Fate series and characters belong to Nasu and TypeMoon

Once again surprisingly, this isn't dead! And a perfect time to release with the banner out of a certain sussy moth!

Remembers guys, simp for your waifu/husbando healthily! Lest you wanna be catfish by them...

Author Note's: Some context may seem normal, but those who reached the Solomon Singularity will notice there are some things of that finale taken into here!

Also, I've put up Ritsuka and Ritsuko's bio on tumblr here: post/639201311700762624/fgo-destiny-awakenings-fujimaru-ritsuka-and

For a certain idol's appearance, please just immediately refer to Prototype Merlin for your reference. Those who haven't reach Solomon Singularity yet, I'll say she's the closest thing I think of on the idol's appearance. And for those completed Solomon Singularity, you already know why I'm using her appearance


Ex-idol otaku simp for idol again by another idol Otaku

"Hmm, hm, hmm~!" Along the corridor towards the infirmary, Ritsuka hummed to a cheery tone with Fou resting on his shoulders.

"Fou?" The white squirrel creature tilted his head while observing the raven-haired Master's right fist. When he clenched his fist closed, a blue light lit up, opening to display a small pebble. Then he closed and repeated the same trick to open and showed a golden key.

"Fooou….?" Each item projected from his hand showed both interests yet curiosity to Fou. He tipped his head as the right hand now opened to reveal a small candy Ritsuka remembered with nostalgia. Unable to bear it any longer, Fou squeaked for his attention, "Fou!"

"Hm?" Blue orbs noticed Fou's own purple gazing at him, later back at the projected candy. An apologetic grin curled on Ritsuka's lips. "Oh, sorry for ignoring you, Fou."

Followed the white squirrel's gaze, Ritsuka concentrated with both eyes and right hand closed for a second. He opened after the blue light faded, his fist revealing a small rubber duck toy. He gave a few squeezes to produce out squeaky noises. The raven-haired Master showed a slight grin, "I'm just practicing on what Sadakuni-san told us yesterday."

"Fou foooou fou!"

"Right, this wasn't what I'm supposed to be working on…." Ritsuka expressed an uncomfortable grin on Fou's cry. He dug out from his pants pocket, showing a small bronze coin to him. "We're expected to be doing more practice on strengthening today."

But an exasperated sigh left the raven-haired Master's lips upon remembering.

"Still, it's partially my fault in forgetting I owe Doctor Roman a checkup…."

Before Sadakuni showed up to train, Mash mentioned to them off-hand that Romani would announce their first mission soon.

And expected, spending the entire night studying the library books of magic and Arthurian history….

"Kyuu!" Fou squeaked as though seeking to cheer his guilt away.

Ritsuka returned with a slight smile, lifting his free hand to rub Fou's chin, which nuzzled against his cheek. "Sorry about this, Fou. I made Mash and Ritsuko unnecessarily worry about having you come with me. Let's get this over so that we can head back to the lesson."

Fou shifted to the hand, caressing his chin to purr, "Kyuuuu…. Fooou….."

Soft chuckling slipped from Ritsuka's lips, seeing how Fou enjoyed his touches. However, an idea came into his mind, "Oh!"

"Fou?" Fou's face written with puzzled expression, seeing the raven-haired Master pulled back his hand away. Both pairs of arms stretched outwards, showing both palms opened before them. His right hand holding the bronze coin. The other held nothing.

Noticed at the increasing interest, Ritsuka simply suggested to his furry companion, "Look carefully."

"Fou…"

The raven-haired Master brought both arms to his back. He shrugged his shoulder to ease his tense muscle from devoting the night to work out plausible ideas of Mash's possessing Servant's True Name. After bringing both fists forward and turned over, Ritsuka prompted. "Which hand is holding the coin, Fou?"

Small white pointed ears twitched as Fou's purple orbs examined to pick out any hints of the raven-haired Master's act. After sniffing in the air a few times, he went towards the left fist and tapped with his paw. "Fou!"

Ritsuka opened his left fist to expose the familiar bronze coin. However, the coin instantly vanished before Fou, alarming him in surprise as the Master proclaimed. "Bzzt, wrong one!"

"Fou?!" Disbelief was written on the white squirrel creature's face. He scurried from Ritsuka's arm and shoulder to his right fist and squeaked, "Fou, fou!"

"You're close too, Fou," Yet again, when opened, the bronze coin on Ritsuka's right fist vanished before Fou's eyes.

"Fou?!" The white squirrel creature's tail lift high at how shocked he was at Ritsuka's trick again. He scurried to snoop through his right sleeve, going on the same as he moved to the left. Then Fou headed towards his shirt collar to search for the coin, yet… No matter high or low, it was anywhere to be found.

