Episode 2: Noire

Noire hurried through the hallway to get away from the meeting room. Her pace had increased after Uni had joined her. Right now the most important thing was to return to Lastation and… And what exactly?

She stopped her steps and looked at the polished floor.

"Everything will be okay." She muttered.

"Sorry, what was that?" Uni hadn't managed to pick up her sister's quiet words.

"I said we will get through this Uni! So stay calm." Noire spun her own anxiety around to give Uni a wall to lean on instead. That was the best thing she could do.

"Of course." Uni nodded in agreement.

Wait, wasn't she awfully calm? Her mind was clearly somewhere else, but she wasn't as gloomy or downtrodden as Noire had expected. And now she made a funny face…

"! I feel like someone is flirting with Nepgear." Her red eyes became cold and piercing.

"Huh?"

"I won't allow it!" Uni turned around and rushed back towards the meeting room without giving her sister a second look.

"What-?" It happened too fast for clarification. Noire could only watch her crash around the corner and disappear.

Just when had Uni become this obsessed? And that 7th sense for cheating was definitely a new ability. Noire felt that Uni would just drive herself crazy, considering her girlfriend was Nepgear. That girl flirted with everyone without even noticing.

Anyway, she would come back after dealing with whatever that was, so Noire kept moving on. At least that little intermission had pulled her out of her worry spiral.

As she went towards the foyer she noticed Histoire's silhouette in the opposite direction. She was clearly floating back towards the others. But she couldn't see Uzume with her. That was odd.

Bitten by curiosity Noire automatically moved to the room the tome girl had just left. Inside was a small office. And sitting on the windowsill was the familiar red-head with her usual erratic outfit. She was looking out the window into the morning sun. From this angle she looked almost blinding and that was not just because of the sun, Noire was sure.

Despite Noire's audible entrance she hadn't noticed her yet. Was she really that deeply in thought? It felt out of character, although admittedly Noire was never especially close with the tomboy.

"Ahem." She cleared her throat to make herself noticed.

"Hm…" But Uzume still didn't look back.

How rude. If there was one thing Noire couldn't stand, it was being ignored. With a raised brow she moved over to the window and then extended one hand to Uzume's shoulder.

They both gasped in surprise at the same time.

"Gah! N-Noirsy?" Uzume's orange eyes flew open in surprise.

"Hot!" Noire retracted her scalded right hand. The shoulder she had just touched felt almost unreasonably hot. Just from sitting in the sun for a bit?

"Didn't notice ya there." She admitted and then jumped off the windowsill.

"I'm aware." Noire waved her hand a few times to cool it down. "Those news were certainly hard to swallow. You must be out of it." She tried to sound understanding.

"I guess." Uzume looked down at her fingerless gloves. "Listen I'm really sorry-"

"That's quite enough out of you." Noire raised a hand and sighed. "Even I feel bad seeing you act like that. Neptune may be wrong about a lot of things, but she was at least right about this. We don't blame you."

"But I do." Uzume replied earnestly.

"Why did I see that coming?" Noire smiled wryly and put a hand on her waist. "I might not have made it clear or anything, but I won't abandon Lastation or my f-friends." She was a little embarrassed to call her a friend, so she averted her gaze.

Uzume looked at her with touched eyes.

"If you mess anything up I will come running to fix it, alright?! As a citizen of Lastation I can't tolerate a bad leader and I won't allow the new government to ruin our nation! That's only natural, right?" She couldn't deal with that grateful expression, so she said something tsundere again. It was hard to turn off.

"I can see why everyone relies on you Noirsy." Uzume clenched her fist and put it to her heart. "I'll take care of Lastation as much as ya want. Just make me one of your awesome dinners every now and again, aight?" She grinned.

"It's always about food with you two, I swear." Noire tilted her head and returned a relieved smile. It seemed like Uzume was still herself.


