Do As I Say, Not As I Do

"Optimization level has surpassed 70%. All Masters are instructed to follow the gridlines."

It was supposed to be a standard operation. Where did it all go wrong?

"80%"

"Olga, what's with that sombre face?" A familiar voice called from behind me.. I quickly glanced over my shoulder. Oh, it's just Lev.

"You don't say..." I replied, far too preoccupied with the thought to properly answer him.

"Your father built Chaldea just for this occasion. Regardless of your opinion of him, you should respect his ambition for building this masterpiece for humanity and give a little bit more passion." Lev said, disappointed with my lack of reaction and my look all knew well.

Ambition, you say? "Say Lev. Why did he want to protect human history so much?"

"This again? I told you, he loved humanity more than humanity loved itself. Creating this facility is the culmination of his love for us."

"Tch." Love, huh? It's always the same answer. No matter how much I tried to probe in, all I got is vague answers and cover-ups. Just what is my father is hiding?

Silence between us continued as the low humming of CHALDEAS echoed around the room. The A-Team has already entered the Coffin and were now waiting for the de-materialization process to start. Just when everything seemed to be going well, Lev asked.

"Are we missing somebody here?"

Keep calm. I'm prepared for this. "Oh? The B-team leader? I granted her permission to go to the washroom. She'll be back soon."

He spoke, more unfavorable than anything, "Of all times? Has she no dignity to leave her orientation program for a little mishap?" It might be an illusion, but I could hear his teeth click in frustration. What was that about?

"Olga, I know you're a close companion to her, but she has an ugly reputation for being rebellious to the higher-ups. Control her if you don't want her to tarnish Chaldea's reputation." At least he isn't suspecting anything. Not like I wanted to distrust him, but he's still a close associate of my father. I shouldn't fully disclose information to him if I want everything to work out.

PING!

Suddenly, a notification rang up from my phone. Lev also noticed it. I have to make it quick.

"Who was it?" he asked.

"Just a while." I replied indefinitely. I quickly reached out to my pocket, and picked up my phone. Then, I backed up to the wall as to hide her content from anyone. I opened my phone and went past the home screen to Messages. There, a short message was sent to me. Now let's see what you got.

GET OUT OF THERE! EXPLOSIVES!

what?

"I have to applaud to you, Olga. Making a stand for yourself." A demonic voice rang tout behind me. My body froze in an unknown horror appeared from my back. "Unfortunately, for you, there's no escape."

BAAAAANNNGGGG!

In a split second, my vision was instantaneously replaced with one of fire and smoke.

And my vision went black.

Chapter 1.2 - Do As I Say, Not As I Do

I opened back my eyes from the flashback, and I see the vision remains the same. Smoke and fire, rampantly burning through the old city of Fuyuki, proliferating my eyes, nose and mouth with its cruel flame. Only this time, it is accompanied by two familiar faces.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" the purple one, Mash hugged with me with all her newfound might, crushing me with her unintentional gratitude. Are those tears of joy for saving me? Bastard, I should be the one to cry here!

And that other one, Ritsuka Fujimaru, standing behind her, confused yet glad at seeing me. How did he get Rayshifted here? Haven't I kicked him out?

Along with that weird critter, their appearance couldn't come at a better time. I was nearly exhausted of my mana resources, and what's with my lacklustre familiar, I could last a few more moments before falling apart. I wanted to nearly thank them, but my instinct has saved me from that humiliation. Good lord, that was close!

Anyway, now that this situation is no longer a dream, I have to return to a more confident demeanour. I have wasted enough time to be toyed around by these damn skeletons, I couldn't show them my pathetic position here! So, I tried to push her away, but her grip was too strong.

"Let me go! Let me go! I'm suffocating here!" I screamed with all my power, fully expecting her to loosen her grip. And she did.

She back away from me, embarrassed but still happy with me, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to..." If it were another person, I would lose my mind there and then. She's lucky I pitied her. But that opens another can of questions. Geez, why is she so glad to see me? Since when is she like this?

"Don't be like that, Director. Mash's the one who noticed you in the wreckage. So, you should be glad that-"

He, on the other hand, will have no pity at all. "Glad? I should be glad? Did you have any idea how long have I been stuck there, surrounded by those ghastly spirits?! Even with my familiar, my hands are nearly crippled from fighting all of those ants! Why are you so late?!" I gave him my two-piece, scolding him for his lateness. "Mash noticed me? So what about you? You're the one who ordered her. You should be the one to decide!" If Mash noticed me, then they would have been nearby. It's obvious he ran away with her and abandoned me here. How dare he!

