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Chapter Text

One of his earliest memories is with her. Apparently her mother worked with his father and they wanted the two to know each other, especially how they would start the same year at the same school together.

Apparently their parents' intuition worked, as they inconceivably became part of the same homeroom. Not that he would complain, it helped seeing a familiar face in an unfamiliar situation. He couldn't help but smile and comment on the situation.

As time passed, things at first looked like his words would be proven right. No matter who they spend time with, he would inevitably spend time with her. Even when they entered middle and high school, they would try to find time to see each other. Normally, he would be the one who takes the initiative. When it came to clubs, it was her who took it, mainly to do what was being offered.

Their relationship became part of the school's rumor mill. Students gossiped about them nonstop, especially given her status as a daughter of foreigners. Some didn't understand why he would spend time with her, and few were malicious about it. He didn't pay them any mind.

Their joy did not last. When they finished their exams, their families decided to send them to Tohoku as a reward before entering their last year of high school. It was when the earthquake and tsunami happened, and for the first time he was truly separated from her. At first he hoped it was temporary, that she would turn out just fine. It wasn't until the dust settled when he said it. He chose to be the one who broke the news to them. It was only right.

A few months before his graduation, a man came to visit him. He said that due to taking part in a blood donation event a few weeks before, he was qualified to join an organization called Chaldea that is located someplace away from Japan. His parents objected at first, wanting him to stay in the country, but he chose to join. Being here was too much, the memories suffocating him. His original plans after high school died with her, so he felt that there was no point in rejecting.

He failed to save someone. Again.

Director Animusphere died right under his nose, and he was completely helpless to do anything about it despite it being his job as a Master. And now he has to shoulder the burden of saving the world after it went up in flames.

"Before I go, Da Vinci, there's one last thing I need to ask of you."

Da Vinci raised an eyebrow, and asked "And what would that be?"

"Look after Fujimaru for me please. Ever since he joined us, his mind has been troubled, even before Lev bombed us. I do not know exactly what happened, but I can tell that what we've been making him do is making things worse, even if he doesn't want to acknowledge it and otherwise puts on a mask that signifies that he's fine. Given my own failed attempts to have him open up, I have decided to be respectful of his decision to not want to talk about it until he's ready. I'm not one to judge someone who wants to keep certain things secret, but I know that whatever it is, it's just as much of a danger to him as Goetia is if left unchecked. Please. He needs you and Mash."

"Please accept my heartfelt apology, my beloved, Lord ■■■■■■■■■."

"….. Accepted Douman. Just be warned to not step out of bounds like that."

"Understood, my Lord."

"While we are having this conversation, I am pleased to report that it seems that your contact came through with the agreement. The payment has arrived and is in place to do her duty."

"Oh ho, is that so my Lord? That is quite fortunate indeed. However, the question of if she'll be willing to be on our side is on the table. After all, she is a different case than our consulting friend who's at her destination. Will she be fine with her memories in tack and mind unaltered?"

"From what I have observed and what your contact told me, she will be subservient to me in one way or another. A loose cannon perhaps, but one who could be of use."

The mission to Shimousa is done.

After coming back to Chaldea and debriefing with Mash, Da Vinci, and the rest of the support staff, Ritsuka went back to his room, reflecting how much his life has changed since he decided to join the organization.

The timing of his arrival was not ideal, as he was still dealing with her loss when the world went into flames thanks to Goetia's plans, with his and her families being innocent victims. He panicked, feeling like he failed them in the same way he failed her.

In the end, things worked well and the state of the world got reversed, albeit with some hiccups. Turns out that a year still passed, and no one outside Chaldea remembers what happened, in addition to pockets of Goetia's followers existing and causing trouble.

That is, except for Shimousa.

Why did it exist? As far as he and his peers could tell, Shimousa is nothing like the Singularities he, Mash, and his Servants would fix. Moreover, what was the purpose of his appearance there? In addition, the appearance of Musashi and Amakusa reminded him of the Lion King, and they got him thinking, making him wonder. Is it possible for worlds where she survived? Could there be worlds where their roles were reversed?

Before they could grow dark, his ruminations were cut short when a certain noise went off, signaling a summoning.

"Strange. I don't think that is supposed to happen when I'm here."

He quickly ran to the room containing FATE, confused and most of all, worried about any bad omens, as based on his knowledge, no magus, members of the Mage Association in particular, have applied to the Organization as additional Masters following Goetia's defeat.

