Alternate Ending
"W-Wait... Cave...?"
"Yes?"
"Are you saying..."
"Yes?"
"That the reason Vert wants a little sister so much..."
"... is because you and the other CPU Candidates made it so that her people equate faith in CPUs, the same faith that gives Vert her life and strength, with an endless love for cute little sisters?" Taking one of Nepgear's hands into both of her own, Cave smiled warmly at Nepgear. "I'm pleased to see your reasoning skills are as sharp as ever."
As the weight of her error fell onto her, Nepgear felt a coldness wash over her that not even the warmth of the beach could take away.
So... So it was true...
"I... I have to take responsibility for this..." Nepgear couldn't believe it... But it just made too much sense for her too not believe it! Oh, what had she done? "I have to."
"Indeed."
Nepgear blinked.
Hold on, something wasn't right here.
"Cave...? Is something the matter...?"
Still holding Nepgear's hand in her own... the red haired woman... had just placed her hands — and in turn Nepgear's hand which she still held — onto her chest.
"That is a noble goal. Quite the noble goal." Cave looked flushed all of a sudden. Was she sick? That was no good. Nepgear was about to ask her if they should go, leave here now and send someone else to deal with these monsters, when Cave continued. "As it so happens, I am among the people of Leanbox as well, Nepgear."
Hmm...? What an odd thing to bring up. Nepgear smiled weakly, shaking her head to show her confusion.
"Cave, goodness, I may have not realized what happened to Vert, but how could I forget where you were from? Although I'm not sure what..." Nepgear's voice trailed off as Cave stepped closer to her. The distance between them was minimal at best now, and Cave's expression was... strangely familiar, now that Nepgear thought... about it...
...
"Her people equate faith in CPUs with a love for cute little sisters."
"I am among the people of Leanbox as well."
... Wait wait wait, no, that couldn't be righ-
H-Hold on, Cave, just... Where did the space between them go...? Nepgear- Hold on, she just had something to check, just give her a moment! Surely this had to be a misunderstanding!
Let's see here...
Menu... Information... Profiles... Nepgear...
... blah blah blah... blah blah blah... Neptune's little sister... blah blah...
... oh.
Ohhhh.
Oh no.
Before Nepgear knew it, Cave's nose had somehow gotten so close it was touching her cheek. When had this happened?! Since when did menus take that long to load?!
"If I may be so bold, I wish to submit a formal request that you be rough with me."
"Nooooooo! I want my cute ending baaaaaaaack!"