#day count

She paced back and forth, as she so often did when her Master was away for too long.

"What if something happened to her?"

The woman in black beside her make a hushing gesture.

"She'll be fine. It's just a quick check-in, nothing more."

"It's been fifty days, Kagu-tsuchi."

The Shinto god of fire sighed, slightly rolling her eyes.

"You really think there's anything out there that can really hurt her? Besides... Kagetora's with her."

Suddenly, there was a flash. A resounding sound. The room went white as all anyone could hear now was an echoing ring.

When things finally settled... there stood Kagetora, alongside her master.

The Final Beast of Humanity.

Reincarnation of Mahākāla.

The Hero of Chaldea—

"Ritsuka!!!!!"

A passionate tackle hug nearly brought the Master down to the floor, but she held her ground.

As if on instinct alone, her arms rose up and wrapped around her #1 Servant to reciprocate.

Slowly, she breathed in. And she spoke.

"Hey, Jeanne."

"How was it? Did anything happen to you? Did they hurt you!?"

The Avenger's eyes began to glow with infernal rage. Ritsuka's hand reached up and began to gently stroke the back of her head, calming her slightly.

"I'm not hurt, Jeanne. I didn't even dig that deep. I just..." Ritsuka broke eye contact for a moment. "...I just wanted to see how everyone was doing. That's all."

"And? How were they?"

Ritsuka took a deep breath in.

"...Happy, I think. I dunno. I tried to be sneaky about it, but I think a couple of 'em recognized me. Said they were happy to see me again, but—"

The door suddenly slid open. As soon as Jeanne saw who it was, she immediately let Ritsuka go and stepped aside...

...as someone else tackle hugged her Master just as she did.

Ritsuka gently giggled. "Heya, Kouhai. You still holding the walls of the City?"

"Senpai...!" Mash giggled back. "I keep telling you, that's a group effort!"

A third figure approached, a cloak faintly billowing in non-existent wind, and a long rifle in her hands.

"Things've been a little wild since you dipped. But... all in all, I think we managed." Artoria Alter nodded as she spoke. "Good to have you back, Rits."

Ritsuka nodded back. Their tackle hug would have to wait for closed doors.

As the four continued to catch up, however... Kagetora pulled Kagu-tsuchi aside.

"Any sign of it?"

"Nope. Not at all."

"So what's the part she's not telling us?"

"I don't... think there is one."

"Really."

"Yeah." Kagetora looked back at Ritsuka. "It's a little bittersweet, but... I think she really is just happy to see that everyone else is okay."

"...So that's it, then? We can move on, now?"

"I'd give it a little more time. Make sure to tie up any loose ends... or at least the ones we can." Kagetora's eyes continued to stare. "Make sure there's nothing left to wonder. Then... yeah. Maybe we can finally put all of this to rest."

So.

Yet another figure appeared, rising from the floor, flickering and shifting like a hologram.

An dark emerald suit, inlaid with gold, peppered with random accessories that looked vaguely... Greco-Roman.

Cherry-red hair tinged with streaks of technicolor.

A comically large, poofy, sky-blue bow adorning a long ponytail.

Eyes like a nebula. A smile like a crack in spacetime—

"Don't you think that's kind of overdoing it, hun?"

...Aya sighed.

"Just thought you'd be excited to see me."

"When am I ever?"

"Ha ha." Aya shifted closer. "Y'know, you could at least warn a girl before disappearing for a month and a half."

"Didn't think you'd care."

"Oh, when don't I, Stardust?" Aya giggled before planting a quick kiss on Ritsuka's cheek. "So... did they miss you?"

"That's none of your business."

"Oh, come on!!" Aya pouted. "They were my friends, too... weren't they?"

"Quit trying to stir shit." Jeanne rolled her eyes.

"It's a genuine question!! Seriously, I should have gone with you—"

"We agreed that would've been a bad idea." Kagu-tsuchi cut in. "Now, come on. I'm sure Starlight's exhausted after everything. Let her rest, you can all pounce on her again later."

Aya continued to whine. But, everyone begrudgingly stepped back to give Ritsuka space. Except Kagu-tsuchi. She got closer.

"...Thanks, Yume."

"Oh, I just wanted you to myself for a bit. Can we talk?"

—————

The balcony outside the rec room.

A simulated cliffside overlooking the sea.

A constant ocean breeze under an eternal twilight.

Ritsuka leaned against the railing, staring off into the horizon. Kagu-tsuchi leaned as well, albeit with her back turned to the forever-fading light.

"...You think this is gonna be the last time?"

"I don't know."

The two remained silent for a moment. Only the wind and the waves below were proof that time still flowed.

"...You never answered Aya's question."

"I never had an answer."

"Then why do you still think—"

"Kagu-tsuchi."

Ritsuka's eyes closed.

"...What... is this... about?"

Kagu-tsuchi sighed.

"...We're just... tired, Starlight. All of us."

"Of my inability to move on?"

"Of your— ...yeah. That."

"I understand." Ritsuka's eyes opened. "I still remember what Benzaiten told me."

"Oh, good, 'cause I wasn't there."

"...You're right, Yume." Ritsuka sighed. "Maybe... Maybe this should be the last time. Maybe... Maybe it will be."

Another silence.

"...Um... I wasn't kidding, Starlight. I wasn't there. The hell did she tell you?"

To let go.

...Yeah, that sounds pretty on-brand for her.

...

...so.

You think you're gonna try for real this time?

I've been trying for real every time.

Fair, fair. Still. You think this is it?

I've lost count of how many times I've said this is it.

Fuck's sake, Starlight, how long is this gonna go on?

...

...my name.

...Huh?

I have a name, Yume.

Use it.

...

...Daikokuten?

......Mahākāla?

...............Lord Ouroboros?

...

...

...Fine.

How long is this gonna go on...