The Next Day
The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains of Tomoe's room, and the muffled sounds of birdsong reached his ears. He stirred from sleep, his body sluggish and his mind foggy. A gentle hand on his shoulder roused him fully, and he opened his eyes to see Miyu, his younger sister, standing by his bed.
"Oniichan," Miyu said softly, her voice warm and soothing. "It's morning. You'll be late if you don't get up soon."
Tomoe blinked at her, his heart heavy as yesterday's memories came rushing back—the battle, the monster, the card, and Caren's revelations. It all felt like a surreal nightmare. He had half-hoped to wake up and find it was nothing more than a vivid dream, but the ache in his body and the weight on his soul told him otherwise.
"Are you okay, Onii-chan?" Miyu asked, her expression tinged with concern as she noticed his troubled look.
Tomoe hesitated for a moment before forcing a small smile. "Just another nightmare," he said quietly.
Miyu frowned but didn't press further. Instead, she gently took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "It's okay. I'm here. Let's go downstairs; breakfast is ready."
Her presence, so calm and caring, eased the knot in his chest. Tomoe nodded and followed her downstairs, where the familiar warmth of home greeted him. His parents were already at the table, sipping tea and chatting softly. The scent of grilled fish and miso soup filled the air.
"Good morning," Tomoe greeted them, his voice still a little groggy.
"Good morning, Tomoe," his mother replied, smiling as she set a plate down for him. "You were out so late yesterday. Is everything okay?"
Tomoe faltered for a moment before replying, "Yeah. I was helping a classmate with something."
His parents exchanged a glance but didn't question him further. His father gave a nod of approval. "That's good of you, but be careful, son. There have been more cases of people going missing lately."
As if on cue, the TV in the corner blared to life, showing a breaking news report. The cheerful anchor's tone was subdued as she relayed the latest development: another person had vanished without a trace. A photo of the missing individual flashed on the screen, their name and details scrolling below.
Tomoe's grip on his chopsticks tightened as he remembered Caren's words about rogue Servants preying on humans. He forced himself to nod at his parents, masking his unease. "I'll be careful, I promise."
His mother smiled, satisfied with his response, and they returned to their breakfast. Tomoe focused on eating, trying to push away the dark thoughts that threatened to consume him.
After finishing his meal, he quickly changed into his school uniform. Standing in front of the mirror, he adjusted his tie, his eyes lingering on the faint redness of the Command Seals on his hand. He clenched his fist, resolving to keep yesterday's events from overshadowing his day.
"Ready?" Miyu called from the hallway, her cheerful voice pulling him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah," he replied, grabbing his bag.
The two siblings left the house together, the morning sun casting a warm glow over their quiet neighborhood.
As they walked down the familiar streets toward the schools, Miyu glanced up at Tomoe, her brows knitted in concern.
"Onii-chan," she began hesitantly, her voice soft yet probing. "Are you really okay?"
Tomoe blinked in surprise at the sudden question, nearly stumbling over his own feet. He quickly collected himself and offered a reassuring smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"
Miyu hesitated, then spoke with the straightforwardness only a younger sibling could muster. "You came home really late yesterday. I was worried something happened to you."
Tomoe felt a pang of guilt as her words hit him. She wasn't wrong to worry—not after everything he'd been through last night. But he couldn't tell her the truth. The idea of dragging her into the chaos of the Holy Grail War was unthinkable.
"I'm sorry," he said earnestly, looking down at her. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I promise I'll be more careful and come back earlier from now on."
Miyu tilted her head, her expression skeptical yet hopeful. "You promise?"
Tomoe nodded, but inwardly he felt a flicker of unease. It was the second promise he'd made that morning—the first being to his parents. Both seemed simple on the surface, but the reality of his situation made keeping them feel like a Herculean task. Could he really guarantee his safety and that of his family when rogue Servants roamed the city? Could he even predict what would happen next in the war?
Still, he pushed those thoughts aside and gave Miyu a warm smile. "Yeah, I promise."
