[Tohsaka Sakura noticed your slightly agitated reaction. Her brow furrowed slightly, a hint of concern flickering in her amethyst eyes.]
[She worried that she had once again spoken out of turn – perhaps by suggesting that you leave the scabbard. A wave of anxiety washed over her, evident in her fidgeting hands.]
[She began to apologize in a flustered manner, her voice trembling ever so slightly.]
"Ghost-san, I'm so sorry!" Tohsaka Sakura exclaimed, her voice laced with nervousness. "I didn't know you disliked coming out of there." Her small shoulders hunched inward as she awaited a response.
"I'm really, truly sorry!" she added quickly, her eyes darting towards the silent scabbard as if expecting a reprimand.
"Please, just pretend I never said anything like that!" she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper, hoping to undo her perceived mistake.
[You realized that Tohsaka Sakura had seemingly misunderstood something entirely. Her reaction suggested a deep-seated fear of causing offense.]
[You certainly didn't want her to interpret the situation in such a mistaken way. Her distress was palpable, and you felt the need to correct her assumption immediately.]
[You decided to clarify the situation, wanting to ease her obvious worry and ensure she understood your true intentions.]
"Sakura, that's not what I meant at all," the voice from the scabbard responded gently, hoping to reassure her. "I'm not blaming you in the slightest." The tone was calm and reassuring, intended to dispel her anxiety.
"I only wanted to know one thing – how exactly do you intend to transfer me from here to your side?" The entity posed the question directly, curious about her plan.
"Eh?" Tohsaka Sakura blinked in surprise, her worried expression momentarily replaced by confusion. She hadn't anticipated that question.
Upon realizing that Ghost-san had no intention of scolding her, a wave of relief washed over Tohsaka Sakura, and her face brightened considerably. A small smile touched her lips.
She quickly responded to the question, her initial nervousness now replaced with a hint of excitement. "If Ghost-san agrees, then it should be alright, I think~" Her voice was light and hopeful.
"..." The entity was once again taken aback by Tohsaka Sakura's statement. Her simple answer belied the complexity of the situation.
[You were becoming convinced that she possessed some extraordinary talent for simplifying even the most intricate matters. It was almost disarming.]
[You also thought of another possibility – perhaps this was the 'Shadow' contract taking effect, subtly influencing her actions and perceptions.]
[However, you couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there might be unforeseen and irreversible consequences to this course of action. The unknown loomed heavy in your thoughts.]
"Um…" Tohsaka Sakura spoke again, her voice a little softer this time, as if hesitant. She seemed to be gauging the entity's reaction.
"Ghost-san, do you still not want to come out?" she asked tentatively, her eyes fixed on the scabbard.
"Hmm… well, then, please pretend I didn't say anything," she mumbled, a touch of disappointment in her voice, assuming the entity was still unwilling.
"That's not true at all," the voice from the scabbard quickly countered, wanting to correct the little girl's assumption. There was a hint of urgency in the tone.
"I really don't want to stay here," the entity affirmed, making its desire clear.
"So…" the entity continued, pausing for emphasis.
"If you're able to do it, please help me out," the entity requested earnestly, placing its trust in her.
[Although you genuinely didn't know what the ramifications of this action would be, a sense of anticipation began to build within you.]
[But you knew that compared to the current stagnant situation, a new location was undoubtedly worth the risk. The prospect of change was appealing.]
[Moreover, Tohsaka Sakura was remarkably willing to communicate with you and seemed genuinely eager to help. This eased some of your apprehension.]
[You had a feeling that the situation might not be as dire as you initially imagined. Her earnestness was quite reassuring.]
"Okay~" Tohsaka Sakura nodded very adorably, her earlier hesitation completely gone. Her smile was bright and full of enthusiasm.
"Then…" she began, her small hands hovering over the box.
"I'll help you right now!" she declared with determination, ready to put her plan into action.
Having said those words, Tohsaka Sakura once again reached out her small hand towards the scabbard lying in the box before her. This time, her gaze was fixed on it with intent.
Unlike her previous attempt to simply feel the scabbard's temperature, the little girl now had a clear objective in mind. Her brow was furrowed in concentration.
That was to rescue Ghost-san, who she believed was trapped inside the scabbard! A sense of heroic purpose filled her small frame.
Thinking this, Tohsaka Sakura's body began to emit some indescribable substance outwards. It shimmered and swirled around her like an ethereal mist.
