After dinner was finished, Dr. Sanada and Yayoi took the long ride in the Sanada's van to Dr. Rara's hilltop laboratory to go over some of the final details. She had eagerly accepted the offer after witnessing the scene upstairs. She'd do anything to get her out of the home that brought her such sorrow.

The nighttime ride to the lab was a refreshing change for Yayoi. She had seen the countryside numerous times during the day, but never at night. Every familiar landmark seemed to have a new face to it, a new aura surrounding it. She would have to take this trip again before they left.

Sliding his security card in the door lock, Dr. Sanada held the door open for his colleague, a wide smile across his lips. He was like a child returning to the store to get the latest, greatest toy. Dr. Sanada quickly followed behind Yayoi, rushing her towards the main control room for core robot construction and maintenance.

The room was empty; most of the computers already stored onboard the newly constructed spaceship. The sole remaining terminal was being occupied by Dr. Hayase, who was busy analyzing data on the core robots for any errors, no matter how minute.

Dr. Sanada approached her, his strange smile remaining on his face, and gave her a good friendly slap to the back that nearly caused her to have a heart attack. Noticing her distress, he responded, "I apologize, Dr. Hayase. I didn't mean to startle you."

Dr. Hayase gave him a small scowl, but noticed the other visitor and decided to control her tongue. She turned back to her terminal and stated coolly, "The systems check is almost complete, Sir. Once it is completed, we can begin loading the core robots onto the spaceship."

Dr. Sanada studied the data that Hayase had up on her screen, nodding and repeating the word 'Yes' over and over. Yayoi, although slightly interested in the discussion the two were having, quickly found herself tiring of the two doctors' antics. She stepped towards the observation window, looking out onto the core robots that were lined up precisely.

Except, of course, for Zinv.

The largest, most powerful, and only remaining original core robot stood beside Unit Two, which had been nicknamed Katana, its hand interlocked with Katana's. Yayoi frowned as she oversaw the scene. There was no escape.

"Touching, isn't it," The familiar voice had emanated from Yayoi's right- hand side.

Yayoi spun quickly to see the face of the intruder.

Hironobu Kamikochi flashed his flawless smile at the unique beauty. "Isn't it amazing to see machines that are capable of expressing such human emotions as love?"

Shocked beyond belief, Yayoi stammered, searching for the proper words to say, but only finding silence.

"Ah, Yayoi! I see you've met our financial sponsor. You remember Mr. Kamikochi, don't you," Dr. Sanada asked, adding, "You were going to be engaged to him, remember?"

Yayoi turned her head towards the doctor, her deep blue eyes glaring at him as she replied politely, "Yes, of course I remember Mr. Kamikochi."

Dr. Sanada, sensing the cold stare upon like an icy finger of death, quickly came up with an escape route. "Uh... Dr. Hayase and I need to check something on the walkway. Um... See ya!"

As the doctors passed the couple, Hayase could be heard whispering, "Smooth move, Pineapple Head."

Defensively, Dr. Sanada responded, "Hey! I told you that no one called me by my college nickname! It's so... so," he began sniffling, finishing his sentence, "Hurtful!"

"There, there, sir. I'll find you some tissues."

As the door shut behind the two doctors, Yayoi turned her head back to face the businessman. "Tell me, sir, are you stalking me or am I the victim of coincidence?"

"I prefer to think of it as fate, my dear," Hiro flashed her another smile with a wink.

Yayoi rolled her eyes. "First off, does that line ever work for you? Second, my name is Yayoi, not 'dear'. You would do well to remember this."

Hiro laughed a very sincere, heart-felt laugh. Yayoi couldn't help but be slightly captivated by the laughter's charm, on a scientific level.

Continuing to smile, he replied, "First Answer: I don't know, did it work for you? Second Answer: I will, Yayoi."

Yayoi growled at the irritating, attractive man. She moved a few steps away from Hiro and went back to looking out the window.

The two stood in silence for a small eternity, staring at the pilots' expression of their love through their core robots. Finally, Hiro interrupted the silence with a soft comment.

"I envy them." The comment sounded as if it were expressing a void that the speaker had within himself. The tone was so out-of-character that Yayoi found herself looking at the man beside her as if it were the first time she had laid eyes upon him.

