RaiXGear Chapter 14

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

-The next morning-

It was 7:30AM in the morning. I awakened to the sound of my alarm clock beeping throughout the room, and the sounds of the rain coming from outside. I then pressed the button in order to make it stop.

Today, it was a rainy day in Planeptune. The sounds of the rain resonating throughout the entire Basilicom as I looked around the windows, up towards the grey sky.

"Hnnnnnnnnn~!...Ahh. It's morning already, huh...?" I mumbled to myself as I stretched my body, allowing me the strength to get up.

"Good morning, Rai—huh…?" the futon where Raiken slept in was neatly folded and set to the side, his bag was beside it.

"Raiken?" I called out. He wasn't there.

I then went out of the room, only to be met by Neptune about to knock on my door.

"Jr.! We have an emergency!" Neptune screamed.

"W-What is it, Onee-chan?!" I immediately wore a face of worry.

"Raiken and Histy aren't in here! I tried to find them, I thought Histy was in her room, typing in her documents and all that boring mamma-jamma, but she's not there!"

"Maybe they just went out to buy something…" I expressed my thoughts.

"No…I tried to find them in the convenience store where she usually buys batteries…and she wasn't there!"

"R-Really?! G-Gosh…where could they be?" I wondered.

"A-Anyway, they apparently left you breakfast on the table…Ya might wanna reheat it though. It's been there ever since I woke up." Neptune added.

"A-Ah…L-Let me eat first, then we search for them together…" I held my hand on my chest as I proceeded to the dining table to eat.

"Right-o, little Nep! You gotta hurry up. Who knows where they went next…!"

I indeed partook the breakfast that Histoire left us after I reheated it some. It was some eggs and bacon along with some hashbrowns, which is a bit unusual since we had a diverse selection of foods, so it was a refreshing thing to see. Though, food was not important to me right now, as Histoire and Raiken worry me the more I stall. IF and Compa had work today and we didn't want to disturb them, so we didn't bother to call them during their work. Pretty much, we're on our own.

"Nepgear, hurry up…we gotta get cruisin'!" Neptune was uneasy as she approached me in the dining table.

"D-Don't worry, Neptune…I'm almost done…" I replied calmly as I was about to have the second to last bite of such delicious cooking.

A bit later, Neptune and I ventured out of the Basilicom and began our long search for Raiken and Histoire. It was raining hard, so we both had to get our umbrellas.

Rainy days in Planeptune kind of prevent people from going out much. Most people would be in either malls, restaurants or arcades. Children stay in their homes, or with their parents during the rain. Cars pass by less as the roads are slippery. It renders less people, which helps out on our search since we do not have to deal with a large crowd, and spotting Raiken would be much faster that way.

Neptune and I made a stop at the tea shop just nearby the train station.

"Okay, Jr., Keep your N-Gear on and lets split up! I'll uhh, take the left side of the city, you go for the right." Neptune instructed as I nod.

"Okay! Leave it to me, Neptune!" we then went our separate ways.

I began my search at the arcade, considering I know that Raiken likes to play games. I closed my umbrella and left it at the package counter then headed my way in.

The arcade had less people than I thought. "Wow…there's not too many people here…Good. This should make it easier." I told myself as I walked my way through the many hallways filled with the arcade machines.

I then saw a blonde person sitting on the arcade gun-game. I then tried to discreetly approach him to take a closer look. When I do see his face, unfortunately, he wasn't the one I was looking for. He had short hair and his skin complexion was a bit darker than Raiken's. He then took notice of me and lifted his head up.

"A-Ah, I'm sorry…" I bowed my head.

"Why? Are you looking for someone?" he asked.

"Y-Yes…have you seen a blonde guy with long hair anywhere? His name is Raiken…" I replied.

"Raiken S. Tsutsumi? Well, the last time I saw him, he was playing the basketball games, but right now, I haven't seen him." he answered.

"O-Oh, I see. Thank you anyway, mister!" I then bowed again and moved on.

After a good hour, my search bore no fruit. He was not there at all. Not even a hint of his presence was felt here. I then went out of the arcade, sighing in frustration as I took again my umbrella from the package counter.

"I hope they're both safe…I wonder how Neptune is doing…" I thought to myself.

