Come one, come all!! Only days before Christmas and R2 is already up?!!?!? I know, I was shocked, too. And I wrote it. ^__^ It may be a tad less lengthy than you'd like, but who am I to make you wait?
As usual tradition, I love you all for reading, favoriting, and reviewing and I don't own Code Geass. Just pretty Lola. C'mon, you don't wanna listen to me jabber on. Enjoy!
Lelouch had removed any trace of himself from Lola's memory. Needless to say that it worked, whether Lelouch was sure of it or not, but there was a nagging feeling coming at him from the back of his head. Along with that feeling was pain, Lola's heart and Lelouch's eye. Seems as if classes were done for the day or never even started. Let's begin this time with Lelouch as he entered the student council clubroom. Milly's notes were already posted for another festival. And like last year, she was in attempt in a world record for the biggest pizza in the whole world. Sounded promising...... and his left eye again was causing him a little pain.
Now, as if fate struck at random, but for a reason. After all this time these two are still being thrown into situations with each other. Meaning, Lola entered shortly after Lelouch. As chipper as usual with that same smile on her face. The smile that usually was as bright and cheerful as her voice. "Hi~!" By now, she'd heard already. And she was wondering...after the pizza was made, exactly who would eat it? If no one ate it, it'd be a ridiculous waste of pizza. And she loved pizza, still.
Lelouch spoke, laying down a few of Milly's notes on the table. "The Chairman put me in charge of the upcoming festival. And let me decide who would be in my team. Could you inform Rivalz that he would be the emcee and Suzaku will be in charge of the ingredients?" He walked closer to his own table and got some different papers.
"And yeah, I still got to ask permission about the waiver to be distributed..." Lola'd been wondering about the waiver for weeks now. It bothered her. He still hadn't done anything about it? He was in charge, right? Milly, she trusted this boy a lot, so Lola had every reason to do so, as well "Say now, you should get permission soon. It does no good to any of us if we don't have permission to give it out...Lelouch." She didn't want her Onee-sama's, as well as everyone's fun messed up because Lelouch procrastinated. Did he usually procrastinate? If one were to go by only appearances, they'd think he was the serious type and liked to get things done as quickly as possible.
Or…at least Lola would think that. She paused for a moment at the end of her sentence. She hadn't forgotten his name now, she was just hesitating. Of course she had to remember his name after hearing it a few times. He is the Vice Chairman "And yeah, Rivalz and Suzaku, got it. Lelou--- You need a nickname. Lelouch is fine, but maybe a nickname would be cool since I'll be seeing you everyday."
He paused from getting the papers he needed on the table. Nickname? Shirley had stopped calling him that. Milly was the only one who gave him a lot of weird call names while the rest of the Student Council addressed him as plain Lelouch. "I don't think I deserve a nickname. Lelouch is fine." Lola didn't think so. She always had some sort of way to disagree when he said things like this "Of course you deserve a nickname, everyone does."
She smirked a bit, folding her arms across her chest "And besides, if you don't suggest something...I might just go and ask Milly what would be a cute nickname for you." Lola, being a mirror image of their yellow-haired President, knew that Milly was a force to reckon with. Lelouch had to know also, being second in command. He waved her off. "That will only remind me that you are her sister, and that I must begin to fear you as well." Ouch. "What? Is it a bad thing? Being her sister? Also…you don't have a reason to fear me, even if I'm Mi-san's sister. I wouldn't do anything to publicly humiliate you....without a reason..." After she had said that last phrase, he looked at her, his eyes narrowing with half-amusement, half-disbelief.
'Yeah, right... You wouldn't do anything to humiliate me.. ever again..' As many people could vouch for, he was referring to the 'Sleepy Lulu' incident, and Lola too spoke of it, but had no idea...since it had to do with him. If it meant avoiding something like that again, though it was caused by the very same thing, Lelouch would accept the nickname "Fine. A nickname." His face held no emotion. Well, maybe some discomfort. A habit made out of doing things he really doesn't want to go through with "So what kind of name have you baptized me with?" Fate throws it back. The name will be forever etched between them She smiled kindly, eyes closing. Lola simply said "Lulu.." Her eyes opened once more "Simple enough. Yes?" He acted like he wasn't affected by it. Even if he really, really was. "You just heard it from the Chairman's list of call names for me. But it sounds... nostalgic.."
He suddenly shifted his direction back at the table, to hide a small smile on his lips. Did it feel good to hear that name spoken by her again? "Nostalgic, huh?" She didn't know. But she did feel it after he'd said so. Not just agree with him because she wanted to, or did she? 'Maybe' Our twin-tailed brunette wasn't sure. Lola stood quietly for a moment before speaking again "Lulu...give me a nickname.." Now, Lola knew very well that her name was already too short for a nickname.
