Even Were That a Counterfeit...

You want to know what I thought of the Count?

Not the Count of Monte Cristo, but

Yeah. The Cagliostro one.

The guy behind the necklace incident we were talking about before Dantès vanished.

At the moment, he's at the top of our "Shitheads Who Might Be Count Assface" list.

So if it is him, and we end up having to fight him, I want to know some stuff about him first.

...I see. This isn't the kind of thing I usually like to talk about over tea, but very well.

You really are Jeanne d'Arc, aren't you?

The Maiden of Orleans. The prodigy of warfare who heard the voice of God and led France to victory.

If you think hearing you praise my annoying big sister is gonna make me happy, you're way off the mark.

No, wait. She's NOT my big sister, dammit. She's not my sister. She's not my sister... Okay, I'm good.

Anyway, go on, spill it. I'm pretty curious about this shitty Count now myself.

You are?

Master said it himself earlier. You don't look so good right now.

Usually, you're beaming like the freakin' sun...

...but even I can see you've got a little pall over you today.

So yeah, I'm curious.

Plus, I could tell what you said earlier wasn't the whole story.

I'm sure you weren't lying about having only met him once, but there's still more to it, isn't there?

So, spill.

... ...

...Okay.

The first time I saw Count Cagliostro, he seemed...

...empty, like a hollow cavern.

Wha...? Huh?

...You've gotta be kidding me.

Was I dreaming?

Me?

For that matter, I don't even know why I was sleeping.

Ugh, I didn't even change out of my uniform. Now my blazer's all wrinkled.

And why was I dreaming about stupid Marie of all people?

... ...

No... She's not stupid. I know that.

She gave me a serious fight almost immediately after I'd been born.

Not many people out there you can say that about.

No, no, what the hell am I saying? I'm a Servant! I shouldn't be dreaming at all!

...Well, then again...

...I guess there've been times when my connection to Master led to us seeing the same memories together.

So maybe he was just having that dream himself.

Then again...that conversation was pretty recent.

...Hm?

(I wonder... Am I becoming more human?)

(Is the girl I'm possessing influencing me more than I realized?)

(Maybe she is. I'm not sure if that's good or bad.)

(All I can say for sure is...)

(...it definitely didn't feel like Master's mind was anywhere nearby.)

...Master.

... ...

(Fujimaru.)

(He's been on a journey for as long as I've known him.)

(But, even after all the time he's been at it, he's never really come to terms with what he's doing.)

(He still insists on being "normal.")

(It's always the same thing with him. He keeps going around doing normally good things...)

He immediately gets attached to people...

...does everything he can to protect them...

...gets hurt in the process...

...and always ends up looking like...that.

...Ughhh. I'm the worst!

How can I be so insensitive!?

Maybe they're not real...

...but he still just lost his family and childhood friend!

... ...

...Sure, it was Jeanne who had a family and everything else.

Me, I don't have shit, but...

(Even so...that's no reason I can't at least feel something for his situation.)

(If I can't even do that...)

(...then I might as well be empty, like a hollow cavern...)

You're going already?

Are you sure? If you'd like to stay home from school awhile, that's perfectly all right.

Granted, I have work during the day, so I can't stay here with you, but still.

？！

You're very bit as tough as your mother, which also means you take after me.

All right. If you insist, then I won't say anything more.

Except, "Make sure to look both ways before crossing the street."

...All right. See you later.

...It feels like I'm forgetting something, but I can't put my finger on what...

？！

I see.

Oh. Right.

Right... Of course! I completely forgot about that.

But it's too late to make you something now, so... Hmm...

For today, I'll give you some lunch money. But starting tomorrow, I'll make something for you every da

...Hmm. Is an assortment of frozen foods okay or do lunches need to be handmade?

I can't just buy something at the convenience store or hire a caterer every day, so...

？！

...I see.

...Okay, see you later then. I'll be home by six o'clock.

？！

(Nod)

...Morning.

？！

Hey.

Well, let's head to school, yeah?

Oh, by the way.

I'm not sure you've noticed, so just in case...

...Himeko and Ricardo have been following us for a while now, and they're trying to do it stealthily.

I think they're here for you. That's why I'm letting you know.

...Did you want to talk to them?

？！

Gotcha.

... ...

...I'm gonna take your silence as a "yes."

Hey, Himeko. Ricardo. The jig's up. Quit hiding. Get out here.

H-how did you know we were here? You never even turned around.

You sure about that, Himeko? You probably just didn't notice.

Anyway, she said the jig's up, so I'm just going with it. Already did, in fact.

...Hey, Fujimaru.

