We do not know where all the more unusual hair colours originate from, only that they began to appear in time. They are as easily to find as any other at this point.

Granted, there are still regions where certain colours are more prevalent; red is most at home in Lastation, much blue and green can be found in Leanbox, pink and purple thrive in Planeptune, and Lowee houses naturally white hair.

-Excerpt from "Gamindustri's Colour Code"

Spring passed for Summer as time went on; before IF knew it, two months had gone by since she awakened to the pinnacle of her powers.

June was warm and pleasant, all the more so because she made progress with her training; after getting used to her Awakening, the young woman had begun to figure out how to use it selectively. She could also manipulate her surroundings with it, and the remedial lessons on magic control had a bit of an impact as well.

Her efficiency would never really improve, but she no longer had to risk severe burns for larger attacks.

Adding all of that to her training regimen had been a challenge, though; not necessarily due to the time it took, but because it added mental strain to her physical exhaustion. It was bearable once she got used to it, but that took her the better part of May. Until then, IF fell asleep almost as soon as she returned home after work.

Nonetheless, the young woman knew she was still just getting started. Good control would take quite a bit longer.

On the other hand, she understood, mastering selective enhancement would allow to practice more in a single day, as Awakening was less draining when applied to body parts instead of the whole body.

There had already been palpable results as well; IF worked with her enhanced speed and reflexes on various tasks Neptune threw at her. One notable event had been her being shot with rubber balls, yet being able to weave around all of them.

It took a bit to get used to things moving in slow motion, too.

As long as her weapons held, she could use the increased strength to cut through solid steel with little resistance; the shroud allowed her to jump five metres into the air without trying too hard, then caught her fall and made it feel as if she just hopped down a single stair.

All in all, IF understood why this was the most important requirement for all Makers. It was a game changer in the fight against large monsters. Even just being able to use it sparingly gave her an incredible advantage.

Compa listened in a mixture of amazement and curiousity while IF explained her progress as best as she could. Hubert smiled over the enthusiasm, but payed proper attention nonetheless; he was sitting next to his girlfriend, with IF to Compa's other side and Nepgear next to IF. The purplette also smiled.

They had met up a little earlier to catch up, and he had been introduced to Nepgear; neither of them mentioned her being a CPU so far, and none of them planned to. The two got along quite well.

Nepgear had been quite busy the previous weeks; she did take the time to go patrolling with IF, but took many other tasks around the nation in-between their shifts.

During her musings, IF took a careful sip from her coffee and enjoyed the taste; just like many things in life, she got used to it long ago. It helped with the tiring exercises as well, though she tried to moderate her intake. "But enough about me, do you have any plans for Summer Solstice?"

The holidays would only go over three days, but they were holidays nonetheless. None of them would have classes or work from the twentieth to the twenty-second of June; granted, had it not been for Nepgear being on the same team, IF would have tried to sign up for those shifts as well.

Her question made Nepgear shrug and the young couple exchange glances; Hubert reluctantly spoke up, probably assuming that she had meant to do something with everyone: "We, uh, were thinking about visiting Temboland over the holidays."

That was a name IF rarely heard over the last year. She had been told about how amazing the vast amusement park apparently was, but never really considered going. There were more important things to do.

She wisely did not mention that, lest someone decided to bring her along for the experience.

"It's good the tickets for Temboland aren't limited," Hubert noted with a sad smile and sipped from his own coffee. "Else my luck would mean we don't get any again."

Compa patted his shoulder with a similar expression, but explained once she caught IF's glance: "We tried to get tickets for 5pb., but they were sold out almost immediately." The brunette made an understanding noise; she had heard how fast the idol's concerts were sold out.

Nepgear appeared to sympathise with them a bit more. "Yeah, it's really not easy to get those. I tried it several times, but it never worked." Her words got soft nods from Hubert and Compa, but also a look from IF. A look that told the purplette how many things IF thought were wrong with the statement.

The couple did not notice Nepgear shrugging it off. "Anyway, I have to study on the twentieth, and sis needs me at home on the twenty-first." Which was code for CPU-business, as IF knew by now. "I'm free on the twenty-second, though."

