RaiXGear Chapter 23

[Noire's P.O.V.]

Uni and I arrived at the Tsutsumi household in Planeptune, carrying with us a bag of homemade chocolates that we made earlier back at Lastation.

"Thank goddess, we arrived. I hope we're not late." I sighed to myself.

"W-Well, we could have at least transformed and flew here…" Uni replied, setting down her bag for a while.

"W-We might cause some unrest when people see us…" I turned away.

"I-It's night time…no one will completely see us…" Uni fixed her skirt as she says that.

"A-Anyway, we're here so we don't wanna waste time. Lets go." I told her before knocking at the door.

"Coming!" we hear Naomi's voice ringing from inside. The door was then opened for us. "Oh my, Lady Noire, Lady Uni. Welcome! Please, come in."

We then proceeded inside and went into the living room, only to see Vert, Blanc and her sisters sitting on the couch while watching something on Blanc's mobile tablet.

"Ah, Noire, Uni. I'm glad you both came." Vert greeted.

"Hey Vert. Wait…where are Neptune, Nepgear and Raiken at?" Uni asked.

"Look at this and you will know…" Blanc said, pointing to her tablet.

We became curious and huddled over from behind the couch to take a look. When we looked at the video, it is actually a live feed. I immediately saw the username " PHNepNep" and immediately recognized whose account it was; Neptune.

"W-What is Neptune doing out there?" I asked suddenly, but then I looked closer on the video.

What Uni and I saw was a surprise. The live feed shows two people standing underneath a tree, the bright colored lights in the area came from the area downhill nearby the river. The camera then pans towards a heart-shaped object emitting light from activated flares and lightsticks. The text in the middle says "I love you, N-Gear, xoxo~"

I then turn my attention to the two people, holding their hands together while they converse. I can see the happiest of smiles on their faces as they look at each other.

The D-Pad clip on the left side of the girl gave away her identity; it was Nepgear. The other person has blonde hair and is wearing only a white muscle shirt and grey pants.

"Wait…is that…Raiken?!" Uni said in shock as she recognizes the blonde beside Nepgear.

"Yes…ah, what a marvelous sight…" Vert smiled as she watches the two stand together in such a beautiful view.

Suddenly, the video pans to Neptune, with tears of happiness in her eyes. "Ah, isn't that a really cool sight? My little junior finally found love…Ah, the tears! My waterworks are outta control…!"

"I…I can't believe it…Raiken really did it…he confessed…" Blanc remarked, a hand on her face in admiration.

"Well, Im'ma gonna end the live feed here. Not sure if I'm gonna upload this to Neptube…b-be sure to watch out whenever I get around to lettin' the people know this sappy duo! 'Till next time—oh my, I'm still crying…jeepers, lemme just end the stream—" the live feed ended afterwards.

Blanc puts away her tablet and sighed silently.

"Rom, we should congratulate Nepgear when she comes back! That was sweet!" Ram said.

"Uhuh, Miss Nepgear…must be so…happy…" Rom replied.

"We must celebrate their inauguration as a happy couple. Valentines Day is quite full of surprises this year…" Vert stood up, smiling. "I never would have thought that my lovely Nepgear being courted by a man of his caliber…"

"Vert…aren't you afraid for her? I thought you're always obsessed for her to be your sister…" Blanc said.

"Being a sister and being a boyfriend to her are two quite different things, Blanc." Vert said as she shrugs, her breasts bouncing freely as she moves.

"W-Whoa…I wish I could have seen it in person…" Uni mumbled with her hand on her head, as she thought of the two new lovers and the beginning of their relationship.

"But…I wonder if I can trust him…"

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

My heart was in heaven. From the moment Nepgear said "yes", I finally felt at peace, my soul completely cleansed of sorrow. Her acceptance of me took away all of my sorrows in an instant. Her willingness to answer me was indeed very characteristic of her, yet I could also feel some uniqueness to her.

When I saw the tears in her eyes earlier, I thought that she would be afraid, feeling forced to answer. But thankfully, my assumption was incorrect, as she continued to hold my hand after I asked her out.

