A/N: Hello, everyone!

Before we get to the main event, I would like to apologize for uploading this a little too late. I'm really sorry. College work is bogging me down, but I managed to not lose my imagination and continued on writing this. I hope you guys enjoy this and belated Happy Valentines Day! RPs are still open, just PM me if you want to help out. Love you guys and have a good read!

RaiXGear Chapter 22 ~ Valentines Special Part III

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

It was already 10:30AM, 8 and a half hours since I began my work to surprise Nepgear this Valentines Day. As I was planning, I look up at the sky occasionally, allowing my thoughts to ring in my head about the right words to say to her. I was very much out of words after writing the five notes earlier. Speaking of which, I wondered if she had read the first three notes already.

The metal rods have been put to effective use already. I soldered them, bent them into specific angles and welded them with some tools that I brought with me. I used my beam saber to heat up the rods and bend them into specific angles. Afterwards, like a puzzle, I put the pieces together in order to form the basic shape. Meanwhile, I used extra rods to place within the shape as support beams, and serve as a place to stick the light sticks onto.

Meanwhile, the flares are glued together onto the outside lines of the shape. I devised a remote-control system to activate them by wiring them onto one of the switchboxes I had brought with me. I also brought a universal generator from the hardware store a few hours earlier when the store opened in order to provide power to the said boxes.

Overall…the budget was kind of…yeah, blown off my wallet temporarily…a whopping 30,000 credits. The generator is the real wallet buster.

Though, I wanted the best for Nepgear…so I did not take that into consideration. It didn't matter to me, as long as my message will be clear to her.

My thoughts and work were temporarily halted when I saw IF and Histoire walking by the park, taking the day off from work considering the holiday.

"…I told him it was alright with me, IF. He is actually very compatible for her, considering his personality alone…" Histoire spoke.

"I was worried for him when I mentioned that he should talk to you though. He must be scared…" IF replied.

"Indeed he was…to me, he seemed like he sees me as a mother to the two, so he completely understood my personality. He is a very honest individual indeed." Histoire said.

The two stop in their tracks as they see me sitting under the tree, adorned in my armor.

"S-Speak of the lover boy, there he is…!" IF's eyes widen in surprise as she sees me and the work I was doing.

"M-My!" Histoire's hand was on her mouth as she looked at my current work. "R-Raiken…"

The two decided to approach me and take a further look into what I'm making.

"H-Hey there, Raiken…this is…quite an elaborate job, huh…" IF said.

"Hello, Lady IF, Lady Histoire…" I smiled at them, holding onto my solder and a small metal rod.

"What is this that you are making?" Histoire looked at the box of flares and lightsticks beside the two switchboxes and some of my tools scattered around.

"It's my present for Nepgear, Lady Histoire." I replied.

"I-I can see that…but what is this, exactly?" she asked again.

"It's what I'd like to call a heart of flares…" and my description is aptly so.

"Wait…so you're telling me all those flares are for…!" IF spoke.

"Yeah…I'm gonna use them for the main event…"

I stood up from the tree, and began on soldering the rest of the metal rods into the center of the shape, filling out the basic outlines. They stood still as they watch me use the welding tools and my beam saber.

"Such dedication and effort…" Histoire smiled, silently watching me.

"Y-Yeah…you soldiers are quite crafty…" IF remarked, brushing off some dust from her sleeve.

"I put my heart into everything I want to do…it's part of my code as a warrior." I replied, finishing the last piece of rod that I need to complete the shape. "There…now everything else is just a matter of setting them up properly…"

IF looked at Histoire and nodded. "Hey, Raiken. Let me help you out on this one." she said.

"…Thank you. I appreciate your help." I smiled as I prompt her to come along.

"I will go to your household and meet the others. Is it alright with you?" Histoire asked me, floating quite low to see the progress I'm making.

"Of course, my Lady. Naomi is at home. She'll be the one to let you in." I replied.

"Thank you. Well then. I shall be going." Histoire bowed and floats away on her book, on the way to my house.

IF grabbed the box of flares and placed it beside the metal base I made. "So, what are we gonna do with these?"

"I want you to place the flares on the outside lines…"

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

Despite Naomi allowing us to use the kitchen, the other CPUs left the Tsutsumi household and returned to their nations for a while to make their own special chocolate. Only Neptune and I were left inside the household. We then proceeded to the kitchen with Naomi to make our preparations.

"Let's get cookin, Nep. Jr! So, lets see…" Neptune peered through the recipe book that Naomi had provided us.

