Chapter 69

"Ugh… and here we are again away from our goals." I say walking in front of the school while the snow is falling. It's Jack this time by the way.

"It's not like we can just go and challenge them, Histoire has to track them down first and give us their locations." Uni tells me with a slightly annoyed tone. Did I really sound that bad?

Ever since I woke up there hasn't been much else going on, it's been pretty normal actually. We went back to school today if you couldn't tell, so that's real fun.

I honestly wanted another go at that Bound Deity, but he wasn't showing his face this time. Why'd I have to white knight it in our previous encounter?

Yet, something would feel off about fighting him. It was… a natural sense of fear within me. I didn't want to be hurt that much again, and have to confront 'him.'

Still, I can't deny that I have something in me wanting revenge. He almost killed me, so I'll kill him, simple as that.

"It would be really convenient if that were how it works. However, we're stuck using this method for now." Vert chimes in.

"Wait, for now?" Blanc jumps in upon hearing that. I'm also curious as well.

"Histy mentioned that she's beginning to understand the frequencies that these bad guys are giving off. I wish she'd figure it out sooner, it's boring waiting for them to be tracked."

Neptune slouches forward in a lazy fashion. Yeah, she's right on that, I hate waiting for them as well. Who would've thought that Neptune and I could agree on something?

"She can really do that?" Nepgear asks walking beside me.

"Histoire is the world so I imagine it would be possible." What Vert says almost seems obvious to us now.

"And I have no idea what any of you are talking about." Martin joins in our little group outside. He must've just gotten here.

"Some really complex stuff." Ram gives him an answer. Well she's not wrong by any means.

Martin nods to her. "Gotcha, interdimensional properties and whatnot." Martin lets out a small laugh and a few join with him. I don't see what was so funny but to each his own I guess.

While the others are enjoying some light conversation, I'm watching out to see if Andrew comes to school today. If he does, I may get suspended for my actions.

It's just Andrew this time though, something feels off about the environment around here. Like something is looming over us. It's probably just my paranoia though.

But now that I think about it, even he wouldn't be stupid enough to strike here where there are a lot of people. He's only after us as far as I know.

The last week has been quiet though, so it looks like our enemies are resting for now. We should take advantage of this time to prepare ourselves.

"Hey Jacko, why don't you come out of the clouds and talk with us?" Neptune puts an arm around me and gives me a noogie shortly afterwards. I push her off of me, but for some reason it felt nice.

It feels like now I have a group of people I'm truly comfortable with. Perhaps this is our preparing, just being goofballs and having fun.

"Alright Neptune, here's some payback." I give her a smile before giving her a noogie myself.

"hahaha, there he is!" Well she's having fun with me today.

"Um… don't we a class to get to?" Nepgear asks as Neptune and I continue our little fight if that's the right word.

Oh shit… we do have classes don't we? I forgot what time they started over the break. I need to get my ass in gear if I hope to appear normal.

Time to get back into the old routine I guess. And that routine starts with a boring ass back to school lecture from one of our teachers.

"In order to find the Y-intercept, you must first get the Y by itself, now who can tell me how we do that?" The teacher drones on in her lecture.

The entire time this is going on I just want to get a lobotomy by soup spoon so I don't have to listen to her anymore. Ok that was a bit harsh but nearly dying twice does that to you.

A girl raised her hand to answer the question, someone I don't recall at all. Then again, I forgot most of my classmates names by this point so I'll bet it's that.

"Yes… Um, I'm sorry, what was your name again?" The teacher, who's had her for half the school year can't recall her name? That's kind of strange.

"I'm Blair, don't you remember?" When she said her name I felt something off in the air. It's something that should be taken note of that's for sure.

The teacher scratches her head for a second before perking up. "Ah yes, how could I forget you Blair? What is the answer then?" The teacher goes back to the topic at hand. If the last few weeks have taught me anything it's that nothing can be trusted.

'You can sense it can't you?' I hear a disembodied voice in my head. It's this Histoire person if I remember correctly.

I jump in my seat from the sudden voice, it earns a few glances from those around me but nothing too noteworthy.

'I thought you could only talk to me while I was unconscious.'

'That was once the case, but for whatever reason it is possible for the time being. It seems you're the only one I am able to contact though.'

'That doesn't make any sense but whatever it is it's really convenient.'

'Back to my original question, you can sense it can't you?'

'You mean the suspicion coming from that girl? My question is how is everyone falling for it?'

'The answer can only be classified as magic.'

