Fuyuki City. Shinto.
Shinto was the newest district in the city. It was the beginning of a large-scale redevelopment project funded by the local government to build a modern business district. The locals wanted to give their city a new look, make it modern. So far it wasn't fully completed but already had features like a park and shopping center in front of the train station. While all of them weren't finished, people were already milling about these places en masse.
And of course, Nobunaga wanted to visit them too.
Lelouch sighed as he followed his Servant inside the shopping centre known as Verde. Personally, he didn't want to be there, but after last night, the redhead woman deserved some rest. Not to mention, at the moment, their new friend was still unconscious. There was also a chance the mad knight would attack Servants if they came too close to his master.
Lelouch didn't want to risk having Berserker attack Nobunaga. He needed to gain new allies, not lose his only reliable one in this war. And since Lancer was dead, Kayneth was the optimal choice to leave Kariya with.
'No doubt, Kayneth will try to make a deal with the man once he wakes up. And only after that, he will call us.' Such was atypical for any schemer still aiming to win this war, regardless of the fact he had a Servant or not. Kayneth still had his command seals as well as they spares they exploited from the priest as well. Lelouch didn't expect it to happen, he was counting on it. 'Still, I know that this Kariya wants to kill Tokiomi badly. Something to do with this Sakura kid who was sold off. Even if Kayneth will try anything funny, I can counter it.'
Without Lancer, Kayneth wasn't as useful to him as before. They both knew it. The Demon Emperor was sure the British magus would try to make a deal behind his back to get one over him, but Lelouch didn't worry about it too much. After all, Kayneth's own fiancé was still furious at the magus.
'Hmph. I'm sure Sola-Ui won't forget our little chat.'
"What are you smirking about, Lelouch?" he schooled his features before turning towards his own Servant. Nobunaga was in her casual clothes, ice cream in her hand. After testing it once, the Demon King quickly fell in love with the cold dessert. "Not war-related business, I hope. I'd rather you didn't ruin our outing with such thoughts."
"What else can I think about?" He said with a light sigh, knowing where she was coming from but pointedly going at it at his own pace despite it. "We must use this time to come up with a plan to deal with other Servants. Now that Caster and Lancer are dead, our biggest obstacle is—"
"I get that it's important and all," her interruption had him blinking. "But, Lelouch, you need a little break too."
Leave it to the Servant to be able to gauge the obvious. Replying, he shrugged back, "I thought we're only here because you need to rest up after using your noble phantasm."
Her noble phantasm, Pāpīyas Metamorphosis, was a highly unstable Reality Marble. Her words, not his as he wasn't even aware of the true extents of what Reality Marbles were capable of.
It was a type of attack akin to powerful bursts of strength and mystical energy, not a fairly sustainable assault. Although powerful in its own right, Avenger could only reveal it for a short period of time, hence Nobunaga having a hard time using it too often. However, it wasn't an issue of mana according to her.
Nobunaga never felt like she was running out of magical energy with Lelouch. She was a little confused on why Lelouch never felt drained from her mana consumption, especially after Avenger used her most powerful trick. Yet Lelouch didn't know either. Being an outlier of this world, it was natural he'd be lacking in knowledge about the nature of his relation to magic.
Asking Kayneth about it might be risky. If the magus learned that her Lelouch had enough mana to fully supply Avenger yet not know how to fully comprehend such inadequacy, he might try something dangerous. Going behind their backs was a given. They were rivals as well as allies in this war. But to allow it to happen because of a slip of tongue wouldn't be permitted.
Then again, perhaps Avenger's master had secrets that even he wasn't aware of. He had been plopped here from another world after all. Such intricacies like the difference between his current body and the former he died in were still unanswered questions even to himself.
However, it didn't change the fact that she, and by extension, Lelouch as well, deserved a little rest.
"Come on, Lelouch. Relax a little, will you?"
"You're the one who did all the hard work yesterday, Nobunaga. Compared to yourself, I haven't done much to warrant lazing about—"
"Nope." Avenger simply said while her master stared at her with blunt confusion.
