A Feeling For Her
Chapter 6
Change of Course
"This tree should be good," said Hajime. "What do you think, Shun?"
The two mercenaries were standing next to a large oak tree planted on the side of the railroad tracks alongside various other trees. Hajime held his axe in his right hand, while his left hand was placed on the tree.
Shun nodded. "Looks fine to me. Now, cut that tree down, and hurry! We don't know when that train is going to get here."
"I know, I know. Sheesh…" Sighing, Hajime picked up his axe and began chopping away at the wood.
Everything is going according to plan. Hajime thought, while he struck the tree repeatedly with his axe. I just need to convince Shun to be on my side.
He stopped swinging his axe for a moment, turning to look at his partner. "Hey, Shun, can I tell you something?"
"Hm?" Shun tilted his head. "Whaddup?"
Hajime opened his mouth but closed it before he could say anything. He wasn't entirely sure if Shun would be keen on his idea of helping the two captured CPU Candidates escape. His partner had made it very clear to him and Azna=Leb that he was only doing this for the money.
However, Hajime thought it was more important for him to let Shun know about his plan. Granted, he probably should've told him after he made that deal with the twins, but he now has a chance to correct this mistake.
"I promised the twins to help them escape," Hajime disclosed.
"What?!" Shun's eyes widened. "What the hell are you thinking!? You hit your head or something?!"
I knew he would react like this… Hajime thought, sighing out loud before continuing. "I don't want to see little children get killed by a hitman."
"Oh, so now, all of a sudden, you've got a heart? Give me a break!"
"That was before I knew those kids would be assassinated!" Hajime retorted. "I'm surprised you're willing to go along with this plan. I know you don't like children, but this is low, even for you!"
Shun paused for a second before he spoke. "So killing kids is too much for you, but kidnapping them is okay? Am I hearing that right?"
Hajime didn't say a single word because he knew his fellow mercenary had a point. Hajime had already crossed a moral line by kidnapping Rom and Ram during a festival dedicated to honoring the end of the deadliest war in Gamindustri history.
His stunned silence didn't go unnoticed by Shun, who let out a sardonic chuckle. "Yeah. That makes sense."
Shun's wry smile turned into a frown. "We've already come this far, Haj. So why should we stop now?"
"Because it's the right thing to do!" Hajime sighed before continuing. "Look, I know we already broke the law, but we still have a chance to make things right!"
"Maybe this self-righteous bullshit you've suddenly come up with is good enough for you, but I'm not willing to spend the rest of my life in jail," Shun explained. "We don't have time to talk about this. Just finish cutting down that tree."
"… Fine," Hajime muttered as he picked up his axe and started chopping again.
He hoped that Shun would come to his senses and do what was right. But, at the same time, he wasn't too surprised that his partner said no. After all, this was the same man who was hell-bent on getting that million-dollar reward from Azna=Leb.
Now, what am I going to do? Hajime thought, swinging his axe with much more force than before.
Just because Shun wasn't willing to go along with his plans doesn't mean he would go back on his word. Hajime promised those girls and aimed to keep it. He just needed to think of another way to carry out his plans without Shun knowing…
Suddenly a light bulb went up in Hajime's head. If he can't persuade Shun to help him, he could trick him into helping him.
But how could he do that? Hajime knew that Shun was street-smart, which was expected of someone who lived on the streets for most of their childhood.
Maybe I'll try this… Hajime thought. "You were right about what you said, Shun."
"Hm?" Shun uttered, looking up from the ground, blinking.
"We come too far to stop now, so we should just finish the job," Hajime continued.
"Heh, finally gave up on that stupid plan, eh? Good." Shun smiled. His voice almost sounded happy, which was a good thing for Hajime.
That should clear some suspicions he was having about me. Hajime thought.
It wasn't long before the oak tree started to shake. After giving it one last swing, Hajime quickly backed away from the falling tree, landing on the train tracks.
"Success!" Shun cheered, pumping his fist in the air. "Now let's go home and—"
"Wait!" Hajime blurted, causing Shun to turn around and look at him with confused eyes. "We can't go back."
"Why?" asked Shun. "We did what Azna=Leb wanted?"
"Yes, but do you think Lady Blanc and Lady C-Sha will let a tree stop them from finding those girls?" Hajime asked.
"… No." Shun finally answered.
Hajime nodded. "Exactly. Azna=Leb says we must stop Lady Blanc and Lady C-Sha from rescuing the twins."
