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Maria Curious
Haruto's POV
I stand right here, standing while looking at the blue-haired girl who's laying on the bed unconsciously with grim look planted on my face. The IV fluid is dripping inside slowly and quietly beside me.
Right now, I'm at the hospital where Mana is being treated. I came here with Shido a moments ago before Shido told me that he has an urgent manner to do and I bet it's about his girlfriend. By girlfriend, Tohka. So I stay here for a while.
"...It's all my fault, if only I had got there in time, you...you won't be laying there like a log." I said with chuckle. "You could've be with your brother right now, if not because of me."
In my heart right now, is full of regrets. I felt like...I felt like I failed her.
"But don't worry, Mana. I promise you, I will protect Shido no matter what the cost is. I will protect my friends, including you." I reassured as I lightly gripped her hand, hoping my words will reach her.
No response, only her chest slowly goes up and down every time she breathes. After that, I slowly released my grasp, slowly turned towards the door. As I grabbed the door handle, I can hear Mana muttering...maybe it's just my imagination.
I slid the door opened and headed out of the hospital. Putting on my headphones again as I walked on the streets.
It's been three days since the incident of Kotori and Origami, the fight and et cetera. Kotori's power were sealed, Shido managed to do that...again.
Why am I saying "again"?
It's because 5 years ago, Shido already sealed her powers as he told me that yesterday. But due to some of her powers were brought back to her from Shido's body, he had no choice but to kiss her again.
Speaking of that, today's 25th of June. Which means school will start on Monday due to all of the students are now conscious. Damn, no to mention that the exam is close.
I really need to study...
I released a soft sigh from my nose as I walked on the streets. It's still summer and the sun is burning my head now. Literally.
Then, my phone started to vibrate in my pocket which I reluctantly hung my headphone, pulled it and answered the call.
"Hell-"
"-Where the heck are you right now!? Come to the [Fraxinus] now! We need-"
I immediately hung up the phone in front of me with impassive face. Moments later as I looked at the blank screen, it vibrated once more and I swiped the screen.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"...How dare you, hanging up your phone on my mid-words like that."
"And how dare of you to interrupt my greeting for you." I countered and she let out a groan of irritation.
"Never mind that! Look, we need you in here. It is very urgent!" Kotori said.
"Urgent? Feh, which level of urgent-ness is that?" I joked with smirk.
"Haruto..." She groaned again.
"Okay,okay. What is it? A new Spirit?"
"No, it's even worse." Kotori said in serious tone. "Even much worse than Spirit."
I frowned at that. Worse than a Spirit? Hmm, this might be serious. Even Kotori seriously said it.
"Right. Hold on, I'm coming."
"That's the problem."
"Hm?"
I was about to hung up and head to the uncrowded place to let me teleport until suddenly Kotori said those words.
"What do you mean? More importantly, what kind of problem you're talking about?" I asked with sigh.
"Well, it's the [Fraxinus] AI. She suddenly stopped operating."
"I see...wait, what?"
"I mean, the AI of [Fraxinus] just stopped working! She said she has to search an important thing that she want to understand." Kotori furiously explained. "Which is also making our ship stopped!"
"Oooh..." I made a small understanding response.
"What do you mean 'Oooh'!? Our ship isn't currently working, and we're stuck!"
"Oh, nothing. Just remembered that I have some promise to make off." I said. "Anyway, where's Maria? Let me talk to her, she'd stop google searching."
"A promise...? Aaah, I see. Just wait a moment." She said with slight teasing tone but I could hear some jealously on her voice.
Nah, it was probably my imaginations.
As I waited and stood in place with my phone beside my ear, I can some chaotic sound from the phone like for example, machine guns, grenades and such. I raised a brow at those and sat down on a bench and then, there's a cat meowing loudly.
Seriously. What. The. Hell...
"Here. Don't drop it, okay!"
"I understand. Greetings, Ryousuke Haruto." A new voice came. A monotone voice.
"Ah, buongiorno Maria. How are you? I see you've been searching about 'Love'."
"Sì. Sto bene. Sono stato alla-"
"-Please speak Japanese."
"I was looking at my databases, internet, and even the information of the governments. Despite that, I still don't understand 'Love'." Maria confessed.
"Is that so. Hm? Hold on, you said governments? Governments!?"
"Yes. Although hacking through the firewalls are complicated, I succeeded to break in without much problem."
"..."
As Maria explained, a sweat rolled down behind my head. She managed to trespassed...way to go, Maria. Way to go.
"Right. Still don't understand huh?" I muttered. "OK! Look, just stop what you're doing immediately."
"I am now."
"Good. Don't go anywhere, I'll be right there." I said while getting up from the bench.
"Nu? Ryousuke Haruto, you mean..."
"Yeah, a man's gotta keep his words, y'know. Since I'm not busy or doing anything, well, why not?" I shrugged. "Stay still, just don't make [Fraxinus] to go explode or anything, got it? I'll definitely miss the ship. If you're done, could you hand the phone to Kotori?"
