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fgodestinyawakenings · 2 years

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FGO Destiny Awakenings: CDD #6

Author's note summary: here

And also those who has followed me by author, I'm not sure if you have received notifications on AO3 one-shot fics on Punishing Gray Raven.

Another new gacha game I've gotten into, so thanks for reading if you do!

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Merlin: *teaching Ritsuka magecraft in Avalon*

AO3 || Fanfiction.net || Ritsuka & Ritsuko's Profile

“No magic is useless, only useless teacher like that Caster.” – Merlin

“…… Merlin, what precisely are we doing…?” Ritsuka gazed at the warlock above from the latter’s lap. His face grew unamused at his hair decorated with petals, flowers, and a flower crown in the making.

Merlin chuckled at the raven-haired Master, whose head lying down on his lap. His hands weaving the last stalk of flower plucked in his Avalon Garden to the crown. “A moment to deepen the bonds between our friendship, Ritsuka-kun.”

Ritsuka frowned with a deadpan expression. He did not know how long he had been here ever since he took a nap after dropping around for maintenance checks in Chaldea. Even there was an established time to find Ritsuko for basic combat with their Servants. He remained stuck in this dream.

And, of course, this dream involved what he presumed to be a lesson from Merlin instead of this. Ritsuka sighed, “You know what would represent a better scenery for our friendship bonding? Magnificent sunset from the twilight as we discover ourselves more common between each other.”

“And it is as you suggest,” Merlin smiled joyfully at the sarcasm, setting the finished crown on his pupil’s head.

Later, his hand moved to cover Ritsuka’s eyes before pulling aside.

Ritsuka’s blue orbs widened at the now purple-pinkish sunset glittered faintly with stars produced by his half-incubus friend’s powers.

Merlin looked at the sky before coming back to his apprentice. “Enjoy the view, Ritsuka-kun?”

“I would lie if I say I didn’t,” Ritsuka stated. He sat upright and turned to Merlin. “But don’t you wish to tell me why you visit me, or I’m going to wake up and meet my sister.”

“Now, now, there’s no need to rush.” Merlin put his hand onto Ritsuka’s shoulder and pulled him back to his lap. “You need to relax, or I can’t do what I needed to do.”

“And, that’s?”

“To evaluate your current magic circuit level.”

Merlin tilted his head, placing back the fallen flower crown onto the raven-haired Master’s head.

“You had activated all of your circuits from the Singularity, no?”

Ritsuka frowned at him. “Well, why don’t you say so?”

“That wouldn’t be fun, would it?” Merlin laughed. “Now, close your eyes.”

With a nod, Ritsuka closed his eyes in Merlin’s direction.

The white-haired magus grinned to himself and put his forehead against Ritsuka’s.

The surrounding flowers bloomed and glowed in golden light as he uttered an incantation.

“You may open them now, Ritsuka-kun.”

Ritsuka opened his eyes to see Merlin’s calm grin at him. He sat back up and spotted the bright flowers surrounding them. “Merlin, what is this?”

“The number of magic circuits you have, used and remaining that are available,” Merlin’s brown wooden staff drew from his rear and tapped at every flower. “25 circuits in total. Nine were used to maintain your Servants and leave only 16 left available.”

“Is that something I should be worried about?”

“No,” Merlin shook his head, “It’s an excellent number that I’m able to teach you magic, Ritsuka-kun.”

Ritsuka’s orbs widened and exclaimed. “Really?! W-Wait... You’re teaching me here and not in the real world?”

“I can’t escape out of my prison easily, I’m afraid.” Merlin shrugged with ease. “Besides, a bright pupil like you could recall all I taught here. And to apply it back in the real world with no complications.”

“Sounds workable in theory. But, not for practical wise.”

Ritsuka countered while watching Merlin set his staff away.

Merlin reverted to him with a smile. “It is achievable with me as your mentor. After all, I’m the one who had taught Artoria everything she requires in learning before becoming a king. From politics to sword-fighting, except magic. Unlike that third-rate Caster, you’ve contracted with.”

“That’s true,” Ritsuka hummed to himself. He later showed a deadpan look and glowered at his half-incubus friend. “Hey, don’t go insulting Caster like that!”

Merlin laughed at the dubious face colored on the raven-haired Master. “Fret not, Ritsuka-kun. Though I can’t make you a king, you’ll ultimately be trained in sword-fighting soon. But of now, you deserve lessons of basic magic from your hard work.”

“That’s a tremendous faith you have for the first lesson...,” Ritsuka’s brows furrowed.

Merlin beamed and patted Ritsuka’s head. “Your diligence and commitment to learning is something you should be proud of. That Caster of yours is nobody but a worthless druid who can’t guide you to your right path.

“Your sister may have better circuits, as he claimed. But the one who came here to me was you. And I see the potential in you to learn magic. You may not master it overnight, but you definitely could if you try.”

At another of Ritsuka’s deadpan expressions, Merlin chuckled. “Have faith in yourself. That’s the most crucial element when you wish to learn magic. You’re a wise and brave one, after all.”

Another pat to Ritsuka’s head had him stop himself from rebutting the half-incubus’s comments. It may be sweet-talking at worst, but... There’s no reason to doubt the latter, right? After all, if this wizard raised Artoria to be king and identified potential in him... It shouldn’t be wrong to indulge his hope in him.

“Hmm... Maybe a story would build up your confidence to learn!” Merlin’s familiar hum perked the young raven-haired Master’s attention back to him.

“Story?” Ritsuka reiterated with curiosity.

A second later, his blue eyes widened, and he enthusiastically leaned forward.

“Do you mean the stories about King Arthur that were never known to anyone in the entire human history?!”

Merlin laughed at the passion he picked up from the young Master. “Not really, but I’m positive it’d ignite your motivation before our first lesson.” The half-incubus withdrew the hand from his head to hold the raven-haired human’s own. Both his eyes closed with a fond look as he recounted the tale. “Thousands of years ago, in a land beyond the end…. A young child had become lost deep inside the misty forest upon awakening. He remembered neither who he was nor his destination, only to walk on in prospects he would leave this forest.”

“He doesn’t even know his own name?” Ritsuka pressed.

Merlin nodded to affirm with his smile remained. “That’s right, such a pitiful plight, isn’t it? The young boy was still lost, whichever path he took or retracing his own step. The longer he lingered without realizing…. Creatures of the forest soon discovered their delicious prey to be devoured, all alone, unguarded, and perfectly ripe.

“Run as fast as he could. Run as far as he can go… Yet, he still found himself before death’s doorstep upon being found and beaten like a wounded animal. Before the creatures ravaged the young boy…. A mysterious figure appeared and saved the boy from being harmed. He introduced himself as the king of this forest where the child awoke, and when he sought for the boy’s name…. The young child still could not remember his name. But the overwhelming hunger and injuries made him unconscious.”

As the minute Merlin finished his sentence, the raven-haired Master’s blue eyes widened in fear and shouted. “Is he alright? What happens to him now?!!”

The half-incubus wizard chuckled, again grinned at him. Both of the former’s thumbs used to rub to massage his young pupil’s overexcitement and worries. “Ahahaha! He is alright, Ritsuka-kun. The beautiful king brings the young boy back to his castle. When he woke up, the king fed the child with a meal prepared by his servants as he sought to further understand his new guest. ‘To search and serve a king to return his land back to rightful majesty,’ that was the sole reason the child appeared and recalled.

“A sympathy, an impulse or even both at being convinced the boy’s hope to seek for a king who he doesn’t know himself nor the land he rules…. The king decided to let the child stay in his castle until he remembered. ‘Puck,’ in the language of faeries, means stubborn and defiance. That shall be the newly appointed vassal’s name to the beautiful king; he chose himself.”

“Puck…? Hmm, that’s likewise the name of the mischievous fairy that appeared in both William Shakespeare’s works and in English folklore. What a strange name to give it to the boy.” Ritsuka repeated the name with an odd feeling rolling off his voice.

Merlin, however, simply smiled and concluded. “From that fateful meeting with the beautiful King, Puck begins his journey as a vassal to his lord in this unfamiliar land he was plunged into. Along with budding friendship that lasts for eternity in their hearts with his King and his people.”

Instead of being touched and awed by the story, Ritsuka, all the moment with a dumbfounded face, spoke minutes slowly after his half-incubus friend. “…… Hold… Hold on. Wait. That’s it? That can’t be the resolution! There’s more to this story.”

A laugh burst out from Merlin at his pupil’s frustration, responded with a teasing grin. “Hahaha! Of course not. But it’d be such a waste to let an excellent story end soon.”

“But, it’s nothing worse than letting a story linger permanently in a cliffhanger too,” Ritsuka frowned with a grumble, withdrawing his hands from the wizard to himself.

Merlin showed to be further amused by the raven-haired Master’s pout, lifting one hand to ruffle his hair. “True. Anyway, what do you think? Does it arouse any sorts of emotions in your heart, Ritsuka-kun?”

“Undoubtedly anger and frustration, you’re not continuing the story,” The raven-haired Master swatted the hand away. He used this chance to not simply smooth his hair but to clear away the petals while musing on himself. “But I’m definitely interested in learning more about Puck’s story. Is this an untold tale by Shakespeare before he leaves this King to meet his true liege none other than King Oberon? Or a legend never documented account of Puck?”

Merlin smiled at his student’s question, “Yes.”

“For which?! Because I’m clear about my memories, I don’t recall hearing one of them having secret stories before too!”

“Ahahaha! You don’t need to get so agitated, my student. Merlin chuckled heartily, raising one hand to wipe the tears away. “How about this? When we finish today’s practice, I’ll continue this story and tell King Arthur’s journey.”

Blue eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Ritsuka’s heart still held intrigue at the promise from his half-incubus friend and clarified, “…… Really…? You promised, Merlin?”

“Of course, I promise as a pledge to you, my lord,” Outstretched his hand again to the raven-haired Master, the half-incubus encouraged. “Now then, our first lesson in learning begins, shall we?”

With another slight nod, Ritsuka brought his right hand to grasp the other.

An action that satisfied Merlin with his pupil’s obedience, later shifting to his staff to place onto the ground.

With one snap of his finger from his hand, the staff floated up. It moved to a distance from the pair before settling on the ground. Merlin switched back to his student and guided. “We’ll start with a basic levitation spell of floating and moving objects from one place to another. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Ritsuka responded. It’s a handy technique to support, be it in his daily needs and combat. “So, what should I practice with? Make the petals float in the air?”

The half-incubus wizard shook his head and corrected, “Nope, you will make my staff return to us.”

He scooted closer to the raven-haired Master and instructed. “For this practice, my staff has no protection against foreign magic to flop against yours. Let’s begin.”

“Right, let’s do this!” Ritsuka hoisted his other hand up, directing towards the magical staff.

“…”

Waiting for the magic circuits to channel through his veins, nothing appeared. Ritsuka stretched and swung out his arm in his second try to cast the spell.

“……”

Or shouldn’t that be how magic worked when he contracted and summoned his Caster Servant?

The raven-haired Master narrowed his eyes and concentrated again.

“………”

“… Hey, Merlin…,” Ritsuka broke the silence between them after his third failure.

The said wizard beside him acknowledged, “What is it, Ritsuka-kun?”

“This Levitation spell… It is a magic spell, right?” The raven-haired Master asked his half-incubus friend to reaffirm what he was supposed to learn.

“Why, yes?”

“That’s correct. One of the most fundamental spells all mages must understand, regardless of all specialized magecraft!”

“Hmm, I see,” Ritsuka nodded twice thoughtfully. “In that case, like all magic, there would be incantations to chant, wouldn’t it?”

Merlin turned his head to look at his student, one eyebrow lifted at the query. “Oh? I expected it’s simple enough that you wouldn’t need an incantation, my lord.”

“Unfortunately for both you and I, I’m neither a half-blood demon nor talented mage to use magic without requiring lessons in the first place!”

Ritsuka retracted his hand back, facing the white-haired wizard to seethe in irritation.

A loud laugh erupted from the half-incubus, lifting one hand to wipe a tear away, pacifying the fuming raven-haired Master. “Ahahaha! I jest, I jest, my lord. Of course, you need the incantation of this spell. Short and sweet, I would say, and…!”

“……,” Ritsuka stared in silence with incredulity, yet waiting for seconds in this timeless dream.

“……,” For Merlin, the raven-haired Master swore he was petrified into a statue or perhaps still recalling with the bright grin on his face.

Soon enough, Ritsuka’s face displayed a deadpan face and huffed bluntly to break the awkward atmosphere.

“… You…… You’ve forgotten, did you?”

Cheeks turned bright, burning red for Merlin, caught red-handed at the straightforward question. He denied with one hand lifted to brush the accusation. “W-What? No, of course not, Ritsuka-kun! It’s been a long time since I needed an incantation, so, um….”

Another sharp stare from the raven-haired human threw his way, making Merlin look anywhere but in his eyes.

Silence returned between them except for the faint murmurs from the half-incubus.

Something about trying to stay calm, and something along the lines ‘No, this is meant for’ that Ritsuka caught in his ears.

Still, as he remained watching the now totally out-of-character wizard’s mouth stumbling out words rapidly, eyebrows furrowed with violet eyes enlarged……

An understanding sigh left the raven-haired Master and decided, “Merlin is acting more nervous. This is new…. Maybe he actually forgot about the magic incantation.”

Merlin, whose eyes flitting between his student and elsewhere, offered with a hesitant tone. “You don’t suppose I could teach you another way of casting instead of chanting, would you…?”

“If it helps to begin our first lesson.” Ritsuka sighed to follow the idea.

After all, he’s undoubtedly sure a historically infamous as Merlin bounded to have unorthodox approaches.

“Great, wonderful!” Merlin grinned cheerfully, with a contented face of the trouble he was freed from. “Then close your eyes first.”

“Huh?” Ritsuka questioned.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a prank you are speculating about. Just close your eyes….” The white-haired wizard raised both his hands to spread open. A rainbow appeared between his parting hands and proclaimed as he did so. “And use your imagination…!”

“Ok, now you’re just messing with me!” Ritsuka rebuked back at his half-incubus friend for nearly falling to his mischief again.

Another remorseless and merry chuckle escaped from the wizard, later soothed his increasingly vexed student. “My bad, I couldn’t help to tease my charming, eager student. Believe it or not, this approach is one of the many foundations you’re required to grasp before I teach you about your magecraft. You do not have to fret if it fails, after all… Dreams, imaginations, and illusions are the same born through desire.”

“…… Even if they are related to creating fabricated images, their effects differ from one another.

“Dreams are the subconscious of people’s wishes when asleep, or messages from the divine in myths.

“Imaginations are innovations of the mind.

“And last, illusions trick and deceive people from false expectations to the seer… Right, Merlin?”

Even as Ritsuka couldn’t help correcting his half-incubus friend, he expressed a knowing stare with an exasperated frown at the well-known catastrophe done.

Merlin beamed with pride at his accomplishments and acknowledged them.

“Another perfect ten points to Ritsuka-kun for the supplementary tidbit information!

“But it’s marvelous that you’re straightforward between the three to recognize what is your intent when casting the spell.

“Anyway, close your eyes.

“Feel your surrounding into the depths of your magic circuits to bring innate desire into existence.

“Easy?”

Ritsuka nodded to him with a slight shrug. “It’s no different from my mother’s test to understand what comes into my mind for an imagination. Let’s do this.”

“Now then, shall we?” Merlin gestured with a pleased look at his pupil’s enthusiasm. Another nod of his to guide the raven-haired Master to shut his eyes.

Ritsuka lifted his right hand again. The half-incubus’s voice spoke. “In your mind’s eyes, what do you see?”

Within the darkness of the raven-haired Master’s view, there was a clear image of Merlin’s staff in the same position on the ground.

An elastic hand reached to take the item towards him sounded like the comedy genre comics his old elementary school friends talked about.

However, the wind… A warm memory emerged to Ritsuka’s mind of a distant past.

He recalled back during the summer when he was nine years old on his family trip to Macedonia’s Stobi archeological site.

Even when the sun-scorched hot burning his skin, a mesmerizing sight, it ever would be. His birth mother brought him to view a formerly ancient city close to the battleground of Phillip V defeated the Dardanians.

