Valentines Day à la Japan - Where the girls chase the boys with flowers and chocolate!
Wrote this because apparently nobody ships Okabe and Rumiho (Faris), and disrupting the status quo with fluff and stuff is totally worthwhile. I've also come to appreciate Faris a lot more as a character after reaching her ending in the VN recently, and feel her hyperactive Moe cat-ness deserves some mad scientist goodness in her life.
This story takes place on an alternate world line, several months after the events of the anime and virtual novel. That being said, have fun!
Saturday, February 12th, 2011; May Queen NyanNyan's; Akihabara, Tokyo; 6:21p.m.
After an hour of relentless contemplation, interspersed with scribbles of ink upon college homework and a particularly ambrosial omelette, Okabe Rintarou rose to his feet, collecting paperwork and belongings into a bag slung over his shoulder.
That scholarly mess is over with... Now onto less excruciating weekend matters.
Turning from the table and pushing in his chair, he looked onward towards the bar and kitchen of the moe maid cafe, catching a brief glimpse of the coiled pink ponytails of its owner, Faris NyanNyan.
Busy with something. Perhaps I'll speak to her again another time... To thank her for another cost-free meal.
Heading slowly towards the nearby doorway, a growing feeling of hesitance crept up inside his being.
Perhaps I should thank her, actually. She's always been willing to prov-
"Kyoumaaa!"
Breath leaving his nostrils from the sing-song chime of her voice, he turned over his shoulder, only to find Rumiho had pounced upon him much quicker than expected.
"Faris, I -."
"Leaving so soon, Meowster?"
"Well, uh, yes. I'm afraid I must be on my way."
Taking a step forward, she gripped his arm and held firm, halting him in a surprising move.
"Hold on a minute."
Relaxing his arm from the unusual softening of her voice, he then turned to face her.
"If its about the free meal, I was actu-."
"What? Oh, no, never mind that, nya. I wanted to talk to you about something. Come with me."
Blinking as she turned and led him to a distant doorway in the cafe, his mind sifted through a variety of scenarios and questions that awaited him, but the nature of the situation and the expression on her face as she closed the door behind them, left him with no suitable answers.
Seating himself on the stairwell behind, his bag slumping down by his feet, Okabe crossed his arms on his knees. Waiting as Rumiho bashfully turned left and right, her maid skirt twirling back and forth slowly, he observed her abnormally shy behavior with curiosity.
"Sooo... What's on your mind? Is something greatly amiss?"
Eyes sheepishly meeting his, her mouth opened, but the clever comment both of them expected to follow, was absent.
Must be. I've never seen her like this. Perhaps she's stricken with some kind of random speech impediment? She was vocalizing with ease earlier...
"Faris, if ther-."
"Are you busy on the fourteenth?"
Blinking from the interjecting statement, his head tilted slightly as a blush spread across her cheeks.
"I'm sorry?"
"Monday. February fourteenth. Are you going to be busy?"
"I won't have class, if that's what you mean."
"Right. Okay. That's good."
"What's your reasoning?"
Watching her eyes widen, a smile spread beneath her rosy cheeks as a breath drifted from her nose.
Oh you goofball... Of course you would be unaware.
"Monday, the fourteenth, is Valentine's Day."
Leaning back slightly, Okabe watched her with interest.
"Right, yes, the national holiday of romantic intent."
"I wanted to ask if you'd be my valentine, Kyouma."
Blinking, he produced a comical blush of his own as he finally connected the dots.
"You want me to be your... Valentine?"
"Yes."
A thousand times, yes, Okabe. Please say yes!
"I, well... I mean..."
Enjoying his stumble of embarrassment, mirth spread across her expression, but her heart began beating hard within.
"I... Made reservations for the Valentine's Ball at the UDX center... You know, where they host the Rai-Net tournaments."
"Yes, I know the place... You said reservations, as in plural?"
"I did."
Watching her gaze at him with hopeful anticipation, he slowly sighed, weakened by her unfamiliar expression.
I'm sure whatever entry tickets she purchased weren't cheap... Not that it would be an issue with her means. But something of that price means a lot, especially if she intended on bringing me along. What if I don't come along? She'd be greatly disappointed... And I could never live that down. I don't need to bring sorrow to anyone else after all of the time traveling calamity several months ago... What's one day? Valentines day? Rumiho has done a lot for me. For all of us, and the lab too. Perhaps I'll do something for her. Appreciation, and respect. She deserves that, certainly.
Sinking into a shrug, and then a nod, a single chuckle left his throat.
"I suppose I could come along."
Blinking with genuine surprise, Rumiho's hands slowly clasped together.
"...Really? You mean it?"
"I do. I'll come along to your valentine's ball. For science, of course."
Mouth dropping open, a breath of excitement exited her lungs.
"Ohh Okabe, thank you!"
