The dream ended there.
Cold winter rain relentlessly soaked the roof's drainpipes.
Sakura slowly opened her eyes.
It seemed she had dreamed of what happened a few days ago.
This was a stone room, and she was lying on a treatment table.
Before her was darkness—a priest stood there, just like her, unable to see.
"Are you awake? Do you need me to explain the situation, Matou Sakura?"
"No. I understand my own body."
Sakura replied concisely.
She wasn't looking at the priest, but gazing intently at the wall where the rain drummed.
"Very good. Then get dressed quickly. Tohsaka Rin and Emiya Shirou are waiting next door. You must explain your condition to them.
Besides, you can't escape naked, can you?"
"Can I escape?" Sakura hesitated.
"Whether to escape or not is your freedom. I merely saved you. What you do is not for me to decide.
Ah, dying in front of the person who saved you would be a waste of effort. Don't you want to survive until the end?"
". Why is that?"
"It's more interesting this way. If you live, it will cause pain to Tohsaka Rin and Emiya Shirou. Increasing the number of suffering people brings me joy."
The priest replied thus, turning his back to her.
Then he headed towards the chapel.
He didn't even glance at the girl embracing herself tightly on the treatment table.
"Well then. Will they let Matou Sakura live or die? If you're interested in their choice, stay here.
Although my place seems quite simple, for some reason, only here can I clearly hear the conversations in the chapel."
The priest went to the courtyard, suppressing a gloomy chuckle.
"... Senpai. What should I do?"
Hugging one knee.
The low whimpering sound was drowned out by the rain.
...
...
When Shirou woke up again, he found himself in the church.
"How are you? Has your body's condition eased up a bit?"
Emiya leaned against the back of the church pew, nodding silently.
"I see. Then there's no need for treatment. The rest will recover with your physical strength, so just stay put."
Tohsaka said, sitting down on a chair a little distance away from him.
Lifting his clothes, Emiya saw that his wounds had already been treated; it was Rin who brought him and Sakura here.
After a while, Father Kotomine Kirei emerged from inside.
Father Kotomine Kirei told them that Sakura's treatment was complete.
Although her condition was still unstable, her life was finally saved. For this, Father Kotomine Kirei used all the crests on his entire arm.
"That child attacked herself."
Father Kotomine Kirei gave a detailed explanation:
It turned out that Zouken Matou had filled Sakura's body with Crest Worms since she was very young. These Crest Worms would alter her magical circuits and control her.
After being corroded by the Crest Worms, anyone would suffer a complete physical and mental breakdown.
Upon hearing this, Yamada Masaharu gritted his teeth in anger.
Zouken Matou was truly a pervert, a bastard. What right did such a person have to be someone's grandfather?
To sacrifice a lovely girl like Sakura, Zouken Matou was truly an unscrupulous devil.
The current situation was that as long as the Crest Worms remained in Sakura's body, Sakura's life source, her magical power, would be continuously absorbed.
Eventually, she would die.
However, there was no way to completely remove the Crest Worms from her body right now.
One remained in her body. After all, these creatures had been symbiotic with her for 11 years. If they were rashly removed, Sakura herself would die.
"The result is that Sakura's life is in Zouken's hands.
So, if you want to save Sakura, you must defeat Zouken.
—But, Emiya.
If you want to defeat Zouken, you must first defeat Sakura. That child is a puppet controlled by Zouken.
If Zouken is cornered,
he will definitely use Sakura as a shield."
Emiya Shirou listened silently, his fists clenched tightly.
"That's how it is. For Zouken, Matou Sakura is a useful pawn.
Just as he instigated Matou Shinji, he will also manipulate Sakura.
In fact, in terms of Master ability, Sakura is more excellent.
As long as she controls the worms, she will become a better Master than Matou Shinji, running wild as Zouken desires."
Truly despicable, that old man from Matou!
Yamada Masaharu felt immense resentment.
"The best way now is to win the Holy Grail. Perhaps through the power of the Holy Grail, Sakura can become a healthy girl."
Father Kotomine Kirei said no more, leaving the rest for Emiya to decide.
But...
What can I do after losing Saber?
...
To be honest, Yamada Masaharu was also very desperate now.
Saber was gone, and Emiya Shirou had lost his Master qualifications. It was truly desperate.
Was he supposed to fight those Heroic Servants with a mortal body?
Who could he defeat?
Then, Tohsaka Rin was the only hope, right?
...
Just then, Emiya Shirou learned a disturbing piece of news—
During their conversation, Sakura seemed to have overheard them. Not wanting to be a burden or obstacle to Emiya, Sakura dragged her tired, injured body and left the church.
Emiya immediately rushed out, determined to find Sakura before Tohsaka.
And while he was searching for Sakura, he met the white-haired Illya again in the park.
This time, Illya had noticed that Emiya's hand no longer had the Command Seals, meaning Emiya Shirou was no longer her enemy.
So, she uncharacteristically showed concern for Emiya Shirou.
She became a lively and adorable girl.
