MMMS 98

"It's not about Mom!" she huffed, puffing out her cheeks. "If you really know about the Holy Grail War, then you should know who my father is!"

"Ah." His expression shifted slightly. "Tokiomi."

Rin's whole face lit up like he'd just said the magic word. "That's right! Tohsaka Tokiomi is my father!"

The way her eyes practically glowed when she said his name reminded him of someone else—his aunt, Ayaka Sajyou, whenever she gushed about her latest obsession.

‘Great. A total daddy's girl. Just like Ayaka with her sis-con.’

What followed could only be described as Rin's one-woman seminar on "Why My Father Is The Greatest Man Alive." As the heir to one of the founding magus families, she had been raised knowing she was different from other kids. But the reason she actually wanted to become a magus wasn't duty or tradition—it was pure hero worship. In her mind, Tohsaka Tokiomi was basically perfect. Smart, powerful, elegant, kind—everything a father should be. Sure, plenty of kids looked up to their dads, but Rin was absolutely convinced that no daughter anywhere loved her father more than she did.

The thing was, becoming a magus wasn't really Rin's dream. Her real dream was becoming someone worthy of standing next to him. Someone he could be proud of. But dreams like that didn't come true just because you wanted them badly enough.

"But..." Her voice got smaller, more uncertain. "Father hasn't really said anything about me inheriting the family crest yet." She tugged at Ryuuto's sleeve, looking up at him with those big, worried eyes. "Hey, Ryuuto, what do you think he's really thinking? Maybe he still doesn't believe I'm talented enough to be a proper magus?"

After listening to twenty straight minutes of "Father this" and "elegance that," Ryuuto felt like his brain was about to short-circuit. I'm definitely complaining to Aoi about this later. She owes me big time.

That's when he caught the subtle movement in his peripheral vision. Without breaking stride, he called out toward a nearby utility pole. "You can stop following us now. Come out."

"What?" Rin spun around, scanning the empty street with wide eyes.

A figure in a dark hoodie stepped out from behind the pole, moving slowly like he wasn't sure he wanted to be seen.

The moment Rin got a good look at his face, she gasped. "Uncle Kariya?"

...

A weekday afternoon.

The park was one of those perfect family spots—soft grass, gentle sunlight filtering through the trees, kids running around while their parents sat on benches with that content, slightly tired look parents always seemed to have. The fountain in the center drew families like a magnet, its gentle splashing mixing with laughter and conversation.

Matou Kariya hadn't seen Aoi in over a year. Not since everything went to hell.

She looked exactly the same. Still graceful, still beautiful, still carrying herself with that quiet composure that had drawn him to her since they were kids. The fact that she wore someone else's ring now didn't change anything—at least not for him. Aoi would always be the most important person in his world, even if he could never tell her that.

When the four of them finally gathered by the fountain, Aoi took one look at her daughter and completely fell apart. She dropped to her knees and pulled Rin into her arms, shoulders shaking as the tears came.

"I'm sorry, Mom." Seeing her mother cry like that, Rin finally understood just how badly she'd screwed up.

Even as she apologized, part of her was thinking, What would Father do right now? Probably something elegant and comforting. So she started gently patting her mother's back, the way she imagined he would.

"I was so scared... I'm just so glad you're safe..." Aoi's voice was muffled against Rin's shoulder.

When Aoi finally pulled back enough to look around, her eyes immediately found Ryuuto. He gave her that easy smile of his and raised his hand in a casual wave.

"Hey there, Aoi."

For a split second, Aoi's heart did something stupid and dangerous—she wanted to run to him, throw her arms around him, maybe even kiss him right there in front of everyone. Instead, she took a breath and managed what she hoped was a composed nod.

"Thank you, Ryuuto-kun. You've saved me again."

"Don't worry about it." His grin was warm and genuine. "Just glad everything worked out."

When their eyes met, something passed between them that made Aoi's chest feel tight. They were standing close enough that when Ryuuto reached out, their fingers brushed together. Just that small contact sent warmth shooting up her arm.

"Long time no see, Aoi."

The quiet voice made her turn. Kariya was standing a few steps away, hands shoved deep in his hoodie pockets like he wasn't sure he belonged there.

"Kariya-kun?" Aoi blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I called him," Ryuuto said, still holding her gaze for just a beat too long, noting her lush figure—now noticeably plumper after just a few days apart—before stepping back. "Figured we might need someone to keep an eye on our little troublemaker here."

The truth was, Kariya already knew exactly who Ryuuto was. A year ago, this kid had swooped in and stolen the Matou family's place in the Holy Grail War like it was nothing. Now that the Matou name was basically dead and buried, what was he planning to take next?

The second Kariya spotted Ryuuto walking toward the park, his chest tightened with that familiar mix of dread and anger. ‘Not again. Please, not again.’

"Yo, long time no see, Kariya." Ryuuto's greeting was way too cheerful for someone who'd destroyed a centuries-old family line.

"Hey." Kariya's voice came out rougher than he intended.

The boy in front of him looked completely different from the cold, calculating teenager he'd met at the Matou estate. This version seemed almost... normal. "What are you doing here?"

Once they'd put some distance between themselves and Rin, Kariya dropped his voice to barely above a whisper. He already knew the answer would be bad news. Ryuuto was cut from the same cloth as Tokiomi and Zouken.

"I'm friends with Aoi and Rin."

"Do they know what you really are?"

"Nope." Ryuuto's look was casual, but there was steel underneath it. ‘Mind your own business.’

Kariya's hands clenched into fists. "How am I supposed to trust you around them?"

"Ryuuto, you already know Uncle Kariya?" Rin's bright voice suddenly broke into their conversation.

Looking between the two of them—one barely out of his teens, the other pushing middle age—she couldn't help but think the world was smaller than she'd imagined.

Ryuuto nodded without missing a beat. "Yeah, your mom mentions him sometimes."

Complete bullshit, obviously. What woman talks about her simp in front of the guy she's actually interested in?

"Really? What kind of stuff does she say? Now I'm curious!"

Ryuuto just laughed and changed the subject, but he was watching Kariya carefully out of the corner of his eye. So the guy wasn't planning to mention his connection to the Matou family. Smart move. Around Aoi, that name was probably radioactive by now.

"You and Aoi..." Kariya kept his voice low, glancing toward where she was standing. "How close are you two?"

"Close enough." Ryuuto's tone stayed neutral, giving nothing away.

After that, they walked in heavy silence. The only sounds were their footsteps on the pavement and Rin chattering about something up ahead.

Just as they reached the park entrance, Ryuuto leaned over and said something bizzare.

"Hey, Kariya. You ever heard of asphyxiation?"

"What?" Kariya stopped dead in his tracks, staring at him like he'd lost his mind.

"Just wondering." Ryuuto's smile was casual, but there was something unsettling in his eyes. "Funny how people develop certain... preferences, you know? Especially when it involves someone they care about." He glanced toward where Aoi was waiting for them, that same easy smile never leaving his face. "Makes you wonder what people are willing to do for love."