(A/N: Hello again, everyone. I'm sorry if my words are beginning to lose their luster here. I'm thinking of perfect events that might come up next. I'm also kind of taking it slow now because classes have started in my college. I know, boring school work once more this semester blah blah blah, but hey. I can still manage to upload chapters into this fic. Right now, this fic is getting more attention from me from my first fic because I'm in the mood for anime romance stuff. So...Yeah. All I can say, really.

Enjoy the chapter! Also, thanks for the opinions, views and support. I appreciate them a lot. Now onto the fic!)

RaiXGear Chapter 5

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

Picking up from where we left off…

"…Hm? Did you say something?" he looked back at me after he looked out on the windows.

"A-Ah…it's nothing…" I bashfully replied back.

IF and Compa are done cooking. I can sense IF's desperation to finally meet her beloved idol in the flesh in the background.

Raiken stood up as the two approach him, IF being the most excited one, barely able to control her composure the more she steps closer to him. Her heart was racing.

"Oh gosh, Compa, slap the heck outta me. I must be dreaming…" she stared.

"Hello there, Mr. Raiken!" Compa first greeted the 6 ft. tall blonde before them.

"Oh, hello." he smiled.

"I'm so glad I can finally meet you! Hi, I'm IF! The Wind Walker of Gamindustri." IF barely held in her excitement in.

"I'm Compa. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Raiken!" Compa cheered. Raiken bowed humbly before them in return.

"Y-Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you both." Raiken shook their hands gently, IF nearly squealed.

"Oh gosh, let me just say that your videos are just a definite stress-reliever. I definitely adore your blogs and reviews." IF remarked.

"Oh, thank you. I'm glad my channel content is able to bring you some smiles."

"Yes! Oh, and your latest one, the Warhead Challenge in Nep Ops II was amazing! I couldn't withstand the comedy, really!" IF began fangirling, hearts surrounding her head, which is quite unusual for her, considering her tomboyish and calm nature.

She's actually acting like a real girl…strange...Compa is only sweatdropping, awkwardly staring at her, thinking how cute IF looks when she's getting excited over something.

"Iffy is so cute when she likes something, isn't she?" she said.

"Heheh. I see. A lot of people are just like you, Miss IF. But that's okay. If it meant bringing the people the smiles they need, I'm glad I'm able to do that." he bowed again. "Also, yeah, that last challenge I did, man, those Warheads really made my tongue black and sour…" he narrated as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Oh, that one?" I raised my hand."Yes! I laughed at that one too. You were so funny I nearly fell out of my chair." I spoke up.

I enjoyed that video that he was referring to where he was being ganged up on by his online matchmates. He was being sniped, knifed, shot and trapped, forcing him to stuff a lot of sour candy on his mouth. It was hilarious.

"Eheheh…you guys are so mean…you really wanted me to gulp down those Warheads…I would get a bad stomach!" we all chuckled.

Histoire suddenly returns with some cheese crackers and tea. She placed the tray on the table in front of the couch. Raiken bowed again. "Oh thank you, Lady Histoire."

"Oh, please. That was nothing to thank me for." the tome smiled brightly towards him.

"So Raiken, any new ideas for your content?" IF asked.

"None as of yet. I'm planning to either do a model kit build-off with Sally-chan, or do a horror game reaction…Maybe a vlog with my friends somewhere down Game Center Club World, I don't know. I have tons of ideas, but I can't figure out which."

"You must have been having a hard time with your content choices…" Compa cutely remarked.

"I guess…people have different, yet demanding choices. At best, the number of majority is also close to the other number below. How about you, Miss IF?"

"H-Hm? Y-Y-Yes?!" she blushed.

"What do you think I should do next?..." he placed his finger on his chin, rubbing it gently.

"Hmm…I-It's a tough choice…The horror reaction video can scare me too at night…a model kit build-off might be nice to look at then. Lady Vert would especially adore that, considering the figurines and models she buys in Leanbox…" IF thought.

"I see. Alright. Build-off it is then. I have 2 of the new Freedom 2.0 already, so it should be fun." Raiken snapped his fingers.

"Wait, you mean THAT one from SEED? With the new redesign and such?" IF snapped back

"Yeah. A lot of people are digging it really well. Except for SEED purists…they criticize it for straying even a little bit out of the original design…"

"Agh…those idiots. They really should know to accept the changes made…They make me sick in the comments section." IF puffed her cheeks, a little pissed about what she said.

"Yeah. Sometimes, it gets on my nerves too." Raiken replied with a sigh. "So, enough about me. How about you guys? How's life and all that stuff?" he asked.

