After I met Merlin for a fourth time, I woke up, but nothing of note happened during this time. That is because I was forced to stay at home as Father and Saber went out at night to battle other Masters and their respective Servants. Three days have passed since then…
… And now I have returned to the park.
'Clink. Clack. Clink. Clack.' I swung on the swing set as it made the same repetitive sounds over and over. The harsh sounds hurt my ears. This was probably due to the kinetic energy decreasing from it being really cold. There's a chance it might break soon. Even still I waited patiently until-
"Manaka? What are you doing here? Tatsumi asked.
"I could say the same about you. Don't you remember?" I asked.
"Hmm. Oh right! You took my jacket!" Tatsumi replied.
"Wait. So, you didn't come here just now to ask for it back?" I asked.
"Nope. I completely forgot about it!" Tatsumi replied with a smile. Huh. I guess he just wanted to walk around.
"Anyway, here. You can have it back." I spoke as I handed him the jacket. While I did throw it out, to begin with, I fished it out of the trash and then cleaned it. After that, I hid it in my room so that Father wouldn't find it.
"B-But it was mine to begin with." Tatsumi muttered.
"Just take it already!" I snapped back.
"O-Ok." Tatsumi replied as he took back the jacket.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Silence went on for thirty seconds until-
"Sorry. I've just been so frustrated. Though that's no excuse to take it out on you. I'm really sorry about that." I spoke as I bowed toward him. That's right. I've been so frustrated over everything lately. I even snapped at Ayaka and told her that we weren't sisters. I told her that I was so sorry, and I didn't mean it, but I still deeply regret that.
"I-It's ok. Really. I'm used to getting yelled at." Tatsumi replied.
"Let me guess, your sister?" I asked.
"Correct! That girl has one hell of a temper. This one time I forgot to put the umbrella back where it belongs, and she got soaked. Then, she threw a rock at me! Compared to her you're an angel!" Tatsumi replied.
"Remind me not to get on your sister's bad side." I asked.
"Noted." Tatsumi replied.
"Hahaha." We laughed together.
"Just curious, what are you planning to do for the future?" I asked.
"You mean like my career choice?" Tatsumi asked.
"I-I guess." I replied.
"Hmm. I'm probably going to get a regular job at an office." Tatsumi replied.
"No offense, but that sounds really boring." I replied.
"None taken. To be honest I agree. The thing is I'm not really that good at anything. I'm terrible at sports and I'm just average at everything else. I've never really excelled at anything." Tatsumi admitted. I've felt the same way for a long time too. But I-
"Don't give up so easily." I replied.
"It's not like I wanted to give up. But I…" Tatsumi spoke but paused for a few seconds, so I cut him off.
"Let me tell you something. It's easy to give up. There was a time when I had given up on everything a long time ago. I didn't want to do anything. I just wanted to run away from it all." I admitted.
"And did you?" Tatsumi asked.
"I did. But I… found something to strive for. That's why I'm going to see it through. No matter what happens." I declared.
"And what is it?" Tatsumi asked.
"Hahaha…" I chuckled until-
"… That's a secret." I finished with a smile.
"Eh? Seriously?!" Tatsumi asked.
"Just kidding." I replied with a wink as I stuck out my tongue.
"The truth is… I want to be a Hero of Justice." I continued.
"Wow! Really?!" Tatsumi asked as he stood up.
"Y-Yeah. Is that surprising?" I asked.
"It is to me! Because that's my goal too! I also want to become a Hero of Justice!" Tatsumi replied.
"Eh? EH?!" I spoke as my face became as red as a tomato.
"It's the truth! Honest. I'm not trying to copy you or anything." Tatsumi replied.
"I-I believe you. But why didn't you say that before?" I asked.
"You didn't ask." Tatsumi replied.
"I did! When I asked you what you wanted to do in the future!" I replied.
"Oh, sorry. I thought you meant long-term." Tatsumi replied.