Standing at the Roman theater to admire, a welcoming gust of wind blew against the young raven-haired boy. The colorful Stobi map he got from Skopje International Airport loosened in his hold and flew high into the wind. Ritsuka looked back. Next, he started chasing as hard as he could against the current for his map.

One small arm from the raven-haired boy stretched out to the sky. His fingertips grazing against the edge of the pamphlet to grasp hold... Ritsuka’s right hand turned over to make a beckoning gesture to the half-incubus’s staff. An act called forth the gentle breeze of his childhood to float the wizard staff in mid-air.

The staff glided against the wind was like how a message in the bottle drifted across the ocean. Fingertips grazed against the smooth wooden texture, and his right hand switched to grasp hold.

Ritsuka examined the staff back and forth briefly with engrossed blue eyes. But before he breathed a sigh, a commending clap echoed in the darkness to signify the end of an illusion. And Merlin’s pleased tone complimented. “Well done on your first shot, Ritsuka-kun. You can open your eyes now!”

The raven-haired Master opened his eyes and grew confused at what his half-incubus friend meant….

To the familiar pink flower field of Avalon, and—!

Both blue eyes widened as soon as his vision cleared and in view.

It wasn’t imagination, hallucination, or an illusion deceived by his teacher.

Dark bark brown wooden staff with lilac and light pink crystal secured at the top was in his hands! Ritsuka whirled to his smiling friend, disbelief painting his face altogether. “M-Merlin, this is…?! But, I didn’t think—! And now in my hands—!”

“I know, Ritsuka-kun,” Merlin smiled broader knowingly at his cute, tongue-tied student. He lifted his right hand to caress his student’s head. You can do it if you put your mind to it!

“You said that but… Without your help, I wouldn’t be able to do it.”

There is no need to be humble. I agree it’s only your first step, and it’s a long way to bring my teachings to a reality. So, shall we practice again? Time does not matter in Avalon. Be it an hour, day, or millennia has passed…. In a blink of an eye, everything is a dream. Merlin stretched his hand forward to the raven-haired Master.

Instead of being skeptical or hesitant, Ritsuka nodded with a restless and excited face. Handed the staff back to the wizard, he agreed. “Yeah, though I still can’t be late to meet my sister and Mash! But I want to hear more of Puck’s and King Arthur’s story, like you promised!”

Merlin bowed with a simple nod to acknowledge his young Lord’s wish. “As you wish, my Lord. Let us go ahead with our lesson.”

Watching the staff go back to its former position, Ritsuka raised his hand while thinking to himself. “As usual, do the same thing, like I train my imagination for my mother….”

=0=

“… ster…,” A rough male voice called out to his intended party amid the darkness. The said person didn’t reply. “… Oi…!”

A loud audible sigh echoed in the darkness, the rough voice becoming familiar by the second as he grumbled. “…… Geez… How… He managed… damn… Will be…!”

“Oi kid, wake up. You’re already late!”

“H… Huh…?” Ritsuka finally acknowledged, gathering the strength to clear the blackness from his view….

Upon opening his eyes, the raven-haired Master greeted at sight was his blue-haired Caster Servant. Both of them were in the well-lit server room, with Cu Chulainn kneeling on one knee before his Master sitting on the ground.

The former red eyes narrowed to study his Master with one hand placed on the latter’s shoulder. His frown lips interrogated to affirm the raven-haired Master’s state. “Kid?”

Still in a daze from his slumber, Ritsuka’s blue eyes wander around to view his surroundings. His sight settled to peer over his right hand where his palm was facing out.

On the palm, there was a familiar pink-colored flower he recognized quickly from the land of Avalon inside his dreams. He pondered to himself in a daze. “Flo… Wer…?”

A glowing blue butterfly fluttered out of nowhere, landing on a petal.

It suddenly vanished away simultaneously with the flower…

Like an illusion of his own mind, he murmured. “Ah… It’s gone….”

“Hey, kid!” Caster Cu Chulainn’s voice called out to him once more.

“Huh…?” Turning his attention back to the front, Ritsuka’s mind became more apparent, and he finally acknowledged his Servant.

“… Oh, it’s you, Caster. What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” Cu quoted with one eyebrow raised. Next, let out a loud snort. “That should be my question, kid. Imouto-chan got worried you forgot the time because you’re on maintenance patrol duty today… Or so you’re supposed to.”

Followed by the red eyes glancing at the open book placed beside him, Ritsuka recalled his situation.

He completed the maintenance checking patrol, with the server room here being the last place.

Finished his duties hours earlier, he sat down to begin his reading until the appointed schedule for training…

Until an angry sigh slipped from the raven-haired Master, fully recalled what transpired from his sleep. “Ah, that’s right… That Merlin, he didn’t keep his promise to continue telling both King Arthur’s and Puck’s stories like he said he would at the end…!”

While Ritsuka can’t deny with gratitude thanks to the said wizard teaching him practical also questionable magecraft for mission.…

Merlin bid him farewell at the last minute again with his cheerful smile.

He was back to reality after the darkness slammed into his face.

Shook his head to decide to preserve his anger for the actual culprit, the raven-haired Master explained. “I assumed I had the time once I completed the maintenance check on the server before we start our training, Caster. But, maybe investigating on the identity of Mash’s Servant and a magecraft to study may have been too much.”

“Dedicated one, aren’t you?” Cu chuckled as his gaze landed on the book beside his Master. He picked it up and the title of the book cover. “Jewel magecraft?”

Ritsuka shrugged as a reply. He stood up as his Caster moved back, stretching his arm and neck with a faint groan. “Sadakuni-san suggested I’d try exploring different magecraft that gives more practice on strengthening magecraft. But... Old habits die hard, even if they are odd muscle memories. By the way, where are the others?”

“Oh, them? That Sadakuni suggested looking at Imouto-chan’s training while waiting for you. She’s taking it tough for herself to train up to his tests of an average Magus.” Cu answered as he stood up too to join his Master too.

“I heard from Mash, the previous director offered him as a surveillance member of Chaldea.

“His family magecraft is a hybrid of ninjitsu and onmyodo, making one of the valuable backup frontline fighters when dealing with an army.”

Yet the prospect of training much more spartan than an average combat training left a frown on Ritsuka’s lips.

He let out an exasperated yet troubled sigh after being reminded of the news when he first learned. “Nevertheless, I’m glad Ritsuko told me she found a magecraft to learn and fight....”

As the raven-haired Master walked to the exit, it wasn’t as if he didn’t understand or comprehend Ritsuko’s decision.

But the best answer was to support her choice and entrust Sadakuni to know what he was doing.

“I’m sure your Imouto-chan will be fine, ‘Onii-san,’” Cu snickered at his Master’s stressed furrowed eyebrows.

“Never realized you’re the type to be extremely protective of your own younger sister.”

Ritsuka huffed in return with an unamused expression at the accusation. “I’m pretty sure I care for my sister at a healthy amount, as her older brother should. And I know she’ll come to me with her smile once she shares the things she learns and shows off to Mash to charm her, too.”

“Oh? That’s fantastic! Then... What about you, Master?”

The abrupt question caused Ritsuka to pause in his tracks. Next, he turned behind to throw an odd look at his Servant. “Me? What do you mean ‘me’, Caster?”

Cu simply chuckled, now sauntering over to where his Master was. “Come on, you’re not the forgetful kind, right? Your reason in deciding alongside with us Servants. Well, can’t deny I’m glad to have a Master who had the guts to go into the front line like a warrior. And I’ve seen many reasons men fought.”

A laugh that reflected nothing of amusement or joy. Neither the smile reached his red eyes, staring at the raven-haired Master like a criminal or prey to the hound.

However, as Ritsuka moved each step back warily…. He maintained both of his blue eyes against Caster’s own red.

“For glory and honor, power, money, vengeance, and just about everything when they wield a weapon.” Cu narrated with a shrug. Then, his gaze narrowed to reveal suspicion and a bit of coldness he had to his Master.

“But you, what are you fighting for, Master?!”

Now backed against the wall, Caster Cu cornered his Master and slammed his hand to his side to prevent the latter from escaping.

The loud noise of the impact beside Ritsuka caused him to gulp. His frame tensed with alert in the matter of his Servant planned to attack him here and now.

“I, for my experience in countless battles, couldn’t figure out who you really are.

“What are you, Fujimaru Ritsuka?”

Cu interrogated with his body, leaned over, his teeth bared in anger to demand the answer.

“Hey, you… Who are you?”

Inside Ritsuka’s thoughts, another voice challenged him with a similar question.

But it held indescribable feelings for the Master.

Who is Fujimaru Ritsuka? What is he…? A firm faith was what his Caster required. Ritsuka recognized words won’t be enough… If he needed to get Cu’s trust to help Ritsuko and Mash…

“…… I’m… I’m Fujimaru Ritsuka, the older brother to my sister, Fujimaru Ritsuko,” The raven-haired Master asserted.

His blue eyes gaze back into his Caster’s red eyes.

“Right now, there is only one place where humanity continues to exist. Ritsuko needs me. I’m the only family she has left. And not only Ritsuko, Doctor Roman, Mash, and everybody, they need me!”

Grabbing hold of the Caster Servant’s hand blocking him, Ritsuka shoved it aside and moved a single step forward. “That’s why I wish to fight by everyone’s side! You may not believe my words, but I refuse to sit by to do nothing and watch both of them to recover our home.”

But, even when strained silence took place between the Master and Servant, it lasted less than a few minutes. Cu broke the atmosphere with a heavy sigh, picking up his hand back to rub the back of his neck. “Well, that wasn’t the answer I’m hoping to hear, but....”

“But...?”

At Ritsuka’s curious prod, the blue-haired Caster finally smirked at him. “I’m countin’ on you, Master. You won’t be able to use me like normal, but do what you gotta do.”

After grasping the unexpected attitude of his Servant, the raven-haired huffed and let out his own exasperated smile to his relief. “That doesn’t mean I’m unsure of my plan like back before. Anyway, we’re going to be really late if we stay here to keep talking. Let’s get going!”

“Aye, aye, Master!” Cu grinned at the notion, tagging behind to follow his Master towards the exit.

When Ritsuka was about to leave, a sudden realization struck his mind, and he panicked. “I almost forgot, the book!”

“Oh, leave that—!”

Before the Caster offered his aid to help, the raven-haired stretched his hand out in attempting to reach out for the book.

A slight gust of current caused it to float from the ground later drifted across the room towards where they stood.

Once he clutched in his hold, Ritsuka sighed in relief. “That was close, or I’m dead for losing a borrowed book—!

“Caster…?” His own mumbling stopped upon catching his Servant’s astonished face.

The red eyes enlarged and unblinking at the magical feat performed, Cu narrowed his eyes with skepticism. “Kid, you....”

“Wait, um... Y-You see, I was reading spell books last night too, to study.” Ritsuka hurriedly disclosed to his Servant. Or what else would justify his sudden mastery of magic?

“And I stumbled upon a list of basic spells to practice on the Strengthening magecraft—!”

Halfway through his Master’s panic blabbering, the blue-haired Caster grinned with pride. He placed an arm around the former’s neck and proclaimed. “What do you know?! My Master is spunky and a true genius in mastering magecraft on his own too. Looks like I don’t have to waste time teaching you magic spells after all!”

Though the raven-haired Master was mentally relieved and guilty for lying to the Caster… He frowned internally with irritation at his Caster’s joy.

“So that’s what he was worried about... Then again, it’s better than him knowing Merlin teaching me and his insults...”

It was not as if Servants could materialize in a dream to locate his half-incubus friend for a beating.

In the end, Ritsuka settled with his own agreeing smile. “Yeah, I don’t want to trouble you or Sadakuni-san to train me, so I look it up myself!”

“Now, that’s more like it! Time to show off to the ladies and that Archer bastard at your new tricks!!” Cu decided gleefully at his suggestion. He dragged the Master in his tow towards the exit and to their destination training room.

Ritsuka shared the amusement from his Servant. He rolled his eyes at the declaration to watch Emiya’s defeated face. “Right, right, just remember to spare us both once things become over-heated between you and ‘Mom,’ Dad.”

“Hey, don’t call me that!” The irritation laced in the blue-haired Caster simply let his Master’s chuckle transform into a loud laugh from his teasing.

Towards their destination, Ritsuka certain be it Lev, the King of Knights, or whatever enemies Merlin foresaw...

Their goal towards restoring humanity was in his reach quickly with his sister and friends like this.

End of Issue #6

By the chapter number, we're going to reach the end of Fuyuki Arc at last with one more epilogue to go! I'm not that busy like before, but definitely not a good sign to get judged by your colleagues, boss's big boss if you're idle at work OTL

Anyway, I can't promise but I'll try to finish up for the epilogue to finally head to the New Orleans arc!

And yes, I have realized how weird it is for Merlin to know and talk about magic circuits. I'm going with the idea due to his observation of humanity from everything... He just 'knows' more of explaining to Ritsuka since that's what they were taught with. But I assure he's not looking by the magic circuits with his nature as a half-incubus. I'll say the magecraft he's teaching is related to why Ritsuka is connected to Merlin and Avalon.

Lastly Caster Cu and Ritsuka's relationship for those ask on the pairing, this chapter explains why. Looks like our Ritsuka's speech on fighting side by side with Servants isn't as convincing as he thought, whether he realized it or not, does it intentionally or not... It's kind of why I had a dream someone explain what Ritsuka is. There is more that meets the eye for him too, but I'll put in trigger words for chapter relating to it. Hopefully you do enjoy this issue for Fuyuki arc!

#fgo #Fate Grand Order #fgo destiny awakenings #fujimaru ritsuka #gudao #merlin #caster cu chulainn

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fgodestinyawakenings · 2 years

Text

Note for FGO DA CDD# Issue 6

I’m posting it as a separate post before I release the new chapter this evening. I would say I was done with this chapter. But took long to edit because I got inspired to redo Ritsuka aka Gudao’s main weapon for combat...

Which I found using sword for weapon was too cliche because it ended up becomes a typical hero story of either sword, great sword or martial arts

And there’s my slight bias in liking Staff as weapon. So I played around that idea, and Ritsuka’s intended magecraft... It gave something like this which I’m too lazy and procrastinated to finalize the design

It’s meant to be able to switch between two forms of staff or sword for combat. Or, to different kinds of weapon due to the magecraft.

Anyway, this idea won’t be implemented in the early arcs for now. Which hence kept me distracted from completing the chapter

#fgo destiny awakenings #the shit i shit myself into

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fgodestinyawakenings · 3 years

Note

When will Orleans acr comes out

I'm left with last two issues for Chaldea Daily Digest where both plot outline are already finalized

Issue 5 will focus more on Ritsuko aka Gudako's centric plot, but I'll put up trigger warnings on the flashback such as the result of post family abusive situation and PTSD? Though they aren't on Ritsuko but her POV on meeting Ritsuka first time. There's also a bit of flashback on Ritsuko's POV when Control Room exploded, and the dying answer on waifu Gudako fandom when Gudako will not become Sakura of Naruto via getting her own magecraft learned

Issue 6 has back to Gudao on the front on learning his magecraft from Merlin, his answer to Caster Cu on his reason to fight with a bit more insight to Gudao's real personality... And the his own unique magical circuits based on canon plot Gudas are able to 'see' what's happening Orleans

As to when they are appearing...... Hard to say, really. Work is shit, and my dad is hospitalized for waiting on Liver Transplant + Kidney issue cause by his Liver failure

But I will be putting Orleans in a new story altogether because my Word document will lag and break down on my computer and internet. And AO3 + FF.net, so it'll be a series for this whole story

#asks & answers #fgo destiny awakenings

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fgodestinyawakenings · 3 years

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Chapters: 24/? Fandom: Fate/Grand Order, Fate/stay night & Related Fandoms Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Mash/Gudako, Romani/Ritsuka, Merlin/Ritsuka, Platonic servant/Master, Platonic Ritsuka/Mash Characters: Female Protagonist (Fate/Grand Order), Male Protagonist (Fate/Grand Order), Mashu Kyrielite | Shielder, Mash Kyrielight | Shielder, Romani Archman, Merlin (Fate) Additional Tags: Step-siblings, two masters and 1 servant, Novelization, with original twist, gudako is renamed as ritsuko in this story, ritsuka is the name for male protagonist, Ratings will go up when hit a certain chapter, Top!Romani/Bottom!Ritsuka Summary:

Ritsuko: My brother has been in the infirmary for a while now… Ritsuko: Do you think they’re… Ritsuko: Making out?!

