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"So, you guys are actually demons?"
It took a while, but Rin finally came back to herself. She gave her little sister a resentful look."You knew he was a demon, and still brought him here?"
"Because Uncle's a good person!"
"A 'good person' wouldn't offer that kind of deal!"
Rin sighed. "Turning into a demon and all that… I never even thought about something like that~"
"That's just the rules of demons."
Sakura pouted. "But if you really want your wish to come true, there is another way~"
Rin perked up. "What way?"
Even Minato and the others turned to listen.
"As long as you become Master's 'familiar,' you'll be part of the family. Then you can ask for whatever you want!"
Damn, you little genius.
Artoria and the others looked at each other speechlessly.
Only Minato gave Sakura a proud look.
That's my girl. Perfect answer.
Rin, meanwhile, was speechless."That's not even different, is it? Are you really my little sister?"
"But this way, I can stay with you forever, sis!"
Sakura suddenly burst into tears. "I don't want to be separated from you again!"
Rin froze.
Stay together with Sakura… forever?
That hit her right in the heart.
Her biggest regret in life was not being able to stop her sister from being adopted by the Matou family.
But now...
Because of Minato, everything had changed.
In a way… this demon had actually done something good for her.
And with just her own strength, could she really protect the Tohsaka name?
But if she had demon powers...
The scales in her heart started to tip.
"Alright, enough crying."
After finally calming Sakura down, Rin looked straight at Minato and said seriously,"Mr. Demon… if I become a demon, you'll really tell me who killed my father?"
"Of course."
"But I don't want to give up the Tohsaka name. I want to restore my family."
"Do whatever you like."
Hearing that, Rin let out a long breath.
Heh. This demon actually seemed pretty reasonable.
Becoming a demon… didn't sound so bad anymore.
After thinking for a few seconds, her gaze turned resolute.
If that's how it is… then so be it.
"I see you've made up your mind."
Minato gave her a long look, then took out a small pawn-shaped token."Place this into your body."
"...Huh?"
Rin was completely stunned.
Put a chess piece... into her body?
What was he even talking about?
That thing was so big. How were you even supposed to…? And where? She was still a kid!
Sakura helpfully added, "Sis, you need to take off your clothes first."
Rin's eyes widened in shock. She turned beet red."Wait, you did this too?!"
"Yup!"
Sakura answered innocently, "That's the only way to become a demon!"
"You little demon—your uncle's a total perv, isn't he?!"
Minato: "..."
How did the conversation end up here?
He wasn't gonna admit to something he didn't do!
Medusa finally couldn't take it anymore and stepped in."You only need to take off your outer clothes. Don't overthink it."
Though she had misunderstood the same thing back then.
"S-sorry, Mr. Demon…"
Rin's face was burning red as she slowly took off her jacket.
"Th-this okay?"
It was just her outer coat…
But still. So embarrassing.
"All good!"
Minato nodded and smoothly pressed the pawn onto the right spot.
Right. This is still a funeral hall, huh.
Suddenly realizing this, Minato had a weird look on his face.
Well, whatever.Tohsaka Tokiomi... I'll take care of your family from here on out.
"It really… went in."
Rin stared blankly at the chess piece as it melted into her body.
She could feel it—mana was starting to surge inside her.
Her eyes widened as her whole body heated up.
Her heart was pounding like crazy.
Her lower back and stomach itched, like something was trying to break free.
"Ugh…"
In the next second, a pair of black demon wings burst from her back.
A tiny tail popped out, wagging in the air.
"So this… is what it feels like to become a demon?"
As the magic circle faded, Rin clenched her fists.
She could tell—she was way stronger now than she'd ever been.
"Sis, it's done! Put your clothes back on!"
Sakura chirped. "You'll catch a cold if you don't."
"Ah—!"
Rin's face turned red again as she scrambled to grab her coat.
"Your family's good at gem magic, right?"
Minato raised his hand, and a pile of glowing gemstones spilled out of a magic circle."Here, a little welcome gift."
These kinds of things? For someone like him who basically controls half the world, he could have as many as he wanted.
"Whoa… That's a lot," Rin Tohsaka's eyes sparkled like stars—then she suddenly narrowed them suspiciously. "Wait a sec… Demon Lord, don't tell me you've been eyeing me for a while now?"
"How could I? I didn't even know you before this."
Minato replied, sounding totally righteous.
"..."
Rin blinked a few times, then nodded.
Yeah… guess I was overthinking it.
She happily began stashing away the gems.
From now on, she was gonna be the head of the house. Gotta be careful with money.
Wait, no!
She'd cozied up to a demon now.
Which meant—spend it. Spend it all.
Just thinking about it, she felt like becoming a demon wasn't a bad deal at all.
"She's still just a kid," Medusa shook her head quietly.
Even though she didn't have proof, she was sure her Master had his eyes on Rin a long time ago.
"Oh right, Rin—where does your family keep all the magic books? I wanna check them out."
"This way."
Rin nodded, hugging a huge pile of gems to her chest as she walked outside.
"Oh yeah, Demon Uncle, are you actually into human magecraft too?"
She turned back, curious.
Her way of calling him had already casually changed from "your grace" to the same thing Sakura used—"Uncle."
Ah, the power of money.
A girl worth teaching.
Minato chuckled and nodded. "I'm super interested in all kinds of knowledge."
"So if you get the chance, try to collect as many books on supernatural stuff as you can."
"Got it! No problem!"
"....."