Clack clack clack.

The sound of her footsteps were drowned by the crowds. The streets were especially busy at the moment, the air alive with chatters and rustles. The young blonde woman was twitchy, her senses perked up. She knew it wasn't likely that anyone would poke their noses into her business, but she couldn't help not to get so insecure. What if by the next intersection Shiro would appear from the turns and bump into her, or Sakura met her by that shop then decided to tag along, or Rin suddenly popped out of nowhere and asked her things?

Saber sighed as she slowed her pace, trying to calm her nerves down. They had been particularly… curious, about her relationship with Gilgamesh, yes, but she was just being overly paranoid. The garden café that would be her meeting place with her old friend, Irisviel, was just around the corner. She shouldn't get so worried about this, she thought; she knew she was acting silly, but still…

One month after her last encounter with Gilgamesh, Saber finally saved up enough money to buy something as her return gift for Gilgamesh's birthday. But upon walking through the shops, she realized that she had no idea what to get. Coming home feeling really stupid, she spent the night browsing the internet for a better idea—looking at online shops and random articles on men's favourite thing; but still had no luck of any discovery.

After weeks of fruitless pondering, Saber couldn't find a single thing that might do the job. She was so desperate by then, hopeless and confused, that she finally got her ego down enough to ask for her old friend's help. Irisviel von Einzbern—a business woman in the age of 30, who was also Shiro's foster mother—was mature and wise—but fun and young for someone her age. Long years of friendship with Shirou had brought the two as close as real family. As of late, Irisviel's business began to wind up and Saber seldom had a chance to talk with her and discuss things like she used to. But the woman was one of the few she trusted, and as busy as she was, Saber knew she would be able to count on her.

Before long, Saber found herself seated by the window at the corner of the café, looking absently at the side garden and flipping through the menu with false patience. A waitress came to pick up her orders. She came little too early, Saber noticed as she gazed at the clock. Might as well enjoy the tea and have a moment of peace, she decided as she took in the calm atmosphere of the café.

Her thoughts wandered. There was so much yet to be resolved. The month was almost up, she had close to no idea about the present, and the reason of Gilgamesh's antics still puzzled her. She promised her mother to learn from him but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed impossible. It seemed as if around he did nothing but irritate and play with her like the self-conceited prick he was—and occasionally do some very questionable things.

She had tried browsing around the internet(as the golden bastard had said, gathering information about your enemy was a necessary thing to do) but it seemed that her skills in that field were far below him for she could only gather little bits of information: that the man was the son of the billionaire Shamash Accadia, he once got to the final of a chess competition(which was quite the accomplishment although he never showed up at the final thus not winning anything) and despite being the same age as herself, he was an upperclassman. No articles had mentioned him managing any business(although he did well in some business papers challenges—which was not particularly surprising for her) and the game company she thought he managed listed his father as the director—and none of the blonde man's name was in the boards of directors nor development crew. No one wrote about his delinquent life, too. That confused her—he was just a normal young highschoolar with some accomplishments; period.

But her experiences with him told the exact otherwise. How was that possible? Did he lie to her, or did she mistook any of the information in the wrong way?

And she didn't even find any hints to his interests; his social media account was barren and private; and she would never consider sending him a friend request.

She expected for him to suddenly pop out of nowhere while she wandered around the city some days after school, dumbly looking for something interesting to give him, but—luckily—she hadn't seen him once since the day before her birthday. No duels, no crazy outings, not even an annoying text message—he just disappeared, and since then, the southern delinquents had been acting up. She had knocked down several guys in over four accidents in the last month alone, and at other encounters, glared as she spat ultimatums until the other party backed off—scaring them off with her reputation. It had gotten a little tedious. She hated to admit, but Gilgamesh's presence seemed to play a big rule to keep them from misbehaving.

But the King of the District was gone. She supposed he might be busy with some serious business project, or things of the sort, wearing suits like an actual decent man. The thought almost amused her.

Or he found a new person to fiddle around with. That would be nice, she said to herself. It wasn't like the things he gave her had any meaning to him with all his riches—and he was just a bored mighty self-conceited man. Before long he'd lose interest in her, and she would get her peaceful life back again…

It might turn a little dull, but it would be nice.