[Neptune's P.O.V.]

Well, finally! It's my time to narrate this part of the story. Thanks, Writer-kun!

Anyway, I then began searching inside the mall just north of the train station and west from the Basilicom. I began nepping my way through the crowd.

"Oh, man! Why did I choose this place? There's a ton of people here…" I grumbled to myself as I pass through the crowd.

My search was a real difficult start. There were a lot of blonde people around here (At least Vert was not here), so it's really hard to distinguish the males. (Thank goodness. Again, at least Vert is female.)

I then went through various shops and found nothing. I asked some people if they have seen Raiken or a tiny fairy-sized human, but no one knew anything, for now.

I then stopped at a pudding shop to remember what kind of things Raiken likes. As a protagonist, I must know my fellow protagonist's favorite stuffs and such.

I remembered a few things he mentioned to us back in the past few days, which actually wasn't mentioned in any chapters, but I'll say 'em anyway!

"I'd rather work on my backlog of Gunpla models than walk in a terrible state like this…" I remembered him saying that while still being assisted by the two of us before he passed out.

"I would love to show you my collections back home…well, when you have the time." I pondered on another time during the party where we first met where he mentioned a few of his hobbies.

The word came to me…"Gunpla."

"Gunpla…Gunpla…isn't that…Ah! I got it! I bet he's buying some stuffs from the hobby shop near here!" I then finished my pudding and zoomed off with speed.

I raced my way across the building, only to find the hobby store once I alight the escalator. I immediately went in to inspect.

The hobby store had quite a few people buying some anime products, model kits and supplies. The manager behind the counter looked so enthusiastic as he assembles a model kit. He was painting, sanding, all that modelling stuff.

Unfortunately, my search ended in just about 30 minutes. Raiken was not there. "What…he ain't here either…darn it, fiddlesticks!" I stomped in frustration as I walked out.

I walked to the central part of the mall, trying to find a seat as I thought of where to search next.

When suddenly…Ooooh! Here comes the plot convenience part! Man I'm a good protagonist, right? (-sighs- Oh, whatever)

I spotted a tiny, fairy-sized girl floating on a book passing by. I finally found Histy, going around the mall with a fresh bouquet of flowers as she went down the hall to the left. I immediately went after her.

"Histy! Hiiisstyyy!" I called her out.

"N-Neptune…" Histy turned around in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

I caught up to her, panting. "Finally found ya, you little cutesy. We were looking for you and Raiken! Where have you been all this time?" I asked.

"Well…first of all, is Nepgear with you?" she asked ominously.

"Well, we split up to look for you…" I replied with a finger on my chin.

"Can you please call her? I shall accompany you. I know where Raiken is." she answered back.

"A-Ah! That's cool! Hold on a sec…*beep, beep* Nep Jr., I found Histy at the mall. Let's meet at NepDonalds. I want a cheeseburger right now."

Nepgear replied on my cell. "Really?! That's great! I'll be right there!" and beep, she ended the call.

[Nepgear's P.O.V.] ("Hey! I wasn't done yet!")

I dashed through the streets. I received a call from Neptune while I was searching at all the restaurants around the area with little to no luck. Raiken was still nowhere to be found.

Fortunately, one of the two people we were searching for have been found: Histoire.

I felt so much relief when I answered my N-Gear that time. Right now, I had to get to the mall to be able to get more information. When I indeed arrived there, I stopped by NepDonalds, where Neptune and Histoire are sitting by the window.

"Hello, Histoire!"

"Nepgear. Oh, thank goodness you arrived safely. You were searching for me as well?" she asked.

"Yes. We're also trying to find Raiken. We searched everywhere we could and we couldn't find him." I answered.

"I know where Raiken is…I secretly followed him, even though he told me to leave him alone." she just said it outright.

Histoire had a melancholic look on her face as she bowed her head. She is also holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers with her.

"Uhh, Histy? Is the blonde dude alright?" Neptune looked a bit closer, there was a temporary silence within Histoire.

"Uhm…Histoire?" I gently asked. "Where is he then?" I added in concern.

She lifted her head up, answering back at us in a sullen tone.

"The place we will go to will answer your question." she held the bouquet tightly in her arms.

