After the party disguised as Christmas, peace has returned to Chaldea.
"Dumpty, you look like you're in a good mood."
"Do I?"
"And you're still as compact as ever."
"Haha, that's one thing, and this is another. Who knows? I might get jumped after the party tonight..."
"Your dark side is as present as ever."
It had been a while since Ritsuka and I walked together alone. It was just a regular daily conversation—as a senior, I had things to teach her, and I wanted to see how she was doing lately.
"What do you want to eat today, Ritsuka?"
"I want some simple home-style cooking for a change!"
"Home-style, huh... Maybe I'll go with a simple set meal today too."
Thinking of eating something light, I entered the cafeteria. The kitchen staff were the usual faces, but...
"What are you doing?"
"Heroine X Alter has been like this for a while. She was this type back in the original Chaldea too, and she's the same case here. I've just given up at this point."
"You've got it rough."
She really acts like a child for her age, doesn't she? X Alter... I wonder when I should summon my version. Actually, I want to summon Saber Alter too, but I feel like I'd get confused...
"You've arrived, my husband."
"You're here, Master!"
"What's this? Morgan and the Valkyries? What are you all doing here?"
"I came to cook for my husband."
"Same for us! Just leave it to us Valkyries!"
"Ah... yeah. Just a normal set meal, please. You know what I mean, right?"
""...""
They looked quite troubled at the mention of 'normal.'
"Normal, is it... that's difficult."
"That's a tough puzzle. Thrud, what constitutes a normal set meal?"
"I am currently searching..."
"Hildr, what do you think of the menu listed here?"
This isn't going to be easy.
"Everyone, step back. I shall teach you. You want a Korean-style meal, correct?"
"Yes, please, Benienma."
Eventually, Benienma stepped forward and helped Morgan and the Valkyries. A moment later, the Valkyries flew over and set the table piece by piece. These Valkyries are overwhelming in a different sense.
Then, Morgan and the Valkyries sat down next to me.
Ritsuka, sitting across from me, gave a sheepish smile and started eating first. I've made her feel awkward...
"Now, say ahhh~"
"I'll just eat by myself."
"Hmph..."
Refusing the Valkyries' service, I ate with my own hands. Still, it's definitely that 'ordinary' flavor I wanted. The taste of a home-cooked meal. As expected of Benienma.
"Hm? What is it, Morgan? Do you hate spinach?"
"...A little."
"Being a picky eater isn't good. What will Baobhan Sith learn from watching you?"
So the Queen is a picky eater.
"...Good grief."
I had no choice but to eat Morgan's spinach for her. It's so good when you eat it with rice.
Sharing small talk, we were able to finish our meal even more peacefully than usual.
After parting ways with Ritsuka, I walked down the hallway alone. I headed to the library for a bit, where I found Ushigozen, Sakura, Jeanne (Lancer), and Taiga.
"What are you all doing?"
"I was teaching them! Despite how I look, I am a teacher! Though technically not as Jaguar Man, but still~"
"Ah, that's right."
She might be Jaguar Man now, but Taiga was originally a teacher. And since Jaguar Man is another aspect of a certain Divine Spirit, she knows quite a lot.
"I may not know modern knowledge, but I know basic study methods. In particular, Sakura still has much to learn regarding literacy."
"That's true. It's Japanese, after all."
Japanese consists of Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, so writing and reading is difficult. They say you have to be about a high schooler to really read a novel properly. Sakura is only five years old...
God, I'm trash.
"Then Jeanne is..."
"Ahem... I thought I should study as well. Black Jeanne says things to me quite often... calling me embarrassing..."
"Not knowing is not a sin; refusing to learn is. This is a good look, Jeanne. Your will to learn is excellent."
"But Dumpty, why did you come here?"
"I just came to pick out a book to read."
I went straight to the shelf and pulled a book out.
"Well, study hard~"
"Wait! Dumpty... if I do well on a test this time, will there be... a prize or something?"
"A prize? Hmm... want to go to an amusement park later? There's a place called Oniland."
"An amusement park...! Yes!"
She really is just a kid. An amusement park... to be honest, I never liked them much.
The atmosphere was nice when I was a child, but the prices were too high and the system made you wait in line for way too long...
