Chapter 136

Although Rin had been extremely cautious and even had Red Archer (Red A) monitor the Matou residence all night, by dawn she received accurate information from Red A that Shinji and Sakura Matou, who had stayed obediently at home all night, had disappeared without a trace.

Hearing the phone ring downstairs, which had been ringing since she woke up, Rin felt a surge of anger. It was either from the Church or the Mage's Association in England.

The culprits ran away the very next day! And now, because of her identity as the caretaker of Fuyuki's ley lines, she had to handle all these miscellaneous tasks! It felt like she was cleaning up someone else's mess. After punching her pillow, imagining it was Shinji Matou, for ten minutes, Rin felt a little better.

"So annoying!" she spat angrily before reluctantly getting out of bed.

...

"Moshi moshi, is this... Tohsaka? I need a little help with something..." Shinji's voice came through the phone, causing Rin to explode in anger.

"Leaving such a mess and daring to call me for help?! Shinji Matou, you'd better not come back! If you dare return, I will..."

"Aren't you the caretaker of Fuyuki's ley lines? This is your job, isn't it?" Shinji's nonchalant tone made Rin grind her teeth. Although he was right, this was indeed her responsibility. Feeling increasingly frustrated, Rin resisted the urge to smash the phone, knowing it would cost money to replace it.

"Rin, coffee." Red A handed her a cup, becoming her new target for venting.

"This tastes terrible! Make it again!" Rin demanded, even though she hadn't tasted it yet.

Red A, seeing her mood, turned and quietly made a new pot. He realized she was taking out her anger on him.

Meanwhile, at the airport, Shinji, with Sakura and a casually dressed Rider wearing sunglasses, was checking in. He almost laughed at Rin's angry voice on the phone.

"Tohsaka, my house is being renovated. The team will arrive in the afternoon. There's a ten billion yen check on the table in the living room, and you can throw out all the furniture and appliances if you don't want the hassle. Bye!" Before Rin could explode, Shinji hung up and smiled at the impatient Sakura.

"Let's go, Sakura."

"Okay!"

...

Back at the Tohsaka residence, Rin was on the verge of exploding but held back for various reasons.

"Archer, do you know anything about renovation?"

"Huh?" Red A, handing over the new coffee, was confused.

"Never mind, just help the team with labor. It'll save money," Rin sighed, then had another thought. "Also, find a second-hand shop to sell the furniture and appliances. Make sure to get the highest price and do it today! Understand?"

"Uh... Rin, what are you planning?"

"First, get the check from the Matou house. Then, find the second-hand shop. If I lose even a penny..."

Seeing Rin's increasingly hostile expression, Red A didn't ask further and went to work.

...

Holding the check with its long string of zeros, Rin was in a daze. So much money... She had never seen so much before.

"Archer, did you check the appliances and furniture?"

"Yes, except for a damaged water heater, everything else is fine. Some items are new."

"Fix it."

"What?"

"I said fix it! We need to sell it for the highest price. Do it before the second-hand shop arrives!" Rin's eyes were fixed on the potential money, and Red A, understanding her determination, quietly left to work.

...

In the afternoon, at the Matou residence.

"What?! The renovation plans are finalized, materials and costs are set, and the total is over nine billion yen?!" Rin's eye twitched, unable to believe the construction worker's words. She had hoped to cut costs and make some extra money, but...

Instead of making a small fortune, she was left with only a few gemstones from the furniture and appliances' resale.

Just four gems?

Rin clenched her fists, realizing she had been tricked by Shinji. Red A, seeing her frustration, smiled wryly and shook his head.

"You guys need workers?" Rin suddenly asked.

"Workers?" The construction foreman was puzzled but then nodded. "We are short one person; the guy who swings the big hammer hurt his back..."

"How about him?" Rin pointed at Red A, smiling. "He's strong, reliable, and won't need meals. Perfect for moving heavy items!"

"Rin..." Red A started to protest but was silenced by her glare.

"Well, he does seem strong," the foreman admitted.

"Great! Let's discuss the pay, shall we?" Rin beamed.

...

A month-long renovation was completed in twenty-five days, thanks to Red A. Rin earned enough to buy about fifty gemstones from his labor. Although the money wasn't a lot, it was fair.

Seeing Rin's happy expression, Red A felt the labor was worth it, though he was starting to get used to the hammer, an odd development for an archer.

"If only I could earn like this every month," Rin sighed, counting her money, making Red A nervous.

"With the Mage's Association and the Church's matters handled, and spring break starting..." Rin began planning where Red A could work next, making him quickly excuse himself.

"I'm going to patrol the streets," he said, disappearing.

"Well..." Rin sighed, remembering her duty as Fuyuki's ley line caretaker.

"Is that jerk still not back? A month away? Traveling... I'm kind of jealous..."

...

On March 8th, Shinji and his companions returned to Fuyuki City's international airport after a month abroad.

"That was amazing!" Shinji stretched at the exit, dressed in tropical attire.

"It was a delightful trip! Right, Rider?" Sakura, wearing a pink summer dress and a white hat, smiled happily.

But inwardly, she was frustrated: Despite spending every night with her brother, there was no progress!

"Yes, it was," Rider agreed quietly, feeling annoyed she hadn't had a proper match with Shinji during the trip.

Seeing a luxury car waiting, Shinji smiled and walked ahead.

"Let's go home. The house should be ready."

"Okay!"

...

The newly renovated Matou residence left Sakura wide-eyed in excitement as she ran into the courtyard. Shinji, meanwhile, checked the mailbox, finding the house keys and a small package.

After tossing the package into his space, Shinji waved the keys at Sakura, who was eagerly waiting by the door.

"Sakura, I have the keys."

Just as he said that, he noticed Rider giving him a subtle, knowing look.