Chapter 42: Rin and the Magic Wand
After school, Shirou took Saber and called upon Sakura and Illya to head over to the Tohsaka residence together.
"Hey, Rin, I'm here."
As Rin opened the door, Scathach also poked her head out curiously.
"Ara~ it's going to be quite lively here today!"
"Has Mitsuzuri not arrived yet?"
Upon entering the living room and seeing no one else there, Shirou immediately asked Rin.
"Mitsuzuri still has things to do at the Archery Club; she'll probably be here in a little while."
Rin spoke with a hint of helplessness.
"I see."
Shirou nodded understandingly, then took a bottle of ice-cold Cola from the fridge and sat on the sofa to watch TV.
Since Ayako Mitsuzuri hadn't arrived yet, there was really nothing to do in this situation. Furthermore, they couldn't participate in the Holy Grail War during the day; the other Masters and Servants who hadn't shown their faces yet were likely still plotting or had already exchanged blows in the shadows.
It was entirely possible that only these few Servants remained at this point.
"I just hope there's a bit of fun to be had tonight."
Come to think of it, this Holy Grail War was already approaching its second night, and even now, Shirou had not yet seen Assassin.
Knock, knock, knock...
"Coming, coming~!"
Rin hurriedly ran over to open the door.
Standing at the entrance was Ayako Mitsuzuri, changed into casual clothes, greeting them with a smile.
"Excuse the intrusion, Tohsaka."
"Please, come in."
After entering the living room, Ayako Mitsuzuri realized there were unexpectedly many people there today. However, after her eyes met Shirou's, the Archery Club captain's cheeks couldn't help but flush slightly.
Rin served black tea, and everyone sat around the coffee table. The television was playing a gourmet food program, and in this atmosphere, they discussed matters regarding the school festival.
Aside from Shirou and Saber, the others present did not yet know that Ayako Mitsuzuri already had some understanding of the Holy Grail War, so they were all doing their best to act like ordinary people.
However, this atmosphere was soon completely destroyed by a magic wand that flew out of Illya's backpack.
"Wha—!! That, that is—!?" Rin's gaze was entirely focused on the magic wand in Illya's hand.
Looking at Rin's near-terrified reaction, Illya reached out with some confusion and grabbed the pink-toned magic wand.
"Eh? What's wrong? This is a gift Shirou gave to me~"
It was precisely at this moment that the pink magic wand suddenly broke free from Illya's hand. The pair of decorative wings on the wand suddenly began to flap lifelike, and it flew right in front of Rin.
"Huh? Wait, this wand is glowing."
Beside Rin, Scathach reached out curiously, wanting to grab the pink magic wand.
The wand was currently emitting a red glow, looking exactly like the pre-transformation effect in a Magical Girl anime.
"Stop! Don't touch it, you idiot!"
Rin cried out in alarm and then lunged toward Scathach like a ravenous wolf.
"This fellow caused a catastrophic disaster back in the day. Ever since then, I've been careful never to activate it again... Though I'm reluctant, it has been awakened after all... Alright, stop pretending to be asleep, you delinquent spirit."
"What!?"
The magic wand, emitting a dim red light, hovered near Rin's face.
"Hee hee hee~ You've seen right through me, Rin! I never imagined that after ten years, that little brat would turn into such a great beauty. I'm sincerely happy for you."
Sakura was dumbfounded by the sight; a spirit inhabiting a magic wand was a plot point that only appeared in manga. Now, that spirit was excitedly talking to Rin.
"It's really been a long time. That magical girl who used to talk about saving the world grew up just like that; it makes me feel a bit regretful."
"...You really haven't changed a bit. It's been ten years; can't you reflect on yourself even a little?"
Rin said, rather crossly.
"No, no, don't worry. I have fully reflected! Since I have been awakened by you, Master, once again, I cannot do things by halves! Once we establish a contract, I won't hesitate even if I have to go through fire and water for you!"
"Magical girl... Did I just hear a strange title?" Ayako Mitsuzuri muttered.
At this time, the magic wand, flapping its little wings as it flew about, circled around everyone present.
"Nice to meet you. I am the artificial natural spirit acting as this magic wand. Please call me Ruby."
It was roughly understood that this magic wand had been created by a Magus from the past.
"So, what happened between you and Tohsaka before?" Ayako Mitsuzuri asked curiously.
Beside her, Rin's face instantly turned bright red. Under the glow of the magic wand, her shameful appearance was fully exposed, and she clawed the air, trying to grab the wand.
"Yah~ Master is still just as dishonest as before~"
The magic wand floated back and forth around Rin, uttering remarks that made the girl blush with rage.
"You should just go back to sleep quietly! I don't need you at all!"
Rin tried to grab the magic wand again, but it was as slippery as a loach; no matter how quick her eyes or hands were, she couldn't catch it.
"Come now, Master. As long as you sign a contract with me, I'll let you catch me obediently."
"Ha?! What kind of joke is that! Listen up, I am absolutely never signing a contract with you again!"
"In other words, Sister, you signed a contract before and became a magical girl?"
Sakura's single sentence made Rin's face turn completely red.
"Shut up!" Rin buried her face in her knees, unable to face anyone.
Meanwhile, the magic wand excitedly began to recount the events of the past.
"Back then, Rin was quite excited. She even specifically gathered her classmates at the park to hold a concert, just like an eighties idol, delivering a speech thanking everyone for coming. She was smiling from start to finish and was very happy."
As it spoke, a pink heart pattern appeared on the magic wand. Rin, as if remembering something, began to tremble.
"No... those dead memories, I don't want to remember them...!"
To put it in more modern terms, it was an experience akin to social death. She had managed to use magecraft to forget that memory, but now, under the narration of the magic wand, the effect of the magecraft finally loosened.
A series of "dead memories" suddenly began to attack her brain.
"I still remember how cute Rin was that day. Watching you hiccup while singing was both hilarious and heartbreaking. You even worked hard to say things like 'The daughter of the Tohsaka family must be the best even at singing.' I was so moved that I thought, no matter what, I had to sign a contract to make you a 'Singing Rin'!"
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