"Raiken…This is so beautiful…how did you make this?" Nepgear smiled, staring at the heart of flares that I built.

"Well, I only used some metal rods, flares and lightsticks. I had a lot of help from Lady IF too…" I replied.

"Mnn…I see…I'm sure you gave a lot of effort into it…" she said, looking up at me.

"…I had to lie about going to work…I wanted this to be a surprise to you…so…"

"It's alright…I'm very happy with what you did for me…I will never forget it…" she said.

"I won't forget it either…Nepgear…lets go home…" I told her as I wrap my arm around her waist, feeling her being open to my sudden gesture. She blushed slightly as she fidgeted.

"Yeah…W-We made chocolate fondue…" she replied sheepishly.

"Really? Sounds good…" I replied.

"…Uhm…I'll get some for you and me…in a…separate bowl…" she blushes harder, her cheeks turning very red.

"Haha…how sweet of you…" I smiled at her. "Your chocolates are actually the ones on sticks, like a lollipop…we can use that for the fondue…" I thought.

"T-That's actually a good idea…" she replied, smiling back.

When we reach the bottom of the hill, Neptune was sitting on the bench, waiting for us and clapping her hands in applause.

"Congratulations, you two…Ah, I'm a real, proud sister-in-law…" Neptune's face looked blissful, though looking as if she cried to a movie.

"A-Ah…Onee-chan…" Nepgear blushed, then turns to me.

"Lady Neptune…" I bowed my head a little while making the vow to her and my new girlfriend.

"Mr. Protag, I am at a loss for words, or jokes, but still…That was a tear-jerker!" was her snappy reply. "The others are already in your mansion, bruh! Lez go! Everyone must know!" Neptune marched forward ahead of us, giving me and Nepgear a bit of space to savor our moments together as we walk back.

During the walk, Nepgear became very silent, though it did not worry me much because I can feel from her movements, the smile on her face and her demeanor, that she was very happy. In fact, she looked so happy that she was at a loss for words.

"My Lady?" I tried to talk to her.

"Y-Yes?" she asked, blushing a little.

"…You're smiling so much...I wish I can see it on your face everyday…" I said.

"R-Really…well…it's because…the reason I'm smiling is holding me very close…" she looked away as we exit the park.

"Mhm…I can't wait to spend a lot of time with you…" I nodded as I said that.

"We already are, Raiken…" she held the hand holding her waist with her left hand.

"…we already are…"

[Noire's P.O.V.]

A few minutes later, dinner was about to begin. Naomi is still calm even though six important people are missing from the group. I wondered what was going on with them after that event.

"Nepgear and the others are late…where are they even walking?" Uni pouted, crossing her arms as she just stared at the plethora of food laid down on the table.

"Be patient, Uni. I'm sure they're already done by now…" and it appears I was right when we heard the door open. We saw Neptune coming in with a bombastic feel.

"Whoohoo! Man, that was a good scoop…" she said as she jumped in joy after passing through the doorway.

A few seconds later, we all stood up in surprise as we see Raiken and Nepgear, holding hands together as they entered, Raiken allowing her to pass through first like a gentleman should.

"M-My, my…the couple has arrived home…" Vert announced, smiling warmly at the two lovebirds.

"Nepgear…congratulations!" Uni grinned, happy for her best friend who had just won Raiken's heart. Everybody else applauded with her, clapping their hands in unison.

"A-Ah…e-everyone…" Nepgear blushed, realizing she was still holding onto Raiken's hand. "T-This is…!"

"We saw you two on Neptune's live feed. Everything. From start to finish." Blanc replied in a nonchalant tone, yet she smiled nonetheless.

"Lady Neptune…did you…" the blonde man turned to Neptune with a pleasant surprise.

"Heheh…I can't just let such a great moment slip by through my eyes only…Everybody's gotta know your sweet, sweet everythings that you did for good 'ol Junior here." Neptune placed her hands innocently on her back, smiling happily.

"…I-I see…" he quivered a bit.

"Hey Nepgear, did he kiss you or something yet?!" Ram suddenly asked.