I requested as she gave a short reply before giving it to the red-haired tsundere.
"So you got her convinced?" Kotori said and I sighed.
"Oh yes I did, just teleport me when I'm ready."
"I know, we're already have some problems already so don't cause any matters while you're with Maria." Kotori answered and I nodded.
"Uh-huh. Roger that, tsun-mando."
"-What did you-!?"
Unfortunately, I quickly hung up the phone before she could finished with smirk planted on my face. I can tell she's yelling loudly at the ship right now.
So now I teleported to the ship as the green light dimmed away from my body. Quickly, I gone off to the entrance of the VR room, inputting the password again and the door slid opened.
But once the door slid, I was greeted by the sight of a warzone as the white ground has a lot of huge and small size of a craters, walls even.
"...The hell's going on over here?" I mumbled while rubbing my hair and looking around the room. "Hello? Maria? Where are you?"
"..."
"Haa...c'mon, where is that girl?"
"Over here."
"Wha...!?"
My shoulders jolted and I let out a small squeal, I quickly turned before sighed.
In front of me, is a girl between 14 or 15 years old who has a white hair and an outfits have similarities like western nun uniform. She also bears a pair of violet eyes that full curiosities.
"Geez, Maria. You shouldn't just appear behind like that. I almost thought you were a ghost or something. It almost gave me a heart attack." I said while crossing my arms.
"My apologies. I won't repeat the same mistake again." She apologized while bowing to me politely.
Hmm, it's seems that she has learnt some manners. Usually when we first met, she wouldn't do such a thing. Maybe during the times, she learnt some from humans while searching for her target.
"That's so. More importantly Maria, what's happened here? It's like someone playing a big-metal-bouncy-ball." I deadpanned while gesturing the scene.
"Ah, while I was looking for 'Love', I was testing the new weapon for you." Maria explained straightforwardly.
She tested the weapon...for me? Somehow there's a strange feeling inside my heart. What is it? Is this love? ...Wait a minute! I'm the one who should teach Maria about this!
"Uh...Ahem! I see, thanks." I muttered while rubbing my neck. "You said new weapon, was it the gauntlets?"
"Yes. I'm very surprised. I never thought you could know that."
"Feh, it's my instinct, signora." I answered with small smirk.
"Istinto? Dalla mia base-"
"-Please speak Japanese."
"From my database, instinct is one of the primary senses of animals. They used them to survive from the predators." Maria muttered before tilted her head. "Where did you get it?"
"Hm, let's just say, I got it from a certain game."
"Was it the game that Itsuka Kotori gave to you?"
"...Yes." I said in monotone. "By the way, Maria, can I test the weapon for a moment?"
As I eagerly asked it, but much to my hope, she denies it by shaking her head side by side.
"Negative. The weapon itself isn't perfect yet. The process is still at 67.54%. I'm afraid that when you use it, it would be very dangerous."
"Dangerous? How's that?"
"For example, once you punch the opponent, you could launch yourself and hit the wall because the impact bounces back when you were strike your opponent."
"Launch myself? Sounds fun." I smirked as I said sarcastically.
"Ryousuke Haruto, this is serious."
"Yeah,yeah. That kind of thing won't hurt me, besides I have my suit so it'll be-"
"There's more. Despite that your CR-Unit only lessen the pain on your body, that doesn't mean that your hand couldn't explode." Maria continued and I sweated.
"E-Explode?"
"Yes. There are 70% chance of it."
70% chance that my hand'd explode? Urgh, imagining that would happen while my suit is on makes me wanna puke. And also, goodbye handy-hand...
"F-Forget it. That aside, can you fix my suit, Maria? The suits' left arm was got destroyed during the fight." I said. "Also, could you make it more...armory on it?"
"I could do that if [Ratatoskr] have enough resources. Don't worry." She replied with nod.
"Great." I smiled in satisfaction. "Now, let's teach you about 'Love'...umm, okay, what's the first thing to do?" I pondered as I put a hand on my chin.
We all know that 'Love' should have a Date. But, what's come first before the Date procedures. Oh right, confessing our feelings like I read in the books!
This should be easy one.
Smirking a bit, I closed my eyes before turned and looked at Maria.
"Maria."
"Nu? What is it?"
Closing my eyes once again, I inhaled some oxygen before opening my eyes as I looked at Maria deep through her clueless eyes.
"Maria. Ever since I first met you, I always has these strange feelings when I'm staring at you. My heart is burning in heat. My brain is in daze right now, thinking about you. Your white hair. Your violet eyes. Everything. You are very beautiful than the angel herself!" I seriously confessed all of that while acting dramatically.
"..." She tilted her head in confuse. I closed my eyes.
"Maria. I will say this. I'm seriously,seriously,seriously,seriously,seriously love you! I love you so much than the world! So please, please go out with me!" I ended with serious look while staring in her eyes.
