Seeing that Sakura hesitated, Takumi asked again: "What is it?"
Sakura replied with a worried look: "I am just a little worried about how my sister and mother will react."
It was not about their reaction to seeing her. Instead, she was worried about how they would feel when they found out she didn't want to go back to that home, and whether they would be saddened because of it.
Just her sister and mother...
Takumi noticed that Sakura did not mention Tohsaka Tokiomi. Obviously, in Sakura's heart, this father was no longer important.
At the same time, he roughly understood Sakura's worries and said reassuringly: "Actually, you don't need to worry too much about that. After all, Sakura can come back to visit at any time, right?"
Sakura thought about it, and it seemed he was right. She just didn't want to live in that house anymore. That was already the reality of the situation. She lives in Dimensional City now, but it's not like she can't return. She can meet her sister and mother at any time if she wishes. In that case, they shouldn't feel sad anymore, right?
When Sakura thought about it that way, she suddenly stopped worrying. She smiled at Takumi and said, "Brother is right. Sakura doesn't have to worry anymore. Let's go over there."
Takumi raised his eyebrows: "Oh? Are you ready?"
"Well, I'm ready."
"OK, let's go."
Takumi smiled and rubbed Sakura's head, then asked her to lead the way.
The two walked for a while and arrived in front of the Tohsaka manor. Only then did Takumi realize that the two of them had already reached the area while they were wandering earlier; they had just been circling the neighborhood. It seemed that Sakura really missed her sister and mother. Even though she felt some resistance, she had still been drawn to the neighborhood first.
Regarding this, Takumi didn't say anything and simply raised his hand to ring the doorbell. But before he could touch it, the door opened, and a somewhat haggard middle-aged man stepped out.
He looked at Sakura in surprise: "Sakura, you're back!"
This person was Tohsaka Tokiomi.
Because the conflict with the Matou family had been escalating recently, the Tohsaka family's defenses were fully stretched, and he himself was always on the lookout for possible attacks. Therefore, he discovered Takumi as soon as he brought Sakura to the Tohsaka house.
At first, he thought it was an illusion or a trick by Matou Zouken. But after he carefully confirmed it, he was pleasantly surprised to find that it was truly her! His daughter, who had been missing for a long time, had actually returned on her own! Overjoyed, he quickly came out to greet her.
However, what he didn't expect was that Sakura was not happy to see him; she even hid behind the young man who accompanied her. With this movement, the smile on Tohsaka Tokiomi's face froze.
Takumi glanced at him and sneered: "Hello, Mr. Tohsaka. Sakura is back to visit her sister and mother. Is it convenient for us to come in?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi's expression darkened when he heard this. It's okay to come back for a visit, but don't you call this place your home anymore? It didn't matter; after all, he had given her up for adoption with his own hands. But to only mention her sister and mother? Was he simply an outsider now?
"Who are you? Was Sakura kidnapped by you?" Tokiomi asked coldly.
In his opinion, Takumi was highly suspicious. Not only did he suddenly appear with Sakura, but Sakura was so close to him that it was obvious they had been together for a long time. No one would believe that Sakura had not been taken by Takumi in the beginning.
Takumi spread his hands and said, "Let's not suggest I did anything wrong. Sakura was lucky enough to escape. Even if I did take her, it wouldn't be called kidnapping; it would be called a rescue, do you understand? Don't tell me that after all this time, you still don't know what was happening at the Matou estate?"
Tohsaka Tokiomi remained silent. Naturally, he already knew the truth about the Matou family. Although the unreliable mercenary failed to find out everything, through his connections at the Clock Tower, he had roughly figured out Matou Zouken's background. He discovered that Matou Zouken was actually Makiri Zolgen, an old monster who managed to survive to this day by sinister means. In short, the man was malevolent, and he certainly didn't have good intentions when he asked to adopt Sakura.
Takumi taking Sakura away could indeed be seen as a rescue. But one thing had nothing to do with the other.
"I already know the situation there, so the adoption has been canceled. Please return Sakura to me," Tokiomi said, raising the gem scepter he held, his face serious. From Takumi's words, he understood that the young man had no intention of leaving Sakura there. He would have to use his own means to get his daughter back. As long as Takumi refused, Tokiomi would take action immediately. Although he didn't know Takumi's strength, this was the Tohsaka estate where he held a positional advantage. He was confident he could deal with most magi.
But what he never expected happened next.
"I don't want to. This is no longer my home," Sakura said, mustering the courage to poke her head out from behind Takumi. She spoke directly to Tohsaka Tokiomi: "It was you who didn't want Sakura. I don't want to go back with you. I only want to stay with my brother."
"Sakura..."
Tohsaka Tokiomi was stunned on the spot, his composure shattered by her words. He never expected that Sakura would truly disown him as her father. What had his efforts over the past month been for? He suddenly felt like a fool.
Seeing this, Takumi spread his hands and shrugged: "Hey, you heard her. Sakura no longer recognizes you. And besides... I'm afraid you don't know what has happened to the Matou family now."
Takumi sneered and asked, "Do you really want to fight me? How many lives do you have?"
Magic power erupted like a volcano. The impact caused the courtyard gate to be blown away. Tohsaka Tokiomi was instantly pinned against the wall of the room behind him like a hanging painting.
"That old bug, Matou Zouken, had several lives, and I killed them all effortlessly. So, how many lives do you have for me to take?"
Takumi walked in with Sakura and looked at the injured Tohsaka Tokiomi indifferently.
"How can this be?! Are you even human?!" Tokiomi looked at the boy with horror. One second he looked harmless, and the next he turned into a demon. His worldview was shattered. This level of terrifying magical power... could a human truly possess it?
"Hm? Are you questioning my humanity?" Takumi glanced over, and Tokiomi immediately yielded.
