Okabe was sitting on the sofa, his body leaning forward, staring at the table as if his gaze would burn a hole into it. Daru had rarely seen him so focused. He usually ran around the room like a startled chicken and dubbed it brainstorming (he said it would help him think, but Daru was convinced that his best friend appreciated any distraction that could cover up the fact that he did not make any progress with his scientific experiments). The scene before him was therefore way more frightening. Okabe looked like he was actually on the way to a scientific breakthrough - or at least af as if he was working on it with all his might.
"Can someone help you?" Daru asked - not that he intended to. It just seemed like the best way to get information out of him, though he did not really have to worry about that. While Okabe acted like he was on his way to subjugate the world with his crazy experiments, he was amazingly liberal about sharing his information concerning ongoing projects. However, as Okabe only slowly awoke from his rigidity and looked up in a trance, Daru was about to call the police or an ambulance because he suspected a serious problem. Though, considering how government authorities reacted when they met him, it was probably not a good idea. After that, they could only visit him at fixed times between his therapy sessions.
So Daru searched his address book, prepared to dial the number of Okabe's mother when the young man with the lab coat spoke in an ominous voice: "Daru, prepare yourself that the world as we know it will be shaken to its foundations."
In itself, this promise was nothing new as he said it at least once a week, but it was usually followed by a mad scientist's laugh and not a sad scientist's sigh. Was ist actually something serious this time? Daru swallowed. If so, it was a size too big for him. And when it came to the end of the world, there was only one person who could take on Okabe at this level of craziness. "Does that mean I can call Faris and tell her that it is an emergency and she has to come here immediately because ... oh, that's irrelevant." With a broad grin, he pressed the speed dial of the maid, but Okabe shook his head.
"I'm afraid she's part of the problem. The honorable descendent of Anubis was corrupted by the dark side and conspires with our adversaries. "
"Hm, if darkness is our opponent ... maybe Magical Girl Mayuri-"
"No, Lab 002 is seriously delusional and has been manipulated by the Mistress of Darkness to help her come to our country and gain access to our research methods in order to subjugate all of us."
Daru rolled his eyes. It slowly dawned on him what kind of impending calamity had brought Okabe into this state, and it suddenly embarrassed him that he had taken it seriously for even a second. "Don't make such a fuss just because will have a visitor. Kurisu is really nice and you got on really well last summer - which was really strange because she has been the only female in a long time who doesn't run away screaming when she talks to you. "
"I have many 'female beings' as my entourage, Daru."
"Well, technically, yes, but that's not something to be proud of. You had to take one of them hostage, another probably only sees you as her cat toy, the other could send you flying with nothing more than a glance and another is probably more of a stalker that you will never get rid of," Daru paused and sent a prayer to the anime pope, praying that she wasn't a yandere, "and the last one is a trap. Okay, a damn hot trap, but that doesn't count. And don't tell Ruka I said that - unless I get to see him blush because of the compliment. After all, it's not gay if you say 'no homo'."
"Daru, the problem is not with my followers here-"
"You mean your harem," Daru corrected, crossing his arms. What drove everyone crazy about a gaunty wannabe scientist if they could have a man who was trained in the art of giving each type of woman the feeling of appreciation that overwhelmed her so much that sooner or later it would lead to physical activity regarding every conceivable point of the spectrum? On the other hand it was plain as day that 3D girls easily became jealous of their 2D-competition and did not grant them the much-needed attention. And since Daru knew how much his waifus needed the attention every one of them deserved, he had to accept reluctantly that satisfaction in the RL was really just a myth, no matter how many Isekais he would visit.
"I only have two days left to come up with the best possible strategy for how I can master the situation. If the enemy comes into my territory and I have nothing to oppose her, I will be overwhelmed by her. Apparently she already has laboratory members 002, 006 and 007 on her side. "
It took a moment to decipher the code, and after a moment of shock, Daru breathed: "No, anyone but my Neko goddess!" Then he remembered who he had just sacrificed and added: "And our Genki Girl and the Trap, I guess."
"Yes, my loyal friend. I tell you, these are truly difficult times ahead. Perhaps we can still save our friends, but we don't have much time left. Once they are completely taken in by the charisma, we have little chance of getting through to them. Then we have no choice but to banish them from this refuge forever in order to save ourselves. "
Daru swallowed. "We cannot allow anything like that to happen!"
"You got it. That's why I suggest we design a battle plan together. Any ideas?"
Daru frowned. "Why me?"
Okabe blinked and his burning spirit had suddenly turned to smoke. "Well ... you know the opposite sex! So use your infinite senseless knowledge acquired by those wasted hours staring at these screens to protect our laboratory! "
Daru crossed her arms. "What's that supposed to mean now? I have zero experience in a scenario where they threaten to kill me - if anything, they would rather kill everyone but me. "
Okabe closed her eyes. "Let's hope that murder only has to be a mean to an end in an emergency."
The two were silent for a moment, startled by the graveness of these words. Then Daru asked slowly: "Okay, let's get back to the beginning. What exactly do we fear will happen?"
Okabe's eyes grew dark. "That Kurisu Makise will overthrow me, the rightful ruler of our laboratory."
Daru's eyes widened. "Why didn't you say that right away? When will that happen?"
"Tomorrow evening she will arrive at the airport and will be greeted by her personal escort."
Daru stretched her arms towards the sky. "Hentai genius boss ftw," he called. "Do you think she will stay forever if she gets her own laboratory?"
Okabe buried his head in his hands. Then he lowered one, got out his cell phone and held it to his ear. "It's me. Apparently my closest ally is now in the hands of our the enemy ... No, I can't give up now. I have to face this infection that 'The Zombie' has brought upon us. A truly gruesome fate to become one of her will-less puppets that help her satisfy her crave for human brains ... Yes, the fate of the world is now in my hands. It's time for Hououin Kyouma to rise again from the ashes and save the world from its demise. El. Psy. Kongroo."
I apologize once again for the mistakes since I'm still not as proficient in this language as I'd like to be. That being said, if anyone has some spare time and could help me out with some proofreading, I'd gladly appreciate it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
