Over the months they spent together, Illya never had an opportunity to visit the Matou household. Sakura didn't want anyone disturbing the peace inside the manor, and disturbing peace was Illya's specialty. However, now that the girl developed some sense of trust, she was willing to have Illya escort her to the gates of her home. Illya was happy. It was an additional opportunity to spend time with her friend. A part of her wondered if Sakura saw it as suspicious, but Illya understood her feelings. If anything, this was a bitter reminder that the two still hid much from each other. Despite all this, Sakura still smiled as the two of them made their way towards the household.

"Do you have any plans for the evening?" Sakura wondered, trying to keep the conversation between them going.

"Hm…Not much." Illya shrugged. "Think I'll go on and play in the park some more before dinner and then go home and annoy Fuji-née." The girl chuckled.

"Go easy on her," Sakura advised. "Fujimura-sensei has busy days, and I'm sure she wants to take a break in the evening."

"Oh, don't worry, she'll find something to be annoyed about either way. Sometimes, her eyes get twitchy just from me standing in the same room!" Illya pouted in annoyance.

"Are you…Sure that there wasn't anything else to it?" Sakura said with slight suspicion.

"Not you, too! I wasn't going to use that firecracker, I told her." The girl crossed her arms.

"Sorry, I…I didn't mean to offend you." It was painfully simple to get Sakura to enter her usual shy state and speak in an apologetic tone, but this wasn't Illya's intention at all.

"No, don't worry, you're fine. Maybe I was going to use it…Just maybe." Illya said with pride. "And you? Anything fun to do today?"

"No, not much. I need to study and take care of Grandfather." Sakura explained.

"You should spice your life a little, don't you think?"

"Oh, don't worry, it's very eventful already…And I don't know what else to do around here."

"Why don't we go to Ryuudou Temple?" Illya suggested out of the blue.

"Ryuudou Temple? But we aren't allowed to disturb the monks."

"We don't have to go to the temple itself; we can walk around the woods. People around here say that if you look really hard, you can find tanuki around there."

"No one actually saw them there…"

"Always feels good to be pioneers! And you shouldn't worry; we can ask that nerd from the school for his 'blessing.'" Illya giggled, making Sakura look forward with pondering in her eyes.

"Hm, if we are careful and don't disturb anyone…"

"So, did I convince you?"

"I always liked nature, so I guess." Sakura nodded in agreement.

"Great, we can check it out tomorrow, then!" Illya grew even jollier.

Eventually, the two approached the Matou Manor. It was a large house on the outer edge of Fuyuki city; its shadow loomed over all others, and the place stood out as a relic of antiquity. The old Magus family didn't waste too much effort concealing themselves, though most people in the city still remained oblivious to their true nature. As they walked towards the main door, Illya noticed Sakura's expression change. Her gaze fell to the ground, and the smile on her face completely eroded, replaced by a display of tension and unease.

Eventually, Illya realized why. The door opened and an old man emerged. He was short and carried a cane, not a single hair on his head, but this wasn't what Illya noticed first. It was his skin and body, it did not look human. Whatever magic he used, he modified his appearance and essence to the point that any powerful sorcerer will be able to realize that he was concealing something.

"I'm home, grandfather," Sakura said meekly and paced to the entrance, not even looking back on Illya. Her grandfather held an incredibly strong hold upon her that much was clear, and something told Illya that his 'shyness' was not the issue.

"Come in, my dear." He said, welcoming Sakura to the door. There was warmth in his voice, but it did not sound real nor genuine. It was a voice of someone who was luring their prey into the fold, barely able to hide their anticipation of the coming dinner. Before Sakura entered her home, she turned around and looked at her friend.

"Thank you for today. It's been very fun!" She waved to Illya with a faint sense of joy.

"See you tomorrow!" The girl waved back and watched Sakura enter the house. Her grandfather, however, was not keen on following her. Instead, he turned to Illya, his expression changing immediately. Whatever friendliness he was able to conjure was gone in an instant, giving way to distrust and scorn.

"I know who you are, Illyasviel von Einzbern." The old man said with disdain.

"Oh, we're getting straight to the catfight?" Illya said with a smug grin emerging on her face. She knew who it was, as well, and he was far from a normal grandpa. "You'll find that I'm at an advantage here…Zouken Matou."

"Hehe…" He let out a wheezing, withering chuckle. "They prepared you well."

"Even my masters couldn't prepare me for this…Is that why you need the Holy Grail? To fix this massive mess of a body?"

"It is none of your concern, girl." Zouken shook his head. "By the time I claim my prize, you will be long gone from this world." His words sounded venomous and spiteful, though Illya tried not to let it get to her. After a slight pause and one beat of her heart skipped, Illya looked up.

"Then you shouldn't get so worked up, right? You'll have your eternity living as a rotting corpse; don't worry."

"What do you want from Sakura?"

"What do you mean? We are just having fun."

"Do you seriously want me to believe that you aren't spying on von Einzberns' behalf? Whatever you do, I'm not surprised those obsessed freaks already began to prepare for the next War. Who knows, maybe this one will happen early, too?"

"Or is your adopted granddaughter just nice to be around? We can play around and have fun, or is that against your house rules?"

"You're older than you look, Illyasviel, I am aware of that, too."

"And? You think I want to waste my time thinking about the Holy Grail even outside the War?"

"All I know is that you're an extension of your creators' will," Zouken responded. "All you do or want to do is a part of their plan, even if you've deluded yourself into believing it's not."

"You're totally right; taking Sakura to the park and showing her that swinging is fun was a part of a grand von Einzbern conspiracy…"

"You aren't intent on taking this seriously, are you?" Zouken raised his eyebrow and sighed.