Another laugh slipped from Ritsuka at his furry companion's attempt to investigate his whole body. He lifted one hand to Fou's cape beneath and pulled out the familiar bronze coin. "Here we go."

Fou halted his action upon seeing the coin. Purple orbs widened as he peered back and forth between his cape, the coin, and Ritsuka. "Fooou fou!"

Ritsuka gave a slightly amused beam to his confused furry friend and examined the coin. "Surprise, huh? I'm not an expert on actual magecraft, but magic reminds me of tricks like this. Brings back memories every year from elementary to high school; I would consistently do magic tricks. Be it school festival or anything, those times are so peaceful unlike now…."

Those days of hanging out after class with their school classmates, their holiday plans for Summer and Winter….

School festival preparations for Student Council and Classroom duties…

Last, studying for their final entrance examination for university… Then, he could—!

As those memories raced through his head, the raven-haired Master felt eyes on him. Turned over, he noticed Fou staring at him with an expression, wondering what weighed in his mind. Fou's purple orbs furrowed reflected as the frown came on his lips.

With an assured yet melancholy smile, Ritsuka moved his hand to ruffle Fou's fur. "Strange, isn't it? That I'm thinking about the past… I'll do whatever it takes to bring those times back. For ours and you guys too, Fou."

"Fou, fou!" Fou squeaked to agree with his words.

Though, it implied to Ritsuka more that Fou loved the tickling, judging by the purring sound he made. While ruffling his head, Ritsuka's smile switched to a peculiar expression upon noticing Fou. "Hmm…?"

It was Fou's turn next to tilt his head with an odd expression when Ritsuka stopped his caresses. "Fou?"

"Now that I think about it… You looked kind of familiar…," Ritsuka uttered.

"Kyuuu?"

Blue orbs narrowed to examine Fou on his shoulder. The familiar purple orbs filled with curiosity instead of sly mischief flickered from time to time. White fur on Fou's head forming a similar hairstyle, Ritsuka felt he saw it somewhere once. Last, the white and light blue cape around his neck…

Like a light bulb turned on in his head, the raven-haired Master exclaimed knowingly. "That's right! You looked just like Merlin!"

Surprised transformed into fury, Fou's ears twitched in rage.

He let out an irritated growl before biting Ritsuka's hand, "Fooou, fou!"

"Yeowch!" Ritsuka yelped and retracted his said hand as fast as he could. He shook it, wincing at the small reddish bit mark he received from provoking his furry companion's wrath.

"Fooou, fou, fou! Kyuuuu, fou, fou!"

"W-W-Wait, I'm sorry, Fou! M-My mouth just blurts out on its own—!" When Ritsuka apologized with a panicked face, Fou's glare only showed he added more oil into the fire. He raised both hands to calm his aggravated friend. "I-I'm really sorry, Fou-sama! I didn't mean to compare you to him or anything at all!"

However, from the final hissing, Fou answered. He turned his head, and his tail moved to shoo away the bitten hand. Even another attempting to call his name, Fou returned with an annoyed grunt to express the Master to go away.

"Guess he's a little despised by everybody in current times thanks to his own shenanigans…," Ritsuka muttered to himself.

Hardly a wonder to him if the wizard's mischief outweighed his good deeds in aiding King Arthur.

Even with good intentions, Merlin remained enigmatic to his behavior and motives.

Though, that's an issue for later. Right now, the raven-haired Master shifted his head to Fou to bow, clamping both hands together. "I-I'm truly sorry, Fou-sama! I have my own reasons for why did I think of Merlin suddenly. Please hear me out!"

A nervous gulp swallowed down Ritsuka's throat, waiting for the white squirrel to let him a chance to speak. What were hours actually literal minutes when Fou opened one of his eyes to peer at him.

Along with the frown on his mouth and ears perking high, Fou expressing to Ritsuka he's willing to listen to his reason. The raven-haired Master breathed out a relieved sigh, "Um… Why I said you look like Merlin is because…."

Scanned in every direction to make sure it was both of them alone, Ritsuka leaned into Fou's ear and confided. "I haven't told Ritsuko or Mash, but…. I've seen and spoke to him in my dreams."

The raven-haired Master's revelation led Fou's both eyes opened wide, looking at him with an absolute disbelief expression, "Fou?"

"Yeah, I'd like to lie about this. But three encounters suffice to suggest I'm not having hallucinations in my sleep," Ritsuka nodded with a sigh. Then a shiver chilled his spine. He noticed Fou's glare remained, if not severer than before. "I-I didn't mean you and him are similar! Your appearance, that white fur, and cape of yours! You are way different from him, Fou-sama!"

