Now for the Moonlit Lovers part where Arnold & Forte treat their relationship...like a flower? While Tact and Chitose get along well, although someone feels a tiny bit jealous in a minor twist.

Love Is A Flower (Chitose Route)

Six Months And One Week Later...

"...Arnold..." A voice called me.

"...zzz..." Was my only reply.

"Oi, get up, Arnold!"

I suddenly woke up and I was in my guest room. "Huh, what...oh morning, Forte."

"Morning mister Romeo."

I looked at the clock on the wall. "No way, I was sleeping all through the morning?"

"Yep, you were completely asleep. It's not good to start slacking off, you know."

I sighed. "I know, I know...it's just that things have been too quiet for the last few months and a lot has changed."

"Not much if you ask me, remember when Tact and Lester were re-assigned to their old posts after we defeated the Black Moon?"

"Yeah, I remember Lester saying to me that Tact was a little disappointed it turned out like that, but he reminded him that it was his own fault for not being strong enough to see things through."

"All because he didn't act like a man when he was dating Mint six months ago."

"Yep...when the rest of you heard, Milfie was sad, Vanilla was displeased and Ranpha nearly flipped and would've kicked his ass all over the White Moon if she could."

"And I was very disappointed with the way he said it. It was a big loss of trust, I guess that's also why we've been following orders under our new commander."

"Indeed...at least I'm not like Tact, you and I still have quite the relationship and it has been six months since we got together."

Forte smiled. "Yeah, but even so, it's just you, me and the newcomer who's on the ship. I shouldn't be worrying about the other girls, but I can't help it."

"We shouldn't really, they're four of the strongest girls in the galaxy. I'm sure they're taking great care of themselves whilst helping out defending the allies at Zhada."

"That's one thing that puts me at ease and I'm happy that our relationship continues to grow...speaking of growing, how are they?"

I looked at the chest of draws that had a plant pot with flowers and a small watering can. "You mean the flowers?"

"Yeah, you taking good care of them?"

"Sure am, my ring-leader is instructing me to do so." I winked.

Forte laughed. "Ha ha ha! Ahhh Arnold, this is why I've always got your back."

"And the same with yours, Forte, we'll never stop protecting each other and when it's just us two, we'll keep our love together."

Forte nodded. "Say, when this is all over, shall we have the dance that we didn't get six months ago?"

"Yeah, I've been wanting to dance with you for a long time."

"Good to know..." she checked the vase. "...they're growing nicely. Maybe you should become a gardener if you get bored of the military."

"Ha ha! I think I'd leave Milfie to do that since she likes growing vegetables in the park."

Forte sighed. "I hope we get to meet them soon."

I got out of my bed, changing into my uniform whilst Forte looked away. "We will, when we all get together, we'll need to have a good time."

"Absolutely...waiting for it will be like waiting for a flower to bloom like these. It'll bloom when the time comes to bloom, don't rush it."

"Just like our relationship." We shared a loving hug.

She smirked. "Mmmm...and besides, I want my good boyfriend to always aim high."

"Well that'll be hard unless I try and I've been trying for half of a year, perhaps even more."

"Very good answer, I'm almost quite lucky to have you."

"Same here."

Then suddenly sirens went off.

"We've got company."

Forte nodded. "Looks like we found the automated ships quicker than expected."

"Oh yeah, we were tasked to find Tact and Lester somewhere here."

We rushed to our frames and we engaged with the enemy fleet, the cruiser arrived with us in the hanger.

Out came two familiar faces who went with us to the bridge.

"Hey bridge crew!" Tact called. "It's been a long time."

"Commander Mayers!" Coco exclaimed. "It has been a long time."

"Coco and Almo, you two are doing well?"

"Yes, thanks to you." Almo replied before she noticed Lester. "Um...subcommander Coolduras, are you doing well?"

"Yeah, as you can see." Lester said.

"Hey, Lester. Don't you have anything better to say to her after all this time?"