Yes! Direct hit! With all my words, with all my confession, she'll probably be cornered! Not to mention, I said with the not-so-bottom of my heart. With lotza passion. Inwardly, I smirked in victory. No girls gonna deny my confession.
Hmhm. Now let's see how she'll react.
"-Ah, I'm sorry. I haven't activated my emotion senses yet. Am I too late?" She responded as she innocently tilted her head.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Silence stroke us both as I gave her a dull expression while Maria gave me an usual clueless look of hers. Following that, a crow is cawing somewhere...
"Ryousuke Haruto? Is something wrong?"
"...No. It's nothing. Let's just, forget everything what I said before and let's get to the Date part." I said in dull tone.
"Should I delete the memory before?"
"Yes...do that." I rolled my eyes as I said that.
Geez, all I did was useless, she's an AI after all. Now that I mention it, an AI's like some robot. They have no emotion feelings.
A futile way I did, I must say.
I released a sigh and put a palm on my face. "Merda..."
"Nu? Did you just say a coarse language?" She asked and I only nodded in reply. "I see. Such words are also useful these days to express anger...Ah, are you feeling angry at me right now?"
"Huh?"
I lifted my head and stared at her with surprise, breaking me from my stupor.
"N-No, that was...that was just, uhh...I was just, being blunt. That's all. I-I'm not mad at you or anything." I muttered while rubbing my hair in slight nervous tone.
"Is that so. That's good, I was so afraid that you would hate me." Maria said in slight relief.
"Hm? Maria?"
"!?"
Maria's eyes widen a bit as she realized the words she said just before. It was very different than the way she talks.
It's like she's more...human.
"This is very...strange. I felt like something was controlling me. Ryousuke Haruto, may I ask what is happening to me?" Maria curiously asked as she looked at me.
"Feh, it might be that you have some of the human emotions now." I explained with smile.
"A human...?" She muttered in surprise and I nodded. "But still, that doesn't change the fact that I'm still an AI."
"Well, we're going to find that out." I said. "On our Date of course."
"I...see."
"So what are we waiting for? C'mon, signora. Let's go to the surface." I said and was about to walked out.
"Unfortunately, I cannot go to the surface. It's because I have no physical body like a human and I'm only able to go around [Fraxinus]. Especially this room." She explained.
"Oh, I see. Well, that's a let down. Without Date, I can't teach you about 'Love'" I said while crossing my arms and began pondering.
There must be something I could do. Or maybe there's nothing I could do to help. Unless...wait.
"This room." "The room."
Me and Maria said simultaneously as we were thinking the same thing. Using the VR room to create a copy of Tenguu city or someplace like that.
Maria looked at me before I nodded.
"Do it."
She closes her eyes to focus, or maybe she's channeling the room right about now. After she did that, the white room lightened up making me to closed one eye and raised my arm to block me from the brightness.
Moments later, I blinked two or three times before lowering my hand and gazed around.
As expected, this doesn't looked a "room" anymore. It became the copy of a Tenguu city itself as we're standing in the middle of the streets. I can see a lot of people walking around or doing their activities.
"Well then, should we-"
Thud!
"...! Maria!" I called in worry as I quickly dashed in front of her and knelt down beside. While still on the ground, I gently lifted her head with my hand.
"Oi, oi! Are you okay?"
"Ryousuke Haru-...I-I am..."
Maria said those words with shaky voice like she's freezing. Her cheeks are redden, I could feel whole of her body are hot and let out a heavy breaths.
Wait a sec...
I put a palm on her forehead just to make sure that I'm wrong.
"! You have a fever, but how can this happen?" I asked as I felt my hand is burning which I flinched from that. Her fever is worse than a normal human.
"M-Maybe, I'm using my energy...too much that I can't..."She tried to squeeze those words out. Sighing, I lifted her body and carry her in bridal style.
She and I were felt surprised. I was surprised due to her lightness of her body. She was surprised due to my boldness.
"Wh-Where are you taking me?"
"To the hospital, of course. Man, this is so troublesome, we're supposed to be Dating but you're suddenly sick like that. You should have told me before you did that you know..." I answered with small smile while walking towards the destination.
"I-I'm very sorry. I was feeling excited before, it is...the first time, I felt this kind of thing. I-I don't know why..."
"Practically, you are a human now. That's why, you have and can feel the emotions like us. Or maybe, are you activating your emotion senses right now?"
"No...I have not..." She gave a weak response. "R-Ryousuke..."
"What's wrong?"
"The hospital, you can't...haa, haa...that place, isn't the same...as yours. T-They don't, serve...haa..." Maria said in the middle of rough breaths while gripping my shirt tightly. I stopped right on track.
Don't serve? She must have mean that we couldn't go to the hospital. However, the situation is worse, she began to wheezed and coughed some air. I gritted my teeth and clicked my tongue.
Dammit! What should I do!?
"Haa...j-just, let me rest for, a while..." Maria squeezed those words out again.
"Alright, I understand. I'm gonna take you to my place okay?" I said softly and she nodded.
