Slosh!

"O-Oh dear...!"

It shouldn't even be repeated by this point, with how much it had already been made blatantly obvious to both herself and those around her, but Vert found herself sprinting back anyway. In a way, it was kind of comical how much of a failure she was.

"Blech! Did all that come from Verny!?" A Nep most appalled had to step away from the emerging sweat puddle. "I'm practically drowning in it! I'm shocked she didn't pass out from all that heat!"

"N-Neptune please..."

The CPU was more than aware that her attempt to protect her sister from the approaching winter was… well-intended at best. Unfortunately, the execution had a lot to be desired, and she was left with a seriously shocking situation.

"Heehee, I'm all wet!" Verna exclaimed happily, doing a twirl.

"C-Careful, kiddo!" Neptune dived in to catch her... and ended up face first in sweat. "BLEH!"

"Neptun's all wet!" Verna giggled.

"Er..." The befuddled CPU had been in the process of removing her sister's heavy jacket, who was in preparation for a bath, but it seems Verna's bodily fluids had beat her to the punch. The little girl was soaked to the bone, but regardless of that she seemed completely unfazed by almost literally sweating to death. Her smile was still bright and wide, looking at the two befuddled elders.

"I'm all wet!" She repeated, raising her arms up as Vert removed her sweater.

"Y-Yes, you are..." 'I-I shall stick with just the sweater next time...' Both her mental and verbal voice were dumbfounded and pitiful, mostly pitiful, as she finally succeeded in stripping her younger sister of the heavy clothing, quickly tossing drenched, squelchy garment in a white hamper for heavy-duty laundering later.

She tried to ignore the fact that the hamper was leaking, forming yet another puddle that would need to be mopped up later.

Regardless, removing the heavy winter wear didn't do much to aid her sister's current condition, if anything at all. Her normal green nightgown may as well have been run through a waterfall. Her hair and skin were no different, looking as if she just got out from the aforementioned bath.

Still, her smile was brighter than the sun itself, which was enough to lift Vert's dampened spirits just a little. It wasn't enough to completely dispel her sisterly inferiority complex, but it was better than nothing.

"Uh, you okay, kiddo?" With a strained smile, the bigger Neptune knelt and picked herself up from the sweat puddle to stand eye level with Verna, running her hand through the girl's soaked hair. "You look like you just took a dip in a pool... A really smelly pool. Ew..." Her face contorted in disgust, having slipped in the residual sweat and ruining her own clothes as a result.

"Fine!" The little girl responded simply, nodding in confirmation with her statement. Water dripped from her hair as if it were a raincloud, which only cemented the purplette's worry.

"Er..." Neptune wiped her wet hand on her sleeve, still very grossed out. Regardless, she kept a strained, key word strained, smile on. "Let's get ya bathed up, anyway. Nobody wants to stay in wet clothes, especially not this Nep! Hyup!" Maker Neptune lifted the drenched Verna up, keeping her at a careful distance for the sake of protecting her own clothes. "C'mon, I'll wash you up myself!"

"Okay!" Verna agreed rather quickly and was promptly whisked away by the elder purplette.

"W-Wait, wha... Oh, they've already left." Vert didn't even have time to object. The duo had traversed down the hall where the bathroom was located.

"Don't you worry, Verny! I'mma clean you... uh, clean!"

"Clean!"

"..."

Although the CPU badly wanted to bring up the point of how an adult woman bathing a small child she had just met that day was destined to raise eyebrows, she knew it would be fruitless to do so. Neptune would never intentionally hurt anyone, particularly the small Verna, unless they were actually a monster or the final boss or something of the sort.

'I can already sense a bond forming...' thought Vert. 'Neptune does have the mind of a child. Both versions, of course.'

Despite the potential adorableness of such a relationship, and Vert would ensure she had a camera out at all times, it only served to feed her rapidly growing sense of inferiority. She was beating a dead Horsebird at this point, but either way that was the truth.