A little unfortunate because she'd like to have one. It would be cute. Even if it was pointlessly longer than her actual name she wouldn't care. She only wondered what Lelouch could come up with. Nothing? "Lola will be fine." He didn't require himself to think of it anymore. "Hmm, as expected.." Lola took a seat and folded her arms on the empty table and laid her head on top of her arms, like she was going to take a nap. She kept her eyes open, though. She doesn't announce this type of thing, she does it at random. Lola slept wherever and whenever she pleased. That's where all that energy came from.
Problem is, it may not be being used as it once was. And she was obviously aware of this. After Lelouch had gathered enough papers, he intended to leave the office. But before he took the final step out the exit, he glanced a last look at her... with his still aching left eye. Then he was gone. "...?" She may have noticed the glance he gave her, but she'd closed her eyes shortly after. Thinking nothing, or not much, of it. He was already walking through the clubhouse halls, and crossed paths with his best friend.
Lelouch himself was out for a long time, so was Suzaku. But this time, he knew that Suzaku was the white Knightmare's pilot, so no wonder he was frequently away. They had been lying to each other… 'and I'll continue poisoning you with lies, because you're my friend... Kururugi Suzaku..' Suzaku entered the office and saw the festival plans. He was certainly surprised. So much to start getting loud "WHAT!? The biggest pizza in the whole world??" The sound jolted Lola. She'd never hear Suzaku yell. It was more the yelling that startled her than who it was whom was yelling, but after getting spooked, she was a little miffed "....Why are you yelling? And...you're in charge of the ingredients for this pizza....and find Rivalz when you can and let him know he's the emcee. Put that loud voice to good use, huh..?" Slowly, she sat up in the chair "Really. Pizza. Is it that big of a surprise?"
Suzaku bowed a little, "Oh! I'm sorry, I hadn't noticed you when I entered." He sat on the near chair as he settled his school bag on the table. "No, no. It's fine. You just startled me a bit is all. No biggie." She gave a gentle smile. Suzaku went on to say "Just imagine a big, no, huge pizza baked. How many people will be needed to eat that?" He noticed something and decided to bring it up now when it was just the two of them. "By the way, you're no longer the cheerful Lola I met before."
The other thing, she could only shrug. That would be a rather large pizza, but the school also has a rather long list of students. Every piece better be eaten or it'll be a sad waste of food. "What? No longer cheerful.." She couldn't help but look at him with a confused and saddened expression. She didn't understand, nor did she want to not be seen as cheerful. Lola liked being cheerful. That's what Lola was, the cheerful one. Wasn't she? Suzaku nodded."I mean, you are cheerful, but somewhat.. lacking. I may sound stupid but.. Yeah.." He looked at her worried. "Did something happen to you..?" It was Suzaku's nature to mind these kind of things, especially of his friends. "No, Suzaku...you don't sound stupid. I'm not sure how you could." She shrugged, going on "But, no. Nothing happened to me at all. I'll probably be as cheerful as you remember in no time, so don't worry about it." She flashed a bright smile, but it was only on her face for Suzaku to focus on something else. She did have to admit, she's been feeling off for quite a while. She'd have to fix it on her own, though. "Ah, okay." Suzaku just pretended he didn't ask anything at all, and read the notice more.
So the head of the committee in charge of the festival would be Lelouch "That reminds me too.. She doesn't hangout with Lelouch anymore as well..." He was almost whispering to himself. Suzaku was referring to Shirley. Whatever happened to her seems to be happening to Lola also. Maybe a tad different, though? He again wanted to ask if something happened- to her and Lelouch this time- but he just brushed the thought off. Lola seemed to have heard him. Almost clearly. He may be speaking softly, but she was still right next to him.
"Hmmm?" Her smile fell "Did you say something Suzaku?" Lola could've sworn, but maybe it was nothing? Suzaku realized he'd fouled up. So he began to speak and fumbled. "N-No, don't mind it." Lola, as usual, was still curious. If told not to mind something or whatever.. her mind remains on it. No matter what she's told if she doesn't feel it's true "...Fine."
She folded her arms on the table and let her head rest on them again. This time, she did put her head down for a nap. Within minutes Lola was fully asleep. Completely unaware to the world outside her dreams. If she was dreaming. And she was dreaming. Of her unspoken past. The people she knew, the lovely branches of people she descended from. Never being able to see them again didn't even occur to her while she dreamt. It was all about the fun that they had, that they had the pleasure of being together back then.
