RaiXGear Chapter 24

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

Valentines Day came to an end on a positive note. Or did I miss something that wasn't in the corner of my eye? Who knows. All I remember is that Nepgear has responded positively to my confession. It was another one of the happiest moments to hit me.

Nepgear and I finished cleaning up the mess from the party and began to go upstairs to our bedrooms. We stopped by Nepgear's door, her hand was still clasped onto mine.

"Umm…Raiken…Thank you for everything today…" she looked away shyly.

I responded accordingly "I should be the one giving you thanks…after all…you gave me a second chance to find love."

"N-No, Raiken…it was you who makes me feel fluffy inside. It was your choice to love me. Even though Onee-chan or Vert would have been better choices…" she fidgets a bit, bowing her head.

Was she really doubting herself this much? It pains me to know she's not so sure of herself. She lacked confidence and self-esteem. I couldn't find the words to console her for her insecurity and I hate myself for it.

"…Raiken, what if…I'm not really the one you're looking for?" she sadly asked with much uncertainty.

"…Ah…Don't think too much about that…I mean…I'm serious when it comes to these things…I'm not one to take relationships quite lightly…especially when I end up losing the person I love…" I replied.

"I-I know…" she smiled. "I'm not really that confident with myself…but one thing is for sure…I have fallen for you, Raiken…" she blushed again.

"…Same here." I turned away as well.

Moments pass and I can hear Neptune, Uni and Noire playing video games in Neptune's room. Nepgear then turned to me and places her hands behind her back.

"I think you should head in now…Those two might be waiting for you." I spoke up.

"Y-Yes…umm…good night, Raiken…" she said as she tried her best to look into my eyes.

"Good night, Nepgear…I'll see you in the morning." I replied before I returned to my own room, she was watching me as I did so.

Nepgear then entered her room, happily joining Neptune, Noire and Uni while they play their games all night.

[Uni's P.O.V.]

-The next day, 08:30AM-

We were all at the dining table eating breakfast. I, Neptune, Nepgear and Noire and I still felt a bit groggy due to staying up late. Naomi was placing the rice cooker in the middle of the table before speaking up.

"Well, you four certainly had a rough night."

"I-It's not like I played too long! I was exhausted!" Noire, you're being tsun again…

"Heehee…wow…playing Titanfall for 4 hours straight…reaaaaally packs a wallop on my eyelids!" Neptune tried to be energetic to no avail, as she was too exhausted.

Nepgear was trying to fight her drowsiness as her eyes nod off and suddenly open. I was the same as her. Meanwhile, beside her was her new blonde lover, Raiken. He looked quite at ease as he gently munched away on his breakfast.

Vert, Blanc and the Lowee sisters just ate happily. I on the other hand was examining the newlyfound couple as part of my observation before I can see how worthy the blonde commander is.

"Well…you guys certainly had fun…hold on, I'll make you four some coffee…" Raiken stopped eating and stood up, walking into the kitchen.

"…Hmm, he's quite the gentleman…but…that's not enough to prove to me…" I spoke to myself silently.

"Uni? What are you talking about?" Noire spoke to me.

"N-Nothing, Onee-chan." I replied.

Vert decided to speak up. "Well, you four are not as strong as I. I have not slept for a week while playing games and I still can keep up with a lot of my online matches."

"T-That's because you're a major league gamer, Vert…" Nepgear replied to her.

"Internet memes aside…! I better *yawn* need some of that good ol' espresso!" Neptune added.

Raiken then returned with a tray of coffee mugs. "Here you go, guys."

"Thanks…" I turned away as he placed a mug in front of me.

"Umm…t-thank you, Raiken…" Nepgear blushed as she could smell the aroma of the contents of her mug.

"Thanksies, Raiken!" Neptune raised her hand slowly, stretching.

"Hmm. Your blend smells good. Is this café blanca?" Noire asked.

"Yes…well…I just looked at my mother's cookbook again…" Raiken smiled, fidgeting a little before returning to his seat.

Breakfast then continued as normal.

A few hours later, Noire, Neptune, Vert and I were sitting on the couch while Blanc and her sisters are out to find books. Raiken and Nepgear went downstairs from their rooms, the former has a backpack with him.

"Let's go, Raiken! I can't wait to have fun today!" Nepgear said.

Noire took a good look at the two. "Nepgear seems more energetic than usual…"

The two then walked together out of the door and to the outside world.

"Well, Noirey…me thinks we should satiate our curious little brains with a lil' bit of espionage, eh?" Neptune spoke up.

"W-What?! Are you seriously gonna peep on those two?!" Noire was surprised (and annoyed) at Neptune's wacky statement.

"Yup yup! I wanna see their love blossom like sakura trees…" Neptune's eyes sparkle at the thought of their romance.

"Baka! We might freak them out of they spot us-!"

"I agree with you, Miss Neptune…" I suddenly interjected.