"I need some condensed milk, eggs and some cream, and a little bit of sugar…" I told Naomi as she begins to grab the ingredients from the cupboard above her.

"Sure." she lays down the ingredients on the table. "What are you gonna make, my Lady?" she humbly asked.

"I feel like making some white chocolate fondue…I wanna make something that will make the other CPU's chocolates even more special…"

"Ooooh! That's actually a sweet idea! Heheh…literally…" Neptune remarked jokingly, though she has a good point. Naomi chuckled at her words.

"That's very sweet of you. I'll help you all out on this. Don't you worry, we will finish this in no time flat!" Naomi cheered with much enthusiasm in her voice.

"Wooohoo! Let's get all chocolatey!" Neptune screamed along with her as we began making the fondue.

[Noire's P.O.V.]

We returned to Lastation shortly after breakfast. We then went to a large mall and bought some ingredients for our chocolates before returning to the Basilicom.

"Hey, Noire…do you still remember last year's Valentines?" Uni asked.

"E-Eh?!" I was surprised by her question. Then, I suddenly remembered. "Y-Yeah…we got real pissed off at those two…" I shrugged, sighing in annoyance at the thought.

"W-Well…I think they didn't mean to forget…Nepgear DID say she was broke and couldn't ask Histoire for some money…" Uni looked up as we walked.

"E-Eh…errmm…y-you're right…b-but its not like I'm forgiving them…" I blushed a bit, thinking of Neptune's "sincerity" before.

"I think I made Nepgear a little upset too…she didn't say anything to me the next day until I visited her…" she replied. "I'm giving her just one more chance…"

"W-Well…y-you do that…" I replied, crossing my arms as we arrived at the Basilicom.

Kei greeted us at the reception desk, two boxes sat with her on her table.

"Ah, Noire. Uni. Welcome back." she bowed.

"Hey there, Kei. How is the Basilicom doing while we're gone?" I asked.

"Everything is working as usual." she simply replied, then smiled. "Oh, and I may not be one to celebrate much, but Happy Valentines Day to you two." she grabbed the two boxes before her and gave it to us.

"Oh…thank you, Kei…" Uni smiled at her.

"For your hard work everyday, I am grateful to be serving you both." she smiled back.

"Thanks, Kei…I appreciate this…" I said. "Anyway, we're gonna make chocolate ourselves. Do you mind if you would skip the papers today and help us?" I extend my hand a bit, gesturing her.

"Very well then." Kei got out of her desk and proceeded with us to the kitchen. We then began our preparations.

[Vert's P.O.V.]

"Welcome home, dear sister Vert!" Chika greeted me the second I stepped into the grounds of the Basilicom. "I miss you so so much!"

"Hello, Chika. How is everything in Leanbox today?" I asked with a smile.

"Everything is in tip top shape, from the nation to your beautiful room and collections! All cleaned and sparkly, just as you like it!" she bombastically said with much enthusiasm.

"I-I see. Thank you."

Chika suddenly extends from her arms a box of chocolates, an inch away from my face.

"H-Happy Valentines Day, my dear! I-I worked so hard on this…so…" she bowed her head.

"My…thank you, dear Chika…Worry not, I will make you some chocolates as well." I replied.

"Y-YES! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou-!" she tried to glomp me, though I walked along the path, Chika missing her aim at me and lands hard on the ground.

"But first, I will complete some online quests…" I happily skipped along as I immediately went to my room to play video games. "I'll make the chocolate after that Valentines Special Quest…"

Chika, still on the ground, her face flat as she mumbles to herself. "A-At least she accepted it…" she sighed in pure bliss shortly after.

[Blanc's P.O.V.]

Rom, Ram and I went back home after breakfast to the Basilicom in Lowee. The nostalgic feeling of the cold snow on my feet return as we walk our way into the city.

"Hey, Onee-chan! I wanna help make some chocolates…" Ram jumped in joy.

"M-Me too, Onee-chan…" Rom said.

"G-Gck!" I felt a cold chill in my spine as I remember a certain event during last year's Valentines.

-Last year-

We were supposed to make Valentines chocolates for everyone that day, our ingredients are all set up and the equipment was all ready.

Though…there is a huge problem.

"Rom! That's not fair! I want the cocoa in there!" Ram argued with Rom as they fight over which chocolate they wanted to make.

"N-No…I want white chocolate…" Rom argued back, silently, but also very angrily.

