Chapter 3: Reconciliation

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

July 16th, 2021

It's Friday morning. The sun is beginning to shine high to start a new day in Akihabara. A plane begins descending down a roadway at an airport, while hearing the engine roar, dropping down on the rising sun. Through the doors where it would lead to the plane, a female walks through with a rolling suitcase. She wears black heels, a pink long shirt, dark blue skirt almost as far down to her knees with black leggings, her hair extending down to her shoulders with her hair color being dark reddish. She takes off her sunglasses, showing blue eyes under it. It's revealed to be the one remaining lab member. It's no other person than Kurisu Makise, finally in Japan.

As time goes on, Kurisu arrives at Akihabara Station. There, she walks around to notice the building structure has somewhat changed and gets a bit lost. However she fortunately doesn't need to worry, because she hears her name being yelled.

"Kuris-chan!"

Kurisu turns to the direction where she heard her name being yelled, and she is surprised to see who it is, changed in clothing and looks from the last time she saw them. She sees Mayuri, Luka, and Faris waiting for her with a sign that says "Welcome Back Kurisu Makise!" Kurisu waves at them before they quickly run up to her and hug her.

Mayushii, Luka, and Faris say the same greetings. "Welcome back!"

Kurisu is very happy to see them again after so long and says her greetings with a smile. "Hello everyone. I'm back."

They all walk around Akihabara as Mayushii gives Kurisu a small tour of the city as to the changes that have happened around in the last few years. Kurisu is amazed by how much the city has advanced in technology during the timeframe she was gone. "This city has changed drastically since I last visited. I am amazed by how much new technology is going around the place, but at the same time, the business locations are still mostly the same."

"Right?" Mayushii agrees. "It's too bad that most of the stores that sold technology from 10 years ago no longer exist today. There are still a few that run, but are hidden in small alley ways."

As they continue walking, they come across the park that she would meet up with Okabe back years ago. It's still the same as it was.

Luka then speaks to Kurisu about the park. "The park has been more active in the last couple of years. It could be because of a new generation of people being born."

"I could honestly believe that is the case." Kurisu replies. However, Kurisu thinks more of certain conversations happening when Okabe and her would come here to chat alone. They would normally talk about things they would mostly never mention around the rest of the lab members.

Downtown in Akihabara, Okabe and Maho are walking together to help find a suitable gift for Kurisu that also works as a couple's gift. They travel through store after store, and so far, nothing seems good for Kurisu.

"So Hiyajo-san, do you know what interests Kurisu when it comes to simple items?" Okabe asked.

"It's kind of difficult for me to say what she likes. I always knew her to be ambitious and a hard working scientist that she usually doesn't show any other general interests. However, I do know that with you in her life, she may accept anything reasonable as a couple's gift as long it is not some massive gift, or a ring at this time."

Okabe thinks. He has considered huge items to please her, but that may overwhelm her and may be very usually coming from him as a gift.

After Maho looked at his face, she decided to explain it more simply. "What I was trying to hint is get her something that can be held in hand."

Although Okabe hasn't decided his gift for Kurisu, he is glad that he can narrow down to certain options on what can be held in someone's hand, making the gift he is looking for more simple. Fortunately, right across the street where they are walking, there is a custom shop that can customize all sorts of items, accessories, etc. Maho taps Okabe and points to the direction of the shop. Okabe was amazed at what the shop said, because that was never there before, but very convenient to have custom gifts made.

Kurisu and the group have arrived at the front building of the old lab. There, Mr. Braun steps out to get some fresh air from working inside the CRT shop, but soon notices Okabe's friends arriving.

"Oh? If it isn't the crew of the lab." Mr. Braun notices Kurisu amongst the group. "Well guess who's back, Kurisu Makise. It's been quite a long time since I last saw you around here."

"Yes, it has, Tennouji" Kurisu replied.

"Finally had time to come visit all of us?"

"Yes. I have been so busy with research back in America and had not been able to come visit until today."

Mr. Braun puts on a smile. "I see, that's good. I hope you will stay for a while. Your boyfriend Okabe really needs someone to keep him out of trouble. Especially after you were gone for some time."

Kurisu laughs. "Y-Yes. I'll be keeping in check with him for some time so there should be not much trouble from him while I'm here."

"That's great." Mr. Braun looks down to notice the bags of party supplies and gifts.