"I-I guess I should have been more specific." I admitted.
"Anyway, I doubt that I'll become one for a while. Once I'm an adult, I'll have to get a real job. Being a Hero of Justice isn't going to pay the bills, right?" Tatsumi asked.
"I-I guess, you're right." I replied with a pout. Though hopefully, I'll be able to go on adventures as I save people all around the world like Indiana Jones. Though that depends on if I survive this Grail War or not.
"Even still, I have a wish." Tatsumi spoke as my thought process was broken and I was brought back to reality.
"A-A wish?" I asked.
"Oh, um, forget you heard that." Tatsumi replied. Wait a second. Don't tell me he is a-
"I'm just going to be straight with you." I spoke as I stood up and got close.
"Y-Yeah?" Tatsumi asked.
"… Are you a Master?" I whispered in his ear.
"Huh? WHAT?!" Tatsumi yelled as he fell onto his ass.
"W-W-Why would you say that?! Master?! I've never heard of that word in my entire life! Hahaha…" Tatsumi spoke as he avoided eye contact and laughed awkwardly until-
"Ok. If you say so." I spoke as I started unbuttoning the top of my dress.
"W-W-WHY ARE YOU STRIPING?!" Tatsumi yelled.
"I'M NOT STRIPING! LOOK!" I snapped back.
"N-No! I refuse! I'm NOT a lolicon!" Tatsumi shouted as he waved his hands into the air so that he couldn't see me.
"I'M NOT TRYING TO FLASH YOU OR ANYTHING! JUST LOOK AT ME YOU BAKA!" I roared at the top of my lungs. A few seconds of silence passed until-
"F-Fine. I better not go to jail for this." Tatsumi replied as he was sweating bullets. But then…
"Y-Y-You are a…" Tatsumi spoke but paused for a second until-
"…MASTER?!" Tatsumi roared at the top of his lungs.
"Hey! Not so loud! Do you have a death wish or something?!" I snapped back.
"R-Right. Sorry." Tatsumi replied as he scratched the top of his head with a smile.
"Anyway, I've shown you mine so…" I spoke as I buttoned up the upper part of my chest until I paused for a second and approached Tatsumi. And then…
"… Now show me yours." I whispered into his ears seductively.
"Fine." Tatsumi replied as he ignored his temptations and took off his shirt.
"Eh? EH?! W-W-WHY ARE YOU STRIPING?!" I yelled out as I blushed like a tomato again.
"Says the girl who literally did the exact same thing." Tatsumi replied.
"Uh, no! I did NOT show you my boobs or anything! All I did was show you my upper chest! YOU are showing me much more! It's not the exact same thing in the slightest!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
"So what? Haven't you been to a pool before?! Guys show off this to girls all the time! So, it's fine!" Tatsumi snapped back.
"B-But I-I…" I spoke but I paused for a few seconds as the rest of the words wouldn't come out of my throat.
"What is it?" Tatsumi asked.
"… I've never been to a pool before. S-So, this is the first time… I've seen… a guy's chest." I admitted as I blushed like a tomato once more.
"Oh… I didn't know. Sorry." Tatsumi replied.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Silence went on for another thirty seconds until-
"… Lolicon." I muttered.
"I'M NOT A LOLICON!" Tatsumi roared at the top of his lungs.
"Anyway! Just look at my left shoulder!" Tatsumi continued.
"Oh, I see. Well, that confirms it. So, what's your Servant?" I asked.
"Um, I don't think I should tell you something so… important." Tatsumi replied.
"You don't trust me?" I asked.
"I never said that. Look. I'll at least tell you the Class of my Servant. His class is…" Tatsumi spoke but paused for a few seconds until-
"… Berserker." Tatsumi finished.
"Seriously? That's the last Class, I'd expect you to summon. I assumed you either summoned Rider or Archer." I admitted.
"It's the truth. And you?" Tatsumi asked.