*Cut to Romani and Ritsuka in the Doctor's room holding a Magi*Mari light stick and waiting for the next livestream Ritsuka has missed out to start*

Romani & Ritsuka: This is gonna be so sick!

-- Meanwhile during the training lesson for Magecraft on Ritsuko's end

#fgo #fate grand order #fgo destiny awakenings #romani archaman #gudao #fujimaru ritsuka #fou

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fgodestinyawakenings · 2 years

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Chapters: 25/? Fandom: Fate/Grand Order, Fate/stay night & Related Fandoms Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Mash/Gudako, Romani/Ritsuka, Merlin/Ritsuka, Platonic servant/Master, Platonic Ritsuka/Mash Characters: Female Protagonist (Fate/Grand Order), Male Protagonist (Fate/Grand Order), Mashu Kyrielite | Shielder, Mash Kyrielight | Shielder, Romani Archman, Merlin (Fate) Additional Tags: Step-siblings, two masters and 1 servant, Novelization, with original twist, gudako is renamed as ritsuko in this story, ritsuka is the name for male protagonist, Ratings will go up when hit a certain chapter, Top!Romani/Bottom!Ritsuka Summary:

===

Ritsuko: *stares* Mash: ? Ritsuko, passive aggressive whisper: When can we be lesbian?

-- Mash tending Ritsuko's wounds gained from strengthening magecraft training

#fgo #fate grand order #fgo destiny awakenings #mash kyrielight #gudako #fujimaru ritsuka

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fgodestinyawakenings · 2 years

Text

FGO Destiny Awakenings: CDD #5

Definitely not a good chapter, because I planned two scenes inside for flashback in here. One is an alternate short POV in the Command Room explosion, the other is the first meeting between Fujimaru Siblings. And also, mainly a development for Ritsuko to grow less cowardly and now to make her move now to fight for humanity... Which hence it took me very long and probably in the not very well conveyed how she develop from this.

Lastly... My Dad passed away last year September, so my mind had a mental breakdown in processing emotions which make my mom worry. Of course work life being shit and overwhelming workload didn't help too.

However, this chapter will have Trigger Words of post family abuse aftermath result in it for safety. Because I'm not even sure it's triggering or offending people on the topic of post-family abuse situation. I'll be clear that my writing may not reflect realistically on what happen in actual real life abuse.

But if you do have friends or yourself in a violent family abuse situation that really needs help, Wikipedia is unfortunately not the best answer as I needed a list of worldwide hotlines for every countries here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_domestic_violence_hotlines

=== Author's note:

Ritsuka & Ritsuka (Gudao & Gudako) profile can be found here: Tumblr Link

For Ritsuka's father, he looks like an older version of Charlemagne of Fate/Extella with complete black hair

For Ritsuko's mother, she resembled more towards Haydee a little but still an adult looking version of Ritsuko

Both are not drawn so please imagine as you wish OTL

--------

Ritsuko: *stares* Mash: ? Ritsuko, passive aggressive whisper: When can we be lesbian?

-- Mash tending Ritsuko's wounds gained from strengthening magecraft training

AO3 || Fanfiction.net || Ritsuka & Ritsuko's Profile

Cowardly fools are more blessed than others

“Feel the heat as the source of your mana…,” Ritsuko muttered to herself alone inside the dimly lit training room.

Her hands hovering above a small lit-up glass lamp brighten than natural by her mana for today’s training lesson.

The ongoing transmitted magical energy continuously illuminated more, diminished their shadow until there was nothing.

A small smile twisted on her lips, thinking to herself in delight. “Alright! Just like this and—!”

KLANG!

“Ah!” Ritsuko raised both arms to shield herself from the shattering glass lamp. Once the burst of light flashed again from her overcharged lamp faded…. She gawked at the remains and let out a frustrated groan. “Oh, come on! And I was close too!!”

The broken lamp before her joined her mountain of failures on her left. 20 lamps she requested from Sadakuni, only 4 charged and illuminated the initial dark training room. 15 or now 16 lamps broken set aside, the orange-haired Master sighed. “I don’t think Sadakuni-san will spare me any more lamps. There won’t be enough if a sudden blackout happens.”

Switched her attention to mama charged lamp, Ritsuko picked one of them to inspect with a frown. “I can’t be running on sheer luck at this point! If I can’t be consistent in channeling my mana, everybody will—Wah!”

The dimly lit room burst with light after being switched on. Ritsuko whirled her head to the entrance, finding a familiar pair of stunned and concerned Mash. And behind her, the Archer Servant Emiya’s expression where a brief surprise at her Master’s whereabouts.

Breathed a relief sigh, the orange-haired Master greeted. “It’s just you two, Mash-chan, Emiya-san. Did they call us to support any sort of help?”

“Yes, Ritsuko-senpai.

“Emiya-senpai and I were looking for you to discuss with Duston-san on inspecting maintenance duty shift—!”

The Demi-Servant’s answer was cut short when her purple eyes widened at what she saw.

She rushed towards the orange-haired Master, lifting the latter’s bleeding fingers and palms as her face paled at the sight. “Your hand is bleeding, Senpai!”

“What?” Ritsuko’s initial confusion transformed into realization upon following Mash’s gaze.

“O-Oh, this is from the strengthening magecraft! I suppose the last exploded lamp was a bit too much than I guessed!”

The flustered laughter from Ritsuko only intensified the Demi-Servant’s worries. Before she could interject, the tan-skinned and white-haired Archer spoke up behind her. “I’ll fetch the first aid kit. Please stay to tend Master, Mash.”

Watched the Archer Servant spun and vanished into his Spirit firm, Mash peered behind her with a thankful nod. “Thank you, Emiya-senpai.”

-0-

“Fou fou?” Fou sat down a distance behind the two girls, his head examining the broken glass of a lamp.

Before he prodded it with one of his front paws, a broom swept away the glass, accompanied by Emiya’s warning. “Try not to come too close, Fou.”

“Fou!” The white furry creature acknowledged with a squeak, observing the Archer Servant cleaning the training room.

Meanwhile, Ritsuko seated with the Demi-Servant where the latter tending her injured palm.

After cleaning and ensuring the bleeding ceased, Mash carefully dipped a gauze cloth covered with anesthetic ointment on the wound.

Winced at the stinging pain a few times from the medication, Ritsuko breathed out a whisper. “Thanks for the help, Mash-chan.”

Mash shook her head while remaining attentive with a faint beam on her face. “It’s not a problem, Ritsuko-senpai.”

More than an angel, Ritsuko thought to herself after seeing her in a closer view. Her violet eyes carried a soft and warm emotion. The delicate lips curved a smile as though to admire the hands as she fastened the bandages closed.

Though as much as the orange-haired Master wished to admire longer, her curiosity got the better and pressed with a slightly teasing mood. “Is there something on my hand you’re smiling about?”

“W-What? N-No, nothing at all, Senpai.” Mash’s cheeks burned red on recognizing how embarrassing she must’ve appeared before her Master. She promptly returned with a bashful grin and admitted. “I remembered back when the control room exploded, and I became trapped under the debris. Senpai held my hands with her own until Ritsuka-senpai came for us.”

The bespectacled Demi-Servant’s admission caused her Master’s jaw to drop. A groan escaped, and Ritsuko nearly slumped down in a humiliated face. “O-Oh, that, huh?! That was embarrassing. Please don’t bring it up again! Just thinking about it makes me want to crawl into the closet and never come out again….”

But, for Mash, she laughed warmly despite the protest. “To me, however, it wasn’t Senpai. Because…”

-0-

Darkness was Ritsuko’s companion before her team’s turn to reyshift into Fuyuki. It would be a stretch to say it wasn’t nerve-wracking. There were few others aside from her gagged and fainting before they started the mission.

The orange-haired girl remembered the irritated, high-pitched shriek from Olga Marie.

Even a distance away from her, Ritsuko heard her yelling to Lev, ordering him to have the Head Doctor show up to tend the weak Team B. All the moments where she was—!

“…. Senpai!” A familiar voice cried out to her from the darkness urgently.

“E… Eh?”

Next, another familiar squeaking noise cried to rouse her from the darkness. “Kyu…. Kyu, fou!”

“Fou-kun…?” The orange-haired Master recognized the noise once her brain processed the awareness for Fou and…

Mash’s worried and panicked voice shouted for her once more. “Ritsuko-senpai, please wake up!!!”

Black transformed from white to a blazing fiery orange surrounding them. Small broken debris on her body and the smell of smoke nearly overwhelmed her lungs… Ritsuko weakly choked while struggling to fixate her vision.

“Mash-chan…?” The orange-haired Master’s eyes landed on the bespectacled violet-haired girl and the white squirrel-like creature.

“Fou-kun…?”

“Fou fou!”

While Fou squeaked a few times to respond in joy, Mash let out her own shaky relief breath she held the whole time. “Thank goodness you’re alright, Senpai.”

“What do you mean—?” The orange-haired girl’s own question was solved by the alarm’s noise. A horrified gasp escaped upon seeing the sight before her. Flames continued to spread and scorched everything it stood. Broken coffins with unconscious participants in or dropped out of the capsules…

And there were the Chaldeas instead of brilliant shining blue…. A dark ash gray reinforced their impending catastrophe and death. Ritsuko then muttered once her orange eyes settled on the globe. “What… What happen?”

“To be honest, I don’t have any clue. Just when I was to return to my coffin before the reyshift, an explosion happened.” Mash shook her dejectedly, hints of frustration as she went on at how clueless she was. “Everyone in the A-Team was badly injured…. Along with the rest of the candidates, Senpai. Only you are the one who’s alright and.”

“This is horrible…,” Ritsuko muttered. If the cold sweat didn’t chill down her spine at their plight, later, the sense of dread doomed in her heart to what Mash explained. “An explosion… Then, Ritsuka…!!”

“Senpai, wait!” The bespectacled violet-haired girl yelling fell deaf onto Ritsuko. She at once hopped out of her coffin and sprinted towards the exit.

Fou’s cries and Mash’s shouting muffled by the blazing fire and the collapsing Command room. The noises of Ritsuko’s own heart hammering and frantic running fueled the panic in her head. “Of all days, it had to be the first day of our job to have a disaster! Would anywhere else be attacked?”

Even her own lungs demanded a respite against the vast smoke. The orange-haired girl shook her head and pressed on. “No, Ritsuka should be fine. There’s no way it would reach there. But, he could still be sleeping thanks to simulation….”

She shook her head repeatedly. Her heart pounded as harsh as how her leg muscle ached from the fatigue of running. “No, no, the explosion here definitely reached him. Someone would wake him for sure! He’s going to be alright! Ritsuka is—!”

“Above you, Senpai!!!” The last scream from Mash towards the orange-haired girl. Where the former shoved the latter forward roughly...

Then a mighty rumbling roar and deafening thud engulfed the area with dust and smoke. Ritsuko coughed against the sand, blew towards her. “Mash… Chan?”

Upon her sight, when the smoke cleared, Ritsuko became frozen, rigid with terror. Her skin paled matched with Mash’s unconscious face except for the blood dripping from her head. Her spectacles broke from the impact of the large rubble above her…

As blood slowly dyed her clothes in red, Fou cried out anxiously for his owner. “Fooou! foou!! Fou! Fooooooou!!!”

“Mash-chan!!!” Stumbled in horror, Ritsuko hurried and kneeled to her side. One hand grabbed hold of Mash’s own. The other moved to her face and tapped a few times lightly. “C-Can you hear me, Mash-chan?! Please answer me! Mash-chan!!!”

A weak groan and eyes gradually opened from Mash. She blinked a few times and acknowledged. “S…. Senpai….?”

Ritsuko breathed out a shaky relief sigh. A few tears fell from her eyes. She shook her head and pleaded. “P-Please stay with me….! I will get this off you, so hang on—!”

“No… You must leave….” Mash mustered as much ounce of strength against the crushing injury of her ribs to lift her arm. She raised her hand above the orange-haired girl’s own hand to stop and urged her to leave. “Ritsuka-senpai must be…. Worried about you, Senpai. Hurry or else—!”

“I’m not leaving you here!” Ritsuko interrupted while grabbing Mash’s raised hand with both of her hands. “I’ll bring us both out of here! Ritsuka may be glad to see me safe if I went ahead….”

Tears returned to overflow around her orange eyes, Ritsuko declared with a resolute voice loudly. “But I won’t ever forgive myself for letting you die if I came out alive!! Because you’re my friend, Mash-chan, that’s why I want to save you too!”

Despite how courageous and assuring she wished to sound, Mash noticed the trembling in her hand and how deeply the orange-haired girl felt for her. A single thought formed inside the Demi-Servant’s own mind...

“At that time as you say such words, whether to put a strong front for me or yourself… I’ll never forget the warmth of your trembling hands is the reason why I never hesitated to accept the condition from the Servant given inside me.”

-0-

Mash wore a nostalgic smile with her eyes closed while recalling and concluding. "That's why whenever I'm down or in fear, Senpai's quivering hand, you and Ritsuka-senpai, who stood by my side…. They will ever be the source of my strength."

"Mash-chan…."

No matter how awed and gratefully Ritsuko's soul swelled at the Demi-Servant's sincerity, her head sank down sadly at what she recalled otherwise.

"But aren't I just coward?"

"Senpai…?"

"Thinking back to what happened in Fuyuki, I doubted if that brave part of me was even there. At the sight of enemies and dangerous Servant, I hide and rely on Ritsuka's aid to save me. I'm sure Ritsuka is also afraid, but yet I can't tell if he is or not. Then again…."

The orange-haired Master showed a deprecated smile to Mash's uncertain look and laughed. "That's why I admire Ritsuka the most. Even when his thinking can be skewed a little, he'll always be a cool head to get us out of trouble. If I were like him, I wouldn't drag all of us down in Fuyuki."

Not only the Demi-Servant, but Fou also went towards Ritsuko. Both of his front paws planted on her lap as though seeking to comfort her. "Fou…"

A severe difference between the Fujimaru siblings, Ritsuko often recalled and reproached herself.

Even when Ritsuka held his anger towards Lev, he remained calm and shielded her before the professor attacked them.

Even up against Medusa and the two other Servants, she realized she's the most significant burden for her passiveness by her cowardice.

Mash wouldn't have been in a perilous position on forcing herself to invoke a Noble Phantasm if she hadn't fallen for Caster Cu Chulainn's self-proclaimed training trap….

"What you said is correct, Master." Emiya's voice agreed with the conclusions she bemoaned to herself as he approached. The two girls whipped their heads over to face him while he continued. "I'm sure you understand that sort of behavior will kill you two if it wasn't likewise for Mash's quick-thinking to save you all. The hesitancy that occurs would've been a handicap to drag the mission further."

"Emiya-senpai?"

Cool black orbs from the Archer assuredly to the Demi-Servant's concern about his chiding. He shifted back to the orange-haired Master, who bore a bewildered face. "That would've been my lecture if you're an experienced Mage. You're a new Master. No, a new Mage. I know how you feel.

"You must be frustrated with how powerless by your own fears of what you've been through, but right now, let's keep looking forward. Isn't that right, Ritsuko? Will you stay petrified with fear? Or would you move forward to strive for your goal?"

“Isn’t that obvious…?” Ritsuko’s reply trailed away once her gaze settled on what her white-haired Servant handed to her in his grip. The familiar unlit lamp was yet used because of the welcome intrusion of the two Servants.

Emiya’s subsequent admittance answered the purpose of the lamp he handed over to her. “Whether it was fate that I’m summoned by you or not…. I’m clear it was no mistake you have your own strength and capacities as a Master to lead us with your brother, Master.”

Accepted the lamp into her hold while the orange-haired Master’s eyes fixated on the object. Her thoughts were elsewhere. This wasn’t the time to punish herself by comparing Ritsuka and her own person!

Twins were alike for their names only when she boasted with pride and joked to her elementary school friends. But, they would always be their own person, no matter whoever sought to compare the two.

Ritsuka’s mature intellect with athletic capabilities was himself and why he was elected as Student Council President.

And she…

“Fou fooou fou!” Fou squeaked, seemingly agreeing again to the orange-haired Master’s conclusions and judgment.

“Right!” Ritsuko closed her eyes after letting out a sigh from her lips. If her Servant wanted to see her worth as his Master, then the answer was the steadily glowing charged lamp.

