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Sunday, May 6th, 2012; All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER, Flight NH-106; Western Pacific Ocean; 2:17a.m.

Sitting back in a slight recline, among the left-hand aisle of the aircraft's main cabin, with sleepy eyes staying reluctantly open from a blend of fatigue and emotion, Maho's heart beat in a steady, aching throb, swiping back and forth through a variety of coveted pictures kept safe in her phone's image gallery.

Two hours in, cruising altitude... And I can't sleep.

Glancing aside to Kurisu seated next to her, with earbuds tucked beneath her hair and eyes closed, a sigh parted her lips from the sight.

She can. But she's not feeling the way I am. Stuck in a plane, actively taking me further from the place I belong... Oh, jet airliner, you might be carrying me away for now, but I'll be back. One day soon... You just wait, Okabe.

Slowly turning aside among the dim interior lighting of the aircraft's sleepy cabin, her eyes searched into the pitch black darkness beyond the window, only finding hints of recent memories reflecting on the circular plates of glass, with echoes of his voice and laughter teasing her imagination among the steady roar of jet turbines.

Damn. This really is happening, huh buddy?

Looking down at the fuzzy black and white snout of the stuffed cat seated on her bosom, blanketed by a hoodie spread across her front, Maho's eyelids settled shut, chin resting atop its head.

I fell in love with a boy in Japan... And now I'm gearing up to move out there, so I can keep on seeing him.

Imagining the feline plush purring, a tired smile spread across her lips, and fresh trails of tears squeezed free, coursing along her cheekbones.

What a feeling... And its all just begun.

A-N-A NH-106; Eastern Pacific Ocean; 1:04p.m.

"Hey mom!"

"Maho? Its been a while! You really should call us more often, with all your globe trotting you do."

"Well, funnily enough I'm on a plane at the moment... Just left Tokyo a few hours ago."

"Tokyo? You were in Japan again? Why didn't you say so and come visit?"

"Sorry, I just... Well, Kurisu and I both flew out for the week."

"Another expo?"

"No, um, it wasn't for work this time around."

"Vacation?"

"Yes, sort of."

Looking aside from the temporary silence over the call, eyes meeting a discreetly listening Makise, both of them exchanged rising eyebrows and fleeting smiles.

"...Did you meet someone, Maho?"

Bursting into a quiet giggle, her eyes drifted along the plastic fascia of the plane's interior.

"Yeah. How did you know?"

"Motherly instinct, dear. When you were younger, you only ever repeated travels when something caught your interest, and seeing how you're now returning from Tokyo twice in half a year..."

"I, well, it was for good reason!"

"A boy, right?"

"Yes. An amazing one."

"Oh, do tell, young lady."

"Well, he's a total sweetheart. Tall, hazel eyed and messy-haired and handsome... A huge nerd, and an excellent college student, and..."

"Is that the one you met the first time you were there?"

"Yes. It is." I must have mentioned him back then, huh.

"He sounds like quite the optimal young man. He lives in Tokyo, right?"

"Ikebukero. Well, Akihabara too. Definitely a city boy."

"How old is he?"

"Twenty."

"What's his name?"

"Rintarou, Okabe."

"Hmm... So after meeting him the first time, you returned to see him again."

"Sure did, and it made for an amazing week. I don't even know where to begin, but... Oh, um, on that note, actually..."

"Which note?"

"Seeing him. I'm... Well, I want to keep doing so. So I'm going to transfer to online work with the university, and move to Tokyo."

Sitting through another pause in the conversation, Maho's breath remained held in her lungs.

"Goodness. He must be something special for you to want to move across the ocean again."

"He is, and I know. I'm... I've made up my mind about it, so I just wanted you to know what I'm planning on doing."

"Obviously you'll get things lined out with the university... Tokyo, huh? I honestly would not have have pictured you living in Honshu's capitol region."

"Well mom... People do crazy things for love."

