That protagonist is trash; I could do better!

Without much guessing, Matou Shinji knew that she was Tohsaka Rin. Hiding behind her was a little girl with black hair who looked six or seven parts like Tohsaka Rin. Unlike her sister's tough attitude, she clung tightly to Tohsaka Rin's clothes, looking around with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Matou Tsuruno greeted him with a bright smile, extending his right hand: "It's been a long time, Head of the Tohsaka family! Your elegance and composure are still as impressive as ever."

"You flatter me, Head of the Matou family." Tokiomi Tohsaka replied politely. After a moment, he turned to look at Shinji Matou behind Tsuruno Matou, his expression slightly serious, but he quickly composed himself and smiled, "Is this the son of Head of the Matou family?"

“It is indeed my son. Why don’t we move to the main hall to talk? It would be too impolite to leave our guest standing at the door.” Matou Tsuruno, oblivious to the strange expression on Tohsaka Tokitomi’s face, greeted him warmly.

The group entered the manor and began to discuss the distribution of benefits related to Sakura Tohsaka's adoption to the Matou family.

Tokiomi Tohsaka adopted Sakura Tohsaka into the Matou family in order to inherit the Matou family's magic, and the Tohsaka family must pay a considerable price for this.

"Wait!" Before even stepping inside, Shinji Matou heard the command, the voice crisp and firm, like a master instructing a servant.

Shinji Matou turned to look at the little girl with twin tails in front of him and politely replied, "Ms. Tohsaka, is there anything I can help you with?"

Shinji Matou's polite demeanor greatly displeased Rin Tohsaka.

Before Rin could say anything, her mother, Aoi Tohsaka, reached out and stroked her head, gently scolding, "Rin, we are guests. You can't speak to the host in such a rude tone."

Rin Tohsaka pouted and reluctantly replied, "Yes."

She seemed to direct the anger from her mother's scolding at Matou Shinji, her gaze towards him becoming even more piercing. She ran up to Matou Shinji, grabbed his right hand, and a bright smile bloomed on the little girl's cute face: "You're Matou Shinji, right? Adults are talking about adult things, and children shouldn't interrupt. Why don't we go play somewhere else?"

The brighter Rin Tohsaka's smile, the more Shinji Matou felt there was something fishy going on.

Rin Tohsaka right now is just an unlovable child, and there's nothing particularly noteworthy about her.

“Okay.” Shinji Matou nodded.

Aoi Tohsaka smiled reservedly and said gently, "I'm so sorry to trouble you to keep my daughter company."

This woman was very polite even to a small child.

"Don't worry about it."

Shinji Matou shook his head, his precocious manner only making Rin Tohsaka even more annoyed, while Aoi Tohsaka was amused.

Chapter Seven Rin Tohsaka

Under the curious gaze of her younger sister, Sakura Tohsaka, Rin Tohsaka half-forced Shinji Matou to a secluded corner of the courtyard.

Rin Tohsaka cautiously glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then her smile quickly faded. She put her hands on her hips, raised her chin, and coldly sized up Shinji Matou, saying rudely, "Seaweed head, you know why we're here today, right?"

"Seaweed Head," did this nickname appear so early?

"I heard about it from my father." Shinji Matou didn't mind the nickname Rin Tohsaka gave him: a young body with the soul of an adult, and not a young one at that.

"That's good, saves me the trouble of explaining." Rin Tohsaka leaned forward, her tone firm.

"Listen up, from today onwards, Sakura is your sister. Let me make this clear from the start: she is my most cherished family member. I've even thought about what it would be like if I could be sent here in her place. If I find out that she's not doing well here or that you're bullying her, then you'd better be prepared to get a beating from me!" Rin Tohsaka threatened, brandishing her small fists.

Rin Tohsaka's goal was much the same as Shinji Matou's.

Shinji Matou smiled slightly: "You don't need to remind me. From today onwards, she is my sister. I will treat her well and fulfill my responsibilities as an older brother."

"Really?" Rin Tohsaka seemed surprised that Shinji Matou was so easy to talk to. She took a small step back and stared at Shinji Matou suspiciously.