With that, I ran to my house while carrying Maria along the way. Along the way, she gripped my shirt very tight as if she's clinging for her live. I can't help but feel pity.
To learn about love, to let me teach her, she did all this. Not knowing what will happen. Damn, such an idiot! She could have just told me before!
I sighed as I arrived at my front house and Maria's still doesn't look very good. And that moment, I realized something.
"Haa...dammit. I forgot my keys..."
"The door isn't, locked..." Maria advised. I blinked and blinked for a second.
"...Oh."
With that, I smashed open my door with my leg. Of course, it got broke as the door's slammed beside the wall. I entered it.
"You, you could have just open it nicely..."
"Feh, I always wanna do that."
After I replied with smirk while going upstairs, I kicked the door again and quickly put her on my bed while still gripping my black shirt.
"I'll be right back." I said and she weakly nodded.
As she loosen her grip, I jogged myself towards the bathroom, using the small washbowl and fill it with water as I turned on the faucet. While it fills up, I searched a towel to use. Same time as the bowl filled with water, I turned off the faucet and I took them. Heading back to my room, I put it down on my table and began to wet the towel.
Squeezing it as the water dripped countlessly, I glanced over my shoulder. From here, I can see Maria's body became slightly trembled from the fever and she's slightly gasping. After that, I bring the wet towel, walked and sat on the bed just beside her, I gently cleaned the sweat on her forehead before placing it.
"Sorry...I should had thought it before. I'm so sorry..."
"Well, you literally did it without think ahead of what will happen. Make sure not to repeat that again, okay?" I said and she nodded in reply.
"U-Umu..."
"Good. That's good. Feh, this is a fun...Date. You could say that." I chuckled in sarcasm and she stared at me awkwardly with weak narrowed eyes.
She doesn't know of being sarcastic is funny huh?
We stared at each other like...40 years or so. Something like that. Then, I cleared my throat, breaking us from the silence.
"Um...get some rest. I'll...I'll go and read some books." I suggested as I got up and reached to the bookshelf.
Speaking of that. First, I gazed my room which is totally the same as my room from the real one. Second, how come my bookshelf are completely exact to the real one as I flipped the pages right now. My statement says that Maria probably cannot copy-N-paste ALL the city. Well, she can, but not inside the buildings right?
Now that I mention it. When I was taking Maria along the way, I saw the inner buildings gone and painted white. Some of the citizens' gone static...
"Hm."
Shrugging it off, I place down the book before took another one that I haven't finish reading it. Then, I sat down to the floor beside the bed, leaning my back while reading the words in my novel. But first, I checked Maria as I looked over my shoulder. As expected, she's sleeping but her cheeks are still redden, meaning she's still sick.
I sighed in slight worry and concern before gazed back at my book again.
"Mm..."
Groaning, I slowly lifted my heavy eyes and blinked to clear my vision as it feels blurry for some reason.
I must have been asleep before while reading.
"Hm? What the..."
Something's wrong. Definitely wrong. I could feel some wet and cold sensations behind my body. I quickly rose and sat and surveyed around.
"..."
Well, this place isn't unfamiliar. It is from one of my dreams that the ground is filled with water, all around me are pitch black.
As usual I can't see shit. Wonder when will that girl shows up, maybe from behind me.
Just as I thought, a sudden brightness came from behind me as I turned my head around.
"Hm? Ah, it's you. Hello." I greeted casually as she walked and giggled at me.
"What? Aren't you feel afraid?" The figure asked curiously.
"Afraid? Feh, why should I feel scared when you are my friend...or should I say, my childhood friend." I admitted as I stared in front. It seems that she stopped walking and gasped in surprise.
"Y-You...remembered?" She asked in slight disbelief and I stood up.
"Meh, all those black and white images, some headaches and all...well, I just remembered that you gave this to me." I explained as I showed her my black necklace. I could see her touching or gripping her own.
"Well, just that and-"
Suddenly, she quickly walked and hugged me tightly. I stood here in place not even moving, I'm just very surprised.
"No worries...at least, at least you remembered." She said between sobbing. "I was so scared that you wouldn't recognize me."
"U-Uh...well, technically, I haven't." I acknowledged and after a moment, she released her hug and looked at me.
"E-Eh? What do you mean?"
"You see, I only retrieved some memories about you giving me this and at that time, we were playing and I lost which you told me-"
"-I trained myself by running 10 kilometers every single day. Ehehe! Yes, I do remember that one!" She giggled in amusement and I can't help but showed a small smile and chuckled a bit.
"Yeah...on the second note, why are your body, whole of your body are covered in light?" I questioned and she titled her head.
"Eh? Then why are your body covered in black? It is like you were just bathed yourself with an ink." The girl asked back in playful tone. I raised an eyebrow on that one.
Whole of my body, is covered in darkness while she's engulfed in light. Huh, weird.
"Dunno." I shrugged as I lifted my shoulders.
