The driver smoothed his gloves and asked once more.
"No need. It's just after New Year — if you're coming to pay your respects, it's more sincere to knock in person."
Rovie declined the driver's offer, handed over a not-insignificant bill, and didn't take the change. It was New Year after all; even on a first meeting a little good luck was polite. Consider the extra a New Year tip. He snapped his fingers at the driver as he stepped out.
Click.
A crisp sound.
Then he instructed, voice low: "Leave. Make sure you delete the dashcam footage, and forget you ever drove me here."
"All right…"
Thunk.
The car door closed.
After Rovie got out, the driver nodded numbly, then stomped the accelerator and sped out of the suburbs.
…
About five minutes later, at the Tohsaka estate gate.
Knock knock knock—
Rovie walked up the stone steps, grabbed the metal door knocker on the Tohsaka gate, and struck the iron door hard. The clang was so loud a flock of sparrows roosting nearby took flight.
"…"
He knocked for a while but got no response. Feeling the cold through his palm and staring at the iron gate stiffened by winter, Rovie felt equal parts baffled and helpless.
If this were a normal household, storming in without permission would at worst earn a scolding or being chased off as a thief. But visiting the Tohsaka house was a different matter.
To a magus, a home wasn't just a residence. It was a repository for one's research, a refuge, an inviolable sanctum—an offensive and defensive magical position, a workshop.
If Rovie tried to force his way in or sneak about, the magi inside would notice and treat him as an intruder. For magi, that's tantamount to declaring war.
So no matter how annoyed he felt, Rovie had no choice but to stand in the snow and keep knocking.
—Knock knock knock!!
After several more minutes with no response, Rovie knocked again, louder this time.
"Is the head of the Tohsaka household present? I am a Clock Tower magus, Master of the Crowley house — Rovie Crowley — here to pay a visit to Master Tohsaka."
He raised his voice while knocking, hoping to be heard.
At the same time he glanced around, inwardly grumbling at the eccentricities of these classical-style magi.
Like some veteran Clock Tower magi, Tohsaka Tokiomi was a full-blown traditionalist — blissfully untouched by modern conveniences. He lived in Fuyuki and could afford this sprawling residence, yet he didn't even have a doorbell. They still used a knocker — what century were they living in?
Their contact methods were even more absurd. Who could believe the Tohsaka household didn't have a telephone? To send formal notices you'd have to write a letter and have a familiar deliver it — tedious and inconvenient.
Did Tokiomi think this retro approach was tasteful? Had the Tohsaka family missed the Industrial Revolution?
If you're into old-fashioned lifestyle, why stop halfway? Throw out electric lights and flush toilets too and see how long you last.
Of course, Rovie kept these remarks to himself. He was on someone else's turf — even a Clock Tower noble should keep modest — besides, he was here to kidnap their daughter, so manners were crucial.
Suppressing his irritation, Rovie stood in the snow for about seven minutes before the gate finally opened.
Creak.
The metal latch gave way and the gate opened. The sound snapped Rovie back to the present.
"Welcome, Master Crowley."
A genteel, robust voice greeted him as the gate swung inward.
Rovie looked up.
A distinguished middle-aged man with a red goatee, wearing a well-cut red suit and carrying a cane, stepped out and bowed with a polite greeting to the man who had been standing in the snow for some time.
Trailing behind him was a graceful, buxom woman — long, glossy black hair, refined features — radiating the gentle dignity of a Japanese matron. She was Tohsaka Aoi, the mistress of the Tohsaka household, and she had come out with her husband to receive the guest during the New Year.
As for why they'd taken so long — Tokiomi had spent extra time picking his suit. Though Aoi thought making the guest wait in the snow was rude, she couldn't overrule her husband's fastidiousness.
Red suit, goatee, and that perpetually affected air of genteel elegance — unmistakably Tohsaka Tokiomi of the Nasuverse. The woman must be his wife, Tohsaka Aoi.
Rovie's gaze flicked over them briefly before he composed himself and returned their courtesy with a slight nod.
"Happy New Year, Master Tohsaka, Lady Tohsaka."
"Happy New Year. You're well, Mr. Crowley."
Tohsaka Tokiomi returned the greeting with a calm smile. A visiting Clock Tower noble deserved proper etiquette; the Tohsaka household couldn't afford to be sloppy in front of magus peers.
After a few polite words, Tokiomi offered his arm to guide the young man he'd last met in London a year ago. His manners were impeccable from start to finish.
"Please come in."
"All right." Rovie nodded.
Led by their host, Rovie strolled through the spacious courtyard. The Tohsaka garden unfolded before him.
