Chapter 53: The Contempt

Their conversation lasted till evening.

Miku really enjoyed within the company of Ritsuka and Shiori, it is as if they could complete her boring mundane life if she could obtain them. Maybe convince them to live in her campus. Their charm within them has catch her attention the most unlike those previous guests. Her heart flutter every time they talked.

Miku gathered her guts and immediately sat between them, formalities being thrown away. They made her entertain so why not drop all of the pretense?

Shiori felt shiver all over the body when Miku threw her arms and lay by his shoulder. The same happened for Ritsuka albeit with little to no reaction. Well, being surrounded by Servants could't prevent some little skinship over here and there so she was used to these kinds of invitations.

Miku was really relentless and shameless in her advance though.

"I've got to admit the two of you are the most exquisite I've ever met!" Miku's eyes brightened and full of joy. Both Ritsuka and Shiori were mildly surprised from her expression, although they were happy that Miku was content upon their companionship.

"…truly one-of-a-kind." Miku added as she clapped her hand.

Ritsuka and Shiori could feel something will come up after saying that as they look toward each other. Miku never cared if they were weird or not as long as she can know them better.

Miku immediately stood up with a happy hop and face both of them. "Shiori-san and Ritsuka-san, I think I like the both of you!"

Then she approached them closer than ever and leaned at their ears. "Would you please the both of you transfer to the Rindoji tomorrow?"

Ritsuka hastily tried to correct Miku. "Actually, I'm a librarian assistant from the Raizen High School so I think that might not be possible."

Miku tilted her head in confusion and then she tapped her cheek in deep thinking until she got an idea. "I know! Why don't you replace our librarian in the Rindoji, that's a good idea!" and Miku can just kick their current librarian.

Ritsuka expected that possessive reaction, however, Shiori was still reeling from shock. "W-what?!"

Miku then looked toward Shiori as if she was trying to clear his thoughts and doubts. "If you are worried about money and grades then don't worry, I can take care of that. I can make arrangements."

However, Shiori was still befuddled and thought that everything was for a naught. "Hold up! This is something that shouldn't be done in a day!"

For Miku, everything is possible for her as long as they listen carefully. She held hands together with Shiori and leaned closer to his body.

"Please?"

A suggestion.

A powerful one.

Only Miku can make anyone convince to be align with her almost instantly. There should be no defiance when they hear her beautiful voice…but…

Shiori was obviously struggling from it while Ritsuka pose no reaction, except for those eyes. Ritsuka was judging her, as if she was aware of what was happening—

Of course! Miku already suspected Ritsuka about this thing. Well, it was just a wishful thinking that maybe she can control another Spirit or Wizard. Maybe, their uniqueness might be the result of them being a human. For Miku, Wizards and Spirits are the only who seemed can't be controlled by her voice. Only ordinary humans are vulnerable to her song.

She should have been suspicious in the beginning but can she be blamed because she enjoyed being with them genuinely?

Meanwhile, Shiori was obviously straining from Miku's powers. There's no doubt that Miku was trying to manipulate him and Ritsuka—

Oh crap! Ritsuka could have been under the effects of Miku's power! Shiori looked toward the direction of Ritsuka, albeit with a difficulty and found that she's just… fine? In fact, she was looking a little bit pissed off.

Ritsuka's facial expression turned to normal after that. Did this mean that Ritsuka was a Spirit after all?! This only further complicate the problem.

Before Shiori could deny any further, Miku was the one who first said something first. Miku knew that her powers are not working.

"Of course how foolish I am." Shiori turned toward Miku, who was now becoming suspicious and arrogant.

Miku then stood up and retreated away, dejected. She was cackling madly and silently from them as she placed herself in front of the window. Her form casting a shadow.

"I did bring myself believing that you are all human through and fro and that I can easily persuade you all to my side just because I like you." Miku was being naturally composed as she looked outside the window as if nothing happened.

"Miku-san…" Shiori said with concern. With the way Miku was talking about, it just reinforced his theory that Ritsuka was immune from Miku's hypnotic voice. Ritsuka was just quiet through it all as she observed her atmosphere.