"Listen up! We're in a real Singularity and both of you, especially you, Ritsuka Fujimaru, lacked experience and leadership in this situation. As the Director, I cannot let you lead our team for now! Instead, until we solve the Singularity and return to Chaldea if there's still one, I will exercise my authority on our team. Understand?!"

"Hai!" They both nodded their head in agreement. Great. I still have it in me. "As my new directive, Mash, get us out of this district!"

"Affirmative!"

I may not have an actual idea over this whole situation, but, as I breathe, I will definitely find a way to escape this Singularity and find whoever bombed my father's masterpiece. By my name.

"Where...are...we...going..right..now?!" Ritsuka asked, his short breath cut off his question word by word.

"Stop questioning! Keep going!" Olga ordered, shutting him off for now.

When Olga ordered me to escape this hellhole, I expected us to go to the high school first. But no, she just has to force us deep into the city full of skeletons to wherever she ordered me to go. That's where we are now, bashing our way through waves of skeletons.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?!" I questioned, doubting over Olga's main objective by rushing through here.

"Of course!" she said without hesitation, "Skeletons above, three o'clock!"

BANG!

I raised my shield just in time to deflect one of those skeletons attacks. And another one is gone. Really, this amount is unnatural. They're everywhere!

"Thanks, Director!"

"Now's not the time! Focus!"

We continued our way until Ritsuka noticed something, "Guys! I saw something there!"

"What is it, rookie?!"

"The mall's open! I saw the door's open!"

I looked at his hand's direction, which is in fact, directed towards the abandoned mall.

Olga catch up far better than I did, "Change of plan! Mash, head towards the mall! Ritsuka, hide behind me!" We changed our direction and started plowing through the armies of skeletons stationed there. We pay it no heed as I bashed them all the same. This is getting much easier than before.

Once we reached the entrance, Olga quickly destroys the arch, trapping those pesky Evil Bones outside. After a few moments of caution for another ambush, finally, we can relax with the guaranteed safety at hand.

First to fall is Ritsuka, who's completely overtaken by the fatigue of running across the city. Even if he's the track champion for years, it's not enough to survive on his own.

Second is Director Olga. It should be obvious. She woke up earlier than any of us and fought them until we arrived. I still felt guilty for leaving her behind earlier, but in my heart, I'm quite amazed that she managed to deal with them long enough by herself. Does Olga have more to her than I know of? That doesn't feel like it.

And the third is Fou. He hops off my shoulder and went directly to the Director's lap, to her surprise. And he didn't even look back at me. Ahh...this is going to be a long path.

Since I no longer have any reason to be cautious, I sit down along with them on the hallway. I inspected my limbs and my body and realized there aren't any injuries sustained by this body. In fact, I felt very healthy and energetic despite all the fighting we've been through. Usually, I would've become like Ritsuka and Olga, at least at the start. I'm amazed. Mash did tell me Servants and Demi-Servants are on another level than humans, and I've seen how powerful everyone is, but I've never thought it would be like this.

"Mash." Olga spoke out from my side, breaking my line of thought.

"Ah, yes?"

"It was dire back there, so I don't have a chance to ask earlier. That power, that outfit...are you a Demi-Servant?"

Duh. It should've been obvious. Guess she wanted to purge all doubts. "Yes." I answered unanimously.

She looked at me intensely before sighing away. "Good gracious. Why now of all times?" she grumbled under her breath.

"Um...now that we're fine here...where are we going exactly, Director?" Ritsuka asked.

"Yeah, I wanted to know that too." I also asked, turning the tables on her. I have my fair share of questions. For some reason, Olga decided to choose somewhere instead of what her compass told. Is there something she wanted there? No way, her dad disappeared as well.

"Where are we heading? To the harbour." She answered, in a tone so simple as if it was a long-known fact.

"Eh? The harbour? What's so special about the harbour?"

She explained, " That harbour resides on a powerful leyline, a powerful source for magecraft here. If we could reach there, we could establish a base of operation and re-connect with Chaldea, if there is one."

She was right, really. Ever since I woke up in here, Dr Romani haven't contacted us at all. When I showed Ritsuka about the watch, we haven't received any calls from Chaldea. I wondered about that. What is he doing? Dr Romani should've found a way to contact us. If he couldn't, then...then...oh god, Doctor, I hope you're safe.

