Hey, happy new year, everyone. I'm back, and I have a bit to say. If you read more than one of my stories, this little blurb is going to be kind of the same across all of the stories so feel free to skip it.

But basically, after finishing the original And How Was Your Day, I really fell off on writing. I chalked it up to going to the office more, but frankly I just wasn't feeling a ton of motivation to write, and that went across a lot of my stories. For some of my other projects, I considered starting over from zero and restarting, but frankly I was just being lazy and didn't want to push forward to the end. I kind of forgot how fun it was to write.

NaNoWriMo 2021 came around. And I blasted through that shit. I mean, it's like 1667 words a day, and I was frequently writing 2k+. I wrote in a notebook, then typed it up, and for the first time it was fun to write. I got to kind of just write for myself again, and I think that's why I stumbled for a while, is that I wasn't quite writing for myself, anymore, I was more writing for you guys, and so I forgot to just go along with the flow and have some fun. Not that you guys aren't cool, it's just that it's more fun to fool around and be less serious about writing sometimes.

So, I have decided to try to get back on writing again. It's gonna be tough to juggle uhhhh a lot, because I have Japanese, some editing work, and this. Plus, I'll be actively trying to get the novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo published, though it'll likely be self-published since ahahaha I doubt my stuff is good enough for that, but it'll be a nice goal to see through. I started to have fun with writing again, and I hope it carries through.

Chapters probably won't be as long as they used to be, but I think it's because I just cut them off when they felt right, rather than adding scenes just to feel like I hit a length requirement. Feels good to be back after all this time, though. Let's see it through.


Chapter 6: Home Run


For some reason, I had another restless evening, and I could feel that I needed to exhaust myself to make sure I could actually get to sleep.

So, I took the equipment Lady Vert had given me and brought it out to a nearby public field.

It was deathly quiet, being so late that the sun had already set a while ago, and I was just glad that the streetlights were close and bright enough to where they illuminated the batting area.

THOOMP!

The silence of the night is broken only by the occasional sound of a pitching machine and—

"Hyah!"

KRRRRK!

—the sound of a baseball being struck by a bat, sending it flying through the air. Not my best hit, huh…

I see someone slinking around the park as I continue to take swings, watching them out of the corner of my eye. But, I'm not worried.

After all, that person would never do anything to intentionally harm me.

The rattling of the chain link fence can be heard in between swings as a feminine grunt goes along with it, as I see the figure climb the fence.

"Iiiiiiit's the bottom of the ninth, with first and third loaded, the Planeptune Hearts down by only one but it could all change right here!"

I try not to roll my eyes at the cheesy narration, swinging to hit the incoming ball. It goes decently into the outfield before touching the ground.

"Aaaaand they're running—one, two—and it is over!" I hear as I lightly jog to first base, before another grunt can be heard alongside the signs of someone hitting the ground.

"There was a gate, you know." I say, pointing to said open gate only a few feet away from where she landed as I walk to the pitching machine, turning it off.

The intrepid girl who decided it was better to climb only smiles back. She's dressed in dark brown khakis that pair well with her similarly colored newsboy cap, wearing a light blue, short sleeved blouse that contrasts nicely. Her black hair is still cut into that usual bob cut, a bright red ribbon weaved into the left side.

"But it's not as fun, Elliot. How you doing?"

"Pretty good. You been doing okay, Melanie?"

I smile, getting a bright one back from the girl who used to be my girlfriend. I walk back to home plate, meeting her there as she walks up to the field, looking around.

"Feels like old times, huh?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "Well, I was a pitcher, not a batter, but yeah. Little too late, though. Our parents would've killed us for being out this late."

Melanie shivers, despite the late summer heat. "Don't remind me of when I got grounded."

"Hahahaha. But it was just as bad on me. We had to go straight home after school, or at least, for me, after work."

"Hehe, it was bad since we were glued at the hip."

"What are you doing up this late? I mean, it's a weekend tomorrow, but still."

"Oh, you know. Couldn't sleep. Tried some warm milk, but decided just to walk. Not like I have to be up tomorrow, anyways."

"Ah, I see."

A strange sort of silence overtakes us as we look up at the clear, star-filled night sky.

"You got the letters, right?" She suddenly says.

"Mhm. I read them both already."

