Chapter 225: Sakura Loves Her Onii-chan the Most
"I lost, huh…"
Looking at the Demon-Slaying Sword pressed against his neck, Ryunosuke Uryuu appeared remarkably at ease.
After all, he was just a half-baked mage who had been selected to participate in the Holy Grail War by chance, relying on a grimoire passed down in his family.
Losing to a traditional mage like Hikigaya Hachiman was only natural.
Moreover, in the past few days with Gilgamesh, Ryunosuke had gained far more knowledge and experience than he could ever hope to achieve in his entire life.
So he didn't feel disappointed about his defeat; he only felt a little guilty for not being able to assist Gilgamesh.
"Ah, but at least I can still help Lord a little…"
Noticing the two remaining Command Seals on his hand, Ryunosuke's eyes suddenly lit up.
"What did you just do?!"
From the moment he pressed the Demon-Slaying Sword to Ryunosuke's neck, Hachiman had been watching his every move closely.
He had been about to demand the location of Caster's hideout and whether any children remained inside when he noticed that the two Command Seals on Ryunosuke's hand had disappeared!
The Demon-Slaying Sword left a blood streak on Ryunosuke's neck as Hachiman pressed him, demanding to know what order he had given to Caster.
"Hahaha…"
Ryunosuke did not answer Hachiman's question. Instead, he summoned beasts with all his strength into this world while laughing wildly.
Soon, blood began to trickle from his nose and the corners of his eyes.
With the final spray of blood from his mouth, Ryunosuke fell backward onto the ground, utterly lifeless.
"…"
Hachiman silently stared at Ryunosuke's dead body for a moment before sheathing the Demon-Slaying Sword, contacting Karna, and then approaching Sakura.
Tohsaka Rin, nearby, glanced at Ryunosuke's corpse and then at Sakura. She bit her lip and ran after Hachiman.
"Please wait…"
Seeing Hachiman holding Sakura's hand and preparing to leave, Rin shouted to stop them.
"Is there something else?"
Turning to look at Rin, who had stopped them, Hachiman was puzzled.
After everything that had just happened, could it be that she was too scared to go home alone?
"Um… Sakura, do you remember me?"
Ignoring Hachiman's strange gaze, Rin stared at her sister, who had been gone for over a year, and asked with a nervous heart.
"You two know each other?"
Hearing Rin's words, Hachiman immediately looked down at Sakura beside him.
"Of course! Sakura is my little sister!"
Seeing Hachiman interject, Rin crossed her hands on her hips angrily.
"Is that true?"
Ignoring Rin's shouting, Hachiman crouched down and looked Sakura in the eyes.
"Mm… yes, she was…"
Sakura nodded gently, confirming that Rin had indeed been her older sister.
"I see."
Hachiman nodded, stood up, and looked back at Rin.
"So, why did the young lady of the Tohsaka family come looking for my little sister?"
"Your little sister?!"
Hachiman's words left Rin stunned.
Sakura was obviously her younger sister, so how could she suddenly be this man's sister?
"That's right. I've decided to adopt Sakura, so it's perfectly fine that she's my sister now."
As he spoke, Hachiman gently stroked Sakura's long hair. Sakura's face showed a look of enjoyment.
"How is this possible? Didn't Sakura get adopted by the Matou family?"
Since Rin's Father had never found Hachiman, he could only helplessly let him take his daughter away—a humiliating situation he could never tell his eldest daughter.
So until now, Rin had assumed Sakura was with the Matou family, just never seen her.
"Is this true, Sakura?"
Seeking confirmation, Rin looked at her sister.
"Mm, I'm happy to be adopted by my Onii-chan, Miss Rin…"
"Miss Rin?"
Hearing her sister use such a distant form of address, Rin staggered back two steps.
"If there's nothing else, Onii-chan and I will go now."
Seeing Rin's saddened expression, Sakura showed no emotion on her face.
She took Hachiman's hand and walked off with him.
Watching them leave, Rin raised her hand, mouth slightly open as if to call them back.
But in the end, she gave up…
"Is it really okay to do this?"
Hachiman glanced at Sakura, worried, seeing Rin standing there with her head down and looking desolate.
Even if she was once her older sister, was it really okay to speak to her so distantly?
"Ever since I was adopted into the Matou family, she hasn't been my sister anymore…"
A rare hint of sadness appeared on Sakura's face.
But she quickly suppressed it.
Holding Hachiman's hand tightly, she lifted her head and asked seriously:
"Onii-chan, will you ever leave me in the future?"
"Of course not."
After a year together, this was a question Sakura had asked countless times.
Hachiman, with a relaxed expression, repeated the answer he had given her countless times before.
"I'm so happy…"
Hearing his answer, Sakura smiled.
She hugged Hachiman's arm tightly, pressing her whole body against him.
"Sakura, it's hard to walk like this…"
Though she clung to him suddenly, Hachiman was pleased.
But their current posture wasn't suitable for walking.
"Then how about you carry me, Onii-chan?"
Looking up, Sakura asked casually.
"Sure."
"Eh?"
Surprised, she looked up into Hachiman's slightly serious face.
"Really?"
Hearing that Hachiman was truly willing to carry her, Sakura became conflicted.
"Of course. A Onii-chan carrying his little sister is only natural, right?"
Saying this, Hachiman stopped walking and opened his arms to Sakura.
"That's true."
Unable to hide her joy any longer, Sakura smiled and threw herself into Hachiman's arms.
Hachiman held her securely on his left arm.
"Sakura loves Onii-chan the most!"
Suddenly, Sakura wrapped her arms around Hachiman's neck, rubbing her face against his chest as she exclaimed.
"Yes, yes. Being liked by Sakura is my honor as her Onii-chan…"
Having heard similar words from Komachi in the past, Hachiman was excited but didn't panic as he had the first time.
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