"But there's skeletons out there!" Ritsuka exclaimed, shocking me out of the terrifying thought. " How are you proposing that we could get into the harbour in guaranteed safety?! Isn't this mall already enough as our hideout? "

Olga looked surprisingly calm with his incessant questioning, "The mall is a hideout, but it's not a safe location to hide. We're still surrounded by skeletons as a matter of fact. We're not going anywhere if Mash has to waste her energy fighting those ghouls. Besides, the leyline doesn't pass through here. We can't do much without magic, especially on communication and summoning. I'm sorry rookie, but the harbour's all we have."

I can see Ritsuka playing with his sweating fingers, scared of the prospect of crossing even half of them. I can share those feelings as well. I am as scared as him first time here. The entire downtown is filled with skeletons and we're halfway through the harbour. Coupling with his inexperience and the previous events before, I'm surprised he doesn't develop any trauma yet. Which I definitely didn't have.

"Mash, can you still fight?" Olga asked, redirecting her attention back to me.

"Um…I only have enough energy for a single fight, but I think I can keep going with this until we reached the harbour." That's the truth. When it came to stamina, I couldn't believe this state stored this much energy until I fought them all. Maybe it was meant for defending, as a Shielder is. But still, this is too much. I feared something else would come out from being like this for too long. I should finish this as quickly as possible.

She smiled, satisfied. She then stood up, looking at us from above. With her gleaming eyes, she said," Alright. We're going to move now. If Mash said she's not tired, then we shouldn't waste our time! Both of you, wake up! "

"Hold up, Director!" Ritsuka stood up, "Can't we stay in this mall for a while? I'm wasted here!"

Olga-Marie stops in her tracks, staring back at him, confused, "What are you saying? I said we'll move now."

"Director! Please consider this! I'm too wrec-"

It doesn't take anything to change her from confusion to wrath. "Oh ho. Are you defying me? You, Ritsuka Fujimaru who couldn't even stay awake when I'm lecturing you? Aren't you a little bit too daring to become a Master?"

I've never seen such a glare from Olga. A distinct, seething glare of a queen, dissatisfied with her servant's answer and more than capable of shutting him down within her range to return to peace of mind. This is totally not like the Olga that I know. The Olga I know is a brat with a self-esteem issue, a paper tiger that can't hurt me under any circumstances. Who is this? I can only be glad that I wasn't the one on the receiving end.

Speaking of the receiving end, Ritsuka is scared absolutely shitless, bowing down by the exerting pressure of hers. "S-s-s-s-sorry!"

"I don't care if you are a noble's son. Do you know who are you in my eyes, Ritsuka Fujimaru? An insect. An ant that can only be safe under the protection of my cage, that's who you are. Your lack of experience and naivety would be our doom if I ever let some pesky ant make the decisions for us. Listen to my orders and obey. That's the only way we can escape here in one piece. Understand?"

"Understood!" he answered without hesitation. I knew I was a wimp back then, but with Olga's eyes, she easily turned me into her manservant. Terrifying.

Now that he's no longer voicing an opposition, Olga sports a smug smile over her handling. But before she turned around, I openly brave her, "Director, please pity him!"

An indignant sigh was heard, " Now you, Mash? ", she asked, turning her attention next to me. "Did you listen to my words? I said we have no time now!"

Christ, if weren't for her, I might've believed a Mystic Eyes is at work here. The intensity of her glare, even if it isn't directed at me, I still sense a wrathful look from her. This isn't the same director I've known. She really did become a monster.

Still, her anger is nothing compared to all the enemies I've faced!

"Director, I may have forgotten to say this, but..." I have to say it. "...Director, Senpai has just used a Command Seal before!"

"He what?!" she screamed at me, taking a quick look at her. "Mash, did you, back then, just ordered him to..."

"We're desperate there. You were far away, and we haven't moved a single step from all of those Evil Bones! I know what the cost is...but..." I lower my voice, begging for her to understand.

"Mash? What do you mean?"

Olga replied, "She really hasn't told you, huh? Command Seals cost a lot of magical energy and for someone like you, your stamina really is weakened. No wonder you couldn't stand up!"

"Hold up! You never told me that, Mash!" He pointed his fingers at me.

I ignored it, "Director, please. At least gave us time to relax. It will get nowhere if Senpai becomes a deadbeat to us."

"I'm not that useless yet!"

"..." She went into silence, planning an idea about it. I clamped my fingers, held up my hands in a begging position, and gave her the most pitiful expression I could make. " Pleaseeee...."

