Shinji Matou at Your Service-Chapter 879 - : Rin Tohsaka’s Declaration

Just as Issei Ryuudou has his Buddha Foe, Rin Tohsaka also has a lifelong arch-nemesis.

He took away her dearest sister, Sakura, and competed with her in everything, and she could never seem to beat him.

Whether it's height, weight, arguments, academic exams, sports scores, or even physical fights, she hasn't won against him in any of these—well, to be fair, she has won a few times, but she quickly realized that he was going easy on her. Such victories weren't what she wanted.

As the head of the Tohsaka family and the daughter of Tokiomi Tohsaka, she carries her elegance and pride. She wants to defeat this strongest and strongest enemy with her strength.

And now, this enemy stands before her, smiling and waving in greeting.

"Yo, Rin, good morning."

"Don't call me Rin. Please address me as Tohsaka or Tohsaka-san."

For eleven years, ever since Sakura was adopted by the Matou family, every time Shinji called Rin by her first name, she would painstakingly correct him. Even though she knew he wouldn't listen and could predict what he'd say next, she persisted.

"You're so cold, Rin. Aren't we childhood friends?"

As expected, it was the same old response—either they've known each other for a long time, they share a sister, or they're childhood friends.

She had already given her retort countless times.

"We've just known each other for a long time. Don't make it sound so intimate."

"Huh? Tohsaka, you've known Matou for a long time? Why haven't you mentioned it before?"

Ayako Mitsuzuri asked curiously.

"Hmph, it's just a fateful bond," Rin said, flipping her ponytail and avoiding looking at Shinji.

"The most important criterion for childhood friends is the length of time they've known each other. If Matou has known you longer than I have, then you're childhood friends. Whether you admit it or not, that's an unchangeable fact," Issei interjected. As Rin's long-standing (self-proclaimed) enemy and someone who reigns supreme among students, he immediately sensed the (one-sided) hostility between Rin and Shinji. Adhering to the ancient rule that 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend,' he extended an olive branch to Shinji.

"Yeah, I think so too," Shinji said with feigned innocence.

"We've known each other since we were six. If that doesn't make us childhood friends, what does?"

Issei and Shinji delivered a flawless combo, making Rin's expression grow more severe, even bordering on comical.

Seeing her like this, Shinji knew she was on the verge of losing her temper. He quickly sent a mental message to her mind.

"Careful, careful, there are others here besides you and me. You wouldn't want to ruin the image you've worked so hard to maintain, would you?"

Rin's beautiful sapphire eyes suddenly cleared.

Her tsundere, mischievous, lazy, and temperamental side only showed around those she was close to. In front of others, she always adhered to the Tohsaka family's motto: "Always remain composed, always remain elegant," and her mother's traditional teachings.

At school, Rin was always seen as the perfect lady living in a large Western-style mansion on the hill, the honor student of honor students. Beautiful, with excellent grades and extraordinary athletic abilities, she had no flaws. Her personality was rational and polite, never arrogant despite her beauty—an ideal woman, idolized by male students who would get excited just to exchange a few words with her. Issei and Shinji were exceptions.

It's not hard to see that Rin greatly valued her outward image. So, with Shinji's reminder, she quickly regained her composure. However, she wasn't going to thank him for it. After all, it was Shinji's constant provocations that caused this in the first place. His tone, dripping with sarcasm, made it clear he wasn't kindly reminding her but mocking her for being two-faced.

Rin cleared her throat and ignored Shinji to avoid losing her temper again.

"I'm not feeling my best today, so I apologize if I've been rude. Discussing this matter here might disrupt the archery club's morning practice. Let's move to the student council room; it's more suitable for negotiations."

Ayako and Taiga looked toward the archery range nearby and saw a few members peeking around, so they didn't object.

"Let's do that."

"You're okay with that, right, Student Council President?"

Issei frowned, clearly not wanting to let this troublesome group into his territory. But the reason they gave left him no choice but to agree.

"Alright."

Hearing his response, Rin immediately turned to leave. She didn't want to stay a second longer because of Shinji's presence.

But Shinji didn't let her go so easily, calling out in an irritatingly playful tone, "Leaving already? Don't you want to chat a bit more? I wanted to tell you about my experiences in England."

The handle of Rin's bag crumpled in her grip as she tried to calm herself and stay composed.

"No, Mitsuzuri's issue is more important."

"I'm in no rush," Ayako mischievously nudged her friend's waist with her elbow.

"Anyway, the budget cuts won't take effect until next semester at the earliest, right, Student Council President?"

"That's right," Issei nodded, clearly not eager to negotiate with Rin, especially without proper preparation.

Rin was fuming. She turned around, firmly gripping Ayako's shoulder, and emphasized:

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"Your issue is more important, right?"

Perhaps feeling the weight of Rin's intense gaze or the pressure on her shoulder that even a modern martial arts master like her couldn't withstand, Ayako quickly changed her tune.

"Yes, yes, the archery club's matter is most important. Let's go, Fujimura-sensei, Student Council President."

"Alright."

"Sure."

At this point, Shinji spoke again.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Sakura before you go? She'd be happy to see you."

"No need. Unlike you, the genius who barely attends school, I can see her anytime."

Rin turned her head and glared fiercely at Shinji, her eyes full of dissatisfaction on Sakura's behalf and a hint of playful retaliation.

Shinji was unfazed.

"I'll be around for a while. Unless something unexpected happens, I'll be coming to school every day."

"Is that so? That's just wonderful," Rin replied, biting off each word at the end.

After speaking, she lightly tugged at her left sleeve, revealing a fan-shaped, dark red mark made of two interlocking arcs. It wasn't a muscle like the famous "punch that could kill a cow," but her Command Seal—a declaration as one of the participants in the Holy Grail War, a legacy of the Tohsaka family as one of the Three Founding Families. It was her challenge to Matou Shinji: "Let's settle this in the Holy Grail War."

Shinji responded by tapping his left hand as if to say, "Alright, let's do this, Rin Tohsaka."