"If you want me to take it seriously, I can ask what it is you're doing with Sakura inside your home…"

"Do not go there." Zouken's voice grew even colder. "This is your only warning, Illyasviel. Don't intervene in our family's affairs, or you will not spend as much as another hour with Sakura." He unveiled his true colors. From what Illya knew, Zouken was a merciless and selfish monster who would eagerly use his children for his own lust for power and immortality. He turned around and walked towards the door. "Don't return here."

After Sakura entered the manor, Zouken did not follow her immediately, instead staying outside. This was a horrible sign, meaning that he took interest in Illya. He was far more knowledgeable about Magus families than Sakura, and he would recognize someone from a similar background. He would also see her as a threat. Sakura's heart raced at the thought of all the things Zouken could do to Illya…But he wouldn't harm her in broad daylight, would he? It would be too much even for him.

Eventually, Sakura heard the door open once again with Zouken's shadow towering over her.

"You didn't mention this new friend of yours," Zouken said sternly, making Sakura look down in shame.

"I'm sorry, grandfather," Sakura said quietly. "I didn't think we would spend so much time together…"

"She's a von Einzbern spawn, not from here," Zouken said grumpily.

"I understand…"

"And yet you still talk to her. Do you think she doesn't have an ulterior motive? She and her masters are desperate to lay their hands on Matou's secrets, and she is going to use the weakest link." Zouken spoke arrogantly. As always, he demeaned Sakura and awakened a sense of guilt in her. He will force her to push Illya away, just when the two of them were starting to have regular fun.

"I am sorry…" Sakura said. "I promise I didn't tell her anything about family. We were only discussing school, archery, and the town."

"I hope so," Zouken said, still unconvinced. He raised his hand, making the worms within Sakura wriggle once again. The girl moaned, feeling agony pierce her entire body. Her limbs ached, while her vagina was stricken by sudden arousal, a common side-effect of those crest worms. Sakura breathed heavily, imagining Shirou undressing her and penetrating her while she moaned like the dirty slut she was…

"Please…" She begged, and eventually, Zouken retreated.

"Don't forget who holds the leash." He said with nothing but disdain in his voice. "Come with me, Sakura; it is time for your training."

Sakura bowed and prepared to move, humbly accepting her fate. She was about to descend into the darkest pit of despair and misery. The grim reality of her daily life.

Illya thought that she would gladly visit the park before going home, but 'something' completely ruined her mood. Staring at Zouken was like seeing depression and decay incarnate in front of her own eyes. He was like the most vile and disgusting von Einzbern experiments that Illya witnessed while undergoing her own training. Even as Illya reached Taiga's house by the evening, something still soured her mind. Those were her intrusive thoughts of Zouken and, even worse, how he must treat Sakura. Whatever he needed her for, it wasn't to have a loving granddaughter.

Those thoughts persisted in Illya's mind when she came back home, so much so that she didn't bother prancing Taiga or demanding something of her.

"Excuse me! I prefer it when my guests knock before entering…Oh, it's you." Taiga said with surprise in her voice. "That's way too quiet for you, Illya. What happened?"

"It's fine, I'm just tired."

"No, no, no, I can see something's wrong, I am an expert on those things!" Taiga smiled with pride. "Did someone tell you off? If so, then it's about time! You've caused quite the stir around the town."

"Hey, I was the definition of a law-abiding citizen today! Doing an archery master class and playing in a park aren't trouble!" Illya said. "And Sakura was with me, too; we had fun!"

"Don't worry, I'm just messing with you." Taiga chuckled. "I know you're good when it comes to Sakura. She's practically the only person you listen to!"

"Yeah…" Illya said with a tone of slight uncertainty, realizing that Taiga wouldn't stop until she told her what it was that disturbed her. But she couldn't tell her the whole truth. Not even Sakura realized that yet. "I went with Sakura to her home and met her grandfather. He's a bit suspicious…Creepy old geezer." Illya said with a shiver. Zouken was truly terrifying to anyone who realized the extent of his nature.

"I heard some rumors about Sakura's grandfather; they say he's really old and barely leaves the house; his grandchildren did all the work for him." Oh, if only it were that simple. "But he's harmless, just one weird fellow."

"Sakura seemed really uncomfortable around him, it's like…All the fun was sucked out of her the second she came to that house."

"Hm…" Taiga pondered for a second. "It probably reminds her of her brother. Poor Shinji…He might have been an asshole, but even he didn't deserve to die because of some gas leak!" Yeah, gas leak… "Sakura is probably still mourning; she keeps up a proud face outside, but when she's home, she must miss him." Illya didn't care for most of her actions, and yet, thinking Sakura would mourn Shinji…It etched into her heart, entirely recontextualizing the night she killed Shinji. Taiga came up with the most reasonable explanation in her position, and it was probably best to let her have it.

"You're probably right; I'm being too paranoid." Illya shrugged. "I'll take a nap in my room; if you try to wake me up, you're more than welcome, but there will be payback!" Illya said in a playfully sinister tone and skipped to her room. She needed some more time to ponder on what she just saw. By the time she was inside, Illya was about to change into her pajamas and lie on her comfy bed…

But just as she changed her clothes, Illya felt her heart aching. It was a sudden, sharp pain that pierced her entire body, reminding Illya of an electric shock. Something inside her unraveled. A swift impulse that broke a connection deep within her body like it was nothing, a weak, withered connection, a relic of outdated magic. Illya gasped and fell on her knees, clutching onto her heart. The pain still persisted; it wasn't as paralyzing as before, but it didn't let the girl go, either. Was it finally time? She felt the circuits within her unraveling. A gradual process, yet it took a higher toll on her every time. The mana reservoirs within her were breaking free from the cage ordered by Illya's masters once they had been arranged. No matter how much she tried to ignore or deny it, the truth was undeniable, and her future decided.

She will unravel.