Neptune and I just looked at each other, pondering over her soft response.

"Was he hurt? Did he possibly die? No, Nepgear! Why would I think of such things? Of course he's not dead. He promised to protect us after all…" I told myself, as we stood up from our table after Neptune's order has been given to us.

We were both silent as we followed Histoire. The atmosphere around us was filled with tension, not just from the rain. Neptune placed her under the cover of her umbrella while I just followed along. I had a really weird feeling in my chest. Either something was wrong, or am I just thinking too much.

Still, the tension Neptune and I were feeling was really ominous.

We followed her until we reached the end of the city. Wait…the end of the city? We just passed through the gates of Planeptune, into the road leading north, filled with lush green forests.

"H-Histoire…where are we going? He's not in Planeptune?" I asked.

"Just follow me, Nepgear…I know where to find him, and I doubt he will be moving from his current place." Histoire silently replied.

After about 10 minutes of walking down the muddy road, we stopped at 2 signs. One of them says "60Kms. Speed Limit" while the other just has an arrow pointing into the trees with no indication of where it leads to whatsoever.

"Ooooh, an arrow pointing to a convenient location. I think I know where this is going; Raiken's having a battle with somebody there!" Neptune assumed.

"I don't think so, Neptune…Raiken wouldn't just fight anyone with no reason…would he?" I replied.

Histoire turned to us for a bit "Shhh, please be quiet." she then turns around and continues her way.

A good 20 more minutes came by as we walked deeper into the forest. There were some broken sticks and branches with cloths on top of each pole, indicating where to go. Some of them have many different colors. Some of them even bore the Earth Federation symbol. There are also some abandoned equipment here. Broken rifles, gadgets of sorts and damaged mobile suit armor were also spotted, neatly placed underneath the trees along the path we took.

We then begin to notice some creepy things around.

Dead Dogoos, Terits and Pixelvaders littered the ground. Neptune and I were shocked.

"W-Whoa…" Neptune mumbled.

"So Raiken DID fight some monsters around here…!" I spoke up.

"Yes…he actually carried a beam pistol and a beam saber with him, fortunately." Histoire replied in silence.

"Really?" I asked again.

"Yes. I witnessed everything. Even though he has yet to recover, he still has a lot of fight in him." Histoire again replied.

"The dude's got an itchy trigger-finger, that's for sure…" Neptune spoke quietly.

"We are almost there. Please be patient."Histoire's tone began to go lower. We then reached a part of the path where there is some dried blood sprawled on the trees, marking it.

"I almost feel as if a battle occurred here long ago…" I silently spoke up. No one else this time replied due to the tension Neptune and I are feeling.

We finally reached open space, light despite the rain beaming its way through us. There was a large river to our right, the water flowing with a fast current. The trees were being swayed slightly by the cold breeze. The area surrounding us felt so serene, beautiful despite the raindrops. Various flowers can also be seen, along with a small flower field blossoming through.

"Here we are…" Histoire proclaimed pointing her finger northwest.

We suddenly see a person in a formal black suit, sitting sadly on a rock before a conveniently shaped stone placed upon the ground in front of him. On top of the said stone is a picture frame. The man had a holster storing a beam pistol on his belt, and just beside it was a familiar cylindrically-shaped device; a beam saber.

I immediately recognize the blonde hair. The hairstyle, the demeanor, the aura; it was Raiken.

Our search was over.

"Raiken…" I mumbled as we all began to approach them to a certain point where Histoire stopped us in our tracks.

As I took a closer inspection on the stone he was gazing at, and Neptune and I are surprised at what we saw.

The picture frame containing a brown-haired girl smiling sweetly already gave us an answer to our curiosity as to what it is.

"Wait…is that a grave?" Neptune quietly whispered.

"Yes, Neptune…This seems to be the resting place of someone he was close to…Raiken has been here since 6AM…" Histoire replied.

I couldn't speak due to shock, I recognize the girl in that photo. The genuine smile, the azure eyes, the wavy hairstyle, her beaming aura…

"R-Raiken…so this is…" I tried to speak.

"Nepgear…do you know the person in the photo frame?" Histoire asked with concern.

"Nep Jr.?..." Neptune turned to me.

