Day 2

Rin sat up in her bed, throwing off the bundle of covers and pushing the tangled mess of hair out of her eyes. She felt like she had slept for half an hour, yet when she checked the old grandfather clock in the corner of her room, it became clear that she was going to be very late for school if she didn't kick it into gear five minutes ago. The Tohsaka heir actually contemplated calling in sick, but she had so many absents already that doing so was a very bad idea for her credibility academically and professionally. Still, it was so very, very tempting.

"Master."

Goosebumps ran over Rin's arms. She could remember the sound of Her voice perfectly. The rest of the dream was falling away into the secret chambers of her memories, but Rin continued to replay the arousing intonation and affection that came with that single word. She didn't want to forget Her voice. She didn't want to forget anything about Her.

The third day after She disappeared, Rin had finally forced herself to write everything she could recall about their time together. It was all still quite fresh in her mind, and she spent multiple sittings completing the task. It was utterly worth it, as Rin found even now she couldn't piece all the details in place unless she referred to her notes. But then the tears would start, and it was a vicious cycle of trying to move on but not discard her most precious of experiences with Her.

Rin thought about skipping school one last time and then sighed a long and heavy breath of air, thrusting herself out of bed and going through the monotonous task of getting ready for school.


By the time Rin made it out of her house, she had no choice but to hail a taxi. Normally, she has little problem with making the trek to school on foot, especially on such a nice day, but Rin couldn't be late. She hated the embarrassment of entering the class and walking through a crowd of her peers as everyone stared and judged. Rin, in particular, had a target on her back at this point considering her mood, so the small fee for a taxi was a minor inconvenience.

Even with the help of a motorized vehicle, Rin fast-walked through the school's gate, greeting various students as she changed her shoes and ascended the stairs to the second floor. There was a strange sense of anxiousness around her; the boys, primarily, seeming quite secretive in their discussions. Was she the topic of interest still? No. This appeared to be different. Either way, Rin didn't truly care. The dream the night before had put her in a somewhat better mood. Rin felt as though she would be able to move on soon. As long as she kept herself distracted with her budding career as a magus, she could do it.

She would have to perform a difficult balancing act, but it was her only choice. Life persisted. She was stronger than her emotions. Enough was enough. There was a time and place for feeling, and now she would equip the charming persona that had earned her the title of "Homurahara's Idol".

Rin hurried to her seat within her homeroom and was met with only miniscule teasing via Kaede's somewhat louder voice.

'Now that's a rarity! You never cut it close like that, Rin. Did you shave this morning or something?'

'That's hardly any of your business. Even I am susceptible to a sleep in every so often.'

Kaede blinked, but then grinned, apparently happy that her friend was acting semi-normal again. Rin's classmates, additionally, seemed interested in the interaction, the rise of Rin's recovered state alerting many an interested male.

'Hey, did you hear?' Kaede went on, glancing around a bit.

'What?'

'It's really bizarre, but apparently – '

'Okay. Enough chatter. We have a lot to get through today and not enough time to do so. Please get seated and listen carefully.' Kasumi Yukari slapped a clipboard on the front pedestal upon entering the room, her class respecting her enough to listen to her commands, if a little sluggishly.

Rin relaxed her body, getting out her writing utensils and her notebooks. She needed to value her present as it was. She had friends. She had a sister again finally. She had a promising future. This is how it should be. If her life turned out any other way with Her, it just…would be so strange. Rin had to accept reality. There was a reason Gilgamesh had become so unhinged. Heroic Spirits came from another time and place altogether. They didn't belong in this part of history. It went against all dimensional laws that maintained balance.

'I understand that some of you may have already caught wind of this rather unique situation, and I will be looking to a handful of students to make this transition as seamless as possible. It cannot be easy to enter a foreign land, let alone start in the middle of a semester. Please be considerate.'

Rin cocked her head slightly, noticing how the boys in her class were paying far more attention to the teacher's words than they would ever under normal conditions. What was happening?

'That being said, I would love to welcome our new student to our class, and I expect everyone to treat her with respect.' Yukari went to the sliding door and opened it with little effort. Rin comprehended what was occurring now. A new student. That didn't affect her, really. In fact, it would be nice to be outside the limelight for some time so she could tame her mind back to perfect condition.

However…

There was sudden unfiltered awe and intrigue as the new classmate entered the room. Rin glanced up from her notes, not desiring to be like everyone else in their simplified interests, but the second her sense of sight communicated properly with her brain, Rin's mouth became a dessert, and her whole body prickled as if she would faint at any moment. She couldn't stop the tears. Her mask clanked on the floor. Rin covered her face save for her eyes, and tried to muffle the instinctive sobs of disbelief.

'Are you okay, Rin?' Kaede had noticed, but her words were lost in the sea of noise from the rest of the students. They were completely enchanted by the young woman that spellbound them with her person.

A short, blonde girl with emerald green eyes strode into the class with the utmost of grace and presence, turning to her fellow classmates and eyeing the room until she found Rin. She smiled softly, bowing low before speaking in a loud and proud voice that belied her stature.

'I am Lily Pendragon.'

Rin held her chest, her heart beating faster than could possibly be healthy. She feared she really would lose consciousness. She feared this was just another dream. She feared she would wake up in her room again…alone. She would rather the fake world dismiss her now. She didn't want to see more if it meant a second cruel separation. But the new girl went on, turning to the chalk board and writing her name in somewhat messy kanji.