Miku faced them one more time. "Tell me then, Ritsuka and Shiori, are you two Wizards or something more?"

Shiori felt trapped between a rock and a hard place. How can he answer this difficult question and that is he the only who should answer? Ritsuka was obviously keeping her mouth shut.

"There's no point in faking it anymore. A normal human wouldn't ever disobey me." Miku added as she sighed. "Who are you two? Spirits or Wizards trying to kill me?" Miku asked again. She felt obligated to know more about these two.

"Im…"

Shiori must think fast; he can either tell the truth straight and risking Ritsuka in between or hide it just to make Ritsuka oblivious about anything.

Shiori still didn't know that Ritsuka already revealed herself to the Ratatoskr together with her Servants. Ritsuka thought that the Ratatoskr might haven't told him yet so she thought that playing dumb was a great idea.

…but Rider in the ethereal form thought it was the stupidiest idea she ha ever heard.

Ritsuka immediately interjected. "What was that, Miku? Obviously I'm not a Wizard because I have no magic-thingy and I'm not a Spirit either because I'm not see-through, see?" She even has the guts to pat her stomach just to prove that she's not transparent.

Shiori felt the need to face-palm and Miku felt insulted. "Hooo? Trying to liven up the atmosphere, don't we?" Miku commented and it made Ritsuka chuckled silently.

Shiori was still troubled since he couldn't even decide what to do and he could feel he pressure emanating from Miku…. Of course, he still in disguise right? There's no trouble in telling the truth right?

"… I don't know where that came from but I never mistook your essence when I was singing on that stage. I know you are watching from afar." Miku smirked. She doesn't care if she were to believe her or not as long as she made her point; no one can deny it in front of her.

Shiori then realized that maybe Ritsuka could be something else if this how Miku claimed. This… this just made his head hurt from too much information. Did Ritsuka really was there when he attempted to approach Miku for the first time?

Shiori then decided to step forward. "Miku-san, please believe that I am neither a Spirit or a Wizard … but I'm just a human."

Miku stared back at Shiori. "hmmph. Then what about your 'friend', Shiori-san?" she said as she mentioned Ritsuka, who was standing dumb there.

Shori admitted that it is hard to cover Ritsuka especially when he has suspicions that she was actually pretending. "I don't know what your deal with my friend Ritsuka but I can assure you that as far as I knew her, she's completely human too." Shiori admitted.

Miku observed Shiori carefull and found out that he was genuine with his naiveness. "I see; what you've said is true." She said as she caressed her chin. "Nevertheless, it si very clear that the two of you are obviously lying—

"I have the the ability to seal a Spirit's power." Shiori said truthfully which made Miku more interested in him. Even Ritsuka became attentive all of the sudden.

"Would you care to explain, Shiori-san?"

"It is what exactly what it sounds like. I've sealed five Spirits so far. If you let me seal your powers then the AST would never bother you anymore and you will able to live in peace."

Shiori was really determined to save Miku. "If you believe in me then please let me save you." He doesn't care if he will reveal his intention in front of Miku and Ritsuka, well it does complicate things since he's still under disguise.

Both Miku and Shiori stared at each other for a long time. Finally, Miku has something to say to Shiori. "All right, I believe in you." She said casually.

"R-really?"

"But there's no need to seal my powers."

"Eh?"

"Why would there need to be an issue? I'm perfectly happy with my life as it is."

Shiori knows that this getting difficult but he's willing to listen. It seemed that this is could be a similar case to Ainu and Izanami.

Shiori then realized something he thought of something, which he thought might have been cause because of an accident. "Miku, you caused a spacequake at Tatsumi station recently." He said with a hardened voice. That's also one of the proof why Miku's power should be sealed. "That's a sign that you don't have a full control of your powers!"

Miku was really happy that Shiori was over all concern of her. "Oh my, you know so much about me. I appreciate the concern but that was quite unnecessary…" She took a rose near the table.

Then Miku looked scary for Shiori, as she put the rose closer to her nose. "Because I caused that spacequake… on purpose."