When he entered, he could barely see Mash, Da Vinci, and an unknown third figure laying on the ground.

"Mash! Da Vinci! What happened?"

"We don't know!" Mash replied in panic.

"I recommend staying back, Fujimaru! We don't know who just got summoned! We don't want your safety to be jeopardized!"

Ritsuka did what he was told and stayed near the two as the literal dust began to settle. As it did, everyone could see more details on who was lying on the ground. A young woman with long blue hair wearing what appears to be a blue qipao shirt and a black bodysuit, lying head down in the middle of the ground. Ritsuka instinctively walked towards her, not believing what he was seeing.

"It can't be. There's no way" he muttered as he picked up his pace, his reaction worrying the two with him as they accompanied him to see why he was reacting the way he was.

When Ritsuka reached her, he turned her face up, hoping to disprove his delusions, thinking that there is no way it could be her. He was the first to see the body. He saw it in the casket, to see it be buried. He frequently visited her grave. Even now he would be the first to know if it was desecrated. But his suspicions were proven correct, and he could only say two things, even if she was unable to hear and respond.

"Fuka? How are you still alive?"

Mash has been worried since the incident. More specifically, she's worried about Senpai. He has been acting strangely, first when the newcomer mysteriously arrived, even more so when it was quickly decided to keep her under lock and key while she was unconscious. He decided to take it upon himself to assist Nightingale in helping her recover and would use his spare time to look after her. What worries her the most is that she heard that name before. He may not be aware of it, but during their missions, he would often mutter it during his sleep whenever they shared the same sleeping quarters.

In private, she once asked the Doctor if there was a way for him to explain the importance of it, only for him to reply that forcing the issue would not be beneficial, and it would only be better if he tells her when he feels like the time is right. It frustrated her. It was difficult to get the finer details of his life prior to joining Chaldea, or why he joined them at all. She only knew the broad details of his life, but she wanted to know more. And during the rare times when she does try to push more details out, even she could notice his eyes change when he declines and changes the subject, an expression the Doctor would later describe as deep sadness and emotional pain when she described her attempts. And now this woman is a key to opening up his past, but she needed to find the right time to see if Senpai could truly open up. As things stand, all she could do is wait.

Why? Why did he shoot her? What did she do to warrant such a thing?

A torrent of thoughts washed over her as she tried to comprehend what happened to her as her body was healing. She wanted to cry, but her body wouldn't let her. She always knew that he was never the epitome of nice, but she failed to recognize his end goal. Nothing but the question of his action swarmed her mind as hatred and a foreign sensation crept inside her heart.

Most importantly, why can't she leave her body? She tried to leave it via one of her feathers but it feels like something foreign is keeping her inside it, forced to stay in wherever that man is keeping her at the moment.

After what felt like weeks of painful waiting she heard a voice whisper inside her ear, one she did not recognize, one who struck fear and overwhelmed the pain she was feeling.

"Congratulations. You have been chosen to be one of my Disciples. You will join me on the other side. You will do what I ask, one way or another. You have your orders."

And with that, she felt an alien sensation, and she departed from this world against her will, her body being given a hidden change.

Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly sat up, screaming loudly as the memory resurfaced and replayed it.

"What happe- no wait. I remember."

She was betrayed. Again. But more importantly, as her mind began to become less groggy, she noticed that she's in some sort of room, not the healing chamber he put her in.

"If I remember correctly, someone told me that they would meet me on the other side. Are they connected to him and his actions? And how am I here?"

As she tried to get a better understanding of her surroundings and situation, the door opened, revealing a young man with black hair and blue eyes, wearing a white shirt with black buckles and black pants, an older one with black hair in what appears to be some sort of detective's uniform and a woman with brown hair in a nurse uniform. As they walked in and tried to find something to make themselves comfortable, she not only noticed a strange marking on the right hand of who appeared to be their leader, but also something in his eyes and facial expression as he sat down and stared at her face to face. Despite the rest of him giving an outward appearance of a normal person, they almost belong to someone who suffered, who has seen too much, and gone through emotional turmoil. He then spoke, breaking her out of her musings.

"I see that you're awake," he said. "My name is Fujimaru Ritsuka. These are two of my companions, Sherlock Holmes and Florence Nightingale. And we're hoping to get some answers."

