Disclaimer: Xenosaga belongs to Namco not me.

A/N: The first installment of this story is going to end soon due to school starting soon and lack of ideas on my part. If requested, I'll probably write a sequel with the same characters and a few changes. Still a few chapters left including the rose festival.

Chapter XIV: Matchmaker


A few moments later—after Albedo's confession—they left the park and he dropped Momo off at her house. Not saying much other than mumbling 'bye.' Leaving a confused Momo behind.

He seemed relieved and somewhat anxious at the same time. The burden on his chest was lifted when he told Momo he loved her yet…he wasn't sure if she felt the same way. She did hug him back but he couldn't figure out whether it was out of sympathy or affection.

Albedo released Momo to see her reaction. From when he told her he loved her. Several emotions ran through her surprise, happiness, and confusion. She didn't know what to say.

Ring, ring. It was Momo's cell phone. 'Thank goodness,' she thought when she answered the call.

"Hello. Oh hi mom. What I need to be home soon? Okay I'm on my way." Momo closed her cell phone.

"I'm really sorry Albedo, but I have to go home now. I'll see you at school tomorrow." As she turned to leave, Albedo caught her arm.

"May I walk you home at least?" He asked meekly.

"Okay, if it isn't too much trouble." Momo replied.

He shook his head and they walked together home in silence.

End Flashback

As Albedo trudged home he saw Jr. approaching the boys' dorm. Trying to be unnoticed.

It looks like Rubedo's been out with a certain someone. Albedo thought with a smirk judging by his embarrassed expression.

"Ruubeedoo." He called.

"Albedo? Wh-where have you been?" He asked in surprise, tumbling out of the bush he was hidden.

"I was about to ask you the same question, dear Rubedo. Out with Sakura again, I suppose." Albedo teased.

"Hey, I—well what about you?" Jr. interrogated.

"I was…um…" He faltered for a second. "I had to retake a test for Mr. Cherenkov. He's a hard grader."

"Are you kidding me?" Jr. said, seeing right through the lie. "It's 5:00 p.m. already. If I hadn't known you any better, I would've thought you've gone out with a girl."

Albedo felt of pang of regret in his chest. For not telling Jr. or Gaignun of his affections for Momo. He remembered just a few months ago when they were joking about girls. And he'd said he wasn't interested. Back then, he thought girls were stupid but she changed that.

"I decided to stop by Moby Dick's after school." He added. It wasn't exactly a lie; he and Momo did hang out there for a while.

"Whatever." Jr. said, not really convinced. "Well, you better get your butt in here before Yuriev has your hide. C'mon."

It wasn't unusual for the U.R.T.Vs—mainly the variants—to linger around Second Miltia after school instead of going straight to the institute. Their father was very strict on being punctual but they didn't care. All he wanted them to do was encephalon diving and U-DO battle simulations.

"Do you think Nigredo's here?" Albedo asked.

"You mean goodie-two-shoes? Whaddaya think?" Jr. replied matter-of-factly.

Gaignun was the youngest but most well-behaved of the variants. He always concentrated on school work and did what he was told. No wonder he was the smartest and most mature of the three.

Jr. was the oldest but most mischievous of them. He slacked off at school and hardly listened to anyone. Although he was cocky he had a leadership disposition about him. The U.R.T.V's admired—and hated—him for his 'guts.'

Albedo was in the middle. He wasn't exactly 'obedient' as Gaignun or 'conceited' as Jr. but somewhere in between. He used to have a tendency to be shy and wimpy. Yet as he became less dependent of Jr. his cowardice went away.

"I guess your right." Albedo said before slipping in the window to their dorm.

Hospital

Currently Juli Mizrahi and Momo were at the hospital visiting Sakura. The doctors said she recovered miraculously in such a short amount of time.

Maybe because of Jr., Momo thought. She read somewhere the 'power of love' could have a great impact on recovery from illness or injury.

Sakura had a bright smile on her face, eager to go home. Juli seemed relieved and told her they would go out for ice cream in celebration. Momo grinned back. Mommy is going to spoil her with all the attention.

After the doctor gave her advice, they went home. Sakura sprinted to the U.M.N with unusual speed for someone who was just injured.

"Heelloo Ruubeedoo!" She sang sweetly. "How have you been? It's been sooooo loooong."

Momo laughed at her behavior. She was so happy her sister was finally home. They had many things to discuss…after she finished talking to Rubedo first. Which could probably take a few days knowing her, Momo thought laughing.

"Sakura it's really you?" Came the surprised answer from a familiar redhead.

"The one and only." She responded. Using the same phrase he used when he came to her window one night.

"Sweetheart, I've been waiting forever for you to come home." He gushed.

"Same with me, darling Rubedo." She cooed.

Nigredo and Albedo made gagging noises in the background. Momo laughed at their antics. They both grinned widely at her reaction.

"Get outta here, you two." Jr. shooed the two away.

"Yeah I think I'll leave you guys alone." Momo giggled leaving the room.

"Now where were we?" Jr. asked grinning suggestively.

"Oh stop it Rubedo. Anyway how have you been?" Sakura said.

"As good as I could be without you." He replied.

Sakura sighed at his cheesiness. "What about your brothers?"

"Oh them? They're fine…although they have been acting a bit strange lately." He said honestly.

"How so?"

"I dunno. Just weird. Especially when they're around Momo."

"Really?"

"Yep. I have a hunch they have something toward her."

"Is it bad?"

"Oh no, not like that. More like romantic interest."

"Is that so?"

"Though Momo doesn't seem to get the hint. Then again, they're being pretty subtle. It's like they're waiting for someone to—"

"Are you saying we should...?"

"I think we should play a little matchmaker."

"Rubedo!" She scolded. "It's not right."

"What? We're just giving them a boost."

"I don't know."

"Just this once." Jr. pouted showing irresistible puppy eyes. "I don't want my brothers to be lovesick forever."

"The thing is…how are we going to get Momo to choose between two perfectly good boys?"

"Leave that to the rose festival." He said with a smirk.

"Alright, but if anything goes wrong, I might have to disown you." She said mock serious.

"Believe me, everything will go according to plan."

"Somehow I doubt you."

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. See you tomorrow princess." Jr. flashed his trademark grin before closing the connection.

xXx

Meanwhile, Momo decided to write a few entries in her diary. She got it recently after Sakura came home from the hospital. Ever since she stumbled upon her sister's journal, she decided to have one of her own. Although Momo never told her she read her diary.

September 15th

Dear Diary,

My name is MOMO Mizrahi and I am a prototype 100-Series Observational Realian. I was developed to observe and contact Gnosis, an alien life from that can only be detected by a "special sense."

MOMO is short for Multiple Observative Mimetic Organicus. My name was changed to Momo after my father's deliberate car crash after a kidnapping attempt for me.

I currently attend Miltian Secondary School in 7th grade. I live with mommy, Juli Mizrahi and sis, Sakura. My daddy was Joachim Mizrahi, a famous scientist who created me.

I love helping people out and making friends. Mommy and Sakura always call me optimistic. Although sometimes I am shy and childish, I can be really nice too. Well, now that you know about me, I hope to write more diary entries soon.

(/) Momo


Review Replies:

Ariennye: Thanks for the review. Slight MomoxGaignun in the next chapter. Although it's probably obvious what the outcome pairings are, it's more interesting when there are conflicts.

Devilman666: I forgot about that scene. But this is AU so it doesn't have to be exact. Maybe I'll include that in the next chapter.

Kos-mosMomo: Yeah Albedo loves Momo, though she isn't sure if she likes him back .