G.C. 2013
Planeptune, Virtua Forest
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"And that's that…"
Lady Purple Heart was wearing a confident smirk as the last of the monsters faded away into digitized mass. She held her massive mechanized blade with both hands, lovingly decorated with a variety of goo, feathers and other such substances.
She didn't allow herself to relax just yet, however.
Warily, she glanced around her surroundings while maintaining a guarded stance, expecting some more monsters to jump out from the shadows and give her more trouble.
"..."
When a minute passed and nothing of the sort happened, Planeptune's CPU finally let out a relieved sigh and relaxed her stance.
"That's about the third time you've said that," came a haughty voice from behind her. "And each time we've been ambushed by more monsters. I'm beginning to think you're a jinx."
Purple Heart chuckled as she turned her head back to look at her companion. Noire, currently in her Black Heart form, was floating next to her and giving her fellow CPU a positively exasperated expression. She held her mechanized sword with a single hand, though she was significantly more guarded than Purple Heart was.
"Well, I'm certain of it this time." Purple Heart assured her "I feel we finally took care of all the high levels lurking about…"
"Don't relax just yet," said Black Heart. "We should do a final sweep of the area just in case, then report back to Histoire."
Black Heart was already bracing herself for the inevitable whining as soon as she finished speaking. They had already been stuck in the forest for a few hours at this point, slowly clearing out an unusually high amount of high level monsters as they went, and it was obvious that Planeptune's CPU just wanted to wrap things up.
So did Lastation's, but she wouldn't admit that. This was her job, after all.
So said CPU was surprised when, instead of complaining, Purple Heart simply gave her a firm nod. "That's for the best. The last thing I want is any of these monsters getting close to the city, we should stick around for a little longer."
"..."
Black Heart masked her surprise by humming in reply, staying close to her fellow CPU as they floated around the forest.
That… certainly hadn't been what she expected from the woman. Not in the slightest. Neptune wanting to work was like Blanc putting out a decent story. It just didn't happen.
Why was she so surprised? This was Purple Heart, after all. The mature and serious one who always did her job. She was nothing like Neptune.
… Except, that perception was far from the truth.
At the end of the day, Neptune and Purple Heart were the same person who had the same desires and liked the same things. All that talk about Purple Heart being different was an exaggeration at best, as the other CPUs had beared witness to the so-called 'mature' woman having childish fits in the past.
With that in mind, seeing Purple Heart volunteer to do more work had Black Heart more inclined to believe that she had been replaced by a doppelganger over the alternative.
"..."
The fact that she actually considered that possibility for a moment said so much.
"You've been rather tantamount with your duties lately…" said Black Heart., after floating in silence for a few minutes "Is there a particular reason for it? Or are you just trying to appease Histoire?"
Purple Heart surprised her with a guilty look. "Well, it was bound to be noticed sooner or later…"
… Okay, she was half-serious before, but if this was actually a clone…
"It's not just one factor, rather it was a number of things…" Purple Heart looked oddly contemplative as she talked. "I suppose I'm trying to amend my… undesirable behavior last year, and causing so much trouble for everyone…"
… Ah.
Yes, that made far more sense than a Neptune clone. Honestly, why did she even consider a silly idea like that? She should stay away from the internet…
"... I didn't expect you of all people to make such a mature decision." Black Heart said after a moment, contemplating. "Not that I'm against it, of course."
Noire was definitely no stranger to how bratty and whiny Neptune became over the years, and how taxing it was just simply being around her for an extended period of time. Gamindustri's extended peace time had been as much of a detriment as it was a benefit, as it had made Neptune effectively useless as a leader.
Though, Noire wasn't afraid to admit that extended to the rest of them as well.
Unlike most, Noire was adamant to make up for that. Shame alone had been enough of a guiding force for her to pick up the slack and get herself back into working shape.
She wasn't sure about the other two, but to hear that Neptune was doing the same was… shocking, to say the least. Not bad in any sense of the word, but definitely surprising.
"Nobody ever does, I'm afraid." Purple Heart gave her a small, flustered smile. "That's something I'm still working towards. These… unhealthy habits proved rather difficult to break."
"Hm, maybe I should make it a habit of visiting more often." Black Heart gave the woman a smirk of her own. "If you're making an effort to improve, then I'd be more than happy to whip you into shape. You could always do with more training.."
Purple Heart seemed to give that some thought. "Normally I'd be hesitant to that idea, but if it's with you, I feel inclined to agree…"
"W-What do you mean by that…?" Black Heart couldn't quite help a stammer and a small blush from Purple Heart's words.
"Hm?" Purple Heart, upon seeing Black Heart's expression, gave her a teasing smile. "I simply enjoy spending time with you. Do you not agree?"
Oh, this woman…!
"H-Hmph!" Blushing, Black Heart huffed and looked away. "D-Don't you start getting the wrong idea! I only joined you today because I just happened to be around for a work issue! I-It has nothing to do with whatever you're suggesting!"
"Of course, how silly of me…" Despite Black Heart's best efforts, it was obvious she wasn't fooling Purple Heart. "How was I ever convinced that the illustrious Lady Black Heart actually wanted friends, hm?"
"Y-You—!" Black Heart's face lit up a bright red as she glared right at Purple Heart. "Honestly, all of these lonely jokes are getting old! I have plenty of friends!"
