AN: So I have returned and continued the story for real. (More like my readers are getting eager to know what will happen next... but let's get to it anyways.) I apologized for the long update because of real life as well as having a job. I really forced myself to have free time to finish this you know and that being with the FGO NA having an event, Genshin Impact release, having a Wild Rift beta and then Honkai Impact...ha. I have those games to be busy with. I am thrilled to continue this once again because my brain juice are at their highest and you will never know what will hit you.

enderchem oss jr : thank you.

Guest: I guess right now?

123ABIR123 : Of course not, you silly reviewer... it is still going strong.

hanifsentinel : Hmm... maybe.

Chapter 55: The Practice

"So, we need to practice." Shidou decided, arms crossed beneath his chest. Thankfully he's not garbed in his crossdressing suit.

A couple of former Spirits were facing him, intent on listening on what he was trying to say. Jumpy Tohka, quiet Yoshino as well as the Hurricane Twins were present. The twin's competitive energy was brimming, especially when Shidou briefed them about a certain competition.

Shidou was tapping his chin as he was seemingly trapped between a rock and a hard place. Miku is very hard to beat, especially when she was an endearing idol with thousands of followers. Who has the guts to face her off?! Oh…

He almost regretted that decision.

Suddenly, a pat on his shoulder removed him from his thoughts and Ritsuka was facing him with determination. The Master of Chaldea invited herself into the training room of Shidou's school together with her Heroic Spirits in order to help him out. Shidou thinks that Ritsuka was the only one who has the resolve to defeat Miku on stage, knowing full well the Diva's reputation.

"Senpai, I don't have the experience of holding a musical instrument but I will do my best!" Mashu was present too and with a vigorous attitude that the Master of Chaldea loved. Shielder kept on pumping her fist up to show how excited she was to play some of the musical instruments and Ritsuka was aware of that.

Other than Mashu, the other Heroic Spirit who were present were Circe, Jackie, and Scathach. Earlier, Drake excused herself not to join the troupe and instead, content on being scouting the entire stadium, but little did they know Rider was just slipping away for some of expensive drinks she spied previously when they walked together with Ritsuka. Nightingale meanwhile continued being a nurse from that hospital, now becoming popular due to how Nightingale was in it. Ritsuka doesn't want to deal with Berserker in a practice session.

Kiara was also a no-no.

The Yamai Twins then approached Ritsuka and faced her. "Question. Nee san Ritsuka." Yuzuru started. "Where's our fabulous boss, huh? We wanted them to witness our ritual for them." Kaguya ended with a chuunibyou-esque speech.

Ritsuka just caressed her chin while answering them. "They were busy." Establishing territories far far away if she wanted to add it but so far she respected their job as it is and having a company that deals with gems or whatever it is leaves them no room for this simple practice. Of course, they could teleport here in instance if Ritsuka wanted them too but so far, she has enough Servants to bolster their security.

Too bad, Ritsuka wanted to witness them singing and dancing on the stage.

"Understandable. Have a great day." Yuzuru added as the twins returned to their former position. So far, they do not need further practice, only warm-ups, since their competition involves musical instruments too back when they were not sealed anyways. They believe they can defeat the Miku idol with their might alone but a little help is also allowed.

Anyways, Kotori and her team Ratatoskr prepared a room for them to practice in advance since the competition is nearing a few days. They vacanted the music room filled with the instruments just for Shidou and Ritsuka's gang.

Jackie, the cute reaper, was swinging the sticks the way she swung her own knife. She was sad. "Mommy, they are not sharp." Assassin said with a sad voice and with a disinterested drop.

The twins eventually creeped out from Jackie but Ritsuka comforted her. "Honey, they are not for stabbing, ok?" She said as she patted Jackie on her head. Jackie is now ok after that.

The Master of Chaldea is still hesitant to let Assassin have her way on the stadium but the kawaii parameter might help the competition against [Diva]. Jackie is cute in the eyes of Ritsuka and Mashu felt uncomfortable for some reason.