Like other magus families who liked to display their prosperity, the Tohsaka gardens were lavish: gravel paths, manicured shrubs, lanterns inlaid with rubies — every conventional decoration was present, showcasing their local prestige and the family's wealth.
To an ordinary person it was impressive; to a fellow magus like Rovie it was just par for the course.
Was it luxurious? Somewhat. But nothing truly priceless. Compared with Rovie's teacher's estate, this was modest showmanship.
What truly caught his eye weren't the ornamental trappings but the rubied lanterns' embedded wards, the familiars patrolling the corners, and the hidden magic circles tucked away in shadows. The layers of defenses sealed the estate tightly; this was a well-prepared magical fortress. It was just as well he hadn't tried anything reckless — dealing with those arrays would be a headache.
He glanced briefly, didn't pry, and followed Tokiomi down a secluded path that skirted the garden layout and led straight to the entrance.
Tokiomi's opinion of him rose a few notches. A London noble — even with family misfortune — still carried noble bearing. His etiquette was admirable.
At the front door Tokiomi pushed open the genkan.
"Please enter, Master Crowley."
"Right…"
No sooner had Rovie started to reply than hurried footsteps thundered down the wooden stairs from inside.
"Papa!"
An energetic, slightly childish voice rang out, causing Tokiomi's expression to stiffen and momentarily sour.
Rovie turned — a young girl was bounding toward them, a red butterfly hair clip in her hair, black twin-tails bouncing, cheeks still round with childhood. Like a lively sprite in winter, she hopped up to Tokiomi and clutched his sleeve affectionately.
Only when she noticed Rovie did she realize there was a guest. She shot him a curious look and asked, "Who are you?"
"Rin, don't be so rough. And don't be rude to guests. Have you forgotten Tohsaka etiquette?"
Her father's reproach visibly darkened Tokiomi's face.
"S-sorry!"
Hearing her father's displeasure, the girl — clearly only six or seven — shrank back, her smile wilting like a flower.
Aoi opened her mouth to apologize, but seeing the important guest present, she chose silence so as not to upset her husband.
"Sorry — my daughter is a bit ill-mannered. Please forgive her, Master Crowley."
"It's fine. During New Year, a child happily greeting her father is a good thing. I should apologize for intruding."
Rovie stepped in to smooth things over.
He bent slightly to the little girl who still looked downcast and smiled.
"Hello, little Rin. Don't be scared. My name is Rovie Crowley. If it's hard to say, just call me Rovie. Nice to meet you."
"…Rovie Crowley — is he a foreigner?"
Rin murmured the strange-sounding name.
"Rin, you must introduce yourself to the guest," Tokiomi said.
After a brief hesitation and at her father's prompting, she straightened and performed the practiced greeting.
"Um, nice to meet you. I'm Tohsaka Rin. Please take care of me."
"Rin is such a polite child."
Rovie patted her small head to reassure her, and Tokiomi's face relaxed a bit.
Just as Rin finished, another little girl in a purple dress emerged from the parlor, led by Aoi.
She had the same black hair and a round, cute face, but her expression was shy and reserved — bearing a resemblance to her mother in temperament.
When summoned, she stepped out to meet Rovie and performed her introduction as instructed.
"Big brother — Happy New Year. Hello. My name is Tohsaka Sakura. Nice to meet you."
Seeing his second daughter's composed manners, Tokiomi smiled with fatherly pride. He took the opportunity to admonish his elder daughter.
"Rin, you should learn etiquette from Sakura. That clumsy behavior is unacceptable. Always be graceful."
"Oh, I know, Father," Rin sulked, pouting.
Rovie's lips twitched into a barely perceptible smile at the sight of Sakura.
So she was still here…
My timing was right, he thought to himself.
"All right, Master Tohsaka — it's New Year. Don't scold the children. A lively Rin is exactly how a child her age should be."
Suppressing his grin, Rovie put an end to the Tohsaka lesson on decorum.
Then, to Tokiomi's surprise, Rovie reached into his pocket and produced two small gifts, handing them to the two girls.
"For you — Sakura, and Rin. These are small tokens for your meeting, and New Year gifts."
They were two pretty gemstones of different colors: a ruby for Rin, and a purple gem for Sakura.
"Wow, it's so pretty!"
Rin took the ruby and squealed with delight.
Sakura averted her gaze and glanced to her father.
Tokiomi, surprised at Rovie's generosity, nevertheless smiled and nodded without further hesitation.
"Please accept them. It's a gesture from Master Crowley."
Tokiomi then turned to arrange a place for their conversation.
"Thank you, big brother!"
Rin lifted her ruby happily and said thanks.
"Um — thank you, big brother."
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