"Long time no see, Rin."
The next day, at the Tohsaka Residence, a small figure opened the door for Kirei Kotomine, stepping aside with clear disdain.
But as soon as he entered her father's study, little Rin Tohsaka's face clouded with worry.
She knew about the Holy Grail War and understood why this dead-faced man had come today.
The war was about to begin. Her father was sending her and her mother to a safe place.
Dressed in a white blouse, a red miniskirt, and black over-the-knee socks, with her hair tied into high twin tails by black ribbons, Rin's vibrant blue eyes urged her to press her small head against the study door.
"Kirei, has she truly not left Kenneth's Magecraft Workshop all night?"
"At the very least, Assassin detected no sign of her departure. Lancer, however, was seen leaving the hotel and wandering near the Matou Residence, as if scouting for something."
"He went to the Matou Residence immediately after being summoned. Now, after Kenneth's invitation, Kenneth's Servant is also investigating the Matou Residence..."
"But she shouldn't know anyone from the Matou House. Could she have sensed the presence of their Servant and mistaken it for someone she knew?"
"Master, have you deduced that woman's True Name?"
"Kirei, I have only confirmed the era she belongs to," the elegant Mage lied effortlessly. A disciple was a disciple, but Kirei Kotomine was still an Agent of the Holy Church.
At this, Tokiomi Tohsaka glanced toward the door, then sighed and continued without further concern:
"Yesterday's woman, the Matou House, Kenneth, you, me, and the House of Einzbern, who hired a Mage Killer—that makes six known Servants so far. I've heard from the Clock Tower that one of Kenneth's scoundrel disciples stole the Holy Relic he originally prepared. That person might count as the seventh. If so, all seven Master-Servant pairs are assembled."
"Master, they are already assembled. The scoundrel disciple you mentioned has already registered with the Holy Church. Currently, only yesterday's woman and the vanished Matou House have yet to report."
The Holy Church served as the supervisor of the Holy Grail War, responsible for collecting and safeguarding leftover Command Spells from previous wars and helping to conceal the traces left by the conflict.
In the modern era, where mystery has grown scarce, all mystical organizations strictly adhere to the principle that the supernatural must remain hidden.
Having drawn what he believed to be the best hand and secured the referee's support, it was no wonder Tokiomi Tohsaka felt he had already won before the war even began.
"So... they're all assembled?"
In his modest, European-style study, Tokiomi Tohsaka gazed out the window. The grounds of his residence were already littered with Magecraft traps, prepared for any possible attack.
"Kirei, proceed as planned. Have Assassin withdraw, and you will move into the shadows."
"Yes, Master."
As an Agent of the Church, Kirei Kotomine was an anomaly. Since childhood, he had never understood how to love or what joy felt like. Even when his wife committed suicide for his sake, the sorrow he felt was only for the loss of the pleasure he might have derived from her death.
He had become Tokiomi Tohsaka's disciple and fought for him entirely on his own initiative, following a cooperation agreement between his father and Tokiomi.
Kirei had not refused because he could not comprehend why he—a man with no ambitions or desires—had been chosen by the Holy Grail War System, which was meant to select those who yearned for the Grail.
"Master, I will take my leave now. As planned, I will first escort Madam and Rin to a safe location for them to stay temporarily."
"Go, Kirei."
With his unchanging expression, Kirei Kotomine exited the study. The sudden opening of the door caused Rin Tohsaka to stumble.
Just as an indignant Rin kicked Kirei's shin, Tokiomi called out to her: "Rin."
His calm voice held a subtle hint of affection. He asked Kirei to wait a moment, then reached down and lifted the slightly aggrieved Rin into his arms.
Not long ago, the Tohsaka House had two daughters, but now only Rin remained. This wasn't because the other daughter had died; Tokiomi had simply given her away.
As a proper Mage, Tokiomi Tohsaka had rejoiced in having two daughters with exceptional talent in Magecraft. Yet, this very blessing was also his torment, for he couldn't bear the thought of discarding either one.
Ultimately, the Tohsaka House possessed only a single Magic Crest—insufficient to support two Mage prodigies.
"Father, is there still no news about Sakura?"
Rin Tohsaka, Sakura Tohsaka. Tokiomi had sent the latter to the Matou House to inherit their five-hundred-year-old Magic Crest. In his eyes, this was for her own good—a painful choice only a responsible father could make.
But this composure shattered when the Matou House was blown sky-high, blasting countless cracks into his stoic facade.
He hadn't sent Sakura to the Matou House to die, although he knew the current head of the family was somewhat... aberrant.
"I'm sorry, Rin. I still haven't found any trace of Sakura's whereabouts. But since she has taken the Matou name and been accepted by their family, they should be protecting her. I believe we will see her again someday.
"But you must understand," he continued, "when that day comes, you will be rivals. You are a Tohsaka, and she is a Matou. You will no longer be sisters."
Biting her lower lip, tears welling in her eyes, Rin's twin-tails drooped listlessly. Yet, hearing that Sakura was still alive brought her a small measure of relief and comfort.
She jumped down from her father's arms, suppressing the reluctance in her heart. Bowing deeply, she declared with solemnity, "Father, I wish you victory in battle."
Rin then ran to the door. Despite everything, she refused to let the tears fall.
But once she was outside and the study door had closed behind her, she mercilessly kicked Kirei's shin again. Pointing at his face, she commanded imperiously, "Kirei, protect your Master!"
"Understood."
His face remained expressionless, yet for a rare moment, he thought of his sharp-tongued daughter. But once this fleeting, perplexing association vanished, he cast his recent promise to the back of his mind.
He bowed to Mrs. Tohsaka, who was laden with bags. Watching Rin being lectured by her, he mimicked the way humans should act and offered some polite pleasantries.
Soon after, Kirei Kotomine drove them to their destination.
In the car, a thought occurred to Kirei, and he spoke up. "Mrs. Tohsaka, Rin, the murderer you were worried about will likely not strike again. However, Fuyuki is still unsafe. Do not return to Fuyuki City without instructions from me or my Master."
"Huh? Did Father do it?"
"No. It was a young woman with grayish-white hair."
Before long, Rin emerged from her sorrowful farewell. Her blue eyes once again sparkled with curiosity, and she paid Kirei's warning no mind.
Not only that, but Rin also committed the description of the grayish-white-haired woman to memory.
Later, as night inevitably fell, Kirei's Assassin made his way to the Tohsaka Residence. After a series of acrobatic maneuvers worthy of an Olympic champion...
The proud, arrogant, skull-masked man in a black bodysuit was riddled with countless sharp swords, turning him into a pincushion.
The one who shot him down was none other than Tokiomi Tohsaka's Servant, Gilgamesh of the Archer Class.
Assassin's elimination officially marked the opening of this Holy Grail War.