The Hikari Brothers' Vacation
By Zoram Selrof
Chapter 1: Departure
19:08 PM (Japan Time), Friday July the 21st, 2010…
"… What nerves! I can't stand still!"
"As expected of Netto – kun… As hyperactive as always."
"Oi, oi…"
"Heh, heh, heh. I like teasing you."
"Man."
Hikari Netto and Saito were sitting in their house's living room sofa while being fully dressed and carrying their backpacks: two wheeled suitcases were placed close by while Yuuichirou and Haruka were sitting in the adjacent sofa: dusk was starting to fall outside of the house.
"We're so glad you got invited to such a magnificent trip. We're sure that you'll enjoy it." Haruka told them.
"It'll be Saito's first "real" overseas trip, too." Yuuichirou smiled.
"Yeah. Last time around I had to travel as Rock Man EXE to the Ameroupe Official Meeting regarding "Gospel"… But, since this time around, Denpa – san will be coming with us, then there'll be no trouble… Expect for Netto – kun's glutton instincts, though…" Saito grinned.
"Man. That's outdated, Saito – niisan!" Netto protested.
"Who knows?" Saito joked.
"Mr. Universe does." Netto grinned.
"Oho. Then he must be hidden behind the Great Wall of Choina…"
"Very funny." Netto looked skeptical.
"Heh, heh, heh."
The entrance bell rang, so Yuuichirou headed over there and checked it out.
"Oh! Ijuuin – kun. What a surprise!"
"It has been a while, Hikari – hakase… Eh… Are they at home?"
"Correct. Come in."
"I apologize for the intrusion."
Ijuuin Enzan stepped into the room in his usual manner: he lifted an eyebrow upon seeing the suitcases and Haruka giggled.
"Are you travelling somewhere?" Enzan asked.
"Yeah! To Barcelona!" Netto grinned.
"Barcelona, huh… I was there once… before the WWW sprung into action, though… Nice place." Enzan looked slightly amused.
"Who is coming with you two?" Blues asked.
"Denpa – san is! He invited us 'cause he has a villa close to Barcelona which he thought it'd come in handy!" Netto grinned.
"Oh… That sounds intriguing." Enzan looked amused.
"Was there something you wanted to talk with them, Ijuuin – kun?"
"Ah! True, true… I'm going to join an operation in Saiba City: some suspicious activities have been detected there and the Net Police wants to get to the bottom of them. Zero, Akashi, Delta, Blues and I will take part on it. I wanted to know why you two hadn't been called but now I see the reason… Fine. At least you two won't steal me the glory this time around, I'd say." Enzan grinned.
"Typical of ya, Enzan." Netto chuckled.
"Yeah. Blues will tell those guys they're slower than a turtle."
"Of course." Blues smiled.
"I'm glad you get along in a nice manner." Haruka smiled.
"Beware of Troll-F's ceaseless trolls." Netto warned.
"Forte, huh… Well. I'd rather have him joke around than still try to take out anything which gets on his way…" Enzan muttered.
"Enzan – sama. Mail, sir."
"Lemme guess: Forte sent it."
"Correct, sir."
"So?"
"… "The eighteen bells of prelude rang out. Better find a shelter before the next eighteen bells ring out 'cause then Ms. Moon will tell ya guys you're fired." … It sounds lame, sir."
"No wonder… According to Delta, that's ripped off the Legend of Zelda game Mujura's Mask…" Saito giggled.
"A rip-off, huh… Whatever. Something tells me he'll come up with something along with the "Chaser Club"… Those guys are the ones who tipped us off regarding the activities in and around Saiba City…"
"Speaking of Saiba City… I think that the world fair which was going to be hosted there will open next week. Maybe I'll drop by and have a look at it because I'm slightly picked… I did give the Mayor a program which should expand the capabilities of their Network's data traffic and prevent a collapse of it, too…" Yuuichirou brought up.
"The world fair… True, Copy Roids were originally designed to be used in that world fair, but some fell into bad hands… Luckily, we've destroyed all existing models and blueprints copies to make sure no – one can abuse of them." Blues recalled.
"So? When does the flight leave?" Enzan asked.
"10:30 PM! Denpa – san is now coming to pick us up to go to Densan Airport." Netto grinned.
"I'd rather say we're going to be visited by the wandering wanderer of ways…" Saito improvised.
The entrance bell rang again and Yuuichirou headed over there to check who'd come: he opened the door.
"I apologize for my delay. I had said 19:15 but it's already 19:25… I shall offer no apologies, sir." Someone told Yuuichirou.
"Don't mind it, Denpa – san. Please come in."
"I apologize for the intrusion."
A man on his 20s stepped in: he had brown short and combed hair while he was clean shaven.
