CH 10: Tokumei—Surprise Youko

Setting: Youko's Room

Agitated and frivolous simultaneously, Youko was deliberating between a white dress and a yellow jumpsuit. Nakamura-san who was with her during that time, was preparing the right accessories for both outfits. Youko picked the yellow jumpsuit while Nakamura tied her hair in pigtails.

"Gomen Nakamura-san," Youko said apologetically

Nakamura-san flashed her usual smile, "Daijobou, Youko-chan. I'm glad that you're able to enjoy what other girls your age do."

Youko looked at Nakamura-san and squinted her eyes, "I'm not sure whether other girls go out with someone like Hiromu" then laughed afterwards.

Nakamura-san reciprocated her laugh.

"But you know Youko-chan, Hiromu-kun is especially a good kid," Nakamura-san said while holding out Youko's bag of sweets, "He asked Commander Kuroki, Ryuu-san and Usada's permission before taking you out"

Youko nodded in amusement. When she checked her time, she freaked out, "Uzo! (no way!). She waved goodbye to Nakamura-san and hurried off to use the transport chute that will bring her to Hiromu in their meeting place at the plaza.

Setting: At the Plaza

Hiromu looked at his watch. Youko was 10 minutes late by now. While waiting, he studied his environment carefully. Vaglass may be gone but it doesn't mean he had to put his guard down. By chance, a truck of chickens passed by him. Hiromu stood frozen by its sight.

When Youko appeared, she knocked his head to unfreeze him.

"You're late" Hiromu said, rubbing his head

"Gomen, gomen!" Youko said apologetically, gripping her bag

"Daijobou" he said coolly. He stared at Youko's jumpsuit and chuckled, "what are you wearing?"

When Youko was about to protest, Hiromu took out a yellow memo pad from his pocket. It's the same memo pad that Youko used when they surprised the buddyroids on their birthday. Astounded, only Youko could say (while making faces), "look whose keeping mementos of his crush".

Hiromu staggered and his mouth parted open in awkwardness. While Youko was laughing hysterically, Hiromu gained back his composure and said firmly, "tokumei! (special mission)". Youko stood immobile with her head high and stomach in.

"operation: surprise Youko" Hiromu continued, trying to hide the laughter from his voice.

Surprise 1: The Rabbit House

Hiromu cleared his throat, "surprise no.1—bring Youko to The Rabbit House"

The Rabbit House is a place where abandoned and abused rabbits were being taken care of. Youko remembered that Usada brought her to this place when she turned seven on her birthday. However, no succeeding trips were made after because some rabbits nibbled on Usada's wires (thus, paralyzing him for a while). Usada thought it was very traumatic. While Youko was reading from the brochure that was given by a guide, Hiromu recalled his consultation with Usada regarding this surprise:

"The Rabbit House?" Hiromu asked

"sou-desu" Usada replied, "Youko loved it when I brought her there during her 7th birthday. But we never returned after."

Hiromu didn't hesitate when he guessed, "the rabbits chewed on your wires"

Usada looked uneasy when Hiromu said it straightforwardly, but he replied with a yes.

"Now that you are here, my Youko could go there again" Usada said happily

Hiromu and Youko were escorted to a large kennel where some rabbits were being fed with carrots and lettuce. Youko would loudly utter, "Usada!" whenever she sees a rabbit that resembled her buddyroid. They were given carrots and lettuces in case some rabbits go near them.

"Why didn't you ask Ryuu-san to bring you here before?" Hiromu asked while feeding a white rabbit

"Gorisaki always comes with us to make sure that Ryuu-san's temperature is maintained at a certain level" Youko replied, while fussing over rabbits that took all her carrots, "so, Ryuu-san and I can't come here otherwise Gorisaki becomes food also"

A tour guide marveled at Youko being given special treatment by the rabbits. She bent over near the two and asked Youko a question,

"The rabbits would always know a person who keeps the same specie in his/her home. Do you have a rabbit?"

Hiromu thought of keeping Youko's mouth shut before she says something about Usada but Youko already fired away, "Yes I have!" she said excitedly, "he's very yellow with big eyes. He looks really stocky and mad. He's about 3ft tall and makes me do homework and—"

Hiromu quickly covered Youko's mouth with his hand, "w—what she meant to say was her pet is as big as a hare when it stands straight and is sensitive about her homework". He tried to force a compensating laugh because the tour guide gave Youko a puzzling look.

Surprise 2: the Sweet Village

Hiromu and Youko stared at the arch that says, "the sweet village".

"surprise no.2, " Hiromu read from the memo pad, "the sweet village. Better if we eat here too, Youko"

Youko couldn't help but be amazed at the different sweets being offered in every shop. To Hiromu's surprise, Youko took out a recycle bag which she explained as necessary in circumstances like this.

Taking Youko to the sweet village was Hiromu's idea. He thought that Youko may want to restock her locker with sweets from the different parts of the world. The sweet village was only new, so it was Youko's first time to go there. The shops were named after a participating country accordingly. There were free tries too. Hiromu couldn't count anymore how many Youko had eaten for free.

With her shopping bag full, they decided to take their rest at a diner. Hiromu asked Youko what she wanted to eat. Youko thought of pasta, pizza and iced coffee. While waiting, she tore open a chocolate bar and shared it with Hiromu.

"I won't be out of battery for 24 hours" Youko kidded

In a table beside them, a family ordered chicken wings. It's aroma was so powerful that Hiromu staggered. Youko looked at him amused and worried at the same time. "Daijobou. I've tried chicken curry with Captain Marvelous" he said at once.

Surprise 3: Teleportation Facility at the Dainan District

The sun had already set when Hiromu brought Youko to the once-Teleportation Facility Center at the Dainan District. Instead of a facility, what appeared before them was a big crater—the size of shopping malls combined.

Youko stammered with the memory of the Center where her mom (and Hiromu's parents) used to work. The memory of her crying when she was three years old flashed back. Youko tried her best to hold her tears so that Hiromu wouldn't suspect her of acting like a child.

"Are you crying?" Hiromu asked

"Baka (stupid)!" Youko said biting her lip, "of course…not"

To Youko's surprise, Hiromu held her hand. Youko's eyes widened in shock.

"I made a promise to you here some years ago," Hiromu said, "It was broken when we went to the subdimension for the first time-"

"Vaglass had to be defeated then" Youko butted in

Without looking at her, Hiromu gripped Youko's hand.

"Dakara (that's why)—" he said, "In this place I am telling you—I'm sure to never leave your side. More than what Commander Kuroki, Ryuu-san and Usada can do—"

Youko tried to hide her laugh because Hiromu was in his usual "I am the best" stance.

"Yakusoku (I promise)." Hiromu added

From Afar

From afar, a girl with a pink hair clenched her fists tight. She removed her white mask and muttered frustratingly to herself, "I'll steal your heart from her, Hiromu. Whatever it takes."