Even at his remarks, Fou remained skeptical. After staring at the raven-haired Master with doubt, he looked away. "Fou!"

"I'm truly, sincerely sorry, Fou-sama! It's wrong for me to compare you with Merlin! You're so much better and even cuter than that problematic wizard!"

"Fou, fou!

"He's even more pissed than before…," Ritsuka winced at the sharp-pitched angry squeak. He held back his tongue; any further reference of Merlin would just add more oil. "Fou-sama, is there anything I can do to make you forgive me? It's my fault blurting out like an idiot without considering your feelings, so please… I'll do anything you ordered!"

The raven-haired Master attempted to bow his head to the white furry creature.

A silence enveloped between them as Ritsuka awaited a squeak from Fou.

Another minute afterward, a familiar squeak from Fou cried out to the Master.

"Kyu, kyuu…. Fou!"

"Fou-sama…?" Ritsuka opened his eyes to see Fou facing right at him.

The furry white tail wagged up down as the furry companion repeated its cry. "Foooou, fou! Fou!"

An eyebrow raised from the raven-haired Master, confirming his furry companion's terms. "You want all the meat I have for our meal to give to you? Including the juiciest and crispiest ones I picked?"

"Kyu, kyu!"

"Wouldn't Mash worried about you over-eating—!" Ritsuka flinched at the hissing noise coming from Fou. He gulped before smiling nervously. "Sure, I promise. Thank you very much, Fou—I mean, Fou-sama!

"That's right," Raising a pinky finger to the white squirrel creature, the raven-haired Master suggested. "How about this? I'll not merely offer you all of my meat, but also your favorites other than those. In return, will you keep this a secret from Mash and Ritsuko, Fou-sama?"

Stared at his pinky finger for a moment, Fou faced him with an odd expression. A wry smile appeared on Ritsuka as he clarified. "I wished to tell them, but that's the last thing they should worry about. It's a secret between you and me, or something like one of your blackmails, to force me to keep my promise."

"Fou…," Between his pinky finger and his smile, Fou detected there's no hidden resentment but pure truth in his words. Eventually, he lifted his front paw to tap at Ritsuka's pinky finger to trust his words. "Fou!"

Surprise flickered in Ritsuka's orbs briefly, then giving his brightest grin, "Thanks a lot, Fou-sama!"

After Fou scurried back to sitting at the raven-haired Master's shoulder, he resumed his trip towards the infirmary. On his left and right at each door, Ritsuka muttered to himself. "His office should be up ahead…."

"Right, here we are," The simple green cross symbol showed the infirmary found at last for Ritsuka. He came to the black-colored intercom, pushing the notable silver button. "Doctor, it's me, Ritsuka. I'm here for the check-up you asked me to last time."

The raven-haired Master stepped backward and waited for Romani to open the door… As he supposed to. Silence only returned as the answer, be it any movement or any verbal communication. Ritsuka went to the intercom and called again. "Doctor Roman, are you in?"

"Kyu?" Fou tilted his head confusedly and stared back at the door.

Ritsuka huffed after his third attempt and decided. "Guess he must be out for a meeting. I'll find him later. Let's go back to the training, Fou-sama."

Just as Ritsuka spun his heel after proposing, Fou leaped off from his shoulder when he's about to go off. The raven-haired Master turned his head behind and wondered. "Fou-sama, what's wrong?"

Scurried and stood in front of the infirmary door, the white furry creature turned back and squeaked. "Fou fou!"

"You're saying he's in?" The raven-haired Master repeated what he understood his companion while approaching. His blue orbs switched to the door, again to Fou. "Maybe, but he's perhaps still asleep so–!"

When Ritsuka stepped closer towards Fou, the door before the pair slid open to reveal a pitch-black office. He widened his eyes briefly at the lack of security in maintaining the office shut. "Did he also forget to lock his office—Hey, Fou-sama!"

Fou ignored the calls from the raven-haired Master and dashed right inside. The latter followed his furry companions for a few quick steps before losing him in the dark. "Wait, Fou-sama!"

Before he made any step further, Ritsuka stopped to mull over.

From his rational side, it's wrong to trespass into a room without permission, despite how friendly Doctor Roman was.

However, the same logical side was concerned with the dangerous possibility of robbery and assault.

The raven-haired Master concluded, carefully treading in and surveying the office. "Any day should be fine before our next mission… But, just to be sure…."