"Eh?! You too, Uni?!" Noire was even more shocked to hear my response.

"Uni-chan? Oooooh, is it because you're jeeaaaaaalous?" Neptune teased.

"Wha-?! It's not like I'm jealous or anything!" I turned away, blushing. "I'm just curious about how things will turn out…"

Noire suddenly remembered my statement from last night. "Wait…you told us you're going to fight him later, right?"

"…Yeah. But first, I have to observe him when he's around her. I'll stage an attack against Nepgear in an open area and I'll see if he will defend her…"

"WHAT?! Are you crazy?! You'll attract too much attention!" Noire replied in shock again.

"U-Uni-chan, are you really serious about this? What if somebody gets wacked by your shots?!" Neptune added.

"Don't worry, I'll find a safe and open area to fight." I replied again in a serious tone. "Anyway, how long are we gonna stay here and dawdle? Let's look at those two together!"

And so we went out on our espionage mission. We trailed them from behind, hiding through various walls, bushes and even trash bins.

-A few hours later-

"Ehehe…Raiken, you still have leftover cream on your face…" Nepgear spoke up.

Their first stop was by the park. And they bought crepe from a van selling them nearby and sat by the bench. Neptune, Noire and I hid in a large bush nearby and kept watch.

Nepgear then wiped off some cream from Raiken's face, prompting him to blush slightly. "Oh, thank you Nepgear." Raiken replied.

"Ahaha…typical crepe eating scene from many anime I watched…whoopee…" Neptune whispered in a sort-of-not amused tone.

"Well, this is actually really normal for a couple…" Noire commented.

"Hmph…don't just look at it from the surface though…" I peeked closer as I said that.

My initial observations were typical. Raiken bought Nepgear crepe as a gesture. He seemed very gentlemanly. Nepgear took his gestures well. A little too well for me, in my opinion.

From what I initially saw from Raiken, he seems like a decent guy; your typical guy-next-door kind of dude. But after hearing Nepgear's stories about him when they fought monsters and Zeons together, I was actually quite surprised. I assume he had a sort of craze for battle, like a bloodlust of sorts. And that made him seem very dangerous for me to be around her. That's why I had to keep close watch of him before any side effects of his war experiences will make things go south for both of them.

My trail of thoughts stopped when the two stood up and took their leave, walking out of the park while holding hands.

"Uh oh, they're walking…" Noire said.

"Then let's begin displacement, troops!" Neptune proclaimed before we all stood and began trailing them again.

"Right…" I simply replied.

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

"Mmmm…that was good crepe…" I sighed as Nepgear held onto my hand.

"Mhm…I agree. Thank you, Raiken." she replied while looking at me.

After deciding to stop by at the park for a while, we then set off on another path back to the city. We were walking by the busy parts of the city to find something to do.

"Well then, what do you wanna do next?" I asked the lilac Candidate.

"Umm…I want to stop by the computer store for a bit…is that okay?"

"Yeah, sure. I'm actually also looking for a new laptop casing and a new game." I replied, scratching my head a little.

"Okay. What's the game you're looking for, Raiken?" Nepgear asked.

"It's 2 or 3 years old now, but it's Legacy of the Void." I smiled as I replied.

"Oh…I only got Wings of Liberty so far…" she hunched low in frustration, sighing. "I did see your gameplay on that though on Neptube…"

"Hmm…that reminds me…I haven't vlogged or made any videos in quite a while, huh…" I said.

"Maybe you should make one when we get back, maybe?" she fidgets and looks away.

"Seems like a good idea to show ourselves to everybody and my people back home, no?" I held her by the waist, making her blush.

"Ehehe…Umm…Let me mentally prepare myself first…" she sweatdrops a little. Then we both shared a little laugh together.

We arrived at the huge plaza complex nearby, a lot of shops abound ranging from clothes, to gadgets, to food stalls and a lot more. It's also packed full of people. It was a typical busy day in Planeptune that day just to add.

But something tells my gut that we're both being watched. But I shrugged it off and moved on, the lady who I love so dearly still clinging on to my hand.

[Uni's P.O.V.]

We hid from behind a pillar nearby a burger shack and saw the two still walking hand in hand on their way to the third floor of the building complex.

"Look, Noire. There they are…" I pointed at the two lovers whilst keeping our cover.

"We have to get moving and—where's Neptune?!" Noire was looking around for the nutjob CPU.

"Oh, for the love of—" I said before I saw her right behind me.

"Hey guys…uhh…anyone want a cheeseburger?" she was holding a large bag containing 5 burgers. She must have been really hungry.

Noire smacks her own face in annoyance. "Seriously?"

"What?" Neptune tilts her head, eating one of the burgers she bought.

My focus suddenly returns as I turned around. Unfortunately, the two lovers are lost from our line of sight. "H-Hey! They disappeared!" I panicked.

"Well, let's follow them!" Noire said as we began moving locations again.