"No! I said the wrong thing! I'm sorry. I admit I was arrogant before. I am extremely sorry. I hope you can be the better man and ignore my faults. Just let it go."
There was no other choice. The mere release of magic power had seriously injured him. He didn't dare to resist. If Takumi actually took action, it would be just as he said—Tokiomi didn't have enough lives to survive.
"Sakura!"
"Sister!"
In the Tohsaka house, Sakura got her wish and met Tohsaka Rin and Tohsaka Aoi, beginning a tearful reunion. Takumi looked on with satisfaction. As for Tohsaka Tokiomi? He went to his workshop to heal his injuries. After seeing the strength of Takumi's fist and hearing Sakura's own wishes, he didn't dare mention taking his daughter back. He invited Takumi into his home politely and, after informing Rin and Aoi, realized he was the one Sakura disliked and wisely stayed away.
"Sakura, why did you suddenly disappear before? We were all so worried about you," Tohsaka Aoi asked after their greetings.
"Well, it happened like this..." Sakura explained the events. "Thanks to my brother, I escaped."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Takumi," Tohsaka Aoi said, quickly thanking him.
Takumi waved his hand: "I didn't do much. It's mainly because Sakura was lucky."
He hadn't even needed to take action then; it was Sakura herself who connected to the dimensional gate at the critical moment. In that process, Takumi's role was indirect, even if the gate belonged to him.
"No, without you, Sakura wouldn't have been able to escape. We owe it to you," Tohsaka Aoi insisted. She also noticed how well Sakura had been cared for.
"And you took good care of Sakura, didn't you?"
"Yes, yes! Brother Takumi is very kind to me, as are Riveria and Noelle..." Sakura agreed happily, sharing stories of her time in Dimensional City. She had wanted to share this with her sister and mother for a long time, and now she finally could.
"Is it really that magical?" Rin was successfully distracted by Sakura's stories. Her worry about what happened at the Matou house turned into curiosity about Dimensional City.
"Of course! Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, I'll take you there to see," Sakura said with pride, then looked at Takumi. "Brother Takumi, is that okay?"
"Sure." Takumi rubbed Sakura's head lovingly.
"Yay! Oni-chan is the best!" Sakura hugged him happily.
Seeing her sister so close to this strange man, Rin couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Had her sister been snatched away? Rin began to examine Takumi. Well, he was quite handsome—much more so than her father! She suddenly felt she understood why her sister was so attached to him. Takumi looked at her suspiciously, causing Rin to blush and quickly look away.
Ultimately, Sakura did not immediately take her sister and mother to the Dimensional City. They stayed at the Tohsaka house for lunch and remained until the evening. During this time, Tokiomi never reappeared. Aoi left for a while and looked sad when she returned, solemnly asking Takumi to take good care of Sakura. Takumi naturally agreed.
After spending the afternoon with her sister and mother, Sakura was satisfied and ready to return with Takumi. At that moment, Rin realized they were leaving.
"Why are you leaving? Isn't Sakura back for good?" Before Sakura could explain, Aoi spoke up. "It's just that she doesn't live here anymore. We will still see each other often in the future."
"I see... okay," Rin said after a moment of struggle. Since Sakura was doing well and they could visit each other, there was nothing to worry about.
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief and waved goodbye: "Goodbye, sister and mother! I will come by tomorrow and take you to visit Dimensional City!"
"Then it's settled. Bye!" Rin's mood brightened instantly.
Takumi nodded to Aoi before opening the dimensional gate and taking Sakura home. The main reason for returning was that Sakura didn't want to stay overnight; otherwise, Takumi wouldn't have minded. Watching the two disappear into the rainbow gate, the mother and daughter felt a bit of melancholy. Although they were reunited, the time was too short.
Back in Dimensional City, Sakura dragged Takumi to find Riveria. She excitedly told her about the visit and asked: "I invited them to come play tomorrow, so can I skip class?"
The little girl had only just remembered she needed to ask for leave.
"No problem, just take another day off," Riveria agreed. She could see that Sakura was much more cheerful now. Reuniting with her relatives had helped clear her psychological shadows.
Riveria looked at Takumi and smiled: "Well done. You deserve a reward." She took the initiative to kiss him.
Seeing this, Sakura—who usually didn't mind such intimacy—felt her face bulge with anger. Oni-chan is mine! Old aunt, get away!
After the day's events, Sakura's feelings toward Takumi had begun to change. She hadn't cared before, but now she felt a secret resentment. Why wasn't she the one beside him? Why was she still so young? When would she grow up?
Riveria, now an "old aunt" in Sakura's mind, pushed Takumi away to finish her tasks. "That's enough for now, the rest..." Riveria gave Takumi a knowing look.
Takumi smiled: "I understand."
"Oni-chan, I'm hungry," Sakura interrupted, squeezing between them and hugging Takumi.
"Sakura is hungry? Then I will take you to eat," Riveria said, ready to take her. However, Sakura rejected her.
"No, I want Oni-chan to take me!"
Riveria was startled but didn't think much of it, assuming Sakura was just more attached to him today. Takumi hugged Sakura and smiled, "Let's go eat then."
Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling proud of her small victory. However, her happiness didn't last long. She was soon picked up by Noelle, who had returned from work, and could only watch as Takumi went up to the sixth floor. Soon, Riveria, Hestia, Hephaestus, Kanae, Esdeath, and others followed him up.
It was then that Sakura understood true despair. She couldn't win; there were too many of them! How could her small body compete with so many others? What made her even more desperate was that Noelle, who she thought was watching her, actually left after thinking Sakura had fallen asleep!
Is this the enemy's lair? Oh well. Go to sleep; you can have everything in your dreams.