Higashitsu International Airport's arrivals terminal was buzzing with people.
One girl stood out in the crowd—her twin tails of glossy black hair shimmered faintly under the fluorescent lights. She wore a fitted, high-neck red sweater paired with a plaid miniskirt and sheer black tights that hinted at her smooth skin. A khaki trench coat draped over her slender yet poised frame.
It was Rin Tohsaka, fresh off a flight from London.
She pulled a sleek black carry-on with one hand while swiping through her phone with the other, her brows slightly furrowed as she muttered under her breath, "Marin-nee's such a hassle… I told her I could just take a cab. No need to bother anyone."
She glanced at the last message from Kitagawa, confirming details. "And she had to send her boyfriend to pick me up… ugh, so annoying."
Rin pocketed her phone and scanned the crowd at the arrivals gate, her eyes darting over faces—some eager, some exhausted—trying to spot the guy who matched Kitagawa's description: "Super hot! Like, love-at-first-sight hot!" Her supposed "brother-in-law."
No luck. Her slender fingers tapped the screen again, pulling up the message. She lingered on the words "super hot" and sighed softly. "Ugh…" Typical Marin-nee, always so extra.
She swiped to the next image—a candid photo Kitagawa had sent of Gaio. The stage lighting was intense, catching him mid-performance. He held a silver electric guitar, a few strands of white hair falling over his forehead. His gaze was sharp and focused, piercing through the lens. Sweat traced the line of his jaw, exuding a magnetic mix of wild energy and quiet intensity.
Rin's eyes lingered on the photo for a few seconds, her ice-blue gaze reflecting the screen's glow. "…Tch," she let out a barely audible huff, her ears tingling with a faint warmth. "He's… kinda…"
"Rin Tohsaka?"
A low, clear voice came from behind her, cutting off her unspoken thought.
Rin's body tensed instantly. She spun around to see a tall figure in a black cap, its brim pulled low. A medical mask covered most of his face, leaving only a pair of deep, inky eyes visible. Those eyes… Rin's thoughts flickered for a moment.
Under the shadow of the cap, they studied her with a hint of curiosity. About 185 cm, she noted mentally, then startled herself with the random observation, her ears growing hotter.
"Sorry," the man's voice came through the mask, muffled but carrying a clear trace of amusement. His fingers hooked the edge of the mask, slowly pulling it down—Rin's pupils contracted slightly.
It was the guy from the photo, but in person, he was… more intense. Without the stage lights softening his features, Gaio's jawline looked razor-sharp under the airport's cold lighting. Yet, the faint smile on his lips was unexpectedly warm.
"Sorry, this getup's a bit rude," he said, casually removing the cap. A few strands of white hair sprang up rebelliously. "But if I don't do this…"
Before he could finish, a wave of excited squeals erupted from nearby. A group of girls pointed in their direction, buzzing with excitement. Gaio swiftly tugged the cap back on, his movements practiced, like he'd done this a hundred times.
Rin got it immediately, a flash of understanding in her ice-blue eyes. She gave a slight bow, her hair slipping off her shoulder. "My apologies, Mr. Gaio."
As she straightened, she noticed he'd already taken her suitcase, his long fingers resting on the handle. "This way," he said, nodding toward the VIP exit and striding ahead.
Rin followed half a step behind, quietly observing his every move. Isn't he a bit too casual? she thought, watching him pull her suitcase. There wasn't much to read into.
In the parking lot's dim light, a sleek black Toyota Alphard waited. Rin's gaze caught the Gojo family crest on the driver's chest, its subtle sheen standing out against his black suit. The driver, about forty, stood ramrod straight, like a drawn blade, but opened the door with a perfectly measured bow.
"Get in," Gaio said, stepping aside.
The car smelled faintly of cedarwood. As Rin slid into the back seat, her coat brushed Gaio's knee. He smoothly took her trench coat and hung it up, his movements so natural they seemed rehearsed.
The driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror before quickly looking away.
"Temperature okay?" Gaio asked, pressing the seat heater button. "Marin's always complaining I don't turn the heat up enough at home."
As he removed his mask, a stray white hair stuck up above his brow. Rin stared at it for two seconds before realizing she was counting his eyelashes. The sound of the engine starting snapped her out of it.
The Alphard glided out of the parking spot as Gaio handed her a thermos. "Honey yuzu tea," he said. The cup was still warm from his hand. "Marin insisted I bring it. Said you never drink water on flights."
Rin paused as she took the thermos. Geez, Marin-nee still treats me like a kid.
Outside, the airport terminal faded into the distance. Gaio swiped his phone, revealing a lock screen of Kitagawa making a silly face with foam curlers in her hair. "She'll be home by noon," he said, turning the phone toward Rin. "Says she's making oyakodon for you."
Steam rose from the thermos in the quiet car. Gaio tapped the screen off after mentioning the oyakodon, leaning back into the wide seat, his head tilting toward the window. The warm smile faded, and he grew quiet, as if the friendly guy who'd handed her tea was someone else entirely.
The air in the car thickened. The low hum of the engine and the faint whoosh of the heater seemed amplified in the sudden silence. Rin gripped the warm thermos, wanting to break the tension with something like, "Has Marin-nee's cooking gotten any better?" or "Thanks for the trouble," but the words felt too forced. She pressed her lips shut.
The silence carried an invisible weight, making Rin feel a strange awkwardness. She lowered her eyes, staring at the curling steam from the thermos.
Tap.
A soft but clear knock broke the stillness. Gaio's knuckle rapped lightly on the leather armrest.
Almost simultaneously, a faint electronic hum came from the driver's seat. A soundproof partition rose silently, its thick material completely isolating the front and back of the car, muffling even the engine's hum.