"So not the one who spoke in my mind" she said internally, but she could only say the following in reaction to the intention of his visit: "What are you talking about? There is no way that man could be Holmes."

Chapter Text

Whereas Ritsuka raised his eyebrows in confusion, Holmes closed his eyes in contemplation in reaction to what the stranger said. No matter how many times he shuffled through his memories, Holmes kept coming on a blank, failing to recognize the woman in front of him. He began to formulate some theories, and opened his mouth to begin testing them.

"I'm sorry Miss, but I do not understand what you mean," he said honestly.

"Don't shit me 'Holmes'" she spat out in growing frustration, "Or would you like to have me call you by your real name instead? Would that be better, Doyle?"

Holmes raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise and confusion. "And what does Sir Doyle have to do with who I am?" he replied back.

The stranger continued to grow increasingly agitated and paced through the room in frustration by his response, so Holmes held up his hand and said "Please calm yourself Miss. It would be helpful if you gave me your name so we can start some sort of understanding."

The stranger reluctantly stopped, took a deep breath, and responded. "It's Fu Hua. Would that jog something in you? Or how about this, you used me to create that ridiculous 'John Watson' character of yours in those silly books you wrote."

Holmes cupped his chin as his analytical mind was processing the response. He is beginning to form one theory as to the implication to what Hua is saying and where she could be from was starting to settle in. If she is being honest, then whatever her connection with him could be, he was beginning to believe that there is only one logical answer for her choice in words.

But he needed to be sure, and said "Miss Fu Hua, would you believe me if I said that Dr. Watson is indeed real and not based on anyone I knew, and that Sir Arthur is a separate person from myself?"

Just as she began to snarl out a response, he instantly had an idea. Holmes held up his left hand to catch her attention and used his right to grab a holoprojector map out of his coat and showed its contents to her, asking "Miss Fu Hua, if you don't mind, could you point and say where you are from?"

She held what she initially wanted to say.  At first she showed hesitation, as if she herself is contemplating her choice of words. She then approached the map, and pointed to a region in southern China and said "Míngxiǎng".

​

Now his theory is all but confirmed. "Miss Fu Hua," he began to reply in genuine gentleness, "There is no city in the People's Republic of China that goes by that name whether historically or contemporary, much less in the region you pointed."

Now it was her turn to be surprised as she could only raise both of her eyebrows in response, and Holmes knew he hit the jackpot. "Miss Fu Hua," he started, hoping that the next few words won't elicit a response that would alert the others outside of their meeting, "Based on what you've been saying and where you said you were from, I have every reason to suspect that you are from another timeline, likely one that has diverged significantly from the one my colleagues and I are in right now."

Hua crashed onto the bed, the confusion and horror being clearly written on her face. As she was trying to process the theory Holmes put out, he took Ritsuka to the side and whispered "Master, I believe it would be important for you to get some water for Miss Hua to drink. And some food in case she's hungry."

Despite showing some hesitation and reluctance to the idea, Ritsuka was ultimately ushered out of the room by Nightingale to fulfill his request. Holmes considered pressing on, but thought better of it, seeing how much distress she was going through, before asking "Do you want me to leave as well, Miss Hua? You don't need to be a skilled detective to see that you need time to process what I said."

Holmes could barely hear her muster a "yes". "Miss Nightingale will be here in case you need any medical assistance." He then left, making sure that the room is re-secured until the need to visit again arises.

As Ritsuka helped the kitchen crew prepare Hua's meal and was bringing it to her room, he couldn't help but flash back to the memory where Fuka was teaching her Chinese. He did not know how to feel about this rapid development. At first, he couldn't help but question the events of that day. He insisted on running tests, to make sure that she is a Servant who just happened to look like her, similar to Okita and Nero looking like Artoria. Da Vinci and the medical staff agreed to entertain his delusions, but as it turns it out it created more questions than answers. "Fuka" is indeed a living person. Not a Servant with traits of a living human like Fujino and Shiki. An actual living person in the flesh. Not only that, but the preliminary tests indicate that she's not truly human. He wondered if she and possibly her parents have been keeping secrets from him.

