A Lost Nuffians Kancolle Haruna Chan: Hypothetical Scenario: Mashu will regain her powers upon entering the sixth lostbelt or I just go with the flow of the story and just make it that Mashu still wields the Lord Camelot after the temple of time… otherwise, if this is really bothering about Mashu not keeping up with canon then I'll do something about it.

Kancolle Haruna Chan: Thanks for the criticism. This fanfic was born out of my quarantine. Having a lot of time in the house can really make you ridiculously imaginative and creative. This hyperactive mind of mine! Writing this on the spot doesn't help it either, especially if this concerns with my grammar and dialogue. I wrote this fanfic because I want to have something to boggle in my mind amidst the said issues. It really sucks and depressing if all you can think was about the issues.

The Rupture: Hmmmmmm…

Chapter 21: The Decision

Circe's face was scrunch in scowl and her hands were gathered upon her hips. She was berating Kiara much because she was pretty much responsible for Kurumi.

Kurumi, on the other hand, was resting, a warm soup on her hand and a shawl draped on her shoulders. She was blowing a spoon of the said soup carefully.

"Why the hell did you let Kurumi 'glimpse' your true form? What if she can't survive that ordeal? You are lucky that Kurumi was fine after that…" Circe argued with Kiara as she gave Kurumi a second glance. Circe really treated Kurumi like a fragile glass. But in reality, Kurumi did survive because of a really twisted, insane mindset, a byproduct from using her time-related abilities. Her own brand of insanity made it possible for her to live throughout the short ordeal.

Kiara prompted to call Circe instead of Nightingale, true that she applauded the skills of the nurse of steel even to the point it might be above her expectation but her Berserker mindset could mean a worst case scenario. Circe also has a generous skillset over healing and recovery. Unless their Master was the one who would direct Berserker, it would be better if they would not disturb Nightingale's job on that hospital.

Kiara just swayed her head in denial. "Why would I refuse if that child I insisted on showing her the proof. That would make me a poor example of a Servant."

"But still…"

"Kiara was right; this is all my fault." Kurumi said without even looking back. She has already regretted what happened and knew it will deeply etch at the back of her mind.

"Fortunately, I have a right spell just for you. I can erase that specific memory of that awful ordeal. Back in my days, I could have demand you something to payback but for now, I can do it for free this time." Circe offered generously.

"Thank you, Circe-san but no thanks." Kurumi opted to refuse. True that she might have regret what happened to her earlier and could have etch at the back of her mind for eternity but she's not that kind of coward. It would serve for her the reminder not to underestimate Ritsuka's Servants of Spirit.

"Ok, then. Rest well and you'll be ok." Nevertheless, Circe is the one who would rather not divulge herself over the personal life of a Spirit. Then she turned her attention to Kiara.

"You could have called Nightingale you lewd nun!" She hissed at Kiara. But the Alter Ego just chuckled.

"…and have her 'amputate' on the spot?" Kiara scoffed back. There was a deep silence before Circe hesitantly agreed. Nightingale's reputation back at Chaldea was not focused on her medical expertise but rather at her insistence of amputate over anything. It could have been better if she is at any class but she was at the Berserker being the best. So they leave it at be.

"Good answer…" Circe answered before she was about to go out the monastery.

"I wouldn't care if you report this to Master." Kiara reminded her. "I'm willing to take on any punishment she would give to me" She then blushed with great intensity as she thought of something dirty. Circe was not amused.

"Eww. How about Hans?" Circe mockingly suggested and it was ridiculously effective.

Kiara's lustful temptation was immediately dropped and interrupted upon hearing the name of that cursed author. "Eww." Than named just ruined her libido.

Then Circe immediately left the monastery, leaving the two of them alone inside. It was up to Circe whether she would tell it to their Master or not. Circe was quietly sipping her hot tea as she maintained a social distance at Kurumi.

"You can easily conquer this whole world, slave all of its people at your whim and lead them to their destruction… but why would you choose to stay here and listened to that ordinary individual named Ritsuka." Kurumi started to question her again without even looking back. "Even if you deny it, I have a proof that you have the power to wield it dangerously."

"Yes, I supposed it make sense that I can just ignore her and go all out as what you've describe, but I chose to stay humble in this form."

"Why? What's so special about her? Even if I could see her becoming a Spirit, it doesn't make sense to me." Kurumi was troubled. She even tried to compare her to Shidou but it was useless. She recently found out that Ritsuka was several times league different than Shidou. There's something about Ritsuka she couldn't understand. She wanted to know more.

"She defeated me."

"Yes, believe it or not. She defeated me not just with strength and power but with compassion. I was already on the verge of winning and becoming one with this planet."

