Chapter 53:

Back Again

((A/N: OHAI GUYS. Wow, it HAS been a while. I'm still alive, I promise. But enough of that, LET'S DO THIS THING))

Two Years Later

"Can I help you, sir?"

Chaud looked up. "Hey, you."

Nami grinned at him, leaning on the chip shop counter. "If you hang around much longer, I'm going to lose my job."

"I'm not bothering you, am I?" he asked.

"No, you're just distracting me."

Chaud snickered, shaking his head. "Come on, Nami, you have better focus than that. And Higsby wouldn't fire you."

"You never know. I've been on my toes since he switched from aliens to ghosts," she said.

"When are we studying for finals?" Chaud asked, looking over the chips on display in the counter. Nami sighed, brow furrowed.

"Thinking… thinking… I know Maylu and I had something planned, but she's sick so I don't know if that's changed…"

"You could study with me," Chaud not-entirely-subtly hinted.

"But if things have changed with Maylu, then Yai will want to either study with me, ask me to teach her to sew, or both at once."

Chaud laughed. "What're you gonna do, sew equations onto pillows?"

"If we have to." Nami checked the clock. "Nine o'clock. Buy something or scoot, I need to close up."

"All right. I'll see you in a minute," Chaud said, leaning in for a kiss. Nami playfully pushed him away.

"I'm on the clock!" she giggled, turning away. "Higsby would kill me!"

"But—"

"In a minute, Chaud. Let me close up shop."

"All right, all right." Chaud scooped up his school bag and retreated out the door.

The cool April breeze blew by him, carrying the faint scent of rain in from the mountains. He wandered along the path a little bit, leaning on a streetlamp.

"What's the plan, big shot?" ProtoMan asked. "We DO have homework to do tonight."

"It's Friday."

"Point being?"

Chaud sighed. "Can't I have some fun?"

"We don't have to do this tonight, you know," ProtoMan said. "It can wait."

"I would LIKE to do this tonight, though."

"Because… why?"

"Because roses wilt."

ProtoMan frowned. "Fine. Seriously, do you have a plan?"

"Not really."

The lights in Higsby's shop went out. Nami and Higsby both came out, talking. Higsby locked the door, bid Nami goodnight, and went on his way. Nami turned and saw Chaud waiting under the streetlamp. She smiled, and ran to join him.

"May I walk you home?" Chaud asked, imitating cordiality as he extended his arm to her.

"Why yes, you may," Nami said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

They started off on the familiar route to Nami's house, discussing the day's events and the weekend plans. On any other day, this would be routine verging on boring, were it not for the fact that Den Tech High's junior prom was coming up.

"…and so I thought it was funny that Sean wanted to come back for it," Nami was saying. "He didn't go to his because of that Johnny Thirteen lockdown, so…"

"So are you saying you want him to come?" Chaud asked.

"So I'm saying that I'm not sure it's a good idea for him to come," Nami said, looking concerned. "I mean, he's in college and all, he won't really know anybody at our junior prom. Except us, I mean."

"DTC High is a pretty small school, he'd probably learn everyone's name by the end of the night," Chaud reasoned. "Besides, it's not like most people don't know him. At least, they know of him."

"Only because he's my brother," Nami said.

"Do you want him there or not?" Chaud asked simply.

"I would love it if he came," Nami said. "But I just worry about him. He doesn't do well at big parties, but—"

"But he has an interest in coming," Chaud said.

"Do you think he should come?" she asked, biting her lip nervously.

"I don't think it's my decision to make at all," Chaud said. "I honestly don't think it makes a difference either way to anyone but him, and possibly you."

"Okay." Nami nodded resolutely. "Okay. Then we can't go together."

Silence for a moment. They had almost reached the steps to Nami's front door when Chaud finally put it together.

"Wait, what?" Or not.

"I presume that's what the rose sticking out of your backpack is for," Nami said shrewdly. "Am I right?"

Chaud frowned, turning pink. "Y-Yeah, but what do you mean?"

"Technically, Sean will be my date."

"Technically," Chaud pointed out. "Which means technically we could still go together."