"What are they going to do? Walk to the town?" Shun snorted mockingly.
"Well, yeah. We're in a hiking area where they can travel to Arcton," Hajime explained, as if it were obvious.
"What?! Why the hell did you choose this area then?!" Shun demanded.
"So we could be able to stop them for good," Hajime answered. "Follow me. I'll explain on the way to the spot we're going to stay at."
"What about Azna=Leb? He's expecting to see us once we're done chopping the tree," asked Shun.
"Don't worry about that. I'll call him and explain what we're doing. Just follow me," Hajime explained.
With his trusty axe in his right hand, Hajime walked into the woods with Shun following right behind him.
Everything is going according to plan… Hajime thought with a smile.
They're out like a light. Blanc thought, watching Vert and Irem sleep.
Blanc and her group were still riding on the train that was taking them to Arcton. It was a good thing Blanc told the others to pack snacks and other necessities just in case, the long trip would have killed her otherwise.
With Vert and Irem napping, it was just her and C-Sha on this train… with no one to interrupt them…
The thought of being alone on a train with C-Sha made Blanc blush, which she didn't understand because she's been alone with her partner before and never had these… strange feelings. The same feelings that she experienced whenever she was alone with C-Sha.
"Are you alright, Blanny?" C-Sha asked.
"Huh? What?" Blanc looked up at C-Sha, who was gazing at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Your face is practically red. Is everything okay?"
"I-I'm fine! I just got a lot on my mind, that's all!" Blanc answered, stuttering a bit.
Inside her mind, her four panicked brain cells were having, what they call, an emergency meeting.
Do something! You're making us look bad! Blanc B begged.
I'm trying to think of something else to say! Blanc A exclaimed.
Well, can you think a little FASTER!? Blanc B demanded.
I SAID I'M TRYING! DON'T RUSH ME, DAMN IT! Blanc A retorted.
C-Sha will think we're weird the longer we sit here and not say anything. Blanc C reminded them.
WE KNOW! Blanc A and B shouted in unison.
I know what to say in this situation! Blanc D claimed.
Then say it already! commanded Blanc A.
Alright, here goes nothing! Blanc D said.
"C-Sha, can I ask you a question?" asked Blanc.
C-Sha nodded with a smile. "Sure! What's up?"
"What was your first impression of me?" Blanc questioned.
This is your question? Blanc C said, unamused.
What?! It's a perfectly normal question to ask a friend! Blanc D retorted.
"My first impression? That depends," answered C-Sha. "Are you talking about when we fought at the tournament or after I saved you from those monsters in Lowee?"
"Either one," Blanc replied. She forgot that they technically met at the G1 Grand Prix Tournament, but they didn't officially meet each other until after Gamindustri was rewritten.
"My first impression, huh…" C-Sha echoed, giving the question some thought. "I thought you were pretty cute."
"R-Really?" Blanc stuttered, her cheeks turning bright red.
C-Sha nodded. "Yeah… Oh, and I thought you were a good fighter, too!" She added.
"You… you really th-think I'm… cute?" Blanc asked again.
"Absolutely! Is that so hard to believe?" asked C-Sha.
Blanc didn't know what to say. She never really saw herself as cute compared to the other CPUs, especially when they were in their goddess forms. So hearing C-Sha say that was a little hard to believe for the CPU of Lowee.
"I-It's just…" Blanc shook her head from side to side before continuing. "Thank you, C-Sha."
"Of course! Now, I have a question for you," C-Sha grinned. "Do you ever think about me?"
"W-What do you mean by that?" asked Blanc.
"You know… Do I occupy your mind a lot?" C-Sha clarified.
"…Sometimes…" Blanc answered. Although it was a half-truth because she didn't mention how often she thought about C-Sha lately. How she would daydream about hanging out with C-Sha whenever she was doing boring paperwork…
Of course, they were just friends in these daydreams because that would prove Rom and Ram were right about her having feelings for C-Sha. Besides, constantly thinking about her partner doesn't automatically mean she has a crush on her… right?
"Oh really?" C-Sha asked.
"Mmmhmm," Blanc nodded before looking at C-Sha, who was twirling her hair with an index finger. She felt her partner's gaze burn into her, making her cheeks flush with heat. This wasn't necessarily bad, as Blanc always thought C-Sha's gray eyes were gorgeous. "What about you?"
"I think about you often," C-Sha responded with a coy smile.
What kind of thoughts is she having about me?! Blanc thought, her face turning redder. She would ask that question out loud, but knowing C-Sha, she would just give her another cryptic answer.