She seemed satisfied with that, her usual demeanor returning. "Okay! Just make sure you don't overwork yourself, Onii-chan. You're always pushing yourself too hard."
Tomoe chuckled, her words easing some of his tension. "I'll keep that in mind."
As they approached Miyu's school, the streets became livelier, filled with the chatter of students and the occasional honking of cars. Tomoe walked her all the way to the entrance, where she turned to him with a bright smile.
"Have a good day at school, Onii-chan!" she said, waving enthusiastically.
"You too," he replied, watching as she joined her friends and disappeared into the crowd.
Once she was gone, Tomoe turned and began walking toward his own school. The streets felt quieter now, and the weight of the previous night slowly crept back into his thoughts. He glanced down at the card tucked safely in his bag and then at his hand, where the faint traces of the Command Seals seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.
Inwardly, he wondered if he could really keep his promises—to his family, to Miyu, and to himself. But for now, he pushed those worries aside and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Whatever came next, he'd deal with it when it arrived.
The school day passed like any other, a monotonous cycle of lessons and chatter that felt surreal after the events of the previous day. The missing person cases plastered on the news seemed to be nothing more than a passing topic of discussion for his classmates. It was as if everyone was actively ignoring the grim reality outside the school gates, choosing instead to cling to their everyday routines for a semblance of peace.
Tomoe leaned back in his chair, half-listening as the teacher droned on about a subject he could barely care about. Around him, the usual dynamics played out: girls chatting in hushed whispers, boys swapping gossip or sneaking in games on their phones, and the occasional argument over trivial things.
He couldn't help but notice the absence of a few key individuals. Shinji, Tohsaka, and her self-proclaimed rival, Luvia, were all missing from class. It was odd, considering how vocal they usually were. Tomoe had been hoping to corner Shinji during a break to ask more about the Holy Grail War. Even Tohsaka, with her presence, might have shed some light on his situation—if he could manage to ask without earning their ire.
Still, the more he thought about it, the more he realized the futility of those hopes. They were all participants in this twisted ritual, and sooner or later, they'd likely try to kill him. Maybe staying away from them was for the best. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
The day dragged on, and finally, the last bell rang. Clubs sprang to life, and Tomoe found solace in the one part of his school life that still felt normal: the boys' track and field club. He changed into his gear and stepped onto the familiar dirt track, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over the field.
As he started his run, the tension in his body began to melt away. The rhythm of his feet pounding against the ground, the cool breeze on his face, and the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins—all of it helped him escape the weight of the Command Seals etched on his hand and the card hidden in his bag. For a few fleeting moments, he felt like an ordinary high school student again.
When practice ended, he returned to the locker room, his clothes damp with sweat but his mind lighter than it had been all day. He packed up quickly, grateful that he didn't have cleaning duty today. With any luck, he could get home early and enjoy a quiet evening with his family. Miyu was probably already waiting for him.
As he stepped out of the school gates, the fading sunlight bathed the world in a warm glow, and the mundane hum of students heading home filled the air. Tomoe allowed himself to relax, unaware that the peace he felt now would soon be shattered.
The disaster was closer than he realized.
Z
The walk home was unnervingly quiet, each step a solitary echo in the fading light. Tomoe had been invited by a friend to walk together, but he had declined, craving solitude to untangle the whirlwind of thoughts from the past two days.
As he walked, his hand began to burn—an intense, searing heat that made him flinch. The glowing Command Seals emerged on his skin, radiating an otherworldly light. His breath caught as an all-too-familiar sensation overtook him.
The world unraveled.
Colors blurred and twisted, folding into shapes and patterns that defied logic. The ground beneath him melted into a fluid expanse, and every sound warped into a distorted hum. Then, as abruptly as it began, it stopped. Tomoe found himself standing in a warped reflection of his world.
The Mirror World. Again.
The streets were empty, the vibrant hum of life replaced by an oppressive silence. The sky overhead was an ominous shade of grey, and every surface seemed dull and lifeless, as if the very soul of the world had been drained.
His heart pounded as he instinctively pulled the Saber card from his bag. Its edges glinted faintly in the distorted light, a small comfort against the suffocating fear creeping into his chest.
