AN: THIS IS THE CORRECTED VERSION.

I was so late to put this chapter on because of different things: first, I was lazy by following new Animes and Mangas; second I am working three weeks straight without a day to rest, my job does want me to die...

With that said, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

By the way, I am glad to say that the first part of the story has ended!

A special thanks to Ghost132 for his hard-work on beta reading this chapter.

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To Love a Tome

Cap 10: What really matters.

Noire was impressed. And legitimately so. Why was that? Simple: the lunch prepared by Neptune and Compa. Of course it wasn't exactly a feast, since there was a lot to improve, especially when she saw how a failed attempt of Neptunes: a freaking purple matter. No one was able to explain that, but whenever the CPU of Planeptune failed to cook something, it turned automatically into that mess. Honestly, the tsundere girl really "didn't" want to know how it was possible.

Anyway, after lunch, she returned to work on the project of designing clothes for Histoire. Of course, she didn't draw it without hearing the preferences of the host intended for these clothes. As she had initially thought , Histoire wasn't someone who liked to expose her skin, and wanted something that was appropriate for a Oracle. At this they discussed about what she meant by appropriate, since Kei dressed like a boy, Mina like a teacher and Chika well... She was the one with more style, though she exposed quite a bit of her skin. In the end, it was Neptune that gave the give while she was in the middle of playing an RPG.

"Why not something like a Priestess? I mean, she was a fairy and since this place can be considered as a Sanctuary, me think that kind of dress would fit perfectly on Histy."

Crossing her arms, Noire started to imagine a priestess-like dress. She could use as a reference the one from the light novel she had read recently ... What was it's name? Oh yeah Dogoo Slayer. She could take some inspiration from the protagonist girl. Yeah that should do it. She thought also how it would fit on Histoire. After giving a glance to said Oracle, Noire understood that Neptune was right: it would fit her perfectly.

All right, everything was settled, now she has to only put it on paper and then sew the dress. Smiling at her own perfect plan, Noire started to draw a prototype of the priestess-like dress. When she ended her drawing, being of course satisfied at her first attempt, all the present people heard the bell of the intercom. That must be a guard announcing the fact that Compa's grandfather has arrived. It was Nepgear who checked if the previous statement was true or not. And obviously, it was the former.

"Compa your grandfather is waiting for us in the garage."

"Okey-dokey. Histy it's time for your first lesson in physical therapy."

"Can we also come?"

Asked Neptune after she stopped playing the RPG. Compa tilting the head to the side said with a finger on her cheeks.

"Wasn't that supposed to be a given?"

"Well that's... True? I guess?"

Not even Neptune knew if she could tag along, since this was the first time she went to a hospital. After all, if people knew that their CPU was in the hospital, they would probably freak out. Luckily for her, being a CPU means always having good health! Unless you lack in shares, of course it happened once with Lowee during the war against ASIC, in which Rom and Ram caught a high fever.

Whatever, the CPU of Planeptune turning her head to the CPU of Lastation, asked.

"Say Noire, want to tag along?"

"I'll pass. I would like to start to work on the dresses. I mean, ok the priestess-like dress, but I also want to draw other kind of dresses, for various occasions."

"I see... Work-alcholic as ever Noire."

Said Neptune while shrugging her shoulders, as she stated a fact. And this made Noire a little pissed-off... Thought it's true that she works a lot, but hearing it from Neptune made her so angry that-!

"Oh well, as thanks for helping us I will treat you to something! Ok?"

Oh? How considerate of her! Noire did have some kind of ideas of what she could be treated with!

"How about this?"

Neptune with those words, took out from one of the pocket of her parka-dress a black bra. Strange, that one looked so familiar... So familiar, that Noire swore that it was like the one that she thought she had lost some time ago. Wait a minute... Could it be?!

"Neptune? Where did you-"

"Got this? Mmmh... Oh yeah, at your home! I was curious how much time you needed to come and reclaim it! I guess now is a good time as ever to give it back."

... Ah... Neptune... Such a naive girl who likes to play pranks. Little did she know, that the action she had just done, brought the rage of Noire to a whole new level. It was useless to say that once Noire unleashed her rage on the CPU of Planeptune, the guards had to clean from top to bottom the bloody mess left by the company...

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Planeptune's Hospital. One hour later...

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The group was standing in front of the room used by the people that were in the middle of their physical therapy for restoring their ability to walk. How did the hospital look? Just like the ones that appears in animes, with white halls and all. Anyway...

Neptune with both of her hands behind her head, said to Compa who had the grasp on the handles of the wheelchair.

"We leave Histy in your care, 'o my trusted nurse!"

"Leave it to me Nep-Nep! We will do our best to help Histy!"

Nepgear, taking advantage of the moment, said to Histoire together with IF.

"Take care Histoire."

"Don't force yourself to much Lady Histoire."

"Thank you Nepgear. And yes I will IF."

"See ya later Histy!"