"Better...what's wrong with an ordinary greeting?"

"Geez...he's still the same." Coco sighed.

"But that cold side of him is..." Almo sighed too, but more happily.

I had to laugh on the inside, Almo missed Lester when he left the Elsior.

Tact seemed a little jealous. "Tch. Lester's got it good..."

"Um, may I begin explaining soon?" Commander Murdoch asked.

"Ah right, so what's Admiral Luft's order?"

Commander Murdoch explained the objective that we're to rendezvous with the other angels at the Zadha system before travelling to Lena which was where the source of automated ships were coming from.

Tact signed a contract and Murdoch left the Elsior, taking the cruiser with him. Tact was back in command of the Elsior once again with Lester as sub-commander. It felt like old times.

Tact cleared his throat. "Ahem. The unknown raider fleet is our foe so everybody, get ready for this. We know just how strong the automated ships are from when we fought Eonia."

"Agreed." I replied.

"Yes, Commander Mayers!" Chitose added. "I will do my best to assist you!"

"Chitose, it's Tact." Forte reminded.

"Oh! Uhhh, I-I-I mean, T-T-T-Tact." She started blushing.

"According to our orders, the rendezvous point is YMF288." Lester said. "We'll need to Chrono Drive multiple times."

"However, there's been interference in Zadha. We can't communicate with them right now."

"Really?" Tact asked. "Well, I don't think we need to worry about those four. Anyways, it's great to be back in command, right Lester?"

"Yeah, I guess I kind of missed this place." Lester replied.

"Isn't that nice, Almo?" Coco asked.

"Yep! My wish came true!" Almo replied happily.

"Some things never change." I commented. "But I like it that way."

"What do you mean, Mr. Arnold?" Chitose asked.

"He's just thinking out loud as always." Forte replied. "But it's why I love him.

I nodded with a smile. "Anyways, we should get some snacks, that battle was a good one."

"Yes, then let us go." Chitose replied.

The three of us left the bridge and we were on our way to Zadha.

Over the next battles we won, Chitose started to become a good friend to us and she was getting to know Tact little by little, of course I had my doubts on whether they would become close or if some things get in the way.

Eventually, we arrived at Zadha and we drove Rezom and his fleet away, Milfie, Ranpha, Mint and Vanilla joined with us, now the whole angel wing was back together which made Tact happy as we were sitting in the lounge.

"It has been a long time since we all had a drink." Tact said. "And now we have Chitose too, so it's even more hectic. Man, I'm a lucky guy."

"Ahem!" I clear my throat.

"Well the angel wing is full of beautiful, girls, Arnold. Sorry to hear that you're a guy."

I then put a female voice. "Oh how dare you display undignified behaviour, dear!"

Mint laughed. "Anyways, Tact, you seem to still be our same commander as you were before."

"Yeah, for better or worse." Forte added who was sitting close to me with our hands under the table.

"I guess." Tact replied. "I'm glad you and Arnold are doing well."

"Yeah, our relationship continues to bloom." I said. "We're making it grow together as it should be."

"Huh? Are you growing something in the park?" Milfie asked.

"It's an expression." Ranpha sighed. "Anyways, Chitose, I recommend the chilli dog."

"Oh I know, how about a chocolate gateau cake slice?"

"Both of those sound great." Chitose replied. "I'll have both."

"If you eat those two things, you will consume 6,000 kilocalories." Vanilla lightly warned.

Chitose gasped. "Uuu...I'll just have one then."

"Oh, someone's got a big appetite." Ranpha said.

"She loves sweets as well." I added. "The other day in the cafeteria, she told us about a really good dumpling store."

Milfie's eyes lit up with stars in her eyes. "Oh really?! Chitose, you gotta tell me about it sometime."

"But it's not just sweet things, but delicious things in general, right?" Forte asked her.

"Y-yes." Chitose replied. "I once heard you went on a picnic before?"

"Yes, we had one the first time Tact came to the Elsior." Mint replied.