While it flickered from time to time by traces of worry and hesitancy, Mash noted as she observed. Fou let out another expected squeak. “Foou…”

The light continued to illuminate further and better by her resolve or the energy of her mana.

Unwavering and headstrong optimism to illuminate out the gloom as it ended.

After exhaling her own breath, Ritsuko opened her eyes and widened at the full charge glowing lamp. “I… I did it?”

“Fou fou kyu fooou!” Fou squeaked and hopped around the orange-haired Master to congratulate her for the success.

Even the violet-haired Demi-Servant’s face lit up with a soft red blush and commended. “Amazing! You did it, Senpai. A fully charged mana lamp with no backlash!”

“Y-Yeah! I couldn’t charge it without a bit of the painful spark that caused overcharging. But now it just lit up with no issue!” Ritsuko picked up her charged lamp to study again in incredulity. No hints of sudden outbursts or even diffusions happened when she rotated the lamp around.

It was the brightest and stable lamp among the four other lamps.

Or, to be exact, this was the correct potential of her growing magical powers, Emiya noted mentally before presenting his acknowledgment of approval.

“Before a Master, both of you are ordinary people foremost.

“Emotions such as your fears and doubts are factors to never run away from but to carry forward with your head held high. That’s why it’s normal to get anxious at first, but…. It seems my concerns on the effect of my words weren’t necessary.”

“Emiya-san….” Ritsuko muttered to the concerns he harbored at first. Yet, by the faint relief emotions from the Archer’s words, he accepted her worth as his Master. A brilliant smile curled on her lips, and she shook her head gratefully. “It should be I who is sorry to you and Mash-chan for worrying you guys. Thank you for the encouragement to wake me up, Emiya-san!”

While the white-haired Archer returned with a terse nod, Mash returned with her own reassuring smile. “There’s no need to thank us, Ritsuko-senpai. Ritsuka-senpai, Caster, and all of us would be more than willing to cheer you up!”

After Ritsuko showed an enthusiastic grin to the Demi-Servant, a strange thought produced in her mind.

Her head whipped to face her Archer Servant again. “Hey, Emiya-san…”

“Hm?”

“You and that Caster met before, right? What’s your beef with him? Is he that terrible as a Servant to have?” Or what else explained to Ritsuko on hers and her brother’s needs to split them like earlier before they ravaged the training room.

And it was because Emiya provoked Caster Cu Chulainn’s incompetence to harden his staff to a spear for his longing to be a Lancer-class.

While Caster countered by begging to differ, at least he wasn’t suffering an inferiority complex from his previous experiences.

“Ah…. That huh…,” Emiya sighed upon reminding the earlier event. “In terms of our view and ideals, we just don’t get along. But when our mission begins, I promise to aid you and Ritsuka to the fullest. Even it means compromising with the unpleasantness of working with him again.”

“Well, please do to ease our incoming headaches,” Ritsuko acknowledged.

At least her Servant was more agreeable in obeying his Master’s wish. That’s one worry settled in her heart.

Mash lifted a hand to her chin thoughtfully and wondered. “Senpai, are you bothered about Ritsuka-senpai since the last training?”

“What? N-No!”

Despite her initial denial, the orange-haired Master confessed with sighed at how adorably concerned her Demi-Servant’s face presented.

“Alright, maybe a little…. I trust he won’t turn around and start attacking us in the back for his ‘training.’ It’s just that I’m glad Ritsuka is opening up and having fun to looking forward to meeting the historical characters he worships.”

“And Senpai is concerned because…?”

The Demi-Servant prodded again with confusion.

The orange-haired Master’s face colored with nervousness and reluctance to explain her reason. However, the furrowed brows on Mash, along with Emiya’s own under his impassive mask, resigned her fate. “This is only between us three, okay? Well, Ritsuka wasn’t like this in the past. Or, at least when I first met him….”

“When I first heard from my Mom, I’m going to have a new older brother from remarrying my stepdad, I was so excited on meeting him.

“I always hear stories how my friends talked about having a sibling to play with. Though even when they sounded annoyed, there’s so much love they have for them so I can’t wait to meet him.”

A young orange-haired girl swinging her legs happily on a chair inside a private room of a high-class restaurant. Her hair was tied in a single loose ponytail with a yellow and white flora pattern.

Ritsuko’s cheek painted red with a sunny smile, hoping her favorite orange-colored sundress impressed her new brother.

From the noise of footsteps coming into the room a few minutes afterward, Ritsuko perked up to the older orange-haired woman resembling her. She hopped off from her seat and rushed to where she was. “Are they here yet, Okaa-san?!”

“They will be soon, Ritsuko-chan.” Her mom responded, dropping her body slightly and patting her daughter’s head. “Try to be a bit more patient, alright.”

“Hehe!” Ritsuko giggled as her mother’s chiding had no bite. The latter understood how restless she was when she first learned about having a new brother. The 10 years of raising her daughter by herself may have made her lonesome when she’s working in the office.

But, with a new father and brother, she only hoped Ritsuko’s solitude softened a little.

The young girl spotted the smile on her mom’s face transformed into a gloomy expression.

She kneeled down on both knees to look into her daughter’s eyes. “Ritsuko-chan, there’s something you must know before we meet them….”

“What is it? Is that man Okaa-san marrying being mean…?” Ritsuko asked. Her heart pounded with panic at the possibility of her new father was an evil person. And he forced her mom to do things she didn’t like.

“No, it’s nothing like that,” The orange-haired girl saw her mom laugh assuredly.

She held both of her daughter’s hands in a delicate grasp and explained. “It’s your new brother, Ritsuko-chan. Six months ago, Charles couldn’t contact and find him for months after his mommy disappeared with him on their visit to her family. And when Charles finally found them, Ritsuka… He has been through a lot of bad things by his mommy and nearly died.”

Whatever temporary relief Ritsuko had for her mom took over with horrified fear at what her new brother went through. Her orange eyes grew big, her hands holding her mother’s own stiffened as she demanded. “W…. Why would Ritsuka’s mommy do such a thing to him, Okaa-san…? What did she do to him?!”

“I’m sorry, Ritsuko-chan. I can’t tell you yet. You’re too young to understand…,” Ritsuko’s mother shook her head in sadness. “But Charles was glad that he was alright after bringing him back to life from his supposed death. From that day forward, Charles took your brother with him after the divorce and ensured his ex-wife won’t see him again.”

“But, Okaa-san…! What happened—?!”

Ritsuko’s mom interjected once more and requested with a painstaking tone. “I will explain to you when you’re older. But please take care of each other, okay…?”

“… Yes, Okaa-san…,” Ritsuko accepted with reluctance.

Even as her mother stood and patted her head apologetic and assuredly, the curiosity, worries and fears etched in her heart remained.

“I wanted to ask more, but I know my mom will just give back the same answer. ‘I was too young understand’, she said. Telling me Ritsuka’s mom did something really bad to him so Dad ensured his mom will never come close to meet Ritsuka again.”

At the next minute, the door clicked opened got their attention. A tall, dark-haired man in a white coat and black shirt entered while carrying a child in his hold and closed the door behind them. Spun around, the man showed his face in his early 30s.

The man’s blue eyes spotted the mother-daughter pair, next greeted with an apologetic bow of his head.

“Kaoru-san, I’m sorry to keep you waiting….

“I had to take another direction after the traffic intersection would not move for an hour.”

“No, we weren’t waiting that long. As I have brought up, this is my daughter, Ritsuko.” Kaoru grinned assuredly, moving one hand placing it behind her daughter’s back.

On cue, Ritsuko presented the most gracious bow she practiced to them. She didn’t want her mom’s boss to judge them negatively, recalling they came from a somewhat wealthy or something family. “Pleased to meet you!”

Though Charles acknowledged with a modest, gentle smile, the orange-haired girl’s attention was elsewhere. To be specific, it was the young black-haired boy in his hold. His head rested against his father’s shoulder, facing away from them.

Sensed by the interest from Ritsuko, Charles beamed and introduced. “This is your older brother, Ritsuka-san, Ritsuko-san. Though he’s older than you by a year, he will study in the same grade as you. I hope the two of you will get along with each other.

“I see….” Ritsuko murmured while studying her new older sibling being set down gingerly. A plain white T-shirt and dark-colored shorts were worn that would have fit the dark-haired child’s size...

“Even that shirt and shorts was about his size, it was 10 times bigger by how visible his bones were. The blue eyes have no single light inside him, staring at nothing except the abyss….”

In plain view, Ritsuka’s skinny arms, legs, and body were all skin and bones by how the shapes of the bones stuck out. Maybe it was because of that. Charles forgone without the shoes for his son and carried him in. His face facing downwards was near spectral at how pale he appeared and his sunken cheeks.

Charles next kneeled on one knee by his son’s side, putting one hand on his head gently and introducing. “Ritsuka-san, this is your new mom and little sister. It’s alright. They are nice people to be a family, especially your sister.”

Yet, Ritsuka did no movement or sound to answer his father’s words.

His head remained bent downward, gazing at nothing in silence.

The dark-haired man’s eyebrows furrowed in worry at his sullen behavior.

Even Kaoru, furrowed with worries at her new stepson, but... Ritsuko moved to stand before him. She grasped both of his frail hands and threw her brilliant grin. “Nice to meet you, Ritsuka! My name is Ritsuko. I’ll be your new little sister from today onwards. So, I hope to be in your care!”

Her introduction caught Ritsuka’s attention to shift his head and look at her. She giggled as a cheer to herself. Her idea was achieved successfully. After all, the orange-haired girl just needed to show her new brother that she and her mom accepted him into the family.

“Ritsuko-chan, where are your manners to your big brother?!”

Ritsuko whipped her head over to where her mom was. Her cheeks puffed and formed a miffed pout. “But, Okaa-san! Since he’s going to be in the same grade as me, and both of us sharing about the same name, we could be like twins!”

Kaoru raised one hand on her temple and shook her head exasperatedly. “Honestly, I’m glad to recognize the first thing is you both look nothing alike to be twins.”

“It’s alright, Kaoru-san,” But the dark-haired man begged to differ with an affectionate chuckle and grinned at Kaoru.

“Both Ritsuka-san and I are pleased to welcome such a cheerful girl into the family.”

A cheerful grin curved on the orange-haired girl’s lips at her new step-father’s approval. She suddenly felt a faint movement and returned to face her brother. Ritsuka’s vacant blue eyes now meet back at their held hands.

It seemed he sought to reciprocate her gesture with a weak grip of his bony hands, later a faint nod to acknowledge her. Taking a few minutes to process her new older step-brother struggling to convey, Ritsuko smiled with her eyes crinkled in delight. “Hehe! Please take care of me, Onii-chan!”

“While I’m glad Mom was happy with her new husband…. It wasn’t an easy job to get Ritsuka to reply in his own way being quiet all the time. He’d be always somewhere in the house sitting down with a book staring motionlessly. And in school, he’d drift from class to class, often getting scolded by teachers for not answering in class.

“Beating up people who talk bad about Ritsuka was easy, I had practice when boys and girls make fun of me for not having a father when my mom raised me all by herself. Even so, he’s still my Onii-chan who is willing to play with me when our parents are working.”

After school hours inside an elementary school classroom, Ritsuko shoved the classroom sliding door open.

Her head darted around, then onto the notable raven-colored short-haired boy.

“Ah, sorry to keep you waiting, Ritsuka—!”

Amid the classroom, a recognizable raven-haired boy was seated at his desk, reading a thick book in his grip.

Unlike his frail former appearance, no bones were evident in the orange-haired girl’s view after opening up and joining in during meal times.

She stopped beside Ritsuka to peep at the front cover of the book he was reading. “Hmm…. ‘Hans Christian Andersen: The Life of a Storyteller’… You really like these books about big famous people, huh….”

As expected, the raven-haired boy never responded to her remark. His still lifeless blue eyes still staring at the currently open page he’s concentrating on.

“At least no teacher is complaining to Okaa-san again…,” Ritsuko murmured to herself with an exhausted sigh.

Today’s school was thankful without trouble for being called by teachers about her brother’s attitude.

It seemed they more or less accepted or turned apathetic to the new transfer pupil character.

Still, it’s troubling for the orange-haired girl if Ritsuka didn’t show signs of recovery.

Still, while thinking about what other topics to make her brother talk to her, Ritsuko recalled with a brightened face. “Speaking of Hans Christian, there’s an old movie called The World of Hans Christian Andersen!”

Her heart surged with satisfaction when Ritsuka turned his head to face her.

His dull blue eyes revealed brief interest and curiosity at the famous historical man she suggested.

Ritsuko grinned at her older brother to affirm. “I found the movie DVD inside the fiction corner on our last trip to Namekawa Shiritsu Kodomo Library. If you’d like, let’s ask Okaa-san and Otou-san to bring us there this weekend!”

As though trying to process her idea for a few seconds….

Ritsuka came back with a nod to acknowledge and accept his younger stepsister’s idea.

Ritsuko’s orange eyes sparkled while giving one last sparkling and biggest smile. She rushed towards her seat to pack her school bag hurriedly. Once done, she zoomed to the exit while her legs bounced vigorously on the spot. “Come on, we got to hurry home for dinner, Ritsuka!”

Her older brother nodded, bookmarking and placing away the book in his bag. He picked up his school bag and accompanied his sister, making their way close to the school gate.

Though Ritsuka was her silent companion, the orange-haired girl appreciated that he constantly listened to her chatting about their days in class.

Or, even when she grumbled about their teachers providing them surprise quiz out of nowhere.

The small nods and shakes of his head were proof to Ritsuko. Her step-brother was gradually opening up to her.

Ritsuko grinned when he nodded about their Japanese teacher had handed out less homework to play more on the weekends. “And we simply need to create three sentences based on the ten different Kanjis learned for the entire week! This should be easy—!”

“Look who do we have here! If it isn’t Class 4-C Fujimaru Ritsuko and her freaky brother!”

Whirled her head to the origin of the nasty voice, Ritsuko’s orange eyes narrowed angrily at the familiar three different colored size boys. She strode towards them and folded her arms with a glare. “And, if it isn’t the three Senpais from Class 6-B that I’ve kicked your backsides weeping to your mommy. Are you here again because you haven’t gotten enough?”

The large-sized boy’s cheek was aflame, embarrassed at the shame of getting pummeled by a younger girl like Ritsuko. “Why you! We’re only happy to offer to help your brother talk again. It must be a pain to have such a big brother who clings to his sister like a zombie.”

“Ritsuka isn’t a pain! We’re together because that’s how siblings should be between an older one and a younger one.” The orange-haired girl exclaimed furiously. Her orange eyes blazed with fury at the insults hurled to her step older brother, who didn’t budge or react at his spot.

Her proclamation didn’t react a bit to the three bullies, only to the average-sized boy to jeer at her. “Oh yeah? Then maybe he doesn’t talk because of your weird family. I bet he doesn’t even like you or your mom, ever!”

“He does!” Stepping another foot forward closer to the bullies, Ritsuko stood firm with her trembling hand clenched tightly. “Ri… Ritsuka definitely loves us! He loves my mommy just as much as his real mommy. Ritsuka might not show it, but I’m sure he does!”

Because indeed, when Ritsuka constantly hesitated and didn’t allow his stepmother to come close to give physical affection... The orange-haired girl understood he didn’t despise them at all. His slight nod responded and replied, ‘thank you for caring for him.' And in his own way, Ritsuka helped do household errands without their mom learning of his act.

Ultimately, the last shorter boy among the trio snorted his insult to her. “Hah! That’s why his mommy doesn’t want him or his old man anymore. Even being top in class, his mommy must’ve hated him for being a weirdo—!”

Offended by his abusive comments, Ritsuko charged forward to knock the more petite bully down, straddling on top of his body to throw her punches into his face. “You take that back! How dare you say awful things about Ritsuka’s real mommy! I’m sure Ritsuka’s real mommy didn’t give up on him for no reason. And because he loves his real mommy the most, you take back those mean words to Onii-chan now!!”

Threw one last blow to the more petite boy, the latter rose with both palms up to shove Ritsuko off him roughly. “Get off me!”

“Kyah—! Ow!” Ritsuko yelped after falling to the ground, afterward wincing in pain as her side ponytail-haired was yanked up by the large-sized bully.