"What?"

"Salvation, my dear. How can I save everyone at the same time? By reaching toward this planet's core and becoming one with my own image." She chuckled darkly. "Ah, I remembered how they claw, bite, and fight each other to their false survival. It was a feast of flesh and I was delighted over them. That is how I showed my love to my beloved humanity and how I help them reached their enlightenment."

"You're twisted…" Kurumi scorned her.

"Says the 'worst Spirit ever'." Kiara retorted back and smirked. Even Kurumi was dubmfounded. "… but I guess you are right, Kurumi, and that's how I was led to my utter defeat: I underestimated that one individual, one ordinary, bland, girl name Ritsuka Fujimaru."

"Did… did you regret it?"

"Of course not, Sweetie. I was delighted to be leashed at her command."

Kurumi didn't comment on it. It was obvious that she was deranged. A different kind of deranged.

"Ritsuka's journey was interesting one… and although I wanted to see her defeated and wail at my own feet, I also secretly wanted for her to overcome any odds thrown at her. Seeing her victorious made me feel pleasured."

"Although, I have no intentions of convincing you… I am in fact a licensed therapist, besides being a Demonic Bodhisattva."

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Oh, when did I joke for you, Sweetie?"

"…" Kurumi quieted after that. Kiara shifted comfortably as she took a sip again and glance back at Kurumi.

"I'm curious though… what will you do after all of this?" Kiara asked her carefully. Seeing that Kurumi has viewed her in a new light. She won't blame her if she's unwilling to face her real time.

"I'll form a contract with Ritsuka." Kurumi was being decisive.

Kiara's eyebrows raised in mild surprise. She expected it truly because of Ritsuka's awesome charisma but seeing Kurumi decided in front of her was just exciting.

"I won't stop you, Sweetie… but rest first. Can't let you fall unconscious upon your second meeting with Master."

"You did what!?" The figure of Da Vinci lily was filled with surprise. Ritsuka didn't blame her either. It's the first Ritsuka told what her current plan: form a contract with a Spirit of this world.

However, Da Vinci thought Ritsuka's plan was just outrageous—no, out of this world. She has already expected Ritsuka to be crazy enough and she thought nothing surprised her anymore but the Master of Chaldea was just unpredictable as she was. It was both amusing and frightening at the same time.

"I just went for a ride though." Ritsuka reasoned but it turned out to be ridiculous. "I really wanted to know if it works…"

"But Senpai… you've said to us; they are not Heroic Spirit." Mashu retorted uncomfortably. This is the first time she heard of what her Senpai said regarding to Kurumi. "What if something's wrong? What if something happened."

"That's why you'll be always be at my side whenever that happens." Her Senpai claimed as Mashu blushed.

"but—but…" Mashu stuttered. It was true that she completely place her trust on her Senpai and in turn, Ritsuka placed her trust on her to protect her throughout their journey, a proof that blossomed throughout the singularity.

Even if Mashu's words make her look dubious, deep inside she fully trusted her Senpai.

"Mashu will protect me all the time." Ritsuka declared which made Mashu blush further.

"Y-Yes, Senpai! I'll protect you no matter what." It worked like a magic.

"True that we can't dictate your decision at the moment and even if we do, it we can't exactly stop you. We both know that we prioritized your safety during this time but we can't let this go on forever. We need answers on how to get the two of you back to the Chaldea." Sherlock eventually interrupted them, a smoking pipe in his hand. "It was no surprise that our Master of Chaldea is always on the risk. Da Vinci, your attitude of a doting mother was showing."

That funny remark made Ritsuka and Mashu snickered.

"Muu, can't help it!" The self-proclaimed genius was really good at showing off her pouting, sad face. It did not help that being in a child form just only make it cuter.

"This situation was no stranger than back at the Shimosa, the only saving grace here was that we can still monitor Ritsuka's condition and even communicate with her. Isn't that right, Da Vinci?"

"I guess you are right, Holmes." Then she resumed her usual jovial self. "However, Ritsuka I expect a full report on the proceedings of the contract after this session, whether it will be successful or not. This will bring the Spirit of that world in the new light."

"Aye. Captain. I will never fail you."

"That's our Ritsuka…" Da Vinci said before the communication was ceased. Guess it was time for them to rest. If Ritsuka's hunch was right, Kurumi will decide sooner, later or the next day. She couldn't just see Kurumi as the type of lady who would willing to extend her decisions in span of the days.

Ritsuka will hate herself if it turns out just like that. Mashu was now picking up her shield when she did appear before them.

Speak of the Devil, Kurumi indeed arrived at the right time, out of the shadow nearby of the forest. Would she decide what happen now next?