Shirou, who returned from the Fairy Kingdom

……

……

After finishing lunch, the three of them headed straight home.

Shinji still hadn't woken up, so Shirou had to carry him on his back, while Matou Sakura walked silently beside him.

"Um... Shirou-nii-san..."

"I'm not your older brother, just call me Shirou."

"Thank you for speaking up for me in front of Father... Uncle Tohsaka."

Sakura Matou bit her lip, finally mustering her courage: "And also, I'm so sorry... I lied before, I didn't really want to leave the Tohsaka family..."

"It's nothing, I'm already used to betrayal."

Shirou said nonchalantly.

------

Volume 1, Chapter 007: The Budding of Love

Today is a special day for Matou Sakura.

As a child, she always lived under various forms of protection.

The protection from my father.

A father who exudes the composure of an adult and maintains elegance at all times.

The protection from one's mother.

Gentle and virtuous, she was the embodiment of the term "Yamato Nadeshiko" (ideal Japanese woman).

The protection from my older sister.

She's only a year older than Sakura, yet she's a perfect older sister who excels at everything she does.

She is a cool older sister who stands up for her younger sister when she is bullied by the boys around her, earning the respect of the children and the praise of the adults.

To this day, Matou Sakura has lived under their protection.

But from today onwards, they are no longer Sakura's family.

Tokiomi Tohsaka stroked Sakura's head and gave her his final words of advice.

"Sakura, you are gifted. You possess the unparalleled talent to fulfill the tragic wish of the Tohsaka family."

After you arrive at the Matou family, please don't forget Tohsaka—don't forget the pride of being a magus.

Sakura Matou doesn't quite understand men's words.

She only realized that Tokiomi Tohsaka was no longer speaking to her as her father, but as a magician.

Aoi Tohsaka hugged Sakura and shed tears.

"You haven't done anything wrong, but since you were born into a family of magicians, you have to learn to accept this fate."

Sakura Matou, knowing the helplessness and powerlessness of women, comforts the grieving Aoi Tohsaka.

Rin Tohsaka clenched her small fists, her face showing that she was about to cry, but in the end she didn't say anything or shed a tear.

This was the first time Matou Sakura had ever seen her so dejected.

Ah, so my older sister can make that kind of expression too... the girl thought to herself.

And so, he was sent to the Matou family.

Sakura Matou vaguely understood why she was the one being sent away.

Because Sakura is a well-behaved, obedient, and introverted child.

Rin Tohsaka is excellent, but her personality is too strong. If she goes to the Matou family, she might cause trouble in the future.

This is something that Tokiomi Tohsaka, who values ​​his family's reputation above all else, absolutely cannot accept.

In other words, Sakura Matou's greatest strength is her obedience.

Therefore, the girl tried her best to be obedient so that the adults wouldn't be disappointed in her.

Therefore, the girl silently accepted everything; she didn't want to be seen as a naughty or disobedient child by the adults.

She tried her best to accept and comply with Tokiomi Tohsaka's decision.

Sakura doesn't want anyone around her to discover that she might be a rebellious child.

Even if it's just a little bit, the young woman wants to demonstrate her unique value.

Just then, a discordant noise arose.

Sakura Matou looked up and saw a boy who was about her age.

He stood facing Tokiomi Tohsaka, who was decades older and exuded an air of authority, with a displeased expression.

"Your daughter is clearly very unwilling."

Huh? How could this be?

This was the first time that someone had seen through Matou Sakura's secret.

I shouldn't have shown the slightest reluctance, so how did he know?

Many kind people care about Sakura, but no one has ever seen through the girl's disguise.

But he is different.

He didn't see Sakura as a shy, obedient child who always hid behind her older sister.

He saw through the grievances hidden in Sakura's heart.

This person was completely different from everyone else, and the girl's heart began to pound wildly.

"Sakura, don't you want to leave the Tohsaka family?"

Faced with Tokiomi Tohsaka's confirmation, she could only hurriedly deny it.

Perhaps, Matou Sakura lied with this thought in mind—

"He is the only one who truly knows my heart."

"Thank you for speaking up for me in front of my father... Uncle Tohsaka."

Also, I'm sorry... I lied before, I didn't actually want to leave the Tohsaka family..."

On the way home, Matou Sakura nervously apologized to him.

This person was clearly speaking up for me, but I... actually did something really bad.

However, the boy replied nonchalantly, "It's nothing, I'm already used to betrayal."

Sakura Matou's face turned pale: "Th-that..."

"You're kidding."

As the sun set, the boy gave the girl a tender look.

Shirou wouldn't stoop to arguing with a 6-year-old child.

Although I lied at the time, it was out of necessity.

Besides, he didn't cause any harm to Shirou. He's still a good kid if he realizes his mistake and is willing to apologize afterwards.

—You know, fairies never think they've done anything wrong.

"—"

The girl's lips were slightly parted.

In that instant, Matou Sakura felt everything around her freeze.

The girl didn't understand the meaning of "love at first sight" before, but now she does.

"Brother Shirou... no..."

At nine o'clock in the evening, Matou Sakura tossed and turned in the unfamiliar bed.

"Shirou... no, that's too much of a flirtation..."

“Amamiya-kun… Ugh, it won’t work either, Shirou is a year older than me…”

After much thought, "older brother" is still the most suitable.

It's not that Matou Sakura wants Shirou to become her brother.

Unlike Shinji Matou, Shirou is more mature.

Gentle, steady, and caring.

Brave and fearless, and full of a sense of justice.

Shirou fits every girl's definition of an "ideal older brother".

If "older brother" doesn't work, are there any more suitable words?

The six-year-old girl was unaware of this.

Perhaps, when I grow up, I will realize that "older brother" is a more suitable title for Shirou.

Until we find that word, let's just call him "Shirou-nii" for now.

"Boom, boom, boom."

A cold knock on the door shattered the pleasant fantasy.

It is Matou Tsuruno.

"Grandpa is looking for you."

Sakura Matou nodded obediently: "Okay, I'll be right there."

For some reason, the middle-aged man, who had become the girl's father, glanced at the corner of the room, as if he dared not look her in the eye.

"Get ready and come over quickly, the Matou family's magic training starts tonight."

……

……

Sakura Matou walked down the dimly lit corridor.

Compared to the Tohsaka family's mansion, this place is both gloomy and damp. It would be terrifying not only for 7 or 8-year-old children, but also for adults.

But Sakura wasn't afraid.

The thought that her brother Shirou also lived in this mansion made the girl feel less afraid.

That person was only 7 years old, yet he dared to face Tokiomi Tohsaka without any fear.

This is something even my older sister couldn't do.

Sakura Matou once again felt the urge to grow up quickly.

I want to grow up quickly.

She will grow into an outstanding girl.

Not only am I not afraid to walk at night.

Sakura Matou wants to catch up with her older sister and become a girl who can attract Shirou's attention.

Therefore—I must work hard in tonight's magic practice.

But... before really putting in the effort, it shouldn't be a problem to give yourself a little motivation, right?

Okay, before going to Grandpa's, I'll say goodnight to Shirou-nii first...

It would be even better if I could see him give me a gentle smile, hehe...

With that thought in mind, Matou Sakura changed direction and headed towards the guest rooms on the second floor.

"Sakura, where are you going?"

Around the corner, a hunched figure emerged from the darkness.