Plantation 13

Midday

Garden

"Something Else"

HIRO'S POV

As I walked outside of the house we were living inside Garden, the corner of my eye catches a bright strand of pink hair. Knowing who this strand of hair belonged to, I immediately turn to the direction the hair was swaying from.

Zero two…the girl I met not long ago walked up to me with an innocent smile on her face, something she rarely plasters on her face for reasons I haven't coaxed out of her yet.

"Darling" she says as she runs to me now, her step has that happy kick to it accompanied by her sweet voice like the honey she so loves to eat rings in my ears; "Darling" she calls me, always brings a smile on my face for reasons I don't know of yet…again.

"Oh, Zero two! Where have you been?"

"I was waiting for you outside"

"Why?"

Zero two turns her body away from me slightly as she looked on with her eyes gleaming…

"She's happy today, I see"

"I want you to accompany me out in the forest again"

"Now?!"

"Yes, come on"

With my hand pulled along with the amount of strength she's put into it, I had zero chances of refusing. Especially with that face she usually throws at me whenever she got what she wanted which was also a win on my part.

"That adorable face"

Slowing down on the path surrounded by the large trees, 02 lets go of my hand and runs towards the lake where we first met. Catching up to her as best as I could, she stops abruptly and I was left reeling towards her, collided with her and staggered on the ground as a result.

"uh, s-sorry" I said sheepishly

This was all just a miscalculation, nothing else.

But something about this miscalculation has my heart pounding like a sledgehammer.

"hmm, wonder what this is"

"Darling, you pervert" 02 deadpanned.

"I-it was not my intention-"

I was interrupted by a wave of giggles just like before in our first encounter, 02 clinging to her stomach for dear life with a face as amused as a little kid's.

"This girl...this girl just won't give me a break huh?"

Smiling at the thought, I stood up and dusted off my uniform and extended my hand for her to hold on to.

"You really are something Darling" she mused as she took my hand for her to get back on her feet.

"I thought you already knew that"

"Hmm? In part, yes but you also like to surprise me sometimes"

"I do?"

"mhmm"

"That smile again"

Taken aback by her sudden honesty, my cheeks felt hotter for some reason that I had to turn my head away from her.

"Say, Darling. Look at me"

"O-okay"

Turning my head slowly to face her, 02 who was just in front of me is now closer than ever. I gulped from the sudden closeness of our faces.

"What are you doing?"

"Admiring my darling"

"Uhh, by just staring at me that is?"

"Yes and no, I'm not just staring at you"

"Then what el-"

"Darling"

she said as she tilted her face sideways near my cheek and -

-sniff

"I want"

-sniff

"You want?"

-sniff

"us to"

-BOOP

"be together"

Staring back at me with her eyes earnestly piercing to whatever was inside me. Clawing, no-pleading her way inside me that I welcomed her in with open arms. I've only met this girl not long ago but I know, somehow I know that this was not just coincidence.

"Then let's"

I replied back with as much conviction my voice had to utter and the amount of determination my eyes had to show her, It worked because I was then rewarded by a face lighting up like crazy.

I may not have the slightest idea of what I'm feeling, why I do what I do and why I say what I say in front of this odd girl but just looking at her somewhat made me not worry.

I know that...that we're going to be just alright, together that is. I'm sure of that.