loop2: Well just imagine Ritsuka in her Arctic Region Chaldea Uniform and the thing that she would use to cover her face would be also a helmet too (futuristic one—ala modified Odysseus' helmet, only more roundier.).

Chapter 18: The Care

Mashu was facing Kurumi directly, in her hands was a teacup. She wasn't looking at Kurumi but rather she was looking at her own reflection inside the teacup. Despite, Kurumi facing Mashu directly, she was currently obliged to have her upper body being checked up by Nightingale, who was making sure that her body was healthy.

They were joined by Kiara who happily seeped her handmade tea.

"It's fun this way, no?" Kiara was the one who broke the silence first, besides the muffled sounds of bandages being reapplied.

"Ms. Sessyoin, you don't suppose has touched Ms. Kurumi, don't you?" Mashu instead faced Kiara with uncertainty.

"Excuse me, [Knight] but you are talking to me." Kurumi quickly interrupted, to which Mashu immediately apologized.

Mashu wondered why Kurumi kept calling her [Knight] even though she already introduced her name. [Nightmare] was amused by her question.

"It's simple. That's your nickname by the DEM industries and I think it fits you."

Mashu immediately ignored her latest remark. "Then I'm so sorry, Ms. Kurumi but I just want to be assured if you are treated well."

"How rude Ms. Kyrelight. For your information I have a self-restraint and I have strict orders from Master not to touch her under any condition. I'm quite a good Servant."

"Ms. Sessyoin!" Mashu hissed softly.

"Ah, apologies…" Kiara then proceeded to gently cover her mouth in embarrassment. Although, Mashu felt Kiara did it with purpose. All in all, Kurumi ignored all connotation and just stared Mashu seriously.

"Name it."

"Pardon me?" Mashu cleared her throat as she glanced back to Kurumi immediately.

"Name your price… whatever it was, it will depend on if I accept it or not… so name it, [Knight, what does your 'Master' want?"

Mashu was quiet for a moment then chuckled. Kurumi wondered what was funny from what she just said.

"No, Ms. Kurumi. Senpai didn't mention that anything… she just wanted to know if you are well."

"I see…" Kurumi just smirked for a moment. "But that doesn't bode me well. I just couldn't see myself in this situation… At least let me see your 'Master'."

Mashu was quite concerned but kept it under the sheet, but she obliged. "Umm… sure but after Nightingale green lit your condition. If it makes you feel better, Senpai wants to talk with you if you have time."

Kurumi smirked contently. "Oh sure, I have a lot of time in the world. When I'm free your Master will be the first one I want to meet."

"Ah, then I hope we'll see each other again, I think?"

Nightingale immediately finished Kurumi's checkup and despite being stoic all the time, she assured them with news. "Kurumi's condition is totally normal, and there is no issue with her healing. Overall, Kurumi is healthy, no problem encountered so far."

"That's satisfying news, nurse." Kurumi complemented carefully. "Does that mean I can now go out?"

"Master's task was to make sure nothing awful has happened to you after the spear drilled through your chest. Just remember that you need to change your bandage once every day until that scar is fully healed." Nightingale commented and reminded her as she fixed all of her things into her medical kit box. It seemed that her job was done here in the monastery.

"Alright, nurse orders and I get it." Kurumi said as she glanced toward her bandages. Even though she's the most sadistic Spirit ever, she ironically wanted to take to care of herself.

Seeing that all is well, Nightingale was now prepared to leave, followed by Mashu. "Bye, Kurumi."

"Bye, [Knight, in the future, I hope I can see you again." Kurumi thought Mashu was at least interesting.

However, Mashu was unperturbed by [Nightmare, seeing it as good fortune. "You too, Ms. Kurumi."

Shidou continued going to class as usual despite recently been recovered from his slumber. Even Ratatoskr insist that he needed to rest first. He kept caressing his chest, as if he suffered from phantom pains. He was aware of how [Lancer]'s spear bore through his chest. It was a miracle that he was still alive, even more that he didn't suffer any drastic condition due having a hole in his chest, as what Reine claimed.

He was also aware that the school was somewhat changed the last time he look at it. It looked like a beautiful castle. Ratatoskr already said it was an aftereffect of [Knight]'s Angel and so far it has no effect on any human entering its domain. Although, the inside remained the same as usual. Ratatoskr already sent a rumor that it was just a projection for a future project, a prospect that made Shidou amused for some reason.

He kept on looking outside the window as if he was looking for something. Shidou noticed that Ms. Scarlet wasn't attending the school anymore, he picked up some rumor that Ms. Scarlet resigned and immediately Ms. Okamine replaced her. He was just worried a lot.

