AN: And here's the second chapter of the month! Finally I was able to write down one of the scenes I always wanted to write down! I just hope you will like it.
And now...
Yuhitsu: Eheheheh... I will keep you on edge.
ArcunmScriptor: Thank you for the points out, I will follow them as much as I can, since english is not my motherlanguage (so I can't make write much detailes on the story, I am not that good...) also because I work 12 hours per day. Meaning I have little time for writing, so I use as my own average lenght of chapter 3k of words. The ones I mentioned in the previous chapter are my max words and minimun words.
About the OCs, fear not, I got it covered. I know that I would lose track of what the theme of this story is if I add too many of them.
About the plots well, every single one of them is connected to the main one.
FrostSoar: You're very kind sir, thanks! I hope I will not betray your expectations!
Ark(Guest): Thanks! Also everything will be explained in the future, as long you continue to follow the story.
With that said, enjoy the chapter, and let's reach 3 reviews!
A special thanks to Ghost132 for beta reading this chapter.
Cap 14: UDW
Histoire was sitting on a bench, looking with a puzzled look on her face the lake in front of her. What was happening you wonder? Simple: since it was beautiful weather, not even a cloud in the sky, Neptune had the "splendid" idea to spend the day with a nice walk in the park. At first she refused, but after what Neptune said something along the lines like she would do some work after their little walk, the Oracle couldn't refuse, hoping that the CPU will keep her word. Speaking of which, the CPU was at a crepes stand. Currently Neptune was in her HDD form, wearing jeans and a turtleneck, with a cap on her head and black glasses. This, according to Neptune, was supposed her being in "stealth" mode.
... With all honestly, she was gaining more attentions now than when she was in her human form, thought Histoire. The blonde woman was wearing a white dress that covered her whole body, with a purple coat over the white dress. Both the dress and the coat had blue and golden decoration. The whole dress made Histoire look like some kind of sacred being. In fact many people who were walking by, were watching in awe at the Oracle. And this made Histoire a little uncomfortable.
Luckily at that moment, Purple Heart was now standing in front of her, extending a crepe to her.
"What's wrong Histy? Not feeling well?"
"N-No! I'm fine! It's just..."
Histoire stopped midway in her answer, looking around her surroundings, noticing that many people, especially males that were gazing at her lustfully, were watching her. Purple Heart noticing this, sat beside the Oracle, and with a smile on her lips said, as she gave the crepe to Histoire.
"It's just that you're so beautiful, and that they can't help themselves but to look at you."
Aaaaand Neptune stepped on a land mine with that comment. Histoire was not only speechless, but her face became as red, than the color itself!
"W-Wh-Wha-?"
Panicking, Neptune tried to save herself from shame.
"N-No! I didn't mean it like-! You know what?! This crepes are delicious! You should try them!"
"Y-Yes I will!"
And so they started to eat the crepes in a awkward atmosphere...
Histoire gave some glances to Neptune every now and then, who was now focussing on eating her crepe. To see Purple Heart panic... Truly, it was like some kind of unique event. It was so unfitting of the stoic Purple Heart! The thought of it, made Histoire smile.
Starting finally to eat the crepe, which was the first time she ate one, Histoire eyes started to shine. It was... Simply delicious! The crepe itself was bland, but exactly because it was bland, it enhanced the sweetness of the chocolate and the cream that resided inside of the crepe! She could easily get addicted to this! While eating the crepe with gusto , Neptune said.
"It seems you like it. I'm glad."
Histoire facing Neptune, noticed something on the purple haired woman. There was... A bit of cream on her cheek. She wondered... Even when Neptune was in her HDD form, she still gets herself dirty with food, more specifically with pudding... With a sigh Histoire called.
"Neptune."
"Mh? What is it?"
"Stay still for a second..."
Taking a handkerchief from her bag, she turned to Neptune and slowly the Oracle started to clean the CPUs cheek.
After cleaning Neptune's face, the blonde woman noticed that the CPUs face was red , again. Worried she asked.
"Are you okay Neptune? You're face is red..."
"I-It's nothing, really."
Answered Neptune a she looked away, continuing to eat slowly the crepe while being a bit red in the face. Histoire at this tilted her head to the side. Sometimes it was really hard to understand what was going on in Neptune's head. When she was about to ask what was going on in the CPUs mind, a familiar voice interrupted her.
"My, my Histoire... You sure are a lady killer."
Both the Oracle and the CPU turned toward the voice seeing a woman with light green eyes and long silky hair that was kept in a ponytail with a black-green ribbon. It was Chika. In a hand there was a plastic bag full of…. something.
No wait, who cares about the bag, why was Chika here to begin with?!
"C-Chika! Why are you here?"
"Did Neptune tell you anything about-"
Chika turning her attention to Neptune, she noticed that... The CPU was looking away from her...
