"So, to sum it up—Shichen is Rin's Servant, and Rin is Shichen's Master?" Irisviel asked, neatly recapping.
"Just call me Rin," Rin Tohsaka said politely.
"That's right," Shichen nodded.
"How did you do it?" Artoria asked, curious.
"I just… tweaked the summoning ritual a bit."
"Just a bit… Only you would say that. Honestly, that's so like you," Artoria sighed in amazement.
"Wait!" Rin suddenly realized something. "Shichen—so you becoming my Servant was intentional?"
"What else did you think?" Shichen shot back. "Under normal circumstances, do you really think you could summon me? I'm not some historical hero from this world."
"I knew something was off!"
"At least you've got a brain," Shichen teased.
"I'm very smart, okay? You're the one who misled me!" Rin huffed.
"Oh yeah? Then why was it so easy to fool you? You just followed me here like a good girl—aren't you scared you'd get kidnapped?"
"That's because… you're Shichen, that's why…" Rin muttered quietly.
"This woman totally has designs on Dad!" Illya immediately pointed at Rin and accused loudly.
"N-no! That's not it! He's my lifesaver, that's all—don't get the wrong idea!" Rin hurriedly protested.
"Hmph. You think I'd believe that? Your face is bright red," Illya said with arms crossed, calling her out.
"Huh? I-it is?" Rin instinctively covered her cheeks—they really were warm.
"Does Onee-chan really like Onii-chan?" Sakura asked softly, looking at Rin.
"N-no… not like that…"
"That denial was very hesitant," Illya judged sternly.
"I…"
"It's okay, Sis," Sakura said gently.
"What do you mean 'okay'?" Rin blurted out.
"I wouldn't mind if you stayed close to Onii-chan too. If it's you, there's no problem."
"…Wait—too?" Rin blinked, catching the keyword.
From the moment she walked in, she'd been unable to ignore the two striking women in the room. One was petite but unbelievably cute—like a doll—with a calm, mature vibe. The other… Rin recognized her: ruby-red eyes, crimson hair, flawless features—an Einzbern.
And most importantly: she looked a lot like Illya.
Illya had just called Shichen "Dad," and now there was someone who looked like "Mom" right here—the relationship was hard not to guess.
"Yeah. Onii-chan has a lot of women around him," Sakura said matter-of-factly. "You could be one of them too. Then we can stay together."
"A-a lot…?" Rin yelped.
"Ahem," Shichen said, not even trying to hide it anymore. "To be honest, I'm… kind of affectionate. With a lot of people."
"So it's true…" Rin looked like she'd taken psychic damage.
"Don't be discouraged, Sis," Sakura hugged her and comforted her. "If he weren't like that, you wouldn't even have a chance."
"…That almost makes sense—wait, no, I don't know what you're talking about!" Rin snapped, flustered.
"Classic 'saying no while meaning yes.' Interesting," Illya commented again.
"Ugh…"
"Anyway," Illya waved a hand, "if Dad did that on purpose, then he's not actually under your control, right?"
"That's right," Shichen said bluntly.
"Then what's the point of me being the Master?" Rin stared, stunned.
"You can relax and still win."
"Relax and win?"
"With me here, this Holy Grail War can end fast," Shichen said. "You'd be the final winner."
"What's even the point then?! I'd have zero presence! Zero sense of achievement!" Rin complained.
"Better than us turning into enemies," Shichen countered. "Do you want to fight me?"
"…No."
"Then that's that." Shichen waved it off. "Besides, the Grail War is mostly about the Servants anyway. Schemes don't matter that much… and you don't really have a wish you're desperate to make, do you?"
"But… the Tohsaka family's honor…"
"Onee-chan," Sakura said softly, "it's just you in the Tohsaka household now. What 'honor' are you trying to carry alone? Come live with us instead."
"Live with you…" Rin looked at Sakura, torn.