IF figured she could just shift her own plans around, but was momentarily distracted by Compa's headshake. "Sorry, can't. I already promised some of my other friends to hang out that day." It went without saying that Hubert would feel awkward around Nepgear and IF, seeing that they rarely got to meet.

The brunette just nodded and accepted the fact while finishing her own train of thought; she had planned to visit Mari and the children, as she had far too few opportunities to do so. She knew she was always welcome, as Mari had drilled into her every time she visited before, but there was only so much time in the day.

With these slight changes to her own plans, however... "I'm free that day, we can think of something to do together." And in that moment, IF noticed. When she spoke up and thus turned her attention back to Nepgear, her friend's expression immediately changed to conceal something that had been there before. The young CPU had not done a well-enough job in concealing her anxiety.

Nonetheless, IF pretended not to have noticed; she could tell this was likely one of Neptune's plans, which she would find out about soon enough. There was no need to try coaxing it out of Nepgear immediately, especially with Hubert around.

Their conversation continued for some time, though it was mainly the couple talking for a while. IF and Nepgear listened to them curiously, noting by themselves how well the two got along. They also noticed how Compa kept throwing glances toward the purplette, rather obviously unsure about 'flaunting' her relationship in front of her.

Some time later, IF's phone began to buzz; once she checked, she found yet another chirp from Uni's official Chirper account. This time however, it was not just a comment on something else or some kind of news. Nepgear was checking her phone as well, and the fond smile on her face told IF all she needed to know.

There was an image of a well-crafted longsword featuring Lastation's insignia. With it came a short note from the CPU herself, talking about how proud she was of her newest work.

While she had the app open, IF also noticed that there were tons of new chirps from each of the CPUs; they usually used Chirper as a quick means to reach their people aside from the usual channels, which was why IF only actually followed the Candidates and Purple Heart.

Her curiousity brought her to check what happened around the other nations.

When opening Green Heart's page however, the young woman almost dropped her phone in surprise. She blinked at what she saw, then turned to look at her friends. "Guys, check Lady Green Heart's chirps." Her voice was subdued due to the unexpected event. "Leanbox got a new Maker."

So Compa and Hubert also pulled out their phones while Nepgear swiped on hers a few times; the purplette's smile made it clear that she already knew.

Apparently, but a few hours earlier, 5pb. had been appointed as the third Maker of Leanbox.

"Oh... but is that really a good idea?" Compa was obviously excited, yet appeared concerned as well. "I mean, 5pb. already has so much on her plate. It even says here that she won't stop working as an idol." She was right, too; being Gamindustri's greatest star required a great amount of work. Slaying monsters in the meantime would be another burden.

IF quickly switched pages to 5pb.'s account and found replies to similar concerns. She snorted and shook her head at them. "She thinks she can handle it, so let's hope for the best." She left out that the idol gained some more appreciation for her confidence; IF always adored her music, but never really got herself a proper opinion of the person that was 5pb..

She could definitely respect such dedication to one's nation.

. .

. .

It was a workday, so they had met rather late; seeing that Compa and Hubert had classes the following morning, they said their goodbyes by the time the sky began to assume an orange tint.

Granted, they would not have minded to stay a little longer, but IF had to get a good night's rest for her shift and needed to take enough time for her exercises.

As the couple strolled up onto the walkway, Hubert wore a curious frown. "You're right, IF is very driven," he told his girlfriend thoughtfully. Of course Colette had mentioned this before, but he hardly ever met IF; to him, actually noticing her spending so much time on her practice was a new development.

He did have his doubts when Colette first told him the extent of IF's training regimen, seeing that it was utterly insane to believe. Yet she had a starting rank of B in the Guild, a confirmed kill on an Ancient Dragon at seventeen, and a serious character; everything pointed to it being true.

He doubted that IF was a liar, which left only for him to accept that she was that dedicated. To what exactly, he did not know yet.

"I told you so," the woman by Hubert's side noted with a bright smile, taking his hand happily as she continued. "Iffy is incredible. Watching her give it her all inspired me to work harder many times. I think she really is the epitome of the Lady's creed."

