Chapter 18: Cake and Confrontation (Patreon)

December 24th, 2002. Christmas Eve.

Emiya Residence.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. I couldn't get Shinji to come."

A look of apology crossed Shirou’s face.

"No, it’s not your fault, Senpai." Sakura shook her head gently, though a clear flicker of disappointment showed in her eyes.

Lately, Shinji had been coming home less and less, often disappearing for ten days or half a month at a time.

"But he did give me this."

Shirou pulled a white rabbit plushie from his bag and held it out to Sakura, who was busy in the kitchen.

Seeing the rabbit plushie, a spark of genuine delight lit up Sakura’s eyes. Even if it was just a common courtesy from her brother, for her, it held extraordinary meaning.

"Merry Christmas!"

Taiga, dressed in a Santa outfit, slid the door open and shouted, but then immediately noticed the small rabbit in Sakura’s hands.

"Huh? Exchanging Christmas gifts already?"

"No, this is from Shinji," Shirou explained.

"From Matou-kun?" Taiga looked surprised for a moment, then smiled, giving Sakura a thumbs-up. "Keep at it, Sakura-chan! Your cold-hearted brother is starting to give gifts now."

"Yes," Sakura replied with a soft smile.

A snow-filled night.

Shinji, wearing a khaki wool coat, walked aimlessly through the streets while checking his system panel.

So much time had passed, and he had only barely managed to consolidate two of the three foundational spiritual aspects — the Konpaku (Soul Essence) and Yōrei (Positive Spirit).
As for the Inrei (Shadow Spirit)... he had only just touched the threshold.

The thought of having to fully refine the Inrei and harmonize the three spiritual aspects in just over a year filled him with quiet despair.

Letting out a helpless sigh, he closed the system panel and came to a stop.

He stared at the festive, decorated shops lining the street for a long time before finally stepping into one.

Unsure of what to buy on a day like this, Shinji ultimately followed the shopkeeper’s recommendation and bought a small, special Christmas cake.

"Buying something like this... am I an idiot?"

Standing outside the shop door, Shinji looked at the cake in his hand with a strange expression.

"I never thought Matou-kun actually had any self-awareness."

Hearing the familiar voice, Shinji let out a distinct tch, turning a look of pure disdain on Rin, who he’d just run into.

Seeing the blatant disgust on his face, Rin’s eye twitched uncontrollably. "You really are as infuriating as ever."

"Right back at you."

"You—!"

"Evil spirits, begone!" Shinji raised a hand and intoned.

"Go die—!!"

Unlike the noisy shops outside, the retro-style café on the street corner was extremely quiet, underscored by soft, gentle music. It was a stark contrast to the festive atmosphere everywhere else.

In a booth, Rin stared at Shinji, who was elegantly cutting his cake across from her. Several minutes had passed, and she still couldn’t quite process the situation.

"Hey, what exactly are we doing here?"

"Doing what?" Shinji replied without looking up. "Didn’t you say you knew a quiet café? So I had you bring me here."

Rin held her forehead, looking utterly defeated. "While that’s technically true, no matter how you look at it, this is a little weird, isn’t it?"

"What is?"

"No matter how you look at it, this looks like a couple on a date!"

"Huh?" Shinji looked up, giving her a strange look. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Do I look like someone who’s beyond hope? Going on a date with a woman like you?"

"Hey, you’d better explain that comment properly," Rin said, her eyes curving into a sweet smile that held no warmth.

"It means only a man with a sick brain would date a woman like you. Ow! Why did you kick me, you lunatic?! I was just telling the truth!"

"Do you have a death wish, Matou Shinji?"

"Tch." Shinji clicked his tongue, then casually pushed a slice of the cut cake toward Rin. "Consider it payment for guiding me. I can’t finish it alone anyway. And don’t worry, I didn’t bring any poison today."

"Can’t you ever say anything that might make someone feel good?"

"I return that sentiment entirely."

In the next moment, an invisible, crackling tension seemed to arc between them. Then, they both snorted simultaneously, picked up their cake plates, and turned away from each other to eat.

A few more minutes passed before Rin was the first to break the silence.

"Matou-kun, you have a little sister, right?"

"Yeah, so what?" Shinji glanced at her dismissively.

"N-no reason! I was just a little curious, that’s all!" Rin quickly waved her hands.

"Tch." Shinji scoffed. "Tōsaka-san, please don’t treat me like a fool. I know about some things, you know."

Hearing this, Rin froze, a look of disbelief on her face. "You... you know?"

"Yeah, I know."

"I see... Then... how has Sakura been lately?"

Shinji shrugged nonchalantly. "Probably fine."

"What do you mean, 'probably'? Aren’t you her brother?" Rin’s brow furrowed slightly.

"I haven’t been home much recently because of some stuff. And she’s been going to the Emiya house almost every day lately."

"The Emiya house? What for?"

"How should I know? If you’re so concerned, go see for yourself."

"You should care more about your own sister!"

"I return that sentiment entirely as well."

"You!" Rin was getting frustrated, but ultimately sighed softly. "Even though the Matou family has declined, you understand, right? Magi are—"

"I don’t." Shinji cut her off casually. "I’m not a magus. I don’t really get you magus types and your affairs."

"Could you be serious for just a moment?"

Instead of answering, Shinji changed the subject. "You know, Tōsaka, cake like this only tastes good at specific times."

"Huh?" Rin was taken aback.

"What I mean is, don’t waste it. Try to eat it while it still tastes good."

"No, what do you mean by 'specific times'...?" Rin’s face flushed slightly.

"Like when it’s paired with bitter coffee. The bitterness of the coffee brings out the sweetness of the cake, doesn’t it?"

"That... does make some sense," Rin nodded slightly, but then suddenly caught on. Her eyes curved once more into that strained, polite smile. "Matou-kun, are you implying that I’m the bitter coffee?"

"My, my, so Tōsaka-san has some self-awareness too. I’m impressed," Shinji replied dismissively.

"Go die!!" Rin delivered a sharp kick to Shinji under the table.

"Ow! Be careful! You almost made me drop the cake!"

"Like I care! Just hurry up and go to hell!"

"You go to hell first! And even if I do go to hell, I’m dragging you down with me, you lunatic!"

"That’s my line!!"

"My, my. So you two want to be together even in death?"

The sudden, teasing voice from beside them made both Shinji and Rin turn their heads and retort in unison.

"That’s not what we meant!!" ×2