Howdy, everyone! Sorry for the late update! I am still working on my other story (ANGEL). It is much longer and is an original fiction, so I have to make up everything. Anyway, here is chapter 9. Enjoy!
The next morning, Alfred wakes up to find Kiku gone. He sits up abruptly, looking around the room. Suddenly, he smells something delightful. He gets out of bed and makes his way to the kitchen. He finds Kiku rummaging through the pantry as several items are cooking on the stove top.
"Good morning, Alfred," says Kiku, giving a soft smile. Alfred smirks and walks over to the breakfast table.
"Whatcha makin'?" asks Alfred.
"I am making steamed rice with nori, miso soup, and tamagoyaki," replies Kiku as he busily prepares the food. Alfred has a blank stare on his face.
"Wait… What? You're making a hobbity-hoopity-whatty?" asks Alfred. Kiku chuckles.
"Just be patient. You will see soon enough," replies Kiku. After a few more minutes, the food is ready, and Kiku brings it to the table. Kiku hands Alfred a spoon, but he uses chopsticks himself
"Hey, what are those?" asks Alfred, gesturing at the chopsticks.
"These are called Hashi, or chopsticks," replies Kiku. He picks up a bite of rice and put it in his mouth. Alfred watches with great curiosity.
"C-can I try?" asks Alfred. Kiku is delighted.
"Of course you may try!" he replies, going to his bag and getting a second pair. He returns to the table and hands them to Alfred. He shows him how to hold them (which Alfred has a hard time doing). "Now, just pick up a piece of food," says Kiku. Kiku folds his arms and watches intently.
"Uh… ok…" says Alfred. He tries to pick up his food over and over again, but to no avail. Kiku is, of course, thoroughly entertained. He finally takes the chopsticks from Alfred.
"Here, like this," he says, picking up some rice and putting it in Alfred's mouth. Alfred and Kiku both laugh. Kiku slowly moves closer to Alfred. Just as their lips are about to touch, Alfred's phone (for the lack of a better term) rings.
"Heh, sorry. One sec," he says as he gets up and heads for the device. He answers the call.
"Hello?"
…
"Oh hey! What's up, Mattie?"
…
"Really, you finished it all ready? You did promise I would be the first to test it."
…
"Well, yeah! I'll head over as soon as I'm done with breakfast. See ya soon, bro!"
Alfred hangs up the phone. He returns to Kiku, wrapping his arms around the Asian's waist. "Where were we?"
Roderich Edelstein, the European Union's ambassador to the Galactic Council, enters the colossal meeting chamber onboard the United Nations' neutral space station. He is accompanied by his secretary, Elizabeta Héderváry, and the EU Secretary of Defense, Romano Vargas. The three take their seats as delegates from the other factions do the same. Once everyone is seated, the meeting begins. The first to speak is the Red Republic's ambassador, Toris Laurinaitis.
"Greetings, fellow delegates. The Red Republic has come before you today to present what we see as a case of violent imperialism. The European Union has resorted to using piracy tactics in an attempt to weaken our supply lines in neutral sectors, the most recent incident being over the forest world of Feltesia," says Toris.
"Objection! That planet was claimed by the European Union long before the Red Republic's forces arrived. You commandeered our planet in YOUR mad grab for resources. We had no intentions of engaging the Red forces over Feltesia, but their use of scare tactics and pillaging left us no choice!" retorts Roderich.
The delegates begin to argue and yell at one another. The Empire of the Rising Sun's delegates simply sit and watch in silence. An agent approaches the head Japanese ambassador and whispers something into his ear. The ambassador nods. The agent opens the door to the chamber, and two unfamiliar men and one unfamiliar woman enter the chamber.
"Looks like things haven't changed a bit around here," says the woman. The two men chuckle and shake their heads. The room goes silent.
Roderich's eyes widen with disbelief as he beholds the American flag pin on their suits. "Can it be?"
Alfred and Kiku step out of the taxi. Kiku stares at the building for a few moments before turning and asking Alfred. "What is this place?"
"It's a firing range for experimental weaponry," replies Alfred. The two enter the building and make their way down a few corridors. They finally reach the range. To Kiku's amazement, there is man standing before him that looks exactly like Alfred, but his hair is longer and wavier.
"Hey, Mattie!" says Alfred, hugging the doppelganger. "Hey Kiku, I'd like you to meet my twin brother, Matthew. He's the brains in the family." Kiku shakes his hand.
"I am pleased to meet you, Matthew-san," says Kiku.
"Likewise, Kiku," replies the much softer spoken of the two.
"So, brosky, where is Tony?" asks Alfred. Matthew holds up three fingers. He puts down one at a time. When he reaches zero, something lands on Alfred's back, hugging his neck. Kiku is horrified as an alien life form is assaulting Alfred. No alien is going to take my boyfriend! In a flash, Kiku strikes him with a devastating karate chop. The alien falls to the ground, rolling around in pain.
"You are safe now, Alfred," says Kiku sternly. Alfred and Matthew burst into laughter. Alfred helps the little grey alien off of the ground. Kiku is thoroughly confused.
"Kiku, I'd like to introduce you to my good friend, Tony," says Alfred. Tony reluctantly holds out his hand to be shaken. Kiku shakes it with equal reluctance. The alien walks over to a table and grabs two rifles. He hands one to Alfred and one to Kiku. He points at the range and makes cacophony of noises that Kiku finds completely unintelligible. Alfred taps Kiki on the shoulder and motions for him to follow. The four go over to the range and get set up. Alfred holds up the rifle and looks down the sights. He briefly glances at Kiku, who he finds glancing back. Suddenly, intense competitiveness fills the air.
"You're going down, kid," taunts Alfred.
"We shall see," replies Kiku, taking aim.
