CHAPTER 4: A New Life

"That's great Nishizawa-san! You're so lucky Ren!" Fuyuki said.

"Mhm, you'll have your own room and whatever else you need. All access to the gym, the pools, the kitchens, the maids, cooks, and more." The inner Momoka took this moment to plan for her own desires, If we help out with this guy, Fuyuki is sure to love us in return!

"T-thank you very much for taking me in" Giroro replied, bowing in gratitude.

"You're so lucky, you get to live in the lap of luxury with Momoka. I'm so jealous~" Natsumi chimed in, thinking of all the things she could do if there were maids to tend to her.

"Well you're all welcome to come over this weekend for a gathering. We'll be holding our annual Fall dance and I'd be so happy if you all came"

"Wow that sounds fun! I can't wait, right sis?"

"aww~ a dance! I can't wait! You'll be going to right Ren?" Natsumi turned to him.

"Uh, me?! I mean, I dunno I—"

"Aww, come on! You'll have fun! You're living there after all!" she begged.

"We'd be supplying you with a suit and everything. But there's still time to decide if you want to go or not."

"Well sis and I are going for sure, you really should come along. It'll be pretty boring if you just sit around at home, Ren."

"I-I'll think about it." He stops, causing everyone to turn and look at him. "Um, I actually have something to do before class, I'll catch up with you later." He took off running into the school yard, targeting a specific building.

"Ren? I wonder where he's off to…" Natsumi pondered.

"Maybe he remembered something?" Fuyuki offered, watching him take off.

Yuki, garbed in her school uniform, walked around the building, wondering if Giroro would even show up. Turning the corner, she was surprised to see him already waiting and leaning against the wall. He turned to her, smirking.

"You're finally here"

"What do you want?" Yuki asked.

"5 minutes."

"5 Minutes?"

"To talk."

"Obviously. What do you want?"

"I decided….that I do want your help. Whatever you can offer me" he spoke, moving from the wall to stand in front of her now. Compared to her, he was much taller. She stepped back slightly, just realizing the height difference and the weight of what he was asking.

"You don't know what that entails tho-"

"I want your help, no matter the cost. I've already signed my life away on two weeks, what's the worst that could happen?"

"It could be cut to one…" she said honestly.

"I kind of expected that."

"R-really? But, how could you…nevermind. You don't understand how dangerous my help is."

"And I'm prepared to take that challenge."

"B-but, there's more than that. You'd have to only get help from me, no one else. Not a single other person or alien" she explained, her eyes glancing to the sides.

"That's fine."

She was even more surprised, shocked to hear he would allow that. "A-and you have to stay away from her. Can't be near her!" she continued stammering, hoping he'd give up on asking for her help.

"If you're helping, I assume you know a better way to handle this" he replied, shrugging. He kept studying her movements, his steel eyes fixated on her now.

"B-b-but…"

Giroro looked her in the eyes and smirked. She looked away and whispered under her breathe.

"What was that?" he asked, amused that he could hold such a power over someone that held his life in their hands.

She sighed. "None of that's true…I'd just of hoped you wouldn't actually ask for my help…."

"You offered it to me, I only thought it wise to accept. With you, I can finish this shortly."

"Huh? S-so you've made progress in just two days?!" she asked, surprised.

"W-well, it's a start, I feel like I'm making progress as of last night."

"huuuuh? What, did you confess your love already?"

"N-no! We just talked and did human homework together!"

"… Really…?" she asked, her face scrunching and holding in laughter.

"W-what?" he asked, losing his power over her. He started to feel smaller in comparison again.

"That's not making progress, that's her being nice. She doesn't know who you are, just a stranger. "

"Well it was different than when I was a Keronian, there was something there" he defended.

"Hmm….I think you're mistaken. But, it might be a better start than your first day. …look, you don't know what it means to get my help"

"You told me that I don't have that high of a chance without your help."

"I know, but it's not that easy to—"

"It's been over 5 minutes" Giroro spoke up, looking at his phone that Kururu was generous enough to provide him with. He grabbed his bag and started walking away. Yuki stared at in incredulously.

"Are you going to just walk away?!"

