Dororo took a deep breath, inhaling the salty ocean.

He felt… cathartic. Like tossing the seashells into the everlasting sea released him of any unwanted, lingering emotions. Why?

He didn't know.

His eyes turned to Koyuki, who was leaning down, inspecting the dark waters for the shells. He just watched her quietly, pleasant thoughts swimming melodiously in his mind.

Oh. I know now. Dororo closed his eyes. It's probably the legend…

That would make sense, if it was real. If it was real, then no wonder- just the thought that nothing would break their relationship now put him at ease. His fear was losing the friendship he had with her now… that really close friendship that he didn't have with anyone else…

Dororo reopened his eyes and looked up at the sky, holding his breath. Why did Koyuki have to be a girl?

"Ready to go back, D?"

"Y-yeah…" he stammered, running his fingers through his pink hair. "L-let's go."

"Kururu, Uncle said- wow!"

Kururu didn't even need to turn around to know that it was Angol Mois. Besides, he was too busy working on the head of the… machine.

"Is that it?" The blonde asked him cheerily, leaning beside him to look at the incredibly complex-looking invention. "It looks… so, like… how you say… 'science-y'!"

It was about half the size of a school bus. It looked so enormous compared to the demented scientist-engineer-inventor-blah. Multi-colored wires, occasionally twitching and twinkling, spewing out sparks, stuck out from all ends, much like uncombed, unruly bed hair. Two long wires hung from the top, resembling antennas from some sort of insect- a caterpillar, perhaps? Bits of sharp, menacing metal poked out from the head, but it still managed to retain a sphere-like shape. Its metal was a deep, dreary gray, with blots like black ink splashed all around it, courtesy of the oil. Mois knew Kururu was going to paint it later- he was always just a little creative with his designs. Two large glass orbs, the color of red, red wine, were drilled on its surface, arranged horizontally and next to the other. She noticed that streams of data would sporadically appear on the glass, and then fade away just as quickly as it had come. She touched it with a hesitant hand, feeling its warm steel. It vibrated just a little, like a microwave when it was turned on. Maybe he was testing it or something…?

Kururu jerked toward her, frowning and giving her a side glare. He put his arm protectively over his creation, almost as if he felt threatened by the presence of her dangerous, terrifying, destructive, all powerful sparkles. "No, it isn't, ku. Figures you wouldn't understand- this is only part of the actual weapon, ku-ku." He stared at it, pulling his helmet off of his face. "It's much, much bigger."

"Is it hard-?"

"What do you want?"

Mois stood up straight and rocked herself back and forth on the balls of her feet, her hands together. "Uncle just wanted to know how you were doing! How you say, 'just in case'?"

"Ku-ku-ku-ku. He should understand that I'm doing perfectly fine."

"Oh. Okay. I'll tell him that!" Mois took one final look at the machine before she swerved and ran back out. "Good look Kururu!"

"Ku-ku-ku-ku. Don't need it." He flicked his helmet back down and set back to work on his invention.

So it started with a chicken.

A rubber chicken floated in the air, it's strings visibly invisible from the air, clucking obscenities and whatnot as it twitched under the influence of the threads.

And then it went to the store.

A tube of lipstick floated alongside the rubber chicken as they entered a convenient store, so horribly drawn that it was painful to look at.

The rubber chicken decided to get some soup.

The tube of lipstick dumped a can of "Aunt Nana's Homemade Chicken Soup" into the basket that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. And then a red high heeled stiletto welcomed the rubber chicken and floated alongside it as well.

The lipstick got really mad.

The tube of lipstick attacked the shoe.

The chicken lived happily ever after.

The rubber chicken ate the cannibalistic soup for dinner that night and sang a merry little tune about Christmas and cornflakes.

The end.

"Oh my gosh, Mr. Sergeant," Tamama said, sniffling into his handkerchief. "Even though that made no sense and it was insignificant to the plot whatsoever, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!"

"That's right!" Mois nodded in agreement, her wide eyes tearing up. She sniffed and wiped a little tear drop away with a single finger. "You can say, 'big lipped alligator moment'?"

"You think so?" Keroro asked, looking at his nonexistent nails like it was no big deal. "Yeah, I know, I'm a total genius."