Her face wrinkled, resisting the heart-breaking expression the girl made in front of her, as it pounds on her humanity to act on her.

"Pleaseeeee..."

She tried to resist, each second harder than ever before she eventually buckled up under the weight. "Fine, fine. You won." Olga said, reluctantly admitting defeat.

I couldn't be happier. I know you couldn't handle that, Director. Using sentimentality has been and always worked out in my favour. You're too kind to ignore such pitiful gestures. Hahahaha! Even with those mean eyes, you're still the same soft person at heart, Olga-san!

"For goodness sake, just what did the Demi-Servant do to you?" she whispered under her breath. Heh, loser. I pretend not to hear that.

"I'll only give you five minutes. Find some supplies in the grocery store, take a short break and then we'll go." she released her new order.

"You hear that, Senpai? It's the ticket for us! Quick!" I drag him with him, speeding towards the grocery store before she changes her mind. "Whyyyyyyyy?!" His question drowned as both of us disappears into the hallway.

Olga stared at the empty hallway before she starts to notice something. "Ah, my clothes really are ragged, huh?"

I never got the chance to fully explore this Fuyuki during the singularity, but I'm impressed at how familiar everything seems. Despite the year 2004, the mall is still the same 22 years on. As so, each of the aisles hasn't much changed. I shouldn't be surprised. Customer behaviour is constant, so why would the manager ever want to change this place?

We went to the front aisles, where most of the light snacks located, as our preferred supplies and started picking up anything that can relieve us. While I was choosing our supplies, I noticed that some of the snacks I've known were the same, while some have gone re-design and the others have gone out of circulation.

"Mash, why didn't you tell me?" His question shook me out of the line of thought. He's right now choosing the snacks on both of his hands, facing against me. " I'm sorry? " I apologize, waiting for him to repeat back his words.

"Why didn't you tell me that using Command Seals is that big of a deal?" Gulp.

"Um…..it's because of…." For first, why didn't I tell him that? I swear I mentioned it to him when we talked at the house.

"At your hands, Senpai."

"Ah, this tattoo?"

"Yeah, those are Commands Seals. With that, you can give any orders to any Servants you want for three times. Always use it in dire situations."

"I can order anything?"

I repeated my words, "Anything."

I didn't tell him about the consequences, don't I? I only spoke basic essentials to him and glossed over details. I forgot that he's a junior. Damnit, for some reason, I keep forgetting stuff like this since I came here. It's annoying.

I still have to answer him. If not, he will start being suspicious of me. My actions before have already raised some serious questions. " I….I…" I stuttered, finding the right answer for him. "I…I forgot."

"You what?" he clamoured.

"Yeah, I really forgot. Sorry for being too impatient. I didn't mean it." I apologize, giving out a regretful smile to him.

He didn't look very forgiving, yet he accepted my apology without a problem. "You said you are my protector and you didn't do a good job at protecting myself." he chuckled,"Heh, we're already in this ridiculous mess. I don't blame at all for that. But, seriously, give me a warning before that."

We then continued our walk around the aisles. More often than not, we only grabbed whatever we see and throw it into the trolley. Candies, biscuits, instant noodles, chocolates, potato chips, anything we see. Hey, Olga said to pick the short supplies, she never says how many. Not like anyone's going to eat it, so why don't we enjoy it anyway. The harbour is still far, and we need to preserve enough energy to fight all those skeletons and the eventual Servant fight. Right now, I need energy more than ever.

During our silent gathering, he suddenly shouted. "Wow! Is this the once-famous 'Coco-Nuts' candy?! They still have it?!" Ritsuka exclaimed in surprise, excited over the packet of the chocolate filled-coconut candy. Oh, I didn't notice that. He then quickly open up a packet of those and unwrapped the covering to get a taste of those nostalgic nuts.

Before he got to eat it, I took away the candy and the packet from his hands and hide it behind me. Wildered, he said, "What was that for?!"

I immediately berate him. "Director told us to pick as much as we can. If you eat it, we'll be waiting for our time here!"

"Eh? Did Olga said that?"

"It is implied."

Taking a glance back at the trolley, he replied, " No, I don't think so. " He then swiftly poke his hand to my back, trying to grab back his belonging. "This is mine!"

You think you can beat me? Understandably, my hand quickly avoid his grabbing fingers. "Hah, that's all you got?" I challenged him, giving him a cocky smile to boot.

He doesn't seem to give up either. The more I swing my hand, the more he tried to grab it. Like a game of tag, I merrily enjoy the way this has gone. "Senpai, I'll this since this is a fact. A normal person, like you, could never hope of surpassing a Demi-Servant like me. Just give it up."

