AN: Howdy guys! Finally (or more like, UNFORTUNATELY) summer is here... I hate it. Bugs that wouldn't allow you to take some nap... The hellish heat... Why does it exist? Because of the heat, staying in front of the pc to write, feels like asking for death x.x
Anyway... With that said, enjoy the chapter!
A special thanks to Ghost132 for beta reading this chapter.
Cap 38: Night Trouble (part 2)
Histoire was looking with a blank stare at the scene that was unfolding in front of her. She was watching Neptune gazing with a serious look on her face, who at the same time was checking her previous bed, which was located above Nepgear's one. Why they were there? Simple: a few moments ago Neptune proposed to sleep in Histoire's room, but the Oracle denied that request at first, saying that she could sleep in her own, but the CPU pointed out that it would have been impossible for her to do that. Thus, they were now in the CPU's bedroom checking out the possibility for being able to sleep there.
With a sigh, as she shook her head slowly, Neptune pointed out.
"No matter how you see it. It's literally impossible for me to sleep here... First: I will always hit the ceiling with my head whenever I try to get up from the bed or to get myself in it. And second: my feet would stick out from the bed. I will freeze to death if I do something like that..."
At that Histoire could picture Purple Heart getting a lot of bumps from the first reason and also the CPU trying to get some sleep in her own bed, with her feet totally left outside the blankets. It was a ridiculous scene... As much she was opposed to the idea to let Neptune sleep with her because of the fact she was now self-conscious of those feelings she was harboring in her chest, thanks to that damned guard!
Sighing in defeat, Histoire admitted.
"All right... You can sleep with me... But don't you dare to do anything strange!"
"Don't worry Histoire, I will not do anything weird. You're acting strange you know? It is not the first time we slept in the same bed you know?"
"That's-!"
At those words Histoire became totally red in face. It was true, they already slept together a few times in the past. But now it was totally different.
"I-It's different now!"
"Ok? Whatever you say Histoire..."
Answered Neptune with a confused look on her face. Seriously, Histoire was acting strange now... She already have Nepgear acting like some kind of perv sometimes whenever she was alone with Histoire, but now the said girl was acting funny. Seriously what happened when she was unconscious? Maybe she could ask the guard about it, if he recovered earlier then herself of course...
.
"Achoooooo!"
Sneezed loudly the guard gaining a surprised look from the various people who were walking in the same street as him. Why the heck was that so loud? He was legitimately impressed at himself! The colleague who was beside him, after blinking a few times, said.
"Dude, you okay? Catching a cold now?"
"Nay. Someone is speaking about me... Not only that, but my shipping sensors... Are tingling!"
"Uh okay? Whatever you say bud. And before you go, because I know you will sprint off to goddesses knows where, buy the special offer of coffee beans okay?"
"Sure, no problem. After all coffee, after my ship of course, is the most important thing in the world!"
And whoever listened to those words, shook their head out of pity. This guy was hopeless...
.
Histoire's head was spinning... Well, more accurately, it was her thoughts. They were in total disarray. She knew that Neptune for that night will sleep with her but... She had yet to acknowledge it!
But in order to collect those thoughts, she was now washing the dishes in order to calm herself down... But in vain of course. Since the CPU was right beside her helping out to wash the dishes.
"Can you pass me that dish please?"
"S-Sure! Here!"
Said the blonde haired girl as she passed the dish pointed by the CPU, who in return said a "thank you" as she started to hum while washing the object in her hands. It was like... She was enjoying this. Why? The old Neptune-no wait, the small Neptune wouldn't do anything out of being lazy... Since when she started to act more mature? Oh right, when she turned into a human. Though time was passing, a deadly enemy for humans, she was grateful that she turned into one. Because by being human, she was able to experience a lot of things, like the taste of sweets, the feeling of the sand under her feet, the water washing over her body... All thanks to Neptune.
As she was totally immersed in those thoughts, Neptune called out worriedly.
"Ehy Histoire, what's wrong? It's since earlier you're acting odd and spacing out... Is something the matter?"
Blinking, she admitted while panicking.
"W-Well...! I...!"
In the panic, the hold on the dish she was washing weakened, making the dish fell onto the ground, crashing into various pieces. As Histoire gasped from the surprise, Neptune alarmed warned.
"Stop! Don't move! I'm going to collect the pieces. Stay still."
