"By the way, Kamitani-kun, isn't this Tokiomi-kun's child? Why is she with you?"
After the two customers finished their ramen, Kirei Kotomine looked at the lowered head of Tohsaka Sakura and asked with apparent confusion.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you." Hearing Kirei's question, Yuu smiled and explained, "Due to certain reasons, Tokiomi has adopted Sakura into the Kamitani family."
"In other words, I am now Sakura's guardian." Saying this, he reached out and gently stroked Sakura's small head.
"Wuu—"
Feeling the warmth on her head, Sakura's pale cheek flushed slightly, and a shy expression appeared in her clear blue eyes.
"I see." Kirei nodded in understanding. He then slightly shifted his gaze to the back of Yuu's right hand, which was etched with the bright red cross pattern. "Though it's a bit presumptuous, I must ask, Kamitani-kun, is the pattern on your right hand a Command Spell?"
After taking over Risei Kotomine's position and becoming the priest of the Fuyuki City Holy Church, Kirei had learned about the Holy Grail War from his retired father.
And when Yuu entered the shop, he had already noticed the three bright red Command Spells, which looked like a Stigma.
"That's right." Yuu had no intention of hiding it and admitted it directly.
"Oh~" Hearing his answer, Kirei's brown eyes brightened slightly, and a strange expression appeared on his face. "If I recall correctly, the head of the Tohsaka family is also participating in this Holy Grail War, isn't he?"
"In that case, Kamitani-kun, won't you have to face the Tohsaka head as an enemy and fight... contend for the Holy Grail?"
He entrusted his daughter to a trustworthy friend, yet under the malicious jest of fate, the two close friends are forced onto a path of mutual slaughter until a victor emerges...
How twisted, how tragic!
This is simply—Subarashii!
Just anticipating the occurrence of that scene, a strong surge of excitement and heat rushed through Kirei's heart, as if the void within him was being filled with an indescribable pleasure.
Ah, is Kirei getting 'pleasure' again because of the situation between Tokiomi and me?
Looking at Kirei, who was trembling as if in ecstasy, Yuu thought with a strange expression.
As the guide for this tax-evading priest, he knew the man all too well.
Due to a congenital flaw in his psyche, Kirei could only feel pleasure and happiness from the misfortune and suffering of others, and the collapse and decay of all things.
However, such an existence, who could be called a "natural-born villain," was born into a good family. The education he received from childhood gave him the conscience and moral values of a normal person.
As he grew up, the congenital flaw and the acquired upbringing created a strong conflict. Kirei was thus confused by his own twisted nature and tried to find the path he truly desired.
Although all these attempts ended in failure, he was getting closer to an awakening. He only needed a small push for this twisted priest to discover his true nature.
It was at this crucial moment that Yuu appeared. He successfully guided Kirei, leading him to awaken to the "goodness" he had acquired.
While maintaining his usual saintly code of conduct, he pursued the pleasure that satisfied the emptiness in his heart.
Finally, at Yuu's suggestion, Kirei opened a Mapo Tofu Ramen shop in the Shintō commercial district, enjoying the sight of customers' faces twisting in agony from the spiciness, and thereby gaining sufficient pleasure.
"My apologies, I just recalled something amusing. Please excuse my lapse."
A moment later, as the intense pleasure quickly receded like a tide, Kirei's expression instantly returned to normal.
"...It's fine, it's fine." Yuu, still slightly taken aback by Kirei's rapid change of expression, waved his hand and continued,
"Although both Tokiomi and I will participate in this Holy Grail War, it is merely a contest between magi and will not endanger each other's lives."
"Speaking of which, Kirei, you will be serving as the referee for this Holy Grail War, won't you?"
"Yes." Hearing Yuu's question, Kirei nodded, his voice calm and steady. "After all, my father, who served as the referee in the last Holy Grail War, has retired from the Eighth Sacrament Agency."
"As his successor, I will naturally follow the Church's arrangement and become the supervisor for this Holy Grail War."
Pausing here, Kirei seemed to recall something. He looked at Yuu and said, "If Kamitani-kun or the Tohsaka head should fail in this Holy Grail War, you may seek sanctuary at the Church."
"However, I imagine with your strength, Kamitani-kun, that won't be necessary..."
Night, with the lights coming on.
Inside the Church in Shintō.
"..."
An elderly priest was praying devoutly. He was alone, with only the cold moonlight filtering through the blinds and scattering across the clean floor. The entire church looked silent and sacred.
But the next moment, the sound of heavy footsteps came from the wooden floor not far away, breaking the quiet atmosphere.
"I apologize, but the Church's service hours have ended for today. Please come back tomorrow."
Risei Kotomine opened his tightly closed eyes. He spoke in a gentle tone while turning around to look in the direction of the sound.
He saw a handsome young man with silver hair and golden eyes walking toward him from the church's entrance.
Upon seeing the newcomer's face clearly, the old priest's expression softened, and he smiled. "Why, it's Little Yuu. When did you return from the Clock Tower? You should have let me know in advance so I could prepare to receive you."
"I returned about two or three days ago. It was a sudden matter, so I didn't inform you beforehand. My apologies." Yuu said apologetically as he approached Risei.
"Oh, you are still so earnest, my boy. I wasn't scolding you." Saying this, the old priest patted his shoulder, a look of gratification on his face.
Risei was extremely satisfied with Yuu, his disciple who had studied Bājíquán under him since childhood, and he even felt grateful.
After all, if it hadn't been for him, he would never have known that his granddaughter Caren possessed the dangerous unique constitution of a "Masochistic Spiritual Medium."
If Caren's constitution had been discovered by the Church first, she would have become a "weapon" used to purify demons, until her body could no longer withstand the demonic violation and she died.
Therefore, in Risei's view, the future Yuu's Mystic Eyes had foreseen had undoubtedly saved his granddaughter's fate.
"By the way, Father Risei, I came to the Church this time because I have something I need to ask of you."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yuu's expression became serious. Since he had been chosen as a Master for the Holy Grail War, he needed to make some preparations in advance.
"Speak. As long as it doesn't violate my principles, I can agree to it."
"Thank you. I hope that after the Holy Grail War begins, you can..."