"Seems you all are having a party today?" Mr. Braun questions.

"Yes, and tomorrow as well-nyan! And we would also like to invite you and Nae as well if you are able to-nyan." says Faris with joy.

"Well unfortunately I have some business to take care of so I won't be joining today, and Nae won't be arriving till tomorrow for her vacation. She has also been very busy over at the JAXA Space Center. However, if you said you are having a party for today and tomorrow, we should really be there tomorrow."

Mayushii feels glad he can come over tomorrow. "Sure! Well then, we will see you at the party tomorrow. See ya."

"See ya," replies Mr. Braun as the group leaves to head into the lab. Mr. Braun heads inside to put away his apron he wears while working, and heads to close the shop and walk away, as he puts on a serious face.

Inside the old lab, Kurisu Makise is stunned to see how much the place has changed. The once lab that was filled with random junk is now clean from most of it, and now having more clean furniture and working equipment. "Wow. I am amazed by how much this place has changed."

"Right? Although Mayushii misses the old look of the lab, this isn't bad at all too. But because of good old memories, Mayushii and Okarin decided we will keep the couch and table."

Kurisu smiles as she agrees with what Mayuri said. "I can understand why. That furniture has been there for so long when we all hung out together. It would be sad to see it go." Kurisu then realizes because of the change in the lab, is it still considered a lab. "Well if this place is clean out of most of the junk, do you guys still call this the lab?"

Luka speaks up. "Well it's now called the old lab."

Kurisu questions what he meant by that. "Old lab?"

"Yes. This is now the old lab because Kyouma-san owns a new lab that is kinda far from here, but not too far either."

Mayushii steps in with happiness. "Indeed! Okarin owns a proper lab that is still called the Future Gadget Laboratory!"

Kurisu is very surprised by what she heard. She never really thought that the Future Gadget Laboratory he called because of his Mad Scientist persona, would actually become a reality. "Really?! If that is the case, I want to go see it right away!"

"Won't be possible-nyan," says Faris. "The lab is closed for today because of the party we all had planned-nyan. Okabe and the other scientists worked very hard this week to make sure they could close the lab without much problems for a few days-nyan."

Kurisu becomes surprised again as Faris mentions scientists. "Um, what you mean by scientists?"

"Oh, well Kyouma isn't the only one that works there daily-nyan. He has other scientists that also help him in his work-nyan. And then there is of course Daru-nyan and Maho-nyan."

Kurisu is now even more stunned as she heard the name Maho. "HHHUUHHH?! Senpai is working there too?!

"Ye-yes. You didn't know nyan?"

"No I never heard about her working here at all!" Kurisu realizes she is heating up and decides to stop and calm herself down.

"Well if you want to hear about the story with the lab and those who work in it, you can hear about it later on-nyan. Kyouma, Maho-nyan, and Daru-nyan with his family will arrive later in the day-nyan."

"I-I see."

Mayuri thinks it's about time to prepare for the party. "Well in the meantime, let's prepare the food so it's ready by the time everyone arrives for the party along with the decorations!"

Back downtown, Okabe and Maho have just left the custom shop with a few supplies and a bag with an unknown gift. Okabe feels happy that he got this gift and hopes it will please Kurisu. Maho stares at the corner of her eyes to see Okabe smiling about the gift and she feels happy for him as well. She then speaks. "Well, should we head back now?"

"Yes we should," replies Okabe.

However their walking comes to a halt when Mr. Braun approaches them and calls their names. "Okabe."

Okabe turns to see Mr. Braun. "Oh Mr. Braun, What's up?"

"I need to speak to you privately about something important."

Okabe notices that Mr. Braun has a face that implies he is serious about what he wants to say."

"Alright. Hiyajo-san, you can go on without me back to the old lab. Tell everyone there I will arrive a little later than planned."

"Yes," says Maho as she continues to walk back.

As late afternoon arrives, Mr. Braun and Okabe reach the park to have more privacy about their conversation as the place is currently empty for now.

"Well Mr. Braun, what do you want to talk to me about."

"I'm here to give you a warning about what happened after you left to deal with the unknown organization. Because of what you did, the Rounders has informed me recently that there are certain shady organizations on high alert. This may also include SERN which we still know what shady business they do. If they are involved, they could fear of someone like you could disrupt the plans that they make. So be careful, the digger you dig the hole, you will never be able to escape and die."

