Shinji Matou at Your Service-Chapter 1093: Interlude · Sakura · Fate

The word "fate" is mysterious and without a clear origin. This phrase couldn't be more fitting when applied to Matou Sakura.

Looking back now, the young girl still smiles knowingly, feeling a bit perplexed.

That year, she was five years old, still an innocent child. For reasons beyond her comprehension, her father adopted her into a new family. Her young heart was filled with unease.

In this new home, there was no warmth like before. The relationships between people were cold and distant. The so-called grandfather and father no longer cared about her after the adoption ceremony, leaving her alone in this unfamiliar house, confused and helpless.

At that time, someone entered her life—the only exception in the household: Matou Shinji, a boy one year older than her, who was about to become her brother.

With a sunny smile, so different from the gloomy atmosphere of the house, he said to her:

"From today on, you're my little sister, and I'm your big brother."

"From now on, I'll protect you."

Who would take the words of a six-year-old seriously? Certainly not five-year-old Sakura. Even if her sixteen-year-old self were to go back in time, she probably wouldn't believe it either.

After all, they had only just met, with no prior connection. Why would he go to such lengths just because of a nominal sibling relationship?

But soon, Sakura realized she was wrong. That boy, her brother, Matou Shinji, truly meant it.

From the very first night in her new home, he protected her from that monstrous grandfather.

That bright silver flash cut through the overwhelming swarm of worms, shattering the despair threatening to engulf her. It left an indelible mark on the young girl's heart.

And that was only the beginning.

For the next eleven years, he never broke his promise.

She found the house gloomy—he cleaned it thoroughly, ridding it of the musty, rotten smell.

She found the house cold and unfeeling—he worked hard to bring people closer together, making the house truly warm.

She missed her sister and mother—he cleverly created opportunities for them to meet.

Before she realized it, all the things that made her anxious were swept away, and she was even happier than she had been before.

After she grew older, she once asked him why he had been so kind to her.

The answer was always the same: "Because you're my sister. It's only natural for a brother to take care of his little sister."

That same ridiculous, even somewhat perfunctory, and unbelievable reason.

But after one year, two years, and after he kept it up year after year—could it still be considered perfunctory and laughable?

To this day, Sakura still doesn't fully understand what her brother was thinking at the beginning, but she no longer tries to. Fate is something inherently difficult to understand, and besides, with a brother who holds her in such high regard, what is there to be dissatisfied with?

Well... if she had to mention one thing, it's that her brother wasn't just kind to her—he was kind to other girls as well.

It seemed like he had a habit of encountering girls with tragic fates, and every time he met one, he would save her and bring her home. Sakura couldn't even complain because the stories of those girls' lives were so heartbreaking that even she felt sorry for them.

But still...

It would be nice if her brother only cared for her.

She had whispered this wish countless times over the years.

At first, it was because of a child's desire to have something all to herself. As she grew older, it evolved into a feeling that went beyond that of a sibling—a feeling that transcended the boundaries of brother and sister.

Girls tend to mature earlier than boys. Around the later years of elementary school, their conversations shifted from new clothes and dolls to topics of love and relationships.

Some bold girls even started dating, and as they grew older, some took things further.

Whenever her classmates or friends talked about such things, Sakura would nod along on the surface, but inwardly, she felt proud.

Your boyfriends? Do they even compare to my brother?

Handsome? Is he more handsome than my brother?

Gentle and considerate? Is he more gentle and considerate than my brother?

Spoils you? That's because you haven't seen how much my brother spoils me.

Getting excited over a gift? My brother has given me enough gifts to fill an entire room.

The more she compared, the more Sakura realized how exceptional Shinji was.

Anything a boyfriend could do, her brother could do.

Anything a boyfriend couldn't do, her brother could still do.

Anything a boyfriend could give, her brother could give.

And anything a boyfriend couldn't give, her brother could still give.

Thus, the concept of "boyfriend < brother" became deeply rooted in Sakura's mind.

If she wasn't going to marry anyone, then she would marry her brother. That way, she could stay by his side forever. After all, they weren't related by blood, so there was no ethical issue.

But achieving this dream would not be easy.

The elders in their family had noticed her feelings, but they wouldn't interfere. However, the other girls who were in the same position as her? That was another story.

Asakami Fujino, Kirie Fujou, later Arcueid, and the enigmatic Lorelei—they were all her competitors.

Each one of them was remarkable, and each one had a deep connection with her brother.

Could she win against them in this competition?

Even if she did win and married her brother, could she guarantee that he wouldn't continue his relationship with them? That nothing would happen between them?

Probably not. Setting aside the uncertain ones, even the two sisters she had been close to for a long time would make it impossible.

Just like her, their feelings for her brother were a complex mix of familial love, friendship, and romantic affection—a deep and unwavering bond, almost like a religion.

She had once overheard Fujino whisper:

"Whether I can become his wife doesn't matter. As long as I can stay by his side, that's enough. Hmm, maybe it's too much to ask, but I hope we can have two children together—a boy who looks like him, and a girl who's prettier than me."

How pitiful, Sakura thought, but she had to admit it was the truth.

Fujino, who had the most tragic past, was the one who saw things most clearly.

This man was greedy when it came to emotions, yet he was also a coward. He didn't want to let go of any of them, but he couldn't openly admit it, so he just dragged things out, leaving the choice to the girls.

This man could give you everything—except the love you longed for.

No, perhaps he could give you that love as well—he just couldn't give it to you alone.

If you didn't want to fall deeper, you had to pull yourself out.

If you couldn't bear to leave, you had to accept reality.

Pull out? Sakura couldn't do it, because she was the first to fall in love with him.

Accept reality? She wasn't quite ready to give in.

She hadn't yet decided what to do.

But she had made one decision long ago.

Once she figured it out and was ready, she would muster her courage, walk up to him, hold his arm, and say, "Brother, I love you."

Until then, she would continue to play the role of the little sister.

Whether as a sister, a lover, a wife, or a mistress, she would always be the one who loved him the most.

Anyone who wanted to hurt him?

Fine, step over her dead body first!