Chapter 26
"It just hit me, how is Neptune going to take this?"
The dance is still going on as we speak. As well as mine and Nepgear's moment has passed.
"I don't think she'll mind too much. Believe it or not, my sister actually likes you more than she'll admit."
At least I'm not vilified by her, that's a relief. Still, I'm dating her sister. Siblings tend to not take that lightly.
I'm in a relationship now, it's a huge step from where I was a few hours ago. Call me crazy, but I'm one lucky guy. Even if the whole world is against me I'll remain steadfast.
Finally I have something I want to keep in life. Where as before I didn't give a damn whether or not all of creation vanished into thin air.
"Alright Nepgear, My brother will be here soon. If he knew we were together now I'd never hear the end of it."
Nepgear gives me a curious look at my last statement.
"Is Maurice going to be mad if he finds out?"
"More like the opposite…"
"Oh" This comes as a surprise to my new girlfriend.
God it just feels weird saying she's my girlfriend now, hopefully the weird phase will pass with time.
I just have to remember to not be totally weird. In other words, not be myself in the slightest.
Agh! This is getting to be the most confusing thing in the world right now. I've never had a girlfriend so of course I won't know how to handle it. Please let Nepgear be in the same boat I'm in.
Just keep calm… Just keep calm… what would Matt Smith do in a situation like this?
Well I don't own a fez or a bowtie so that's out of the question. I don't have a T.A.R.D.I.S to help me in this situation either.
Out of all my high school experiences to date I can't think of one more hard to cope with or one more annoying to think about.
"Jack, what are you thinking about?"
The sound of Nepgear's voice brings me back to reality. Her purple eyes fill my mind with comfort just from the shade they are. To be honest, I'm forgetting why I got so worked up in the first place.
Sigh, leave it to my crazy friends to work me up then bring me back down again. I'm thankful I know such wonderful people.
"Nothing Nepgear, just dozing off."
"Oh, Maurice is here. Let's get up now."
Son of bitch I forgot that I wasn't supposed to show this to Maurice just yet. Now I'm going to have to listen to him for hours on end about his dating advice. Crime Coefficient increase to dangerous zone.
He roles down his window and leans out to where I can see his head.
"Hey Jack, way to go!"
"Shut up!"
From my peripheral vision I can see that the rest of my friends join Nepgear and I in front of the school. All of them look to be exhausted from this experience, a good sign that they had fun.
Mission accomplished then, as well as getting a little side bonus in the end.
"So, how did you guys like the dance?"
"It's not like I wanted to be here or anything… you can just consider it a personal favor to you."
Translation: I enjoyed it quite a bit, thank you for inviting me."
That's Noire for you I guess. Some things never change no matter how much time you give it.
"It was… a lot of fun. Thank you Mister Jack." You're welcome Rom.
"Man I'm so exhausted, I can't wait to go to bed." You and me both Ram.
Overall I think tonight was a smashing success. Vert and Uni gave some good feedback as well as the rest of the gang. Neptune on the other hand… somehow managed to fall asleep on one of the benches outside.
"Zzz… Zzz… Zzz…"
Oh Neptune how simple you are. Sometimes I wish all I could do in life is take a nap. Well, maybe before I started dating your little sister.
"All right you little troublemaker, time to get you back to your apartment."
Picking Neptune up she curls into a ball while cradled in my arms. Good lord this is a sight. And to be honest, it's kind of adorable.
But we can't have me thinking like that now can we? Not thirty minutes into my relationship and I could be accused of cheating. What a cruel fate.
Opening the passenger's door on my brother's car I sit Neptune down to where she still has her head tilting to the left. Finally I buckle her seat belt so my brother doesn't get a ticket.
That just leaves the back seats open for Nepgear and I. Opening the door for her she thanks me then takes her seat. Walking around the back of the car I sit in the seat next to hers.
The rest of the ride home is spent with mine and Nepgear's hands interlocked.
Ah Monday, the day of the week that should've never existed. It's too damn early, and I didn't want the weekend to end as quickly as it did.
Oh well all good things come to and end I suppose. Here we are in a similar situation to Friday night. First off we're in Maurice's car riding to school like we normally do.
Neptune is in the front seat fighting with my brother about which radio station it should be on. If it's anything I've learned in the past it's to never argue about a radio station with my brother.
And I'm in the back seat with Nepgear. Our hands still interlocked. I'm actually surprised that Neptune hasn't found out about us yet.
All of Saturday we were sitting on a bench and holding hands. As awkward as it was I still enjoyed it to a degree. I even learned a little bit about her.
Now we're holding hands behind her, if that isn't an indicator I don't know what is. I know Neptune is a little bit slow and all but this is ridiculous.
Just as quickly as I started talking about this we reach the school. Damn, I need to do a better job of describing these sorts of things. Sometimes I feel as if I move too fast.
Like I said before we're at the school now. Stepping out of my brother's car, the Nep sisters follow behind.
Not too long after we make the half way mark through the front court yard a familiar voice calls to us.
"Hey! Wait up! Jeez are you guys even listening?"
It's never a dull moment when Noire's around… that goes for everyone in fact. Not once have I found myself bored. I'll admit I miss the days when I could relax in quiet.