When her ringtone suddenly resounded, Saber's nerves was so prickly she almost jumped out in surprise. On the screen was a phone number she didn't recognize. Furrowing her brows, she answered the call anyway.

''Hello?''

''Bonjour, Miss Saber! It's me!''

The voice at the end of the line was oddly familiar. She could hear the faint sound of waves as she tried to figure out what was going on. However Saber was still feeling a little distracted.

''Yes? Who is this?''

''It's Enkidu. Do you remember me?''

Once again Saber felt like tumbling from her seat. ''Enkidu? Of course I remember you—wait, how did you get my number?''

Thoughts crossed Saber's head as her memories replayed. Enkidu—the beautiful green-haired man—was his acquitance, she had to remind herself. As nice as he seemed to be, Saber had grown a serious trust issue for things that had anything to do with Gilgamesh. It wouldn't really surprise her if Enkidu were to also have a strange hobby of some kind.

''Oh, I just browsed through Gil's phone is all. Almost got myself killed, but it's all worth it.''

''You almost what?''

''Metaphorically, of course. So anyway, how are you? How have it been going?''

Saber weighed her answers. ''I am fine, and things are good,'' she answered unsurely.

A light laugh resounded. ''That's good to hear, but you know that is not what I meant. Ten days again, hmm?''

''Oh. Um.'' Saber cleared her throat as his tone struck her. ''Uh, well, I… am still preparing, yes.''

''Preparing? You mean, you haven't figured out what to give yet, then.''

''I… am afraid so. I haven't really start searching,'' she lied, trying not to sound too frustrated. ''Well, I'm planning to browse around tomorrow and buy something suitable, that is unique and—up to his tastes.''

''Ah, it seems that you're doing well on your own. I thought you might be troubled, but I'm glad. At least you seem to know his tastes, at least. Well then, see you. Can't wait—''

''Actually,'' she cut, ''—I am not very troubled, but I do lack the knowledge about… that man's tastes,'' she had to admit. She might not get another chance to ask him, Saber realized as she mustered her courage. It felt weird to ask the opinion of a man she barely know about one of her most embarrassing secrets, but her pride had to wait. He was the one who told her his birthday, anyway. ''D-do you suppose you can recommend me something that he likes, Enkidu?''

A chuckle resounded. ''Of course I will gladly help you,'' Enkidu sounded strangely pleased, but reassuring. ''Let's see, what Gil likes… He likes games. He wouldn't spend so much time on that game company otherwise.''

''Games. I see,'' Saber repeated. Well, she could buy him a game, then. But most games that she liked were from his company, and buying a game from his competitor's company would be a little ridiculous. Sure, it might help him to measure his competitors, but…

''Do you know what games he have played recently, then? So I can consider what to buy?''

''I am afraid I don't know, Miss Saber,'' he replied sheepishly after a short pause.

''Ah. That's a pity,'' she replied. Remembering her researches, Saber considered to ask the man about it. ''Anyway, Enkidu, about that company… I am curious about something.''

''Hmm? What is it that you want to know?''

''Is Gilgamesh the manager of that game company? He mentioned being a company manager once, and it seemed that way, but… I might have jumped into conclusions.''

There was a short silence as the man seemed to consider his answer. ''Why would you ask that?''

''I just stumbled upon the website, and I did not find his name in the board of directors,'' Saber answered carefully.

''Well, Miss Saber… about that, I'm afraid that it's best to ask Gilgil personally.'' Enkidu sounded apologetic. ''I am sorry. It's just that the matter is a little complicated.''

That confused her as well as ashamed her. It was clearly none of her business to probe into. ''Ah, I am sorry for asking. Is there something else that Gilgamesh likes, then?'' she asked, reverting back the topic.

''No, no, it's okay! Normally I'd be happy to answer you, but I feel as if you'd be better off learning about it on your own. Now let's see… Uh, well… he likes chess, too.''

Saber recalled the information she had gotten, feeling a little accomplished. But alas, the info didn't spark any idea.

''And wine! Gil loves high quality wines.''

''…aren't we still under-aged?''

''Ah.'' He sounded sheepish. ''That might be my bad influence. And Kirei's. Ahaha.''

Saber decided not to ask. ''Anything else, perhaps?''

''Hmm, Gilgamesh is also somewhat interested in humans. People. Psychology and human nature. He talks a lot about it. And fighting; he loves fighting.''

