Tohsaka Tokiomi felt his cheeks burn.
He'd been stripped of all dignity as both family head and father in front of everyone—especially before an old fox like Matou Zouken—by his own seven-year-old daughter's defiance and accusations. It was humiliation unlike anything he'd ever experienced.
Forcing down his anger and embarrassment, he managed a stiff smile and offered an apologetic nod to Matou Zouken. "Forgive the spectacle, Elder Matou. The child is young and ignorant—my lax discipline. I'll handle this from here and won't delay our business."
Then he turned back. When his gaze fell on his two daughters locked in each other's arms, it sharpened to ice. Whatever softness he'd tried to feign vanished. The absolute authority of the Tohsaka head settled over them.
"Rin. Sakura. Whether you understand or not, whether you're willing or not, there is no room to change this," he declared, brooking no argument.
"I am your father—and the head of House Tohsaka. My decision is what's best for the family and for your future. You will do as I say."
With that, he offered no further explanation. He started forward, steps steady and resolute, closing in on Rin and Sakura. His tall figure cast an oppressive shadow in the morning fog. He clearly meant to use force—tear Sakura away from Rin's side.
"Sis…!"
At her father's implacable tone, Sakura trembled and clutched Rin even tighter, as if she could bury herself inside her sister for protection.
Rin's face turned ashen. His iron stance had outstripped what she'd imagined. He was almost upon them, and that horrifying Matou Zouken was still watching with predatory interest. Words alone wouldn't work anymore. Maybe the only way was to run with Sakura—
But a thought flashed through her mind like lightning: what the chat-group host Rei Ao had told her—the real aim of Matou Zouken, the chilling truth.
She didn't fully grasp terms like "seize her body" and "Lesser Grail," but she knew one thing with absolute clarity: it was nothing like the "better future" her father described for Sakura.
No more hesitation.
Just as Tokiomi's hand was about to touch Sakura's shoulder, Rin snapped her head up. She threw out her small hand and pointed straight at Matou Zouken, sitting there at his ease with that twisted smile—and, in a voice so sharp it cracked, she shouted for all to hear:
"Father! You can't hand Sakura over to him—this man is not a good person!"
"His intentions toward Sakura aren't pure!"
"He has no real desire to train Sakura as an heir!"
"Hm?"
Tokiomi's advance checked by reflex. He frowned, baffled by Rin's sudden claims. For a heartbeat, even the grotesque smile on Matou Zouken's face stiffened, a needle-thin glint of malice flickering in his clouded eyes.
Rin barreled on, screaming out the "truth" she knew—though she couldn't fully understand it—because she trusted Rei Ao.
"He's only coveting Sakura's rare talent!
He wants to take over her body—he… he wants to turn her into some kind of Lesser Grail!
He's using Sakura! Father, you've been deceived!"
It was like thunder from a clear sky.
Tokiomi froze, stunned—his first shock of the day that didn't spring from anger. His instinct was to scold Rin for spouting nonsense. But a realization struck him.
The Holy Grail War is a secret among secrets. How does Rin even know the word "Grail"?
He was certain he'd never mentioned it to her. And "Lesser Grail"? In the Grail War system, a vessel is needed to contain mana, yes—but even he had never delved into that particular term. Where did Rin learn it?
Almost on instinct, Tokiomi's eyes cut to Matou Zouken, searching the man's face for the smallest crack, some telltale panic at being exposed.
Inside, a storm had already broken over Zouken. The shriveled fingers hidden in his wide sleeves twitched into a curl. Disbelief churned with suspicion. How could this little girl possibly know my plan?
"Soul materialization," "vessel," "Lesser Grail"… these were purposes he had buried deepest, secrets he had never revealed—even to his "children." How did she know? Was there a master behind the Tohsaka guiding her? Was this a plot aimed at him? A hundred thoughts surged up at once, including a flash of killing intent toward Rin.
But Zouken had lived for centuries; his mask and command of the room were peerless. The instant Tokiomi's gaze hit him, the shadow of doubt vanished without a trace, replaced by affronted, mocking displeasure. He looked at Tokiomi with a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Tokiomi, it seems there are… significant gaps in how you manage your house and educate your heir," he rasped, voice needling, designed to sow discord. "Have you really grown so dull and weak you'd believe the baseless slander of a mere child?"
"My cooperation with the Tohsaka," he went on silkily, "is out of respect for a fellow magus lineage—cherishing talent, passing on the mantle. To be smeared like this… how chilling."
The maneuver—retreating to advance, turning the tables—hit Tokiomi like a bucket of cold water, snapping him to his senses.
~~~
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