"Oh, I see…"

I raise an eyebrow. "Should I… not have?"

She scratches her cheek, clearly a little flushed. "No, it's just… I was hoping to meet you before you read them. I wrote some pretty embarrassing stuff, ahahaha…~ I basically confessed again in that letter."

"Thanks for the encouragement."

"Eughgh…"

"I mean it, Melanie."

"I know you do, it's just… maybe I should have rewrote it a few more times." she pauses. "You know… It's definitely too late for us, but sometimes I still think about that day."

I put my hands in my pockets, still looking up in the air. "It crosses my mind, too."

Melanie giggles. "Both of us knew it was a mistake, but we let it happen anyway. And even I knew you didn't want to do it, but I still let you do it, which was a failure on me as your girlfriend then and as a friend in general. But, the thing that is more on my mind is after."

"After?"

"Well, there was that weird sense of distance between us, right?"

I grimace. "Yeah, I remember that. Made it really awkward when we'd both be there, even with the whole group together."

"Hehe, definitely. But, I distinctly remember how you fought like hell to get rid of it. So we could at least be friends again. I ran away a lot, but you wouldn't give up on me."

"I guess I can be pretty stubborn at times."

"At times?"

"Oi." I say, giving her a hard nudge in the ribs.

Melanie only laughs, stepping away to dodge. I sigh, looking back up the night sky. "I always wondered what might've been going through your mind back then."

"I… probably was selfish. I didn't care that we broke up, because I thought I really shouldn't hold you back. But I wanted to still have you in my life, because back then I couldn't picture myself without you or any of our other friends there. So I had to fight for it."

"Hehehe, is that right?" I catch Melanie moving her head in the corner of my sight, so I look back down to face her. "It'll serve you well soon enough, huh?"

"Hm?"

"With Lady Noire, I mean."

"W, what does Lady Noire have to do with this?!" I protest.

"I mean, you've got to deal with the press, her fans, and I've heard her sister is pretty protective of her." Melanie says, counting off with her fingers. "You've gotta fight for her like you did me, okay~?"

"T, this and that are different!"

"Oh, no way, you're blushing! Oh, oh, now I know how the others felt when they teased us!"

"Sh-shut up, Melanie!"

"You have to go all out for her, okay?" Melanie says, leaning in close. "I'll make sure to tell her eeeeeeverything you did for me, so you have to top it."

"W, w, wasn't the gala already bigger than anything I did?!"

"Ehhhhhh?" Melanie asks with a knowing smile as she puts a finger to her chin. "But if you two were really just friends then, it doesn't count, right?"

"Did you come all this way just to tease me!?"

Melanie giggles, moving her hands behind her back. "I wanted to speak face to face with an old friend again, when I saw you while I was walking around."

"You could just visit the shop."

"It's not the same as just hanging out, though. So," Melanie claps her hands together in front of her. "I wanted to take advantage of this incredibly rare opportunity. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and all of that."

I roll my eyes at this, getting another giggle in reply. "You sure it's not just for work? And that you weren't actually searching for me instead of coincidentally running into me?"

"Hehheh, I won't say. Butl, if you want to give me any juicy bits, maybe I'll exchange some info~" She says, flashing a smile. "But it's okay, you don't have to say a thing—"

"Oh, thank good—"

"—because it's written all over you. Be sure to confess properly, okay?"

"Q, quiet, you!"

"But, I'm glad."

"Huh?"

"You're always so selfless, Elliot. I was worried, for a while, that you wouldn't be able to move on from that day."

"I still think about it, you know."

She shakes her head. "No, but that's different. Teasing aside, opening yourself this much to Lady Noire, it just shows me that you've become a lot stronger and can reach out to people again."

"Don't word it so dramatically."

"Heh. But you did seem a little worried about something."

"Ah, it's just… keep it a secret, okay? Seriously, this is for something really important to me."

She nods.

"...so, I'm thinking of moving the shop to Lastation."

"Oh… oh, really?"

"Turns out the original iteration of Lapin House used to be there, and my mentor asked me to go there."

"Works out well with your wife, right?"

I sigh at Melanie's teasing. "It's just… I'm worried about breaking really good friendships with those who I leave behin—gagh!"

Melanie interrupts me by jumping up and landing right on my toes.

