The boy's name was Shinji Matou.
A native of Fuyuki, he was seven years old, the same age as Shirou.
Fuyuki City, where they lived, could be divided into two areas based on its architecture.
This side was called Miyama Town, an old district with a long history, home to ordinary residents.
Across the river lay the other part of the city, Shinto, a newly developing area undergoing rapid expansion.
The Matou family mansion stood on a hill in Miyama Town.
Locally, it was quite well known in Fuyuki—a lavish Western-style estate that clashed sharply with the surrounding old streets.
Even in broad daylight, it gave off an eerie, unsettling presence, and the inside was said to be completely dark.
Over time, all kinds of unpleasant rumors began to spread in the neighborhood.
At night, people claimed they could hear insects crawling across the ground around the mansion.
Some even said that vampires from foreign lands lived inside.
"So, are you a vampire?"
Standing atop the park's climbing frame, Shirou looked out at the sun sinking below the city skyline as he asked.
"!"
Shinji Matou's eyes went wide. He shook his head frantically, then lowered his gaze and spoke in a small, uncertain voice.
"No… probably not."
Shirou raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you so unsure?"
"I don't really know…" Shinji Matou mumbled.
Sounds like there's some complicated family situation, Shirou thought.
"Do vampires really exist in this world?"
"I don't know."
"What about fairies?"
"Huh? Fairies? I… don't know."
"Is there a public restroom nearby?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't you know anything?"
"Ugh… I just don't know!"
Shinji Matou looked like he was on the verge of tears.
To anyone passing by, it would've looked like the red-haired boy was bullying the purple-haired one.
"Alright."
Shirou jumped down from the three-meter-high climbing frame, leaving Shinji Matou staring in shock.
"What's with you? You're a guy, right? Why can't you speak up?"
"I-it's not necessary… You can hear me just fine."
Oh? Talking back now. At least he's got a bit of spine.
Shirou glanced at him, and Shinji immediately stumbled back several steps in fright.
A bit of spine, but not much.
"Who were those people picking on you earlier?"
Shinji replied, "Classmates from school."
School—a place where children go to learn.
In truth, Shirou wasn't completely ignorant of this world, even though he had only lived in it for seven years.
On the fairy island "Faerie Britain," treasures known as "Floatsams" would occasionally appear, things like crafted items, books… and even Shirou Amamiya himself.
They all drifted in from this world.
Through the books among those "Floatsams," Shirou had picked up a small amount of knowledge about the human world.
"Were you being bullied by the other kids, and your parents didn't do anything about it?"
Shirou didn't have parents, so he wasn't really sure…
But parents protecting their children should be common sense in this world.
"I didn't tell Dad…" Shinji said.
"Why?"
Shinji Matou bit his lip and fell silent again.
Seeing his expression, Shirou understood immediately. "Hmph. What a strange sense of pride."
With his thoughts exposed so directly, Shinji Matou flushed. "You… why are you helping me?"
If he had to explain it, this boy named Shinji Matou had something about him that reminded Shirou of Barghest… a quality that made it impossible to just ignore him.
Rather than inspiring a protective instinct, it was more like frustration at his refusal to stand up for himself.
Of course, Shirou would never admit that. He shrugged it off.
"Don't think too much about it. I wasn't trying to help you. I just didn't like the look of them, so I stuck my nose in."
Shinji paused. "Aren't you afraid of retaliation? They'll come after you too."
"So what, I'm supposed to just keep putting up with it because I'm scared of payback? That'll only make them more arrogant."
From the history of the fairies, Shirou had learned one thing: weakness never earns sympathy. Only strength earns respect.
The strongest fairy in "Britannia" was Wryneck, a typical noble fairy who delighted in bullying the weak and treated humans like dirt.
At first, he had looked down on Shirou Amamiya as well.
But as Shirou grew stronger and proved himself, Wryneck began to regard him as a worthy opponent.
"When it comes to people who bully you, you have to hit back harder."
Shirou grabbed Shinji's shoulder and spoke in a lecturing tone, imitating someone he was familiar with.
"If it's a guy, beat him up. If it's a girl, take her. Do that, and no one will dare bully you again."
Whenever the Sage Grímr tried to drill this kind of nonsense into Shirou, Morgan would always appear behind him and punch him straight into the ground.
But that person was no longer here.
For Shirou, there was nothing left he cared about anymore… which meant he was invincible.
"Ugh… ugh…"
Shinji Matou was shaken by Shirou's overwhelming presence. Whether he fully understood or not, he nodded rapidly, half-understanding at best.
"I—I get it!"
"Good. As long as you understand. Not bad, kid. You've got some talent."
Shirou gave Shinji a firm pat on the shoulder and turned away.
In the glow of the setting sun, the purple-haired boy watched the red-haired boy walk off, his eyes shining.
Today would undoubtedly become a day Shinji Matou would never forget…
Shirou Amamiya suddenly stopped and turned back.
"Shinji."
"Y-yes! What is it?"
"I don't have anywhere to stay right now. Can I crash at your place for a few days?"
...
Shirou followed Shinji up a long slope.
At the top stood an extremely luxurious Western-style mansion.
Even in "Britannia," only the highest-ranking noble fairies could live in a villa like that.
"Oh, that's your house? Pretty impressive. Doesn't look like a haunted house at all."
"That's the Tohsaka Family."
"My house is this way…" Shinji said awkwardly, pointing to another mansion on the hillside.
In terms of size and luxury, it was no less grand than the one above, yet somehow it felt strangely inconspicuous.
The sun hadn't even set yet, yet the interior was pitch black.
The lighting was terrible, the curtains were tightly drawn, and there were barely any lights on at all.
Yeah… it really does look like a vampire's house, Shirou thought.
"I'll go talk to Dad. Amamiya, wait in the living room."
"Alright."
After giving a few instructions, Shinji quickly ran upstairs.
On the way here, Shinji had proudly said that his father was the head of the Matou family.
As long as Dad agreed, staying here wouldn't be a problem.
If only it were that simple, Shirou thought as he sat down.
The living room was just as dim.
Shirou's eyes could adjust to darkness faster than most, but at that moment…
A chill suddenly crawled up the back of his neck, and he turned his head.
"Heh… impressive. To think you could sense this old man. The younger generation truly is formidable."
In the darkness, the sound of insects began to echo.
An old man, hunched like a mass of black crystal, stood there silently.