She understood: because of what happened back then, Sakura didn't feel any attachment to the Tohsaka name anymore. With Rin alone, she'd wanted to "revive" the family—until her sister suddenly reappeared and flipped her priorities upside down.
Honor… or family?
Honestly, she'd already known the answer ever since the day they were separated.
"You don't have to decide right now," Shichen said. "Stay with us for a while. If it feels right, come with us. You'll see a much bigger world. If it doesn't… well…" He smiled, not even trying to sound gentle. "I'll probably still drag you along."
"That's not giving me a choice at all," Rin groaned.
"You don't get a free 'opt out' button," Shichen said shamelessly. "You're my Master—so you're stuck with your Servant."
"That's backwards! And you're not even really my Servant!"
"I modified the ritual, but technically I am right now," Shichen said. "Our Master–Servant relationship just doesn't follow the usual rules."
"…Can I quit?" Rin asked weakly.
"Of course… not."
"So I just have to accept my fate? I can't do anything?"
"Not true," Shichen said. "If you want to experience the 'real' Grail War atmosphere, I can play along properly."
"…That, I'd actually like."
"That's all you've got? Pathetic," Illya said, unimpressed.
"What else am I supposed to do?! Reality's right here! I can't change it!" Rin sighed in defeat.
"Oh~ I get it. You're just taking the convenient slope downhill so you can stay close to Dad," Illya narrowed her eyes at her.
"Of course not! Stop assuming I'm scheming all the time! Besides, Shichen already has a wife—"
"I don't mind at all~" Irisviel said with a hand to her cheek, smiling.
"Wha—?!" Rin nearly short-circuited.
"Irisviel, don't tease her," Artoria cut in, exasperated.
"Ehh? But I'm stating a fact," Irisviel replied lightly.
"You're not Shichen's wife—"
"What's the difference?" Irisviel smiled sweetly. "Here, I'm Shichen's wife~"
"Yep. Dad and Mom are married," Illya chimed in helpfully.
"Even if that's the situation… you can't just decide things for Shichen," Artoria said, trying to be the voice of reason. "He won't necessarily follow what we want."
"That's true~" Irisviel laughed. "He's way too affectionate."
"…" Shichen wisely kept quiet.
"Um… so Onii-chan Shichen and Miss Einzbern really are married?" Rin asked carefully.
"Call me Irisviel," Irisviel said brightly. "As for 'married'… Shichen, what do you say?" she teased, turning to him.
"We're married, okay?" Shichen answered flatly.
"Ehehe~ Shichen and I are married~" Irisviel beamed like a delighted girl.
(Which, in a weird way, wasn't wrong.)
"…I still don't understand what's going on," Rin admitted.
"Sis," Sakura explained patiently, "Irisviel is Onii-chan's partner. Illya and Onii-chan aren't related by blood."
"Huh?! Not related?!" Rin was shocked.
"What, are you happy?" Illya shot her a suspicious look.
"N-no! Of course not!"
"Hmph. You're clearly plotting." Illya leaned in, then suddenly grinned mischievously. "You know, if there's no blood relation, there's also—"
Thunk.
"Ow! Why did you hit me, Dad?!" Illya clutched her head, aggrieved.
"Because you're talking nonsense," Shichen said sternly.
"But it's technically true!"
"What 'true'? Stop saying stuff like that. Who taught you to talk this way?!" Shichen scolded.
"Does Dad not like me?" Illya pouted, eyes watery.
"Of course I like you. You're my sweet girl," Shichen said, immediately softening as he hugged her.
"Then if you like me and there's no blood relation, why can't I—"
"No means no. Don't push it," Shichen cut her off.
"…Oh?" Illya's eyes sparkled with mischief again. "Then that means I can date someone else, right? I can fall in love, get married—no problem?"
"…" Shichen went silent.
"Dad's defaulting to 'no,' huh?"
"…No."
"Hehe. Dad totally can't say it. You're so obvious," Illya declared victoriously.
"..."