"Welcome home, Shirou," A woman spoke.

She had long snow-white hair, tied into a single ponytail that draped over her right shoulder. Her crimson eyes were large and bright, with the corners slightly upturned. Her skin was fair, her features delicate, her figure slender, like that of a model.

Sella, the head maid of the Einzbern family.

In the world of the Fourth Holy Grail War, Emiya had also once crossed paths with Sella, at that time, she had been Irisviel's guard.

But here, the clothes Sella wore were not the Einzbern maid uniform, but instead ordinary housewife attire: an off-white jacket, simple indoor wear underneath, and a pair of light gray fitted long pants. She wore an apron, the base color was rose-red, decorated with bright yellow patterns.

Sella possessed excellent magical circuits; whether in number or in quality, they were considered top class. Even among high-level magi, she was outstanding, capable of efficiently performing all sorts of complex magecraft.

Although her strength was not enough to directly participate in battles between Servants, when facing magi of the Lord class from the Clock Tower, she was more than capable of acting as a qualified support in combat.

Taking the "first-rate" magus Tokiomi Tohsaka, whom Emiya had met, as the baseline, Sella's magical circuits were far superior to Tokiomi's.

However, she was slightly lacking in technique and real combat experience, without Tokiomi's precise control of magical energy or his deep, inherited accumulation of knowledge.

Overall, their strength was roughly on par.

Sella possessed the combat power of a "first-rate" magus, no matter the world.

Yet, here, Sella had completely shed her edge as a "magus," blending entirely into the Emiya household's daily life.

Now, she was simply the Einzbern maid, Illya's educational caretaker. Serious, nagging, and doting on Illya to the extreme.

Emiya Shirou hung his shoulder bag on the stand in the entryway, turned around, and said to Sella, "Today was the school sports meet, so classes ended earlier than usual… Illya hasn't come back yet?"

"Not yet," Sella stood to the side, raising her hands to take Shirou's jacket and folding it neatly, "Illya had a study meeting with her friends today. She might come back a little late."

Illya was ten this year, attending elementary school, and had several close friends in her class.

The little girls often gathered together. In name, it was a "study meeting," but in reality, halfway through it usually turned into a tea party or playtime.

"A study meeting, huh…", Shirou nodded, then said, "Sella-neesan, let me cook dinner today."

Hearing this, Sella folded her arms, her brows slightly furrowing, a trace of displeasure flashing in her crimson eyes.

She straightened her slender frame, "Shirou, you're doing it again. Cooking is my responsibility."

Sella was a workaholic, and she took household chores very seriously. She often felt dissatisfied when Shirou personally cooked or did chores, thinking he was taking her work away.

Shirou chuckled lightly and said, "I just want you to try the food I make."

"Eh?", Sella froze for a moment.

The light fell across her cheeks, casting a faint blush.

Normally, when Shirou tried to take the cooking job from her, his excuses were always things like "I think you're working too hard" or "I just like doing chores."

This was the first time she had heard him say it this way. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Her fingers unconsciously pinched at the edge of her apron, and she said instinctively, "Shirou-sama… please try to understand my position."

Even though Shirou and Illya both treated her as an "older sister," Sella herself never forgot her identity as the Einzbern maid.

Shirou thought for a moment as he looked at her, "In that case, let's do it together."

"T… together?"

"Yeah. If you help me with the ingredients, things will go much faster. Of course, it can work the other way around too."

The Emiya household's kitchen was indeed large enough for two people to work together.

Sella pursed her lips slightly, "Alright… since you put it that way."

Then, Shirou pulled a silver keychain from his pocket and held it out to her, "Sella-neesan, this is for you."

Sella looked down. Hanging from the metal ring was a little figure about the size of two thumbs.

The figure's design was delicate and cute. The single white ponytail over the shoulder, the crimson eyes, and the slender frame were all skillfully carved.

At a glance, she recognized it. It was a chibi version of herself.

After today's sports meet ended, Shirou had helped Issei Ryuudou carry things into the student council storage room, where he found some discarded iron practice swords from the kendo club.

Seeing them collecting dust in the storeroom, Shirou picked them up, melted them down, and casually molded them into a few little figurines.

Looking at the lifelike, adorable little figure, Sella was momentarily stunned. Meanwhile, having gained the maid's approval, Shirou walked toward the kitchen, skillfully tied on an apron, washed his hands, and then began expertly pulling ingredients from the fridge.

