AN: A special thanks to Ghost132 for betareading this chapter.

I'll write more notes on the next chapter, sorry! Enjoy the chapter.

Cap 37: Night trouble (part 1)

Anger. Pure anger. There was so much anger inside of her, that it was even shown on her face, when she still had the hood on. The hooded girl was so pissed, that even Linda and Warechu kept their distance from their boss. What about IF and Steamax? The former returned instantly to Planeptune while the latter to Lastation, so that their own enemies do not suspect anything.

They were walking through the forest that connected Planeptune with the place were earlier there was the famous treaty. Why was she so pissed? Thought Linda, though she could recall when her boss started to get so angry. It all started when that blonde haired girl transformed going beyond the usual form of a CPU, and then when Purple Heart joined the fray, doing the same thing as the other mentioned CPU. Gulping, and after taking a deep breath, trying to collect as much courage she could, the underling asked.

"S-Say Boss... Why so a-angry?"

The moment she did that, she got a deathly glare from the boss. For a moment she thought she would have been killed right there and now. But luckily for her, the boss tried to control her raging emotions by placing first a hand over her own eyes, and then sighing deeply.

"Ah... Just another unexpected development."

And after a bit, a she brought both her hands in her own pocket, she continued.

"I hate when such things happens and it's not on my calculations... I hate it deeply, and yet, there is no need to get so angry. It's not like such thing can get in my way. Actually, it's a good thing. Because thanks to that, I will gain even more power...! Eheheheh... AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

She then started to laugh crazily at her own words, gaining a disturbed look from her own subordinates. Sometimes, they wished they had a more composed leader... Not this crazy one.

The moment she stopped laughing, she ordered without giving a look at the two ASIC remnants.

"Return to Planeptune and stay on standby. I will call you when everything is ready to set to motion..."

Those were words she saids before disappearing into nothing thanks to her own teletransportation spell.

... Surely, sometime they have an hard time to follow her strange behavior, thoughts both Linda and Warechu as they looked at each other with a perplexed look on their face.

.

The sun was slowly setting down, as the moon started to rose up trading places with its counterpart. The whole Planeptune was now covered in the dusk light, and its people starting to return to their own homes, or other getting ready for their night shifts.

That was the sight that Neptune was seeing with her own eyes, still in her "Hdd form", if her current form could be called like that now. After all... Her eyes were just like a human. She knew why, and yet, it was still hard to accept.

As she thought about those things, someone snapped their fingers right beside her ear, catching not only her attention, but also making her jump.

"Ehy Gameindustri to Neptune, are you there?"

"Oh! Sorry. I was... Thinking."

"Yeah we noticed that."

Said Noire now in her human form. They were all together at the balcony of the Planeptune's Basilicom, taking a rest from their weary day. First, they had that conference, then a fight with Yellow Heart where she displayed a power beyond their understanding. At least, for all of them except Neptune, who knew the reason why.

Vert and Blanc were calmly sipping their own tea, while Histoire, Nepgear and Compa were finishing to bake the second set of biscuits.

Now that Noire was beside Neptune, she could clearly see the latter's eyes. As much she wanted to talk about it, it was better to talk about it in a later date, when they were alone... So that she could still talk about "that" proposal. When she was about to open her mouth to talk, Blanc intercepted her.

"Say Neptune, I noticed you didn't go in your human form not even once since we reunited. Why is that?"

Noire facepalmed herself internally. Why did she wanted to ask about it in the future? And not now just like Blanc? Sometimes she should think twice before deciding to do something.

"About that..."

Neptune stopped herself midway in her answer, only to bit for a moment her lower lip before finishing what she was saying.

"... I think it's related to my fight with the Virale Guard."

It wasn't a lie. The reason she was like that now was "thanks" from getting a good strike from a Viral attack. And a small adventure in her subconscious.

With a concerned look on her face Vert asked.

"Right, you got wounded from that fight. Though you recovered, I can't help myself but worry..."

"I am fine thank you. I'm just tired at most."

