Shinji Matou at Your Service

After listening to Touko's narration, Shinji's heart was a mix of complex emotions, difficult to untangle.

There was a sense of relief, a kind of inexplicable sorrow, a lingering pity from past lives to the present, and of course, a genuine admiration for her.

He reached into Touko's coat pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, and took one out, only for her to snatch it back.

"You're not 16 yet, don't smoke."

"Just pretend you didn't see it this time. I suddenly really want one. One cigarette won't hurt."

Shinji took out another, casually drawing a flame rune.

"How about you join me? After all, I helped you get so much Dragon Smoke, and I don't even know what it tastes like."

"People who haven't smoked should avoid this kind; you might not like it."

Touko said, leaning towards the flame rune, taking a casual drag, and exhaling a puff of nicotine-laced smoke.

"No worries, there's always a first time."

Shinji mimicked her, finally succeeding after several tries, but ended up coughing hard from the strong smoke.

"I told you, you're not used to it."

"This is exactly what I wanted to feel, cough cough..."

Coughing, he continued taking big drags. Touko had never seen anyone smoke like this before; it wasn't out of bravado but seemed more like venting.

"Can't understand this..."

"Nothing change.?"

"Heh, true, you've always been strange."

And so, the two began puffing away together.

After finishing the cigarette, Shinji felt much calmer.

"What happened next?"

"After that, Akiha publicly announced that Makihisa had died of illness, took over as the head of the family, and handled Makihisa's funeral. After the rites, Akiha, as the new head, changed the family operations, moved out all non-direct relatives, and either dismissed or let some servants leave with the relatives. In the end, as you can see, the huge house now only has Akiha, and the two maids Kohaku and Hisui left, plus me, the tutor who refuses to leave."

At this point, Toukopaused deliberately, keeping Shinji in suspense.

"Aren't you going to ask why I refuse to leave?"

"No," Shinji shook his head, "The surface reasons are obvious. Makihisa entrusted you before he died, Akiha asked you, or perhaps she offered you an irresistible reward, or maybe it's to repair Miss Katou. But the core reason is just one: you find it interesting and don't want to leave. Am I right?"

"Right, not a single mistake."

A trace of helplessness reflected in OTouko's glasses, as Shinji had completely seen through her.

"The Tohno family has many members, and Akiha is only fifteen. Making such decisions right after taking over would inevitably cause a backlash. In fact, during this period, Akiha has been dealing with the relatives' accusations daily, with some extremists even trying to kill her and seize the head position. I've also been attacked several times, forcing me to have the not fully repaired Katou stand guard at night."

"I see, so that's why Akiha came so quickly last night. In that case, she should be given more compensation—though how to compensate depends on what those three ladies think. What do you think?"

"Akiha didn't say anything after Makihisa's death, and still kept Kohaku by her side, which says enough. Kohaku hasn't continued her revenge plan, but she hasn't completely let go either; she's somewhat wavering. As for Hisui, she's the hardest to deal with. Her heart has been closed off for too long. I've tried various methods, even using suggestion magic, but nothing has worked well. Maybe only when Kohaku truly lets go, will she let go too."

"I see, so the overall direction is good, but progress is slow, and it's currently at a stalemate."

"That's one way to put it."

"How about introducing an external force to break the deadlock?"

Shinji, with one hand on his chin and the other raising a finger, pointed outside, this gesture giving her an idea.

"External Force? You Mean Shiki?"

"Yeah, regardless of Shiki's true background, his current identity is as the eldest son of the Tohno family. Moreover—Mikiya told me—he doesn't lack attachment to the Tohno family and has often mentioned memories of playing with his sister and others."

Shinji lied again. Mikiya had never said anything about this, but all he needed was a convincing reason, so his information wouldn't seem too abrupt.

"This suggestion..."

Touko also held her chin, pondering, "Has a certain feasibility. No, it should be said that at this stage, it's the most suitable plan. I don't know what Shiki thinks, but I can be sure that Akiha's attachment to Shiki is no less than Sakura's to you. As for Kohaku and Hisui, let me think, they probably care about him as much as Fujino and Kirie do about you. Thinking this way, you indeed bear a heavy burden."

"Uh, we were talking about Shiki, how did this switch to me?"

"Nothing, just lamenting how like attracts like—you, Shiki, and Mikiya. Fate is truly a mysterious thing."

"It is very mysterious. I am grateful for fate, for letting me meet so many people important to me, and for letting me meet you."

Shinji straightened up, making a very earnest pose, as sincere as he could look. Unfortunately, Touko wasn't some naive little girl. Although her eyes briefly changed, she ultimately knocked him on the forehead.

"Say those words again when you grow taller, at least taller than me."

"Don't worry, it won't take many years before I surpass you. How I see you now, is how you'll see me in the future."

"So confident?"

"Absolutely confident. Justeaze can testify."

"Oh~"

Touko's voice rose as she lightly pushed her glasses, "Looks like something interesting happened during your travel this time."

"Yes, unforgettable for a lifetime. I'll discuss with Justeaze how much to say."

"Discuss with Justeaze? Hmm."

Although Shinji believed he acted normally, he felt Touko's gaze wasn't quite right. Still, he wasn't a greenhorn.

"Some things really can't be said, too many ties, just like this."

This sentence wasn't spoken aloud but imprinted directly into her consciousness.

"This is!!! You—"

"I've stepped into this realm too. Do I now qualify to walk alongside a future immortal like you? But be careful not to be left behind by me, seems like the soul isn't such a mysterious domain."

"You, you little rascal—"

Even someone as mature and wise as Touko couldn't stay calm, "Get out, I don't want to see you right now."

"Then I'll go discuss the compensation with Miss Akiha. Bye."

"Hurry up and go, you little rascal!"

Perhaps influenced by Shinji's will, Touko felt a bit dazed, the figure in her vision no longer seemed so small.

"Seems like he has grown a lot, shouldn't keep me waiting too long, right?"

Three years? Five years? Or ten years?

By then, she shouldn't be old yet.

PS: Touko is forever Seventeen.