Meanwhile...Lelouch was again planning to go outside Ashford, and he was dead serious right now. Knowing that his friend, whom he tried to convince to be on his side, was his enemy all this time, he had to prepare himself well. Out of nowhere, C.C. showed up behind Lelouch, eyes somewhat wary. "Something is wrong with you, isn't it?" He wore his usual cold image, "It's none of your business."
C.C. ignored him and went on "You used it on those who didn't deserve it. Like that girl who kissed you, and that girl named Lola who's always clinging to you, also." Lelouch became irritated "I said it's none of your business." She lied down to his bed, as if she weren't listening to him at all "You used it, without thinking how would they feel. Isn't that being selfish?"
It really was. Shirley, god knows what she's feeling right now, but Lola's cheer is disintegrating. "Like you cared when you offered me this Geass without considering that I might end up like Mao." He bluntly said as he slung his bag over his shoulder and started exiting the clubhouse. He might take another could of days off, but he kept his important position at the upcoming school festival in mind.. But, back with the other female protagonist--
As Lola slept, a little something embarrassing happened. It happens to everyone every now and again. Lucky her, Suzaku left the room a long while ago. He left when he realized his friend was sleeping peacefully. But, Lola, she was drooling. Not so much as to form a puddle, but, there was definitely that drooly feeling there.
It'd been a while and of course Lola had to wake up sooner or later. Also, napping the way she did had caused her some kind of pain by her neck. A serious crook "Ah, man.." She vowed this time, no more sleeping on tables like this. It's either bed or something more comfortable. She got up and began to leave, groaning as quietly as possible. Heading back to her place. Her bed. Her comfortable, comfortable bed. A bed where she did most of her thinking. And before she fell asleep again…she found something….
Within the past weeks, Euphemia Li Britannia announced Kururugi Suzaku her knight, much to Lelouch's dismay; the attack done by the Chinese Federation to the Kyuushuu Block; the much awaited School Festival that was devastated due to Princess Euphemia's public appearance and her announcement of Special Administrative Zone of Japan; her death within Zero's hands and the declaration of United States of events made Lelouch exhausted, physically, but not messing with his initial intention of destroying everything first before he could create a new world. It was essential, so it should be matter what it Black Knights were already heading to the Tokyo Settlement from Mount Fuji to overthrow the reigning government, and this condition made the students at the Ashford Academy worry. Why? If the Black Knights just happened to stroll by them, there may be massive panic. They're students. What are they going to do?
During this time, more than ever, Lola was paying attention to the news. The Black Knights' movements did nothing but interest her. Lola, herself being Japanese but with an Italian last name, has every reason to be interested. Not finding any other way to satisfy her curiosity, or to occupy her, she was typing away on the computer. Searching for any bit or piece of information. Euphie's death wasn't at all pleasant but still, she continued on, looking for anything she could learn about the man who'd caused her death
"If I read one more line about Zero, my head will explode."And, of course, the internet was informative, but not as helpful as she'd liked. Zero was a terrorist to Britannia, and any information she wanted on the leader...wouldn't be so kindly said where she searched for it "...I hate this."
Suddenly, there was a knock on Lola's door. It was Shirley. "Hm?" Slowly the brunette rose from the chair and moved over to her door and opened it "Hey, there. What's up? I don't usually see you around my door." She smiled kindly. As much in common she had with Shirley, they weren't seen together so much. Probably for that very reason. Shirley held very serious eyes as she started her question, "N-Ne, Lola-chan. Do you know... where Nana-chan's brother is? I.. I always see you with him... a long time ago, so you might know where he is." Lola had to stop and think of it for a moment.
"Nunnally's brother? You...do mean Lelouch, right?" She seemed to go into deep thought, very obvious, deep thought "Uhh, let's see. We used to hang out a long time ago..? Well, right now, I can't think of where he could b-- Wait, why? What'd he do?" An inaudible sigh asked the other female's lips "I... see." Disappointment was evident in her face. "I think... he has gone insane...", "....." Her eyes focused directly on Shirley. Curious, green eyes. Lola was into this now "Say that one more time, Shirley, but in a way so I can understand, also. Alright?" Shirley looked around the area, making sure there wasn't another souls around to hear their conversation "I think we should go talk privately. It's only to you whom I can trust this..." She was probably right. Lola was a lot of things, but she was never one to ever spill a secret.
