Section 5: Downtown (Ⅱ) / Present for You

Okay, here are the results!

Xu Fu, Nikitich, and Tenochtitlan will be Team A.

Karna, Bartholomew, and Percival will be Team B.

And Master, Ereshkigal, Lip, and I will be Team C!

I'm just the guide, and I don't have a card of my own, so please don't mind me. I'll just be tagging along.

Besides, I already got the best present in the world yesterday!

... ...

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What do we do when we're done?

Good point. Let's decide on a time and place to meet up now.

Also, as big as this place is, if we get separated from our team, we can also wait there.

Sounds good to me. All right then, let's get gift shopping!

So, what are you planning to buy, Fujimaru?

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...Oh! I-I'm sorry. I guess I was kind of spacing out.

Um, what was your question again? Shopping?

Hmm... I don't have many good ideas right now, either.

I might just have to keep wandering around and see if anything catches my eye.

Well then, why don't we get moving?

This place is huge and it's absolutely packed, so it would be easy to get lost if you're not careful.

Be careful, okay!?

I'll be fine. I'm not a child.

Besides, what about you? You're a highly sensitive Servant, right? Won't navigating this giant crowd be hard?

Thank you for your concern, but I'll be fine!

When I'm in places like this, I always focus really hard on not bumping into anyone.

Besides, I'm one of the more Assassiny Alter Egos of the Sakura Five that split off from BB...

...so I'm sure I'll be fine if I just pay attention to my surroundings and use Presence Concealment! Probably!

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We've got trouble, Master! I'm so sorry! I thought I was being careful...

...but I didn't notice until now that we got separated from Lip and Ereshkigal!

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Right... That's true. We did decide to meet up at the dinosaur fossil if we ended up lost or separated.

And things like this happen in large shopping complexes all the time.

So there's no need to panic, I suppose. Let's just head over to the fossil and wait for them there.

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I didn't expect us to have any trouble finding it since it stands out so clearly.

But everything in this mall looks so similar, it's easy to lose your way.

That's making it impossible to tell where we are or how to find the fossil!

Wh-what do we do now?

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Huh? What am I doing here? I don't remember coming this way.

I guess I must have gotten separated from Fujimaru and the others.

...Fujimaru...

...Dammit. What kind of Master is he, going off on his own?

He's just a fragile human. He should be playing it safe and staying with his goddess.

...Goddess, huh...

Ah... Khh...

Terrifying...

...Huh? Who's...there...?

How truly, utterly terrifying...

Overcoming death. Escaping death.

This future is wrong. The succession of the prime species is a mistake.

You must protect the haven for souls. You must protect their peace, their dignity.

Our duty is to preserve. We must not let that which belongs here disappear.

The underworld should not be a place of fear, but of finality. You know that.

It is engraved deep in your very soul.

...I will

(Huff... Huff...!)

Wh-what was that!?

Does this mean...I'm done for? That I...

...No. No, I... I still...

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This...doesn't look like a store.

I think it must be...a gym?

Right you are. Even celebrities need exercise, after all.

Welcome to Extra Sports Gym. Are you the tourists visiting from Earth?

Oh, uh, hello. Do you work here?

Yes, but I'm just a temp. I have a lot of jobs right now. This is just the one I'm working today.

It's only been a few days since I got to Dubai, but I at least know this mall better than you two.

I'd be glad to help if you need it. May I ask your names?

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And I'm Mash Kyrielight.

I see. Nice to meet you, Fujimaru and Mash.

I'mActually, I guess there's no point in memorizing an ordinary clerk's name, huh. You can just call me the part-timer.

Understood. Thank you for your consideration.

So, um, do you know your way around the mall well?

You see, we're kind of lost and were hoping someone could give us directions.

Of course. As big as this place is, it's easy to get lost, even if you have a map.

So if you're looking for someone or trying to get somewhere in particular, I'm happy to help.

Although...it looks to me like that's not the only thing on your mind, Fujimaru.

Are you sure directions are the only thing I can help you with?

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When you work as many part-time jobs as I do, you start to get pretty sensitive to customers' feelings.

Don't waste the chance to make a choice. Having fun is all well and good, but moderation is important.

Huh?

I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about... But, strangely, you do seem trustworthy.

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Good question. It's definitely not impossible. In fact, it might even be simple.

For example, here, anyone could become a Moon Cancer. All they'd have to do is ask BB.

R-really?

We haven't been able to accurately perceive Servant classes ever since we got here...

But I had no idea it was that easy to change them...

It just means you shouldn't take them too seriously here.

The class doesn't make the Servant. Change their class and they're still the same person.

The only thing that really changes is how people see them. And there are any number of ways to deal with that.

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Oh, your eyes are clearing up there. Good. Now you look like a Master should.