"And you're changed so much. You used to whine about everything, and I admitted that you were so cute!" She exclaimed and I sweated, rubbing my hair.
"W-Well, time's moving on and so do I. After everything I went through..." I muttered solemnly.
"What's wrong?"
"...Nah, it's nothing. That aside, it's too bad we couldn't see our each others' faces."
"Nn. That's a problem..." She lowered her head in sadness.
"Even though that's a prob. Don't worry about it, I still have an idea. Why don't you tell me your own name. That way, we should be easy to meet again together." I suggested.
"Ah! Excellent idea! Your name is Ryousuke Haruto right, Haruto?"
"Uh-huh."
"OK, make sure to carve it in your mind! My name is-..."
The girl in front of me suddenly stopped speaking as she gasped and looked around her. I frowned a bit.
"Is there something wrong?"
"A-Ah, there's no time left. It is time that you and I awake from our sleep. Don't be upset or anything! We'll meet again!"
"Wait! What about-...Kh!"
I held my head in pain as there are throbbing sensations from all sides. I opened my eyes and blinked in front of me where the girl was. Yes, she's gone now.
I softly sighed in irritation as I straightly stood while the extreme pain is still inside my brain. As you can see, I'm shrugging it off.
"Haa...here we go again..."
Since then, my body motion backwards and I passed out.
I quickly snapped my eyes open as my shoulders slightly jolted up and gasped. Wait a minute, it's so dark here. Did someone turn the lights off?
I patted my face and realized a thick book is on my face, reluctantly picked it and groaned slightly as I looked at the ceiling with my head resting on my soft bed. Later, I heavily sighed before tilting in front.
"!"
Upon that moment as I did that, I can feel my nose is touching something...soft and there's an air being pushed slowly, the winds' hitting my mouth.
"..."
I sit down here like in a frozen state, my eyes slightly widened. Literally, kneeling in front of me right now is Arusu Maria. Her face is clueless and innocent as ever. Her violet eyes are staring at me as I'm staring at her too.
No, that's not the case, she...I-I, we...our face is so close! Just an inch, our mouth would close the slight gap.
W-Wh-Why does- What the hell's she doing in front of me?! She should be sleeping!
Shook from my daze, I quickly pulled back my head. But the moment I was doing that, Maria placed her hand on my...chest!?
"Ma-Maria...! Wha-...are you?!"
She placed it right in front of my heart that is beating hard like hell. This really can't be helped, my brain's in daze, I'm so nervous! Sure everyone would feel that too when the situation is like this.
"A-Ah..!" I slightly gasped in surprise as she moved her hand and used another one to touch both of my redden cheeks, starting to caress my cheek sluggishly and staring deep inside my eyes which making my body in tense.
I-Is she gonna...gonna k-kiss me!? Holy shit, this must be a dream. No,no,no,no,no, I just woke up. Is this a dream within a dream? Well, mostly people could do that. Or maybe this is a lucid dream I accidentally triggered?
...Wait. Even if this is a lucid dream, I still could control everything so that isn't the problem. She's going to kiss me now! Hell, I'm not even ready yet!
...I'm starting to talk like a girl, am I?
I quickly shut my eyes down and waiting for her move.
"...I see."
"Huh?"
However that time didn't come, Maria muttered and lowered her hand, placing them on her knees. I opened my eyes.
"This feeling...nervousness. A sense of feeling that could make someone's brain stopped thinking when another person says or does something unexpected. Now I understand..." Maria mumbled out loud with satisfied nod.
"..."
So...she was learning and used me as her study? Somehow, I was a bit disappointed...
"Okay...now you got your answers huh? Congrats,congrats." I deadpanned with sigh.
"Ah, I also felt that your body was hot during I was placing my palm on your chest. And your temperature also raised a little when I touched your cheek. Ryousuke Haruto, are you sick?" She asked innocently as she tilted her head.
"No, t-that was..." I muttered while rubbing my hair in complicated tone.
"Was?"
"...Nothing. That aside, how are you? Gotten any better?"
"Yes. Thank you for asking. Actually, I was overheating when I created the copy of Tenguu city. I am truly sorry, Ryousuke Haruto." She apologized and I lightly waved one hand.
"Don't worry 'bout it, it wasn't your fault. And also, just call me Haruto or Haru or Hana or anything you like. Ryousuke Haruto is...quite long. I must say."
She nodded. "Very well. According to your nation's mannerism. I should call you, Haruto-san. Is that alright?"
"Feh, better." I replied while standing up and took my book before placing it to where it was. After that, I realized something as I took out my phone and checked the screen.
The time is 1.30 PM which mean is I was sleeping for just half and hour eh? Well, there's still a lot of time.
"Say, Maria. Are you ready?" I questioned as I put my phone inside my pocket. Maria blinked as I say that.
"For our Date?"
Saying that with small smile, she blinked again in surprise before stood up and nodded in reply with excitement. From here, I could see that her face showed up a faint smile.
