As Rovie had expected, after Tokiomi examined the magical writ several times and parsed its wording with care, his stern expression eased a little. Everything in the contract was clear; no matter how he inspected it, there were no loopholes.
The gist of the covenant read: "Rovie Crowley, as the adopter representing the Crowley family, shall adopt Tohsaka Sakura as an heir, impart the family's magical imprint, and guide her onto the Path of Magecraft. From that moment, the Tohsaka household shall relinquish any right to interfere in Sakura's upbringing, and shall not contact or influence her in any way that would harm the interests of the Crowley family. Furthermore, so long as Rovie does not appoint another heir during his tenure, Tohsaka Tokiomi shall have no right to reclaim Sakura's custody."
From any angle it was explicit: guarantees for both sides, and contingencies in case either party tried to go back on the agreement. If Rovie ever attempted to break the contract and appoint another heir, Tokiomi would—under the contract's terms—have the legal (and magical) grounds to reclaim custody.
After confirming the document, Tokiomi sliced his finger and signed his name in the designated spot on the parchment. He handed the scroll back to Rovie.
"No objections. Master Crowley, let us sign," he said.
"I understand," Rovie replied.
Rovie then produced a small knife, cut his finger, and left his blooded fingerprint on the parchment, signing his name below it. The two signatures completed the covenant.
At the moment the writ activated, both men felt an invisible, unmistakable surge of mystic force take hold of them — the sign that the contract had come into effect. Knowing the matter was settled, Tokiomi's face broke into a genuine smile.
"Secure. It's all secure now."
His younger daughter would now be able to flourish in a proper environment and pursue the path of magecraft freely. What more could a father wish for?
With Sakura now bound to the Crowley house, Tokiomi's gaze toward Rovie softened. He could sense Rovie's sincerity; the covenant even seemed to favour Tokiomi in places. The man could not help but admire the Clock Tower noble's apparent honor and frankness.
Rovie, however, felt nothing but mild amusement. Lucky? he thought. There's no free lunch—every gift from the heavens has a price secretly tagged to it.Tohsaka Tokiomi's daughter would be taken for now, and Tokiomi would be left to consider how to survive the looming war in a few months' time.
Despite their very different motives, the two men smiled and shook hands — each satisfied in his own way.
"So the covenant is now official, Master Tohsaka. Shall we proceed with the formalities of the adoption?" Rovie asked.
"Of course. Master Crowley, you are now Sakura's guardian," Tokiomi replied.
Tokiomi's face brightened as he squeezed Rovie's hand. "Under your guidance and cultivation, I believe Sakura can fully realize her talents and walk the Path of Truth happily."
"Certainly. May I see little Sakura now?" Rovie asked with a feigned note of worry. "If a stranger suddenly appears and says they'll adopt her, she might resist."
"That is natural," Tokiomi said matter-of-factly. "Compared to treading the Path toward truth, a child's momentary displeasure is nothing."
As a magus and head of a family, whatever he decided would not be changed on a whim; his daughter's feelings were a lesser concern. He had never even asked Aoi for her opinion. To Rovie, this was yet another confirmation that magi were strange creatures in human skin.
Not long after, in front of the Tohsaka gate, Aoi's eyes shone with reluctant sorrow as she gazed at Sakura. She stepped forward and gently stroked her daughter's cheek, motherly love and reluctance plain in every motion. Tokiomi, however, wore a smile — satisfied, even joyful — and continued speaking of the Path and the family's mission, dismissing Aoi's grief as a trivialness.
"Papa, are you really giving my sister away?!" Rin dashed out barefoot through the snow, still not fully dressed, incredulous and unable to comprehend her father's decision.
Tokiomi did not answer or scold her; he simply raised a hand and told Aoi to take her back inside.
Sakura, who had already learned something of her fate, did not react with the drama one might expect. Tilting her head, she looked up at her father with a child's puzzled question: "If big brother adopts me, does that mean… Daddy and Mommy don't want Sakura anymore?"