" Try me. " He made a stand, and with a little propulsion, he jumped over me, in hope of getting the packet I hold above. "Hiyaaaah!". I could've just let him have it. Really, I could have. We don't need this kind of banter and we should continue our work. It is just five minutes, after all. We're still a long way to go before solving this singularity. Say the professional attitude idea in my mind.

But, where's the fun in that?

"Whoops." I hold down my hand, and as result, sends him flying to the back with no rewards at hand. He, like a professional athlete I always was, landed on the ground perfectly. "You..." he grunted.

"What's wrong? Got lame feet?"

In the end, though, he simply gave up and picked a new one from the shelves. Not like I want to eat it anyway, so I throw the candy away into the ever-growing trolley. His face is full of red, frustrated and tired from chasing me. He didn't face me at all when he finally tasted his childhood candy. "Um...delicious! " I can only sigh in exasperation. I wouldn't say I have many differences with my old self, but to revisit myself in other eyes, I can see why Mash and a lot of people found comfort in me.

In their eyes, they see a boy who continually involves in someone else's with the innocence and naivety of a child who always wondered about the world and its people. The boy who always supports and protect them despite their history and affiliations. They know kindness, compassion and mercy under the radiant smile of his. Even to those who were once his enemies. I imagined his joyous expression, and I couldn't help but find fascination within the sunshine he omitted. He's quite useless for now, but in no time he will blossom to become a beautiful lily. Yes, a beautiful lily. One that warms any heart to those who observe it. I wanted that. I'm no longer the one who smiles in that body. I wanted that to be filled with the same warmth. I wanted to be on his side, stay by his side, until the day I die.

...

Ahhhhh! What the hell am I thinking?! I backed away from him, facing the side of the aisle as I hide my embarrassment from him. What is wrong with me? Blurting out all of those romantic proses to him, myself. Am I falling in love with myself? Are these Mash's emotions messing with my head? But I am Mash now, so should it be natural? No,no,no,no. I'm still me. I can't do that. It's ridiculous. Me, falling in love with myself? Who am I kidding? That sounds like some weird fetish in the dungeon zone. Doesn't that make me sound disgustingly narcissistic? But I'm Mash now, so it should be fi-AAAAHHHH, whatshouldIdowhatsouldIdo?!

"Mash...why are you sitting ducks here?"

I snapped my head at him, who's suddenly near me. "Nothing!"

He didn't catch that. "What? Got a lame foot?" He chuckled, with his mouth busy chewing the coconut candy.

Is he serious? I was just having a mental breakdown, and he came here with this piece? Really? The utter ignorance of those words just straight up shut all of my wild thoughts from before. I don't know whether he's trying to help me by joking or actually mocking me. If it were another person, they would easily choose the latter, but knowing myself, I get it's the former. That's how I defuse a lot of arguments all the time. Ironic sarcasm. I always know how to play with words.

And no surprise, he hit the mark, "That wasn't funny, Senpai. "

He stopped chewing, "Eh? How'd you know?"

"Your style of talking really confides me into believing you have a certain way of dealing with people." I glared at him.

"Ahahahaha!" he laughed. "Is that so? I really thought you're tired from standing that long. You don't seem like the kind to enjoy running. Even with that power-up, I guess you're cramping real hard there. Here, candy for you." He extends his hands, giving me the candy I snatched away from him before.

I never and probably ever admit this in a thousand years, but I can be quite dense at times.

"So really, Mash," he continued, with the same smile, "are you scared?"

And stupidly keen at times.

"What the hell are you laughing around, huh?! Have you collected your supplies yet?!" a voice suddenly rocked our ears, the booming noise shaking us out from our banter.

We both shouted at the origin of the voice, "Director!" "Director!"

Olga stood at the back end of the aisles, sporting a new look from before. Instead of the ragged black dress earlier, she now wore a black and orange-striped sports bra (sports bra!) and similarly themed leggings with a rose-patterned black skirt as cover to her hips. Not only that, she has the guts to wear a pair of leather gloves and a multi-coloured scarf as decoration, or whatever she thought it is. To top it off, she was decorated with a bouquet-sized version of her ruby on her chest. I don't what kind of alien, avant-garde, nine-dimensional thinking that led her to those clothing? Better, where did she got those clothing? She looked like a Christmas ornament for Halloween! I can't look at it. It terrifies me. And worst it all, Olga don't seem to notice her own absurdity.

