Chapter 10: The Pair
It was Saturday and it means that Shidou has a date.
Shidou has 4 date in one.
Ms. Scarlet.
Tohka.
Origami.
And Kurumi.
It was horrible how it ended up but somehow, whether he liked it or not, he will endure this 4-way date with the help of Ratatoskr.
But in Scathach's case, he was fully aware of this ridiculous dates. Shidou must cater to Tohka's needs. Origami was insistent to date with him. Shidou must date Kurumi in order to seal her since she was the most dangerous Spirit he have encountered up to date and finally her and finally her, Ms. Scarlet a.k.a. Scathach.
She don't mind though since Ritsuka decided to join her in a date together with Mashu. Ritsuka was dressed in a white, crop top and a knee-levelled skirt complete with a sandals while Mashu was satisfied with her simple, cerulean dress and a large-brimmed hat perfect for the sunny weather today. Meanwhile Scathach was content with her dark purple dress that matched her battlesuit. It's kind of Scathach's favorite color though.
Shidou arrived late, huffing and perspiring heavily. Scathach squinted in suspicion; He must have already met the other targets and Scathach knew Shidou was doing the best he can… in saving this world, according to Ritsuka. Well, this world wouldn't go the deluge yet since Ritsuka will be an insurance here for a while. Her Master made sure that nothing will happen to this world until they can resolve their own problem and come home to Chaldea. Ritsuka also warily observed in covering their true identity and purpose in this world until she really needed to.
"I'm so sorry, I'm late, Ms. Scarlet— Ritsuka-san and Mashu-san?" Shidou's was surprised when he saw Ritsuka and Mashu also together with Ms. Scarlet.
"Hello there, Pretty boy." Ritsuka greeted him… in her own unique way.
"Hi there." Mashu greeted him.
"We decided to join with you in fun-exploring!"
"Yes, it would be so much fine!"
Shidou felt disappointed for a little bit but after for a moment, felt relieved. It seemed that Ms. Scathach will no longer to be his own priorities. At least, he can focus on the other three for now.
At first, all of the Servants in the dorm were hesitant at Ritsuka's decision to bring Mashu with her but later on they realized she should be the one. Other than her being a kouhai to Ritsuka, she was born in the Chaldea, having not experienced the outside the world.
Even the adventures of Singularities and Lostbelts, they were not in fact in some sense, a real world. It couldn't even called a date but a mission.
That means that this world was the closest one they can get to their own modern world. Where mankind flourished. Mashu get the chance to have fun to that world without worrying any glance to any mission. Ritsuka wanted for them to have fun without worrying for a minute.
Then Scathach decided to have fun too, mostly with Master and Mashu. The Shielder mostly, it seemed Lancer decided that she deserve this date. She doesn't worry afterwards, Ritsuka promised that she will take on date to everyone as much as she can. Scathach always interested in her Master's idea.
For now, she would continue pretending this play-date with Shidou. They are now in a restaurant, eating delicacies. Mashu really enjoyed and Scathach seemed to be happy for her. In fact, Ritsuka and Mashu seemed to enjoying each other companies for real.
Scathach on the other hand, well… she's also good at pretending being satisfied. She looked at Shidou who was eating in front of her. He was still eating, somehow a little too fast. He must have been in a hurry. Scathach imagined herself counting a minute until Shidou himself excused to go for a bathroom—whom Scathach estimated will go on for an hour.
The Chaldean couple beside her didn't even noticed him leaving the seat. Scathach just giggled to herself. Now Ritsuka was left on her device.
After the restaurant, where will they are going?
They ended up in the street full of people, Shidou recommended a street stand where they will eat simple delicacies. Shidou didn't lie, it was delicious for Ritsuka and Mashu, especially the Shielder because it is her first time tasting it. Even Scathach was enjoying the treat too.
Once again, Shidou has to make a break for it, maybe focusing to her other targets while Scathach, Ritsuka and Mashu where still eating their food. Scathach felt content for a while.
Then Ritsuka noticed something and then she turned to somewhere among the crowd. Scathach and Mashu followed her gaze too in curiosity.
By some coincidence, Ritsuka's Archer and Lancer arrived together, seemingly enjoying each other companies too. They are rather casual for the two Goddess bonding each other. They also wore a Mystic Code that muffled their Mana Readings as well as their Divinity, so extra insurance they guess.
"Greetings, Master. How are you?" Ishtar greeted them as her eyes glinted in knowingness. Ereshkigal meanwhile contented from waving at them. Ishtar's arm was intertwined with Eresh's as they stood together. Ishtar and Eresh looked exactly to the point that they can be mistaken for a twin if they ignore the color of their hair, which both goddess took advantage of.
"Hows your life in the mansion?" Ritsuka asked them curiously.
"It's great, Master…although, the offer still stands, the mansion is still open for the you and the rest of the Servants." Ishtar offered haughtily. As usual, Ritsuka was being dumb.
"Thanks but no thanks, I'm satisfied in the dorm alone."
That's Ritsuka's plan though after ended up in this world. She made some of the Servants separated from them in order to reduce the suspicion around her. Ritsuka was well confident that Ishtar and Eresh that they can live alone because they were goddesses on their own right.
They sort of exceeded Ritsuka's expectation after they managed to bought a literal mansion. Ritsuka somehow suspected it was Ishtar's idea and maybe her payment could be the gems she has gotten from King Gilgamesh.
However, Ishtar was on the verge of crying, forgetting her 'elitist' behavior." B-but its boring there! I have all the butlers and maid there but Ritsuka!" Ishtar was pulling my dress gently, urging me to agree to her.
"N-no worries, you can visit the dorm the next time or we can go over there for a night." Ritsuka assured her alright.
"R-really?" Ishtar was literally clinging on her. The other fact that Ishtar made herself more frustrated was that floating was no-no here. Ereshkigal is fine after all.
"Ne, Sister you can't bother Master. It seemed that she was busy." Eresh in turn was pulling away crying Ishtar from her. It was becoming an embarrassing scene.
Ritsuka just headpatted Ishtar. "It's alright. You are a literal Goddess, right? You can do this." The Master of Chaldea assured her.
"Sister, I think you are embarrassing us." Ereshkigal was getting nervous as eyes were now drawn to them but Ishtar practically ignored them. "Why don't we go from that shop and gift Master with it?" The Lancer offered.
"Waaahh!!!" Ishtar was crying head-on to the point that Ereshkigal, bless for her refined strength, successfully unlatched her from her Master before dragging away from the Chaldean Master.
"We'll meet you again, Master… after Ishtar recover's, eh." Ereshkigal pulled Ishtar's arm as they disappeared among the crowds.
In the end, they ended up in the arcade. Ritsuka let Mashu play a game and in some miraculous event, Mashu managed to won a numerous prizes in one run. Scathach rigged the game using her runes ('cause why not.). Shidou, just the same as usual, appeared and disappeared as if out of thin air. Mashu was incredibly happy and Scathach couldn't help but share some sympathy with her own Master.
Suddenly, they could feel it.
Danger impending.
But not here but somewhere far.
Ritsuka seemed to be serious and Lancer was aware of it too.
'Nightmare' was flaring her mana and it's a serious business.
One look at her Master, Scathach understood it.
No need to drag Mashu to this, Scathach is enough.
Within a span of seconds, no one noticed that Ms. Scarlet disappeared. Ritsuka meanwhile was trying to occupy Mashu as they simply enjoying in the arcade.