Everybody was shocked to the core with Ram's sudden question. "W-WHAT?!"

"A-Ah…ahh…uhm...I…we…" Nepgear was stuttering, blushing red up to her cheeks.

Suddenly, Raiken made a bold move, and kissed the young Candidate on the forehead, shocking everyone.

"There…now I gave her one." Raiken smiled brightly, feeling accomplished on what he has done. Nepgear on the other hand, is now as red as a tomato.

"R-Raiken…" I could have sworn that steam was coming out of Nepgear's ears.

"Whoa! He did it!" Ram cheered.

"Well…though it's only on the forehead…" Rom spoke softly, blushing a little.

"Don't worry, everyone…I will make sure she will be the happiest lady in Gamindustri…" the blonde man bowed his head, swearing a vow that he chose to fulfill. "You can count on me."

We heard another knock on the door. Raiken decided to respond and immediately shuffles to the door. When it was opened, IF, Compa and Histoire enter.

Nepgear smiled, though she was covering her face in so much shame after the sudden kiss he gave her. It was a sweet moment in my book. N-Not that I would like the same to happen to me or anything!

"Ara, everyone is already here." Histoire spoke up.

"Hey, everyone!" IF greeted, a basket of chocolates in her hand.

"Woooow, this house is soooo welcoming…!" said a happy Compa, also holding a basket of chocolates in hand.

"Well, hi there, Lady IF." Raiken casts a glance at the brunette, winking at her.

"I see our hard work from earlier payed off, huh?" she winks back. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you for helping me. I truly appreciate it." Raiken replied, bowing his head.

"Hello, Lady Histoire!" Naomi approached the pixie.

"Ah, thank you for having me, Miss Naomi. It sure is a very good space here." Histoire commented, as the three enter the dining room, admiring the place.

Meanwhile, Nepgear is still blushing over her predicament. Raiken just kissed her on the forehead and it seemed like a huge deal to her. In a positive note, though.

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

After that…embarrassing moment…we finally proceeded to the dining table to begin our Valentines celebration. Naomi clapped her hands in announcement as she began to speak.

"I'm glad that everyone has arrived safely. Please, enjoy your meal."

We all chorused together "Happy Valentines Day!"

Valentines dinner began, and the people among me happily began munching away at the wonderful food before us. Raiken, being a gentleman, waited for everyone to get their share before getting his portion.

Our dinner consisted of creamy carbonara, some fried chicken, gravy and mashed potatoes. Simple, but heartwarmingly delicious. Our deserts were already obvious; chocolate. Though, Naomi hinted she still has something in store for us, especially Neptune.

Among the food on the table was a large pot, a beautiful vanilla aroma fills the air surrounding it. It was the fondue that Naomi, Neptune and I made earlier.

"Mmmm! This is the bomb! Nepdonalds has got nothing on this chicken!" Neptune's cheeks were full as she happily eats from her plate.

"Y-You're right…" I took 2 bites and smiled, enjoying her food.

"Hmhmhm…!" Naomi smirked. "Mom taught us well, Raiken…"

"…Hey, don't forget about the time I worked at various restaurants…" Raiken bowed his head, slurping away from the pasta on his plate.

"Wait, you worked before you joined the army?" Uni turned to the blonde and asked.

"Yes…I worked at a lot of restaurants at the same period…each day of the week, a specific restaurant. I learned a lot more of cooking and baking from there…I resigned after learning that the army is looking for volunteers during the last war. " Raiken narrated.

"I see…" Noire replied.

"Which type of restaurant do you usually prefer to work in?" Blanc asked.

"Hmm…I actually don't have any preference." Raiken said.

"True! You gotta learn more than just Italian, American and Japanese cuisine…which is…all I know…honestly…" Naomi nodded, smiling awkwardly.

"It's not easy though…I screw up a lot…" a sweat drop trails down his cheek as he said that.

"Well, it's a part of learning. Don't take it too hard." Blanc closed her eyes and took another bite.

"Noted." Raiken simply replied back, taking a bite of the crispy chicken.