'They met only hours ago, but Verna already seems closer to Neptune than me...' Vert closed her eyes, worry overcoming her again. 'I planned this trip as a bonding experience between Verna and I, but of course, Neptune had to be the one to score the friendship points..' A frown decorated her features. 'Why must I be cursed with this misfortune? It's as if anyone other than me is more qualified to be her older sister...'

"V-Verny, don't jump in the bath like-" SPLASH! "YAAAH!"

"Heehee, Neptun's all wet again!"

"You little—! Two can play at this game!"

"..." Vert listened to the exchange, her head hanging low with an ever-deepening frown. 'Of course they would get along splendidly.' The CPU sighed, turning her head in the direction of the bathroom. Water had splashed out the door and into the hall, more than likely a result of Verna's apparent dive into the tub. The older sister felt a little worried that the younger may have injured herself, but judging from Neptune's reaction, she was fine.

Now, if only Vert herself could put her own worries to rest…

'It's just... unfair...'

Crash! Of course, she couldn't find the time to mope about it now. Cave, who was grinning from ear to ear, had barged in through the elevator doors and made a direct left turn away from Vert. Immediately following the redhead was an even redder tomato, also known as Chika, who had taken the other elevator and was chasing after in an embarrassed rage.

But, as the onomatopoeia suggested, the Oracle failed in her effort to do... whatever she had planned if she had caught up to her friend. Instead, the greenette slipped on the ridiculous amount of sweat leftover by the whole "over-bundling" debacle, causing her to lose her balance and faceplant into the carpeted floor with a rather painful THUD.

"OW!" She shouted, her forehead having met with a terrible fate: the floor. "Owowowowowowow, what the hell?!"

"How odd," Cave coolly stated, coming out of her hiding spot in the corner, her composure regained. "I don't remember the floor having been so wet when we left..."

'Yes, it's strange, isn't it?' Vert fidgeted nervously.

"Ghk..." The Oracle gripped her head again, feeling a bump. "Ugh, I think I have a bruise..."

"Uh..." Vert watched from the sidelines, unsure of the context behind any of what was happening in front of her. Confused, she turned to Cave for a logical, no-frills answer. "Would you care to...?"

"It was a simple misunderstanding, Lady Vert." The redhead explained, covering the mouth of the Oracle with a hand. "She misconstrued my words rather extremely, with the result of the pursuit you just witnessed. I apologize for creating a stir."

"I... see." Cave's explanation cleared no things up, but Vert decided to let it go for the time being. "I-It is alright, Cave. But I think Chika needs treatment for her bruise..." At first, Vert had assumed the Oracle was simply feigning injury again, but after a moment she had seen the black and blue swell adorning her forehead. She was whimpering like a puppy on top of that.

"I will see to it that she gets a surgeon, then." Cave removed her hand from the greenette's mouth, quickly sliding it under her armpit and effortlessly helping the woman to her feet. "Let us go, Chika."

"Yeah, yeah, ow..." Chika accepted without any resistance, turned on her heel with a huff and proceeded down the hall after her redheaded friend.

Alone once again, Vert was given more time to consider her current status. Of course, her mind was quickly occupied by Verna and her own sisterly incompetencies.

'Today did not go as planned...' Vert sighed inwardly. 'It seems I will have to develop a different strategy.' The CPU hardly even knew where to begin, much less what to do. The Bug Hunt was a last-second grasp at straws as it was, what could she hope to do this time around?

Honestly, she had no idea. And Vert hated that she was so clueless.

'Mm...' Grunting internally, Vert reached into her pocket and pulled out her green UPhone, her finger hovering over the contacts button, resisting the urge to call a certain number.

'To think, it has gotten to such a point... where I am considering asking Blanc for advice...'

The Loweean CPU would never let her live it down, that was a fact. She had teased Blanc for so long that an opportunity like this would be the equivalent of mining diamond with a diamond axe. Vert would never be able to escape the endless teasing, the barrage of insults. This was karma at its finest.

'It was never meant to be this way. I was the one who was to boast about this moment, it should never have been like this...!'

It had been said before, but she will say it again; Vert was thoroughly disappointed in herself.