Powerless to free herself by the tight grip through her attempts, the orange-haired girl didn’t notice the bullies approaching to surround her for payback. While punching his fist into his hand all the moment, the giant-sized bully declared in a grunt. “We’ll make you pay this time, you little—!”

THUMP!

Ritsuko directed her head up at the noise, seeing the familiar black-colored bag slammed into the bully’s face.

She found herself pulled behind, and an unexpected voice filled with rage…

“Get your hands off her!”

At that moment, Ritsuko couldn’t breathe as her orange eyes widened in disbelief. The sight of the raven-haired boy standing in front of her, instead of the dull, impassive expression…. Blue eyes flickered with life and anger, and he delivered a punch across the giant boy’s face.

“At that moment, it was the first time… I finally heard my own Onii-chan’s voice after half a year of his silent replies and acknowledgements.”

Watched their comrade knock back Ritsuka’s punch. The remaining two bullies charged ahead.

Ritsuka whipped his head and ducked down, directly nudging the smaller bully’s gut. Then he rose to deliver his fist against the average-sized bully.

As the bully balked in pain, he dashed to Ritsuka once more with his fist raised. “Damn it! I’ll beat you up this time—!”

“I said…,” Upon coming to his range, the black-haired boy caught the bully’s shoulder. And the former smashed his forehead with an intense smacking noise onto the other. “Stay away from my little sister!!”

The impact knocked the average-sized bully out cold, tumbling onto the ground unconscious. Ritsuka stomped with one foot onto the body, whirled his head to where the two bullies remained with a chilling glare.

Trembled at their overwhelming adversary, the two bullies panicked, hastily collecting their knocked-out friend and retreated for their lives.

“L-Let’s get out of here!”

He…. He finally spoke out his first words, which were to protect her.

And Ritsuko wasn’t daydreaming about the light in Ritsuka’s blue eyes.

They were real. Ritsuka finally spoke with life in his eyes.

But, when the orange-haired girl was about to ask, Ritsuka jerked back to his little sister and yelled. “Idiot, what were you thinking?!!”

His sharp yelling caused the orange-haired girl to cower from his words. Ritsuka went back to stand in front and scolded. “Going up against three bullies bigger than you? Are you crazy?! Did you know how worried I would be if anything bad happened to you?!”

Even when Ritsuka’s cheeks burned red from his anger, his younger sister still gawked at him with an astonished look on her face. He gritted his teeth and demanded angrily. “Well?! Don’t just keep quiet, answer—! R… Ritsuko…?”

“… Hic…. Uuu….” Large and fat tears formed around Ritsuko’s eyes when he yelled at her. Shortly enough, streams of tears ran down her face, sobbing loudly before her step-brother. “WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!”

Fear and regret stained Ritsuka’s face for going too severe with his scolding. He quickly tried to console her, likewise examining if there were any bruises by the bullies. “R-Ritsuko, I-I’m sorry! I… I’m not angry with you. D-Don’t cry, hey! I’m sorry, I’m only just worried about you! But, I’m—!”

“Waaaaah!!!” The attempts to comfort the orange-haired girl had little to no effect. It got worse in front of him as she cried louder and harder. Her two fists lifted to wipe her tears that wouldn’t stop.

While still unsure what other ways to stop her tears, Ritsuka immediately hugged his younger sister in confusion. “T-There… T-There… I’m here? Nii-chan is alright. Nothing bad happened, see. Um, Ritsuko…? Please…?”

“Despite how hard Ritsuka tried to cheer me up, I kept on crying and crying… Until Ritsuka piggyback me all the way to our home, when I fell asleep from all the tears I cried out. However, we both got scolded from our Mom for getting involved in a fight by those bullies. But, the scolding didn’t last long when she too got shocked on hearing Ritsuka calling her ‘Okaa-san’ and speaking for the first time.”

-0-

Back in the present at Chaldea’s training room, Ritsuko chuckled to herself at the memories. “But really, if you asked why I cried… I don’t remember at all. I’m not even clear if I cried because of the bullies, Ritsuka’s scolding, or the happiness of seeing that bit of life return in Ritsuka’s eyes. I even thought it would be impossible by what they claimed to get closer to him.”

“You must love Ritsuka-senpai a lot, don’t you?” Mash smiled fondly at the cheerful smile on the orange-haired Master. The Demi-Servant looked back at how her face lit up at happy moments and expressed fears for her brother in her voice.

“Oh yes, I sure do,” Though Ritsuko agreed with her Servant’s words, she rolled her eyes and made a frustrated huff. “He may as well be my second mom by his nagging now and then. The one time I just got a perfect ‘D’ to pass my literature class, it was him demanding I read Macbeth once every four hours to get a good idea!”

Fou squeaked at her grievances from the spot where he sat. “Fou Fou!”

“Hehe, annoying, isn’t it, Fou-kun?” Stood up from the ground, Ritsuko dusted herself and assured the two Servants.

“Anyhow, I’m assuming too much of that Caster. If it’s Ritsuka, I’m positive he could control him too.

“He isn’t our student council President, being able to go up against both our own and neighborhood school intimidating gangster to settle on their smoking habits.”

As Mash picked her furry companion into her arms to follow her Master, the latter twisted her head behind when she arrived at the exit. “I’ll head back to my room for a quick shower before finding Duston-san for the duty shift. After that, we’ll settle down for—!”

Unknowingly to Ritsuko, the door behind her opened before she pressed the button. She bumped into the enormous figure in front of her when she stepped forward. “Ah!”

“Careful,” Emiya popped up behind his Master in time to hold her up before she fell.

However, the individual in front wasn’t lucky as they fell back down with a loud ‘thump’ and sounds of items scattered onto the ground. “Oof!”

“Are you alright, Ritsuko-senpai?” The Demi-Servant jogged over at the commotion. She did a brief glimpse to assess that no physical injuries occurred for her Master when she peered over…. Her left violet eye widened in surprise. “Ah!”

While delivering a glance behind to the Archer to murmur ‘thank you,’ Ritsuko reverted to the front and widened her eyes too in shock, “S-Sadakuni-san?!”

Groans of ‘ow’ and pained cries escaped the Section Chief’s lips, kneading the back of his hips that required Romani to examine if needed.

The two recognizable exclamations from the young girls made Sadakuni move his head over to express his own surprise face to the three.

“Mash-kun, Ritsuko-kun, what are you two still doing here?!”

“Well, I was sort of having my own additional training in the strengthening class today. So, Mash-chan and Emiya-san came by to see for me when I didn’t report to Duston-san on which duty shift I preferred.” Ritsuko offered her hand out to the Section Chief, pulling him up carefully.

Mash pointed out while kneeling down to help pick the large cloth and ink-written talisman. “It’s as Ritsuko-senpai said. 16 lamps broken leaving 4 lamps lit up and charged after her practice while injuring her hand.”

“Th-There’s no need to tell him that part, Mash-chan!”

The orange-haired Master’s face turned red with embarrassment and let out a mortified exclamation, yanking her hand back once Sadakuni stood up.

“You drop this,” Emiya handed a talisman slip into the Section Chief’s hand after fetching it from the ground.

When Mash passed him his belongings, Sadakuni checked to see none of his stuff was missing and revealed a broad, grateful grin. “Oh, thanks a lot, Mister Emiya! And you girls as well.”

Returned him with her own smile, Ritsuko examined the items in the Section Chief’s hold, noticing a few familiar objects, and inquired.

“Sadakuni-san is an Onmyodo practitioner?”

“Half-correct, Ritsuko-kun.

“While the Agano family possesses a deep history of Onmyojis, the magecraft we use differs from the ones you’ve known of.”

Sadakuni’s answer only made the orange-haired Master confused, allowing Mash to offer a further specific explanation.

“The Agano family uses their Onmyodo magecraft in style with Nine Hand Seals, known famously both as Kuji-in and similarly Mudras.

“Under the mantra incantation, they called forth their spell.”

Sadakuni nodded, directed his head back to the Master, and continued.

“Like what Mash-kun mentioned, our forefather was exceptionally well-versed because of his discipline as a Ninja.

“But for reasons or another, our ancestors hid our lineage from the Mages Association.

“Now realizing about it, I think most Magus households in Japan are not in contact with them once before, until recently, by the Animusphere family—!”

“In that case… Please train me how to use your Onmyodo, Sadakuni-san!”

Ritsuko’s sudden request with an earnest tone startled the three individuals and Fou.

Sadakuni was the first to break out from being taken aback. “W-What did you say…?!

“Ritsuko…?” Even Emiya’s face painted with his slight surprise at what his Master wanted.

His black-colored eyes stared at Ritsuko, trying to understand what the orange-haired Master desired from learning the magecraft.

Biting her inner cheek, Ritsuko strode a foot forward to plead again to the Section Chief. “I realize this is both sudden and too much that I’m suggesting, but please—!”

“H-Hold on a second!” Sadakuni held out a palm to stop her. Then, his hand drifted to rest on his waist, his face expressing reluctance and uncertainty while clarifying to the young Master. “Wait here, Ritsuko-kun…. It’s true. I notice you both have pursued to learn the various magecraft located in the libraries. However, I’ve discussed before Chaldea’s solitude away from Mages Association. It will not have enough materials for me to cover what you need if you plan to go onto this road.”

“I know that, Sadakuni-san. But, I…,” Clenched both her hands to ball them into fists, Ritsuko admitted with anguish in her voice. “I’m tired of running from the fear when engaging a monster or Servant show up in the Singularity for our next mission. Ritsuka now studying up his own magecraft he found, while I’m stuck here in the basics. And, I want no more of that! No more running behind my brother’s back to stay and cower in fear.”

With now an intense look on Ritsuko’s face, she proclaimed aloud. “This time around, I want to stand by my promise to Emiya-san and Mash-chan. I’m one of two of Humanity’s last Masters to restore our home. Together with my brother and everyone… I want to walk and work together by Ritsuka’s side to protect those we love. So please, Sadakuni-san…!”

To fulfill her promise with her brother, also, for Ritsuko….

To prove to Lev and herself that humans deserved to continue to mark their history, no matter how insignificant they were.

The said Section Chief was silent, listening in with mouth opened slightly. Emiya seized this chance to step beside his Master to vouch for the inner unrest he sensed.

“Whatever doubt remains in your mind; they are unnecessary to be worried about.

“Ritsuko’s conviction and actions she took in from Fuyuki would’ve been more than enough to take her as your student, Sadakuni.”

“I think so too,” Mash nodded in agreement.

“Ritsuko-senpai’s commitments and efforts prove her enthusiasm to undertake any challenges to become a proper Master.”

“Yeah, I think so too,” Sadakuni surrendered with a short laugh, thus nodded. “The Servants you and your brother had summoned put comfort in our hearts to know all of us can count on you two to restore our history.”

Orange-colored eyes widened in shock.

Ritsuko murmured for confirmation, “Does that mean…?”

“Yes, Senpai.” Mash grinned with Fou’s own squeak to affirm what she interpreted of the Section Chief’s words. “Sadakuni-san recognizes you to be his pupil!”

“But do not expect me to go easy on you,” Sadakuni informed with a slight smirk. “If you’re prepared to experience yourself the balance between the blessings and curses of a Magus, I’ll coach you all I know of, Ritsuko-kun.”

“Of course not!” Ritsuko countered with a sharp and welcoming grin of her own. “Give me your best shot, and I’ll absorb them all!”

Because… This was merely the first step Ritsuko finally discovered to take off her life adventure she would never forget as one of two Chaldea Master.

End of Issue #5

And not the best chapter title too! But some of you got your dose of GudaMash in this chapter. For those who have read the bio and now looking at Ritsuko's magecraft, yep she will learn it except I won't put their magecraft here in this arc. Both Gudas siblings magecraft will be shown in the next arc which is better to show even at the cost of not a single chapter of them training it

Lastly, my favorite scene while it took long to write, it was both Gudas childhood first meeting flashback. Gudako aka Ritsuko's own intiative to welcome her brother into the family and even able to open him up is why I wanted to write both protagonist inside. We're down with another two chapters (wait I thought you say there's was two previously???) before we finally close this arc once and for all!

#fgo #Fate Grand Order #fgo destiny awakenings #gudako #fujimaru ritsuka #Mash Kyrielight

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fgodestinyawakenings · 2 years

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I had a dream few nights of someone asking me what exactly is FGO Destiny Awakenings Ritsuka aka Gudao? Because someone had questioned his mindset is definitely not normal compared to his sister Ritsuko aka Gudako

Then I list out all the stuff I plan for him to earn WTF looks from them 😂 (This part not saying because it does involve with LB6 idea that connects his current abilities)

But ended with emphasis he's still a human born and raised through and through. His life and mentality doesn't appear normal but at the end... I still put him as a human who consciously does know his action he chosen and taken responsibility for it.

And also he does develop slowly to learn what it really means to live as a person himself instead of the past he shouldered heavily to protect his family and friends. To find and live his life as the 'Fujimaru Ritsuka' he really wants to be

#fgo destiny awakenings #the shit I shit myself into #basically while my writing is terrible to convey #but it's why Ritsuka is more of the main character aside bias for male MC #it just means he is going through shit I planned

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fgodestinyawakenings · 3 years

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FGO Destiny Awakenings: Fujimaru Ritsuka and Fujimaru Ritsuko bio

My procrastination on life, writing my story, anything I needed to do is bad enough I’m surfing web day by day so.... Might as well get my ass to work on this

This is pretty long since it’s two people bio, so everything is under the cut!

Note: In regards to their Magic Circuit quantity, neither FGO wiki or material gives any information about them. I’ve estimated them to be around Emiya Shirou’s level of circuit, but can be lower or higher... But more likely lower as they are only receiving magecraft training in the story

Note 2: Foreign languages in here are courtesy of google translate, if you’re able to improvise its grammar, please drop me an ask so I can edit

Note 3: Some of the info are quite spoilerly but not that much spoiler since it’s a base information for me on their personality, background, magecraft

Note 4: After reading the bio, I know some will be enrage with me at the sensitive topics I’m about to touch for this story. Some are imagination, some are based on what I experience, and I won’t revealed which of what is imagination or experiences in reality. The bio will contain sensitive potential topics such as Depression & Family abuse, you’re entering this at your own risk to read.

Reminder: Yes this is fiction, but you need to separate in from reality. I’m not your babysitter to cater your needs, I have put up 4 notes to remind you of the content you’re entering. And yes, I’ve pacing back and forth on their backstory knowing the backlash I received since this is Fate lore we’re going in out of consideration.

Fujimaru Ritsuka

Character Type: Human, Master, Magus

Affliliation: Chaldea Security Organization

Gender: Male

*Lineage: TBA

Birthday: December 6th

Height: 1.72m

Place of Origin: Japan

Alignment: Lawful Good

Likes: Meeting and getting to know historical figures, Magi*Mari, Reading and Researching about history

Dislikes: Needles

Talents: Stage Magic

Circuit Quality: D

Circuit Quantity: D

Magic: Projection (Illusion), Hypnosis

Elemental Affinity: Air, particularly closest to Mist

Profile

Background

Ritsuka’s father divorced with his birth mother for unspoken circumstances and remarried to Ritsuko’s mother at the age of 11. At their first meeting, Ritsuka’s body was completely frail with his bones visible in plain view, wearing a dead emotionless face that shocked Ritsuko completely. His family situation was only described to young Ritsuko that Ritsuka’s father is doing everything it takes to ensure his mother will never come near him again.

But after spending more time with his new sister, Ritsuka gained back not only his weight, but his ability to speak, where first happened to yell at her for being reckless in fighting against their bullies. Though, he immediately regretted doing so and apologized afterwards when he knew all she did was to protect him.

Whenever someone brought up about his mom, Ritsuka immediately pushed the subject away to another topic. However when prodded further a little, he’s often described to be showing his real self by a broken look with a heartbreaking smile whenever he mentions about her

Personality

Intelligent, compassionate, self-conscious and rational with a reserved personality holding a snarky mouth, Ritsuka is considered the “brains” and leader to his sister and contracted Servants in their goal to restore humanity

By many Servants and Chaldea Staff who are Mages, he’s often described as someone “born with a heart that’s unfitting to be a magus”. Ritsuka would often bring his tablet along in each Singularity to inquire and take photos of the historical in each singularity. His scrupulous attention to detail comes in handy when he is off creating strategies to win against the enemies in the Singularity. And his ability to learn magic quickly helps in fasten his pace to be a better Master, but sometimes his answers in avoiding his friends to find out his meeting with Merlin within his dreams leaves others questioning his credibility for his talent.