After returning to Lastation's Basilicom Noire immediately did what she deemed necessary. Which was to inform the staff about the situation. Keeping it secret or waiting until they would find out themselves was completely out of the question. Noire had to tell them herself or it would leave a bad aftertaste. Of course she told them to keep quiet about it to anyone outside these walls, at least until there was an official announcement.

Most of the employees were understanding and wished Noire the best. They would keep working in the Basilicom diligently so as not to disappoint her trust in them. Nobody seemed to believe this would be permanent even though Noire didn't sugarcoat things.

"What will happen to Lastation now Lady Noire?" A relatively new member of the staff asked Noire while the others returned to their posts. She recognized this man… although barely. He had this face that just disappeared inside a crowd. He was personally hired by Noire a while ago. Someone who had lost everything and then ran into her and Neptune during a date. His devotion to Lastation was rather refreshing, even if he was too serious sometimes (and that was coming from Noire of all people).

"It will prevail through this crisis, just like it did in all that came before." Noire said encouragingly. "Your job is secure; even if I'm gone the Basilicom will not be closed. It is necessary for a governing body to exist in every nation."

"My job isn't important." He said with a downcast expression. "What will become of you my Lady?" His voice was filled with concern.

"I will…" Noire didn't know what she wanted to say. What was she really going to do now? Until now she had never considered a future that was not as the leader of Lastation. Only vague dreams could fill the hole that this turn of events would leave in her heart.

Seeing her troubled reaction the man hastily changed his tune and straightened his back.

"We will keep the Basilicom clean and safe for your return Lady Noire! This nation only has one goddess who could rule it. Everyone will patiently await your return." He saluted.

"Thank you." It was not realistic to have that much hope, but she appreciated the sentiment. A home to return to whenever she wished… Anyone would be happy to have that. "But if I can't respond to the faith of the people I will set myself up for failure. So don't rely on someone incompetent like me if you can help it."

"That can't be true! Nobody would dare to insult your work by saying something so reproaching!"

"Haha. You are exaggerating Mr… What was your name again?" She never did pick it up before.

"I'm unworthy to be addressed by you! B-but if you really wish to know. My name is-"

"NOIIIIIREEEE!" A loud scream interrupted their conversation. And before the staff member could even finish his sentence he was slammed into the wall by the door. Jumping through the opening was none other than K-sha!

"Huh?!" Noire instinctively dodged the high school girl's grapple move that she probably considered a hug. K-sha caught herself mid fall and then spun around to latch on to Noire's hand.

"Noire! I heard everything! The world is so cruel!" She was actually teary eyed…

"C-calm down K-sha-"

"I will quit school! I will find a job and rent an apartment for all three of us. We can live together and be happy, you, Uni and me, I swear!" Her tight grip on Noire's hand only increased.

"Don't quit school!" Noire reprimanded her and lightly hit her on the head.

"But but but!" She had completely lost it apparently. Her tears were real. Those tears shed for someone else; that regret in the name of another.

Noire was moved by her empathy. She slowly moved her hand forward and gently rubbed K-sha's head. Her silken black bangs moved back and forth from the motion. It was almost like that time when she petted Uni after the play. She had been crying back then as well.

"You are really becoming human now?" K-sha asked with a sniff.

"…yes." Noire nodded.

"Ehehe… now I feel some regret for giving up my feelings so early." She said self-derisively.

Noire lowered her gaze. She knew that K-sha had given up a great deal to accept Noire's current relationship. And one way to convince herself was probably that she didn't think it would work out between a human and a CPU. This girl had been cheering them on despite her own wishes for so long, but there must have been some consequence to that.

"But it really doesn't make a difference." She suddenly added. "Just like it doesn't matter if Noire is a goddess or a human, because she is great for whom she is inside." K-sha rose up and tenderly let go of the twintailed girl's hand. "Miss Neptune makes you happiest. How could I regret that? That pain in my chest is just some leftover selfishness. Don't mind it." Her turquoise eyes were strong behind the moistness of her remaining tears.

