[FMMISM] Chapter 49: Tohsaka Aoi

No matter who looked at her, Tohsaka Aoi was considered a perfect wife.

Externally, needless to say, she was graceful and slender, with a beautifully arranged appearance and delicate figure.

Her soft, flowing long hair always made countless people envious.

As for her personality, if one word were to describe her, it would be an 'ideal Japanese wife'.

She was dignified and cautious, meticulous in everything she did, understanding her husband without ever interfering, placing more importance on fidelity and fulfilling her duties than on love itself.

Aoi was simply the epitome of a classically virtuous wife and mother.

However, this strong woman had quietly lived in sorrow for over a year.

It all began a year ago.

Although Aoi herself did not study magecraft, she was well aware that her two daughters were exceptionally talented, once-in-a-century geniuses in magecraft.

Their talent was so extraordinary that even the ally of the Tohsaka family, the prestigious mage family, Matou, coveted them.

Over a year ago, responding to the Matou family's persistent requests, Tokiomi decided to send his second daughter, Tohsaka Sakura, into the Matou family.

It was not without reason.

In the world of magecraft, each family could only have one successor after all.

As every mage knew, the greatest legacy parents could leave their children in the world of magecraft was not wealth or knowledge, but their 'Magic Crest'.

Through the accumulation and continuation of the Magic Crest, mage society formed a typical aristocratic world that grew stronger with age.

Within mage families, the child who inherited the Magic Crest would receive everything, while the others would have nothing.

Because of this, having two geniuses like Rin and Sakura among children of the same generation was a great sorrow.

"Sakura's talent should not be buried. If it's her, she can surely achieve much more and have a brighter future."

After saying those words to his wife, the head of the Tohsaka family, Tohsaka Tokiomi, decided to send his second daughter to the Matou family to inherit their Magic Crest.

With this decision, mother, child, and sisters, were forcibly separated.

Sometimes, Aoi would secretly think—was what her husband said about ensuring Sakura had a brighter future? Was it for her sake as a mage? Or as a human being?

However, since it was a decision made by her husband who was the head of the Tohsaka family, Aoi believed she had no right to voice her opinion.

Since the day she married into the Tohsaka family, she understood that she could not pursue the happiness of an ordinary family.

Since parting with her second daughter, Aoi had immersed herself in an unspeakable sadness.

Unexpectedly, a month ago, her sorrow escalated further when she learned that the Matou family, who had adopted Sakura, had been wiped out.

Upon learning that the Matou residence had been engulfed in flames and Sakura's whereabouts were unknown, Aoi, who had thought she had already shed all her tears, finally could not contain her emotions anymore and burst into loud sobbing like a broken dam.

From that day on, the demeanor of the mistress of the Tohsaka family changed drastically.

Aoi lost her usual gentle smile, becoming taciturn and temperamental.

===

In the evening, Aoi walked the winter streets of Shinto, wearing only a coat and scarf.

For as long as she could remember, she had this strange hobby of strolling alone through the city at night.

For a lady, it wasn't considered a respectable hobby.

However, Tokiomi didn't mind.

After all, to her husband, the entire city of Fuyuki was Tohsaka's domain.

As the master of Fuyuki's ley lines, Tokiomi was the shadow ruler of the city, and if his wife wanted to take a graceful walk in their own backyard, there was nothing wrong with that.

And so, Aoi's hobby continued.

At this moment, the deserted late-night streets were eerie under the dim streetlights, casting shadows that seemed almost menacing.

As her mental fatigue had reached its limit, Aoi wandered expressionlessly.

"Madam, out for a late-night stroll? Are you feeling lonely?"

"Maybe your husband can't satisfy you? Hahaha!"

Several men's lewd remarks suddenly reached her ears.

Aoi looked at the source of the voices with empty eyes and saw four men.

Some had dyed yellow hair, others dark skin, all looking quite young.

However, their eyes brazenly gleamed with a perverted light as they ogled Aoi's curves, barely concealed under her coat.

"No, no, this late, the only women out on the streets are, you know, sluts!"

"Hahaha! Nowadays, even sluts dress like wealthy ladies, yeah? Japan sure is something."

"..."

Ignoring them, Aoi quickened her pace, moving along under the streetlights.

"Whoa! Not that fast, Madam!"

One of the blond men reached out and grabbed Aoi's wrist.

"What's the hurry, Madam? Ignoring us like this?"

"Let go of me." Aoi said softly, head down.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"Let go of me, or else—"

At her words, the men glanced at each other, mocking expressions appearing on their faces.

"Hah! What if I don't let go?"

As her wrist was gripped tighter, Aoi frowned.

"Ugh..."

In the past, a familiar of the Tohsaka family would have appeared by now, driving away unwanted strangers.

Oddly enough, there was no familiar to protect the mistress of the Tohsaka family tonight.

Before long, Aoi suddenly realized something important she had forgotten—the Holy Grail War had begun.

Her husband was busy preparing for the war and had already asked her to leave Fuyuki. Yet here she was tonight, leaving Rin alone at her parents' home and wandering through Fuyuki alone.

"Madam, why don't you come with us to the nearby hotel and have a nice chat?"

"No, please let go of me!"

"What the fuck? How dare you speak to me like that, you fucking bitch!"

As the blond man suddenly raised his voice, it startled Aoi, causing her body to tremble.

Obviously, this was a common tactic thugs used to intimidate and coerce respectable women, preparing to drag them forcibly into the alley.

At this moment, the thugs' eyes gleamed menacingly as they already planned how to humiliate this married woman later.

"Please let go of me, my daughter is waiting for me at home!"

Aoi fought to control the trembling of her lips and the fear in her heart, shaking her arms forcefully.

"Daughter you say? How about we invite your daughter to join us in our fun? You know what, I love little girls! Madam, how many daughters do you have?"

"!!!"

Reminded of Sakura, Aoi staggered, bit her lower lip, and glared fiercely at them.

"Scum..."

"Huh? What did you just say?"

Upon hearing her words, the thugs’ smiles stiffened, their expressions turning angry.

"Oy! I didn't catch that! What did you say again?!"

“I called you scum.”

Suddenly, a youthful voice, still carrying traces of childishness, interjected.

Aoi looked over in surprise and saw a boy who looked barely in his teens standing next to her—just like her own daughter, with black hair.

When did this boy show up? She hadn’t noticed him at all.

“Excuse me, could you bunch of scum please leave?”

Ragna stood expressionless in front of Aoi, making his declaration.

“This lady already has plans tonight, and I’m her partner.”