"Saber!" I replied with a bright smile.
"S-S-SABER?! Y-Y-YOU MEAN THE SABER?!" Tatsumi asked.
"The one and only!" I replied with a smile.
"Jeez. You know that's the strongest Class, right?" Tatsumi asked.
"Duh! That's why I summoned Saber." I replied.
"I-I have a question." Tatsumi asked.
"Shoot!" I replied.
"What are you going to wish for? You know, to the Holy Grail?" Tatsumi asked.
"I want everyone… to have a happy ending when they die. That's what I want." I admitted.
"Ok." Tatsumi replied as he slapped his cheeks.
"Manaka!" Tatsumi continued as he grasped my shoulders.
"E-Eh?" I muttered as I stared at him like a deer in the headlights.
"Do you want to…" Tatsumi spoke but paused for a second as I closed my eyes.
"… Team up?" Tatsumi finished. And then…
'BAM!' I slammed my foot onto his.
"O-OW?! What was that for?!" Tatsumi yelled out.
"Baka. Lolicon. NEET." I snapped back with insults one after another as I blushed bright red.
"Hey! I might be a bit of an idiot. But I'm NOT a lolicon! And I'm especially NOT a NEET! I'm a high school student! I even have a part-time job for crying out loud!" Tatsumi shouted.
"Anyway, what do you say? It's ok if you want to refuse. But if we can get rid of the competition then I will gladly forfeit." Tatsumi admitted.
"R-Really? Y-You don't have to go that far!" I replied.
"I trust you. I believe in your words about giving everyone a happy ending before they die. I think it sounds really sweet. That's the only reason, Manaka." Tatsumi admitted.
"T-Tatsumi… you… baka." I spoke as tears dripped down my face.
"Woah! Why are you crying?!" Tatsumi spoke as he tried to console me. But then…
'BAM!' I slugged him right in the face!
"YOU. MADE. ME. CRY. YOU. BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I shouted at the top of my lungs as Tatsumi landed on the ground with a-
"Oof." Tatsumi groaned on the ground.
"Now get up." I spoke as I extended a hand toward him.
"I-I guess that's a, no?" Tatsumi replied as I pulled him back up.
"I never said no. I have to ask my Father. So, give me your number." I asked.
"R-Really? You are actually considering it?!" Tatsumi asked.
"Of course. I'm a heartless demon. I would say 'yes' right now. But I need my father's approval." I replied.
"I understand. Here." Tatsumi spoke as he wrote his phone number down in a flash on a piece of paper and handed it to me.
"Thanks. I'll contact you later about whether he says yes or no. Oh and one more thing…" I spoke as I paused for a few seconds.
"What is it?" Tatsumi asked as I stood up on my tippy toes. And then…
'Kiss.' I kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you for believing in me." I replied with a smile as I closed my eyes.
"Y-Y-Your welcome." Tatsumi replied as he was now blushing bright red.
"Bye-bye!" I finished as I ran off while waving goodbye. My only thoughts were-
'Oh my god! I-I-I kissed a guy! Wait till Aya-chan hears about this! Her reaction will be priceless!' I thought internally. But at the same time…
'Oh my god! A-A-A loli kissed me! I must never tell Tamaki! She's never let me hear the end of it!" Tatsumi thought internally. And then…
"Father! I'm home!" I yelled out as I opened the door to my Father's study. Both Father and Saber were already there. Perfect!
"Good. I was just about to leave." Hiroki spoke as he grabbed his briefcase.
"Wait!" I called out.
"Manaka, we've been over this before. You're to stay in the house while me and Saber deal with the other Masters and their Servants." Hiroki replied.
"But I have some information regarding one of the other Masters!" I revealed.
"What did you just s-" Saber spoke but he was cut off before he could finish.
"Go on." Hiroki demanded.
"Remember the park? The one we always go to?" I asked.
"What about it?" Hiroki asked.