"I'm sorry for making you worry…. And thanks. For everything." Her smile was rather emotional.

"I didn't do anything yet! I still can do something for you." She folded her hands.

"It would be enough if you looked after Uni every now and then. She could use a friend now more than ever."

"Uni is stronger than you think." K-sha put her hand on her waist and nodded. "And I would be like a third wheel on her alone time with Miss Nepgear." She added.

"I didn't think of that." Noire pulled on her collar, because she suddenly felt like suffocated from the awkwardness. Getting used to her little sister's relationship was a complex change.

"Now that you don't have to worry about the job anymore, we could also have some more alone time." K-sha suddenly said with sparkles around her face. Another dangerous(?) development was about to unfold!

"Aren't lessons still in session?" Noire suddenly realized after glancing at the clock.

"I came running as soon as I got Uni's message." K-sha said with a glint in her right eye.

"Go back to school!" Noire hand chopped her forehead. She was doing that a lot today, huh?

"Ow! But Noiiiire…"

"No buts. How is a delinquent going to help me, hm?" She crossed her arms.

"…!" She widened her eyes and then nodded in acceptance of her criticism. "My dorm room is always open for you two, okay? You can sleep in my bed as much as you want!" She added while hurrying out the door.

"Don't bother the dorm mother more than you already have." Noire smiled dryly. Seeing her peppiness was somehow calming her down more than anything else today. There was no time to mope around in self-pity. She had plans to craft and preparations to make!

She left the terrace determinedly and closed the door behind her.

"Grblfx…." The staffer who had been crushed behind it slowly slid down the wall.


"Are you sure about that?" Noire asked with a dry throat. Her ear was glued to the N-gear.

"Y-yes." Uni replied with less certainty each second. "I want to… I need to stay with Nepgear. I promised to look after her, th-that's all."

What did she mean 'that's all'? Who did she promise to? Wasn't this obviously just an excuse?

"You will stay with Nepgear, who is staying with Uzume." Noire collected her thoughts. "Do you want to help her as well?"

"If I have time." She said unenthused. So it wasn't about Uzume at all.

"If anything happens let me know first." Noire said after a few seconds of silence.

"You… approve?" Uni sounded more surprised than happy.

Wasn't that a little rude? Did she really think so ill of Noire?

"You are mature enough to make your own decisions now." And as long as Nepgear was around to look out for her it would be fine. She should probably not mention that part though. "In fact I would like you to give Uzume advice about all things concerning Lastation. You are the only one who can do that for her." Aside from Noire of course.

"Will do!" Uni had just realized her responsibility. Hopefully that would give her something to cling to in these turbulent times.

"Make me and the citizens proud." She said with forced vigor.

"Big sis… uhm… Please be safe." Her worried voice was really cute.

"Who do you think I am?" Noire chuckled. "Call me every day, got it? For status reports." Definitely not because she would feel lonely… She wasn't able to admit her true feelings yet it seemed.

"Eh? Yes, I am talking to big sis. W-wait for me Nepgear! I have to go now. Speak to you soon?" Uni was in a hurry to hang up.

"Right." Noire pressed the speaker closer to her face and gulped. "L…love you!" She immediately hung up after saying it.

'Gaaaaah! So embarrassing!'

She held her steaming face with both hands and let go of the N-gear. She wasn't ready for direct sisterly affection yet.

After cooling down she looked through her room. There was a lot of stuff to sort through before she left. And she had to leave. If she stayed at the Basilicom she would be tempted to interfere with her successors work. Right now she should be focused on her next steps instead.

Money wasn't a problem. As expected of someone as meticulous as Noire, she had long since saved up funds for a time of emergency. With the savings in her account she and Uni could have easily lasted a few years without so much as raising a finger. Much longer if it was just her alone.

But money wasn't an issue to her anyway. It was a necessity of life, but to be happy Noire would need to do something. She was the type that couldn't cope without work. Funds or not, she would still search for a career. That was a given.

