Chapter 13
Yeah, It's Love at First Sight!
(うん！真愛…多分…の巻)
(or "The Rumored Yamo")

At Room 612, The Gang was searching for any clues on Yakumo, who was living in Room 403, after she was hunted by the gynoid scientist, Lyuze, and her hit-man, Casshern. It was later to learn that Yakumo fell in love with Steven, who had no idea what she was, saying that her name was originally "Yamo".

Mizuki arrived, as she panted by the doorway. She asked, "Guys, do you have a minute?"

Peter asked, "Hey, babe. Any luck?"

Mizuki said, "We have a problem. Yakumo is getting a relapse to her amnesia."

Farra asked, "How so?"

"You ever heard of the alias, "Yamo"?"

They gasped, "Yamo?!"

"Yeah, it sounds weird, but… But I think she could be using Yakumo as an alias."

April said, "But Yamo could be something. You don't think it has anything to do with this Lyuze?"

Peter said, "Dude, I don't know. I'm not sure if a fembot would make Yakumo a Yamo, okay?"

Farra scoffed, "Pathetic…"

She requested, "What's a Yamo?"

Mizuki replied, "No idea. But we could try to find out."

April asked, "By the way, where is Yakumo now?"

Mizuki said, "She's with Steven. She'll be fine."

Farra sarcastically snuffed, "Uh… Yeah, right."

Peter said, "You just hate Steven, being with this woman."

Farra scoffed, "Hmm. Hmm."

Mizuki proclaimed, "Whatever the reason, Steven has this taken care of. For now, we should search the hotel room and see what we can find."

January said, "We'll trash the place for clues!"

Peter cheered, "YAY! SCAVENGER HUNT~!"

Farra huffed to Peter, "Ugh… You really enjoy this mission, are you?"

Peter said, "Better than you being out cold, with Steven."

April asked, "Yeah, how did you get unconscious?"

Farra responded, "Dunno. But my back hurts, above my hip."

"Did Steven do that?" April asked.

Farra gasped, as she tittered, "No… I was…"

She cleared her throat, "Never mind. AHEM! Let's start searching."

Mizuki retorted, "You know of something, let me know."

Farra sighed, "Yeah, yeah."

They began searching Yakumo's room. All they found was clothes and make-up, all for her. They knew that it would be awkward and shameful, digging through her private belongings, but it's for the best, since Yakumo could be affected by the Alternate Universe's fusion AND is hunted by Lyuze. Peter checked under the bed, while April and Mizuki looked in her jewelry box. Farra dug through her clothes, only to put them back, neatly, while January was checking her couch. She yawned, "Are we done yet?"

Farra groaned, "It makes no sense! Yakumo is a (BEEP)-Cup, and I'm only a D! So, how come she has lingerie in sizes (BEEP) to (BEEP)?"

We had to censor her bra size. We know what Yakumo's bra size is… but we ain't sure.
BTW – It's a se-c-ret… for her sake.

Peter griped, "Dude! You had it rough, look at this! She's got five pairs of slippers, all from different hotels! Look! I didn't know there was a Marriot in this hell-hole of a world."

Peter pulled them out and asked, "And what, pray-tell, the hell are Maiden Love Hotel and Kinniku Resort? It's like she's a globetrotter!"

April found a receipt and said, "And this… Look at these receipts for her make-up and clothes. She goes to Coconut Mall, Mall of Millennium, 4-Leaf Clover, and oh! Here's one where Mother goes to…"

Mizuki peered at it and said, "Whoa… She is loaded! It's a grand total of over 750 thousand in foreign currency… and a hot dog."

Farra snuffed, "Must we not do the food jokes in this chapter, please?"

Mizuki said, "It's legit, I'm afraid."

Farra snapped, "WELL, STOP IT!"

January grew bored, "I'm bored. I wanna try to see the luminous city… right now!"

Peter sighed, "What are you, six-months old; or in this case, manufactured by Mattel?"

April said, "Nothing… But for all we know is that this Yamo is a globetrotting fugitive, escaping from Lyuze."