As requested we stop in our tracks and wait for Noire. In a short distance I can see Uni running to catch up. The amount of effort she'll give to just match her sister is almost inspiring… almost.
"Noire haa… Wait up haa…haa…"
"You'll never surpass me if you have to breathe that heavily after running."
Uni looks towards the ground after hearing her sister's words. Her eyes closing slightly as if to say 'I'm not good enough' without actually saying it. However I still have hope for her dream.
Sure it may sound sappy but I once had dreams. Then one day my dreams decided as Maurice put it, commit suicide. I had a messed up childhood in my own little way.
Going up to a hunched over Uni I reach my hand out. The palm of my right hand touches her right shoulder. She looks up at me with curious eyes, more curious than my brother's old cat.
"Don't get down, you're great as you are Uni." Counseling is second nature to me at this point.
No longer hunched over Uni stands up straight and looks me straight in the eyes. Something bad is about to happen I can already tell. Call it a hunch.
Ten bucks says Uni's about to say something she doesn't actually mean. My tsundere meter is going off the charts.
"I don't need your pity, I can handle my own." I don't think I need to put up the translation for that.
In an act of anger Uni storms off to the school entrance. I know she doesn't mean that, it's just in her nature.
Noire just shrugs it off as nothing, if not a little disappointed in her. Deep down I'm sure she loves Uni. Hopefully Uni's desire doesn't go too far. When I say that I mean I hope she doesn't go too extreme to get results. I'll get hurt in the end.
"Jack dear, good morning to you." Vert enters the scene.
As usual her warm smile is plastered across her face. Just looking at it makes me forget what happened just a few seconds ago.
Or that could just be the huge melons talking. They are really distracting when in direct eyesight. I've actually caught myself staring at them in class more than once this year.
Now I just feel dirty.
"Hello Vert, glad to see you too."
Vert smiles at me increase the size of her grin. Even though I've known her for three weeks I still find myself surprised at what my friends make me feel inside. Oh wait, that's heartburn.
Suddenly a cold chill goes down my spine. This sensation can only mean one thing. An Icy presence is near my location.
"Good morning Jack… you're looking well."
It's good to see Blanc too, I couldn't imagine the party without her. The best part is that she's not using her usual monotone voice. Now it's a tad louder and more easy to understand.
The only thing that hasn't changed is her apparel. I personally think her coat could be a little shorter.
Behind Blanc I can hear two more voices. They can belong to my favorite twins in the whole world. My friends Rom and Ram.
"Hi Jack, how ya doing?"
"Good morning… mister Jack."
"Good morning to the both of you. It's great to see all of you."
The weekend felt like it took forever, I just needed some of the chaos I've grown accustom to. It's understandable to me at least.
Both of the twins nod happily at me. I guess they're glad to see me as well.
For once in my life things are good. In fact I like the way things are going right now. I wouldn't change a thing for the entire world.
Life is good.
'Whatever noise a car make when it stops.'
All of us look back to see what made the noise. My knowledge of cars is limited, but if I had to say the model… that's a 1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville.
Whoever owns that car is one lucky as hell guy. The color ain't too shabby either. Being a lighter shade of white, it's a great compliment to the black asphalt.
The passenger side door of the car opens. Out of it comes a boy about my age with slicked back dirty blonde hair with a white spot on the left side. A weird place to have a birthmark if you ask me.
This man wears glasses, the style is wider earpieces, the lenses are smooth rectangular with no frame on the bottom of the lens.
His attire set off to a slight extent. Wearing a sports coat with a white dress shirt under it complimented with a black tie. This guy sure likes the color black.
Wait… I've seen this guy before. I bumped into him when I went to pick up more Ale8 during the picnic. It hadn't crossed my mind until now.
The black wearing man begins to walk towards the entrance of the school while the car that dropped him off in drives away. After the car moves out of the way I can see he has a decorative walking stick. I've got a bad feeling about this.
Suddenly he stops just a few feet away from the little group we've established.
"Pardon me, though it may seem strange may I accompany you for the day to learn this establishment works since I have no friends in the area yet."
I have to give it to him, he's really polite. If not a bit awkward. Then again, my group is the definition of awkward.
"I see nothing wrong with it, anyone disagree?"
All of them of them nod their heads in agreement. One more to the friends counter.
"Name's Jack, and you are?"
"Martin Winchester, pleasure to your acquaintance."
He offers a surprisingly warm smile for a mysterious stranger. Oh I can already tell the pock will be screwed in the end.
"Anally so." Martin whispers to me.
Did I say that aloud?
"No" He whispers to me again.
Ok I'm starting to get goose bumps, something's off about him.
"So who are your companions over here?"
"I'm Neptune, you'll never meet someone as strong as me!"
"I'm Noire, the symbol of perfection"
"I'm Blanc… enough said."
"My name is Vert, it's nice to meet someone as strapping as you."
"I'm Ram, and this is my amazing twin sister Rom."
"Nice… to meet… you."
"And I'm Nepgear, it's wonderful to make a new friend."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to *Ring*"
Oh crap we spent so much time on the introductions we're at the warning bell already. Time to dash like sonic the hedgehog!
All of us begin to run inside the building, Martin included. Like I said before, I've got a bad feeling about this.