The purple creed's core theme was to put in as much work as was necessary to reach one's goals, no matter how much it ended up being. Even Compa had never really asked what IF was truly aiming for, but she had a good guess; Hubert would soon understand that as well.

After all, there was only one position someone could strive for if they spent that much time improving their combat capabilities.

Not just an agent, not a combat instructor, and definitely not a guard. IF never had to actually say what it was she wanted.

Hubert gave her statement some thought, but ultimately nodded. He could freely admit that IF put in more work than either of them did, or anyone else he knew. "I guess so. She is a little intimidating, though."

To his confusion, the admission brought a quiet giggle out of Colette, who squeezed his hand in sympathy. "I get that, she really is. She always was, too; Iffy is Iffy, but it gets easier to talk to her if you remember that she doesn't try to be, it just happens." They were similar enough for such advice to help, though Hubert would need a while to actually take it to heart.

"Actually," he answered after a moment of thought. "I figure being around her might feel quite similar to being around our Lady." He had considered that a few times; having to think of how he had pushed back his studies to go on a date with his dear, or stopped early to watch a show in the evening, he felt a sense of unease when talking to IF.

Once again, he made Colette giggle. The young woman leaned against him, both of them being carried away by the energy field. "It actually is. Not the exact same thing, but really similar."

"Oh? How do you figure?" His question led to a weak smile and the answer gave Hubert pause.

"Because I met her a few times." She waited for a moment, but he also waited for her to carry on, so she did: "It's a little different. With Iffy, it feels like there is an expectation because she's our peer; a good friend. With our Lady, it's... like a mother expecting her child to do well." They both knew that Colette had neither of her mothers growing up, but her grandfather had filled the role as best as he could.

Hubert nodded in understanding and considered to wrap an arm around his girl's shoulder, but decided against it. Colette was strong in her own right, and just staying together like this was enough for both of them.

"I never knew." It was not really an accusation, more of a question. Colette offered him a sheepish smile from where she stood next to him.

"It felt like bragging is all..." She trailed off, but Hubert did not really need to hear any more; he got what she meant.

Although that did not mean he had to agree. "It's not really, I don't think. How did you meet her?" He had to admit that he was curious about the matter; there was currently no one near them, so they could talk about it freely.

"Oh, um..." Colette considered for a moment and leaned into him some more. "I'm friends with her sister, actually. Not that I knew when I first met her."

The admission surprised Hubert, but he quickly followed it up with a smile. "Heh, figures that you can charm even a deity into friendship." Which made her blush faintly; Hubert chuckled and brought an arm around his girlfriend after all. She did not respond in words, but neither of them needed any at the moment.

::

Several kilometres away, the CPU in question sat in her office and was going over a few reports which had been delivered moments earlier. She kept herself busy humming a basic tune into her headset as she worked, to many groans from her friends.

It was not a tune that left one's head easily, reminiscent of blocks being stacked on top of each other.

"Oh for... shut the fuck up!" Blanc finally shouted at her, which at least made Neptune's humming a little more quiet. Vert chuckled over their loweean friend's outburst in the background while Noire merely sighed.

"Okay," the Lastationite chimed in before the purplette could finish pushing Blanc into a rampage. "What are you so happy about?"

They all knew Neptune would have stopped if her mind was really on the matter; she was obviously looking forward to something, so much so that she disregarded the chance of a petite berserker hammering in her door.

Neptune giggled in turn and set her seal on a paper before pushing it over toward Histoire. Her other hand was already grabbing for a brooch she had lying on her desk; it was quite familiar to her after how often she handed out the very same design in the past.

Her lips curled into a bright smile as she eyed the design again. "It's time for my last Maker to get the news."

None of the other three had forgotten what she told them over half a year ago. They all remembered, and all of them understood the situation. "Yes, that would do it," Noire muttered with a light rustle that was obviously her shaking her head.

"My, how interesting," Vert added benignly. "Be sure to send her to me soon, yes? I want to take a closer look at your girl."

"Same," Blanc added; she had returned back to her usual monotone at this point.

Neptune merely chuckled. "I'll see what I can do." She had much to prepare, after all.