"Oh, it was tons of fun! Iffy and I just returned yesterday from our trip to Side 4." Compa replied cheerfully. Raiken raised his eyebrows as he heard her answer.

"Really? Side 4? That's cool. You actually visited the best colony out of all 12 Sides. I'm glad you both got taste." he remarked.

"Yeah. We bought a lot of Japanese stuff too. They're pretty fancy." IF showed off her new cellphone case with a cool Japanese mark on it.

"Cool."

"IF and Compa were both so lucky…Neptune and I couldn't go because work in the Basilicom is mounting…" I remarked, sighing in frustration.

"T-That's too bad…I guess being a CPU also has its share of cons, right?" he looked at me, concerned.

"Y-Yes, but I don't mind…"

And the conversation goes on and on. We talked about our daily lives to him, how I met the other CPU Candidates, our conflicts, interests, struggles and our time well spent together. He listened intently and openly. We told him about the adventures we and the other CPUs have done together, fighting the Deity of Sin, restoring peace and balance, our bonds, everything. A lot of things in general.

Raiken would sometimes ask us questions based on what really grabbed his attention. We answered him and satisfied his curiosity. He smiled a lot. He was calm, cool and overall open to any story we tell him.

During the times IF and Compa conversed with him, I suddenly felt this weird feeling in my heart. It suddenly began beating hard as I stared into his eyes. At first, it was minor. I shrugged it off. But soon, that feeling would grow even larger, and evolve into something that would bring us both together. Seeing how open-minded, fun and friendly he can be, I think he can make anyone happy in general. Our lives right now would get even better with him around.

A-Anyway…why am I being sentimental here? I-I was supposed to be telling a story here.

[Neptune's P.O.V.]

I was thinking of what to do to present myself to the guy who joined us. A few hours earlier, Histy nagged at me before she flew downstairs to see the reception desk. I forgot to take a bath. I was being my ol' lazy self again.

So, when Nep Jr. suddenly heard the door bell, I ran to my room and locked the door. I took a quick shower and began thinkin' about how I should greet him.

As I took a shower, I thought of various ways of Nepping him up full blast with my cutesy appearance. Should I seduce him? Should I wear a costume? Should I make an epic monologue to liven up the scene? I don't know…

I had a nepping theory in mind regarding his submissive personality to authority. Me thinks he submits to people easily, especially those higher than his already high and OP standing!

"Ah, wait! I got an idea!" I smirked to myself as I grabbed my towel and rushed out to my closet…

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

"Ahahah, I see! I also passed by at that place during a reconnaissance mission. The people, or women there rather, were…really bold…" I blushed hard, grinning awkwardly, reminiscing of the time I went to R-18 Island when I was tasked to locate a crime syndicate secretly stationed there.

"Y-Yeah…I kinda feel weird stepping into that place too." Compa remarked. "Creepy men staring at us is so creepy!"

"And women who fangirl over me and stare at me lewdly like crazy…" I also remarked in a deep tone.

Nepgear seemed to be silent for a while now, just listening to us. I was a bit worried about why she isn't speaking up much. She must really be shy towards me. I occasionally smile at her just to reassure her she wasn't being a bother.

She seems really cute in this regard though. Call me typical, but I find her personality attractive. Not to mention, her friendly nature is also a big bonus.

"M-My Lady? Are you okay?" I finally asked.

"U-Uhm, yes! I'm perfectly fine. I'm just listening to you guys, don't worry." Nepgear shyly replied with rosy pink cheeks. I just smiled back at her.

"So, guys…I'm certain that we're not only here to discuss fun stuff now, are we?" I stood up and crossed my arms, assuming that they have prepared more than just food.

Nepgear replied "Oh, yes! I almost forgot that we-!"

"We have more to it than just a simple banquet."

I heard a womanly voice. A very seductive-sounding and sultry one. I then turned around slowly, and as I gazed upon the source of the voice, my mouth opened wide in shock.

An elegant, well-endowed, sexy and mature woman stood before me. I looked from bottom to top, just enamored by how dead-gorgeous she is.

When I finally looked into her face, her eyes immediately made me recognize who she was. It was Lady Purple Heart herself, wearing such a beautiful black dress that just compliments her fair skin. My eyes were fixated onto hers, hypnotized by her charm.

But, I shouldn't forget my manners. I immediately knelt before her like a knight.

"Lady Purple Heart…it is…such an honor to meet you." I kept my head low before her. "I'm Raiken Skylark Tsutsumi. Pleased to be of acquaintance…"

I expected her to nod and look at me in a dignified manner. Instead…

"Oh, you're quite the shy one, aren't you? No need to be so formal around me, Raiken. You may call me Neptune." her voice just resonated like a melody in my head as she giggles casually.