"I'll see you in class. You'll think of my request I trust?" he asked, waving at her as he walked away.

"Y-you, what are you thinking?!" she asked, picking up her bag and following after him frantically.

The two walked in silence for a while, Giroro carrying the air of confidence in him while Yuki was trying to decipher what he was up to. "By the way, this key. Why are there names carved in?" he asked.

"Huh?! You mean, you can see them?!" she inquired, motioning for the necklace.

He handed it to her, watching as she stared at it. "Is that a problem? Should I not be able to see them?"

"I…I can't believe this…"

"I assume I'm not supposed to see those then? The timer is working nicely though."

"This is serious! Why are you so relaxed anyway?! The other day you were frazzled and angry, what gives?!"

"I decided to change" he replied honestly.

Yuki stopped in her tracks and watched him walk away. She examined him, not noticing anything really different about him. She couldn't sense any devices implanted in him that would control him, so what gives. Snapping out of it, she caught up to him again. " Look, I'm glad you've decided to embrace this….but this is serious Giro-"

"Ren."

"Uh, right…Ren. You'd think I'd be used to calling my…clients…different names by now."

"You'll have to explain what's going on after this it looks like" he replied with a smirk, pointing to the classroom.

"We're already here? Shit…well, it should be fine if I wait a little longer…."

"Ah, Ren! Oh, and Yuki? Did you two walk here together?"

"Uh, y-yeah. We happened to be walking in the same way so we just walked together!" Yuki answered, regaining her composure.

"Ah, I see. It's always better to walk with someone you know."

Giroro took his seat in the back and leaned back, relaxing. He winked at the two girls and smirked. Natsumi blushed lightly and turns to Yuki.

"Did something happen? He seems…different."

"Eh?! N-no, not at all. He's just being weird."

"Huh? Is there another way he acts that you know of?" Natsumi asked, wondering what Yuki meant.

"Um, n-no, not really. You know how boys are ahahahahaa"

"Hmm, I guess….it sure does seem like you two know each other a lot…"

"I mean, I guess you could say that" she whispered. Natsumi caught ear of it and looked at her in excitement.

"So you do know him! He's got amnesia right now and he doesn't remember a lot. Could I ask you about him some more?"

"Uuuuhh, s-sure? I can tell you only what I know.." Crap…I'm not supposed to be the one doing this.

"Perfect! Oh, we should probably talk after class. Maybe over Lunch?"

"S-sure, Natsumi." Dammit, I guess I can just make something up…or ask him..

—-

"Please?" Yuki begged, hands clasped together.

"Why should I? You got yourself into this mess: Giroro replied, walking away.

"But I don't know anything about you!"

"That's funny, you seemed to know everything about me when we first met."

"That's different! I don't know everything about you, just the basics! Especially right now!"

"I seem to recall asking you for something that you weren't about to give to me, so how's this fair?" he smirked, playfully mocking her. His confidence radiated off of him, surprising Yuki even more.

"It's different! You don't understand what you're messing with!"

"Oh, Yuki and Ren!" Natsumi waved to them.

"Natsumi!"

"Oh, hello Natsumi."

"You two look lively, is everything alright?" she asked, eyeing them curiously.

"Uh, y-yeah! Everything is fine! We were just talking about some stuff and I was about to go looking for you! Hahahahaa"

"I see, well are you ready to go Yuki?"

"Have fun you two," Giroro said as he walked right past them, waving his hand slightly. Yuki panicked, watching him walk off.

"Oh, Ren, would you like to join us? I'm sure it would be a great experience to hear about your memories!" Natsumi offered cheerfully.

"That's a GREAT idea Natsumi! Come on Reeeeen~" Yuki pleaded, hoping he'd take Natsumi's bait.

"I'd love to, but weren't we just talking about some of that? Anyways, I've got to get settled in Momoka's household after all" he snickered, sticking his tongue out at Yuki when Natsumi wasn't looking.

"Oh that's right, well that's too bad. But we can talk about it later then!"Natsumi replied enthusiastically.

"That sounds nice, well, till later then" he said, walking off into the distance. Yuki reached out for him, jaw dropped. I'm not the one that's supposed to be in this situation! It's you you idiot!

