Ever since they first played the game, they were already sick of it. After turns like with Rosefinch and Lin Chung, Rosefinch and Mano, and Alpha Girl and Sonia, they want to stop. NOW. Before Hope could take out two more names, Kowloon shouted, "I'M SICK OF THIS GAME!"
Hope raised an eyebrow and ask, "Then why don't you just leave?"
"Huh?" Everyone said at the same time, confuse.
"Just leave if you feel that way." Hope said.
"That easy?" Chou said.
"That easy."
"Why didn't we think of that before?" Rosefinch said.
"Probably too distracted when you and Mano were kissing for like 5 minutes."
"You don't have to remind us of that!"
"We're free!" Alpha Girl shouted, running out of here.
"Don't forget about these four." Hope said, pointing at the closet where the Zebra Brothers, Sportiflex, and Harper are being held in.
"I'll take care of them." Lin Chung said, opening the closet and picking up the four by the ropes.
"I don't like the sound of that." Harper said.
"Welcome to our world." Sparky Black said, as they were carry away.
One by one, the members of Big Green started to leave Hope's room, happily be able to stop worrying about if they're going to get chosen to get kiss. Before Apetrully could leave, he stop when he heard Hope say, "Um... Apetrully?"
Apetrully turn to see Hope sitting at the couch, and said, "Yes?"
"Would you like to play the pocky game with me?" Hope ask, holding a box of the classic chocolate pocky.
Apetrully blushed at Hope's request, not knowing why she wants to. There was a blush that was about the same shade of red as the commander on Hope's cheeks, maybe even brighter.
"I mean that since it might be a very long time to play the pocky game with a friend, besides the Vocaloids, so I just thought maybe we can play one more game." Hope said. "I understand if you don't want to."
Why did I have to be the last one to leave? Apetrully thought, but said, "Sure."
Apetrully sat next to Hope as the pink and white monkey pull out a chocolate pocky.
"You don't have to do this." Hope said.
"I'm okay with it." Apetrully said.
"Alright then."
Hope put one end of the pocky in her mouth while Apetrully put the other in his mouth. The commander notice Hope tilted her head a bit. Wondering why she's doing that, he also tilted his head.
I hear your heart cry for love,
But you won't let me make it right.
You were hurt, but I decided
That you were worth the fight.
As Apetrully and Hope slowly ate away with their pocky, Apetrully was thinking more about Hope. He knew she was very close with her mother. He was the only one who knew about the death of her mother before she came to Big Green. When she told him of that no longer secret, the commander didn't want to think of what would happen if he didn't bring Hope to Big Green. Even before he knew he had a connect with her in the past, he didn't want to see her all broken up, like the few times he seen her when she's deep in thought about her mother.
Every night, you lock up,
You won't let me come inside
But the look in your eyes,
I can turn the tide.
Hope wasn't exactly open when it comes to telling others about her past, yet she felt okay about telling some of her past to Apetrully. Maybe that's because he gave her a home when no one else didn't.
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart,
I can tell you can fit one more.
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart,
I don't care who was there before.
Apetrully knew nothing replace the spot in Hope's heart that was meant for her mother, but he wished to keep Hope from feeling lonely. All she need is some love. Even if she seems to spread the love to others.
I hear your heart cry for love,
Than you act like there's no room.
Room for me, or anyone,
"Don't disturb" is all I see.
Hope doesn't know why, but she always feel better when Apetrully is around. Yet, she feel like she shouldn't be so close to him. She knew the war won't last forever, which means that once the war is over, Big Green is no longer in need and everyone would be gone, including Apetrully. This also means she'll be alone again. But she couldn't really help it. She didn't want to be alone.
On everything that we could be.
If loneliness would move out,
I'd fill the vacancy.
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart,
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart.
Apetrully knew the war have to be over someday and Big Green will be no longer needed until the next war. Who knows when that will happen. He couldn't think of what would happen to Hope, or what she might do after all of this.
This ain't the Heartbreak Hotel,
Even thought I know it well.
Those no shows, they sure tell,
In the way you hold yourself.
The two stop heard a soft snap and notice the pocky broke already, leaving them a inch piece for both of them. Apetrully ate up his little piece, noticing the small shocked look on Hope's face.
Don't you fret, should you get,
Another cancellation.
Give me a chance I'd make a
Permanent reservation.
The commander notice the look on Hope's face. It looks like she's going to cry any minute now. That look made him feel like his heart could break any moment now if that look continues to stay.
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart,
I can tell you can fit one more.
Open up make a brand new start,
I don't care who's stayed before.
Hope doesn't know why, but when she heard the soft snap of the pocky, she felt like her own heart break. She slowly eat her pocky as she could feel the tears in her eyes. She was starting to feel vulnerable, and she hated that feeling.
I hear your heart cry for love,
Then you act like there's no room.
Room for me, or anyone,
"Don't disturb" is all I see.
Apetrully felt panic in him when he saw the tears in her eyes. He didn't Hope want to cry, even if he have no idea why. Suddenly, he could only think of one idea and he doesn't know why he thought of it.
Close the door, turn the key,
On everything that we could be.
If loneliness would move out,
I'd fill the vacancy
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart,
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart.
Hope suddenly felt pressure against her lips. With wide eyes, she realize Apetrully was the one kissing her. She didn't know why he's doing this. Probably doing it to stop her from crying more.
When I talk to you on the phone,
Listen close.
Even the commander didn't know why he's doing this, but this idea did stop her from crying more as Hope close her eyes. The sad look on her face was a look he didn't want to see anymore.
I hear your heart cry for love,
Then you act like there's no room.
Room for me, or anyone,
"Don't disturb" is all I see.
They soon separate as Apetrully took deep breaths. Apetrully's blush was redder than before, feeling like he couldn't face Hope anymore after that. He just want Hope to stop crying. Right now, he just want to know what's Hope's reaction as he breathes heavily.
Close the door, turn the key,
On everything that we could be.
If loneliness would move out,
I'd fill the vacancy.
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart,
In your heart, in your heart, in your heart.
The commander was expecting a look of shock, but instead, he got a fit of giggles from Hope.
"You didn't have to kiss me to make me stop crying." Hope said, remember what he said in the last chapter.
"Um... Is there anything else you thought?" Apetrully said, wondering if Hope finally knows about that crush.
"No. I just thought you were doing that as a friend and you didn't want to see me cry."
Is she really that native? I kissed her and she doesn't expect that I like her more than a friend! Apetrully thought, kind of wanting to tell how he really feels about her right now. But maybe it's a good idea that she doesn't know right now.
As Apetrully slowly exit out of Hope's room, Hope thought, I kind of want to play the pocky game with him again. For some reason, his kiss felt familiar, but this is the first time we kissed.