"Good. Let's go!"
After I said that, we walked out from the house. While walking along the way, I'm forming a plan for our Date. We could have gone to the amusement park, aquarium or maybe buying some clothes, girls' usually like these right?
Probably I should ask her first though.
"Hey, Maria. Where do you want to go?" I asked beside her while walking.
"Nu? A place that I want to go..." She pondered a bit. "I want to go to the...arcade."
Hmm...an arcade? It's usually hard for me to get her affection for love, the park is an easy one for Date, I admit. Well, let's try it.
"Is that so. Okay then. C'mon!" I said as I grabbed her hand and lightly jogged.
"Haruto-san...?" Maria muttered as she somehow felt surprise at my sudden boldness.
"Hm? What's wrong?" I stopped and asked. "Are you feeling sick again? Feh, should I carry you all the way?"
"Eh? N-No. Never mind. Let us continue." Maria muttered as she averted her gaze slightly. I shrugged as I smiled a bit and continued our jog.
Minutes later, we stopped and arrived in front of the arcade center where Tohka and Shido won a prize if I recall.
"Here we are. Don't waste our time, let's enter."
"Nn."
Maria nodded in response and we entered the building. Wow, this place has a lot of people, I was surprised.
"Haruto-san. That one."
"Hm?"
Maria pointed with her finger which I gazed at some race car machines. Coincidentally, there are two empty seats for us. I gave a reply and nodded as we headed and sat down.
"Alright. Should I insert a coin for this one?" I reluctantly asked.
"There's no need. This is a virtual reality which is made by me." She reply and I snickered a bit while rubbing my hair.
"Pfft! Silly me. Don't expect to be lose, alright? Now, let's start!"
"Nn."
After her small nod, she and I played the machine together, Maria is able to catch up onto me and leading the way. She's quite good I must say. But still, I'm able to be first again, just like I said, I ain't gonna lose this one. While playing, I cast a gaze beside me from the corner of my eyes and looked at Maria.
I could tell she looks...happy, as I can see small smile adorned on her face. Seeing that one, I let a small smirk on my face, I did that unconsciously.
As I'm still staring at her, a loud sound came up from the machines' speakers which I turned my head at the screen and shows up two words: "You Lose!" whilst Maria won the race. My car was hitting the wall when there's a U-Turn around.
"Feh, looks like I lost. Congrats." I said while rubbing my neck and chuckled.
"Thank you. That was fun, actually."
"Well, let's try another one, shall we?"
"Yes."
With that said, we played almost all sorts of machines in the arcade. We played and played until 2 hours or so as we're exiting the place.
"So how was it?" I asked as we stood in front of the entrance.
"It's...very fun. This feeling, happiness and fun. What a remarkable feeling, now I understand." Maria muttered with satisfied nod.
I smiled. "Right. So, where do you want to go next?"
"I'm thinking that I wanted to go shopping."
"Shopping? Understood, what do you wanna buy then? Some clothes, cosmetics, or a-"
"-The lingerie store."
I blinked and blinked for a moment. "What?"
"I want you to accompany me to buy some panties and bras at the lingerie store."
"Say what!?" I blurted out loud as she said that clearly without hesitation and straightforwardly.
To me, this is clearly unexpected. Hell, I don't wanna go to that store! I'm a boy by the way! It would be ridiculous for me to go in there! Ah...wait, this is a Virtual world anyways. No need to be feel embarrassed. But still, going to that kind of store is...outrageous!
"U-Uh...alright, if you say so. It's our Date anyways and if you feel curious about it, I guess that can't be helped." I muttered with small blush and rubbed my neck sheepishly.
After I said that, she nodded in conformation and minutes of walking later, we arrived as my eyes twitched in front of the entrance. Maria walked in first as the door slid opened. Soon, she noticed me who's still standing in place and she turned her head.
"Haruto-san? Is there something wrong?"
"E-Eh? Ah! Yes-I mean, no. I...Haa...nothing." I replied with small stutter before sighed and able to gather my courage again, walking towards the store...
I'm standing here, arms crossed while looking away slightly, waiting until Maria finished searching and buying her...inner clothes. Even every girls' feeling uneasy with me around as I could hear whispers around me. I clicked my tongue and one of my brow just twitched as someone just called me a frickin' "pervert".
I released a heavy sigh from my mouth before I could hear footsteps closing in on me.
"Haruto-san." Maria called as I turned my gaze at her and saw she's holding a white and pink set of panties and bras that fits her size...
"W-What is it?"
"I'd like to hear your opinion. Which one is good for me?"
"..."
White or pink? Uh...the white one is good, actually. It has some frills. But however, the pink one is...cute, I must say. One is good and another is cute, usually people who are on a Date would choose the cute according to them. Oh hell, pink one it is...
"Ahem...that one is look good. No, it'll certainly fits you great." I pointed and praised with small(forced) smile.
"Pink? I see. Then, to confirm that. Haruto-san, would you mind if I test it first?" Maria said.