"Theoretically, we'd all be going together, it's just that he would need to stay with me to get in, and—"

"Nami. Enough." Chaud took out the rose, presenting it to her. "Regardless of whether or not Sean comes, will you still be my non-technical date?"

Nami smiled, relaxing. "Yes. Yes I will."

"Okay. That, Nami, is all I wanted to know." She took the rose from him, beaming.

"Sorry. When it comes to fine print, Ailee kinda has me trained."

"I noticed." Chaud kissed her, careful not to crush the rose between them. "I'll see you tomorrow? Maybe?"

"I'll call you," she said. "On the off-chance Yai got sick too."

Nami went inside, pausing for a moment at the door to smile at him. "I love you, Chaud."

"I love you too, Nami." He smiled back at her, waited until she'd gotten inside, then started the short walk to his own house.

"I take it that was NOT what we expected," ProtoMan said.

"No, not really. But I'm kind of glad Sean will be there," Chaud said.

"Even if that means for the one night, you and Nami aren't technically dating?"

"Shut it."

"Why do you think Sean wanted to come if he's no good with parties?" ProtoMan wondered.

"I dunno. I guess it's a high school thing that he regrets missing," Chaud said. "if nothing else, I'm glad we'll be able to see him again."

Since Sean had graduated the previous summer and gone off to college, they had seen less of him. It was rare that he came back for anything other than holidays. Come to think of it, it was also becoming increasingly rare to run into Raize since he had managed to graduate college and get a "real" job.

"Yeah. It'll be nice to catch up with him for a bit."

"So. How about that homework?" ProtoMan suggested.

"Not tonight."

ProtoMan scowled. "Fine."


"It's green."

"I know."

"Why is it green? Didn't it used to be blue?"

"Indeed it did."

"What the…? Why do I care?" Johnny asked, crossing his arms as Regal took away the telescope.

"You're running out of time. I told you and your team to take up base there, and there's not much time left for that to happen," Regal said evenly.

"…And?" Johnny gazed absently out the window. "Why would I wanna live on a green asteroid?"

"That's where the Arriman program is," Regal said enticingly. "I know of your interest in it."

"What's it matter? It's been two years since you said that, and nothing's happened," Johnny said. "Didn't you say it was on a 'direct collision course with Earth' or something? How far away is it, that we're all still un-collided with?"

"Perhaps my calculations were a bit off—"

"Ooh, there's a first," Johnny snapped. "What is this about, really?"

Regal took a deep, steadying breath. Dealing with Johnny had definitely not become easier with time. "I was under the impression that the Arriman program was important to you."

"Guess again," Johnny said. "Once you get interested in something, it loses all value to my team."

"Harsh words. You truly bear a grudge against me, don't you?" Regal asked.

"Damn right I do. I don't need your help, or your demands. We get along just fine on our own."

Johnny started walking off down the long hallway, his black data armor up in an instant. "Tough to get people to do your dirty work since we put Angela away, huh? When you're actually worth something, lemme know."

Regal scowled, watching Johnny walk away.

ARRIMAN LOG XII: J13 STILL UNCOOPERATIVE AND HOSTILE. DRASTIC MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN.


The weekend passed quietly, with nothing of note taking place. The world had seemed exceptionally quiet since the Alliance Thirteen had apparently gone back into hibernation, a year after the Black Assassin was incarcerated. Raize jokingly celebrated that Nami had managed to stay out of the hospital for quite a while, likely due to the lack of inexplicable tournaments and random Darkloid appearances.

"Is it really a cake-worthy occasion?" Ailee asked one evening, reading over her court papers.

"Of course it is!" Raize said. "Lookit us! Nami's healthy, Mo's a full time doctor, you're a full time lawyer, Sean graduated high school, I graduated college—"

"Which reminds me," Mamoru said, peering over his glasses at his brother. "Have you got a job?"

Raize paused, deflating. "Yeah."

"Where at?"

"At the store by the zoo in Yoka."

"Yoka's pretty small, from what I remember," Ailee said. "When did they open a store?"

"Just last year, I think," Raize said. "It's pretty new. I'm like their star employee."

"Hm. The next time I'm there, I'll have to visit," Mamoru said, a doubtful tone to his voice.