"I know. Your father can attest to that... Anyway, whenever you wind up on our side of things again, be sure to visit us!"

"I will! I definitely plan to. I've been thinking a lot about Okinawa lately, so don't worry."

"Bring that boy along too. We'd like to meet him."

Laughing among a slight blush, her head flopped aside against the wall, glancing out at the soft midday clouds beyond the window.

"Kay!"

"Anyway, dear, thank you for calling. We're going to bed here soon, but let us know if you need anything."

"I will. I'll text you when we land too."

"Sounds good. Love you!"

"Love you!"

Tapping on the screen of her phone to end the call, Maho then set the device onto the fold-out tray in front of herself, releasing a breath of relief.

"How'd it go?"

"Fine. She just wants me to contact them more often... And to meet Okabe at some point."

Humming with amusement, Kurisu eyed her shorter friend with a tilted turn of her head.

"Gonna take your sweet love to a tropical island getaway?"

"Sure. That sounds like a good time... Meet my goofy parents. Plus he can have homemade eats, and... Ooh. Could see him in swimming trunks."

"There we go."

Grinning from the thought, Maho took in a hefty inhale, releasing it in a strong sigh.

Yep. Just keep looking forward, me. The days will pass, and before I know it, I'll be in his arms again, with cuddles and kisses whenever I need. Just what I need, from who I need.

Pressing a side button on her phone, with the screen illuminating and showing a temporary picture of a red-and-black dressed Okabe, a smile crept up along the corner of her mouth.

Yeah, you. Man of mystery... Just give me a little more time, and I'll make you mine. I promise.

Monday, May 7th, 2012; Viktor Chondria University, Los Angeles, California; 10:38a.m.

Blasting through the hinged doorway of the brain science development room, brimming with determination in her petite stature, Maho walked straight towards Professor Leskinen several meters away, puffing up her chest as she stormed past Kurisu's desk.

"Welcome back, Hiyajo."

Mouth opening from the calm greeting of the currently-distracted professor, her small hands balled up beside her hips as she drew to a halt.

"I'm transferring to the university's online curriculum."

Finally turning and looking at Maho, blinking from the outburst, Alexis then glanced aside to Kurisu further beyond. Realizing she was knowingly calm, writing on paperwork with a hint of a smile, he then leaned on the desk next to himself.

"To think you just returned from Tokyo, Maho... Were you not there long enough?"

"Apparently not, sir."

"Is this in regards to the Rintarou matter I hear of?"

Closing her eyes, letting an upcoming grimace pass, Maho nodded with affirmation.

"That, and other personal reasons. I'm planning to move to Tokyo."

"To be closer to your boyfriend, no doubt."

Unable to resist a blush from the statement, she shrugged.

"As it happens, Maho, the institute there in Wakoshi is due to open fairly soon. While you two have been off on your vacationing, I've been lining out details regarding our program's relocation to the Tokyo region."

Gathering both Maho and Kurisu's surprised attentions, Alexis then laughed lightly, especially from Maho's blinking gape.

"So, worry not about transferring to online work, misses Hiyajo. Recent circumstances have all of us slated to wind up there in due time."

"Oh. That's... New. I mean, I figured we'd end up working with the institute, but, relocating there?"

"A natural home for neurological work like ours."

"And the university has approved it, obviously."

"As an extension of the exchange program both of you are familiar with, they certainly have."

Whirling back to Kurisu, both young women began grinning, and Maho's arms crossed.

"Well, then I guess I'm not needing to switch to online work."

"Acting so hastily, Maho, when everything is slated to work out anyway."

"Hey, I'm just... Working on my own future, sir."

"I have no complaints, Maho."

"When are we going to end up there?"

"Just under three months. August first will mark the opening of the institute's doors to neurological researchers from all walks of life."

"Oh, three?"

"Not soon enough?"

"I'm... I might end up heading out there sooner, honestly."

"Then do as you wish in the meantime."