'Tomorrow is another chance, I suppose the most I can muster from this situation is Verna's obliviousness to my failures. Bless her innocence...' Somehow managing a smile, Vert ultimately put her phone back in her pocket. 'I should not stoop so low so soon. I need to plan a better course of action next time.' Vert began formulating another well-thought out plan in her head. 'Thankfully she has taken a liking to bugs, but Neptune could just as easily pull a stunt and steal her from my grasp.'

Vert sighed. She could hear splashing and laughter coming from the bath.

'I know I cannot keep them apart, but is there no room for her actual sister?' The Leanboxian CPU was troubled by that little fact. 'She is so enamored with Chika and Cave, I already sensed trouble as is. Now a third challenger has appeared...'

For Leanbox's CPU, who had remained sisterless for far too long, it was a tragic tale. For so long, she had prayed for a sister. For years, she had consistently tried to lure the other Candidates to her side, and each time she would either get yelled at or be smacked with a hammer.

She still had the bruises... The goddess clutched her chest out of instinct.

'She is only so young, though...' Vert had to remind herself, trying her best to squash the rapidly growing panic in her chest. 'Verna would be influenced by anything or anyone, unlike the other Candidates.' Vert nodded slowly, her calming effect working its charm. 'Of course she would look up to those three...'

"Hey kiddo, can I ask ya something?"

"Wha?"

"Mind calling me Big Sis Nep from now on?"

"Big Sis... Nep?"

"Ayup."

"Big Sis Nep!"

"Ayup!"

"Yay!"

"Yay!"

"..."

Of course, her mind immediately jumped to the negativity of the situation, rather than actually trying to calm herself down. 'Would Verna forget about me, if that is the case? Am I really that boring and forgettable...!?'

Vert slapped herself on the cheek. She was getting herself worked up over the littlest things here.

'I need to focus, I need a plan...' The CPU stroked her chin. 'But what kind of plan is the real question...' It was obvious that Vert wasn't the most calculating individual, if the earlier bug hunt still had any jurisdiction, but even Lady Green Heart knew it was the time to take action. She simply couldn't mope whenever Verna looked away from her. It would be absurd to call herself the older sister if she were to act so immaturely.

'Hm...' Vert thought sat down on her couch, delving deep into her mind to formulate the perfect plan to bond with her little sister. 'This will take quite some time. I hope no one will disturb me'

And so, the development of her plan began.

'For one, I'll need to... No... Maybe... No, no...'

It would be the most difficult challenge she had ever faced, no doubt.

"I-I hate her... OW!"

"Hush, I'm trying to mend your wound," muttered Cave. "It does not benefit either of us for you to keep moving so much."

"I can't help it! It hurts..." Chika whined in response, her pale face scrunching in pain as Cave pressed an ice pack into her skull. "Gah!"

"It matters not. Your shrill whines are damaging my eardrums. Now then, hold this." The redhead handed her patient the ice pack. Chika obeyed, lightly pressing it against her bruise. "And lie down if you wish to ease the pain."

"Ugh..." None too happy about her condition, the green-haired Oracle did as instructed. If anything, it only made her grumpier. "Why me?"

"I ask myself that same question every time we meet," Cave murmured, earning a cold stare from the Oracle.

"You're so mean, Cave!" Chika growled, gritting her teeth and flaring her nostrils. "Why don't you ever help me?!"

"Because I am not a psychiatrist, for one." She responded coolly, not even bothering to meet Chika's crimson gaze as she took a few steps away from her. She settled for sitting on a wooden chair, leaning against it as she pulled out her phone, of all things.

"Ghk!" Chika looked like that answer physically struck her, and Cave's utter lack of caring was not helping the matter. "W-Why you- Ow!" Failing to keep her ice pack in check for a brief moment, resulting in a stinging pain knocking against the base of her skull once more, the Oracle went back to pressing the pack against her head, her anger dying down, if only a little, as a result. "Bah, forget it."

