AN: So, we're back. Unfortunately, upload won't be daily as I'll be currently busy starting next month. I hope you'll understand me. Have a good day. On a sidenote, does [Kapitan] sound cheesy or not?

Chapter 48: The Anomaly

Facing [Diva] proves to be challenging as what Kotori thinks, unlike the previous encounters with the previous Spirits. Unlike them, [Diva] really shows obvious hostility toward Shidou, or if Kotori assumed, to men in general. She still doesn't know what the story behind [Diva] but she was sure it was juicy story to hear.

All of [Diva]'s parameter just dropped drastically upon seeing Shidou for the first time, and no matter what kind of choice they make, [Diva] wouldn't react. This made the crew of Fraxinus shocked from this experience.

When the AST Wizard appears, her parameters improve all of the sudden and [Diva]'s glee was just surprising as it was. Taking advantage of the chaos, Ratatoskr quickly teleported him back to ship but not without intended consequences.

The ragtag Wizards that came from the DEM were also watching suspiciously the [Diva] interacting with the AST Wizards as if the Spirit was nothing but a playtoy for them. Jessica smugly interpreted this as a poor performance. She suddenly eyed an individual on the stage before it disappeared like a wind. Surely, it reminded her someone. Even Origami realized that Shidou was here too but she was too late to recover him.

The AST Wizards were having a hard time penetrating into [Diva]'s barrier and with a sudden shockwave that automatically made the Wizards raise their shield, she just disappeared into thin air. Captain Ryoko was dissatisfied and felt disappointed, especially when Jessica and her team bear witness onto their performance.

[Diva] first appearance was dated about six months ago and her reappearance was just surprising, even so with incomplete data about her. Ratatoskr was now aiming for [Diva] in case it appears again, seeing that she could anywhere anytime.

Another anomaly that the Ratatoskr has detected during [Diva]'s mana surge was the presence of the two individuals. At first Kotori didn't notice that the Spirit and Shidou were not alone until the infiltration of the AST. She has a difficulty getting a clear shot of who they are but she was aware that there was two of them. One was rather insignificant and wore a simple jacket and she might have overlook this individual if not for her keen sight and the other was obviously a Spirit.

Kotori widened her eyes as it was rare for two Spirits to appear one time. It was obvious that the Spirit was hiding its presence as it observed the other Spirit and Shidou and did no action until the AST arrived, wherein it escaped the area stealthily along with another. Kotori still does not have any idea if the other one was a Spirit or an ordinary being.

Due to how it looked like a Pirate, as well as its flamboyant appearance, Kotori codenamed this Spirit [Kapitan]. Just like [Diva, she was looking forward for [Kapitan]'s appearance.

Kotori thought it was weird that [Kapitan] made an appearance tonight of all times but she's not the one to dictate when a Spirit will reappear or not.

Shidou was tired because of what happened last night. Encountering that [Spirit] wasn't so easy as he thought. Although he expected that outcome, it was just so painful if it wasn't for his innate ability. He was currently sitting quietly by his own desk and was yawning uncontrollably due to last night.

This is a meeting that should belong the girl trio but they were busy practicing their opening numbers on the upcoming ceremony, so where did the responsibility ended up? Of course, on Shidou! Shidou became their representative. Rubbing salt into the wound, Shidou would be accompany by someone he knew: Origami and Tohka. Both are already latching onto his each other arms and it was getting annoying.

"Hey! Stay away from Shidou!"

"That's what I should be saying to you!"

Both Origami and Tohka argued as they tried Shidou to pull apart.

Shidou really hated this current morning and he thought that this day it was just a usual morning routine for him until he couldn't believe his eyes.

The same Spirit that he encountered that night was also one of the students from the other campus. He couldn't mistake it because she looked exactly as the Spirit. He hoped she wouldn't be noticed by her as he already felt chills in his bone. The girl entered the room with an ample number of female followers.

"Thank you so much for coming today." She said as she gave the representatives a warm smile. Fortunately, she didn't even bat an eye on Shidou, perhaps because that night she treated him like a maggot not worth remembering his face. Shidou wondered if its for better or for worse.

"Woah, that's large, almost rivaling the castles that I looted for." Drake commented as she looked up at the large building where the festival would be held. She whistled as her sight reached the highest point of the building. Ritsuka was also beside her.

Drake was currently wearing ripped jeans that showed off her curves and a short sleeved collared shirt with the upper part opened to let out her voluptuous breast spill out. Drake has a large chest by the way and was attracting too much attention much to Ritsuka's chagrin. Was she wearing a bra anyway? God knows if she is or not.

When it comes to charming a person, Drake was such an ignoramus. Her long, ruffled pink haired swayed by the wind. The scar on her face was as obvious as a clear day and yet it did not hamper her beauty. Even though she looked like a perfect woman with curvaceous body, she acted tomboyish as much.