"Di-di-..Director.." I tried to speak, hoping to reason with her but the thought gradually vaporizes by the fear of provoking this beast of a director.

"What? Couldn't form your words?! Just because I'm not besides you, you think you can be all willy-nilly and talk like a married couple!" She's right. We can't form our words. "There's one thing I hate more than anything in this universe are juniors who don't know their places! I ask of you again, have you gathered up all your supplies?!"

"Yes, we did!" we answered as ordered, pointing out at the piled trolley at the front end of the aisles, filled with supplies and basic amenities.

Even then, Olga isn't satisfied, "Then am I supposed to let you chat freely while we're on a roll?! We've wasted enough time staying here! Go back!"

As soon as Olga finished her sentence, we hurriedly pulled our trolley and went back to the entrance hallway. Supplies fell off one by one by our speed, but after seeing that disaster, who frickin' cares?

"…"

"…"

"…"

Silence is all that was spoken during all of the time we regrouped again. I don't how to express this kind of silence, but I can definitely felt the tension coming off from all of us. On the first hand, Olga is brooding over us, apparently shocked by the supplies we gathered. On the second one, Mash is nervous, scared that Olga is going to blow up at any second. On the last one, him, with the feeling of terror already underway.

"What is this?" Olga said first, breaking the silence. In her hand, she holds a packet of those Coco-Nuts candies.

"It's…it's…"

"What is it?"

He wanted to answer but couldn't. His mouth went numb from speaking the desired answer she wanted. His mind burned from seeing her in those, those clothing. Anytime he sees her, his fashion sense rings like crazy, numbing his mouth in the process. He has no more time now. She's the kind that's going to get worse the more you hide it from her. Oh God, I've never that devout to you, but please save me now!

"I'm asking you a question, Ritsuka Fujiimaru." This isn't good. This isn't good at all. She's pointing it all at me. Even though Mash joins me in it, she's blaming me for this. Her anger is reaching the boiling point, her bloodshot eyes are staring right through my soul. The candy she's holding is already crushed under her palm. I once thought Olga is just a paper tiger under all that title, that's why I slept through her lecture this morning. I've never thought she would really be a dragon! Whyyyyy?! Why does luck have to abandon me in these days?!

"Fujimaru…" I can hear the bells ringing within my ears. Any moment now, any moment now!

Terror flooded my instincts. Sweat pouring down from every pore of my skin and wets my newly-made shirt. With the pressure finally reaching its max, my mouth stuttered, "Coco….Nuts…"

"Again."

"Coco-Nuts!" I screamed. I couldn't hold it anymore. Her eyes are giving me a sense of powerlessness and weakness, one unfathomable to a common man like me. It feels like being stared down by a demon king, who's only seeing me as a pest to be ridden off. And with it, comes a backlash, a powerful surge of anger and rage as a resistance. Although, it doesn't seem to matter that much to her.

"A candy eh, Fujimaru?" she continued, unbothered with my scream, "Our supplies consist of food and candies, including this one. Tell me, what do you understand by supplies?"

There's no way she's going to be happy with my answer, "Um…it's about…" She's going to kill me for this. "Carbohydrates and proteins?"

"Wha-wha-wha?" Olga looked at me like crazy, head spinning trying to comprehend my less-than-favourable answer. Mash, who's sitting by my side, only stared at me, disappointed and unimpressed. I admit that I don't know but please, stop it! Stop looking at me like that!

I closed my eyes, ready for the mother-of-all-hells to blow my mind, but the moment never came. Instead, when I opened back my eyes, I saw her sigh, massaging her forehead in a sign of defeat.

"Uh…..just how could we recruit somebody like him?" she complained before opening an uncrushed candy she picked up earlier. Sorry for being an idiot, I apologized in my heart. One by one, we watched her ate the candies until the plastic wrapper is all that's left. Then, she took another one and eat it.

She paused her eating to see us looking at her with those astonished eyes. Distress is a clear expression.

"What are you waiting for? Finish it!" she roared, pushing back our attention from her.

In quick succession, I grab whatever supplies my hand could reach just as we started to get the job done. Before I even knew it….