... And that means only one thing. Facepalming, Chika came to a conclusion.
"She forgot to tell you huh?"
"Tell me about what?"
"Well... I sewed some dresses for you, but I still need you to try them on. We'll do it once we're back to your Basilicom."
"I see. Did Neptune-"
"No, I volunteered myself. I wanted to do something for MY little sister."
And this comment one of Purple Hearts eyebrows twitched.
"Again with this? I told that-"
"Neptune dear, should I tell Histoire about THAT?"
And for the first time, Histoire saw as Purple Heart shut her mouth at Chikas words . Not even once, Planeptune's Oracle saw her own CPU being verbally defeated by a human! Except from IF that is... But still, seeing Chika get the upper hand, was totally new to Histoire. No wait, could it be... That Chika is-?!
"Are you trying to blackmail Neptune and Planeptune?!"
"I don't know what you're thinking about, but rest assured it does not have anything that could put in danger the nation. No, it's more an embarrassing secret between two women, right Neptune?"
Asked Chika with the index on her own lips as Purple Heart weakly nodded at the words of Leanbox's Oracle. Seeing Neptune in her HDD form like this... Histoire couldn't say if it was cute or what. Though she was curious at the secret that is being shared by the two of them... The curiosity was killing her! But as people like to say: curiosity killed the cat. Eventually Neptune would share it with her. She hoped…
Chika with a cough caught the attention of both Planeptune's Oracle and CPU.
"So... Shall we head back to the Basilicom?"
At this Neptune looked at Histoire, asking with a slight worried tone.
"Histy, are you feeling tired? If so, than we should head back."
"Yeah... I am feeling a bit tired honestly. Though there is something on my mind that I want to ask you Chika."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Are you sure you should be here, and not at Leanbox at Green Heart side? Knowing her, if you are not around..."
"Oh if you're worried that she is not working, don't worry. She is working right now..."
Both Histoire and Neptune blinked at this. Vert working? Seriously? What kind of technique did Chika use to convince Vert to work?! Curious at how Chika did it, Histoire asked.
"May I ask how you convinced her to work?"
"Oh it's nothing grand... I just said to her: If you keep only playing video games, the downfall of Leanbox will be only your fault. That's what I said to her."
Both the Planeptunian girls looked at Chika, stunned by how the Leanbox could be so... So...!
"Savage."
Histoire and Neptune said the word in unison, and that made Chika chuckle.
"Eheheh! I admit that I was quite mean to Vert, I'll bring her a gift on my way back. But surely... To say that together, only couples do that."
Histoire tilted her head to side, not convinced at the words of the green haired woman.
"It was only just a coincidence. Right Neptune?"
Looking at the CPU, she said.
"Y-Yeah. It was just a coincidence. C'mon, let's head back, Nep jr. is probably feeling like Noire right now."
Which means lonely, according to Histoires vocabulary. Nodding with their heads, both Chika and Histoire started to follow Neptune back to the Basilicom, with the Leanbox's Oracle chuckling for some reason behind their backs.
.
Meanwhile. Planeptune's Basilicom.
.
Nepgear was bored. Why, of all days, today was the date of the arrival of the package she requested for her tinkering with robots?! She also wanted to hang out with Histoire and Neptune! So unfair... It's not like she could have left the pick up of the package to the guards, since she has to be the one to sign the retrieval.
In order to kill time, she arranged the documents in the office of Planeptune, so that when her sister returns, Neptune will be able to work more easily. That was the least that Nepgear can do for her big sister.
After arranging the last pile of papers, Nepgear checked once again the arrangement.
"Let's see... This pile is ok... Even this one... And also that one. And... Uh? Did I just forgot one pile? Ahw goodness! I-I should go and get it before they return!"
And so Nepgear with a swift pace, walked to the section of the Basilicom in which all documents got placed before going to the Neptunes office. Once she got in the room, she looked around in search of the fourth pile. Luckily for her, there wasn't any other pile's of documents than the one she was searching. Carefully, she took it with both arms.
... Was it her imagination, or was the stack of documents pretty tall? It was hard to look where she was going! In fact, when she about to turn.
*Sbam*
"Ouchie!"
Yelled Nepgear as she fell backwards on her butt. Raising her gaze, she found out that she had just collided with the guard.
"Oh I'm so sorry Lady Nepgear! I was in a hurry and- Let me help you!"
After helping the CPU Candidate to stand, he leaned a hand on picking up the papers that fell to the ground though... Was it Nepgears imagination, or was the guard in some kind of panic? Whatever. Once they finished picking up the papers, the guard said while scratching the back of his head.
"I'm really sorry Lady Nepgear for earlier..."
"It's okay really. You said that you were in a hurry, and I shouldn't have taken a tight turn.."