And yes, if you were wondering, it almost killed me to narrate that horrible story.

"Hey! That was a masterpiece!" Keroro pouted, folding his hands that contained a hairbrush and a gummy rat (apparently he was planning on a sequel). "TRUE artists are never appreciated by their work!"

Again, why are you guys taking up the attention?

"What do you mean?"

We were supposed to watch another scene. A kissing scene. A Natsumi and Giroro scene. A fan-girl-screeching-worthy-romance scene.

"Alright, alright, I got it!" Keroro said dismissively. He gave the screen a sly look. "But you gotta admit. My whole puppet show was pretty sex-"

"U-um…" Natsumi looked up at him evenly, eyelashes fluttering expectantly. A rosy blush had set on her cheeks, and a small smile formed on her sweet, tempting lips.

Giroro could sense she was just as nervous as he was. The two refused to move, frozen in place, despite the fact that evening was beginning to settle in, and the cool, crisp air was tingling their skin, and the people were already gone.

It was perfect. A perfect atmosphere.

The sky was a flaming reddish-orange, with just the right amount of a deep, raspberry pink blended in. Clouds hung heavily above the glowing amber sphere, stained in its luscious color, bright beneath. But it was dark above the cotton-like bodies, tinted a rich grayish-purple, a soft, flushed pink splayed just above it. The sunray beamed across the ocean, giving the appearance that the shaft of light was headed straight toward them. The silhouettes of birds glided in the sky, grazed the sweet air with their winged tips.

Seconds melted together, almost a little too quickly, but the next thing they knew, Giroro was leaning down toward her, and she toward him.

Natsumi with her fingers laced together behind her back, Giroro with a red face and body stiff with excitement.

About this time, they would have gotten interrupted. They were almost waiting for it. Maybe Fuyuki coming to call his sister, or Koyuki bouncing in, or Keroro ruining the moment, or…

They filled the lonely gap between them, and, finally, pressed their lips together.

Natsumi smiled as she kissed; he could feel her soft lips moving under his. She was so happy…

…But why wasn't he?

He wasn't victorious, or joyful. Instead he was overcome with such bitter feelings, like sadness, and disappointment. It made his heart heavy and it made his insides cold.

What happened to the magic of that first kiss? That desirable enchantment? That warm, welcoming feeling of that rich, substantial, overpowering love?

For a moment, he just… just wanted to cry.

Why?

Giroro straightened, separating them.

Natsumi's eyes sparkled with sheer joy, turning golden under the diminishing light. But they dimmed slightly when they looked into his. His expression was overcome by… confusion. Dissatisfaction. His eyes were filled with… sorrow.

Why?

"Rio?"

"Y-yeah?"

"You alright?"

Giroro nodded quickly and looked away uncomfortably.

"Rio…?"

"Do you have a marker?"

Natsumi jumped at this, but she replied hastily, "Y-yes, I do."

Her face turned cherry-red as she pulled out a thick, black pen. She took her seashell and carefully wrote her name on it, biting her lip with embarrassment.

Giroro just watched. Maybe I'll feel better when we both-…

"D-do you spell your name with an o or a y?"

"H-huh?"

Natsumi gazed at him, the second seashell in her hand. She had already written down an 'R' in the base of the shell, and that made his Pekoponian heart unhinge from its strings. It was dangling helplessly above a darkness of misery, threatening to detach, threatening to fall, threatening to die.

The names that would be happily swallowed up in the ocean, promising everlasting love and devotion would be, not to Natsumi and himself, but to Natsumi and Rio.

Rio… didn't exist.

No… Giroro didn't exist. Not to her. Not in that way.

"Rio, do you spell yo-… Rio? Rio, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I-I can't do this," Giroro said, shaking his head. His cheeks burned severely. "I can't."

Keroro's voice made its presence known; it startled him enough to shake: "What do you mean you can't?"

"G-go back."

Natsumi's eyes widened with shock, her body glued into place. "Wh-what?"

"Giroro, what are you-?"

"G-go back to the hotel!" Giroro said forcefully, waving his arms toward the direction of the destination he had in mind. "You'll get late!"

"B-but-"

"I'm sorry!" He spun on his heels, splashing dirt around him, and fled the scene.

"R-Rio!"

"Giroro! What are you doing?!"