Reaching forward and yanking him upright by his arms, she squeezed him into a fierce hug, secretly melting in a murmur as he gently returned the embrace.
"You are very welcome. What time and place should I be expecting to meet you?"
"I'll text you tomorrow. Make sure you find something nice to wear too."
"You mean I can't arrive in my finest white scientific attire?"
"No, silly. I love your lab coat, but it won't be allowed at the ball."
Besides... You're a lot more handsome in a shirt and slacks. And if you wear a suit...
Watching the resurgence of another blush as they drew apart from the hug, he rolled his eyes with a smile.
"If you insist."
Standing before each other, buzzing with energy and uncertainty, her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"You're sure you can make it?"
"I'm sure."
Eyes fluttering for a moment, she twirled around in place, and then yanked the door open again.
"Alright. Then I'll see you again soon, Master Kyouma."
Slipping through the doorway, she peeked back at him with her trademark come-hither smile, momentarily ensnaring his attention.
I look forward to an evening by your side...!
Launching away from the door in a spree of newfound energy, she began sashaying through the dining room, prancing around tables and chairs and turning the heads of numerous customers. Twirling into the back rooms of the cafe, she burst through the kitchen door while humming merrily.
He actually said yes! I need to figure out what to wear... There's so many possibilities! Maybe I'll go shopping tomorrow and just get something new... We'll see!
Flopping back against the closed door of the kitchen, she looked up at the ceiling with a happy, mirth-laden sigh.
I hope he dresses up into something... He's damn cute anyway, but if he puts on something nice and combs his hair... Meeooowwww!
"Faris? You doing okay?"
Blinking from the voice of one of her employees, a smile spread across her lips.
"Of course I'm okay, nya! I have a valentine's date!"
Slowly wandering along the sidewalk towards his apartment several blocks away, Okabe tingled with alternating senses of anticipation and curiosity.
I have a valentine's date. With Akiha Rumiho. I was contemplating thanking her for her hospitality... And instead she requests my presence at an upcoming valentine's ball. I've never been to a dance, much less on any kind of romantic venture. This is going to be a wild new experience... I really don't know how to feel right now. Asking me to an outing like this seems like a pretty bold statement. Enough to make her turn red and hesitate. Perhaps its just for valentine's day, but it must be a big deal if it breaks her composure like that.
Peering further into the distance, watching the progression of several vehicles along the pavement, he took in a breath of the chilly city air.
I'm fairly certain Mayuri is the only person that's ever given me any manner of a valentine... But Rumiho went a bit far beyond a card and chocolate, and was banking on the possibility of me even being available, much less agreeing. What would prompt her to take a leap like this?
Thinking back through recent interactions, an emotional conversation arose, tucked away in the memories of a distant world line.
'You probably saved my life out there. You're my... Knight in shining armor.'
His footfall drew to a halt on the segmented concrete beneath, heart beating.
...Could that be it? She remembered details from both sides of her D-mail months ago, but everything that transpired then, when Mayuri's life was still threatened... That was another realm. Another world line. Another place where her father was alive... And she forfeited everything for Shiina's sake. I risked my life to try and protect Rumiho, and in her gratitude, she finally set aside her protective mask. That was the turning point where I could see who she really is. Moments of unguarded honesty. Seeing her then, before undoing her D-mail, and seeing her only minutes ago... I do believe she's expressing some manner of feelings for me.
A breath of uncertainty filled his lungs, lips pressing together.
Yes. Rumiho likes me, that I am aware of. Whether for reasons past or present however... I cannot be certain. At this point however, it would seem I have a chivalrous duty to fulfill.
Hands leaving the pockets of his lab coat, he tugged and straightened the collar around his neck.
Fear not, however. A holiday's entertainment for the sake of scientific research won't faze me. I am a mad scientist, and I dive headlong into the unknown with nary a qualm or trepidation!
Chin rising, he slowly grinned, brimming with temporary confidence.
"I accept your challenge, Miss Akiha Rumiho! Prepare yourself for a valentine's day, the likes of which you shall not soon forget!"
Sunday, February 13th, 2011; Akihabara, Tokyo; 1:44p.m.
Peeking sheepishly through shelves and hangars full of dress pants, a heavy sigh issued from Okabe's insides.
Clothes shopping... An expenditure my poor budget won't soon forget.
Peering around with a hint of paranoia, his hand brushed through dozens of pairs of slacks hanging before him.
To say I feel out of place here, is a significant understatement. Hououin Kyouma, entering department stores... The quest for knowledge and understanding of the world's workings truly knows no bounds.
Moving onward along a series of shelves laden with jeans, he stepped into another aisle, finding himself among an expanse of dress shirts.
Here we are. Perhaps I can delay the pants acquisition... Shirts ought to be easier to peruse through. Then once the main articles are acquired, I can move onto lesser dressing details.
