As all of you know, I'm a man of my word and I never forget what I owe to others, regardless of the nature of the debt.
As such, it's shameful to consider that I promised Shirou a teacher for his magecraft a while back and still haven't made any actual progress towards fulfilling it.
But, it's always been at the back of my mind and today's the day I finally get him one.
Rin Tohsaka arrived in Fuyuki a day or two ago after Kirei drove her funding into the ground and hasn't left her home since if the feed from my drones is all good, which it is, because I designed them and I never mess up.
Anyway, she's a complete brokie at the moment and I'm sure even you can see how a pleb could use that to his advantage.
I cast one final glance at the grey cloudy sky before taking a deep breath and kicking open the iron side gate of the Tohsaka compound, "I guess she can't afford security."
Though, if the Tohsaka are worth even a fraction of their reputation, there's enough Bounded Fields around this Western-style mansion to hold back a military attack... including alarm fields that have already told her I'm here.
I fixed the collar of my white dress shirt and put on my trademarked innocent shota smile before walking up to the dark wooden double doors of the manse and giving them a few gentle knocks, "Cortana, record this whole conversation for collateral."
I am SO gonna mess with her a few years down the line if she ever agrees to the 'deal' I have for her today.
"Understood. Additionally, I doubt there will be much danger but... shall I prepare countermeasures just in case?"
Out of all the traits she could've adopted from humans, she decided on sassiness.
I love it.
Though, it's hitting a bit too close to home since my mother had the same definitive trait.
Lady had all her in-laws by the balls with dirt and sass.
"Nope, like you said, she isn't doing anything." I dismissed her with a wave of my hand.
Before you start ranting about how I'm underestimating her too much, she's 12.
You could argue I'm the same age but I'm literally HIM, I beat all the allegations and doubts with weapons of mass destruction.
The next thing on my agenda is a literal space station to mobilise said weapons and pull an exterminatus on the non-believers... she can not compare.
Cope.
Seethe.
Mald.
Your waifu is shi-
The door opened to reveal a dark haired girl a few inches taller than myself, wearing her usual red sweater with the white cross on it and a black skirt.
She stared at me for a few seconds and... seemed slightly frightened?
Why though?
"M-Matou."
"Just Shinji, I'm Russian so none of that stuff with the first names."
"Right..." She relaxed a bit, still holding the door, "What do you want?"
Hm, is that tea I smell?
Hehehe-
"The question is..." I put my hands together like a shady salesman, "What do YOU want?"
Rin looked at me weirdly, clearly unable to handle the sheer kindness radiating off my person, "Um, I don't understand."
Alright boys, time for a lesson.
If you're negotiating with someone, never let them find out that they have something you absolutely need.
Always act like you have a second and a third option, even if you don't.
Establish a higher ground with nothing but sheer nonchalance at the prospect of a deal if you don't have any other chips.
...And always remember to beat the other person down if you sense any sign of uncertainty.
"I see you still haven't learnt any manners." I put my hands behind my back and regarded her with disappointed eyes, "You're not going to invite a guest in? Again?"
She narrowed her eyes at my words and answered sharply, "I don't need to invite you in."
"I expected from the Tohsaka head." I flashed her a harmless smile, "Baseless hostility is unbecoming of someone from such a prestigious background."
One of Rin's major weaknesses is her need to prove herself, and to show that the Tohsaka are amazing and all that.
"..."
I can practically see the gears in her head running on overtime to find a comeback.
Dear Rin, you're never beating me in that department so just give in.
Relenting, she sighed and backed away, "I... apologise for my manners. Come in."
I smiled victoriously, following after her as she led me through a corridor and into a rather large room with a design you'd expect from old money.
There were paintings of old men and places on the beige walls with windows between them that had maroon drapes over them.
There was one of those old pendulum clocks clicking to the side.
Oh, and mahogany sofas around a recently lit fireplace, can't forget that.
Wouldn't be old money without one of those.
And yes, I smelled right earlier.
She was making tea for... herself.
"You won't offer me tea?" I asked politely and plopped down on the biggest sofa like I owned the place, crossing one leg over the other.
Realisation flashed in Rin's eyes... but she reeled it in with clenched fists and gritted teeth, "Yes, of course."
Dear Rin, next time, don't look so murderous when you're trying to pass off as nonchalant.
She stomped away as I snickered just loud enough that she could hear me before throwing back my head, "I hope you'll be more mindful next time."
It's fun to be able to mess with kids without somebody calling you a dick for it.
I passed the time she took to come back by judging the architecture.
And no, I'm not being an ass.
I'm helping her.
Being in the position she is, she'll have to deal with much more obnoxious and self-absorbed people down the line.
With me, she can practise before going out to face the world.
This is definitely not an excuse for me to fuck with her.
Yes, my intentions are pure and selfless.
Rin put a ceramic cup on the table next to me before sitting down on the chair nearest to the fireplace, "So, what made you pay me a visit?"