"Yeah."

Raize sat back down in his chair, his vie for cake effectively shot down.

"GUYS! OMIGOSH GUYS!" Nami dashed down the stairs, Chaud in tow. "Guys!"

"Not deaf," Raize grumbled.

"What, Nami?" Ailee asked as Mamoru shot a quick 'be nice' look at Raize.

"Sean is coming back for our junior prom!"

"That's— wait… what?" Raize asked. "Why's he coming for you guys's prom?"

"Because he didn't get to go to his because of that lockdown, remember?" Nami said. "So he's coming to ours!"

"Well, that sounds like fun," Mamoru said. "Is he allowed?"

"He's alumni, so he just needs to have someone escort him in," Chaud explained.

"Wait, how come I can't go?" Raize asked indignantly. "Why didn't you all ask me if I wanted in?"

"Because you are not DTC alumni, you DID go to yours in Netopia, and I would rather come out of my prom night in one piece with nothing broken," Nami said matter-of-factly. "Anyway. He'll be back in town next Friday so he can come!"

"Oh, it'll be nice to see him again," Ailee said, smiling reminiscently. "It's been… how long now? Three months, since we saw him last?"

"Yeah, I think so…"

As the family happily chatted about Sean's return, Chaud sat back, wondering what it would be like to have such a close knit family. His father's mood had softened toward Chaud himself and the entire Hallissy family in recent months, but was nothing like what he saw in this room now.

"We should have Chaud over for dinner that night," Ailee decided. "What do you think?"

"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'd love to come," Chaud said.

"You miss him too, huh?" Raize asked, cracking a smile. "Can't blame you. You're pretty much family, too."

Chaud saw less of Nami in the coming week, as she prepared both for Sean's return home and for the junior prom. As a male, Chaud couldn't even begin to comprehend why Nami, Maylu, and Yai spent increasing amounts of time together, discussing colors and flowers and dresses and things, a confusion he seemed to share with his other male classmates. As far as he was concerned, the night would be spent with Sean and Nami, a little bit of dancing and music, and then walking back home.

"…and so I'm stuck between the two dresses," Maylu was telling Nami on their way out of class. "I don't know! Purple or pink?"

"It's an evening event, purple will be better," Yai said knowledgeably. "You never wear bright colors to evening events."

"What color is your dress, Nami?" Maylu asked.

"Blue," she responded, "but not dark blue. Just normal blue."

"You'll look pretty in that," Maylu decided, smiling. "Maybe I'll get the purple one so we can semi-match."

Nami laughed. "We'll talk more later, okay? See ya!"

Chaud shook his head, having remained silent for the duration of the conversation. "I will never, EVER understand her fascination with fashion."

"I don't think I will either," Nami said, watching Yai and Maylu walk off towards Maylu's house. "But I can appreciate a good dress when I see one."

"Only because you look lovely in everything," Chaud said swiftly, giving her a kiss on the cheek as she blushed.

"You're just saying that."

"Then it must be true," he added, taking her hand. "So. A blue dress, huh?"

"Yup. Sean's only tie is blue, so I figured…" She trailed off, looking at him. "Are you mad?"

"…What? Why? Why would I be mad?" Chaud asked, confused. Had he said something?

"It's just… with Sean coming home and coming to prom with us," she said. "I feel like I'm kind of ignoring you in favor of him. Are you mad?"

"What, that Sean's coming?" Chaud asked. "Of course not. I think it's great."

"Really?" Nami frowned. "Really really?"

"Yes, really. As long as I still get to dance with you."

Nami's expression softened. "Okay. I can do that."

"All right. Anyway. Blue dress, blue tie. Does it really matter what colors they are?" Chaud asked, racking his brain for the contents of his closet. Did he own any ties that were a color besides black?

"I guess not really," Nami said pensively. "But then again, if they match, may as well, right?"

"Right."

"Why? Do you happen to have a blue tie too?" Nami asked, grinning.

"I actually don't know. I'll get back to you."

Nami looked him up and down, beaming. "You know, I don't think it matters. Red is kind of your color."

Chaud shrugged. "I'll figure something out, I'm sure."

All in all, life was good.