Perhaps, this is not the same case with Ainu and Izanami. Miku was entirely different from them. He wondered what would Miku do if she somehow knew about the Ratatoskr. That would be indeed a scary thought.

"What?" Shiori was flabbergasted.

"I had never performed at Tenguu Arena before so when I passed by the station, I was struck with the urge to sing and there I went." Miku said as she tried to emphasized her words with her postures, as if she were reaching the sun behind the windows while a rose was still in her hand.

"That's it?" Shiori felt sick. Miku was nothing toward Ainu and Izanami.

"What else would you have me to do? After all, I had to fulfill my urge."

Shiori can only think of one thing about her when she talked like that: Miku was absolutely selfish.

"You could have killed your friends!" Even though Shiori's voice was filled with concern, back in his mind was filled with anger.

"That would be unfortunate." Miku brazenly and carelessly replied.

"Wouldn't it?" Shiori was stupendously clinging on the hope that Miku has still retain her sense of morality.

"They do love me, though, so I'm sure they would have been happy to die for me." Those words really made Shiori pissed off for the last time.

"Because they love you?" Shiori was royally screwed off.

"H-hey now, Shiori, you need to calm down." Ritsuka was the one who was trying to calm him down. Never have she thought that Shiori would be easily provioke by Miku's condensing words. Experience from a hundred Servants has made Ritsuka numbed from insults and questionable statements, although she did hate Miku's recent words.

"Yes, they love me so much!" Miku even have the guts to add more fire. Shiori never have thought she could think about Miku but all in all, Miku is just as insane as she could claim. "They'll do anything I say."

Shiori then gathered his guts for this bout. "I, for one, hate you with all my guts."

Miku then just looked at her with disdain and new set of curiosity. "Oh?" Not once in her lifetime has she ever heard someone hating her genuinely, in fact, she was thrilled to heard for the longest time. Shiori was beginning to look very interesting in Miku's eyes.

"Your arrogance is excessively revolting! If every last person in the world has no other choice but to support you, I'll take all seven billion people's effort to deny you and everything you do!"

Miku was in shock but not so much; here, in front of her was a girl who wholeheartedly deny and hate her for the first time. Miku did'nt really mistook Shiori as a unique, one-of-a-kind. Same can be said for Ritsuka, who was busily watching them facing each other. The only thing that could be missing for the Master of Chaldea was a popcorn.

"Hey, can we just chill for a moment?" Ritsuka's voice was kind of soft, she really wanted to stop the feud right now but she kinda wanted to see the aftermath. Lame! As usual, she was getting ignored.

"Oh? Now that I know how you feel, I'm only getting more and more curious…" Miku then dropped the rose she recently picked up, not caring it will be trampled by her own feet. "…about how you will grovel down to my feet and face drenched in tears and screaming 'Oh, I love you you so!'." Miku was strutting toward Shiori with such intent Shiori himself was retreating subconsciously…

Only for Ritsuka to block her way, face hardened with unknown emotion. Miku stopped her tracks and looked at Ritsuka carefully, even with the guts to caressed her chin for her. She almost forgot the other one.

"Of course, the other ignoramus, I remember." Ritsuka remained callous as Miku caressed her cheek's further. Miku looked at the details of Ritsuka's eyes, cheeks and her nose.

"You don't need to scare Shiori like that, Miku-san." Ritsuka cautioned Miku. It made Miku giggle a little for Ritsuka being a funny one. How lovely!

"Of course I hear you." Miku licked her own lips and was inches closer to Ritsuka's face. Miku then took a glance toward Shiori and back to Ritsuka once more.

"It seemed that the two of you are ready to take the pain." Miku said with assurance as she kept on glancing between them with sharp, condensing eyes. Ritsuka just gulped in uncertainty. The glint in Miku's eyes hinted that Ritsuka will be dragged forth into the conflict whether she liked it or not.

"You'll never conquer me… and Ritsuka!" Shiori reconsidered the Master of Chaldea.