Farra nodded, "I suppose you're right. But, whatever the reason, the AAW and The Gang will protect her, no matter what the outcome is."

They all agreed, except for the Sisters. April said, "Glad we have no allegiance, except for Father Dear."

Peter said, "OOP! It's almost night. We should invite Steven to see the city's light-up, while we get some dinner!"

Mizuki said, "We're spending the night here… What the hell."

They left Yakumo's room, shutting the door behind.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Steven was still in a rock in a hard place, with Yakumo still holding onto him, all while sleeping and blushing. She continued to whisper, as Steven was completely anxious.

"I… I… Love… You… Love you… Love you…" she whispered in moans.

"Why on earth is she being so benevolent?" He thought, "I am so checking my contract on this. Besides, the only girls that care for me are those snot-nosed kids… but I respect all kids! THIS, I mean THIS, isn't Steven Cooke's forte! Hell, she's…"

She then moaned, "No… Ah… Ah… AH! AH! NO!"

He griped, "Huh? Is she having an orgasm?"

It's not. Yakumo started to remember her nightmare, again.

She moaned in fear, while fidgeting, "No! No, ah! WAIT! NO! GET AWAY! NO! NOOOOOO!"

"Hey, whoa! Calm down, babe! HEY!"

She threw Steven down, as she shrieked, "STOP!"

She gasped, as she woke up, all sweaty and panicked. She sighed, as she breathed heavily, "Goodness… That was close… Maybe… But why is my memory…? My memory…"

She held her head and moaned, "Yamo… Yamo… Yamo…"

Steven was out cold, as he was dizzy. Yakumo turned to Steven and gasped, "OH, NO! Steven!"

She carried him up and tried to revitalize her. She placed him in bed and held his hand. She whispered, "Oh, god… I'm sorry. Steven, I hope I didn't hurt you, badly. Oh, god! This is Lyuze's fault! I only wish that you'd stay with me. I… I…"

She approached Steven's face and kissed his lips. She then whispered, "Stay with me… Steven… I wish I would say it… but…"

Farra barged in and called, "Hey, douchebag!"

Yakumo shushed her and said, "Shh! Steven had an accident. He fell on the floor and hit his noggin."

Farra said, "Oh, sorry. Did he take advantage of you?"

"Heavens, no. He protected me."

"Okay."

She thought, as she was pissed, "Shit! I thought, for sure, that rat would play naughty games with her! And I had hopes for dirty sex."

Yakumo thought, as she was embarrassed, "Another awkward moment…"

Farra asked, "Well, if he's not ready, would you like to see Luna Cove's city radiance?"

"Huh?"

"It's a custom thing in Luna Cove that Mizuki told us about. Would you like to come? We'll settle a disguise for you…"

Yakumo nodded and said, in agreement, "Sure. Lyuze and Casshern are close by. I much stay with you, more than Steven Cooke. Besides, I don't think he'll wake up, for the moment."

"He'll be fine… more or less…"

She got up and left with Farra, leaving Steven, all alone.

At the banquet hall, The Gang, The Sisters, and Yakumo were at a dining table, having soup. They all were wearing their casual attire, while Yakumo was wearing a red gown and a black feather mask, to avoid any sighting from Lyuze. Speaking of which, she, along with Casshern, a man with brown hair and his white jumpsuit, were having the special: turkey club with gravy, with coleslaw on the side.

"Any news on Yamo?" She asked him.

"No. I checked every room, including Room 403. There's like a couple there, making out." Casshern replied.

Lyuze said, "Still, I don't get why she'd leave this place, all of a sudden. If she knew we already came, she'd run off, like always."

"Well, we checked every hotel, every time… Marriot, Coconut Mall, Kinnikuman Resort, Krusty Towers, The Spa…"

"And no Yamo."

"Exactly. This is one evil woman… if you call her a woman."

While they were talking, April viewed the two, from afar, and was confused. She said, "There's a steady couple, over there."

Peter asked Yakumo, "Uh… That pink haired girl… The one with the boy in that anime-style hairstyle… Does he or she look like Lyuze?"

