White

by Shimmy748

There are two journeys in life ones you expect and the ones unexpected and as Okabe was finding out sometimes the most memorable journeys are you ones least expected, especially if his assistant was along for the ride. *This is a continuation of my one-shot Overseas, so if you haven't checked it out well I would advise to at least skim over it, but it isn't necessary.

5. Chapter 5

What is up, what is up! Long time no see, I hope everyone is safe out there during these crazy times! Also it's been one year since I posted Overseas and man, how things have changed. But yes after so many months here's chapter 5. Also this is by far the biggest chapter being at 29k words, so I understand if some of you are daunted by it's sheer size, but no worries. Feel free to read a little at a time if you want, so without further ado, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Steins;gate or it's characters, this is purely for fun

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December 24, 2012 08:38:55 AM EST

"You know, I was beginning to think you might be useful for something afterall, but nope. I was dead wrong." If there was one thing Okabe hated was smugness and even though he wasn't looking at her, he knew Ms. M was oozing with it standing at the archway watching him try and fail to put their damn star on the Christmas tree.

"Your star is too big!" Okabe cried out in frustration after another unsuccessful attempt to place the star on top resulted in it to promptly slide off.

"Jeez. I forgot you aren't use to working with large things."

"Why do you always have to go there!"

"Mom!" And coming to Okabe's defense either out of embarrassment or wishing to end this onslaught was Kurisu, standing beside her mother under the archway, crossing her arms glaring at her.

"What?" Ms. M replied back to Kurisu while Okabe once again tried to place the star on the very top only for it to once again topple to one side. "We've been here for five minutes and he still hasn't placed the star on top! I mean how hard is it? You use to do it when you were a child!"

"Why don't you do it than." Okabe barely catching the star from falling muttered under his breath, which didn't go unnoticed by Ms. M.

"Excuse me?" She rudely began, her annoyance draped over every word as she once again turned her attention towards Okabe. "Sorry, but I assumed since you can reach the top without a step that this task would have been super easy for-"

"Mom, please Okabe's trying his best." Kurisu softly pleaded cutting off her mom mid-sentence before adding. "You scrutinizing him isn't helping."

"Are you okay?" And surprising Kurisu was the fact those words didn't come from her mother but rather Okabe who was looking at her like if she had grown an extra head.

"Of course I am!" Kurisu exclaimed in disbelief and annoyance at Okabe's bewildered look! What? She could be nice too! It wasn't as shocking as he was making it out to be! Turning to look at Okabe, a flush assaulting her face, Kurisu proclaimed. "I do something nice and that is what you say!"

"What do you want me to say?" Okabe genuinely questioned as Kurisu closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Anything but that!" She proclaimed making Okabe roll his eyes.

"Well excuse me it's just so weird seeing my assistant try to be nice for once, emphasis on try."

That actually garnered an annoyed growl from Kurisu, but before she could translate her annoyance into words her mom beat her to it.

"Assistant? Oh God. Please, leave your role playing out of this." Kurisu's mom said making it clear how disgusted she was, causing Okabe and Kurisu to gasp in unison.

"I- w- again, why do you always make everything so sexual!" Okabe shouted in frustration using the star in his hand to point towards Ms. M who shrugged it off nonchalantly.

"How am I making it sexual? You made it sexual. And besides I was once young too you know!" Ms. M began before doing her own dramatic point at Okabe. "And my ex-husband was a lot like you when we were dating and let me tell you we played nurse and doctor plenty of nights-"

"Eww, mom!" Kurisu gagged out as an image from the pits of hell assaulted her brain.

"What?" Kurisu's mom innocently began looking at Kurisu with a mixture of confusion and curiosity "How do you think you were born?"

"Aragh! I know how it works, you don't have to be so... gross about it!"

"How is it gross? I'm just talking about sex?"

"Between my parents!" Kurisu quickly quipped as Ms. M quizzically tilted her head at her daughter not exactly sure what the big deal was.

"Kurisu, I think you're old enough to know how it works? You should know reproduction is a natural process that involves copulation-"

"Yes! But I don't wanna hear it! You're my parents I can't- I don't- want to know!" Kurisu exclaimed loudly hoping someone could bleach her brain right about now.

"To know? The reason I'm your mother is because I gave birth to you. How do you think I got pregnant?" Someone just shoot Kurisu.

"I'm not denying you did.. the se-that, but it's disgusting!"

"It's not disgusting, well let me take that back, it can get disgusting-"

"Okabe just put the star already!" Kurisu shouted to Okabe who during that entire time was trying to place the star on top to no avail.

"It doesn't want to stay!" Okabe cried out in anger and frustration.

"Because you're not putting it right!" Kurisu's mom stated in Kurisu's place, but while she was about to get into a spat with Okabe, Kurisu went to the kitchen grabbed a chair and dragged it all the way to the living room where the tree was and placed it next to Okabe.

"Gimme the star." She ordered to Okabe who looked at her confused and timidly.

"I can-" He began sheepishly, but Kurisu was having none of it.

"Give me the star, Okabe." Kurisu sternly ordered again as Okabe bit his lip and slowly handed her the star, all while Ms. M shook her head at the scene with immense disappointment.

With the star in hand Kurisu boldly stepped on the chair, where she towered over Okabe on it, setting to fix the star on top of the tree. It was a much more difficult task than she had anticipated or remembered, the star usually just slid right in, but this time it refused to stay put or fully slide in. She twisted and pushed down on the star, but it seemed no matter what she did the star refused to stay upright. However Kurisu was more determined to end this ridiculous scene between her mom and Okabe then whatever was preventing the star from staying on the tree. With one final attempt she pushed as hard as she could down on the star, almost breaking it, and twisted it, all while trying to maintain its balance on the very top of the tree. After a long few seconds the star began standing on it's own as she felt the wobbling star become firm in its place.

A triumphant smile began forming on her face that she couldn't and didn't want to hide as she slowly eased her grip on the star.

"See!" Kurisu proudly stated as she took a step back on the chair letting go of the star completely to admire her work. "Easy now-"

But just as she was about to give her victory speech, just like with Okabe, the once firm star began to wobble before completely toppling to one side making both Okabe and Kurisu lunged at it trying to catch it before it fell. Which they promptly did, both of them, leading to a few long seconds as the pair realized each had a hand over lapping with one another holding onto said star.

While they had accomplished the task of not dropping the star they also inadvertently grabbed each other's hand. Okabe couldn't recall the last time he had touched Kurisu's hand, a small and simple gesture, yet for some reason it felt more intimate than whatever they had previously done before. Her fingers firmly wrapped around the back of his hand were soft and creamy, while the back of her hand which Okabe was grabbing was as smooth as silk only offset by her boney knuckles. It felt unnaturally scandalous, no ridiculously scandalous and the sad thing was they weren't really holding hands but merely touching them! Okabe couldn't imagine how proactive he would have felt actually holding her hand with their fingers interlocked under any circumstance, let alone infront of people. It was an odd thing realizing they were more comfortable kissing than touching each others hand, infact Okabe was more embarrassed Kurisu's mom saw them inadvertently grabbing each other's hands than kissing!

And just as quickly as it began, it ended as Okabe pulled his hand out with the star in tow while a small, but noticeable, blush crept onto his face as Kurisu shyly looked away hiding her hands behind her back, with a face equally as red. That exchange led to a moment of utter silence that neither wanted or were willing to address. That didn't include Ms. M who growled her frustration indicating she was not pleased with their current predicament before making her way towards them where she yanked the star away from Okabe's hand.

"Let me see that!" She exclaimed in annoyance examining the star where her eyes widened in surprise before face palming. "How could I have forgotten! I dropped this one last year breaking the column that slides into the tree! I have the new one in my car!"

And just like that she shoved the star back to Okabe before she hurriedly left outside with her keys dangling from her hands. Okabe and Kurisu could only stare dumbfounded and unsure of what was going on, but before either could wrap their mind around what was happening Ms. M quickly reappeared with a brand new star in tow. It was similar to the old star except slightly bigger and having bolder red accents along the edges of the otherwise clear fogged glass.

"Here." Kurisu's mom said handing the new star to Kurisu before rudely yanking the old star from Okabe's hand. "I can't believe you couldn't tell it was broken."

Once again the vileness and disgust was the forefront of Ms. M's words as she stared at Okabe with immense disappointment. Luckily for Okabe the disappointed gaze didn't last too long for the simple fact since Ms. M had handed Kurisu a new and not broken star she was able to set the new star in the blink of an eye. Shifting her attention back to Kurisu Ms. M held up the old star and said.

"I'm going to put this one back in it's box since we won't be needing it anymore, also where do you have a sharpie so I can label it so we don't get mixed up again next year?"

"In the kitchen drawer next to the sink, if not there's a pack in the attic... somewhere." Kurisu replied back still atop of the chair.

"Well hopefully I can find them." Ms. M said as she began heading out of the room with the star in hand before throwing over her shoulder. "Also if I find the sharpies do you want me to hide them because your boyfriend might find them and start drawing on the walls?"

"Mom!" Kurisu exclaimed as Okabe was surprised Kurisu was about to defend him for a second time- "He's not my- forget about it! Do what you want!"

Well it wasn't exactly defending him but it was something. Watching Kurisu's mom finally leave the front room Okabe gave a sigh of relief, almost as if a literal thorn had been plucked from his side, before turning his attention to Kurisu, who was still atop of the chair. Unbeknownst to Kurisu a devious smirk quickly appeared on Okabe's face noticing her position on top of the chair where he decided to repay her surprising defenses of him with a bit of light teasing.

"You didn't notice it was broken?" He echoed back to Kurisu with all his teasing intent hidden behind a tone of annoyance.

"Are you trying to blame this on me!" She shot back to Okabe who for his part tried to remain serious.

"How did you not notice it was broken!" As the words entered her ears Kurisu's face scrunched up indicating to Okabe he was getting under her skin.

"What about you!"

"Tsck! I thought I taught my assistant to be more observant than this." And of course to annoy her more Okabe closed his eyes and shook his head in disappointment, channeling shades of Hououin Kyouma.

"You didn't teach me anything!"

"A poor learner blames the master." Okabe calmly jabbed back making Kurisu growl even louder.

"It's a poor workman blames the tools, dork."

"It still applies." Okabe simply stated making Kurisu roll her eyes.

"You're still talking?" She smugly question while Okabe turned his whole body towards her to begin to enact his mater plan.

"Yes!" He stated before 'realizing' he had to look up to actually speak to her. "And come down from there, I think the sudden change in altitude is getting to your head!"

And like he anticipated a smile crept onto her face before in a rare bout of playfulness Kurisu teased out, "I think I like it here. I don't have to see your smug face looking down on me all the time!"

"Christina!" Okabe called out as Kurisu actually chuckled. Oh how she was blissfully unaware of what was about to happen!

"How does it feel that the shoe is on the other foot, Okabe." She mockingly asked making Okabe fake growl.

"Get down from there!" Damn if Okabe didn't know better he might have fooled himself with his stellar acting, but for Kurisu she was none the wiser as she smirked.

"No." She began before playfully adding. "Is that all the Mad Scientist Hououin Kyouma has? Petty pleas and cries? Ha! And here I was thinking he was tougher than that!"

She was falling straight into his plan!

"You are treading on thin ice Christina!"

"And what are you gonna do about it!" She threw out as she crossed her arms and closed her eyes triumphantly making Okabe actually twitch his eyes in anticipation.

"This!" Okabe suddenly exclaimed as he lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Kurisu's ankles catching her by surprise before promptly lifting her off the chair.

Yes this was Okabe's master plan. Simple but effective.

However, you see in Okabe's mind his original plan was to simply grab her and put her down like a child which would no doubt embarrass Kurisu, but he had miscalculated and lowered himself a little too low, and by lower he meant he was nearly grabbing her ankles oppose to her knees like he intended. This lead to when he actually lifted her up, her knees buckled leading to her bending her knees on his shoulders, which immediately signaled to Okabe if her knees were resting on his shoulders he had royally screwed up. This lead to her momentum swinging him backwards, where instantly he knew he was gonna fall backwards and she was gonna fall face first on the floor if he didn't do something quick. So with a mix of some adrenaline, but mostly fear Okabe adjusted his grip on her, placing his hands from just above her ankles to about above her calves while he shuffled backwards trying not to fall over. At the same time he tried pulling her down with the goal being to get most of her body weight back onto his body oppose to in the air.

And while he was mildly successful in the maneuver he didn't account for Kurisu's own reaction as she had a similar idea in trying to get as low to the ground as possible except she had the misfortune that if she fell she was gonna get the worse of it. That led to her frantically trying to climb down Okabe as quick as possible. With both their maneuvers Kurisu's knees had slid down from Okabe's shoulders to about his chest where she instinctively wrapped her legs around Okabe's chest tightly.

She was no doubt secured and Okabe's crushed ribs could attest to that, but now Okabe found himself trying to save himself from falling, as literally his arms were flailing cartoonishly in the air. But before he could even process his next move Kurisu decided her legs weren't enough as she suddenly wrapped her arms around Okabe's head smothering his face against her stomach. It caught Okabe offguard as he continued stumbling backwards all but hoping for a miracle. It was as he gave up on all hope Kurisu's grip on his head softened as he felt one of her arms untangle itself from his head while the other hand spread across the back of his head like a shield before they collided with the nearby wall. With the hand that left his head she had tried to stiff arm the wall in an attempt to soften their collision.

Of course, while softened it was still a collision.

Kurisu's knees smashed against the wall and with the impact loosened her grasp she had on Okabe with her legs prompting her to slide down a bit. That led to a chain reaction where Okabe, sensing her slide, instinctively shot his arms up trying to catch her and prevent her from falling more, where his hands landed right below her butt, exactly where her shorts and tights met. That resulted in Kurisu jumping at the contact smacking Okabe's face with her chest. Which might have sounded nice on paper, but in reality the contact wasn't as great as he would have thought especially considering the impact of the smack jerked his head backwards making him hit the back of his head with the wall. Of course that isn't to say the contact with her chest wasn't pleasant, the pain was worth it even if the contact was minimal.

But back to reality, once Kurisu smacked Okabe in the face with her chest she quickly set to stabilize herself once again. Placing a hand on his shoulder and the other on the wall she lifted herself a bit putting distance between her body and Okabe's. From there she tried to help stabilize Okabe, who was against the wall with his legs dangerously infront of his body while the back of his shoulders were pressed against the wall, by once again wrapping her legs around him to transfer her weight from his arms to his whole body. It worked generously as Okabe felt the weight distribution shift allowing him to move his arms back and push back on the wall to straighten his back against the wall. It was close, but the pair were finally stable as Okabe's back was now flushed with the wall and Kurisu was in no danger of smashing her face in with the floor.

When everything settled both alternated taking shallow breaths as their adrenaline ceased, drawing attention to the fact they were in need of oxygen. Huffing and puffing they found themselves unable to break eye contact with one another as they stared unabashedly at each other. Perhaps it was the fact they almost had a horrible accident and were in shock or maybe they were just weird like that, but for Okabe staring into Kurisu's eyes felt like he was peeking into every emotion and word she wanted to express in that moment. From anger to surprise to excitement and frustration her eyes contained a million stories he wanted to read, but as seconds that felt like hours passed a twitch on her face was enough to break the spell. His eyes wandered south of her eyes landing on her lips where they slowly parted to give a small smile before timid giggles escaped them. Okabe felt a smile of his own form on his face where he also chuckled leading to more defined giggles escaping Kurisu's lips that soon turned to hearty laughs that Okabe soon joined her in. The two were laughing indiscriminately now to the point Kurisu actually snorted causing her to reactively cover her mouth to stop herself, but it was a sorry attempt as it did little to stop her from snorting again louder and harder as she continued laughing. It didn't take long after that as Kurisu playfully slapped Okabe's shoulder where she tried to seriously scold him between breaths.

"Is that what you meant!" The words were barely understandable, sounding more like a formality she felt she had to ask rather than an actual question, making the pair attempt to calm down trying not to laugh. Not even two seconds into their attempt at seriousness and they couldn't help themselves as the pair broke into another bout of uncontrollable laughter. It continued like that for a moment until suddenly Kurisu slid her arms around Okabe's head and placed her head ontop of his.

The sudden and foreign contact immediately made Okabe stop laughing as she tightened her embrace on him rubbing her still giggling face on the top of his hair. It was the strangest thing, reminding Okabe of a cat rubbing itself against it's owner or a baby snuggling up with it's blanket, and just like those examples this moment felt just as nice, albeit a very strange kind of nice. While it scrambled his mind, there was no words to describe the utter confusion his body was in. His hands were unsure of where to go or what to do, debating whether he should wrap them around her back and bring her in for an embrace or dangle in the air like they found themselves in shocked at what she was doing. As for his head, it was caught between remaining static or moving in sync with her face, while his voice debated whether or not to ask her what she was doing.

And the body part that had it worst was his heart, it was like if it signed up for a marathon he was unaware of until it was zigzagging across his chest and his stomach looking for that finish line. He could even hear it huffing and puffing begging for oxygen!

"Uh, Kurisu?" And coming to all his extremities rescue was his mouth, go figure. While it felt like a lifetime in reality she had only barely began her strange act when Okabe opened his mouth to question it, but before either could continue on that thought another familiar presence entered the room.

"Ahem!" And of course to ruin everything like she always did was Kurisu's mom.

