After informing Angelica, Ritsuka and Mash left the Ryougi residence.
Normally, given the geographical location of the Ryougi house, the best way to reach Mifune City would be by taxi. But unfortunately, Ritsuka had not brought a single yen with her—and taxis in Japan were notoriously expensive. So, in the end, Ritsuka could only rely on human power: she asked Mash to carry her all the way into Mifune City.
And now, on the streets of Mifune City.
Standing at a busy intersection, watching the throngs of people rushing past and towering skyscrapers lining the horizon, Mash immediately displayed an expression of stunned wonder.
"So… this is modern society?"
"Yes. Mash, didn't you know?"
Mash nodded. "This is my first time stepping outside the world. Although my physical condition is no longer an issue, living inside Chaldea offered neither opportunity nor necessity to leave. So I've always understood modern society only through the internet and books."
The sea of packed pedestrians, forest-like skyscrapers, vehicles speeding along roads, nonstop honking and music echoing from every corner—compared to Fuyuki and France, places Mash had visited before, the reality of Mifune City was something entirely new, never witnessed firsthand.
Was this what normal life outside Chaldea looked like?
It felt like a girl from the countryside seeing a city for the first time—Ritsuka suddenly thought. But considering Chaldea's geographic isolation, it wasn't so much rural as it was a remote, utterly cut-off enclave.
Antarctica could arguably be called the most isolated place on Earth.
And for all this time, Mash had lived a cloistered existence within Chaldea. Before arriving, the Department Head himself had said this was Mash's very first time stepping into the outside world.
(No wonder the Department Head asked me to bring Mash here…)
Realizing what Naoki must have intended, Ritsuka grinned. "Then let's take a little walk around here first, Mash? I know this area inside out. If there's anywhere you want to visit, I can take you there!"
"No, I wouldn't want to trouble Senpai. You probably have places you want to see yourself, right? I'll just follow you."
Mash shook her head immediately.
But Ritsuka seized her hand without hesitation. "It's fine! Besides, we're headed the same way. It won't hurt to go a little slower. And honestly, it's been ages since I came back—I want to look around too! Come on, Mash, think of it as you're keeping me company! First stop: over there!"
Pointing across the street to a narrow alleyway, Ritsuka tugged Mash's hand and broke into a run.
"W-wait, Senpai! There are too many people here—we can't run on the sidewalk…"
"It's okay! Just follow me!"
Watching Ritsuka pull her forward, Mash froze for a moment in bewilderment—then blushed slightly, smiled softly, and quickened her pace to catch up.
"Then… I'll rely on Senpai."
"Yes! Leave it to me!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Modern society evolves rapidly. Every day brings new changes.
A shop that opened just days ago might close two days later. TV programs change daily… As Ritsuka began shopping with Mash, she wondered if in the two weeks she'd been gone, Mifune City had changed enough to feel unfamiliar.
Thankfully, it hadn't.
There were minor changes—yes. The bubble tea shop she frequented now had new flavors. A few shortcuts she used were blocked off. The store under renovation when she left had reopened.
But none of these made her feel alienated. Instead, they sparked curiosity.
Despite everything she'd experienced, Ritsuka was still fundamentally a seventeen-year-old ordinary high school girl. Her reactions were perfectly natural.
For Mash, however, everything was fresh. Every location they visited was a place she'd only read about in books or seen on screens.
Text and images were undeniably powerful tools for understanding—and each had its own strengths.
But no matter how vividly described or realistically depicted, they remained mere imitations of reality. Some things could only be truly felt by experiencing them directly.
Beyond physical objects, the behaviors of people gathered in public spaces were another novel experience for Mash.
Girls in uniforms huddled at the mall discussing trends. Office workers in suits talking on phones. Shopkeepers enthusiastically greeting customers…
If Mash had been a blank sheet of paper until now, everything she saw was ink spilled upon it. She didn't yet know what picture these colors would form—but she didn't reject them. On the contrary, she welcomed them with quiet delight.
Unconsciously, as Mash drifted out of her thoughts, she realized Ritsuka had led her up a quiet, seldom-used hillside path. At its end, faintly visible, stood a building.
"This…?"
Stopping before the entrance, Mash read the sign hanging beside the gate: "Mifune City High School…" "So this is where Senpai wanted to go?"
Ritsuka nodded. "Yes, I went to school here. If I hadn't gone to Chaldea, I'd still be studying here now. Aside from home, this is the place I most wanted to revisit. Luckily, it's the weekend—no one's around. If this happened during class hours, I wouldn't even know how to explain myself."
"Senpai… why did you want to come here?" Mash asked, puzzled.
"Just to take a look. No real reason. Every graduate wants to return to their alma mater, don't they?" Ritsuka laughed. "Even though I haven't graduated yet—because I went to Chaldea, I'm technically on indefinite leave."
"I'm deeply sorry, Senpai. Education is so important to you. But your studies were abruptly interrupted because of Chaldea…"
Hearing this, Ritsuka quickly waved her hands. "I don't blame you, Mash. Going to Chaldea was my own choice. Even if I was persuaded at the time, I really did want to go."
"Besides, I can always resume my education after everything's settled. Right now, the priority is resolving the Incineration Order of Humanity—but this isn't the time to talk about that, is it?"
Mid-sentence, Ritsuka suddenly laughed.
"Come on, Mash, let's go inside."