Because of his strategic mindset, Ritsuka is highly perceptive to the others' feelings, and can figure out the source of most people's inner turmoil in a matter of a few important conversations.

“The last time someone falls in love with somebody, they had either--created a stepping stone to an illegitimate son to bring his father’s kingdom fall into ruins, trapped themselves forever in a land of utopia or even knocked up with his Master’s sister because why the hell not. No offense to you, Caster.”

-- Ritsuka to his sister while mentioning about Arthur’s, Merlin’s and Cu Chulainn’s love life

However his lack of experience in love and holding low regards about it from reading tons of historical and mythology books, had made him completely oblivious to his own and other people who had fallen in love with him. Though this is mainly of his own low self-esteem of his own worth as a person may have stemmed from his childhood, despite being considered an ace in everything he does by his sister. Ritsuka usually hide this but immediately quickly putting back up the façade of “a reliable and dependable but also ridiculously goofy person” when someone notice.

Understanding how critical their situation is, Ritsuka often refuse to sit still when there’s a given chance to do anything to help Chaldea. He also seems to get a little annoyed sometimes when people think he's cute or adorable, as he wants to be taken seriously like a grown-up from people around him as at most times Ritsuka is more mature and wiser than others.

When Ritsuka and Ritsuko are on their adventures in the Singularity, Ritsuka is the one to act as the leader because he is shown to be very brave and smart. He can be very protective of his sister, whenever she is in danger he is always there to help and will do anything to get her free.

It is also well mentioned that unlike his sister whom is open about her problems and sociable, Ritsuka is much more reserved and emotionally distant often avoiding talking about his past and himself. Even though he admired Heroic Spirits greatly and wished to understand them more, some would notice he often forced himself to draw a line from getting too close for some reason. But as the journey goes, Ritsuka has become greatly attached to everyone in Chaldea amd considered them strongly as his secondary family.

With his strong knowledge in history and novels, Ritsuka thinks much like an actual detective.

Despite his serious personality, living with Ritsuko his whole life (who is famous for her silly attitude) has caused him to indulge in childish activities with her. As such often either jokingly teased he’s forced to join with the shenanigans with the Child Servants, or mostly being the butt monkey teasing by them.

He also holds a huge soft spot towards children in particular to Jack and Mordred. When asked why in particular, Ritsuka easily gives his true smile that children like them deserve the love and acknowledgement they needed. But, he does a huge comedic soft spot to Alexandar and Ko-Gil, making his heart thumping when both used their charm while calling him “Onii-chan”.

He also seems to not mind breaking the rules in order to have some fun, which often having him to be scolded by Emiya when he does so. In particular habit is often staying up late or staying over at Romani’s room to watch Magi*Mari.

Abilities

“Merlin: After all, you and I are very similar, Ritsuka-kun. There shouldn’t be a problem for you to learn my tricks. Ritsuka: By similar, if you’re talking about having the same sexual reproductive organs... That’s captain obvious, Merlin.”

-- Ritsuka to Merlin on his first lesson with him

Illusion Magecraft

With his experience in entertainment magic, Merlin had taught him in magecraft of deception and proficiency in Projection. A magecraft that relies on fooling a being’s psyche to win, a magic which Ritsuka concluded only a mage like Merlin befits this magic for his notorious mischievous behavior.

Misdirection

Under the incantation chant “maintenant tu me vois maintenant tu ne”, Ritsuka will fool his enemy thinking that he had disappeared by their five senses. Rather than concealing his presence, Merlin described this spell as “Putting one’s attention focused strongly onto another. Like falling in love at first sight, where your world focus on that person alone!”

This spell Ritsuka commonly mostly to hide himself from enemy, and also additionally do a surprise attack from the back

However due to his quantity and quality of his magic circuits, Servants and enemies with strong sense and Clairvoyance are able to notice his whereabouts.

Projection (Illusion)

Unlike Emiya’s projection, Ritsuka’s projection creates objects based on his memories and imagination. A skill he’s able to do easily as though it’s strangely natural from his muscle memories, he currently lacks the learning to reinforce his projected works to a reality

Under Merlin’s teachings, Ritsuka is able to create an illusion of manipulating to fool his enemies five senses during battle. But, it may not work if one is able to see through eventually

To perform this magecraft, he need to act/pretend of an action in order to project the desired item from his mind into reality. However because it’s like an illusion, not only it lasted for seconds to minutes, that item may not even appeared in his enemy vision if the latter noticed the truth.

Combat

Even if magic circuits is weak, Ritsuka makes it up by physical combat via kendo. In combat, Ritsuka will give commands to his Servants while fighting against the lower mobs summoned by enemy Servants. Lacking any fear towards death, Ritsuka won’t hesitate to step forward to deal against enemy Servants if needed to buy some time for his allies Servant to summon their Noble Phantasm

As such even facing against a professional magus, Ritsuka treats it as an experiment test nearly at the cost of his own life to find a weakness within them.

Role

Ritsuka acts both support and fights with their Servants in Chaldea. He has no specific Servant in mind as being dragged into the World of Magus. Ritsuka admired all Heroic Spirits, often near instantly switched into his fanboy mode when meeting those he admired.

While he enjoys their company and wishes to personally know each of them better, he does get exasperated by some of the extremely colorful and chaotic Servants summoned in Chaldea.

But, Ritsuka instantly draws a line between him and the Servants from getting to close by often avoiding talking about himself and his own true feelings. Despite making himself distant from them, he cares a great deal about them and strongly hated the idea of treating them and anyone as tools or weapons to use.

Unlike his sister, he’s the one who supplies mana generally to most of the Servants via a technique Merlin taught him when he requested earnestly for his help.

Fujimaru Ritsuko

Character Type: Human, Master, Magus

Affliliation: Chaldea Security Organization

Gender: Female

Lineage: TBA

Birthday: May 29th

Height: 1.58m

Alignment: Lawful Good

Likes: Sports (mainly excel in softball and basketball), Morning workout as early as 4am, Sweets

Dislikes: Studying through reading of books, Anyone who hurts her brother and even attempting to bring up his family problems, House chores

Talents: Accuracy in throwing and quick learning speed taught via hands-on

Circuit Quality: D+

Circuit Quantity: D+

Magic: Nine Hand Seal Magecraft

Elemental Affinity: Fire

Profile

Background

Ritsuko mentions to Mash in Fuyuki Singulary Section 9 Part 1 that her real father disappeared on both her mother and her when she was a baby for reasons unknown. As such, it’s noted her mother has been raising her single-handedly by herself before remarrying Ritsuka’s father when she was 10.

At their first meeting, Ritsuko was completely horrified at Ritsuka’s body was completely frail with his bones visible in plain view, wearing a dead emotionless face that barely even respond to her when she first greeting him warmly. His family situation was only described to young Ritsuko when she asked was that Ritsuka’s father is doing everything it takes to ensure his mother will never come near him again, and will only explain to her when she grew older.

She mentioned though he was quiet, he was still receptive if not hesitant in answering to her. But after spending more time with his new sister, Ritsuka gained back not only his weight, but his ability to speak mainly to yell at her for being reckless in fighting against her bullies. Though at that time, Ritsuko chuckled she was unsure why she was crying while he apologized; whether it was the bullies, her brother scolded her, or the happiness she felt when she saw life in her brother’s eyes after months of wondering if the effort was futile to get closer to her new older brother.

Personality

On the surface, Ritsuko is fierce, independent, and pugnacious, but beneath her tough exterior, she possesses a strong loyalty toward her friends and duty as the Humanity’s last Master with her brother. She also has an admirable compassion and devotion, demonstrated when she expresses love toward things such as her family and friends. Unlike the calmer and reserved Ritsuka, Ritsuko is similarly quick witted and impulsive, especially in heated situations. And, she lacked perception towards her rash decisions often resulted in her accidentally insulting others.

Ritsuko is tough, impatient, headstrong, sarcastic, and assertive. Due to her crush on Mash, she tends to pull her away and shield her from others who showed interest in her. Like her brother, Ritsuko fully embraced her position as the Humanity’s Last Master, but lamenting her weakness how she isn’t calm and level-headed as her brother. A trait of Ritsuka she admires greatly when they were kids, as she’ll always be grateful during the times she was in near trouble. Mainly Ritsuka’s willingness and accepting of her secret towards her interest in woman, as she didn’t want her mother to know out of fear of disappointing her.

Because of this, Ritsuko also tends to be protective and even more so than her brother when it comes to his own well-being. Her mother never told anything about Ritsuka’s parents, except as she quoted:

“Mom said I was too young understand. Telling me Ritsuka’s mom did something really bad to him so Dad ensured his mom will never come close to meet Ritsuka again.”

As such, Ritsuko often keeps an eye on Ritsuka’s reaction whenever someone asks about his mom; ready to deflect or even pull him away at the uncomfortable situation.

Initially frightened and frozen with fear at Fuyuki Singularity, Ritsuko lamented with regret greatly how if her strength to save Mash from Artoria Alter’s Noble Phantasm could do the same for Olga Marie. But, she knew better she can’t wallow in grief, vowing to grow stronger and requested Emiya’s and Sadakuni’s aid to train her in combat and magecraft respectively.

Abilities

"Boomer-Dagger”

A pair of dagger crafted specially by Emiya after considering her skillset. It can be used for both physical combat and her magecraft. When thrown to her enemies, it returns to her via an invisible string connecting to her magic circuit. Also, it’s used as a placeholder on her talisman before conjuring her Nine Hand Seal Mudra Magecraft

Talisman

Her catalyst to invoke with her magecraft. Taught by Sadakuni, she needs to place it on her target before doing her Mudras to attack her opponent. Ritsuko often brings her mat of magic circle drawn by her blood to imbued powers into the talisman daily through meditation.

Onmyoudo Kuji-in aka Nine Hand Seals Magecraft

Taught by Section Chief Agano Sadakuni, Ritsuko mainly uses this magecraft for combat. This magecraft relies specifically on specific hand gesture and pattern to conjure her spells. From reinforcing her weapon and physical strength, to summoning fire magic for combat

Rin-Pyo-Toh, ready for battle: Enhancing her physical strength

Kai-Jin-Retsu, release: Conjure an explosion burst of flames

Jin-Pyo-Zai, bind: With ranged of 10 talisman connected by a burning magical rope to bind the target

Zai-Sha-Kai, heal: Transfer her mana for healing or empowering her Servant

Combat

Like her brother despite having slighter better circuits than him, Ritsuko sides along with her brother via physical combat. She often pairs with her brother, acting as a bait to go against the enemy, while Ritsuka pulls off a surprise ambush via his illusion magecraft.

In the face of an enemy Servant, Ritsuko steps back to give orders to the Servant she contracted with.

Role

While she treats Servants who are Kings or Queen with respect by their title, Ritsuko treats everyone equally with respect and as a friend. She’s shown to be more than willing to teach them about the modern technology and slang, also joining them in their crazy plans often resulted in chaotic humor, much to Ritsuka’s chagrin.

Like her brother, Ritsuko detested the idea of anyone treating Servants as tools or weapons as she view those who contracted her as their friend. This feeling also extend to her enemy Servant, believing they are living beings with their own free will and emotions.

While her brother generally supplies mana to their Servants, Ritsuko acts second-in-charge right after he finish mana transferring to their Servant which resulted him immobile and carried around by Emiya or Caster Cu Chulainn.

#fgo destiny awakenings #fujimaru ritsuka #fujimaru ritsuko

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fgodestinyawakenings · 3 years

Text

FGO Destiny Awakenings: CDD #4

Once again surprisingly, this isn't dead! And a perfect time to release with the banner out of a certain sussy moth! Remembers guys, simp for your waifu/husbando healthily! Lest you wanna be catfish by them...

Author Note's: Some context may seem normal, but those who reached the Solomon Singularity will notice there are some things of that finale taken into here!

For a certain idol's appearance, please just immediately refer to Prototype Merlin for your reference. Those who haven't reach Solomon Singularity yet, I'll say she's the closest thing I think of on the idol's appearance. And for those completed Solomon Singularity, you already know why I'm using her appearance

Ritsuko: My brother has been in the infirmary for a while now… Ritsuko: Do you think they’re… Ritsuko: Making out?! *Cut to Romani and Ritsuka in the Doctor's room holding a Magi*Mari light stick and waiting for the next livestream Ritsuka has missed out to start* Romani & Ritsuka: This is gonna be so sick!!

-- Meanwhile during the training lesson for Magecraft on Ritsuko's end

AO3 || Fanfiction.net || Ritsuka & Ritsuko's Profile

Ex-idol otaku simp for idol again by another idol Otaku

“Hmm, hm, hmm~!” Along the corridor towards the infirmary, Ritsuka hummed to a cheery tone with Fou resting on his shoulders.

“Fou?” The white squirrel creature tilted his head while observing the raven-haired Master’s right fist. When he clenched his fist closed, a blue light lit up, opening to display a small pebble. Then he closed and repeated the same trick to open and showed a golden key.

“Fooou….?” Each item projected from his hand showed both interests yet curiosity to Fou. He tipped his head as the right hand now opened to reveal a small candy Ritsuka remembered with nostalgia. Unable to bear it any longer, Fou squeaked for his attention, “Fou!”

“Hm?” Blue orbs noticed Fou’s own purple gazing at him, later back at the projected candy. An apologetic grin curled on Ritsuka’s lips. “Oh, sorry for ignoring you, Fou.”

Followed the white squirrel’s gaze, Ritsuka concentrated with both eyes and right hand closed for a second. He opened after the blue light faded, his fist revealing a small rubber duck toy. He gave a few squeezes to produce out squeaky noises. The raven-haired Master showed a slight grin, “I’m just practicing on what Sadakuni-san told us yesterday.”

“Fou foooou fou!”

“Right, this wasn’t what I’m supposed to be working on….” Ritsuka expressed an uncomfortable grin on Fou’s cry. He dug out from his pants pocket, showing a small bronze coin to him. “We’re expected to be doing more practice on strengthening today.”

But an exasperated sigh left the raven-haired Master’s lips upon remembering.

“Still, it’s partially my fault in forgetting I owe Doctor Roman a checkup….”

Before Sadakuni showed up to train, Mash mentioned to them off-hand that Romani would announce their first mission soon.

And expected, spending the entire night studying the library books of magic and Arthurian history….

“Kyuu!” Fou squeaked as though seeking to cheer his guilt away.

Ritsuka returned with a slight smile, lifting his free hand to rub Fou’s chin, which nuzzled against his cheek. “Sorry about this, Fou. I made Mash and Ritsuko unnecessarily worry about having you come with me. Let’s get this over so that we can head back to the lesson.”

Fou shifted to the hand, caressing his chin to purr, “Kyuuuu…. Fooou…..”

Soft chuckling slipped from Ritsuka’s lips, seeing how Fou enjoyed his touches. However, an idea came into his mind, “Oh!”

“Fou?” Fou’s face written with puzzled expression, seeing the raven-haired Master pulled back his hand away. Both pairs of arms stretched outwards, showing both palms opened before them. His right hand holding the bronze coin. The other held nothing.

Noticed at the increasing interest, Ritsuka simply suggested to his furry companion, “Look carefully.”

“Fou…”

The raven-haired Master brought both arms to his back. He shrugged his shoulder to ease his tense muscle from devoting the night to work out plausible ideas of Mash’s possessing Servant’s True Name. After bringing both fists forward and turned over, Ritsuka prompted. “Which hand is holding the coin, Fou?”

Small white pointed ears twitched as Fou’s purple orbs examined to pick out any hints of the raven-haired Master’s act. After sniffing in the air a few times, he went towards the left fist and tapped with his paw. “Fou!”

Ritsuka opened his left fist to expose the familiar bronze coin. However, the coin instantly vanished before Fou, alarming him in surprise as the Master proclaimed. “Bzzt, wrong one!”

“Fou?!” Disbelief was written on the white squirrel creature’s face. He scurried from Ritsuka’s arm and shoulder to his right fist and squeaked, “Fou, fou!”

“You’re close too, Fou,” Yet again, when opened, the bronze coin on Ritsuka’s right fist vanished before Fou’s eyes.