It was the first meaningful thing he had said to her.

Yayoi returned her gaze to the two core robots, trying to fight the tears building inside her. "As do I."

Hiro's lips made a small smile, not even exposing his perfect teeth. He turned and faced the teacher, bowing his head slightly. "I'm afraid that we have not gotten off on a good start. I feel I must apologize for this."

Yayoi turned to face Hiro, bowing her head slightly in return of his gesture. "Of course I forgive you."

Hiro felt as if a weight had been lifted off of his chest. Without hesitating another moment, he blurted out, "Would you like to go out to dinner tomorrow evening?"

Yayoi's cheeks turned bright red. She had had a feeling that the invitation would eventually present itself to her, but she was not expecting it so early. She wasn't sure how she was going to respond.

Hiro, undaunted, added, "I'm not leaving you alone until you say yes! I know where you work!" He nervously smiled at the obviously humorous false- threat, hoping she didn't interpret it the wrong way.

Sighing slightly, Yayoi nodded. "Very well, I will go. Just don't get any funny ideas!"

Hiro quickly held up his hands. "I won't! I won't!" He then bowed deeply to the young teacher, rising and looking straight into her eyes. "Thank you, Yayoi. I will pick you up at twenty hundred sharp!"

She felt her cheeks burning brightly. Why was Yayoi having this response to this man? He was no Kazuki Yotsuga, that's for sure, but something was different about Hiro than the last time she had seen him. He seemed more independent, more animated.

"Well, ma'am, I am afraid that I must be leaving. I have a couple of early meetings I must attend in the morning, unfortunately."

Yayoi bowed and Hiro returned the gesture. She replied simply, "It was a pleasure, sir. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening."

Hiro nodded, stating, "Not nearly as much as I you," before exiting the control room.

Yayoi watched the man leave, analyzing him carefully. He hadn't changed a bit since she last saw him almost five years ago.

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"Ugh! Forget it!" Yayoi snarled, throwing the tube of lipstick into the nearby trashcan. None of the colors seemed right, so she grabbed the one she always used and quickly applied it before running out the door.

Mrs. Nanjyoin sipped her tea, watching the escapade unfolding before her. She chuckled slightly as Yayoi stumbled around in one high-heel and one house slipper. Yayoi had been halfway through the door when she realized she'd forgotten something and headed back.

One hour later, she was still changing clothes and other accessories.

"Grandma, how do I look," Yayoi pleaded, standing before Mrs. Nanjyoin wearing one circular earring, one square-shaped earring, an orange purse, a purple dress, a red house slipper, and a white high-heel.

Mrs. Nanjyoin tried to contain her laughter. She had been trying to arrange this marriage between her and Mr. Kamikochi for five years now. She couldn't allow such a poor composition to leave the house. Rising to her duty, she approached her granddaughter and removed the square-shaped earring, the orange purse, and the white high-heel shoe. "Sit, dear. I will be just a minute."

Obediently, Yayoi flopped onto the couch and waited for her grandma, who hobbled up stairs at a calm pace. How could she be so peaceful? Yayoi was already thirty minutes late and now she was probably going to miss Mr. Kamiko-- Hiro-- altogether. Not that she minded standing him up, she just did not wish to go back on her word.

Mrs. Nanjyoin slowly descended the steps, a pair of purple high-heels, the other half of the earring pair, a matching jacket, and a matching purse in her hands. Reika smiled as she approached her granddaughter, proud of how attractive she looked, mismatched or no. "Here you go, dear."

Yayoi quickly put on the earring and jacket before accepting the offered purse and pair of shoes. "Thank you, grandma! I've got to go!"

"There is no need to rush, dear," Mrs. Nanjyoin smiled sweetly as Yayoi rushed towards the door, making sure she was in the proper area before putting her shoes on.

"No need? I'm already thirty minutes late, grandma! What kind of impression does that give that arrogant irritant," Yayoi quizzed her elder, straightening her jacket as she looked in the mirror.

"Yes, no need. Mr. Kamikochi was running late as well."

"Huh?" Yayoi froze, slowly turning to face her grandma. "How did you know this?"