Shinji Matou said frankly, "Really."

Rin Tohsaka crossed her arms and snorted, "Although you look infuriating, you're not all bad. I'll take your word for it for now. Just to be on the safe side, let's make a deal."

"Agreement?"

“Extend your right pinky finger.”

"Like this?" Shinji Matou extended the pinky finger of his right hand.

Rin Tohsaka also extended her right pinky fingers and hooked them together. She said seriously, "Repeat after me: Liars must swallow a thousand needles."

Shinji Matou, both amused and exasperated, repeated after Rin Tohsaka, "A liar must swallow a thousand needles."

"Very well, the agreement is now established. Hmph~ I've already used magic in this agreement. If you break your promise, you'd better prepare for the worst! And I will absolutely not forgive you then!"

Shinji Matou suppressed a laugh as he watched Rin Tohsaka's serious attempt to intimidate him, then shook his head and said nothing more.

"What's wrong with your expression?" Rin Tohsaka stared at Shinji Matou's face, like an enraged cat. Shinji's calm and composed demeanor made her feel as if her every move was under his control.

"nothing."

"You seem unreliable. Let me make this clear: I'll come here to visit Sakura whenever I have time. If she comes crying to me about it, I'll definitely be the first one to hold you accountable."

Even though it was just a child's threat, Rin Tohsaka herself clearly knew that after her younger sister was adopted into the Matou family, they definitely couldn't see each other again to avoid suspicion.

“She seems a little shy, so why don’t you introduce her to me?” Matou Shinji suggested. He thought that having his older sister, Tohsaka Rin, as an intermediary was the perfect way to get to know Matou Sakura. Rin’s presence would also quickly lower Matou Sakura’s guard against him.

It is absolutely necessary to build a good relationship with Matou Sakura in a short period of time, otherwise Matou Shinji will not be able to find a reason to protect Matou Sakura, and this reason is for Matou Zouken to see.

"I understand, it's definitely necessary. Wait here, I'll go get her right away." Rin Tohsaka swiftly ran off and returned a moment later with her younger sister.

Matou Sakura was still the same. If Tohsaka Rin inherited her father's personality, Matou Sakura was just like her mother. Gentle and delicate, her bright eyes gazed at the little boy who was about to become her older brother, hesitant and not daring to step forward.

Rin Tohsaka generously introduced, "Sakura, from now on he will be your older brother. If he bullies you, tell me immediately and I will teach him a lesson for you."

Shinji Matou smiled gently: "Please take care of me from now on. My name is Shinji Matou."

Sakura Matou blushed, her little hands twisting together, and said in a soft, sweet voice, "I am Sakura, nice to meet you."

As she finished speaking, her eyes welled up with tears, which quickly turned into a misty haze. Rin Tohsaka, standing beside her, asked in a panic, "What's wrong, Sakura? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No...no, it's just that I feel relieved. It's so good. My new family is just as kind as my sister." Matou Sakura wiped away her tears and forced a smile.

"cherry···"

Rin Tohsaka fell silent. Sakura Matou's smile made her feel even more guilty. She was the older sister, and she should be the one protecting her younger sister. But Sakura Matou was forced to leave her family and be sent to a completely unfamiliar environment.

Rin Tohsaka hugged her younger sister, burying her face in Sakura Matou's hair and softly comforting her, "It's okay, I'll always be here, I'll protect you."

"elder sister···"

Shinji Matou watched the scene of the sisters' deep affection with a speechless expression. After the two separated, he jokingly said, "From now on, I am Sakura's older brother. How about calling me 'older brother'?"

Sakura Matou was taken aback, her face filled with shyness, and she opened her mouth but couldn't say anything because she was too shy to speak.

"Wait! The adults haven't made a decision yet! What are you saying without permission!" Rin Tohsaka was enraged, and like a protective mother, she glared at Shinji Matou, her tone high and fierce.

In fact, the Matou family had even prepared a room; today was just a formality.

“Sister.” Matou Sakura tugged at Tohsaka Rin’s sleeve and shook her head.

Rin Tohsaka hesitated, then muttered helplessly, "I know, I know, that's not enough, really..."