I glanced at him and smiled, silently giggling to myself. He then returned a smile and bowed his head again, slightly blushing.

"Mmmmmmm! This stuff really makes my mouth water for more!" Neptune exclaimed after finishing her second round. Raiken chuckled a little at the sight. I also find how she eats to be very adorable.

"Oh, wait 'till you get to dessert! Aside from the chocolate…" Naomi stood up from the table, going to the fridge to get some panna cotta with some hazelnut brittle on top. Neptune stood up suddenly in excitement. "I made some panna cotta!"

"…Ah…one of the variations of pudding from Earth…*squeeeee!*" Neptune squealed.

"Oh my…" Vert clasps her hands together, smiling at the sight of the trays.

"Wow…you actually made panna cotta, Naomi-nee…" Raiken's eyes widen.

"Fufufu…I know that Lady Neptune loves pudding…so I gotta send out a message on how we Earthlings can make sweets!" she smiled proudly like a tiger.

"Yay! Gimme! Gimme!" Neptune jumped like a child, staring at a plate of panna cotta sitting beautifully on the tray.

"…Man." Raiken sighed. "I knew Lady Neptune was into pudding, but damn…she's nuts for it."

"Y-Yes, that's one trait everybody can tell about her…" I replied in return.

A bit later after dinner, we were all at the living room, just creating a light, fun atmosphere around us as we give each other chocolates. Neptune and I grabbed the fondue from the dining room to share with everyone else.

"Hey guys! Well…hope ya like fondue because this is aaaaaall we've got!" Neptune and I gently set the pot on the table before the couches as she talked.

"Mmmm…the smell is so good…" Noire commented.

"Huh…it does smell really nice…" Uni added.

"I assume you thought of this idea so we can dip our own chocolates into this, no?" Vert asked, holding a heart-shaped chocolate on a stick that Raiken had given her earlier.

"Y-Yes…that was what we had in mind." I bowed my head.

"Huh…it's a good idea." Blanc replied.

"Come on, guys! Dip 'em in!" Neptune implored, getting giddy as everybody appreciated the smell of the fondue.

Meanwhile, Raiken went ahead and decided to open a chocolate on a stick, dipping it in to the white fondue and began to eat. A few seconds later, he was happy with the results.

"Oh, damn…this is actually really good. You guys should try this out!"

"You do not have to tell us, dear. We can tell from your expression." Vert smiled.

Meanwhile, Uni and Noire also tried out the fondue. The two of them were satisfied, but they just were not honest enough to say it…

"Umm…Nepgear…" Uni spoke up after taking a bite.

"Y-Yes, Uni?" I blushed.

"…This is good…umm…but don't think I will still forgive you from last year…" she pouted, though at least I got a good word out of her.

"Ehehe…I'm glad you like it though…I'm reeaaally sorry about last year…" I bowed.

"Nnnnrrgh, don't make it so easy for me to forgive you, geez…!" she turned away, blushing.

Meanwhile, Neptune bounces in place as she watches Noire intently while she eats her chocolate dipped in our fondue.

"Hmm…n-not bad, Neptune…w-well, it's not like I will forgive you or anything…! Don't get your hopes up…" Noire pouted as she blushed, turning away from Neptune's sparkling eyes.

Neptune then hugged her and nuzzles on her back. "Yaaaay! Noirey loves it! I know you do, you twin-tailed cutie!" she squealed, much to Noire's annoyance.

Raiken is just giggling on the couch, admiring the smell of the fondue before he grabbed a chocolate lollipop. I approached him and grabbed a bowl filled with the same fondue.

I gave him a pat on the shoulder to get his attention. "Raiken?"

"Yes, my Lady?" he smiled warmly at me.

"…Can we go to the veranda…alone?" I whispered.

Raiken nodded and stood up, taking a bunch of the chocolate he received with him. "I'm right with you."

We then headed off and slid the door open, sitting on the edge of the wooden flooring. The others were very kind enough to let us be together in peace and have fun with each other still.