"What—?"
"We both need a day off, so don't try to convince me otherwise." Her persistence prevented him from asking anything else. Avenger smirked before taking his hand and walking ahead of him. Lelouch tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen. "Caster, Assassins and Lancer are already gone. Neither Saber nor Rider will bother us in the middle of the day. And that gold bastard would most likely still be pissed off and looking out for Berserker. No one will care about us unless we provoke them or until nightfall. Take this moment to relax, why don't you? I want to enjoy it with you as well."
"But why?" was the only question he had.
Nobunaga stopped and glanced at him. Lelouch was taken aback when her stare was less the smirk of the foolish Daimyo and something warmer… a worried gaze, so to speak.
"Because I saw what happened the last time you pushed yourself too far, Lelouch." Tapping her head, he realized what she meant. "Say what you want, but I don't want my master to do something so risky."
Lelouch's expression stiffened before letting out a sigh.
"You're talking about Zero Requiem again." No matter what he said to her, his Servant wouldn't be convinced. She nodded.
"You need to stop and enjoy yourselves while you can. I know what fatigue does to a man during war. Taking what rest you can is important especially during conflict."
Wise words of advice came from one who was just as, if not more, experienced in leading as he. During her life, Avenger made sure her armies were in top condition during her campaigns. Of course, it wasn't always the case. Either circumstances prevented it or her temper would force soldiers to fight without end, but right now Nobunaga had a moment and desire to relax.
She would very well make sure Lelouch did too.
Her master wanted to complain, but he suspected his Servant wouldn't take refusal for an answer. Lelouch let out yet another sigh before silently following after her.
Both of them made their way deeper inside the shopping centre. It was still a day and this place was full of people. Many stopped to look at them. In the eyes of simple folk, both Lelouch and Nobunaga not only appeared to be foreign tourists, but they also looked like a couple of models.
Neither demons paid them any mind, continuing to walk on.
Soon they found themselves in front of a record store. Lelouch didn't find anything unique about this place, but Nobunaga couldn't help but stare with amazement at everything on display. He had little choice when she dragged him here, and even less when she eagerly brought them inside.
He had to admit, it was a funny sight. The famous Japanese Daimyo was looking around this place with sparkles in her eyes. However, what caught her attention was the music that was playing inside the store. She asked the nearest staff member.
"What is the name of this song?"
"Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana." answered the bald man in sunglasses with a beard." It might be three years old but still a rock'n'roll classic. You like it?"
"Rock'n'roll," Nobunaga said slowly. The Grail never provided her with this knowledge since it wasn't important, but she would disagree. Avenger didn't know why but she was loving it. "I love it! What about you, Lelouch?"
"Hm. I rarely listen to this genre. I prefer classical music." Lelouch was a prince and was raised according to royal standards. Something like rock'n'roll seemed too barbaric for royalty, at least, in the eyes of his tutors at the time. While he stopped caring about his lineage after being sent to die in Japan, Lelouch continued to prefer classical music above others. The soothing nature of it was ingrained into his senses. The store owner snorted.
"I see that both you and your boyfriend aren't very familiar with rock'n'roll. If you want to experience the best, I recommend section B," the owner said, pointing behind them.
"Oh, we aren't a coup—Oy!" Lelouch tried to clear up a misunderstanding but Avenger didn't let him. The female Servant quickly grabbed his hand and dragged her master towards the directed section.
"Thanks!" she said enthusiastically as Nobunaga and Lelouch walked away. Once they were near it, her crimson eyes started to wander around, darting to and fro various disc records in quick succession. She carefully picked each of them, memorizing the titles before moving to the next one. She glanced at her partner. "Can we buy them?"
"All of them?" Lelouch asked with a perplexed expression. It turned even more perplexed when she nodded. Glancing at the cost of one and mentally calculating the total had the boy biting his tongue. "They aren't cheap, you know? Not to mention we don't have a gramophone for them."
