HEY.

It's been a long time since I last published a chapter here. No, I'm not dead, and no, I wrote other things aside from it. Just that they were, let's say, "more important", as in —yeah, it was homework, basically.

I didn't hold my promise from the prologue, and I feel bad about that. I hope you're still around to see this story come to its end. Lately, I felt like writing stories again, and I thought back on this fanfiction I grew fond of, as I came up with ideas for it. Because yes: the outcome is already decided, I just didn't put it into words yet hahaha!

Also, I realized that in terms of syntax and structure, I'm not quite there when it comes to English. I'll try to get as close to it as possible — and will change previous chapters to match it as well.

Anyway, like always: I hope you will enjoy this chapter, as much as I did by writing it.

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After a silence that felt like months, maybe even years, Gudako finally clapped her hands. Shakespeare gulped from the sound. The verdict has come.

"Yeah, I think that won't work. Sorry!"

Be it relief or dissatisfaction, everyone sighed. Shakespeare, though slightly depressed from having a rough draft being turned away, remained professional.

"May I ask why?"

"Well…"

Gudako started to explain the many reasons behind her choices.

The first reason was simple: there was no actual love development. We don't even witness lovey-dovey moments. Even worse: one of them dies, which doesn't leave any space for flowers to bloom.

Second: the situation given is too desperate. It is way too dramatic. Of course, it is as expected of Shakespeare to write such heartbreaking moments. But two Servants, overwhelmed by enemies with no reinforcements? After being exposed to many battlefields, and Chaldea's luck being similar to Cú's —that is, nonexistent, everyone here has anxiety just from thinking about it. To go through such events once again, nobody wants that. Gudako's goal is to liven up things here, make people hope, and wish for love and rainbows. Adding death was depressing and frustrating. The complete opposite of what she wants.

"Long story short: it is good, but it doesn't match our needs for the moment."

"I see. How insightful."

Nodding to himself, Shakespeare started to mutter in his beard.

"Senpai…"

"So she didn't lose all of her head, did she?"

"That's surprising."

Mashu, Nobbu and Souji all reacted. Their Master certainly was stupid at times, but when it counts, she surely was reliable. It really was, after all, a plan to lift everyone's spirits. Although…

"Let's gather some more ideas! I'm sure we'll come up with the most romantic story! Yes, we really do need that lily garden!"

"It's still a rather dumb plan, huh."

As Nobunaga remarked, Gudako's face distorted into a child's pouting face.

"Hey, come on! Don't diss it after we've come this far! We need passion now more than ever, for such a genius plan!"

"Glad to hear it, because here I come!"

A loud bang rang once again in the hall. Casters passed by the door: however, this time, the one entering was not a man. Well, in appearance.

"For such a plan, why don't you call an actual genius?"

"My, if it isn't Leonardo!"
"Can't you guys stop with the loud entrances!?"

Sakura Saber shared her disdain, making her voice louder than Shakespeare's, whose grin turned into their usual smile. Even though Souji stopped them right before they could introduce themselves, just like Shakespeare did it in their stead, Da Vinci-chan was not the kind of person to hold any resentment. They just answered.

"That won't do. It is one of my character's traits, after all."

"What do you mean by that!?"

As Souji continued her bickering with Leonardo, Gudako joined in. Her bond with Da Vinci was far from small, after all. Soon enough, they learned that the reason why Da Vinci came over was that they wanted to participate as well, after having a good laugh from what they witnessed back in the main room. To which the Shinsengumi captain reacted, once again.

"Wait… Where's mister Andersen? I haven't heard him retort once for a bit."

Looking around, Mashu didn't find the small writer anywhere. His cup was empty, yet the slight warmness she felt as she touched it was a sign that he was still here a moment ago.

"Hm? You didn't notice? He just bailed. Not like we can help it."

"Since when?"

"Right when that artist entered. It wasn't a mistake, you know."

Dumbfounded, Mashu tried to recall Da Vinci's entrance. Her face said it all: she didn't recall anything. An amusing sight for one of the greatest daimyos. She was one of the few who noticed Andersen leaving his seat as soon as he was done with his drink. As of why, well, the answer was obvious.

"He told me to thank you for the coffee before he left."

"I— I see…"

"Hey, are you guys listening? Da Vinci's about to give her ideas!"

"This is getting truly interesting!"

"Hahaha! Eager, aren't we? I expected that from our young Master, but for one of the most prominent playwrights to react this way? The bar is setting up quite high."

Like everyone else, Da Vinci took their seat, while Mashu served them a cup of coffee. No one dared to speak: not out of fear, but either expectation or skepticism.

Compared to Shakespeare, Da Vinci did not exactly come out as a writer. Not that they didn't write anything, but that they did so many things, had so many labels, that calling them a "writer" was not their primary trait. They were a melting-pot of knowledge and abilities. They cannot be described as one thing, except their name.

As such, it was hard to predict whatever they would do.

"So? What does one of humanity's swiss knives have to offer?"

The first one to break the silence was Archer. Raising her second helping of tea to her mouth, she was getting used to that nonsensical day. She ought to, as one of the biggest troublemakers populating this organization. Her agreement from earlier to see this through wasn't a lie —not like she'd be able to do anything against it.

Also, it wouldn't be very Guda Guda of her if she were to react like Okita.

"I'll get to it. First, I'd like to summarize everything that was said so far. Is it alright with you, Ritsuka?"

Looking at the redhead, an answer came in the form of a nod.

"Very well."