"Iiiiidiot!" She says, stepping back before putting her hands on her hips and leaning forward. "If they're really your friends, they won't be so bothered by it! They'll always have your back, like me! And like I said, absence makes the heart grow fonder! They'll be way happier to see you each time, if you can't hang out every day!"

She pauses, taking a breath.

"Besides, I know how hard you work. You won't let those friendships just dissolve without a fight."

"It's still kind of scary to think about, even if you tell me that."

"You really get caught up on this stuff, huh? Well, you've always been like that, so I guess old habits die hard."

"Sorry to put a damper on the mood."

"It's fine, it's fine. Oh, right, where was I? Right! Since you can reach out to people again, it means she's totally in your range. So, if you think you might like her, you have my full support, so just go for it!"

Flashing yet another smile and a peace sign, I remember just why I fell hard for her in the first place. It always came down to that smile, that smile that made me feel like I could do anything, and wanting to be under the light of that bright, shining smile and by the side of the one who wore it. I wanted to make sure nothing would ever happen to put a damper on that smile.

"H, hey, it's… it's not like that, though."

"Reeeeeeally?"

"Y-yeah."

"You're still a terrible liar, I see."

"S, shut up." I grumble, using my left hand to cover my face.

"Hmhmmm…"

"What's up?"

Melanie starts stretching her arms, looking out across the field. "...feel like you can hit a home run?"

"On what, a professional field?"

"No, here."

"Probably? I mean, if I got a good hit in, maybe. Would be a really lucky hit, too. It's a high school size field, so I might be able to do it."

"Hmmm, I see." Melanie says, crouching down to pick up a ball.

"Melanie?"

"Then, I'll let you prove it with your actions." She says, tossing the ball in her hands up a few times and catching it as she saunters over to the pitcher's mound.

I reflexively pick up my bat, figuring out what's about to happen.

"I'll throw my best pitch at you. If you hit a home run…" Melanie pauses as I step up to the plate before pointing a finger at me. "...then you have to confess to her!"

I roll my eyes. "And if I don't?"

With a playful grin, Melanie gets into a pitching stance, with me getting into my batting stance.

"Well, if you don't, then you aren't allowed to confess to her, period!"

"...I see."

"Then, here I go!"

It's a winding pitch, and the ball goes soaring straight for over home plate.

Gripping tightly on the bath, I put all of my feelings into this one swing—


"You seem in a good mood this morning."

"Well, a lot of things cleared up for me."

"Ufufu, I see."

There really is no hiding anything from Lady Vert, is there? I wonder for a second, if Lady Vert sent Melanie my way, but it didn't seem like it, and Melanie would've told me, I think.

"Then, do you know what you want to do?"

"Er, yes, but…"

"But?"

I scratch my cheek, looking away from Lady Vert as I walk into the room. "I'm not a hundred percent sure if I have the courage to do it."

While I have somewhat come to grips with the feelings in my heart for Lady Noire, whether or not I can act on them is a different question. The courage to actually voice your feelings… it was already terrifying enough the day I first confessed to Melanie, but to do it again… with Lady Noire, of all people. Not to mention Lady Blanc's advice, which I haven't made progress on.

It's still a complicated issue, especially because it's a huge part of my life. I know she said to split up the two, but… I fear for my heart, if I were to make the move to Lastation, only to be rejected by Lady Noire. It'd hurt too much, being in the city.

"Hmhm…"

"Vert?"

"Oh, I think I know of a way for you to absolutely know that you have that courage."

"Really?"

Lady Vert smiles enigmatically, instantly putting me on guard. "Do you trust me, Elliot?"

"I do, but…"

"Hehehe. Don't worry, I won't do anything major."

"That's not exactly very comforting…"

Lady Vert then stands up from the sofa she's on and walks towards me. I unconsciously take a step back, which only serves to make Lady Vert giggle.

Why do I feel like a small animal being played with by a lion…?

"All I want, Elliot," Lady Vert says, dangling her words very charmingly, each one leaving me hanging for the next, "...is a little dance. No cameras, no media, and no one watching here."

"...that's it?"

Lady Vert smiles, extending her hand. Reflexively, I start to put up my right hand…

…and then freeze.