"Of course not that easy!" Miku admitted. "That's whats made this more interesting, don't we?" She smirked confidently and looked at them like a predator focused on it's prey.

Then she retreated back and circled around from her own area near the window, thinking about ideas and scenarios.

Until Miku got something in her mind. "Let's play a game." Ritsuka and Shiori listened attentively. "If Raizen High places first on the first day of the Ten-oh Festival…"

Then Miku hopped happily like a child and winked at them. "… I will let you do anything you want to me."

"The Ten-oh Festivals?! E-even sealing your powers?" Shiori was quite unsure what Miku meant but Miku kept her words by nodding enthusiastically.

"Yes, I'll be performing for my school." Miku said. "I'm looking forward seeing on the stage." Then her gaze shifted to Ritsuka. "…including Ms. Librarian Assistant."

Shiori knew this is so unfair and the way Miku looked at them tells him that they could be doomed in the beginning. Miku knew that look that emanated from Shiori.

Miku smirked again. "C'mon, do you really think so? That I'm giving you unfair advantage? I think you should consider yourself lucky that I gave you chance at all." And that's coming from Miku, who was interested in both of them because she can't make them love her by using her own voice.

Miku really wanted to touch them by her own hand but she treated them as a rare merchandise. After the contest, Miku would surely win and she would make them her own servant whom she'll love dearly. Also, she loved the prospect of the other sealed Spirits…

"If Rindoji wins, you and all of the Spirits you claimed to have sealed will be mine forever more." Miku exclaimed. She was sure she would gain all of them, including Ritsuka herself.

"What's your decision? Do you give up already?" Of course, Miku would be greatly saddened if Shiori won't accept the challenge.

Captain Ryuko always felt infuriating, especially when she met the DEM Wizards. She was relieved that the chain of command here wasn't ignored at least. Ryuko has no question regarding with their strength but one thing that made her disturbed at the moment; they never cared for the ethics and the safety of the people, which the AST strictly followed the code.

"Are you serious?!" Ryuko exclaimed as she skimmed the proposition given by Captain of the DEM Wizard, Jessica.

"I have proofs and the written documents if you are not still convinced." Jessica added. Ryuko knew this all just so wrong and she couldn't believe it was agreed by th higher-ups as if there's no other choice.

Currently, they were all in the meeting room and Jessica's team of DEM Wizards were also present, including Mable.

"I'll let you capture Princess, but why is there a human on the target list?" If Ryuko was allowed with more complaints and freedom, then she would also disagree capturing the suspected [Princess] just because she looked like the Spirit. The argument here was that they have this mission to capture a human male of all things, without any further explanation and that irritated her and that's not the end of it.

"More importantly, the operation is going to be held at the Ten-oh Festival in the Tenguu Square?!" Jeez, her already sinking respect for the DEM must have been gone already. There will be so many people attending for goodness sake.

*KABLAM*

That's when the time Origami entered the room with so much force that Ryuko was shocked by her sudden entrance.

"Lt. Origami!?" Ryuko exclaimed. All of the DEM Wizard stood ready upon this ordinary Wizard, who was seething with anger as she scanned the whole room for someone until it set on Jessica herself. Ryuko instinctively step aside as she marked Jessica as her own target.

Origami launched at Jessica, intending to choke her, only to be tackled by none other than Mable. It was obvious that Origami wasn't acting within the boundary of reasons.

"Pin her down!" Jessica ordered which Mable already did. Even though her body was slammed against her body, Origami was struggling a lot, despite the obvious strength of Mable. Mable herself was trying to calm Origami herself down.

…However, Origami wasn't listening and she couldn't even hear anything. Her bloodshot eyes were thoroughly focused on Jessica only.

Everyone decided that the best way to make Origami snap out of her rage was to make her lose unconsciousness. Mable chokehold Origami into submission until Origami lay still. Of course, she's still alive as Mable carefully removed her arms away from her neck and check her pulse, yep, she's alive. The mood for meeting plummeted after that.

On that day the meeting was adjourned earlier than expected due to the certain issues arising in that room.