Circe picked up a flute and observed it. "You know what, I'm somewhat a musician myself." Of course, being alone on an island filled with cute animals can make you a musician whenever she's bored.

"So, guys, how should we do this?" Honestly, Shidou being appointed as the leader of this troupe made him extremely nervous. He wanted to transfer the leadership toward Ritsuka but she just refused. Ritsuka's reason is that he needed to learn how to lead his harem and that Ritsuka.

…and everyone seemed to be busy with their own thoughts. Shidou felt that he already failed to grab their attention but surely, sooner or later they could cooperate with each other whether he liked it or not or else, Kotori might force her hand and have the competition rigged and he doesn't want that.

"Pi-pi-pi-pi-gletto!" Someone was singing in glee as she swung her head sideways.

Kurumi was enthusiastic lately as she laid down on the bed, shoes off but her black stockings still on and while wearing camisole and black lace underwear. It's fine when she's wearing this because there is no one to see her body… well, she remembered Shidou seeing her wearing this attire.

Her feet swinging in the air vigorously and her chest and abdomen flat on the comforter. [Nightmare] was entertaining a little piglet in front of her inside a cute cage she bought earlier.

Kurumi was playing with a piglet, black with streaks of colorful scarlet as the same as her frilly Astral Dress. It has even a yellow, clock eye on its right eye, which is just really creepy but [Nightmare] never cared.

That's right, the piglet that Kurumi was currently playing were her other versions of herself from the other time, pigified by Miss [Harpy]. The rest of the pigified other Kurumis were being held in another cute cage on the drawer.

Kurumi was currently in a secret emergency compartment which she seldom uses even if she's not busy infiltrating the DEM and among others. Today would be her rest day and play time with piggies.

No matter how creepy the connotations, Kurumi nevertheless found the small pigs to be very cute, despite that she was aware that they were her other self. The pig was somehow terrified of her and tried to escape from [Nightmare]'s arms. Kurumi however found its action to be adorable, not that she was aware that they are awfully terrified.

Playing with her pet piggy during the leisure time is such a sacred task that it will spell death to anyone who dares to interrupt her and too bad, someone dared to do so.

Kurumi's flintlock shimmered into existence and immediately, [Nightmare] redirected toward her behind and her crimson eyes glowed with such hatred. She was ready to fire anytime.

Her gut was proven right as when the muzzle pointed right at the face of the devious nun, named Sessyoin Kiara. Despite the danger she was facing, the Demonic Bodhisattva was uncaring and even dared Kurumi to shoot her right into her forehead. She was overshadowing Kurumi, who was currently laying on the bed.

Kurumi momentarily froze and frightful as evident by her pistol shaking for a little bit but [Nightmare] recovered from her terror episode and dematerialized her weapon on a whim.

What can her weapon do on someone who has an obvious advantage over her? Kurumi, no matter how she hated the nun, seemed to ask something to her so she continued playing with the piglet and ignored the visitor.

"Ara? No bullet greetings?" Kiara teased Kurumi with her seductive voice. She was still donned in her nun outfit.

"What do you want?" Kurumi was straight to the point. The faster she could deal with the buxom woman, the faster she can return to her leisure time. Disgust was written on her face and Kiara secretly delighted on it.

Kiara was slightly disappointed. "Hmm… you're no fun, don't we?" Then she lowered herself and crouched by the bed. Then she stared toward the piglet Kurumi was currently playing. Her eerie, yellow eyes screamed of hunger and thirst as she bit her lips sensually.

As a result, the piglet was more terrified than it seemed and ran toward Kurumi, particularly toward her bosom, and tried to slip toward inside her camisole. The piglet was partly-successful. Kurumi immediately removed the piglet from her chest. And cupped it within her arms. She has felt the distress of the piglet for real and tried to comfort the best she can do.

Kiara slowly stood up and patted her clothes while smirking. "I have something to ask you… don't worry, it won't be that hard." Kiara said with a breathless voice. "One way or another, you'll do it anyways but I have to make sure."

