Chapter 346: Are You Willing?

Chapter 346: Are You Willing?

"Sakura-chan, come here."

Hearing Shinji's call, Sakura glanced timidly at her mother and then at her father. Seeing no objection from her father, she cautiously walked over.

Seeing the girl's cautious demeanor, Shinji felt somewhat helpless. She was no longer his sister, her hair and eyes no longer that familiar shade of purple.

"Don't be afraid, I'm not a monster that eats people." Shinji tried hard to make his smile more friendly.

The girl blinked, and the tension on her face eased a bit.

Shinji secretly breathed a sigh of relief and spoke gently, "Let's continue our previous conversation. You asked why your sisters can't get along?"

"Yes, yes, sir, you said it was because of the similar personalities tend to clash." Talking about this topic immediately drew Sakura's attention.

"Don't call me sir, it makes me sound old. Just call me brother; I'm younger than your dad."

The moment he said this, Tokiomi's expression became strange. He thought, you hold yourself so high before me, but act like this with Sakura. Could it be that this guy has some special fetish, or does he just like to act young?

Regardless of the reason, Tokiomi didn't dare to refuse before Shinji showed any malice.

This time, however, Sakura didn't seek her biological parents' approval. She tilted her head, thought for a moment, and finally called out softly, "Brother."

Hearing this familiar address, Shinji squinted his eyes, as if he had returned to his world. He reached out, intending to stroke his sister's long hair as he used to.

"Good girl, Sakura-chan."

Unfortunately, this world was not the world he was born in, and Sakura was not his sister. The girl instinctively took two steps back, like a frightened little rabbit.

Shinji awkwardly retracted his hand and touched his nose. This scene made Tokiomi even more puzzled, but it reassured Aoi. With a woman's intuition, she could feel that the mysterious young man of unknown origin genuinely cared for Sakura.

Shinji wasn't the only one who noticed this; Tokiomi did too. Otherwise, he wouldn't be standing by, ready to intervene if necessary.

"Then, what should we do?" Sakura asked worriedly.

This was the question Shinji was waiting for. "At times like this, someone needs to calm them down, and you are the best person for the job."

"Me?"

"Yes, you!" Shinji affirmed. "With your sisters' talent and diligence, they will surpass your father and the elders of the Edelfelt family within ten years at most. Moreover, the elders can't look after them forever, but you can!"

"I can't. I'm not as outstanding as my sisters."

"No, you can."

Shinji, in contrast to his earlier gentle demeanor, pressed Sakura with urgency.

"Rin Tohsaka has forty main magic circuits, thirty auxiliary magic circuits, and possesses all five elements: earth, water, fire, wind, and void. Luvia Edelfelt has over a hundred magic circuits and the earth attribute. By magus standards, they are among the top hundred of their generation, indeed excellent."

"But you are no less impressive. You have forty-two main magic circuits, twenty-four auxiliary magic circuits, and the imaginary number element. You too are among the top hundred of your generation! You lack confidence and are too timid, which is why your sisters worry about you. Do you understand?"

"Answer me, Sakura-chan. Do you want things to continue like this? Do you want to watch your sisters fight until they're covered in wounds, while you can do nothing? Do you want to live your whole life under your sisters' wings?"

Shinji's imposing demeanor frightened Sakura, making her shrink back.

"I, I—"

"Raise your head, look at me, and answer my question—are you willing?"

Despite feeling a bit sorry, Shinji increased the pressure.