And with this, the party got disbanded with Compa and Histoire going inside the physical therapy room. Once the trio was left alone, the CPU turned her attention to the other two companions and later asking.

"So what should we do now? Meanwhile Histy is inside there?"

"I don't know Neptune honestly..."

"Why don't we hit the arcade? There is one near here."

The eyes of Neptune shines at the words of IF.

"Really?! Then zoom zoom zoom! The last one who reaches the arcade will pay the games for the other two!"

Without giving the usual signal of the start of the race, Neptune sprinted like crazy to the exit of the hospital, while IF and Nepgear just sighed at her antics. Of course during the run, few medics yelled at Neptune to stop running in the hospital. Neptune stopped as soon as she reached the entrance of the arcade. There she waited for the guild agent and her little sister. While waiting, her attention was caught by a girl who was wearing a black-purple hooded parka dress making her entrance in the arcade. It was difficult to see her face though... That very same person looked quite a bit familiar, where did she meet her? Whatever... Soon as Nepgear and IF reached at the very same moment the arcade, Neptune said with a evil smirk.

"Finally! And now time to see which one of you was the..."

The last one. Unfortunately, since both the girls arrived at the same moment, it was difficult to pick the victim which would pay on her behalf . IF noticing the troubled look on the face of the CPU of Planeptune, said.

"Oh? Don't tell me you don't know which one of us was the last one! Sorry! I guess it's up to you to pay your own games."

Neptune flinched at those words. It's true! She said that the last one would have to pay the games of everyone, but if both IF and Nepgear arrived at the same moment... Damn.

"Nepu! But I..."

Checking her pockets, she found out that she was without any money. That was the real reason why she made that challange. But luckily for her, she had a little sister who spoiled our CPU to no end.

"Don't worry Neptune, I will pay for your games."

At this IF made an annoyed expression.

"Nepgear... You should stop by spoiling Nep, otherwise she will never become a little bit more responsable..."

"Sorry IF but... I just can't help it."

The guild agent sighed at the words of Nepgear. Truly the Nep sisters are so troublesome... It's a miracle to not snap at them. Well... Actually to Nepgear, since our guild agent always snap at the antics of Neptune. After taking a deep breath, she said tiredly as the brown-haired girl started to enter into the arcade.

"I give up... Do whatever you want."

The duo just looked at each other puzzled soon as IF was out of sight. It was rare to see her giving up on making a lecture. She was probably really tired mentally. Shrugging their shoulders, they entered into the arcade, starting to play everykind of game: from the ones where you dance, to the gacha ones.

An hour and half has passed, and Neptune was still playing a martial-art game called "Iron Fist", a game who had made a great success in the arcades. IF behind the shoulders of the CPU said with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Nep, we gotta move, the physical therapy should end soon."

"Ahw c'mon Iffy! As soon as I lose or finish the story mode, and we'll go!"

Both IF and Nepgear sighed at those words. Neptune was known for never losing a game, not even against other players. Luckily for them, she was at the eight stage out of ten, so maybe in ten minutes she should have finished. Or so they thought... On the screen of the game had appeared a message, the infamous "a challenger has appeared!" that stops you in the middle of a game. IF facepalmed , while Nepgear just sighed tiredly. Really luck wasn't on their side... Neptune, on the other hand, smiled.

"Oh? A challenger? Bring it on!"

The character used by the other player was none other then the most difficult one to use, something that not even an expert gamer like Neptune was able to use, though she was still practing with it at home. Meaning it could be an easy win. That's what she believed...

Not even thirty seconds in and she got literally reckted. At least at the first fight out of two matches. Forcing a smile, the CPU said.

"All right... Whoenever you are on the other side, I commend you for being able to use that character that I find difficult to use but... Now I will be serious! Prepare yourself!"

And the result was even worse: she got defeated in seventeen seconds. IF was having a hard time not to laughing at Neptune, while Nepgear made an awkward smile. Neptune talked all big, but in the end she was all bark but no bite. Curious who was the one who had defeated her, the CPU raised from her seat, walking to the other side of the game. The one who defeated her was none other then that person who dressed like our protagonist but in black. At first she really didn't want to talk to her... For some reason, that person gave her a really bad feeling, the same as THAT person... But it's just that, a feeling, nothing more. Maybe she should talk to her... Scratching her cheeks, she said.

"Well... Though it was a one sided fight, it was a good match! It's amazing that you were able to use that character! I'm having trouble right now to master it so... Wanna have another fight in the future?"

The hooded girl looked at her for a few seconds, and than she sighed while raising from her seat, starting to walk to the exit. But Neptune, as someone who wanted to have an answer from that person, tried to stop her.

"E-Ehy!"

As soon Neptune tried to reach the black dressed girl, the CPU felt something being pressed on her forehead. It was the finger of the hooded girl.

"Should you really think of playing around?"

"What?"