Yakumo then saw Lyuze and Casshern, chatting, and was shocked, "AAH!"

She whispered, "It's them!"

Mizuki quietly said, "Keep your mask on… You don't want them to know we are harboring a fugitive."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Stay still."

Peter said, "Something tells me that this is getting weird… and we have no main course!"

Farra grumbled, "Is food all you care about?"

Peter smiled, "What are you talking about? As long as I have my gyudon, I have no problems!"

Farra remarked, "I don't think 300-year old food will be served at a posh banquet. Plus, you don't eat beef."

He winked, "Meh!"

Mizuki then peered at Lyuze, from her seat, and thought, "I don't get it…"

Yakumo cringed, "Why is Lyuze here… with Casshern?"

Peter asked, "Which one?"

Farra said, "The one with brown hair. Obviously, the pink haired robot is Lyuze. She is female, right?"

Yakumo responded, "Yes."

April said, "She does look cute. But… But I don't think she does, in that hairstyle."

Mizuki groaned, "We are here in this hotel, but it seems we're being followed."

She said to Yakumo, "How about you stay at our room, just in case? We're in Room 404. The big guy, Farra, and your new friend, are in Room 403."

Yakumo whispered, "How can I trust you? I do, but, while they are here, how?"

January said, "Just leave it to us."

Peter said, "When's the main course?"

Farra called to the waiter, "Waiter! Can you hurry up? I cannot stand his eccentric whining!"

She snapped, "THIS! Is SERIOUS!"

Peter shouted, "SHUT UP! I AM HUNGRY!"

Farra barked, "Aw, go order Pizza Hut!"

April and January snuck off with Yakumo, as everybody, including Lyuze and Casshern, turned to their attention.

Farra argued with Peter, "MORON! Give it a couple minutes, or you'd starve to death! Like I care!"

Peter yelled, "Well, what about you? You had your soup to nuts! NOW EAT IT!"

"HOW DARE YOU!"

"HOW DARE YOU!"

They started to brawl in a cloud, as everyone was cheering on. The Sisters snuck out of the banquet hall, with Yakumo following them.

"Can I, at least, stay with Steven, for the moment?" She asked.

April whispered, "Shh…"

As they left, Lyuze and Casshern got up. Lyuze said, "Such children… Come on. We'll find Yamo, somewhere."

They left, as Peter and Farra continued to fight. Mizuki sighed in embarrassment, "Idiots… At least Lyuze is distracted."

She turned to the table and saw that they were gone. She gasped, "Oh, no! They left!"

She panicked, as they continued to brawl, "This is bad… This is really bad… Lyuze and Casshern have left. Could they be heading to their room?"

Peter yelled, "BITCH! YOU BLONDE BITCH!"

Farra shouted, "FAT STEER!"

Peter snapped, "THAT DEPENDS, YOU PUG-MONGER!"

Farra yelled, "THAT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!"

"YOU'RE SUCH A FUCKING IDIOT!"

"THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!"

They argued again, as Mizuki tried to break it up.

Meanwhile, April, January, and Yakumo snuck back to Room 403. They locked the door and changed into their casual clothes. April and January wore black and white shirt and pants, while Yakumo wore her pink blouse and skirt. April stood by the door. She heard nothing, as she responded, "Yeah. I don't hear anyone."

January opened the door and switched the numbers to 403 and 404. She then replied, "Just so they don't know. After all, they cannot find out who Yakumo is, on its name."

She added, "It's obvious that she is in Room 612… which is where those two will head."

April sighed, "That is so stupid."

Yakumo said, "You think so?"

April said, "The bullet he mentioned was by your room. It's obvious… always."

Yakumo sat down on the bed, where Steven was still out. She held his hand and said, "Steven… I'm so sorry I dragged you to this."

January snorted, "Funny… I am amazed that you cared for this joker."

Yakumo said, "He said that he'll protect me, along with you guys. I am alone, I don't know who or what I am, and all because you guys have come to protect me…"

April asked, as she glared, "What about Yamo?"

Yakumo gasped, "Ya… Yamo?"

