"You'll join me in dealing with my father's Servant!"

  Outside a fast food restaurant in Fuyuki City, Chihiro, who was enjoying a simple lunch, looked at Tohsaka Rin beside him with a bewildered expression.

  The reason Chihiro and Rin ended up here together started about half an ho.

  After the quiz session, Chihiro noticed it ast noon, so he decided to head out for lunch with Zhang Jiao and Red Hare.

  Why not just cook at home? Well, because the only dish Chihiro could mao make was fried rice, and it always turned out either too salty or too bnd. His other ary skill was boiling instant noodles.

  As for Zhang Jiao and Red Hare? Expeg them to know how to cook was out of the question.

  While they were trying to decide what to eat, they happeo bump into the Tohsaka family, who were also out for a meal.

  To be precise, it was Tohsaka Aoi awo daughters, Rin and Sakura—along with Ishtar, wearing her usual midriff-baring attire.

  The moment Sakura saw Chihiro, she ran up to him and hugged him tightly, refusing to let go. Her expression looked so pitiful that it tugged at the heartstrings of everyone around her.

  The ordeal with Zouken Matou had left a deep scar on her. She'd been having nightmares ever since, and it was only thanks to Aoi and Rin's care that she'd been able to recover somewhat.

  Even so, Sakura had bee quiet and withdrawn, no longer as lively as she used to be. She didn't talk mu the group chat and rarely spoke at home either.

  With Tokiomi entirely focused on the Holy Grail War and Gilgamesh's oppressive presening over the household Sakura felt more stifled than ever.

  Right now, the only person who made her feel safe was Chihiro.

  After Sakura g to him, Aoi realized who Chihiro was and quickly offered to treat him to a meal as thanks for saving Sakura.

  Chihiro didn't refuse and suggested they eat at a fast food pce. He wasn't in the mood for fancy cuisihat was expensive and not particurly filling.

  Aoi was agreeable, so they found outdoor seating at a fast food restaurant and begaing.

  Ohey sat down, Sakura produced a lunch box and ha to Chihiro.

  After a bit of questioning, Chihiro learhat this lunch box had e from a broreasure chest Sakura had obtained yesterday.

  Magical Gift – Sakura's Special Bento.

  Eating it would restore some physical stamina, but only if one fihe entire meal.

  It turned out that, just like Chihiro's daily Mapo Tofu, Sakura could produe of these bentos each day.

  Without hesitation, Chihiro accepted the lunch box and started eating.

  Mm, it tastes really good, he thought, sav each bite.

  Meanwhile, Rin sat beside him, feeling a little jealous.

  After all, Sakura had never offered her a bento like that.

  A short while ter, Aoi excused herself to go to the restroom, and Rin took the opportunity to lean closer to Chihiro.

  Chihiro thought Rin was about to express her jealousy, but instead, she hit him with a surprising proposition.

  "Would you work with me to deal with that golden-eyed showoff?"

  Wow, Chihiro thought, she really is her father's daughter.

  "Not my father," Rin corrected immediately. "Just… that arrogant jerk!"

  "Is there a difference?" Chihiro chuckled. "Gilgamesh is your father's Servant. Dealing with him is basically dealing with Tokiomi."

  Rin scowled. "No, don't lump my father together with that."

  "Alright, alright," Chihiro relented, still amused. "So, what made you decide to ask me for help with Gilgamesh?"

  "Because you don't get along with him, aher do I," Rin pouted. "That jerk keeps talking down to everyone, calling people 'mongrels,' and ag like he owns my house. Now he's practically forced my family out of our own home. I'm fed up with him!"

  Chihiro chuckled. "Well, that 'great god' was invited by your own father, remember?"

  Seeing how flustered Rin was, he couldn't resist reag out to pinch her cheek lightly.

  "Just tell me if you'll help or not," Rin huffed, her cheeks turning red but maintaining a calm front.

  "You want my help?" Chihiro asked pinly, his meaning clear.

  Even friends settle ats properly. She couldn't expect him to help for free.

  Rin's face sched up in frustration.

  She hadn't thought about any kind of payment. She'd assumed Chihiro would jump at the ce to go up against Gilgamesh.

  "Fine, if you help us, this goddess will assist you in obtaining the Holy Grail," Ishtar interjected, sounding slightly smug.

  Ishtar and Rin had already discussed joining forces with Chihiro against Gilgamesh. Though it was somewhat embarrassing foddess to rely on others, she had no ce of defeating Gilgamesh on her own; his s of Heaven pletely suppressed her.

  Since Ishtar had no i in the Holy Grail, she figured it made a fair bargaining chip.

  "How about that? Agree to this alliance, and you'll gain the help of a goddess. Not a bad deal, right?"

  "Well, it's definitely not a bad deal," Chihiro admitted, nodding.

  Having a powerful entity like Ishtar on his side was certainly an advantage.

  Of course, that depended oher the Holy Grail could even be used. Chihiro had no i in the Grail if it had already been corrupted by Angra Mainyu and turned into a tainted vessel.

  But it didn't really matter. Even if he had no use for the Grail, teaming up to teach Gilgamesh a lesson sounded satisfying enough.

  Chihiro grinned. "Alright, I'm in."

  "Great!" Rin excimed, her eyes shining. "The's do it tonight."

  "You're awfully eager, aren't you?" Chihiro smirked, coughing slightly. "o rush. We o wait filgamesh to leave your house first."

  "True… I 't destroy my own home just to deal with him," Rin agreed, her expression turning thoughtful.

  Chihiro added silently to himself, And Tohsaka Tokiomi isn't likely to let us just eliminate Gilgamesh so easily.

  ---

  "Rin! Sakura! Are you both alright?"

  A figure suddenly ran up to them. It was Matou Kariya.

  Kariya had been passing by and spotted the Tohsaka sisters. He immediately rushed over, etched on his face.

  "Uncle Kariya…" Rin's face froze upon seeing him.

  She hadn't fotten that in the first video they watched, Matou Kariya had killed her father.

  Though that event hadn't happened yet, she couldn't help but feel flicted toward this man who had once shown her kindness.

  ****

  T/N: If you enjoy reading this so far, sider leaving a review thanks.