"Well Yuki~ let's go!" Natsumi turned and smiled at her. She took her hand and lead her into the town. Yuki, struggling to keep up, tried to get her to calm down.

"Hold on Natsumi! Ah!"

Giroro smirked as he watched his love pull away Yuki. Pulling out his phone, he dialed a number and put it up to his ear. "Keroro, I trust everything is ready."

"Hmmm~ So Yuki, what all do you know?" Natsumi began, sipping from her smoothie.

"U-um well….I…" Yuki struggled to answer, knowing she shouldn't be the one doing this.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Natsumi froze and stared at her. "C-could it be, you two are lovers?!"

"OF COURSE NOT" Yuki shouted, gaining attention from random passerby's. Blushing, she sat back down and slurped at her smoothie.

"But the way you two act together, and the way you're acting right now….it kind of points to it"

"W-wait, really? W-well we're not. We just happen to know each other…that's all…" Yuki frowned, slowly her intake of her smoothie and staring off into the distance.

"Are you alright? You look sad Yuki…" Natsumi asked, her eyes furrowing.

"Oh, do I? It's nothing, I promise. Any way, you wanted to know more about Ren?"

"Y-yeah. For starters, is his name really Ren?"

" …no. It's not." she admitted.

"Could you tell me what it is?" Natsumi pleaded, ready for the answer.

"No."

"Huh? But why?"

"Because. …because….it's best if he remembers it on his own and tells you."

"Hmm? Why is that?"

"B-because memory like this is fragile and if you accidentally said his name, it might trigger all of his memories and permanently damage him if that happens. So it might be best to keep information like that to myself, for now."

"Ah…I see…well, what CAN you tell me that won't cause him to get hurt?"

"Hmm…well, he's a little older than you. He cares a lot about his friends and his mission."

"His mission?"

"Uh, well…whatever he sets his mind to, he wants to accomplish. Sometimes it doesn't happen according to his plan so he gets sad….he's also in love with this girl that will never love him back" Yuki revealed, looking up at Natsumi now. Natsumi looked up at her, ignoring her smoothie now.

"Really?….that's sad…"

"Yes, it is…" Yuki continued to watch her, expecting her to reveal any feelings.

"Is that why you're sad, Yuki?"

"Huh?" It wasn't what she expected to hear from her. It caught her by surprise.

"I-I'm sorry, I'm stepping outside my boundaries…it just…it seems like you like him…"

"It's not like that…we just know each other…almost like…business partners really."

"I see…well I won't pry anymore. Thank you for everything you've told me."

"Natsumi…"

"Yuki?"

"What….what would you do if you liked someone, that didn't like you back?"

"….I…I don't really know, to be honest…sometimes…sometimes it feels like that with…with.."

While the two girls were out on their friend date, Giroro and the rest of the platoon were watching from the underground base.

"Oh, Master Natsumi is about to reveal her secrets!" Keroro excitedly spoke, waiting to get any blackmail.

"That woman…how dare she…." Giroro growled, jealousy setting in.

"But she's gotten farther than you ever could, kukukuku"

"Na-chi sure does look sad though….as does Yuki…" Tamama pointed out.

Giroro watched the screens, noticing both girls looked sad. Yet, I could care less about Yuki, but Natsumi…

"It's alright, Natsumi…you don't have to tell me."

"I-it's alright…it's the least I could do for being so helpful. You see…when we were talking the other day about crushes….I…well…Saburo…"

Giroro clenched his teeth, sneering at the name, "Saburo…"

"Kero! Calm down Giroro!"

"The boy with silver hair and blue eyes…" she recalled, a certain tinge of pain hit her then, but she couldn't recall why.

"Yeah…you see….I really like him…but…I don't think he likes me, at least in the way I'd want him to. Honestly, I'd be fine if he just rejected me from the start, but like this…it's hard…" Natsumi admitted.

"Natsumi…"

"Haha…you must think it silly…"

"…no, i don't…I think you're validated by that feeling…"

"You think so?"

"I do….could you answer one more question for me…?"

"O-of course. What is it?"

"What now?" Giroro wondered out loud, sitting in his seat, face resting on his fist.