"That's right, it was fun." Milfie added.

"However, I wasn't part of the Angel Wing at the time." I pointed out. "We've been meaning to have another picnic with me involved, but never got the chance."

"I was able to start getting along with the Angel Wing thanks to that picnic." Tact said.

"Really? That's a little surprising." Chitose replied. "It feels like you've all been together forever..."

"No way!" Ranpha dismissed. "The first time I saw him, I seriously thought 'What's with this totally useless guy?'."

"Then Arnold joined the group after he discovered his destiny. But still, it was tough for me, earning everybody's trust took a lot of work." Tact said.

"Well, we're companions who trust each other with our loves." Forte replied. "You had to prove that you deserve our trust."

"And in the end, Tact passed." Mint said. "That reminds me of the incident where he saw Ranpha changing clothes."

"Eeeeh?!" Chitose gasped. "T-Tact did? No way!"

"No, no! That was a probe!" Tact defended. "Ranpha kicked me because of it. That was a terrible experience."

"I didn't know about it, because I was working towards joining the Angel Wing." I said.

"A lot happened back then." Milfie added. "I had no idea what to do when we started running out of food."

"We were surrounded by that huge fleet." Forte said. "And then Vanilla fainted from working too hard."

Vanilla blushed and looked away, probably didn't want to be reminded of that time.

"That really happened?" Chitose asked.

"However, those experiences made us what we are today." I answered.

"Yeah, that's right." Tact agreed. "All the conflict we went through helped us grow to trust each other."

Yeah...until you nearly threw all that away when you broke Mint's heart six months ago, I thought to myself. Mint looked at me when nobody noticed...oh crap, she heard about my thoughts alright.

"Huh, something up, Mint?" Forte asked.

"Nope, it's nothing." Mint replied happily. "Just thinking about the opposite, if we hadn't trusted each other, we wouldn't have been able to create these bonds."

"Yes, I think you're right." Chitose replied.

"It's the same for you." Tact replied.

"Huh?"

"I want us to have a relationship of trust and I want you to build that same relationship with the Angel Wing. So I want you to be at ease with them and I want you to all trust each other as soon as possible."

Chitose began to blush. "Tact..."

"I'm really glad that you're finally part of the group. If you keep spending time with them, your bonds will grow even stronger. I'm looking forward to seeing you grow, Chitose."

Chitose blushed a little redder. "Yes, Tact...I'm a fortunate person to hear such words from you."

"Ah ahem!" Forte cleared her throat. "Chitose, you're an excellent pilot, but you may need to develop a better eye for men."

"Huh? Ms. Forte, what do you mean?"

"Getting friendly with the new member, are we, Tact?" I smirked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

I sighed, his excuses when being put on the spot were lame as always.

"I think I understand." Chitose said. "I want to be close friends with all of you too."

"Me too...I'd be happy." Vanilla replied.

"Well, maybe we'll overlook it this time for Chitose's sake." Forte added. "In the meantime, shall we go, Arnold?"

"Sure thing. We'll see you girls later." I added as we left the lounge and walked up and into my guest room, so no one could hear.

"Say Arnold, do you know why Mint was looking at you for a split second?"

"I think it was to do with what Tact said about building up trusts and that word seemed to have reminded of her when...you know."

Forte looked down a little. "Oh...yeah, well I'm sure it's nothing serious. Tact mentioned about building a relationship of trust as well. I may not be wrong, but I think he was referring to that on a personal level between him and Chitose."

"I'd say it was a case of both since Chitose does want to become close friends with us and she's already making progress of that thanks to us."

"Yeah, you know I'm happy that we have a relationship like this, one where we always look out for who we care and when it's only us two, that when our love grows and blossoms."

"And speaking of those, the flowers are coming along nicely."

She looked at the plant pot with the flowers that had grown more and were halfway to being in full bloom.

"Top stuff, Arnold..." she put her arms around my neck. "...say, there's something I wanted to share with you. Mind if you meet me in the park at 22:00?"