She opened the closet and went through all the cosplay outfits she had crafted in secret. Each and every one of these had been sewed with care and attention to detail. They were extremely high quality, if she was allowed to judge them herself. With this skill she could certainly become a designer. But she would rather wear them with her friends and go around a convention.

Next she went to the secret compartment in the floor. Two taps at the right place and the spot opened up, revealing a guitar case, a costume and a wig. This was her gear for the secret concerts she participated in. Her stage name was Onyx Heart. The only one who knew about this secret hobby was Neptune right now. At least Noire believed she was (spoiler: she wasn't the only one). And of course her mentor in musical matters, 5pb.

She lightly strummed the guitar and whistled an intuitive melody. This was a good feeling. The rush she got on stage was comparable to a great achievement in her job or… a date with Neptune.

She shook her head and moved on to the desk. Neatly piled on top of it were several forms and letters. The one closest to the edge was of special interest. A voice acting gig. She had sent in some mega- no giga… okay, terabytes of recorded lines! The company had eventually given in and sent her a formal letter of congratulations for getting the job. They obviously knew that she was Lady Black Heart, which was the reason they hesitated in the first place. Her aliases were already see-through enough, but her voice was one of the most recognizable in all of Gamindustri in the first place.

She was going to do it in her free time, but now she might be able to focus on it full time. In fact she finally had time for all her hobbies! What was this unknown bliss? No limitations, just pure enjoyment. This was a revolution of the entertainment industry as far as she was concerned.

Now she would just have to make a call to the concert organizers and take a few chances. She could probably talk to them while doing some paperwork. And then she would send some sketches of new costume designs to the local main brands. While she was at it she could also take care of her work related e-mails. Efficiency was key-

"Ah." She stopped in her tracks and put down the letters from her hands. "That's right." Realization dawned on her. There was no work to take care of anymore. She had almost automatically adjusted her schedule around her workload like usual.

Despite having so much freedom now, she felt an incredible sense of entrapment. As if her life was suddenly limited. She was full of ideas what to do, but everything seemed so colorless all of a sudden.

"Stop that." She scolded herself. Work had been her life for so long, but she had changed, right? Now she had friends and even… a girlfriend. Even a loner like her had finally found people who would put up with her selfishness.

When had she realized that she wanted to be a CPU to feel useful? To feel needed? And when did she stop feeling like work was the only thing that mattered?

It was when Neptune had confessed to her.

Leaving her old life behind weighed heavily on her mind, no doubt. To cope with that she wanted to throw herself at her hobbies. But what she really wanted right now… was to be with Neptune. Seek comfort in her arms.

Could she really admit to that weakness? If she broke down now it would only make things harder in the future.

She sat down on her rolling chair and looked at the number on her N-gear. Her fingers had instinctively pulled up Neptune's number. Hearing her voice would help so much right now…

There was still the issue of the proposal.

Her mind was preoccupied with the change in life-style, but it never stopped circling around that part. Marriage wasn't something she had even wasted one brain cell on until a few months ago. Then when she and Neptune had their big fight she had come up with this 'bet' as a solution to their problem. A proof of their earnest feelings and will to keep competing. It was as much a reassurance for the people of Gamindustri as it was an honest wish she had disguised as such.

Because of her 'proof' the four of them were now in this predicament. Who could have expected that they would all lose the Share race? At the same time no less!

If Noire hadn't wanted to propose she would not have come up with that bet. She had to start from there. Naturally she never expected it to come this early. She thought it would happen far in the future when the world would be a different place and her relationship with Neptune would be so much deeper. They had barely dated a year, so this seemed almost unreasonable.

But they had known each other almost their entire life. The four of them had always been connected, one way or another. Even when they weren't friends, she had always considered Neptune, Vert and Blanc as people she could respect, even if only as rivals or enemies.