Nodding from his approval, Maho's fingers unfurled, and she stepped aside, plopping into her own desk chair a few paces away.

Dang. All of a sudden we're all ending up in Tokyo anyway... This is beyond convenient. Plus, that means...

Glancing across to Kurisu, quietly reading and alternating between a pen and occasional pattering on a keyboard, Maho began smiling even more.

I won't be leaving you behind for too long... Cause it sounds like you'll just end in Japan with me anyway.

Friday, May 25th, 2012; Viktor Chondria University Dormitories, Unit 52; 4:14p.m.

Staring at a stack of recently acquired and unassembled moving boxes in her dormitory, sitting on the clear floor, Maho's legs remained folded, with arms resting in her lap, and a fat bundle of bubble wrap captive behind her back.

Alright. Got all this stuff, annddd, trying to figure out how to begin. How about we just set a daily goal for now? Okay. Pack one box a day. Everything non-essential to daily functions. Fourteen boxes in fourteen days. Two whole weeks, and I'll be steadily closer with each box filled. That'll get us partway into June, and then whatever else after that. Ship everything on the last week of June, and then ship myself. Or fly myself... Whatever.

Plucking a nearby tape gun from the floor, she reached forward and drug the first sheet closer, folding flaps and dragging fresh packing tape across the cardboard.

Point is, the sooner we get this task done, the better.

Cutting the clear adhesive strip free and pressing it down with a swipe of her palm, a preperative breath emptied her lungs.

One box tonight, another tomorrow... And another step closer to you, Okabe-san.

Adding several more layered strips of tape, and then flipping the open container over, she peeked down into its depths, and then looked around at the belongings scattered throughout her dormitory.

Hmm, first things first... Decorations. The sooner this room looks less inviting, the more I'll want to get out of here. Self-antagonistic motivation should work nicely, which means... Its time to clear the walls, and the desk.

Saturday, June 2nd, 2012; Mandarake Complex, Akihabara, Tokyo; 11:13a.m.

Slowly walking among busy display shelving, loaded full of assembled and boxed scale models of vehicles and spacecraft, Okabe's eyes scrutinized the miniature offerings in all directions, distractedly searching for an eye-catching item among the floor's quiet space.

If memory serves from a time before, misses Hiyajo seems inclined towards small scale warships. Seems she's the sort to only tolerate tedium when she assigns it to herself, which is certainly understandable and... What's this?

Stopping beside the end of the shelving, his eyes magnetized towards the depicted artwork of a world war two submersible vessel on the face of a card-stock package.

Type seven submarine... Of the Kreigsmarine. Isn't her warship also of the... German Navy?

Head rising from synapses of recollection, his brow furrowed, only to relax as a smile lifted onto his lips.

If I didn't know any better, this might be what she found on our first date, and declined to purchase. If that's the case...

Gently grasping and lifting the plastic-sealed box, met with a slight rattle of parts contained within, he turned it over, inspecting the backside and glancing across additional information and imagery.

...Perhaps I'll acquire it instead, and prove that I can still handle scale models. One she possibly wanted to boot. Even if it somehow isn't, she'll be surprised, certainly.

Turning on his heel and proceeding back out of the shelving space, heading for the spiral stairwell servicing the building, he began grinning as he hustled down the steps.

Right then. Going to be cutting my teeth again on something a little out of the ordinary... Lets see if these hands of mine can wrestle plastic into assembled order again.

Thursday, June 7th, 2012; Future Data Laboratory, Akihabara, Tokyo; 7:10p.m.

Sitting on one end of the apartment's coffee table, head propped upon her arms and held aloft from the tarnished furniture, Mayuri watched with great, patient interest as Okabe carefully manipulated the hull of a model boat in his hands, steadily fitting and gluing on small parts in unspoken silence. Smiling from the endless concentration in his expression, perfectly content with peaceful observation after an earlier dinner, she exhaled with quiet amusement from another of his grunts of inspection.