"He called me abo--," Reika quickly changed her alibi, not wanting to give too much away. "I was informed by certain parties that he would be late. I informed them that it was most disgraceful, but that we would forgive him this time. That is, if he met certain conditions, of course. Needless to say, I won't be waiting up for you, my dear. Have fun," she trailed off, a devious little grin on her face.

"What's that supposed to," Yayoi was interrupted mid-sentence by the doorbell.

Turning the knob carefully, she peeked out of the crack she had created before gasping and letting the door open fully.

"I apologize for making you wait, Ms. Schwael. If I angered you in any way, please accept these as an offering of peace," Mr. Kamikochi, who was bowing, had not looked up from Yayoi's shoes and thus had missed her response to the two chauffeurs who were carrying a large flower arrangement for Ms. Schwael and Mrs. Nanjyoin respectively. "I brought a separate chauffeur and car with me in case you were too annoyed with my presence to even ride with me."

Yayoi merely stuttered at the extravagant display before her.

Mrs. Nanjyoin, the ever-wise woman she was, quickly brushed past Yayoi. "Nonsense, Mr. Kamikochi! Ms. Schwael will ride with you! Am I correct, dear?"

"Y-yes, that is perfectly acceptable."

Hiro rose, nodding to one of the chauffeurs who placed the flowers just inside the door and promptly left with the first limo. The remaining chauffeur placed the second bouquet next to the first inside the door and returned to the second limo, opening the door and standing next to it.

"Shall we go, Ms. Schwael? With your permission, of course, Mrs. Nanjyoin," Mr. Kamikochi formally bowed his head towards the slightly stunned Mrs. Nanjyoin, who simply nodded her agreement. "Good," Hiro offered his arm to Yayoi.

Yayoi looked at the arm, seeing this little show for what it was, and stepped around Hiro, heading towards the limo. She smiled at the chauffeur, whose emotionless stare broke only momentarily to return the smile, before entering the vehicle.

Confused, Hiro gave Reika a questioning look. She merely shrugged her shoulders and thanked him for coming as quickly as he could, inquiring, "How is your mother doing, Mr. Kamikochi? I haven't spoken to her in quite some time."

A small shadow passed over his face as he looked at the elder. Gathering all the information she required from that expression, she nodded and said, "I see. My apologies." Finished for the evening, she excused herself and headed back to her unfinished tea inside.

Sighing heavily, Hiro prepared himself for a long and interesting evening.

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"... And if you expect me to be impressed with your flashy cars and flowers, Mr. Kamikochi, you have another thing coming," Yayoi, who was taking a page right out of Mitsuki Sanada's 'How to Win a Man's Heart in Three Years' book, had not let up on the poor entrepreneur since he had stepped into the limo.

He merely smiled in return, stating calmly, "Now, Ms. Schwael, I told you my name is Hiro."

Blushing slightly, Yayoi realized her error and corrected herself by simply saying, "And I am Yayoi."

Hiro nodded, his smile never dimming, "So I've heard. As for the limo and the flowers, next time I will allow you to ride on my back the entire way, if it would please you."

"Next time? That's a bit presumptuous!"

Hiro laughed. "You are correct, of course. Forgive me."

"We'll see," Yayoi eyed the man suspiciously. He may have appeared to be more animated than he was five years ago, but that wasn't necessarily a good thing. One always had to be on the lookout for lechers and such.

"Why are you looking at me like I just drilled a hole in your shower wall or something?"

Yayoi's cheeks reddened, which she quickly hid. "I am doing no such thing, Hiro! The mere thought from you shows where your mind is!"

Hiro shrugged, "Not at all, being quiet for so many years taught me many powers of observation. For example, you were wondering if I was some kind of pervert just now. I assure you, I am not."

Yayoi's blushing increased in intensity. Not even attempting to deny it, she dipped her head quickly and softly replied, "It appears that I am now the one seeking forgiveness."

Hiro chuckled, "No offense taken, Yayoi. You know very little about me except what you've heard from Mrs. Nanjyoin and my... My mother." Hiro turned his attention away from Yayoi towards the passing cityscape surrounding the limo.

"How is she?"

"Hmm," Hiro looked back towards the teacher.