Okabe felt a bit uncomfortable by what Mr. Braun said, because he had never realized that he had dealt with many shady situations after the timeline switching in 2010. This means he was unaware about a lot of things that had occurred with these shady organizations, and could have killed him. Only the most recent incident did he consider the possibility of dying if anything went wrong. However Okabe becomes more alert with Mr. Braun's warning and will proceed carefully from here on out.

"Yes, thank you for your warning Mr. Braun and I will keep that in mind."

Mr. Braun puts on a smile about this whole situation with him and Okabe. "I never thought you would find out about me being FB and my relations with the Rounders and SERN. But thanks to you, the Rounders now work with you and out of most shady situations. With your knowledge, we can provide greater cause for our organization and with your growing industry."

"Yes. It's also a pleasure having to work with you, Mr. Braun!"

Mr. Braun sighs after hearing Okabe's person kick in in the end. Then, he gets a phone call and decides to leave. "Well Okabe, I must leave for now, but I'll be joining your party tomorrow."

"Alright. Well, see you then." They both leave in their separate directions.

As Okabe walks home, he walks by the market where they are selling Kurisu's favorite pudding. He decides to enter to buy some for Kurisu as an extra gift for her return.

Back at the lab, Moeka has already arrived to help put up the decorations with Mayuri. Faris, Luka help prepare the food along with Kurisu who is learning how to cook a new dish. Not long after, the door of the old lab opens up and who comes in is Daru with his family.

"Hello everyone," says Daru and Yuki.

"Ah you have arrived!" says Mayuri.

"Hello-"

Kurisu gradually turns around so she can greet Daru and Yuki after so long, but then, she becomes shocked to see Daru who is much skinnier than he was the last time he saw him.

"Hashida?! Is that really you?!"

"Yes. It's me, Itaru Hashida."

"Y-You have changed so much physically!"

"Right? This is all mainly thanks to my wife who decided to help watch over my health over the last year. And then also, it is better to be skinnier so I can have a lot more energy to play more with my daughter."

"Daughter?" Kurisu questions. But then, from Daru's right leg appears little Suzuha who was hiding from Kurisu because she doesn't know her at all.

"Ah yea, you have never met Suzuha in person have you? Well, Makise-shi, I would like you to meet Suzuha Amane."

Kurisu is stunned to see Daru having a daughter. "Oh yea, I forgot you had a daughter." She approaches Suzuha to greet her. "Hello Suzuha. My name is Kurisu Makise, a close friend to your mother and father."

"Hi, Kurisu!" says Suzuha with an excited tone as she hugs Kurisu.

Kurisu smiles from her sudden hug as she is charmed by how cute Suzuha is. Then suddenly, Mayuri speaks up. "The food is half way done. We should start to make the desserts now to have it ready with the big meal."

"Yea!" as everyone shouts to confirm in contributing to making delicious desserts.

Time goes on as everyone settles in and contributes to making the food for the party. The smell in the room gets really strong by how much food is being cooked and made. While everyone cooks, the lab door opens with someone commenting on the smell in the place as they walk to the main room. "Wow, something smells amazing in here, what are you guys cook-" Maho comes through the door while asking a question, but she suddenly stops as she sees Kurisu after so long.

Kurisu turns to see who entered in and she is shocked to see Maho."Se-Senpai?!"

"Ku-Kurisu?!"

They both run to each other and give a friendship hug as they haven't seen each other in a few years.

"It's really great to see you again, Senpai!" says Kurisu as she smiles happily.

"Indeed it really is!' says Maho.

"Where have you been all this time Senpai? I haven't seen you at Viktor Chondria University in over 3 years!"

Maho was a bit hesitant to respond to that question, but she needed to know the truth eventually. "I will tell you if you want to later on. But because you only got here today, you should relax first before asking a lot of questions. I know it's strange to see me here after what happened, but for now, let's enjoy the party and I can answer your questions later on. Is that alright with you?"

Kurisu nods. "Sure."

Time continues to go by again. Everyone is enjoying their time laughing and chatting together will finish up the decorations. The food is all finished cooking and ready to eat. Daru and Luka move another table with the table in the middle of the room to allow more space to eat and place other plates of food. Everyone is about ready to start the party.