"Mom!" Kurisu hurriedly exclaimed from her position still wrapped around Okabe turning her head towards Ms. M who continued to just watch the pair.

"I hear a yelp and think something might have happened and this is what I walk into?" She exclaimed viciously before adding just as roughly. "Can't you two keep your hands off each other for five minutes! Jeez! Who knows what you two were doing last night!"

"We weren't doing anything!" Kurisu exclaimed burning red before shifting her attention to an equally beet red Okabe in a exaggerated manner. "Let go of me!"

"Y-You're holding onto me!" Okabe managed to utter as Kurisu comically looked down at her arms slung around Okabe and below that her legs wrapped tightly around him.

Kurisu promptly gave a small shriek at the scene. Shamefully she hurriedly unwrapped herself from Okabe and jumped off of him with enough force she almost fell backwards to the ground once she landed. Stabilized and back on her feet Kurisu and Okabe shared a quick glance at one another before simultaneously turning to face Ms. M, where she wasted no time to respond to what was unfolding infront of her.

"I mean let me take a shower or go to the store before you two decide to get busy!" Ms. M said shaking her head before uttering a sentence that would forever be burned in Okabe's and Kurisu's mind. "Or do you both like being caught in the act?"

"We weren't doing anything!" Kurisu cried out before pointing at Okabe accusingly. "He almost dropped me!"

"Of course he did look at his arms!"

That made Okabe look at his arms self consciously before Kurisu proclaimed.

"I know! That's why some people shouldn't try lifting other people if they're not strong enough to!" Kurisu promptly shot daggers at Okabe who nervously coughed feeling the intense gaze of both Kurisu and her mom.

"I-uh... yeah." Okabe muttered making Kurisu shake her head at Okabe before she turned to again address her mom, but once she did her mom had bristly walked away, no doubt out of frustration, leaving them alone.

This was beyond embarrassing and at least for Kurisu while she was plenty embarrassed and really, really wanted to and had every reason to go on a tangent, Maho's words from last night still rung in her ear as she tried to keep her composure and not make this seem like she was embarrassed of Okabe, but rather upset at his actions. She didn't know whether there was much to differentiate, but it was complicated. Obviously she was upset and made it known she thought his actions were stupid, but was that what a real girlfriend would do? Her mother accused her and Okabe of doing something they weren't so she had every right to correct her, it wasn't like she was blowing up for no reason. But on the other hand her mother accused her of something couples usually do so technically she should have been embarrassed being caught rather than being seen with him! But how could she express that?

Why was this so complicated!

Last night Maho made this sound so simple, but right now it was anything but! Okabe should have been reprimanded for his stupid actions but she didn't want him to feel like she was embarrassed and angered because of him, but rather more of the fact they were caught! Wait! They weren't doing anything so how could they be caught! If they weren't doing anything why would she be mad! Okabe would feel like she is getting mad at him then! Which would make sense because she was mad at his stupid actions! So technically she was mad at him, but she didn't want to be mad at him! Why was she making this harder than it had to be!

Her mind was going into overdrive for no reason trying to figure out the best course of action, trying to go the more girlfriend-ly route than, what he would call, the tsundere route and it was giving her a headache!

"See that is why you are short Christina."

And remarks like that weren't helping!

"What!" She proclaim falling back to reality where Okabe laughed a maniacal laugh going into his Hououin Kyouma act, which was not helping Kurisu by any means!

"This is the reason you are height deficient, Christina!"

"Height deficient!?" She couldn't help it anymore he was being an idiot! "What does my height have to do anything with this!"

"Everything!" Hououin Kyouma began before pointing his index finger mere centimeters away from Kurisu's face. "My stature is a gift, a power, a responsibility people with your predicament can't even begin to comprehend! And just as you demonstrated getting a taste of such a power left you with an insatiable thirst to assert your dominance! The power went to your head and thus as a mad scientist I had to stop my assistant from-"

"You're an idiot." She simply, but sternly stated shoving aside his finger that was pointing at her.

"I- will you let me finish!" Okabe breaking character exclaimed like a child interrupted during story time would as Kurisu crossed her arms clearly not impressed.

"You could just apologize, afterall you almost dropped me on my face!" 'Apologize?' just as the sentence left her mouth that word stuck out the most to Kurisu making her think of something she had never thought of before.

"I will do no such thing!" Hououin Kyouma proclaimed as Kurisu stared at him unimpressed, while a small coy smile wanted to peek at the corners of her lips. "Y-you should be the one begging at my feet thanking me-"

"Thank you." Kurisu flatly stated her arms still crossed with an unimpressed expression catching Okabe offguard.

"What?"

"I thanked you for not dropping me." Kurisu explained as she began her own little devious plan. "So it's your turn to do the same."

Okabe's face was priceless right about now as Kurisu couldn't help but quickly smirk at it before resuming her serious expression.

Hey, maybe this is what Maho meant by expressing herself and if it was it might be easier than she thought! Okabe totally was not expecting that, let alone able to process what was happening! She liked this look and if being nicer could lead to a dumbfounded Okabe more often she wasn't gonna have a hard time doing this!

"I... what are you doing! I... why would-" Okabe began before biting his lip in confusion where he grabbed the back of his neck nervously. "Um, are you being for reals?"

"Yes, I am grateful you didn't drop me, not that I condone you doing your stupid stunt or anything, but it could have been worse." Kurisu was very close to pulling out her phone and snapping a picture of this Okabe. His face was nothing sort of amazing staring at her with pure confusion. "So, Okabe are you going to apologize?"

"Well uh-" Okabe began sheepishly looking at Kurisu before pausing a bit. Now Kurisu couldn't help it as she smirked at Okabe waiting for him to continue and as he opened his mouth to speak his phone rang. It's ringing cut through their breakthrough like a knife as the pair remained still and unsure of what to do until slowly Okabe pulled the phone out of his pocket where his eyes opened in surprised before relief washed over him. "It's Mayuri."

He had simply stated to Kurisu who for her part was actually surprised.

'Again? She had just called two days ago?' Was her mind's immediately reaction to the news as she simply looked at Okabe.

"Mayuri?" Kurisu repeated a little taken back, unsure of exactly why, before coming to her senses. "Y-yeah answer it."

Almost like a child opening a Christmas present Okabe answered his phone, but before Okabe could get off his greetings Mayuri loudly exclaimed with her usual enthusiasm.

"Tutturu Okarin!"

"Hey Mayuri." And just like that the face of confusion and disbelief was wiped away from Okabe's face and was replaced with an almost euphoric smile. "What's going on?"

For Kurisu the opposite happened as she watched in a small haze, wondering how she had gone from totally in control of this situation to a hapless bystander watching a conversation between two friends take place infront of her.

"Oh, nothing." Mayuri worded sweetly as she giggled at the end her sentence. "Do you know what tomorrow is?"

"Christmas." Okabe answered.

"Exactly!"

"Is that why you're excited?" Okabe asked as a blissful and knowing smile graced his face while Kurisu watched and unsurprisingly could hear Mayuri actually nod with child like gleam.

"Uh huh! Wow Okarin you're good at at this!" She said in amazement before adding. "In the morning, Mayushii and Mayushii's parents and Okarin's parents are having #1 Kentucky for Christmas chicken, it's going to be so good Mayushii can't wait! And then Faris is having a Cosplay for Christmas Party for all of our friends at her house in the night, it's going to be so fun too!"

Okabe smiled shaking his head in joy before almost in a teasing tone stated. "I bet Daru can't wait."

"Aha-uha! Daru is very excited! Oh, Okarin did you hear about Daru and Yuki?" Mayuri hurriedly asked to which Okabe simply replied with a no. "Maysuhii heard Yuki took Daru to meet her parents today after their date! Daru said it went okay and tomorrow he's going to introduce her to his parents!"

"Date?" Okabe began before saying. "Oh yeah it's nighttime over there right? Never thought the Super Hax0r would actually part take in such an activity, with an actual girl."

"They make a cute couple don't they?" Mayuri asked but before Okabe could answer she followed up with another question. "Say Okarin did you and Kurisu-chan go on a date today? It's Christmas eve and-

"We're thirteen hours behind, not forward Mayuri, today barely started." Okabe calmly corrected intentionally avoiding the question.

"Oh, Mayushii keeps getting that confused." She admitted pausing for a few long seconds before cautiously adding. "Um, Okarin is Kurisu with you?"

"Christina? She's right infront of me."

"Oh, tell her Mayushii says hello!" Mayuri cheerfully said.

Shaking his head at the girl's eagerness Okabe turned his attention to Kurisu where he plainly did as he was asked. "Mayuri says hello, assistant."

Caught offguard with her sudden inclusion in the conversation Kurisu slowly rebounded back into reality trying to find words to respond with.

"Oh uh, hi. Tell her I said hi." Kurisu replied putting on a smile.

"Christina says hi." Okabe quickly correlated to Mayuri who giggled accordingly.

"You're not giving Kurisu a hard time, right Okarin?" Mayuri asked with childlike teasing making Okabe scoff at the accusation.

"Ha! If anything it has been the other way around!" Okabe exclaimed turning his head towards Kurisu to give a wicked smirk. "For starters just right now I had to save my clumsy assistant from falling flat on her face! The perverted girl couldn't control herself around the mad scientist- hold on let me-"

"Don't listen to this idiot Mayuri!" And realizing what Okabe was doing Kurisu quickly set to work to end his non-sense by prying his phone away.

"Ah Kurisu-chan, tutturu!" Mayuri excitedly beamed hearing Kurisu's voice through the phone. "How is your date!"

"What date!" Kurisu immediately proclaimed.

"Isn't Okarin's trip to America a date?" Mayuri innocently asked making Kurisu shake her head.

"No! Just no... I mean, not right now-a-a date's different Mayuri." Once again Maho's words were influencing Kurisu's phrasing as she was split between delving into her usual tendencies and breaking those trends.

"Mayushii sees. So what about last night at the dinner was that a date?"

"No that wasn't-" Just as Kurisu was actively refuting Mayuri's question it fully processed mid sentence what she had asked, stunning Kurisu. "Wait the banquet? How do you know about that?"

"Oh, Okarin told me this morning you two had just finished Operation Vanir to infrared Dr. Charon and... Mayushii forgets the rest, but Mayushii knows Okarin is silly like that sometimes when he's embarrassed. He said you two ate so Mayushii knows it was probably a dinner."

"Is that so?" Kurisu slowly worded still surprised at the girl's knowledge about the banquet. That led to her own mind quickly coming up with a reasonable reason why, but just to confirm it she followed up with a question of her own. "Say, Mayuri do you... does Okabe talk to you?"

"Of course-"

"No I mean, has he been calling you since he's been here?" Truthfully it didn't bother her if he was, but now that the topic was front and center she was curious to say the least.

"Oh. Well, not really. When Mayushii called a few days ago Okarin said Mayushii could call whenever Mayushii wanted to talk."

"Oh I see." Slowly Kurisu responded back before chuckling at the girl's answer. It was apparent Mayuri missed Okabe and seeing that fully displayed was kinda cute, so without much thought Kurisu added playfully. "And I bet you told him the same thing too right?"

There was a slight pause, a pause ever so small and slim one might have assumed Mayuri didn't hear the question or didn't want to answer. Kurisu for that brief second assumed it was the latter, reasoning the girl was embarrassed to admit it, but once the girl on the other end of the phone spoke, she was quickly reminded Mayuri wasn't like that.

"No. Okarin already knows he can talk to Mayushii anytime and Mayushii'll listen."

It was so earnest and said so matter-of-factly Kurisu responded with a little pause of her own.

That line quickly ended Kurisu's chuckling as her face became stone analyzing that specific sentence. Kurisu always knew what Mayuri said was true, but hearing it from the girl hit differently or more appropriately how she phrased it did.

What Mayuri said was what she's told Okabe hundreds if not thousands of times. Okabe could talk to her anytime, anywhere, any worldline and she'll listen, she always has and always will. That's why hearing Mayuri utter that particular line in a such a particular way caught Kurisu offguard, if Kurisu didn't know better it was almost as if Mayuri was mocking her by using a line that was intimate between them.

"Um, Kurisu-chan?"

"Oh-Y-yeah, sorry, about that." Of course Kurisu knew Mayuri well enough to know the girl wasn't like that and if she said those words they came from the heart and no where else. However, even though the above mentioned sentiment was brief, it didn't sit well with Kurisu such a thought or feeling could develop in her head. Especially against someone like Mayuri, so trying her best to get her mind off of the unsettling thought she casted her gaze to an Okabe keenly listening to their conversation and spouted the first thing that came to her mind. "Just, Okabe's looking at me like a pervert."

"What!" Mayuri could hear Okabe scream from the other end making her giggle before his voice rang loudly through the phone again. "Mayuri, don't let my assistant project her fantasies onto myself! Besides why would I look at my scrawny assistant! Twigs are more shapely than her!"

"Twigs! Look who's talking, noodle arms!" Mayuri couldn't see what they were doing, but she would like to imagine they were both trying to take the phone away from each other like a pair of siblings fighting over the same toy would. A scene that filled Mayuri with happiness mixed with a tinge of sadness. It was a reminder of what was and what could never be and perhaps it was what day it was that drove that feeling home more than it usually did.

"Noodle arms? Can a noodle arm do this!"

"Hey give it back!"

That made Mayuri giggle softly as she silently listened to the pair hurl lighthearted insults at one another seemingly forgetting they were still on the line with her. But the thing was Mayuri couldn't blame them, they were such a cute couple together, even if they didn't realize it. It was like they were tailored made for one another and it was actually entertaining seeing them together, perhaps she should let them enjoy their Christmas eve together.

Afterall today was a day for couples, not close friends, so without much thought Mayuri threw out parting words hoping one of them could hear her.

"Hey! Uh Mayushii is going!"

"What?" Suddenly both Kurisu and Okabe answered making Mayuri giggle one final time. Honestly she didn't think they would hear her, but since they did she might as well say her farewells until either in the morning where Okabe might call her or tomorrow night where she was gonna call him regardless.

"Mayushii should be going to bed. It is late, bye-bye Okarin, bye-bye Kurisu-chan."

And with that the call ended.

The pair remained in an awkward silence standing still next to one another with Okabe holding his phone away from Kurisu neither not really knowing what to say or do. It wasn't until Okabe opened his mouth and worded.

"Uh, so where-"

When Kurisu's phone rang. It caught the two entirely by surprise as Kurisu curiously pulled her phone out, cautiously looked at the caller ID, scowled, then immediately hung up.

"Who was it?" Okabe asked as Kurisu shifted her scowl from her phone to him.

"Who do-" And once again before she could finish speaking her phone rang again where she angrily checked the caller ID and in a huff hung up. There wasn't even a grace period when it rang again as Kurisu hung up once again. A few milliseconds later her phone promptly rang again provoking Kurisu to simply surrender. "You answer!"

She spat out to Okabe shoving her phone into his chest before exclaiming, "You want to make up for almost dropping me on my face, answer him and tell him to leave us alone!"

Holding his phone in one hand and her's in the other, Okabe quickly glanced at Kurisu then to her phone where to his dull surprise, Leskinen's name was displayed over the caller ID. Hesitantly Okabe answered the phone only to be greeted by the professor's unbelievably excited voice.

"Yo! How is my favorite couple doing!" Leskinen beamed as Okabe glanced towards Kurisu who was still fuming like a furnace at the whole thing.

"Um, sir-"

"Oh Lintalo!" Leskinen exclaimed somehow beaming even brighter before devolving into a mischievous teenage boy. "Howcome you're answering Kurisu's phone? Did I interrupt something? Oh I did didn't I? That's probably why it kept sending me to voice mail."

"No." Okabe childishly denied as his face slightly reddened at the accusation.

"Uh huh." By Leskinen's tone it was obvious he didn't buy it or was just messing with him, but either way it didn't matter as he continued just as cheerfully. "Sorry to call so early, but I wanted to check in with you about our little agreement from last night Lintalo. Do you remember?"

Okabe's face dropped while a small groan escaped his lips. To say it was an agreement would be disingenuous, it was more like a moment of weakness and a plea for help than anything else.

You see, when Kurisu had left to talk to Maho during the banquet for the second time Okabe was left alone at the mercy of everyone seated at the table. They threw a flurry of questions at him, all in English he might add, which sent Okabe to an almost frenzy and anxious like state trying to decipher the foreign language as quickly as he could. In the the end it was too much leaving him mumbling what little English he knew, trying to save face. Of course one person was enjoying all that and that person was currently on the phone with him. Leskinen was damn sure their onslaught continued encouraging them to ask more and more questions, straight out or subliminally.

He would say things like, 'Oh, you know they have been seeing each for a while now', to, 'They like to roleplay.' Obviously with statements like that anybody with a shred of curiosity would naturally want to know more. Though now that Okabe thought about it both statements were true to an extent. They had been seeing each other for a while and while the latter part wasn't sexual, they technically would roleplay, with him being the mad scientist in his lab and she being his assistant and all, however...

"Why are you looking at me funny, pervert!"

...Yeah he doubted if they ever, roleplayed that kind of way she would be The Assistant to his Mad Scientist, if anything the roles would be reversed...

...Not that he ever thought about that sort of stuff in detail or about anything specifically!

It was just an honest observation based on Kurisu's assertive personality!