"That's…its Raiken's girlfriend…if I'm not mistaken…" I remembered the photo on Raiken's phone, and I was exactly correct.

"Girlfriend…? You mean…his lover, correct?" Histoire perked her head up as she asked.

"S-So…this is her resting place…" Neptune's tone was a bit low when she said that.

The atmosphere became clear to us now. It was filled with sorrow, seeing as how a close person Raiken has once been with passed away and buried onto this very place.

Now I see the reason for Raiken's sadness, his hidden sorrows, and his regrets. The real reason behind Raiken's fake smiles, and his silent demeanor and a slight lack of expression finally showed itself. I realized that the damage that Raiken had taken crippled him emotionally during the last few years. From what I heard from him sometimes, and the ideals he told me…

I now know what he truly meant what he said about protecting me no matter the cost; so he won't be able to lose anyone as important as her in his life anymore.

I hate to say it, but…his girlfriend was one of the many people he failed to save. And it broke his heart really badly.

I just sat on another rock, which was a few distances away from the one Raiken was sitting on, saddened by what I was seeing. Neptune and Histoire just stood beside me as we were silently mourning the person who Raiken loved so dearly, and one who we wished to have met.

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

-5:00AM, before the events-

I woke up silently from my bed. I then looked around the window, the sun had not yet fully risen up, and it was raining as hell. It was still dawn, and I immediately check on my phone. I stared at the picture of me and my girlfriend for a few moments before opening it to check on the daily planner.

It was at the moment I stared at my phone that I began to realize what day it was today. The painful memories began to circle through my head again. The feeling of loss, longing and suffering resurfaced within me, as I sighed to myself and got up from my futon.

I then took notice of Nepgear sleeping peacefully on her bed, covered in her cute purple blanket. The sound of the air conditioner was the only sound I could hear from the room as I approached her.

"…I'm glad you became someone so important to me…You truly remind me of her…" I told myself as I took a look at her, caressing her fringe hair gently before I sighed sadly once again.

I then turned around and proceeded to fold my futon neatly and placed it on the corner of the room, putting my bag and things beside it.

I then slowly went out of the room, bringing one of my beam pistols and my personally-made beam saber with me as I went to the kitchen to prepare some food for the girls when they wake up. I cooked some basic breakfast like eggs, bacon and some hashbrowns. I then topped off the hashbrown with some ketchup, mayonnaise and some salt and pepper.

I then proceeded to the elevator, clicking on the button leading to the ground floor.

During the ride down, I bowed my head and prayed for certain blessings towards the place I will be going to. I began to think about my past once again, the fun memories that I shared with the people who I used to be with. Especially my girlfriend Kurumi.

Shortly after exiting the elevator, I see a familiar fairy-sized girl floating on a tome. She was working on some things on the reception desk. She took notice of me and turned around.

"Ah, Raiken. Where are you going?" Histoire approached me.

"…I would love to go somewhere where I could be alone for a bit." I replied in a monotone.

"I-I see…it's so early in the morning, yet…I feel worried, Raiken. You still need your re—" I cut her off by raising my hand.

"I'll be fine. One favor…please don't follow me. I'll be back." I walked out of the Basilicom door as the guards saluted me.

It was a silent dawn. There weren't much people walking around the block. Since I had time, I went on my way to my house, snuck in the window to my room on the second floor and closed the doors.

Little did I know that I felt someone following me, but I perceived it as nothing as I continued on.

I went to my closet to look for my formal dress, a typical suit and a white long-sleeved polo shirt. I then grabbed my red necktie, and my pants as I began changing my clothes.

To my luck, Naomi wasn't awake yet. Normally, she'd be up at this time in the morning to cook breakfast and watch the morning shows, but I could tell from yesterday, she needed much rest. To be on the safe side though, I locked my door.

After I dressed up, I look at myself in the mirror, and as I was checking on myself, I could immediately see the sad frown on my face.

"Today is the day I go to 'that' place, huh…" I told myself as I fixed my tie and sprayed on some cologne.

After all that, I closed the glass door to my balcony and locked it, then I jumped downward. I then continued my way towards my destination, sadness being my guide.