"Well, everything is ready to begin the party." says Mayuri. But she begins to worry. "But, Mayushii wonders where is-"

Her comment suddenly was interrupted by the lab door opening and closing and you can hear Okabe gradually coming in while commenting on his late arrival. "Sorry for coming in late. Mr Braun wanted to speak with me privately so I didn't come by sooner."

"Okarin! Tuturu!"

Okabe walks to the main room and greets Mayrui and everyone else. "Hello, Mayrui. Hello Everyone."

Suddenly, time began to slow down around Kurisu and Okabe when their eyes met each other. They take a good look at each other for a moment as they are amazed by each other's presence. Okabe is charmed by the woman with dark reddish hair, blue eyes, light skin color and a slender body he always knew and recognized. There was no doubt about who he saw sitting next to Mayuri and Maho on the couch. It is the woman he loves more than anyone ever, Kurisu Makise.

Kurisu is also charmed by the man with black hair, yellow eyes, a skin color slightly darker than hers and with the manly body figure she always knew and recognized. There was no doubt about who she saw walking from the entrance. It is the man she loves more than anyone ever, Rintaro Okabe.

"Ku-Kurisu…" says Okabe with a stunned voice.

"Ok-Okabe…" says Kurisu with a stunned voice.

Okabe reaches for his pocket to try and take out his phone to do the whole Hououin Kyouma persona with the organization he did quite often, but instead, he decides to not do it so he can hope to please Kurisu instead.

"He-hey Kurisu. It's been a long time since we last saw each other. I hope you have been doing-"

Instantly, Kurisu rushed up from the couch, rushed to Okabe and hugs him tightly, interrupting his sentence.

"Ku-Kurisutina?!" says Okabe as he is startled by her sudden hug.

Kurisu then says something in a soft voice while hiding her tears after seeing Okabe. "I-I'm so glad to see you after so long."

Okabe realizes the way she is acting to him means he has caused her quite a lot of pain from his absence by not sending her a message in so long. He decides to wrap his arms around Kurisu and apologies while releasing a bit of tears from guilt for not talking to her so long. "I'm so sorry Kurisu. I'm so sorry for not sending you one message in so long, and because of that, I have caused you so much pain that I know I cannot undo. But I promise to make it up to you."

Kurisu hugs Okabe tighter. Okabe thought she was hugging him tighter because of the sudden rush of emotions for seeing each other, but until she speaks in a soft tone. "Idiot. Don't say those things now. I don't like doing this in front of everyone else."

Okabe realizes and looks up to see everyone staring at them with a smile and pleasing face. This embarrasses Okabe more, but he already knew at this point it was expected to happen at some point and possibly in front of his friends. "Do-Don't worry. They understand the situation already. There is no reason to hide it unless you want to talk privately. Well, let's join the party for now with the rest of the lab members. We can talk about anything you want after this is all over."

Kurisu lets go of Okabe and wipes her face off with her sleeve. She looks up to Okabe and nods in agreement with a smile. "Ok."

Everyone is settled and ready to eat everything available. Mayuri gives a welcoming message to start the party off. "Everyone! Before we begin, Mayushii would like to say one thing. Daru-kun, Yuki-san, little Suzuha, Kuris-chan, and Okarin, welcome back!"

Everyone else besides the people mentioned all say the same thing "Welcome back!"

With that, the party begins. Everyone enjoys grabbing all the delicious food in big plates to eat all they can. Everyone also has a great time chatting with one another about the greatest things that have occurred in over the last couple of years, or the randomness things. Some of them while eating play board games that they still have after over 10 years. Even though most of them are adults, it's always great to go back and be a child to enjoy the fun moments and play with the friends closest to you.

Okabe, observes everyone laugh and enjoys their time together. It has been so many years since they all had gathered like this. He gets a flashback when they all hang out together like this which warms his heart on the inside. He also remembers that day was also the day he and Kurisu finally connected their feelings to the point they decided to be girlfriend and boyfriend. Okabe comes back to reality as he smiles it has been a crazy life so far to get to this point, and he regrets no decisions made to get to today.

The party lasts for hours as the day becomes night. After everyone has had enough, they decide to all help clean up the old lab and clean all the plates and kitchen items used to eat. They also sweep and mop the floor of the mess that was left behind. However the only people not there currently is Okabe and Kurisu

"Hey, has anyone seen Kyouma-san?" Luka asks.