"Lady Nepgear, you're too kind... Uhm can I help you bring those papers to the office?"
"No thank you, I wish to do it myself. You know just to kill time before Neptune returns."
"I see... Well, I will take my leave then."
And with this, the two of the them departed, each to their own destination. Though the guard, when he reached the entrance of the Basilicom, noticed that something was missing on his own persona. Checking all of his pockets, the inside of the uniform and also inside of his pants, he sighed. Looking at the sky... No that was wrong, looking at the ceiling, he opened his arms wide, and from goodness knows where, the divine light of realization enveloped the body of the guard, who then said the following sacred words, like he was some kind of messiah.
"Crap baskets."
.
Finally Nepgear reached the office, putting down the pile of documents on the table. After she massaged her own shoulders, taking a bit of the pile of documents, she checked the various contents that were printed on the documents.
"Let's see... Oh goodness, it's all in disorder, I need to correct it. Oh well, let's begin."
And so the CPU Candidate, taking the documents one by one, she arranged them correctly so that Neptune wouldn't find any trouble when she returned from her walk with Histoire. While working, she monologues.
"This one comes later... This other one should be placed on that pile... And this should-What the goodness is this?!"
Screamed Nepgear she held a paper with drawings on it. But it wasn't the kind of drabbles made because someone was bored. No... It was like a page of a manga. But not a simple manga, no... It was a R-18 material! It was showing two people naked, though the bed sheets were covering them, and around them there were roses.
"W-W-Why is something like this was in the pile of documents?! Goodness who would put it into them?! Is this some kind of joke?! And why is it displaying Neptune and Histoire kissing each other in such a lewd way?! Though..."
The more she looked at this the more it felt... Right. It was as if... The two of them were meant to be.
No! That's wrong! It shouldn't be like this! And yet... And yet!
"Lady Nepgear."
The guard's voice snapped Nepgear out of her train of thought. Looking at him with a surprised face, the CPU Candidate spoke with a panicked tone, showing at the man the page of the R-18 manga.
"Mister guard! Someone put this... This...! This thing in the documents! We should-! We should... Wait, weren't you going somewhere in a hurry?"
The guard stood silent, with his hands on his back, making impossible to Nepgear to notice that they were ready to lock the door of the office.
Seconds passed, and the man didn't answer, and that made Nepgear to realize something.
"Wait... It can't be... Are you...?"
"Indeed milady. It is I the one who drew that. Of course, it should have been kept a secret..."
Locking the door, making Nepgear tense up, he continued.
"... But at this point, it's better to say everything, for the sake of the ship."
"For the sake... Of the ship?"
"Yes. Tell me, when you saw that picture, what did you think?"
"What I thought? It... It was...! I mean, an Oracle and CPU couldn't...! And yet..."
Though Nepgear left many words on her little answer, the guard seemed to catch on.
"You thought that is wrong. And yet, it was right, right?"
Nepgear locked her eyes on the... "Guard's eyes", since they were covered by a bandage. She gaped, as if the guard knew what was going on in her mind.
"I can understand. You know, this was the very reason why I started to work here... It all happened three years ago, when Lady Neptune returned from the fight against the leader of ASIC, the Witch Arfoire. During Lady Purple Heart speech about the end of the war, I noticed something... Of course probably it was only me back then but... I saw the glances that Milady gave to Lady Histoire. They weren't like the ones you give to a friend, no... It was something more deep. For that sole reason, I started to work here, so that I could see the story that would unfold between them, and show it to everyone with doujinshis! Of course most of it was fiction created by my fantasy."
That was... Quite the talk! It left Nepgear speechless for a second. But still...!
"I... I can't allow you to continue! This could put in-"
"In danger the reputation of your sister and Lady Histoire? Fear not, because many people in the whole of Gameindustri, after the release of my first three books, started to ship them! And thanks to that, I gained the title of Admiral! And now... I am in search of a good ally for giving me sweet moments between Lady Neptune and Lady Histoire. I can't ask Miss Compa's grandfather, since my technique wouldn't work on someone who is so clueless... Yes, the day in which Lady Histoire finished her therapy, and coincidently it was my day off, I was in the hospital, hearing their small talk..."
Nepgear was now pale. The whole image of the hard worker and serious mister guard, was now ruined! Being replaced by a maniac!
While trying to think of something, the guard continue, as his emitted some little electrical shocks.
"And now... Since you yourself thought that the two of them are meant to be... Then you're the perfect candidate to become my ally!"
Taking a deep breath, he chanted, as the reality in the whole office started to shift.
"I am the bone of my pencils.
Wood is my body, and graphite is my blood.
I have printed over a thousand of doujinshis.
Unknown to Offline.
Nor known to Online.
Have withstood pain to create many books.