“Fou?!” The white squirrel creature’s tail lift high at how shocked he was at Ritsuka’s trick again. He scurried to snoop through his right sleeve, going on the same as he moved to the left. Then Fou headed towards his shirt collar to search for the coin, yet… No matter high or low, it was anywhere to be found.

Another laugh slipped from Ritsuka at his furry companion’s attempt to investigate his whole body. He lifted one hand to Fou’s cape beneath and pulled out the familiar bronze coin. “Here we go.”

Fou halted his action upon seeing the coin. Purple orbs widened as he peered back and forth between his cape, the coin, and Ritsuka. “Fooou fou!”

Ritsuka gave a slightly amused beam to his confused furry friend and examined the coin. “Surprise, huh? I’m not an expert on actual magecraft, but magic reminds me of tricks like this. Brings back memories every year from elementary to high school; I would consistently do magic tricks. Be it school festival or anything, those times are so peaceful unlike now….”

Those days of hanging out after class with their school classmates, their holiday plans for Summer and Winter….

School festival preparations for Student Council and Classroom duties…

Last, studying for their final entrance examination for university… Then, he could—!

As those memories raced through his head, the raven-haired Master felt eyes on him. Turned over, he noticed Fou staring at him with an expression, wondering what weighed in his mind. Fou’s purple orbs furrowed reflected as the frown came on his lips.

With an assured yet melancholy smile, Ritsuka moved his hand to ruffle Fou’s fur. “Strange, isn’t it? That I’m thinking about the past… I’ll do whatever it takes to bring those times back. For ours and you guys too, Fou.”

“Fou, fou!” Fou squeaked to agree with his words.

Though, it implied to Ritsuka more that Fou loved the tickling, judging by the purring sound he made. While ruffling his head, Ritsuka’s smile switched to a peculiar expression upon noticing Fou. “Hmm…?”

It was Fou’s turn next to tilt his head with an odd expression when Ritsuka stopped his caresses. “Fou?”

“Now that I think about it… You looked kind of familiar…,” Ritsuka uttered.

“Kyuuu?”

Blue orbs narrowed to examine Fou on his shoulder. The familiar purple orbs filled with curiosity instead of sly mischief flickered from time to time. White fur on Fou’s head forming a similar hairstyle, Ritsuka felt he saw it somewhere once. Last, the white and light blue cape around his neck…

Like a light bulb turned on in his head, the raven-haired Master exclaimed knowingly. “That’s right! You looked just like Merlin!!”

Surprised transformed into fury, Fou’s ears twitched in rage.

He let out an irritated growl before biting Ritsuka’s hand, “Fooou, fou!!”

“Yeowch!” Ritsuka yelped and retracted his said hand as fast as he could. He shook it, wincing at the small reddish bit mark he received from provoking his furry companion’s wrath.

“Fooou, fou, fou! Kyuuuu, fou, fou!”

“W-W-Wait, I’m sorry, Fou! M-My mouth just blurts out on its own—!” When Ritsuka apologized with a panicked face, Fou’s glare only showed he added more oil into the fire. He raised both hands to calm his aggravated friend. “I-I’m really sorry, Fou-sama! I didn’t mean to compare you to him or anything at all!”

However, from the final hissing, Fou answered. He turned his head, and his tail moved to shoo away the bitten hand. Even another attempting to call his name, Fou returned with an annoyed grunt to express the Master to go away.

“Guess he’s a little despised by everybody in current times thanks to his own shenanigans…,” Ritsuka muttered to himself.

Hardly a wonder to him if the wizard’s mischief outweighed his good deeds in aiding King Arthur.

Even with good intentions, Merlin remained enigmatic to his behavior and motives.

Though, that’s an issue for later. Right now, the raven-haired Master shifted his head to Fou to bow, clamping both hands together. “I-I’m truly sorry, Fou-sama! I have my own reasons for why did I think of Merlin suddenly. Please hear me out!”

A nervous gulp swallowed down Ritsuka’s throat, waiting for the white squirrel to let him a chance to speak. What were hours actually literal minutes when Fou opened one of his eyes to peer at him.

Along with the frown on his mouth and ears perking high, Fou expressing to Ritsuka he’s willing to listen to his reason. The raven-haired Master breathed out a relieved sigh, “Um… Why I said you look like Merlin is because….”

Scanned in every direction to make sure it was both of them alone, Ritsuka leaned into Fou’s ear and confided. “I haven’t told Ritsuko or Mash, but…. I’ve seen and spoke to him in my dreams.”

The raven-haired Master’s revelation led Fou’s both eyes opened wide, looking at him with an absolute disbelief expression, “Fou?”

“Yeah, I’d like to lie about this. But three encounters suffice to suggest I’m not having hallucinations in my sleep,” Ritsuka nodded with a sigh. Then a shiver chilled his spine. He noticed Fou’s glare remained, if not severer than before. “I-I didn’t mean you and him are similar! Your appearance, that white fur, and cape of yours! You are way different from him, Fou-sama!!”

Even at his remarks, Fou remained skeptical. After staring at the raven-haired Master with doubt, he looked away. “Fou!”

“I’m truly, sincerely sorry, Fou-sama! It’s wrong for me to compare you with Merlin! You’re so much better and even cuter than that problematic wizard!”

“Fou, fou!”

“He’s even more pissed than before…,” Ritsuka winced at the sharp-pitched angry squeak. He held back his tongue; any further reference of Merlin would just add more oil. “Fou-sama, is there anything I can do to make you forgive me? It’s my fault blurting out like an idiot without considering your feelings, so please… I’ll do anything you ordered!”

The raven-haired Master attempted to bow his head to the white furry creature.

A silence enveloped between them as Ritsuka awaited a squeak from Fou.

Another minute afterward, a familiar squeak from Fou cried out to the Master.

“Kyu, kyuu…. Fou!”

“Fou-sama…?” Ritsuka opened his eyes to see Fou facing right at him.

The furry white tail wagged up down as the furry companion repeated its cry. “Foooou, fou! Fou!”

An eyebrow raised from the raven-haired Master, confirming his furry companion’s terms. “You want all the meat I have for our meal to give to you? Including the juiciest and crispiest ones I picked?”

“Kyu, kyu!”

“Wouldn’t Mash worried about you over-eating—!” Ritsuka flinched at the hissing noise coming from Fou. He gulped before smiling nervously. “Sure, I promise. Thank you very much, Fou—I mean, Fou-sama!

“That’s right,” Raising a pinky finger to the white squirrel creature, the raven-haired Master suggested. “How about this? I’ll not merely offer you all of my meat, but also your favorites other than those. In return, will you keep this a secret from Mash and Ritsuko, Fou-sama?”

Stared at his pinky finger for a moment, Fou faced him with an odd expression. A wry smile appeared on Ritsuka as he clarified. “I wished to tell them, but that’s the last thing they should worry about. It’s a secret between you and me, or something like one of your blackmails, to force me to keep my promise.”

“Fou…,” Between his pinky finger and his smile, Fou detected there’s no hidden resentment but pure truth in his words. Eventually, he lifted his front paw to tap at Ritsuka’s pinky finger to trust his words. “Fou!”

Surprise flickered in Ritsuka’s orbs briefly, then giving his brightest grin, “Thanks a lot, Fou-sama!”

After Fou scurried back to sitting at the raven-haired Master’s shoulder, he resumed his trip towards the infirmary. On his left and right at each door, Ritsuka muttered to himself. “His office should be up ahead….”

“Right, here we are,” The simple green cross symbol showed the infirmary found at last for Ritsuka. He came to the black-colored intercom, pushing the notable silver button. “Doctor, it’s me, Ritsuka. I’m here for the check-up you asked me to last time.”

The raven-haired Master stepped backward and waited for Romani to open the door… As he supposed to. Silence only returned as the answer, be it any movement or any verbal communication. Ritsuka went to the intercom and called again. “Doctor Roman, are you in?”

“Kyu?” Fou tilted his head confusedly and stared back at the door.

Ritsuka huffed after his third attempt and decided. “Guess he must be out for a meeting. I’ll find him later. Let’s go back to the training, Fou-sama.”

Just as Ritsuka spun his heel after proposing, Fou leaped off from his shoulder when he’s about to go off. The raven-haired Master turned his head behind and wondered. “Fou-sama, what’s wrong?”

Scurried and stood in front of the infirmary door, the white furry creature turned back and squeaked. “Fou fou!”

“You’re saying he’s in?” The raven-haired Master repeated what he understood his companion while approaching. His blue orbs switched to the door, again to Fou. “Maybe, but he’s perhaps still asleep so–!”

When Ritsuka stepped closer towards Fou, the door before the pair slid open to reveal a pitch-black office. He widened his eyes briefly at the lack of security in maintaining the office shut. “Did he also forget to lock his office—Hey, Fou-sama!”

Fou ignored the calls from the raven-haired Master and dashed right inside. The latter followed his furry companions for a few quick steps before losing him in the dark. “Wait, Fou-sama!”

Before he made any step further, Ritsuka stopped to mull over.

From his rational side, it’s wrong to trespass into a room without permission, despite how friendly Doctor Roman was.

However, the same logical side was concerned with the dangerous possibility of robbery and assault.

The raven-haired Master concluded, carefully treading in and surveying the office. “Any day should be fine before our next mission… But, just to be sure….”

Except for the scattered paper and files on the work desk, no trespassers came and ransacked the office. Ritsuka made another step further but halted at the noise of clattering ahead of him. “Who’s there?!” Blue eyes sought to dart around in the darkness for a visible shadow in the office. Yet, Ritsuka’s gaze settled on a white hair-like shape behind the wall partition on the ground. He tipped his head and called, “Fou-sama…?”

No response from his furry companion as he approached, the raven-haired Master blinked his eyes to clear his view…. Instead of the hair-like shape, a recognizable set of matching white pants and shoes entered his vision.

Ritsuka’s eyes widened upon recognizing whom it belonged to, “That’s—!”

Rushed and spun over from the partition, the raven-haired Master’s heart sank in horror at the sight.

The familiar orange-pinkish-haired Doctor lying unconscious by his stomach on the ground.

His ponytail loosened into long, messy hair. Instead of his coat, a tight-fitting black shirt was worn.

“Doctor Roman?!” Kneeled on the ground, Ritsuka flipped him over carefully to have him lying on his back. He shook him to awake the Doctor while investigating any symptoms of injuries. “Hey, Doctor Roman! Are you okay? Doctor Roman!!”

“Mm…,” Romani’s groan swelled relief in Ritsuka’s heart.

Yet, it was temporary, as his groans also meant he could be in pain by his pale and weak-looking face. Ritsuka asked again while investigating for the cause of injuries. “Are you hurt? Where is the pain coming from?!”

Unfortunately, only more groans were emitted, and no apparent injuries on his body. Ritsuka glanced around in the room for Fou. But his furry companion was nowhere to be found. Teeth gritted in frustration at the disappearance, he switched back to the unconscious Doctor. “Hold on, I’ll get Sadakuni-san over—!”

GRRROWWWWLL

… He didn’t hear it wrong, right? Not when the loud rumbling noise of a stomach growling again in front of the raven-haired Master. After seconds of silence, his brain processed and uttered. “…. You are joking, right?”

“He fainted…. Because he’s been skipping his meals?!” Ritsuka would’ve facepalmed at the cause but put Romani’s arm over his shoulder to move him to a proper resting place.

Thankfully, the raven-haired Master located a sofa by the light from the entrance. And it was also where he found Fou sitting at the sofa’s arm of the far end. Once settling Romani down, he whipped his head to Fou. “Sorry, Fou-sama, can you stay here and look after Doctor Roman? I’ll bring him Emiya-san’s yesterday leftover food here!”

Leaving behind the two, Fou moved his head to stare at the said Doctor once the raven-haired Master ran out of the office. Fou shook his head exasperatedly at Romani’s now awaken with a dazed expression sitting in a slumped position. “Fou….”

-0-

Half an hour later, the now lit up infirmary filled with the noises of a person gobbling down their food hungrily.

Or rather, Doctor Romani devouring down every leftover cooking by Emiya to satisfy his empty stomach.

On the opposite side of the table, Ritsuka observed seeing the colors returning to the Doctor’s face. “How is it?”

“It’s good! Thanks for bringing in food over here, Ritsuka-kun.”

Romani exclaimed, gobbling down his meal faster than ever, whether his hunger or how delicious Emiya’s cooking was.

As he took a sip of his brewed green tea while breathing a relief sigh, the raven-haired Master made a wry smile. “Sure, but that was absolutely a shock when you’re lying down on the floor there. And if you’re still hungry, there are still more servings in the cafeteria.”

“Sorry, I have been swamped running around managing Chaldea. I’m glad you found me, or we’ll have more problems before your next mission.”

Ritsuka shook his head at the jovial answer from the orange-pinkish Doctor. He set down his cup and reminded, “Don’t neglect to eat to sustain your strength too, Doctor Roman. I’m positive that cakes and sweets alone aren’t enough, as much as you like them.”

“But you still can’t deny sugar is likewise needed to keep your brain functioning.”

Romani laughed assuredly that earned the young Master to nod and murmured thoughtfully in agreement.

His green orbs soon settled on a unique figure sitting on the table between him and Ritsuka. “Oh?”

Purple orbs staring in silence as though appraising the Doctor, the latter exclaimed in surprise. “Is… Is that the mysterious creature I’ve heard so much about?!”

Followed to the Doctor directing his gaze, Ritsuka grinned and answered, “That’s right, his name is Fou-sama.”

“Whoa, nice to meet you! Mash told me a lot about him, but I didn’t really think he existed….” Romani set down his one-quarter empty rice bowl aside to examine closer at Mash’s companion.

Holding back his laugh at Fou’s weird expression towards Romani studying in 360 degrees direction, the raven-haired Master added.

“Mash told me Fou-sama rarely approaches other staff in Chaldea aside from her, along with my sister and I.”

“I see, I see,” After nodding twice to Ritsuka’s remarks, an idea brightened inside Romani’s head. “Hey, why don’t I teach him some tricks?”

Lifted out his right white-gloved hand to the furry creature, Romani beamed to Fou. “Okay, shake hand. If you do it well, I’ll give you a snack.”

“… Fou!” Narrowed his eyes in irritation at the hand later to the crazy Doctor, Fou squeaked what seemed to be a sneer and looked away before leaping off the table.

Before he scampered out of the infirmary, Fou paused beside Ritsuka to squeak again, “Kyu, fou, foooouuuu!”

“Huh, what?!” After seeing the white furry creature rejected him and left, Romani dropped his head down in dejection. “He gave me a really pitying look and then completely ignored me….”

Ritsuka sighed, after understanding Fou’s message to head back to Mash for the umpteenth time, and casually reassured in a deadpan tone.

“It’s always better than pity for a corpse who died from skipping his meals at such a young and tender age.”

The doctor’s face winced at Ritsuka’s blunt comeback, then letting out a weak chuckle in hoping to deflect away from the now embarrassing encounter.

“A-Anyway, you mentioned you were searching for me, Ritsuka-kun?”

“Yes, I’m here for my overdue check-up days ago after you have told me to gain some rest,” Ritsuka answered.

“I see! Sorry for coming all the way here when you’re training from Sadakuni, Ritsuka-kun. Why don’t you take a seat there while waiting for me? I’ll finish up the meal soon as possible.” Romani gestured towards the empty white stool beside his office desk.

Ritsuka nodded and stood from his seat. “Sure. Hope you don’t mind me intruding your office.”

“It’s alright!

“Just don’t mess up the papers on my office table, Ritsuka-kun.”

Romani added to the raven-haired Master going to his desk before returning to his meal.

“Will do, Doctor Roman.” Pulled the white stool and sat down, Ritsuka pondered in his mind. “Between brittle and hardening… I should also try to make the coin shinier—!”

However, a worn brown hardcover leather book caught his attention before the raven-haired Master returned to his practice via hardening the coin.

A quick peep over to appease his interest, Ritsuka examined closer, inspecting the gold and silver patterns embedded on the spine and front cover.

“Was Doctor Roman reading before collapsing from his hunger?” The young raven-haired Master wondered to himself. When his blue orbs landed upon the large golden words embossed on the front cover…

“OH MY GOD, IT’S KING SOLOMON!!”

PSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Ritsuka’s abrupt and loud exclamation in the office caused the poor Romani to do a loud spit take while drinking down his green tea. Coughing noises followed with wheezing noises to clear his throat. He whirled his head over. “K-King Solomon?!”

“Yeah, King Solomon!” Ritsuka lifted the said book to bring it up into the doctor’s view. Blue orbs sparkled like a newly polished aquamarine gem, darting back and forth between the book and Romani. “Is this from Chaldea Library?! I didn’t realize there’s a copy of him in Chaldea here!! Gods, I’ve been searching for a specialized book about him everywhere, and I can’t believe they have it here!”

“O-Oh, so that’s what you mean…,” Romani muttered his own relief with his head turned aside unheard to the now excited Master.

He returned to see and chuckled with warmth at the giddy joyfulness radiating from Ritsuka.

“Yeah, the previous director has his own collection together with Mages Association and Atlas institute donated into our library.

“It’s helped to research and understand Servants summoned into Chaldea and the enemies we may face.”

“I see…!” The radiance in Ritsuka’s eyes shone more clearly as his eyes inspected the book.

“Then, they have many records for historical and mythology figures from the world throughout history?”

Stood from his chair, Romani headed to the sink to pick up the wet cloth and added. “Not all of them, but majority one’s established and record in human history. We can’t fit every single book in the library. So, there are some remains in the archives with their artifacts used as a catalyst for summoning.”

Nodded in understanding, Ritsuka returned with a bright smile.

“Hmm… Then, I’m glad Chaldea has a massive collection other than Arthurian legends I found in the library!”

Flipped open the book with love like a new treasure he discovered, the raven-haired Master paid his attention to the content page. Every utterance from his lips was with curiosity, amazement, and awe at what the King Solomon book covered.

Yet among all those emotions, they shared one point in common that made Romani stop cleaning his spitted-out tea. He turned back to the raven-haired Master and inquired in an unusual mindful tone. “…. Ritsuka-kun, do you like King Solomon?”

“Hm? Yeah, of course!” Ritsuka answered as though it was the most ordinary thing to him in the world.

He shut the book closed and hugged to his chest with much care, and faced Romani. “I love him the most, Doctor Roman! Or one of the many historical figures I admire, to be exact. His kind benevolence to his people made him decide to ask gods for wisdom on prospering his kingdom.

“It’s incredible that even when he was just a teenager, he’s giving everything he could to keep his father’s legacy.

“That’s why I’m so pleased I’m able to find more books about King Solomon to learn better about him.”

“Is… That so…?” Romani’s strange voice didn’t least discourage the pure admiration from the raven-haired Master.

The latter smiled and continued further cheerfully, “Not only him….

“Everyone in history and mythology is the best, too.

“Enkidu, a being created from mud, becomes more humane than anyone.

“Francis Drake, the pirate who circumnavigates the world….

“The world-renowned genius Leonardo da Vinci, Charlemagne twelve Paladins, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table…

“Almost all historical characters I respected as heroes! To think of meeting any of them, let alone finding material of them, is a dream come true!!”

“I… I see…”

Finally caught onto the skeptical tone, Ritsuka’s eyes recognized the Doctor’s face perplexed with discomfort and other emotions he couldn’t decipher or understand why.

He cleared his throat and hastily apologized, “S-Sorry, just forget that. I got carried away suddenly…

“It’s not only uninteresting itself, but even strange that I’m spouting this for someone my age.”

And he didn’t need his sister to tease him with boring people about rambling about his interest. But Romani, who picked up the young raven-haired Master’s guilty tone, jerked him out of whatever thoughts he was deep in.

He let out a light-hearted, assuring smile. “Haha! Of course not. I’ve known a few who are interested in history. But, you’re the first person who worshipped and even like every historical and mythological person. It must be a dream come true, isn’t it?”

Ritsuka agreed with a wide grin. “You can say that again! I didn’t consider this job Ritsuko dragged me in allowed such a wonderful opportunity.”

Returned with another smile, Romani returned to clean his table. “So… What made you interested in history, Ritsuka-kun?”

Unbeknownst to him, Ritsuka let out a relieved sigh that the Doctor didn’t mind his ramble earlier. He thus answered, “My real mother possesses an enormous collection of books used to learn their behavior for cognitive therapy and counseling at work. I enjoy reading, so those books back at home were like a treasure to me as a child.

“Back then, fiction and fairytale are things children would be absorbed in. But their records are way better than any fairytale at all! And the way how my real mom helped people with their problems connecting to them is the most amazing—!”

The unusual long pause caught Romani’s concern once more. Diverted his head to where the raven-haired Master, a sunny smile, established on Ritsuka’s lips. “I mean, how these individuals left such a tremendous imprint on human history will impress me the more I learn about them. A-Anyway, I’m sorry that I talked so much….”

Romani shook his head and laughed, an adorable person the young Chaldea Master Ritsuka was, to learn and admire every person he met. He reassured the young Master again. “No, it’s fine, Ritsuka-kun. I’m still reading that book, so… Maybe when I’m done, I’ll let you borrow it?”

Blue eyes widened utterly in shock at the Doctor’s proposition. Ritsuka switched his head between the book and Romani twice before confirming. “Is… Is that alright? Won’t there be overdue issues if you lend the book to me?”

“Yeah, it’s repaying you for taking care of me when I fainted back there.” Romani nodded, headed back to wash up, and squeezed dry the wet cloth. “The previous Director was the one who lends the book indefinitely and hands to me before his death. So, I hope you don’t mind waiting a little longer.”

“Of course not!” The raven-haired Master’s eyes light up with the excitement of getting his hand onto this very book in the prospect. He then bowed gratefully and responded, “Thank you very much, Doctor Roman!”

Romani gave one last grin to the raven-haired Master, down the wet cloth, and put a white-gloved hand onto his waist. “Alright, then. I’ve finished my meal; we can start your checkup.”

-0-

“I’m done changing.” Ritsuka pushed the curtain while trying to button up with a white long sleeve coat. A simple checkup Romani explained to re-examine his magic circuits taking about 15 to 20 minutes long.

The said pinkish-orange, now ponytail-haired Doctor flipping through the report, looked to where the raven-haired Master was. “Good, just take a seat over here!”

Approached to the gesture same white stool beside him, Ritsuka seated down to finish fixing up the collar of his coat. “How is it, Doctor?”

“A lot better now. Your magic circuits took quite a while to get used to contracting two Servants for the first time. But now you’ve re-summoned that Caster from Fuyuki, it doesn’t wear you out as badly before.” Romani answered with a smile.

“That’s good!”

Romani added with his own grin to the raven-haired Master’s energetic beam. “But try not to overwork yourself, Ritsuka-kun. The pace you’ve been practicing magic with Sadakuni is more than just fine. Knowing you, there shouldn’t be an issue in seeing how well-trained you are. Just be ready with your sister for your next mission on the first Singularity—!”

BEEP BEEP BEEP!!

“Hm?”

“Huh?” Both blue and green orbs landed their eyes on Romani’s wristwatch for the origin of the alarm.

The latter orbs widened on seeing the time appearing on his watch.

“C-Crap, Magi☆Mari’s Livestream is starting in a few minutes!!”

The Doctor leaped off from his seat to view the so-called Livestream, leaving Ritsuka behind dumbfounded.

Ritsuka tilted his head with confusion and wondered aloud, “Magi… Mari?”

He headed into Romani’s private room, watching the Doctor hurrying to dig out from a cardboard box labeled with the name ‘Magi☆Mari.’

It rang familiarity inside Ritsuka’s mind but questioned if what the Doctor spoke and his recollection weren’t the same.

Soon enough, the answer sang beside the raven-haired Master.

On his right, the table was placed with two speakers and a familiar white laptop showing a webpage of video, Livestream.

Though, what captured his attention to confirm the notion was a colorful brand of pink and purple…

Ritsuka yelled with his jaw dropped in disbelief upon recognizing it, “No way, you’re kidding me… Magi☆Mari?!!”

“What?!” The raven-haired infectious surprise exclamation made Romani returned with his own.

He stood and spun wearing an ‘I ♡ Magi☆Mari’ head bandana and a pink and orange flowery summer haori of a beautiful, long, white-haired young woman.

“You know Magi☆Mari too, Ritsuka-kun?!”

Ritsuka switched back to the startled Doctor and nodded frantically. “Of course! She’s the world’s biggest net idol of all time, Doctor Roman. How would one ‘not’ know her at all?! She is not really the first AI net idol, but fans worldwide consulted and even asked her out. Heard CEOs and politicians came to her for guidance for their company and judgments!

“Her cuteness and elegance that transcends any no.1 Miss Universe model…. Her intelligence is as great as the genius Da Vinci himself…. I’m not even surprised when she disclosed to the world that she advanced herself from just a simple AI to this…!”

“….. Ritsuka-kun, are you a fan of Magi☆Mari by any chance?” Romani summarized.

His green eyes blinked twice for his brain to process the raven-haired Master’s fervor rant.

“Hm?” The passionate fever faded away in Ritsuka’s mind, realizing his earlier behavior on rambling of his admired Solomon repeated.

“O-Oh, I mean….”

He quickly cleared his throat to return to his indifferent face and amended. “Yeah, I am one of Magi☆Mari’s fans. Or was her biggest fan since she first debuted on the internet. Though, it’s been four years since I have been a fan of her—!”

Whatever answers the raven-haired Master given cut off by Romani, dashing to where he stood and seized both his hands. His own green orbs now shared the same sparkle as he proclaimed aloud. “Then you and I are comrades, Ritsuka-kun!”

“…. Hah?” Ritsuka’s turn next to express a stupefied face at what the Doctor declared.

Were there any medical experts besides Romani himself to investigate if he received any brain damage when he collapsed earlier?!

Romani missed the dumbfounded expression on the young Master’s face and went on.

“To realize there’s another fan in Chaldea aside myself, I’m really happy about this!

“Well, not myself, there was personnel who were formerly Magi☆Mari’s fan, but—!”

Ritsuka cut short to prevent the misunderstanding deepened any further than called for. “H-Hold it right there, Doctor. I said I’ve been her fan, but—!”

“Don’t worry about it, Ritsuka-kun!

“Magi☆Mari is ever forgiving and welcoming to the fans that left and returned to her!”

“I know that, but listen to—!”

Attempts were to dissuade or convince the other abruptly came to a pause by a piece of cheerful sparkly music familiar to the two men.

Both Romani and Ritsuka turned to the laptop playing Magi☆Mari’s website Livestream.

In the broadcast, a familiar short with a long messy white-haired woman with pinkish lavender eyes in a white with lilac and the pink frilly dress.

Her hands in a pair of white with reddish-pink ends at the wrist of the gloves raised. She waved towards the crowd and greeted. “Heeeeeeellllllllooooooo, everyone!”

Spun a quick twirl, the idol bent forward to the camera and did a cute wink. “Hope everyone is feeling good today. Your favorite idol, Magi☆Mari, is here!”

The loud applauding noises gave the idol a cue to lift both her skirt sides to do a bow before continuing. “Today’s Livestream is an exceptional topic I will share from a fan’s request! I hope everybody will stick around to watch and listen to the very end.”

Panned close to her face, Magi☆Mari raised both hands below her chin. Her eyes were in tears and pleaded in her softest and sweetest voice. “You will, right…?”

An invisible arrow struck Ritsuka’s heart of being charmed by her as ever. Just like in his middle school days when he was still a massive fan of Magi☆Mari, easily and readily willing to obey her words—!

No, hang on…! This wasn’t the time to watch her stream. Ritsuka shook his head. He’d already promised himself he’d given up on being an Idol Otaku since that day... And, there’s also Sadakuni’s training he needed to get back to. “W-Well…”

Before he explained himself, the raven-haired Master felt a tap on his shoulder. His face looked to see Romani wearing the same puppy teary eyes as the AI Idol. “You wouldn’t reject her, right….?”

This had to be illegal for both the fluffy Doctor and Magi☆Mari to gang up on him like this! Reluctantly, Ritsuka sighed to surrender. “… Alright, just one show for her, Doctor Roman. I’ll be in trouble if I miss my practice with Sadakuni-san. In exchange…”

A quick glimpse around Romani’s room. The raven-haired Master’s sight settled on a light yellow cake box and pointed. “Cake!”

“Cake?” Romani questioned and followed his gaze to where the young Master focused on.

“Treat me to your most delicious cake, and we’ll call it even!” A bright, cheeky grin curled on Ritsuka’s lips and reminded him. “Come on, you assume I would forget of your promise to treat me, right?”

The unexpected request caught the Doctor off guard. He expected the young man to ask for something far worse.

Yet, the pure-like innocence from the raven-haired Master made Romani laughing seconds afterward.

“Of course not, Ritsuka-kun.

“If it’s the cake you want, I’d be even willing to share with you my other sweets collection!

“I’ll even recommend which other sweets are considered my all-time favorite.”

Ritsuka nodded before Romani returned to retrieve out his Magi☆Mari merchandise for their use in the stream. “Then, we have a deal, Doctor Roman!”

-0-

Any plans Ritsuka had in his mind, like leaving halfway through the stream... Thrown out in favor of becoming too absorbed to the very end. Aside from the regular coverage of her next song or vlogging, the fresh stream discussed her trip to meet one of her bedridden fans.

Left within weeks of his incurable illness, the young man was content to have been her fan till his last moment.

That heartbreaking yet bittersweet confession not only touched Magi☆Mari’s soul, along with the doctor and the raven-haired Master.

After plucking a few pieces of tissues he brought in at some point during the stream, Romani wiped tears from his bloodshot eyes and wept. “I’m glad I didn’t miss this week's Livestream. That fan could make his wish come true of Magi☆Mari visiting him in video calling before his illness takes a toll on his life.”

Beside him, Ritsuka’s face swollen red and bloodshot eyes streaked with tears, lifted a hand to wipe, and sniffled. “Megami-sama* is indeed more amazing than the last time… She saw how bad his cancer was and did her very best to cheer him to fight on. Yet, her soul is pure-hearted like the heavens, to grant him peace before his death. How could I’ve been so foolish to leave her behind?!”

“Ritsuka-kun… As I thought, you truly love her, don’t you?” The doctor turned to him, fresh tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

“Yeah, I’ve always had admired and love her, Doctor Roman. But with this Livestream, my love for her has been renewed…!”

Ritsuka whirled and agreed tearfully, “Doctor Roman, from today onwards, let us be brother-in-arms to support Megami-sama!”

“Of course!” Romani blew his nose into the tissue and bawled. “Any fan of beloved Magi☆Mari is my comrade, Ritsuka-kun! We’re glad to have you back with us.”

“Doctor Roman!”

“Ritsuka-kun!”

The pair latched onto each other in an embrace. Tears shed in mourning of losing one of their comrades to the illness…. All the while for Ritsuka, wholly forgotten how much scolding he gained later from skipping his class to indulge back to his old Otaku habits again.

End of Issue #4

*Megami-sama: Goddess

Some Romani and Ritsuka (Gudao) relationship development and bonding over their favorite idol! For Ritsuka calling Fou as 'Fou-sama' is one way to differentiate between him and his sister.... And mainly for Fou to assert dominance that he's still better than Merlin at one part LOL

Those who read the bio and this chapter is what inspired me for Ritsuka's magecraft. One is mainly the canon dreamscape is helping to connect his backstory, serving certain important roles and I wanted a magecraft relating to illusion on a character who has the opposite personality of trickery and deceit. Or someone whose heart while I won't say it as pure heart to become Mary Sue... But one least who went through tons of betrayal and bad experiences yet retain his idealistic innocent side towards people around him. This one does play a big role after LB6 is up on why Ritsuka (Gudao) is able to go into Avalon....

No, he's definitely not related to Artoria line by blood. However, in still some way, he's connected to them one way or another!

Finally regarding King Solomon... My favorite scene and those who completed Solomon Singularity going to read this in a completely different light especially how Ritsuka easily profess his admiration to him without realizing XD

Anyway, I'll try to finish this whole Fuyuki arc so that I can move to Orleans... But can't promise when or how if my motivation goes on.... At least good to know IRL situation still not looking that well with my Dad now back to hospital again. More or somewhat full details of it is in my blog you'll need to dig with precaution because it's infested with LB6 spoilers

#fgo #Fate Grand Order #gudao #romani archaman #fou #magi mari #fgo destiny awakenings

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