Admitted with a tired sigh Planeptune's CPU, as the door that led to the dining room opened showing Compa followed up by Nepgear and Histoire, bringing on each of them a tray full of biscuits.

"Here's some newly baked biscuits!"

"They look delicious."

Said Vert taking one after the three girls placed the trays on the table. After soaking the biscuit in the tea, and taking then a bite, as she placed a hand on her cheek Leanbox's CPU said with a happy tone.

"My! They go so well with the tea!"

"I agree. They're really good Compa."

Admitted with a calm tone Blanc finishing her own biscuit. Curious of the flavour, Neptune approached the table, examining the biscuit as she took one. It wasn't anything complex: your usual round biscuit with a bit of purplish jam at its center. As she took a bite, at first her taste buds didn't taste anything special. Sure, it had that certain sweetness that you find in a biscuit. But as soon she reached the center of the biscuit, where the purplish jam was, her taste buds felt a sweetness that...! It was really hard to describe honestly! But it was perfect on the biscuit! Such joy... She could feel only when she ate a pudding!

With a surprised tone she asked.

"Compa! They're delicious! How-"

"Actually, it was Histoire idea to use that purplish jam to give a better flavour you know?"

Interjected Nepgear with a sinister light in her eyes... As if... She was planning something. And that was creepy as a ghost monster. Still... Looking at Histoire, who was now embarrassed from the revelation, Neptune asked.

"... Is that true? It's amazing. I thought that you weren't able to cook."

"H-How rude! I know how to bake some biscuits!"

"Sorry, sorry. What kind of jam is this?"

At that Histoire looked away and with an awkward tone in her voice, she said.

"It's... Actually the purple matter that came out when you tried to cook puddings... And I tried to correct it with a few things and... This was result."

Hearing that answer, a dread silence fell in that place. Noire, who was about to bite the biscuit to try herself, stopped right away looking then with a terrified look on her face. Meanwhile both Blanc and Vert became totally pale in their face. And Neptune? She didn't became pale, but it became blank. She had totally forgot to throw away that failure...

Before she could reorganize her thoughts on the matter, various cell phones started to ring at the same time: they were from Noire, Vert and Blanc. Snapping from that dread and checking who was calling each one of them, the one who talked was Vert.

"... Chika is worried about me. I forgot to tell her I would have stopped here before returning to Leanbox."

"... Almost the same, but Rom and Ram are starting to get out of Mina's hand. I have to go back."

"In my case Ganache told me that there are documents that nor him nor Uni can approve without my permission."

Wow. Such timing from the Oracles... It was somewhat funny. Like, if that was a game scene, it was like a flag that triggered the next scene where it wasn't required the presence of certain character. Whatever. With a sigh, Neptune said.

"That's too bad. Well, thanks for the company everyone."

"Thank you for the hospitality, and... Neptune."

Thanked Noire as she called out Planeptune's CPU. Bringing a hand over her hair, with a hint of red in the face, she said.

"... I'll tell you what I wanted to say that day another time. In... Private."

The last word were said with a low tone in her voice, enough only to Neptune to hear without letting anyone else to hear, since she was right beside the Planeptune's CPU.

Still, what day was she talking about? The only day that could came right into her mind was... Oh! Right! The thing about obtaining shares without doing anything. With all honesty, Neptune was really curious, but since Noire has to leave, she had to endure this pain...!

As the three CPUs transformed, they saluted each other one last time, before starting to fly off towards their own destination respectively.

Once they were left alone, Nepgear asked as she looked at the biscuits left on the tray.

"So... What should we do with these?"

Good question. Though the purplish jam was of dubious health for their own stomach, no one could deny that it helped to give the biscuits a sweetness that could give quite the race with Neptune's beloved puddings. Well... For now no one showed any kind of sickness so...

"We can use them as snacks for tomorrow and on, or for breakfast."

Proposed Neptune as she took another biscuit and ate it in two bites. Seriously, it was really good this thing, especially when she reached the center of the biscuit. Histoire hearing that, smiled out of happiness on knowing her idea was well welcomed by Neptune.

"I'm glad that you liked them..."

"... I would have eat them regardless of their flavor honestly, since you gave your best on baking them."