If her parents were to witness this scene, they would undoubtedly be utterly astonished. This was a side of Sakura they had never seen.
[You had no idea what Tohsaka Sakura was doing. The energy emanating from her was unlike anything you had encountered before.]
[But you felt your consciousness being steadily pulled by something. It was a gentle yet persistent force, drawing you away from your current confinement.]
[You found yourself leaving the scabbard of Excalibur Galatine. The familiar confines were beginning to feel distant.]
[You could sense the distance between you and Tohsaka Sakura rapidly diminishing. You were moving towards her, drawn by an invisible tether.]
"Ghost-san, are you still there?" Tohsaka Sakura asked, her voice filled with worry as she gazed at the now still scabbard.
The little girl's concern was not unfounded. Just moments ago, she had noticed that the scabbard had lost its usual warmth – a clear indication that something had indeed left it.
Could it be that she had somehow lost Ghost-san? A shiver of fear ran down her spine at the thought.
Tohsaka Sakura felt a pang of fear grip her heart. Had her attempt to help gone wrong?
But fortunately, Ghost-san's reply came quickly, dispelling her immediate panic.
"I'm still here," the familiar voice reassured her.
"Eh?" Tohsaka Sakura tilted her head, sensing that the location of the voice had shifted. Her eyes widened in surprise.
She began to search around the room, her gaze sweeping across the shelves and furniture, but naturally, her efforts yielded no results.
"Ghost-san, where are you?!" the little girl's hands trembled slightly as she spoke, her voice tinged with panic. "I can't find you!"
"...I'm right behind you," the entity stated calmly, observing her frantic search.
[You weren't lying. The sensation of finally being free and near her was quite novel.]
[You had indeed materialized behind Tohsaka Sakura. The world looked different from this new vantage point.]
[This was a completely different perspective compared to being confined within the scabbard. You could finally see her clearly.]
[She had kept her word. Despite her initial nervousness, she had managed to fulfill her promise to you.]
"Ah?" Tohsaka Sakura's eyes widened slightly, and her mouth formed a small 'o' of surprise.
Tohsaka Sakura's lips parted slightly in astonishment. She slowly turned her head, her expression a mixture of disbelief and wonder.
It was clear that she was incredibly surprised that the voice from the scabbard could come behind her. Her eyes darted around, trying to pinpoint the entity's exact location.
However—despite her shock, a sense of relief washed over her.
She was still very happy. The fact that the entity was no longer in the scabbard was a testament to her efforts.
Because this at least proved that her intuition had been correct. She had sensed the entity's desire to leave, and she had helped make it happen.
"Then, Ghost-san," the little girl began cautiously, her eyes now fixed on a point just over her shoulder, "do you feel alright?" She was concerned for the entity's well-being in this new state.
"Yes, I'm quite alright," Ghost-san's reply came quickly, reassuring her. There was a sense of newfound freedom in the entity's tone.
"But Sakura, could you walk around a little more so I can get a better feel for this?" The entity was curious to understand the nature of its new connection.
"Of course, I can~" she replied readily, eager to assist in any way possible.
Having readily agreed to Ghost-san's request, Tohsaka Sakura hopped down from the chair without hesitation. Her eagerness was evident in her movements.
Following the instructions of the voice behind her, she began to walk back and forth across the study. Her steps were light and curious.
[This was indeed a good idea. Observing her movements was allowing you to gather crucial information.]
[As Tohsaka Sakura walked, you quickly confirmed several things about your new existence. The shift in perspective was providing valuable insights.]
[Firstly, your perspective seemed to be linked to hers to a certain extent. Your vision moved with her, as if you were an extension of her senses.]
[You couldn't detach yourself from her to observe independently. Your connection was undeniably close.]
[However, this didn't mean you could only see exactly what she saw. Within certain limits, you still retained the ability to direct your focus and choose what to observe.]
[To draw an analogy, it was somewhat like being a camera attached to her, capable of shifting its gaze within a limited range.]
[Secondly, you discovered that your consciousness couldn't stray far from Tohsaka Sakura. The invisible bond between you was surprisingly strong.]
[The connection between you and her had become closer than ever before. You were inextricably linked.]
[In a way, this perfectly aligned with her calling you 'Ghost-san'. Your presence was now intimately tied to her.]
"Should I keep going?" Tohsaka Sakura asked softly, having circled the study several times. She paused, awaiting further instructions.