Rin's class was borderline out of control. Boys were standing in their seats, trying their best to get a better look at the gorgeous foreigner, while the girls were split into two camps: jealousy and admiration. Rin had managed to clean her face of any hints of her tears, but she knew she was in a fragile state, and the slightest thing could very much set her off.

This was real, right?

She was allowed to be happy, right?

'Settle down, please! I understand your excitement, but enough!' Yukari's tone traversed into dangerous territory, punishment to those who refused to obey immanent. There had already been some scape goats at the beginning of the week, Yukari knowing enough to come down hard as a new teacher before easing off a bit. The class settled some, but Rin could understand the obvious buzz that remained.

'Thank-you, Kasumi-sensei. I appreciate everyone's welcome, and I look forward to learning much about Japan during my stay here. I hail from Britain, so I apologize in advance should I offend anyone with my mannerisms at times.' Lily bowed once more, her natural blonde hair almost blinding amongst the primarily darker-headed class.

Everyone applauded, a couple of the more rambunctious boys whistling, to Yukari's annoyance. Rin could understand her class being charmed. Lily's old, incredibly formal way of speaking still unbalanced even Rin, and she was used to it mostly.

'She's a freakin' babe. Damn those foreigners.' Keade leaned back, getting a close look at Rin and her reddened eyes. 'Whoa. You scared someone's going to take over as the school idol?'

Rin rubbed her face, hastily thinking of an excuse for her dishevelment.

'Just allergies.' She managed, although the act of talking tempted her emotions once more. Her voice was real. Lily's voice was real. All she needed to do was confirm that this new girl, indeed, was Saber, that is, Arturia Pendragon. The resemblance was uncanny, to be sure, but Rin needed 100% affirmation before she lost her mind completely. Saber had almost always had her hair done in an ornate, tight, braided bun, but Lily's hair was styled in a much more natural and youthful small ponytail. Seeing Saber in Homurahara's brown-toned uniform also threw Rin, but in bittersweet ways.

'I had an extra seat brought in last night, so you may sit over in the second row next to the window. I apologize for the shift, everyone, since our capacity is already at its limit, but there were very special instructions to have Lily-san in this class no matter what.'

'We don't mind!'

'How long are you staying, Lily-san?'

'Can I touch your hair?'

'Enough! I will not tolerate any more misbehaviour. Class will commence as usual starting now. We will break five minutes early in order to give Lily-san time to get acquainted with the students who will be responsible for taking her around the school and guiding her through the facilities good and proper. Understood?' Yukari's face was beginning to turn red. It was a tell that she wouldn't have any more immaturity.

Rin tried not to stare, she really did, but, alongside most of the class, she couldn't help observing Lily closely. Her mannerisms were so similar. Lily sat with perfect posture, her entire being practically a statue of beauty. It hurt a little that Lily didn't turn once to look at Rin, and she even began to wonder if she imagined the smile received earlier. It was so difficult to maintain hope. Rin didn't want to fall again. She didn't want to struggle through another heartbreak.

Yukari tried, admirably, to have a semi-normal class, but her students were distracted, and even she seemed taken by Lily when she raised her hand to participate by reading a passage from the history textbook. Rin kept a low profile, further lending herself to Kaede's theories, but truly trying to maintain the shred of dignity she held so desperately onto.


Finally, and mercifully, Yukari wrapped up her lesson and clapped her hands, glancing at her watch and seeming satisfied with her timing.

'Now, we are going to be performing this selection with grace.' It was somewhat sad that the teacher didn't need to provide context for what she proposed. 'First off, I will not be selecting any of the boys.'

Immediate rebellion from nearly every male present, but they did it more for a show than anything, aware that it was unreasonable to expect such luck. Yukari shook her head in annoyance, but went on.

'That being said, I would like to know who is willing to volunteer to show Lily-san around during break and be her official companion for the following week as she gets settled…'

'Sensei.' Lily spoke up suddenly, raising her hand.

'Er…yes, Lily-san?'

Lily stood, still not turning to see the rest of the class or Rin.

'I do not require any such aid. I am quite capable, and I would hardly like to put anyone out.'

'But it would be rude of us not to assist you during your transition.'

The class was quiet, hanging onto everything Lily did as she sorted through the appropriate response.

'Ah. I see. So, this is customary, then? I will not dishonour this institute by refusing your extension of help further. My apologies.' Lily bowed, and a murmur of excitement circulated through the class once more.

'I-it's fine.' Yukari blinked. 'Um…Well, do I have any volunteers?'

Rin watched as practically every girl in the class raised her hand, even some boys adding their willingness to the mix regardless of what Yukari had made very clear. Rin hesitated, her pride like a weight over her shoulders as always, but even that particular vice had no power over her with Saber potentially so close. She slowly raised her hand, and then snapped it at the top, her heart pounding and her temples throbbing. She could feel her eyes burning, and perhaps because she rarely showed such submission to peer pressure, Yukari gave her a second look of surprise.

'Very well. Makidera-san and…Tohsaka-san. You are responsible enough girls. Please take care of Lily-san, would you?'

Everything around Rin went silent. She barely noticed Kaede turning to her with thumbs up and a big grin of victory. She didn't register the disappointment of her competition in the form of her classmates. All she could see were two emerald green eyes meeting hers, a soft and comfortable smile playing across "Lily's" milk-white skin framed by golden hair.

'Saber…'

How I've missed you.