Warm steam filled the bathroom, with Rin Tohsaka soaking in the tub, just her head poking out.
The misty air couldn't melt the heavy frown creasing her brows.
Her mind was like a stuck tape recorder, looping Gaio's calm but rock-solid words over and over: "I'll handle it."
Handle what? How?
Rewind a bit—to the car, when he said, "Tear it down."
Tear down the Holy Grail? Like ditching some unwanted toy? That thing was the root of countless mage families betting their lives, scheming across generations, sparking bloody wars!
Rin shut her eyes, visions from the family grimoires flashing up: mages slaughtering each other like mad, Servants wrecking everything in sight, all to touch that cup said to grant any wish.
Every war meant death, maiming, plots, and betrayal. A ritual built on blood and despair.
And in Gaio's mouth, ending it all seemed... as easy as swatting a fly?
"I'll handle it"—those four breezy words dripped with arrogance, brushing off all rules and powers.
Those powerhouse Masters, those mythic Heroic Spirits? Might as well not exist to him.
Rin's eyes snapped open, ice-blue chaos swirling in them.
Logic screamed it was insane—an ordinary guy (at least on the surface) had no business. But deep down, some weird wobble crept in... even a sliver of "trust" she hated admitting.
She irritably raised a hand, yanking at her soaked hair.
"Ugh, enough!" she muttered sharply, like shaking off the nagging thoughts.
Water sloshed as she stood, stepping out. Droplets rolled down her smooth skin. She grabbed a big towel, roughly drying off body and hair, then threw on comfy loungewear.
Brain still buzzing, thirst hit. She needed water—maybe something cold to cool the irritation.
Rin cracked the bathroom door, padding barefoot on the cool floor, heading downstairs. At the stairs, muffled giggles drifted up, sneaking into her ears.
She perked up—Kitagawa's playful hums mixed with water sounds from the first-floor bathroom.
Rin's brows furrowed; she tiptoed down.
Warm yellow light leaked from the bathroom door crack. Amid the splashes, Gaio's low chuckle blended with Kitagawa's sticky whine: "Tian-jun... quit it..."
Then a sharp slap of water and giggles.
Rin's steps froze.
Her mage-enhanced hearing caught every bit: bathtub waves rippling ambiguously, wet smooch sounds.
Her pupils shrank, ears burning red.
"Idiots, these two!" she mouthed silently, toes curling on the bare floor. Turning, her toe thwacked the stair rail, nearly making her yelp.
The water sounds cut off. "Rin-chan?" Kitagawa's nasal voice called.
Rin bolted upstairs like a spooked cat, diving into the guest room bed.
She buried her scorching face in the pillow, replaying the noises.
"Per...verts..." she mumbled, but weirdly flashed to Gaio's reassuring gaze saying "I'll handle it."
The girl in the covers flipped irritably, hiding her hot ears too.
Morning sun filtered through curtains into the living room, egg-frying smells wafting from the kitchen.
Kitagawa hummed tunes while hanging laundry in the yard, damp sheets swaying in the breeze.
Rin shuffled in with panda eyes, bumping into Kitagawa returning with an empty basket.
"Morning, Rin-chan~" Kitagawa beamed full of energy, smile radiant.
Rin rubbed her eyes. "Morning, Marin-nee..." Before finishing, the kitchen door swung open—Gaio carrying three steaming noodle bowls.
Simple white tee, sleeves rolled to elbows, showing toned forearms.
"Morning, Miss Tohsaka." He set the bowls down, giving Rin a mild smile.
Rin's gaze hit his face, and last night's steamy sounds replayed in her head.
Ears heating, she stammered, "M-morning..." then rabbit-dashed to the bathroom, nearly smacking the frame.
Kitagawa tilted her head toward Rin's exit. "Rin-chan's acting weird today..."
Gaio eyed the shut door thoughtfully, mouth quirking up. "Probably didn't sleep well."
He laid out chopsticks neatly. "Noodles first—don't let 'em cool."
In the bathroom, Rin splashed cold water on her flushed face, mirror showing rosy cheeks.
"Idiot..." she whispered, unsure who she meant.
Higashi Station, ticket gate.
"Rin-chan, text me when you get home! Every day!" Kitagawa shook Rin's hands hard, eyes sparkling.
"Mm." Rin nodded quietly.
"Any trouble, even tiny stuff—tell me right away!" Kitagawa stressed, worried.
"Got it, Marin-nee." Rin's voice stayed even.
"Money enough? Want more pocket cash? Fuyuki weather? Packed enough clothes...?"
Rin listened to Kitagawa's warm nagging, eyes drifting to Gaio beside them.