"C-Calm down both of you…! Please stop fighting!" Mina tried to stop them from going any further, as the pot begins to overboil…

"R-Rom, Ram, turn off the stove and—!" *BOOM!*

The stove exploded after a drop of liquid chocolate dripped onto the electrical socket. The liquid chocolate splattered all over the room as it was stained in a lot of brown.

"…" I tried to hold in my rage, but…

"L-Lady Blanc…p-please calm down…" Mina desperately said, trying her very best to calm me down, but I couldn't take it anymore…

"ROOOOOOM! RAAAAAAAAM! COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE BITCHES!" I grabbed my hammer and decided to give chase to the two and teach them a lesson.

"Unnngh…" I thought to myself. "W-Well…why not leave it to me and you two just play games…"

"Oh, come on, Blanc! We're sorry about laast yeeeeaar!" Ram whined.

"Uhuh, uhuh…" Rom nodded in agreement with Ram's words.

They suddenly stopped as I pull out a game from my hat to bargain with them. "Here. I just got it a day ago…"

"O-O-Oooooh! Is that Ninja Gaiden IV?! GIMME! GIMME!" Ram tried to reach for it, but I held it high.

"I wanna play…" Rom just bowed her head.

"Alright. But you must promise me to NOT go to the kitchen. Understood?" I smiled.

"Yes, big sis!" the two chorused, calming my nerves down a bit.

"Phew…now Mina and I can work in peace…" I thought to myself as we finally arrive at the Basilicom.

Mina immediately greeted us at the door. "Ah! Lady Blanc, Lady Rom and Lady Ram, welcome home, all of you."

"Hi Mina!"

"H-Hello…" the two greeted.

"Thank you, Mina. How are things?" I asked softly.

"Lowee is doing just fine, Lady Blanc. And you?" she asked back.

"We're doing fine. Raiken Tsutsumi's residence is quite the luxurious place to be." I replied, smiling.

"I see. Well then, since it is Valentines today, I made chocolate for the three of you." Mina smiled, taking out three boxes from her pocket.

"Woooooow! More chocolates! Thanks, Mina, you're the best!" Ram grinned happily as she receives the gift.

"T-Thank you…" Rom bowed.

"Huh…another chocolate. I received two today…thank you, Mina."

"You're all very welcome. Now then, I assume you will be making chocolates too, Lady Blanc?"

"Yes. Let us head to the kitchen…" I gave Rom and Ram the video game that was in my hat and they go to their room to play, leaving us undisturbed.

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

After another 5 hours of constant work and right positioning of certain items that I brought and bought to work with, we were finally finished with the preparations.

"Whew…Man, that was some precise planning…I'm beat…!" IF sat down beside me, looking at the setup we had finished.

"Thank you, Lady IF. I would have taken longer if it wasn't for your help…" I turn to her in gratitude, then I grabbed a bar of chocolate that I bought a few hours earlier. "Here…I know I didn't make it…but…"

"Thanks…" she gladly took the chocolate, despite it not being made by my own hand. "I bet Gear will definitely adore your work. She likes flares…" she remarked.

"Huh…then I guess the materials I used will definitely send the message…" I replied.

IF told me that Nepgear is not only limited to technology, but also some military objects as well. Grenades, smoke grenades, flares, beam sabers, beam rifles, almost every tech that we might have made or possess, whether it be old-fashioned or brand-spanking new. As if our mobile suits aren't already enough to draw her attention.

I then decided to look at the clock. "…6:30PM…It's almost time…"

"Well, I gotta go to Gear and the others then. I made chocolates for them yesterday. I'll give you one after you do your thing, alright?" IF said as she stood up and dusts her rear off.

"Thank you again, Lady IF." I simply said.

"You're welcome. Now then, I'll be going. See you later…" IF left, but I called out to her again.

"Hey, Lady IF?!"

"Hmm?!" she turned around as she listened.

"Tell Gear that she must go either alone, or with Lady Neptune, but don't tell her it was me…Please."

"Sure, Raiken. Leave it to me." she turns again and leaves for my mansion. I just sat there, continuing to think of the words to say to the beautiful pinkette, holding onto the bouquet of flowers that I bought for her in the middle of my work with IF.

I looked as the night lights finally turn on in the pathways of the park, though the part where I was sitting had little to no light. But, that wasn't a concern to me because her surprise will be quite bright and colorful.

I then stood up, hiding behind the tree, my flowers in hand. I then begin to wait for the lovely recipient to come by and claim her surprise…

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

After we were finally done in making the chocolate fondue stored in a pot, Neptune and I prepared the dining table for the dinner party that Naomi will be hosting.