After some conversation, it turned out that Illya was Emiya's older sister. She was Emiya Kiritsugu's daughter, and Emiya Kiritsugu was Emiya Shirou's adoptive father.
So she had always been very concerned about her younger brother.
However, because Emiya'stole' Emiya Kiritsugu's love, Illya also felt a bit jealous.
Overall, Illya was a good, well-behaved child. After hearing about Saber, she even patted Emiya's head like an older sister.
So, what is your wish now?
Option 1: Become a Hero of Justice
Option 2: To protect Sakura.
...
Of course, I choose to protect Sakura.
Yamada Masaharu made his choice.
[If I continue to deceive myself like this, even if I move forward, I will surely regret it.
Responsibility, presence of good and evil.
Losing Sakura is more serious than being chased by these things.
All the resolutions made so far are no longer needed.
Because I only want to protect Sakura.]
"Ah, ah. Protecting the girl you like is natural, isn't it? Of course I know that, Illya."
"Right? Because Shirou is that kind of person, that's why I'm on your side."
Illya smiled happily.
[Her innocence gave me immense courage.
Whether this choice is right or not, I don't know.
But it will definitely not make me regret it.]
"Sorry, Illya. I almost have to go."
"I see. Because your expression is so sad, I'll forgive you. Let's meet again next time, Shirou."
"Ah, ah. Goodbye, Illya. And thank you."
Emiya left the park.
He waved goodbye to his confusion and ran towards the mountain.
The answer had been decided.
[I don't know how Sakura has supported me since Kiritsugu's death.
She was the junior I always trusted, a girl I never realized was of the opposite sex.
If I want her to stay by my side, then I'll continue to deceive myself like this.
However, the situation can no longer be maintained by just muddling through.
—Emiya Shirou does not want to lose Matou Sakura.
That's all there is now.
If I can't think of anything else, then I can only trust this one certain feeling.]
...
When Emiya found Sakura, she was squatting alone on the road, helpless.
At this time, Sakura was already homeless.
Neither Matou, Tohsaka family, nor Emiya had a place for her.
It was pouring rain, soaking Sakura's clothes and hair.
Under the dim streetlights, Sakura's thin figure was heartbreakingly sad.
"Sakura."
Just then, Emiya's voice sounded behind her.
Matou Sakura trembled all over.
"Senpai...?"
When she stood up, her eyes were already filled with tears.
"Sakura." Emiya smiled.
"No, don't come closer!"
Sakura refused him desperately, with an attitude she had never shown before.
Emiya stopped.
Sakura didn't lift her head, clutching her skirt tightly.
Her posture was as sorrowful as if she were a ashamed sinner.
—Sakura.
. Please, go back.
If you come near me now, I—I don't know what I'll do."
Her voice trembled.
It was the cold rain and guilt that made Sakura tremble.
Emiya couldn't brush away her trembling.
All he could do was…
"—Go home, Sakura. Your cold isn't completely gone yet."
"...Senpai."
Sakura's rain-soaked hair swayed.
Sakura bit her lip slightly and slowly shook her head.
"I can't go back. Is there anywhere for me to go back to now?"
She said it decisively, her voice mixed with hatred.
"Sakura." Emiya gently called her name.
"Enough, Senpai. You don't have to force yourself to care about someone like me."
"...Because you already know everything, right?
I've been deceiving Senpai all this time.
It's over."
"Don't talk nonsense.
What I heard doesn't matter.
The Sakura I know is only the Sakura who has been with me until now.
Why should it end because of something like this?" Emiya said with a pained heart.
"...Because it's just over.
I've been hiding from Senpai that I'm a Matou magus.
I didn't say anything when I became a Master, and when Senpai brought Miss Saber, I pretended not to know to deceive you.
See?
Because this is what's appropriate, then Senpai won't be angry, right?"
"Sakura." Emiya Shirou called her name with a pained heart.
"But I'm such a fool.
Because of my loss of control, I hurt Senpai."
Sakura sobbed, "Tohsaka Senpai is right. I'm a coward, a crybaby, a despicable person.
Even though I know it clearly, I still can't disobey Grandpa, and I can't even end myself.
I hate pain, I hate fear, I value myself more than others, and I don't even have the courage to die!"
She cried.
Sakura kept sobbing.
Crying, not knowing what to do, and sinking deeper into sorrow.
Emiya felt that it was regret.
—Until now, he had never seen Sakura cry.
Why couldn't I have realized the meaning of such self-blaming tears sooner?
"Don't cry, Sakura."
"So, it's all my fault.
I'm Grandpa's puppet, and I don't know when I'll go crazy again like before, and one day, I'll definitely do something irreversible.
Where can someone like me go back to!?
Tell me, Senpai!!"
Sakura backed herself into a corner.
No one could blame Sakura.
That's why Sakura could only blame herself.
She was a bad person.
To blame those who do evil, one can only punish them.
"So, don't cry anymore."
[Sakura once said.
Because she was a coward, someone had to pull her hand forcefully, like that.
What that meant, I finally understood.
What I want to protect.