"Sakura—!!" Rin's cry stopped in the air. Even Tokiomi's usual impassive expression shifted sharply.
"Sakura, don't say that. Your father is not abandoning you. He is entrusting you to a place more suited to your abilities," Aoi comforted, choking back emotion.
Aoi understood the situation: she knew of her daughters'特殊体质 and she knew very well that even if Rovie had not come, Tokiomi would have sooner or later placed Sakura with another mage family. It could have been the Matou, with ties as one of the Grail War families, or some old Finnish kin, but the separation was inevitable.
"Rin!" In a brief opening, Rin wriggled free of Aoi's hand, slipped past, and planted herself in front of Sakura. She gripped Sakura's wrist and used her small body as a shield against Rovie, glaring at him with a child's fierce protectiveness. She could not accept a stranger taking her sister away.
Rovie only shook his head, half-amused, half-exasperated. Rin's reaction was natural. She didn't know that Rovie's intervention might actually save Sakura from a worse fate. To Rin, he was simply kidnapping her sister; resentment was understandable and expected. Rovie wouldn't play the heavy.
"Rin! Don't be silly — step back this instant!" Tokiomi ordered, pulling the children apart and chastising his daughter.
"Master Crowley, forgive our display," Tokiomi said to Rovie, a trace of embarrassment in his tone.
"It's all right, Master Tohsaka. Sisterly attachment is natural. They're close; of course they resist." Rovie bowed slightly. "But I'm not heartless. I'll be staying some time in the Far East — I'll lodge in Fuyuki City for a while. If Rin or Lady Aoi miss Sakura, they may come visit anytime."
Rovie's suggestion landed well. He did intend to remain in Fuyuki for other reasons anyway, so the stay provided plausible cover and a convenient excuse to allow visits — softening the separation.
"Is that really allowed?" Aoi asked, hope flickering in her dull eyes.
"Of course," Rovie said, nodding. He turned to the two girls and smiled gently. "What do you think?"
Rin's hostility visibly softened — she was still wary, but Rovie's words worked like a balm. After all, they are just children. he mused.
"Will I still be able to play with sister?" Sakura asked timidly, a hopeful vulnerability that tugged at the heart.
"Of course," Rovie promised.
"Thank you, big brother!" Sakura brightened.
Thanks to Rovie's reassurances, the farewell lost some of its sharpness. The two sisters clung to each other, tears glistening in their eyes, then released into a tight embrace.
Rovie's smile tightened into something resembling warmth. He glanced at Tokiomi. "Master Tohsaka, I will be staying in Fuyuki while things are arranged. I look forward to your assistance."
"Certainly," Tokiomi said. He caught sight of Rovie's hand and checked it discreetly for any three-line marks — when he saw none, he breathed a private sigh of relief.
"Then I wish you luck, Master Crowley. Should you need anything while in Fuyuki, feel free to call on the Tohsaka household." Tokiomi bowed.
Rovie bowed in return. "Thank you. It's getting late; I won't keep you further. I will take Sakura home now."
"Very well."
Before leaving Rovie handed business cards to both Tokiomi and Aoi — a temporary Crowley contact in Fuyuki: the Hyatt Grand Hotel.
"I'm staying at the Hyatt," he said.
"I will call on you when time permits," Tokiomi replied with a light smile.
"Be good in your new environment, Sakura," Aoi urged, crouching to eye level, voice cracking. "Don't give big brother trouble. Even without Mommy around, you must be healthy and happy, understand?"
"Yes, Mommy," Sakura replied, nodding. Rin moved in to join them.
The inevitable parting concluded with a family embrace. The warmth of those last hugs brought a sliver of spring to a cold winter day — and, as if in sympathy, the heavy skies cleared and the snow let up.
Rovie took Sakura's delicate hand and led her out to the waiting carriage. As the car pulled away under watchful eyes, the household stood rooted in the courtyard until the vehicle finally vanished. Tokiomi watched long after the form was gone, a slow breath escaping him.
"May our ancestors watch over them," he whispered. "I believe the Tohsaka line will find true happiness."
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