Chapter 2: Dream Chaser
Month 11, Day 30. 16:35
Uzume walked through the streets of Planeptune, looking at her Visual Radio for her current quest. Histoire had insisted that she did not have to deliver the materials herself, but Uzume insisted. She wanted to see the smile on the client's face.
Uzume stopped in front of a wooden door with the address next to it. This was it. Uzume knocked on the door. A young looking woman opened the door.
"You need something sweetie?" She asked.
Uzume stared for a few seconds before replying, "Here's the Dogoo Jelly you requested. Delivered personally by Uzume!"
"Oh my. So fast." The woman said, before looking closer at Uzume, "Wait, did you say Uzume? You're… Lady Uzume?"
"Yep!" Uzume replied, doing her pose from the other day, "Uzume wanted to deliver the items herself."
"T-thank you, Lady Uzume." The woman said, accepting the items from Uzume, "You're too kind."
"Thank you. Have a nice day." Uzume said, walking away from the woman.
"You too, Lady Uzume!"
Uzume smiled. So far, all the citizens had reacted positively to get personal deliveries. The previous CPU had not done this, had she?
"I should head back to the Basilicom soon." Uzume muttered, checking the quest off her Visual Radio, "But Histoire asked me to buy some groceries."
Uzume felt her pocket, where Uzume held the orange wallet Histoire had given her after some insistence. She wanted to pay for her food, not to get it for free.
Uzume turned through some streets until she ended up in a dark alley. No one was walking through this alley. A single window and door were to Uzume's right while the rest of the alley was filled with large trash bins of different colours.
"Did I take a wrong turn?" Uzume wondered to herself, staring at the alley. However, she decided to keep walking.
She was halfway through the alley when two kids ran towards her before spinning close to Uzume a few times and running off.
"Huh?"
Uzume looked back at the kids' black hair until a man stepped forward and grabbed them both from their shirt's neck.
Uzume approached the man. The kids struggled in the man's grasp as he walked towards Uzume.
"Glad I wasn't late." The man said, "These two little scamps might've stolen your wallet, miss."
Uzume looked at the kids. They wore the same dirty white shirt and blue trousers. The taller of the two had messy, short black hair while the smaller one had longer black hair.
The man that had grabbed the kids was built like a bear. Huge arms and body covered by purple overalls and a grey shirt.
"C'mon scamps, give the lady her wallet back."
The taller kid put his hand to his pocket, where he took Uzume's wallet before giving it back. His green eyes staring intensely.
"Sorry, mister?" Uzume asked, "Who are these kids?"
"These two? No one knows. They appeared one day and have been stealing from passerbys in this alley ever since." He said in his deep voice, "Glad I caught 'em before they got away."
"Are you two poor?" Uzume asked the kids.
"I ain't telling you." Replied the boy.
"Yes…" Replied the girl next to him.
"Why that matter, miss? We should take 'em to the Basilicom and let the new CPU decide what to do with 'em."
"No need." Uzume replied, "I'll do it here."
"Eh?" The kids and man said in unison, before being blinded by a white light that radiated from Uzume.
"Uzume will decide here." She said when the transformation was finished.
"L-Lady Orange Heart…!" The man said, startled, "Sorry for my impertinence."
"There's no need to apologise to Uzume." She replied, before turning her eyes on the children.
"This was a bad idea, big brother…" The girl muttered.
"It'll be okay, sis… I hope."
"You two, what are your dreams?"
"Eh?!" The kids looked at each other, confused by the question.
"Your deepest wish. What we call a dream. Tell it to Uzume."
"Our dream…?" The girl muttered.
The boy stared blankly at Uzume. Was this a trick?
"Is it to become wealthy?" Uzume asked.
"No… It's not that." The boy replied, "Our family is poor, yes. But we don't dream of wealth."
"Mama and papa suffer so much…" The girl added, "They can't get a job… And are always so sad…"
"We… Want to help mama and papa…" The boy continued, "But we're too young to have a job…"
"So you turned to thievery?"
"Yes…" They both replied.
"That's not good. Mister, could you let them go? Uzume'll take them with her."
"Huh? You sure, Lady Orange Heart?"
"Yes. Uzume is sure." She replied, "Uzume will help these kids achieve their dream."
The siblings looked at each other confused and a small bit excited. This lady was going to help them help their parents?
The man lowered the kids to the ground, letting his grip relax until they could escape. Uzume grabbed the kids' hands before walking back from where she came from.
"Thank you, mister." Uzume said, "Follow Uzume, please."
"Huh. Lady Orange Heart sure is nice." The man commented, leaning against the wall, "As long as those scamps stop stealing."
Uzume reached the tower's entrance. The kids still in tow.
"Lady Orange Heart, you've returned." Said the two guards on duty, "Who are the children?"
"Their my guests." She smiled, "They'll be coming with me."
"I understand, Lady Orange Heart."
Uzume walked past the guards and entered a lift, taking them to the top floor of the tower.
The kids stared at the place. Purple walls and furniture lining the hall, big lilac doors and other purple themed items.