"Oh," Nobunaga looked down before quickly adding with a mumble. "We can steal them." She was a ruler of Japan and everything belonged to her so there was nothing wrong with taking it. However, Lelouch gave her a pointed look. The Daimyo sighed dejectedly at the upright moral he wordlessly upheld. "Fine. I won't steal them."
As she started putting them back on the shelf one by one, she heard a tired exhalation from the boy.
"Haaah, they should have something else. Wait here." Lelouch said before walking back to the owner. Nobunaga watched as they talked about something. The older man nodded and left. Not a minute later, he'd come back with something in his hands. Her master smiled and paid for something before walking back to her. As he approached her, Lelouch gave her a strange black device. "Here."
"What is it?" Avenger asked as she eagerly yet carefully studied the little device.
"A portable CD player, Discman. It's still the 20th century for this world and people haven't developed smartphones or mp3 players yet, but this thing should suffice for now." Lelouch noticed that his companion still didn't understand the purpose of the little thing in her hands. With a smirk, he added. "You can use it to play music like the one you heard earlier."
The childish eagerness in Avenger's eyes sparkled as she glanced from the CD player to him. There was something amusing about seeing the normally deadly and ruthless Nobunaga act like the unassuming young woman that she was.
Before she could ask for the obvious, Lelouch handed over a few compact discs, a selection of her new favourite genre of music. Nobunaga didn't waste a moment and immediately put on the headphones and started to listen. She closed her eyes and silently enjoyed this new music, going so far as to dance in place with the balls of her feet.
Back in Avenger's day, she had to order servants to play tunes for her. But comparing what was actually played and what she was listening to now, the music of the past couldn't compare to this.
There was something majestic about it, she felt like her heart was on fire. It had always burned with the flames of vengeance, as her class implied. But the passion sparked by the tunes were something far, far different. As she listened to the rock'n'roll, it reminded her of her many battles, but not in the same sense as mere reminiscing.
Nobunaga remembered her first charge into the violent fray. The adrenaline, the drive to survive hell, the battle high she'd get drunk on as the conflict raged. How she would destroy her foes as they came after her, one after the other or in droves. All for them to die at her feet as she marched on ahead, a survivor. In those moments, she never felt more alive.
And despite not being in the midst of a battle at this very moment, she was able to relive the same tension, the same high she'd only ever found in combat.
"... Humanity has indeed come a long way." A small smile formed on her face. "This is… far more breathtaking than I expected. Thank you, Lelouch."
'She's genuinely happy? Interesting.' But unlike Nobunaga who was lost in sentimental reminiscing, the boy's logical and analytical mindset was yet to relax anytime soon as he studied the Servant's odd reaction. 'Then again I suspect many famous historical figures would be amazed by modern technological achievements.'
He wondered how Thomas Edison would view the world now. Hell, he wondered how both Edison and Tesla would react should they see the world applying not just one but both their ideas. His lessons in Ashford academy certainly impressed upon him and his fellow students that the grand innovations of the present would no doubt shock those of the past.
That Oda Nobunaga, a simple warrior-turned-conqueror, would be impressed by the vast cultural changes her once-feudal homeland underwent through participating in the globalized economy should come as no surprise.
"You're welcome. You can enjoy yourself as much as you want. You deserve it after winning for us last night anyways." Lelouch smiled before his eyes caught something. "Say, are you hungry?"
Nobunaga blinked but nodded. Besides breakfast and the delicious yet unfulfilling trap that was ice cream, she hadn't had anything else to eat. Her master smiled, this time taking her hand and leading her towards a special place.
Avenger didn't protest but followed her master with curious eyes, intrigued at the sudden initiative he took to lead for a change. Nobunaga wouldn't hesitate to admit. This day was pleasing enough as it was. She discovered something new and amazing, plus it seemed her master was enjoying himself as well.
"Here we are."
"A… pizzeria?"
