"They really are just kids," Shiomi said, glancing in the rearview mirror at Caren and Sakura, who had fallen asleep leaning against each other.
Morgan smiled faintly. "It's good for children. When they're happy, they go out and play. When they're tired, they fall asleep. While other kids their age are still stuck in school, their parents sneak them out to have fun. If people knew, they'd probably be envious enough to call it unfair."
"That's not such a bad thing, is it?" Shiomi said sincerely. "At the very least, today, both Sakura and Caren were able to enjoy themselves."
"You seem to worry about Caren in a completely different way than you do about Sakura," Morgan pointed out.
Shiomi gave a small nod. "In a lot of ways, yeah. Especially her personality. There's just something about it that keeps me on edge."
"Maybe it's just an inherent flaw," Morgan said.
"Inherent, huh…" Shiomi's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
"There's no need to dwell on it. Human beings are fragile and incomplete by nature. Most people are born with some kind of flaw. What they grow into depends mostly on the people around them." Morgan's words carried a quiet reassurance.
It was as if she were saying, "If she's your child, she won't turn out wrong."
Shiomi wasn't sure where that confidence came from. Maybe it was because of her different experiences—maybe she could see farther than he could.
"I appreciate the sentiment," he said with genuine gratitude.
"But I wasn't just talking about her personality. Caren's constitution is also unusual. Besides having Magic Circuits, she has a body that reacts to spirits." Morgan shifted the topic.
"I know."
"You do?" Morgan looked a bit surprised.
"It seems to be something she was born with. After Kirei entrusted her to me, I started noticing strange signs. I did some research and confirmed that it's a 'Masochistic Spiritualist Constitution.' If she gets too close to something like an evil spirit, stigmata will start to appear." Shiomi spoke seriously. "But don't worry. Even when she was still an infant, I already applied protective Runes. Unless that protection is actively dispelled, not even the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse could touch her."
"Looks like I forgot—you've always been that kind of thorough man." Morgan's tone was knowing.
Shiomi found it odd but didn't ask further. Instead, with a hint of regret, he changed the subject. "Still, with everything going on today, I doubt we'll be able to hold our Magecraft lesson tonight."
"There'll be time," Morgan said easily.
"True." Shiomi nodded. "It's hard to find such an exceptional teacher. I really don't want to waste any of it."
"In that case, maybe you shouldn't have taken them out to play in the first place," Morgan said. "Then you wouldn't be wasting any time."
"That won't do… If you don't enjoy life when you're supposed to, that's the real waste of time," Shiomi said firmly.
Morgan agreed wholeheartedly and nodded silently.
...
The car turned a corner and stopped at a red light near the Fuyuki tram station.
Just two more turns and they'd be on the Mion River Bridge.
After a full day out, Shiomi could feel the fatigue setting in. He planned to get Sakura and Caren settled once they got home, then soak in a bath to unwind.
With how tense his nerves were, he wouldn't be able to face the escalating Holy Grail War without some rest.
"Huh..."
He glanced toward the station exit, letting out a surprised sound without thinking.
Following Shiomi's gaze, Morgan saw a young girl with twin pigtails walking out of the station alone.
She looked about the same age as Sakura.
If that were all, Morgan would've just assumed Shiomi was reminded of something.
But the object the girl held was faintly glowing. The light was weak due to the distance, but Morgan could still sense the presence of magical energy.
"A child carrying a Mana detector..." Morgan murmured.
Shiomi gave a definitive answer.
"She's Tokiomi Tohsaka's eldest daughter... Sakura's sister before she was adopted by me. Rin Tohsaka."
"No wonder." Morgan looked at her with mild curiosity. "So that's the eldest born with affinity for all five elements? The Tohsaka family found a fine inheritor."
"That's not important right now."
Shiomi watched as Rin jogged out of the station, heading down the road toward Shinto.
"Tokiomi sent his wife and daughter to his father-in-law's for safety before the war began. Why would she be out here at a time like this?"
"Children with talent in Magecraft are always drawn to abnormal situations. Especially during the Holy Grail War," Morgan replied.
"That's true..."
Shiomi still felt uneasy. She was Sakura's sister. If the two of them ever reunited in the future, Shiomi wouldn't stop them. But if something happened to Rin now, and Sakura found out later...
"Send a familiar to follow her."
He opened the window and released a crow, which flew after Rin.
Soon, Shiomi found out Rin had snuck out late at night to investigate the disappearance of one of her classmates. In other words, it was connected to Caster.
Unfortunately, Caster's Master had already fled by the time Shiomi was ready to act. A real expert at running away.
But it was clear the Master hadn't given up after Rin ruined their child-abduction plan. Caster soon sent a sea demon to ambush Rin as she tried to quietly leave with her rescued friend.
"Ah... ah..."
Through her Mana detector, Rin realized the sea demon's magical energy far exceeded her own. Fear rooted her to the spot.
Footsteps approached from behind. She turned instinctively, but before she could see who it was, Shiomi used Magecraft to knock her unconscious.
Shiomi picked up Rin and turned to leave. Behind him, the sea demon was reduced to ashes by Rune Magecraft in an instant.
Of course, Rin sneaking out didn't go unnoticed by her mother, Aoi Tohsaka, who rushed to Fuyuki in a panic. Shiomi, having quickly deployed his familiars, took Rin with him and found Aoi.
"She's fine. I just used a little magic to put her to sleep."
Shiomi handed Rin back to her mother.
"You're...?"
Aoi froze for a moment before recognizing him.
"In any case, letting a child come to Fuyuki so late at night isn't like the Tohsaka family's usual prudence."
Shiomi crossed his arms.
"When Mr. Kariya gets back and hears about this, he'll probably have a good laugh."
"Yes... you're right..."
Aoi looked remorseful.
"Thank you, Mr. Shiomi. I'm truly grateful."
"Don't mention it. I just happened to be there."
Shiomi waved it off.
"Still... she's Sakura's sister. I wouldn't want to face Sakura in the future without doing something."
Hearing her younger daughter's name, Aoi froze. She had given Sakura up to inherit the Magecraft path—she wasn't supposed to ask. But her motherly instinct compelled her.
"Is she... doing well?"
"She's doing very well," Shiomi said with a hint of pride.
"Especially with Magecraft. Her teacher is far better than anyone at the Tohsaka residence."
His friendly tone brought some relief to Aoi.
"That's good to hear."
There wasn't much more she could say. At least... Sakura was living well in the Shiomi household, and that was enough.
After sending off the Tohsaka mother and daughter, Shiomi returned to the roadside. Morgan was leaning against the car door, waiting.
"You got out of the car?"
Shiomi felt a little awkward.
"It's nothing."
Morgan watched as Aoi's car disappeared from the other side of the park.
"I didn't expect you to step in directly. I thought you'd just contact the Tohsaka family."
"I acted on impulse. She's Sakura's blood sister, after all," Shiomi said honestly.
"Is this also something you did for a 'better tomorrow'?" Morgan asked.
"I think so."
Shiomi paused, then smiled sincerely.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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