Inside the Matou residence, a conversation was unfolding that defied ordinary human understanding.
This time, Souta refrained from speaking. It seemed Tohsaka Rin was determined not to let him take the role of negotiator and instead personally explained everything to Kariya Matou.
Perhaps it was Rin's resemblance to her younger self that helped convince him, because the conversation went surprisingly smoothly.
Although Kariya found everything hard to believe, he ultimately chose to trust them—after all, it was true that Sakura had been saved.
"So... you want me to help you win the Holy Grail War?"
Kariya looked uneasy. He was just an ordinary man—could he really summon a Servant?
"Exactly. But don't worry about the summoning ritual—you're the only one in the Matou family with magic circuits right now, so the Greater Grail will definitely grant you Command Spells."
Souta patted Rin on the shoulder and pushed her forward.
"Besides, we have a professional mage right here. She'll help you with the ritual—no issues there."
If Ryunosuke could summon a Caster with some half-baked nonsense, Kariya definitely wouldn't fail—unless the Grail wanted him to fail.
"As for supplying mana... we'll transfer your Command Seals to Rin, and she'll participate in the war in your place."
"Rin... can she really handle it?" Kariya still had doubts. He'd just seen six-year-old Rin at Aoi's house, and he couldn't reconcile that image with the teenage girl standing before him.
"Uncle Kariya, come on, have a little faith in me." Rin sighed. "I am the heir to the Tohsaka family, you know. When it comes to magecraft, I know way more than you."
"Alright, alright..." Kariya finally accepted the plan.
From there, everything proceeded smoothly.
Souta resumed his routine of commuting between Ryuudou Temple and the Matou house, diligently purifying the Greater Grail—a proper 9-to-9 job.
Illya wanted to go shopping with her Servant, but Souta forbade it to avoid exposing her. Unless he accompanied her personally, no going out.
Sakura, under Kariya's care, quickly settled into a normal life, and she and Illya became fast friends.
Everything was going according to plan.
Rin even dragged Souta out to visit a nearby town to sneak a peek at her younger self.
Apparently, she found this incredibly entertaining.
Souta could relate. He probably would've done the same—who wouldn't want to see their childhood self?
What he didn't know was that Kurumi often had similar thoughts—not about her own past, but about his.
One day, he might "remember" being hugged and teased by a beautiful onee-san...
"Young Rin is so adorable—I really want to hug her."
Souta admired the grade-school Rin and sighed with affection.
"Don't get any funny ideas." Rin immediately pulled him back.
"Wait... you're not actually into kids, are you? You do seem pretty into Illya's body type..."
"Whoa, whoa, don't just slander me out of nowhere! I just like kids in a pure way. Why does everyone assume I'm a lolicon?"
To clear his name, Souta glanced at Rin's long, thigh-high-sock-clad legs.
"To be honest, I'm into you—I like tall, long-legged beauties. I'm a leg man."
"You really don't hold back, do you?" Rin's face flushed, and she instinctively tugged at her skirt.
Still, the praise made her a little smug.
Suddenly, with a devilish smile, she tapped her skirt's hem. Every time it looked like she'd reveal her "absolute territory," she'd press the fabric down, teasing Souta into stealing glances.
"Hmm? Where are you looking?"
Rin leaned in, gazing straight into his eyes.
"I've been wondering about that 'licking' gaze lately... So it was you."
"...Am I that obvious? And 'licking'? Bit much, don't you think?" Souta scratched his head.
"You're not denying it, though." Rin gave him a disdainful look, mockingly.
She wasn't actually mad—just teasing him.
Rin's nickname as the "Red Devil in a Model Student's Disguise" wasn't for nothing.
"I'd say I'm just a normal guy." Souta defended himself.
"Honestly, your outfit is a bit unfair—showing off those legs like that makes it hard to not look."
"Pervert's still a pervert. Stop making excuses—you're such a scumbag."
"...Whatever." Souta shrugged. "I won't look anymore."
Rin turned away and chuckled quietly.
Wait a second... he thought. The internet says Rin is a mischievous type who loves teasing people she likes... Could she... like me?
He glanced at her, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"What?" Rin shot him a look. "Why are you staring?"
"Nothing." Souta turned away. "Let's go. We've got Grail purification to finish."
"Yeah, yeah. You're such a workaholic." Rin sighed, hurrying after him.
She'd hoped to stroll around a bit longer...
"Hey, can you help me with my sit-ups again tonight?"
"Sure." Souta nodded as they walked.
"Helping" wasn't anything lewd—Rin had a nightly sit-up routine. She claimed it was the secret to maintaining her figure.
At home she had equipment, but not at the Matou house, so she enlisted Souta's help.
"Why not ask Illya or Sakura? Or Kariya?"
"Illya? She'd refuse outright—she looks down on me. Sakura's too weak, and Uncle Kariya... he's a man, and I am a young maiden in her prime. There's a line, you know?"
"...You're saying I'm not a man?" Souta narrowed his eyes.
"We're friends," Rin said with a smile. "Helping with something small is totally normal, right?"
"The way you dress... letting me hold your feet while you do sit-ups... That's torture for me—never mind."
Souta shook his head and dropped the topic.
They returned to Fuyuki City. Souta resumed his work purifying the Grail.
This slow grind continued for nearly two weeks.
Finally, Angra Mainyu could no longer hold out.
Amid its desperate resistance, Souta purged all of "All the World's Evils."
The Greater Grail was completely purified.
It was time to travel through time and join the Holy Grail War.