The view of the yard during nighttime is also a marvel to behold. There are a lot of fireflies illuminating the area, flying freely across the place, some even land on our palms and on our heads. It was a beautiful place, and with all honesty, I didn't want us to leave there. I wanted to hold hands with him here, and just tell him how I feel…

Raiken appeared much warmer and genuinely happier than he used to be. He could not get his smile away for even a moment each time he stays with me. I'm very happy for him and I hope I won't ever let him down in one way or another.

Raiken took the initiative and dipped the chocolate he was holding in the fondue. "Now…I wonder how Lady Nepgear's fondue will blow me away…" he said before taking a bite.

Needless to say, Raiken was more than happy. "Holy sh-…this is amazing…" he remarked. "I love this…!" he then took more bites and gets another chocolate piece. "This is the bomb…" he added.

"I-I'm glad you like it…" I blushed as I turned away for a bit, flattered.

"Hey…how about…I feed you one?" Raiken turned to me after dipping a piece onto the fondue.

"E-Eh?" I turned to him, blushing even more.

"Hey…it's what…couples do…right?" he bowed his head, remembering a happy memory he once had where he received the same treatment.

"Umm…Okay…" I eventually gave in, seeing how sincere he looks. "Aaaaaahn~…"

I took a bite out of the chocolate, and I loved it. It was a good piece indeed.

"Mmm…I like it…so much…" I leaned my body onto his, no longer embarrassed to be in contact with him this close.

"Hehe…you made the fondue..." he warmly said.

"But…the chocolate you made me is so good too…even by itself…" I remarked back in return for his, holding his hand with my free hand.

"Really? I guess my lie worked while I was making preparations, huh…" he said.

"Mhm…though…you could have just been honest with me straight on…I'd still admire you either way…" I leaned closer to him.

"I…I aimed to be unique, unlike any other guy who tried to woo the girls they love…" he looked up at the night sky as he says so, gazing into the stars.

"You're really sweet…" I mumbled to myself.

"Hmm?" Raiken leaned a bit and looked at me curiously.

"…N-Nothing…" I replied, my cheeks becoming red.

And from that moment on, we just stayed together for the whole evening.

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

An hour after the Valentines party has come to a close, Nepgear and I were the ones in charge of cleaning up the place. The dining room and the living room, they both have to be cleaned. And since we were on the same page, Nepgear and I worked efficiently and saved us some time.

She was in charge of doing the dishes, while I vacuumed the area around me, then throwing any trash that I see nearby into the proper bin.

After Nepgear is done with the dishes, she then began to assist me.

"Raiken, can I help you with the vacuum cleaner?" she grinned with enthusiasm as she gently held my hand.

"Oh, please my Lady. Let me do it." I turned my attention back to the task at hand. "Please have a seat for a while…I'll be done in a bit."

She nodded and patiently waited for me at the couch.

[Neptune's P.O.V.]

"Whoopdeedoo, Noirey! I'm glad you reaaally enjoyed my chocolate fondue!" I sat on Noire's chair backwards as she sat on the bed, shaking her head.

"W-Well…it is…really good—I mean! Why did I say that! I only ate it because you did it for me…hmph!" and here came the tsun line from her once again.

"It's really good, Neptune…Thanks…" Uni replied. "You and Nepgear did great on it."

"Thanksies, Uni! Welp, I wonder if the blonde vigilante also enjoyed it though…Nepgear did partially made it after all…"

"Well, they must be real serious about this…like, won't this cause a panic in Planeptune?" Uni asked again.

"Nah, I don't think so…" I replied, oh wait, did I trigger a jynx? Anyway!

"Neptune…seriously, you gotta keep watch. Who knows what might happen if the guy suddenly turns into someone uncontrollable…" Noire crossed her arms with a sigh.

"Nah, he's proven more than enough. He saved our skins! Twice, even! You were there too, you know..."

"Well…during the last battle, he was actually kind of frightening with his sudden cold demeanor when he shot down that one enemy leader, remember?" Noire replied back with a serious look in her tsundere eyes.

