Genesis 2: Choice

"Senpai, welcome back!"

The voice echoed from the end of the hallway, and the sound of a polite scampering approached the pair as they entered the house. From the dimly lit corridor, the livid violet in the girl's hair was all too discernable. Seemingly still as demure as she always was, she bowed in respect, once again refusing the notion that formalities were pointless in the place she called home.

"You two idiots! What took you so long? The food's getting cold," Fujimura shrieked from the kitchen.

"Eheheh. Sorry. Shirou's a slow walker. Aren't you, Shirou?"

Rin gave him a playful nudge, getting nothing but a cold shoulder in return. She'd been trying to lighten the mood ever since they left the cemetery, and so far, it wasn't working. She knew that he found comfort in the busy nature of their home, however, and that gave her a small bit of relief. After all, that was the reason she stayed at the house all these years, wasn't it?

No. It wasn't. She knew she was being selfish, and she knew it was wrong.

"I'm going to take a shower," Shirou said before disappearing into the bend of a hallway.

Cooking was no small matter for Sakura, and for that reason, dinner was extravagant, as always. Across the long, knee-high table by the kitchen, a grand feast was laid. Everything from teriyaki steak to assorted sashimi with a daikon garnish was present in this extensive array, and meals like this were to be looked forward to. Sakura was standing by the doorway, waiting diligently for everyone to be seated, and Rin peeked down into the hallway as discreetly as possible. Fuji-nee's child-like voice broke the uneasy silence left by Shirou's sudden departure.

"Shirou seems a bit down, eh?"

"Yeah," Rin replied, averting her gaze to the nearest corner that would offer her solace.

She had wanted to stay close to him – to piece together a relationship she so desired. This brown-haired man whom she once distrusted – whom she once pitied – how did he turn out to be the object of her idolatry? It was a no-brainer for Rin. What was there not to love about him? Though somewhat 'retired,' Shirou was a hero, nonetheless. He was capable of much more than he'd ever admit. He was a caring, vigilant soul, and easy on the eyes, too. The single white streak in his hair was something that had always intrigued and mesmerized her; it was slowly becoming a longstanding proof of his dedication to his magecraft. She was simply enamored by him, and it wasn't as much as a secret from him as she had intended. Shirou's response to these feelings of hers – it wasn't reciprocation; it wasn't even sympathy for her painful longing all these years. It was annoyance.

And yet, she was still strong. That was what she told herself every day. The day after Saber left, Shirou told her that he'd one day forget most of what would happen, but he would never forget that he loved Saber. He would never forget he loved her.

"You should talk to Shirou."

"Huh?" Rin was slightly taken aback. It seemed these days that Sakura was showing more assertiveness in her words, and her displays of moral strength were often a great help to Rin. It was as Shirou had said. Sakura was maturing.

"Talk to him about what we talked about, onee-sama."

She was right. Rin nodded to her sister with a much more determined look, and it was decided. The proposal would be made. After dinner, Rin took Shirou to the courtyard. The both of them sat on the few wooden steps that were the border between porch and grass, their faces glistening mildly with the blue of the moon.

"Shirou, I…" Rin looked away. She found it hard to face him, given what she was about to tell him. After staring out into the distance for a short while, she finally gathered the courage to speak again. "I want to talk to you about Saber. You've never talked to me about her ever since that day."

Silence.

"I know you loved her. You still love her, don't you? With so much that's happened lately, it's probably become further from your mind, but-"

"Ilya's death was as relevant to the war as Saber's. The war killed both of them. How could her death distract me from Saber's?" There was an intensity in his words that was hidden beneath their tone, and the amber-haired savior seemed to fix his gaze on a single star.

"So you still do love her," Rin managed, concealing the pang she felt deep within. As always, she pretended to keep her distance, as if her only intent were to manifest a strong bond of friendship between her and Shirou.

Bullshit. She knew she couldn't fool Shirou. One can only hide love for so long before it surpasses its restraints. Rin wasn't the foolish schoolgirl she once was, though. She knew she couldn't chase this for too long. It was as Sakura told her. If she truly loved him, she'd have to act in his best interest. It had taken her much too long to choose this path, but at least she'd chosen. What is one to do in the case of unreciprocated love? Are we to chase dreams that are not meant for us? Such questions had haunted Rin for years, and she had finally chosen her answer. Better late than never, right?

"Er, Shirou, what if I were to tell you that she could be brought back?"

More silence. Dead silence.

"Shirou-"

"I don't want to hear this from you." Shirou was gone from under the shimmering moonlight, the loose ends of his clothes trailing behind him through the doorway.

Sakura opened the door to her sister's room, peeking around cautiously.

"Onee-sama? Are you in here?"

Switching on the lights revealed a forlorn figure curled up in the far corner of the room, sitting with knees pulled in. Removing tufts of raven hair from her eyes, Rin looked up to Sakura and motioned for her to sit beside her. Strangely enough, there was no visible distress or sorrow in her eyes, as much as it was apparent by the situation that something went wrong. To Sakura, it seemed as if Rin was able to resist anything weighing her down.

"I've been looking for you. What happened?"

A smile was the only response Rin made. Sakura entered quietly, closing the door behind her and sitting by Rin.

"I can't believe this. I've become weak," she began, her smile unfading, as if she realized some irony in the situation. "Ever since I decided to stay so I could be near him. I was never like this in high school."

"Onee-sama…"

"I chose not to chase him anymore," she continued with her forced smile, her words carrying a quiet sorrow. "To just do what's best for him. And it still pushed him away. Figures, eh?"

"That's just how Senpai is…"

"Eh, it's just how I am. There's something about me. It's as if he can't stand me anymore," she responded coolly – almost indifferent to the words.

Sakura was silent.

"Sakura," Rin announced, suddenly taking a firm tone. "You need to be strong for the both us."

This perplexed her.

"You have a long way to go, but you have to be strong."

"What do you mean?"

"I've decided. I'm going back to London early. I'm leaving in the next five or six weeks."

"But-"

"There's nothing left for me here. I've put my studies on hold for too long. As much as everyone wants Saber back, it won't happen like this."

"Onee-sama…"

"You have to be strong from now on, you hear? I mean it. You'll need it some day."

Sakura looked upon her sister with a frown. She was really leaving, just like that? It was crazy. Irrational. Insane. Her tone was unmistakable, though. She'd decided, and nothing would change her mind.

It was undeniable: Sakura had loved Shirou, too. But amidst his longing for Saber, and now with her sister's infatuation, she'd decided it was best not to interfere. Besides, she was happy with the way things were. It was apparent that Rin didn't see things the same way, however.

If this is what you think is right, onee-sama…

Sakura's expression of worry shifted to one of determination. She nodded. Smiling, Rin patted her sister on the head. Pulling herself to her feet, the young magus seemed renewed. Sakura was once again perplexed at Rin's ability to pick herself up in any situation.

"Well, we can't be wasting any time. I've only got a few more weeks here. And who knows when I'll be back?"

"Huh?"

"Get some rest, Sakura," she ordered. "Tomorrow I'll start teaching you everything I know."