Rin's heart skipped a beat.
She snapped her gaze to Gaio, her ice-blue eyes flashing with confusion and a hint of wariness. Why raise the partition? The sudden isolation triggered an instinctive discomfort.
Gaio's eyes remained fixed on the cityscape speeding by outside, his profile cold and distant in the dim light. His voice was soft but cut through the last traces of warmth in the car like an icy spike: "Miss Rin Tohsaka," he paused, still looking out the window, "are you here in Higashitsu for the Holy Grail War?"
—!
Rin's muscles locked up, her body turning rigid. A cold jolt shot up her spine, her pupils shrinking to pinpoints from shock and alertness. Her knuckles whitened around the thermos, and her other hand, resting on her lap, curled slightly, as if ready to form a seal.
The fleeting sense of ease from the yuzu tea and talk of family dinners shattered. Her ice-blue eyes gleamed with sharp vigilance. Even the cozy cedarwood scent now carried a dangerous edge.
Gaio seemed oblivious to her tension, his gaze still on the window. Then, he turned, his eyes locking onto her wary face. "Whether you're here for the Holy Grail War or not, Miss Rin Tohsaka," his voice was calm, still carrying a trace of the warmth from earlier, "this matter…" He paused, a gentle smile curving his lips, though his eyes held no warmth. "Don't let Marin know, okay?"
"…Okay," Rin replied softly, her ice-blue eyes still sharp with caution, but she nodded slowly.
Her mind raced, questions swirling. How did Gaio know about the Holy Grail War? Who was he? She sensed no magical energy from him—was he hiding it too well, or using some unknown method? Or… was he not even part of the magical world?
Gaio got the answer he wanted, his smile deepening slightly, though the scrutiny in his eyes remained. "Good," he said, his tone lightening, as if they'd just been chatting about the weather. "You're probably just passing through Higashitsu, heading back to Fuyuki soon, right?" His fingers tapped the armrest casually, his gaze returning to her face with a knowing look. "This Holy Grail War… it's still in Fuyuki, isn't it?"
His words were like a stone dropped into a still lake, sending ripples through Rin's mind. He didn't just know about the Holy Grail War—he knew its location? And he'd said "this" war, implying he knew of others?
"Yes," Rin answered curtly, her voice tight with suppressed ripples of emotion.
She was almost certain now: this seemingly ordinary "brother-in-law" knew far more than he let on.
"Good," Gaio's smile widened, but his dark eyes took on a cold edge. "As long as you're not here to disrupt my life…" He paused, his tone flat but firm. "Your war won't be my problem."
The air in the car felt like it had solidified, heavy with icy pressure. Rin's nails nearly dug into the thermos's metal shell.
Gaio tilted his head slightly, the faint smile lingering. "To be clear, don't mess with my circle." His tone was calm but carried an unyielding edge. "Otherwise…"
His dark eyes locked onto hers, the smile vanishing, replaced by a chilling, emotionless glint. "I'll smash your Holy Grail to pieces."
—!
Rin's heart felt like it was gripped by an invisible hand, stopping for a split second before pounding wildly. A chill surged from her feet to her scalp, making it tingle.
She didn't even have time to process the absurdity of "smashing the Holy Grail." A primal, mage's instinct screamed of danger—an overwhelming sense of facing a superior predator. Her body reacted faster than her mind, magical energy surging uncontrollably, the gems hidden in her pocket heating up.
This wasn't a joke.
Her ice-blue pupils contracted in sheer shock. She didn't just hear his words—she felt the destructive intent behind them, as tangible as a physical force.
It wasn't the boast of an ignorant fool. It was the calm, absolute confidence of someone who could destroy a miracle and would follow through without hesitation.
In that moment, before her rational mind could dismiss the statement as ludicrous, her battle-honed instincts blared the highest alarm: This man can do it. And he will.
The cold threat lingered in the air, and Rin's back stiffened, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Every nerve was on high alert, her magical energy teetering on the edge of release.
Suddenly—
"Ha…" A low chuckle shattered the silence.
The terrifying chill on Gaio's face vanished, replaced by a harmless, slightly apologetic smile. He even raised his left eyebrow playfully. "Scared you, huh, Miss Rin Tohsaka?" His tone turned light and teasing, almost soothing. "Sorry about that."
Rin froze, like a statue carved in ice, her mind blank.
Gaio leaned toward her slightly, as if sharing a secret, lowering his voice. "It's just… there was this clueless guy before," he shrugged, his expression a mix of helplessness and disdain, "who didn't take my warning seriously. Ended up wrecking my place. Such a pain."
"So," he shifted back to a warm, big-brother tone, looking at her sincerely, "I came on a bit strong there. Just don't want that kind of mess again—not aimed at you." He leaned forward slightly, his voice taking on a pleading note. "Don't tell Marin about this, okay? If she finds out I spooked you, she'll be mad, and I'll be in for a headache~"
Rin: "…"
Her fingers still gripped the thermos tightly, but now it wasn't from fear—it was the sheer shock of the moment. Her ice-blue eyes were filled with confusion and chaos.
One second, he was a terrifying entity radiating destruction, ready to shatter the Holy Grail. The next, he was a doting boyfriend worried about his girlfriend's reaction, his tone warm and almost whiny?
The whiplash was like riding a rollercoaster gone wild. The chill hadn't fully left her spine, but a new wave of absurdity flooded her chest. Staring at his "sincere" and "innocent" face, her brain short-circuited.
This guy…
He's gotta be completely insane, right?!
please vote this story to motivate me post 2ch/day
you can request story !!
dont forget to comment and leave some vote