To that, Purple Heart gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I'm sorry. Force of habit."
"Hmph…" Black Heart turned away from her pouting. This woman was just so irritating sometimes! Why did she and everyone else always have to bring that subject up? It wasn't even funny…
"Noire…"
"What do you—?!" Black Heart was swiftly caught off-guard when Purple Heart placed her gloved hands on her exposed shoulders, her form pressing just a little too close to her.
"I'm sorry, really," Purple Heart said, her tone genuinely apologetic. "I never really thought before how the so-called jokes made you feel, and I apologize immensely and sincerely. Can the illustrious Lady Black Heart forgive her fellow CPU for being so careless?"
Black Heart could feel Purple Heart's considerable chest barely skirting against her exposed back, and that wasn't even bringing in the fact that her voice was right into her ear and actively eroding her sanity.
This was, of course, terrible for her. Her heart was racing pretty badly at the moment.
She needed a way out.
"A-Alright, fine! I forgive you, geez!" Pushing herself away from the woman in a huff, with her face currently feeling like lava, was apparently her best bet. "Just don't bring it up again, or I'll never forgive you!"
"But of course, my lady." Black Heart couldn't see her, but she could most certainly hear the smile in Purple Heart's voice. "I would never want to risk upsetting you ever again."
"... You're such an idiot." Black Heart turned back around, scowling as she saw the other CPU doing an elaborate bow. "Seriously, where did those jokes even come from? We're friends, aren't we?"
"... Friends, huh?"
"Hm?" Black Heart was wide-eyed as Purple Heart seemed to contemplate that word, as if she were questioning it. "W-What's with that look? It's true, isn't it?"
"... Yes, I suppose it is." Purple Heart agreed. "But, it feels wrong to me. It doesn't really feel right for 'us', does it?"
"U-Us?" Just what in the world was this woman going on about…? "What are you blabbering about?! There isn't anything special about us!"
"Is there not?" Purple Heart tilted her head as she floated closer to Black Heart. "Well then, I guess I never really made it clear, did I?"
"M-Made what clear…?" Black Heart stammered, as she moved away from Purple Heart.
To that, the woman just smiled. "How much you mean to me, of course."
Lady Black Heart, CPU of Lastation, squeaked.
Her back hit a tree in the process, allowing Purple Heart to get closer to her with no issues. "I suppose I never really knew how to process it back then, I was never good with managing my feelings. My way of expressing it was just teasing you relentlessly, and that didn't always work out, did it?"
Oh, there goes her heart again. Wonderful.
"W-What are you blathering about…?" Black Heart managed to spit out.
Purple Heart smiled, causing Black Heart's… heart to skip a beat. "Must I spell it out? I assumed the intelligent Lady Black Heart could figure this out for herself, but I suppose I'll indulge your curiosity."
Purple Heart leaned closer, making Black Heart's eyes widen more and more until her face was a scant few inches away from her own.
"Lady Noire…" Purple Heart whispered, her cool breath tickling Black Heart's skin. "Since the moment I first laid my eyes upon you, I've always been interested. Your beauty is without rival, your intelligence has no match. Your skill with a blade is beyond my own, your form and talent is truly beyond compare. I've always been envious of you, but that could never compare to my love for you."
"L-Love…?" Black Heart squeaked out.
Purple Heart smiled warmly. "Yes, love. I'm in love with you, Noire. I could never muster up the courage within myself to say it before. Perhaps me being in HDD, and us being alone like this, made me more bold?"
For a moment or so, Black Heart seemed to forget how to breathe properly.
When she finally regained herself, in spite of her rapidly beating heart and blushing face, Black Heart gave Purple Heart a cold glare. "You… If you're toying with me again, I'll never forgive you…"
"Ah…" Purple Heart gave her an apologetic smile. "It seems I broke your trust with that last stunt. Well, how about I prove it to you, then?"
"What are you—"
Before Black Heart had a chance to finish her sentence, Purple Heart leaned in and kissed her.
"?!"
The kiss only lasted for a few seconds. For Noire, it felt like an eternity. When their lips finally parted, a thick trail of saliva formed and broke apart when their faces moved further away.
The two of them let out panting breaths, Purple Heart wearing a sly smirk while Black Heart struggled to think properly.
Did this… what was… how was…?!
Was this really happening right now?!
"Hm, my first kiss…" Purple Heart licked her lips, speaking in a low tone. "I always imagined it'd be with you, though I wish the location was a little better. Maybe under a sakura tree next time?"
"Y-You…"
Without warning, Black Heart grabbed Purple Heart and turned her around. Purple Heart was shoved up against the tree, her eyes wide as it was Black Heart's turn to loom over her. Her glare was glacial, in stark contrast to the heat emitting from her cheeks.
"Y-You think you can just do something like that, and get away with it…?" Black Heart forced her own smile and a haughty laugh. "I ought to remind you of your place, Purple Heart."
Instead of being intimidated, Purple Heart gave Black Heart a very pleased gaze and a sultry smile. "Oh~? And how is the illustrious Lady Black Heart going to do that~?"
To that, Black Heart began to lean in, practically growling. "How about I show you?"
… Needless to say, neither CPU would leave that particular spot for quite a while.
Short, simple and sweet. Nothing like going back to the classics.
I should do more stories like these. Thoughts?