All Blanc could do was speculate what C-Sha meant by that comment. She said that she thought about her often, so maybe there was a chance that she might be…
Blanc closed her eyes briefly and shook her head from side to side at the thought. There was no way her partner could be in love with her. Besides, Blanc never considered herself girlfriend material like her fellow CPUs. They were physically attractive and charming, qualities that Blanc felt she didn't possess.
Just before she could say or think anything else, the train came to a sudden halt.
We're there already? Blanc thought.
"Remmy, Vert, wake up," said C-Sha.
"Huh… wha…" Irem yawned and rubbed her bleary eyes.
"What's going on?" Vert asked while stretching.
"I think… we're in Arcton now?" Blanc guessed. She wasn't sure if they were at Arcton because she thought the train ride would last longer than this. After all, the town was located halfway across Lowee.
She wouldn't complain, though. The faster they got to the town, the sooner they could save her sisters from certain doom.
All four ladies gathered their belongings before heading out of the train. Blanc was the first to walk out of the door. She expected to see crowds of people waiting at the train station, either standing or sitting on a metal bench.
Instead, she saw trees as far as the eye could see. Then, looking down at the ground, she saw the train track covered with dead leaves and twigs. Not a single person was in sight except for her, her friends, and the other passengers who had also stepped out to see if they had arrived at their destination.
Did we get on the wrong train? Blanc thought, looking back up to see her surroundings with wide eyes. No, that couldn't be it. I made very sure that we got on the right train.
"Where are we?" C-Sha asked while stepping out of the train to stand next to Blanc.
"I don't know, but I know we're not in Arcton," Blanc answered.
"But we're close, though."
Blanc and C-Sha turned around to see Irem stepping out of the train along with Vert.
"Lady Vert and I just spoke with the conductor. She says we're halfway there, but she had to stop the train." Irem continued.
"Why?" C-Sha asked.
"I think I know why," Blanc added while pointing to a tree lying on the train tracks.
"Oh, dear…" Vert remarked.
"How the hell did that happen?!" Irem exclaimed.
Blanc shrugged. She would think the train station would delay or cancel the route to Arcton if a tree fell in the middle of the tracks.
No matter. Blanc had to think of another way to get to Arcton. However, there was just one problem. She doesn't know where she and her friends are right now.
Damn it! If only Mina were here, she could tell me if my team and I were close to Arcton. Blanc thought. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in her head. That's it!
"Vert, can you ask the railroad engineer where we are right now?"
"Sure," Vert stepped back inside the train to ask the railroad engineer that question.
"What are you planning, Blanny?" C-Sha asked.
"Yeah, spill it!" Irem added.
"I think I know how we can still get to Arcton, but that depends on what Vert tells me," Blanc answered. Then, she saw Vert step outside the train and walk toward her. "What did he say?"
"He says we're near the Dark Timberlands," Vert answered.
Blanc took her phone out of the bag, pressed the home button for a few seconds, and said, "Sierra, what is the walking distance from Dark Timberlands to Arcton?"
"The walking distance from Dark Timberlands to Arcton is five hours and forty-four minutes," Sierra answered.
"You heard Sierra. Let's start walking," Blanc said while putting in the coordinates in the GPS on her phone.
Vert's eyes widened. "We're not actually going to—"
"Sounds like a plan to me, Blanny," C-Sha interrupted, picking up her bag.
Vert looked at C-Sha as if she was crazy. "You can't be serious?!"
C-Sha looked at Vert with an arched eyebrow. "Do you have a better plan, Lady Vert?"
"…" Vert didn't say anything. Instead, she just frowned at C-Sha.
"Get moving, you two!" Irem snapped. She was standing next to Blanc, who was also waiting for C-Sha and Vert. "I got a bone to pick with a certain red-haired punk!"
Blanc narrowed her eyes at Irem. "We're also here to rescue my sisters, remember?" She reminded.
"Yeah, yeah, that too. Let's just get going already!" Irem retorted.
Someone's in a hurry. Blanc thought. She wouldn't judge Irem too much, as she was in a hurry to see Rom and Ram again.
"Alright, alright. We're coming shorty," C-Sha grinned, putting her backpack on her back before walking toward Irem and Blanc.
"Just because I'm five feet tall doesn't mean I'm short!" Irem protested.
Blanc listened to the GPS on her phone while leading the other ladies into the national Dark Timberlands forest. They passed by dense trees and thick brambles, with fallen leaves and twigs crunching under their feet. Blanc took the time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, listening to chirping birds and trees blowing in the gentle breeze.