It's not like he couldn't picture Kurisu being a strict English teacher smacking his hands with a ruler ever time he messed up! And certainly he wouldn't imagine her wearing secretary glasses and a black form fitting formal business dress in matching heels, while doing so!

Never!

He wasn't...

He wasn't...

Why was he even thinking that!

...

Ugh! He blamed Kurisu's mom for making him think so sexually...

...

That... that came out wrong...

Anyways! That wasn't the point, the point was Leskinen perpetuated Kurisu's group members curiosity by throwing out wild claims and open ended statements that anyone would want to know more about. Afterall from what he personally knew, saw and heard about Kurisu, her having a quasi boyfriend was as jarring as seeing an alien, so of course these people would be more than a little curious.

They wanted to know every little detail about their relationship and himself, but Okabe wasn't going to give them everything they wanted to know, out of embarrassment and the fact he hardly understood them. So Leskinen, having seen enough of this torture after a good solid ten minutes or so, 'Realized Okabe's English wasn't on par with Kurisu's English, so he offered to translate whatever they asked. That settled things down a bit, but it was too good to be true as the very first translation Leskinen said obviously wasn't their question.

"So, Lintalo, is th'z guy d'lunk?" Leskinen had smugly asked referring to what Okabe had assumed was his victory clinching retort.

"Is that a joke?" Okabe had spat out not one bit amused.

"No it isn't." Leskinen worded before deviously adding. "But I know you rather spend your time here with Kurisu than a fellow Evil Doctor."

"So you're leaving?"

Right there the professor had smiled the most telling smile of all time as he opened his mouth and put to words what was all but said.

"I have an idea, but I need you to agree to whatever I have to say and tomorrow will be the last day you see me for the rest of your stay in America."

"Hello? Hello?" Leskinen hollered as Okabe quickly warped back to the present where he grabbed his face in anguish before he timidly whispered.

"I... I remember." He also remembered Leskinen refused to tell him what he had planned until the next day which was today.

This couldn't be good this couldn't be-

"Good!" Leskinen excitedly yelled as Okabe swore the man was jumping up and down on the other end. "I knew I could count on you Lintalo!"

"Professor." Okabe began as he bit his lip expecting the worse. "W-what is it we are going to do?"

"A night out on the town!" Leskinen proclaimed channeling as much enthusiasm as Mayuri would winning a metal oopa.

"What?" Okabe said.

"You know, hit da'club, cruise around town, eat out-"

"What?" Okabe repeated.

"C'mon Lintalo it'll be fun and worth your while! With you, me and the other guys-"

"What?" Okabe repeated for a third time before his brain processed the full statement. "What other guys?" This was getting too much as Okabe began wearing his horror on his sleeves where Kurisu immediately took notice.

"I invited Ted, Fred and Jorge from last night-"

"Who?"

"Those guys from last night, what? You thought I had set this up yesterday?" Leskinen began pausing to chuckle. "I had set up this little night outing weeks in advance."

"What?" As Leskinen's 'weeks in advance' line registered in Okabe's mind he could only muster one word. "Why?"

"Because I took into consideration you might not have come, so not only did I want an excuse to take you out for a night on the town, but in the off chance you didn't come I still wanted to spend my Christmas eve hitting the streets."

Okabe was at a lost for words trying to say anything, to refute everything Leskinen had just said but only one thought escaped his mouth. "Don't you have friends your age!"

"Hahah! At seven Lintalo, be ready-"

And before Leskinen could even give the details of what was to transpire Kurisu snatched the phone away from Okabe to immediately let everyone know how she felt about what was happening.

"What did you say!" She angrily spat out to Leskinen making him just laugh in response.

"Oh, Kurisu, I-"

"Don't play dumb, you blonde lunatic! I can tell you are planning something stupid with Okabe and judging by Okabe's face it must be real stupid! You better not be coercing him to do something he doesn't want to! I swear if you are-"

"Oh-ho, concerned for your boyfriend?"

That stopped Kurisu in her tracks as her expression totally changed caught offguard by the professor's strange comment.

"W-what did you just say!" Kurisu said regaing some of her earlier spice, but nowhere near how she started.

"That you are concerned for your boyfriend." Leskinen repeated with an air of playfulness that smacked Kurisu in the face, as Okabe took notice of her abrupt change in tone.

"I-Why are you saying that!" Just as Kurisu began Leskinen let out a hearty laugh before uttering a sentence she never even thought of before.

"Because that is a good sign you would make a good wife Kurisu-"

Of course once she heard 'wife' Kurisu hurriedly hung up before he could finish his sentence while her face was now flushed red.

A wife?! Was he stupid! It's not like they would get married!

Hell it's not like she ever thought about marriage!

And especially not with Okabe!

Okabe Kurisu! Ha that would be such a stupid name!

"What-" And of course being the idiot he was Okabe had to talk! Gosh interrupting her denial- she meant thoughts automatically disqualified Okabe from being husband material!

"Shut up. Just shut up." She couldn't even look at Okabe's stupid face! A stupid face that also disqualified him from being husband material! Like she would willingly curse her children with half his genes!

"What did he tell you-" Did this guy who would never make a good husband ever shut up!?

"Nothing!" Kurisu had to exclaim to Okabe who looked at her strangely, while in her mind she couldn't help but replay Leskinen's taboo words!

You would make a good wife Kurisu

"Nothing!" She repeated flailing her arms trying to get her mind off of such an absurd thought, as the non-husband material guy continued staring at her! She meant, she cared for Okabe, but it wasn't like she cared for him like a wife would, afterall anyone with eyes could see he was distressed! It was only obvious! Leskinen was just messing with her... or did people think they were... no, she was being ridiculous and overthinking this!

Them getting married!

Ha! How-

"But you-" And there he went again!

"What? Are you my husband or something!"

With that the pair entered a pause while Okabe looked at her totally confused by her antics before uttering a flat. "What?"

"Mother! I- I meant what are you my mother!" If he was husband material he would have known she meant mother and not husband! Gosh what an idiot!

"Ahh, okay so what did Leskinen tell you?"

"What did he tell you!" Kurisu threw back with a mixture of actual curiosity and hoping to get her mind off of being a wife.

"Oh..." And as Okabe began Kurisu noted he seemed a little subdue, especially since in a situation like this she could have sworn he would have brought out Hououin Kyouma. "It's just Leskinen, said he wanted to go out-"

"Fine!" Kurisu exclaimed hurriedly. "It's not like I care! I mean why would I care! We aren't married! You aren't- just..."

"I could always refuse to go if you want me to." And there he went sounding so earnest and caring locking eyes with her. It was moments like this when Okabe calmly explained things to her that she realized Okabe had some husband material to him. Perhaps she was overreacting earlier with the whole wife thing, but it was just so... left field that the thought never crossed her mind before. But back to the topic on hand, in truth she rather have Okabe not go with Leskinen, but she also didn't want to act like... for a lack of better terms a wife preventing her husband spending time with so-called friends.

So she did the only reasonable thing and took a deep breath to collect herself to begin a civil conversation.

"Aye. If you want to go that's fine-"

"But I don't want to go."

...

"Then why were you making it seem like you were asking for permission!" Kurisu immediately rescinded her earlier statement about Okabe having some husband material! She just couldn't understand Okabe's thinking, why was he making it seem like he wanted to go if he didn't!

"I wasn't! But..." Just as Okabe began trying to find a way to word it better he decided ultimately to just be Frank about it. "I think I have to."

"And why is that? You're not obligated to spend time with him!" Kurisu firedback as Okabe scrambled to find something to say.

"Well, I know, but-"

"Then what's the problem?" Kurisu promptly cut him off.

Casting his gaze away from a stern looking Kurisu Okabe began contemplating whether he should flat out tell her the truth or work his way around it. Kurisu afterall was a very predictable person, which in her case meant most likely she would respond like a tsundere. Okabe also doubted she would want to hear he made a deal with Leskinen last night while she was away. She'd probably focus on that specific detail where she would accuse him of making poor decisions without her input.

And depending on how the night unfolded she might have a point. Even now knowing Leskinen wanted to have a boy's night-out it was still extremely vague. The professor was never as straight forward as that, there was always a catch. And that catch most definitely wasn't in their favor, especially if what Leskinen said was true, agreeing to leave them alone the rest of his stay, so there most definitely was more to this boys night-out.

But what?

"Well..." As Okabe opened his mouth he immediately decided it was best if Kurisu was left in the dark. So to throw her scent off the trail Okabe immediately smirked and broke into his Hououin Kyouma pose "Muawhhaha... as the Mad Scientist Hououin Kyouma, it is my duty to gain any advantage over my enemy! Dr. Charon has lowered his guard, no thanks to my assistant I might add, allowing me to infiltrate as a double agent and gather precious intel from several of his comrades, such as umm... umm...Homer! The codename of one of Dr. Charon's lackeys who is the mastermind behind several diabolical plots Dr. Charon has committed! Or the Watchdog of Hades, his hired muscle who Faris has had several run ins with!"

"Okabe what are you talking about?" Kurisu exasperated facepalming and shaking her head before it suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks. In his chunni delusions with Leskinen he had never mentioned any of his henchmen so why now! Quickly Kurisu shot her gaze directly at Okabe with her eyes bulging. "Wait, are you talking about my lab partners!"

"Shhh!" Okabe hushed bringing his finger to her lips still in his Hououin Kyouma act. "Don't speak so lightly of them Christina! I know working as a double agent has led you to viewing these heinous criminals as people but I assure you-"

To say Kurisu wasn't going to play along was an understatement as she swatted Okabe finger away from her lips to exclaim.

"Leskinen involved other people!" What was Leskinen thinking! And then it hit her. "And people who know me!"

"You mean his evil associates!" Hououin Kyouma corrected her just as vigorously while Kurisu went from being annoyed to the embodiment of horror.

It was as she was about to tell Okabe he couldn't go when Leskinen's line from earlier came back full force.

You would make a good wife Kurisu

That blonde lunatic! That old bastard! What a slimeball! How did she not see this coming!

Kurisu immediately figured out Leskinen had tricked Okabe into his newest scheme once Okabe opened his mouth, afterall Okabe wasn't the brightest person in the world. But somehow Leskinen had played her like a fiddle as well!

It all started with the fact Leskinen had introduced Okabe to her lab partners from the winter semester last night. Surface level it would appear Leskinen being Leskinen, but it was all a calculated effort. Then Leskinen had to trick Okabe into agreeing to this, most likely when she was talking to Maho yesterday, but that wouldn't be enough. Leskinen must have known Kurisu could have simply dissuaded Okabe from going or outright prevent him, so Leskinen moved the pieces to ensure his plan went through. And in order to do so he had to set a precedent about her relationship with Okabe to her colleagues.

He was very enthusiastic about it and made clear to them they were dating, even though they technically weren't, just so they would know where they stood with one another. Then she was certain the professor made it explicit to whoever was going Okabe was to join them in whatever nightly plans he had instore, so if Okabe didn't show up he could place the blame solely on one person.

Herself.

No doubt that's why Leskinen made that comment about her making a good wife, just so she could put the pieces together!

If he told people Okabe didn't attend their planned night out because she prevented him from going it would lead to a whole new wave of gossip she wasn't prepared for. It would lead to dozens of questions, dozens of rumors and of course more credence that they were a couple. She didn't want to deal with that! She didn't want to hear the rumors or answer their questions! She just didn't!

But as Kurisu came to her conclusion Maho's words stung even worse.

This was a problem created by Kurisu and no one else.

Okabe was her idiot, but she wasn't ready to admit it to everyone. It was a hindrance that lead to unspectacular events becoming the hugest of problems. She had more than enough evidence to show people why Okabe wouldn't go with him, but it was that single thought that it could be spun as her not wanting her 'man' to spend time with his friends that killed her. It was stupid and just thinking about it made her stomach churn.

She knew what she had to do, but she didn't know if she had the stomach to pull the trigger.

On one hand Okabe clearly didn't want to go and if he didn't want to go she didn't want him to go.

But on the other hand, Leskinen had tricked Okabe with something that made it so he felt compelled to go and had arranged it so she would go along with it.

"Okabe." Kurisu softly began trying to regain her composure as it became clear with one simple request she could ruin Leskinen's well thought out plan.

"What is it assistant." He scoffed still in his mad scientist act, but even then she knew what Okabe said earlier still rung true. All she had to say was she didn't want him to go and he wouldn't go.

Just she actually had to do it for it to become a reality.

"Okabe...If you have to go... then go."

Chapter 5: Me, Hououin Kyouma and Alexis Leskinen

December 24, 2012 7:08:33 PM EST.

She wasn't happy about the situation.

She wasn't happy that he had left with Leskinen.

But most pressing was she wasn't happy because she was under distressed brought on by the above mentioned reasons.

Ever since Okabe had arrived in New York three days ago they were inseparable. Not in the sense they were lovey-dovey with one another but more in a literal sense. The only times they weren't in each other's presence was when they slept or used the bathroom, that was about it. They ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. They watched movies and TV with one another. And most telling of all they did nothing with each other.

To Kurisu, it didn't matter how much they kissed, held each other or conversed with one another, to her nothing could ever compare to the euphoric feeling of doing nothing with him. It was like... just sharing the air between him or being able to see his chest rise up and down with every breath was... intimate. Maybe it was because they had been away for so long she felt that way, and who knows maybe in time she'd find all that annoying, but right now it was blissful.

It was like...

It was like...

She didn't want to admit it, but in the three days he was here, in a sense they were living together... like a couple taking the next step in their relationship. Emphasis on like even she knew they were no where near that stage of their relationship.

But she would admit they were closer to it than they were a few days ago.

It was about five minutes till seven when she realized she had grown accustomed to his presence in her house. As the clocked ticked closer and closer to seven she was fidgety and disappointed knowing Leskinen would appear any minute to whisk him away. During that time waiting for Leskinen she went as far as to ask Okabe multiple times if he was sure he wanted to go, which he only went on about his make believe nonsense. And when Leskinen arrived she had actually hugged him before he left, where she played it off as trying to get a bug off his lab coat.

It... didn't work.

So right now she was busy pounding her head on the kitchen table reprimanding herself for acting so foolish. It wouldn't be so bad had it just been the two of them, but her mom was there to witness it all. Her mom simply stared at her with an expression stuck between disappointment and smugness before heading off to the bathroom. There was no doubt in Kurisu's mind once she came out her mom would waste no time to bring up her actions. And of course in the most excruciating and awkward way possible which Kurisu didn't want to deal with!

Sure last night she had set a goal to begin to act more open towards her feelings, but she didn't want to go this fast!

Kurisu wanted to go slow, very slow infact and start with the person it concerned the most, Okabe. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of showing that side of her to anyone else so early, even her own mother, no especially her mother. Right now her goal was admitting Okabe was more than a friend or at very least not to deny it so much, but her mother would make that simple task so hard. She would make it so awkward and embarrassing.

Infact if making things awkward and embarrassing were a skill her mom would have honed it by now.

It started with the fact her mom was the literal embodiment of the saying, 'A fly on the wall'. Throughout Kurisu's life her mom always had a knack for discovering and figuring out secrets about her daughter and usually just by being in the right place at the right time. There were plenty of moments Kurisu could choose from, like the one with the washing machine when she barely began puberty or even a more recent one with the makeout session with Okabe, where her mom always happened to appear at the worst opportunity.

What were the chances her mom would arrive just as her and Okabe were in the middle of an intense makeout session! She could have arrived a minute earlier and everything would have been fine or even an hour later and they would have avoided the mess they found themselves in!

Anyways since she was on the topic, if her mom had not been here or arrived later... would her and Okabe be... closer with one another.

She meant they made out on the first day he arrived and the only indication they stopped was because her mom had arrived, but if they weren't interrupted... how far would they have gone?

Would they have... just kissed or would it have gotten more... intimate?

She honestly couldn't say, but she could honestly say in the moment... she wanted him.

She wanted to... feel him in a way she never felt a person before.

And it only intensified when he had pressed himself against her and she could feel... more of him. A part of him that let her know he felt the same way she did in that moment. It was the strangest moment of her life, a life full of theories and formulas, logic and hypothesis whisked away by her... natural desire to create life.

Well that was the scientific way of putting it, afterall sex is just the act of procreation so in essence feelings of lust and pleasure were just the brain's way of incentivizing the continuation of our species, through means of hormones that make us feel... good.

And if she ever needed proof evolution was good at its job, that was her undisputed proof.

Had they began doing... the deed, she doubted her mom's presence would have been enough to stop her. And it killed her to admit it.

She couldn't speak for Okabe, but from time to time her mind drifted to that moment and imagined it playing out in a variety of ways. From slow and romantic rolls in the hay to ways where she showed him who really was the mad scientist in the relationship. She also would imagine all the ways she could make him squirm, leaving him breathless and shaking. That was the thing with Okabe and their more intimate moments she absolutely enjoyed, his shaking. Even now he still trembled whenever they made out, not as much as he used to but it was still very much noticeable, and in a sense his nervousness emboldened her during those moments. It gave her a sense of pride that she still had that affect on Okabe two years into their relationship.

Sure she was beyond nervous when a chastise kiss turned into their first make-out session and sure she was still nervous whenever they made out but she felt, regarding those sort of things, she had matured more than Okabe.