"Go on, tell me." Kurumi said while maintaining a stoic face but deep inside she was curious what the nun was trying to say. If Kurumi were to guess, did the nun have some kind of foresight?

"I want you to save Shidou when the time comes…" Kiara said assuringly. The way the nun said indicates that something will happen near in the future and all Kurumi could do was to gawk at her. It was concerning because it involved Shidou, her personal target.

"Let me guess… you can peek into the future?" Kurumi tried to guess. It's not surprising for her since the nun is powerful enough but…

"Maybe?" Once again Kiara teased her and then just chuckled. Kurumi couldn't ever calm from the nun's presence alone. There's no point beating around the bush now.

"Also, don't think about it." Kiara warned her for the first time. She raised her index finger in front of her face and swayed it in front of Kurumi.

Kurumi never cared. "Is that all?"

"I just want to be assured, you see…" Kiara reasoned. "…and seeing that you are determined—no, willing to do it just only made me breathe in relief."

"So visiting me at this moment is now useless, isn't it?"

The nun just looked at her in wonder. "Why are you saying that, oh lost child? Of course, I am happy to see you too." [Nightmare] thought that Kiara was mocking her complete with a haunting smile.

It is now official that Kurumi hated Kiara for real in every timeline. Kurumi grumbled a lot, unbefitting of her former attitude.

"Ara ara, you are now getting annoyed at me, don't you?"

Kurumi didn't answer her.

"Don't worry, I'll be on my way dear." Kiara assured her as she momentarily vanished out of existence as she willingly dematerized and was now gone. Kurumi felt the condensing pressure gone as Kiara disappeared.

She hated Kiara more than ever and yet the thing she said just only made her concerned for no reason.

… She had her doubts, really.

But eventually she smiled, saving Shidou isn't bad after all.

It's the beginning of the 25th Annual Ten-oh Festival. A lot of students were shouting and hollering as the skies were filled with different kinds of fireworks while music was blaring.

Shidou, who became once again Shiori, was handing out posters for their café and it seemed that he was busy for the entire afternoon. He has to tend for the café as well as practice for the concert as well. Ratatoskr has forced him to compete against Miku in the concert face-to-face, instead of other competitors whom he found more fitting than him.

Shidou admittedly that he has no talent in singing but Ratatoskr said otherwise, albeit fully expecting it.

They can't let others join the competition, especially ordinary humans, because they were on full alert, they have no shred of doubt that Miku can manipulate her enemies on the whim just to have an advantage to herself, even though she is a full-blown idol already and Shidou being immune to [Diva]'s voice, might have a chance. Even they deduced that Shidou's sealed Spirits are not safe from Diva's voice, as what Ritsuka contended.

Of course, Shidou won't be alone on the stage. He'll be accompanied by Ritsuka's Servants, namely Circe and Mashu.

Their café was immensely popular if that is what Shidou would believe due to their outpouring customers and beautiful waitresses donned in maid costumes. Shiori was one of them unfortunately.

He felt his dignity being worn away bit by bit the longer he retained in this costume but he kept on reminding himself that he did this for everyone.

While he was mourning for his femininity, others were enjoying every minute of it. Tohka and the Yamai twins were wearing their respective maid uniform and entertaining each customer. Ritsuka as well as her Servants were also in it; Circe happily served and Mashu was still shy giving orders to the cook, which just added moe points…

…for Ritsuka. The Master of Chaldea was also as bold as she can get with her maid costume. Like the others, she served most of the customers with amazing efficiency. She is also somewhat a security for the café, as proven how she kicked out a rude customer from the café and threatened him to never see him again. She did it while in the public and she never cared.

They expected for that impulsive act to dampen their popularity but instead the flow of customers doubled for some reason. Dunno where they came from.

Just to turn his attention away from Ritsuka, he focused his attention toward the other customers. Luckily, Shiori saw Reine and Yoshino visiting their café as customers and hastily welcomed and greeted them.