We, um, heard what happened. Word kind of got out in our classroom, so

Ow! Geez, you really slugged me there.

I-it's nothing! We just wanted to say we're, uh, sorry we couldn't eat lunch together yesterday...

B-b-but that you shouldn't worry about it today! Today, it's my treat!

F-f-f-for the time being, this is all I can think of, so...

!

G-great! S-so then, I'm just gonna get whatever I think looks good, okay?

But, um, if there's anything you don't want, just let me know!

R-right... Of course you can't think about things like that right now...

I'm... I'm sorry...

C'mon. You don't have to apologize for that.

Listen, Fujimaru. I'm sure you have no idea what to do at times like this. To tell you the truth, neither do we.

But if there's anything we can do...anything you'd like us to do...

...or even anything you'd like us not to do...just say the word.

...That's all.

？！

The light changed. Come on, let's go.

Good morning, President Marie!

Good morning, everyone.

Oh, Fujimaru! How do you do?

？！

Oh yes, good morning.

And a good morning to you, too, Oruta, Osakabe, and Andou!

Uh, hey.

Uh, m-mornin'.

O-oh man, President Marie wished me a good morning! Starting off the day with a good omen...

Good morning. And a good morning to you, too, Oruta, Osakabe, and Andou.

Uh, hey.

Uh, m-mornin'.

O-oh man, President Marie wished me a good morning! Starting off the day with a good omen...

Oh? What are you doing here?

Ms. Katsume told me you came to school yesterday as well. You mustn't push yourself too hard.

You've been through such a...painful experience...

...Fujimaru.

Hi, Uncle. I mean, Vice-Principal.

Hello, Marie. I'm counting on you to be especially considerate of Fujimaru right now.

I know. That's my intention.

Fujimaru, if there's anything at all we can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.

I mean it.

We will all band together to do everything we can to protect you. You needn't worry about a thing.

？！

You okay? You looked like you were going to faint.

Marie, take Fujimaru to the infirmary, if you would. I'll call an ambulance, just in case.

Yes, of course.

Okay, enough. This isn't THAT big a deal.

You don't feel sick or anything, right?

？！

...Then at least stop by the infirmary before homeroom.

It's important to seek help when you feel unwell, even if only a little. You mustn't just try to push through.

C'mon, he said he's okay.

I'm very sorry. Uncle's always been a worrywart.

He's a very good vice-principal who really cares about the students, but...

Hmph. Yeah, right.

...?

Hehe. So that's it. I think I see what's going on here now.

You really love Fujimaru, don't you, Oruta!?

Huh!?

Wha...!?

No way! Oruta!? The intimidating girl everyone's at least a little scared of!?

Hehe. That's why you're so worried about him, right?

And it's why you're so prickly when it comes to

Are you nuts!?

You're outta your damn mind if you think I love him! What kinda student council president spreads rumors like that!?

C'mon, Vice-Principal! Don't just stand there! Stop her already!

How wonderful. I'm so glad to see Marie's made a friend who can keep up with her.

I know, right!? I'm not sure why, but Oruta and I just get along really well.

Freakin' great! Uncle and niece both, living on a whole other damn planet!

I-I can't believe what I'm seeing. President Marie and Oruta the delinquent are going head-to-head!?

Wh-what do we do now!?

All right, what's all this commotion? Enough dawdling, all of you! Get to class!

...Hm?

Oh, it's you two. And...

...you...

Good morning, Mr. Salieri! It really is lovely today, isn't it?

We're so lucky to have such an excellent guidance counselor. Thank you for everything you do for us.

My queen.

???

I-I mean, Student Council President. Right... You're Marie, the student council president.

Hehe. Silly Mr. Salieri. You know I'm not married.

But thank you! "Queen," eh? Maybe that's a sign I'll marry a king someday.

Hahaha. A king, you say? That would be quite something.

Ah! A ukulele!

Look! There's someone on top of the school ga Whoa! He just jumped off!

Hyah!

And hup.

What's this I hear about you getting married, Maria? You can't bring something like that up and leave your dearest childhood friend out of the conversation.

Oh, how do you do, Wolf! You're here bright and early again.

Guess what? I might be getting married to a king someday.

Well now, isn't that amazing. I don't know if you're dreaming big or just plain dreaming...

...but I could see that really happening. No one out there is more charming than you!

Why thank you, Wolf. You always have such nice things to say.

Although... Hmm. Now that I think about it...

...I'm not sure I can really consider marriage at this point.

Of course not. You're the student council president, no?

Yes, you're right. And that means I have a duty to all students.

Still, maybe every now and then...