These were things he and Sella had bought at the market a few days ago.

Soon, the sounds of chopping and running water filled the kitchen.

After standing dazed for a moment, Sella quickly washed her hands and joined him.

As Shirou sorted through the remaining ingredients, he said, "We've got carrots, chicken, onions, eggs… how about oyakodon for dinner?" [T/N: Oyakodon, you say? 😏]

Sella nodded, "Mm, that works."

She first glanced again at the little figure in her hand, then looked up at Shirou's busy back. After a pause, she murmured softly, "…Shirou."

"You really are dangerous. I'll have to keep you away from Miss Illya."

"Eh? Why?"

———

"Onii-chan, I'm home~", A lively voice rang from the doorway.

Silver-white hair shimmered softly under the setting sun, crimson eyes sparkled like jewels, and her fair, tender skin and delicate features were as exquisite as an expensive doll.

Her petite figure matched her ten years of age. Slender limbs and round cheeks together radiated an undeniable cuteness, like a fairy stepping out of a storybook.

Her expression overflowed with carefree joy, giving the impression that "she must have always been loved by everyone, living a happy life."

And indeed, that was the truth.

"Welcome back, Illya. Dinner's ready," Shirou's voice called from the kitchen.

Illya kicked off her shoes and happily ran into the house.

Wearing an apron, Shirou stepped out of the kitchen, sleeves rolled up with a few damp spots still clinging to them, carrying the faint fragrance of rice. Just as he set down a steaming dish, a blur of white pounced on him.

"Onii-chan~", Illya buried herself into Shirou's chest like a soft little kitten, rubbing against him with dependence.

Shirou lifted a hand and gently ruffled her hair, "What's wrong, Illya?"

Illya lifted her face, her rosy cheeks tinged with pink, lips curling into a cute smile, "Nothing. I just missed you."

From behind Shirou, a sharp, needle-like glare quietly descended. Sella stood with her hands on her hips, coldly staring at the boy.

"Ahem!", Shirou set Illya down, "Alright, go wash up first, then it's time to eat."

———

At the table, Sella looked at the girl across from her, Liz(Leysritt), whose appearance resembled her own by about seventy percent, and sighed, "Liz, you spent the whole day watching TV again, didn't you?"

"Mm," Liz nodded, her tone flat.

Sella frowned and continued scolding, "And before dinner, you ate so many snacks. Aren't you worried about getting fat?"

"It's fine," Liz answered expressionlessly, then slightly puffed her chest to show off her impressive figure.

"I have a nutrient storage system," The emotionless girl stated in her monotone voice.

"Guh!", Sella, seeing Liz's confident posture, let out a stifled groan. Almost instinctively, she covered her flat chest, as if it were faintly aching.

In theory, Sella and Liz were "sisters." Yet for some reason, their bust sizes were worlds apart. [T/N: As a matter of fact, Liz has the biggest chest in the entire series. It is written in the Type-Moon wiki.]

Like Sella, Liz was also Illya's caretaker. But her personality was lazier, absent-minded, and at the same time, she possessed outstanding combat ability.

Her strength and speed ranked around B. With a bit of effort, she could contend with Ms. Moriyama Natsumi. In other words, she was an imitation Servant created by the Einzberns.

At this point, Shirou pulled a small figurine from his pocket and handed it to Liz, "Liz, this is for you."

Sella glanced over, thinking to herself, "So Liz has one too."

Liz accepted the figure, looked down at it briefly, then looked up and said flatly, "Thank you, Shirou."

She paused, "I like you, Shirou…"

"Eh?", Sella and Illya cried out at the same time in shock. Illya even slapped the table and stood straight up.

"…as family," Liz continued in her utterly calm tone, completely oblivious to their surprise.

"Geez! Don't make such a big deal out of it!", Illya let out a breath of relief and sat back down.

Her gaze immediately shifted to Shirou, sparkling with expectation.

Shirou smiled, then pulled another chibi figure from his pocket and handed it to her, "Of course I have one for you too, Illya."

Illya took it, examined it closely, and her face instantly blossomed with a radiant smile, "It's so cute! Thank you, Shirou!"

She happily held the figure to her chest as if it were a priceless treasure.