Okarin hasn't done one of these in years... And Mayushii is really happy that he is! He's good at his computering, but a man with creative magic in his fingertips needs to have other hobbies too. I'm sure he's realized this, so nothing needs to be said... He's doing really well too! That boat looks good already, and he's almost a week into it. Good on you, Okarin... Slow and steady wins the race, like you've said.

Eyes flitting towards his furrowed brow, watching as it relaxed, she studied his facial features with a decade of familiarity stirring her heart behind her folded arms.

Mayushii knows you've been slow and steady with other things too. Waiting patiently for misses Maho-chan to come back and bring her fun-sized adorableness back into your life... If there's one thing you've never admitted to being good at, Okarin, its how long you're willing to wait for things. Especially things and people that are really important to you. You've waited for me so many times and for so many things, and now, you're waiting for a pretty little green lady to fill that empty spot in your heart you don't talk about.

Face curling into a discreet smile, her head tilted slightly to lazily hide it from his vision.

And once she does fill that spot up, and both of you are super happy, I bet you'll find your whole life laid out ahead of you, you big nerdy goofball. Maho-chan is a big smartie in a little body, with a super huge amount of personality stuffed in there too, but from I've seen, you've been more than able to handle all of it, so Mayushii isn't worried. Actually, she wonders if miss Maho can handle you in the long run! Not that there's anything bad about you, don't worry. Detective Mayushii would have sniffed out Okarin's bad habits and fixed them long ago, so both of you are in good shape, hehee...!

Humming with mirth, briefly pulling Okabe's attention over and spreading a momentary smile onto his lips, both childhood friends shared the fleeting moment of amusement.

Anyway, Mayushii will still be keeping tabs on you, even when your big heart is keeping misses Maho's safe and warm. No matter where you two end up, I'll be around if you ever need advice on lady things, or even if you just want to have any kind of party. Mayushii is here for you, just like always, so don't you forget it!

Sunday, June 10th, 2012; Akihabara, Tokyo; 3:53p.m.

"So I have a thing."

"Mm, what sort of thing?"

"Allow me to show you."

Eyebrow perking with growing interest and amusement, Maho watched through a webcam lens as Okabe stepped out of view, only to reappear in front of the device seconds later in a kneel, lifting a fully-assembled plastic model of a submarine into view, resting on a stand in his palms.

"Oooooohhh, is that what I think it is?"

"Certainly is. Just finished it as of yesterday."

"Oh my gosh, you built that?"

Grinning as her hands squished against her cheeks with elation, he gently set the model in front of the webcam.

"I did, and its waiting in the dry dock for your arrival."

"Eheeheee you built a model kit! I thought you haven't done one of these in years! It looks amazing!"

"Its been probably a decade, admittedly."

"Well, I haven't seen any of your old models but this one looks great! Can you turn it?"

"Of course."

Gently twisting the warship to a new diagonal position, a hum of inspection and mirth wandered from the computer's speakers.

"Wait, is this that type seven I saw back in... Holy crap, it is, isn't it?"

Chin rising bashfully, Okabe looked away, unable to resist a grin.

"Possibly."

"Oh my god you adorable, humongous goof...! That's amazing that you found it, or at least one similar... Just wait until we get some paint and weathering on this thing. Then it'll really pop!"

Smiling with bashful pride from from her excitement, he slowly turned the model again on the table, distractedly watching as her green eyes remained thoroughly focused on her laptop's built-in webcam.

I guess her excitement is appropriate, considering her model of the Prinz Eugan is hiding inside a box currently, and I haven't done this for years.

"I'm going to need your assistance with paintwork, to be honest."

"That's fine! I mean, even as just bare grey plastic, I can't wait to see it in person. There's only one of that class of U-boat left in the world."

Vision rising from the model in hand, back to the computer screen ahead, a mutual moment of silent smiles and beating hearts ensued.