Uzume pushed open a pair of doors that lead to a big open area. A giant window at the back, overlooking the city. A purple desk just in the middle with two trays on it filled with papers.
As Uzume walked forward, a fairy riding on a tome approached them."
"Uzume, what was taking you so long?" The fairy chided, "I was growing worried."
"Sorry, Histoire." Uzume said while returning to her human form.
"And who are these children you brought?"
"I… Forgot to ask their names."
"I'm El." The boy replied.
"My name's At…" The girl shyly replied.
"Elsy and Atsy, nice to meet you both." Uzume gave the kids a smile.
"Why did you bring these kids with you, Uzume?" Histoire asked impatiently.
"Their family is poor and their dream is to help their parents. A dream like that couldn't go unnoticed by me." Uzume explained slowly, "So, Uzume decided to help them by giving them a job here in the Basilicom."
"A-a job?" El stuttered.
"M-miss CPU…?" At muttered.
"Uzume, that should not be possible. These kids are too young to be guards."
"We're short on cleaning staff, aren't we Histoire?" Uzume smirked slightly.
"Yes, we are." Histoire raised an eyebrow when realisation dawned on her, "You aren't suggesting they'll help cleaning?"
"That's what Uzume is suggesting." Uzume said cheerfully, "They can also be your assistants and help you, Histoire."
The siblings looked at each other, their eyes were wide with excitement. A job at the Basilicom? Their parents would be happy. They could help them!
"Umm Miss History?" At timidly asked, "We might be kids, but we can help with chores…"
"Sis is right. We can't might not be able to read that much, but we can help with cleaning."
"That's some enthusiasm." Uzume commented, "I like it."
Histoire sighed, defeated, "Very well. I'll allow them to work here under my supervision. You'll follow my orders here, understood?"
"Yes Miss History." The kids replied together.
"It's Histoire." She corrected, "As for pay, how much did you plan on paying them, Uzume?"
"Hmm." Uzume put her hand on her chin, "How about ten Planeptune dollars per successful day worked? That should motivate them to work hard."
"Ten?" Histoire thought about it, "I… Think it should be fine. But I'll decide what a successful day is."
"Of course, Histoire."
Histoire looked at the kids, "You'll have to change into some work clothes as well." She said, before floating to a room on the side and taking out two pairs of
purple shirts with orange outline and the Planeptune logo on the chest and purple slacks. The clothes were small enough to fit El and At.
"Here." Histoire said, giving the siblings the clothes, "While you work here, I want you wearing these. They are the official Basilicom uniforms."
"New clothes…" At muttered.
El and At quickly undressed before putting on the clothes.
"So smooth…" El commented.
Histoire looked at their dirty clothes before grabbing them, "I'll clean these and give them back in three hours. There'll be no shirking work while I'm here, understood?"
"Shirking…?"
"Ignoring your work."
"We got it, Miss History." The siblings said, before turning to Uzume and giving her a hug, "Thank you, Miss CPU."
"It's my pleasure." Uzume replied, stroking the kids hair.
A thought dawned on Uzume's face. She looked at Histoire, "Can Uzume give an announcement to the nation?"
"Yes, you can." Histoire looked at Uzume, "But what will it be about?"
Uzume leaned in and whispered to Histoire.
"Uzume… That plan is crazy. You'll increase your work by quite a considerable amount."
"It'll be fine. I'll will deal with it."
Histoire sighed again, "As you wish."
Uzume sat on her desk and scribbled on a blank paper for a few minutes. When she finished, she gave the paper to Histoire before transforming and going to the terrace.
El and At looked in amazement, "Miss CPU is giving an announcement and we're watching from behind the scenes? Yay."
Uzume stood on the terrace, Histoire behind her.
"How does Uzume start this?" Uzume whispered to Histoire.
"As soon as you address the citizens, the screens should turn on."
Uzume nodded, "People of Planeptune!" The screens flickered on, "Uzume has an announcement to make!"
Crowds started gathering near the tower now.
"Uzume is proud to announce her new service!" Uzume exclaimed cheerfully, "From today, orange papers will be delivered to each citizen of Planeptune. On each of them, you'll be able to write your dream and send it to Uzume."
Histoire analysed the paper Uzume had given her. It was a form, or at least the design for one. It asked for name, address and dream. Uzume had marked other areas but quickly scribbled them out. Histoire couldn't help but smile at the thought of how kind Uzume was.
"Uzume will then personally help you accomplish said dream. No matter how silly it is. Of course, some dreams might not be achievable with Uzume's help, but Uzume will try her hardest."
The crowd started to slowly chant, "Lady Orange Heart!"
"With this, Uzume hopes to make this nation one filled with happiness and peace!" Uzume stated cheerfully, "Uzume will be happy to help each of you accomplish your dreams!"
The chanting grew even stronger now. Clapping started from some while Uzume waved at the crowd with a smile.
The same man from the inauguration leaned on his pole again, staring at the CPU, "So that's what she's planning. Seems like a great plan." He smiled, "Good luck, Lady Uzume."
"Umio! Come 'ere. Give me a hand."
"Coming, boss." He replied, adjusting his yellow hood.