"I-I can't do this, Keroro!" Giroro snapped, heavy breaths escaping his mouth as he ran.

"Yes you can, Giroro! Now turn back around and face her! Don't wimp out on us now!"

Giroro couldn't help but feel so bitterly vengeful at the sergeant's insensitivity. He felt a strong, electric zap against his neck, and he stumbled slightly in his run. He managed to save himself the risk of falling over and continue his escape, although it hurt to hear the young woman's cries of confusion and worry behind him.

Electric surges continued against his neck, and he struggled not to pass out from the pain.

"Isn't this what you want?!"

Giroro let out a coughing fit- he wiped his mouth with one hand, fighting to stay awake.

This isn't anything what I want.

"It's getting late," Dororo murmured worriedly, planting his hands in his pockets. Koyuki sat next to him at the dinner table, looking around for her (other) pink haired friend.

"I know," She agreed, her face darkening with worry. "I hope they didn't get kidnapped or something…"

"…Hm."

"Oh! Natsumi!" Koyuki stood up to greet her friend, but was just a little too slow. Natsumi already seated herself next to her, downcast. "…What's wrong?"

"Huh? O-oh. N-nothing. R-really."

Dororo leaned forward and gazed gently at the warrior princess. Natsumi looked away. "…E-excuse me… but… but where's Rio?"

"Rio?" Natsumi shrugged. "I… don't know."

"You… don't know?"

"He left. Um. Yeah. He just left. I don't know where he went."

Dororo's plate clattered slightly as he stood up. "I'm going to go look for him."

"Denny," Natsumi protested. "It's late. You'll get in trouble-"

Dororo shook his head. "I can't… I have to… wait."

"Huh?"

"Y-you're joking."

"…What?"

"My name."

"…..What about it?"

"You still haven't gotten right! It's Devon!"

"Oh. Isn't that what I said?"

The ninja's mouth widened before it tightened to a thin line. "….Yeah. Pardon me." He was gone before Natsumi could comment any more on the matter.

More like she had forgotten what his rant was about. Although she was fascinated in his ability to somehow disappear from her sight.

"Wow. He's… really fast."

"Yeah, he is."

Natsumi pulled out the seashells from her purse and stared at them longingly. Koyuki watched her, her eyes wide, wondering what exactly had been going on between her and Giroro.

Natsumi let out a troubled sigh and then slipped them back in her bag. She rubbed her arm, biting her lip, her eyes cast toward the direction Dororo had sprinted off to. "I just hope they don't get in trouble."

"Me neither."

Keroro trembled, staring down at the remains of the controller of the Word Choice Chooser. There was a gaping hole in the middle, a black, foul smoke emitting from it. Sparks twitched out of the invention, its final sign of life.

Keroro swallowed what seemed like a huge lump down his throat- or tried to- as he peered fearfully toward the purple Keronian.

Garuru held his gun upward, his finger squarely on the trigger. His mouth was twisted into a discontented frown, and his eyes were unreadable from his yellow visor.

That loud "BANG-BOOM-CRASH-zzzt" was followed by a startled, yet solemn silence.

Garuru closed his eyes and blew the smoke from the nozzle of his own gun.

"That's quite enough of that."

Didn't need to say that twice.

"Y-yes…" Keroro stammered. "…S-sorry. I… I guess I did get a little carried away."

The weapon dissolved from his hands.

"Pray it doesn't happen again."

Giroro never really saw the appeal to butterflies.

They were such weak creatures. Beautiful, of course, but they were almost vain, fluttering those vivid wings as it sunbathed on the sweet nectar of a flower. A single touch was poisonous to these creatures; their soft, feeble wings would crumble at the very second your finger came into contact with it, and the little butterfly would die a slow, painful death.

Moths, on the other hand, were different. Sure, their colors paled incredibly against the lively, bright colors of their multihued neighbors, but they were… stronger, in a way. They strived to survive, fighting to stay alive. They were the soldiers of the night, prisoners only to the light.

And they were beautiful, in their own way. But you had to lean in, and squint, and really pay attention. They looked brown and ugly from the distance. But up close, the brown would brighten, and hints of gold would flash as it humbly ruffled its wings.

It was a beautiful creature. Just because it wasn't as obvious as the butterfly, it didn't mean that it wasn't as lovely.