"What if you were the person that someone loved deeply, but you didn't love them back?"

Everyone in the base was struck by shock. Giroro's heart began pounding harder as he waited for Natsumi's response. Natsumi herself was taken back at the question. She sat there, thinking long and hard about it.

"Someone….loved…me….that I didn't love back?"

Natsumi..I…

"Well….how would I know that if I didn't know they loved me? How could I not love someone back if I don't know that they do already?" she asked.

Her answer caught Yuki by surprise. She sat up, more staring more intently.

"If there was someone that loved me out there and I didn't know about it, I'd want to know it. I know what it feels like to keep those type of feelings inside and….it hurts….so, I wouldn't want someone suffering like that just because of me….I'd rather them tell me and see what happens" she said, smiling back at the blue haired girl.

In shock, Giroro couldn't articulate his words. He could only mumble her name.

"Giroro, this is your chance! You just need to man up and confess your love!"

Keroro took a swift, powerful punch to the face. "IF IT WERE THAT EASY ID HAVE DONE IT BY NOW!"

"But being open with your feelings is the obvious choice my friend. If you are open with Natsumi, you might just succeed."

"Easier said than done….maybe it's possible in this form….but….what about the real me…? Or have you forgotten that she hates aliens as it is, why would I be special? Small, red, bent on invasion, alien….stupid frog…" he silently ranting, playing with his key. All of a sudden, a light surrounded him, taking everyone by surprise.

"G-giroro, what's going on?"

"He's glowing!"

"W-what?" as he realized this change, it quickly stopped.

"W-what was that? Are you alright?"

"I…I don't know…it felt…nice though" he admitted, looking at his hands.

"Ku ku ku, looks like you almost turned back to normal, Corporal."

"What?!" Giroro exclaimed, heart pounding. He stared at his hands, thinking that this was it, that he figured it out.

"Your body began reacting and your DNA seemed to be changing back…guess bashing yourself verbally is the key to your transformations."

"Bashing myself….key….Key! " he rambled, staring down at the key in his hands. "Maybe….maybe I can do it"

"Natsumi, you're truly something else, aren't you…Well, I'm sure your prince charming will be there for you soon" Yuki said with a smile.

"Y-you think so? " Natsumi asked, letting her blush slip as she sipped on the rest of her smoothie.

"Yes, I do. It might be someone you don't expect"

"H-huh? Someone I don't expect? "

"I can't say anything else on it~"

"Yuki you're so mean! If you know something, you should tell me!"

She started giggling, "Oh Natsumi, you'll find out soon enough."

"Yuki seems to be playing with her right now" Giroro observed, still clinging to the key.

"Seems like it….Giroro, are you going to try and change back?"

"Yes" determination in his voice.

"But do you know how to turn back into a Pekoponian?" Tamama inquired.

"I think it'll be the same…if I'm right…everything should work out fine."

"Be careful my friend"

Taking a deep breathe, Giroro relaxed his body. He cleared his mind of everything but thoughts of his true self. The scar. The red. The small body. The belt. Being a keronian. As he thought about these things, he began to glow again. His body started changing, shrinking. Everyone watched him closely, astounded by what they were seeing. Yuki's eyes turned wide, she could feel what he was doing.

"Yuki? What's wrong?"

"I-I have to go Natsumi, I'm so sorry! we'll do this again soon!" she replied, grabbing her stuff and running off. When she was far enough and out of sight of anyone, she teleported herself.

"Ku ku ku, seems we're about to have company"

"Giroro what are you doing?!" Yuki exclaimed, looking at him in amazement. Before her stood the red keronian she fought a few days ago. She couldn't believe he'd already figured it out.

"Keroro platoon! Protect Girorro!"

"Roger!"

"You could say, an eye for an eye?"

"What? No, you don't understand. I'm not here to fight I'm—"

"Have you come to accept my offer?" Giroro asked, stepping in front of his team.

"You…you actually managed to do it…."

"Did you have doubts?"

Taking notice of the screen she saw images of her and Natsumi together. "You were watching us….Giroro, you need to first understand the consequences of what you're asking me…"

"Then start talking. I've already told you, no matter what it takes, I will be victorious."