"Yeah. I feel like it was forever since I had one. So why not grab a bite to eat here while we take a break on our day off."
"Hmm, I saw another pizzeria when we were buying me clothes and was curious to taste one." She hummed with hardly restrained interest. Even after getting her a tasty frozen treat, there was no hiding her curiosity for this world's cuisine. "Very well! Let us see how good this delicacy from abroad really is."
That a foreigner-looking woman would loudly proclaim that about a product that had grown into a cultural staple of her homeland after decades of western influence was… quite odd, to say the least. Still, Lelouch followed the eager woman.
The pair soon found themselves sitting inside and waiting for their order. Mere minutes of waiting passed until their food was delivered. Nobunaga could hardly contain her curious stare brimming with interest. She carefully examined a slice of pizza, cautioned by Lelouch to mind the dripping of the still-warm and melted cheese. Slowly taking a sniff, she finally took a bite.
Her eyes went wide as she immediately started to finish that one slice with gusto. It didn't stop there as she quickly grabbed another and scarfed it down. It was only by her seventh slice that Avenger stopped and looked back at him to ask.
"You want some?"
A bit too late for her to offer when there was only one slice left. Regardless, Lelouch decided to taste and see how good this world pizza was compared to his own. The Demon King made it a point to not be totally greedy and ask after all. The Demon Emperor wouldn't criticize her awkward sense of generosity as he took a bite.
A melancholic smile formed on his face. Lelouch couldn't remember the last time he had pizza, his green-headed pizza-lover friend hardly ever left any for him when she ordered one. And even though he'd ordered his own on occasion, should she ever intercept the usual delivery guy, there was no way he'd ever get his money's worth.
It took him eating halfway through his pizza slice to suddenly freeze in his thoughts.
'I never took C.C to a pizzeria or on a real date at all, haven't I...?'
Forget hanging out to eat, just being seen together was a set of red flags he never wanted to trip. Not in the beginning, and certainly not after she restored his memory. Even 'til the end, when it was just him, her, and Suzaku working together to bring the grand conclusion to his plan, there hadn't been any time to relax. Not like he was doing now, anyways. A wry sigh and smile escaped him.
'Well, just another regret to add to my list.'
Neither the warlock nor the witch ever needed to do such things. But despite not being an item at all, Lelouch felt like it would have been a good way to express his appreciation to the enigma that was C.C. It wouldn't have been worth much, compared to all pizza she ate in her long life, but it might've done well enough as a parting farewell… Not that he'd been sentimental enough to say goodbye to her.
'Although, C.C wouldn't dare eat here a second time.' As he finished his slice of pizza he silently mused. 'Hm. No doubt she would complain about the taste and demand I take her to a better place. Regrettable as that may be, I wouldn't be able to hear her anymore. Can't believe I miss that woman's snarky retorts.'
One only realizes the value of what they have when they lose it. While C.C. herself was someone he undoubtedly cherished, both as a person and an accomplice, her snappy attitude was one of the few things he thought he never get enough of.
"Are you ok?" Nobunaga suddenly asked with concern in tone. Lelouch blinked before she continued. "You look… gloomy. Remembered something about your past?"
Lelouch paused before looking at the side.
"I think I'm starting to understand why people tell kids to enjoy their youth while they can. Hmph. So many missed opportunities. So many things I could have done but never did." Lelouch smiled as he said so quietly, still looking at her. The Demon Emperor didn't want Nobunaga to see him in such a state. "Sorry, for the moment of weakness."
However, Nobunaga said nothing. When she carefully placed her hand on his face, however, that had Lelouch frozen stiff for a moment. He only relaxed soon after noting the warmth of her expression as well as that on his skin. She slowly and gently turned his head to fully face hers. A small smile formed on Avenger's face as she spoke.
"Look at me, Lelouch. You miss those times, the people who were with you, I can tell it. That means they mean a lot to you."
He frowned at her choice to bring this up again. "We spoke about it before. We agreed that I wouldn't allow my past to slow me down."