Except for the scattered paper and files on the work desk, no trespassers came and ransacked the office. Ritsuka made another step further but halted at the noise of clattering ahead of him. "Who's there?!" Blue eyes sought to dart around in the darkness for a visible shadow in the office. Yet, Ritsuka's gaze settled on a white hair-like shape behind the wall partition on the ground. He tipped his head and called, "Fou-sama…?"

No response from his furry companion as he approached, the raven-haired Master blinked his eyes to clear his view…. Instead of the hair-like shape, a recognizable set of matching white pants and shoes entered his vision.

Ritsuka's eyes widened upon recognizing whom it belonged to, "That's—!"

Rushed and spun over from the partition, the raven-haired Master's heart sank in horror at the sight.

The familiar orange-pinkish-haired Doctor lying unconscious by his stomach on the ground.

His ponytail loosened into long, messy hair. Instead of his coat, a tight-fitting black shirt was worn.

"Doctor Roman?!" Kneeled on the ground, Ritsuka flipped him over carefully to have him lying on his back. He shook him to awake the Doctor while investigating any symptoms of injuries. "Hey, Doctor Roman! Are you okay? Doctor Roman!"

"Mm…," Romani's groan swelled relief in Ritsuka's heart.

Yet, it was temporary, as his groans also meant he could be in pain by his pale and weak-looking face. Ritsuka asked again while investigating for the cause of injuries. "Are you hurt? Where is the pain coming from?!"

Unfortunately, only more groans were emitted, and no apparent injuries on his body. Ritsuka glanced around in the room for Fou. But his furry companion was nowhere to be found. Teeth gritted in frustration at the disappearance, he switched back to the unconscious Doctor. "Hold on, I'll get Sadakuni-san over—!"

GRRROWWWWLL

… He didn't hear it wrong, right? Not when the loud rumbling noise of a stomach growling again in front of the raven-haired Master. After seconds of silence, his brain processed and uttered. "…. You are joking, right?"

"He fainted…. Because he's been skipping his meals?!" Ritsuka would've facepalmed at the cause but put Romani's arm over his shoulder to move him to a proper resting place.

Thankfully, the raven-haired Master located a sofa by the light from the entrance. And it was also where he found Fou sitting at the sofa's arm of the far end. Once settling Romani down, he whipped his head to Fou. "Sorry, Fou-sama, can you stay here and look after Doctor Roman? I'll bring him Emiya-san's yesterday leftover food here!"

Leaving behind the two, Fou moved his head to stare at the said Doctor once the raven-haired Master ran out of the office. Fou shook his head exasperatedly at Romani's now awaken with a dazed expression sitting in a slumped position. "Fou…."

-0-

Half an hour later, the now lit up infirmary filled with the noises of a person gobbling down their food hungrily.

Or rather, Doctor Romani devouring down every leftover cooking by Emiya to satisfy his empty stomach.

On the opposite side of the table, Ritsuka observed seeing the colors returning to the Doctor's face. "How is it?"

"It's good! Thanks for bringing in food over here, Ritsuka-kun."

Romani exclaimed, gobbling down his meal faster than ever, whether his hunger or how delicious Emiya's cooking was.

As he took a sip of his brewed green tea while breathing a relief sigh, the raven-haired Master made a wry smile. "Sure, but that was absolutely a shock when you're lying down on the floor there. And if you're still hungry, there are still more servings in the cafeteria."

"Sorry, I have been swamped running around managing Chaldea. I'm glad you found me, or we'll have more problems before your next mission."

Ritsuka shook his head at the jovial answer from the orange-pinkish Doctor. He set down his cup and reminded, "Don't neglect to eat to sustain your strength too, Doctor Roman. I'm positive that cakes and sweets alone aren't enough, as much as you like them."

"But you still can't deny sugar is likewise needed to keep your brain functioning."

Romani laughed assuredly that earned the young Master to nod and murmured thoughtfully in agreement.

His green orbs soon settled on a unique figure sitting on the table between him and Ritsuka. "Oh?"

Purple orbs staring in silence as though appraising the Doctor, the latter exclaimed in surprise. "Is… Is that the mysterious creature I've heard so much about?!"

Followed to the Doctor directing his gaze, Ritsuka grinned and answered, "That's right, his name is Fou-sama."

"Whoa, nice to meet you! Mash told me a lot about him, but I didn't really think he existed…." Romani set down his one-quarter empty rice bowl aside to examine closer at Mash's companion.

Holding back his laugh at Fou's weird expression towards Romani studying in 360 degrees direction, the raven-haired Master added.

"Mash told me Fou-sama rarely approaches other staff in Chaldea aside from her, along with my sister and I."

"I see, I see," After nodding twice to Ritsuka's remarks, an idea brightened inside Romani's head. "Hey, why don't I teach him some tricks?"