"Welcome! Come in." Shiori said as she guided them to a vacant table. Yoshino hasn't said any word but gawks right at Shiori's face awkwardly. Shiori felt conscious about it and not long after, he felt embarrassed.

"You seemed to be doing well, Shin." Reine said stoically.

"Beautiful…" Yoshino uttered, which made Shiori further ashamed of her disguise. "A compliment I daresay, Shido-kun you look so cute!" added by the puppet Yoshinon.

"T-thank you…" He has no other choice but to accept them, because it's the innocent Yoshino, he can't just say no to her. Now, all he wanted now was for them to enter the cafe and let him suffer his femininity once more.

"I'm looking forward to your performance." Yoshino said.

"I swear I'll do my best, Yoshino, just for you." Shiori replied which made Yoshino blushed for a moment.

Eventually, Yoshino, accompanied by Reine entered the café.

"Yoohoo, Shiori-san!"

That voice was familiar for Shiori and when he turned around to see who it was, the hair on the back of his nape stood out.

It was Miku in casual clothes and missing her followers. She was waving at him rhapsodically, trying to get his attention. The atmosphere was very awkward for them since it is obvious that the competition will be held very soon. Shiori was already aware that Miku was calling him.

Is Miku that confident in defeating him? Shiori hesitantly approached her with caution. Ratatoskr, as well as Ritsuka, has warned him that Miku will do everything just to win and own him for good. Such disaster will strike if something like that will happen.

"Miku-san, what are you doing here?" Shiori asked her with a voice of seriousness.

"Hmm, nothing." She chuckled. "Just making sure you're alright." Then she glanced toward a few maid waitresses and customers. The maids are beautiful and pretty, as she admitted but her eyes were set on Shiori and Shiori only. Shiori followed her sight then returned toward [Diva] when she was satisfied.

She couldn't wait to break her and make her as her own servant. She seductively licked her lips which just creeped Shiori out.

"That outfit is very fitting for you." Miku said as she scanned Shiori's clothing up and down. He felt the hair on his nape stood when she mentioned it.

Then she came closer toward Shiori's face and whispered. "Especially when you will serve me forevermore." Her eyes were glinting dangerously.

As if grabbing their attention, both of them glanced toward a recently created commotion and it involved Ritsuka. One of the customers was repeatedly being stomped by Ritsuka with a disgusted face on its ass while Mashu was pulling her away.

Instead of being in pain, the customers seemed to be enjoying it.

The reason why the Master of Chaldea was beating a customer was because of some claimed sexual harassment by one of the maid waitress and quite a crowd has already formed around them.

How creepy it was.

"You know, a date just the two of us can be quite a breather." Miku sighed as she suggested as her eyes twinkled in delight as she turned her attention toward Shiori once again.

"Your eavesdropping was quite obvious." Shiori commented grimly. Maybe Miku really wants to know how to defeat them easily-peasy.

"Oh, Silly you! I don't need to do so, in fact, my offer is quite genuine." Miku reassured him as she wasn't quite affected by Shiori's seriousness. Of course, he can't trust that easily.

"Such a shame I can't approach the other one…" She added as she refocused her attention toward Ritsuka, who was still currently beating a customer.

Shiori was about to decline her offer once again when an idea struck him. Maybe, he could know a lot about Miku during the date. It did not help that Miku was being persistent. If he wanted to get rid of Miku away from the café and at the same time gather some information from her, maybe he could get a hit.

It seems that he has no other choice. He must accept Miku's invitation.

The offensive customer has been kicked out of the café and yet the flow of customers did not change. Ritsuka has finished beating the crap out of the customer. While the Master of Chaldea has been busy kicking the customer, Mashu was trying to stop her Senpai from continuing beating the customer.

