"Sensei!"
(On the second night of the Holy Grail War, around the time Iskandar faced defeat) In the church, Tokiomi Tohsaka was bidding farewell to Kirei Kotomine.
"I've been waiting for you, Kirei! Before I join the final battle, I wanted to say goodbye. I'm proud to have a disciple like you. I hope you'll maintain ties with the Tohsaka family, as your father did. What do you say?"
Tokiomi addressed Kirei, seated across from him.
"I'd be honored to accept your proposal!"
Kirei agreed readily.
"After this Holy Grail War, Kirei, I want you to guide Rin as her mentor. It's simple, but this is my will. This battle is unwinnable, but for my ideals, I must go. The will names Rin as my heir and designates you as her magical guardian until she comes of age. As for Aoi... tell her I'm dead. Leave the rest alone."
Kirei picked up the letter. "Leave it to me. I'll take responsibility for your daughter's upbringing..."
"Thank you. This is for you..."
Tokiomi smiled elegantly, handing Kirei a box.
"What's this...?"
"A personal gift. Open it."
Kirei opened the box, revealing a stunning dagger, its surface smooth as mercury. He sensed its magical aura—a remarkable Mystic Code.
"This is the Azoth Sword, proof of your completion of the Tohsaka magecraft apprenticeship."
"An unworthy disciple, receiving such grace! I'm deeply grateful, Sensei..."
Kirei said, tracing the sword's ornate blade.
"I'm the one who should be thankful, Kirei Kotomine! Now I can face the final battle. Farewell!"
"Sensei... should Assassin accompany you?"
"No need... you can't control Assassin, and it wouldn't matter anyway. Goodbye!!!"
Tokiomi left the church, his steps resolute toward a familiar place.
Kirei hesitated, then dialed a number.
"Hello, is this Madam? This is Kirei... I'm sorry, I have bad news. Sensei... he's fallen in battle!!!"
...
"When do we leave?"
"Wait a bit. Let's savor this final peace, Shirou... come, let Daddy hold you!"
...
Clatter!
The phone slipped from Aoi's hand, her face frozen in shock, her mind blank, unable to process.
"I'm sorry, Madam!"
Kirei's voice came through the phone.
"Mommy... what's wrong?"
Rin pushed open the door, puzzled, looking at her mother and the phone on the floor.
"It's... nothing, Rin. Stay with Grandma... Mommy has to step out for a bit..."
Aoi quickly retrieved the phone, hung up, forced a smile, and suppressed her grief to comfort Rin.
"???"
Before Rin could react, Aoi rushed out, driving to Fuyuki.
She didn't believe it... she had to see for herself.
"Faster! Faster! Faster!"
Her car weaved past others, Aoi displaying exceptional driving skill.
The distance to Fuyuki wasn't far, about twenty minutes...
Twenty minutes later, miraculously, no accidents occurred at her reckless speed.
Aoi arrived in Fuyuki...
As her car sped past Fuyuki Central Park, where she loved spending time with her children...
Two figures made her slam the brakes.
Through the rearview mirror, she saw them.
Two men, holding a boy's hands, chatting and laughing as they walked.
"Tokiomi? Kariya?"
A strange feeling gripped Aoi's heart...
Instinctively, she didn't approach. Instead, she donned a mask and hat, parked, and watched from afar.
In her gaze, the two men, carrying luggage, laughed and talked, heading to the airport.
Just before they boarded, Aoi could no longer hold back. She rushed forward, confronting them. "Tokiomi! Didn't Kirei say you were dead? Why are you with Kariya?"
"..."
"..."
Kariya and Tokiomi stared in shock, never expecting Aoi here...
They'd sneaked away at night to avoid her.
After a moment's silence...
"I'm sorry, Aoi!"
As Tokiomi's apology rang out, Aoi pieced it together...
"You... you two..."
Her expression turned incredulous, her finger pointing at them.
Memories flooded back—Kariya's actions, Tokiomi's behavior...
"I see..."
A clownish smile spread across Aoi's face.
"I see..."
All along, she thought Kariya loved her, and Tokiomi too. Their attention gave her a sense of superiority.
She'd always felt guilty for betraying Kariya with her choice...
But now she realized... she was just a tool...
All this time, she'd been delusional.
But... she couldn't understand... If another woman had stolen them, she could accept it... but...
The two exceptional men who revolved around her had stolen each other away...
"I... haha..."
This... this was unbearable!
"Get out! Both of you, get out! As far as I'm concerned, you're dead!!!"
Aoi, abandoning her usual gentle demeanor, roared in fury, then turned, stumbling away.
"Tokiomi?"
"Let's go!"
...
Unbelievable, yet true. Unacceptable, yet it had happened!
Aoi ran aimlessly, lost in her flight.
"Waver, stop. Interested in joining Chaldea? Twenty years of service, and I'll revive your king!"
"Really?"
"Of course. His consciousness lingers in the Grail. I can bring him back. I see potential in you—you'd be a great asset."
"Hey! Fine, I'm in!"
Thud!
Heartbroken, Aoi collided with someone's embrace, her grief overwhelming. She fainted.
"Hey! Being this handsome is trouble—always women throwing themselves at me!"
Samuel shook the beautiful woman in his arms, chuckling helplessly.
He didn't know what happened, but it seemed like a good thing!
***
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