"Fuwaah, I'm done! I'm done!" his body gave up. As it turns out, Olga forces us to finish all of the supplies we've collected, the pile of trash sitting in the trolley. Without choice, we have to finish up everything without incurring her wrath. Reap what you sow, people say. At least, Olga joins us in this small fest. We haven't really think about it, but wow , we've eaten a lot. I mean it, a lot. 5 tins of assorted biscuits, 25 packets of candies and junk foods, 5 bottles of large-sized soda and many others that could be used for emergency rations. 'Hey, not like we're going to stay here for long, so why bother?' is what I want to say, but looking back, I beg to believe otherwise. In one way, I should be glad that we managed to finish this all, but on the other, I'm terrified by how all three of us finished it.

Olga sat there quietly, satisfied with the supplies she'd finished, her expression not one ounce of difference from before. Ritsuka, in contrast, lied on the ground, hands holding his more pronounced stomach with a very tired expression. Me? I'm a Demi-Servant. How much I eat don't really affect me.

The one I should be concerned about is not Ritsuka, but the Director. I couldn't believe this lady. She ate through all of that like a damn beast. I know she's a spirit and all, but there's no way a human forgot how to eat. Where's the grace you shown us earlier? Yet, the way she eats reminds me of someone I once knew.

"Yo, you're finished?"

Stop. Don't think about her.

Focus.

My instinct instantly redirected my thought. Yeah, I'm getting strayed away.

And that is one of the few things that I noticed with her behaviour. Apart from the time we first met her, her behaviour in one way or another greatly differs from the Olga I knew. From what I barely know about her, she's impulsive, insecure and easily erupts at a knee-jerk reaction. Comparing to this Olga, she's none of those, except for the 'easily erupt' part. Here, she's more composed and stable, something I've expected from a director of her calibre. I prefer to make jokes with once I was myself, but now? My tongue went numb just by looking at her, afraid by how she will react.

I wanted to stop asking, yet with each new discoveries at hand, my mind returned back to the root question; Where am I? First, with the skeletons thriving worse than flies. Second, how changed Olga has become. And third, our lack of contact with Romani. Everything is radically different from what I remembered. Is this really the Fuyuki I once experienced? No. This isn't the Fuyuki I know. She isn't the Olga I know. These aren't the events I went through. The real question should be; Am I in the same timeline anymore?

All of these questions are making me sick. Adding with these burdens and Mash and all, I think I'll collapse by the end of the day. Just how much are you trying to torture me, god?

Luckily, both Ritsuka and Olga are more than just observers and quickly took notice of my discomfort. Olga, looking at me directly me in the eyes, first asked, "Hey, Mash. Are you really fine here?"

I tried to deflect her question, foolishly smile to fool her off, "Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

It doesn't convince her. "Don't lie to me, Mash. I saw you flinching a second ago. Is there something bothering you?"

"Yeah, Mash." Ritsuka followed, sitting beside me to hold me still. "If you have a problem, you can just tell us. We're in this together."

Heh. As if. There's no way they can understand my problems. Not now. It's very kind of them to help me, but when it comes to me, it's better to keep the problems hidden. Even if magic and miracles exist in this world, it'll be a bother to explain to them about everything. Would they even understand what I'm saying? I cannot put the whole team in jeopardy regarding my identity. Except for Fou and eventually, Romani, I have to keep being the person they know until we can work it out.

"Really, everyone. I'm fine here. Just having a little trouble processing all that we've been through." I lied again, pretending to smile as they both looked at me with concern.

"Mash, I asked of you again." Olga asked, confirming something. "Are you really fit for battle?"

"Absolutely! I can still escort you out of here to the harbour in no time without breaking a sweat." I boasted, reiterating my earlier point when we discussed earlier. It's true. I can still fight with these two hands. Although I'm not used to be the one to fight(though, I'm absolutely not sure being in her body in the first place), it's not unusual for me to brawl when I was in high school. Against a skeleton, it's as simple as a bitch slap to the face.

Olga is still concerned, but my words do put a little relief to her mind. "Good gracious. I thought you were very disturbed there. I know, I know. Being in your first battle is hard for you. But..." she smiled, "I'm glad you could keep it together in this situation. You're our only Demi-Servant anyway. We could only rely on you until everything ends for now."

"Thanks." I'm astonished. It's hard to believe Olga of all person to praise me, but I'll add it up to her inconsistencies. Even if she's far more brutal here, never would I believe she would also be kinder. This Olga is far better than the old one, I said in my heart.

With our supplies finished and our stomach filled, we finally have a chance of reaching the harbour with spare energy. Olga stood up, confident with this new outlook, she exclaimed, " Aha! Since we're all stuffed up and took your time enough, we can now keep going! "

"G-g-g-going?!...Now?!" Ritsuka stuttered in surprise.

