Although the first Singularities had been successfully resolved, since this was merely the first of many, not all Chaldea staff attended the lunch celebration. They came only to greet Ritsuka and her companions briefly before returning to their posts.
As one of the three most crucial figures in this Singularities operation, Hinako also did not appear in the cafeteria. According to Naoki, she disliked large gatherings and would only show up near closing time—as the last guest.
Thus, in the end, only Ritsuka, Mash, Naoki, Gray, and Rei gathered for lunch.
Then—
"Ugh… I can't eat another bite… Really, I just can't…"
Slumped back against the cafeteria sofa with a distended belly, Ritsuka let out a groan that blended bliss and agony.
She had operated for over two hours in the first Singularities—more than an hour of which involved constant movement. She was already exhausted. Her breakfast that morning had been negligible. So, naturally, she became one of the five who ate the most.
The result? Now she was painfully full. Her stomach bulged; she lay sprawled on the sofa. If someone didn't know better, they'd think she was a young pregnant mother.
"You ate too much, Senpai." Mash said with gentle helplessness. "Overeating can seriously harm your health."
"It's the Department Head's fault—he cooked way too well! I didn't even realize how much I was eating. Honestly, this is all his fault!"
Peering from the kitchen, Naoki chuckled. "Good grief—I went through all that trouble cooking you delicious food, and now it's my fault? Next time, don't come at all. After I fill you up, I'm the villain?"
"No! Department Head, I'm sorry!"
"Big Brother, don't tease Miss Fujimaru so much."
Gray, having just finished washing dishes, walked over, wiping his hands dry.
Naoki shrugged, stepped out of the kitchen, and sat across from Ritsuka. "Alright, Fujimaru. Though I've said this several times already, I still want to say it: Congratulations. You completed your first Singularities. Even though most of the heavy lifting relied on Aoko's power, you held on until the very end. You did exceptionally well."
"And Mash—you participated in your first serious battle as a Servant. You unleashed your Noble Phantasm, protected others from Fafnir's assault, and even defeated Lancelot. Excellent work."
"As your superior, for this operation… out of 100 points… Hmmm… about seventy."
At first, hearing Naoki's praise, Ritsuka and Mash felt proud. But when they realized the score was barely above passing, their pride evaporated. Mash didn't care much—but Ritsuka…
"Only seventy?! Department Head, you're being ridiculously strict!"
"That's for your own good. If I let you feel satisfied now, I guarantee you'll face catastrophic difficulties later." Naoki laughed. "Besides, don't get too relaxed. One Singularities is done, but six more remain. Even if I give you rest between them, you should use that time to train."
"Especially you, Fujimaru. Stamina, Mystic Code, determination—you must improve in every aspect. Mash, make sure you keep an eye on her."
"Yes, I'll watch over Senpai closely, Big Brother."
Watching this collusion between the adopted siblings, Ritsuka—who had initially felt relieved at the prospect of rest—suddenly lost all happiness. She understood their logic… but it felt like coming home from work, eating lunch, and then your boss immediately demanding you return for overtime until midnight.
Few people enjoy that feeling.
"Alright, we've sat long enough."
Suddenly, Naoki stood up and addressed Ritsuka: "Gray and I have spent over ten minutes washing dishes and cleaning. Add the two minutes I've talked to you here—that's fifteen minutes total. That's more than enough time for digestion after a meal. Let's begin today's training."
"Eh?"
Ritsuka froze for a moment.
"Training? Now? Today?"
"Yes."
"But you said we'd rest!"
"Wasn't lunchtime your rest period?"
"Normally, people get a full day off! And Mash and I just returned from a Singularities! At least wait until tomorrow morning—"
"Watch out—you'll get fat."
Naoki instantly deployed the one phrase every girl dreads: "By the way, everything I cooked today was high-calorie. If you want to maintain a good figure, you need to exercise while eating properly. Right now is the perfect time to burn off everything you just consumed. If you go straight to your room and lie down, your weight will skyrocket by tomorrow."
"Ugh… Department Head, you planned this on purpose!"
"Yes, I did. We're going first. Gray, you can join us in the training room no later than ten minutes. Otherwise, tonight's dinner is rice porridge and bread."
Watching the Department Head casually stroll away with Gray, Ritsuka collapsed face-down onto the table. "This Department Head is a demon… He's a master of carrots and sticks. It feels like facing a veteran teacher."
"Big Brother used to be a teacher. He probably perfected this method back then." Mash explained. "I agree with him, too. Even if it's not for fitness, exercising after meals aids digestion and helps maintain your shape."
"Mash too… Haaah, I know…"
Rising from the sofa, Ritsuka was just preparing to head out with Mash when Rei happened to emerge from the kitchen.
"Oh? Are you two heading back to your rooms?"
"No. The Department Head said we need to exercise after eating, so I'm going to the training room. Rei-san, why are you just coming out of the kitchen?"
"I'm cleaning. Even though Master and Gray washed the dishes, the kitchen itself needs tidying. Otherwise, it gets cluttered inside—even standing or holding onto anything becomes impossible. And the mixed odors? Not pleasant."
Hmm?
Standing? Holding? Odors?
Though these were perfectly normal words, Ritsuka instinctively sensed something… off. Perhaps it was a woman's sixth sense. Something about Rei's phrasing felt… oddly suggestive.
(That's right… the task Aoko-san gave me…)
After a brief pause, Ritsuka asked Rei, slightly embarrassed: "Um… Rei-san, may I ask you something?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"According to you… what exactly would the Department Head have to do to be considered cheating—or unfaithful?"
Rei: "?"