I then saw floral shop opening early at this time of the morning. I then decided it was a good time to buy flowers for my visit to the place I wished to go.

I then thanked the shop owner and waved her goodbye, as I begin continuing my path.

-Back to the present events-

I sat there under the rain, the sounds of the raindrops hitting me and on the ground were the only sounds I can hear at the moment as I stared upon the photo frame of Kurumi. She had a beautiful smile on her that I could never forget. I already burned the image of it into my mind.

I then felt the presence of three people. Luckily, they were not armed in the slightest. I did not pay attention to them as my tears flow out of my eyes. A few moments later, I hear the 3 people talking silently to one another. Through one of their voices, I can already recognize who they were. It was Nepgear, Neptune and Histoire.

"I…I really feel so sorry for him, you know…" I heard one of them whisper.

Time passed. A good 4 to 8 minutes, as they silently wait for me to get out of the rain. I then finally spoke up to myself, but I didn't know how loud I was.

"It's been 4 years, my love…"

The girls lift their heads up, listening to my saddened voice as I shift my legs a little.

"…I've been…holding up, you see…Even though you're no longer with me…I could still feel your presence everyday…"

Nepgear stood up, wanting to approach me, but due to privacy purposes, she stayed put for now.

"Everyday…I would come home from work…and I never stopped remembering your warm embrace. I would never forget the kisses…the food you cooked for me…" tears began to flow from my eyes once more like a river. "The beautiful aura you bring with you as I come home stressed, the love that we shared. You were always there." I continued on.

Nepgear took two steps closer. She held her heart as she listened to my heartfelt sorrow.

"You are the sunflower that stood out within the field of dandelions…the one I chose out of all of them…for the reason that you cured me of what seemed to have stuck with me for the rest of my days…"

I was holding a sunflower in my hand, which was Kurumi's favorite flower back in the day when she still thrived alongside me. In my other hand was my necklace.

"…You released me from my chains…you had set me free…you carried me along with you even though I was a burden…weighing you down with my negativity, my sorrows…the pain of losing my parents…You carried me the rest of the way…" I wiped my eyes with a handkerchief, even though it was already wet with the rain.

"We fought in the battlefield as one…along with Cheeno, Rein, Gideon and Marc…it was you who made me remember the values of teamwork…"

"Follow me, guys! We stand as a team! A family!" Kurumi began shooting and slicing through enemy Zakus and Gelgoogs with her beam carbine while the rest of us followed her around the torn apart city of Haneda in Planeptune as enemy tanks began to explode during our charge to the city center.

-Another flashback-

"We're gonna pull through this! Hang on! I'll fight until the flesh rips off of my bones!" a bleeding Kurumi screamed, firing away her beam rifle and her head Vulcans as we all were down to our last beam cartridges, and our Zeta Plus armors were beginning to break down.

"Kurumi!" I screamed as I fly towards her to defend her with my shield. She instinctively back away as I do so. Suddenly, reinforcements consisting of Zeta Plus C1s, Jegans and GM IIIs began charging from behind us. Kurumi smiled happily as she watches the scene unfold.

"Victory!" she shouted as Gideon, Cheeno and I flew towards one another, pulling Kurumi away from the battlefield. "Tehee!" she added, sticking her tongue out cutely a little.

"Raikeeeeeen! Let's go, dear. We have to get moving." she smiled at me as I followed the rest of the team I called family.

"Yeah, dude. You gotta snap up and listen to the lady, man." Gideon smiled as he fixed his glasses. "We gots to go, pronto!"

"Can't wait until we go back home together for some pizza...geez, it's been so long, y'know." Cheeno rubbed his head as he said those words in a calm, cool tone.

"Hey, Raiken's gonna treat us, right? He was the last to line up for the next exercise! Hahaha!" Rein laughed with a smug expression.

"H-Hey! I didn't come in last, Gideon did!" I replied.I smiled as I walked along with my team into the sunlight, my positive side showing.

Kurumi sat beside me on a rock as we took a break from the battle, leaving the rest up to the 9th Armored Vanguard. I was extremely exhausted after 4 hours of intense gunfight. I was bleeding on my head some due to being hit with various things flung around by explosions.

"Hey…are you okay?" Kurumi curiously looked at me, charming me with her sultry voice.