Yes, there weren't many people with as much history as them…

Maybe there was another reason she had made that bet. For if one of them dropped out of the Share race, they would cease being a CPU. Who knew what the consequences would be? Well, now they found out, but what if it had been worse? In the end, making Neptune become part of her family, her nation, would have been one way to save her and Nepgear from that fate.

Of course her reasons weren't entirely selfless. That didn't help Blanc or Vert. She had only thought of herself again…

"Wife." She whispered the word to herself. It sounded beautiful, yet somehow wrong. Nobody was prepared for marriage. She came to that conclusion. The time spent together before the deal was sealed was not important. At the altar everyone got weak legs and nervous sweats.

More importantly though, she had to be the one to propose. Ever since their relationship started Neptune had been the one to take the lead. She was the one who confessed, she was the one who dragged her on their first date, she was the one who stole her first kiss, she was…

She was braver than her in every aspect.

This couldn't continue! At least this once Noire wanted to take the initiative. Not to a small degree, because it was her idea in the first place. The proposing side usually took the lead in the marriage. She wanted to be the backbone, the one cementing their love into something stable.

Neptune was probably thinking the same thing. She would come at her with all her determination and try to swoop her off her legs again, like a prince in shining armor. But this princess would steal her thunder! She had no skill in the art of wooing someone and she probably never would have, but putting that ring on Neptune's slender finger… that's something she could do.

If they could live together and laugh together she could maybe bear this human existence after all.

"Prepare yourself Neptune." She said with a funny cackle. "I'm coming for you!"

Well, right after she had sorted out this mess in her room and found a new place to stay. And after that job interview. Possibly after one or two minor concerts. Definitely before she went on world tour as a famous idol.

Busy, busy, busy…

(To be continued)


Doo-bi-doo-bi-dee-doo.

"Hi everyone across the sound waves, welcome back to Hi Five Radio Extra! The only radio show with everyone's favorite idol 5pb.! I had to keep that line in, because of my manager, please don't think I'm conceited."

Laughing in the background.

"W-wow it has been an eventful day, hasn't it? So many of you have written in with heartfelt and interesting e-mails, but the concept of the show has also changed a little. Because of a suggestion from my supervisor we switched from reading your e-mails to taking Chirper messages instead! Just send them in at #HiFiveRadioEx and we will select appropriate ones… together. You are such a worrywart Cave."

Calm whispering.

"Alrighty! Let's look for a good one today too. This Chirp comes from a girl under the pen name Onyx Heart… w-wait isn't Lady No- n-nobody I would know!"

The sound of almost fallen over equipment.

"A lot of girls with 'heart' on this show haha! N-no I'm not nervous! So let's see what she wrote. Right now."

[Hello 5pb., I hope I'm not bothering you.]

"Never Lady No-….Nonyx Heart. Ah, I bit my tongue… ouch."

[I am currently considering making a career as a singer/songwriter/guitarist and I would like to have your professional opinion on how to start out. Much appreciated.]

"Wow! An upcoming artist and rival! I feel honored that you would ask me of all people for advice on that. What do you mean by starting a career though? Aren't you super busy?"

Whispering.

"I know this isn't a live chat! Uhm… so how to start out. Well I was scouted by a few people back in my street performing days. The rest just kind of happened. So… my advice is to put all your heart into your songs and hope for the best!"

"That is terrible advice."

"Yikes… You don't have to be so mean about it. Also I think the mic picked up your voice Cave. But this is honestly how it happens all the time. You could also go to an audition or a talent show, but I think you already have an underground following Onyx Heart. Just believe in your music and the people will start believing in you!"

"Like a goddess?"

"Yeah, like a goddess- NO! I didn't mean it like that. P-please stop hijacking my show. S-so I hope that was good advice. I am sure that we two can become friends and maybe do a co-op concert sometime in the future. Promise? Teehee."

Jingle plays.

"And that's all the time we have for today. Please look forward to next time everyone! 5pb. plugging out~"

Fwoop.