Chapter 2: The Lab Members Part 2
Note: I don't not own Steins;Gate. Only this fanfiction story.
This story follows the events that happened after the following Steins;Gate titles. Steins;Gate, Steins;Gate OVA, and Steins;Gate 0. Also, there are situations from other Steins;Gate titles that inspired multiple events in this story.
Check out my profile for upcoming dates for new chapters on Steins Gate: Epsilon
The sun sets over Akihabara. Okabe, Maho, and Daru were all going to leave the Future Gadget Laboratory for the day, until Okabe's friends arrived to greet him on his return after being gone for over a year. Okabe greets the lab members that came to visit, and decides to stay a while longer to catch up and tell them what has been happening over the time frame that he was gone. After giving them his explanation, Mayuri speaks up.
"Mayushii is glad to see Okarin again. But Mayushii also feels sad for Okarin. Why do you get yourself into bad situations?"
Luka agrees. "I want to know too. For all we know, you could of ended up dead Kyouma-san. If that happens, I don't think anyone of us could handle such a loss."
"I know I wouldn't-nyan. You no longer being around us is like the very core that holds us all together happily-nyan. If you die, we will break and forever have a painful wound in our hearts-nyan."
Okabe smiles. "Don't not worry. That situation is over, and we can enjoy a relaxing time together once again while I go back to taking my role as the mad scientist of the Future Gadget Laboratory!"
Everyone smiles when they hear Okabe will be around like the old days they used to have, just that now it's an actual business, the real thing. After some time chatting about huge stories, such as new jobs, anything happening on the news and such, the lab members had to tell about the party everyone is agreeing on to throw.
"Hey Okarin. Mayushii and the rest of the lab members wanted to throw a party in the old lab in regards to your return along with Daru and his family."
"A party?" Okabe asks as he looks at Mayuri.
"Oh! A party sounds nice." Daru responds.
"Indeed." says Maho. "It's been a long time since we all can gather together to enjoy a relaxing moment as a group. We should try to take advantage of throwing one."
Okabe laughs as he rarely sees Maho wanting to even throw a party in the first place. "Well that is unusual of you to agree to a party, Hiyajo-Safina."
"I-I just want to take a break from everything we have been doing up till now!" Maho responds with a slight embarrassment.
"A party-nyan!" Faris says. "If we have one, I can cook up some new meals that I have learned over the last 5 years nyan! Maybe I'll cook my Special End of the Century Yakisoba-nyan!"
Okabe suddenly turns to his persona and thinks the party is inevitable. "Fffwaaaaahahahahahaha-" Okabe's laugh suddenly turns into a burst of coughing.
"Are you alright, Okarin?" Mayuri says with a worried tone.
Okabe struggles to breathe properly. "I-I'm ok. D-Don't worry!"
"You coughed because you haven't laughed like that in a long time." Maho implies.
"S-Shut up! Well anyways, this must be the choice of Steins Gate, so we must hold a party!"
Everyone cheers as they all will finally get to hang out with each other like the good old days after so many years.
"Then,we can have a party this weekend! That way, Mayushii can call Kuris-chan and let her know the date she should come over for the party!"
"We can finally hope to see Makise-shi after all this time."
Mayuri's words made Okabe realize that Kurisu hasn't visited Akihabara in almost 5 years.
Maho then becomes curious. "Hey Okabe? What happened to Kurisu? Why hasn't she visited in so long?"
Daru then speaks. "Oh yea. Makise-shi hasn't been here in almost 5 years. Also, when Mayushii messaged her about her relationship with you, she said you haven't messaged her once for over a year now. And then she posted something in Twipo about how she was very disappointed in you. This all happened after you left too for that crazy situation you got yourself into."
Maho is surprised to hear about Okabe and Kurisu's sudden lack of communication to each other and doesn't feel happy about that at all. "Okabe-san….. You really didn't send one message to her at all this past year?!" Maho's tone grows loud as she is really not happy about the problem between them.
Okabe blushes but yet he feels guilty about it. "N-No I haven't…..."
Maho gets angry and pulls him by his coat. "Why?! Why haven't you or Kurisu sent a message to each other?! Did you guys break up?! Is that why she hasn't visited for a long time?!"
The atmosphere gets quite intense. However Luka realizes it and tries to calm down the situation. "Calm down Maho."
Okabe responds to Maho's question. "N-No, we didn't break up, at least I didn't. I hope Kurisu doesn't want to break up with me either. I haven't sent her a message because I didn't want to worry her when I got myself into the situation with the organization. Also, Kurisu has been very busy in America and they wouldn't allow her to come over anytime soon"
Maho calms down after hearing what Okabe said and lets go of his coat. Okabe sighs and then speaks again.