...it wouldn't be so bad for me to put myself first. Just every now and then.

Like, what if I did something that had nothing to do with my student council duties, like go on a date, or...

Oh, I know. Fujimaru!

Would you be willing to go on a date with me?

？！

A buh, a buh buh buh! (Spluttering)

A date!?

President Marie's gonna go on a date!? Eee!

H-huh!? A date? What in the actual hell!?

Oh? Is that not okay?

Uh... Not really for me to decide, but...don't you think that was kinda sudden?

(Hey, Master? It's me coming to you telepathically again.)

(I'm not trying to interfere or anything like that. I just felt like this needed saying.)

(There's no telling when another trial might begin, and there could be another incident like with Boudica, even without any trumpets blowing.)

(So it makes sense for us to stay on our guard. Got it?)

Ahh, I see. Now it all makes sense, Marie.

You know, you're right. It may be a good change of pace for you and Fujimaru to go somewhere together.

You're such a thoughtful girl. Always have been.

Um...

Sure, let's go with that, Uncle!

Besides, everyone needs a good change of pace now and then.

Huh?

Hang on a sec. Did you just say, "Let's go with that"?

So, Fujimaru, what do you say?

Huh!?

Hmm, interesting. You don't quite seem like my Maria.

No? Well, it's still me! Your childhood friend, Maria.

Anyway, Fujimaru...

...how does tomorrow, Sunday, sound for our date!?

Fujimaru? Are you awake?

？！

Good.

I wish I could let you sleep in, since it's Sunday...

...but last night you mentioned you had plans for today.

Breakfast is on the table. Make sure you eat up before you go.

Good. Do that.

And, um...have fun today.

Again!? But you took one just last night, right before be

O-oh. I'm sorry.

I'm glad you're so focused on your personal cleanliness. I-I just want to make sure that's coming from a...wholesome place.

I'm your aunt, so I do worry about you doing... Uh...

A-anyway, just remember, you're still only a high school student, so I want you to behave like one.

So just keep that in mind...and go out and enjoy yourself.

Got that?

？！

(I'm coming in clear, right?)

(I just wanted you to know that Kagekiyo and I will be nearby the whole time.)

(And Hassan'll be in spirit form, keeping an eye on your aunt who looks like Scáthach.)

(So, this...thing today might really be just an ordinary date...)

(...but there's no harm in being careful after what happened with Ms. Fuka, is there?)

(That's all this is. Just being careful.)

(Oh, if you're wondering about Mr. Sal, he's still at school. Got some work his host body needs to catch up on, apparently.)

(Man, being a working stiff must suck.)

？！

(...)

(Since we've still got some time to kill, let's go over everything we know just to make sure we're on the same page.)

(Based on what we've seen so far, the trial Servants materialize in Tokyo, pretty much out of nowhere.)

(But then there are possessed enemies, like Boudica, who show up without any faner, trumpetfare.)

(And there's those weird fire things too, just to round things out with non-Servant enemies.)

(Oh, and stray dogs? You said those attacked you too, right?)

(Seems pretty clear that we only have to deal with a big bad after we hear that trumpet...)

(Not that we can let our guard down the rest of the time. So, yeah.)

(Of course, we're gonna keep an eye on you, just in case.)

(...Guess I already said that, huh.)

(...Right.)

(...At least say SOMETHING, dammit.)

？！

(Whup, there she is.)

(She's not as early as you, but she's still early. Okay, shutting up now.)

(Bye.)

Oh, you're here early.

Well, that's all right. How do you do, Fujimaru?

Huh. So you're not surprised.

I like that. It's so much easier when you don't have people freaking out over every little change.

Anyway, yes, it's me, Marie. Let's have some fun today, yeah?

Hmm, so that's your response.

Well, I admit it's not a big surprise, but it is a little disappointing.

I guess you judge books by their covers too, then.

Anyway, yes, it's me, Marie. Let's have some fun today, yeah?

？！

I see you're in your school uniform, too. Though you're not wearing it any differently than usual.

Nothing wrong with that. Actually, I even think it's kind of nice.

Being the same everywhere you go might sound easy, but it's not.

People are always changing who they are to suit the time and place.

You're one way around a teacher, another around your friends...

...another around your family, and yet another when you're all alone.

Sometimes those ways are pretty similar, and sometimes, they couldn't be more different.

You don't seem all that different from when you're at school...

...but this is how I'm going to be for our date.

You'd better believe it!

Most days, I'm Marie the student council president. Today, I'm just Marie.

That's how I am when I just want to cut loose for a bit.

Hehe. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Especially on a date.

？！

It's getting awfully crowded here.

