"Lin-kun, how does it taste?"
By the window on the second floor of the bookstore, the girl stood beside the young man, looking expectant.
On the dining table in front of Alyn, the insulated food container had been opened, and five dishes of Eastern Continent home-cooked food were still steaming when placed on the table.
Looking at the mapo tofu, boiled sliced pork, and other home-cooked dishes that were full of flavor, aroma, and color, and emitted an enticing fragrance.
Alyn was a little surprised. Compared to the Eastern Continent cuisine in Neon (Japan), Aeka's was more authentic. It showed the effort the girl had put into it.
Even if he cooked himself, it would be hard to do better.
"As expected of Aeka, she can achieve perfection in all aspects." Alyn looked at the flower-like girl, not stingy with his praise.
At first, Aeka's enthusiasm and abnormality were indeed a headache, and what she said was occasionally misinterpreted, giving her a kind of beauty that didn't listen to reason.
But after several years of mutual adjustment, the girl was increasingly able to understand his thoughts, which was not easy. But being able to gradually teach a pure white person about human emotions was quite fulfilling.
"As long as Lin-kun is happy, that's all that matters. I even had Ayaka try these dishes to make sure they tasted good before bringing them over."
Aeka smiled gently, not mentioning that her sister had drunk a large glass of water because of the spiciness.
"Don't bully your sister like that; she'll cry." Alyn complained about Aeka's behavior.
He always felt like she treated her sister like a toy.
"Ayaka doesn't mind, you know."
Aeka recalled her sister's flushed face, her tone light.
Alyn tapped her head, not believing her words.
Next time he went to the Sajyo household, he would bring a gift for little Ayaka as compensation.
He had been to the Sajyo household quite a few times; the distance between them wasn't far.
He had talked to Sajyo Hiroki a few times about Aeka's issues.
That father was quite shocked by Alyn's arrival at first, completely lacking a magician's demeanor.
After knowing his intentions, he became enthusiastic instead.
As for Aeka's education, Sajyo Hiroki, after a long silence, decided to fully entrust it to Alyn, his eyes containing an incomprehensible hope.
Alyn thus understood that Aeka's inner emptiness and purity did not stem from family problems, but were inherent.
Even her own family had no way to deal with her, to the point where they could only entrust her to an outsider like him.
In Alyn's impression, that father, though serious and not good at expressing himself, had a deep love for both his daughters.
Among magicians, this head of the Sajyo family was probably considered an anomaly.
However, he didn't dislike such people.
If he were truly a magician who disregarded family affection and was inhumane, Alyn's attitude would probably be to avoid him.
It was precisely because of Sajyo Hiroki's request that Alyn believed it was natural for him to be Aeka's guardian.
As for Sajyo Ayaka, she initially looked at him timidly, full of childishness and wonder, a very cute child.
When Alyn told Aeka stories of princes and princesses, she also listened behind her sister.
Since then, Alyn and the Sajyo family's relationship had always been good.
"It's very mean to tap a girl like that." Aeka covered her head, displeased.
However, seeing Alyn devour his dinner at a lightning-fast speed, she squinted with a foxy smile.
After Alyn finished eating, Aeka cleared the dishes and casually said,
"Lin-kun, are you interested in the Holy Grail? Or rather, do you have any wishes you want to fulfill?"
Not long ago, her father had discussed the Holy Grail War with her. Aeka wasn't interested, but she still agreed to participate.
After all, having known him for so long, she should give Alyn a memorable gift.
"Cough, cough, cough—"
Alyn, who was drinking water, was shocked by this news and choked, looking up at Aeka.
"What did you say? The Holy Grail? Where did that come from?"
Isn't that thing in Fuyuki City? He hadn't heard of any Tokyo magicians participating in the Fourth or Fifth Holy Grail Wars.
"Of course it's in Tokyo, courteously provided by the Holy Church.
Lin-kun, that's not the point. The important thing is, what wish do you need to fulfill?" Sajyo Aeka corrected him.
No matter what Alyn wanted, the girl would make it happen for him.
Even if he wanted the whole world, it would be the same.
Of course, not by relying on something as boring as the Holy Grail.
It held no meaning for her.
It was merely a celebration, with the victory of the Holy Grail War as a garnish, to give out gifts.
Yes, this was the value of the Holy Grail War to Aika Sajou.
Other Magicians did not understand the true nature of the Holy Grail, treating it as an omnipotent wish-granting device, yearning to reach the Root through it.
This was the great wish of countless Magicians, but to Aika, it was utterly boring.
As for the Church, which brought forth the Holy Grail, it sought to summon a higher-ranking angelic existence through it, thereby demonstrating the glory of the Lord.
To Aika, she had long seen through the calamity brewing within the Holy Grail, yet she didn't care.
What she truly cared about was Yalin's thoughts.
"The Holy Grail and wishes, that's not something to be trifled with, and besides…"
Yalin felt a pang of unease.
No matter how lightly Aika spoke, the Holy Grail War was no joke.
"Are you really going to participate in the Holy Grail War?"
Yalin couldn't imagine how the dazzling, fairy-like girl in front of him would face the cruel Holy Grail War.
"Since I promised Father, I'll just treat it as a pastime to kill time."
The young man's worried and serious attitude captivated the girl, making her heart beat faster.
This was a rare sight.
Of course, she liked Lin-kun no matter what he was like.
"If you're worried about my safety, there's no need. Achieving victory in the Holy Grail War is easy for me. Lin-kun, I'm quite formidable."
Aika wiggled her index finger, speaking with confidence.
She wouldn't lie to the person in front of her.
Kirei also thought that way back then, and then Kiritsugu shot him to pieces. Gilgamesh also thought that way, and then he got his elbow chopped off.
Facts prove that approaching the Holy Grail War with a nonchalant attitude is unlikely to end well.
"Tell me the specifics of the Tokyo Holy Grail War."
Yalin sighed. Since the girl in front of him was going to participate in the Holy Grail War,
He couldn't stand idly by; he had to at least ensure her safety.
To Yalin, the girl in front of him was like a family member he had raised as his daughter.
If, after a Holy Grail War, she ended up with a tragic fate like Kiritsugu Emiya, whose wife died and daughter scattered,
He probably wouldn't even be able to cry.
"Lin-kun, I knew you'd be interested in the Holy Grail War."
Aika Sajou revealed a smug smile.
"No, that kind of thing doesn't matter at all. I just hope you're safe and sound."
Yalin pinched the girl's cheek hard, speaking irritably.
Otherwise, if no one took care of him in his old age, wouldn't that be the end of him?
Where would he find another child as filial as Aika?
Aika was indeed abnormal, with many peculiarities, yet she was also unique.
Looking at Yalin's heartfelt words, Aika smiled mischievously and began to explain the rules of the Tokyo Holy Grail War to Yalin.