"If I help you….I…" she paused, "It will become more difficult…and I've already broken my own rules by talking to Natsumi today….And…Giroro, I do believe you have a chance. "

"Of course he does! Have you seen him as a Pekoponian? What girl could resist?!" Keroro chimed in.

"Yuki, I appreciate it, but you still haven't answered my question."

"If I help you, everyone that has fallen before you will try to stop you…"

"Everyone before him…? What does that mean?" Dororo asked.

"Remember how we first met…? That wasn't me in control, it was one of the defeated before you. Sometimes…like that night, their voices come through from this crystal…

"Your demeanor changed…and those voices…I remember…"

"Yes…I told you I couldn't explain that much before…but, because of the nature of my job, I harvest people that fail in their assignments. This crystal….it cannot be broken by any force in the universes. It traps those that I've harvested…"

"So, you're like that Alisa doll: Kururu observed.

"Alisa….yes. We are in a sense. I am born unlike her though. She, as you might know, is not human or even living. I collect like she does. I collect for a similar reason, but my job is another story. I'm surprised that Nebula is on this planet, I haven't seen him in years…"

"What is your job exactly?" Tamama asked.

"I was brought to the mightiest of aliens as a child. I had the ability to change my form on command. But I also had the ability to create what no one else could. I was brought in for this strange powers and was given a job, to go around the universes and punish those that have failed their missions. At first, they would instruct me where to go. But as I grew older and continued to work, I didn't need them telling me anymore where to go. I could find them all. I had accepted this job like it was a blessing….but it turned into a prison…."

"But, why you though? Other than your powers, why would they send a child to just do such things?" Tamama kept asking, feeling sad for her.

"Because I was a child is why they sought after me. They wanted to break my spirit long before I could even think for myself. They…I had to undergo tests and trials until it was finally my only purpose."

"Kero? But you know all of this, why would you continue to do it if you realize how terrible it is?"

"Because it's all I know. It's..the only way I know how to help anymore. And they would know if I strayed….They don't keep up with everything I do, but they'd know if I stopped. And they would punish me through others."

"How horrible…they are essentially black mailing you"

"Yes….They have something important to me….But, Giroro…the point is…there are so many fallen warriors in this necklace that will be let loose on you. They will try whatever it takes to make you fail because they are bitter and jealous of you. They want your freedom and they want Natsumi as much as you do….They will pull anything they can. Some will flirt with Natsumi, others will attack her. Some will attack you and so forth. There are not many left inside this prison, for they eventually do die off….some in battles when they are set free to roam for a limited time, others just inside the prison itself. But that being said, there are a few remaining that, most, are ready to fight you and hurt you….whatever it takes….are you really willing to take that risk?"

"I already said I'd do anything. Fighting some guys isn't a challenge"

"But what if they try to kill Natsumi?"

"Kill?!" Keroro exclaimed, unsure of the decision.

"They will do anything to make you fail." Yuki held out her hand to Giroro, her eyes sad pools of blue. "If you still want my help…"

He grabbed her hand, surprising her. "No matter what. "

"Giroro….Alright….it's set in stone then…." A green light surrounds them, powerful enough to push the others away. Giroro looked around him, watching the green light. Yuki squeezed his hand tighter, redirecting his attention to her.

"They're glowing!"

"This power!"

"From this day forth, you will have my full help. But you will also have these fallen hindering you when they choose to….I can only do so much against them on my own and with you, be prepared…"

"I'm always prepared" he replied, breaking the connection. between the two of them.

"I'm home!" Natsumi's voice sounded from the screens. Everyone's attention turned to her and then back to Yuki and Giroro.

"I shouldn't be here like this, wouldn't want her getting suspicious

"A disguise would work out well, ku ku"

"If you wish me to stay right now, I will disguise myself."

"What would you disguise yourself though? Another pekoponian?" Keroro asked.

"That would get to confusing," she replied, surrounding herself with a blue light. When she was done, a small, azure blue Keronian stood in her place. Her insignia taking the place of her gem. "This is much easier."

"Woah! She's one of us now! "

"Welcome to the invasion team Yuki!"