In those sessions with Okabe she learned what she liked and what she disliked, for example she loved whenever Okabe would bite her lower lip, applying enough pressure where it barely hurt but wasn't painful. Or like last time when he bit into her neck catching the slightest of her skin between his teeth wetting it with his erratic tongue. She wasn't gonna lie, that little action was euphoric as a small whimper or moan or whatever sound she made escaped her lips.

But she could tell with Okabe he didn't have any preferences or dislikes. He was a blank canvas still discovering what actually set him off. Hell when she returned the favor and licked his neck he literally fell on her because his knees gave out, which immensely filled Kurisu with prideful arrogance and turned her on even more! She could literally say she brought Okabe to his knees by simply licking his neck, imagine what she could do if they went beyond making out!

How much would Okabe squirm while she was in total control!

What would he even say or do?!

Would he just watch her with his eyes dilated pitch black!

Or would he breathlessly moan against her, finding nothing but to utter her name into her ear...

Kurisu

"Kurisu?"

"Just like that." She immediately decided she rather have him moan her name, as it was just him saying her name regularly was... wait...that didn't come from her mind...

...

Quickly Kurisu lifted her head off of the table and standing at the kitchen archway was her mom.

"Mom!"

And of course like she said earlier her mom was like a fly on the wall, somehow catching her doing embarrassing things.

"Did I interrupt something?" Kurisu didn't know whether she was being serious or she was screwing around, but in that moment one thing was absolute her face was on fire, from a mixture of her fantasy and what was unfolding.

"H-how long were you standing there!" Kurisu exclaimed as her mind began replaying what she had done during her... well fantasy and she reddened even more.

"Like a minute."

"And you couldn't say anything before!" What did she do the past minute! Well about that time she was well into her fantasy wondering about the alternative reality of how far their makeout session could have gone... and physically that's when... she placed her head on her arms on the table and began rubbing her legs together which were still positioned embarrassingly close with one another.

Immediately she changed her leg position.

"I thought you were a asleep."

"And you were just watching me sleep like a creep!" Gosh how could she be so careless! Thank God her mom said something when she did or else this might have been more embarrassing!

"Well I was gonna go get something from the car, but then you made a noise and I noticed you were... moving. I just wanted to make sure you weren't having a nightmare."

She couldn't be serious right? She was just saying that to make her feel better! She had to!

"I'm not a little girl!" And her thoughts from few seconds ago confirmed as much.

"But you're still my daughter, remember that. And I will always be there for you no matter how old you are."

Kurisu actually appreciated those words, but considering what actually was going on...

"Umm, thanks I guess but don't you have something else to do!"

"Why yes, I wanted to wrap some presents for your relatives. I was gonna ask you if you wanted to help."

Well at least she could use that to clear her mind.

"Umm, sure." Kurisu quickly said as she hurriedly stood up. "Where are they?"

"In my car-"

"Great I'll get them!" Kurisu hurriedly exclaimed as she bolted out the door leaving Ms. M staring blankly at her daughter's strange behavior before echoing from outside was Kurisu's voice "Hey! It's locked!"

And not surprisingly Kurisu had called out the obvious. Without missing a beat Ms. M retrieved her keys and unlocked the car with the key fob before bursting into an uncontrollable laugh.

"Aye, Kurisu." She began with a chuckle to herself. "It's the washing machine incident all over again."

For Ms. M there was a little horror and comedy in raising a teenager. The comedy came from the fact teenagers think they hide what they do behind close doors so well that their parents are blissfully unaware, but trust her that is not the case.

The horror came from the same place realizing all those moments behind close doors her parents knew exactly what she was doing as well. Essentially whenever she had 'alone time' her parents were probably aware why the door was locked and if she was ever actually doing what she said she was they probably didn't believe her.

But as she learned with Kurisu as a parent, for your own sake and your children's sake, it's best to let them think you are unaware of their private activities. However with that being said it did make for some good laughs!

---

December 24, 2012 7:15:44 PM EST

There were so many things that crossed Okabe's mind sitting in the front seat of Leskinen's SUV parked at a MkDonalds parking lot, some good... some bad... some just flat out weird. It felt like an encapsulation of his time in America, where nothing was ever as simple or straightforward as he would have liked.

First off there was the unexpected arrival of Kurisu's mother which sent everything into a tailspin. Kurisu had somehow failed to mention that her mother would also be visiting her at the sametime he would, opting until he was standing infront of Ms. M with a boner to tell him she was visiting. Maybe had it been an impromptu visit Okabe could understand and give Kurisu some leeway, but Kurisu knew she was coming for a long time! Maybe the blame wasn't entirely on Kurisu considering the unexpected circumstances, but he still couldn't help but feel like she had wronged him for not even once alluding to her mother, especially considering the type of person her mom was.

Kurisu's mom made it known she didn't like Okabe by doing a variety of things such as, constantly glaring at him, constantly nagging for every little thing he did, constantly depicting him as some sort of deviant! It was annoying, it was frustrating and it was just the worst.

Okabe wasn't gonna lie, but... at least from his impressions of Kurisu's parents, they both sucked.

Her father was a P.O.S from the very beginning and thinking about that lowlife was not good for Okabe's health, however it wasn't like thinking about Kurisu's mother would be any better. Sometimes he felt getting stabbed again by Kurisu's father was a better alternative than having to listen to Ms. M nag. That sentiment alone should tell you how miserable he felt dealing with both of them. And the worst thing was he had heard from his relatives, seen in movies and TV shows that the in-laws were a pain the ass, but he had always assumed it was just an overused trope beaten to death by now. But literally his dynamic with her parents fit that cliche to a T, turning what he once thought was a comedy routine to a flat out tragedy.

But on the flip side he couldn't bash her parents too much, from his early impressions of how his parents viewed Kurisu, they might not be too fond of her either, maybe not to the extent Okabe's mother would stab her but they wouldn't be too fond of her nevertheless.

Especially his mom.

His mom probably would make her feelings known like Ms. M but more subtle using a lot of backhanded compliments oppose to being flat out rude. She'd probably constantly have this expression of disappointment while making snide remarks and generally just having an attitude of, 'My son could do better' towards Kurisu. His dad however would probably be more accepting of Kurisu, but wouldn't shy away from making his opinion known that he rather have him date another girl, not that he was dating Kurisu mind you. But unlike his mom that girl probably wouldn't be Mayuri. After that faithful day three days ago at the airport, his father had strayed away from his mom's perfect dream world and became a Faris type of guy. Yesterday confirmed as much when Okabe received an Email from his father containing a picture that his father took of himself, his mom (who looked like she was gonna stab someone) Mayuri and Faris sitting at a booth in May-queen's holding up peace signs.

It was... weird, and that wasn't even getting into the fact his dad was wearing a Faris T-shirt and cat ears while his mom held a broken pair in her hands...

Anyways, soon after that Faris Emailed him a few more pictures with his parents where she explained how they got the cat ears and shirts. Faris explained, in Faris fashion of course, his father had originally wanted to reserve a booth for both him and his mom on Christmas eve, which Faris obliged (of course she kinda alluded to the fact she had to cancel someone else's dinner to accommodate his parents). Then a few hours later his dad called again and had to cancel the date at the behest of his mother where Faris further accommodated them by giving them a free meal if they went right there and then, which they did (she also alluded to the fact she had to cancel another reservation to accommodate his parents, which might or might not have been the same people she rescheduled from earlier). She and Mayuri then personally tended to them where besides a free meal gave them some free Faris merchandise such as an offical T-shirt and official May-queen's maid cat ears as a 'dowry.'

Of course not knowing what a dowry was Okabe asked what that word meant where she avoided the question claiming it was a freudian slip and rambled on about not wanting to be a homewrecker... and when Okabe asked what a homewrecker was she again avoided the question.

But that wasn't important, so back to his original point which was Kurisu probably wouldn't have the easiest time around his parents. Kurisu's attitude would probably make this hypothetical clash even worse and knowing his mom she would at every opportunity let Kurisu know she preferred somehow else. And that person being Mayuri.

He could already imagine how one of many arguements would go down between Kurisu and his mom.

'Y'know, I've noticed you still call Rintaro, Okabe, is everything alright between you two?' Yeah his mom would probably say something along those line finding the most trivial of topics to rile up Kurisu.

'What? Why would you ask that?' Kurisu would answer trying her best to remain calm and polite, but his mom would innocently add knowing full well what she was about to say would annoy Kurisu.

'Well, you have known my son for a long time and... well usually the sign of a successful relationship is when you give each other nicknames of affection. I mean I'm not judging that's just from experience.'

At that sentence Kurisu would probably be twitching with annoyance but barely maintaining her composure, answering with clenched teeth.

'I have a nickname for him, idiot.' That would undoubtedly slip through Kurisu's mouth making his mom shake her head.

'See that's what I don't understand.' His mom would begin adding. 'I understand we all go through phases and want to experiment especially when it comes to relationships, but honestly I hope my son's experience with you makes him see the light.'

'What's that suppose to mean!?' Kurisu would begin, her attempts at politeness all but gone.

'I mean let me put it this way, when you're young you want adventure, excitement, and to explore the unknown, since you grew up in the plains of Arkansas think of it like bull riding. Sure it seems like fun, but once that bull buckles you immediately realize that bull can easily kill you whenever it wants to.' His mom would say making Kurisu roll her eyes. 'That is where Rintaro is in his life, wanting something and someone he doesn't quite understand. He's rushing in to ride that bull because it seems like the thrill of a lifetime. However I see it for what it is and that is an unnecessary danger, that is why more cowboys ride horses than bulls.'

'Are you serious!' Okabe reasoned that would be the only reasonable thing Kurisu would say at a situation like that.

Then his mom not wanting to back down would flat out say what she was trying go say the entire time, 'Yes. Mayuri is the sweetest girl ever. I don't know why my son doesn't see that, they would make the perfect couple-'

'Give me a break! Have you seen your son? Him and perfect don't mix!' Kurisu would probably proclaim as his mom would react by grabbing her heart trying to prevent it from shattering to a million pieces.

'No one is perfect not even my son, but perfect couples do exist! It's just you and my son don't make one! I don't know what my son sees in you! You flat-chested pretzel!' The hypothetical gloves would be off about now since Kurisu was real sensitive about her chest so she definitely would take offense to that.

So grabbing (hiding) her chest in shock she would probably go like, 'It's the fabric! And at least I don't have back problems!'

'Mayuri doesn't have back problems!' His mom would undoubtedly begin with before saying, 'A good wife is suppose to comfort her husband and nurture her youth! How are you gonna do that when literally your breast are as flat as Okabe's chest!'

'I am not flat!' Well Kurisu technically wasn't flat but...

'Have you seen Mayuri?' ...his mom would have a point in this hypothetical argument if she said that... not that Okabe ever thought about Mayuri's chest in that way... maybe objectively but not... he wasn't a pervert!

He was just getting in character to make this argument more authentic!

...

And uh... yeah... like Okabe said earlier, in the front seat of Leskinen's SUV, his mind went to some weird places. And now that weird place was imagining how a fictional argument between his mom and Kurisu would go.

But could you blame him?

He was-

"Ahh, delicious! There's nothing better than having a little snack before hitting the bar!" And of course to interrupt him in English was Leskinen loudly exaggerating a bite of one the hamburgers they had bought from a MkDonalds down the road from Kurisu's house. "Wouldn't you say so Lintalo? The food they sell at bars are overpriced if you ask me and alcohol on an empty stomach is a bad combination-"

"Bar?" And of course that was Fred, a peer of Kurisu, accompanying them on Leskinen's behalf, along with Ted and Jorge who each looked at Leskinen puzzled from the backseat.

"Of course! Today is a time of celebration-"

"But sir... I don't drink." Fred quickly and somewhat shamefully uttered cutting off Leskinen who smiled seemingly not bothered by the revelation.

"That's fine, I mean you can-"

"Me neither." Ted quickly stated cutting off Leskinen whose confident smile loss a bit of self esteem dissipating into a small frown.

"You two don't drink?" Leskinen directed towards both Ted and Fred who shook their head in acknowledgment. "C'mon, you're in college what do you mean you don't drink?! Three quarters of the college experience is partying!"

"Sir, I'm in college to study not party." Ted proclaimed proudly while a just as proud smile found itself on his lips, which of course made Fred groan.

"Don't act like you have a choice." Fred quickly quipped shooting down Ted who turned to look at him with a frown.

"You have to be kidding me." Leskinen muttered to himself in Japanese, but before Okabe could confirm what he thought was happening, Leskinen turned his attention to Jorge. "What about you?"

The words were in English, but you wouldn't have known that by Jorge's reaction. He was literally taken back, even pointing at himself as if to confirm Leskinen was indeed talking to him, before his lips parted nervously before quickly shutting down to think over the question.

"Uhh, well... no." Jorge finally admitted with a stutter before adding weakly. "But uhh, if it makes you feel better I did have wine once on a new years."

"Ah, so you like wine?" Leskinen brightly said making Jorge look down in shame where he uttered.

"I... thought it was grape juice."

With the revelation Leskinen propped his head on his steering wheel before sighing in defeat. "You have to be kidding me. So only me and Lintalo are going to be drinking!"

"D'linking?" Okabe repeated in English, as that word solidified his suspicions. "Sir, I don't drink." Okabe simply stated in Japanese serving as the final straw for Leskinen.

"Then why did you all agree to this!" For the first time in Okabe's time with the professor, he seemed visibly upset, as his head was off the steering wheel glaring at all of them. "What did you think I was talking about when I invited you all to have a night out? Did you think we were going to get ice cream like little kids? Do you-"

"That sounds good!" And somehow not being able to read the situation, Ted beamed turning to Fred for encouragement. "They have half priced shakes after eight at Sonik-"

"Hold on a second, we are not-" Leskinen clearly was not expecting that, but before he could scold them further Jorge chimed in, albeit timidly.

"I-uh, I haven't had a shake in a long time." Leskinen's frown deepend upon hearing the sudden turn of events quickly snapping his head towards Okabe than back at the trio in the backseat.

"I am not a little league coach!" Leskinen cried out but was drowned out as Fred quickly said.

"There's one on West Sunrise right? That's not too far from here." At this point it seemed nobody seated there had the ability to tell Leskinen was genuinely upset, making Okabe actually chuckle to himself seeing the professor lose total control of the situation.

"You have to be kidding me." Leskinen muttered to himself before turing to address Okabe in Japanese. "They want to get ice cream, ice cream Lintalo!"

A small smirk inched it's way onto Okabe deciding to turn the dagger that was already planted in Leskinen.

"What's wrong with that? Ice cream is better than anything alcohol can do." That smug statement caught Leskinen by surprise where he reactively said.

"You can't properly have a night out with ice cream, Lintalo! You can't-"

"Get drunk with ice cream?" Okabe quickly proclaimed finishing Leskinen's sentence while his small smirk blossomed into a full blown shit eating grin. That action paused the Professor momentarily clearly taken back by the words that spewed out of Okabe's mouth. While it might have stunned Leskinen, for Okabe it was a moment to rejoice as he continued his gloating expression at the professor. It didn't last too long however, as Leskinen's blank stare morphed into one more of intrigue as he began to reset himself and assess the situation. It was there when Leskinen gave a small chortle to himself before he decided to address Okabe's remark.

"I was gonna say have a good time but that could do." And with that gone was the look of a man shocked and confused, now looking at Okabe was a man whose confidence exuded in excess, throwing off Okabe at the older man's quick turnaround.

"I thought you accounted for everything, Dr. Charon? Didn't take into account who you were bringing along?" Of course if Okabe had any concerns he wasn't about to show them as he smugly took a jab at Leskinen who smiled broadly and pleased in response.

"Oh-ho, I thought you had forgotten about that name or was that Kurisu's doing?"

"It's Christina, but no my assistant had no influence over last night's events." That was a lie, but Okabe wasn't about to admit it to Leskinen, so channeling shades of Hououin Kyouma he added. "However, I am well aware you had a trick up your sleeve when you made this deal and now I know getting me drunk was part of it. Attempting to lower my inhibitions is such an amateur move, Dr. Charon, even for you."

"Is that so?" Okabe could tell by the tone Leskinen uttered those three words something wicked had crossed the older man's mind, something that no doubt was gonna bite Okabe in the butt. But before Okabe could give a rebuttal, Leskinen began uttering with an air of mystery. "Perhaps it was a bonus or maybe it was the goal, but the night is still young Hououin Kyouma remember that. What you see is what I permit and what you hear-"

"So are we going to-"

"Shhh!" Leskinen quickly shushed Ted who had interrupted his speech and any tension Leskinen had built up. So after that deflating flub turning back to Okabe, Leskinen resumed his menacing speech in Japanese as he reached into his coat pocket. "As I was saying, what you hear and what you comprehend is a work of my own deception. Every thought and every action you have anticipated I have already moved my chess pieces accordingly, like right now."

As Leskinen finished speaking he whipped his phone out of his coat pocket holding it out for all to see. Okabe actually rolled his eyes seeing where this was going as Leskinen pressed a button on the keypad before placing the phone on his ear.

"Juliet, Uniform, Delta, Yankee, this is Ferryman , it appears plan Spinning Bird has been compromised, move accordingly with plan Eros. Contact Charmer at my discretion and rendezvous at check point Rudolph with the goods, understood? No?! What do you meant no! We went over- I'll text you later what to do, Dr. Charon out!"

With those parting words Leskinen promptly hung up trying to hide his immense embarrassment and disappointment over the last part.