Tohsaka Sakura, who had been walking back and forth in the study several times, asked in a low voice. She wasn't entirely sure why she was doing this, but she trusted Ghost-san's guidance.
"No need," Ghost-san's reply came promptly. The entity had gathered enough information for now.
Mr. Ghost's response came swiftly, putting an end to her little exploration.
"It seems I have indeed arrived on your side," the entity confirmed, a note of satisfaction in its voice.
"Sakura, you did it," the entity added, acknowledging her successful efforts.
"Eh—!" Tohsaka Sakura's eyes widened in surprise and delight. A gasp escaped her lips.
Two bright red patches bloomed on Tohsaka Sakura's cheeks. She looked absolutely thrilled, her earlier worries completely forgotten.
"That's wonderful~!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure joy.
[Tohsaka Sakura was even more excited than you were, as if she was the 'Ghost-san' who had just escaped from the scabbard. Her enthusiasm was infectious.]
[You couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. Her reaction was quite unexpected.]
"Sakura… aren't you afraid at all?" the entity asked, its curiosity getting the better of it.
"Afraid?" Hearing the entity's question, Tohsaka Sakura looked a little puzzled. Her head tilted slightly in confusion.
"Yes," Ghost continued, elaborating on the question. "You yourself believe I'm a ghost… wouldn't the normal reaction be fear?" The entity expected a certain level of apprehension from her.
"You mean that?" Tohsaka Sakura climbed back onto the chair, her initial confusion fading. "No, not at all~" She shook her head with a confident smile.
"Because Ghost-san said, 'If I'm a bad person, I won't be able to eat sweets anymore'." Her reasoning was surprisingly simple and direct.
"So…" she continued, her eyes sparkling with conviction.
"I firmly believe now that Ghost-san is a good person!" Her trust in the entity seemed absolute.
"Besides…" Tohsaka Sakura closed the box containing the now empty scabbard with a soft click. She held it gently in her lap.
"Ghost-san has talked to me so much… you're the only one besides Papa and Mama who has ever done that." A hint of sadness flickered in her eyes as she spoke.
[You were unaware of Tohsaka Tokiomi's decision to completely isolate his daughter in order to protect her. Her loneliness was something you were only just beginning to perceive.]
[You could only sense the profound loneliness in Tohsaka Sakura's voice as she spoke those words. It was a stark revelation.]
[Perhaps she wasn't entirely unafraid of you, but she had chosen to overlook any potential danger simply because you kept her company and talked to her. Her need for connection seemed to outweigh her fear.]
[You immediately regretted asking that question. It felt like you had inadvertently reminded her of her own isolation and loneliness.]
[You decided to quickly change the subject, wanting to steer the conversation towards a more positive topic.]
"I see… I understand now," the entity replied gently, acknowledging her feelings.
"That's right, I'm definitely not a bad person, so you don't need to worry at all," the entity reassured her, hoping to dispel any lingering doubts.
"I know~" Tohsaka Sakura's little feet swung gently back and forth beneath the chair. "I've always known that Ghost-san isn't a bad person." Her smile returned, bright and unwavering.
"Oh, that's right—!" she exclaimed suddenly, her eyes widening as a new thought struck her.
The little girl reached for the sweets she had placed on the table earlier. Her gaze was now fixed on the colorful treats.
"Since Ghost-san has come over to my side… does that mean if I eat something yummy, you can taste it too?" she asked, her voice filled with hopeful anticipation.
"..." The entity paused for a moment, considering her intriguing question. It was an interesting thought.
"That's a very interesting question you've asked. I think it's worth trying," the entity replied, intrigued by the possibility.
"Yay~!" Tohsaka Sakura clapped her hands together in delight, her face beaming with excitement at the prospect.
Finally finding another reason to indulge in her beloved sweets, Tohsaka Sakura didn't hesitate for a moment. She eagerly unwrapped a piece of candy.
[However, this particular assumption was completely incorrect. While your connection to Tohsaka Sakura was indeed profound, it didn't extend to a direct sensory link.]
[Although your consciousness was, in a sense, now completely intertwined with Tohsaka Sakura's, your physical sensations remained separate.]
[But you hadn't yet reached a point where your senses were directly connected. You existed alongside her, but not within her in a physical sense.]
[No matter how many sweets Tohsaka Sakura devoured, you couldn't perceive any taste. Your senses remained your own.]
[You decided to tell her the truth of the matter, wanting to manage her expectations gently.]