Shiori and Ritsuka were now out of Miku's territory, or rather they were kicked out on purpose by Miku's followers, as their hateful stares were directed on them as they leave. They don't know why they did it but they have suspicions that Miku was behind it.

"Hey are you alright, Shiori?" Ritsuka was really concerned about him, especially when he's seemingly out of the mood for talking. His disdain related to Miku is still in effect until now.

Drake eventually materialized nearby and made her way to the duo.

Shiori eventually paused for a moment and stared toward Ritsuka with a sadness and pain in his eyes. Ritsuka stopped her tracks too and looked at Shiori with curiosity.

"Please tell me truth, Ritsuka." Shiori pleaded as he lightly placed his hands on both Ritsuka's shoulders. Ritsuka welcomed them as she could feel that Ritsuka really needed some proof.

"Calm down there, gal!" Suddenly a voice made Shiori shook out of his sense and felt her blood ran cold when someone grasped his shoulder a little too tight. Drake definitely didn't treat this scene as something threatening but the disappointing look of Ritsuka at her said something else. "Something happened back there huh?" That atmosphere was readily vicious for Shiori.

Shiori was snapped out of his thoughts. "N-nothing, ma'm." Cold sweat was running upon his skin.

Drake immediately smiled from hearing his answer. "Good! Let's go somewhere nice, quiet and served some food!" The mood was immediately replaced with eagerness and joy. Again, Shiori did not expected it and has a mixed reaction.

Shiori was forced to accompany them to a certain restaurant.

The restaurant that they have chosen was rather have few customers, perfect for speaking privately. They have chosen the farthest table as far from any human being nearby. Shiori just felt a déjà vu all of the sudden. It just similar to what happened on that day when her own sister invited Ritsuka all of the sudden.

It's Ritsuka treat this time but Shiori really insisted he will pay so Ritsuka was left with no other choice but leave it to Shiori.

Ritsuka was seeping an orange juice lazily, as she has eaten her meal rather fast while Drake was eating moderately for a pirate, while her eyes were set firmly on Shiori. Shiori seemed to noticed it but ignored to the best he can.

The atmosphere was alright and Shiori felt relaxed, granted that he was out of Miku's private house. He was honestly uncomfortable inside that house after Miku's ugly revelation.

"So you want the truth, Shiori-san?" Ritsuka said calmly as she remained focused on her orange juice. It was really delicious. "… or should I say, Shidou-kun?"

A beat and then nothing. Shiori widened his eyes upon revelation. Before he could speak any further and reason any further, Ritsuka ceased him from talking.

"Listen ye, for I will tell you who I really am and you shall be marveled by my tales, oh boy-in-disguise." Ritsuka said with a grumbling voice, a Caribbean accent and squinting eye in her left eye as she pumped her arms sideways. She was pretending to be pirate, added by an "Arrrr!!!" and the only that thing that was missing was an intense pirate music from a certain movie.

Drake just facepalmed herself from this Ritsuka's teasing while Shiori was just confused, shocked and flabbergasted. Poor boy was already beyond scared from Ritsuka.

Ah, Nightingale left without any regards but little did the Ratatoskr know that it is by her nature as a Berserker that she wouldn't even talk to anyone after the procedure, or it was just Nightingale's nature. Kotori never cared but she has never thought that Mana's recovery was now a sure way.

They were only waiting for her to wake up.

Nightingale is just one of the proof that Servants are very dangerous, both to the society and to themselves. No matter what, they couldn't deny it. Unfortunately, they were under an alliance Kotori couldn't deny and needed. For some reason, Kotori felt the need of firepower for some reason she couldn't quite explain.

Maybe it is something that will happen in the future or not.

Together with Kotori, Reine was also observing Mana's condition, particularly her vitals. Yes, Mana might have been safe already but to what extent did she recovered.

Can she still be the powerful Wizard that the DEM has produced or will she be a normal human being? Would her detrimental years catch up to her life? Kotori really wanted for Mana to never involve with her brother but it seemed that it was just too much to ask.

Eventually, Mana's eyes opened.

"Where am I?"