The Eve Before the War

「Sadao Maou: So there's really whole worlds out there.」

「Manaka Emiya: Speaking of, I do remember onii-chan once read a book about an isekai.」

「Sadao Maou: You know something about it?」

「Manaka Emiya: I think so, yeah. Though it was a book someone left behind in the archery club, so he had to return it the following day. But if I remember correctly, the title was Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.」

「Gintoki Sakata: You mean it's a light novel?」

「Manaka Emiya: If my guess is right, then that should be it.」

「Teresa: Can anyone care to explain what is this, light novel, you speak of? And what is an isekai?」

「Tatsuya Shiba: It mainly comprise of young adult novels targeted towards high school students. Isekai, on the other hand, refers to a genre of literature that heavily uses the troupe of a person getting reincarnated into another world. By the way, how much do you know about it, Manaka?」

「Manaka Emiya: Not much, I just gleamed some bits of pieces on the novel. All I know is that this demonic beast can release a fog that can erase anyone's memories regarding its victim. Beyond that though and I'm clueless...」

Manaka scratched her head in embarrassment as she realized what she had done didn't offer much help. It was something she only happened to see in passing, and so she didn't give much thought into it back then. But if she knew it was going to be this important, she would've at least skimmed through it to find out crucial events.

Although it could be possible to look through the novel on the internet right now, their lifestyle largely followed their late father's. Manaka and her brother grew up without being exposed to the internet, which means she is just as clueless in this aspect, let alone having an internet connection conveniently installed in their address.

If she wants to find out more about the novel, Manaka would have to go out and buy the copy.

「Sadao Maou: Haah, that still doesn't give us a clearer picture.」

「Sadao Maou: Oh, I don't mean that as an insult!」

「Manaka Emiya: It's OK, no offense taken.」

「Tatsuya Shiba: Actually, I just sifted through the internet and found the same copy. The Hakugei makes its appearance somewhere at the 6th volume. From its description, the demonic beast is a massive white whale that can float in the sky.」

「Gintoki Sakata: Don't tell me... we-we're going to fight a gigantic flying whale!?」

「Sadao Maou: Ooh, that's a great find! We can also use that as a point of reference on what's going to happen.」

「Teresa: Good boy.」

「Tatsuya Shiba: The thanks is all Manaka's. Without her recollection, we wouldn't have any basis to search for to begin with.」

「Teresa: Ignoring me now, huh.」

Manaka blushed at the unexpected praise. She didn't take Tatsuya to be one that would hand out praises, her image of him was a stern young man with a no-nonsense attitude, but that also doesn't mean it didn't feel good. Quite the opposite, in fact. If it was a praise from someone like him, you can bet how helpful it was.

While Manaka was preoccupied in her fantasy, she was suddenly surprised to see a girl that was staring at her by the entrance of her room.

She had a long violet hair that was styled with a ribbon, and a matching violet eyes that seemed bright. Her outfit consisted of a signature long white dress with short sleeves and a black sash, and white sandals. Manaka already knew who this girl was, a junior of her brother who came by their door on one occasion, and her name was Sakura---Sakura Matou. Apparently, she was also the younger sister of her brother's former friend, Shinji.

"S-sakura nee-chan!? How long have you been standing there!"

Sakura covered her lips as she let out a dainty chuckle, "Did something good happen today Manaka-chan?"

"You looked so happy," she added.

Heat rose to her face as Manaka realized what Sakura meant by it. She hastily stood up to scoot Sakura away hurriedly, but in her fluster, Manaka stumbled upon a creak on the floor, sending her stumbling on top of Sakura.

Hearing the loud commotion, Shirou ran up to the room while gasping for breath, "Hey, are you two alright---"

What he saw was the sight of two young girls in a very delicate position. Sakura was at the bottom with her hands stretched above her head, and Manaka on top with her face beet red due to the embarrassment from earlier. From one angle, the two resembled a scene that was cut out from an ero VN.

Indeed...

If anyone else stumbled upon this view, they would certainly get the wrong idea.

"P-pipe it down you two..." Shirou mumbled as he quickly made a hasty retreat.

"Onii-chan, it's not like that!"

"Senpai, you misunderstand!"

The two shouts in unison.

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Sakura was across the counter while preparing for today's dinner, whereas Manaka was at the dining table helping to prepare the dishes. Meanwhile, Shirou was seated at the floor while forcing smile. An awkward air hung around the room after that brief debacle from earlier. No one else spoken since which further added to the tension.

Unable to withstand the silence, Shirou looked elsewhere as he scratched his cheek, "I'll try to erase the memory from earlier, so---"

Both Manaka and Sakura flinched simultaneously knowing what Shirou was about to say, and once again, in unison, they shouted:

"Senpai, we've told you!"

"Onii-chan you idiot!"

Shirou was backed into the corner as the two stood faced against him. The frightening expression written across their faces was starting to scare him, but as soon as he felt a blow was about to land on him, the sound of the television reverberated in their ears. Shirou instantly let out a sigh of relief as the caster narrated the news, diverting the girls' attention away from him.

It was an emergency broadcast that have interrupted the pre-scheduled program, detailing another case of arson along with incidents of recently reported missing person.

Understandably, Manaka and Shirou took the news seriously as they started to discuss among themselves. However, Sakura seemed to have taken it differently as she wordlessly went back to the kitchen. A shadow was cast above her eyes.

"Sakura, is everything alright?" Shirou, who began to perceive something was wrong with her, asked innocently.

Sakura simply shrug her head away at his gesture. It seemed like she was struggling to say something, and was visibly keeping something from the two of them. However, Manaka did not want to pry if it was difficult to speak about. The same goes for Shirou, who simply waited as if to allow her some time to muster that courage.

"Manaka-chan, Senpai... please don't go outside when it's late for now."

Though her cryptic words only added to their confusion.