Either way, even without that last bit ruining whatever Leskinen hoped to accomplished Okabe was not impressed. Obviously it was what Okabe had done dozens upon dozens of times before, minus the charm and wit. Infact it was such a disgrace to the art of Chunniness Okabe couldn't help but feel like shaking off some rust to show this poser how a true chunnibouy really does it. Smiling as giddy as a child Okabe began laughing at a crescendo rate, with small chuckles to capture the audience before steadily building towards the climax. It worked as everyone in the vehicle quieted and turned their attention to him, captivated (or weirded out) by his antics he decided to finally hit the peak of the crescendo.

"Muhahhaha!" Like many times before, Hououin Kyouma began with a maniacal laugh to signal to those around what they were about to witness was... Greatness! "Oh what a glorious display of futility Doctor! What an amazing failure! Not only has your trapped been exposed, but in a sorry attempt to save face, you mock the Mad Scientist Hououin Kyouma's intelligence by, pretending to have a back up plan! Ha! Pathetic! This is a young man's game, old man, where life and death blur into one another like bottles of paint! Your old bones couldn't even wish to keep up with the likes of a true Mad Scientist! You lack what I exude in excess! You lack my burning desire to fuel your pursuit of world domination, you lack my passion for the craft but worst of all you lack my obsession for perfection! You thought you had everything figured out, but no! This world is more than fancy words and theatrics! It requires precision, dedication and years of training! But beyond that, what a Mad Scientist requires the most is the aid of trusty allies willing to die for him, willing to go to the ends of the world for him because I would do the same for all my followers! A trait you clearly lack or desire, so go back! Go back to whist you came, go back to the Organization and inform them of your major catastrophe! Let them know who they are dealing with for the hundredth time! Let them wallow in fear as they have over and over again, as with trembling lips you describe the harrowing encounter with a true Mad Scientist, no not a true Mad Scientist, The True Mad Scientist, whose sole existence is battle his eternal foe! Let them know their futile plans are always destined to fail as long as I, Hououin Kyouma, breath!"

With that grilling Hououin Kyouma quickly reached inside his lab coat and pulled out his phone theatrically holding it well above his head almost touching the roof of Leskinen's SUV. From there Hououin Kyouma briefly locked eyes with Leskinen, in a bid of dominance, before slowly closing them as he flipped his phone opened and brought it to his ear.

"It's me assistant, no need to worry, the threat of Dr. Charon has been... capsized. El. Psy. Kongroo" They've always said quality out weighed quantity, but in the case with someone with such control of the chunni art like Okabe, while he only needed a sentence to lay down the law, he rather lay down the law with a grand epic speech that would be talked about for generations.

"Bravo." Of course he forgot who he was laying the law down to.

"C'mon!" Okabe cried out in frustration as he shook his head and shot his hands straight to his lap at how amused Leskinen sounded.

"Bravo." Leskinen chuckled again applauding this time around as he shifted his gaze from Okabe to the backseat and the trio seated there, begging with his eyes for them to join him. Uneasily each one of them awkwardly glanced at one another before slowly joining in with his clapping making Leskinen smile wider as he turned back to Okabe. "Masterfully done, Lintalo, I especially enjoyed the added bonus of using the word capsize to describe my failure, it's a nice touch that not only captures and capitalizes the nature of my character, but gives a nice nod to my namesake's mythology. Really anyone who knows anything about the mythology would appreciate such a detail."

Of course Leskinen might have had a point, but as Okabe stared at him he was anything but impressed.

"Why do you do this to me?" Okabe simply questioned, his entire body deflated by the latest turn of events, as time after time again he made the mistake of thinking this man was normal only for it to be thrown back at his face. And to drive that point home Leskinen managed to make his already broad smile more arrogant.

"Because it was a masterfully done piece of showmanship that deserves all the praise." Leskinen was laying it on little too thick now, to the point Okabe wasn't sure he was being genuine with his praise or flat just mocking him now. So Okabe did the only reasonable thing to do, which was pout, cross his arms and huff out all but confirming his defeat once again at the hands of Dr. Charon.

"I thought you were upset we were getting ice cream." Childish maybe, but a good tactic? Probably.

"Disappointed, not upset." Leskinen, thankfully clarified before he began explaining. "You reminded me it doesn't matter what happens tonight, whether we get drunk or we get brain freezes, either way we are bound to have a ball together."

"Now I'm starting to understand Kurisu's disdain." It was true, at first Okabe couldn't really understand Kurisu's borderline hatred towards the professor, while he seemed annoying and stupid Okabe didn't think he deserved the kind of contempt Kurisu had towards him. But now Okabe was realizing Kurisu's scorn towards the professor was well deserved. It was one thing to just be annoying, but throw in super levels of intelligence and you had a recipe for the biggest troll of all time, which manifested in the form of Professor Leskinen.

"Excuse me." And deciding to bud in was Jorge who leaned a little forward to get a better look at Leskinen. "Uh, sir sorry to interrupt you... but what are we going to do?"

Smiling Leskinen addressed him as cheerfully as he could. "Mr. Okabe also wants to get ice cream so it appears we are going to get ice cream."

"Sweet!" Ted beamed before elbowing Fred in the gut. "See what I did there?"

"..." Expectedly Fred didn't answer him as his disappointed gaze at Ted said everything that needed to said, but well...

"Did you get it? Sweet cause it's ice cream."

"I got it." Fred interjected his annoyance onto Ted who tilted his head and asked.

"Then why didn't you laugh?" Yes even though Okabe didn't understand more than half of what they were saying even he could tell how stupid that question was.

"Oh my God." Fred groaned before face palming. "Do you think before you talk because I don't think you do."

"Of course I do!" Ted defended himself. "I was waiting to say that line all night!"

"That's what bothers me! And I didn't laugh because it wasn't funny!"

"Hey, I-uh... I though it was funny." Jorge quickly threw in making Ted beam and Fred shake his head.

"Don't encourage him!"

"What?" Jorge quickly responded. "I'm just being honest!"

Fred shook his head at that before pointing out. "Yeah because of how stupid it was!"

"I'm not stupid! I got a ninety-eight on my-"

"My God, Ted! I didn't mean your stupid, but what you say is!"

That prompted Jorge to quickly question, "But if he says stupid things wouldn't that mean your calling him stupid?"

"It doesn't mean that." Fred replied dismissively before Leskinen quickly added.

"It kind of does Fred." That made Fred throw his hands up in frustration as it seemed everyone was ganging up on him.

"And? His joke was stupid, sir!" Fred exclaimed back to Leskinen who shook his head at his response.

"I thought it was funny." Leskinen uttered before quickly glancing at Okabe than back to Fred where he continued with. "And besides did you know Lintalo used that exact same joke on Kurisu when they first met?"

"Ha! I told you it was funny!" Ted beamed making Fred shake his head again.

"Sir-" but before Fred could rebuttal him, Okabe, hearing his and Kurisu's name evoked, jumped in and asked Leskinen.

"Did you say my name?"

Smiling Leskinen looked back at Okabe and stated in Japanese. "Ahh, yeah they just wanted to know something about you and Kurisu."

"You didn't tell them anything did you!" Okabe's eyes had widened in fear hearing Leskinen's claim so nonchalantly that when Leskinen shook his head Okabe was inclined to believe whatever he said next wasn't the truth.

"No, just that you were her friend." Leskinen assured to Okabe in Japanese before he turned back to Fred, Ted and Jorge and stated in English. "Sorry, Lintalo was just telling me that line is factually a surefire panty dropper."

The trio in the backseat each had trouble picking up their jaws from the floor once Leskinen said those words where Jorge was the first to gather his back in place to say.

"It is? How would that even be a pick up line?"

"Details details, Lintalo said Kurisu practically fell in love with him once he told her that joke." Just looking at Leskinen's face Okabe knew he was going about some stupid lie, but before Okabe could open his mouth Ted beat him to it.

"Dammit! I knew I should have told her that when we were in that Starducks during our project!" Everyone turned to look at Ted with that statement where noticing the attention Ted quickly added. "What? She's hot?"

Immediately Jorge elbowed him in the ribs where he incredulously whispered. "Dude, that's his girlfriend." While pointing at Okabe.

"Not cool man." Fred said as he elbowed Ted on the otherside of his ribs.

"What! You both told me she was hot too!" Ted pointed at Fred and Jorge who both flushed red where quickly Jorge grabbed Okabe's seat and tried to apologize in response.

"Hey, I didn't mean it that way, sir... sorry sir." Jorge pleaded to Okabe who looked back at Jorge raising an eyebrow. "I mean, you are lucky, I meant not that I... you know I... just sorry man I-"

This was just getting more and more pathetic as Okabe could only watch Jorge stressed about something he wasn't sure about... so Okabe did what anybody would do in that situation and moved his hand to Jorge's hand and patted it sympathetically.

"Ahh, o'kay, so'ry." Okabe calmly began trying to ease the worrying look on Jorge's face. "Forgiven."

"Really? I meant-... just like that?" Jorge asked as he continued to stare at Okabe a little longer than necessary. Feeling the awkwardness began to broil Okabe figured Jorge must have been waiting for a double confirmation or something. So turning to Leskinen Okabe sought an answer from him, where the older man just shrugged, prompting Okabe to turn back to Jorge where he momentarily paused thinking of what to do before pointing at him as if he was scolding him and said.

"Aaa, o'kay, just'a... don't do 'gain." In truth Okabe wasn't really too keen on trying to understand what they were going on about. First off he was getting a headache thinking about whatever Leskinen must have said and knowing him it would only embarrass Okabe more, so he opted to ignore them.

"I- won't I mean... I never thought about Kurisu that way to begin with... not because she's ugly or-or anything if that's what you think I mean... I mean she is attractive, but I mean... not for me... not that I'm saying I'm too good for her, she's out of my league... but not yours... cause you're good looking... not that I find you attractive like that, cause I mean that would be weird right?"

Okabe didn't have a response as the two men stared at one another for an uncomfortable amount of time in silence until Jorge spoke again.

"Ughh... I'm not... I'm not hitting on you incase you were thinking that... cause you have a girlfriend... I wouldn't hit on you if you didn't either cause... I'm not... like that... I like girls... women not girls, cause that's... weird... professor?" But maybe Okabe should have paid more attention since Jorge clearly felt he needed to give an extensive apology for whatever he said but luckily for him Jorge felt the awkwardness rise and shifted his attention to Leskinen allowing Okabe to go back to his own little world looking out the passenger window wondering what was instore next.

"Yes?"

"So... we're still going?"

"Of course, let me just get out of here."

"Okay." With that Jorge eased himself back to the seat joining a still bickering Ted and Fred, while Leskinen placed his SUV in gear and began heading out the parking lot of the MkDonalds.

It was there just as Okabe was about to get deep in thought looking out the passenger window when a wrapper from one of the burgers they had just eaten hit him square in the cheek making him jolt in surprise. Quickly he turned to see where it came from and of course.

"Hahah you should see your face Lintalo!" Why would he think anyone else would do such a thing?

"Real funny." Okabe replied as he reached down and picked up the wrapper with an eye roll as he resumed looking out the window with a frown. Even with his back turned to him Okabe could tell Leskinen was smiling straight at him.

"C'mon Lintalo I didn't throw it that hard." The professor proclaimed as he playfully shoved Okabe's arm. "Or did grease get in your eye?"

"It's fine." Okabe simply stated as they finally left the parking lot and got back on the street.

"If you say so." Leskinen replied back with a shrug as they fell in line with the rest of the traffic before stopping at their first red light behind a few cars. "So Lintalo, how you liking New York?"

The professor's words broke through to Okabe as he shifted his attention from the outside world to Leskinen where he slowly answered with.

"I haven't really noticed it."

It was true and really the sincerest thing he had ever said to the professor. Afterall this was his first visit to the city and only the third day, he hadn't really gone too far or been to any tourist destinations, he was essentially relegated to Kurisu's house, her neighborhood, a mall and her school. Sure it was different, but that came with the territory of it being a different country, everything mundane here was going to be exotic to Okabe, but that didn't change the fact he knew he was missing out on a lot of once in a lifetime scenes. Seeing American neighborhoods in person were nice, but he wanted to see sights everyone wanted to visit, from the towering empire state building to the statue of Liberty.

However with Kurisu and her mother their really wasn't a chance for Okabe to really care about doing anything else besides navigating between their scolding.

"Really? I thought Kurisu would have shown you around like a new puppy." That line actually brought a smile to Okabe's face as he jokingly added.

"Do you know Kurisu?"

"Hahah! I was kinda hoping that wasn't the case, but I'm not surprised." Leskinen answered back as they moved a little further in the traffic only to be caught again at the same red light, now with only a car between them and said red light. There Leskinen turned his turn signal on before addressing Okabe again with. "You know, I've known Kurisu for about five years now, I think, and I can't recall if we ever had a conversation about anything other than school or work. She's so... work oriented and serious infact the only person she really talks to outside of work or even school is Maho and even then, it's not like Maho is any different, she's just as socially stunted as her."

As Leskinen finished speaking the light turned green and the car ahead of them went straight ahead while they turned right onto the other street. But for Okabe his smile slowly dropped as he looked down and recalled some of his first memories with Kurisu and their little conversations during the Alpha worldline. She had said she didn't have many, if any, friends in America, likening them to cold and stuck up people, too smart for their own good and at the time Okabe didn't want to believe her.

To Okabe she was... well normal. Sure during that time in the Alpha worldline his feelings for her were perhaps akin to a small crush or just basic attraction, but even then she was just... different than him.

She always knew what to say.

She always knew how to carry herself.

She always seemed so confident.

With all that it was hard to fathom her being anything but popular with many friends and countless suitors.

She just seemed so... perfect than.

And then he really got to know her and his perception of her changed to a more grounded and realistic one, or in other words he got to see the real Makise Kurisu. Where her flaws and undesirable traits were now visible, where before they were hidden away by her outer shell meant for strangers and acquaintances. Formalities were replaced with slang and feet were placed on his furniture like if she owned the place. What was once uncomfortable was now the norm, and that is when Okabe learned, in many ways she was like him, but just because you know something is true doesn't mean you want to believe it completely.

"She doesn't have friends here or what?" While he already knew the answer a part of Okabe wanted the doctor to tell him something different, tell him his idolized version of Kurisu from so long ago was real, but all Leskinen did was chuckle.

"Well I wouldn't say she doesn't have any friends, though I think a more appropriate term would be office buddies."

"Office buddies?"

"Yeah, y'know basically coworkers you get along with and talk to when your at the 'office' but it's not like you're gonna go get a drink with them afterwards. You get me?" Leskinen explained to which Okabe nodded. "Well that's my impression of the whole thing. Afterall I only see her at work, but from what Maho tells me, I don't think I'm too far off."

"That makes sense." Okabe admitted as a small smile worked it's way on his lips as he recalled the first thing he thought of when his initial thought of Kurisu began cracking in the Alpha worldline. "She's hard to get along with."

He didn't mean it in a bad way. When the two began arguing more and more there was something about her that just... was different than he initially thought of her. Like... she was... likeable...

"I wouldn't say that, Kurisu's quite popular around the campus." Leskinen recounted before smirking smugly. "Especially with the guys."

However Okabe's small smile quickly fell as he uttered incredulously.

"Wait. What-"

"Hahah! Not like that Lintalo." Leskinen quickly clarified with a small laugh. "You should see your face, Haha!"

Okabe actually felt his cheeks heat up as he could only stare at Leskinen enjoying the fruits of his labor. It was a small while until Leskinen finally stopped laughing and once again spoke.

"You know, she's kinda famous right? Everyone on campus knows of her and throw in the fact she's very friendly, polite, charming and not to mention easy on the eyes, it is without a doubt she would be a very prominent person on campus. Infact it actually bewildered me to see how she acts around you, so aggressive and assertive, infact I find it most fascinating."

"She can't be that different." Okabe exasperated as his mind was battling whether or not the professor was exaggerating or telling the truth.

"You would be surprised." Leskinen said as they once again stopped at another red light. "A girl like that can usually pick and choose whoever they want, just from my understanding she didn't have a boyfriend for the longest time because everyone here was afraid of her."

"I'm afraid of her!" Okabe loudly stated with annoyance at how Leskinen was painting Kurisu.

"Haha, no Lintalo you're afraid of her cause your already dating her. But I'm sure when you met her you were undoubtedly nervous to even talk to her, right?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"You have to understand there's a difference between being nervous around an attractive girl and actually being afraid of an attractive and very smart girl."

"What's the difference?" Okabe reactively asked as the red light they were on turned green.

"C'mon Lintalo, you know, just look in back of you, the school is populated with guys like them." With that Leskinen pointed his thumb to the back seat where Jorge, Ted and Fred were. "They have trouble talking to their own sisters, do you think they could talk to an intelligent pretty woman if they wanted to?"

As Okabe looked back at them he quickly noted Leskinen did have a point, a very strong point infact.

"Fair enough."

"Hey are you guys talking about us?" Ted asked noticing the point.

"Obviously Ted, he's explaning to Mr. Okabe why your joke was stupid." And there was Fred to try and shoot Ted down again. "Right sir."