'That's real specific.'

'It's difficult to read a person when they're a dimension away!' She becomes angry with me.

I jump in my seat a bit from her voice, but not enough to cause suspicion. I hate yelling, I just hate it so much.

'I'm sorry if I startled you, it's just been real stressful as of late.'

'Same goes for me. I can't seem to catch a break.'

'That is partially my fault for letting our situation getting out of hand.'

'It's fine, the only thing I want to give back is Neptune.' I can hear Histoire laugh on the other end.

'While I don't disagree with that statement, you'll have to put up with her for the time being.'

'I'm sending her back as soon as we're done.'

'That is fair, but first you must succeed in your mission. In the meantime I want you

to keep your eyes on that girl.'

'There's definitely something up with her. I'll keep you posted then.'

'Until next time…'

I can feel Histoire's presence leave me, it makes me feel lighter honestly. Needless to say

I open up my eyes and see that class is almost over. Does this mean I go to sleep after all if I talk with her?

So many questions, not a lot of answers. That's just the way I like it.

Still, now that I'm able to talk with Histoire more frequently, things will be more fun from now on. At the very least she can be a conversation buddy. I don't know how offensive that is so I'll just keep it to myself.

*Ding!* *Ding!* *Ding!*

Looks like class is over now. I stand up from my desk and stretch a little. These seats aren't exactly good for your back so this is kind of necessary.

My friends are already on their way to our next class by the time I get done stretching, leaving me the only one who isn't with them.

I grab my bag and prepare to leave before a girl stops me. I won't forget her name this time, it's Blair.

"Can I help you?" I'm as blunt as ever it seems.

She holds a piece of paper in front of her, wanting to give it to me. "This is for you. I hope you read it." She sounds overly cheerful about it.

But I take it regardless and exit the room myself, not looking back at the girl. But come to think of it, I don't think I have any memories of her ever.

I might be an idiot, but I can be an intelligent idiot when the time comes for it. I'll have to really think about this and give proper judgment later.

For now though I need to get to class since the bell is about to ring and I've got people waiting for me. Today's just moving by too fast.

While I'm walking I open up the piece of paper she handed me a minute ago.

Dear Jack,

I want you to meet me in the Janitors Closet on the lower floor during second hour. It would really mean a lot to me if you showed up.

Sincerely, Blair

Great, now I'm going to skip a good portion of my class just to see a girl. But she did make it easier for me to get close to her so I should thank her for that later.

I didn't tell anyone about the letter she gave me for reasons that they might interfere. I have to go solo on this one, it'd put too many people at risk if I brought them into it.

I lied about having to go to the bathroom to get out of class. Since I've never asked before the teacher said I could go. It was suspicious of me to ask that, so Nepgear got a little worried but didn't ask me any questions.

I walk down the stairs, my heart beats faster because I don't know what's going to happen. Maybe it's all in my head, I don't know anymore, nor do I care.

There are just too many unknown variables to calm down about. I don't look it on the outside, but I'm scared, very scared for what's going to happen in the coming months.

No time to think about that though, I'm here. I stand in front of the Janitor's Closet, feeling uneasy about entering. But, it's for the best I guess.

I open the door and walk in slowly. I'm greeted by a bright, smiling girl that I've had my eyes on for the larger portion of my morning.

As I step forward the door closes behind me, cutting off my exit from the outside. Throwing caution to the wind I walk towards her. She in turn walks towards me.

We meet in the middle and she looks into my eyes for a brief moment before placing her hands on my shoulders and pushing me towards the wall.

She's pretty strong, strong enough to actually make me feel sore immediately.

"You know, the last time a girl got this close to me it almost cost me my relationship. So tell me, who are you?"

"What are you talking about?" She plays dumb for now. Then her expression turns to one of seduction. "I was always by your side."

Her eyes glow as she stares's into mine. A surge of magic enters me, but my abilities kick in naturally without me even knowing at first, so my left eye glows purple.

"W-what?!" She backs away from me quickly. It's clear that she wasn't expecting this at all. Thank you random powers.

"A magic trick like that won't work on me. Now I'll ask again, who are you?"

A/N: I feel like I made good time on this one, well better time anyway. Things are heating up again, but did it even get cold? I'd like to hear your opinions.

In other news, I might be starting a new fanfiction soon. Either another Neptunia one or a crossover. I'll also be doing a collaboration with Fragarach97 soon but that won't inhibit my writing. But until then, I'll see you in the next update.