"Okarin went up to the roof top to get some fresh air," replies Daru

"I think Kurisu just went up there as well," says Maho

"Oh?" Daru became curious. "I wonder if they will explode on the rooftop if they are alone.

"Don't get your hopes up Hashida-san." says Maho.

On the rooftop of the old lab, Okabe is leaning on the railing to enjoy the nice breeze while looking at the sun setting over the place. He thinks about how everyone was gathered together enjoying a great time having fun chatting and enjoying activities with each other, but at the same time, his PTSD of 2010 still lingers around when everyone was gathered together, experimenting with D-Mails, and causing a major worldline shift. As Okabe takes a breath he thinks. "No matter how much time goes by, the memories of the alpha and beta worldlines will always come back to haunt me in someway, huh….."

The door that leads to the rooftop suddenly opens. Okabe doesn't turn around to see who it is, but he already knows who it is, because he knows the sound of heels clicking that is different from everyone else. He already knew who was walking to him, Kurisu Makise.

Okabe begins to speak even though he hasn't yet seen Kurisu behind him. "Who would've thought everyone would get together again after all these years. Then again, we all are at this point essentially close friends, but also like family, so there would be no way no one would ever want to meet each other again. Don't you think, Kurisu?"

Kurisu speaks up. "When you put it like that after what happened today, you do have a point Okabe."

Okabe turns around to see Kurisu. "So now that we are alone, I can tell you have a lot of things to ask me about. But before you do, tell me, Kurisutina, how has your life been, aside from our relationship?"

Kurisu gets annoyed by the name Kurisutina, but ignores it and responds. "Well, aside from our relationship, things have been quite interesting. There have been new students we must teach about how Viktor Chondria University works if they want to work in our environment, regardless of the place being very hostile. I have also been creating several new theories with other scientists. For example, the most recent theory that many scientists are trying to solve is teleportation. Finding ways to teleport objects from one place to another to conserve time. If we can succeed on this theory, then we hope to make it reality and have it at some point teleport people. Also, don't tell anyone about what I just said to you. It's classified information."

Okabe smiles. "As expected of my assistant to give me necessary information! And don't worry, I won't tell anyone else. As far as this teleportation theory, it's quite interesting, that could be vital to either the evolution of the destruction of this world!"

Kurisu sighs. "Yea, yea, but that is easier to say than to actually do it. It's to this day impossible to create a wormhole that is stable to transport an object. Then, there is the needed size to make it stable to transport larger objects when needed."

Okabe thinks for a second about how it could possibly be made possible. He understands a wormhole is needed to create teleportation, but he also concludes it is nearly impossible to create such a thing based on current technology. However, Okabe gives Kurisu a small idea. "Well if you need a wormhole to stay stable for a certain period of time, you need a device to help make it sustain. Then, you need the necessary power to be able to open a wormhole. Like some sort of gadget. The bigger the wormhole is, the bigger the device and greater energy is needed to keep it stable"

Kurisu gets stunned by Okabe's theory. "W-Wow Okabe. I never thought you would come up with an idea that could possibly be a step to creating a wormhole."

Okabe feels proud of himself but also knows about such a thing himself, because he has already done something related to teleportation before. He puts on his persona and responds. "Curious about how I know such things? That is because I, the insane mad scientist, have also been working on something similar to it!"

Kurisu's eyes become wide open and stand so close in front of Okabe as she is in shock to believe Okabe has already done something like that before. "HUH?! You have already tried to create a teleportation device on your own?!"

Okabe gets embarrassed as Kurisu is so close to him and looks away while speaking. "Y-Yea. H-However, there are still several problems with it that so far a wormhole isn't possible to create for even a second."

Kurisu feels a bit sad that Okabe never told her about that. "You never told me about that?"

"I would if you asked me, after all, you are my assistant! But also, it would be risky to tell you online, because you never know who would track us just to get their hands on the information."

"You have a point."

"Besides, the teleportation device was more of a random creation in the Future Gadget Laboratory than a serious project."

As Okabe mentions to Kurisu about the Future Gadget Laboratory, it makes her ask about the place. "Oh speaking about the Future Gadget Laboratory, what happened to it? I heard you own a proper lab now and your original lab is now called the old lab."