The Fujimaru Residence
Ritsuka's Bedroom
"Huuuh… A bath was truly refreshing."
Wearing a cute pink pajama set, Ritsuka said as she returned to her room after stepping out of the bathroom.
On the veranda outside, Mash—who had been gazing at the night sky—turned and smiled. "Finished your bath, Senpai?"
"Yes. Oh, by the way, Mash, here's your milk."
As she spoke, Ritsuka walked over and handed one of the two milk bottles in her hand to Mash.
"In Japan, after a bath, you're supposed to drink a glass of milk. It feels incredibly soothing—and you have to drink it all in one gulp."
"Eh? Really?" Mash stared at the bottle in her hand, confused. "I've never read anything like that on the internet or in books."
"Things like this won't be in books or online. There are so many customs in Japan you only learn when you experience them firsthand. There's still so much more you need to learn, Mash."
While speaking, Ritsuka already opened her own milk bottle, placed one hand on her hip, tilted her head back, and downed the entire contents in one swift swallow.
Seeing this, Mash mimicked her—copying Ritsuka's posture and drinking her milk completely.
"Mmm…"
After finishing, Mash covered her mouth with her hand and wiped the leftover milk from the corner of her lips. "It tastes… kind of comforting. Cool. Japanese culture is truly profound."
"That's right."
Ritsuka laughed. "By the way, what were you looking at, Mash? Is there something special in the sky?"
"I was just watching the night. Back at Chaldea, we rarely get to see the night sky—most of the time it's just snowstorms. Now it's even rarer." Mash explained. "And… I've never seen a night sky like this before."
The night sky over this city felt different from the night sky over Chaldea. Though she couldn't articulate exactly how, Mash could feel it.
After gazing for a moment, Mash suddenly turned to Ritsuka and said, "Thank you so much, Senpai—for taking me to so many places today, and letting me experience so many things I've never touched before. I'm so happy today. Thank you, Senpai."
For Mash, who had never left Chaldea since birth, today was the happiest day of her life.
She had never imagined the world beyond could be so rich, so colorful.
Lying beside Mash, Ritsuka also smiled. "You're welcome. It's just a small thing—nothing special. And I'm really happy too… to be back here, to return to this place."
"Your mom's cooking was absolutely amazing. It's almost as good as the Head of Department's. Dad hasn't changed at all, even after such a long time. Honestly, it's only been two weeks—it wouldn't make sense if he had."
"And Atalanta-sensei is just the same too. Even though it's the weekend and I didn't meet any old friends, I think they haven't changed either."
"After a day like this… Incineration Order of Humanity feels like a dream."
A dream.
That was the most real feeling Ritsuka had ever experienced right now.
Returning to Mifune City. Meeting her teacher again. Seeing her parents once more. Eating her mother's cooking again… Before today, Ritsuka had never dared to dream of these things. After all, with the Incineration Order of Humanity underway, such ordinary moments should have been impossible.
Yet now—they had happened. Real, tangible, undeniable.
When she met her mother earlier, Ritsuka had genuinely wanted to cry.
She had gone to an utterly alien place, immediately thrown into bizarre trials, then half-forced into matters of grave seriousness—accidentally walking right up to the gates of hell…
Two weeks in Chaldea hadn't been kind to Ritsuka. Sure, there were pleasant moments with the Head of Department—but far more often, whether it was Merry's grueling training sessions or the heart-pounding battles themselves—she'd felt deeply uncomfortable.
To be perfectly honest—
"Mash… honestly, when we were in France and Fuyuki City, I was terrified." Ritsuka admitted. "Even though I didn't actively participate in most of the fights—you all carried the burden—I always ended up being protected. And yet… I was still terrified."
When Hinako exploded and unleashed a curse rain that nearly killed her, she had been terrified.
When facing Solomon, watching him summon the Four Divine Demonic Pillars, she had been terrified.
When arriving in France, surrounded by countless Wyverns, she had been terrified.
"..."
Often—almost constantly—even with so many people shielding her, Ritsuka remained terrified.
Mash's expression softened with a hint of apology. "I'm… sorry, Senpai. I'm still too immature as a Servant. I couldn't protect you well enough. I'm sorry."
"No, no, no—it's not your fault at all!" Ritsuka quickly waved her hands to reassure her. "You've protected me wonderfully! My fear… that's my own problem. Fighting means someone will get hurt. If things get serious, people can die."
"When I fight, I can't stop thinking about those things… and then… I just can't stop being afraid."
Ritsuka's hand, resting on the railing, trembled slightly.
Mash noticed the subtle movement.
"Senpai…"
"Mash… are you afraid?" Ritsuka asked. "When you fight… do you fear getting hurt? Or dying?"
"I don't know."
After a brief pause, Mash answered honestly: "I don't know how I feel during battle. When I'm fighting, I only think about how to deal with the enemy right in front of me. If their attack is coming for me, I block or dodge. If I spot an opening, I strike. Basically, my mind fills only with those kinds of thoughts."
"And I think those thoughts exist because of you, Senpai."
"Me?" Ritsuka blinked, puzzled. "Why?"
"Because…" Mash said seriously, "I want to protect you."
Her voice was calm, unwavering. "My class is Shielder—a soldier of the shield, a protector. That class specializes in defense. The original name of the Servant I'm bound to is Galahad, the Knight of the Round Table who sits upon the Accursed Seat. A knight… must protect his Master."
"So I want to protect you."
"If that's my purpose, then no matter who the enemy is, I believe I can gather the courage to fight… Does it sound strange if I say that?"
As she spoke, the earnest, serious look on Mash's face began to crack. Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she slipped back into the shy, familiar demeanor Ritsuka knew so well.
Ritsuka smiled warmly. "No, not at all. I actually think this side of you is incredibly cool—like a true knight… almost like the Head of Department."
(So… having someone you want to protect… does that give you courage? Can you overcome fear?)
(What if… if I found something worth protecting… would I stop being afraid?)
(Then… what is it… that I want to protect…?)