Black cap, white mask, just emotionless eyes showing—like background.
"Shinkansen to Fuyuki City arriving soon. Passengers..." the announcement blared.
Kitagawa flipped like a switch, arms wide for a solid hug. "Rin-chan, safe travels!"
Rin stiffened a bit, awkwardly patting her back. "Mm."
Letting go, Kitagawa's eyes teared up, waving reluctantly. "Text when you arrive!"
Rin wheeled her small suitcase, nodded, swiped her ticket, and vanished into the passage.
The second Rin was gone, Kitagawa's sad vibe evaporated.
She whipped to Gaio, ditching the gentle sis act, stomping excitedly like a kid off to a field trip:
"Hurry hurry! Boyfriend dear!"
Gaio eyed her helplessly. "No rush."
"How not?!" Kitagawa chopped air with her hand like a karate chop, eyes starry. "Find somewhere empty, pull out yours! Whoosh—!"
She mimed a slash, pumped. "We zip to Fuyuki, give Rin-chan a mega surprise!"
Surprise? Gaio eyed her thrilled, innocent face; mask hid his twitching mouth.
Rin-chan might blast magic on sight... Fuyuki's a powder keg now.
He sighed inwardly, soothing aloud: "Alright, alright—let's get outta here first."
Kitagawa lit up like she'd gotten the green light, nodding wildly, yanking his arm. "This way! Trail behind the station's super hidden!"
She dragged him out, like space-jumping any second.
Gaio stumbled, helplessly adjusting his cap, other arm clamped in her grip.
He glanced at her "trouble incoming" profile, resigned to being hauled, inwardly griping don't straight-up scare Tohsaka unconscious.
His free hand patted her back lightly, reassuring, steps matching hers as they melted into the crowd.
Kitagawa zeroed in, tugging him to a quiet alley behind the station, whispering "Hurry hurry!"
Alley empty and secluded.
She halted sharp, facing him, eyes gleaming with "do it" hype.
Gaio sighed at her vibe, ruffling her hair hard.
"Mmph!" Kitagawa puffed cheeks, protesting.
Mid-pout, his wrist flicked. Blue glow flashed—Yama knife materialized in his hand.
No fuss—he swung smooth, blade carving a cross in empty air.
Riiip—
Like tearing fabric, a shimmering blue cross rift tore open, space sliced raw, revealing a swirling, distorted tunnel.
"Whoa!" Kitagawa's mouth went O, grumpiness gone, eyes overflowing awe. "Not my first time, but still so cool!"
Gaio side-eyed her, left arm snaking around her slim, energetic waist tight.
"Hold on." He murmured, no hesitation—stepped through the blue cross with her.
Their forms swallowed by jump lights. Alley left with fading rift glow, then seamless heal— just quiet lane and breeze.
Fuyuki City, downtown.
Kotomine Kirei in black trench over priest collar stood still on the sidewalk.
Beside him, Gilgamesh in tailored modern suit, aura royally noble.
Kotomine's gaze on the massive GG billboard across the street. Black background, blood-red letters screaming:
Devil May Cry
White fine print below:
"Hot star, neon nation's once-in-a-century burning boy concert—coming soon!"
Bottom: time and place.
"Two days from now! Civic Gymnasium! Grand opening!"
Gilgamesh followed his look, handsome face twisting in mocking amusement, tsking. "Heh, war's about to kick off, and this city's throwing a celeb concert? Suicidal idiots."
His red eyes dripped disdain, like ants dancing on a volcano.
Kotomine didn't bite, just stared silently at the bold "Devil May Cry" title, eyes unreadable.
"Archer, Rin's coming back—don't stir trouble." Kotomine's deep voice cut in, gaze off the poster to the blond Servant. "Our goal's still the Grail."
Gilgamesh scratched his flashy gold hair boredly, red eyes impatient. "Tch, got it, got it—nag much?" Low-key orders bored him stiff.
Kotomine said no more, last glance at the "Devil May Cry" mega-poster.
Red letter under Fuyuki's gloomy sky.
He turned silent, trench flap waving, blending into street crowds.
Gilgamesh pocketed hands in slacks, snickered at Master's fade, sauntered off leisurely and arrogant—clashing hard with the city's brewing tension.
Blocks away, brown-haired Emiya Shirou stopped.
He stared up at the same giant concert poster on the station wall. "Devil May Cry" leaped like flames.
He frowned slightly, muttering, "Nero? Coming to Fuyuki for a concert right now?"
Dunno why, unease stirred. Brow knit, he checked his phone—screen showed time and date. Holy Grail War ignition? Way too close.