April retorted, "Mizuki told us, the minute you screamed bloody terror. You had dreams, with you protesting that you're Yamo."

Yakumo shook in fear, "No… I don't… remember… But I hated that nickname…"

She responded, "But… all I remember was is that it's the nickname that my older sister gave me."

January remarked, "It's more than that…"

She then said, "I did a search on Gangle and hacked into Lyuze's files. I read all about this Yamo."

She then explained, as April was confused, "You are so knowledgeable… and you didn't explain it full, yet."

"Must be from Father and Nielsen's genius," Jan smiled, "Of course, I had to call February, just to know about her."

April groaned, "I knew it…"

Yakumo said, "You didn't have to do that."

She explained what Yamo was:
"Professor Lyuze helped created a cybernetic human being who knows about everything in this world. Her body is consumed of a beautiful young girl (Age: 17), and has a very addictive charm.
To make a long story short, Project Yamo, as it is called, is known for identifying a person, whether good or bad, depending on who or what it is, through psychic energy, just to make sure that the goodness of the alternate worlds would prevent any danger or delinquent activity. However, it has proven to be defective, since the humanoid cybernetic hybrid would only read the minds of men only. Once it was examined on Lyuze, Yamo responded to nothing. She was scheduled for dismantling and decapitation, but she escaped from the lab, before she was to be taken away.
Lyuze, along with her partner and ally, Casshern, and their dog, Friender, went on a stakeout hunt for the elusive cyborg, but to no avail. It is rumored that even the most corrupt mind can use Yamo for his or her bidding, since she can be easily influenced. But that, too, proved to be a rumor."

April asked, "So… Do you know of this rumor? Are you really Yamo?"

Yakumo pouted and said, "I don't know… I would never be… I would never be… I'm not her… But, it's just… I-."

"SHE'S NOT A ROBOT!"

Steven got up and barked, "NO WAY! I refuse to believe an Old Wives' Tale, like Project Yamo!"

Yakumo blushed, "Steven…"

He said, "Steven Cooke won't believe it! I refuse to have another gynoid, by my side! And I hate to say it, but Steven Cooke doesn't want a cyborg on my side! But, don't you dare call Yakumo a project!"

Yakumo then cried, "Stop it! They wanted to know… but I still don't remember! So what if I was that Yamo or I wasn't! It still doesn't matter! Lyuze and her thugs are after me! I had no idea this would be tough!"

April asked, "Tell me… Did you manage to get a picture of Yamo?"

January said, "No. Feb said that it was a written text document. It said that the image files of Yamo were to remain confidential."

Steven said, "I don't care! Yakumo isn't her!"

Yakumo smiled, "Steven… Thank you…"

January griped, "But why were you having nightmares over Yamo, that enigmatic cybernetic doll?"

Steven added, "She did it, too, after she grabbed me, while she was sleeping!"

Yakumo gasped, "I did? Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't know… I thought you were someone else…"

Steven said, "It's fine. It's just a scratch. But call your shots, when you sleep."

He insisted, "So… What were the images?"

Yakumo explained, "Well… I keep seeing the images of a huge white light… like I was in a lab. I could see, but I was dressed in a blue smock. I keep seeing a figure approach me, with a syringe, possibly full of ether. This figure grabbed my arm and tried to give me the shot, but I started to scream! And then, she called me Yamo! I yelled back I wasn't! IT'S NOT ME! I'M NOT HER! WHY IS IT COMING BACK?"

She shrieked, and then fainted. Steven caught her, "Yakumo!"

January sighed, "And she swoons again…"

He hugged her and sobbed, "No… Don't worry, dear… Steven Cooke will protect you."

January snapped, "Will you stop saying that? You keep saying you will, but so far, you're not helping!"

Steven said, "I know… But what's it to ya, January? What if it were you, who was hunted by the fuzz?"

January gasped, as April halted, "WAIT!"

She whispered, "I hear somebody…"

They went silent, as Lyuze and Casshern arrived in the fourth floor. She then looked around the doors, looking for Yamo.