"Wow…" Blanc mumbled in awe, looking around her surroundings. Seeing how beautiful one of Lowee's national forests was made her realize that she should probably go outside more to enjoy nature. Once she was done writing her tragic romance novel, she, her sisters, and C-Sha could go on a fun camping trip.
"Stay alert, ladies. There could be monsters lurking in these woods," Irem reminded.
"Oh, come now! I doubt there would be monsters lurking in this gorgeous forest. Speaking of gorgeous…" Vert picked up the pace a little so she could walk right next to Blanc. "Blanc, after we save Rom and Ram, I was wondering if you would like to play Four Goddesses Online 2 with me this weekend?"
Blanc gave Vert an incredulous stare. With the way that question was phrased, she could swear that Vert was asking her out on a date! If that were the case, then that question was even more unexpected because she never thought Vert, of all people, would ask her out. This was the same goddess who liked to remind her and everyone else how her oversized tits were the best thing since sliced bread. "T-This is so sudden… I—"
"I'm afraid Blanny can't hang out with you this weekend," C-Sha interrupted, walking beside Blanc on the left side. "We already made plans to go hunting this weekend."
"Yeah. I'm s-sorry, Vert…" Blanc was still taken aback by Vert's sudden question.
"She goes hunting with you two all the time! I'm sure you two could reschedule to go hunting on another day," Vert proposed.
"Actually, I—"
"A promise is a promise. If you really wanted to hang out with Blanny, you should've asked her before I did," C-Sha insinuated.
"Guys?" Blanc tried to get their attention but to no avail.
"What's that supposed to mean, C-Sha?" Vert narrowed her eyes. Her voice lowered, which caught Blanc off guard because she had never heard Vert sound like that before.
"I think you know damn well what it means, Vert," said C-Sha.
Blanc's eyebrows furrowed, and her lips pursed. "Can I say—"
Vert folded her arms across her chest and frowned. "I'll have you know, I care a great deal about Blanc! She is my friend and fellow CPU!"
"If you think making fun of Blanny's chest size shows much you care about her, then you have a funny way of showing it!" C-Sha retorted.
"Grrr…" Blanc gritted her teeth, clenching her fists. Her face hid beneath her hair while her right eye glowed red.
"I don't make fun of her! I playfully tease her as I do with all my close friends!" Vert shot back.
"WOULD YOU MORONS LET ME FINISH MY FUCKING SENTENCE!?" Blanc raged, causing C-Sha and Vert to widen their eyes at her. "I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF, GODDAMN IT!"
"Knock it off back there!" Irem snapped, glaring at C-Sha and Vert. "I don't have time to listen to your passive-aggressive catfight! If you two want to hang out with Blanc so bad, you can figure it out after we save Lady Rom and Lady Ram, capiche?"
"Fine…" C-Sha and Vert grumbled.
Blanc continued to walk while taking a few deep breaths until her anger subsided. What the hell is wrong with those two? Why were they fighting over me all of a sudden? She thought.
"So that's why you freaked out," Rom said as she watched Ram wordlessly shake her head yes. "Is this the first time this happened?"
"…Yes and no," Ram responded with a sigh. "I had nightmares about it before, but I never thought I would see it in the day. It felt like it was happening all over again."
Ram was usually a cheerful and energetic person. To hear her speak in a flat voice with her eyes cast down and her lips pinched broke Rom's heart so much that it almost made her want to cry for her twin sister. At the same time, seeing Ram's pained expression made her body tense and her heart pound because she knew CFW Trick was why Ram, no, they were like this.
Although Rom didn't have nightmares about the event like Ram, she sometimes would have unwanted memories. Certain parts of the incident flashed in her mind for a few seconds before disappearing. While those were brief, they still affected her in a way that startled her because they would appear out of the blue.
She wished Ram had told her about her awful dreams years ago but realized she had no room to talk because she hadn't told Blanc about her intrusive memories yet. She didn't even tell Mina when she was working at the basilicom.
"Oh, Ram!" Rom sniffled as she hugged Ram. No language on earth could describe how painful it was to see her little sister look worn out and miserable. "Once we're free, we'll tell Blanc what happened, okay?"
"You still think he's going to help us?" Ram scoffed dryly.
"Of course I do! He made a promise to us!" Rom countered.
Ram sighed again. "Just because he made a promise doesn't mean he's going to keep it."