He had reading glasses on and his eyes' irises were colored brown.
He looked about a meter and eighty tall.
He currently wore a grayish t-shirt with the words "WEST POINT Established 1802" drawn into it plus navy blue jeans, white socks and black sneakers.
He also sported a black USB device hanging from his neck using a red cloth string.
"Good evening, Denpa – san!" The twins greeted.
"Good evening, gentlemen. Oh. Mr. Ijuuin… It's been a while." The man replied with a smile.
"True, Mr. Denpa… Was this your own personal idea?"
"Correct! I am in a vacation and I thought these gentlemen would enjoy coming with me: they would want to have an exciting summer and I can provide it. We'll be overseas for three weeks."
"Good. I'll be going back because I gotta start my investigation on what's going on over at Saiba City… See you and enjoy the trip. Maybe I'll tell you if I stumble upon anything interesting along the way." Enzan told them with a smile.
"Take care, Blues." Saito encouraged.
"I know how to do that." Blues smiled.
"Try to be a bit sociable with Akashi – kun, Mr. Ijuuin. He needs some support to cast his doubts."
"I'll try."
"Well then… Should we get going, gentlemen? We have a long flight ahead of us… 12 hours non-stop until Paris, and, from there, another flight of about 2 hours towards Barcelona… " Mr. Denpa suggested.
"O. K.! Papa! Mama! We're going!" Both told them.
"Take care!"
"Have fun." Enzan grinned.
"We'll guard the fort." Blues reassured them.
The six of them exited outside: a black Honda FR-V model was parked next to the house and a man on his thirties having brown military-haircut-hair was standing next to the driver's door: he wore a black suit with a navy blue tie, pants, shoes, a black hat and sunglasses.
"Agent Mori. Is all ready?" Mr. Denpa asked.
"Yes, sir. If you'd load the luggage in the trunk…"
He walked over to the trunk and opened it: Netto and Saito stored both their suitcases and backpacks inside of it before Agent Mori closed it.
"Oi! Enzan. Call us when ya feel lonely." Netto invited.
"Sure. Deal, Hikari Jr. But I guess this investigation won't be boring." Enzan grinned.
"It'll be as hot as the Sahara, then." Saito joked.
"It wouldn't surprise me." Blues admitted.
"I'd say Mr. Forte will sneak up and paint those Navis in pink so that they can be easily recognized." Mr. Denpa smiled.
"Oho. Terrific." Netto laughed.
"Bye-bye!"
07:18 AM (Barcelona Time), Saturday July the 22nd…
"… Saito – kun. Netto – kun. Wake up. We're just ten minutes away and you don't want to miss the final approach."
"Uh-unh… Good morning, Denpa – san…"
"Man… I feel sleepy…"
"You won't feel so much when we land. Heh, heh, heh…"
Netto and Saito yawned: they stretched and rubbed their eyes as they looked around: they were seated on a row of three seats adjacent to one of the left-side windows past the north edge of the left wing: Mr. Denpa was sitting next to the window, Netto was on the middle and Saito was next to the corridor: sunlight came in through the window.
"Have a good look!" Mr. Denpa told them.
Both looked towards the window and gasped: the whole city skyline was visible as the plane maneuvered over the Mediterranean Sea: both looked awed at the sight.
"W-whoa! What a sight…! It was worth the waking up!" Netto exclaimed with obvious surprise.
"True…! There are few tall buildings… And that mountain range over there looks green and clean…! That gigantic tower atop the mountain is imposing, too…!" Saito gasped.
"This is Barcelona, gentlemen! You can't grasp the charm of it if you don't have this first contact with it like this."
"Whoa… I don't mind anymore that we landed at Paris around 3:30 AM and had to wait until 5:45 AM for this plane to take off… This makes the whole trip worth it!" Netto exclaimed.
"I guess you dreamed about Paella Man." Saito joked.
"Very funny!"
"Heh, heh, heh. I'm clever."
"Ladies and gentlemen… Please fasten your seatbelts. We'll be landing in Barcelona's El Prat International Airport in a few minutes' time…" The captain commanded through the speakers.
The three of them quickly plucked them and brought the seats back at the standing position while storing away the shelves: the lights inside of the plane were turned on as well while the plane began to aim for the airport and cut down height.
"I feel tense…!" Saito muttered.
"Heh, heh, heh. Maybe Tension Man strikes back?" Netto joked.
"Jeez! Netto – kun. Let's not start the Nickname War."
The plane flied over a river and suddenly touched down: it quickly cut speed and began to slow down until it entered taxiing mode: a round of clapping rang out through the cabin.