Admitted Neptune without thinking twice. Something that she regretted instantly, as Histoire looked at her with a mix between surprise and embarrassment on her face. Meanwhile Compa was looking at them with a confused expression on her face while Nepgear well... With a smile that only a pervert could give. And heck, she was even drooling! And at the top of it, she was holding a camera!

"... Oh don't mind me. Please continue."

"... Nepgear. I don't know what is going on with you but... Somehow, I have the feeling that I should confiscate that camera."

The moment she heard those words, Nepgear teleported the camera into her personal dimensional storage as she started to sprint away from the two.

"I'm sorry but no!"

With an exasperated sigh, Neptune said.

"Seriously... What's gotten in her? And it's the first time that Nepgear would say "no" to me."

"Maybe she's happy that you returned and wants to be spoiled by you? I mean, Ge-Ge worked hard these days. And Histy helped her out."

Said the nurse. Now that she mentioned it... She was out for quite a bit after that fight. Perhaps she should-

"Let's bring everything inside. Compa can you help-"

"Wait."

Neptune stopped Histoire by grabbing her sleeves, taking by surprise both the Oracle and the nurse. Why did she do that? Becoming red in face, though the color was left unnoticed thanks to the red light of the sunset, Neptune continued embarrassed her own action. An action she did unconsciously. Or out of instinct. Who knows?

"I... Ah... Er... How about a cup of tea? With m-me?"

What was she saying?! Facepalming herself with the other hand, she tried to correct herself.

"I mean-! I just-! Want to... Catch up."

Oh damn, she was digging her own grave there! And the fact that Nepgear was watching them with a perverted smile with the camera on hand didn't help! And why Compa's was walking away?! Not even a bit of support there!

Histoire, once she was able to collect her own thoughts and the heat that was rising from her chest, said with almost a whimper.

"I... I would love to. It has been... Awhile I suppose."

Ah... Now she has gone and done it. Sighing deeply, she sat on the chair were Vert previously sat, as Histoire took the one where Blanc was earlier. Neptune took the teapot and poured the tea on the cups that were still unused. After saying thanks, Histoire started to sip slowly the tea, trying later one of the biscuits she baked together with Compa and Nepgear. Yup, it was delicious, confirmed the Oracle. Seconds passed, and then minutes, of pure silence. Well, of course there was a that silence, because both of them felt awkward to speak. Neptune because she invited Histoire to stay here with her,out of instinct, while Histoire... Because of the memory of when the guard told her about that warm feeling in her chest.

Only when the first star started to appear in the slowly covering night sky, Neptune spoke.

"So... What happened when I was unconscious?"

Yeah, better to play safe now and ask what happened during her absence. Histoire blinked at first and after placing her cup on the table, she placed both her hand on her long gown and with a deep breath, she recollected the events that happened during that time. Though... There wasn't to talk much about to begin with. Perhaps... She could talk about Nepgear taking the reins as the momentary CPU. And... Why there was a strange feeling in her chest now? Something that was... Slowly crushing her the more she thought about that period.

"Well... Where to begin? Not that was much to say... If not that Nepgear worked really hard as a CPU in your place. And..."

It was at that moment, that Neptune noticed that Histoire started to tremble. Even her voice was about to crack.

"... Histoire?"

"... And there was so many problem. Some people worried about you... And others claiming some kind of justice for the damage at their homes and workplaces... But somewhat we managed to keep everything under control..."

"... Histoire..."

"... And... And...! Goodness I...!"

The Oracle started to cry. It was really hard honestly, trying to calm people down, with their incessant requests every single day.

"... It was hard... But we did it...!"

"... Yes."

"... Neptune I...! I missed you! I was worried! I was scared! I was scared of the fact that you would have never woke up!"

Seeing Histoire in that state, and the words she saids... Somewhat, they stung more harder than Neptune thought at the beginning. Surely even more then getting pierced by a cursed sword.

"But I am here now."

Said the CPU, as she gently placed her hand over Histoire's one, as if she wanted to let her know that fact it wasn't some kind of dream. At the touch, the Oracle seemed to gasp for a moment in surprise, but she didn't show it as she continued to cry, letting her tears falling over Neptune's hand.