"I thought it was funny." Leskinen answered back in English before saying to Okabe in Japanese. "That's the beauty of speaking multiple languages in this country, Lintalo, you can talk so much shit and no one is the wiser. Anyways as I was saying, Kurisu had always been a topic in this school ever since she stepped foot in it, she's like a celebrity. Infact believe it or not she's so popular some of the people I talked to during the banquet asked if you were some hotshot in Japan."

"Will you stop joking around?" Okabe simply requested as the conversation was veering to ridiculous levels.

"I'm not joking. When they saw you with her they came up to me and wanted to know who you were, they asked if you were some scientist, or at least famous in Japan to a degree, some people even asked if you were a model!"

"Model? C'mon." Okabe rolled his eyes, a model? Yeah right, now he knew Leskinen was full of shit.

"I swear I'm not, to them it was the only reasonable thing to assume. I mean you are good looking, but-"

As Leskinen uttered that sentence Okabe swiftly looked at him with a face that read that's the last thing he wanted to hear from his mouth. So quickly Okabe lifted his hand to stop Leskinen from saying anymore.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Calm down Lintalo." The professor swiftly rebuked him. "It's 2012. It's okay for a man to call another man handsome. I mean unless you have insecurities about yourself than that's your deal."

"I don't." Just as those words exited Okabe's mouth for unknown reasons his mind decided to think about a certain guy who... most definitely was a guy and didn't make Okabe question anything cause- stupid sexy Ruka. "Why are we even talking about this?"

"I don't know, it's small talk there's no specific goal." Leskinen explained before he turned to the back seat and addressed them in English. "It's on West Sunrise right?"

"Yeah, just keep going straight, it's about five blocks away." Fred answered as Leskinen nodded turing his attention back to the road.

"Gotcha." Leskinen said before addressing Okabe. "Well, since you don't want to talk about that no more, let's put on some music. What you wanna hear Lintalo?"

"Whatever, I don't know any of the stations here."

"No I mean what do you like Lintalo."

"Anything."

"C'mon Lintalo, you gotta like something."

"What about you first?" Okabe returned Leskinen's question.

"Oh, me? I like a lot of stuff, from classical music like Mozart to the new stuff like, I'm sexy and I know it. But honestly I prefer a song for how it sounds oppose to what it is, you understand me?"

"Then why don't you put that on?" Okabe questioned as Leskinen shook his head.

"Lintalo this is your night, it is imperative you enjoy it to the utmost, and that includes the type of music you like. So what do-"

"How is that important?" Okabe plainly asked looking at the professor less than pleased. "Just put on whatever."

"Stubborn as ever I see." The professor uttered with a small wit about him. "Fine, we have plenty of time to sort that out."

---

December 24, 2012 8:03:33 PM EST

She had always enjoyed Christmas or more appropriately the winter weather.

All winter, but especially around late October to late February, everything seemed to be so... magical, so different than the rest of the year, so happy. As a child it was always something to look forward to, something to enjoy as a family. During those days it was as if her family were in a movie oppose to real life, always smiling together, always laughing together, always just happy together. While it seemed impossible now, she could vividly recall how her mom and dad would tease each other like a loving couple, smile at one another or just listen to Kurisu as she rambled on about one of her childhood make believe stories just nodding to whatever she said and encouraging her absurd fantasies, sometimes even partaking in them adding their own little touches to it. Everything than was perfect.

Then of course, she got older.

And with age came the reality that a lot of those memories were skewed with nostalgia.

Did her parents argue during those times?

Yes.

Did she cry about the littlest of things?

Yes.

Did they always listen to her make believe stories?

No.

But Kurisu didn't care whether her memories were as faithful as she remembered.

They were perfect to her and that's all that mattered.

They made her as happy as much as they made her sad.

It was like for a tiny fraction of a second she could capture those moments and relive her childhood perfectly, then without warning she would spiral into this void of melancholy for much longer stretches of time.

Replaced with the bitter memories of her parents separating.

The events leading up to her parents separating were like watching mountains move apart. Such an absurd and unimaginable concept made comprehensible when likened to her parents leaving one another. Mountains were magnificence and beautiful creations of Earth, formed from tectonic plates colliding with one another millions of years ago, no force or object in this world would ever be able to move or change a mountain, just like the bond between a family. A bond that should last forever, a love so vast it was unfathomable to calculate like the weight of mountains, and to sever that bond would take what was needed to move a mountain.

Something incomprehensible.

Or so she thought.

She got older and realized moving mountains wasn't as impossible as she once thought.

A tunnel here and road there, a mine here and a mine there. Humans had conquered mountains a long time ago and this magical creation of land, so mighty and tall, could collapse under it's own weight if you chipped at it long enough.

That's why partners separate with one another, that's why marriages end in divorce. Because sometimes things destined for eternity aren't meant to last, sometimes things so perfect now are just future mistakes, and sometimes love is a lot like snow it just melts away.

But as a kid, the concept of snow melting is a fact you tuck away in the crevices of your brain to fool yourself. Just so you can play in it with no conception of time, to just trick yourself to believe you can play in it forever. Because in that moment it really does feel like you could be in an eternal snow day, but even the littlest of kids know that is isn't possible. When the sun returns and warms up the ground the snow will melt away, that is a fact, yet as a kid, you can't help but feel sadness and disappointment for what you had always known was gonna happen.

And that's how she felt about her parents situation.

She could still remember exactly the utter confusion and guilt she felt during that time, in her still developing mind she knew exactly why and what was happening but it still didn't make sense to her. For Kurisu, her parents loved one another why did they have to fight so much? Why didn't people like her dad when he was the smartest person ever? Why did she make her dad so upset? What could she have done to help him? Why didn't her mom try harder to fix it and to show dad she still loved him? That Kurisu, his daughter, needed him and loved him?

She idolized her father during those days, he was the most awesomest, smartest person ever, the person she wanted to do nothing more than to make proud. The person who inspired her to be better, the person whose praise only mattered, the person she anxiously waited for to return from work, the person she wanted to be.

Then all of a sudden his praise ceased and was replaced with snide and rude remarks, his warm and tight hugs became at best dismissive brush offs. All of a sudden the person she wanted to be wanted nothing to do with her.

That's when things changed. That's when Kurisu became that kid playing outside in the snow hoping it would never end.

It was funny how when the snow did melt, her reaction to her mom explaining what happened and what was gonna happen could best be described as nonreactive. She just stared at her and maybe uttered an, oh, at best. It took her until nighttime when the reality of what was happening hit her as she cried bawling into her pillow, wishing and hoping that it could... snow again and never stop, never melt or wash away no matter how hot it got, so they could be a family again. So her dad could love her again.

And she didn't lose hope, not even when her mom had decided to be as far away from her ex-husband as she could, to begin a new life in a faraway country, in America. Kurisu's mom tried to make it appealing by claiming her aunt lived there or that it would be an amazing adventure for the two of them to undertake together, but Kurisu didn't want that. She wanted her dad. She wanted her family together.

And she clung on to that hope until they were in that airport ready to leave their old lives behind when she realized things were never gonna be the same. A part of her had hoped her father would at least see them off... but who was she kidding? In truth, she imagined and hoped, prayed even, that her father would run through the airport and beg for forgiveness, beg to be a family again, apologize for everything he had ever did or said to her and declare his undying love for them, but the reality was he didn't even answer his own daughter's calls the night before.

And in America everything was different, only magnified with the reality her father wouldn't be there to brave this new world with them.

It was there her definition of Christmas became Americanized, holidays she never heard of or even thought she would celebrate became family traditions and it was in America she grew up to be the person she is now. A girl who graduated from one of the most prestigious universities at seventeen. A girl who was hailed as a genius. A girl who inspired as many people as she made envious. A girl who was a few semesters from her doctorate. A girl who once in a while cried whenever she thought about those days so long ago.

Looking back, yeah the events leading up to her dad and mom separating weren't as sudden as her childhood made it seem, they were broiling for years, the cracks in her ideal perfect family were always there. Like a mountain being chipped away at for years eventually collapsing under it's own weight. But even than, so what if most of the time those memories made her sad? For a brief fraction of a second she could capture her parents loving smiles at one another, she could capture their loving smiles at her and for that brief second she could capture her dad's love again. Because it was there for that fraction of a second it really did feel like snow could last forever.

"So what's on your mind?" And there to break her from the past was her mom who had just returned from her car to take a seat opposite of where Kurisu was.

"Nothing." She answered as the two silently stared at the Christmas tree now with a few known presents underneath it.

"Nothing, huh?" Her mom replied back with a slight chuckle. "Well I'll tell you what's on my mind. I wonder why you put the tree so late?"

Kurisu promptly looked at her mother before rolling her eyes away. "You know why."

"You know you didn't have to wait for me to put it up? I told you that a few weeks ago." Ms. M began explaining turning to look at Kurisu. "I know I usually come earlier, but this year I got tied up, you could have put it yourself and I wouldn't have mind."

Kurisu remained still and fixated on the tree before throwing over her shoulder without a care in the world, "That's fine."

The pair remained in utter silence, except for the hum of the heater in the background, staring solely at the tree before Ms. M placed her hand on the table and turned it downside up. It was as she was looking at her palm she casually began speaking.

"I guess, but something about putting a tree up a day before Christmas just doesn't feel right. It's almost like... like the whole holiday spirit was wasted." Kurisu's mom began before turning her attention from her palm to Kurisu while a smug smirk worked it's way onto her lips. "Or perhaps someone was waiting for someone to put it up."

Kurisu's wasn't even surprised her mom went there.

"Yeah, I was waiting for you." Kurisu bristly remarked not wanting to play this little game.

"Perhaps." Her mom admitted before slyly saying. "It also could be you were waiting for that friend of yours."

"Again? Why are you obsessed with that?" Shaking her head, Kurisu wasn't surprised but she still couldn't shake the disappointment in her mom's question. "You're worse than a teenage girl."

"Obsessed with it? Gee, I don't know why?" Ms. M began her voice laced with nothing but sarcasm. "Perhaps my daughter has a guy in her house, and not only a guy, a guy who is from another country, who up until now I didn't know about, who turns out to be her boyfriend."

"Mom-"

"I'm not finished. Not only is he your boyfriend, he's the guy you said saved you when your... that man, attacked you and was stabbed as a result two years ago. Who, I might add, you also called crazy when you recounted that story to me. And to add to that you somehow passed out while he magically disappears leaving you in pool of his own blood? No Kurisu I have no idea why I would bring the topic up all the time. Nope no idea."

Kurisu was not amused as she crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "You know what? Why don't you just say what you wanna say okay? No point in trying to stop you so fire away with what you wanna ask."

Her mom was not expecting that as Kurisu locked eyes with a now taken back and surprised Ms. M. It took a few seconds but her mom's shock quickly faded and was replaced with a content and cocky smile.

"Oh, this is interesting." Her mom said, her surprise still evident in her voice, but not wanting ruin her chance her mom did exactly what Kurisu asked and cut to the chase. "I already have a good sense of where you two stand so I guess I should ask you something just to confirm it."

"And what is that?"

"That is... that is... uhh, okay... hold on... okay that is... "As Ms. M stuttered Kurisu raised at eye brow at the woman infront of her confused about her sudden change in demeanor.

"Is what?" Kurisu quickly asked as she could have sworn her mom had a slight blush on her.

"Hold your horses!" Her mom quickly answered back. "That- that is... what I want to ask...wow this is actually kind of hard to say."

For the first time since Kurisu could remember her mom actually seemed nervous and fidgety, constantly adjusting herself on the chair and smacking her lips trying to find the words she was looking for. It actually made Kurisu uneasy watching the usually confident woman be reduced to a nervous wreck so feeling compelled to do so Kurisu opened her mouth.

"Hard to say what?"

That brought her mom back to reality as Ms. M closed her eyes and treating her words like a bandaid decided to just pull it off as fast as she could. "Alright, well... I know you're a little too old for this Kurisu and well... I know I never really talked about this sort of thing with you, but... well, be honest, are you... are you... are you sexually active?"

"..." Kurisu replied back with silence as she blankly stared at her mom in shock of what she had just asked, still trying to process what just happened in her brain.

"..." Ms. M also returned the favor as she also blankly stared at Kurisu unsure of how to continue or what to even say, but like most moms it didn't take long until she found something to say. "That means are you having sex?"

"What?!" Kurisu exclaimed turning beet red as she fell back to reality with a resounding crash. Though she was embarrassed Kurisu was not surprised by the question, but still she was surprised how her mom worded it. "Are you my doctor or something!"

"I know, I know, I say a lot of things but I'm trying to be serious Kurisu and I want a serious answer." Her mom began her confidence on the subject growing. "I mean, well, listen. I know growing up we never had a... I guess a mother daughter talk, and well I just... well listen Kurisu. I figured I wouldn't have to worry about this sort of thing for a long time-"

"What is that suppose to mean?" Kurisu was now more curious about her mom's last comment than anything else.

"Nothing, just well you never seemed interested in guys or-"

"Did you think I was a lesbian!"

"No!" Her mom quickly said somewhat flustered and even more nervous. "I just thought you would find a nice guy later in life."

"I'm twenty mom!"

"And?" Her mom began before pointing out. "You never had a boyfriend so-"

"Mom!"

"What? It's true?" Why did her mom have to make everything so awkward and especially embarrass her like this? Luckily for her Okabe wasn't there to see her mortified face. "I mean, I thought you would be older when you started dating and when you did you wouldn't date guys who... I don't know where lab coats all the time and mandspread everywhere they sit."

"Do you want me to prowl a retirement home for dates or something!"

"No! Just... a more mature guy. A gentleman if you will." It was there Kurish realized her mom was old.

"A gentleman?"

"I don't mean it like that. Just a nice guy. You know, with his life settled and a career, not some twenty year old who does oddjobs and... and wears lab coats all time"

"Again with the lab coats! That's what he likes to wear so just leave him alone will ya!"

"I'm sorry it's so weird!" Her mom defended herself before continuing her earlier statement. "He's too young and immature for you. You should have gone for a guy in his thirties, experienced with a nice career already. A smart, nice, preferably rich white guy."

"What!"

"Forget about that last part, it's not important for now. I just want to know whether you two are you know... actually having sex. That's it."

During all that time Kurisu had forgotten what was the original question was and when she was reminded she wasn't pleased.

"I can't believe we are talking about this." Kurisu groaned before smashing her head against the table in defeat.

"Well are you?"

"No!" Kurisu exclaimed shooting straight up to look at her mother. "Why would you think that!"

"Kurisu." Her mom began seriously. "I met your boyfriend while he had an erection, I have more than enough reason to believe you two are having sex."

Her mom did have a valid point, but Kurisu wasn't about to give in just yet. "You said you didn't notice it!"

"Kurisu... you saw it as well as I did."

And for Kurisu she felt it to, but still! She wasn't giving up just yet! "Well, why were you looking down there you pervert!"

"Are you really calling me a pervert?"

"Well, why were you looking down there!" Yes this is the best Kurisu could do in this moment and as she was realizing, with her mom she just couldn't make a coherent argument.

"Kurisu, stop it." Her mom sternly stated before uttering again. "Are you being honest about your relationship."

"Why would I lie?!"

"Are you sure?" Her mom was sure giving her the third degree, but Kurisu was telling the truth, so once again Kurisu said.

"We're not... doing that mom."

And again Ms. M peered into Kurisu's eyes trying to make her crack, but after what felt like forever she relented and simply conceded with.

"Okay, I'll take your word..." But just because she conceded didn't mean she didn't have a counter attack ready. "...and that includes everything?"

"Everything?" Kurisu repeated confused by her mom's question.

"You know some people claim they aren't having sex but are doing other things y'know?"

"Other things?" Kurisu worded innocently, almost too innocently for Ms. M to take her seriously. Feeling a sinking feeling in her gut Ms. M hesitantly began explaining, what the 'other things' were.

"Y'know... other things like..." And not finding it in her too be more explicit, Kurisu's mom slowly extended her index finger and pointed at her mouth, puffing one cheek out.

For Kurisu her expression remained as perplexed as it started where she quizzically tilted her head and asked.

"Kissing?" Which made her mom face palm in response.

"I guess that answers my question." Ms. M replied as Kurisu continued looking at her quizzically. "Well... this was more awkward than I thought it was gonna be."

"How did you think it was gonna go!" Kurisu incredulously stated as her mom just shrugged.

"I noticed you didn't wrap anything for your boyfriend." Her mom said nonchalantly trying to change the subject and clear up the awkwardness.

"Really?" Kurisu brashly answered tensing up a bit at the question, which didn't go unnoticed by her mom.

"You didn't get anything for him?" Ms. M immediately asked perking an eyebrow waiting for Kurisu's response and what she got was Kurisu tensing up even more.

"It's not like he got me anything." She curtly remarked clearly trying to dismiss the topic. "I mean, that's not the reason why I wouldn't get him a gift, it's not like I care or anything."

"How do you know he didn't get you a gift?" Her mom kept going and going making Kurisu shake her head.

"Trust me I know." Even though she wanted to sound confident there was an edge to her voice trying too hard to sound believable which her mom saw through immediately.

"Are you sure?" Kurisu's mom pressed as Kurisu nodded a little to exaggerated to be taken serious. "You didn't even get him a little gift card?"

"Nothing." And adding to her horrible defense Kurisu then added a childlike headshake at the end of her sentence, all but indicating to Ms. M that wasn't the case.

"Or did you already send it to Japan?" And it was there Ms. M knew Kurisu did infact get a gift as once she said that a look of disappointment spread across Kurisu's face before she quietly uttered.