After placing down the dish she had just finished washing, went first to take the scoop and then she knelt down collecting the pieces of the broken dish one by one and placing them into the scoop. Once she done that, she emptied the scoop into the trash can, saying then with smirk.
"You know... For being such a strict girl, you're quite the clumsy one."
That stung a little!
"How rude! It happens to everyone no?!"
"Yeah. It does, especially to clumsy ones."
Conceded Neptune with a smirk, making Histoire buff her cheeks out of frustration as her face became slightly red. She was adorable! Purple Heart really wanted to pinch those puffy cheeks!
Offended, Histoire opted to focus on washing the dishes trying her best to not let another dish to fall on the ground, with Neptune watching her from the side with her eyes as they finished that work with a big smile on her lips.
Once the job was done, they went into the lounge where Nepgear, Compa and IF were playing with the console at a race game. IF, noticing they were approaching, said as she continued to play.
"So the lovebirds are here uh."
Histoire instantly flushed red.
"We're not-!"
"What's so bad about that?"
Asked Nepgear with her eyes shining of a sinister and perverted light, interrupting Histoire in the middle of her response. Of course those words gained an annoyed look from everyone, expect Compa who tilted her head to the side for a moment before returning to focus on the game, exclaiming then.
"I won!"
"Oh snap! I lost focus for a moment! Thank you Nep for making me lose..."
"You're welcome Iffy."
Said with a smile Neptune, before asking with a curious tone.
"Was there any kind of punishment?"
"Yeah... Just to buy some pastries for tomorrow's breakfast. Nothing much."
Meh. What a bumer. But now that she thought about buying... Neptune remembered that actually she had a problem she had to resolve as soon as possible, and that was...
"... Now that I think about it, I have to buy pajamas. I don't have anything that could fit my HDD form. Except for dresses for events or casual clothes I use to be able to go into the rides that requires a higher height..."
At that Histoire looked at the CPU with a surprised look on her face, before saying as if she remembered something that happened a long time ago.
"Oh right... You did that a lot... Do you even know how panicked the people were when you went there in your HDD form?"
"Yeah I know. I caused quite the ruckus then. Also, I wasn't able to enjoy the roller coaster that much. Must be the fact I am too much grown-up in this form, I guess."
Sighed Neptune after she placed a hand over her own cheek theatrically, gaining a blank stare from the various presents, except Nepgear who said.
"Oh yeah, I remember that. I was with Uni, Rom and Ram... I was so embarrassed back then..."
"... I'm sorry Nep jr."
Admitted with a sorry tone the CPU. At least she recognized that she did something quite embarrassing that day.
With that said, Compa asked returning to Neptune's problem.
"Does Histy have anything for you that you can wear just for today?"
At the question, Histoire instinctually saw Neptune wearing her own pajamas, seeing as her breasts being crushed by the clothes, as her stomach was exposed... It was kinda hot... Wait! What the heck she was thinking! Nope, nope, nope! Shaking her head vigorously she denied.
"That's a big no Compa! She would stretch them out with her... Bust..."
Neptune hearing those words, and looking first at her own chest and then at Histoires, who rapidly covered herself with her own arms the moment she saw the CPU's gaze, Purple Heart admitted.
"... Yeah she does have a point. I can't just wear something I would ruin."
"Mmmh... Then I don't know Nep-Nep. What to do?"
"Fret not my ladies, for I have the solution!"
A man's voice caught the attention of all the girls, making them to turn their heads towards the entrance of the home: standing right in front of the door was the competent guard in his casual clothes, with a ragged breath. He seemed to be tired... Did he just run? If so, why? Questions for another time, as he approached the group.
"There is actually a convenience store not so far from here which is opened the whole twenty-four out of twenty-four hours each day, except the seventh day which is closed of course... Anyhoo! This convenience store has everything, and I mean almost literally everything, from the Alpha to the Omega!"
"Okay that's nice and all Guard but... Why are you here in the first place? At this hour?"
Asked with a dubious and inquisitive tone the CPU, which gained a first cough from the guard and then ready answer to that.
"Right, sorry my Lady, allow me to explain. A-HEM! My colleagues told me that you returned back to the Basilicom and so I came here to give you my... Welcome back I guess?"
"Well that is nice and all... Since you're already here Guard, tomorrow I want you in my office. We need to discuss about a lot of things."
At those words he winced in pain, knowing all too well that it will not end well for him tomorrow.