"Neh, it seems that Miku-san has taken Shiori-san out of date." Ritsuka mentioned as he glanced toward Shiori who seemed to be holding hands together with Miku, albeit reluctantly. She patted her maid dress immediately, cleaning it of dirt and dust.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Even Mashu was worried for Shiori as she looked at him retreating together with [Diva]. It was quite a genuine feeling.

It seemed that the two of them were the only one who noticed Shiori and Miku's unexpected meeting.

"Don't worry, I believe that Shiori can do it!" Ritsuka assured her. Of course, as a human, she still has doubts for those two as uncertain scenarios were about to unfold, even if the Ratatoskr was now observing the two of them.

As a precaution, Ritsuka sent one of her Servants to act as surveillance, only intervene when it is absolutely necessary. The Master of Chaldea has full trust in her Assassin named Jackie.

Also infamously known as the Legendary Serial Killer, Jack the Ripper.

"Say, ah." Miku said as directed her crepe toward Shiori's mouth. He reluctantly opened it and accepted the food, despite having his own crepe.

Shiori eventually chewed and swallowed it later on. "It's so good." He commented.

Miku bought two crepes from a nearby stall and gave one of it for Shiori. If the two were to glance at first, it seemed that they are enjoying their date moderately but not for Shiori.

Despite how he enjoyed his moments on the crepe, he still felt uneasy as it was. As he noticed that Miku was acting as if nothing happened yesterday.

The same could be said for the Captain of Ratatoskr. "It seemed that she's acting as if nothing occurred yesterday." Kotori suspected. "Either she's truly obsessed toward Shiori or she's just that confident."

"Either way, these seemed to veer towards our advantage."

Kotori has already warned Shiori prior to Miku's engagement earlier, she warned him not to be too emotional this time, as they wanted to take this opportunity to deepen their bonds. Shiori was aware of it too; if he wanted to save Miku, he must loosen his patience a little bit.

"We looked like a couple; don't you think?" Miku said confidently as she maintained a hand-holding together with Miku. Shiori hastily agreed.

Then they visited many stalls and enjoyed some parlour games. At one point, they ended up in front of a ring-a-toss stall where successfully tossing rings on the prizes can be yours.

It grabbed Miku's attention as well as Shiori. "Look Shiori-san, let's play with that!" as she pointed at the specific stall.

Shiori agreed after observing the stall, more like checking for any cheats, not that he doubted the manager of this stall. "Why not?" He shrugged.

After paying the fee to the manager, Shiori urged Miku to be the first one to play as he was content watching her play. Shiori has prior experience playing ring toss due to dating Spirits and he somewhat expected for Miku to flunked the game.

"Leave this to me…" Miku assured Shiori.

Without even any preparation, she awkwardly threw the rings toward the prices, as if the rings themselves avoided it. Miku was trying to get that cute little cat that she was trying to aim for too. In the end, she really failed.

"Oh my, it's so difficult." She remarked honestly..

Miku was fuming inside, not that Shiori needed to know. She wanted that cat and she'll get it no matter what the cost. Why bother everything just for this? Because she believed that the world revolves around her and her alone.

"Don't worry, Miku-san, we can get it next time." Shiori assured her. It was not her fault after all but Miku seemed to have a different idea.

"Just like what she said Ma'am, you can play again. Maybe, you can get it for real." The manager of the stall suggested. Instead of listening, Miku just smirked like an evil witch.

"Don't just stand there, you dolt! Show what you've got!" Kotori was shouting at the comms, jolting Shiori a little bit. Shiori was just biding his time and did not expect Kotori to be in a hurry.

"If you really want it, maybe I can play it for you." Shiori added. He has the experience to back it up.

But it was too late for that recommendation as she used her voice for needless purposes.

"May I please have that stuffed cat toy?" Shiori felt uneasy whenever Miku used that damned voice of hers. Brainwashed to the point, the manager immediately obeyed Miku and eventually gave it to her.

"Okay, let me get it for you." The manager said nonchalantly as Miku smirked because of what she had done. When Miku retrieved it, she eventually tried to give it to Shiori as if she was proud of it.

