After Yuuji passed out, his mind drifted through fragmented, dream-like scenes.
In an endless wasteland, a gray-haired youth stood alone, surrounded by countless corpses.The youth kept fighting—mechanically, without hesitation—obeying the orders given to him, carrying out missions with no emotion or personal will.
Over time, the youth had forgotten his original intention—forgotten why he fought, forgotten what he was supposed to protect, and why he had become a substitute for the will of restraint itself.
Gradually, he abandoned all unnecessary thoughts.
Until one day, he felt a faint call from another world. There, he caught sight of a unique girl and a boy, living peacefully, sharing a life that was both familiar and alien. In that instant, he understood—he had been given another chance.
The chance to meet the man who aspired to become a true hero of justice.
When Yuuji awoke, he found himself lying in a room that was both familiar and strange. Memories stirred as he recognized the place.
"This is Sakura's room… I still remember when I first saw her. Back then, she was much cuter than Rin. But I made a promise to Rin, so I chose to stay with her," Yuuji muttered softly, recalling memories from five years ago.
His mind flashed to moments when Sakura and Shinji had invited him over. He remembered the sight of Uncle Yan Ye, who had passed away early, and the deep, unsettling smile of their grandfather—the one who hid insects in the shadows.
"Damn it, my magic circuits… I can't use my mana. It must be some kind of sealing technique." Yuuji tried to channel magic but felt a sharp pain shoot through his circuits.
"Senior, you're awake."
Yuuji turned his head and saw Sakura entering the room, her presence quiet but strangely intense. She sat beside him, her gaze filled with something between longing and pain.
Looking at her now, Yuuji realized his feelings had changed. Beyond their years of friendship, he no longer felt anything romantic for her—especially after seeing how much she had been twisted by her circumstances.
"Senior, why are you so cold to me? You used to treat me kindly… why?" Sakura's voice trembled with disappointment as she looked at him.
"Speaking of which, your Servant—Senior—was captured by us just now. She really is loyal to you."
Yuuji's expression finally changed, and Sakura noticed the crack in his otherwise stoic demeanor.
"Don't hurt her… She's just a poor girl," Yuuji said calmly, trying to keep his voice even.
"Don't worry, Senior. I won't harm her. She'll be fine." Sakura smiled faintly, satisfied by his reaction, yet also jealous of the concern he showed for someone else.
"Why? Why do you care so much about an outsider… but you can't look at me that way? Why can't I compare to them?" Sakura's voice broke, her jealousy and hurt finally surfacing.
"Senior, look at me."
She grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to face her. For a moment, she saw the same Yuuji she had admired all these years—the one who had always protected her gently. But deep down, she knew that whenever he acted kindly toward her, her sister Rin's shadow always lingered in his heart.
"Senior… I don't know what you truly think of me, but… I like you."
Yuuji stared at her, unable to respond. He had affection for Sakura, yes—but to him, it was more like that of a brother to a younger sister, or a friend to someone he wanted to protect. Nothing deeper.
"If I became like I was before… would you like me more?" Sakura's words carried an almost knowing tone, as if she had long suspected Yuuji's hidden preferences.
A chill ran through Yuuji's spine as shadows erupted from Sakura's body, wrapping around her like a cocoon. Slowly, her form shrank, reverting to her smaller, younger self—the girl from five years ago.
"If I look like this, Senior… do you like me more?"
Yuuji was stunned. "What… what is this?"
"This is the magic my grandfather made me learn. Unlike his insect techniques, he let me practice shadow magic that matched my affinity. But I didn't control it properly, and it… locked my body's growth. My circuits matured, but my body stopped developing. I thought you'd hate me for it, but… maybe I was wrong."
Yuuji's heart trembled as Sakura clung to him, her voice soft but insistent.
"Senior, you still haven't answered me. Do you like me?" Sakura tilted her head up, her eyes filled with hope and nervous excitement.
"I… but Rin… I can't betray Rin."
Even though he was moved by Sakura's heartfelt confession, Yuuji couldn't just throw away everything he had shared with Rin over the years.
"Then, when this war is over… take me away, Senior. Take me far from here."
Yuuji hesitated, her plea echoing in his mind. "…I'll think about it. Give me time."
Sakura smiled faintly, satisfied for now. "Then, Senior, let's form an alliance. You and my sister don't really need the Holy Grail. She just wants to win. When we've eliminated the other enemies, we can talk again."
"Fine… but lend me Archer for now. I need him to meet someone, alright, Sakura?"
"Yes, but don't hurt him. Archer is… a good person."
After finishing his talk with Sakura, Yuuji left with Jack and Archer (Red A), heading back toward Rin's house.
Along the way, Yuuji shared his plan with Archer. After hearing it, Archer simply said, "Use that power as little as possible… or it will consume you."
Yuuji dismissed the warning. He believed that sooner or later, he would master this power completely.
Watching Jack asleep on Yuuji's back, Archer quietly sighed. He couldn't help but think Yuuji was carrying a burden heavier than his own life—the lives of those following him depended on his choices.
Archer studied Yuuji for a while. Though this version of Yuuji was different from the one he knew, he couldn't deny the boy's determination.
"By the way, Archer… you still haven't told me what connects you and me," Yuuji said suddenly.
Archer smirked faintly. "There is something between us, yes. But don't dwell on it. Just keep being yourself."
Looking at Yuuji walking a path both similar and different from his own, Archer didn't interfere further. He simply wanted to see where Yuuji's journey would lead.