Neptune blinked at those words. They were in the arcade, so playing around was normal no? Or she meant her question for a re-match?

After the girl put away her finger from Neptunes forehead, continued.

"Isn't there something more important to do? If you continue to act like that..."

Turning her shoulders to the CPU of Planeptune, while walking away she said words that pierced right through Neptunes soul.

"Then you will fail."

The young lilac girl was left speechless at those words. Another one who was at a lack of words was Nepgear, while IF was quite enraged by the words of that girl. Clicking her toungue, the guild agent said while starting to follow the hooded girl.

"I'm going to say something to her!"

"IF wait-!"

But Nepgear was too slow to stop IF, who disappeared in the middle of the crowd. Sighing, she shaked her head in resignation.

"And there she goes... Neptune are you okay? She was pretty mean to you."

Her big sister, after blinking a few times, she acknowledged the presence and the words of the CPU Candidate.

"I... Yes I am fine thanks Nep. Jr. I was just... Surprised to say the least."

"Ok... Anyway shouldn't we go back to the hospital now?"

"Yeah. Let's go back."

Meanwhile Nepgear started to walk ahead, Neptune looked at her feet, no that was inaccurate: at her heart, bringing a hand over her chest she mumbled.

"Why did those words... Bother me so much? It was as if... She knew what's going on... But there is no way she could know, right?"

There was no point thinking it over, and so the CPU of Planeptune followed the Candidate to the hospital, totally oblivious of the fact she was being observed by the very same girl in the black-purple parka dress, who was sitting on the border of the roof of the building. The hooded girl sighing saying to herself.

"... You idiot, what do you think you're doing? Are you trying to make our plan fail?!"

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"... I can understand that you don't stand that person. After all, even I can't. But still, next time I let you free, try not to take things too far but if you do... I will erase your soul."

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"As long as you understand... And don't worry if you want to make her suffer. I just gave her a really nice gift eheheh..."

Chuckled the girl while her body dissolved into nothing. By the way it's useless to say that the search of IF for the mysterious character was fruitless.

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Planeptune's Hospital. After the end of the theraphy.

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Neptune was sitting on the chair, moving her legs up and down from the boredom, while Nepgear was chatting to Uni with her N-Gear, while IF was reading on one of her cellphones. After a few minutes, their patience was rewarded with the door opening, from which made their exit Histoire being carried by Compa. The former seemed exhausted, well it was normal since it probably took a lot of energy for Histoire to only just stand let alone move. Compa with a smile said.

"Histy was amazing! She's a fast learner and was able to finish the whole first lesson without any problem! We're sure that in few weeks she will be able to walk by her own, with a walking stick of course."

Neptune, excited by hearing the words, jumped off from the chair and grabbed the hands of Histoire exclaimed.

"It's really amazing! I'm happy for ya 'o my dear Oracle!"

"T-Thank you... I'm just trying my best to not be a trouble to anyone. The earlier I learn to walk properly, the better."

Listening to the words of Histoire, Neptune closed her eyes and acting like someone who was reproaching someone, she said.

"Histy, Histy, Histy... You're no trouble to us. There is only one person who can cause trouble here, and that is me!"

"What are you saying Neptune..."

Sighed Histoire, while IF just facepalmed again and Compa together with Nepgear made an awkward smile. Still, Histoire understood what the CPU meant. Smiling genuinely, she said.

"Thank you Neptune. It makes me feel better."

The lilac girl just blushed at those words. Since when did Histoire become a Sniper? Just wondering because she always lands a critical hit on her heart. Crossing her arms, Neptune said embarrassed.

"Y-You're welcome Hi-"

And it was in that moment she had a headache. It was only a moment, but it hurted like ten thousand stings from bees. She showed it by making a pained expression. Histoire seeing this asked worried.

"Neptune are you okay?!"

"Yeah... It's just-"

And once again she felt that immense pain in her head, but also to make things worse, she was also seeing double. With one eye she could see Histoire sitting on the wheelchair, while with the other one she saw-

Blinking, her sight returned to normal, and the pain was finally gone. What-was-that? Massaging her temples she said.

"Meh... I guess I played too much videogames today."

Sighing in relief , Histoire said.

"Oh Neptune. You had me worried there."

"Yeah Nep-Nep! Well this will teach you that you shouldn't play too much videogames! It's bad for your eyes and mind!"

"Understood mom..."

"Come on everyone, let's go home."

Said in the end Nepgear, noticing the fact the sun has already started to set. After that, the whole group started to return to the Basilicom. Well... Expect for Neptune who was walking really slowly, with her mind lost in thoughts.

"Why... Why did I see for just a moment an old woman? It felt like... I knew that person..."

Thinking that, she felt her chest aching from pain. A pain that came from from being unable to do anything about the most important thing. What a strange thing... Taking a deep breath, she said dismissively.

"Bah, whatever. Let's just go home..."

Little she did know, that thinking like that, was another mistake that would lead to the demise of that person.