"Well, yeah…but that's just how he is towards foes…you know them blood or vengeance-seeking protags, they always fight dark for the sake of his loved ones, ya dig? He's going to be fine! Besides, I'm always in watch of Nep. Jr here in this place, so no worries!" I smiled.

Noire shrugged and relaxes her shoulders. "Geez, aren't you always optimistic…"

"Noire, you still don't trust our blonde buddy, do you?" I suddenly turned serious as well, which may be uncharacteristic of me, but hey.

"I-It's not that…its just…what would happen if he suddenly loses his cool…do YOU even know how to handle guys like that?"

"…I'll find out myself." Uni spoke.

"Eh? U-Uni?" Noire turned to her little tsun sister.

"I'll see if he's really worth Nepgear's attention…Since I did not join the last battle, I didn't see how well he can fare. I need solid proof before my eyes…" Uni added, having a determined visage upon her. "I'm gonna spar with him."

I then turn to you readers [(HEY!)] and said "Well, battle flag raised, kids…Clench those butts because there's gonna be action again…"

And quite frankly, this fiction needs it anyway. So stay tuned for that!

[Narrator's P.O.V.]

Back on Earth, in the deep regions of Japan's forests, the Federation's secret facility remained in operation. In fact, their work is doubled.

The orange-haired scientist was on her command module, examining video footage secretly recorded during her latest developed mobile suit's first sortie. The video showed 3 CPUs and one CPU Candidate fighting alongside the unit, as they took down a large Zeon guerilla group together.

Calculating the speed of the fight, she has observed and recorded that they took down the enemy camp in less than 5 minutes, which is not normal for any other mobile suit team to handle.

"Five minutes…incredible." the scientist smiled in relief, knowing her work had accomplished it's objective towards the new owner of the suit.

Another scientist approaches her and gave her some papers. "Miss Mirai?"

The young lady with red glasses turns around. "Yes, Victor?" she said with a smile.

"We have examined the energy levels on the mobile suit during combat performance. It's crazy! Check the results on the paper." Mirai's fellow scientist replied.

"I'll see to it. The recording showed more than enough, but thank you. Though, there is still work to be done. Please continue on creating a blueprint for the next array of equipment."

"Yes, ma'am! I'll get working on the next project. Excuse me!" the male scientist left with a smile.

But, the orange-haired scientist did not share the same smile her fellow scientist did. Mirai turned back to the command module with the video in display, hearing dark words wrought out by the user of the Gundam.

"…your blood will never compare to the billions of lives that you butchered…Your deaths will never satisfy the cries of the billions of innocents that fell by your sword…"

Mirai lowered her head and noticed the tone and the demeanor of the warrior. "Raiken…"

Her grip on the papers tightened as she held them close to her chest, silently writhing in sorrow, as she remembers her connection to the warrior in the video, as if she knew him from the very beginning, from the day he was born into the world. He had a huge significance in her life, it seemed. The day he volunteered to become a powerful warrior, a Gundam, the thought of him having to suffer so much horrors of war and the pain of losses saddens her.

She then grasped her pocket for a picture. When the picture came into view, it was her with a small blonde boy, smiling together with her and a girl slightly taller than him.

"Raiken…Naomi…when will the time come…?" she mumbled to herself, staring deeply into the picture as tears fall down her face.

"I cannot wait for the day I will see you two…once again…"

A/N: Hello once again, guys! I'm sorry if this took so long, but I had to put the story on hiatus from my mind. I had to focus on college work and it's my final semester!

And if any of you are wondering, yes! From that last part I did, the scientist is Raiken's mother. Yes! She is my second, or third rather, OC! Well, you'll know more of her in the future chapters. I might take long again though, considering that I'm taking care of important things. Hopefully I can pull through and be able to create more chapters.

Also, the RPs are still open! I'm now on Discord! My name is "[CPU Guardian] - Raiken". We can chat there if you like, or RP with the Nep characs. It would be a great help to me. There is still Facebook and Twitter though if you prefer those.

Anyway, hope to see you next chapter and I hoped you enjoyed this one! Stay tuned, everyone and have a great day!