Remaining Days: 5
Today, our schedule included me going to classes again. I have not done that for quite a long time, but it does not feel like I have missed very much. Maybe it is because in the classroom there is no one but me and Saber, so the NPC teacher can focus completely on teaching me. I am glad Saber does not snore in her sleep or she would be pretty disruptive.
In the end, I managed to rework most of my Code Casts and even understand a bit more about the coding language the Moon Cell uses. It comes in handy when writing new Code Casts, just a bit more work and the only hurdle to strong Code Casts will be my imagination—after all, I could not write a program if I had no idea what it is supposed to achieve.
It is noon, and we still have not met our opponent for this week. Every time I am about to walk around a corner, I fear there will be some kind of sneak attack, anything. I can barely even concentrate; this feeling of paranoia just will not leave. Whatever I do, wherever I am; it always feels like someone is watching my every step. From Saber's expression I can read she feels the same.
Considering Saber's credible instincts and guts, I can tell we really are in potential danger. If we were not, Saber would not be so on edge, though she keeps telling me nothing would happen. Of course, the SERAPH is there to prevent any sneak attacks and similar, but it is not like it could not happen. In the second round, Saber was poisoned by our enemy on the schoolground. I just cannot trust the SERAPH as much…
Also, currently Rin would not be available to help us, should we get in bad trouble. That just makes me feel so much more scared of what may be happening any second.
I would ask other students, but there are not much left. Supposedly, besides Julius and me, there are 6 other Masters left at this point. I barely run into any of them anymore, this school has really become lonely. But I have Saber by my side, so I suppose I am fine. And as soon as Rin comes to, I will be perfectly fine again.
As we make our way out of the classroom, a teacher NPC approaches us—Fujimura Taiga. It has been a long time since she talked to me out of the lectures, and the last time she did Saber and I earned ourselves the bed we have now.
"Ritsuka-chan! You're such a kind student, aren't you? You surely would have some time to spare to do your favourite teacher a favour, wouldn't you?" This feels like such a déjà-vu. Saber and I do not really have that many other plans, and the second Trigger will not be available to be collected until tomorrow, so I am open for any favour. Especially because it may get us something in return.
"Yes, sure—if I can do it, I will." Saber does not seem too happy about extra work, but she does not complain. Maybe she has some respect for authority after all? Though, considering her story, I should not really be this naïve. This is the probably most stubborn rebel I am talking about. If she really keeps her complaints to herself for a reason, it is probably just for my sake. How much more could I even love this girl?
"That's wonderful," beams Fujimura, as she explains the errand further. "I really am starving for a pudding." Somehow, the word 'pudding' makes me feel slightly offended, but I cannot really figure out why.
"What kind?" asks Saber. I am surprised she even joins this conversation, but maybe she just wants to hurry into the Arena for her training.
"A chocolate pudding with vanilla sauce—that would be my favourite! You should be able to find one in the Arena." Chocolate pudding with vanilla sauce. This sounds oddly familiar, but I really cannot put my finger on it. Just what does this remind me of?
"Okay, we'll get one for you," I promise her, but Saber has something else on mind I would not dare to ask.
"What's in it for us?" Saber…! It is just rude to ask this question. This is my teacher, so naturally we should try to do her a favour, if it is possible for us. But of course, Saber would not care. Thankfully, Fujimura does not seem to take any offense.
"I could get your room a bigger bed—and an additional bathroom with a really big, luxurious bathtub." Fujimura winks at us, as if to imply something. It takes me a while until I realise her intention.
She wants me and Saber to be able to spend better quality time together—having a bath together, having a probably softer, much bigger bed to ourselves… I could never express my gratitude. Saber does not seem to catch any implications, though. She is just excited like a kid waiting for the toy she always wanted, which is cute but almost irritating. How can such obvious suggestions just go over her head? Even I understood!
We say goodbye to Fujimura and make our way to the Arena. The prospect of such great rewards seem to have Saber fired up, because she is cutting through Enemy Programs even more easily and faster than usual. It takes us quite a while to find the pudding Fujimura asked us for. It is embarrassing to admit, but fetching this was harder than getting the first Trigger. I store("chocolate pudding + vanilla"); it and we leave the Arena.
Back in the school, however, we cannot find Fujimura. It is just so irritating that such NPCs can disappear without a trace. Like a set event in a game, at a certain day we will run into her again and finally get our reward. Hopefully soon, I do not see Saber as a really patient person.
"I'll go check on Rin," I tell her. I have not done so earlier today, but I hope I could be with her when she wakes up. So that I could explain, to not have her too confused.
"'kay, I'll wait in our room." Saber pouts cutely again—though I doubt she is intending to look cute. I kiss her cheek.
"It won't take long, promise."
It is really easy to keep this promise, since Rin is still unconscious. I have no other choice but to go back to our room, where Saber is waiting for me, like a loyal puppy. As soon as I meet her there, she barely gives me the time to change into my nightgown before she pulls me into a tight embrace. She will not really let me go before next morning, I suppose.
But I could get used to this.