"What are you thinking? The mall is just a temporary stop. Our true destination is the harbour all along!"

"Ehhhhhh?"

"She's right, Senpai. We've wasted enough time resting. If you wanted an actual secure place to rest, then we should be following what the Director says. This place isn't secure at all." I pointed to the entrance, "Do you see all those skeletons outside earlier? They've been surrounding the perimeter at all side, waiting for a crack for them to flood through. How could you say this place is secure if every skeleton in the city is waiting for us to crack?" I explained.

" There's more. " Olga continued my words, " We still haven't found out the cause of the singularity or anyone that is holding this place together. It means we have to investigate the main leylines of this city for any clues of the Grail's whereabouts. How could we investigate if our base of operation is continually hounded by those pests? "

"But...but..." he sadly resisted.

It felt bad, trying to force him to do this. At my first run, I don't have many options except running, so I always listened to what Olga and Mash ordered. When I did something, it was certainly out of instinct more than actual thought. Sometimes, I was reminded of how mindless I am back at this place. This place is nothing but another nightmare for me. It is sick to see my past self doing the same mistakes I once did. If weren't for my cowardice, then Olga wouldn't have...

"Mash, even you?" he questioned, his sad eyes looked at my clueless silence. I wanted to avoid his face but his betrayed eyes are too hard to resist.

"Hurry up! What are you waiting for?!" Olga shouted, already making her lead to the entrance. "If you dared to make another excuse, Mash'll drag your unconscious ass to the harbour!"

"Eh?! Why are you including me?!" I also made a move, preparing to move out as well. Fou climbed on top of my shoulder, decided to stick with me despite our fallout. The only exception is Ritsuka, still sitting on the ground, his legs trembling on the idea of going out. My heart is torn out on both sides. Olga and I are united in escaping without any delay. On the other hand, he is...

No...no...please...

Gaaahhhh! Stop looking at me with those eyes! You're making me guilty!

I can't do it. Between emotion and logic, I'd always be the one to choose by the heart. And when catastrophe strikes, only Mash that could hammer back logic to me. Without her around, it's all up to me now to make all decisions. And knowing myself, it's a recipe of disaster. I could've just ignored his cries and carry him along, but I hated the fact that I'm too emotional for anyone. After all of those adventures, I haven't changed at all. Seeing someone, even it's just me, Ugh...I hate this. Mash would've done a better job disciplining me. Why you have to force me to look at a mirror, god?! WHYYYYY?!

I switch my eyes to the opposite directions Olga and Ritsuka are, Olga or Ritsuka. Logic or emotion. THINK! THINK!

My mind races with these cruel decisions until eventually, my mind reach a decision. Though, eventual is not the best description. It is more of taking a step.

I smiled at him softly before I closed my eyes. "Mash?" In an instant, I pick him up and make a run to Olga.

"Mash, please! No! I don't want to die!" I ignored his screams behind.

"Mash, you get it, right?" Olga asked, her step following my speed.

"Of course!" I answered her unspoken order as we approached the collapsed entrance. The deliberate ruin to trap the enemies outside. With a little amount of energy poured, I hide behind my large shield as we prepared ourselves to destroy the boulders forward and confront the horde of skeletons waiting outside.

CRASH! And off the boulder, it goes. As we expected, we're greeted with the sight of skeletons, filling every crook and crannies of the city in front waiting for our re-appearance.

Honestly, I'm terrified here. This is my second dive into these ghouls and I haven't had the tiniest idea how to properly use this body. Not only I have to acclimate my position here, but I have to support these two idiots here along the way. Problems just keep stacking up the more I see it.

You can do it. You can do it. Reminiscence of Mash's voice continues to beat inside my mind. A pity. It would've been better if you can say it to me. No matter what, the one who continues to support me is gone now, residing in whatever afterlife she's in. I have to be the one in charge now.

I grinned. Leaving me without anything and forcing me to make a stand, God really is being cruel to me. Fine. Fine. That's how you want it. Then so be it.

The skeletons in front growled, signalling their first strike against us. These are nothing. I'll crush them. I'll crush them all. Mash could defeat a horde of Demonic Beasts on her own. Comparing to these, she and Mash will laugh at me from heaven if I can't pass them. I swear, in 15 minutes, we'll reach the harbour. No injuries, no delay. Without help.

From hell we're from, and to hell, we go.

And so, our battle continues.

"Oh yeah, Mash. Could you please lift me?" Olga spoke from behind.

"I'm sorry. What was that again?"