"Eh?" Tohsaka Sakura's expression fell slightly, her mouth still dusted with sugary residue. She looked genuinely disappointed.
Tohsaka Sakura, her mouth still slightly sticky from the sweets, looked quite crestfallen. Her lower lip even trembled a little.
"You really can't feel it at all?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
"That's a shame… they're so delicious!" she added, holding up a half-eaten piece of candy as if to emphasize her point.
"I know," Ghost-san replied to the kind little girl, his tone gentle. "But unfortunately, if you can't taste something, you just can't." The entity felt a pang of sympathy for her disappointment.
"But thank you anyway, Sakura," the entity added, wanting to acknowledge her thoughtful gesture.
"You don't need to thank me," Tohsaka Sakura said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She quickly bounced back from her disappointment.
"Oh, right, Ghost-san, how about I give you a tour of my house~?" she suggested enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"It's super big~!" she exclaimed proudly, eager to show off her home.
"Hmm… okay," the entity agreed, curious to see her living space through her eyes.
[Having tidied up all traces of their snack, Tohsaka Sakura, still clutching the remaining sweets, left the study with you. A sense of anticipation filled the air.]
[She was clearly delighted to act as your 'guide' – this role seemed to fill her with a sense of importance and pride.]
[She patiently began to introduce you to her home, describing each room with childlike enthusiasm. Her joy was palpable.]
"Ghost-san," Tohsaka Sakura said softly, reaching out her small hand to gently close the study door behind them.
Tohsaka Sakura reached out her little hand and carefully pushed the study door shut. Her movements were delicate and precise.
"The place we just came out of… that's the study~" she explained, turning to face the hallway.
"There are so many books in there!" the little girl exclaimed, already skipping towards the other end of the long corridor. "But… I don't really understand them." Her voice held a hint of childish frustration.
"But Papa says it's best if I don't understand them… it's so strange," she added, wrinkling her nose in confusion at her father's words.
"Is that so?" Ghost-san replied with a gentle chuckle, sensing Tohsaka Sakura's slight disappointment. "Don't worry, I believe you'll definitely understand them in the future." The entity offered words of encouragement.
"I think so too~" Tohsaka Sakura replied, her face lighting up with a hopeful smile. She readily accepted the entity's encouragement.
Saying these words, Tohsaka Sakura looked genuinely happy – her imagination was already picturing a future where she could understand all those books.
"Ghost-san, let me show you some other places now!" she exclaimed, her energy renewed.
"Alright," the entity replied, ready to continue the tour.
[Tohsaka Sakura proceeded to show you every part of her house. She led the way with a confident air, pointing out various rooms and features.]
[This experience of guiding an outsider through her home was an unprecedented event for her. It was a special occasion she clearly cherished.]
[So throughout the entire process, she appeared incredibly happy, her laughter echoing softly through the halls.]
[Finally, after exploring the grand house, you both returned to her own room. A sense of comfortable familiarity settled in the air.]
"How was it? How was it?!" Tohsaka Sakura asked excitedly, bouncing slightly on the bed. Her anticipation was clear.
Tohsaka Sakura, sitting on her bed and clutching a fluffy rabbit plush, turned her head excitedly to address Ghost-san behind her. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"I wasn't lying, was I? My house is really big, right?" she asked, seeking confirmation with a proud grin.
"It is quite large indeed," Ghost-san replied to the little girl, his voice reflecting his genuine observation. "It seems your living conditions are quite comfortable." The entity noted the spaciousness and well-maintained environment.
"I'm happy for you," the entity added sincerely, genuinely pleased by her fortunate circumstances.
"However—" the entity continued, a new question forming in its mind.
"May I ask you something?" the entity inquired politely, wanting to understand something that had caught its attention.
"Yes, of course!" Tohsaka Sakura, still brimming with a sense of pride, answered without hesitation. "Ghost-san, you can ask me anything you like~" Her willingness to share was evident.
"It's just—" Ghost-san paused for a moment, gathering its thoughts before continuing.
"Why is there an empty room?" the entity finally asked, its curiosity piqued by the unused space.
"Eh, if you're asking about that, Ghost-san…" Tohsaka Sakura tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing in thought as she tapped her chin with her finger. "I don't really know either." She seemed genuinely unsure.
"Papa and Mama haven't told me why," she added, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"Is that so?" Ghost-san didn't press the matter further, sensing her uncertainty.