Lifted out his right white-gloved hand to the furry creature, Romani beamed to Fou. "Okay, shake hand. If you do it well, I'll give you a snack."

"… Fou!" Narrowed his eyes in irritation at the hand later to the crazy Doctor, Fou squeaked what seemed to be a sneer and looked away before leaping off the table.

Before he scampered out of the infirmary, Fou paused beside Ritsuka to squeak again, "Kyu, fou, foooouuuu!"

"Huh, what?!" After seeing the white furry creature rejected him and left, Romani dropped his head down in dejection. "He gave me a really pitying look and then completely ignored me…."

Ritsuka sighed, after understanding Fou's message to head back to Mash for the umpteenth time, and casually reassured in a deadpan tone.

"It's always better than pity for a corpse who died from skipping his meals at such a young and tender age."

The doctor's face winced at Ritsuka's blunt comeback, then letting out a weak chuckle in hoping to deflect away from the now embarrassing encounter.

"A-Anyway, you mentioned you were searching for me, Ritsuka-kun?"

"Yes, I'm here for my overdue check-up days ago after you have told me to gain some rest," Ritsuka answered.

"I see! Sorry for coming all the way here when you're training from Sadakuni, Ritsuka-kun. Why don't you take a seat there while waiting for me? I'll finish up the meal soon as possible." Romani gestured towards the empty white stool beside his office desk.

Ritsuka nodded and stood from his seat. "Sure. Hope you don't mind me intruding your office."

"It's alright!

"Just don't mess up the papers on my office table, Ritsuka-kun."

Romani added to the raven-haired Master going to his desk before returning to his meal.

"Will do, Doctor Roman." Pulled the white stool and sat down, Ritsuka pondered in his mind. "Between brittle and hardening… I should also try to make the coin shinier—!"

However, a worn brown hardcover leather book caught his attention before the raven-haired Master returned to his practice via hardening the coin.

A quick peep over to appease his interest, Ritsuka examined closer, inspecting the gold and silver patterns embedded on the spine and front cover.

"Was Doctor Roman reading before collapsing from his hunger?" The young raven-haired Master wondered to himself. When his blue orbs landed upon the large golden words embossed on the front cover…

"OH MY GOD, IT'S KING SOLOMON!"

PSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!

Ritsuka's abrupt and loud exclamation in the office caused the poor Romani to do a loud spit take while drinking down his green tea. Coughing noises followed with wheezing noises to clear his throat. He whirled his head over. "K-King Solomon?!"

"Yeah, King Solomon!" Ritsuka lifted the said book to bring it up into the doctor's view. Blue orbs sparkled like a newly polished aquamarine gem, darting back and forth between the book and Romani. "Is this from Chaldea Library?! I didn't realize there's a copy of him in Chaldea here! Gods, I've been searching for a specialized book about him everywhere, and I can't believe they have it here!"

"O-Oh, so that's what you mean…," Romani muttered his own relief with his head turned aside unheard to the now excited Master.

He returned to see and chuckled with warmth at the giddy joyfulness radiating from Ritsuka.

"Yeah, the previous director has his own collection together with Mages Association and Atlas institute donated into our library.

"It's helped to research and understand Servants summoned into Chaldea and the enemies we may face."

"I see…!" The radiance in Ritsuka's eyes shone more clearly as his eyes inspected the book.

"Then, they have many records for historical and mythology figures from the world throughout history?"

Stood from his chair, Romani headed to the sink to pick up the wet cloth and added. "Not all of them, but majority one's established and record in human history. We can't fit every single book in the library. So, there are some remains in the archives with their artifacts used as a catalyst for summoning."

Nodded in understanding, Ritsuka returned with a bright smile.

"Hmm… Then, I'm glad Chaldea has a massive collection other than Arthurian legends I found in the library!"

Flipped open the book with love like a new treasure he discovered, the raven-haired Master paid his attention to the content page. Every utterance from his lips was with curiosity, amazement, and awe at what the King Solomon book covered.

Yet among all those emotions, they shared one point in common that made Romani stop cleaning his spitted-out tea. He turned back to the raven-haired Master and inquired in an unusual mindful tone. "…. Ritsuka-kun, do you like King Solomon?"

"Hm? Yeah, of course!" Ritsuka answered as though it was the most ordinary thing to him in the world.

He shut the book closed and hugged to his chest with much care, and faced Romani. "I love him the most, Doctor Roman! Or one of the many historical figures I admire, to be exact. His kind benevolence to his people made him decide to ask gods for wisdom on prospering his kingdom.

"It's incredible that even when he was just a teenager, he's giving everything he could to keep his father's legacy.