A scream cut through the stillness.
It came from an alleyway just ahead, sharp and desperate. Without thinking, Tomoe dashed toward the source, his legs carrying him faster than his mind could process.
At the mouth of the alley, his blood ran cold.
A young woman struggled against the grip of a figure—a woman with long green hair, feline ears, and a tail swishing languidly behind her. The rogue Servant's predatory eyes glinted as her clawed hand tightened around the woman's throat.
The victim spotted Tomoe, her wide eyes pleading. "Help me!" she screamed, her voice cracking with terror.
The Servant's head snapped toward Tomoe, her gaze locking onto him.
Time seemed to freeze as terror rooted him to the spot. Every instinct screamed for him to run. And run he did.
His legs moved before his mind could catch up, carrying him away from the scene, from the danger, and from her. The woman's screams echoed behind him, each one a dagger of guilt piercing deeper into his chest.
"No!"
Her cry of despair reverberated in his mind, growing louder with each step. Tomoe slowed to a halt, his breath coming in shallow gasps. His entire body trembled as his conscience waged war against his fear.
"Running away again?"
"You coward."
"You left her to die."
"You can save her—why don't you?"
"Shut up!" Tomoe screamed into the empty air, his voice cracking. His hand tightened around the Saber card.
He turned back, guilt and determination warring within him.
"Install!"
A blinding light engulfed him, and when it faded, he was transformed.
A black hakama draped over his legs, held by a crimson sash tied with intricate knots. His left arm bore a crimson igote, its surface embroidered with sharp patterns that gleamed ominously. His feet were clad in sharp kegetsu boots, and in his hand, a katana gleamed with a deadly edge.
Fueled by adrenaline and desperation, Tomoe sprinted back to the alley, his heart pounding in time with his racing thoughts.
But it was too late.
The rogue Servant was gone, her lithe figure disappearing into the night with an effortless leap. At her feet lay the lifeless body of the young woman, her eyes staring blankly at the cracked pavement.
Tomoe froze, the katana trembling in his grip. His transformation faded, the ornate armor dissolving as reality began to unravel again.
The Mirror World cracked and shattered around him, but the crack in his heart felt irreparable.
The distorted landscape giving way to the normalcy of the real world. But the image of the woman's lifeless form burned into his mind, leaving a deeper scar than the world itself.
Tomoe stood there, staring at the empty alley as the weight of his failure bore down on him.
Z
The alley was now a cacophony of activity, filled with police officers, detectives, and the flashing red and blue lights of patrol cars. The body of the young woman had been covered with a white sheet, and a perimeter had been set up to keep onlookers at bay. Investigators combed through the scene, their voices low but urgent as they pieced together the tragic puzzle before them.
Tomoe sat on a hard bench in the police station, his hands trembling as he clutched a cup of untouched water. His mind replayed the horrifying moments in the alley—her scream, the rogue Servant's predatory gaze, and the lifeless body left behind. He couldn't stop the wave of guilt crashing over him, suffocating him with each passing second.
To the police, Tomoe was both an important witness and a potential suspect. They treated him with caution but also prioritized his well-being, understanding that he was just a high school student.
"Take your time," one of the detectives had said earlier, his tone gentle but probing. "We just want to understand what happened."
Tomoe told them what he had seen and heard—the scream, the strange figure with cat-like features, and the woman's desperate plea for help. He kept his explanation grounded in reality, leaving out the details of the Mirror World, the glowing marks on his hand, or the transformation he had undergone. He wasn't sure they'd believe him even if he tried.
The questioning seemed to stretch forever, but eventually, the officers and detectives were satisfied. Tomoe had answered everything he could without incriminating himself further.
"Green hair? Cat ears? Tails? A cosplayer perhaps?" The detectives were wondering in confusion, but still analyze this information carefully. Until a voice called them out.
"Excuse me! I'm here for my son!!" A familiar urgent voice called out.
When his father arrived at the station, he rushed to his side, his faces a mixture of relief and worry. "Tomoe," his father whispered, wrapping him in a tight embrace, "are you okay?"