Head turning left and right, he scanned through hundreds of long and short sleeve shirts, eyes narrowing from the continued dissatisfaction with the shirts meeting his eyes.
This can't be this difficult. If the women of the lab are able to bring home dozens of things for daily dress and cosplay... Why in the nine hells is it so difficult for a man such as myself to -
Eyes falling upon bright white sleeves tucked around an equally white collar, his mouth drew open, swiftly drawing him closer.
Could it be...?
Lifting it from the shelf, and allowing it to unfold before him, his mouth curled into a grin, and a mischievous chuckle arose.
Miss Rumiho, it would appear victory is mine. If I can't have my finest white lab coat at your valentine's ball... Perhaps a white suit coat will do just as well.
Draping the textile over his arm, he spun around with renewed confidence.
...And why stop with the suit coat? The world shall know the greatness of the pale whites of scientific attire! Even a romance themed holiday shall not stop the progress of my research!
Standing before several mirrors in a fitting room, Okabe tugged on buttoned sleeves and preened several places on a the white dress coat, as well as a matching pair of white pants, and a black shirt beneath, topped off by a white tie clipped onto the collar.
Marvelous. A gentleman for science... With just a hint of black for the darkness within. Outsiders will be fooled, believing I am pure as the driven snow...
Slipping his hands into the pockets of the coat, a smirk met his eyes on the mirror's reflection.
Perfect.
Looking over his shoulder at another mirror to the side, eying the black buttons and edges hidden among the folds, his chin rose, grunting confidently.
I do believe this getup is a keeper... And a tie that doesn't need to be tied to be worn? Who knew!
Peeking down at his phone sitting nearby among his street clothes, the time slowly faded into view on the dark screen, and he crossed his arms, testing the fit of the shoulders.
Other than the looming expenditure... This appears to be a windfall acquisition. Near perfect fits! Perhaps this is the sensation of enjoyment one gets from successful garment shopping...
Sunday, February 13th, 2011; Akiha Residence, Akihabara, Tokyo; 6:17p.m.
Swiping left and right through the endless variety of colors, patterns and styles of clothing in her massive closet, Faris' eyes hungrily searched through her stockpile, pulling several different dresses off of the hangar rack, only to continuously toss them aside.
Valentines day... Red colors. Everybody will have pink... But my hair is already pink! I need to stand out! Perhaps dark crimson... Or burgundy? This one is almost a wine color... Kinda liking the darker reds. Hmmm... I'll have to see what compliments my ponytails. Those will have to change too... But one thing at a time.
Peering over her shoulder, her hand settled onto her side, looking over the scattered piles of dresses cast onto the carpet behind. Eyes narrowing, she crossed her arms, turning and walking among them in a wandering pattern of scrutinization.
With Meowster Okarin as my date... I'll make sure to impress him. His goofiness won't be able to take his eyes off Miss NyanNyan for a second.
Pausing over one dress in particular, she then shook her head, continuing her pacing contemplation.
I wish I had an idea of what he'll wear... What color, at least. Him dressing up at all will be a treat, but both of us matching or complimenting colors... That'll be -
Pausing from a knock on her door, she looked over, suddenly reminded of the time when her stomach grumbled.
"Miss Akiha."
"Yes, Kuroki? Come in."
The door's latch clicked, and the familiar face of her butler peeked inside, noticing the mess of clothing on the floor with a brief rise of his eyebrows.
"Supper is served."
"Thank you. I'll be right out, nya."
Distracted by the waft of freshly delivered pizza wandering in, she sauntered over to her bathroom, rinsing her hands in the sink with a flourish, and returning to the door, pulling it open. Taking a step forward, however, the whir of the resident Roomba vacuum met her ears, and she looked down, seeing the small circular machine heading for her doorway.
"Sorry little one, can't have you in there..."
Stepping back and pulling her bedroom door shut, she then moved aside, watching as the machine drew to a halt in front of the closed door, only to turn and wander past her bare feet, heading back into the living room.
Can't have you get stuck on a dress... That rug was bad enough last time.
Continuing onward towards the dining table, spotting two cardboard pizza boxes surrounded by glass plates, she offered Kuroki a smile, seeing him standing and waiting patiently. Prying open one of the boxes, an appetizing view of freshly cooked pizza met her eyes, and she pried two slices out, depositing them onto the plate in her hand.
Still have another day to figure out what to wear... I really hope Kyouma will be dressed up too. I don't know where he keeps any of his clothing but... He must have something nice to wear in that apartment.
Seating herself into a chair, and taking a bite from one of the slices, she gazed out of the large windows bordering the living room, taking in the lights of Akihabara shining among the dark of the evening beyond.
He might surprise me. He already did earlier today... Somehow Kyouma always has another trick up his sleeve.
Blushing among her chewing for a moment, she sat back, legs crossing beneath the table.
I'll guess I'll just have to wait and see.