RaiXGear Chapter 20 ~ Valentines Special Part I!

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

I was on a rush. I didn't even plan out what to buy for everybody. I was a bit frustrated when I failed to make it to the other side of the intersection after the pedestrian sign turns to red.

"Agh, dammit…I have to hurry and plan this through…!"

Valentines Day, a day where you show a person you like how much you feel about her. A day where single people deem impossible to overcome the pain of rejections everywhere. I for one had always thought of the day as another birthday between myself and a lover, as well as sharing it with the rest of the family. It's a day of hearts, chocolates, cards and a whole lot of cheesecake in our household. It became a tradition.

When I was younger, I used to push myself to help my mom bake the cheesecake. Often times, she wouldn't let me because she wanted it to come from herself alone as appreciation to us for being good children. Dad would often peep from the door with a suggestive glance, immediately giving a signal to Mom that he will try to steal the cheesecake. He can be greedy at times when it comes to our favorite delicacies, but its all in good fun.

Between me and Kurumi, however, she takes things up a notch, like taking me to some amusement parks and play bumper cars and laser tag with me, then we hit the arcades like hardcore gamers. It was always a fun ride with her, and I never stopped remembering the times we spent during that day.

Now that both my parents and Kurumi are gone, it made me and my sister feel empty, even though we still celebrate it, though in a more casual manner than most people would do. It's sad if you think about it…

But now, I think I have been given another chance. Though, I had to seize it within only a day before the actual event. And it takes a lot to prepare for a good Valentines present.

"…and not only that…I gotta deal with the other CPUs too…Ugh!" I talked to myself as the street light finally turns green, prompting me to hurry across.

I finally arrived at a mall, panting as I catch my breath. "Man…uhh…uhhhh…I gotta think…what to get first…oh! That's right!" I then went to the information desk and looked for a map, then I headed towards the grocery in order to get some ingredients for specific delicacies I have been dying to make.

"Luckily, I have my mom's recipes with me in my phone…I love you for this, Mom." I thought to myself as I hurriedly trekked over to the ingredients' specific locations.

A good 20 minutes into the grocery, I suddenly saw someone familiar, a girl in a black tank top and a large blue jacket, a belt of phones adorning her. It was IF. She was pushing a small cart, carrying some iced tea packs and some ingredients for sweets.

"O-Oh! Lady IF!" I called out to her, prompting her to turn around to see me.

"W-Whoa! Hey there, Raiken!"

We then walked with our carts together, continuing our quest to search for ingredients.

"So, how's the mission you guys went out to? Gear texted me about it just a few hours earlier." IF asked.

"Well…it was sort of easier than the last one we did, but not easy to a point like you just simply keep shooting…" I replied, shrugging.

"Huh. You could've invited me…that is, if I wasn't at work at the Guild…" she said.

"I see…So, how is work for you?" I asked.

IF grabs a pack of flour and some eggs. "Just me and the computer screen today. Nothing special like a quest."

"That's good." I also grabbed some eggs and flour, though I saw a pack of Oreos, and suddenly, an idea popped up.

"…Hmm…What do you think of having an Oreo cheesecake?" I inquired out of the blue.

"That's actually a great idea…I wanna see you make 'em." she smiled.

"Oreo cheesecake it is then…" I placed the ingredients onto my cart.

"…Say, Raiken. Since you're a guy, who's gonna be your Valentine?"

That question hits me in the face. I stopped in my tracks for a moment, solemnly smiling to myself.

"…Well…" I tried to come up with a decent reply.

"Oh, don't worry if it isn't me. I'm fine just giving out chocolates to everybody." she turned to me, slightly blushing.

"…You see…It's…"

IF continues to look at me with curiosity, awaiting my response.

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

A few moments after Raiken left, the other CPUs went back to their rooms to begin planning for the next day ahead. Me and Neptune remained downstairs as we feel that planning in the sofa is much more comfortable.

"SO! Nep Jr., what do you propose we make for Valentines day?" Neptune sat down, with a pen wedged between her ear and some papers on the table.

"I'm actually just thinking of making some sweets for everyone…" I replied, smiling in excitement.

"Baw! Come on, my little sis! We gotta think big! Like, a party or something!"

I looked at her nervously "Uhm…Neptune…I think we should consult Miss Naomi about this…"

Naomi suddenly approaches us, putting down the laundry for a moment.

"Oh, Lady Neptune and Lady Nepgear! Have you thought of what to do on Valentines Day?"

"Uhm…I think I'll just make some sweets, and something special for a certain somebody…" I blushed, fidgeting to myself as I said those words.

"Oh-ho! Nep. Jr…don't tell me you…" Neptune smirked, getting a gist of my intentions.

"My, my, Lady Nepgear…" Naomi too gave a sly smile.

"A-Anyway…Neptune was actually thinking of hosting a party here…but we need to ask you first." I brushed off the embarrassment and told her what Neptune intends to do.

"Well, of course my Lady! I also plan to host a party, and I will treat it as an official home welcome from the Tsutsumi family to you guys." she smiled, lifting up a finger in gesture.

"Aww…! Miss Naomi, you the best sis evaah! You da MVP, yo!" Neptune's blissful expression surfaces.

"T-Thank you, Miss Naomi…" I bashfully added.

"You're welcome guys. Though, don't tell the others yet, okay? I'm gonna begin preparations as soon as I'm done with the laundry." she bowed before picking up the laundry basket again and proceeds to the washing area.