Despite saying so, she could still see the sadness in his eyes. Didn't matter how hard he tried to feign indifference, the boy sat before her could hardly cover for his sentimentality.
"No, we have agreed that we will win this war as partners, Lelouch. I saw your former life. You wanted to create the future the way you saw it, and that's beautiful. But know this, master. That doesn't mean you can't look back at your past with fond memories." Avenger smiled. Despite what happened between her and the Oda clan, the redheaded woman will always remember her childhood with a fond smile. She was indeed the Fool of Owari after all. "The people you made connections with, the time you spent with them, the bonds you shared. No matter how they ended, these happy moments will always stay with you. You can't change the future without acknowledging the past."
"I no longer desire to change the world or its fate," he argued back. "I just want to end this conflict I've been dragged into."
"And what will you do after that?" Nobunaga asked. "What does Lelouch Lamperouge seek at the end of this conflict? What is your new goal in life, master?"
He stayed silent. He had no answer to give.
'I was called to this world to participate in the Grail War. But… I wasn't told what would happen afterwards. Will be I killed? Should I fail, that's almost certainly a 'yes'. But if I succeed… would that mean 'no'? If so… then what? There's nothing for me here… No one. Not C.C., not Kallen or the Black Knights. Not Ashford Academy. Not even Suzaku or Nunnally.'
Lelouch thought with a worried expression as a simple question was asked of him.
'What was there in this world for Lelouch vi Britannia? What am I to live for, here and now?'
This wasn't a topic to think about during a war. It was distracting him, but Lelouch knew that sooner or later, he would need to think about it and find a new purpose in life. Uncertainty was his enemy, but doubt and wavering resolve, more so.
"I don't know." Lelouch looked down. Nobunaga sighed but added.
"Well, in that case, we just need to find you one." He raised his eyebrow and blinked.
"We?" The redhead servant nodded.
"Umu, together. We have sworn to fight alongside each other, have we not? I have my dream to reconquer my homeland and spread my new empire across all of Asia. While I would like to repay my master in assisting him to find a new purpose in life, I would dislike having to share the same goal as you." She smirked." You have experience taking over the world once over already, so I will be at a disadvantage, no?"
Lelouch couldn't help but snort at that.
"I highly doubt I would want to repeat such an arduous task, you know?" he reigned in his mirth with a sigh. "Last time, I did it out of necessity, not because I wanted it... Yet, I suppose… if I were given no other choice but to stay, world domination does sound tempting. As you say, I do have experience in it. One could call it my speciality, ruling over others, that is."
Nobunaga laughed mockingly as she looked to the side with feigned panic.
"Oh no, what have I done? Have I stoked the ambitions of my would-be rival?" she said in an amused yet exaggerated tone. Lelouch rolled his eyes at her performance. His partner needed to improve her acting skills. "Oh, dear. As much as it pains me, we have no choice but to fight each other. My master, while I appreciate and do so enjoy our current partnership, I will not allow anyone else to rule this world but me."
"Ho? I see no reason for negotiations to break down. Should I actually decide to take over the world, I would actually prefer to rule over it with you." Lelouch didn't notice how Avenger froze when she heard these words. "World conquest isn't an easy thing to do and I will need competent allies. Especially since this world technology is too outdated compared to what I used to work with. I—"
"You will conquer this world with me?" Nobunaga interrupted Lelouch and stared at him. He felt a little bit uneasy under her intense stare but nodded to further entertain her.
"Theoretically speaking, of course! If I will actually think about doing it again, you'll be first I ask to help, Nobunaga." Lelouch theatrically stated, not noticing how her smile seemed to grow with every word he said. It was at the point where he could see her teeth. Avenger's smile became feral as she listened to him. "After all, from one demon to another, would it not be better to each leave half of the world in the other's capable hands? We're partners, after all, Nobunaga. Accomplices."