Giroro sighed, watching the small moth shudder its wings, and twitch its tiny antennas. He was under a lamppost, trying his hardest to recollect his thoughts.

During his getaway, Keroro had shocked him several times in desperate attempt to get him to turn around and complete his objective.

Not that it stopped Giroro.

The corporal was relieved when the discomfort receded- he had assumed that Garuru had finally stepped in and put an end to the random bursts of pain. Giroro made a note to remember to thank him for… um. *cough* being a good brother *cough cough*

He didn't slow down until he felt he was far enough to be away from her.

He just wished he had the capability to run himself out of this frogging Pekoponian body.

Giroro sighed again, kneading his shoulders with his large, strong hands. At least he was thankful for that much.

He returned his gaze to the motionless moth, and wondered if it was asleep or dead.

You and I are the same, Giroro thought solemnly, leaning against the post. As you're a soldier of the night, I'm a soldier of Keron. As you're a prisoner to the light, I'm… I'm a prisoner to Natsumi. He tilted his knee back, careful not to jolt the tiny creature. And there's more to us than what meets the eye… right?

"What are you doing here so late?"

Giroro glanced up, glared, and looked back at the moth.

Saburo grunted a little as he settled next to the blond, trying to make himself comfortable. Giroro didn't bother moving, or asking what the frog the white haired pretty boy was doing here. Honestly, was the guy gay for him or something? It was ridiculous! Whenever he wanted to be alone, Saburo would pop out of nowhere. He would try and start a friendly chat, or be the support for when things seemed down… Giroro was always going to hate him more than the rest, whether he was trying to be his friend or not. It seemed cruel, but… everything about that boy was just… so frogging hateable! Those stupid glittery blue eyes and that boy band smile and that… that stupid voice!

So, instead of replying to him right away, he mocked Mental Saburo and made him cry by telling him he kissed Natsumi at the beach. But then he remembered and decided not to think anymore, because it made his stomach lurch.

That was not a good feeling you wanted to remember for your first kiss.

Err… second kiss, but that's beside the point.

"You're here a little late, aren't you?"

"Late for what? It's not like I have any doctor appointments."

Saburo perked a brow at him and smiled, resting his arms on his bended knees. "..Okay. You don't have to tell me."

"I was never planning to."

Saburo stared at him for a long while, his hands intertwining each other. He finally looked away for about a minute, running his white hair with his fingers, his face narrowing into a look of befuddlement and frustration.

"…Rio."

"What."

"D'ya mind if I ask you a question?"

"…Depends."

"So is that a yes?"

Giroro rolled his eyes and shrugged, a so-so sign of consent.

"I'm… trying so hard to be your friend. To get close to you. Why won't you let me?"

"I don't like you," Giroro snapped.

Hurt flashed against the boy's blue eyes, and for a second- half a second- less than half a second- less than less than half a second- Giroro felt bad. But then it went away just as quickly as it had come.

"Why?"

Why? Overwhelming jealousy, harbored anger. Along with the other things he had come up with before, Saburo was a show-off. He was unworthy of Natsumi's love. He rarely appeared in the show. He was Kururu's friend. He was too pretty. Which one should he answer with?

…He decided to just be nice and not say anything.

Saburo gave him an even look. "…You're different, Rio."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean… you're…" Saburo waved his hands slightly, as if he was trying to communicate his feelings through his fingers. When he realized that the word he was trying to come up with didn't, he gave up and used the most simplistic translation. "….different. I just can't describe it. You're not like anyone I've ever met."

That's for sure.

"Hush," Giroro hissed. He returned Saburo's attention and folded his arms. "I… get that a lot."

Saburo smiled again, uneasily. "I just want to help you, Rio."

"You could help by jumping off the face of Pekopon. That would make everyone happy."

…At least that's what he wanted to say.

"You can help me by leaving me alone," Giroro muttered, bringing his knees closer to his chest. He folded his arms around it, elbows sticking out.

Saburo shook his head and sighed patiently. "I'm afraid you're just gonna have to find another way for me to help you out."

Stubborn kid, Giroro thought to himself, biting his knee in agitation. He shot him a fiery look, but didn't say anything again. Is there any way to get rid of you? I'm seriously not in the mood.