"Y-Yes my Lady..."
"Good. Now..."
Turning towards the other girls she asked.
"Well... Wanna go and have a walk outside?"
"Sure Nep-Nep! Whene-"
Compa's cell phone started to ring, and with an apologetic look on her face, after muttering a "sorry", the nurse answered the call.
"Yes? Grandpa what it is?
...
Yes.
...
Right now? But-No. Okay, I'll be there soon."
Closing the call and then giving a sigh, Compa said with a sad tone.
"I'm sorry everyone, but Grandpa needs me at the hospital. Seems like there is a bit of emergency."
"Well Compa, we can always go together, surely this convenience store is-"
"Totally on the other side of the hospital. I'm sorry to inform you that milady."
Interjected the guard at Purple Heart words. With a sigh, IF proposed what she had in mind.
"Well, I guess I will accompany Compa with my motorbike. I suppose we will see each other tomorrow."
"Alright Iffy. Take care, and you too Compa, don't overwork yourself too much."
"Will do. Bye-Bye Nep-Nep! Ge-Ge! Histy! See you tomorrow!"
After saluting each other, the two human girls left the group, leaving in that room only the guard, the Oracle and the Planeptune's CPUs. Since Neptune couldn't go with Compa and IF to the convenience store, the will to go to that place died. With a sigh she announced her decision.
"Well, I suppose that it for today I will sleep with my combat suit I suppose."
Somewhere in Histoire's mind, an alarming sound like one in Steel Gear Solid came up. That was a daaaaangerous situation! It was already a tremendous fact that Neptune will sleep with her that night, but if you add the fact that the combat suit was actually a bit... Provocative. No, her heart and mind was not totally prepared for this! In panic, she tried to stop Neptune, but no words came out of her mouth, until her gaze fell for a moment to the guard, who was looking at her with a... Trolling expression on his face? That was the only word that came up in her mind at the moment to describe his annoying face. With a smirk, he said.
"Actually Lady Histoire-"
"You know what Neptune?! Let's use this occasion to have a nice walk, like those days after I learned to walk! How about that?!"
"S-Sure? Just calm down ok? I'm... Going to change into casual clothes."
Said Neptune after getting surprised by Histoire's outburst, as she went into her own room to change herself, while the Oracle gave a furious glare to the guard who just looked at her with a victorious smile on his lips. Damn, he totally played her!
And to make things worse, Nepgear gave a refreshed smile along with a thumbs up.
"Well played Mister Guard!"
"Why thank you Lady Nepgear! It's the least I can do for them after all."
... Wait, were they some kind of-
"... Partners in crime?"
At that question both of them turned towards the Oracle, and after looking at each other, Nepgear answered as she placed a finger on her cheek.
"Mmmmh... I don't know if partners in crime is the exact word to define us."
"More like, we root for you Lady Histoire."
Finished the guard, making Histoire blush. Root? For her? For what? She couldn't understand, not one bit. Any of it. It was so... Confusing.
"But I don't-"
"You sure are dense uh. But I like it! Still, you're not the only one here who is dense."
Stated the guard with an all-knowingly expression on his face. Somewhat it was kind of irritating. When the Oracle was about to say something else, Purple Heart announced her presence.
"I'm done changing."
They all turned to see how Neptune was now dressed: she was wearing short jeans that didn't even reach half of her thighs, and a simple summer jacket, and lastly her "incognito mode" hat. Oh, and she was also wearing glasses to make her face unrecognizable, at least according to her.
And with her presence, an awkward silence fell into that room. What to say? Histoire has yet to recover from the things both Nepgear and the Guard said to her. But that problem resolved itself soon, the moment Neptune proposed.
"So... Shall we go?"
"As much I would like to join, I'll stay here. Someone has to prepare the bed. Mister guard, will you help me?"
"With pleasure Lady Nepgear! By the way, the convenience store I spoke about, you can easily reach it by going first to the left from the exit of the basilicom and after the second crossroad, turn right. You should easily see it, since it also has a parking area. Enjoy the evening walk Lady Histoire, Lady Neptune"
Winked the guard as he followed Nepgear into Histoire's room, leaving the couple alone. Neptune, perplexed on how the guard and Nepgear were getting well together, asked.
"Say... Aren't those two..."
"Yeah I think that-"
As she turned her head around, Histoire saw that the guard was looking right at her from behind the door. His gaze was totally saying "say something, and I will tell her -that-". With a cough, she corrected herself.