''I… don't know what to make of that,'' Saber replied. Would Gilgamesh read a book about psychology, she wondered? Buying a sword such as her precious present from her mother would require a lot of cash—which she didn't have, and granting him a duel was too silly and unfair to even think about.

''He likes lions too. Once he wanted to have a pet lion. Not sure if he was kidding or not, though. But that'd be a nice gift.''

''Enkidu, please. Is it even legal?''

''Not really—I don't know. Sorry. I was half kidding.''

That didn't help. Saber pondered inside her mind. ''How about you, Enkidu? What do you plan to get for Gilgamesh? What do you usually, um, give? It might inspire me.''

''Me?'' A short silence ensued. ''Well, once I gave him a really cool robot he wanted but that was when we were kids. Nowadays we just agree to go somewhere and have a really good time. We eat and catch up with each other—well, basically we just agree to hang out at least once a year now that we live so far apart for the most part and you know, talk about business and things—and we take turns paying for the other's expenses.''

Saber hummed at the suggestion. ''What kind of places do you two usually go to?''

There was another short silence. ''Um. Well, just short trips to interesting places like Bali, London or Macau. We usually do business visits and surveys as well while we're at it. There was that one time when we went to the North Pole, too, and fished for dinner. Apparently ice-fishing is boring and we almost froze our fingers off. Another time we almost got thrown into the Amazon River so I really don't recommend it.''

And for so many reasons. Saber sighed and rubbed her temples. What was up with the two, really? It was beyond abnormal, and not to mention—how filthy rich were they?

''Well, it's a shame, but... surely I cannot do the same.''

''I suppose so. But actually, I think a simple date from you would suffice—''

''A simple what?'' Saber could feel her cheek burning even as she made a deadpan face, keeping her voice even. ''No, there will be no date.''

''Aw—that's a shame. How about a kiss? I'm sure he would like that.''

'' That will never happen.''

''Come on, Miss Saber, it's simple, quick, and it doesn't give you much trouble.''

''No, Enkidu.''

''Even if it's just a little kiss on the cheek? I mean, that's a downgrade, but—''

''Not a chance,'' Saber answered in a deadly tone. She was beginning to think that he came through the trouble of phoning her just to suggest the thing. ''Anyway, Enkidu, I thank you for your help.''

Enkidu sighed guiltily. ''Forgive me. I am not of much use.''

''No, you are most helpful,'' Saber had to smile. ''You gave me a clearer picture. Thank you for your concerns.''

''You're welcome. Please contact me if you ever need help. And good luck.''

''Yes, I will. Thanks again.''

Saber closed her phone with a sigh. If anything, the talk she had with Enkidu made her even more confused—although it did give her some doubtful ideas. Perhaps tomorrow she should browse the mall once again…

The woman looked at her empty cup of tea. It was fifteen minutes past their meeting time, and still no sign of Irisviel. She was wondering if she was busy and if she should cancel their meeting when a familiar figure of a woman opened the café door with a soft clank and strode elegantly towards where she sat.

''Saber!'' A soft, firm voice greeted Saber, and she smiled.

''Iri.''

Notes :

In the Epic of Gilgamesh, Shamash is the Sun God, who gave protection and helps to Gilgamesh in his Adventures. Accadia-the family name-is from 'Akkadia', the source of the 'Epic of Gilgamesh'.

Uh...what else?

A/N : Heyy-uh, I'm sorry again. Really, really sorry. TwT

I'm a lazy bum, uncreative lazy procrascinator. You know I have written this chapter twice, each time not really sure what to do…then the files were gone in a computer error, twice. (along with my other drafts—original,fics,even novel drafts…I haven't written in months.)

I am recovering, but I can't say much :3 my grammar and vocab is a mess, teehee. So I won't be giving you false hope but this chapter is actually just a part of a longer one(because it got too long I separated it, but the second part isn't yet done). And I have one more filler chapter(not really) on the go. So yeah. Wish me luck!

Once again, I am truly sorry. Your words of encouragement and reviews really pulled me from this well XD please point out grammar and storyline mistakes, I must admit I might have forgotten some details.(I recall the span between Saber and Gil's birthday being two months?)

Critiques and suggestions are highly appreciated!

Thanks for reading this far, hope you enjoyed it!