"Firstly, welcome back."
She nodded, "Thank you."
"Secondly..." I sat up and took the cup she put down, "I've come to lear-...ah screw it, I don't like the way the posh dicks at the Clock Tower talk so I'm just gonna talk normally. You can drop it too, I know you don't like it either."
It's posh cunt talk and I don't like it since my visit fully proved that
Rin studied my expression for a bit before letting out a relieved sigh, "Thank God, I've had it up to here with the way they talk."
Maybe it's the similarity in age or she's actually smart enough to understand I see through her.
"I hear you."
I couldn't handle it for two days, she's dealt with it for years, "Anyway, a blonde gorilla told me you were poor."
"Blonde gorill-... Luviagelita." She put two and two together a little too fast for my liking, "She just can't keep her mouth shut. Yeah, that's true. So what?"
I gotta say, I like this version way better.
"I have a business opportunity."
"I don't have the capital." She shot me down instantly.
Fine, I'll word it properly.
I took a sip from my tea before speaking bluntly, "I have a mutually beneficial offer."
"Which is...?"
"I need you to be a tutor."
It may not seem like it but Rin Tohsaka is definitively one of the most talented magi of the current time period, with an elemental affinity for all five natural elements, ties with the Second True Magician and a significant name.
...Not as significant as the Matou name but still, influential enough.
Rin tilted her head at my words, visibly confused, "I don't get it."
What's so hard to understand about this?
"I... I don't like it but Luviagelita is about as good as I am." She explained further, noticing my own confusion, "And you knocked her over the head so hard she can't stop talking about you..."
Yeah, that chick is coo-coo.
Here's hoping I never have to deal with her again.
"I doubt I can teach you anything."
Oh.
...Well, I'm insulted that she thinks I'd want to associate myself with magi.
Shirou better be grateful for this.
"Not for me, for a friend." I shot down the misunderstanding without hesitation, "And I'll pay you for your time."
This seemed to surprise her more than before for some reason.
Rin, stop looking at me like I'm an alien.
I have feelings too.
"What?"
"Well..." She averted her gaze, "I was just surprised that a magus would..."
Oh yeah, most of these guys don't even have that word in their dictionary.
"So how about it? You're short on cash so it's a good idea, right?"
This way, my adorable little sister also gets to have some more closure and move past the hell that her life was till Shinjiberg came around.
No, I'm not being overprotective.
Screw you.
Your opinion doesn't matter.
"How much?" Rin asked after a bit of pondering, looking at me with serious eyes and clenched fists.
Haha, I love desperate people.
I didn't even mess around and just gave it to her straight.
"Thirty grand, US dollars."
Money isn't a problem for me anymore, and if I can solve a problem by throwing money at it, I will.
Rin pursed her lips and held up her fingers, doing the math until the realisation that she was broke as fuck dawned on her along with the realisation that I had more money that she could think of.
"T...That's more than the average yearly salary."
Why do you look so taken aback?
Truly, Rin Tohsaka is a brokie.
I doubt I need to say what I'm gonna say next but it'll be funny so I'm doing it anyway.
"Oh you thought I meant for a year? I meant monthly."
I swear to God if her jaw fell any lower it'd touch the ground.
"H-How much money do you even have?"
I smiled like an angel, "I get by."
Hmm... I feel rich as hell.
Whoever said money isn't everything was full of shit and needs to get reality checked.
"What? Considering proposing?" It's not outlandish considering how people think these days, especially magi, who marry for influence and magecraft... Wait... fuck...
Of course if she says yes I'm shooting it down.
I already have a hot mommy waiting for me at home.
"W-Who the hell wants to marry you?!"
You know, I'd be a lot happier if you weren't looking like a tomato.
Let's just shoot this down before it gets out of hand, "Besides, this way you can get in contact with Sakura again."
"I-I..."
Oh, fuck me.
"That's not what I meant..." I pinched my nose and let out a sigh, "If you agree to the tutorship, you'll be able to see Sakura too. I can't deprive her of a sister... She practically begged me to not take revenge on you for thinking she was having a good time with my grandfather."
"She... what?" Rin murmured, holding a clenched fist over her chest.
Yes, conveniently ignore the part where I said I considered ruining your life.
"The most I can do is make it so you see each other." I put down my cup, "The rest will have to come from you."
She stayed silent for a long time before giving me a small, hesitant nod, "Thank you... I'll... tutor your friend."
Lesson two of negotiation, put something on the table that THEY desperately need.
The more emotionally critical it is, the better.
"You know... for a family head... you're too nice."
What?
"Fuck off."
I'm not considerate.
I'm a mad genius.
My concern only furthers my own interests.
Rin let out a small giggle for some reason, "Thank you."
Stupid kid.
-
Hope you enjoyed.
Be sure to check out Fate/World. Those two chaps have like 6k word between them so I'm not deleting allat.