Yet, those hands will never stop to draw.
So as I fantasize, Unlimited Doujinshi Works!"
And a whole new reality appeared in front of Nepgear.
.
Planeptune's Basilicom. Early Evening.
.
"Nepgeaaar! We're hooooome!"
Announced Neptune (now in her human form since being so long in her HDD tired her) as she opened the door to her home, followed by Histoire and Chika. Welcoming them, was in fact Nepgear.
"Welcome back Neptune, and Histoire! Oh there is also Chika! Hello!"
As soon Nepgear welcomed them, Neptune after giving a swift look to her sister, said surprised, noticing something in her little sister.
"Woah Nep jr! What happened to you?! Your skin is... Shining! Did someone take good care of you?"
"Mh? Oh no it's nothing really! I just took a nice rest after arranging all documents, that's all! Fufufufufu..."
Somewhat none of them were convinced by Nepgear's words. And Histoire couldn't help herself but to shiver from the strange sensation that the CPU Candidate was giving, it was somewhat... What people call creepy. With a cough, Chika catched the girls attention.
"A-Ahem! So... Histoire dear. Are you feeling up to try the clothes I sew for you?"
"Uh? Oh! Uhm... Yeah."
"Good! Let's go in your room to change! Neptune and Nepgear, can you wait for us in the living room?"
"Sure!"
"You got it."
With this, the Oracles went to to room of the blonde woman. Once inside, Chika put down the plastic bag on Histoires bed, taking out a one piece dress. When Histoire saw it, she noticed that it looked somewhat familiar... Wait a second, wasn't that...?
"Chika? Isn't this your dress?"
"Oh? You noticed? I'm glad! Since you are MY little sister, I thought we should wear something similar!"
"Uh... Now I understand how Nepgear feels when Vert acts like that..."
Concluded Histoire as she started to undress herself, changing then into the dress given to her by Chika, being also helped by the Leanbox's Oracle to wear it properly. Once they finished the green haired woman exclaimed as she clapped together her hands.
"My! It suits you! Why won't you look at the mirror?"
Following Chika's advice, Histoire walked to the mirror, looking at the reflection of herself: the dress, yes, it was almost identical to Chikas, but with color changes and it was more covered. While Chika's dress was black, Histoire's was purple with blue decorations. She had a white neck piece with a purple N on it and two small pieces of blue cloth. Every single part that left the skin exposed on Chika's dress, in the case of Histoire it was covered by a white cloth, covering her legs, arms and her chest. It was modest, yet, it accentuated the curves of her body, making Histoire a bit embarrassed.
"It's a bit embarrassing..."
"Oh shoo! You're a woman, and you have to show to the world your beauty. I'm sure that Neptune will be speechless!"
Again with Neptune... What is this thing that the two of them share? Histoire couldn't help herself but to feel... Excluded? Is that the right word?
Chika, noticing the expression that Histoire was giving, deducing what was going on in her mind. With a sigh, she said with a smile, trying to reassure her.
"Don't worry, eventually you will know. But not from me, but from Neptune, when she understands one little thing."
"And what is that?"
"A secret."
Answered Chika with a wink to a confused Histoire. Opening the door, Leanbox's Oracle escorted the blonde woman to the living room where the Nep sisters were waiting. Placing both hands on Histoire's shoulders, the green haired woman said with a confident tone and smile.
"What do you think? Does the dress suit her?"
Nepgear clapping her hands together exclaimed.
"It is! What do you think Neptune?"
Neptune was still watching her Oracle with her mouth wide open. She was speechless. No matter what you say, but that dress, though it resemble the one Chika was wearing, it suited perfectly on Histoire. It made her look like a...
"A goddess..."
"U-Uh? What did you say Neptune?"
Asked with a blink of her eyes. Did she heard correctly, or did Neptune say that she was like a goddess. And at this, it was Neptune who blinked, realizing what she had just said.
"Ah? Oh! I-I mean! It suits you so well, that you looked like a... Like a... I mean, it suit so well that-! I-I 'm going to wash my face!"
And with that the CPU sprinted to the bathroom. Histoire tilting her head to the side asked.
"Did I do something for making Neptune run away?"
"Oh don't worry my dear little sister, it's just that Neptune was shy. You left her without words. Just like I said."
"Chika... It seems like you know Neptune better than me. Why is that? Is it from that secret you two share?"
"Mmh what can I say here mh? Le secret! C'mon let's try the other dresses I sewed for you"
Incited Chika as she presses Histoire back to her room. But before entering the room, the green haired woman said with a low tone, so that Histoire couldn't hear her, while looking at the direction where Neptune disappeared.
"Eh... So clueless of her own feelings!"
Meanwhile, Nepgear was writing a message to someone, while drooling like some kind of otaku...