"I met one of the Masters there. His name's Tatsumi Kitano! He's a really nice guy." I spoke as I blushed.
"Did you learn what Class his Servant is?" Hiroki asked.
"It's Berserker." I replied.
"That's what I thought." Hiroki replied.
"Huh?" I asked.
"Oh, right. Lancer, Assassin, Archer, and Rider have all been eliminated. That only leaves Berserker, Caster, and me." Saber admitted.
"D-Does that mean the Holy Grail War is almost over?!" I asked.
"Of course. With only two other Servants remaining. I can guarantee that it will end…" Hiroki spoke but paused for a second until-
"… by tomorrow." Hiroki finished.
"H-How are you so sure?" Saber asked.
"I already know that Caster is the Servant of Mr. Reiroukan. He will be defeated with ease. The only thing that concerns me is Berserker." Hiroki admitted.
"Don't worry! I got Tatsumi's phone number! If we team up with him then it will be two against one! Caster will be defeated for sure!" I shouted with excitement. This is it! Everything is going to end soon! I'll be able to claim the Grail soon! Which means…
… I'll finally be able to make up for killing the real Manaka.
"That's a great idea." My Father spoke as my thought process was broken and I was brought back to reality.
"R-Really?" I asked.
"That's right. Actually, I take back my prediction. It will definitely end tonight." Hiroki replied with a smile. H-He smiled at me. He hasn't done that in so long. Finally. I've finally become useful to father.
"Thank you! Thank you so much, Father!" I replied with a smile and tears of joy in my eyes while I hugged father.
"No. I thank you for giving me this information." Hiroki replied as he embraced me. After that a few hours passed by. I was then told to return to the study by Father. But then…
"Come on." Hiroki replied as he held out his hand toward me.
"Huh?" I asked.
"The time has come. Let's go Manaka." Hiroki replied.
"Sure!" I replied with a smile. Not only have I become useful to Father, but I will also soon be useful to Saber too! And I'll be able to team up with Tatsumi as well! This day can't get any better! In a few hours…
… I will be able to save everyone.
And after that, me, Saber, and Father all went in his car, and we drove into the city.
"Look at that, Saber! And that! And that! And that!" I excitedly spoke and pointed at everything that caught my eye. The neon lights, the cool buildings, the outfits people wore, I loved everything about Tokyo! However, we went past all the buildings and into a part of Tokyo that I've never seen before.
"What is this?" I asked.
"This is an abandoned part of Tokyo. I've already scheduled a meet-up with Tatsumi here." Hiroki replied.
"I-I see." I replied. Not going to lie. This part of Tokyo is really creepy. The buildings are all decaying. Their windows are broken. It's all giving me a bad feeling. But I'm sure that I'm just overthinking things, right?
"We're here." Hiroki spoke as my train of thought was broken and I was brought back to reality. Father then wordlessly parked the car.
"Let's go." Hiroki instructed as I opened the car door and got out of the car. Wow. That was a really long car ride. I wonder where Tatsumi is. I thought to myself as I stretched my arms and legs. And then…
"Manaka." Saber spoke as he grasped my shoulders.
"Y-Yes." I asked with a face that was bright red.
"… I think you should go home." Saber whispered into my ears.
"Huh?! What are you talking about?!" I yelled out.
"There you are!" A familiar voice yelled out. That was Tatsumi. He seemed a bit angry. Hopefully, we didn't make him wait too long.
"Sorry about the wait, Tatsumi!" I yelled as I brushed off Saber's hand and ran up to Tatsumi. And then…
"WHERE IS MY SISTER?!" Tatsumi shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Y-You mean Tamaki? I don't k-" I replied but I was cut off.
"Don't you dare play dumb! Stop lying to me already!" Tatsumi demanded.
"I-I don't understand." I muttered.
"I said don't play dumb! I thought we were friends, but you were lying to me about everything, weren't you?!" Tatsumi shouted.
