" Master, you really are a funny person. But honestly, it's been a while since I've met someone who I've gotten along with so well. Actually, this might be a first. "

No, he was wrong.

Ritsuka remembered the first time they had met. He was this socially awkward Servant. Clumsy with his words, stumbling on his thoughts, but he was endearing nonetheless. Of course, the Mandricardo that Ritsuka summoned is not the same one that she had met in Atlantis. Although he was still that same awkward and shy man, he was more reclusive than usual. Or maybe that was how he normally acted, even in life. She didn't know. The fact was, this was not their first time. They met before, a long time ago, but Mandricardo didn't remember that. How could she tell him? It ate up her insides, she had to tell him somehow. That they're friends, really good friends. Would he even believe her if she told him?

After Mandricardo was first summoned to Chaldea, he was confused as to why his Master seemed affectionate with him specifically. Not that she isn't affectionate and friendly with her other Servants, but towards him? She treated him like he was special. Very friendly and welcoming, especially towards a nobody like him. They just met but she treated him well, like they were old friends. It certainly surprised him. He was even more surprised that Master would bring a third rate like him in battle simulations and hunting quests. Certainly, there were better Servants to bring. There was that blue Lancer, or Achilles, the better Rider. While she did bring those better Servants, Master also brought him along. She treated him well, enhanced his battle prowess and skills, and took the time to take care of him. She did that with all her Servants, but he noticed that she did it more with him. The way she spoke to him, her warm smile, the way her eyes brightened when he arrived at her room. They developed a strong bond, and Mandricardo felt something… familiar whenever he was with Ritsuka. They've been together for a few months and they had already developed a close friendship.

"Ah, Master. Good timing. Boudica secretly gave me some snacks a minute ago. Would you help me get rid of the evidence?" Mandricardo popped his head through the door. Ritsuka was busy tidying her room. She looked up at him and her face instantly lit up.

"Mandricardo!" She rushed forward and embraced him, fully pulling him into her room before closing the door. "I was just about to grab some food. Let's share those cookies."

"...Okay, it's settled!"

The two sat on Ritsuka's bed as they devoured the chocolate chip cookies that Boudica had just baked. The two didn't say anything for a while as they ate in comfortable silence. While Mandricardo continued to eat, Ritsuka swallowed her cookie, deep in thought. She took another bite and broke the peaceful silence.

"Mandricardo, can I tell you something?"

"Sure Master, what's up?"

"I don't know how to tell you, really. Maybe you felt it based on how I've been treating you…"

Her tone sounded grim. His eyes widened in horror. "MASTER, ARE YOU FIRING ME?!"

Ritsuka sharply turned her head to face him. She lifted one hand, threatening to slap him. "WHAT?! NO, OF COURSE NOT! WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?! YOU'RE AWFUL!" It genuinely looked like she was going to cry and Mandricardo felt relieved that he wasn't being let go but guilty for making her sad.

"I'm joking, sort of. I'm sorry, Master. Couldn't help myself"

Ritsuka started slapping her hands on his chest for real. "You're truly awful! You think I would do something like that!?" She sniffled, wiping her eyes.

"What did you want to tell me?"

After composing herself, Ritsuka took a deep breath. She figured to just blurt out the truth.

"We've met before." She said it, plain and simple.

"We have?"

"Yup."

"I don't remember us meeting."

"Of course you don't. Most Servants summoned don't remember their past summons."

"Oh."

"We met in the Greek Lostbelt, Atlantis. You saved the director from death and joined our group. You were part of the resistance group, rebelling against the Lostbelt Servants," she recounted.

"A resistance group?"

"Group of Servants from Proper Human History rebelling against the Lostbelts, basically. Anyway, you joined us and we eventually formed a close friendship. Things got really desperate and you sacrificed yourself to protect us. I watched you disintegrate as you used your Noble Phantasm." Ritsuka said the last few parts with tears in her eyes, her voice quivering. "That's why I was so happy when I summoned you. I got to see you again, even if you might not remember me. You're here now, and that's all that matters to me."

"You're telling me I fought valiantly in Greece? Come on now, you've got to be kidding me." He almost laughed. Him, protecting someone? It sounded like she was talking about a real hero, not some nobody like him.

"I'm not!" Ritsuka said sternly, her orange eyes piercing his own with a hard stare.

Mandricardo sighed, smiling as he closed his eyes. So that's why he felt something familiar whenever he was around her, that warm fuzzy feeling in his mind. Maybe he was that same Mandricardo who protected his friend back in the Greek Lostbelt, just without the memories of it. If he did protect his allies, I guess that did make himself a hero. He wasn't a hero in life but if he did in fact protect Ritsuka from certain death in his next life, he was her hero. "Well, if what you say is true...this will be the first time I've been proud of myself. Thanks for letting me know, Master."

"You know I care about you, more than anything."

Mandricardo laughed, swinging his arm around Ritsuka's shoulders and pulling her close. They touched their heads together. "Master, our relationship might be a strange one, but keep on taking good care of me!"

"Of course."

The two of them laughed and joked around as they finished their cookies. As long as she had Mandricardo by her side, things would be okay.