Why doesn't she believe me? Rom thought with a frown.
Before she could say anything else, the phone from the other room rang. They heard Azna=Leb's footsteps walk towards the phone to pick it up.
"Hello?" Azna=Leb said.
Without hesitation, Rom and Ram got up from the floor and pressed their ears at the door, which was surprisingly undamaged by Ram's magic blasts from her staff.
"You'll be running late? Why? Don't tell me someone saw you two!" Azna=Leb asked.
Although she and Ram could hear Azna=Leb's voice, they couldn't hear the person who was talking to them on the phone. Rom figured Azna=Leb was talking to either Hajime or Shun because he asked why they weren't coming home immediately.
"Uh-huh. I see…" Azna=Leb spoke. "Well, make sure you and Shun get rid of that middle-aged hag and her friends. I don't want my plan to fall apart. Not when I've come too far to lose now."
Rom's posture stiffened, and her eyebrows drew together.
I can't believe this. Is Hajime really going to go back on our promise? Rom thought, slowly stepping away from the door.
"I told you he couldn't be trusted. He's a rotten, no-good crook," Ram attested. "Now, can we do my plan now?"
What choice did Rom have? The one man who seemed so friendly and trusting has let her down. He wasn't going to help her and Ram escape this place. He was only after himself, like all criminals are.
"Yeah," Rom nodded her head slowly. "Let's train together before the killer gets here."
I can already see the heavy piles of paperwork stacking on my desk. Noire thought, letting out a heavy sigh while staring out the window.
She, Uni, and K-Sha were sitting in the back of their private jet. They originally planned to go to Lowee and take the train to Arcton like their other friends did, but Noire decided it would be way easier if they took a private jet there instead. Besides, sitting in a private jet is more comfortable than sitting on a crowded train.
"What's wrong, Noire?" K-Sha asked.
"Hm?" Noire blinked at K-Sha.
"You sighed. Is there something wrong?" K-Sha clarified.
"O-Oh, nothing! I just got a lot on my mind!" Noire assured.
It was no secret that Noire was a workaholic. A certain pudding-loving goddess loved to tease her about it, but at least she was willing to put in the hard work to raise her nation's shares like a good CPU should.
At least, that's how Noire always saw it until she looked at her other fellow CPUs. She and Blanc were the only goddesses who worked hard to keep their nations running. Neptune and Vert, on the other hand, were more content with playing video games and slacking off while their oracles did all of the work. However, Planeptune and Leanbox still flourished despite their low share rate.
While thinking about her work and the other CPUs, Noire's thoughts were interrupted when she noticed her sister Uni fidgeting with her hands from the corner of her eye. She knew something was wrong with Uni because she wasn't usually like that unless something troubled her.
"What's the matter, Uni?" Noire asked.
Uni's cheeks flushed red. "Huh?! W-Why are you asking me that so suddenly?!"
"Because you're fidgeting with your hands," Noire explained plainly.
"… It's nothing," said Uni.
"Don't be shy, Uni! You can tell us anything!" K-Sha reassured with a smile.
Uni began to explain. "Well… It's about my date with Nepgear. I… I'm nervous."
"Why?" Noire asked. "It's not like you two haven't had a date before?"
"I know, it's just… I got a gift for her," Uni blushed harder and began fidgeting with her fingers faster.
"What kind of gift?" K-Sha asked.
"It's a bracelet I made," Uni responded with a sheepish smile. "I'm not sure if she would like it."
"Awww. I'm sure she'll like it!" K-Sha reassured.
"Thanks, K-Sha," Uni looked at Noire. "What do you think, sis?"
"Can I see the bracelet?" Noire requested.
"I don't have the bracelet with me. It's back at home," Uni answered. "But I can describe what it looks like it. It's a purple bead bracelet that has her name on it."
"…I think Nepgear will be touched," said Noire.
"You think so?" Uni's eyes lit up with hope.
Noire nodded her head yes. She doesn't know much about romance because she hasn't dated anyone before. However, she knew Uni's handmade bracelet gift was sweet and thoughtful. A gift like that is bound to make Nepgear feel very happy.
"We're here," The pilot said while landing the private jet in a public airport.
Once the jet landed on the ground, Noire and her team grabbed their belongings before stepping out of the aircraft. As they were doing that, Noire looked at her map of Arcton that she got from the Internet.
"So, where are we supposed to meet the others?" K-Sha asked.
"At the police station," Noire said, looking at the map. "We better get going."