"You're a jerk...! Always thinking to protect others! While placing yourself in danger! But think about our feelings! My feelings!"

Neptune couldn't retort to that. And how could she? It was true: she was always ready to sacrifice herself to protect the others. But that was how she was. It wasn't something she could easily change. After all, she hated to see the people she holds dear to get hurt. But seeing now Histoire in this state... What was the right thing to do to not make anyone else becoming like her? Unfortunately, she didn't have any answer for that.

"I'm sorry Histoire..."

As she took gently Histoire's head with the other hand, Neptune gently placed the girl's head on her shoulder, starting then to pet her blonde hair trying to calm her down.

"... But this I swear: I shall do my utmost to ensure my safety. To not make anyone worry about me."

"You better do...!"

They stood like that for what it seemed an eternity to them, but seconds for the world. The moment Histoire seemed to calmed down, Neptune gently asked.

"... Are you okay now?"

"Yeah. Just... Let me stay like this for a bit more please... It does still feel unreal that you're here..."

Well that was one hell of a embarassing request, thought Neptune, but she couldn't deny such simple wish. With a sigh, she allowed with a gentle smile on her lips.

"Sure."

Meanwhile, Nepgear from inside the house squelead in pleasure, gaining a perplexed and worried look from Compa who was standing beside her since she didn't want to ruin the reunion between Neptune and Histoire.

"Aaaaahw! They are adorable! This will make some great material!"

"Material? For what?"

"For...! I think you shouldn't know that."

"Know what?"

Asked a familiar voice that wasn't supposed to be there at the moment. Turning around, the Candidate and the nurse saw that the owner of that voice was none other than our oversized wearing blue cloaked brunette girl IF, who was looking at them with a raised eyebrow. Compa, seeing her friend, exclaimed happily.

"Oh Iffy! You're back!"

"Yeah. And what are you two doing? Especially you Nepgear, you're really creeping me out..."

Stated matter-of-factly IF at Nepgear who winced in pain at those stabbing words. Ignoring the wounded (emotionally) Nepgear, Compa asked to IF.

"How did it go the job?"

IF at first blinked at that question. Job? Oh right... That lie. Adopting a smug smile, trying to make the next lie more credible, she said.

"It was easy. Annoying at most. I wished I could freed myself from it earlier, but as you can see..."

"Oh... So you don't know the news?"

The news... If Compa was speaking about Neptune now out of the hospital, then yes, since she was watching the whole fight with her "boss" and "companions" from afar in the forest. But she couldn't say that. So she opted to feign ignorance by simply blinking in confusion.

"News? What news?"

"Nep-Nep woke up! And now she-"

"She's with Histoire having a wonderful reunion!"

Exclaimed with passion Nepgear, getting an annoyed look from IF and a concerned one from Compa. With a tired sigh, IF said.

"I'm sure they are having one... So since we are good girls, we are going to leave them alone and focus on preparing dinner, because I am famished!"

An idea that got well welcomed by both girls, as they nodded to each other going then into the kitchen, leaving alone in total peace the CPU and the Oracle, the latter now cleaning her own eyes from the tears.

"Sorry... For showing such thing..."

"What are apologizing for? There is no need to."

Said Neptune to Histoire's with a raised eyebrow. Seriously, it's normal to find comfort in someone's warmth. And since she was chosen as a pillar for Histoire... She wouldn't mind to-What the heck was she thinking?! As she shook her head at the thought, Histoire asked with a slight concerned tone in her voice.

"Neptune... Since you said that you can't transform back... Where are you going to sleep?"

"Now that you mention it..."

Neptune at that crossed her arms thinking for a bit. Since she couldn't revert to her young self anymore, she couldn't sleep her own bedroom... And the moment her gaze turned to Histoire, she remembered that actually she had a room where to sleep actually. Histoire, noticing the gaze from Neptune, became deep red in face, knowing very well the solution at that problem... This gonna be a long night, thought Histoire as she started to panic.