The simple day of classes ended. After tidying up the classroom, Ritsuka took her school bag and walked out, preparing to go home.
Regarding that mysterious girl using magecraft, she didn't go looking for her traces.
She had also confirmed Miyu's situation; she was still attending classes peacefully over there, so nothing should have happened.
It was now club time. Because Fuyuki City's own issues resulted in a very low number of students, Honnoubara Academy's management of students was quite loose. There were almost no hard requirements for clubs, such as mandatory club activities.
Therefore, the Kyudo Club's activity times were uncertain. Whenever Ritsuka, Sakura, and Shinji were all present, activities could commence.
As a side note, Shinji was an extra; it didn't matter if he was there or not.
Eating snacks, chatting, drawing a bow and firing an arrow to release stress, and so on.
Additionally, because the club advisor was Fujimura Taiga, their club's situation had become quite strange. Miyu had also been pulled onto the club roster by Taiga, under the pretext of being a 'future club member'... "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Just as she walked out of the classroom, a purple-haired beauty entered Ritsuka's field of vision. Sakura was leaning against the wall, her head down, looking at something unknown.
Ritsuka's mouth curled up. Looking at Sakura who hadn't noticed her, she quietly walked forward.
"Kya!"
She poked the daydreaming Sakura. Seeing the girl's panicked state, Ritsuka couldn't help but burst out laughing. After all, she hadn't undergone professional training and basically couldn't hold it in.
Pouting, Sakura looked at Ritsuka, who was laughing so hard her abs were about to tear, and made an indignant sound, "Hmph!"
"My bad. So, what was Sakura doing?"
Using her most common tactic to change the subject, Sakura was expectedly distracted, and her expression became awkward, as if she were hesitating to speak.
"Senpai, um, Brother said he's bringing his girlfriend home and told me to stay at Senpai's house for the night so I don't get in his way."
Sakura smiled forcedly, while Ritsuka covered her face. That guy Shinji was at it again.
As famous members of Honnoubara Academy's Kyudo Club, the three well-known figures of the campus were all here: the peerless school beauty Matou Sakura, the gentle and kind Emiya Ritsuka... and the lazy scumbag Matou Shinji.
The reason Sakura and Ritsuka were famous was, on one hand, their outstanding looks and figures, and on the other, their excellent social skills. Their reputation in the academy was very high, and their relationship was so good it made people exclaim 'the Yuri vibes are strong.'
While internal consumption was regrettable, the blooming lilies also made countless boys very excited... As for that fellow Shinji, the biggest impression people had of him was his scumbag personality and the scenes of him being dragged by the ear and scolded by Taiga for various problems.
With a wealthy family and undeniably good looks, countless girls were willing to be 'friends' with Shinji. However, this guy was famous for replacing them as soon as he got bored, and despite being young, he spent all day lazily in bed.
Both Sakura and Ritsuka knew Shinji's thoughts because during a Kyudo Club activity, he had proudly stated that he only had a physical interest in women, simply put, 'lusting after girls' bodies' and 'only having casual flings without feelings.'
Then, because of his scumbag speech, Shinji was dragged out by Taiga, who happened to be passing by.
And now, this situation where he wanted to bring a new girlfriend home and found his sister in the way was not the first time it had happened.
Ritsuka turned and headed outside, waving her hand nonchalantly, "Well, it's a small matter. The bedding I prepared for Sakura last time hasn't even been put away yet. The only issue is adding an extra pair of chopsticks tonight."
"I'm sorry for the trouble, Senpai."
Sakura looked apologetic, bowed slightly to Ritsuka, and then quickly caught up.
Walking out of the High School division gates, the two headed toward the Elementary School division where Miyu was. Miyu should be about to finish school, and the two were going to pick her up together.
"By the way, Taiga-sensei will also be coming to Senpai's house for dinner tonight, right?"
"She comes basically every day, so it'll be dinner for four. I'll have to ask Sakura to help me out."
Fujimura Taiga, an English teacher at Honnoubara Academy's High School division, was Ritsuka's nominal guardian and like an older sister figure. She was a complete disaster at housework and an unmarried woman who freeloaded at Ritsuka's house every day.
Her grandfather's name was Fujimura Raiga, the boss of the Fujimura Group yakuza. He was the old man who had always taken care of Kiritsugu and Ritsuka. Thus, Taiga's family could be said to be rich—very rich. Her working as a teacher was likely just a hobby.