That word… it made her heart beat faster than usual. Avenger had friends, allies, followers but never partners. She'd never had an equal to work alongside with, someone she could entrust her back to, through thick and thin. Even her oldest and most trusted friend Ieyasu was just that, a friend. But he was still a loyal retainer, fearful of her wrath.
But Lelouch claimed they were accomplices. In his eyes, they were equals. Because of those words, she was feeling the fire in her heart. One burning far more passionately than her battle high or her newfound love of music.
And she was definitely going to make Lelouch took responsibility for it. With a low and heated tone, she asked.
"So, is this a proposal?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"…"
Her red eyes never left his purple orbs. Studying his every move, waiting on his bated breath, she eyed him like a hawk.
But distracted by his reminiscing, Lelouch was none the wiser. He hardly registered the difference in her tone.
Yet, considering his words, as well as his current predicament, he felt his response more than appropriate. The Demon Emperor remained oblivious to the hidden meaning behind his fellow Demon's words and nodded.
"Sure. Why not."
Working with Oda Nobunaga herself will be the best course of action. In his mind, now and in the future, they were already partners. A forced partnership initially, it may have been, but a mutual one, it was today.
Lelouch didn't really care how she wanted to call it. For him, fundamentally, it was all the same. Partners, accomplices, they were in this together, for better or worse. Allies, both in the middle of a battlefield and off of it.
And yet, despite meaning well, the former Emperor of Britannia didn't understand the gravity of his words.
Unbeknownst to him, Nobunaga felt ecstatic. Her face momentarily flushed a furious crimson as red as her eyes and hair. She was hardly able to prevent herself from staring at him with a hungry smile. But the poor fool of a boy took it as a simple embarrassment for having her would-be joke called out.
It mattered little for he would soon find out the true meaning of what she had in mind. Their 'partnership' would be made clearer in the future. For now, though, Lelouch was silent while she didn't stop intensely staring at him. Soon, he let out a fake cough.
"Well, since we've finished here, why not go somewhere else? I highly doubt just shopping for music and food would hardly count as a break for you, no?"
"Of course." Avenger happily hopped to her feet. The fact of why she was still gleefully smiling like a fool remained elusive to him.
Once they left the pizzeria, she took his hand with a tight grip. Confused, Lelouch made to stare at her inquisitively, but she merely gave him another smile. Not knowing what to make of it aside from Avenger just enjoying herself, he decided to ignore it. He was aware that his Servant liked to be a tease sometimes. Unlike a certain pizza-addict, she was more forward about it too.
But as they had a day off, he let it go. Nobunaga could have fun as much as she liked. Though he wouldn't say it aloud, Lelouch thought his Servant could use some time to herself acting as a regular human would.
Despite how she normally was, being free from fighting a war seemed to suit her far better than he could've assumed possible. Or, at least that's the conclusion he came to with her currently carefree smile.
The two of them left the shopping centre and made their way towards the bridge. With more people came more staring. However, Avenger didn't seem to care. Smiling like a proud child as she held onto Lelouch by the hand, she continued to lead him on their merry way.
As they walked aimlessly, a thought came to Lelouch.
It was a bit late to be bringing up now, but he had realized it might be a little inconvenient to call his Servant by her name or even her class out in public. She'd rarely referred to him as 'master' since they started going out in public, only doing so when they were speaking quietly to themselves. Though he didn't think about it before, perhaps having some sort of alias wouldn't be such a bad idea.
"What are you thinking about, Lelouch?" Avenger noted his silence and called him out.
"Well… I was actually thinking about what to call you." That piqued her interest, though Nobunaga feigned disinterest and waited for him to continue. "Saying your real name is dangerous. Either other masters or their familiars might hear us. 'Avenger' is also inconvenient. It draws too much attention even in a normal conversation."
She could only giggle at the thought of him feeling embarrassed about that. "Don't you think it's a bit too late to worry about something like this? The only Servants who could have spied on us was the one-turned-many Assassin. Not to mention, they're all dead. And besides, you've already called me 'Avenger' out in public. Sure, it's drawn some eyes, but the thoughts of the unimportant masses matter little to me." Nobunaga smiled. "Still, if you want to give me a nickname I won't mind as long as it is something cool."