"Well, it looks like Valentines is going to be a blast! Whoohoo!" Neptune cheered, lifting her arms in the air as she laid back on the couch.

"Yay!" I raise my arms in excitement as well. I then stood up. "Come on, Neptune. We gotta begin planning our preparations!"

"You bet'cha, Nep Jr.! Lets roll!" Neptune stood up as well as we went upstairs, getting our bags and wallets.

A few minutes later, Neptune and I went out on our own to make our own preparations.

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

"…So, you're in love with Gear, huh…?" IF bowed her head, smiling.

"Yeah…I…I just…there is just this thing about her…I can't understand it…I just love her…After everything she has done for me…the promise she made me…" I bowed my head lower, finishing the last of our groceries as we line up on the cashier.

"…Hmm." IF smiled more, continuing to listen to me.

"…How can I not be grateful…I just…I want her to be my love…" I concluded after a long pause.

"I'm actually glad you're this honest about your feelings towards her. Though you should talk to Histoire about this…after all, she looks after Nep and Gear like kids…so…" IF stated.

Right now, just like a normal guy towards his crush's parents, I'm actually nervous to talk to Lady Histoire regarding this matter. But I feel that I have to show that I am capable, worthy and acceptable to her. It's going to be tough on my part, because of my shyness, my nervousness and tendencies to go blank when under pressure in regards to these sort of things.

Kurumi's parents were a challenge for me too back then, and I was even more of a nervous wreck back then. If I were still the same nervous wreck as before, it would be impossible to convince Histoire.

But right now…I feel that it is time to man up.

"…I'll go to Lady Histoire then…"

"…Good." was IF's proud remark. "I knew you are capable of stepping your game up. I'll take you to the Basilicom with me later after you buy your stuff."

"Very well, Lady IF. Now then, shall we finish our shopping?" I smiled back as I said so.

"Yeah."

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

-11:00AM-

As we went out together with Neptune for ingredients, I began to wonder to myself what kind of chocolate Raiken loves to eat. I also thought of everyone else who I want to give chocolates to, especially Neptune.

"Nep Jr., methinks we should make chocolates for everyone this time…well…we don't wanna end up like last year…"

"U-Uhm…please don't remind me of that…"

-A year earlier…-

Uni smacked my head that night; I gave chocolate only to Neptune because I feel she is the most special person to receive it during Valentines Day.

Meanwhile, Neptune gave chocolates to me. I was very happy, but seeing Noire's disappointed, yet tsundere face just makes me feel terrible.

"Neptune…how could you…b-but it's not like I'm mad or anything! Neptune you idiot!" Noire ran away, bursting to tears.

"Nepgear…I made chocolate just for you…and you didn't give me any! I hate you!" Uni stormed off, her words hitting me hard like a bullet.

"O-Oh, Uni…! Aww…they left…" it was a disappointing day indeed...

…Yeah, that happened during last year…and we don't want it to happen again. Luckily, we made up the next day and made chocolates for them too. Luckily, I barely got off of Uni's anger, but Noire continued to be pouty towards Neptune the next day after.

"W-Well…those jealous tsunderes aside, what kind of chocolate do you wanna make, my little Nep spawn?" Neptune asked.

"Hmm…I think I want to make white chocolate this time…We already did brown and black chocolate last year…" I flinched at the awful memory again. "U-Uuuuunhh…"

"Brr…I could still feel Noire's claws on my back from last year…W-We better make sure we have a whole pot of chocolate to use for everyone this time…" Neptune shivers as well.

We then arrived at the mall, our plans in our minds already laid out. We immediately proceeded to the grocery to buy some ingredients.

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

*Newtype-like flash*

"U-Uh oh…" I felt a shiver on my back as I sensed a presence while packing up the items on the grocery bag.

"Hmm? Something wrong, Raiken?" IF said, placing her items on her bag as well.

"U-Uhh…H-Hiek?!" I hid behind a cashier, peeking over, only to see two familiar faces enter the grocery. It was the Planeptune sisters. I don't want to compromise my position yet, as I don't want my surprise to be ruined quickly.

"O-Oh…It's Nep and Gear. You might wanna get out of here…Are you going to Histoire?" IF inquired, poking my back to get my attention.

"Y-Yeah…I'll dash off when they pass through the security. Hold on…" I said.

I waited for the right moment when they pass the checkout aisle that leads to the inside of the grocery. I then dashed off, with my grocery bags fully packed as IF watches me go.

"…Good luck, Raiken." she mumbled to herself as I disappear from her view, going to the right.

After a few meters of running, I hid behind a short alleyway in the mall, panting.

"Oh man…that was a close one…Now then…" I tried to calm myself as I prepare for the worst.

"…Time to talk with Lady Histoire…"

A/N: Hello guys! This is the first part of the Valentines Special I promised you. I feel like just scratching the surface of what's to come will make you expect a lot more. I'm like 65% complete with the second part to be uploaded tomorrow on Valentines Day (or the day before or after depending on where you live.) and there is a lot of content written in my mind. I do hope this will suffice for now.

Sorry I had to keep this short. I had to separate this into two parts because I was really busy in college these last few days. Hopefully before tomorrow ends, I'll be able to upload the second part.

Again, I need inspiration for RP...buu...no one is still volunteering...ah well...I'll keep waiting. It's alright if you guys don't want to.

Anyway, just keep on reading, again, please click "Favorite", follow the story to get some notifications on future chapters, and I hope you all enjoy the stuff that happens here. Have a nice day, everybody.