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

We headed for an escalator going to the second floor of the building. We were trying to find the computer store that I usually go to in order to find a game and some parts for my computer.

"Say, Nepgear…do you want to eat somewhere after all this?" Raiken asked me.

"Umm…do you like some tonkatsu?" I turned to him and replied.

"Oh, hell yes I do. I love tonkatsu as much as karaage. Ah, I better get cooking one soon when I have the supplies…" his smile beamed at me as he spoke with excitement.

"I can't wait to taste the homemade food you can do. Anyway, I know a good place where we can eat tonkatsu. I think you'll love it!" I smiled back.

"Oh yes yes and yes…I'd love to eat there with you."

We eventually reach the computer store beside a very elegant cake shop and a men's clothing store. Just across is a model kit store and another clothing shop. Raiken took a look across and saw the store. I was surprised that the model kit store he usually goes to is just across the computer store I visit.

"Well…we're here…that's model kit store I go to when I need to find some Gunpla and some paints when they're available…" he spoke as he took a look around the area.

"I see…I'm curious to see what's inside too. Shall we go there later?" I asked.

"Right-o…" he said as we entered the computer store.

But from the corner of my eye, I saw a brief flash of familiar lilac and black hair nearby, but they disappear from my view before they couldn't escape from my eye.

"Huh…?" I wondered in confusion for a few moments.

"Is something wrong, my Lady?" Raiken turned around as he was holding a new set of headphones that has just been released.

"N-No, Raiken…umm…it's nothing. Anyway, let's go find the things that we need…"

We then proceeded, but the feeling of being watched was not escaping me in the slightest.

[Uni's P.O.V.]

"Hmm…what are those two up to…?" I carefully observed, hiding in a plantation bed along with Neptune and Noire.

"This is where Nepgear ususally buys her gears…hehe…get the pun? Yeah? Heh?" Neptune lamely joked, prompting me and Noire to shake our heads in disapproval.

"Enough with the stupid jokes and let's just observe…" Noire spoke up, being extra careful not to move the leaves to create any suspicion.

Raiken and Nepgear went to the custom area where various cases, storage devices and other custom items can be bought. Nepgear picks up a new CD case, a screen protector and some cleaning tools while Raiken stands by in wait.

"Hmm…that's all they're gonna do here? Yippie…Now I want to go out and buy games as well instead." Neptune sighed in boredom.

"Hush! Do it some other time, we have to keep observing…who knows what might happen to Nepgear when we don't keep watch…" I said in worry as the two proceeded to the gaming section.

"Huh…I almost forgot…For Honor is out from Earth, I hear." Noire thought as she looked at the various cases containing popular games inside.

Raiken was the one doing to shopping this time, but Nepgear kept close to him as she also looks for anything she might want. Raiken grabbed 2 copies of Legacy of the Void and gave Nepgear one of them. They then proceeded to the cashier to pay for their things.

Suddenly, Nepgear's eye shifted towards our direction while they line up. In shock, we crawled 3 steps backward and deeper into the brush. She was suspicious. Raiken then turned to her and became slightly worried.

"Is something the matter?" the young blonde asked.

"N-No…it's just…I think someone is still watching us from here…" Nepgear replied in worry as she looks around.

"Nah, don't worry about it. There aren't any Zeon signatures in my radar right now. I'm right here, okay?" he smiled casually at her.

"Mhm…okay…" Nepgear returned the smile and moved on, about to lay her things at the cashier.

Meanwhile, we stepped and sneak away from the brush and into an empty alley. We were sweating beads at this point due to the cramped space of our last hiding place.

"Geez…they almost caught us…" Noire commented.

"Well, Noirey…you know spying isn't exactly like James Bond-easy. It's got a lot more mumbo jumbo that ya need to know about. Stealthy, and with a nice glass of cocktail!" Neptune replied, grabbing another cheeseburger and eats it.

I placed a finger on my chin as I replied. "…True, actually."

It was true about what she said, without the cocktail part though. It was certainly not a walk in the park. Nope. It definitely wasn't.

A/N: Hello once again, everyone! I definitely hope you guys are enjoying the read so far.

I'm very sorry for the late upload, and the shortened chapter too because I'm in my depression period currently. Sad things happened while I was away. But don't worry, I'll be able to work on another chapter as soon as I can. I already have an idea for the next one, and it will be action-packed this time. For now, please enjoy this one.

I will be also going to Japan next week. When I'm there, I'll be sure to find a lot of inspiration to continue the chapters ahead. I promise you, I will keep making more of these because I enjoy it.

Also, I'm still on Discord, Facebook and Twitter if you like. You can PM me if you want to talk to me or RP with me in either those three social media sites. I'll be waiting! Forgive me if I may reply late because I could either be busy with things.

Don't forget to put a REVIEW and FOLLOW! Thank you again for reading and I hope you all have better days than I do. See you soon!