"My point still stands." Cave responded nonchalantly, checking her Chirper messagesto further enunciate her lack of caring. She knew Chika was glaring at her. "Oh, it seems Lyrica is free on Saturday. How nice, I think I'll pay her a visit..." A tiny bit of affection could be heard in the redhead's tone, but only Chika could hope to have heard that sparse detail in her otherwise monotone voice.

"... Stalker..." muttered the greenette bitterly.

Pretending she didn't hear it and ignoring the feeling of Chika's piercing gaze burning the back of her head, Cave set her attention back to the greenette. "Now then, how is your head?" She asked, a tad bit of concern dripping into her tone.

"Uh, it's fine I guess..." Chika responded, her tone unsure. "It still stings a little, but I can feel it simmering down..."

"That's good. Hm..." Shoving her phone back into her inventory, Cave stood up from her seat and made her way back to Chika's bed. "Remove your hand, please."

Doing so, Cave pressed her gloved hand against Chika's wet forehead. "It seems the swelling has calmed down. I can still make out bumps, but for the most part, your wound seems to be recovering nicely." She removed her hand.

"Thank goddess..." grumbled Chika, letting the ice pack fall from her hand and onto her bed. "Now I'm beat. Ugh..." A yawn escaped from her mouth. "I can't even move my arms..."

"Today was rather eventful, yes." Cave nodded. "I suggest you sleep, if that is the case. It is nothing some sleep cannot fix."

Chika's previously drowsy red eyes hardened, but before she could say a single word, Cave placed a hand over her mouth to silence her.

"Guess you're right..." The greenette turned around and shifted into a more comfortable position. "Night, Cavey..."

"Goodnight." Cave lifted herself from the bed and made her way towards the door. "I will be taking my leave now." She received a snore in response. Amused she left the room and shut the door behind her, making her way down the unnecessarily long hallway for the fourth time in two days.

'On the bright side, all this walking is an excellent way to burn calories...'

At the very least, despite the long walk, she could still find some kind of silver lining to the situation. Still, her tolerance was at an all-time low with the ridiculous hallway.

'On the downside, I have to walk down here again...' Cave grimaced. 'Perhaps multiple times. It will undoubtedly be a long time before Chika will grow used to the little one...' She sighed. 'I'm sure she would never actually harm her, of course. Chika's opinion of Lady Vert would never allow it.'

With that logic, it was a wonder why the soldier was so protective of Leanbox's youngest. Perhaps it was because of her vulnerability? The little one couldn't fend for herself like most everyone she knew. Her own sister, for the most part, was proving to be a bit... incompetent when it came to keeping an eye on her, and while she knew that Chika would never hurt her, the woman was just as, if not more childish than Verna at points, tt was like her guarding instincts were set to overdrive.

'I shall put my best into guarding her life, at least until Lady Vert becomes responsible as an elder sister...' That's what she told herself on the way back. 'Now,to ensure nothing exploded during my absence...'

"C'mon, kiddo! Let's get you all nice and dry!" Meanwhile, on the Nep side of things, one Nep in particular held up a towel as she awaited Verna to step out of the bubbly tub. Of course, she looked like she had jumped in with her, but there was a very valid reason for that. "I reeeeeeally don't want'cha to splash me again, so let's get you in some warm clothes!"

"Don' wanna..." The little one, on the other hand, refused to leave the tub. Her face poked out of the water, almost her entire being covered in bubbles and suds. "I wanna stay..."

"C'mon, Verny..." Her smile faltering a little, Neptune walked towards the tub and lifted the bubbly Verna up by her armpits. "You already put Crostie in a bad mood when you splashed me..."

"Damn right she did! Now I'm soft and wet! What the hell!?" Her Nep Note shouted from on top the toilet, drying off on a towel.

"Sorry, book lady!" Verna apologized, in the midst of being wrapped in a towel by Big Nep. "No fair, Big Sis Nep! I wanna stay!" In a show of resistance, Verna tried to break out of Neptune's grasp and jump back in the soapy water—the keyword being 'tried' here. Verna's five-year old strength was no match for Neptune's grasp.