Sakura Matou mustered her courage, stepped forward, bowed politely to Shinji Matou, and solemnly said, "Brother."

Hearing Sakura Matou address Shinji Matou, Rin Tohsaka felt a pang of bitterness and sighed resignedly.

Shinji Matou felt like he was playing house with a child, and he was relaxed and happy. He smiled and replied, "Yeah, no need to be so formal. Just call me 'older brother'."

“Then, brother.” Matou Sakura blushed and said softly.

Children are easy to talk to and don't seem wary of others.

"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Seriously! Seriously! You're really infuriating!" Rin Tohsaka, standing nearby, shook her head wildly, glared at Shinji Matou, grabbed his collar, and angrily shouted, "I want to beat you up right now!"

To put it bluntly, Rin Tohsaka now deeply understands what it feels like to be a cuckold by others, especially when Sakura Matou calls Shinji Matou "brother".

Seeing her older sister Rin Tohsaka's overreaction, Sakura Matou couldn't help but chuckle.

"Then I'll go tell your mother."

Shinji Matou shrugged, unleashing his childish trump card – tattling – and calmly straightened his collar after Rin Tohsaka released his right hand.

Rin Tohsaka muttered dejectedly, "Despicable guy."

Chapter Eight: Sister

At dusk, Tokiomi Tohsaka, who had settled the issue of Sakura Matou's adoption, emerged from the main hall, as composed, elegant, humble, and polite as ever.

"Head of the Matou family, I entrust Sakura to your care." Tokitomi Tohsaka bowed slightly to Tsuruno Matou.

Rin Tohsaka, watching this scene from the courtyard, quickly lost her smile and forced a smile to comfort Sakura Matou beside her, saying, "It's about time to say goodbye, Sakura."

Sakura Matou replied blankly, "Yes, goodbye, sister."

Rin Tohsaka turned to Shinji Matou solemnly and said, "Don't forget our promise, or I won't forgive you."

Shinji Matou shrugged.

Rin Tohsaka jogged over to Tokitomi Tohsaka's side. After exchanging a few words, they turned their attention to Shinji Matou. Tokitomi Tohsaka walked over to Shinji Matou, squatted down, and patted Shinji Matou's shoulder. His deep, magnetic voice said gently, "Shinji-kun, Sakura will be your sister from now on. Don't let her be too lonely here."

“I will, Uncle.” Matou Shinji glanced at Tohsaka Tokitomi before quickly looking away, like a shy little boy. Tohsaka Tokitomi’s image perfectly matched the girl’s longing for the image of an older man: mature, steady, composed, and elegant. No wonder Tohsaka Aoi chose him instead of her own uncle, Matou Kariya.

Beside her, Matou Sakura clutched the hem of her clothes, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Tokiomi Tohsaka, who always doted on Matou Sakura, didn't greet her this time, and even got up and left without glancing at her.

Aoi Tohsaka paused briefly, turned back to gaze at Sakura Matou, and whispered, "I'm sorry."

Being forced to separate from her daughter must have been painful for Aoi Tohsaka as a mother, but she chose Tokimitsu Tohsaka and had long been prepared to be a magician's wife.

As they walked out the gate, Matou Shinji heard the little girl sobbing behind him. There were only the two of them in the spacious courtyard. Only after Tokiomi Tohsaka and his group left did she feel more deeply the loneliness of being abandoned in an unfamiliar environment.

"Mom... Sister..." she murmured softly.

Shinji Matou gently hugged the little girl and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

"Thank you... thank you, brother."

This is what it means to win at the starting line.

Shinji Matou muttered to himself, feeling the little girl in his arms calm down. He reached out to wipe away her tears and smiled, "I'll take you to see your room."

"Mmm." The little girl blushed, looking both shy and uneasy.

······

Inside the carriage, Tokiomi Tohsaka remained deep in thought.

Aoi Tohsaka noticed her husband was lost in thought and asked curiously, "Toki, is there something bothering you?"

Tokitomi Tohsaka snapped out of his daze and after a long pause said, "Shinji Matou, the eldest son of the Matou family."

"That little boy?"

"Yes."