"Some robot girl," she said, "Yamo hid herself in the fourth floor. That guy I know of is Steven Cooke. He's in Room 403. But it couldn't be him… And I thought I heard a shriek."

Casshern said, "Maybe. Should we question him?"

Lyuze smiled, "Sounds like a good idea. Okay. Check every room, except Room 404. We know that it belongs to a Marciano."

They began searching, as April gasped, "It's them…"

Steven cringed, "But how?"

January said, "I guess when you saved her, Lyuze was spying on Yakumo."

April said, "We now know who the sniper was."

Steven barked, "How would you know? I never saw her! Besides, she saved me, after we first met! She shoved me down, and a bullet was fired. Of course, there was NO bang noise."

April said, "She probably used a silencer."

Steven nodded, "You're right."

January cringed, "Now, we're trapped… They're on the 4th floor… but in my heart… I'd say they avoid "404"."

"Huh? How so?" April asked.

January said, "It's declared a fearful number to all robots, everywhere. It's an error number. And also… I managed to switch the numbers on 404 and 403. Just to save our dear Yakumo, if that is her real name."

Steven griped, "It is her name! And good call. Steven Cooke loves it when a plan comes together!"

A voice called, "Oh? Then how come I overheard you talking… Yamo? NICE TRY!"

It was Lyuze. She instructed Casshern, "Break it down!"

The Sisters and Steven were frightened, as Casshern tried to kick the door down.

Steven sighed, "It just isn't our day, isn't it?"

April shushed him and pointed out the window. She opened the window and stepped out. She said, "Grab a rope… We have to escape, before Casshern barges in."

Steven ordered, "No! You two stay! Lyuze is after me and her, remember? You hold them off… I'll run away. Also, tell Peter, Farra, and Mizuki that I'll be fine."

April nagged, "You're crazy!"

Steven cried, in a quiet tone, "Am I? Now, do it!"

January barricaded the door, as April wrapped a rope around Steven and Yakumo. He slowly jumped down on the rope, with Yakumo over his shoulder, heading outside, as April lowered the rope. However, she let go of the rope. Steven and Yakumo fell down to the trash cans, landing in the clutter. Steven groaned, as he got up and pulled Yakumo out. He cradled her in his arms and started to run away. April watched on, as he disappeared into the dark alley, beside the hotel. The city lights were blocking her view, avoiding any sighting. April threw the rope out and closed the window, just in time for Lyuze to step in, smashing the barricade. She then viewed April and January and asked, "So? Where's Yamo?"

"Who?" They giggled, in a nervous state.

January thought, "Anything we learn from Father Dear, i.e. Percival, is to try to stall the bad guys for time."

She then said, "Sorry. We kind of were doing role-playing, voicing Steven Cooke. It was so convincing."

April laughed, all flustered, "Uh… Yeah, we were. I do a great Caitlin, more than a Sofia."

Lyuze said, as she glared at them, "That made no sense. But, you're hiding something from me. Where's Yamo?"

April came clean, "Look! Not that it's our business, but what would you want with her?"

January gasped, "April, no!"

"I have to know! Plus, you were the one who hacked through her files! The downside was that there was NO picture!"

Lyuze glared, "You what?"

Casshern seethed, "You… You shall die!"

"CASSHERN!" She ordered, "I'll handle this…"

April suggested, "You leave her alone. This Yakumo girl isn't what you were looking for. She doesn't even look like the fabled cyborg."

Lyuze said, as she shook her head, "Ladies, or should I say, fellow gynoids, you must be malfunctioning. Yakumo, as you refer to, is dangerous! What you did is doom us all!"

"OW! OW!" A male voice called.

Lyuze asked, "Who was that?"

January said, "The Goon Squad…"

Peter and Farra returned from the banquet hall, with Mizuki grabbing their ears, dragging them. She yelled, "I NEVER TAKE YOU TWO ANYWHERE! You had to make a ruckus that you got us kicked out!"

They groaned, "We're sorry."

"Now we gotta pay for the dishes and food you two assholes destroyed! Percival is SO giving you an earful, all because of your constant bitching!"