But in the end, this Hua is not the one he knew and Sherlock's questioning quashed his hopes. And now, Ritsuka cannot help but think about the implications of Hua's arrival. Just why is she here? If Holmes is right and that the multiversal theory is real, then who would have an interest in placing her in this one? And how could they have access to FATE and send her here through it? He sighed. These are questions that need to be asked when he's in a better headspace. For now, his most important priority is to make sure she's fed. And to make sure she's comfortable and coping well.

When he left, Hua first ensured the nurse that she was physically fine and did not require any medical attention. She was insistent on doing it herself however. When she did, she was deemed cleared, so she too left. When it was made clear that she was truly alone after she left, she went head first into the pillow on the bed and screamed into it as the tears finally began to flow out, her ability to stay strong dissipating.

She did not know how to comprehend the situation at hand as the events that preceded the visit flowed through her head. So not only was she betrayed again and royally screwed things over, but she was also apparently sold off. And now she was also in some parallel universe? She wanted to scoff and write off this series of inquisition as her brain messing with her while she was healing off what little damage she felt.

But as her screaming died down, part of Hua's brain began to connect Holmes' theory to the voice she heard in her head, and the sensation she felt. It started to make too much sense when she did, and it added some validity to what he believed. But what this meant is beyond her. What was this person's plan? What "orders" were they talking about? She genuinely had no idea what she was supposed to do. Not only that, just what did she feel after hearing it? Outside of those initial sensations, she felt absolutely no different and when inspecting her body, she did not notice anything nor felt anything different inside of her. No matter how much time passed, those sensations never came back.

All she could conclude at the moment is this is a bad omen.

As she tried to formulate what she could do, the door opened, revealing Ritsuka with a tray of food and water. To her embarrassment, her stomach growled at the sight, and it's only now that she realized that her throat was equally dry.

"You have been unconscious for a few days," he explained. "I hope what I brought should be fine."

"...... Thank you," Hua responded, "At least whoever they work for isn't a scumbag and has some common courtesy" she thought.

As she was eating what Ritsuka brought, Hua realized something, and asked, "Excuse me, Fujimaru was it? There's something I want to ask."

Ritsuka raised his eyebrow, "And what would that be?" he said in response.

"If you don't mind me asking, do you know how long I'll be in this room?"

Ritsuka spent a few minutes quiet, before saying, "As far as I'm aware, the initial orders when we first found you was to keep you in this room lock and key. I suspect that these orders will remain in place for the foreseeable future."

Hua groaned at the response, her frustration mounting. "And what do you expect me to do then if I'm going to be stuck in here for who knows how long?" she retorted.

Ritsuka hesitated, taken aback by her anger before quietly saying, "I don't know. I'm not privy to that information. Last I heard, Holmes is talking to the Acting Director to see what we should do. I'm sorry."

Hua bit back whatever response she wanted to say in the heat of the moment, as she started to feel bad about taking out her initial frustrations onto him. She couldn't strictly blame him for not being able to do much. All she could do right now is hope that a decision would be made soon.

"And that's the long and short of it, Da Vinci."

Da Vinci pinched her nose and groaned, sporting a rare frown in contemplation as she was reflecting on their guest waking up and the impromptu inquisition Holmes gave.  The most irritating part is that she has no reason to believe that Holmes is lying about everything.

"This makes everything more complicated, you know that, right Holmes?" she asked, her frustration just barely leaking out of her tone, showing how she's just managing her emotional control. "How are we able to keep THIS hidden from those investigating us right now? I haven't even authorized her DNA samples to be tested to see if there's a match with anyone living right now in case we're dealing with some missing person's case no one was aware of. Now imagine what would happen if I did and suddenly a match does show itself and suddenly she has some counterpart who is either alive or died either before or during the Goetia crisis?"

Holmes sighed in response, "I understand where you're coming from Da Vinci, but please calm down."

Da Vinci took a deep breath, but maintained the frown. "Here are your orders, Holmes. From what I know, a representative from the Association will be arriving before the year ends. Before they arrive, you are to discreetly take Hua to the Shadow Border and put her in one of its living quarters for the next few days. From what I understand, this representative has been chosen to serve as Chaldea's new director. I cannot make heads or tails as to why he specifically was chosen, and as such, she will only be released under my orders, and my orders specifically. Do I make myself clear?"

"Loud and clear, Da Vinci."

Hua did not know how to feel about Fujimaru's frequent visits in the days after she woke up, but if nothing else, she appreciated his company, and the information he's been willing to give to her while she was under lock and key and awaiting for an update for her situation. But as she spent the past few stays cooped up in the room she's in, she can't help but wonder if she could go back. Despite the circumstances of her arrival, she needed to get back.