"U-Uhh, y-y-yeah…D-Don't worry about me…" I replied, rubbing the blood off of my head.

"…Please don't ever hide anything from me, m'kay? You're so cute when you're flustered" she cutely puffed her cheeks as I turned away from her.

"U-Uhh…N-No, I-I'm not cute…y-you are-" I blushed, when she suddenly gave me a kiss.

"Mmmmnn~…" she moaned adorably as she hugs me closer to her. I then let go in surprise.

"W-W-W-Whaa-?" I bashfully back away.

"I love you." Kurumi simply replied, with the smuggest smile on her face that I have seen on her yet. "Teehee~!"

After a moment of staring into her eyes, I smiled back, still blushing red as I replied back "I-I love you too, Kurumi…" I hugged her back.

During our hug, she softly whispered a question I will always remember from her…

"We'll always be together, right…?"

-Back to current events-

" Back then, I fought alone…but then you came and took care of me like a child in our squad…until the day I surpassed you in rank…" I held my hand onto my military badge. "I remembered your words of wisdom…your teachings…you were like a second mother to me…I know it sounds weird, because you're my girlfriend, but regardless…"

Neptune whispered to Histoire "What does he mean by all of that, Histy…?" she asked.

Histoire replied in a sad tone "Raiken had met the girl when he was still a sergeant working under her. They fought together with his friends as one squad. It's obvious to me that somewhere in this forest during the first war, she has fallen honorably in battle, and they laid her to rest in this beautiful place…" she answered in a whisper.

Nepgear took two more steps closer to me, but she stopped once again when I began to say more.

"When you passed away...in my arms...I have been bound by chains once again...It pains me to try and accept the fact that I couldn't bring you back..." my voice broke as I began to sob silently.

"I couldn't save you...the chains have locked me again...and I couldn't set myself free..." I watched the tears fall onto the ground, blending in with the raindrops.

Silence once again filled the air as I continue to watch my tears fall.

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

After listening to him, I felt the pain that he was going through. His tears, I could definitely tell are falling on the ground. Even through the rain, I could hear his quiet sobs. I felt like I myself was about to cry.

Neptune and Histy just bow their heads. Even Neptune could not make a possible joke out of this event. It is much too sad for her to be able to create her usual humor.

Despite through this sadness, I felt that I could do something to help Raiken. I wanted to help him, I really do.

I began thinking of my feelings towards him. I was still unsure of it, but the emotional pain he has been going through makes me still want to comfort him, hug him in my arms and tell him "I'm here", but my heart wasn't ready. I was not prepared for such an event. My heart began to beat faster and faster.

"Raiken…what can I do to help you be happy again?" I thought to myself as I held my heart.

Raiken stood up from the stone he was sitting in, giving his deceased loved one a final salute before he continued to sob.

"…I'm sorry, Raiken…but I have to do this." I had enough of waiting by this point. I finally approached the man and wrapped my arms around him from behind.

Raiken gasped a little bit, lifting his head up. "A-Ah…"

"…I'm right here, Raiken." I spoke up, resting my head on his back.

The blonde turned around. He was wearing a white polo shirt underneath the black suit and a red necktie. But his clothing wasn't important. As I looked up on his face, I could see a sad expression on him, about to burst into tears, though they are already flowing from his eyes.

"I know it was painful to lose her…I understand how you feel…But, we're right here for you…" I told him warmly, keeping him tight in my arms.

"N-Nepgear…" he mumbled, and it was the first time he said my name without having to be formal.

"I won't let you go…" I finally said it. "…if no one can set you free from your chains, then I will." I wore a determined expression on my face, I then looked at him with a warmer, gentler and more benevolent look to his eyes.

"…I…" his eyebrows slumped down as he looked away. "B-But…if I lose you…I…" he closed his eyes tightly.

"You're not going to lose me, Raiken…" I smiled. "I'll be here for you whenever you need me…always." I hugged him tighter.

"She wouldn't want you to suffer like this…even when she is gone, I'm sure she's watching over you…if you truly loved her…then you should be happy and…move on…" I said it all in a spun of a moment; I didn't think twice beforehand. But, it somehow got him to warm up to me.

