Shinji Matou At Your Service

Chapter 298: Hidden Title

Tohsaka Tokiomi, a man who dedicated his life to reaching the "Root" by pursuing the Holy Grail, was a pure magus. Ironically, he did indeed touch the Holy Grail, but it was no longer the Grail he knew; it was filled with curses.

Angra Mainyu, All the World's Evils, manifested through the Holy Grail system, a conglomeration of malevolence, a contaminant far more terrifying than even the curse of the White Wing Lord, capable of destroying the human spirit and life with even the slightest touch.

Whether it was luck or misfortune, when Tokiomi touched it, the curse was gradually losing its potency and did not instantly take his mind and life. However, this did not mean the curse had failed; it merely changed an immediate death sentence into a slow, lingering one.

In the following days, Tokiomi's body weakened day by day, like a terminally ill patient. His limbs grew weak, his vision blurred, and his organs began to fail, forcing him to rely on the technological devices he once scorned to sustain his life.

Even more tragic was that he was losing his magic circuits, losing his abilities as a magus. In the end, he couldn't even cast the most basic fireball spell, making the magecraft he had dedicated his life to seem like a cruel joke.

In March 1999, winter's tail finally receded, and the footsteps of new life approached. However, Tohsaka Tokiomi, who had entered the winter of his life, could not welcome this new beginning. His life, ravaged by the malignant curse, finally reached its end.

"It should be today."

Having been bedridden for half a month, Tokiomi felt an unexpected surge of vitality within him, knowing his time was running short. This final burst of energy was known as the "final flare," the last flicker of life like a candle in the wind.

Tokiomi struggled to sit up from his bed, an action that alarmed his ever-present, unwaveringly loyal, and uncomplaining wife, Aoi Tohsaka.

"Dear, what's—" Aoi quickly moved forward to assist him.

What a wonderful wife she is.

Feeling his wife's gentle touch, Tokiomi once again marveled in his heart.

His slightly regained strength enabled him to place his hands on his wife's, his scattered pupils beginning to refocus. "Call Rin for me; I have some things to say to you both. My time is short."

"Dear..."

Hearing Tokiomi's words, although Aoi had somewhat prepared herself mentally, it still felt like her world was collapsing.

"I'm sorry, Aoi."

Tokiomi gently held his wife's hand, warm drops of liquid falling — Aoi's tears.

"Go ahead."

"Alright." 

"Call Sakura too; I have some things to say to her as well." 

As Aoi turned to leave, Tokiomi added.

Aoi nodded, hurrying away with steps that belied her usual elegance.

◇◇◇

"Daddy!"

Rin, who had just entered her teenage years, rushed to Tokiomi's bedside, gripping her father's arm tightly.

"Rin, don't cry. We Tohsakas must always maintain composure and grace." Tokiomi placed his free hand on his daughter's head, gently stroking her hair.

"Got it, Daddy." Rin sniffled, trying to wipe away her tears, but they wouldn't stop.

"Good child," Tokiomi's face showed a trace of comfort. "After Daddy dies, you will inherit the Tohsaka family, you will protect Mommy, and you will fulfill the dreams that I and our ancestors could not complete. Although it's a bit early, Daddy believes that you can do it."

Everything that needed to be taught to Rin had been taught, and the magic circuits had been gradually transplanted into her over the past few years. The road ahead could only be walked by herself.

"I can do it, I definitely can do it," Rin said firmly, wanting to become as excellent a person as her father.

"Then Daddy can be at ease. If I could, I would like to see you grow up, become an outstanding magus, see you start a family, and see you bring new members to the Tohsaka household... Unfortunately, Daddy doesn't have that time. So, Aoi, please watch over Rin and Sakura, watch our children grow up for me."

Tokiomi seemed somewhat tired, his voice much lower. He struggled to lift his increasingly heavy eyelids, looking towards his wife who had returned at some point.

"I will, I will," Aoi said, hugging their daughter, her tears falling like broken pearls. "I will take good care of our children, take good care of our home."

"That's great—"

The pupils that had barely regained focus scattered again. In a daze, Tokiomi seemed to hear the approaching sound of death, but he could not fall asleep just yet. There were still people he wanted to see, and words he wanted to say.

"Daddy—"

A call that should be refused, yet he did not want to refuse, rang in his ears. In a daze, he saw a familiar strand of purple.

"Sakura, you're here," Tokiomi's lips moved, for the first time honestly facing the girl connected by blood yet not belonging to this family.

"Daddy, you will get better."

The girl with a tearful voice kept writing rune letters in the air.

URUZ, JERA, EIHWAZ, ANSUZ, WUNJO...

Sakura wrote all the runes related to healing and life that she could think of, but they could not delay the arrival of death.

"Don't waste your magic," Tokiomi shook his head at his youngest daughter. "Sakura, let me look at you, really look at you, even though I might not deserve it."

"No, no, Daddy is Daddy," Sakura denied while bringing her face close to Tokiomi's.

"Hearing you call me that is really nice. From now on, come back to see Mommy and Sister often."

Many might not believe it, but Tohsaka Tokiomi did love his children. His love was just too restrained and poorly expressed, making it seem cold. At the end of his life, he let go of his pride, let go of the image of a strict father, and said what was in his heart.

"I definitely will, and I will come back to see Daddy too. So, Daddy, you must get well soon."

Sakura turned her head, looking pleadingly at Kariya standing outside the door.

"Uncle, quickly call Sister Touko, she will have a way."

Kariya sighed, not answering, or perhaps this was his answer.

"Uncle!" Sakura urged.

"It's useless, Sakura. I know my own body."

Tokiomi squeezed out his last bit of strength, placing his hand on Sakura's head. This was the first and also the last time he did this for his youngest daughter.

The same went for his first and last request to his rival.

"Kariya, can I ask you one last thing?"

"Go ahead." The object of his long-held hatred and resentment was in such a situation, yet Kariya felt no joy, only sorrow, and emptiness.

"Sakura, I leave her to you—"

"You don't need to say it."

"—And also, take good care of Aoi and Rin!" 

Rin was still young, and Aoi couldn't support the family alone. The only person Tokiomi could think of to entrust them to was Kariya, who had defeated him. At least his feelings for Sakura, Rin, and Aoi were genuine. Compared to his family, a bit of a man's pride was worth losing.

Kariya was taken aback but ultimately said nothing more, only repeating, "You don't need to say it."

"Then I can be at ease... Aoi..."

"I'm here."

"...Rin..."

"Daddy."

"...Sakura..."

"Daddy."

Calling out to his family one last time, the man who had struggled for four years peacefully closed his eyes, his hands falling lifelessly.

Tohsaka Tokiomi died in peace.

Title: Tohsaka Tokiomi Dies Peacefully

PS: RIP Tokiomi...