"I can do that for sure." I replied with my arms around her waist.

"Thanks...now become a real man for a second, will ya?"

I smiled and moved in for one of our rare kisses. "Will that do?"

"Yeah, but save the rest for later, see you in the evening. I'll be in the firing range..."

She left my room...we don't share affection often because that's who she is, but when we do, she was quite a woman.

The evening arrived and I was in the park, waiting for Forte.

"Coming out this late is pretty suggestive now that I think about it." I said to myself. "What has she got planned for me?"

"Thanks for waiting, Romeo." She said as she arrived.

"It was my pleasure to wait. So what we are doing here?"

"You'll see when we get there."

We held hands and walked along the virtual park until we came across a lit area with a table full of food and a chef cooking along side.

"Excuse us, old chef." Forte said.

"Yo! Welcome!" the chef replied.

"I'll have mine with fritters and fish sausage."

"Fritters and fish sausage, coming up!"

"Is this an evening dinner?" I asked.

"Yep, what do you think?"

"Honestly, I'm surprised...it all looks tasty."

She giggled. "Arnold, we've been together for over six months and you still think I'm full of surprises, don't you?

"Well, should this boyfriend not be surprised?"

"No it's fine, I love it when you act surprised. But actually, I had help with this idea from Mint."

"Mint, eh? I wondered why she helped set this up."

"I think it's her way for saying a big thank you for when you were there for her six months ago. Now more importantly, you order too, it's great!"

"Alrighty then." I made a selection and ate away with Forte and the food was spot on.

Forte sighed, smiling. "Sitting at a table like this and eating hot food under the evening sky. It really gives you a peace of mind."

"Yeah, it does make you slow down and think. It's like you wanna lie down and put your feet up and just relax without a problem."

She looked at me. "Mm, just gotta make sure you work all that off before we carry on with our destination to the Lena system."

"I think my stomach will be back to normal long before then."

"He he he, I'll remember you said that...for now, you enjoying this?"

"Yeah, this is the best night!"

She held my hand. "Hmm, I'm really glad...oh, that reminds me."

"Hmm?"

"We all agreed to meet with Chitose in her room, she wanted to show us something interesting."

"I guess we should wrap up and make our way."

"Yeah...we'll do this again next time...thanks chef."

"You're welcome, you two have a good evening." the chef replied.

We left the park and walked to Chitose's room where the girls and Tact were waiting.

"Sorry folks, I know we're late." Forte said.

"Ah! We were waiting for you both." Milfie replied.

"Well, if you showed up together, doesn't that mean you've been spending all this time together?" Ranpha asked.

"Guilty as charged." I replied, trying not to laugh.

"Is it natural to think that." Vanilla said.

"Not even trying to deny it?" Mint asked.

"Well if we tried to, your telepathy would see right through us." I winked.

Mint put on her not so innocent smile. "Oh what could you possibly mean by that, Arnold?"

Tact intervened. "Okay, that's enough. You two don't have to tell us."

"Well, I will just say this..." Forte replied. "...Arnold's grown into a man. The rest is up to your imagination."

"Wait, I got it." Milfie said before she pouted. "You two were having an evening dinner or something, just the two of you, no fair."

Ranpha sighed. "You know, Milfie, not everybody is like you."

"No, she's right." I said.

"Huh?"

"Forte and I did share an evening dinner together. That's all we'll say"

"Uhhh, everyone?" Chitose said. "Don't forget about me."

"Yeah angels, that's why we're here." Tact responded. "So Chitose, what did you want to show us?"

Chitose smiled. "I found these while I was arranging my luggage." She brought them out. "These are sparklers, they're not as dangerous as fireworks and they're relatively normal where I come from."

"These sticks are sparklers?" Milfie asked.

"What's this? Firecrackers are long and narrow." Ranpha added.

"It doesn't make a big sound like a firecracker, it's much smaller." Chitose replied. "It's easier seen than explained. Come to the porch, everybody."