Giroro rested his chin on his leg before felt something soft flutter against his nose, and he suddenly remembered the moth. Its wings beat in a wild frenzy, flying all over his face. Giroro waved his hands crazily. Lots of things were going on in his mind, but I'll give you the abbreviated version: GET IT OFF GET IT OFF GET IT OFF!

Saburo gently swatted it away, getting slapped in the process, but still managing to shoo it off.

Giroro shuddered while Saburo rubbed the red hand-shaped mark on his face.

Getting attacked by a moth. Sitting here with my arch nemesis. Running away from Natsumi. WHO AM I. His thoughts were disturbed by a trembling Saburo, an occasional snort escaping from him.

"….Sab-?"

Saburo threw his head back and exploded in laughter. He held his stomach as he released all this somewhat-pent up mirth, and Giroro just stared at him in bewilderment, much like someone who was staring at an insane person.

"I got it!" Saburo said between fits of laughs. "I know what it is!"

"What?" Giroro asked, perking a brow in utter confusion. "What are you talking abo-"

"You're annoying." Saburo suddenly stopped, raising a finger up as if he had been the one who had discovered the equation to the speed of light.

"….WHAT?!" Giroro jumped to his feet. "I'm annoying?!"

Saburo wiped his eyes with his palm and grinned in acknowledgement. "I apologize, but that's exactly what I mean."

"Y-… YOU'RE annoying!" Giroro snapped, pointing an accusatory finger in the white-haired boy's direction. "You don't appear in the entire frogging anime/manga until someone-FROG, the whole world sometimes- needs help and kinda just soak up the glory with your stupid pen and your stupid friendliness and your stupid Natsumi-stealing powers and- and- and with your stupid smile-!"

"That's just it," Saburo gently swept Giroro's hand away from his face. "Everyone lets me help them. And they let me 'cause I want to come outas a nice guy. But you- you don't let me do that."

Giroro snorted. "Revealing your true colors, I see?"

Saburo smirked and leaned back against the pole. "That's probably why I like you."

The blond stared at him. Hol-….ey frog. He's gay for me.

"And I'm not gay for you," Saburo said, cocking an eyebrow. "Anyway, I think that's why I get along so well with Kururu, too. You guys… let me be blunt. You guys are jerks."

"I'm- I'm a WHAT?!" Comparing ME to that… to that… I don't even know what the heck he is! What the frog?!

"But, hey. So am I." Saburo shrugged, as if being labeled a jerk was like being labeled a milk carton or something. "It annoys the heck out of me when I find someone that doesn't like me. But I welcome the challenge."

"WHAT challenge?! I'm never going to like you!"

"…Am I missing something?"

Giroro and Saburo shot their heads up, seeing a rather confused looking Dororo watching them.

"Rio, Saburo? …What are you guys doing here?"

"….Do I know you-?"

"Oh. It's you. Um…. Devoshmutt."

…..I'm not even going to comment on that one.

Dororo gave him a that's-the-best-you-can-come-up-with? look and sighed openly. Okay, now they're just doing this on purpose. "It's Devon. And anyway! Getting right back to the point at hand! What are you guys doing here? Do you have any idea how late it is?"

"I have a pretty good idea," Saburo shrugged, and Giroro just grunted.

"Well, we have to get back. Like, now."

"Why?" Giroro asked, suddenly acknowledging the weather. He folded his arms.

"Um… I think we could get in trouble, G-… Rio."

"So what? We're leaving tomorrow. And we're not even students from that school."

"…True. But still. Us being…" Dororo cast a cautious glance at Saburo. "…you know… and it getting so late… it's dangerous. I think we should go back now."

Saburo finally stood up and stretched. "I think I should be heading off now, too."

You should. You were getting on my final nerves.

"You guys gonna come too?"

Before the ninja could reply, the corporal said, "I think I'm going to be staying here a little longer."

"…and I think I'll stay with him," Dororo added, rubbing his neck as he glanced at Giroro.

Saburo gave the two a sly smile. "Alright, then. I guess I'll see you soon?"

"Not likely," Giroro said with a scoff.

Saburo shook his head, keeping that knowing, somewhat silly grin before waving and running off. The two Keronian-turned-Pekoponians watched him leave, his form vanishing into the darkness.