"Stop it, you." Smiling, Neptune dried Verna's hair with a white towel, floofing it with her hands. The tiny Candidate giggled under her touch. "You can't stay in the bath forever! Your skin is gonna get all gross and wrinkly!"

"Wrinkly...?" Verna tilted her head, looking at her hand. "I don' look wrinkly..."

"Well, duh. You were only in there for a few minutes!" The purplette booped Verna's nose, eliciting a giggle from the girl. "But if you stay in there for tooooo long, Verny, you'll look like an elephant's foot!"

"Ew..." Sticking her tongue out, Verna buried her face in Neptune's chest. "Gross."

"Indeedy. Now then." Carefully reaching down, her grip on Verna tighter than ever to insure she didn't go back in the tub, Neptune unplugged the drain. The soapy water slid down the drain with a satisfying swishing noise as she made her way out the soaked bathroom, grabbing her Nep Note on the way out. "How ya feelin', Crostie?"

"Like shit." She answered bitterly. "Tell that kid to cool it with the water. I'm soaked."

"Sorry, book lady!" Verna apologized again.

"Whatever, kid..." 'Book lady' grumbled in annoyance.

"Don'cha worry, Crostie! My book is tougher than most, it can withstand water damage no problem!" Neptune proudly boasted. "I wouldn't seal ya in any old paperback, no ma'am!"

"Tch, I could care less where you keep me confined. I'm damned either way," Croire fumed..

"You'd go out and "record more interesting history if I didn't, Crostie." Neptune shot back.

"Well... yeah." She couldn't deny that one.

"Eggplantsactly! Which is why I gotta keep you on a tight leash, Crostie!" She chirped in response. "I don't want you blowing up any dimensions on us!"

"Tch..." Her tone soured again. 'Whatever, I'm going back to sleep..'

"Wha- Oh, well then." Neptune's smile faltered. "Man, you're gonna sleep all dripping wet? That can't be comfortable."

"Damn right!"

"... Alrighty." Shoving her Nep Note back in her pocket, the bemused Nep turned the corner to the living room with a Verna bouncing in her grip. What greeted her was a Vert so deep in thought that she might as well have been numb to the world around her. Cave was standing directly in front of the Goddesses' field of vision to no avail.

"..." The only signs of life Vert gave awaywere her breathing and blinking cobalt eyes.

"..." Cave stared blankly, not thoroughly concerned.

"Uh, Cavey?" Big Nep approached the crimsonette, who had snapped out of her overly intense staring session and focused her gaze on the advancing duo plus one Croire.

"Hm? What is it, Neptune?" She asked quizzically, the Green Goddess still failing to register anyone's presence at all.

"Why are you staring at Verty so... menacingly?" Her smile grew nervous.

ゴゴゴゴ...

"Git yer references outta here!"

"Hi, Big Sis Cave!" Verna exclaimed happily, bouncing in Neptune's hold.

"Hello, Verna." Cave slightly smiled, her attention still focused on Neptune. "As for your question, my attempts at gaining Lady Vert's attention were futile at best. I can not deduce what has her so enamored, however..." Her face contorted in frustration. "She ignores the outside world so easily. It is truly puzzling..."

Turning her lilac gaze to the busty Goddess once more, who looked like she was staring into the vast nothingness of space, Neptune was pretty bamboozled herself. "What'd you do to her?"

"Nothing that would cause my Lady physical harm. I ensured my guns were set to stun before firing them."

"Uhhhhh..." Neptune didn't like the way that sentence was heading, but she didn't feel like questioning Cave was a good idea.

"As I said, no harm came to Lady Vert. Rest assured, my actions may cause deafness to any normal denizen, but I am ninety-eight percent sure she is unharmed."

"W-What about the other two percent?" Nervousness overtook the lilacette's tone, but the little one in her arms didn't seem all that concerned about Cave's potentially dangerous actions.

