Section 4: A Curse, a Grudge, and a Video Tape (1/2)

Ugh, I'm frigging exhausted...

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Well, we now know that dying doesn't seem to have affected my stats.

So at least that's something.

Normally, I'd encourage us to push on with the investigation, but given everything that happened just yesterday, I can understand how exhausted you must feel.

Why don't we save the investigation for the afternoon and use the morning to rest and recuperate, Master?

I agree. I'm sure you're very tired as well, Master.

You most certainly deserve a rest.

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Ugh, you're telling me. Now I know how the dead horse feels after it's been beaten.

Hahaha, now, now. Remember, all of us, excluding Master, have been dead before, even if we weren't horses.

W-well, yeah, I guess that's true. But where'd that come from?

I was, um...trying to make a joke.

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I suppose you're right. How embarrassing.

...Ahahahaha!

Seeing you get all crestfallen was just the thing I needed to cheer up!

All right then, that's all for now. Enjoy your morning, everyone.

What're you gonna do, Fujimaru?

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Sure! This is great! We're gonna have so much fun together!

So what should we play? We could play in the water...or go for a walk... Hmm...

Three... Two... One...♪

H-hey! Quit counting down, Ruby! You're stressing me out!

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T-take my time, huh? Well, in that case...

How about a walk in the woods?

I've heard there's some kind of extract or component or something there that's really good for you!

You're thinking of phytoncides.

They come from tree trunks and leaves, and they're supposed to have a wonderfully refreshing scent.

That's it! Okay then, woods, here we come!

Oh wow, you can hear the cicadas everywhere here.

Allow me!

These are known as cryptotympana facialis. They tend to be active in the morning and disperse right before noon.

So if you want to catch one, you know what they say: the early bird gets the worm. Well, the cicada, in this case.

Oh wow, I can't believe you knew that. You're so smart, Fujimaru.

Whoa... I can't believe you could tell what species they were just by the sound they make! What an astonishing achievement!

Oh come on, it's not THAT impressive!

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Anyway, this, umphytoncide?stuff really does smell good, doesn't it?

It feels like it's cleansing my whole body...

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It'd be even better...

...if the cicadas would just keep it down a little...

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Something wrong, Fujimaru? Hmm. You saw a mysterious looking girl? Out here in the woods?

I wonder if she's a new Servant... Can you make anything out about her, Ruby?

While I can usually detect most Servants and Servant-like beings...

...my sensors don't seem to work very well in these woods.

Why's that?

Geronimo said it's because they're contaminated with a fairly strong curse.

Contaminated!? So we've been basking in cursed woods this whole time!?

Hey, we're not Servants for nothing.

Fujimaru isn't!

Let's be honest: if we're actually in a horror movie right now, he was probably doomed the moment he set foot in this cursed land.

Are you okay, Fujimaru!? Are you feeling weird or anything!?

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Phew...

We may be here to repair a Singularity, Fujimaru, but we're still on summer vacation.

So I hope yours turns out to be a good one!

I'm not entirely sure yet... What are you going to do, Yu Mei-ren?

I'm still feeling pretty sluggish from dying, so I'm just gonna laze around the cottage.

And I'm planning on joining her, so there you go.

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If you're all in a lazy mood, how about we enjoy a relaxing summer with some soumen, the lazy person's noodle of choice?

Ooh, soumen. That sound great.

Eating soumen is part of how the Japanese spend their typical summers, isn't it? I can't wait to try some.

Yeah... Me too...

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Shall I turn on the air conditioner?

Nah, that's okay. It's still pretty cool out.

Very well then. How about something to drink?

Hmm... How about some ice water?

Understood.

What would you like, Master?

I can prepare coffee, tea, juice, or even soft drinks for you...

How about a little alcohol? We don't have much to go around, but we do have some.

Uh, no, that's okay. Even I wouldn't feel right having alcohol before noon.

And hey, why're you trying to placate me, anyway?

What do you think I am, some crazy criminal who could go wild at any moment if you don't keep an eye on me!?

Not at all, Lady Yu Mei-ren.

It's just that past experience has taught me it pays to be careful with you.

Gnnn...

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Do. Not. Pun. My. Name.

Hahaha.

I'm glad to see you're back to your old self. Here's your ice water.

Oh, thanks. (Glug, glug...) Ahhh.

And here's yours, Master.

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Not at all.

(Sigh) Everything else aside...

...it still really sucks that Lord Xiang Yu's not here with me...

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Exactly.

Still, since I got it, it'd be a waste not to wear it.

Maybe you could take some pictures or videos to show him later?

Unlike you guys, I'm all about living in the moment.

You guys might be changing all the time, but I'm the same now as I've always been and always will be.

So saving things for later doesn't mean jack squat to me.

Hmm, I see.

Personally, I was thinking that if Lord Xiang Yu ever found himself at death's door...

...such photos and videos might be a comfort to him.

...Damn, you went right for the jugular, didn't you? Okay, fine, knock yourself out.

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...You better not let anyone besides Lord Xiang Yu and Prince of Lan Ling see these. Well, I guess Enma's okay, too.

Hey! Don't you think that's enough already!?

Hahaha.

Don't just stand there laughing, Lan Ling! You get in here, too!

Wah!

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A peace sign!?

U-um... H-how's this?

Phew. That ought to do it.

That was so embarrassing...

Hehehe.

You were a noble. After all the praise that was heaped on you, I didn't think anything could make you blush.

Well, back when I was alive, I never imagined I'd one day flash a smile while sticking two fingers up in the air.

Cut yourself some slack. Nothing wrong with letting your hair down now and then.

Anyway, the soumen's ready now. Dig in.

Mmm. Looks good.

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Huh, these things just slide right down, don't they?

Soumen's the kind of summer treat you can enjoy even when you don't have much of an appetite.

Though for these, I also mixed in some finely chopped pickled plums to whet your appetites anyway.

They were delicious. Thank you so much. Don't worry about the dishes; I'll take care of them.

Yeah? Thanks. I appreciate that.

Not at all. Please take some time to relax as well, Lord Emiya.

What is that? Some kind of psychedelic program?

It's just static. It's what shows up when the TV can't pick up a real signal.

Remind me, Prince of Lan Ling, did you like Chinese court music?

I'm afraid I was never graceful enough to be any good at musical performances...

Oh. Never mind then.

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... ...

... ...

... ...

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Hey, Fujimaru.

Yeah, you. Why do you look so out of it?

Is this really that special for you?

Is that so.

...Huh, weird. Now I'm feeling kind of nostalgic, too.

Maybe you're rubbing off on me more than I thought.

That so.

Well, that's fine.

Now I know I wasn't just feeling what you were feeling.

You mean, nostalgic?

...Just a little.

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