I stood up then and gently extended my hand for a handshake. She gently takes my offer and shook my hand. "It's nice to meet you too, Raiken."

Wow…Planeptune's CPU really grabbed my eyes like a switch and gave me such a heavenly image. I'm not really much a pervert, but I do have tendencies to let curiosity get the better of me. Just staring at her beautiful figure really makes my head spin like crazy. Not to quote from any song or anything though.

Her proportions are so good…her hips, her breasts, her face, her aura, everything about her! I couldn't take my eyes off for one second…

But unfortunately, she didn't let her CPU form stay, as she transforms back into her human form. What I expected her to be in human form was far different.

She was a cute, young teenage girl with short, light-purple hair and twin D-Pad clips similar to Nepgear's. She wears a deep purple parka dress with lilac linings on the bottom, top and center with white spiked edging at the hem. She wears a short jacket over it with a big N-button, plug-like strands and purple lining and buckles in each sleeve. She also wears white bracelets with spiked material onto her wrists.

To be more frank, she's a cute loli. And I'm not really using such words quite commonly. That's how shocked I was when I saw this form of hers.

She was just as cute as Lady Nepgear. Although, it does seems like Nepgear looks like the older sister than Neptune herself. Quite the contrary. And that surprised me.

"Eheheh! Did my first HDD appearance charm you?" I recognized that high-pitched voice. She was the one who interrupted my conversation with Nepgear over the phone. "U-Uhh…yes…" I sheepishly replied.

Neptune laughed. IF just sighed deeply.

"Geez, Nep. Don't make this guy nervous. He easily gets awkward, you know." and she was right about that statement.

"Sorry-dorry, Iffy. Don't be such a spoilsport. Anyway, welcome to our lovely Basilicom!"

"…that we recently just cleaned up because of your laziness." IF interjected.

"Iffy! You meanie! Archdevil! Eggplant monger!" I kinda find this trope funny.

"Nep-Nep, you just got karma." Compa looked so calm and yet, her blunt words hit her like a rock.

"N-Not you too, Compa! T-Traaaaittooooors!" she cutely whined.

"Man, you guys really give her quite the treatment…" I commented with a sweat drop.

"We deal with her like this everyday. But don't think she doesn't have her fun and good points too. We're not that mean…" IF commented.

"Nuh-uh! Iffy is a meeeaaaaaaaaaaaaniiiiieeeeee!" she kept on repeating the words like a chant.

"Ah, geez! Sorry! There. Get it now?..." IF was cutely whining as well.

"Are they always like this, Lady Nepgear?" I decide to break her silence a little more.

"Y-Yes…its always like this everyday. It became a daily routine…" she smiled.

"I see." I replied.

Meanwhile, Histoire floats by. "I recommend that we partake in IF and Compa's delicious cooking, Raiken. Shall we come to the dining table?"

I almost forgot about lunch. It's about time we have to eat. "O-Oh yes, of course. I'll just put my bag on the couch." And I did.

Before we dig in to the meal provided for us, we filled our glasses with grape juices as Neptune made a proclamation.

"I hereby welcome Sir Raiken as an official member of the Nep party!"

"Cheers!" everyone exclaimed, as we bumped all our glasses together and took sips.

Today was going great so far. It's only been an hour and I'm already having the time of my life with these people. I thought to myself that this was only gonna get better. It will. Definitely, because these people have become a part of my new circle. I only had few friends in my life. I never really had much people to share a bond with. Now, I can freely enjoy their company since they included me in their lives too.

As we were all about to take our first bites in the food, there was a knock on the door.

"I-I'll go get it." Nepgear stood from her seat and gently proceeded to the door.

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

Our day is going perfectly so far. Even though I was silent and couldn't speak often because I was too nervous. Everything is going great for me, and I hoped that it was a great day for him too.

Certain emotions entered my mind as I think of our new friend. At first, I find it weird. But it soon grew on me. I decided to keep it to myself just to keep everything stable in my heart. Openly telling it now would make Raiken feel awkward with me and possibly avoid me. I don't want that. I can't stand it when a person finds me strange…

We were about to eat when someone suddenly knocks on the door. I got up and went to the door to see who it was.

As I opened the door, I heard a familiar voice and saw a familiar face.

"We're finally here, Nepgear. Sorry we're late."

"Geez, you could've told us days before so we can just do our work earlier. I-It's not that I'm sorry or anything…!" the tsundere voice was also very familiar. It was Noire, along with Uni. Vert, Blanc, Rom and Ram were just behind the two, waving at me.

The other CPUs and Candidates have finally arrived.