Seeing Illya's excitement as she played with the figure, the corners of Sella's mouth curved up unconsciously. As long as Illya was happy, warmth welled up in her heart.

But at the same time, her feelings were complicated. She looked at Illya's figure, then glanced down at her own slightly smaller one, thinking to herself, 'As expected, Illya's is the best.'

Though all the figures were of the same level of craftsmanship, equally detailed, the one Shirou gave Illya was clearly a size bigger.

After dinner, Illya swung her legs in satisfaction, "Tonight's dinner was delicious. Was it Sella who made it?"

Sella smiled, "Shirou did."

Liz leaned lazily against her chair, "I knew it."

Sella's eyes narrowed, "And what do you mean by that?"

"Sella's cooking never has that much meat or seasoning. The taste is plain," Liz said bluntly.

"That's for your health. Every meal I make is carefully calculated for calories and nutrition, ensuring a balanced diet," Sella frowned, speaking seriously.

"All that calorie-counting just makes you age faster," Liz added, "Sella, are your wrinkles multiplying?"

Thunk!

Sella's fist landed squarely on Liz's head with a sharp crack.

As always, their bickering ended with the diligent older sister physically disciplining the slacker younger sister.

Meanwhile, Shirou and Illya wordlessly watched the television, in silent agreement to ignore the quarrel.

On the screen, the news anchor spoke solemnly and steadily, ["This afternoon, a major fire broke out at the city's largest chemical company."]

The scene shifted to the site. Thick smoke billowed upward, blackened steel frames twisted toward the sky, and firefighters in protective gear busily wove through the ruins.

The anchorwoman reappeared, her tone grave, ["Investigations show the company had been using outdated equipment to produce hazardous chemicals, posing immense risks to workers' safety. Moreover, the company had long discharged untreated industrial wastewater directly into the sea, sparking multiple protests from nearby fishermen."]

["This afternoon, during the disaster, the entire executive board was visiting the plant. The aging equipment leaked, quickly escalating into a fire. Rescue efforts are still ongoing. Most of the regular employees have been saved, but experts say the chances of survival for the rest are very low…"]

Hearing this news report, Sella and Liz stopped fighting, both watching the screen seriously. Shirou let out a quiet sigh, "How frightening."

———

The bathroom was filled with a light mist, warm steam rising in the air.

Illya reclined against the edge of the bath, her silver hair damp, falling over her shoulders, droplets clinging to the tips and sliding down with her movements.

The warm water streamed over her pale, tender arms, her skin flushed faintly red, glowing softly in the haze.

Her little feet pressed against the bottom of the tub, toes curling slightly. Illya brushed back her wet bangs with her hand, letting out a soft sigh of comfort.

"Illya, do you need me to scrub your back?", Sella's voice called from outside the bathroom.

Illya answered loudly, "No need~"

In the tub, one of her legs lifted, a delicate, jade-like foot breaking the water's surface.

"Being together with everyone is really happiness," Illya murmured softly, a small smile at her lips.

At that instant, in her gemlike crimson eyes flickered a trace of something ancient and profound, heavy with endless time.

Illya rose from the bath, sat at the edge, her slender legs swaying, toes tapping the water lightly, sending ripples across the surface.

Her silver-white hair, dripping wet, clung to her shoulders and back, glimmering faintly.

She casually swept her damp hair aside, fingertips gliding through the strands, the motion carrying a languid elegance.

As graceful and noble as a goddess.

Meanwhile, brilliant lights flashed across the night sky, accompanied by deep rumbling. Above the Emiya household, it looked as if a fireworks display was unfolding.

But it was not real fireworks, it was the dazzling clash of magical bombardments.

"Luvia! Why are you attacking me? This was supposed to be a joint mission!", Tohsaka Rin's voice echoed in the sky.

"O-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho—", Luvia's laugh was elegant and confident. She floated in the air, her golden hair streaming in the night wind, "This task from the master is one I can complete alone. Tohsaka Rin, lacking elegance and refinement, you'd best step aside."

The two magi clashed in the sky, their radiant light reflecting down on the quiet streets below, illuminating the outline of the Emiya home's rooftop.

Illya's crimson eyes turned to a dazzling silver, like the brightest star in the night sky.

She slowly raised her hand and spoke calmly, "Wand, come."