Sakura,
this is a thank-you gift for those who helped you. Return it now.
Tohsaka Tokiomi turned to his young daughter beside him.Um, okay.Freshly accepted by her father, young Sakura was still obedient. She tried to hand the sapphire back to Broly.
But Broly didn't take it. He frowned, a hint of hostility in his eyes as he glared at Tohsaka Tokiomi.
This man was stopping him from increasing the girl's happiness, which meant less food for him—a death sentence in his mind.Yet, this was Sakura's father. Killing him would make her sad, leaving Broly torn and unsure.It's for you.
I want to make you happier, he said to Sakura in a gruff, commanding tone, channeling the domineering spirit of a Vampa Star savage.
Sakura blinked in surprise. Eh!?Tohsaka Tokiomi raised an eyebrow. Huh?Everyone watching seemed to have invisible exclamation marks above their heads.This is getting interesting, Mr. Jin remarked. He could tell the boy was sincere.When a young boy says he wants to make a girl happier, it's usually a childish jest. But Broly meant it, which made it intriguing.Part of the amusement came from the shock on Tohsaka Tokiomi's usually stern face—a delightful contrast.
Mr. Jin wondered what other expressions this serious man could show.He's just a child. His words might not mean what I think, Tohsaka Tokiomi told himself, forcing a smile.You shouldn't say things like that to women, even young ones. As a man, you must be elegant and gentlemanly, he said, launching into a lecture on refinement.Broly listened intently, then replied, I'll only make my wife happier. I won't say it to others casually.Tohsaka Tokiomi's eye twitched. Calling a woman your wife is also impolite and ungentlemanly.But she is my wife, Broly insisted, his mind on the food Sakura had given him yesterday, including the basement bugs. His tone was resolute.What do you mean? Tohsaka Tokiomi asked, confused.
Sakura tugged at his sleeve and explained softly that she'd promised to be the wife of the boy who saved her from the bug pile.Tohsaka Tokiomi fell silent, then nearly lost his composure. He quickly declared it a childish joke that didn't count.
She gave me food, so she has to be responsible for me! Broly retorted, the thought surfacing in his mind and spilling out.The room went quiet as everyone processed his bold statement.
If I give you food, do I have to be responsible for you? Tohsaka Tokiomi asked after a pause.You can't be responsible because you can't be my wife! Broly replied earnestly, his serious expression making Mr. Jin burst into laughter.Such absurd words would be outrageous from an adult, but from a child, they were charmingly imaginative.
Mr. Jin appreciated this creativity.Isn't there sex reassignment surgery nowadays? he said, recalling hospital ads he'd seen on TV. Why not get that surgery, Tokiomi, and become this kid's wife?He's got sex change potions in his treasure house too, if you're not into modern tech, Mr. Jin teased.Hero King, you're joking, Tohsaka Tokiomi said, his eyes and mouth twitching as he fought to maintain his elegant demeanor.
If you really want Sakura as your wife, you've got a long way to go. You need to become an outstanding person, he told Broly, sensing the boy's skewed perspective but choosing not to correct it. Instead, he laid out his criteria for a future son-in-law.
The only condition was excellence—defined as strictly as possible.To be outstanding, you must surpass others and achieve what they cannot, he explained.If this boy could truly become exceptional, Tohsaka Tokiomi might accept him as a suitor for his daughter someday.Excellent? Broly frowned, mulling over the word, prompted partly by a message from the Crystal Palace.
[Becoming an excellent person will aid the host in winning his wife.]How do I become excellent? Broly asked.That's for you to figure out, but I suggest always maintaining an elegant, gentlemanly style, Tohsaka Tokiomi said, pushing his refined worldview.The Crystal Palace chimed in, noting that excellence is subjective, like a thousand Hamlets in a thousand eyes, and urged Broly to decide for himself.Broly wondered, What's Hamlet? Can you eat it?He often asked if new terms were edible.[Hamlet is a tragic story, not food,]
the Crystal Palace replied.Disappointed, Broly lost interest and refocused on becoming excellent.With someone right in front of him, why not ask?What's elegance? What's grace? he pressed.Tohsaka Tokiomi, unprepared for Broly's curiosity, began explaining his view of elegance and grace, playing the teacher.
But as Broly turned into a question-asking machine with endless whys, even the poised Tohsaka Tokiomi reached his limit.Enough! he snapped, losing his composure. Realizing his slip, he coughed and regained his elegance.I mean, we have matters to attend to at home, so we can't entertain guests further, he said, politely ushering Broly and Fujimura Taiga out.If I have time later, I'll invite you both to visit the Tohsaka family again.In other words,
don't come back without an invitation.As the door closed, Fujimura Taiga felt a pang of sympathy for Tohsaka Tokiomi.Broly's relentless questions reminded her of the previous night at the bathhouse, where she'd struggled to explain things to a curious child and ended up frustrated.Can you tell me— Broly started, turning to Fujimura Taiga.
It's noon. Want to eat? she interrupted.At the mention of food, Broly forgot his questions about elegance.Yes! he replied eagerly.…Phew, Tohsaka Tokiomi sighed after sending Broly away.Tough day, Mr. Jin said, sympathizing with his Master.If he'd faced those questions, he might've acted less gracefully.
He'd once found Tohsaka Tokiomi dull, but now he saw his merits.At least he's an elegant adult male, Mr. Jin thought, giving his approval.Tohsaka Tokiomi was stunned. He hadn't expected praise from the tyrannical Hero King and felt a touch of shame.My elegance and demeanor need work. A child broke me. I must improve, he admitted.After sending Sakura to her room, Kotomine Kirei approached. Teacher Tokiomi, should I investigate Miss Sakura?No, she wasn't tampered with. She likely ran away from the Matou family. It's naughty, but it revealed issues there, Tohsaka Tokiomi said, narrowing his eyes.He picked up the old-fashioned phone and dialed the Matou family.Hello?
a hoarse voice answered.Sakura's home, Tohsaka Tokiomi said bluntly.As expected of the Tohsaka patriarch, retrieving her so easily from kidnappers, Matou Zouken replied.I didn't retrieve her. She came back herself and told me about her time with your family, Tohsaka Tokiomi said coldly
.Really? Matou Zouken sounded skeptical, suspecting a ruse.Master Matou, care to explain? Tohsaka Tokiomi pressed.Explain what?Why my adopted daughter was thrown into a bug pile, and when did your family's magic shift from water to insects?The world changes, as does the Matou family. Our old magic weakened our bloodline. To preserve our legacy, we adapted.
Changing our magic attributes and adopting a talented child from your family ensures our continuation. Satisfied, Tohsaka patriarch? Matou Zouken replied.Tohsaka Tokiomi understood. He'd do the same for his family's legacy.You shouldn't have hidden this from me, he said.We're allies but also rivals for the Holy Grail. Would you reveal all your cards? Matou Zouken countered.No, Tohsaka Tokiomi admitted after a pause.Will you send Sakura back, or do you have other plans? Matou Zouken asked.Tohsaka Tokiomi tapped his fingers on the table.
If the Holy Grail War had been delayed a few years, he'd have sought another magic inheritance for Sakura.But with the war looming and Sakura's talent only recently discovered, he'd been unprepared.
The Matou family's need for an heir had seemed perfect.Even knowing their magic now involved insects, the Matou family remained the best option for Sakura.I'll send her back, but treat her gently when altering her magic attributes, he said.Matou Zouken was surprised.
Was Sakura's kidnapping not Tohsaka's scheme?No matter. It's good he's returning her. We'll recall Kariya to protect our experiment, he muttered after hanging up.
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(End of this chapter)