"You have every right to be mad at me. It is all my fault that I haven't sent her a message in all this time. I just never wanted to worry her with my problems. Also since she is very busy, I didn't want to disturb her research." There is a pause. "B-But I will talk with her again now that I have returned and currently not in any sort of mess. In fact, I will call her by phone to invite her to the party and visit all of us for sometime. S-So, don't worry, Mayuri. I will handle that specific invitation."
Okabe's response pleases everyone in the room and they feel proud of Okabe saying that. They all know that Okabe and Kurisu are boyfriend and girlfriend, but their relationship has not made a whole lot of progress over the years. Suddenly, his phone vibrates. He unlocks it to receive so many emails in seconds. Okabe begins to scroll through the new emails. They are a bunch of crying and happy emojis. At the same time this happens, a woman appears from behind him, speaking in a very soft tone.
"That was, beautiful."
Okabe gets really scared and steps away so fast and turns to see who it was that said that."Wooooaaaaaa! Shining Finger! When did you get here?!"
"I've been here since you all, first talked." Shining finger responds. Her name is Kiryu Moeka, also known as Shining Finger. She got her nickname because she constantly sends emails to express herself and can type very quickly too. She is an online journalist and does creative writing for a living. However, she also is part of the special forces of the Future Gadget Laboratory. She mainly writes web novels during her free time.
"Phew. Your presence is so unnoticeable."
"I get that, alot." Moeka implies. "I'm glad you have returned safe."
Okabe smiles. "Thank you."
Okabe turns and walks away while speaking one last thing to the group. "Well. Thanks for coming by, but you all should head home for today. I will arrive a little later to the old lab. I must make a call first using the lab phones."
In Okabe's small office. He uses a black telephone that has some unusual mechanics on it that could resemble one of his old gadgets back when he was creating. He dials a specific number. Although he hesitates at first to press the call button, he quickly gathers his courage and does so. After about 10 seconds of ringing, the phone picks up with a female who is currently working on a research report back at her place.
"Hello. Who is this?"
Okabe blushes and is wowed as he hears the voice of the woman he loves, the genius scientist who was there during his long hellish time leaping journey through worldline after worldline; Lab Member Number 004, Kurisu Makise. Okabe hesitated for a second to respond, but he realizes that he can't back down now, because he is already this far in and must make the first move after not speaking with her for so long. "Hope you are not too busy currently, Kurisutina."
There is a good pause before Kurisu responds. "Okabe? Is that really you?"
"Yea. it's me. It's been a long while, assistant."
There is another pause. Kurisu then begins to shed a tear as she is overcome with joy to hear Okabe's voice after so long. However, she also becomes upset. "Why are you calling me on this phone number? No, more like where have you been all this time Okabe?! Why haven't you sent me any messages in over a year?!"
Okabe feels uneasy for her reaction, but it was to be expected. "I know I haven't sent you a message in so long. I'm sorry is all I can say right now. I have been going through such unusual experiences that I had to step away from everyone for sometime. If you want to hear the whole story though in detail, then you will have to come over to Japan."
"Huh?" There is another pause. As much as Kurisu always wants to visit Japan, she can't leave just like that. "I would like to, but do you think I can just request a break to come over to Japan just like that? I have an important research I have been doing and I cannot just leave it lying around."
"Experiment-loving perverted girl. You never change. However, I ask you to come over, because… you haven't visited the lab members in nearly 5 years. Not only that, but every other lab member is here and we're throwing a party this weekend because it has been so long since everyone got together, and of course, my assistant must join."
"I'm not your assistant!" Kurisu stoutly responds.
Okabe continues to tease. "Yes you are, Kurisutina!"
"There is no tina either!"
Another pause. Okabe feels embarrassed to give her the other reason he wanted her to come over, but he wants to see her more than anything right now. So he gathers up his courage, and speaks. "Kurisu. Every lab member hasn't seen you in over 5 years. Although we understand your situation back in America, we always have this small feeling you may have forgotten us. This also includes me. "
Kurisu thinks for a moment as she realized her absent may have caused worry for every lab member, and she had never considered that possibility.
Okabe takes a deep breath and speaks. "So, K-Kurisutina! I-I hope we can enjoy a good time together like the good old days, and with all the lab members too. Everyone misses you. A-And I want to make up for the time I have been absent in your life."
There was silence for a moment. Okabe hoped greatly that she would agree to come over as his heart raced to hear a response. Not long after, Kurisu makes her decision. "Ok. I will make plans to travel to Japan. I will most likely try to make it within 3-4 days."
Okabe feels at ease after hearing her response, because it seems she hasn't thought about breaking up with him at all yet.