"I can't wait to see you in person."

"Yeah. Same. Definitely. I've been needing your kind of cuddles so bad lately... You don't even know."

"I think I do."

"Yeah?"

"Yes. Right now I wish I could reach through the screen and hold you close."

"Awww... Please freaking do. If I could just phase through a virtual window then I wouldn't have to bother with airfare."

"Computation teleportation?"

"Our next project once Amadeus is finished... Haha."

"I have a feeling that sort of technology won't come to fruition for a while."

"That's my point, sadly."

"Well, regardless... I'm sure you're counting the days by this point."

"Yes I am, and they're not passing by fast enough."

"The last week of June, right?"

"Yep. Two weeks and I'm out of here, and touching down there... Hopefully forever."

"Sounds good."

"You're telling me."

"I'll be there when you arrive."

"Oh, I know. Hope you'll be ready for kisses."

"Certainly."

"Hehee, thought so."

Head rolling aside into a tilt, a sigh of reluctance issued from her lips upon realization of the time.

"Well... I should be getting shuteye. Its just now midnight here in L-A."

"At least you still have the rest of the weekend ahead."

"Yes, and hopefully it vanishes swiftly."

"Agreed."

Remaining still, captive in a moment of virtual gazes, Maho's small hands rose up beneath her chin, holding up her fingers in a heart shape, only to be emulated by Okabe seconds later.

"I love you."

"Love you too."

Grinning and exhaling from the emotion-laden reaffirmations, both computer scientists remained still, hesitant to end the online call, only for Maho to finally reach aside to the multicolored glow of her computer mouse.

"I'll talk to you in however many hours, alright?"

"Alrighty."

"Good night!"

"Goodnight."

Sunday, June 10th, 2012; Los Angeles, California, USA; 00:03a.m.

Rising from her elbow and sitting back in her chair as the Skype call ended, Maho glanced around with a back and forth twisting of her desk chair, vision wandering along several low stacks of sealed cardboard boxes lining the walls of the room, and her large open suitcase sitting beside her dormitory's bed.

Maybe this packing and moving process is less of a pain in the ass than I remember... Or maybe the factor is where and why you're moving... But regardless. I'm mentally ready, and just about physically ready. Now I just need to ship all these boxes across the ocean, and then fling myself across too.

Spinning back around to the bare desk, closing several windows on the laptop and finally clicking on a prompt to shut it down, she slowly closed the screen together with a click of a latch, listening patiently as the device's fans continued to whir, pushing out warm air. Then, after several long seconds, it faded into silence, and she slipped off the seat, plopping onto her bare feet in a heading towards the room's light switch.

Then I'll figure out where to set up, after coming in for a landing... Into Okabe-san's long, warm, cuddly arms.

Swiping the switch down, and checking the deadbolt of the room in an automatic motion, she wandered back across the dark room, padding across empty carpeting.

In the meantime... Gonna sleep another couple of hours away. Get us one day closer, right?

Flopping forward onto the bed, dragging herself further onto the mess of sheets, she rolled over twice, twisting her legs into the thin layers of linen.

Yeah. Another night, and another day, over and over... And to think that boy of mine is waiting, just like me.

Fumbling for the soft plush feline napping beneath her pillow, and bringing him into a nuzzle against her neck, she rolled aside, flopping bodily against the cool bare drywall.

It won't be long, Tucker buddy. Soon we'll be heading back to the place we both belong... And I sure can't wait. Its been a long time since I've been so worked up like this... But I guess that's just one of the funny things love does to us. Can barely go a couple hours without thinking about all of it. About him and everything that comprises his adorable, handsome ass... God. Have you ever needed someone so bad? 'Cause I sure do, and he's five thousand miles away right now.

Eyes closing, an aching breath seeped from her chest, and she squeezed the stuffed feline tighter in her slender arms.

Damn. Hang in there, Okabe. Two more weeks, I promise. Then I'm all yours.