And then he was killed to death by a man-eating potato monster, never to come back alive agai-[The Narrator has been removed for the time being. Reason: completely non-coincidental technical difficulties]

"…So." Dororo planted a hand on his hip. "Are you planning on telling me about it?"

"About what?"

Dororo gazed at his friend, his clear, pale blue eyes staring.

Giroro slumped his shoulders. "I'd rather not."

"…Okay," Dororo said slowly, reluctantly. He gazed at Giroro for a little while before averting his attention to the ground. "Do you know what I do when I just don't want to think about anything?"

"Mediatiate?"

"…Well, it's called 'meditating', but yeah."

Giroro waved his hand, dismissing the subject. "I'm not a hippy."

"I beg your pardon?!"

"Not… really saying that… you're a hippy…" Giroro said, stretching the words a little too much, earning him a pure, Trauma-Switch-Mode-worthy look from his friend. "You're not a hippy." He said quickly. A little too quickly. He coughed, deciding that a change of subject was in order. "Um. What were you going to say?"

Dororo shook himself out of it, and continued, though his voice had the obvious hint of disbelief in it, "Meditation is what helps me. Uh, we're both completely different Keronians, but… I don't know. It might help."

Giroro huffed in agreement. "Fine. How do you do that… 'meditiation' thing again?"

"…It's meditation. And you just relax. Sit down and relax."

"Um. Okay."

"And then close your eyes."

Giroro did so. He could feel the time of the hour beginning to weigh down on him, but he refused to let his consciousness fade away like that. And like Dororo said, he just relaxed.

"Kuru-…."

Mois' eyes widened at the head of the machine again. She lowered her voice to a quiet, admiring whisper. "Wooooow…"

The head was painted a rich, dark auburn color. It looked impressive before, but now, with its color set in, it looked more like the inventions that Kururu was more prone to making. This one, however, was more intricate. Detailed, bright red symbols were stenciled in carefully on the surface, giving the insect head the appearance of an ancient cultural artifact.

The scientist hadn't even heard her come in. He was too concentrated on the machinery before him, more than likely not noticing that he was blotted in the brownish-red and bright red paint. His fingers were tight around the handle of the thin brush as it swept against the metal.

Mois tried painting with Keroro once, when he invited her to help make the models. He had complained that her painting needed work, because her hand would shake as she tried to make the little toys as good as her 'Uncle's'.

But Kururu's hands were firm and steady, the strokes neat and careful and professional. She was really surprised that the symbols that were so intricately added in were not stenciled- he was designing them himself. Had he made them up, or was it really a legit language of some sort of secret culture? For someone who claimed to be so lazy, Kururu did a very good job at putting so much effort in a plan that he sometimes didn't even agree with. Not to mention the speed… how long has been working on this? For several hours since the last time she came?

But of course, the very person who had entered his lab was not Fuyuki; none of these questions were asked, nor answered. In fact, none of that came to her mind as she watched him work. She gasped brightly and cried out, "It's so pretty!"

Kururu faltered slightly, dripping a bit of paint on his chest. He grumbled profanity as he swept it away.

"What do you want now, ku?"

"Uncle just wanted me to see how you were doing! You can say, 'monthly check-up'?"

"…Is that it?"

"Um, yes?"

"Ku-ku-ku-ku! Then you can leave now."

"Okay!" Mois said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. "I'll tell Uncle you're doing a really good job!"

"Sure, yeah, whatever," Kururu muttered, smearing a few speckles of bright red paint off his arm.

Natsumi stared at her creamy green ceiling.

Am I a bad kisser? That had to be it. He was so disinterested in their kiss that their relationship would have to end. I mean, who wants a bad kisser in a relationship? But then again, if that was the case, he was a real jerk for treating her like that, running off because of a bad kiss. It's not like she had any practice or experience. This was her first kiss.

But at least it was nice. It made her heart rise thinking about it, and then crash and burn when she remembered the very outcome.

He must not really like me that much, then.

Natsumi rolled her head to the side, inhaling the clean, linen scent of the warm pillows.

She was faced with so much disappointment lately.