It's Drake's turn to be accompany her Master for a while because others seemed to be busy enough: Tohsaka Sisters were in a meeting business, Nightingale working on a hospital 24 hours shift, Circe invading cake and pastry shops for inspirations and additional recipe for her awesome cooking, Scathach was trying to reapply in the Raizen High as P.E. teacher (with the forced influence of Ritsuka) and Jackie obviously not fitting for a crowd of people.

"Yep, that's a large building but unfortunately there's no treasure inside there."

Ritsuka, who was beside Drake, also observed the large building and imagine multitudes of people entering this building to watch the performances and she was looking forward for it.

"Don't ya worry, Master. I have no plans looting that place though, poor security means poor treasure."

Ritsuka knitted her eyebrows in confusion. At that moment a couple of students who wore sailor-like uniform and must have been from a different campus went outside of the building and Ritsuka and Drake found one of them to be familiar.

It's the Spirit they have seen last night and Ritsuka became alert all of the sudden. Drake watched the girl walk by with scrutinizing gaze.

Likewise, Miku Izayoi, the idol of her own campus and the Spirit known as [Diva, sensed their mana signature, no matter how quaint it is. At that point, Miku realized that whoever they are, they are definitely not human and could be spying on her.

Of course, [Diva] doesn't want to escalate this into a meaningless fight, besides even though if she didn't manage to detect them, they have a unique taste on them that can grab any attention, including her. She approached them on a whim, surpising Drake and Ritsuka a little. Her followers trailed her like baby ducks depending on a mother duck.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Miku's voice was already contempting enough.

Drake wanted to retort back using her pistols, if only her Master would let her. She needed to teach this fledgeling Spirit a lesson but Ritsuka knew better.

"Oh, hello there, to what business do I owe with you, Miss—?" Ritsuka readily stretched her arm and offered her hand with a genuine smile.

Miku just frowned. "Miku, Miku Izayoi." Nevertheless, she reached out and shook Ritsuka's hand. Aren't they her fans or not? Surely, they should have heard her name somewhere and it was disbelief that this two didn't even know her.

"That's great, I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru." Ritsuka introduced herself. When no one followed up, she nudged Drake into saying her name.

"Ok, ok, I'm Francesca Drake, nice to meet you." Likewise, Miku took her hand and shake it too. It is obvious that this woman wasn't in tune with her; she's really agitated with her for some reason and Miku like her spunk as much.

"So Fujimaru-san and Drake-san, what are you doing here at the building?"

"Checking some things. Drake is my companion here." Ritsuka answered straightly as she introduced Rider twice. Drake just nodded instinctively. "How about you Miku-san? By the looks of yours, you seemed to be very important… "

"Idol." Miku answered immediately. She just couldn't believe it now. The two of them were completely oblivious of her? She was sure that their answer where somewhat genuine. Poor Ritsuka and Drake. "I'm an idol of my own school."

"Idol?" Ritsuka scratched her chin in wonder as she kept on looking at Miku and at the building. "Don't tell me you'll gonna perform live in this building?"

"Ah, now you get it." Miku was happy but partially. She expected them to just forgot that she was an idol but it seemed that they really didn't know her at all. All girls as far as much as she knew should already have seen or heard about her. Maybe, she can take advantage of their obliviousness… or not.

"Then, good luck with your upcoming performance." Ritsuka said as she gave her a big smile as they were about to leave. Rider was glad they could leave the scene for good as she felt a bit uncomfortable around Miku. Those eyes, she could they are gleaming with greed and selfishness, a similar trait that she was too familiar with.

Drake also knew that Ritsuka was familiar with it too, albeit, she didn't care about it that much. She thought both her and Master are already done with her.

"Wait a minute." Miku has the guts to stop them and both of them obliged. They looked each other in confusion and to Miku, who eventually approached them closer this time. In her hand, an invitation, to which she offered to the two of them. The location was Miku's private teahouse. Even without knowing where it located, they can easily ask for the directions.

Miku's followers then were seemingly surprised by this approach and were eventually fell into whispers and murmurs. Miku's action where apparently unexpected. Sure, they could see something interesting in the woman named Drake but for Ritsuka? She's just so ordinary to the point that she's just so undeserving of Miku's praise. Miku easily quelled their excitement with one hush. Drake scrutinized the scene carefully, as she could feel mana around them shifted although in a miniscule amount. Drake suspected it came from Miku, especially using her voice.

"I'm expecting the two of you there." Miku said as she waved them goodbye. She didn't even give them the reason why, justified though that Ritsuka kept quiet. It seemed that she was also interested in meeting Miku too, if Miku herself found them interesting.

Why not entertain her then when the time comes?