"Kiana…… I hope you'll be fine without me while I'm here. Please forgive me if I take too long" is a thought that frequently swarmed her, as despite now despising him and wanting to do God knows what when she has the chance, she still can't help but focus on how Kiana could be handling her situation without her. It made her restless, knowing of the implications of what could happen if she did waste too much time, knowing that she needed to redeem herself.

But unfortunately, Ritsuka told her that she's in no position to leave the room, much less return home. Setting aside the issue that their technology deals with temporal travel and not inter-dimensional, apparently Chaldea is under investigation by some higher authority. Due to arriving via a system he called FATE, which he claims should be impossible under normal circumstances as she exhibited no traits of being a Servant, something that is further compounded by the fact that she was unable to recognize the Classes a Servant could qualify for while he was explaining the concepts to her, her arrival is seen as suspicious by EVERYONE in the know and thus she is needed to be kept under lock and key, with her existence known to a very select few. Her situation caught them completely flag footed, and thus they cobbled something quickly before the outside world caught wind of what happened before it was seen as too late.

While Hua could understand why they acted the way they did, she'd be a damn hypocrite if she judged them for doing questionable actions, she felt cramped. The wait and growing guilt were killing her, and she needed to do something more substantial to keep her mind off the obvious. Before she did something she would instantly regret, the door opened, revealing Holmes.

"I see that you're awake, Miss Hua. A decision has been made regarding your situation. However, time is of the essence right now. I do recommend that you follow me quickly before it gets too late so that you can weather the coming storm with us."

Hua was starting to get a distinct feeling that she would regret what she wanted.

Chapter Text

Mash didn’t know exactly where she was.

From the looks of it, she appeared to be at some type of sporting event at some school, although she couldn’t exactly understand why she was here. She looked out of place, with how every person she immediately saw was wearing burumas and other similar attire. Right when she tried to find out exactly where she was and why, her eyes widened in shock at what she was seeing on stage when it registered and came into focus. It can’t be. How is it possible?

 But she wasn’t hallucinating, or at least she thinks she isn’t. She was watching Senpai sparring. And his opponent happened to be the woman who arrived via FATE. As she watched them, she couldn’t help but feel like their movements looked familiar. Senpai using his right shoulder in an attempt to strike her quickly. His opponent trying to retaliate by using her left elbow to stop his momentum. Senpai trying to capitalize this by using an open palm strike to counter it, only to have her sidestep and use her left hip to make him tumble down. It was clear to the audience that the fight was over, so they clapped and cheered to what they saw.

“So Senpai learned it before joining us” Mash couldn’t help but muse. She always wondered how he was able to keep with Li’s lessons when he was summoned. But her musings broke when she noticed the pair beginning to leave, and she quickly tried to follow them when they left the stage, not noticing the lack of attention when she did. When she did track them, they were in a private area, and Senpai was clearly agitated, given how she’s seeing them having a private conversation.

“-had you. Why did I do that? Stupid stupid stupid! Moreover, why must I always lose to you?”

The lookalike sighed. She took her hands and held them with his, squeezing them gently then saying “Calm down, Hoshi. It’s fine. It’s not a big deal . ”

“Not a big deal!?” Senpai roared back in anger, terrifying Mash at just how upset he was . “It’s easy for you to say that when you’re the one who keeps winning! Always easy to say that ‘there’s always the next time’. Just- I- ARGH! When will I actually beat you, Fuka!?”

And with that, Mash’s eyes snapped open, and she rose up in shock.

“ Just what did I just witness ?” she couldn’t help but wonder. It was too vivid to be a regular dream. Mash cannot comprehend the context of the scene, nor why Senpai and this Fuka were there. Mash did not know how that was possible. Was it possible for Senpai to know her beforehand? Why she even saw it is a bigger question. She checked the time, and seeing how it’s mid morning, decided that it was important for her to talk to Da Vinci about it. Hopefully she will be able to explain what she went through.

Later

When Mash finished explaining her dream, she watched Da Vinci contemplating for a few minutes before humming in amusement. “If I didn’t know any better, Mash, I believe that based on what you told me, what you saw was a glimpse into Fujimaru’s past.  More specifically, you saw a memory.”