"That's why I'm so pleased I'm able to find more books about King Solomon to learn better about him."

"Is… That so…?" Romani's strange voice didn't least discourage the pure admiration from the raven-haired Master.

The latter smiled and continued further cheerfully, "Not only him….

"Everyone in history and mythology is the best, too.

"Enkidu, a being created from mud, becomes more humane than anyone.

"Francis Drake, the pirate who circumnavigates the world….

"The world-renowned genius Leonardo da Vinci, Charlemagne twelve Paladins, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table…

"Almost all historical characters I respected as heroes! To think of meeting any of them, let alone finding material of them, is a dream come true!"

"I… I see…"

Finally caught onto the skeptical tone, Ritsuka's eyes recognized the Doctor's face perplexed with discomfort and other emotions he couldn't decipher or understand why.

He cleared his throat and hastily apologized, "S-Sorry, just forget that. I got carried away suddenly…

"It's not only uninteresting itself, but even strange that I'm spouting this for someone my age."

And he didn't need his sister to tease him with boring people about rambling about his interest. But Romani, who picked up the young raven-haired Master's guilty tone, jerked him out of whatever thoughts he was deep in.

He let out a light-hearted, assuring smile. "Haha! Of course not. I've known a few who are interested in history. But, you're the first person who worshipped and even like every historical and mythological person. It must be a dream come true, isn't it?"

Ritsuka agreed with a wide grin. "You can say that again! I didn't consider this job Ritsuko dragged me in allowed such a wonderful opportunity."

Returned with another smile, Romani returned to clean his table. "So… What made you interested in history, Ritsuka-kun?"

Unbeknownst to him, Ritsuka let out a relieved sigh that the Doctor didn't mind his ramble earlier. He thus answered, "My real mother possesses an enormous collection of books used to learn their behavior for cognitive therapy and counseling at work. I enjoy reading, so those books back at home were like a treasure to me as a child.

"Back then, fiction and fairytale are things children would be absorbed in. But their records are way better than any fairytale at all! And the way how my real mom helped people with their problems connecting to them is the most amazing—!"

The unusual long pause caught Romani's concern once more. Diverted his head to where the raven-haired Master, a sunny smile, established on Ritsuka's lips. "I mean, how these individuals left such a tremendous imprint on human history will impress me the more I learn about them. A-Anyway, I'm sorry that I talked so much…."

Romani shook his head and laughed, an adorable person the young Chaldea Master Ritsuka was, to learn and admire every person he met. He reassured the young Master again. "No, it's fine, Ritsuka-kun. I'm still reading that book, so… Maybe when I'm done, I'll let you borrow it?"

Blue eyes widened utterly in shock at the Doctor's proposition. Ritsuka switched his head between the book and Romani twice before confirming. "Is… Is that alright? Won't there be overdue issues if you lend the book to me?"

"Yeah, it's repaying you for taking care of me when I fainted back there." Romani nodded, headed back to wash up, and squeezed dry the wet cloth. "The previous Director was the one who lends the book indefinitely and hands to me before his death. So, I hope you don't mind waiting a little longer."

"Of course not!" The raven-haired Master's eyes light up with the excitement of getting his hand onto this very book in the prospect. He then bowed gratefully and responded, "Thank you very much, Doctor Roman!"

Romani gave one last grin to the raven-haired Master, down the wet cloth, and put a white-gloved hand onto his waist. "Alright, then. I've finished my meal; we can start your checkup."

-0-

"I'm done changing." Ritsuka pushed the curtain while trying to button up with a white long sleeve coat. A simple checkup Romani explained to re-examine his magic circuits taking about 15 to 20 minutes long.

The said pinkish-orange, now ponytail-haired Doctor flipping through the report, looked to where the raven-haired Master was. "Good, just take a seat over here!"

Approached to the gesture same white stool beside him, Ritsuka seated down to finish fixing up the collar of his coat. "How is it, Doctor?"

"A lot better now. Your magic circuits took quite a while to get used to contracting two Servants for the first time. But now you've re-summoned that Caster from Fuyuki, it doesn't wear you out as badly before." Romani answered with a smile.

"That's good!"

Romani added with his own grin to the raven-haired Master's energetic beam. "But try not to overwork yourself, Ritsuka-kun. The pace you've been practicing magic with Sadakuni is more than just fine. Knowing you, there shouldn't be an issue in seeing how well-trained you are. Just be ready with your sister for your next mission on the first Singularity—!"

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

"Hm?"

"Huh?" Both blue and green orbs landed their eyes on Romani's wristwatch for the origin of the alarm.

The latter orbs widened on seeing the time appearing on his watch.

