章 24: [24] Visiting to the Tohsaka Residence
"Kurokawa Kazuya, is it? Hmm... It seems like a regular visit," Said Tohsaka Tokiomi, looking at Kazuya at the front door. "Aoi, please, bring him in."
"I understand," Tohsaka Tokiomi's wife, Tohsaka Aoi also known as Zenjou Aoi, nodded and said, "But, dear... are your hands alright?"
"Ah... this?" Tohsaka Tokiomi looked at the Command Seals on his hand and said, "It's alright. I've applied a hidden magecraft. He won't be able to detect it, or if he can, it would imply some magical aptitude on his part. But... I've already tested him, and he doesn't possess any magical aptitude. Besides, I'm planning a trip to Italy soon, so before that, I should take care of things at home."
...
On the other side, Morioh Town.
Kazumi, still on vacation, didn't go out to play this time. Instead, she visited her brother's studio.
"Manga... Is it supposed to be drawn like this?"
Holding her brother's usual pen, she tried to imitate his style and draw the cover of the manga "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure" tankobon that was on the table.
After more than an hour had passed, she looked at her creation and sighed, "It's so difficult..."
It didn't look anything like it, and she felt a bit restless sitting here for an hour straight...
"Onii-chan's drawings look so simple, though..."
For a cover like this, her brother could finish it in about ten minutes, and even with coloring, it wouldn't take more than twenty minutes. Watching him draw manga gave her a very comfortable feeling, a special sense of beauty combined with an interesting story...
For a while, she had even thought that all manga artists were like that. She had once aspired to become a handsome manga artist like her brother.
But it was so hard...
An hour had passed, and there was no progress at all.
How was she supposed to do it to be like her brother?
"Hey, Kohana, do you know?"
"Meow~"
"Oh, right, you couldn't possibly know, huh... What am I even saying."
"Meow meow meow~"
"What's wrong? Do you want to say something?"
"Meow meow meow meow meow (You fool! You fool! Of course, I know how to do it)!"
"Are you hungry? Hmm... right, it's almost noon. I'll go make lunch." Kazumi said as she tidied up her workspace to its previous state and then went to prepare the meal.
"Meow~ (Earthlings are really foolish~)"
...
"Speaking of which, it's been a while, Kurokawa-san," Tohsaka Tokiomi said with a smile, looking at the young man in front of him.
"Yeah, it's been almost two years, hasn't it? Time really flies by..." In the blink of an eye, two years had passed, and time went by so quickly. Thinking like that, Kazuya glanced at Tohsaka Tokiomi's hands, but he couldn't see any traces of Command Seals. There was also no sign of "Kirei Kotomine" in the room. It seemed that the Holy Grail War didn't exist in this world?
He had gained Rohan Kishibe's ability.
And—Rohan Kishibe's pursuit of realistic in manga, his curiosity about things, and more were included in that ability. That's why the previous manga "Battle Royale" had such a fanatical pursuit of realistic.
Rohan Kishibe was the kind of person who would draw something even when he was about to be killed (by his Stand). Kazuya had received his influence, but he had already experienced the Stand ability before...
"Is the manga 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' drawn by you? I read a part of it a while ago, and it looked interesting. Especially Jonathan Joestar in it. Well, I don't have a son, but I'll try to raise Rin and Sakura to be qualified ladies."
"Haha... Is that so? Well, that does sound nice," Kazuya said, thinking that Rin as a lady was quite imaginable, but when it came to a ladylike Sakura...
Well, something felt off.
"By the way, when I make manga next time, I might include Tohsaka-san in it. How about that?"
"It's fine." Tohsaka Tokiomi said gracefully, "But please, do not tarnish the reputation of the Tohsaka family."
"Of course, I'll show you the finished draft when it's done."
"That's good." Tohsaka Tokiomi nodded. It seemed that this talented young man would have his place in this world in the future... The Holy Grail War was about to begin. Even though he was participating now, he couldn't be sure of his victory.
Although, if his persuasion succeeded later, they would have two Heroic Spirits on their side, and according to Risei Kotomine, there was a high probability that his son, Kirei Kotomine, would agree to it.
But the Holy Grail War was not about having more Heroic Spirits; it didn't guarantee victory. Even if they had six Heroic Spirits on their side, it would only increase the chances of winning, not ensure it. In other words, even he might die in the process.
And he had already come to terms with that.
And... if he survived and won the Holy Grail War, then undoubtedly, he could fulfill the Tohsaka family's longstanding wish—to reach the Root.
However... Someone who reached the Root already existed, but the number of those who could actually achieve "True Magic" was pitifully small, only five. Even he couldn't be sure that he would come back.
In other words, even if he won in the end, there was still a possibility of returning or leaving.
And if he were defeated in the Holy Grail War, based on the information he had gathered so far, the other Masters would definitely not spare his life.
Even if he sought refuge in the Church, it would be the same. In other words... even though he had made so many preparations.
There was still a high probability of his death.
And if he died... Rin and Sakura's situation would be dire...
Both of their talents were too exceptional, too much... he could barely cover up their abilities when he was alive. But once he died... one of them would inherit his Magic Circuits, and the other would be subjected to research by the Mage's Association under the pretext of "Sealing Designation"...
This was unacceptable, whether as the head of the Tohsaka family or as a father.
He had to find a way.
And connections were crucial.
Although, even if the young man in front of him was exceptional, he could at most gain some fame in the surface world. In the hidden world, among the magus, he would be of no use. But even so, he could provide significant help...
"By the way, I recently traveled abroad and brought some gifts for you."
"Oh? Is this for Rin and Sakura?" Tohsaka Tokiomi asked, looking at the box.
"Yes, it's for them. Both of them are lovely, so I brought something for them."
"I see." Tohsaka Tokiomi nodded and said, "Aoi."
"My dear, what's the matter?"
"Well, you see, Kurokawa-san has brought some gifts for Rin and Sakura. Why don't you bring them here?"
"I understand."
"Then, please wait a moment." Tohsaka Tokiomi, maintaining his elegance, said, "For dinner tonight, let's dine here. Rin must have missed you."
Kazuya was about to decline when a lively voice chimed in.
"Gifts, gifts! What kind of gifts?"
"Rin, be more composed," Tohsaka Tokiomi said as he watched Rin Tohsaka rush in, with Sakura being held in Aoi's arms behind her.
"Yes, Father. I understand." Rin Tohsaka nodded and then looked at Kazuya. "Um... Oji-san, who is you?"
"Rin!" Tohsaka Tokiomi had a vein popping on his forehead.
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