Huh? You knew Senpai was a Master?

Well, yeah. I doubt there's anybody in Dubai who doesn't.

BB invited you personally. I hope you can live up to her expectations.

Now then, you still need directions, don't you?

I can tell you the way to get where you're going. First, though, let me give you a surefire way to avoid getting lost.

Remember those signboard-looking things you've been seeing in the middle of the aisles?

Those are touchscreen maps. You can punch in your destination and they'll tell you how to get there.

There's also a Dubai Mall app you can download that'll do the same thing.

R-really?

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Think you can find your way with that? Great.

Okay then, good luck.

Now that we have these maps, we shouldn't have any trouble finding the fossil.

...Hm?

Oh, there you are!

I'm so sorry. I was so focused on not bumping into anyone that I didn't realize I had fallen behind.

Are you okay, Mash and Fujimaru? You weren't in any danger, were you!?

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I'm glad you found us, Lip, but it looks like Ereshkigal isn't with you.

Hopefully she's still on her way to the meetup point.

Oh, I remembered where we were supposed to meet up, too...

...but I couldn't manage to find my way there.

Sounds like you were in the same boat as us.

Well, don't worry. Someone really nice told us how we can get there.

Really? That's great.

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Huh? You want to make a stop along the way, Senpai?

Yes, of course that's okay!

Okay, let's wait here for Ereshkigal to show up.

Maybe she already met up with one of the other teams after they finished their shopping.

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Oh, you guys finished quickly. ...You got separated from Ereshkigal?

Oh, well I hope she's okay. She looked like she wasn't feeling well.

Oh, we all finished our shopping and gift exchange.

Tenoch gave me this great barrette. It'd look even better on Lady Yu, don't you think?

...Not that I'm going to give it to her. I'm not so tactless that I'd regift like that.

I'm just enjoying imagining how good it would look on Lady Yu's perfect head...and how nice it would be to be twinsies.

Not quite what I had in mind when I gave it to you, but I suppose as long as you're happy with it.

As for me, Nikitich gave me this lovely model of the whole Dubai Mall.

What a sensual little thing, being able to gaze at it from so many different angles.

It's so sexy. Maybe even a little too sexy.

I really don't know what you're talking about, but the main thing is that you like it!

Me, I got some camel reins from Xu Fu. Hehe, these'll be perfect for my steed!

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Oh, are we the last to arrive? ...No, I guess not.

I see. So you're waiting for Ereshkigal.

...My present? Bartholomew gave me a book on the city's history. I love it.

I can't wait to start learning more about Dubai's culture, and how it became what it is today.

The more I learn, the more I want to experience; the more I experience, the more I want to learn.

I'm caught in an infinite loop, and enjoying every minute of it.

As for me, Karna gave mewhat else?an absolutely magnificent wig!

Now I know why they call him the Hero of Benefaction. He gets me. He really gets me!

It wasn't hard. I'm sure anyone else would have known what you wanted after seeing you staring at them through the store window.

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Those were my gift to him. I've seen firsthand how useful they can be, and I wanted to share my excitement.

Does a child of the sun even need glare protection?

Dazzling light affects me just as much as anyone else. I may be more used to it than others, but if there's a way to block it, I'm still happy to use it.

It's a matter of taste. I call them "Final Dark God II."

(Interesting choice of names for his sunglasses...)

Anyway, now we just have to wait for Ereshkigal!

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She's sure taking her sweet time, huh.

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G-got it.

Take it easy, okay? You're starting to freak me out. It's not like I was saying she wasn't gonna show at all.

You're still here? Thank goodness. I was so late I thought you'd have left without me.

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Welcome back, Ereshkigal!

Sorry to keep you. I, um...got a little lost.

That's okay. We did, too. Actually, we got a lot lost!

We might never have found our way here if we hadn't run into that nice guy at the gym.

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Huh? O-oh, right. We were each supposed to get a present for one of our team members.

I never got around to buying anything. I'm sorry.

That's perfectly okay. We know you were lost. Don't worry about it.

Anyway, now that you're here, why don't you start by opening Master's gift?

A-are you sure? Well, okay...

...A hat?

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...!

I-I, um... D-do you mind if I put this on in private? It'd be a little embarrassing to change in front of everyone.

S-so...how do I look?

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...!!!

I guess that's the kind of thing you're supposed to say, huh? I, um...

...Thanks.

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Oh, right! I can't just stand here.

Let's see... So, I should get Mash a present...

...and Mash should get something for Fujimaru.

Ahem.

I'm so sorry to ask this of you after you already waited so long, but I want to do this gift exchange right, so...

...would you all mind waiting here a little longer while I go buy Mash a gift? I promise I won't be long this time!

Of course not.

