Section 17: Father Check 3/What Was Hidden

All right, what kind of fatherly cleaning expertise will you be showing me this time?

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Huh?

You heard the man. Now come on, let's go outside.

H-hey!

Don't you worry. By the time you get back, this room will be sparkling☆

Are they ready by now? Hmm...

Okay, looks like they're all done. You can go in now.

That was much quicker than the other cleaning sessions. What could they have done with so little time?

Whaaa...!?

I-it's completely spotless! I don't see a single bit of grime or dust anywhere!

It's like everything that should be here never existed in the first place! H-how did you do this!?

What was your trick? How'd you make the room look so clean!?

Hehehe. It may seem mysterious, but there is a clear explanation.

Oh, I wouldn't get too close to that spot if I were you. It only LOOKS like there's nothing there.

Huh?

You were right. It was a trick. Tell her, Fujimaru.

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Huh!?

Hm? That's your choice for a support Servant?

I have to ask: Have you thought this through? You're holding what could very well be our last help card.

Are you positive you want to use it on a Servant who we know for sure isn't a father?

I guess you could call it a gamble, but I think it's fine.

We know now that we aren't looking for the best father in general. We need someone who can help us target Kazuradrop specifically.

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Right. There was one test where she had a clear and unusually positive reaction: our first outing.

I'm betting that reaction is the main reason we got a good score on that test.

Our first outing? What happened on that one again? Um...

...The stage magic?

That's right. So I don't think this is a bad idea at all.

We know Kazura likes to keep things clean.

Or, more accurately, that she hates seeing anything dirty, unsorted, or just plain chaotic.

That's probably why this trial exists in the first place.

When you consider how we can satisfy that desire for her at a fundamental level, I think trying to clean up in a way that matches her tastes makes a lot of sense.

So I think this is worth a shot.

I see...

All right, understood! Go on then!

Hello! It's me, Charlotte Corday (Caster), the summer magician!

...Um, just what craziness did you call me into here?

Perfect Father Grand Prix? Help cards?

I don't know if I could possibly feel more out of place!

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Hmm, hmm.

Hmmm... I see, I see. I suppose I might be able to help.

You've seen my magic that can make whole towers disappear, right? I think we can use a variation of that.

Hmm, that's some truly impressive sleight of hand.

However! If you're going to perform a trick, you need to make sure it's properly set up ahead of time.

And unfortunately, I can't really be much help with that as a card.

So if you're going to do this, I'll have to tell you what to do, and you'll have to practice until you can do it on your own. Is that okay?

If that's what we have to do, then we'll do it.

It's not like we need to master this trick so we can break it out at parties or something.

It just needs to be good enough to pass this father check.

You know, I don't love my craft being treated as a disposable gag.

But, circumstances being what they are, I think I can let it go this time.

That being said, in exchange, I'm going to work you hard until you get it right, so be ready!

If you need something to practice on, I can use my MerOberon magecraft to make something.

Okay, everyone, good luck.

Aren't you going to practice, too?

Me? Nope. I have my own important job: keeping her distracted until you're ready.

Isn't misdirection one of the key components of stage magic?

Hmm, you're not wrong there. Some tricks need to be set up outside the stage, and you definitely can't do that without misdirection.

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Y-you used magic to make all that dirt and mess disappear? All of it?

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How? How did you do it?

A magician never reveals their secrets.

Let's just say we used a very smart blend of magecraft and stagecraft.

I can't even imagine how that would work!

Although, if you're just making it so things look nice and neat, then have you really cleaned up at all?

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Well... I guess that's true. And I do really dislike seeing dirty, messy things.

In fact, just setting up the mess for this trial was kind of stressful.

But, you really went to all the trouble to use magic tricks I like, just so I wouldn't have to see it?

Ghh... Ghhh!

The more I think about it, the more it seems like this doesn't solve the fundamental problem at all...

...but I can't even pretend I don't find the whole thing just...just wonderful and fascinating! Dammit!!!

(Huff, huff...)

Another perfect score, huh.

I hate to admit it, but I guess I have to.

This is who I am.

These are the traits that sit right at the very core of my being. I can't deny that, no matter how much I wish I could.

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Huh!? What is this!?

Fujimaru!

Look! The same kind of light is coming from that card you're holding!

And now they're...linking up!?

No, wait. It looks like the light coming from Kazuradrop is being sucked into the card?

Oh no. Don't tell me this isAah!

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Ghh!

Come to think of it, you did say that scorecard was part of this whole insect space's system, didn't you?

Which means it's also connected directly to you.

I guess this means our deeper conceptual understanding of you mixed with your emotional turmoil revealed its true nature or something?

So, this is your precious Secret Garden.

I wasn't planning on peeking into it, but if you're going to reveal it to us, I can't possibly NOT look, right?

I was afraid the scorecard system being directly connected to me could backfire, but I never expected it to happen like this.

...Don't tell me you intend to try and expose even more of my maidenly secrets?

We know now that the only way to win this race is to understand who you are as a person.

So while, as a prince, I would normally never do this kind of thing, I'm afraid that, in this case, I must say...

You bet I am!

Sorry, but those are the rules of the game. I do this to help with our escape.

So if we have to lay all your deepest secrets bare, that's exactly what we're going to do☆

N-nooo!

What was that all about? Is it really that embarrassing for her?

Hmm. You might be a prince, but I don't think that makes it okay for you to speak to a young girl so boorishly.

The best medicine is always a bitter pill to be swallowed, Corday. Kindness alone won't save everyone.

Of course, I plan to make it up to her when all's said and done. That's what this opening gambit is meant for.

But none of you need to worry about that! Now come on! The fourth checkpoint awaits!