direction of his Master's gaze. His perfect lips curved into a half-smile full of mockery.
"Heh, the war is about to begin and this city still indulges itself with idol concerts. Truly, they know nothing of danger."
His red eyes reflected an arrogant, disdainful gleam.
Kirei remained silent, his eyes fixed on the provocative name, Devil May Cry, without allowing any emotion to be guessed in his deep dark eyes.
Finally, he spoke, in a low and controlled tone.
"Archer, Rin is about to return. Do not cause trouble."
He tore his gaze away from the billboard and turned it toward the golden heroic spirit beside him.
"Our goal remains the Holy Grail."
"Tch." Gilgamesh clicked his tongue and, with a bored gesture, ran a hand through his shining golden hair.
"I know, I know… what a nuisance."
His impatience and complete lack of interest in keeping a low profile were obvious.
Kirei added nothing else. He only looked one last time at the giant poster proclaiming the name Devil May Cry and then turned on his heels.
Gilgamesh stayed still for a few seconds, both hands buried in the pockets of his dress pants. Then he let out a scornful chuckle, an expression dripping with pride, and started walking away calmly.
Just a few streets away, Shirou Emiya also stopped. His gaze had been caught by the same gigantic billboard dominating the station's facade.
The letters Devil May Cry seemed to burn against Fuyuki's gray sky.
He frowned and murmured:
"Nero? Did he really have to come now to hold a concert in Fuyuki?"
A bad premonition began to grow in his chest, an unease difficult to explain. He lowered his eyes almost unconsciously and pulled the phone from his pocket; the lit screen reflected the time and date.
The moment when the Holy Grail War would erupt was dangerously close.
________
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