"That's what I like to hear about, Kurisutina. Well then we will hold off our long talk until the day arrives. You will be amazed by everything that has happened while you were gone. It's not the same as it used to be."
"We will see, Okabe. Well, see you later."
"See yea."
Okabe and Kurisu hang up the phone. Okabe sighs after feeling a rush of emotions, but quickly feels happy to hear from her again and leaves the office with his belongings in a good mood.
In Kurisu's home, she sighs for a minute, and lets out another tear of happiness. "I cannot wait," says Kurisu in her mind. She quickly wipes her tears as she decides to put aside her research and begin searching for a plane ticket online immediately.
Night falls in Akihabara. Everyone is at the old lab, making plans for the party to arrive this coming weekend. Okabe enters through and everyone inside greets him on his return, but he quickly interrupts everyone, as he puts on his mad scientist persona and speaks. "Lab members! We're holding a round table meeting!"
Everyone gathers around to talk about what's coming next.
"Alright everyone! Let's begin round table meeting number 2,022!"
"Since when did we have that many meetings…." says Maho in a soft tone.
Okabe continues. "Tonight, there is only one thing to say. Kurisu Makise, has agreed to come over to Japan for the upcoming party!"
Everyone cheers to be finally able to see her after so long. Mayuri is especially excited to see her more than anyone else.
"Now that Kuris-chan will be coming over, Mayushii will change the party sign to now have her name included!"
Daru speaks to Okabe. "So, that is what you were talking about when you said you had to make a call. You managed to persuade her to come over? As expected of our Okarin to charm Makise-shi! That must also mean you guys haven't ended your relationship."
"Seems so." Says Maho. "Then again, I already knew at least that Kurisu is greatly in love with Okabe-san. So there would be no way their relationship would end easily."
Okabe blushes and speaks softly. "O-Of course it wouldn't!"
"Mhm. Mayushii always believed Okarin and Kuris-chan would love each other to the end of their lives, and Okarin came home looking very happy which kind of gave it away."
Okabe feels more embarrassed. "Huh?"
"You know what I think?" Says Daru. "When she arrives, we should make both of them explode."
Okabe is now frozen with embarrassment about what everyone is saying about him and Kurisu,
"I agree with Daru-nyan! We should push Kyouma and Kunnyan to their limits-nyan! That way, they can bond together and get married-nyan! And then, from there they would make a mistake and have a child of their own-nyan!"
Okabe's embarrassment releases all at once and speaks so suddenly and loudly. "St-st-st-stop it! Don't let delusions such as that get over all of your heads!"
Moeka steps in to counter Okabe's thought. "I don't think those are delusions. Look at Daru and Yuki for example, they already have a child of their own because they got married and made a mistake."
"Do you really have to say that?!"
"Yea Okarin. You should look up to me and view my life with my family to take your relationship with Makise-shi to another level. Because of what me and Yuki did, we now have Suzuha in our lives"
"Daru, just please stop. This is just too crazy for my brain! This stuff is in a whole new world that I can't understand." Okabe falls to the floor as his mental state is falling apart from hearing everything in the lab up till now.
Maho then speaks up to calm the situation. "Everyone calm down now. I do admit it would be nice to see them explode, but because they haven't talked to each other in over a year, we should let them approach each other with ease."
"Mayushii thinks so too. But Okarin, promise that you will be there for Kuris-chan more, because Mayushii doesn't like to see your relationship with Kuris-chan go nowhere."
Maho agrees. "As Kurisu's mentor and friend, you must find a way to get her to be with you more. She deserves to be happy and at this point, you are the only one who can give her the happiness she desires."
Okabe thinks about the advice he has been given. He also wants to take his relationship with Kurisu to another level, but because they both have trouble connecting each other's feelings, he struggles to try to get her to visit him more. He even wants to persuade her to stay with him. However Okabe has made a decision that must come true.
"Ok. I Hououin-!" Okabe suddenly clears his throat. " No. I, Rintaro Okabe, promise to be there more for Kurisu Makise, and will do all I can to make her happy, and that is because I love her with all my heart!"
Everyone applauds for Okabe's words and feel happy for what he said. Although Okabe is embarrassed to say he loves Kurisu in front of everyone, he wants to assure everyone around him what he means is what he really means.
"Well, that is the end of our round table meeting! I expect everyone to work hard to be able to have the best party this weekend!"
Everyone nods and agrees. "Yea!"
With the decision made, the days go by as everyone continues on with their daily lives of working, and making plans on what to bring to the party. Okabe, Maho, and Daru continue the next few days working in the Future Gadget Laboratory and more intensely than ever to have free days off on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Mayuri and Luka prepare all the decorations to give the party a more meaningful feeling; while they also babysit little Suzuha while Daru and Yuki are at work. Faris, Yuki, and Moeka continue to work very intensely as well so they can have the free days off for the party.