Raiken hasn't come home yet though, which really concerns me.

But then, I looked at the clock on the wall, it was 6:30PM.

"O-Oh no! I almost forgot…!" I ran to the kitchen, surprising Neptune.

"H-Hey, Nep. Jr.! W-What's up?!" she chased after me, and we find ourselves in the kitchen, remembering the fourth note.

We both began to read the red note stuck on the fridge. The words were written in the same penmanship as the others, though in a white ink.

"When you came into my life, I felt like I have been given a second chance…No words can express how much I feel about you.

Go to Planeptune Park alone, or with your sister if you wish. Go to the large hill with a sakura tree on top. There, you will find the last note. I will be waiting for you…"

The words were very heartfelt, solemn and very sweet. It made me smile a lot, but I became even more curious as to whoever wrote the notes that I had encountered this morning. I wasn't sure what to feel, as I can feel my heart thumping in anticipation.

"W-Well then…I guess we better go, Nep. Jr…" Neptune pats me on the shoulder as she says so. Naomi then entered the kitchen and saw us reading the note and taking it into my pocket.

"I see you're going to the park…Well, the others will arrive very soon, so you better hurry." Naomi grabbed plates and placed them on the table.

"Y-Yes, Miss Naomi. We'll be right back…" I told her. She then turns to me and smiled warmly.

"Good luck…and may love find its way towards you."

I nodded and grinned at her. Neptune then tugged on my sleeve. "Come on, Nep. Jr. We can't leave the man waiting, right?" she said.

We then went out of the mansion and walked our way into the city with bright lights all around us. It was already dark at that time. Neptune would then stop onto a pudding store, but it did not really delay us both.

We then proceeded to enter Planeptune Park, where the pathway lit with night lights leads to different places. We can see couples dating there, having beautiful moments with each other and just overall having a good time.

I can also see families and friends gathering together for the special event. It was truly a great sight to see, and one that I wish I could always see here in Planeptune.

We then stumble upon the location the note described; a hill with a sakura tree on top.

"Well, Nepgear…this is your moment. I'll stay here and wait." Neptune sounded serious, smiling at me with determination as she stood by a night light.

"N-Neptune…I-I'm nervous…" I blushed a little, feeling the tension rising up within me.

"I believe in you, Nep. Jr…Go forth and find your beloved soulmate…" she said before gesturing me to move forward.

I was filled to the brim with both nervousness and anticipation as I moved up the hill. My heart kept racing faster and faster. As I walked, I expected a lot of things in my head regarding about the person who wrote to me every one of these notes.

I expected that he was a gentle soul, a man who does not falter and does not regret. I expect that he is a loving man who would never have a second thought of caring for me. One that would always prioritize me, make me happy whenever I'm in times of trouble. That's all I could ever ask for when it comes to a man. The physical aspects of the guy does not matter or apply to my needs.

I turned around halfway, only to see Neptune holding her phone upright and giving me a thumbs-up. I assumed that she is filming this event, only making me even more nervous.

When I finally reached the tree, I saw one more note stuck onto the trunk. After a deep breath and a lot of mental preparation, I slowly went closer and read the note with the flashlight on my N-Gear…

"Turn around."

I closed my eyes for a few moments, quivering. I finally get to know who is behind all of these things. What I have been curious about, what I want to know, I'm finally getting the answers I needed to end my curiosity.

I finally turned around fully, my hair swaying in the air as I moved. When I opened my eyes, I can see a silhouette form from the night lights being behind the figure. I recognize the basic shape, especially the helmet. The glowing blue "eyes", the visage, the stance, it became very clear to me now.

"Lady Nepgear…Happy Valentines Day…" a familiar male voice resounded in my mind albeit sounding a little synthetic but audible and pleasing to the ears. My heart beating so fast as I blush hard. And it was the first part of many things in this event that I can never forget.

Out of the blue, I gently placed my arms on the faceplate. The figure then nods, prompting me to remove his helmet.

When I indeed remove the helmet as prompted, I can see blonde hair and blue eyes. When I began pulling down the cloth mask adorning everything below his eyes, I saw a very solemn, happy expression from him. My answers were finally in front of me.

It was Raiken all along…

"R-Raiken…i-is it…is i-it…you?" my eyes quiver as I asked, smiling in surprise.

"…Yeah…it's me..." he nodded gently.

