The morning London air was crisp as Kouga and Rita made their way down the old cobblestone sidewalks. It was peaceful, almost too peaceful—especially for someone who had been dragged out of bed three hours before the museum even opened.
Kouga let out a long, quiet groan."Why are we this early?"
Rita walked beside him with effortless composure, her heels tapping lightly against the stones. She had changed into her civilian attire: a frilled white blouse pinned with a rose brooch, paired with a long black skirt with a golden zipper running down the front. Stockings and polished boots completed the look, making her stand out like a portrait come to life.
"Quite normal for me, to be fair," she answered easily. "Best to be early for extra preparations and, sometimes, to enjoy the cultural atmosphere before the mission begins."
Kouga shot her a sideways look."Yes, but this is your hometown, isn't it? You already know the culture here, so I doubt it's for that reason."
"Ah, but it has been quite some time since I've been here." Rita slowed slightly, taking in the streets with an expression caught somewhere between nostalgia and quiet gratitude. "Yes, quite a long while."
Kouga exhaled, letting the matter drop as he followed her through a nearby park. The peaceful walk didn't last long—rustling from a nearby bush broke the morning calm. Both of them turned.
A familiar figure emerged.
Durandal, dressed casually yet sharply, stepped into view. She wore a dark brown cropped jacket paired with a matching short skirt, a white shirt tied stylishly at her waist, and brown boots. She looked less like the strongest Valkyrie alive and more like a young athlete off-duty.
She was playing soccer with two boys in blue-and-white uniforms—though "playing" was generous. Durandal kicked the ball with just a bit too much force.
The ball shot into the air like a cannonball.
Kouga moved instantly. A burst of speed, a single leap—and he caught it midair with one hand. Rita clapped politely, impressed but unsurprised.
They both walked back toward Durandal and the boys.
Durandal rubbed the back of her head and spoke to the kids."oops! i'm so sorry, i shouldn't have kicked it that hard! i'll go get it."
But the boys weren't upset at all. If anything, their eyes sparkled.
"that was so cool! teach me how to do that!""you play like a real pro!"
Durandal stiffened, almost panicking at their enthusiasm. That was when Kouga and Rita stepped in.
Rita smiled warmly."alright, boys, all you need is keep practicing to get better."
Durandal finally turned toward them—eyes widening."Kouga? Rita?"
"Good morning," Kouga said as he tossed the ball back to the boys. They shouted a quick "thanks!" before running off.
Durandal nodded politely.
Rita laughed softly, drawing Durandal's attention."Good to see you're continuing your training even on your vacation, Master Durandal."
Realizing she'd been caught in the middle of unofficial training, Durandal rubbed her neck sheepishly.
"I heard Lord Otto gave you a mission, Rita. Is that what brought you here?"
"Yep," Kouga replied before Rita could answer. He pointed toward a building further down the street. "Otto had her and I come over here to analyze an exhibit at the British Museum but dropped us off three hours ahead of schedule."
"Three hours and 45 minutes, to be exact," Rita corrected smoothly. She turned back to Durandal. "i didn't expect you to choose england as your holiday destination, master durandal. Were you worried about me?"
Durandal shook her head."I did tell you before that I wished to visit the U.K. when I got the chance."
"then do allow this humble english maid to give you your well-deserved tour." Rita replied, her tone teasing.
Durandal considered this for a moment, one hand settling on her hip."well, then...i hate to admit this, but i don't want to play football in a park all day."
And so the three of them set off.
They visited Big Ben, strolled across London Bridge, and even stopped at the Sherlock Holmes Museum once its doors opened. Rita took pictures for Durandal, and Durandal insisted Rita join some of them. Kouga ended up holding the camera more than once.
Around mid-morning, they stopped for ice cream. By the time the British Museum's opening hour approached, Rita dragged them into a nearby café for an early lunch—apparently she needed more time to write down sightseeing recommendations for Durandal.
Kouga watched as Durandal ate haggis with surprising enthusiasm while Rita scribbled notes in a small planner. He declined the food politely, still full from the ice cream—and definitely not interested in explaining what haggis was made of.
When Durandal complimented the taste and asked what it really was, Rita merely smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "she'd kill to have more of" it, she said.
After finishing, Rita handed Durandal the small notebook. Durandal attempted to leave with it—only for Rita to stop her, pull out a blue handkerchief, and wipe a crumb from her cheek with affectionate precision.
Kouga stared at them for a moment.
Honestly, he wanted to believe those two were dating.
When Rita finally returned to her seat, Kouga stood up."The museum should be open now. Let's head out."
"Very well," Rita said with a soft bow. "Shall we begin our mission?"
They were fortunate that the British Museum was only a short walk from their last stop. Within minutes, the marble façade of the great institution rose before them—its Roman pillars gleaming under the shifting London sky, the Union Jack snapping sharply in the brisk morning wind.
Once inside, the scent of polished stone and old parchment greeted them. Visitors murmured softly in the distance, their footsteps echoing faintly against the vast hallways. Kouga scanned the eclectic displays as they passed—artifacts from every known civilization, arranged with meticulous care.
They didn't wait long before a staff member approached.
A brown-haired woman in a crisp white frilled blouse and a flowing blue dress stepped toward them. A blue cape draped elegantly over her shoulders, a green brooch glinting under her collar. She adjusted her blue-rimmed glasses with a polite smile, clipboard tucked securely against her chest.
"sorry to keep you waiting, esteemed guests of Schicksal. i am catherine, director of the british. we're honored to be visited by a schicksal valkyrie and knight."
"Well meet, director," Rita replied gently, offering her the mission documentation. "Please just call me Rita. The one beside me is Kouga."
Catherine accepted the papers with graceful efficiency, placing them atop her clipboard. She bowed deeply—one arm extended outward while the other held her clipboard close.
"Thank you very much. The British Museum is at your service. Please follow me."
They followed behind her as she guided them through the halls, offering brief commentary on each gallery—Mesopotamia, Egypt, Scandinavia, Rome, China. Every civilization on Earth seemed represented here in neat, reverent order.
Kouga drifted a little behind the group, scanning displays with faint familiarity.He'd seen so many worlds, so many timelines, that history often blurred together. Civilizations rose and fell differently, but tell the same stories.
His wandering stopped abruptly at the sharp sound of something shattering.
A crash echoed from the corridor ahead—the one Rita had turned into moments earlier.
Kouga's body moved before thought. He blurred forward, crossing the distance in an instant, boots striking polished stone with controlled force.
He arrived in the European wing—and froze for a heartbeat.
Rita was already in her white-dress battlesuit, ribbons fluttering like blades of silk. She was locked in combat with—
Kouga blinked.
Mechanical… cats?