"C-Crap, Magi Mari's Livestream is starting in a few minutes!"

The Doctor leaped off from his seat to view the so-called Livestream, leaving Ritsuka behind dumbfounded.

Ritsuka tilted his head with confusion and wondered aloud, "Magi… Mari?"

He headed into Romani's private room, watching the Doctor hurrying to dig out from a cardboard box labeled with the name 'Magi Mari.'

It rang familiarity inside Ritsuka's mind but questioned if what the Doctor spoke and his recollection weren't the same.

Soon enough, the answer sang beside the raven-haired Master.

On his right, the table was placed with two speakers and a familiar white laptop showing a webpage of video, Livestream.

Though, what captured his attention to confirm the notion was a colorful brand of pink and purple…

Ritsuka yelled with his jaw dropped in disbelief upon recognizing it, "No way, you're kidding me… Magi Mari?!"

"What?!" The raven-haired infectious surprise exclamation made Romani returned with his own.

He stood and spun wearing an 'I Magi Mari' head bandana and a pink and orange flowery summer haori of a beautiful, long, white-haired young woman.

"You know Magi Mari too, Ritsuka-kun?!"

Ritsuka switched back to the startled Doctor and nodded frantically. "Of course! She's the world's biggest net idol of all time, Doctor Roman. How would one 'not' know her at all?! She is not really the first AI net idol, but fans worldwide consulted and even asked her out. Heard CEOs and politicians came to her for guidance for their company and judgments!

"Her cuteness and elegance that transcends any no.1 Miss Universe model…. Her intelligence is as great as the genius Da Vinci himself…. I'm not even surprised when she disclosed to the world that she advanced herself from just a simple AI to this…!"

"….. Ritsuka-kun, are you a fan of Magi Mari by any chance?" Romani summarized.

His green eyes blinked twice for his brain to process the raven-haired Master's fervor rant.

"Hm?" The passionate fever faded away in Ritsuka's mind, realizing his earlier behavior on rambling of his admired Solomon repeated.

"O-Oh, I mean…."

He quickly cleared his throat to return to his indifferent face and amended. "Yeah, I am one of Magi Mari's fans. Or was her biggest fan since she first debuted on the internet. Though, it's been four years since I have been a fan of her—!"

Whatever answers the raven-haired Master given cut off by Romani, dashing to where he stood and seized both his hands. His own green orbs now shared the same sparkle as he proclaimed aloud. "Then you and I are comrades, Ritsuka-kun!"

"…. Hah?" Ritsuka's turn next to express a stupefied face at what the Doctor declared.

Were there any medical experts besides Romani himself to investigate if he received any brain damage when he collapsed earlier?!

Romani missed the dumbfounded expression on the young Master's face and went on.

"To realize there's another fan in Chaldea aside myself, I'm really happy about this!

"Well, not myself, there was personnel who were formerly Magi Mari's fan, but—!"

Ritsuka cut short to prevent the misunderstanding deepened any further than called for. "H-Hold it right there, Doctor. I said I've been her fan, but—!"

"Don't worry about it, Ritsuka-kun!

"Magi Mari is ever forgiving and welcoming to the fans that left and returned to her!"

"I know that, but listen to—!"

Attempts were to dissuade or convince the other abruptly came to a pause by a piece of cheerful sparkly music familiar to the two men.

Both Romani and Ritsuka turned to the laptop playing Magi Mari's website Livestream.

In the broadcast, a familiar short with a long messy white-haired woman with pinkish lavender eyes in a white with lilac and the pink frilly dress.

Her hands in a pair of white with reddish-pink ends at the wrist of the gloves raised. She waved towards the crowd and greeted. "Heeeeeeellllllllooooooo, everyone!"

Spun a quick twirl, the idol bent forward to the camera and did a cute wink. "Hope everyone is feeling good today. Your favorite idol, Magi Mari, is here!"

The loud applauding noises gave the idol a cue to lift both her skirt sides to do a bow before continuing. "Today's Livestream is an exceptional topic I will share from a fan's request! I hope everybody will stick around to watch and listen to the very end."

Panned close to her face, Magi Mari raised both hands below her chin. Her eyes were in tears and pleaded in her softest and sweetest voice. "You will, right…?"

An invisible arrow struck Ritsuka's heart of being charmed by her as ever. Just like in his middle school days when he was still a massive fan of Magi Mari, easily and readily willing to obey her words—!

No, hang on…! This wasn't the time to watch her stream. Ritsuka shook his head. He'd already promised himself he'd given up on being an Idol Otaku since that day... And, there's also Sadakuni's training he needed to get back to. "W-Well…"

Before he explained himself, the raven-haired Master felt a tap on his shoulder. His face looked to see Romani wearing the same puppy teary eyes as the AI Idol. "You wouldn't reject her, right….?"