"A-Ah..." my heart began thumping faster.

"I always wanted to tell you everything that lies inside my heart…for a long time…I was just too shy to admit it until now…" he softly replied, gently taking my hand.

"R-Really…?" I replied back, my heart beating even faster. "Please…t-tell me…I want to hear it from you…I really want to know…" I then held his hand with my other hand, clasping it together. I then notice liquid forming from the corner of my eyes.

"…I love you, Nepgear…" that finally did it. His voice finally reaching my heart, the tone, the delivery of those words had made a lasting impact in my life.

The tears finally fell down my face as my mouth was agape with shock, unable to respond.

"R-Raiken…I…why me…? Why did you choose me of all people?" streams of tears continue to fall, Raiken continuing to look at me in the eyes very solemnly.

"…What I meant by a second chance…was that I was given another chance to fall in love and be happy again…You made that possible…And words can never express my gratitude to you…" Raiken uttered.

I could tell that he had been mentally preparing himself as well. The effort of his words alone drove me to tears. I began wiping them off my face as I took it all in; his declaration towards me.

"I…I'm…*hic!* I'm so happy…*hic!* that you told me *hic!* all that…I…" I began to sob.

"I'm glad you are…Come with me and take a look…" he then led me, facing the other way. The stream illuminated by the moonlight came into view.

"R-Raiken?" I said, looking at him curiously.

He then gave me a switchbox, clasping it in my hand. "W-What is this, Raiken?" I asked again.

"Press the button." he simply stated. I then followed his order and pressed the red switch on the box. Somewhere near the stream directly in front of my view, flares began to light up in a sequence and a certain shape of a heart.

What truly made me even more happy is the text made by the blue lightsticks in the middle that says:

"I love you, N-Gear, xoxo~"

The effort Raiken had made into creating this beautiful object, I can feel the emotions that he had placed onto it.

Then, 4 more flares light up in red and blue, illuminating the entire area with purple as the heart-shaped lantern of flares gave an impressive veil. Raiken then held my hand gently and turns towards me.

"Lady Nepgear…I know I may have troubled you…I may be a burden to you…but nevertheless, my feelings for you will never falter…"

"T-That's not true, Raiken…you were never a bother to me…I'm just…so happy that…I'm the one you…you…" my eyes continue to flow with tears as wipe them away with my free hand.

I could see Neptune taking a video of the event, but right now, I didn't care anymore. Raiken had made me the happiest woman in Gamindustri at this very moment, and I will forever remember it from the bottom of my heart.

Raiken disengaged his armor in a flash of light. He then knelt before me, then giving me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and chocolate before holding my hand once more.

"Lady Nepgear…the girl of my dreams…

W-Will you go out with me?"

The flares continue to burn bright as Raiken said the words to me, smiling in anticipation, his love for me finally professed in such a manner that I will always remember forever.

Neptune continued to tape us, but we didn't mind. What mattered to both of us now would be my response to him. I thought for a good moment about the possible fun things Raiken and I will do together, and I never felt any hesitation in my heart anymore.

I felt free, knowing that someone like him truly loved me that much. And I finally felt the liberty to love him as much as he does to me.

I then decide to give him the answer.

"Yes, Raiken…I will go out with you…and I want to be with you too…"

I blinked as more tears fell. The answer that I gave him almost immediately made him stand up in joy and hugged me very tight in his arms, crying tears of joy as well.

"Thank you…! Thank you…!" he repeated the words over and over again, sobbing along with me. I felt like I had lifted off a lot of weight off of him once more. And it was satisfying.

"Raiken…I…I'm so happy…I can't help but repeat myself…" I told him, still crying my eyes out at that moment.

We could see Neptune shedding a tear of joy as well, but as much as she wanted to make jokes or intervene, she decided to be quiet and watched the moments unfold.

"I love you…I love you so much, Nepgear…" Raiken uttered in my ear, smiling in so much glee, his eyes quivering as much as mine does.

"Me too, Raiken…I…I love you too…" I looked up at him lovingly, and he looks back at me too.

We kept ourselves locked in our embrace, my love for him and his love for me finally realized. I savored the moment and nuzzled on his chest solemnly, Raiken patting me in the head while wrapping me with his other arm.

I also tightened my embrace, my happiness with him finally found. It was a night I will never forget, not even in a lifetime or an eternity.

I remembered one of the first heartfelt things I had said to him during the first few days we spent together, and those words truly marked the beginning of every great moment we will share together…

"I'm just glad you're here…"