"Laughable. The odds are stacked in the opposite favor." Cave seemed confident in her declaration, even if Neptune just now noticed the bullet holes decorating the wall behind the spaced-out Vert. Well, that wasn't even the scariest part. The scary part was that the holes formed a perfect outline of Vert's body, down to her curves and voluptuous that the redhead had decorated using the couch. No doubt Vert would have to plaster and replace when she awoke from her stupor.

Somehow, Neptune found herself being more afraid of Cave than usual. The amount of holes and dedication to carving a perfect outline of the Goddess was terrifying in its own right. Regardless, despite her better judgement, Neptune wanted to try shaking the Goddess back to the land of the living herself. "Cavey, take this Verny!" And so, shoving her previous fear to the back of her mind for the time being, Neptune handed Verna over to Cave's arms.

"I'm a Verny!" She parroted. Cave held her safely, ruffling her semi-wet hair with a half-smile.

"What do you plan on doing, Neptune?" Cave asked, sounding a bit hesitant despite having taken such absurd action in the first place.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to shoot her," responded Neptune in a sassy tone. Cave wore a defensive look in response.

"It was on stun, as I have already stated." She responded coolly, while Verna was attempting to grab one of her pig tails. "Do not misinterpret my intentions."

"Big Sis Cave's hair is funny..." Verna giggled, attempting to bat her pseudo-sister's hairdo like a kitten with a ball of yarn.

"Right, right..." Rolling her eyes at the explanation, Neptune walked straight into Vert's empty line of sight. As expected, the Goddess was unresponsive, but that didn't deter the Maker in the slightest. In fact, she proceeded to bend down and flick the woman on her forehead. "Verty, wake up!"

"..." No response.

"Darn it!"

"Such an expertly designed plan." Cave's tone was mocking. "I never would have thought of something so advanced myself."

The purplette looked none too pleased with the redhead's wise-ass answer, sticking her tongue out in childish retaliation. "Shuddit, you. I have only begun my master plan, you see!"

"Master plan, hm?" Cave didn't sound very convinced, casually stroking Verna's head as she gave her a dull look. "And what is this master plan?"

"I don't like the way you're looking at me!" Neptune whined. "But whatever! I have another tactic to snap Verty back to her senses."

"I HAVE AN IDEA!"

"GU-" Bonk! "OWIE!" Unable to even react properly, Neptune was faced with Vert quite suddenly snapping to her senses. As a result, her head and Vert's head shared a very intimate moment, and the purplette was sent reeling back from the force.

"AH!" Vert was no different, gripping her forehead from the sudden strike of pain. "G-Ghk, what..."

"Way to go, Verty..." Neptune was lying on her back on the mercifully carpeted floor, pointing at her accusingly. "Way to make me tumble and crumble..."

"Oh... O-Oh!" Realization hit the Goddess. "I'm sorry, Neptune. I was... very deep in thought." She stood up from the couch... and then her legs were jelly. "W-Wha!?"

"GUH!" Neptune was crushed by the sudden Vert. "What the hell, Verty!? Did you wake up with a 'Let's cause Nep-Nep pain and misery' mode!?"

"I-I am so sorry! My legs fell asleep!" Vert attempted to scramble herself off of the purplette, causing her to bang her head on a stray book shelf she hadn't noticed before. "GHK!" It didn't help that some books fell on her as well.

"Karma...~" Neptune teased playfully, despite the stinging pain in her head.

"If I am to offer advice, it would be to move your bookshelf from such an odd location." Cave so generously placed her thoughts on the matter. "Really now, in the middle of the living room? So bizarre..."

"... Indeed." Vert agreed, a stagger in her step as she sought to right herself from the fall. "I just now realize that it was Neptune's choice of decoration. I have no idea why..."

"Big Sis Nep!" Verna bounced in Cave's hold, pointing happily to the older purplette.

"Er, yeah but not yeah, kiddo." Smiling awkwardly in response, Neptune ruffled Verna's hair.

"Eeee..." The tiny one jumped out of Cave's arms and into Neptune's, burying her face in the crane of her neck, the latter continuing her ruffling to incite more adorable reactions from her.