This had to be illegal for both the fluffy Doctor and Magi Mari to gang up on him like this! Reluctantly, Ritsuka sighed to surrender. "… Alright, just one show for her, Doctor Roman. I'll be in trouble if I miss my practice with Sadakuni-san. In exchange…"

A quick glimpse around Romani's room. The raven-haired Master's sight settled on a light yellow cake box and pointed. "Cake!"

"Cake?" Romani questioned and followed his gaze to where the young Master focused on.

"Treat me to your most delicious cake, and we'll call it even!" A bright, cheeky grin curled on Ritsuka's lips and reminded him. "Come on, you assume I would forget of your promise to treat me, right?"

The unexpected request caught the Doctor off guard. He expected the young man to ask for something far worse.

Yet, the pure-like innocence from the raven-haired Master made Romani laughing seconds afterward.

"Of course not, Ritsuka-kun.

"If it's the cake you want, I'd be even willing to share with you my other sweets collection!

"I'll even recommend which other sweets are considered my all-time favorite."

Ritsuka nodded before Romani returned to retrieve out his Magi Mari merchandise for their use in the stream. "Then, we have a deal, Doctor Roman!"

-0-

Any plans Ritsuka had in his mind, like leaving halfway through the stream... Thrown out in favor of becoming too absorbed to the very end. Aside from the regular coverage of her next song or vlogging, the fresh stream discussed her trip to meet one of her bedridden fans.

Left within weeks of his incurable illness, the young man was content to have been her fan till his last moment.

That heartbreaking yet bittersweet confession not only touched Magi Mari's soul, along with the doctor and the raven-haired Master.

After plucking a few pieces of tissues he brought in at some point during the stream, Romani wiped tears from his bloodshot eyes and wept. "I'm glad I didn't miss this week's Livestream. That fan could make his wish come true of Magi Mari visiting him in video calling before his illness takes a toll on his life."

Beside him, Ritsuka's face swollen red and bloodshot eyes streaked with tears, lifted a hand to wipe, and sniffled. "Megami-sama* is indeed more amazing than the last time… She saw how bad his cancer was and did her very best to cheer him to fight on. Yet, her soul is pure-hearted like the heavens, to grant him peace before his death. How could I've been so foolish to leave her behind?!"

"Ritsuka-kun… As I thought, you truly love her, don't you?" The doctor turned to him, fresh tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

"Yeah, I've always had admired and love her, Doctor Roman. But with this Livestream, my love for her has been renewed…!"

Ritsuka whirled and agreed tearfully, "Doctor Roman, from today onwards, let us be brother-in-arms to support Megami-sama!"

"Of course!" Romani blew his nose into the tissue and bawled. "Any fan of beloved Magi Mari is my comrade, Ritsuka-kun! We're glad to have you back with us."

"Doctor Roman!"

"Ritsuka-kun!"

The pair latched onto each other in an embrace. Tears shed in mourning of losing one of their comrades to the illness…. All the while for Ritsuka, wholly forgotten how much scolding he gained later from skipping his class to indulge back to his old Otaku habits again.

End of Issue #4


*Megami-sama: Goddess

Some Romani and Ritsuka (Gudao) relationship development and bonding over their favorite idol! For Ritsuka calling Fou as 'Fou-sama' is one way to differentiate between him and his sister... And mainly for Fou to assert dominance that he's still better than Merlin at one part LOL

Those who read the bio and this chapter is what inspired me for Ritsuka's magecraft. One is mainly the canon dreamscape is helping to connect his backstory, serving certain important roles and I wanted a magecraft relating to illusion on a character who has the opposite personality of trickery and deceit. Or someone whose heart while I won't say it as pure heart to become Mary Sue... But one least who went through tons of betrayal and bad experiences yet retain his idealistic innocent side towards people around him. This one does play a big role after LB6 is up on why Ritsuka (Gudao) is able to go into Avalon...

No, he's definitely not related to Artoria line by blood. However, in still some way, he's connected to them one way or another!

Finally regarding King Solomon... My favorite scene and those who completed Solomon Singularity going to read this in a completely different light especially how Ritsuka easily profess his admiration to him without realizing XD

Anyway, I'll try to finish this whole Fuyuki arc so that I can move to Orleans... But can't promise when or how if my motivation goes on... At least good to know IRL situation still not looking that well with my Dad now back to hospital again. More or somewhat full details of it is in my blog you'll need to dig with precaution because it's infested with LB6 spoilers