"I'm fine," he mumbled, though his voice was hollow. His father placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, guiding him toward the exit after signing the necessary paperwork.
The walk home was silent. His father, sensing his shaken state, didn't press him for details. The weight of his concern hung in the air, but Tomoe was too lost in his thoughts to notice.
As they reached home and stepped into the house, Tomoe glanced up at the night sky. The stars seemed distant, cold, and indifferent.
Standing in the shadow of his home, he clenched his fists. The image of the young woman's lifeless eyes flashed before him, sending a chill down his spine.
Once he got inside, he saw Miyu running through and hug him, her lithe body trembled, standing in front of him is his mother her face is marred with worried, once again guilt returned to his heart.
Z
At home, the atmosphere was quiet, but not peaceful. The weight of the day hung heavily in the air. After exchanging only a few words with his parents and sister, Tomoe excused himself and went to the bathroom. He needed space—needed to be alone with his thoughts.
In the bathroom, Tomoe stood before the mirror, staring at his reflection. His auburn hair, usually vibrant and slightly disheveled from his track training, now fell limply over his forehead. His golden-brown eyes, once filled with energy and determination, were clouded with exhaustion and self-doubt. He reached up and touched his face, his fingers brushing over skin that was normally sun-kissed from hours spent on the track field. Now, it looked pale, almost sickly, a stark contrast to his usual healthy tan.
His hand trembled as he traced the edges of the glowing marks on the back of his hand—marks that had appeared out of nowhere and turned his life upside down. The Command Seals pulsed faintly, as if alive, as if mocking him.
"What am I even doing?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. He leaned forward, gripping the edges of the sink for support, his knuckles turning white.
The events of the day replayed in his mind like a haunting reel: the scream, the rogue Servant, the young woman's terrified eyes, and her final moments. His chest tightened, and he fought the urge to scream, his throat burning with suppressed emotion.
"You ran," he whispered, his voice cracking. "You left her. You..." He couldn't finish the sentence, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him like a physical force.
But then, another thought crept in—a reminder of his vow. Never again.
He straightened, his grip on the sink tightening. His reflection stared back at him, tired and battered but resolute. This was no longer about survival; it was about redemption. He couldn't change what had happened, but he could ensure it wouldn't happen again. He had to be stronger, braver. For the people who couldn't fight for themselves, and for the young woman whose life he couldn't save.
"I won't run again," he said to his reflection, his voice steadier now. "No matter what it takes."
The glow of the Command Seals seemed to flicker in response, almost as if acknowledging his resolve.
Z
The next day at school, Tomoe found himself surrounded by a small crowd of classmates as soon as he walked into the classroom. Whispers of concern and curiosity filled the air, their eyes flicking to him with a mix of sympathy and inquisitive glances. It felt as if the entire room was silently measuring him, wondering what had happened, what he had seen, and if he was really okay. For a moment, Tomoe felt a slight warmth in his chest.
Despite the chaos, it was clear they cared. Maybe not all of them, but enough. He appreciated that.
"Alright, that's enough! Give him some space, guys!"
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
Issei Ryuudou, the student council president, stepped forward, adjusting his glasses and giving a firm look to the others. His neat appearance and authoritative presence were enough to make everyone back off and return to their seats.
Issei turned to Tomoe, his expression softening slightly. "If you need anything—spiritual help, or just someone to talk to—don't hesitate to ask me," he said, his tone kind yet firm.
Tomoe gave a small, grateful nod. "Thank you, Ryuudou-san. I appreciate it."
Issei smiled and patted him on the shoulder, then made his way back to his seat as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
As Tomoe gathered his things, preparing to head to his next class, he felt something shift in the air. It was subtle, but unmistakable. The hallway outside the classroom felt quieter than usual, almost too quiet. A strange tension hung in the air, as if the world itself had paused for a moment. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.
When he stepped into the hallway, he froze.
Standing in the doorway of his classroom, leaning against the frame with a casual yet ominous posture, was none other than Shinji. His eyes met Tomoe's, and for a brief moment, the world around him seemed to narrow.