I…

The instant I thought about the dance steps, my mind immediately wandered, going back to Lady Noire. Even though I'm confident in Lady Vert's promise, and that she would never actually say anything, and that truly, no one is watching, why do I feel such a sense of betrayal…?

Suddenly, it's as if the world comes to a halt.

This is something so minor, really.

In the grand scheme of things, it wouldn't mean much.

But to me, whether or not I push Lady Vert's hand away means so much. I've always sort of just gone along with things, as most of their whims have never really opposed what I want to do.

However…

…I like Noire. I'd like for the day to come where even in my thoughts, I can see her as just Noire instead of Lady Noire, as I still sometimes call her in my head.

And if that's the case, I shouldn't… be fooling around here.

Even if it's something so small.

If I can't even handle the small stuff…

…where in the hell am I going to find the resolve to handle something so major like the shop?

"Elliot?" Lady Vert asks as I lower my hand.

"Um…"

I stead myself, and try to find that courage to speak.

"...I can't give you that. I'm sorry."

Lady Vert turns up the charm, and I swear her eyes even water up a little bit as she leans forward, hands held above her heart. "Not even a little one, just for me…?"

My spirit takes a critical hit in damage, but I manage to resolve myself.

"...there's something else who I'd like to dance with." I clumsily say, not finding it in me to give a direct rejection.

Lady Vert pauses, then smiles, giggles, and finally breaks out into laughter.

"Ohohoho, oh my, how bold of you! I don't think I've ever experienced a rejection that harsh, Elliot…!"

"...eh?"

Lady Vert takes a few steps back, still beaming. "Congratulations. I told you that you would find out you already had that courage."

I exhale, all of the tension leaving my body. Again, I've been led around by her without even realizing it.

"I put in quite a bit of charm there, and even so, you found it in you to push me away. Ufufu, but I'll make you take responsibility for that statement, okay? I won't forgive you if you even so much as look at another girl other than her."

"S-scary…"

There's really nothing I can hide from her…

"Lady Vert." I say, addressing her formally to get her attention.

"Hm?"

"I… thank you. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to repay you. Other than… well, a dance."

"Hmmm…" Lady Vert's smile widens again. "It's just one thing, and one thing only."

"And that is…?"

Lady Vert leans in, looking up at me, and flashing an amused, but serious look.

"Don't break her heart."

"...I have no intentions to, nor will I ever intend to."

"Then, there's no problems~"

When I go to bed that night, I feel a sense of elation. So much so, when I wake up the next day, and head down to the dining room for breakfast—

"What the hell did you do to him!?"

It seems IF keyed in on a change in me as I enter the room, Lady Vert giggling in response.

"I didn't touch him, IF, not one hair on his head."

"That doesn't answer the question!" IF yells before sighing, and then smiling at me. "But it's not a bad change. You seem more… confident or something, Elliot."

"Do I…?"

"Sort of. Like, before, something was really weighing heavily on your shoulders. It feels that way now, but rather than struggling with it, you're confidently striding with it, you get it?"

"Yeah, that sounds about right."

"By the way, you can give him his phone back. Blanc told me to tell you that, Vert."

"Oh, I have it right here."

As I sit down at the table, where a stack of chocolate chip pancakes are on a plate put in front of me, Lady Vert then hands me my phone.

"I thought Blanc told her that Elliot needed to disconnect."

"Not like it was going to stop her."

"When Noire gets started, she sees it through to the end, huh?"

"Do you know how many texts I have from her asking me to let her talk to him for five minutes? I saved them just in case, but it's just so cute."

"No way, let me see!"

It seems Lady Vert and IF are having a discussion I'm not really a part of as I eat a bit of my breakfast before checking my phone. I see… several hundred texts and dozens of missed calls and voicemails, all from one number.

Not even having read half of them, I send a text back to Lady Noire saying that I had only gotten my phone back.

The reply comes back not even five seconds later, chiding me for waking up so late. Haha, I guess she assumed that I'd be up earlier. My sleep schedule has been destroyed, recently, so it will take a while to bring that back.

"Hey, eat your breakfast first, or I'll take your phone back." IF chides, though she seems amused nonetheless.

"Yes, dad." I say, IF snorting in amusement as she leans back in her chair.

I occasionally send a text back during my breakfast, listening to IF talk about our trip back. It shouldn't be anything too major, as we can use one of the private airports, which Lady Neptune is helping with. After breakfast, I go ahead and take a shower, getting ready to head back to normal life.