"But…I can't go on…without her…" he bowed his head, more tears flowing out of his eyes.

"You can, Raiken…and we will do it together…for her sake and yours…" I gently back away from a little, yet keeping the man in my arms. "I believe she would prefer it if you're always smiling with us…having fun with us…just to bring the old you back. I think she would love to see that side of you once more…and I'll do whatever I can to make sure that she will see you smile once again…" I smiled, tears flowing out of my eyes as well.

Raiken stared at me for a few moments. I could feel him realizing what I meant. Neptune and Histoire were quite surprised by my actions.

"Wow…Nepgear just did that…" Neptune's mood returned slightly.

"I-Indeed she has…" Histoire replied in silence.

Raiken slowly wrapped his arms around me, returning the embrace. I felt his heat warming me up from the rain, as we stare at each other eye to eye. By that point, Raiken stopped sobbing, and he finally smiles once again.

He bowed his head and whispered to me softly "…Thank you. I owe you a lot, Nepgear…"

"Raiken…!" I planted my face on his chest, hearing his heartbeats calming down, while unfortunately, mine began beating fast.

I realized what I just did and squealed, backing away from him. I felt flustered and unable to look at him in the eye anymore… "A-Ah…"

The atmosphere has already been cleared, and has changed back to normal. Raiken chuckled as he looked at me, blushing a bit as well.

"Haha…you're kinda cute, my Lady…" he returned to his calm, collected tone as he said that.

"R-Raiken...! A-Ah…he called me cute…" my heart would not stop racing as he said those words.

I suddenly realized something in the midst of my embarrassment.

"Wait…you called me by my name without having to be so formal…" I looked at him again, still blushing.

"…O-Oh, I'm sorry…I forgot my manners…I apologize." he bowed his head in apology.

"N-No, Raiken…it's fine…and…I would prefer it if you'd call me that way instead…" I bowed my head as well, he then looked up at me and smiled.

"…Geez. I told Lady Histoire not to follow me…but…I guess you defying my request is kind of a good thing…thank you…all of you." he looked at all of us.

"No problemo, my dear blonde buddy!" Neptune approached him as well. "We're buddies now, so no need for mumbo-jumbo like that. Sheesh, you really got us worried!" she added.

"I'm sorry if I made you worry so much over me. It's just that…I had to go, really. It's her death anniversary…I couldn't pass it up." he sadly smiled.

Raiken then saw the flowers that Histoire was holding. Neptune kept her umbrella up as Histoire approached the grave and gently laid down the flowers. Raiken was grateful.

"Thank you for coming to pay respects." he said.

"It's quite alright, Raiken…I'm sure it was painful to go through such a process…" she replied.

Raiken approached the grave one last time, giving it one final military salute.

"Riposi in pace, my love…May God grace you with His everlasting love." he smiled as he turned back and walked towards us. "Let's go…the rain might get stronger if we stay here for too long."

"Yeah…lets go back to the Basilicom!" I said happily, knowing that I have done what I could to make Raiken smile again.

"I got more cheeseburgers here! Anyone wants some?" Neptune handed out the bag to the two of us.

"Heh. Cheeseburgers. I would have settled for a Big Mac." Raiken looked smug as he said so, but he takes a burger anyway. "Thank you, Lady Neptune."

"Aww, come on! Don't be so informal to only Nep Jr. here. Call me by my name too!" Neptune pouted.

Histoire could only chuckle as she listened to our normal conversation. Needless to say, it was a relief to her ears.

We then finally proceeded to walk a long way back home to Planeptune, Raiken's feelings and mine feeling more and more mutual as the time passes by.

A/N: Hi guys! So yeah...this took a bit faster than expected. Thank goodness I wasn't lazy.

I hope you all liked the chapter. I know, it was depressing, but hey! Some development is nice now, isn't it?

I need more opinions from you guys. Like I said from my last author's note from last chapter, don't hesitate to tell me how you feel about this chapter, or any of the other chapters really. I really need to learn what you guys think. Is it good? Does it need improvements? Anything is fine.

Anyway, gonna continue on making the next chapter and more. I'm grateful to all the readers who have been following this, and to those who are new to the fic, welcome!

See you all again in the next chapter!