"No." But just as her words left her lips Kurisu recognized her mistake and shot straight back up, her eyes utterly mortified. "No because I didn't get anything for him!"

"What did you get him?"

"I didn't get him anything!" Of course Ms. M was having none of it as she shot daggers directly at Kurisu waiting for her to break. "I didn't!"

"Kurisu." With that tone Kurisu knew it was a pointless endeavor as she looked down embarrassed and defeated.

"Okay!" She exclaimed finally relenting. "But you better not laugh!"

---

December 24, 2012 08:16:55 PM EST

Vanilla ice cream and chocolate chips were a good combination, better than whatever God-awful mix the Urban Cowboy was. Even just mentioning it's name almost made Okabe want to puke. From the green chile drizzled on top to the chucks of jalapeno placed on the whip cream to the taste of fried beans and roasted bell peppers, there was only one thing that 'shake' if you could call it that was good for. It proved no matter how sweet or delicious ice cream was, put enough horribly mix and matched flavors and it would destroy any redeeming qualities the ice cream provided.

Kurisu must have had a stomach composed of iron or something was seriously wrong with the girl if she honestly enjoyed any of it, which raised several questions. The first being how could a restaurant manage to sell utter crap and not be condemned within the first week, and two, could that explain why Kurisu's cooking was so horrendous. Perhaps to her, and to an extent the people who ate at that restaurant, the inedible abominations were five star cuisines finely crafted with the utmost care. Possible, but highly doubtful, human biology wouldn't allow such a variation between digestive tracks, nevertheless Okabe really hoped he was wrong about the last part. It was almost unbelievable that someone could suck that bad at cooking without trying.

Either way now that he mentioned it, whatever was the case it was a fact whatever Kurisu made was borderline inedible, so how would his father react to finding out eating poison was less dangerous than Kurisu's cooking?

He'll probably go like, 'My disappointment is immense and my day is ruined. I can't believe I'm stuck with you when I could have had eaten free at May-queen's everyday, fed by the greatest cook and daughter-in-law ever, Faris-tan.' After throwing up whatever Kurisu made.

'I'm actually disgusted by what you just said.' No doubt Kurisu would say that highly offended at the harsh criticism.

'If it's anything close to how I feel about your cooking, than yikes.' Damn, even Okabe felt the heat on that leading to Kurisu exploding red in anger.

'And May-queen's is better!?'

'I'm offended you insinuated your cooking could be compared to Faris-tan's cooking. But even than if somehow Faris ever messed up an order it'll still be delicious because sometimes it's not about the food, but about the cook.'

She'll then facepalm or throw her arms wildly where-

"Lintalo." And of course just as he was about to get into the juicy details Professor Leskinen had to ring him out of it. "The guys wanted me to ask you a question and I tried to tell them otherwise but they just wouldn't listen."

Leskinen wasn't even trying to hide the fact that was a total lie.

"I doubt that." Okabe simply fired back as he gave the milkshake in his hands a final sip before placing it down on the table.

"Would I lie?" Leskinen coyly replied placing a hand over his chest as Okabe stared at him with the most deadpan expression ever. "They really wanted to see your lab."

"My lab?" Okabe curtly said as he glanced over to the trio seated with them on the round bench, who he might add were too absorbed with their milkshakes to even care what he was doing, before shifting back to Leskinen. "They wanted to see my lab?"

"Well I might have... alluded to this lab you and Kurisu mentioned yesterday." Okabe immediately knew why this was even brought up and at this point... he wasn't even surprised.

"I think you mean you want to know what it is?" Okabe plainly asked glaring at Leskinen who shrugged before saying.

"I am curious, especially with what Maho said about it being full of girls." Leskinen admitted with a chuckle before turning to the trio across of them to say in English. "Lintalo wanted to know if you guys want to see his lab in Japan, he has a picture of it?"

"Really, wow I always wanted to see a true Japanese lab." Ted beamed making Fred roll his eyes.

"You're gonna be disappointed to realize it's nothing like an anime." Fred quipped. "It's gonna look exactly like how it looks here."

"Well not really." Jorge jumped in swallowing some of his milkshake he had in his mouth. "Everything's gonna be labeled in Japanese and-"

"That's nitpicking." Fred quickly interrupted, but as the three went on a little back and forth Leskinen turned his attention back to Okabe explaining what was gonna happen.

"I told them you were gonna show them a picture of this lab of yours."

Okabe didn't think it was possible, but somehow he was relieved at the sudden surprise Leskinen had in store for him. Once the professor opened his mouth anything could happen and that usually meant bad news for Okabe, but showing a picture of his lab? That wasn't too bad or at least out of everything that could have happened it was the most normal thing, almost like something someone would bring up in a normal conversation. Still, it didn't exactly sit right with Okabe, so dejected he simply looked at Leskinen and worded his only grievance. "You could have run this by me first."

"I should have, but it's more fun like this." At least he was being honest right?

Shaking his head Okabe began digging around his pocket for his phone fighting the urge to wipe that stupid grin Leskinen had on his face. "The deal is still on right? After tonight you aren't gonna bother us anymore?"

"A deal is deal right?" Leskinen answered as Okabe fished his phone out of his pocket, flipping it open where he began going through his photos. "Though what are you going to do once I'm gone?"

Still eyeing his phone Okabe remarked, "Enjoy it."

That made Leskinen snicker at Okabe's wit, but not soon after he simply said. "I mean, how are you gonna enjoy it?"

"I have the picture." Okabe simply stated ignoring Leskinen's question.

"Good." Leskinen began in English as he grabbed the trio's attention. "Look guys."

And look they did as everyone turned their attention to Okabe who slowly turned his phone towards them to reveal the picture he picked. It was the picture he and his entire lab members took the day Kurisu left Japan over a year ago infront of his lab. While he had actual pictures inside his lab, based off of what Leskinen said they perceived him as, he felt a little self conscious revealing his lab was little more than flat he was renting on top of a CRT shop.

However, with that said even if his lab was a top of the line laboratory he still would have shown them this exact same picture. It was really the only picture he had with all his lab members together and most importantly with Kurisu.

He had countless other pictures of all the other lab members individually and of his actual lab, but never a true complete group photo. He was too shy and embarrassed to actually propose one, even though he had wanted to take one ever since he landed in this worldline, and in a way had it not been because of Daru and Yuki they wouldn't have ever taken one. A few days before Kurisu was scheduled to leave, Daru surprisingly suggested taking a group picture that was immediately met with approval. Everyone beaming with excitement had their own ideas and suggestions for the picture, some practical and some not so practical, but after a day or two discussing the matter they had ultimately decided to just take a plain old picture with everyone included. It was a lot of needless discussion and round table meetings for basically opting to do the first thing that came to mind, but Okabe digressed, it was always a treat having debates at the future gadget laboratory, though with all that needless banter they did forget one crucial piece of taking a picture.

The photographer.

It wasn't until they were all lined up together outside of his lab when they realized they had no one to take the picture.

Okabe immediately volunteered, but Yuki insisted he had to be a part of the picture since he was the leader and volunteered to take the picture instead. When Okabe finally warmed up to the idea of her taking the picture, Daru swooped in to overrule that agreement by persisting Yuki be part of the photo and that'll he take the picture instead. It led to a back and forth on who should be the one to take the picture that eventually led to all lab members at one point volunteering to do so.

It lasted for a good five minutes with no end in sight until Mr. Braun stepped out of his shop and offered to take the picture for them, making it clear moreso because they were infront of his shop, annoying him and driving away customers, than out of goodwill. That led to Nae wanting to join in as well where she hurriedly latched onto Mayuri.

As for the picture there were two, a serious one where they gave simple smiles at the camera (except for Faris) and a more fun and expressive one which, surprisingly, was done at Mr. Braun's behest, claiming they looked dead in the other. Leading to where we are now with that second picture being the one Okabe was currently displaying on his phone.

Outside and infront of the entrance to his lab they all struck odd and endearing poses that could warm any mad scientist heart. To the right edge, closets to the CRT shop, had been Moeka trying her best to be as expressive as ever, but at the last moment hid her face behind her phone splitting the tinge of pink that had spread over her face in two. Next to and infront of Moeka was Ruka, who wore a timid smile waving one hand above his head while the other held up devil horns to the back of Mayuri's head, barely peeking over her blue summer hat. Infront of Ruka and next to the left side of Okabe, was the aforementioned Mayuri whose expression was nothing short of pure joy, with her eyes closed giving the biggest and cutest smile a human could give, one that could melt even the coldest of hearts to mush. As for the rest of her she extended one of her arms fully where her hand formed the peace sign at the end while with the other rested it on Nae's shoulder who also gave a similar pose as Mayuri, using both arms oppose to one.

On the opposite edge was Daru and Yuki where the latter blew kisses at the camera while her other hand rested on her hips. Daru meanwhile played the part of some rabid fan fawning over her getting on one knee taking imaginary pictures of her with an imaginary camera. Next to them was Faris who winked at the camera as she struck her arms out balling them to fist while taking a wide stance seemingly readying for any enemies that might decide to crash this moment.

And front and center was the mad scientist himself and right next to him was his assistant.

Okabe simply gave his signature pose accompanied with his familiar laugh, making Kurisu, who had originally threw up peace signs, facepalm at Okabe's choice of action.

It was there when Okabe realized he couldn't ask for a better picture of all his lab members.

It was like... a representation of who they were. A picture capable of speaking a thousands of words. A picture that encapsulated their relationship. Would it have been sweeter had Kurisu hugged him or even joined in his theatrics? Sure, but Kurisu wasn't like that. In reality they probably would never be like that and maybe sometimes Okabe wished they could be, maybe Okabe hoped they could be and maybe Okabe wanted them to be, but everytime he looked at that the picture it was a reminder he didn't need that.

Because even though she was faceplaming with disapproval and embarrassment, underneath her hand peeked that golden smile of hers.

"Lintalo who is that beautiful lady right there!" And of course Leskinen had to break his trip down memory lane as he literally grabbed Okabe and pointed at his phone. "Out of all the gorgeous women in this photo she is... she is perfect. Those soft timid lips, the short black hair and slender body, who is she Lintalo!"

Okabe promptly followed Leskinen's finger and of course it was pointing at one of the few non-female members of his lab. "That's a guy."

"Ahh..." Leskinen didn't seem too bothered by the revelation, nodding slightly with an odd smile that could be interpreted as disappointed or delighted, but of course Leskinen wasn't the only one who viewed the picture.

"Some guys have all the luck, man." Jorge recited with a gaping mouth as his eyes, like Fred, Ted and Leskinen's, were glued to Okabe phone.

"I... I am... I am jealous." Fred muttered before adding. "Well more jealous than I previously was."

"Mr. Okabe what are your secrets!" Ted cried out to Okabe before he clasped his hands together to beg. "Please! Please! I know you probably won't believe me but I'm still a virgin! I haven't even had a girlfriend yet!"

"Dude that's his coworkers not... his... sex... partners!" Jorge quickly said hitting Ted on the shoulder.

Okabe blankly looked at him perking an eyebrow before he turned his attention to Leskinen and asked. "Are they okay?"

"They are having a perfectly reasonable reaction to this." Leskinen answered back before adding. "Your lab is filled with beautiful women."

"Beautiful women?" Okabe blankly asked as he turned his phone over and studied the picture. There was no denying the female members (and Ruka) of his lab were... attractive, but it was weird hearing it from another person so brashly. Maybe it was calling them beautiful that confused Okabe the most. To him that term was always associated with people who wouldn't associate with him to begin with, beautiful people were popular people who hung around other popular people, not socially awkward nerds like him and Daru.

For the longest time outside of Mayuri, who in her own right was a little weird, Okabe never had friends who other people would describe as... beautiful. The few people he associated with during school were like him or even bigger losers. Unattractive, awkward, unwanted and the plain weird, that's who Okabe had always been a part of and that's what he always will consider himself.

Growing up outside of his parents and Mayuri, nobody challenged him on that notion. Everybody treated him differently, everyone treated him like something was wrong with him. When he wouldn't talk out of shyness the kids his age called him weird and odd while the adults were left confused at his inability to speak to people. They said, 'Just talk to them, open up and you'll make friends' But what would he say if he worked up the courage to do so? How could he do that? It was so... intimidating.

And as he got older, things didn't change, just by then he found a confidence he lacked in Hououin Kyouma.

With Hououin Kyouma he could just alienate people bombastically instead of with his terrible social skills.

So when Okabe found himself dateless at a school dance he could blame Hououin Kyouma. When girls wouldn't give Okabe a chance he could blame Hououin Kyouma. When girls did give Okabe a chance and he ultimately weirded them out he could blame Hououin Kyouma. It was just easier to point the finger at someone else and Hououin Kyouma became that person. Obviously Okabe wasn't that delusional, he understood Hououin Kyouma was just something he made up to help out Mayuri, but in those moments when he truly felt lonely or sad he could sit down and point at Hououin Kyouma and think things like, 'I'm not really like that, if I acted like myself things would be different.'

But it never happened. When he reached his late teens and high school, Hououin Kyouma was in essence Okabe. His dreams of being popular or even normal were dead, now he just accepted who he was and what he wasn't.

However with that being said, even he knew things were different now than they were two years ago or more importantly he was different.

For starters he was sharing a meal with strangers because he was visiting a girl who he was involved with romantically in another country, that should have been a clue to anyone that maybe Okabe wasn't as socially oblivious as he once was. Still Okabe couldn't shake his insecurities he had developed when he was growing up. To Okabe he would always be that awkward shy kid no one liked, but when Leskinen called his lab members beautiful something clicked in Okabe's head.

Something... different.

When he looked at the picture, he couldn't deny it... they were all... attractive people. While he couldn't speak for Moeka, from what he's seen and heard his lab members were the source of desire for many people. Growing up Mayuri had many boys sought after her even now, Kurisu by Leskinen's account had similar experiences, while Faris was literally worshiped by some people. And there was Ruka who... was...well perfect...

They were all so vastly different from one another, yet there was one common thing about them.

They were part of his lab.

In that moment, looking at the picture, Okabe thought that his ridiculous pose... actually looked cool.

Because the people infront of him did.

These strangers who knew nothing about him.

These strangers who were looking at him like a total stud.

Theses strangers who were looking at him with envy.

Right now, sitting at a Sonik bench Okabe realized in this moment he could be whatever he wanted to be.

While he might have been a klutz around women, to them he was a master of seduction.

While he might not have been the most attractive guy, to them he was a model.

While he literally couldn't admit to Kurisu he really, really liked her, to them she was his girlfriend.

In that moment Okabe felt something he rarely if ever felt. He felt... arrogant, be felt... pride. He felt... like he was the coolest guy in the world. And while Okabe had never gotten high, he was sure this is how it felt.

Smiling a now self absorbed smirk Okabe turned his attention to the trio seated infront of him and uttered, "I know." And to boast he spoke in English to directly communicate with them, but as he did Leskinen chuckled, slyly taking a back seat to this conversation watching with a pleased smile.

"I thought you couldn't speak English that good?" Jorge quickly asked to which Okabe nodded before pointing at himself with his thumb.

"A- g'od Eng'ish thank you." But of course even in his arrogance Okabe wasn't that delusional as he added. "Bu'ta, r'ittle. Spe'ka s'ow."

"Me first!" Ted exclaimed as he pointed at Okabe's phone, which by now had been placed on the middle of the bench, and asked. "Are they your girlfriends or are they-"

"Whoa t'ere. S'ow down." Okabe calmly stated as he once again reminded them. "En'ish s'ow, ca'lm ta'k."

"Sorry." Ted apologized but before he could get off his question Fred beat him to it.

"So Mr. Okabe, this is your lab? What do you do in it?"

"M'ya lab?" Okabe repeated back to Fred who nodded to Okabe's question. "Ahh, expe'iments a'rot, do... Bui'd big awesome gadgets! It's soo coooolll, sonuva bitch." He didn't know why, but for some reason cool in English always preceded son of a bitch and as he stated that Fred quickly looked at Jorge than at Leskinen before addressing no one in particular.

"Did he call me a son of a bitch?"

"Don't be square, Fred." Ted quickly said as he patted Fred's shoulder before asking his own question. "So Mr. Okabe... are... they... your... girlfriends... and if... yes... can I have one? And what do boobies feel like?"

Of course as the words left his mouth Fred gave a small shove on his shoulder indicating he had stepped out of bounds, but to pick up the slack was Jorge who had his own question.

"So, uh... Mr. Okabe ummm, is Kurisu part of your lab?"

A smile actually lit up on Okabe's face as he slightly chuckled before saying, "Christina?"

"No, I meant Kurisu-"

"Christina."

"No, Kurisu Maksie-"

"Yes, Christina."

"No, this one." Jorge quickly leaned over and pointed at Kurius in the picture. "Kurisu, that one right there."

"Ah, yes." Okabe began. "Christina."

Jorge just raised an eyebrow at Okabe before slowly nodding in agreement. "Uhh, yeah... her."

"Haha, she i'z my assistant."

"Kurisu?"

"No, Christina."

"But I'm talking about Kurisu."

"Christina." Okabe simply corrected with a smile as Jorge's eyes widened before addressing Leskinen personally.

"Sir why does he call Kurisu 'Christina' and, if Kurisu is his assistant he must be pretty smart than right Doctor Leskinen?"