"I'm surprised that Noire didn't show up." IF says, moreso to Lady Vert than to me, as wait for the signal that says we're clear to start moving. The plan was that Lady Vert would send some of her aides to the airport in a limo, making it look like I was moving, and we'd be taking a black sedan with a different route. Granted, we just needed to wait for enough people to see the limo leaving the Basilicom and for it to spread.

"Ufufu, well, I'm sure that Kei and Uni are making sure she controls herself."

"Ah, so her parents are making sure she doesn't skip out on work to meet with the boyfriend."

"I'm right here, you know." I mumble, trying not to sound embarrassed but utterly failing to do so.

"Oh, I know. I mean, it's not a secret, is it?" IF says, nudging me in the ribs. "It's just waiting to be made official, right?"

"S-shut up."

IF only laughs, stepping away as she puts a hand on her hip. "Are you actually worrying she won't say yes?"

"W, why do you think I'm going to ask…!?"

"Elliot, stop. You're only embarrassing yourself further."

I bury my face in my hands. "...I'd like nothing more than for the world to swallow me whole, right now."

"Hahahaha! Don't worry, I believe in you, Elliot. And I one hundred percent think she'll say yes if you ask her." IF says, giving me a confident smile. "I mean, come on, just think about it. That smile of hers when you two were dancing, the way she's all shy around you."

"It could just be that she didn't want to set Lady Uni off."

"Okay, maybe she held back a bit because of it, but she was really conscious of you, wasn't she? You're totally on her mind. And don't think I see you constantly responding to your texts. She's clearly desperate to be talking with you again."

IF gives me a comforting smile, reaching up and patting her on the shoulder.

"Don't be afraid, okay? You miss every shot you don't take, and you'll never hit a home run if you never swing."

"...true enough."

Though, it isn't that easy.

I mean… it's as Lady Blanc said. If Lady Noire and I… become an item, then moving the shop is inevitable. But, as I'm here, joking around with IF, it only serves to remind me why the idea is so difficult.

…if I do move, IF won't be able to visit daily anymore. And… I really cherish what I have with her, that friendship of ours.

The fear that Lady Noire would say no if I were to confess to her… it's overshadowed entirely by the fear that I'll lose the close friendship I have with IF. I have been able to think on it, and I've somewhat resolved on what the consequences will be for whatever actions I take, but…

…it's still frightening to think about. I know Melanie said that I'd fight for that friendship, but it's not so much the friendship I'm worried about, but the nature of it. IF and I are really close, and even if we stay friends, that closeness and comfort might change.

And all of this combined is why I can't really take Lady Blanc's advice. The shop and… the status of my heart, they're tied together.

But… I guess it will just mean I have to decide what's more important me, and really move on that.

That's of course, assuming that Lady Noire doesn't make a move first, like Lady Blanc said she might.

"You two are really good friends, huh?" Lady Vert asks from the side.

"Well, yeah. You all thought I was dating him before we cleared that up when he first met all of you." IF grumbles. "You still owe me, by the way. Nep bugged me for hours afterwards and you didn't help!"

"It's your fault for hiding him from us. If you didn't, we wouldn't have thought you were just embarrassed to be hiding him."

"Ugh, I know, but I knew I'd be subject to teasing anyways." IF mutters, crossing her arms. "But I've got Elliot's back. We'll make sure that your confession goes off without any hitches."

"Stop it already…"

"Oh, you know, I should see if I can get in contact with that company that made that cologne Elliot used at the gala." Lady Vert says.

"Wait, how do you know?"

"Who do you think suggested it?" IF says, glancing over at Lady Vert. "You think I knew anything about perfume and cologne?"

"I mean, a bit, yeah."

"Thanks, but I don't."

"But, I'm sure they wouldn't mind using you in their advertising, especially since Noire really liked it. Or maybe it's because she associates the smell with you?"

"I associate its price tag with pain, though."

Lady Vert offers an amused smile while IF can't hold back her snickering. "My, my, Elliot. If they're sponsoring you, you wouldn't have to worry about that at all. And with such a nice smell, won't it be nice for our little Noire to be drawn closer, finding you by that scent of yours?"