Because of that, I preferred places like Children's Grand Park~ I liked going to the zoo more.
Thinking about the past while walking down the hall, I saw Morgan and Baobhan Sith walking together in a friendly manner. And...
Saber Alter was looking bewildered, suddenly finding her 'older sister' with a daughter she didn't know about.
Well, this is the Lostbelt version, after all. There's no way she ever saw a gentle motherly side to that woman.
"Hey, Mother!"
"Is that you, Mordred? What is it?"
Just then, another 'daughter' appeared.
"Father said to play a game together later. You're coming too, right, Mother?"
"A game... why a game all of a sudden?"
"It's called Longvinter; it's what's hot lately! You liked Animal Crossing, right, Mother? It's similar!"
"...Is that so. That doesn't sound too bad."
"If Mother is doing it, I'm doing it too!"
"That's the spirit! Let's get going!"
Looking at the harmonious British family almost brought a tear to my eye.
"...."
"...Are you being left out?"
"Shut up."
And then there was Saber Alter, who looked like she was feeling somewhat isolated.
I went into my room, and as soon as I entered, our 'Lava Swimming Club' members revealed themselves from all over the place as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kiyohime crawled out from under the bed holding a plate of sliced apples.
Raikou came out of the bathroom, lifted me up as I was opening my book, sat me in a chair, and hugged me.
Serenity descended from the ceiling, bringing a purple drink. Kiyohime stabbed an apple with a fork and put it in my mouth, and I drank the beverage Serenity offered.
Mm, Welch's.
Next, a lump swelled up under the blankets, and Van Gogh appeared. Gogh sat on the bed with a smile and started sketching me while I sat there.
Just the usual daily life.
Whirrr~
Then, the door opened without a knock, let alone my permission.
"Hey, Junior. You got time?"
"Senior, please knock."
"Humans still care about such trivial things, I see?"
"If someone snuck into your room while you were sleeping and just sat there watching you breathe, would you feel good about it?"
"You don't seem to mind."
"That's a low blow... using facts like that."
Since it was something I dealt with every day, my words had zero effect.
"Whatever, come with me."
"For what?"
"What else! It's a date!"
"You're surprisingly blunt today."
"You have to be direct for things like this to register with you."
"Ah, fine. Let me just finish reading this."
"...Alright."
My Senior sighed and lowered her head. She's probably used to my attitude by now.
I went back to reading, while Raikou rubbed her cheek against my head, Kiyohime sat on my lap, and Serenity and Gogh hugged me from both sides.
I finished the book while spending time like usual.
"I never expected a tomato flying at 160 km/h to kill the protagonist at that point."
"What kind of books are you even reading..."
"They're quite interesting. Shall we go?"
After saying goodbye to the girls, I followed my Senior down the hallway.
"So, what are we going to do?"
"Eat food, watch a movie... isn't that what you do? Since it's a date."
"The classic route."
Since we were in Chaldea, we headed to the cafeteria. This time, Shiki was in the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?"
"I was bored."
"I see. Give me a burger set."
"Sure, I'll make one. Hup."
With a flash of light, a burger set appeared.
"Wow, true creation."
"Could you please not use your power for stuff like this...?"
"It's not like I have anywhere else to use it, right?"
Taking the burger made that way, we sat down in suitable seats and ate.
"She kept nitpicking the movie I specifically chose, you know? Really~ what's her problem?"
"I'm sure you chose a great one, Senior."
I spent time with my cute Senior.
Afterward, we went to her room.
"So, what movie are we watching?"
"This one. They say it was number one at the box office."
The movie Senior showed me was The Marvels.
"...Senior, what exactly did you bring?"
"Why? People said Marvel is usually pretty fun?"
"Senior, have you even seen the MCU?"
"No?"
Sigh...
"...Throw that trash away and let's watch The Roundup instead."
"What~ but I went through the trouble of getting it!"
"The whole movie is basically just 'Black Girl Magic,' so don't watch it."
"Then how about The Little Mermaid? I heard this was popular among humans?"
"I'd rather watch Uhm Bok-dong... throw them all away."
"Pout..."
What am I going to do with this Senior...