The Delinquent's Grand Order

Someone Doesn't Like America

She woke up at the same time today. She checked her temperature. Checked her five senses. Said her name out loud, all so she can understand it better. Walking was something she'd gotten used to it. Her wake up used to be more gradual. The usual waking up routine was like looking for a way in complete darkness. A difference now. Her self-consciousness is stable. She doesn't have to worry about her memory disappearing after each sleep. She is who she is. Today, too. She can feel that she is herself.

"Good morning. You're on time as usual. Ready for breakfast? Your brain waves are stable. If you continue like this, you won't need to stay in this sterile chamber anymore. Then you can finally be a researcher at Chaldea. I will throw a celebration for you when that day comes. Do you have any requests? I'll try to get you anything within my capabilities."

She couldn't think of what she wanted, but there was something she wanted to do. This comfortable room should have been more than enough. Yet... she wanted to go outside, just this once.

"Well. You'll get out pretty soon. What I want to give you is more like a gift, not something simple like what you just said..."

Close but no cigar. Her intention expressed by shaking her head. It wasn't outside of her room that she wanted to see but Chaldea. The outside world to be grasped by her own true eyes, not just pictures.

"Oh, I see. So you want to actually see the sea and the grass field from the VR program I showed you the other day. That'll be difficult. Chaldea is on top of a snowy mountain, 6,000 meters above sea level. Part of it is to prevent top secrets from leaking. Either way, you'll see nothing but a blizzard if you go outside. Maybe you can see the ravine when the weather clears up once a year. Even so, your body can't withstand the outside world. I think it's best for you to change your way of thinking. If you want to see nature then VR is enough. It's not worth it for you to shorten your already short activation period."

His smile seemed so troubled, like he was sorry for her. His gaze avoided hers. It made me feel terribly sorry. What she said appeared to have made him sad.

"Oh, but you'll be free anywhere within Chaldea. I will take responsibility and make sure to get the Director's approval. You can rest assured and wait for that day to come. I will think of a gift for you."

"Thank you."

Hard as it was to think of what she wanted, she was happy that anyone would care that much about her. Very, very happy. Today, she can spend another peaceful day without changes.

***

Even after the previous sleeping incident with the Count of Monte Cristo, this was perhaps the first time Keiji felt something stir into him after waking up from his sleep. "Mash," he muttered to himself, understanding a lot more about her.

He was interrupted from talking out loud further as Fou hopped onto his bed. Keiji reaching out to greet the little fur ball with a nod. He was an early riser, no problem in getting up as Keiji readied himself, usual normal routine. He recognised Mash wasn't with him, but that okay. Wherever she was, that meant that Keiji had a chance to go elsewhere.

Keiji's next location was towards his first summoned Servant. Artoria's pain from her battle with Solomon continued to persist, a ton of negative ailments that even the Sephiroth Graal struggled to deal with. Her Magical Resistance one of the few reasons nothing worse happened. but her Spirit Core had been fatally damaged.

"M-Master!" Artoria called out, not expecting him.

Keiji clutched her hand, a sign of solidarity. "I can see you aren't doing perfect, but don't worry. I need you to focus on getting healthier whenever you can for the next Singularity. We'll take care of this!"