"Huh? Well, sure. I wouldn't mind that."
I actually mind that one a bit. Ahaha...ha.
I followed her to the fitting room, as I stood here in front of the slid curtain, arms crossing again while tapping the floor slightly. Still, I could hear whispers and murmurs around. Clicking my tongue again in irritation, I glared at them menacingly at the girls, prompting them to shut up.
And which they did, as they felt scared and shoulders jolted up. I sighed. Even though this isn't reality, they still react like normal people would. Like an NPC, huh?
"Haruto-san."
"Hm? ...W-Wha..."
As I heard a sound of a curtain being slid open and Maria called me. The moment I turned, my heart just skipped a beat.
Due to her body is a bit more revealed, I couldn't hold my blush. Not only that, her light contrast on her skin plus her pink lingerie making her look more beautiful and her innocent face making it more cuter that could melt down my heart.
...Why am I describing these anyways? I mean, I was describing it right in my mind now!
"How... is it?" Maria asked with little weak tone as her cheeks reddened a bit. I blinked and shook my head side to side, breaking me from my stupor.
"You...you look astonishingly beautiful, Maria." I said that with full honesty while rubbing my back hair.
"...!"
After that words came out from my mouth, Maria suddenly gasped a bit in surprise and averted her gaze. P-Probably I'm being to honest...
"Th-Thank you..."
"..."
We're silent again for a few seconds of "awkwardness". As I'm still looking at her, I blushed and stuttered as there's a...tch, some negative thoughts in my brain.
What! I'm a boy! And I'm still 16! And such things like that was pretty normal right!?
"Uuh...honestly you look great on that! So quick wear your clothes alright!" I said while closing the curtain and sighed.
Awkward...
5:20 PM
Later, we settled down as we sat on the bench at the park as the sun's set down, painting the ground with slight orange colors. Beside me is a bag, containing her lingerie that we bought from the store.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The situation is weird, no one spoke, no one moves or anything. Not a bit. It must have been that time before at the place. C'mon Haruto, think! Come up with some topic to talk here. Um...Ah, I know.
"...Ahem! M-Maria. You know, I've been meaning to ask: Where does your name come from? Did you take the name from a church?"
"I...made my own name..."
"Oh..." I made a small response. "Do you know that your name was taken from a church in Italy?"
"No. I'm not. The first time I was created, I already made my own name. Why do you ask?" Maria asked as she tilted her head to me. Looks like I picked the right one.
"Ah, I was just curious that's all. Your name's also reminded me of the mother of Jesus Christ, you know. Feh, it really fits your personality, pure and innocent." I remarked and she nodded.
"Yes..." Maria murmured.
Then silent hit us again after a few seconds. I sighed and rubbed my temples before turned my head towards Maria again.
"Look, I'm sorry for my bluntness at that time, I was...nervous." I admitted and she shook her head.
"No. It's not that. It's this, this feeling..." Maria replied with complicated tone and she gripped her chest with her two hands.
"I have no heart. Yet, I could feel some warmness on my chest. I even could feel my face is hot until now. What is this? This isn't the feeling of embarrassment, nervousness nor shame. Before I met you and looked at you, it didn't happen. But however, after what we did together before. It become like this whenever I look or talk to you, I become like this. Is there...something wrong with me?"
"..."
Maria said that with complicated voice as she feel troubled.
"Well, technically, this feeling you felt isn't embarrassment or et cetera..."
"Eh?"
"This feeling, is called "Love", Maria." I finished explaining and her eyes widened in realization as she held her breath.
"So...this is Love. This feeling, it's so wonderful." Maria muttered with smile.
Searching for the meaning of Love all these days. All her curiosity of Love, she finally found the answers on this day. I only smiled at her happiness while exhaling slowly and looked at the orange sky...
"But..."
"Hm?"
"...I'm afraid, this feeling won't last long forever."
Those words, suddenly came out from Maria's mouth unexpectedly. I quickly turned my gaze at her.
"What do you mean?" I asked and she slowly lowered her head, her bangs closing her eyes.
"I am an AI. Created on a mission to following orders from Ratatoskr, in order to help Itsuka Shido on his conquest against the Spirits and helping Ryousuke Haruto for his training...After Itsuka Shido and Ryousuke Haruto, even Ratatoskr are finished with their works, if all of the Spirits are captured...an assistance of an AI will no longer need...Which means..."
"I will be deleted..."
"!"
I widened my eyes and held my breath at the end of her explanation. She said that monotone, but I can hear sadness and pain from her voice.
Maria will be...deleted. That is true, if Ratatoskr manages to capture all of the Spirits on Earth, the organization will probably be dismissed and would live a normal life. And Ratatoskr won't need an AI anymore once their job is done.
Maria will be deleted. She will disappear, all of her trace, all her existence will be vanished...
"...I won't let you!"
"Eh?"
As I suddenly raised my voice, Maria turned her head to me, I could see sadness in her eyes as there's a slight tears on hers.