July 15th, 2021
It is closing time for the Future Gadget Laboratory, and all the scientists there say goodbye for the weekend. Okabe, Maho and Daru manage to make it in time to have a few days off so the Lab won't open during that time frame. After long, non stop working, everyone is exhausted. Then as the day's comes to an end, Okabe gets his belongings to head home for today, but suddenly, Maho and Daru come by to speak with him about something.
"Hey Okabe-san, will you do something special for Kurisu when she visits?"
Daru gets curious about what Maho asked and also wants to know too. "Yea Okarin. You two haven't seen each other in so long. Will you do anything special for her?"
Okabe didn't want to respond to what they asked because he really doesn't know what to do. He thinks about what happened between them up to now, and decides taking it easy will be the best option so they can spend a lot of time together without major problems occuring. "Well, thanks to me I made our relationship stagnant for sometime, therefore I won't do anything crazy, but I want to do something a little special for her, like give her a gift that would be great for a couple."
Daru and Maho smile for how carefully he thought about this. They think how Okabe from a few years ago would just go straight to his Hououin Kyouma persona to respond to their question, but now he won't go to it right away and actually has put his love first over his delusional self. Okabe then turns to Daru and Maho who are smiling at him.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Okabe asks.
"Oh nothing," says Daru. "It's just a bit hard to believe you really are more mature than ever, Okarin. I hope you will keep this up. You should also be glad that you met Makise-shi in the first place; because of her, you have changed over time."
Maho steps in. "That's right, almost 8 years ago, you were a very crazy delusion science student that I thought would never mature to become a real scientist during your time at Viktor Chondria University. But when I finally saw your relationship with Kurisu, I realized she was the only one who could change you to be a wiser man and mature. And here you are, trying to give her a couple's gift to strengthen your relationship."
Okabe is annoyed that they didn't believe in him. "What are you guys talking about? I am the same mmmaaaddd scientist I have always been! Thanks to my efforts to learn about life, the great Hououin Kyouma is just now more wiser and intelligent, and a step closer to plunge this world into chaos!"
"Yea, yea" says Maho as she knows that mad scientist persona is basically a part of him for the rest of his life.
Okabe thinks for a minute to realize he doesn't know what to get."Well, I said I would get Kurisu a couple's gift of some sort, but the thing is I don't know what she would like that would also kind of stand out as we are a couple."
Maho and Daru think as to what would fit Okabe and Kurisu. They have an unusual interest that even their friends to this day can't understand, but then again, they just tend to hide their true interests sometimes. Suddenly Daru got an idea.
"I know! You can get her a ring like me, a Yuki! Rings easily tell you in a relationship!
"B-But Daru?! Do you know what a ring means?!" says Okabe as he blushes.
Maho steps in to help Okabe. "Hashida-san, you are not thinking clearly. Rings are when you're engaged and when you're married. Okabe-san and Kurisu are not in that stage yet, so that would not work well."
"O-oh yea. I forgot that part. And me and Yuki are the ones married out of the entire lab members, hehe."
Okabe is a bit annoyed by Daru's comment. "No need to brag, Super Hacka. Your eroge games that you played back then really helped with your relationship."
"Are you jealous, Okarin? If you want to gain more knowledge on how to charm Makise-shi, I'll gladly lend you the eroge games I have."
Maho is disgusted in hearing that Daru still has those games and gives Daru a death stare. "You still have them even when you're married? I should tell your wife about that."
"Do-don't worry Maho-tan. My wife already knows about them and has them stored away in a room where that is meant to be storage. They won't be seeing the light of day by me."
"I sure hope so." Maho turns to Okabe. "Well Okabe-san, the fact that Kurisu chose to be with you means she cares for who you are as a person regardless of what you do. So just be yourself and continue your path. I hope you give yourself more confidence in the future though, so your relationship with her can reach another level. The same will apply to her."
Okabe smiles to hear her support for his relationship with Kurisu. " I will do my best, Hiyajo-Safina."
Maho gets annoyed by the nickname, but moves on. "As for your gift, I can help you find one tomorrow morning. I rather also surprise her with my presence when she is already at the old lab because she doesn't know I'm here."
Okabe forgot that Kurisu is not aware Maho came to live and work in Japan in the Future Gadget Laboratory. "Ah yea, I forgot about you doing that."
"I only did it because I believed in what you said to come over here in the first place, and maybe that was a good thing." Replies Maho.
Okabe smiles as the day comes to an end.