Giroro wouldn't have ever left me like that… Natsumi changed her point of view immediately when the thought of his mysterious 'check-up' came up, and the sudden visit to his family's house… N-no, I'm sure he had good reason. Rio didn't. I mean, he just left me here… Ugh! Natsumi sat up. Why am I defending Giroro? Geez, I'm sure Rio had good reason too… but I know Giroro more than Rio… and I know Giroro would never leave us. He would never leave us like that. WHY am I thinking about Giroro again?!

"Natsumi?" Koyuki's head peeped in front of Natsumi's vision. "You've been staring at the lamp for a long time now. Either something's wrong, or there are chocolate turtles inside it and you're sad 'cuz you can't get them."

"What is it with you and chocolate turtles?"

"They taste good!"

Natsumi smiled slightly. "I guess they do."

"Dororo liked them a lot," Koyuki pointed out. "I think that's why he gave them to me on White Day."

Maybe Keronians like chocolate turtles, Natsumi mused. Maybe I could give some to Giroro as a 'welcome back' present…

A sober thought entered her mind, and it lingered worryingly.

…If he ever does come back.

"So how do you feel now?"

It had been about… what? Twenty minutes? Twenty-five? Surely Giroro got everything out of his system.

"…Giroro?"

Dororo touched his friend's face, and Giroro collapsed against the lamppost, his mouth wide with loud, obnoxious snores.

…He was sleeping. Sweat rolled down Dororo's face. Looks like I won't have another meditation partner anytime soon. Oh well. It's probably for the best.

"Giroro." Dororo poked the corporal. "Giroro, come on. Let's go back to the hotel."

"Mmm?" He replied. "Wha-ish-it?"

"Let's go back to the hotel. C'mon. I'm not going to carry you."

Giroro yawned and rose his arms and straightened his back in a stretch. "Okay, okay…"

Dororo lent him a hand and helped him up, just when he felt a presence behind him. He spun around, a sudden anxiety beginning to make his skin shiver.

"Who is it? Who's there?"

Calm entered him as a familiar figure came into the warm light of the lamppost.

Giroro rolled his eyes. "You aren't going to give up, huh?"

Kai shrugged humbly, his hands deep in the front pocket of his oversized jacket. "What can I say? If I don't get you two to the queen, I can't go home."

"…The que-?"

Giroro jerked and cried out in pain, flinging the fish-like creature that had pounced from behind him off of himself. Kai smiled as Giroro reached up to his neck and felt the slimy, disturbingly nostalgic feel of the goo on his fingers. Giroro's irises shrunk as he fell to he knees and collapsed on the ground.

The Ningyo that he had flung off dusted himself and rose his nonexistent nose to the air. Kai's lips relaxed with displeasure as he realized that the pink-haired boy was gone. His ability to just disappear… it was amazing. But extremely annoying and inconvenient.

….Ugh. Well. Kai touched the Ningyo on its head. We still have him, at least.

"And the second one?" The fish-like creature asked.

"One in the hand is worth two in the bush," Kai muttered. "She originally wanted this one-Rio, I believe- didn't she?"

"You would have been more richly rewarded with both," The Ningyo sighed. "But I suppose it cannot be done."

"I'll get him," Kai said with a grunt, picking up Giroro and throwing him over his shoulder. "Come. Let us go to the ocean."

Dororo watched from the darkness, at first at the Pekoponian-look-alike and the Ningyo, and then at his own hands, in horror.

Why couldn't I attack? Dororo shook his head, refusing to let that faze him. No. I won't let that bother me now. What I need to do now is get help.

After making sure he was gone from the mysterious creatures' focal point, he dashed off, the emergence and adrenaline fueling his speed.

Normally something along the lines of "Don't worry Giroro- we'll be there soon!" would be appropriate, but it sounded so cheesy that the author just had to be satisfied in ending it this awkward.
Speaking of which, that was rude! You can't just cut me out of this feature-length episode! It's completely against our contra-

Commercial Break~

Author's Note: I think I'm mildly proud of this chapter. It took me longer to write (and not to mention rewrite) this. And it's longer than any of my other chapters. I hope you enjoy it.

Also... thank you so much for everyone who reads, comments, favorites, and/or follows this story! You guys... you guys are seriously amazing. I have no idea what the heck the appeal is to this story but you guys make me push myself to the limit! Thank you guys so much!