He felt that he's the own at fault why it happened. He was bothered by it greatly that he planned on visiting the girl's dorm after school.

At least, he wanted to make sure what the truth is.

RRRRIIIINNNNNNNGGGG*

The school bell rings, signifying that the school is over now.

Tohka already went away with some of her friends; Ai, Mai, and Mii and that they will join going home. It was a little weird for Shidou but at least he was relieved that Tohka made some friends instead of relying on him all the time. He wanted for her to have fun without him by her side all the time. He also wanted to watch out for those three friends for some shenanigans they might create but Ratatoskr will take care of that job.

At least, Shidou has an opportunity to visit Ms. Scarlet.

"Hey there." Shidou immediately turned his head to where the voice came from and it was very familiar. He eventually eyed the familiar orangette who kept on waving from him.

Shidou waved back. "Oh, it's you, Ritsuka." Then he decided to join Ritsuka along the way since their destination is still the same. He was also aware that Ritsuka was a librarian assistant on the campus not long ago, he was very much surprised about this piece of information but did not delve into it too much after. It could have been purely coincidental as he believed.

Ritsuka just looked too ordinary to be suspected.

"You look gloomy all of a sudden." Ritsuka commented when she saw his face.

"It's nothing." Shidou assure her.

They walked each other by the pavement until there reached their home. It was getting past evening. Shidou was hesitant for a moment until he decided to join Ritsuka to the girl's dorm. Ritsuka was already by the gate when she noticed that Shidou joined him.

"Shidou? I thought you are already home?" Ritsuka asked him wondered as she noticed he was already beside him.

"Can talk to her?"

"Who?"

"Ms. Scarlet?"

Ritsuka was quiet for a moment and then nonchalantly invited him in. "Come in then."

Shidou thought he jinxed himself, believing that Ms. Scarlet wasn't here at all when Ritsuka opened the door, Scathach herself was sitting on the sofa reading a novel casually while wearing a purple turtleneck sweater and shorts. Apparently, her hair was tied into a ponytail. Shidou admitted that he Scathach was somehow, look pretty, but kept it himself.

He felt she might kill her if he admitted his feelings.

Scathach immediately looked at him when he noticed his presence and by looking at his eyes it seemed that he wanted to say something.

Still, Shidou seemed to be shy of her for a moment.

Ritsuka prepared them a tea for their eventual conversation, although she still hadn't heard anything. After preparing the tea, Fou jumped to her arms, which Ritsuka caught him instinctively and begin grooming his fur. Shidou noticed the peculiar animal and just stared at Fou until Scathach cleared her throat which made Shidou looked at Scathach once more.

Scathach still continued reading on a book using one hand. "So, you want to talk about something?" She's leaning comfortably on the sofa.

"Yes, Ms. Scarlet. I want to say sorry."

"Sorry? Sorry for what?"

"For everything. Also, I wanted to thank you for saving my life on that day."

Shidou expected for her to retort his words but found it strange that she just let her talk as usual. Ms. Scarlet didn't even stop him, only content on listening him.

"… go on."

"Err, whether my hunch is right or not, that you are indeed a Spirit or not… I want to say thank you and that I am sorry for what I have done." Scathach only knitted her eyebrows at those words, and then continued seeping her tea. Shidou was quite brave to assume that Ms. Scarlet and [Lancer] were one and the same, despite his only evidence as that [Lancer] respond to the name Ms. Scarlet on that day. Shidou was basing it according to his guts alone.

"…" She kept on reading the book intently while her ears are open for Shidou. Shidou was obliged to drink their tea, which is good. Ritsuka was content then watching them like a drama from the television, to the point towing Fou into watching them together.

"I also wanted to let you know that from now I won't ever try to be involve into your personal lifestyle." And to the extent, the Ratatoskr. Even though they have now branded Ms. Scarlet into suspicion of being a Spirit, whether he believed his guts and/or the Ratatoskr, he will never reached Ms. Scarlet's expectation and expectantly he won't even try to. Shidou believed she was some sort of unreachable destination, ever-reaching.

He can't involve with Ms. Scarlet anymore after those stressful events that happened ever. Maybe, it's for his own good as well as Ms. Scarlet.

Shidou seemed to be satisfied with his words, even though Scathach wasn't responding to him well. He just wanted to remind her, that's all, and seeing Ms. Scarlet listening to him was enough for him to be moved. He immediately dropped his teapot down the table and bow down before Ms. Scarlet.

He was about to leave the door when Ms. Scarlet said something.

"Not everything is what it seemed to be Shidou… be careful what you tread for."

Scathach seemed to be quoting something but Shidou was listening as he paused for a moment before he left the door for good.