Chapter 48

Nothing much has really happened since Thanksgiving. All of us have sort of just gone on with whatever we usually do. Neptune's still a pain most of the time. Noire's still dishonest.

And Nepgear is still as lovable as ever.

It's hard to believe, but we've been together for three months now. It started in mid September and now it's mid December. Time's flying by so fast that I can hardly keep up with it.

"So… tonight's going to be busy for you?" Martin and I speak quietly in the schools courtyard.

"Yes, hopefully I can express how I truly feel for her."

Martin's demeanor changes to casual in an instant. I wanted to tell my only guy friend my plans for the evening. He's the closest thing to a brother I have right now.

You could say that Maurice is my only real brother. However he's stepped up as a father figure in the past few years. I can't see him as an obnoxious older brother anymore.

"I hope that everything goes well for you my friend. Knowing you it will be fine"

"That means a lot Martin. Now, on to more pressing issues."

Martin gives off a curious glance at my proposal. For a man as clever as he is I don't think that he knows exactly what's going on right now.

"Have you ever considered going into a relationship of your own?" Again, more curious looks come from him. I'm starting to think that his cleverness is just a show.

"It sounds interesting… but I don't believe anyone would be interested in me. Even the people in our group of friends don't seem all that compatible romantically."

*Smack!* that smack was directed at myself. I can't help but hit myself at how daft he can be on picking up social cues.

"Look… you didn't hear it from me… but Vert and I think that Noire likes you."

Martin jumps back a few inches. From what I'm guessing he doesn't think so. It's to be expected. I had the same reaction when I came to terms with my relationship.

"Tha- that's preposterous. The only thing I've done is protect her from some questionable people. Besides… she doesn't seem like a person who enjoys such escapades."

Sadly I have to agree on his last statement. I just want to see some of my friends happy is all. It might even help both of them break out of their shells even more.

Martin is a nice guy, but tends to be socially awkward and a tad shy to everyone except me. Noire is the same way except she's dishonest about how she feels. It makes me feel bad whenever I think about it actually.

Then again, I'm no love guru. If they want to get together it's ultimately their choice on the matter.

"Whatever, just throwing it out there."

"Well… thank you for the information. But we really should return inside. It's almost time for the lunch period to end."

Without saying a word both of us get off the bench and head back inside. It is a little cold outside anyway. Enough talk of trying to make my friends happy, I've got my own plans for tonight.

And it involves a semi-nice dinner.

"What! You're really going out tonight?" Somehow I knew that Maurice would react like this.

"Look, it's our three month anniversary. Is that really a problem?"

Maurice's left eye starts twitching. He's going to blow soon I can already see it. The only real reason he's taking it like this is because I'm basically the only one who can cook in his apartment.

I tried to teach him how to cook once, but to say it was a failure would be an understatement. I didn't even know you could burn juice.

"It's not an issue. You're just growing up too fast for me to keep up with. It seems like just the other day that you were a shy kid who hardly left his room."

"Wow that means a lot."

Maurice gives me a hug… he never gives me hugs like this though. I'm probably over thinking this whole thing but you can't be too cautious.

"Go get her lady killer." And just like that the moment's ruined.

Freeing myself of his still tight grasp I wave him goodbye before closing the door.

Walking across the street I get to the Nep sisters apartment. Knocking on the door earns Neptune opening it. Like usually, she has a big grin plastered on her face.

"Hello~, Nep Jr. is almost ready. Come on in and have a seat."

Doing as I'm told, I walk in to their apartment and have a seat on their incredibly soft lavender couch. Dear lord it's really soft, I might just fall asleep on it.

Neptune's expression goes to a curious one suddenly. One of her famous questions is sure to come out of this.

"Hey Jack… why do you like my sister so much?" That's surprisingly serious coming from her. Honestly it caught me off guard.

"It's hard to answer briefly… I guess it'd be that she's nice to me, whenever I'm down she finds a way to brighten my day, and how she taught me to smile."

Neptune looks like she has more questions than answers now. I answered as honestly as I could, but something felt off about my answer.

"Could you not smile before? Was there some sort of parasite in you that my brave sister eradicated?" And just like that she's gone back to not being serious.

"Before I met her, or any of you for that matter, my life was kind of sad. I had no friends, I was an outcast, and I never had any emotion what so ever."

"I won't ask you about it." Neptune goes back into serious mode. When I think about it, she can be a better friend than anyone else at hard times.

"It's supposed to be a happy day for you. If it's hard for you to recall then I won't ask about it."

"Thanks Neptune, I promise I'll tell you what I mean eventually."

Neptune gives me a small smile for the time being. We sit in silence for another minute or so before Nepgear comes into their living room ready to go.

Taking this as the perfect time to go, I get up off their couch with great restraint to not plop back down and join her side.

"Bye sis, I'll be home later."

Neptune raises her arm up once before it falls back down. Just as quickly as she had come, we had gone out of her apartment.

Nepgear and I walk for a little while before I ask one crucial question.

"Where do you want to eat tonight?" Nepgear ponders this question for a moment before giving me her answer.

After a minute or so of walking she finally gives me her answer. "I was thinking… the place we had our first date."

I like it already it has a lot of value to her and serves some pretty good food. I'd take her anywhere if she asked though, just goes to show how much I care about her.

"Huh?" Nepgear's hand clasps mine with great determination. I'll never get used to that I don't think. Something about her touch just sends every bit of my body's emotion into turbulence.

"Your hand is so warm." That's probably the contrast of my body heat to the outside air right now. Damn, I really over think everything that anybody says to me.

"So is yours…" I still sound nervous around her. Sure she's the slightest bit nervous as well but I don't feel like I'm developing as a boyfriend any.

She looks me in the eyes with her beautiful purple eyes. Something about them makes me feel like I'm on an acid trip that I just don't want to get off of.

"Don't worry Jack, its fine to be a little scared." That's an unusual thing for Nepgear to say. It's almost like she feel what I'm feeling and respond accordingly. Or maybe she's gotten really good at reading me.

"I'll try not to be so scared around you." Try as I might, I'm never going to get over these feelings. I'm terrified on the thought of losing her if I screw up in any way.

Her grip on my hand increases and her gaze has become more serious. My soul is being touched by her magnificent eyes. "I won't leave you for a petty reason… I care about you too much."

Wow, she really can read what I'm thinking. And at the same time, my hand stops shaking. Nepgear is a guardian angel, one who knows how to bring me back to reality.

"Oh look, we're here. And… thanks Nepgear."

"Anytime for someone who makes me feel accepted." I make her feel accepted? With her grades, looks and talents anyone would accept her. She might have a few quirks here and there but they make her all the more interesting and attractive.

Something just tells me that tonight's dinner will be something special that I won't be able to forget easily.

A/N: This chapter could've been… better to say the least. It's shorter than most of the chapters I've published but with good reason. I just needed to write something to clear my mind from some things happening on my end.

I promise that the next chapter and every chapter onwards will be better than every chapter to this point. Its spring break, so I won't be writing for a little bit. Bear with me, we all have that moment in our lives when things get tough.

On a more cheery note, I want to thank everyone for reading again. This story is going better than when I first thought it up. Reviews are strongly encouraged, they just might ignite a spark inside and start a writing spree.

But until then, see you in the next update.