Netto sat in his room balancing his pencil on his nose. It was just one of those long afternoons where time kind of seemed to stop and live only moved on outside your door. Rockman was out ordering new battle chips from Higure his mom was out shopping and his dad was god knows where. Netto was someone who always liked to be on the move, but if there was nowhere to move too, then why bother?
"Netto-san?" a soft voice greeted him from his computer.
Netto looked at his monitor and let the pencil fall from his nose. He smiled and waved at the familiar red navi, "Hi Blues," he said cheerfully.
Blues gave him a small half grin and held up an e-mail, "This is from Enzan-sama. He says you need to fill out your report on the net crime you investigated last week."
Netto looked to the side, "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said trying to feign innocence.
"Netto-san," Blues said in an almost reprimanding tone, but not quite.
Netto laughed and downloaded the e-mail into his computer. "I know, I know, it's my job and my duty yadda yadda yadda…" he said while skimming its contents.
Blues sighed, "It's not just 'yadda' Netto-san, it really is your job."
Netto gave Blues a broad grin that made the red navi blush slightly. "I know that. But it's fun to mess with you," he giggled. "You're always so uptight and soft spoken."
Blues had the pride to look indigent, "I do not," he protested.
"Oh?" Netto asked. "Why is it always, 'yes Enzan-sama' or 'okay Enzan-sama,' 'right away Enzan-sama," Netto mocked.
Blues was silent for a bit and Netto wondered if he had pushed the navi too far. He opened his mouth to apologize but Blues cut him off, "You're right. I can't talk to Enzan-sama the way I talk to Rockman, or you."
"It's not hard," Netto said while crossing his arms. "You just, talk. Enzan is human, Blues. And he's no where near as bad as he used to be. You can talk to him any way you wish."
Blues gave a short laugh, "Heh, you know Netto-san, I wish I could. But I'm not like you or your navi. I have my own programming and it's what tells me I can and can not do."
"But you have free will to stay here and talk with me even though I sure Enzan told you to go back after you gave me the E-mail," Netto pointed out. Blues faltered and Netto smirked, "I thought so."
"It's not that simple!" Blues said.
Netto shrugged, "I didn't say it was. I was just pointing out the facts. Blues, you control yourself and you know it. I think you just use your programming as an excuse to be anti-social."
Blues was aghast, how could a 12 year old read him like that? Not even Enzan-sama knew him like that, and he had been his navi for years. "See, I'm right," Netto cheered.
"You certainly are an interesting human," Blues mused.
"Thank you," Netto grinned. "You just need to get out more," he said. "Enzan is easy to talk to once you get over the fact that he can be a jerk sometimes and you're easy to talk to cause you listen and know the right things to say."
Blues blushed, "Really?" he asked.
Netto nodded, "Yeup. You're like Rockman in that way. He knows how to listen and he tells me things I don't always want to hear," Netto made a face, "But he still knows what to say and when to say it, like you."
Blues actually gave Netto a genuine smile, "Thank you Netto-san."
"Why Blues, you can actually smile?" Netto teased the navi.
Blues didn't reply but instead bowed out of Netto's computer and went back into the data stream. It was amazing how Enzan's greatest rival and friend could bring out the best in him. No wonder Rockman was so happy all the time. They truly were friends; they talked about everything and shared secrets. It was nice to know that he had someone like that as well.
He appeared back inside his computer and announced his arrival back home. "Enzan-sama?"
"Blues, you're back?" Enzan asked.
"I'm sorry, Enzan-sama, I got lost."
Enzan frowned but didn't pursue it.
"Enzan-sama?" Blues asked.
"Hm?" Enzan asked.
Blues opened his mouth, "I…" Why was it so hard to start a conversation with his operator?
Enzan smiled, "Did Netto try and get out of filling out the report?" he asked.
Blues nodded, "Yes, he did."
Enzan shook his head in an amused manner, "Ah well. Maybe you can go later and make sure he writes that report. Manabe is bugging me about it because Netto is in school."
"Yes, Enzan-sama." Blues paused, "Are you going to eat soon?" he asked suddenly.
Enzan nodded, "Yes, why?"
"No reason, Enzan-sama," Blues said.
Later that evening he was with Netto and Rockman when he finally asked a question he had been wondering for years. "What is it like to taste?" he asked.
Netto laughed loudly, "Well, that's a hard question."
Rockman crossed his arms, "Really? You don't eat enough to know the answer?" he teased.
Netto stuck his tongue out at his navi then they both laughed.
Blues would get to know Enzan-sama in the way Netto and Rockman knew one another in due time. But at that moment it was just easier to be with people he could talk too.