"I-I didn't lie. Why are you so mad?" I asked as sweat dripped from my forehead and my heart was beating out of my chest. But then…
"Manaka never lied to you. Don't worry your sister is safe…" Hiroki spoke as he put a hand on my shoulder. Thank goodness. Father will be able to explain every-
"… But her safety will depend on how well you comply with my instructions." Hiroki continued. Huh? W-What did he just say?! 'Instructions?' What does he mean by his instructions?!
"What the hell do you want from me?!" Tatsumi shouted.
"It's very simple. Tell Berserker…" Hiroki spoke but paused for a few seconds until-
"… To kill himself." Hiroki finished. What? Why would he want Berserker to kill himself?! Tatsumi has already told me that he will forfeit the Grail! There's no reason to fight!
"Father! Tatsumi told me that he will-" I spoke but I was cut off.
"What will it be? Will you tell Berserker to kill himself or not? If you don't answer now, then I will-" Hiroki spoke but he was cut off.
"Fine. You win. Just… don't hurt Tamaki." Tatsumi begged.
"As long as you get rid of Berserker then your sister will live. I promise that." Hiroki replied.
"Ok… I'll do it. Berserker." Tatsumi spoke as his Servant Berserker materialized out of thin air. Berserker has the appearance of a young man in his early twenties with blond hair and an old-fashioned outfit along with a pair of glasses.
"B-B-Berserker…" Tatsumi spoke but paused for a second as he tried to get the words out of his throat. But then…
"Tatsumi. It's ok. I'm fine with dying as long as Hyde doesn't get unleashed. And if it's to save your sister, then even better. So do it… kill me." Berserker replied with a smile. Wait did he say Hyde?! Could he be Doctor Henry Jekyll?!
"… Alright. Berserker…" Tatsumi spoke as he was crying, and his left shoulder shined bright red until-
"… Kill yourself." Tatsumi finished as Berserker pulled out a knife. And then…
'STAB!' Berserker stabbed himself in the stomach.
'Drip. Drip. Drip.' Blood dripped out of Berserker's wound as he was rapidly disintegrating.
"I-I'm sorry. I'm really sorry, Berserker!" Tatsumi yelled out as tears ran down his cheeks.
"It's ok. You did the right thing. Now… you can return home. You can go back to being Tamaki's big brother. Now… farewell… Tatsumi." Berserker spoke as he continued to disintegrate until he vanished without a trace. Tatsumi stood there in a daze until-
"You got what you wanted. It's over. Now, release Tamaki." Tatsumi demanded.
"Of course. I'm a man of my word. It's done." Hiroki spoke as he typed something onto his pager and put it back into his pocket.
"I've even made sure that Tamaki won't remember a thing. She's completely one-hundred percent safe now. Your welcome" Hiroki continued.
"Like hell, I'm going to thank you after the shit you just pulled!" Tatsumi snapped back.
"Oh. But there was one thing you were wrong about…" Hiroki spoke as he opened the briefcase he was holding and pulled something out. And then…
'BANG!' Tatsumi was shot in the chest by…
"… And now it's over." Hiroki finished as the smoke from the gun he just fired to kill Tatsumi fizzled out into the air. What? What the hell just happened?! Why did…
… Father shoot Tatsumi?!
"Tatsumi! Please stay with me!" I yelled out as I tried to help him. But then…
"AAAUUUUGGHHHH! STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!" Tatsumi groaned in agony as he slapped my hand away. Blood was pouring out of his wound! If he doesn't get medical attention soon then he will d-
"KILL ME! KILL ME NOW!" Tatsumi screamed as he begged for death. Suddenly, Saber approached him and raised his sword into the air-
"SABER! STOP! PLEASE! PLEASE DON'T KILL TATSUMI!" I begged as I tears rushed out of my eyes.
"Do you have any last words?" Saber asked as he aimed his sword at Tatsumi's heart.