"-Must be your imagination. Let's go."
Truly, one day she would get her own little revenge on him! Though somewhat, she felt like whenever she does to the guard, he would be totally unscathed, even if she would have fired him (in terms of job productivity, of course). With that thought in mind, Histoire walked alongside Neptune towards the exit of the Basilicom. The moment they left the house, the guard waited a few seconds before saying to Nepgear.
"Lady Nepgear..."
"I know. No need to tell me."
They both took from their own dimensional storage a pair of black-glasses, like those you see on those spy movies where the characters were followed by people wearing those glasses. It was spying time!
... Well, it was supposed to be that, since...
"... But first we need to prepare the bed."
"Right..."
As much he didn't like, he had to do that. Perhaps by having less time to watch them, he would have got more enjoyment from it.
Meanwhile, Neptune and Histoire just got out from the Basilicom. The first thing the CPU saw was how the people were walking back and forth in front of her, some talking on their phones, others chatting with their buddies, parents with their children and then... Couples walking or hand in hand, or using their own arms to stay close. As she looked to Histoire, who was also watching the crowd with a discomforted look in her eyes. There were too many people outside right now, who knew what could happen if someone recognized the CPU? Surely an uproar... While she was lost in thought, Neptune took the chance to lock her arm with Histoire's, taking the Oracle totally by surprise.
"N-Neptune?! What are you-"
"If we do this, we can blend in with the crowd. Does doing this... Bother you?"
"Ye-I mean no! You just...! Took me by surprise..."
"So I take that as no...?"
Neptune with those words gave a sad look, an expression that slightly hurt Histoire, who instantly tried to make up for it.
"I... I don't dislike it."
And it was true. Actually, she was enjoying it more than she had thought. With that answer, the CPU beamed in delight.
"Good! Let's go then!"
Thus their walk started, by mixing together with the crowd, enjoying the nice evening breeze that was passing caressing people's faces, cooling them from the heat of the sun during the daytime.
As they walked, Histoire's attention placed on the various displayed screens of the various shops that were still open at that hour. They were mostly about video games, mangas and anime-movies, which didn't take much interest for our Oracle, but only one single shop took her whole attention, which was...
"... Oh! A book shop!"
"Mh? Oh I never thought there was one nearby. Want to take a look?"
"Mmm... Not this time. Honestly I am a bit tired... Maybe in the future. Let's buy a few pajamas and return home."
"As you wish Histoire."
That was a surprise. Why was Histoire so interested in reading books? Shouldn't she-Right, she's not a Tome anymore, so her knowledge was now... Well, normal. Then... Maybe because she felt a certain companionship?! Shocked, Neptune asked.
"Wait... Don't tell me... You want to talk to you fellow people?!"
Histoire looked Neptune with a confused look on her face. What the heck she was saying? Fellow people? What did she meant by that?
Only after a few seconds, she realized what Neptune meant with those words. Becoming slightly red in the face from anger, the Oracle said as she pinched as hard as she can on Neptune's arm.
"What are you saying?! I just wanted to check if there were any interesting books to read to pass the time! I finished all the books we have at home, so I wanted something new! Idiot!"
"Ouch! I was just joking Histoire! Don't take it too seriously!"
Histoire then pouted, gaining so an apologetic look from Neptune, but of course our Oracle ignored it, since she felt slightly offended. As they continued to walk, the blue eyes of the blonde haired woman noticed a small crowd in front of a shop. Though that crowd was full of different kinds of people, one thing in common between all of them: they were eating the ice-cream just bought from the ice-cream shop.
Since she was craving for something cool to eat, as Histoire pointed the shop with her free hand, she asked with a theatrically offended tone in her voice.
"I will forgive you, if you buy me ice-cream."
"... It all comes to eat something sweet for forgiveness uh. So be it."
Answered Neptune with a warrior like tone as she took out from her jean pocket a purple planeptune wallet. As Neptune marched towards the ice-cream shop, a strange feeling rose up in Histoire's chest. It was... Satisfaction what she was feeling? Perhaps this was what it felt like to get spoiled? If so... She didn't mind it one bit, thought Histoire with a warm smile on her lips, as she watched the CPU returning with a cone in each hand. Though earlier she thought this could be a troubled night, perhaps this could be more enjoyable then she initially thought...