"The pain in your legs was just growing pains. It seems your body is having a little 'ouch' as it tries to become a more wonderful young lady."
"See, I told you, Sakura. There was no need to come to the hospital."
A cute little girl with twintails patted her younger sister on the shoulder.
"But, sister…."
"Come on. Let's hurry back. Father will be furious if he finds out."
The shy younger sister, Tohsaka Sakura, and her energetic older sister, Tohsaka Rin.
The children, barely five years old, were regular customers at my clinic.
"Mister! You'll keep it a secret that we came here today, right?"
"Of course. I didn't see a thing today."
"Alright. Let's go, Sakura!"
"Okay, sister… Goodbye, doctor."
Unlike Rin, that considerate child who doesn't bother with greetings, Sakura gives a polite bow.
"Take care now. If you're sick, you should come holding your parents' hands. Otherwise, this big brother gets into a bit of trouble."
"You don't even have any other patients! So stingy!"
"S-Sister…."
What a cheeky little brat.
"You little rascal!"
"Aah! Run, Sakura!"
"W-Wait for me, sister!"
As I shot up from my chair, the children giggled and fled out of the clinic.
After the commotion died down, I was about to go lie down on the bed in the corner when the phone rang.
Ring, ring. Ring, ring.
"It's definitely Mr. Tokiomi. I really don't want to answer."
Not answering would be a disaster, so I had no choice but to pick up the receiver.
"Yes."
-Ah. I can tell by your voice. I'm not accustomed to using a telephone, you see. I was wondering if the call had gone through properly.
"I see. …Do you have a patient?"
-There is no patient. However, it seems my children visited the clinic. Is this true?
Playing dumb when you already know.
What a troublesome man. Truly.
"Yes. They just left. The younger one said her leg hurt, so I checked it, but it was just simple growing pains."
-I see. I apologize for not managing my children properly. I express my gratitude.
"It's what a doctor is supposed to do. A sponsored doctor should be even more diligent."
-Hm. Are you finding life difficult? If so, I shall increase the amount of the sponsorship.
Nice. A fanfare went off in my head.
"A 20% increase would be great. Some of the medicines are getting close to their expiration dates…."
-I shall increase it by 50%.
5…50%? That's amazing.
With this much, I can afford gyudon for lunch instead of cup ramen.
I'm finally evolving from the neighborhood beggar doctor to the neighborhood doctor who eats well.
'No. Calm down. There must be a condition.'
I tried my best to calm my excited heart.
No one gives you more money for nothing.
As expected, Mr. Tokiomi brought up a condition.
-In return, there is something I need you to do.
"Of course. What is it?"
-It is a job not as a doctor, but as an Executor.
Click. I put the phone down.
Pretending I hadn't heard, I went to the bed and lay down.
Sunlight was streaming into the quiet clinic room.
"After slogging away for 20 years, I've only just started to enjoy my life. As if I'd ever put those damned Black Keys on my hands again."
It hasn't even been three years. I'm still tired.
Let's just sleep.
"Why have you come here?"
"It seems the telephone was out of order. Your voice suddenly became inaudible."
Of course it did, I hung up.
The urge to kick the man who had followed me all the way to my home welled up inside me.
Contrary to my feelings, I opened the clinic door and welcomed him in.
"Machines can be troublesome at times. …Please, come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
Mr. Tokiomi strode in and sat down on a round stool.
I sat opposite him, in my personal chair.
With a single desk between us, Mr. Tokiomi dropped the first bomb.
"The Fourth Holy Grail War is about to begin."
"...What?"
My hand, which was pouring tea, froze. The spilled tea was pooling on the floor.
"The Holy Church has decided to support me. An individual from the Church is already my apprentice and is undergoing training. I also possess the Command Spells, the proof of a Master."
"Ah. Yes."
"Our victory is all but assured. The most powerful catalyst has also come into my possession…."
That's amazing.
I can't even imagine how happy you must be, about to obtain the renowned Holy Grail.
But why are you telling me this?
"Is it alright to tell me such things? In the first place, I heard the Church is supposed to remain neutral as the supervisor of the Holy Grail War… Isn't that cheating?"
"The Holy Grail War does not proceed on pure principles."
He's right. A fair and square fight is meaningless before the wish-granting Holy Grail.
"The omnipotent wish-granting device must fall into the hands of one who is qualified. The other six do not have such qualifications."
I don't know how elegant or great a magus he is... but I have no interest in the Holy Grail.
Not only is the idea of it granting wishes suspicious, but I doubt I'd be happy even if I had such a thing.
I am not a magus. I do not seek the Root.
I can easily turn away the hand of a magus who has clearly come seeking my help.
"Frankly, I am not curious about whose hands the Grail falls into. I came to Fuyuki City to enjoy the rest of my life working as a doctor."
I put down the overflowing teacup.
"Please drink this and be on your way. I don't mind if you cut off the sponsorship."
The man gripped the cane, with its characteristic red ruby, in both hands.
"The Church is still watching you. Father Risei finds your continued presence in Fuyuki City unpleasant."
"That muscular priest? Why is he so grumpy in his old age?"
"Grumpy. Is that how it appears in your eyes?"
His blue eyes glared at me. Did he think I'd be scared by a glare like that?
I stared back at him without a word.
He must think he's some kind of Apostle or demon. A threat of this level is nothing.
Mr. Tokiomi cleared his throat and looked away first.
"Why is an Executor residing in a country of the Far East? And in the very region where the Holy Grail War is held… is that not suspicious? Not only the Church but the Clock Tower is on guard as well."
"A retired Executor. What threat could I possibly be? I'm content to just play doctor quietly in my clinic."
"That is difficult to believe."
So?
"What is your proposal? I doubt you came here simply to threaten me."
"Help me in the Holy Grail War. If you refuse, then leave Fuyuki City while the Holy Grail War is underway. I say this as the head of the Tohsaka family, the administrators of Fuyuki City."
"And if I refuse both?"
"...That would be a shame."
It doesn't seem like he's planning to fight right now... so what is it?
Mr. Tokiomi leisurely took a few sips of his tea.
I had filled it to the very brim. Contrary to my expectation that he would spill a few drops, his hand was perfectly steady.
Honestly, I was impressed. Though I didn't show it.
"I shall take my leave now. Let the tea steep a little longer. The flavor has not been fully drawn out."
"I won't see you out."
"Farewell, then."
He is the very model of a magus. Yet, he has a peculiar personality, prizing elegance above all else.
The fact that he came to see me right before the Holy Grail War means he's not going to back down this easily....
"This is difficult."
I scratched my head. If I had known this would happen, I would have gone to a different town.
A familiar outside the window was watching me. When I glared at it, it quickly disappeared into the distance.
"It's not like I came here by choice, you know…."
The sky was clear, without a single cloud.
The calm before the storm. Those words came to mind.