"This may be the first time I ever see you acting serious, Shirley. Alright. Privately. Is my room private enough?" She opened the door more, in case the answer was 'yes'. Shirley had her foot stepped inside Lola's room, and once in completely, she was the one who volunteered to close and lock it. She grasped her classmate's arm and gently yanked her away from the door, even if eavesdroppers could hear easily. But in there, Shirley could see Lola's laptop, she even noticed the page on the computer. "I see, Zero really does intend to conquer the whole world. I wonder if he's doing this for his little sister..." Lola, being the bright mind she is, simply assume Shirley meant who Lola thought she meant. What were the odds? But all evidence points to Lelouch. First Shirley comes to Lola, asking if she knew where he'd be, and then goes and something like that.
"Shirley, could you tell me exactly--..." No, this wasn't Lola. She had to put herself out of this state for a bit. Any other way of saying this wouldn't seem right "Are you seriously saying Lulu, our Lelouch, is Zero?" The orange-haired female gasped aloud "L-Lulu?" Shirley seemed startled with that word. "T-The same name that Rivalz had said..." Any rough or insensitive-to-Shirley thoughts were going through her mind, but now, this one mattered the most '.....Get to the point already. Really. You came here to tell me something right?' "....Shirley. I don't mean to be rude, but just spit it out already, would you? You came to tell me something about Lulu, right?" She smiled as gently as she possibly could. The other female really seemed a bothered by something. Far be it Lola's place to help that discomfort. "N-Nana-chan's brother... is Zero himself. I can tell, read this..."
And she handed the letter she wrote over to Lola, with Lelouch's name written on it."And he's already coming... To save his sister.. I know..." She heard Shirley as she read the letter. Shirley knew. What's more, Shirley knew also. "....Okay, before I respond, how do you feel about this, Shirley?" She still had the paper held up to her face as if she were still reading. "I feel... weird. I don't remember..." She frowned more. Shirley was probably confused, but very sure it was all true "I don't remember... writing that..." Lola looked up from the paper at Shirley and held it out to her, eyes emotionless and plain "I want to show you something, a bit similar to this. Now please, try not to freak out. Privacy, remember?" She winked playfully, a small smile forming on her lips, before going over to her bed and reaching under her pillow.
She'd gotten her diary and tossed it in Shirley's direction "Catch. Read any page from that thing, you'll get it." Just about every page of that book was either filled with the little bits of information she knew of the Black Knight's actions because of Zero or her daily fun with Lelouch. His confession of his other identintity was directly quoted in there, the day he said it. All leading up to the latest events on the news, the day before her memory of his was erased. Sometimes when writing 'Lelouch' and 'Zero' would be used in place of each other. Accidentally putting Lelouch's name where 'Zero' belonged and vice versa. Shirley caught one drawing that had flown at her face, and it was a drawing of Lelouch in a Zero outfit. A very nice one, but she'd comment on Lola's artistic skill later "Y-You know who Zero is as well...?" For a while, but she went on as normal. Acting as if she knew nothing "Apparently....." She shrugged "Now I feel weird...I don't remember doing any of those things either. Especially that time in the pool. However, there are these things left behind to remind us.."
If she could, she'd like to get to know Lelouch…or Zero better. To help relive the moments in the book that she wrote. To feel the way 'Lola' felt in the book. "J-Just what happened to us..." She asked to Lola and herself as well in a meek-sounding voice. Shirley must be as curious as Lola is right now. If not curious, worried. She looked out of the window in Lola's room, seeing the flying forces of the Black Knights coming nearer. Lola walked closer to Shirley, looking out the window with her. She sounded so calm "..I have a pretty good idea of who to point the finger at."
Inside the Gawain Knightmare Frame sat the unmasked Zero, his left arm folded to support his slumped head, his left eye glowing with royal raging purple; his Geass wasn't able to deactivate anymore. He could see the palace of Britannia on their way, a sign that they were near the settlement. "So, what are you planning to do?" C.C., who was piloting the Frame, asked him."Like Suzaku said a while ago, I'll never let them see the skies tonight.." Zero, then ordered the take-over of Ashford Academy, wherein they'd use it as a 'headquarters'. 'In this way, they'll be safe within my hands. As I destroy Britannia, I'll assure they'll still be safe…'
Back in Lola's room, the twin-tailed brunette was getting antsy, and as if Shirley was now her right hand, Lola started off
"Shirley, let's get outside. Quick. I want a better look. Not sure they've ever been this close to the school before." She turned to look at her with a semi-serious, semi-excited face "C'mon! Bring the paper and my diary with you, but hold onto them tight." Again, she was at the door and held it open for Shirley "Let's get a move on, green eyes."