What is most important to me.
What I can't even imagine losing.
If I don't want to keep crying.
If I just take her hand and lead her to a place where the sun shines, then from now on Sakura…]
"...I'm sorry, Senpai. I've been deceiving Senpai all this time.
However, I've always thought this. I'm not someone who can stay by Senpai's side. So, just for today, starting tomorrow, I'll pretend not to know you.
When we meet in the hallway, we'll just pass by each other, after school, I'll pretend not to know you like everyone else, and at night, I'll go home alone, forgetting everything that happened until now!"
"But I can't…! Just thinking about it makes my body tremble, it's so scary, so scary.
I'm so scared, more terrifying than putting a knife to my wrist when I want to die, so I can't stop going to Senpai's house.
Even stopping deceiving Senpai is so scary, everyone around me is full of terror, I can't even move a step, what should I do, I don't know…!"
However, I believe this is good.
Although Sakura said it was better not to know.
So, Emiya let Sakura keep crying.
"...How foolish. This kind of thing will be discovered one day.
When it's discovered, it will be too late, and I won't be able to step into Senpai's house again.
So before that, it's better if I leave first, every night, every night, I think this.
As long as it's for Senpai, I definitely won't become so sad, so tearful, I know that—'
So, there's no need to keep crying over this.
No one could blame Sakura, so Sakura could only blame herself.
"But—but I still, kept it hidden!
The time I spent with Senpai, I want to protect it!
For me, only this has meaning, but why…!"
Even if others don't forgive, I just want to forgive Sakura, over and over again, on her behalf.
"Ah!"
Just then, Emiya Shirou stepped forward and hugged her cold body.
Matou Sakura's pupils widened.
"Senpai, I…"
"Don't cry anymore. Even if Sakura is a bad person, I completely understand."
A breathless voice.
Sakura's confusion, mixed with guilt and regret.
As if to deny it, I spoke my feelings with all my might.
"So, I will protect you. No matter what happens, even if Sakura wants to kill herself—
I will protect Sakura!"
"Senpai…"
Inside Sakura's heart, something was breaking down, melting, and then turning into tears that welled up from her eyes.
"This is a promise. I will only be the hero on Sakura's side."
Emiya held her arm, tightening his grip slightly.
Although they were only touching each other now.
But proclaiming this vow was more unbreakable than anything else.
Sakura's cold, stiff shoulders relaxed.
No matter what Sakura said, she was still the same Sakura as before.
Even the feeling of the embrace and the warmth of her skin hadn't changed at all.
They both exhaled white breaths, and the incessant rain, at some point, also stopped.
In the freezing night,
"No, Senpai—if this continues, I will definitely hurt Senpai again."
Sakura said as if confessing.
The rain stopped.
The night, cold as deep winter, Emiya did not let go of Sakura's body.
"I will hurt, Senpai—"
Sakura shed a tear that wet her cheek, saying with difficulty.
—Like this, one choice ended.
"Let's go home." Emiya Shirou held her, never letting go, and said gently.
It was like warm sunlight, enough to melt everything.
"Okay, Senpai…"
Sakura bit her teeth and smiled.
...
At this point, Sakura's favorability had reached 5 hearts, the maximum value, which meant that the capture of Sakura was completed.
In the evening, the two returned home.
Option 1: Should I let Sakura come to my room?
Option 2: Sakura is already very tired today, let her take a bath and go back to her room to get a good night's sleep.
Yamada Masaharu tilted his head and thought for two seconds:
I've already done this much, even if it's a bad end, I should at least try Option 1.
After taking a bath, Sakura was led by Emiya into his room.
The moonlight outside poured in, illuminating Sakura's skin, making it fair and pure.
Unfortunately, nothing could be seen in the picture; the moonlight illuminated Sakura as sacred and flawless, and at the same time, it blocked very important parts.
Damn it!
Yamada Masaharu thought resentfully, why, even at this point, are players not given any benefits?
It was so hard to capture Sakura.
"Senpai… I,"
Matou Sakura's heart pounded faster, roaring.
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Emiya.
"I'm very scared, I've never done something like this before."
So, this is the first time, right?
"Sakura, I will protect you."
Feeling Sakura's trembling body, Emiya put his arm around her.
At this moment, Sakura's temperature was very high, as if she had a fever.
"Okay, Senpai."
Sakura's tears fell, dripping onto Emiya Shirou's shoulder.
After it was over, both of them, utterly exhausted, slept under the same quilt.
Sakura was flushed and confused.
No?
When Emiya Shirou asked her, she shook her head, and then, blushing, got into the covers with him.
Had a dream.
He had fallen asleep, too tired to open his eyes before dawn, so this must be a dream.
So, like this.
Still holding Sakura now.
...
Ah, what a relief.
Yamada Masaharu thought.
Although the melancholy of losing Saber still lingered in his chest, when he thought of Sakura's tragic past, he now wished he could give her everything to compensate her.
The gentle Emiya Shirou, this male protagonist, made Yamada Masaharu feel a little more fond of him.
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