Tomoe's heart skipped a beat.
Shinji's presence had always been unsettling, but today it felt different. His usual arrogance was gone, replaced by an unreadable calm. Tomoe couldn't place the look in his eyes, but it made his skin crawl.
Shinji straightened up from the doorframe, taking a few steps forward. He didn't say anything immediately, just watched Tomoe with an almost calculating gaze. His hands were in his pockets, and his uniform was neatly pressed as always.
For a second, the tension between them was thick, and Tomoe almost didn't know what to do with himself.
Then, in a low voice, Shinji spoke.
"We need to talk."
Tomoe blinked, taken aback by the sudden request but still he nod in agreement.
Shinji's eyes flickered briefly to the students walking by before returning to Tomoe. "It's not something we can discuss here. Come with me. After school."
Tomoe hesitated. He didn't know if he was ready for whatever this conversation would bring. But the curiosity gnawed at him, and the looming sense of something unfinished made his decision for him.
"…Alright. I'll meet you after school," Tomoe finally said, his voice steady, though his mind raced with questions. What did Shinji want? Was this about the war? About the Servants? Or something else entirely?
Shinji gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Good. Be ready."
With that, he turned and walked down the hall, disappearing around the corner as if he hadn't been standing there at all.
Tomoe stood in place for a few moments, trying to shake the unease in his chest. The bell rang again, and the students flooded into their classrooms, leaving him alone with his thoughts. He couldn't stop replaying the events of yesterday—the young woman, the rogue Servant, his failure to act in time—and now, Shinji's sudden appearance. There was no way this would be a casual conversation.
He didn't know what was coming, but he had the nagging feeling that things were about to get far more complicated.
Z
At the end of the school day, Tomoe lingered outside the track field, debating whether to go through with his plan. Finally, he approached his club coach, fidgeting slightly as he made his request.
"Coach, I… I need to leave early today. Something came up."
The coach raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright, Enjou. Just don't make a habit of it. And be ready to work twice as hard tomorrow."
Tomoe smiled faintly. "Thanks, Coach."
With that, he made his way to the school rooftop, clutching his bag tightly. The rooftop was a place of quiet reprieve, the wind cutting through the heavy silence that hung over him. When he reached the top, he found Shinji leaning against the railing, his usual smirk firmly in place. He looked completely at ease, but his sharp gaze betrayed the calculation in his mind.
"Glad you came," Shinji said, his voice casual as he straightened up.
Tomoe stepped forward, wary but curious. "You said we needed to talk. What's this about?"
Shinji crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. "Yesterday. The incident in the alley. I was out hunting that rogue Servant, but instead of finding it, I find out you ran into it."
Tomoe stiffened, the memory of the woman's lifeless body flashing through his mind. He looked away. "I… I didn't mean for that to happen."
"Relax," Shinji said, waving his hand dismissively. "I'm not here to blame you. I'm here to figure out what we're dealing with."
Tomoe glanced back at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"I need details," Shinji said, stepping closer. "What did it look like? Anything unusual?"
Tomoe hesitated but eventually nodded. "She had green hair, cat ears, and… a tail. She looked human, but not entirely."
Shinji rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his sharp eyes glinting with interest. "Green hair, cat features… That narrows it down. That kind of appearance could only mean—"
"Wait," Tomoe interrupted, his brow furrowing. "Why do you need to know?"
"To identify the Servant, obviously," Shinji said, his tone almost patronizing. "Knowing their identity means knowing their abilities and weaknesses. That's how we win these battles."
Tomoe's stomach churned. "Win… You mean by killing them?"
Shinji shrugged. "What else? This isn't a game, Enjou. It's survival. Either you take them out, or they take you out. And considering you're still breathing, I'd say you're already lucky."
Tomoe looked down at the ground, his fists clenching. "I didn't ask for this…"
"No one does," Shinji said bluntly. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're in the middle of it. So, what's it gonna be?"