"Your mother. I haven't seen her recently, which is a surprise because usually you two are attached at the hi--," Yayoi barely stopped herself in time, ripping up another page from Mitsuki's book.

Hiro laughed. It started slightly nervously, but ended with true amusement. "Yes, I suppose I did let her do most of the leading, talking, and other fine points. You know how pushy our elders can be."

Yayoi nodded in agreement. After all, it was her grandmother who had set up this arranged marriage business five years ago. It was the same elder who told her to remain home that fateful day that Kazuki told Mitsuki how he felt.

Seeking to get her mind off such a sad subject, she quickly responded, "You still haven't told me: How is your mother?"

Hiro half-smiled, turning his attention back out the window. "She's dead. Has been for about two years."

Yayoi's color paled whiter than a sheet of notebook paper. "I-I-I am so sorry!" She bowed her head deeply, kicking herself for not putting it all together earlier.

Hiro simply chuckled softly. "It's ok. You did not know."

For the rest of the ride to the restaurant, the couple remained silent.

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The dinner, much like the ride to the restaurant, was extravagant.

Yayoi, much like she was with the limo, was unimpressed with the scene. The intimate restaurant was new to the area, but was packed full of people. Hiro had requested and of course received a table next to a giant bay window, through which Yayoi was presently watching couples passing by happily.

The waiters did their best to handle the patrons, but they were clearly understaffed and unprepared for so many on their opening weekend. The poor attendants came and went in a hurried fashion, but always seemed to pay particular attention to Hiro and her table. Every now and then, she would glance over at the kitchen and swore she saw at least two sets of eyes staring back at them each time.

Despite Yayoi's indifferent view of the surroundings, she was unexpectedly interested in her dinner date. For most of the evening, Hiro had been posing questions to Yayoi; asking about her past five years and how they had transpired, giving little to no information of his activities of late. When asked about the last five years, he would smile and politely reply, "Oh, nothing nearly as entertaining as your stories of what has occurred in your life," and the subject would quickly change.

For some reason, Yayoi found herself at ease with a man other than Kazuki for the first time when she sat with Hiro. After a glass or two of wine, she even found herself revealing little secrets she would have normally kept private as she looked around the fake plants for any suspicious characters.

"... And so they're engaged. Romantic, isn't it," Yayoi inquired of her gracious host, finishing the thin layer of merlot that remained in the glass. Though her words made her sound cheerful, her watering eyes told otherwise.

Hiro sighed, still nursing his first glass of wine. Their meals had taken longer than expected, but it had allowed him more time to see what Mrs. Nanjyoin had told him about first hand. The poor woman was heart-broken. Part of him wanted to ask for the check and get the hell out as fast as possible. A stronger sense from deep within told him to remain patient, though. Downing the rest of his glass, he spat out quickly before his better judgment could halt the words from exiting his lips, "Wasn't he a little too young for you?"

Yayoi's glare was as cold as the Antarctic at first, but slowly mellowed as the words sank in. Staring at her emptied glass, she considered what Hiro had said, responding carefully, "To some, perhaps, but he was my knight in shining armor..."

"So, you held him up on a pedestal and when he did not meet your expectations or desires, your world fell apart?"

The waiter, who had promptly placed a plate in front of the famished young woman as he approached, interrupted Yayoi's scowl. Hiro's plate was accompanied with numerous apologies from the chef and owners of the restaurant, which he waived off with a smile. "Not a problem, my friend. It happens."

Forgetting all about the discussion at hand, Yayoi began eating her meal. It was almost as good as Mitsuki Rara's cooking had been. The Sanada household had unfortunately not been graced with such meals for many moons and thus, the only way to experience such fine cuisine was to order out.

"So, is it good," Hiro asked, poking at the food with his chopsticks.

Yayoi finished swallowing her mouthful before responding emphatically, "Of course it is! Haven't you had this before?"

Hiro shook his head. "My mother was friends with the owner prior to his opening a restaurant. I came here as a personal favor to his family. To be honest, I've found that some favors tend to have a sour taste," Hiro chuckled, lifting a small portion of the meal up to his mouth and letting it sit for a moment before swallowing it. Approving of the taste, he began eating with as much fervor as Yayoi, who was almost done with the dish.