The "rules" were as follow:

1. Coming up with a love story between Okita Souji and Oda Nobunaga.

2. Having actual development in the story.

3. Not having anything too dramatic, such as deaths.

4. Bringing up no events recalling desperate times Chaldea faced.

5. Respecting both Servants' images — especially their egos.

If everything was made up by Ritsuka, the last rule was made by Da Vinci, as she realized this subject was touchy for both of them. As competent and resilient they were, the genius didn't want to become the target of hatred. Especially for something like this.

Da Vinci pondered for a bit.

"Hm, yes. This will do. Very well, let's start."

This story is set in our Chaldea. More precisely, in Oda's room.

Night fell already, and though there were still sleepless spirits wandering the place, the corridors were silent. Just like the snow falling around the observatory, it was calm and peaceful. The perfect time for the Japanese unifier to drink and ease her mind. However, drinks would be tasteless if one were to be alone.

"Is this why you invited me over?"

This was Okita's question to Oda, as she handed over a cup of fine sake. Looking through the window, only the moonlight reflected in the room.

"Is there a problem with this?"

Answering a question with another one. How "Nobbu" of her, that was. To this, the Shinsengumi captain couldn't say anything, resigning herself to share that moment with the usually annoying Archer. She sat down, taking that cup for herself.

"So there isn't?"

"No. As long as you're the one paying for this."

"I figured it wouldn't be so bad, from time to time."

On that note, the Archer emptied her own cup. Soon enough, it was filled up again.

"Hey, hey, at least leave me a bit of it, won't you?"

"There's plenty of it, don't worry. This is just the first bottle."

Saying so, she bent, allowing Okita to look at the other bottles lined up by her side.

"So that's what it was."

There was nothing she could retort to, then. And with that, they both drank in silence. No fights, no arguments. Their conversation was about the amount of sake in their cups. This was all they needed, and, weirdly enough, they got along quite well.

"It is strange, don't you think?"

"What is?"

"We always go after each other's throats, and yet, we always end up together. I wonder why that is."

Nobunaga remained silent. For once, she agreed with the samurai. Why were they a set? Why do they look like they get along, in the eyes of others? Even though they always made it clear that they couldn't stand the other? Is it because they can see something they can't see? If so, what was it? Actually, could they tolerate each other? If so, how?

"I don't know."

"Of course you wouldn't."

Flatly, the conversation ended. Just like that, what were two emptied bottles finally doubled.

"It's weird. Just as we wonder why we always fight, for once, we don't. You're not that bad of a company when it comes to drinks, are you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means what it means. You're not that horrible, in hindsight. As a matter of fact, now that I can take a close look at you, you're a fine woman."

" —What are you even saying?"

"What I just said."

A faint smile could be seen on Nobunaga's face. A rare sight, especially to Souji. Only at times does she act as Oda Nobunaga, not just Nobbu. Only at times does her face turn from stupid and aggravating to... Mature and handsome?

No, Souji won't be tricked. Especially after she witnessed her unsexy, undeveloped naked body.

"Well, aren't you good with lip service? That mouth of yours sure can say some nice things, aside from nonsense."

"It can do more than just talking."

"—"

Just like that, the space between their lips turned to zero. What started as a kiss turned to two. If they were closed at first, soon enough, they opened for the other. Cups were put aside, leaving their hands free to wander wherever they want.

With their barriers lifted, only then were they able to connect with one another. What was on the surface started to go lower, deeper and—

"AH, THE CRINGE!"

"STOOOP! STOP RIGHT THERE, PLEASE!"

With the loud clattering of the chair, Nobbu's remark, soon followed by the desperate attempt at covering the once-man-now-woman Servant: Mashu, her face beet red, screamed at the top of her lungs. If it weren't for her experience as a Shielder, doing so would've been harder. She was able to make Da Vinci struggle to speak.

"But— I was— getting to the good part—"

"Stop this right this instant, miss Da Vinci! You can't! You can't, there are minors here—"

"Mashu, no! Why did you make her stop!? She's right, this was getting good!"

"This is exactly because you're thrilled to hear the rest that I intervened, Senpai!"

"But this is what we need!"

""No, we don't want that!""

Both Servants involved in the story took part in the yelling, making the table a chaos of arguments. A spectacle that Shakespeare watched from the sidelines, slowly petting Fou's fur during its sleep. As a normal man, he couldn't exactly get in-between them. The best he could do was to remain on the sidelines.

After what felt like an eternity, they calmed down. Da Vinci laughed silently, while the two other Servants glared at them. Simultaneously, Mashu still argued with her Master.

"Why can't Da Vinci continue her story? Even though there was everything…"

"We just can't, Senpai! Please understand, we can't just have… Such … Adult content! You are a minor, you know!"

"What are you sayi— Ah, now that you're talking about it, that's right."

"Did you forget your own age!?"

Though Fujimaru Ritsuka displayed, from time to time, a mature outlook on the events that she faced, she was still a minor. A fact she often forgot, only to be reminded of it when it came to alcohol.

"With that said, I am sorry for what I am about to say, but miss Oda just looks too young for this! We might have problems if this goes on!"

"Yeah, that's right! How do you expect me to be attracted to that kid or something? I have taste, you know!"

"Hey, don't forget that I just look like my younger self! At some point, I was as busty as that Minamoto Berserker! My body was at its prime in Honnoji!"

"This is not the problem here, miss Okita, miss Oda!"

As the debate was about to have its second round, thankfully, it did not.

"Then, what do you think would be a good story, Mashu?"

"Eh?"

Pouting, everyone's Master spoke up, this time, with a depressed tone.

"If Da Vinci's story is no good, then what is, in your opinion? I want to know."

"That's…"