Mash widened her eyes in surprise. “How is that even possible? And why?”

Da Vinci shrugged “Hard to say really. There are multiple reasons as to why, and it’s always based on the relationship between each individual Servant and Master. In your case, I suspect that it may be a combination of your close bond with Fujimaru given you’ve been with him since the beginning alongside with our…. guest’s appearance awakening something in him, however subconscious.”

Mash frowned at the implications. She wasn’t sure exactly how to proceed with this information. If what she saw was a memory, then how could this Fuka be there at all? However, as she stewed upon it, one question popped up “Da Vinci, is it possible for Senpai to know that I know about them?”

“As far as I’m aware, not if you tell him outright and want answers. Any reason why you’re asking?”

Mash paused, debating whether she wanted to say it, before deciding that she wanted to be honest. “I always wanted to know about Senpai’s past. In particular, I want to know what exactly has been causing him so much pain. I just want to help him, as a way to make up for the times he stood by my side and helped me. But at the same time, trying to get answers directly from him has been impossible, and I don’t want to break his trust, nor do I want to break his privacy.”

Da Vinci hummed in understanding “In that case, I recommend that you explain to him as gently as you can when you have the time. I want you, and him by association, to know that neither of you have complete control of when these dreams occur, so it’s imperative that open communication happens. I think you can agree that breaking your bond by not being open with each other is not something we want.”

Mash sighed. “I understand Da Vinci. I’ll take the time to tell him as soon as I can.”

“And where exactly are we?”

For the past few hours, Hua had been following Sherlock through a series of passageways until they reached a room containing a large twelve wheeled armored vehicle. She was not expecting for her to be in this part of Chaldea, instead believing that she would be transferred to a more public area of the organization.

“The current Acting Director believes that transferring you into the Storm Border here would be more prudent. There will be a change among Chaldea’s higher ups soon, and she’s not sure about their character and their reasons for replacing her. Let’s just say that many people from the organization they’re likely from run on morality that is different from most people, and we don’t want you to get into the crosshairs so to speak until a gauge has been properly measured. Until then, you are to change quarters and to live in one of the living quarters I set aside for you.”

Hua sighed. “ Yippie. More bureaucratic nonsense designed to restrain me ” she thought.  She knew that the thought was unfair to Holmes and his Acting Director. That said, this is something she did not want nor did it ease any suspicions she has about what might come.

As she followed Holmes into the vehicle and to where she would be staying, she couldn’t help but notice how large the interior was compared to the outside. As she marveled at the sight, they stopped at a door, and Holmes opened it.

“Here we are Miss Hua. For the time being, you will be staying here. Is there anything you need for the time being?”

Hua blinked, and after some brief contemplation, asked “There is one thing. Fujimaru. Will he be visiting me?” 

“Unfortunately, he would not. The Shadow Border’s existence is only known to me and the Acting Director. The two of us have been working in secret in the event that this base is no longer safe, and as such I’ll be the one who would be making sure that you would be fine.”

Hua fought the urge to bite her lip in frustration, unsure how to feel. It seems that the one source of consistency she found won’t be here for her, and would be unaware until this other mess blows over. Despite only knowing him for a few short days, for some reason, she craved his warmth, his unexplainable desire to be with her. She also felt confused by the decision to keep Fujimaru out of the loop. From her limited interactions with him, he came across as someone important even if he had no administrative role. She internally sighed, strangely hoping that she’ll see him soon.

Little does she know that her fate is heavily tied with his.

Da Vinci was sporting a rare frown at the two messages she was seeing from her two communication devices. Whilst the private one with Holmes is more or less an update that the transfer was successful, the public device did not bring any comfort.

“ Dear Acting Director Leonardo Da Vinci,

My name is Goredolf Musik and I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, I have been able to become the new Director of Chaldea . My arrival will be within the next oh-eight-hundred hours to ten-hundred hours. Please be prepared for the arrival of me and my staff .”

Da Vinci did not know how to exactly process the latter information when it arrived hours ago. While she did expect a letter like this to arrive, the vagueness of it concerned her. In addition, besides the fact that he works for the Mage’s Association’s Policies Department, as far as she knows, Goredolf himself lacks any notable accomplishments and successes compared to many of his peers, with the only notable traits being the heir to a magus clan that’s wealthier and having healthier life spans than comparable ones. As such, how such a person found his way into becoming the new official Director concerned her. She could only gather that something was brewing and one that would not end well.