She halted and saw Casshern and Lyuze. Lyuze grabbed the door and stepped in. "This is private!"

SLAM!

Mizuki gasped, "Was that Lyuze?"

Peter growled, "No! They got Yakumo!"

They rushed to the door, but were stopped by Friender, the black robot dog. He growled, as they stepped back to the wall, terrified.

"Why did she sick a robot on us?" Farra cringed.

"Why did it have to be an attack dogbot?" Peter sobbed.

Friender barked, as they stayed in placed, still terrified.

Back in Room 403, Lyuze talked to April and January, as she explained her situation, "Listen, just because we are androids, we can share secrets. But under NO circumstances that you tell it to anybody, including your human buddies. Understand?"

April nodded, "You got it. Consider it Memory Deleted."

"Good. All we could tell you is that Yamo must be destroyed."

Lyuze then spoke to April and January, about Yamo and her appearance. She even showed a picture of her, which was a silhouette. The sisters gasped, as they agreed to not tell a human soul.

There's no dialogue or detail for this. It'll all be display, around the end of the first season.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Steven and Yakumo hid in a sandy beach, outside the city. He held Yakumo tight and panted, "Steven Cooke saved you… I don't know why…"

Yakumo opened her eyes and saw his face. She asked, "Where am I?"

She sat up and said, "Did we escape again?"

Steven smiled, "Yes. Lyuze came, but April and January held her off. Good kids. I think I owe Percival one."

"On grounds that you hate him… Right?"

"Me? Well… Yes. If I told you, you'd be shocked. But it's too profound for your taste."

"I understand."

They held each other, as the city's lights went out and it started to illuminate. It shone a bright white gleam. Steven and Yakumo were in surprise and astonishment. They stared at each other and blushed. He said, "Listen… I know it's tough, but-."

"I want to come with!" She demanded, "I wanna go with you. Steven, you're a nice guy… and I hope you'd understand that I need you. I… I…"

Steven touched her lips and said, "No. No need. I still don't believe that you are Yamo. But your protection is accepted. Sure you can come."

Yakumo smiled, as she approached him. They started to kiss each other. They continued on, as the city continued to glow in a bright moonlight hue.

Meanwhile, in the hotel, Friender continues to growl at Peter, Farra, and Mizuki, pinned down on the wall, as chickens.

"N-N-Nice doggie," Farra whimpered.

Lyuze and Casshern opened the door. Casshern called, "Friender! Here, boy! We're done here."

Lyuze then said to The Gang, "You saw nothing."

She bellowed, "Casshern, let's go!"

They left to the elevator, as Peter and Farra crawled back to the room. Mizuki asked, "What happened?"

April turned away and said nothing. Farra asked, "Where's Steven?"

Peter asked, "And why is Room 403 with a 404 nameplate?"

January sighed, "I switched it. We heard of Lyuze coming here. It worked, but she saw through the ruse."

April said, "And Steven escaped with Yakumo. When Casshern tried to break it down, he insisted to flee with Yakumo."

Farra smiled, "Steven Cooke saved the day… Hell has frozen over."

Mizuki scolded, "Farra!"

April sobbed, "She was scary!"

Mizuki said, as she was happy, "He made the right decision. You did well, helping him."

Peter asked, "Any idea where they went?"

"No. But they went straight ahead." January pointed out.

April exclaimed, "Steven took a collapsed Yakumo and ran off, straightaway."

Mizuki said, "Forget sleeping the night here! We'll check out and find Steven!"

Farra sighed, "Yeah, yeah… That assface owes me a beauty rest."

The Gang ran off, as April grew worried. She thought, "Steven…"

They knew… but what?

"If you see them, let us know," Lyuze said, "For now, we'll continue the hunt for her."

January said, "We will. Sorry to waste your time, on such short notice."

Lyuze said, "No problem."

April thought, "This is scary… Steven's in danger…"

That will be revealed in future chapters…

Steven and Yakumo are at the beach, making out, understanding that they love each other. Will The Gang find them, before something else happens?

To be continued…