"... In any case..." Vert steered the topic in a more logical direction. "It is getting quite late, no? Neptune, I believe you should return home."

"Nooooooo!"

"Nooooooo!"

Both Nep and Verna voiced their objection with that statement, in perfect unison no less.

"E-Eh...?" Vert was taken back by the sudden response.

"I like Big Sis Nep! I really, really like her!" Verna hugged the older purplette. "I want her to stay, Big Sis!"

"Yeah, I want me to stay, too!" Neptune agreed. "Let me stay for tonight, Verty. Pretty please?" Neptune unleashed the dreaded puppy dog eyes onto the CPU.

"Uh..."

"Pretty please?" Verna joined in, wearing the exact same look but looking far cuter than Neptune could ever hope to achieve.

"Ghk..." Vert, looking like she had taken a Cute Sucker Punch to the gut to the point where she was gripping her chest, gave in. "V-Very well, I will allow Neptune to stay for the... night. Guh..."

"Yay!"

"Yay!"

Both Nep and Verna celebrated in unison. Cave merely tilted her head through it all with a dull expression, but not for the reason one may be expecting. "Lady Vert..."

"Y-Yes, Cave?" Regaining her composure... somewhat, Vert turned to the redhead. "What is it?"

"Taking into consideration that Verna's nightgown is currently going through the wash cycle, do you have anything else for her to wear?" She asked inquisitively, narrowing her eyes at the CPU. "You did remember to supply her with more than just that one nightgown, correct?"

"..."

"..."

"... Verna?"

CPU, Maker and Verna blinked in unison, only the Candidate saying anything. It was her own name, for some odd reason, but it was better than awkward silence.

"... Really now?" However, it didn't spare the other two from Cave's dull wrath. "You did not think to buy her extra clothing? Is that right?"

"... Uh." Vert looked utterly humiliated, her face painted red as she stared at the carpeted floor in shame.

"Well, to be fair, we wear the same clothes all the time..." Neptune bluntly pointed out. "I mean, I think Mini Me only changed her clothes once... years ago... Huh."

"If this were a game, I would not argue with such logic. However..." Reaching into her inventory, Cave pulled out a bunny onesie from her hammerspace. "Since this is a fictional story, I will donate pajama wear from my childhood to the little one for this instance only."

"..."

"..."

Now the two stared right back at Cave, their expressions blank.

"Is there an issue?" She asked, clearly not picking up on the strangeness of the situation.

"... You carry a onesie with you?" asked Vert, stunned.

"Yes." She answered, still not getting it.

"... And you do this because why?" asked an equally stunned Nep.

"That is not important. Here." Cave handed the pajamas to Vert. "I will take my leave now." With that said, the redhead turned her back towards them and made way towards the conveniently placed elevator by the T.V, of all places. "I will return tomorrow, in the noon, with a supply of clothes for the little one. Until then..." Shooting the trio one last look, she waved goodbye to Verna in particular - who waved back excitedly - before stepping into the elevator. The glass door automatically slid shut behind her, and the elevator descended with the redhead as its passenger.

"Okaaaaay..." Nep spoke up. "Let's get you changed into that, and head off into the dream realm, Verny!"

"Dreams!" Verna shared the excitement. With that, the duo sped towards wherever down the hall, jumping happily all the while.

"W-Wait, you don't know where my room i- Oooooh!" Worried, the big sister chased after them, but it would be a long while before she would catch up…

Nights in Leanbox would never be the same again, that was for sure.

Editors Note: After an almost 3 month absence, A Verdant Breeze has returned, re-edited and re-furbished for your viewing pleasure! With the help of some friends, chapter 6 to 11, which are now chapter 6 to 9, went through a massive editing overhaul because, admittedly, these chapters had turned out kind of... shit and, since a few of them were planned to be longer, they were melded with each other which results in the chapter count taking a dip, but hey, quality assurance.

This note will be copied from this chapter to chapter 9, just to avoid confusion to the people that see A Verdant Breeze back on Page 1. Enjoy!

-Yuri