She sighed in frustration, but did not give into despair. Da Vinci was by no means unprepared. She expected a bad feeling such as this fermenting, given Chaldea’s unpopularity amongst the United Nation and the Mage’s Association following Goetia’s defeat. She began putting her contingency plans into motion, and sent messages to Holmes and Fujimaru.

“Senpai, can we talk for a moment? There’s something I need to tell you privately.”

Ritsuka paused when Mash came up to him and told him of her request after he finished eating. He thought it was odd that she wasn’t able to join him to eat together earlier like they always have since he joined Chaldea and became her Master, and now she wants to tell him something privately. He scratched his head in confused amusement, before saying “Alright then. Let’s talk in my room then. It’s not like I have anything super important to do.”

As they walked together, Ritsuka couldn’t help but think that the day is getting odd, even by his own standards. In addition to Mash’s request and behavior, Holmes earlier told him that Hua was mysteriously being transferred to a location he does not know and how his assistance is for the time being no longer necessary. What the ulterior motives the detective has is beyond him, as well as the secrecy. He felt hurt. He did not know he was being excluded. But unfortunately, there was not much he could do.

When they reached and entered his room, Ritsuka shut the door and enabled the noise cancellation settings to ensure that passersbies would not listen. “Okay Mash, you have my attention. What’s up?”

Mash took a deep breath, then said “Last night, I had this strange, well, it’s less of a dream and let’s say it’s more of a vision for now.”

Ritsuka quirked up an eyebrow at Mash’s wording, now even more curious about what this is about and why it required his attention.

“The reason why I didn’t join to eat with you earlier is because I wanted to talk to Da Vinci about it. She told me that based on what I saw, it’s likely that what I saw was a memory. 

Senpai, more specifically, I saw a memory of your past.”

Ritsuka couldn’t help but let his jaw drop in bafflement. “What!? How!? Why!? Moreover, what did you see!?”

“As for the how and why, Da Vinci has two connected theories. The first is that it’s likely due to our close bond together. The second” she paused, and Ritsuka couldn’t help but wonder why but then she said “it’s likely due to the appearance of the blue haired woman who mysteriously appeared via FATE. I say this because I saw the two of you together in the memory, or at least someone who highly resembles her.”

And with that Ritsuka did not know how to truly feel as he crashed onto his bed. While he by no means distrusted Mash, and he always intended to follow the Doctor’s advice, he still wanted to keep things personal, as he was still trying to process on how he should tell his past. But now it seems like he can’t keep the tight lid and now he can’t help but wonder what memory she saw.

“I see,” Ritsuka slowly said, still trying to process how to feel. “Well then. Tell me what specific memory did you see Mash?”

“The two of you were fighting, in what looks like a martial arts exhibition match in some type of school event. You lost, and when the two of you left, I followed you, and I overheard you venting out your frustrations about how you keep losing to her. My vision ended with you calling her ‘Fuka’”.

Ritsuka’s heart dropped and his eyes began to swell when she finished telling her tale. That day was something he disliked replaying in his head. He regretted saying the words Mash overheard and didn’t. The frustration he felt that day overwhelmed him and he lashed out when he shouldn’t have. After he calmed down, he would always try to make it up to her. Even if she believed it wasn’t necessary and she already forgave him.

“Senpai” Mash said, breaking him out of his thoughts “Just who is she?”

Ritsuka sighed, “She is an old friend of mine. We’ve known each other since I was young. That’s the only thing that matters right now.” 

Ritsuka could see Mash growing frustrated over his vagueness and unwillingness to tell more, but before she could voice them, Ritsuka’s phone began beeping. When he turned it on to see what it’s about, he saw an urgent message from Da Vinci, urging him and Mash to meet her in the Command Room as soon as possible.

“It’s Da Vinci” he explained “she wants us to meet with her in the Command Room as soon as possible.”

Ritsuka could see Mash frown at the convenience of the message, and all he could do was apologize. The Doctor was right. He honestly had grown to dislike keeping secrets from her, especially in regards to his past. They went through so much together that keeping secrets from each other was more harmful. But he hoped that she would forgive him for his hesitation, just like the Doctor believed. Just like Fuka did back then.

As the two left for the Command Room, they were unaware of the storm that would come.