Fate: Hero of Justice Takeover

Sakatsuki and Irisviel comforted the dejected Illya, while Rin and Luvia charged into the living room with loud exclamations—only to freeze in place, their faces flushing red at the sight of the red-haired young man inside.

"Shirou?"

"Emiya-kun?"

This wasn't Sakatsuki in disguise, but their actual classmate—Emiya Shirou, a boy they'd both held feelings for since long ago.

Thanks to Sakatsuki's butterfly effect, the number of Class Cards appearing around Fuyuki had exceeded seven. Thus, the Mage's Association—or more accurately, this world's Lord El-Melloi II—had waved his hand and sent the "Twin Stars of the Clock Tower" to study at Homurahara Academy's high school division.

In this world, the tangled relationships between these three dated back to middle school, before Rin and Luvia had left for the Clock Tower.

And the catalyst for their bonds?

The high jump.

Always the high jump.

In middle school, Rin had encountered Shirou injuring himself during practice. She'd given him a healing plaster and asked why he kept pushing himself. His answer had revealed a personality she couldn't help but admire—a fondness that persisted even now.

Notably, Luvia and Sakura had also witnessed Shirou's high jumps.

You never know how many people are watching Shirou jump.

And that was precisely why their reactions to him now were so intense… and flustered.

"What kind of reaction is this?!"

For once, Chloe and Illya were united in their outrage, sensing the imminent threat of their "meal ticket" slipping away. Illya even forgot about her aching foot, scrambling up to charge into what could only be described as a romantic battlefield.

"Onii-chan, what's going on?!"

"Eh?! Eh?! There are two Illyas?!"

Shirou, an ordinary high schooler, was utterly dumbfounded. His gaze darted between the sulking Chloe, the furious Illya, the "gracefully composed" Rin and Luvia in the entryway, the ever-elusive Sakatsuki, the smiling Irisviel, the two maids who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, and Miyu—who stood frozen in shock as if struck by lightning…

At this rate, tonight would either end in a grand reunion or an all-out war.

"W-What's happening?!"

A few moments later…

"I see… Haha, hahaha." Scratching his head awkwardly, Shirou sat stiffly on the couch, flanked by Rin and Luvia, who were subtly jostling for position. He couldn't decide whether to stand or sit.

Illya and Chloe had initially tried to join the fray, but one was held back by Irisviel while the other wilted under Sakatsuki's disapproving glance, surrendering to her fate. With a look of sheer indignation, she sat beside him like a cat being petted against its will.

As for Miyu, after her initial shock, she stood silently to the side, lips pressed tightly together.

"To summarize, this is Chloe, who will be living with us from today onward," Irisviel declared.

"Nice to meet you," Chloe muttered grudgingly, still trapped under Sakatsuki's ministrations.

"I've never heard of Illya having a cousin," Sella, one of the maids, remarked skeptically.

"Well, it's like how Sakatsuki suddenly appeared," Leysritt mumbled through a mouthful of snacks.

"Exactly! Just like Sakatsuki, so don't worry about the details," Irisviel chirped cheerfully.

Meanwhile, the man in question sat unfazed, munching on his own snacks and drinks—though he didn't forget to share with the two little ones beside him.

"Stay here, I'll get you some oranges."

"Here, a cheese stick."

"Kamakura Hanko—a local specialty."

"Meiji chocolate. No explanation needed."

"Calbee potato chips. Tried them before, pretty good."

"Fujiya Milky candy—"

"Hey, you!" Chloe glared at the single orange in her hand, then at the mountain of snacks Miyu was struggling to hold. "At least pretend not to favor her so blatantly!"

"You're not like Miyu," Sakatsuki said flatly, pulling Miyu down to sit beside him. "Besides, bad girls don't get rewards."

"I'm not a bad girl!"

"Heh!" Sakatsuki rolled his eyes, but when his gaze met her golden-red irises, his expression softened.

…Can't be helped. 'He' remembers those eyes too well.

"Take whatever you want from the bag."

With that, he ignored Chloe's cheers, stood up, bid everyone farewell, and headed for the door.

"Leaving again?" Irisviel's voice cut through the air.

The black-robed priest paused, then turned back with a smile.

"Miyu's situation needs resolving. After all… she's my sister."

On the couch, Miyu shuddered, her head snapping up—but Sakatsuki had already vanished, not just from the house but from the entire neighborhood.

When he reappeared, he stood alone in the depths of Mount Enzou.

"Little Ming."

[Preparing to return to the collapsing world. Please reconfirm.]

Returning… huh.

Mulling over the word, Sakatsuki's lips curled into a cold smile.

The Count of Monte Cristo returned to mete out vengeance upon those who wronged him.

The top scholar returned in triumph, riding the spring winds.

The God of War returned to find his daughter living in a doghouse—no, scratch that one.

And now, Sakatsuki stood before Mount Enzou, ready to go back to where he first awoke.

"I wonder if the Ainsworths will welcome back their prisoner? And Angelica, wielder of the Archer Class Card… I look forward to meeting you again."

With that whisper, he confirmed his decision.

[Acknowledged. Activating temporal coordinates. Initiating transfer!]

The energy of time and space surged, forming a dark vortex that swallowed Sakatsuki whole, erasing his presence from this world.

If he had arrived with nothing, then he would depart the same way.

This time, he would cut away all lingering threats for good.

***

Meanwhile.

The moment Sakatsuki disappeared, those connected to him sensed the shift.

"Master has left again." Perched on a rooftop, silently watching over the lively Emiya household, Danzou didn't feel the night's chill.

After all, she held a steaming cup of milk tea in her hands.

"Ehehehe…" The puppet girl giggled softly, her long hair cascading like a waterfall under the moonlight.

"By my estimate, he's gone again, hasn't he?" In the church, Caren tossed aside a report labeled "Nothing to report today" and closed her eyes.

The brooch on her chest glimmered faintly, like a distant star.

"Umu, a spatial disturbance… As expected, that man hides interesting secrets." At the hotel, Draco stirred awake. Thanks to Sakatsuki's lingering magecraft, she could move independently of her host.

Her tail flicked lazily as she gazed at the moon.

The Beast lounged on the bed, half-lidded eyes already anticipating their next encounter.

And in the Emiya residence, amidst the chaotic clamor of chasing and bickering, only Miyu sat quietly, pondering the priest's parting words.

For a fleeting moment, she thought she'd glimpsed his true nature.

"…Brother?"

***

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