Chitose showed us how to use them and we actually some fun with them and we were safe with them.

It was the evening before we were to face Nefuria and her horde of Val-Fasc ships. I was around the virtual park when I saw Tact walking towards the fountain with Chitose and they were talking about something, they seemed pretty comfortable to be talking close to each other.

Maybe I was wrong, perhaps he's got around to learning about feelings and maybe he really likes her, in which case I do hope they find the chance to learn more about each other and get close. But then I spotted someone spying on them by the entrance.

I snuck away as I left the park and spotted the person...Mint?

"Mint, what are you doing?" I asked.

"Huh?" She turned around, no longer spying on Tact and Chitose. "Oh my...it's nothing too serious."

I raised my eyebrow. "I think lying to me would lean towards being serious."

Mint sighed. "You caught me, didn't you?"

"Yeah, could you at least tell me why?"

"Because...well, you know what he did six months ago, right?"

"Oh...you still haven't gotten over it?"

Mint shook her head. "I wanted to have a chance to speak with him and apologise for how overreacted towards him."

"Overreacted? I do remember that he was in the wrong."

She felt sad. "I know that, but I never gave him the chance to explain to him why I got mad at him, you already know the reasons why."

"And because he's busy with getting to know Chitose, it's been almost impossible to have a quiet talk with him?"

She nodded.

"And in a way, you feel jealous?"

She nodded again. "Yes...but how will I ever get over this?"

"Call for Tact in the early morning before everyone else wakes up and invite him to your room. Then lock the door behind him so you both can have a long uninterrupted talk, he'll listen to you I'm sure."

"You think that will work?"

"I've never given anyone an idea that I thought would never work. Just look at the battles tactics that we all have used."

Mint smiled. "Point taken...alright, Arnold. I'll try to talk to him in the early morning before we have to deal with the Val-Fasc. Thanks again for looking out for me, just don't forget the rest of the angels and your girlfriend."

"Oh I'll never forget Forte...speaking of which, I need to find her. Anyways, you're very welcome, Mint, good luck with it." I gave her a quick hug and I left the park.

I walked up to Forte's door. "It's me."

"Oh, come in Arnold, you're just in time." She replied.

I walked in to find Forte all dressed up with the outfit she wore at Fargo.

"Forte?!"

"Arnold...I have decided that I want to dance with you tonight, before tomorrow's battle, no matter what."

"A dance with you?"

"Yes...I want you to listen to my own selfishness for one night only."

I smiled and took her hand. "Forte...I will answer every request you make for one night only, milady."

"Thank you, mister..."

We got into a dance pose, ready to dance.

Background Music: Galaxy Angel - Last Dance

"It'll be okay, Forte." I said as the music began to play. "I'll always be with you."

Forte blushed. "Arnold..."

"If it's the two of us, we can do it. I know that Tact has gotta deliver the big shot against Nefuria, but you and I and the rest of the Angel Wing are just as important."

"Hehehe, honestly. That's just like you, where do you even get this confidence?"

"Since the first day you and I went on our date, we didn't get a chance to dance then, but tonight, I wish to dance with you too, because you're here with me."

"I'm happy to accept that compliment. Now let us dance, mister Romeo."

"With great pleasure."

We danced around the room in a slow waltz as we looked into each others eyes. I had never paid attention to her blue eyes, they were as a clear as fresh water. Speaking of water, the plant pot in my room had changed.

It was also on this night where the flowers that I helped grow finally blossomed into fully grown flowers. Just like the flowers, our relationship had blossomed and now it was fully grown. Now if only the Val-Fasc could stop growing stronger...well time and fate would tell...

Yeah, sorry if this one a little short, but I'll try to make up for it next time.

The last one of this story is coming up and in a minor twist, Arnold suggests to Tact on writing love letters to Chitose. Then later on, Forte provides Arnold with weapons so he can prepare for his quest.