I decide just to turn away and tuck my face in my hands, knowing there is nothing I can say in retort.

"Haaaah, alright, it's funny, but knock it off, Vert. You're going to make his head explode from all the blood."

"Hmm, okay, I'll stop for now."

There's the buzz of a phone that interrupts the conversation.

"Oh, Chika said it's looking good. She's reporting a lot of attention." IF says, checking her phone. "We can move. See you later, Vert."

"It was nice seeing you again. You know, I still have those adoption papers~"

"And you know that I've told you to shred them, over and over again." IF says with an exhausted, but nostalgic smile.

"Mou. One day, maybe. Or maybe you'll sign them, Elliot~?"

"Erm… sorry, my parents wouldn't approve."

Lady Vert covers her mouth with her left hand and giggles even harder at that before recomposing herself. "Well, I see how it is. Be sure to confess properly, okay? You know that we all talk, so I will definitely hear about it."

"Mghgh…"

"And, if you're still scared about her saying no, if she does, then I'll gladly apply for the position~"

"Vert!"

"Ufufu, just kidding~ It's a joke, IF, a joke. Besides, we all know that Noire will say yes. But it never hurts to have insurance, and Blanc is already taken, and Neptune… well, she'd rather look at pudding than a man."

IF sighs deeply, shaking her head before accusationally pointing at Lady Vert. "See, this is why you have to be firm with her, Elliot. Otherwise she'll pull something like this."

"Erm… then… s, sorry, Vert, I have someone else that I like…"

"Oh my, you really are quite harsh with the rejections." Lady Vert says, pushing back a laugh as IF double takes, seemingly shocked at how I said that. "Best of luck, Elliot."

I nod, starting to follow IF towards the garage. It's back to normal life for now, but… I'm feeling ready to make my move.

"Wow, rejecting Vert like that. Sheesh, what'd she do to you?"

"Hahaha, nothing really. Just… helping me find the courage I already had."

"Is that so? Well, you've had enough teasing from me for a while, so I'll keep my mouth shut. Let's hope this goes smoothly, eh?"

"Yeah."

I sure do hope the trip back, and everything after, goes smoothly…


Yeah, so remember how after this chapter in the original was a beach episode? Yeeeeeah, expect something similar, but not at the beach, heh. Oh man, next chapter is very indulgent, and was the first I wrote after coming back after NaNoWriMo.

Either way, I ended up combining a bunch of chapters from the original together because otherwise we were just rehashing. Originally in my plans I wanted to stretch out that final Vert scene where Vert drags Elliot out for a public-ish date, though he remains highly evasive, consciously or not, which culminates in Vert asking for said dance in private, which he fully rejects. Decided just to crunch it all down because it made more of an impact here.

Also, yes, I purposely cut off when Elliot swung at Melanie's pitch. We all know whether or not he hit it is going to get revealed later, heh. I wanted to keep Melanie similar to her role in the original, where she doesn't have a lot of on-screen time, but makes a lot of big impacts despite her small role and appearance. In the original, she created some doubt in Elliot as she reminded him of what could happen to him and IF if he moved to Lastation, but I had her be much more supportive here. I changed a few things as well, since in the original, Elliot notes that when he encounters Melanie on the tram, it's the first time they've seen each other in years and that they haven't really spoken that much since the day they broke up. Here, that scene was removed, and with the ballpark scene, established that Elliot pushed hard to keep his friendship with Melanie even after they broke up. I felt it was okay to make these kinds of tweaks, since they don't interfere with the story's established events until now.

It also helps me set up a different conflict, since I didn't want to rehash a lot of stuff. By changing the dynamic with Melanie, I can play around a little more instead of having the same resolution. It's fun to kind of experiment with how scenarios would play different, especially when you see everyone is fairly united, as Noire's feelings appear to be reciprocated, meaning that he and IF aren't at odds with each other.

Truth be told, I had a somewhat more dramatic plotline for this story, though still kept lighthearted. I ended up junking all that out because it's really no fun to write. Obviously there's a little bit of tension, but since we all know we're here for Noire's victory, I felt I could ease up and just write something a little more warm. Plus, I think I owe it to you guys, especially the ones who rooted for Noire, after I stabbed you guys in the gut with the Midnight Swan chapter.

But, look forward to next chapter. See you all then.