After all, Taiga's personal combat power was enough to take down several yakuza thugs on her own.
"Right, I'll mention it to Taiga tonight. I'll have her go wake Shinji up tomorrow morning. Since she has a key to the Matou Residence, she'll probably just kick Shinji's bedroom door open."
Ritsuka's lips curled into a mischievous grin that made Sakura smile bitterly. As expected, Shinji was in for some bad luck. After all, if Taiga—that leftover woman—witnessed Shinji lying with an underage girl, one could only hope Shinji's head wouldn't be smashed by her tiger shinai.
Moving past the topic of Shinji, the two began to chat about today's events and various trivial matters of daily life.
About ten minutes later, Ritsuka stopped at the entrance of the elementary school. A familiar figure stood there quietly, like a unique piece of scenery, as the surrounding students scattered and left.
Standing on her tiptoes, Miyu looked through the crowd of countless parents who had come to pick up their children, searching for a certain someone's figure. However, she didn't see Ritsuka and Sakura on the other side and let out a subconscious sigh.
Her sister had told her that she had cleaning duty today and would likely be late... "Miyu!"
A familiar voice rang out from behind her. Miyu turned around and looked toward the source. "Sister?"
"Miyu, I'm late. Did you behave well in class today?"
Because she had cleaned once more before leaving, Ritsuka, who was a few minutes late, reached out and rubbed Miyu's small head. Two pairs of orange eyes met.
A few years ago, on a certain day shortly after Kiritsugu passed away, Miyu's eyes—which were originally red—suddenly turned the same color as Ritsuka's.
Ritsuka witnessed that moment and mentally filled in a reasonable explanation: the Divine Child had become a Child of Man.
Ritsuka (orange pupils) = Human ≈ Child of Man; Miyu's pupil color = Ritsuka's pupil color = Human = Child of Man. The equation held true.
Of course, the real reason was... "Yes, my homework was praised by the teacher today, and I was also assigned the role of class representative."
Miyu smiled slightly and also greeted Sakura, who was behind Ritsuka. The two were very familiar with each other, as Sakura, like Taiga, frequently visited their home.
The three of them set off together, heading home along the familiar path.
As they chatted about interesting anecdotes from Miyu's school and her helplessness at being confessed to by a little boy, Sakura and Ritsuka both smiled. Being called behind the school building for a confession was something they had both experienced before.
"By the way, Sister, I want that book 'The Secrets of the Universe.' It's a work by the famous scholar Kepler."
"And 'Seven Wonders of the Universe.' I want to read them both."
"...Miyu is already reading books like that."
Upon hearing Miyu's request, Sakura couldn't help but click her tongue in slight surprise. "Miyu is a genius."
As a genius in a certain sense—a true super genius—Miyu herself was very strong. Her learning ability exceeded common sense.
Ritsuka, who was living her second life, was at least a top student if not a genius. However, because she hadn't been very old when she died in her previous life, and coupled with circumstances that didn't allow her to continue schooling, her academic level was only at the middle school tier.
She personally didn't have much interest in studying, but the books Miyu was currently reading were professional-level academic texts.
These included 'Solid State Physics,' 'Celestial Mechanics,' 'Cosmogony,' and the like.
"Rather than these books, I'd prefer if you read something more age-appropriate... Never mind. Sakura, could I trouble you to accompany Miyu to take a look? I'm going to buy some ingredients for dinner."
Ritsuka felt a bit embarrassed, remembering the things placed around the house that she couldn't understand at all. A sense of defeat welled up, but it was accompanied by a sense of pride.
Miyu's talent in all areas was very strong: housework, cooking, academics, and so on. There was likely nothing in the world Miyu couldn't learn. Ritsuka was also doing her best to teach her everything she knew.
For example, a few moves of Anti-Wolf Boxing and Wolf-Slaying Sword Technique.
Placing several Yukichi bills into Sakura's hand, Ritsuka watched as Sakura nodded slightly and winked at her. "Don't worry, Senpai."
"OK. Miyu, be sure to listen to Sakura."
At the intersection, Ritsuka turned left toward the department store, while Sakura took Miyu and turned right toward one of the only two bookstores in Fuyuki City.