"I won't let you to be deleted! I won't let that happen to you!"
"B-But, that is inevitable..."
"-No, there's still another way! Don't you wanna feel Love!? Don't you wanna live a life like a normal human would do? Walking, talking, shopping, having fun with friends and other fun things like that!"
"T-That is...But, I'm not a human-"
"Bullshit! ...Then tell me, why do you start to feel like a human? You didn't activate your emotion senses yet right! You felt nervous when I grasped your hand, you felt ashamed when you're sick, you felt embarrassed when we were at that store, you felt a warmness in your chest because of Love, right!?"
"...! H-Haruto-san...I..."
I spouted those words at her, she felt troubled as she lowered her head again. Comforting her, I put my hands on her shoulders.
"Maria...you are not an AI, you are a living being, a Human! So please start to living your own life as a human." I said in soft voice and she slowly lifted her head, looked upon me with teary eyes.
"Haruto-san..."
"I promise you, I will find a way. I swear I'll never let you to be deleted...! You have my words. I'll become your hope, Maria..." I reassured with smile and hearing this, Maria couldn't help but widening her eyes.
"Haruto-san...Haruto!"
As she called my name, Maria immediately hugged me and I wrapped her body to hug her back. She cried out loud and sobbed as Maria buried her face on my right shoulder. I comforted her by lightly patted the back of her head.
How can this girl already got what she wants, and the world just wanna take it from her again.
Right, the planet and the world itself surely is cruel, huh...
Should one just create a world where people lives in full of happiness, full of hope and love...but such thing, that's very impossible. Even for a God himself.
I frowned and closed my eyes at my thoughts. Yeah, such thing is impossible.
Minutes later, I can hear Maria stopped crying and pushed herself back, she looked at me still with some teary eyes.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
We stared each other as silence around us once again.
"Hey, are you- Mmph!?"
All of a sudden as I opened my mouth to speak, Maria quickly placing her mouth on my own, stopping me in mid-words. Entirely, my brain stopped working at this unexpected movement came from her.
Maria literally just stole my first kiss...gonna say, it feels good and nice for the first time for me to experience this one. Well, I just closed my eyes and tried to enjoy this.
"Nn, hm...? -mmnh...!?"
Um, the one's moaning in surprise is me by the way, because...I just felt a tongue slowly slipped inside my mouth. Not only that, I could felt my body being pushed as I motioned back. As Maria uses her tongue to push against my own causing me to moan loudly again. Reflexively, I broke our kiss as I panted.
"What is it? Did I do wrong?" She asked innocently with slight pant.
"N-No,no! No,no,no. That, um...we, where and when did you learn this?" I asked in nervous manner.
"During we were Dating, I was checking the nets about the procedures of before, during, and after a Date. I stated that, we should do a French kiss after we finished our Date." Maria straightforwardly explaining.
"..."
I only sweated and sighed in response as I was able to calm down.
"-Should we continue or should we head on to the sexual intercourse?"
"GOD HEAVENS, NO!" I quickly blushed and retorted as she said the last part.
"No?"
"Yes I'm only 16 and this is pretty bad for the maker who rated 13! We couldn't do "that" kind of thing!"
"Ah...My apologies. I shouldn't do nor ask for that."
Maria bowed to me as she said that, I only rubbed my hair and sighed.
"By the way, since you already knew about Love. Could I go right now?" I asked sheepishly. "I-I mean I have to do something else and same time, I'm hungry."
"..."
"..."
"...Very well." Maria nodded and I sighed in relief. I thought I wasn't gonna escaped that one.
At the same time she said that, the park around me lightened, returning back to some white room. I stood up from the bench.
"Well, I guess, see you around then."
With that said with small smile, she nodded with her own and I walked towards the entrance door.
But as the door slid opened.
"Haruto-san." Maria called as she's still sitting on the wooden bench.
"Yeah? What is it?"
"About your promise. Will you able to?" She muttered and for the moment I let a smile adorned on my face as I gaze forward.
"I'm the one who's making that promise after all. Of course, I'll find a way. Don't worry." I reassured while still looking forward.
Maria blinked before showed a true smile on her face at my words, I walked outta the room. As I did that, I walked towards the dark hallway and slowly clenched my hand.
Maria...I will definitely find a way. I swear, I'll save you.
But, that aside...
"Dammit...I forgot my keys..."
Here we go! The bond between Maria and Haruto have already deepened! Yey!
Uuh, my head is hurt because of the exam for the final semester and it'll continue tomorrow and guess what? Math. One of my arch-nemesis. XD
Hmm...I think I should focus on doing the Hyperdimension fic, it only got 4 chapters! Gonna have to do it now!
Oh and uh, I hope you guys like this (not-so-filler) chapter even I almost broke the rating age. X)
Question: I think this fanfic should be put in TV-Tropes, don't you guys agree guys? Yes or no?
Anyways, plz leave a review. I'd appreciate it!
See ya! :)