"From what I could see, it looked like it was originally meant to be someone's room – after all, it was somewhat similar to yours in layout," the entity explained its observation.
"But after we went inside, it was completely empty, which struck me as a little odd," the entity admitted, hoping she might shed some light on the mystery.
"Originally meant to be someone's room?" Tohsaka Sakura murmured, stroking the soft fur of her rabbit plush as a memory flickered through her mind. Her expression turned slightly pensive.
"That… if that's the case, then I think you're right, Ghost-san," she said softly, her voice tinged with a newfound understanding.
"Hmm?" The entity sensed that there was more to her answer than she was letting on.
[Tohsaka Sakura's words hinted that there was something she hadn't fully disclosed. A sense of unease settled over you.]
[Needing more information to piece together this puzzle, you decided to inquire further, hoping to uncover the truth behind the empty room.]
"You're asking why I would know that?" Tohsaka Sakura repeated, a hint of something unsaid in her tone as she listened to the unspoken question in the entity's voice.
Listening to the confusion in the voice near her ear, the scene from the previous night gradually resurfaced in Tohsaka Sakura's memory. A wave of sadness washed over her.
Her parents, embracing each other in the soft lamplight, their shoulders shaking with silent sobs, looked utterly heartbroken. The image was still vivid in her mind.
The little girl's lips parted and closed hesitantly, as if she were carefully choosing her words.
"Because Papa and Mama said so," she finally admitted, her voice barely a whisper.
"Besides me, there's also someone called 'Rin'… that room, maybe it was hers?" A shadow of sadness crossed her face as she spoke the unfamiliar name.
"..." The entity was silent for a moment, processing this unexpected revelation. The name 'Rin' hung heavy in the air.
[You realized that Tohsaka Sakura's family situation was far more complex than you had initially imagined. This new information added another layer of intrigue.]
[Besides her, there existed another child named 'Rin'. The revelation was both surprising and unsettling.]
[This piece of information only deepened your confusion. The presence of another child raised even more questions.]
[If such a person existed, why was their room left completely empty? What had happened to this 'Rin'?]
[What exactly was going on behind the closed doors of the Tohsaka household? The mystery was becoming increasingly perplexing.]
[Holding onto these unanswered questions, you decided to ask Tohsaka Sakura again, hoping she could provide some clarity.]
"You're asking where 'Rin' went?" Tohsaka Sakura repeated, her voice soft and thoughtful.
Tohsaka Sakura shook her head gently, her gaze drifting towards the empty space in the room.
"I don't know… I only found out about such a person yesterday," she confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.
"And Papa and Mama seem to like her very much," she added, a touch of wistfulness in her tone.
"Because they said they were going to keep her and send me away," she revealed, her voice barely above a whisper, the words carrying a heavy weight of sadness.
"What?!" Ghost's voice rose with alarm, his tone sharp with disbelief.
"Why would they do that?!" the entity exclaimed, its concern for Sakura growing rapidly.
"I'm not sure…" Tohsaka Sakura offered a weak, forced smile, her eyes betraying her inner turmoil. "But if Papa and Mama said so, then there must be a good reason, right?" She seemed to be trying to convince herself.
"I… I can't make them angry," she added softly, her voice filled with a quiet resignation that sent a chill down your nonexistent spine.
"..." The entity was at a loss for words, deeply disturbed by her statement. Her acceptance of such a fate was deeply troubling.
[You realized that this line of thinking was incredibly wrong – it was essentially forcing Tohsaka Sakura to abandon her own sense of self-worth and agency.]
[You knew you couldn't allow her to accept such a notion. Her well-being was now a serious concern.]
[You resolved to properly persuade her to reconsider this way of thinking, to encourage her to value herself more.]
[But at that very moment, an unexpected event unfolded, interrupting your thoughts and shifting the focus of the situation entirely.]
The sound of a key sliding into the lock echoed through the quiet house, followed by a soft turning click. A sense of foreboding filled the air.
The front door of the Tohsaka residence creaked open, revealing a figure standing in the dimly lit entryway.
The figure of a man appeared in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the outside light. It was Tohsaka Tokiomi, his presence commanding and serious.
"Sakura, it's time for us to leave," the man stated calmly, his voice carrying a tone of finality as he addressed his daughter.
The man spoke these words as he began to walk up the stairs, his footsteps echoing softly through the house. His arrival signaled a significant change in the unfolding events.