"Ladies and gentlemen: welcome to Barcelona. The current time is 07:39 AM and the temperature is 25 Celsius… We'll be docking in a few more minutes so please remained seated and please do not switch on any electronic devices…" The captain instructed.
"So, is anyone gonna come say "hi" to us?" Netto asked.
"Agent On Air came here a week in advance. He's checked that everything is in order and will drive us to the house before he heads back with the bus to the city." Mr. Denpa told them.
"Ah! True, true… On Air – san is Denpa – san's secretary, is he not?"
"Correct! He is a nice person, as you may have checked."
"How much time…?" Netto began.
"From the airport to the house, you mean? Hmmm… About 30 minutes and I doubt finding heavy traffic at such an early hour."
"Good! I now feel ready to tackle anything!"
Saito formed a smile and looked like he was up to something…
09:02 AM (Barcelona Time)…
"… Phew! Going through passport control again was one thing, but having to wait for the luggage was… Eternal!"
"This is how airports work like, Netto – kun."
"I knew that! I also had to wait a while back when my trip to Ameroupe, so…! I'd forgotten!"
"It's strange for you to forget things, Netto – kun."
"I get the irony."
"Ah. There he is… Follow me!"
The twins were talking as they stepped out of the luggage pick-up area and into the main lobby of the "T1" building: Mr. Denpa spotted a man on his 40s wearing attire similar to Agent Mori but having a square-like jaw and black hair under the hat: he was holding a cardboard piece with the names "Mr. Denpa & Hikari Brothers" written on it.
"On Air! Good to see you. All's ready?" Mr. Denpa asked as they met up with him.
"Yes, sir. The car is at the parking, so if you'd follow me…" The man saluted and then signaled the north.
"Good. Let's go."
The twins followed the two adults while they looked around the gigantic lobby out of curiosity: they stepped out into a corridor and picked right to then exit into a parking floor: they walked across it until they reached a blue Honda CR-V car parked there.
"Please let me handle the luggage, gentlemen."
"Thank you very much."
"Thanks."
On Air loaded the luggage into the trunk to then climb into the driver's seat: he ignited the engine.
"Let us go!" Mr. Denpa commanded.
"Roger, sir."
The car descended some floors and exited the parking to then join the expressways and travel across them.
"Say… What's the name of the village?" Netto asked from the seat behind Mr. Denpa's.
"Vallirana! It's about 20~30 km from Barcelona… Given how an important regional road crosses it, there's a lot of heavy traffic which passes through it…" Mr. Denpa replied with a grin.
"E~h… How many people live there?"
"Well… If you include the adjacent urbanized areas… Around 14.000 persons… But the central village itself has about 4.300 inhabitants… It's not that big of a village… And, like most of this territory, it dates as far as the middle ages… It used to be a "fashionable" vacation village but fell out of fashion time ago…" Mr. Denpa explained.
"Barcelona itself was founded by the Romans, right?" Saito asked.
"It's been generally established that there may have been an existing Iberian village but the Romans expanded it… Back then, though, Tarragona was the capital city of the peninsula and Barcelona didn't "rise" in rank until many centuries later…" Mr. Denpa replied.
"Setting that for later… My instinct tells me there's gonna be a good meal today." Netto grinned.
"Gluttony – chan strikes back…" Saito giggled.
"Man. That sounds… Dunno. Doesn't sound good, though."
"Ask Mr. Wikipedia for the exact definition."
"I get the irony."
"So it'd seem."
Mr. Denpa chuckled at their jokes…
09:43 AM (Barcelona Time)…
"… Good. We've entered the municipal term and we're now going to climb up towards the house… This road is the "Main Street" as well which splits the village in two… Don't be surprised by the sound of the heavy traffic or traffic jams which happen very often…"
"Heh, heh, heh. Traffic Man will stop you if you go over the speed limit, Netto – kun!" Saito blinked him the right.
"But I can't drive!" Netto argued.
"But you can run."
"Ah. So that's how it is about!"
"Deduction – sama strikes from the right-wing side?" Saito asked.
"Yeah. And from the left-wing side, too."
The car climbed up a slightly steep road for two to three minutes before turning towards the left: the twins were engrossed in their mutual pranks and were distracted: Mr. Denpa looked at them using the rearview mirror and looked amused.
"Then I'll use the backdoor: the perfect escape route."
"I dunno who patented that motto."
"Ask Snake." Saito suggested.
"Snake… Solid Snake: that guy who Hiro looks up to?"
"Gentlemen! We are about to arrive: please save your debacle on the status of the facility for later." Mr. Denpa called out with a hint of amusement to his voice.
"That sounded like sarcasm…" Netto muttered.
"Cheer up! We're finally here!" Saito grinned.
"We have arrived." On Air announced.
The twins gasped and looked towards the left…