After arriving 3 hours late with Neptune, I ended up getting an earful from Histoire while I was getting ready.

"I can't believe how late you are!" The little fairy was practically exploding with anger.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one late though. Everyone was late.

"I cannot believe this. We only have a few hours to go over the itinerary and prepare for the public. Not to mention, Neptune still isn't here!" She is spiraling out of control.

I'd rather not say anything for fear of getting yelled at but… "Neptune took Lan somewhere back when we came in."

"Hnnnggg, This is not the time for her to slack off!" Is that what she's doing?

Come to think of it, I never really got an idea of what they were actually going to do.

Well, I'm sure Lan will be fine.

*First Floor of the Basilicom*

After I dragged Lanny away from his dearly beloved, I took him through the offices in the back of the first floor.

"Uhhh, Neptune? Where are we going?" Clearly confused, he also seemed to be getting annoyed.

"C'mon~ Lanny! Have some patience! Patience is a warechu or something!"

"Wachoo? Is that like a sneeze?" It might be!

"Don't worry about it! We're here to get you suited up and ready for today!"

"Huh? I thought for sure I was gonna be told to hide somewhere or leave or something." That's right!

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Who do you think I am Lanny?" I turned back and gave him my signature protagonist's confident smile!

"I'm still not sure, honestly." Oooof, my poor pride!

"I'm the main character of this story! And there isn't a main character that doesn't have a trick or two up her sleeve!" That trick being not telling anyone else!

"Aren't you going to get into a lot of trouble for this? Not just from Histoire, but in a uh…share perspective?"

"Hahaha!"

"Well, if you don't care then I guess it's fine" I'm glad he isn't such a stickler like a certain flying book.

We reach the the office I was looking for where I had a tailor with a pre-made suit ready.

She took Lanny's measurements and begin to alter it to fit him.

Now, time to do my sisterly duty.

"Soooo… How about that weather?" This is part of it! Small talk is important in situations like this! Probably.

"Neptune, what is your goal with all this?" His tone changed and he got all serious.

Wait. Did I mess up immediately?

"Uhhh, my goal with what?"

"Showing me at the conference or whatever. Is it a way to keep the other CPU's on their toes? Perhaps trying to instill uncertainty in their own countries and people? Make them think someone will take them away?"

Whaaaat is this guy talking about?

"No no no no no! First of all, what? That is straight up too much drama!" I'm not some boring evil villain!

"I just want my sister and her husband to be able to stay together! Is that weird!?" I just want everything to be as normal as possible again.

"You're not a bad guy, and Nepgear seems genuinely happy and attached to you. Forcing her to be apart from you or something isn't my style. So…yeah!" After I finished my deep and heartfelt speech I turned to him expecting to see awe or gratitude.

"Uhhh, what's with the hand? Are you waving to someone?" I look behind me but there isn't anyone there.

After staring at his unchanging expression and static hand, I think I got it. "Oh." I slap his hand with mine and it makes a satisfying smack.

He looks at his hand, clenches it into a fist and goes "Noice." He looks back to me and gives me a thumbs up.

?

"What!? If you wanted a high-five just say something! I was seriously freaking out for a second there!"

I am seriously worried about my young apprentice running off with this man.

"Sorry, I have a difficult time communicating with those I am not familiar with." He puts his hand on my shoulder. pat pat.

"Uhhhh, I know I said that you're a good guy but…you are seriously out there man."

"Is that so? Hmm, maybe a little." He crossed his arms after giving it little to no thought.

"How did Nepgear get this far with you when you act like this…" How could they ever do anything?

"Hold on, when Nep Jr. is hanging about you sound and act completely different! Why are you holding out on me!?" Whenever she's around he's so goofy and excited and all over her.

"Huh? Isn't that normal? I love her, so obviously I get excited?" He looks at me like I didn't understand something so simple.

"Yeah, okay, whatever you want, my guy. I'm getting a headache from all this."

"Oh, Thanks for supporting us, Neptune. It means a lot. More to Lily, but a decent amount to me as well."

Aha! That's the face I was looking for! "Aww, don't worry about it big guy! That's what I'm here for!" Aww yeah! Saving the day again!

He let off a little chuckle. "What's got ya laughing now Lanny?" Surely he must be surprised by my selflessness.

"Nothing, Lily happens to make the same face you do when she feels as though she's accomplished something."

Huh? Was I making a face? It's true I was feeling like that though.

"Hmm, it's kind of embarrassing when you point it out like that though." I had to scratch my head to hide my embarrassment.

"You two are pretty similar in a lot of ways. Seems time apart hasn't changed her deep down." He was making a complicated expression.

"I know! She went from a good girl, to another good girl! I'm pretty relieved." I had to nod my head in awe of my revelation.

"Hmm, you speak nothing but truths Sister Neptune." What's that? I hate it.

"Yeah, you're not calling me that." I put my arms up in an X in front of my face.

"Big Sister Neptune." Sooo loonngg.

"...Neppy?" Kind of creepy.

"Toony?" How in that big brain of yours do you come up with that.

"Neptunyan."

"Ohhh, that's absolutely purrrfect!" He is not good at this. Everyone I know comes up with something or another that sounds at least somewhat acceptable.

"Great, Neptunyan it is." No no no no no no no.

"Wait I was-" Before I could finish saving myself from certain doom, the tailor interrupted me.

"Lady Neptune, we've finished altering the suit. I've also been made aware that Lady Histoire is looking for you."

Crap.

"We're not finished with this conversation Lanny!" I point at him while I start running back to the elevator in the lobby.

"Of course! I'm always happy to talk to you Neptunyan!"

…I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that.

As I'm rushing to the elevator, dreading what Histy is going to say, I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something…

"Oops, I was supposed to ask him about what Iffy found…Oh well! I'm sure it'll be fine!"

With that all taken care of, I'm sure to win sister of the year for sure! Probably!

I can just leave the rest to the event coordinators! Hehehe, seriously. I'm such a good person!

I ride the elevator up, proud of my achievement, and enter my room.

"Hey guys! Did ya miss me?" Immediately, I'm greeted with utter chaos and carnage.

Blanc is yelling at the twins about something.

Noire and Uni are arguing about clothes or something?

Nepgear is in the seiza position getting a lecture from Histy.

Iffy is laying in Compa's lap, passed out.

Hmm, me thinks it's time for a tactical retreat…

I was too slow. "Neptune!? Where have you been!? Do you have any idea how late it is?"

"Uhhh, yes?" …That wasn't the right answer huh?

I was seated next to Nepgear to join the sermon.

Ahhhh, what did I do to deserve this?


Yayyyyy, Neptunyan and Lanny finally get some time to talk it out. Get to know each other. Get cute little nicknames for each other that they both clearly like! I'm sure they will build a deep bond and become super friends! I don't think she really even bothered to think about the other CPU's with her decision. I can only imagine how it's going to go down. Also, the citizens might not react very good either. Oh well, guess that's a problem for later. Maybe Lan can just do a kick flip and everything will be fine. Yeah, I think he will be doing a kick flip. Maybe not at the event, but definitely eventually. What else do you guys think he should do? If someone posts something in the comments before I finish the next chapter, and I like it, maybe I'll use it for Lan to awkwardly try to impress the people. If not, I have ideas hahaha. I just think it could be funny, or heart-warming or even a cooking show. Nothing is out of character for him. Maybe he'll just brew some tea, and never say a word. What a monster.