'Hmm, Oda Nobunaga, what can work?...Nobunaga... Nobuna? No—… Hm.' Lelouch thought about it before coming with an idea. 'This might work.'
"Nobu."
"What? 'Nobu'?" Avenger asked with a raised eyebrow. "Doesn't it sound too similar to my actual name?"
"Maybe, but I think it is better than calling your full name. Also, I think it sounds cute." Lelouch wanted to pay back and tease her as well. But Nobunaga didn't look dazed, in fact, she carefully mouthed the name over and over. Like a goldfish learning to breathe.
"Nobu, Nobu, Nobu. You're right, it does sound cute." Nobunaga happily said. "I love how it sounds!"
Lelouch didn't expect this reaction but played along. "Oh? Then, you're very welcome."
"What? Did you think I would be embarrassed, Lelouch? I do have a side that likes cute things." Avenger leaned closer and whispered in his ear. "Adorable boys like you are included in that."
He momentarily froze and stared down her predatory eyes. Nobu laughed at the sight. The former emperor who cruelly took over the entirety of his world was taken aback by mere words. There was no way he wasn't as adorably cute as she admitted him to be in her eyes.
However, now that she thought about it, Lelouch had a nickname as well. A wicked smile formed on her face as she stared at the theatrical man who hardly cringed at the thought of creating the masked character called 'Zero'.
"You know, Lelouch. Now that I think about it, calling you my 'master' out in public isn't normal either. People might get the wrong idea. You might need a nickname too. How about I will think about something for you?"
Honestly, she didn't care what others thought about them, only his opinion was important to Nobu. Her spine tingled ever-so satisfyingly just thinking of her nickname. Still, she knew something else would feel better, especially since it reciprocated the favour whilst also teasing her adorable master.
"Well," Lelouch knew she had a point there. While it wasn't as inconvenient, calling him by his name alone made him far more distinct than 'Avenger' or 'Nobunaga' would be to the common folk. After all, how common was a 'Lamperouge' in this world anyway? "I see no problem. And, I guess it is only fair."
"I'm glad that you think so too..." Nobu's smirk widened as she leaned closer, hands hidden behind her back. "Lulu~~~!"
Lelouch stopped moving. His eyes went wide with fear.
"Wha—?!"
"Hahaha! Your expression is priceless!" Nobu laughed. "Come now! You haven't forgotten, surely? You dream of my past as frequently as I do yours. That includes memories during your rebellion as well as before it, Lulu~~~!"
Her master didn't like it. She could guess by the sight of his little pout. It earned more of her giggles. She knew it was a little childish, but Nobunaga couldn't remember the last time she had such fun. Maybe when she and her little brother were still children.
And though he seemed to act affronted, he wasn't as sensitive as he appeared. Case and point, the fact he didn't stop her from using it. Even though the nickname itself was given to him by someone dearly important, someone forever lost to him long before the Zero Requiem, he didn't try to stop her from speaking it.
"Just… don't call me like that in front of other masters... please?"
Nobu waved his concern away with a smirk.
"Don't worry, my dear Lulu. I wouldn't dare let others insult the honour of my master as a simple jest. Calling you by that name, only I shall have that privilege in this world."
For, even if there was no one to affectionately call out to him like that anymore, she wouldn't allow Lelouch Lamperouge, the only one she saw as her equal, to ever be left alone.
Lelouch could only hide the lower half of his face behind his palm as he looked away from her smug grin. It was her victory, but she could tell by the light in his eyes. He will get back at her, eventually.
She welcomed the challenge for there would only be one she would allow such honour.
The pair of Demons, Nobu and Lulu, continued enjoying their day off, carefree banter and teases of the past notwithstanding. As they were still waiting for the call from Kayneth, they could enjoy themselves as much as they wanted.
For now, at least.