Must be rush hour or something. Shall we get going?

My uncle says youth goes by slowly...

...but I'm not so sure about that.

All I know is, we'll never get another chance to experience today.

So we should make the most of it before the sun sets.

Don't you think?

If you don't mind, I was hoping to check out some new accessories.

Maybe a ring... Oh, a necklace could be good too.

I don't know exactly what I want. I just know I want something new.

That okay?

Thanks.

I don't know this place all that well, but I heard there's something like two hundred stores, so...

Hmm. Yeah, if we just walk around...

...maybe I'll find just the kind of store I'm looking for.

？！

Hm?

Oh, hehe, don't worry. I wasn't saying I wanted to look in all of them.

If I don't find any accessories that catch my eye, that's all right.

I mainly wanted to wander around somewhere new, visit stores I've never seen before...

...and find some clothes that look good on you, or some random thing that catches my eye even though it's not my style...

Maybe we can even get our fortunes told, or buy an aromatic candle even though I know it'll only light like three times before it's gone...

That's how I want to kill time with you today.

Those are the kinds of things...

...I want to try doing with you on this date.

I'm not saying. Not yet.

I'll take that as a sign of your agreement.

？！

Okay, let's get started. You might as well enjoy yourself while we're here too.

Actually, I take that back.

I'm going to have fun no matter what, so you should do whatever you feel like, too.

Whether you have fun or not is totally up to you.

Now then... Shall we?

Ooh, check it out. They have stone oven pizza here!

Mm, that smells good...

Chinese food is pretty great too. Do you like it?

Sometimes it's hot and spicy, sometimes it's smooth and mellow...

I enjoy it both ways, personally.

Ooh, crepes! We've definitely gotta get crepes! Look, they're made fresh to order and everything!

I'm getting double chocolate banana with whipped cream.

No, wait. Frozen strawberry and chocolate with whipped cream sounds really good, too...

Hm?

...Yes?

？！

You know, come to think of it...

Do you know what this place's deal is?

It's so strange. The whole mall is indoors, but they make it feel like you're outside.

It has kind of a European atmosphere, too.

There's a fountain, a town square, stone buildings...

A plate that looks like a giant face... They even have Rome's Mouth of Truth!

It's all fake, of course. I guess you could say the same of everything here, really.

Hehe, me neither. I just read a little bit about it on the mall's website this morning.

Oh, right. That is what we were talking about, isn't it?

？！

Look. They even have a fake sky.

A fake, European cityscape built inside a huge building...

I always wanted to come here at least once.

It's like we both are and aren't in Tokyo here. Isn't that cool?

？！

I'm glad I came here with you. No... I'm glad I got to spend some time with you.

Thank you, Fujimaru. I'm satisfied.

So...

...let's get down to business. You see, the truth is...

...I bought us movie tickets.

I think you'll really like it.

Not a fan of these kinds of movies?

...Just kidding.

I'm sorry. This is terrible of me.

You just lost everyone you loved. "Not a fan" hardly does your feelings justice.

I can tell how you feel.

Oh yes. I know exactly what you're going through.

I can't help but know.

No... I know how you feel.

I know that fire burning within you. And I know what it wants.

When you lose someone precious... When they're cruelly taken from you...

...your soul cries out for you to find the one responsible...

...track them down...

...pursue them...

...catch them...

...and kill them.

You want revenge. Revenge for the despair that's left where the people you loved once were.

You want to take from them like they took from you, to snuff out as many lives as they did.

Even when you know that only God has the right to kill... Even when you know nothing good will come of it...

...you still believe with such certainty...

...that you'll feel at least a little better afterward.

I...

I could never forgive someone for killing the people I love. I'd kill everyone responsible.

No matter how they begged for their lives or what awful circumstances forced them to what they did...

...I'd take everyone who killed my family...who hurt my beloved Charles...

...and I would grind them to dust, without mercy, without reprieve.

I'd make them pay. I swear it.

...What about you?

Is something wrong?

...Oh my.

You're bleeding.

You mustn't bite your lip so hard. You'll bite it right off.

Did you really not notice?

Ahh, I knew it. You had no idea, even with all that blood.

...You have no problem dealing with your own pain, do you?

... ...

I see. I understand you better now.

You're THAT kind of person. I'm sure it's not quite the same as being obtuse, but it's not so different, either.

...Hmm.

I've got a juicy secret for you. You see, the thing about me is...

...I hate people like that.

Oh my.

You look terrifying.

Do you have any idea how you're looking at me right now?

Aha, you don't. I knew it.

But, you know...

...I like this look more than your usual one.

？！