Leskinen only chuckled before stating, "When you're as charming as Lintalo anything is possible."

"Anything?" Jorge softly said as he looked down and fiddled with his thumbs before addressing Okabe respectfully. "M-mr. Okabe... can I ask for a favor?"

"Uh, f'ravor?" Okabe replied as he looked down at his already eaten milkshake and said. "Va'unilla."

"No, favor." Jorge repeated himself slower and more clearer to which Okabe raised an eyebrow and simply nodded.

"Uh... sure?" Okabe uneasily said, not really knowing the difference, before glancing over to Leskinen than back to Jorge.

"Alright, well... you're good with... girls right?" Jorge asked motioning to the picture. A rational Okabe would have denied that, but right now Okabe was exuding confident as he hesitantly nodded his head signaling for him to continue. "Well... I like this girl and... woman... not a- a girl... and you being what you are with Kurisu I was thinking... This is hard to say but... do you think you can tell Kurisu to put a good word for me with Ms. Hijayo?"

"W'at?" Literally the more Jorge talked the less Okabe understood as Okabe turned again to Leskinen who laughed before explaining in Japense what had happened.

"He was asking if you can tell Kurisu to tell Maho he likes her."

"Wait." Okabe questioned as his memory vaguely recalled who she was. "The short one?"

"Exactly." Leskinen answered before turning to Jorge to say in English. "Lintalo here, said he'll cut through the middle man and tell her himself right now."

"W-wait I- were on what-" Jorge stuttered out quickly steadying himself to assess the situation. First off he was extremely nervous about the whole thing, hell he was even trembling a bit, but it quickly dawned on Jorge this was a golden opportunity. Jorge realized with how many beautiful girls Mr. Okabe had in his lab and the fact Kurisu was his girlfriend he was probably great around women and could probably use some buttery words to have Maho at least give him a chance. It was almost a useless endeavor, and perhaps it was, but as Professor Leskinen said with Mr Okabe anything was possible. "Alright, um, right now? Like here and right now?"

"Yes!" Leskinen beamed as Okabe tried grabbing his attention.

"O-okay- do you need my phone or-?"

"No that's fine I'll call her." Leskinen said pulling out his phone as he began addressing Okabe in Japanese. "He changed his mind and wants you to tell Maho over the phone right now."

"What? Why?" Okabe cried out, but before he could protest more Leskinen grabbed Okabe's hand and placed his phone on his palm.

"Hurry I already dialed her number." And on que the phone began ringing on Okabe's hand all but confirming he really did.

Left with no other choice Okabe glumly looked at Leskinen than at Jorge, but before he could refute such a thing that familiar annoying voice echoed through the phone.

"What is it Leskinen." Closing his eyes and hoping for the best Okabe placed the phone on his ear where he softly said.

"Hello." There was a brief pause on the other end before suddenly she spoke again.

"Why am I not surprised." Maho deadpanned before adding. "I really hope there is a good reason for you calling me. Especially through Leskinen's phone."

"Uh, there is." Okabe nervously said as he began smacking his lips trying to find the right words to use to explain his predicament. "Um... I guess I should ask first... are you single?"

If the silence that followed was any indication that wasn't the best way to go about it.

"I don't know whether to be amazed or disgusted with you right now." Maho began ending the silence and injecting the venom in their conversation. "Hitting on your girlfriend's mentor the day after you meet her with said girlfriend is amazingly stupid. I'm gonna hang up and call-"

"Not for me!" Okabe hurriedly cried out before explaining. "It's for, uh, it's for-"

As Okabe tried processing his name he quickly looked at Jorge and pointed at him where Jorge failed to realize his reasoning for doing so. So Okabe pointed again more vigorously where he worded, "Name!"

"My name?" Jorge questioned pointing at himself where Okabe nodded. "Jorge Fernandez."

"Fe'nande's Ho-hey."

"Jorge Fernandez?" Maho quickly asked.

"Yes!"

"Took you long enough." Maho of course spat out with a huff before adding. "Who's that?"

"I don't know." Okabe admitted with a voice on the verge of defeat. "He's with Leskinen and-and he's... I don't know short, I guess?"

"So let me get this straight. Your logic is since he's short and I'm short we automatically know each other?"

"No!" Well Jorge was short, Maho was... well below short. "He's with the school and was one of Kurisu's group partners-"

"So he's a student?"

"Yeah, I think." Okabe answered hoping to make a breakthrough in this conversation, but as Maho began speaking she dashed away any hope of this going smoothly.

"So a student is asking if I'm single?" Maho simply questioned in a unimpressed tone before explaining. "You do realize how inappropriate that is?"

Okabe froze midsentence as his mind raced to find a solution to what she just said and what it settled for was probably not the best choice.

"Inappropriate? Is it because they might think you're a child?" Maho promptly hung up as Okabe realized what his mind settled for definitely wasn't the best course of action.

His eyes widened considerably as he quickly looked at the phone before hurriedly redialing her. It didn't get pass the first ring before he was sent to voicemail. A second and third redial led to the same outcome as Okabe quickly turned his gaze to Leskinen, whose face all but indicated he knew Okabe fell flat on his face. As for Jorge he was still nervously waiting like a student waiting for their test scores while Fred and Ted, who had stopped arguing, were trying to figure out what was happening. Composing himself as best as he could Okabe cleared his throat handing Leskinen back his phone where Jorge, not being able to wait any longer, blurted out.

"What did she say?" It was evident in his tone and the fact he had actual sweat forming around his brow in this cold night, that Jorge was beyond nervous. So Okabe being the brilliant guy he was, smiled before scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"So... ye'h." He began slowly trying to break it to Jorge the whole thing was an abysmal failure. "She... s'id uh... ho'wa reme'er you."

"Oh, you're asking how I know her?" Jorge asked to which Okabe nodded not wanting to correct him. "Well, uh... she was my professor two, I guess three now, semesters ago."

"Oh... teac'ler?" Okabe now understood what Maho meant by inappropriate, Okabe would have been weirded out too if he was a teacher and former students were asking him out.

"Yeah..." Jorge began as a small blush crept to his face. "She was so smart and... nice to me and... I don't know I just. She was just amazing, like... I felt happy to go to her class and I feel... like she was happy to see me there to. S-she even gave me her number-"

"She gave everyone her number on the first day of class." Fred quipped crushing the dreamy look Jorge had on his face to a million pieces.

"And Email to." And then Ted stomped on those tiny pieces for good measure.

"Y-yeah I know, but... she said if I had any problems or questions she would... she would... help with them-"

"She said that to everyone?" Fred rightfully pointed out prompting Ted to add.

"Hence why she gave us her phone number and school email. And she was referring to the course work." Those two revelations evoked a strong reaction from Jorge whose eye twitched in annoyance before he threw his arms up acknowledging his made up mutual attraction with Maho.

"I know! Just... that doesn't matter! What did Ms. Hijayo say?" Jorge quickly changed subjects referring to Okabe.

"Uh... ho'rd on." Okabe said as he turned to Leskinen speaking in Japanese. "What do I do?"

"Well what did she say?" Leskinen simply questioned to which Okabe responded.

"That it was inappropriate before hanging up on me."

"Inappropriate? Their both adults and he's not her student anymore so I don't see the problem." Leskinen earnestly answered.

"Well she did." Okabe simply rebuttaled. "She didn't even hear me out!"

"Well if anyone could fix this I know it's you."

"How."

"Just do what you did with Kurisu." Leskinen explained to which Okabe immediately froze recalling exactly how he and Kurisu... fell in... well... love. Which now that he thought about it what did Okabe do to warrant Kurisu's affection? He called her a bunch of names, made fun of her, yelled at her, killed her in one worldline and got stabbed for her in another, where did that equal falling in love? And incase that's how everyone falls in love he wasn't about to go through that all again for Maho. What would he even call her or say? Mini-assistant or loilgirl just for the sake of some stranger?

Though once again Okabe right now felt like a man among boys, the coolest guy seated on this table if you will. If they thought he could get any girl he wasn't about to let them down. He had to show off, he had to show them their image of him was correct.

So immediately Okabe asked Leskinen to do one thing.

"Tell him to call Maho and I'll answer it." Leskinen perked an eyebrow before a wide smile overtook him.

"Oh-ho, what do you have plan?" He simply asked to which Okabe replied.

"You'll see." And Okabe as well, right now the plan was about five percent thought out of and that five percent was telling Leskinen to tell Jorge to call Maho.

"Oh-ho! This is going to be interesting!" Leskinen beamed before addressing Jorge in English. "Lintalo said for you to call her so he could talk to her."

"Why? Didn't he already talk to her?" Jorge quickly asked, but Leskinen already had an answer to that.

"Yes, but he said she wanted to save your number so call her and have Lintalo talk to her again to let her know it's your phone." It was a perfect response and one Leskinen knew Jorge wanted to hear as he promptly turned a shade of red immediately pulling out his phone without a second thought. With his phone in his hand Jorge began hitting button after button and as Okabe noted he was actually shaking nervously, while Okabe externally showed nothing but confidence, though internally he was just as nervous. He had no idea what he was doing or how he was gonna do it.

But before he could worry more Jorge promptly handed Okabe the phone where he took it with a nod and faux confidence. And like Leskinen, Jorge already dialed her number leaving Okabe to just place the phone on his ear and wait.

And wait...

And wait...

It seemed to ring forever before suddenly it stopped and her voice echoed through his ear.

"We're out of class if you have a problem about your grade you probably deserved what you got." Maho answered in English which caught Okabe completely offguard but it was in that split second he reactively spoke.

"Oh l'earry?" Okabe answered back in English where he swore Maho actually groaned in frustration.

"You again?" She answered back in Japanese, her tone overflowing with disgust, which Okabe was banking on giving him enough time to ultimately decide what to do.

"Yes!... Hear me out, I will do anything, anything you name it I will do it, I swear please, please save this guy's number and at least humor him. Please I will do anything!" Okabe honestly was begging and yes that was his master plan as even he was sure the non-Japanese speakers seated with him could tell how desperate he was.

"Are you begging?" Maho incredulously said disgust dripping with every letter. "How low can you go?"

"As low as it takes!" Okabe cried out making Maho shake her head in utter shame.

"I'm questioning Kurisu's sanity more and more the more I interact with you." Maho deadpanned before continuing. "It must have been some kind of hero complex or something."

"It doesn't matter, listen I need you to do this small favor for me-"

"First of, I don't know you beyond the fact you are with Kurisu. Secondly I know you just met this guy yesterday, why are you acting like you're his wingman?" She did have very valid points, but Okabe was determined to get what he wanted as Leskinen's advice made it's way to his response.

"Listen, loil-assistant, you name the price I will do it, so name it."

"Loil-assistant?" Maho began unsure those words actually left another human beings mouth. "Are you okay?"

"Yes!" Okabe exclaimed before adding. "Now name your price loil-assistant!"

"One million U.S dollars." And of course she had to say an unreasonable amount of money as Okabe cringed taken aback by the number.

"I'm being serious, something I can do."

"Not only are you stupid, but broke too." Maho deadpanned which actually made Okabe gasp in anger.

"Broke!? No one has a million dollars laying around!" Okabe squeaked in a higher pitch making Maho chuckle hearing him.

"I knew you would get mad, but I didn't think it would frustrate you that much, haha." Again with her smug, I'm smarter than you, tone that Okabe despised, but he had to keep his cool. If she was at least playing around to an extent he might have a chance.

"Listen, forget about that, I just want to know, I'm willing to do anything if you are willing to do me this favor?"

There was pause after that as he swore he could hear the gears in Maho's head turning in contemplation. It was the definition of nerve wrecking, but before Okabe could ask his question again Maho suddenly hummed shutting him up.

"I've thought about it and you know what? I think I might agree to your little deal." And surprising Okabe was her answer. Truthfully he was expecting her to shot him down quickly, but his joy hearing her response spiraled downward as it dawned on Okabe her tone reeked with something he was gonna dread.

"Ahh... okay so what's-"

"I want you, when you see Kurisu today hug her and tell her how at least one thing you like about her."

"What?!" Okabe couldn't believe this! What was she-

"You said anything so I am naming my price." Maho smugly began.

"But-"

"But if I go through with this and agree to at least humor this kid, and I find out you didn't hold up your end of the bargain I will tell Kurisu you were hitting on me." What was this loli girl doing! He couldn't how-

"As if Kurisu would believe you! Why would I hit on a girl who looks like like... a girl!"

"Careful Okabe, I could always change my mind." Maho threw at him before explaining. "I know you could probably smooth it over with Kurisu, probably, but I doubt you want to explain to her why you're doing this, right?"

"What makes you so confident?" Okabe instinctively shot back which caused Maho to actually snicker knowingly.

"Because if I know Leskinen and assuming you're with the people from last night judging by how they reacted to seeing you with Kurisu, they probably think you're some ladies man. And with Leskinen's help goaded you to try and work 'you're magic' to help them. I doubt you would want to explain to Kurisu you were trying to work your 'magic' on me to help one of her lab partners. Am I correct or am I wrong?"

Okabe hated her.

"Are you gonna do the thing?" He plainly asked making Maho give one final victory laugh.

"Do we have a deal than?" Maho simply questioned.

"When do I have to do the thing?" Okabe dreadfully asked.

"Tonight preferably, but at least by tomorrow morning before lunch. That's when I'll call Kurisu to wish her a merry Christmas."

"And you asking her isn't going to be suspicious?" Okabe simply asked.

"If you did what I asked I'm confident she will bring it up." Maho said which didn't ease Okabe's worry.

"And if she doesn't?"

"Well sucks to be you." She wasn't even hiding it as Okabe shook his head feeling like he was somehow the loser of all this. Even if he did do her little favor, there was still a chance Kurisu wouldn't bring up his hug and he would have to explain his bravado to Kurisu which was gonna be another headache in itself, then add in her mother and it was going to be a nightmare.

But there was chance everything could pan out as expected.

"Fine." Okabe finally said. "Save his number and text him or call him tomorrow or in a few days, just... do something."

"Haha, Okay, I'll put his number on my personal phone let me just get it-"

"This isn't your personal phone?"

"No. I use this one just for school, Leskinen has my personal cell that's why when you called again I answered I assumed you were a student... urgh."

"What?" Okabe asked.

"This guy you want me to humor is a former student of mine isn't he?" Maho said with total disgust. "This is so wrong."

"We agreed to it." Okabe pointed out making Maho sigh in defeat.

"You're lucky Kurisu is a good friend of mine or I wouldn't be doing this for her."

"How is making me hug her and tell her what I like about her doing it for her?"

Okabe could literally hear Maho facepalm from the other end before she simply replied.

"That is why." Maho deadpanned before saying. "I got my phone, tell him I'll text him tomorrow or the next day with a different number so he won't get shocked. As for you remember our deal."

"Yeah, yeah. So we all good?" Okabe asked.

"Yup, hopefully you keep your end of the bargain, Lintalo."

Now she was just rubbing it his face as with her little mock she hung up, but nevertheless Okabe felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips.

He had done it.

It wasn't the smoothest and he definitely wasn't using his charm. He had begged and pleaded and in the end it was a mutual bargain that ultimately made this entire thing happen. But like they say in racing, it doesn't matter whether you win by a mile or an inch a win is a win and Okabe considered this a win. He had done the impossible and got this guy a chance to at least talk to his crush, which considering who the guy was was like splitting atoms with a butter knife. Full of swagger and confidence Okabe pulled the phone away from his ear and extended his hand for Jorge to retake his phone.

Seeing the action Jorge couldn't hide his nervousness as he gently reached over and asked, "What did she say?"

"A'l good." An embarrassed and shy smile found itself on Jorge as his ears burned red while he took his phone back from Okabe.

"T-thank you. Mr. Okabe." He mustered out fumbling on his words.

It was there that maybe this wasn't gonna be so bad. Perhaps this night-

"Ahh, I know where we should go next!"

And of course as Leskinen said those words he realized the night was barely beginning.

A/N

Holy cow, this was long. 29k words. I looked at other stories on this site and only like 12 or 13, including White, are longer than this chapter, but hey I love this chapter. I really took my time with this chapter and I feel it is way better than my last outing. And believe it or not this is only like half of what I had planned out to be in chapter 5, the other half, which needs to be drafted, is gonna become chapter 6. And as a result I guess this chapter became more of a filler chapter than anything else, with the main goal being comedic and entertaining. Though that isn't to say there is no plot importance whatsoever in this chapter, every chapter subtlety builds toward the climax, just like this one. Some more than others, but to tease you all there is a very important detail in this chapter that alludes to the climax. I'm a leave at that.

So yeah, I really enjoyed writing this and I hope you all enjoy reading it. My aim for this chapter (really this entire story) was to make it all flow and enjoyable where you could lose track of time reading it. And usually how I check for that is I read my work top to bottom, if I can read it and be entertained even though I've literally gone over every word in this story dozens of times, than I know there's not much else I could do to improve it myself. Is it perfect, no, but as long as it's enjoyable that's all that matters to me.

Finally I just want to thank all of you for being patient and supportive of this story, I appreciate the feedback and support, and I'm gonna be honest it does help motivate you to write. Well, I sincerely hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I know I've brought it up many times and been told not to worry about it but this chapter was ridiculously long. With that thank you all for reading, following, favoriting and reviewing, see you next chapter, adios.