Tomoe hesitated. He thought of the woman he couldn't save, of her scream echoing in his ears. Slowly, he looked up, his voice trembling but resolute. "I'll fight. If nothing else, to make sure no one else gets hurt because of me."
For a moment, Shinji said nothing, and then a grin spread across his face. "Good. That's the spirit."
Tomoe blinked, caught off guard. "What's with that smile?"
"Simple," Shinji said, his tone almost playful. "I've got a proposal for you: an alliance."
Tomoe stared at him, taken aback. "An alliance? Is that even allowed?"
Shinji laughed, a sharp sound that echoed across the rooftop. "Allowed? Who cares about 'allowed'? Nothing's off-limits in war, Enjou. It's all about survival."
Tomoe frowned, still suspicious. "Why would you want to team up with me?"
Shinji reached into his pocket and pulled out his Servant Card, holding it up for Tomoe to see. The card depicted a figure cloaked in shadows, a skull mask obscuring their face, and a pair of wicked daggers gleaming in their hands.
"This," Shinji explained, "is my Servant Card. Assassin. Great for stealth and backstabbing, but not exactly cut out for a head-on fight. I need someone who can handle the messy stuff up front."
Tomoe narrowed his eyes. "So you just want a meat shield?"
Shinji shrugged unapologetically. "Call it what you want. You're strong enough to hold your own, and I can cover your back. It's a win-win."
Tomoe hesitated, his mind racing. Shinji's offer was tempting, but it also felt like a trap. Still, the thought of facing this war alone was terrifying.
"Fine," Tomoe said after a long pause. "I'll join your alliance. But don't think I'm doing this for you. I'm doing it to make sure no one else gets hurt."
Shinji's grin widened. "Fair enough. Just don't slow me down, Enjou."
With that, Shinji extended a hand, and after a moment's hesitation, Tomoe shook it. The pact was sealed, though Tomoe couldn't shake the feeling that he had just stepped into something far more dangerous than he realized.
Z
As they stood on the rooftop, Tomoe frowned, crossing his arms. "So, what now?"
Shinji leaned casually against the railing, his smirk never faltering. "Now? We hunt the rogue Servant."
Tomoe raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do we do that? She disappeared right after attacking someone. How are we supposed to find her?"
Shinji's smirk grew wider as he reached into his jacket and pulled out an object. Tomoe blinked, confused. "Is that... a book?"
"Not a book," Shinji corrected, holding it up proudly. "A tome. And with this, I can cast a spell."
Tomoe tilted his head, skepticism clear on his face. "A spell? To find the Servant?"
"Exactly," Shinji replied confidently, flipping the tome open and letting the pages flutter in the wind. "This is no ordinary book. It's imbued with magecraft, and while it's not exactly top-tier, it'll do the job."
Tomoe's eyes narrowed. "If you could do that, why didn't you use it yesterday?"
Shinji snapped the tome shut, his grin faltering just slightly. "I did," he admitted with a shrug. "But you got to her first."
"Oh," Tomoe muttered, feeling a bit foolish. Still, he couldn't help but wonder why Shinji hadn't been more effective.
Shinji pushed off the railing, stuffing the tome back into his jacket. "Anyway, I need some time to prepare. So let's split up here. Meet me at the alley where you saw the Servant tonight."
"Tonight?" Tomoe asked, a flicker of unease in his voice.
"Yeah, tonight," Shinji said with an almost reckless excitement. "We'll bring the fight to her. You know what they say—the battle goes to the bold."
Tomoe hesitated, his grip tightening around the strap of his bag. "Are you sure about this? She's dangerous."
Shinji's grin turned sharp. "Dangerous, yes. But so are we. You've got that Saber Card, don't you? Use it. Don't tell me you're planning to back out now."
Tomoe took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Understood. I'll be there."
"Good," Shinji said with finality, turning toward the stairwell. "Get ready. This isn't going to be easy."
As Shinji left, Tomoe stayed behind for a moment, the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. He had no idea what the night would bring, but one thing was clear: there was no turning back now. When he finally walked down the stairs, his resolve was set. He was going to face this head-on—even if it meant putting himself in harm's way.