"I do. Manaka…" Tatsumi spoke before he paused for a few seconds until-
'I trust you. I believe in your words about giving everyone a happy ending before they die. I think it sounds really sweet. That's the only reason, Manaka.' I remembered his words. Those precious words that I was going to cherish until the end of time.
"… GO TO HELL YOU FUCKING WITCH! I HOPE YOU SUFFER A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH!" Tatsumi roared at the top of his lungs as I felt something inside me break into pieces. It was my heart. The words that I cherished were gone and replaced with this final wish of his.
"I'm sorry Manaka." Saber muttered. And then…
'STAB!' Saber stabbed Tatsumi in his heart. It was over in a flash. He didn't have time to scream because it was an instant death. And then…
… I fell onto my knees. I found myself thinking one thing and one thing only.
Is this…
Chapter 34: Is This Hell?
Hell?
"Manaka! I'm sorry. But with that wound he was going to die. He even begged for it. So, I put him out of his misery. Even so I regret doing i-" Saber spoke as he tried to comfort me but I immediately swatted his hand away.
"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME, YOU MURDERER!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
"Manaka. Get up. It went all according to plan. I couldn't have done this without you. Good job." Hiroki spoke as his words pierced my chest like the bullet, he used to kill Tatsumi with.
"WHY WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING SO CRUEL?! TATSUMI DID NOTHING WRONG! HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE!" I roared at the top of my lungs.
"What are you talking about? He was a Master. He could have backstabbed us at any time. His death was necessary." Hiroki replied.
"NECESSARY?! HE GAVE UP! THERE WAS NO REASON TO KILL HIM!" I snapped back as Father picked up his briefcase and started walking away from me.
"I don't need to hear the words of a child who doesn't know how the real world works. In war, people die. It's the price they pay for joining it." Hiroki declared as he took out a cigarette, lit it, and then smoked it.
"BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS TO DIE IN WAR! SO WHY DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE THIS WAR HELL?!" I roared once more. And then…
"Hahaha…" Hiroki chuckled until-
"Are you joking? You really are a foolish child, aren't you?" Hiroki asked.
"W-What do you me-" I spoke but he cut me off before I could finish.
"War is hell. People are killed one after another. They never see their loved ones ever again because of it. People can try and say, 'They died for a cause.' But all they really died for was to make rich people's wallets even bigger…" Hiroki spoke but paused for a second until-
"… War is all about making the rich even richer. That's the ugly truth about war that people ignore. That's why they try to defend it. Because deep down in their hearts they know that the person they loved died for absolutely nothing. That's why…" Hiroki continued but paused once more until-
"… War is hell. There's never been a war that wasn't hell on earth. And there never will be one that's not hell." Hiroki finished as he threw his cigarette onto the ground and stepped on it.
"… That's it. I can't take this anymore." I muttered as I stood back up.
"M-Manaka, please ju-" Saber spoke but it was already too late, and I cut him off.
"… I'm done." I declared as I ran away into the darkness of the pitch-black night. For the second time in my life, I've decided that I'm going to run away from everything. I guess old habits really do die hard.
"MANAKA! WAIT!" Saber yelled out but I was already gone. And I'm never coming back.
"Let her go. She'll come back. She always does." Hiroki declared as he pulled out another cigarette, lit it, and smoked it.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Why would you put your own daughter through that hell?!" Saber snapped back. And then…
"That girl…" Hiroki spoke but paused for a second as he let out a puff of smoke until-
"… Is not my daughter." Hiroki finished as he walked away, got in his car, and drove away into the darkness of the night.
'BAM!' A loud noise was unleashed as everything turned grey and time stopped. And then…
"Father… he's such a cruel bastard." I muttered as I clenched my fists so hard that they bled.
"Next." Bernkastel replied as she snapped her fingers. And before I knew it…
… time skipped forward to another event.