Shiori felt disgusted by her actions again. He only stared at her grimly. "What the hell was that?" He felt that Miku ruined their date because of that selfish action. He could have offered himself and played the ring a toss for her but too bad Miku was just as selfish and boastful as he expected.

"Shido!" Kotori expected him to get angry at Miku once again sooner or later but it seemed that Shiori was deaf this time.

"Did I ask for the wrong one?" Miku was oblivious to what she had done, as if it was just a norm for her. She tilted her head in wonder as she studied Shiori's expression. "Don't worry, I'll exchange it-"

"That's so wrong!" Shiori exclaimed. "Don't you see what's wrong!?" He was frustrated at Miku.

Miku then questioningly asked. "Well then… what should I do?"

"You could have won the prize for yourself!"

"Really? But what do I do if I can't?"

"Then give up of course..." Then he looked at the prizes left inside the stall. "If you only cheat just to get the prizes, then it is the same act as stealing!"

"Stealing?" Miku chuckled. "I'm fairly convinced that they were honored upon giving this cute cat to me." and then denied the accusation.

"What are you..."

"Ah silly Shiori, you shouldn't have been worried about that… after all humans are my little playthings, anyways."

That's it, Shiori couldn't help it anymore. The way Miku treated all of the humans as the same as playthings made Miku look like a scum for Shiori. He was getting uncomfortable every second he was near Miku.

"It's nothing for us, who stood above them, that we should be concerned about." Even she had the guts to compare herself to Shiori.

Meanwhile back at the Fraxinus, Vice Commander Kyohei could only watch Shiori in pity as he stood beside Kotori. "That poor child..."

He caressed his chin wonder. "Being the plaything is where the thrill is going!"

…

Scratch that, Kyohei was extremely jealous of Shiori that he had found a Spirit who looked down at humanity at the behest. Naturally, Kotori replied with a gutsy punch that pleased Kyohei.

Now, Shiori has a clear reason to win this stupid game. "I'm certain now. I will win, Miku." He said with determination. "I will make you speak to people face-to-face."

"That's a rather weird thing for you to say, Shiori-san."

"I'll let you be for now, but I will show you what humans can do. We won't let you rule us all so you'd better watch out."

Miku intently listened Shiori's rambling."Oh, I'll give you a chance then."

[Diva] then turned away from Shiori. "We'll end our date here today." As continuing their date would be meaningless after all.

"I'll see you on the stage then." Miku said finally before she went out of sight of Shiori, who was grimly looking at Miku till she's out of sight.

Shiori sighed after that and felt tired dealing with Miku of all things.

"Pa, nothing happened..." a cute little voice can be heard above Shiori's head and suddenly he felt a weight around his neck and a pat on his head. Shiori was startled when a little girl rode him like a jockey. Her legs dangling by his shoulder and chest.

He looked up and realized that she's one of Ritsuka's Servants. He remembered that her name was Jackie or something. Jackie meanwhile maintains her gaze toward the direction where Miku disappeared.

She was looking forward for Miku to become dangerous and compelling and maybe, just maybe she can rip her stomach and crawl inside her mother-like stomach but too bad, nothing drastic happened and therefore, she has no excuse to rip and tear that motherly-like figure.

Jackie knew Mother trusted the cross-dressing guy and so decided to reveal herself before him. He smelled friendly after all.

"You're watching me all the time, huh?" Shiori realized. Ritsuka was worried for him after all. He wondered how Jackie got her scars on her face but that might be answered for another day.

"Hmm-hmm." Jackie nodded. Shiori instinctively held Jackie's legs for balance. Seeing that they still have time, he wondered if Jackie is allowed for some food treats.

Shiori scratched his cheek. "You know… why don't we have a food treat?" He will not let his frustration get ahead of him and instead, he will have rather a good time.

Jackie thought for a moment and then finally agreed. ""Mhmm… okay." an enthusiastic grin emerged on her face.

Then they went on their way on their aimed food trip from all the stalls they could find.