When Keroro got close to her, she swatted him away. "I'm not apart of your team. I'm only here to help Giroro and Natsumi. That's all. And don't call me by my actual name, wouldn't Natsumi get suspicious of that too?"

"She's got a point…." Giroro interjected.

"Stupid frog! It's your day to do chores!" Natsumi shouted through the house, waiting for him to show up.

"Kero! I totally forgot to start those! Please don't hurt me Natsumi!" Keroro shouted, running out of the base.

"This will be very beneficial if I can see how things operate in here like this"

"We'll need to get you a decoy name for now so you can be around us upstairs. We'll just tell her you're part of another platoon that we know." Giroro offered.

"Yukiki, Yukaka, nah, those are all too boring and common and boring" Kururu listed off and repeated.

"Then just call me Yuriri, it's simple and it's not as boring for you."

As everyone started to follow in their Leader's steps, Yuki pulled Giroro back.

"You're back to normal, remember that. If you don't want her to suddenly see you after being gone, you might want to change back as a Pekoponian."

"R-right…good call." He took a deep breathe and thought of himself as a human. The same light from earlier enveloped him and out walked the same human he was just moments ago.

"Now let's go, you can transform later if you want her to see you again, right now though, let's keep it a secret."

"R-right…"

"Kyah! She's so cute!" Natsumi exclaimed, hugging Yuki close to her. Yuki blushed, enjoying the hugging ever so slightly.

"M-master Natsumi, please have some respect…she is from a high grade platoon after all, ahahaha…" Keroro lied.

"I know but Yuriri is too cute! "

"I-it's alright Keroro"

Giroro walked in, carrying a small suit case with his stuff in it. He smirked as he watched Yuki being hugged by Natsumi.

"Oh Ren….are you leaving already? " Natsumi asked, setting Yuki down gently.

"Um, yeah. Miss Nishizawa is coming to get me any minute now, I'm very gracious for all you've done for me"

Yuki looked at him, unknowing to this news. "I don't remember authorizing this."

Giroro looked at her, tilting his head, "What?"

"You, Pekoponian. You were the last person to see Corporal Giroro. You are a witness that I need to keep an eye on. Whether it's for investigation or protection, I cannot authorize you to leave this establishment." she pretended to be official, but was genuinely surprised that he wasn't staying here.

"Yuriri-chan, you're here about Giroro?" Natsumi asked.

"Yes ma-am. I was sent by Keron to investigate what happened to Giroro. I will be here until we find him and until we apprehend the person that has indicated war against the platoon. So he must be within my supervision at all times."

"Then come with me" Giroro offered.

"Yeah! Momo-chi won't mind! We have plenty of space!"

More surprise over took her, unsure why they even had to leave. "W-well wouldn't it be better to stay here at these operations?"

"Well yeah…but Mama wouldn't allow it, at least, we can't ask her until she comes back from work. She's been too busy to answer her phone" Natsumi explained.

"I'm home! Nishizawa-san is here for Ren by the way!" Fuyuki called from the door.

"H-hello, are you ready Ren?" Momoka asked, walking in with Paul beside her.

"Ahh! Another alien?!" Fuyuki exclaimed, running over to Yuriri.

"Yes Fuyuki! This is Chief Intelligence Officer Yuriri! She's here about Giroro's disappearance." Keroro chimed in, enjoying this as if it were a roleplaying game.

"Amazing! She looks really cute too!"

"She really is!" Momoka exclaimed, sitting beside Fuyuki to greet the new alien.

"Momo-chi! She might be staying with us as well! She needs to watch over Ren until this is all settled"

"I see, well that shouldn't be a problem. We have plenty of rooms for you so you are very welcome to stay with us."

Bowing, the little alien looked up with a smile, "T-thank you"…these humans sure are strange….but they do seem eager to help….Giroro…you're very lucky….I hope you succeed.*

"W-well don't be strangers. Fell free to come over whenever and I'll see you in class still, right Ren?" Natsumi asked, blushing slightly.

"R-right. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, Natsumi."

"S-see you then. It was nice meeting you too Yuriri"

"Thank you for your kindness, I will be checking in soon with you all."