In fact, I already have something in mind.

I just need to go and buy it.

Really!? Then I'm basically the only one who still has to look.

Hmm. What would be a good gift for you...

Oh, um, I really don't need anything. Like they say, it's the thought that counts!

Don't be ridiculous! I can't do that!

So you'd better get ready, because I'm going to choose the best gift you've ever gotten! Now let's go!

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Aah! No, don't!

I-I mean, um, I may not NEED-need it anymore, but I still need it! It's precious to

I mean, it belongs to the hotel, so, um, I don't think we should be throwing it away without permission.

Anyway, I'm going to hang on to it!

After all, it's a precious memory...

Thank you so much for this beautiful shawl you gave me, Ereshkigal.

I think Fou is going to love how it feels!

Once we get back to Chaldea, there's no way we won't end up wrapped up in it together!

That's great. I'm glad you like it.

And I see Mash got you a lovely present as well.

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This is great. I suggested this gift exchange on a lark, but it's worked out even better than I'd hoped.

We all got to have fun shopping without spending too much. I think BB will be happy with this outcome, too.

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I agree.

Everything about this place is so new. It's beautiful, spacious, immaculate...

I really felt like everything here was united in a singular goal:

To present visitors with the very best quality items they have to offer.

I always thought a mall was just a building meant to house a bunch of shops.

Now that I've actually been to one, I can see there's so much more to them.

This place was just wonderful! It had so many different kinds of entertainment to offer!

Okay, everyone, we're here. Please make sure you have all your belongings before you get off the bus.

Khh!

Ah! Look ou

...Huh? That's odd. It felt like there was something hard on your head...

Wait. What is

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Huh?

Um... Are you okay? It looked you had something on your

I-I, uh... Th-this is...!

I-I wanted to discuss something about our itinerary, but it's very personal! Here, let's go talk over in these shadows! Now!

D-don't worry, everyone! You can all go back to your rooms!

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Oh... Okay. Then, I guess we'll see you later.

Y-yes? What's this about!? I-is there a reason we have to discuss it somewhere so dark and private?

Um... You said something about it being intensely personal, right?

So, I'm not really sure why Ereshkigal is here too?

...What do you think, Fujimaru? We might be playing with fire here, but...

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...I suppose you're right.

We could probably get away with pretending this didn't happen, but that would risk her drawing attention to it later.

On the other hand, if we bring her in now, it could actually lower the risk... Okay, yes, let's do it.

Lip, listen to me. What we're about to tell you has to stay between us.

When you hear this, your instinct may be to freak out, but try not to, okay?

Hmm?

I-I see. So, you woke up with that horn...and found you had turned into a Beast?

Aah! So it WAS scary!

Just looking at it earlier gave me chills, but I thought I was just being overly sensitive like always.

There's actually one more reason I decided to tell you the truth.

If I'm being honest, there's something I wanted to ask you about.

Something that's been on my mind for a while.

Be honest:

Did BB do this to me? Is this your boss's fault?

My boss? Is BB my boss? I mean, the rest of us did come from her, but... Hmm...

(Sigh) Never mind. You're obviously not just playing dumb here. You have no idea.

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Since this didn't happen until after we arrived, I thought BB might have had something to do with it. She did invite us and all.

But, at the very least, you don't seem to know anything about it.

No, I don't. But...are you sure BB is behind this?

...Why do you think she isn't?

Well, if she was, I think it would be pretty obvious.

I mean, I expect she would pop up, cackling. Then she would probably just enjoy watching you struggle while she mocked you.

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It's possible she's just watching you in secret, I guess. But I don't know...

I honestly can't say for sure that BB had nothing to do with this, though.

It's possible that you agonizing over it like this is part of her plan and her real fun hasn't even begun yet.

Depending on what she's after...

...it could well be that she's letting you flounder for a reason.

So she's still our top suspect at the moment.

Assuming this was done intentionally, anyway.

So, um...what should I do now?

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But...she's a Beast now, right? And aren't Beasts the sworn enemies of humanity?

... ...

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...I understand, Fujimaru. It's summer vacation and all that.

You want to make sure everyone else can keep relaxing and having fun.

And since you don't know what's causing the problem, you'd rather keep your worries to yourselves, right?

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Okay!

For the time being, I won't mention Ereshkigal's horn around the others.

And I'll see what I can do to find out whether BB's up to anything.

That would be a big help. Thank you.

Not at all. Honestly, I'm happy you trusted me enough to share your secret.

So I'll keep this just between the three of us. All right, see you both tomorrow!

...What do you think we should make of this?

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You do like to look on the bright side, don't you? That's part of what I lov

Er, I mean...never mind.

A-anyway, let's head back to our rooms.

I'm pretty worn out after walking around that enormous mall all day.