Matt laid on the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling above him. After Compa gave him some breakfast, she left in order to go and help some other patients, which left Matt alone again with his thoughts. After yesterday, Matt couldn't help but replay the conversation he had with IF.
How could he not? There were a bunch of things that were just wrong! Matt never fought a monster before. Plus, even if he somehow did, why would he be so stupid to charge at an Ancient DRAGON head on with a WOODEN sword? Or the even stupider thing: break IF's phone? Was he suicidal or something? It just didn't make any sense!
Matt sits up and sighs. He looks outside the window and frowns slightly.
Unlike yesterday where it was sunny outside, today look rather muggy. While it wasn't raining, the clouds that form in the sky gave the impression that it would do so. They were dark gray clouds that hung in the sky and Matt wouldn't be surprised if it started to pour in like 5 or 10 minutes. Not that it matters anyway. It hadn't been a week yet so, it wasn't like he was going to go outside soon anyway.
Matt turns to the seat where IF sat at yesterday.
Even after IF told him about how he used to act in Hyperdimension Neptunia, it was still too hard to swallow. There was just no way that he would do all these crazy things. In all honestly, this all sounded like an alternate version of him.
Matt pauses. Was there an alternate version of him somewhere in the world of Hyperdimension Neptunia? It would make sense.
Knowing the Neptunia series, the idea of alternate versions of characters wasn't too far off. Just take a look at Noire, Blanc and Vert. While a Noire, Vert and Blanc existed in the same dimension as Neptune, there was another version of Noire, Blanc and Vert that exist in another dimension with Plutia.
It was usually easy to identify the difference between the two versions of Noire, Blanc and Vert in both dimensions thanks to their different clothing and/or hairstyle. That said, their personalities weren't exactly too different from each other. Maybe a small difference here and there, give or take. Otherwise, their personalities would be pretty much alike.
However, that's exactly the problem. Even though there were alternate versions of characters, the personalities between said characters shouldn't be too drastic. So, even if there was an alternative version of Matt somewhere, he shouldn't even be this...well...crazy.
Maybe there were exceptions, like Plutia and Neptune.
Plutia could be seen as an alternate version of Neptune in a way. Plutia is seen as a sleepier version of Neptune, while Neptune was more energetic in comparison. When Neptune transforms into Purple Heart, she is seen as a mature and kind goddess. On the other hand, when Plutia does transform into Iris Heart, she tends to be more...sadistic.
Hm... That comparison might be a little far off though. Plutia is more often seen as her own character rather than a counterpart to Neptune.
Actually, maybe a better comparison would be the Hyperdimension Neptune to the Adult/Big Neptune from Megadimension. The Adult Neptune tended to do things different than the Hyperdimension one. For example: the Adult Neptune would often like to collect bugs. Not only that, but it seems that the Adult Neptune seemed to be unable to transform into a goddess form, unlike the Hyperdimension one.
Despite those few differences though, their personalities were pretty much mostly the same. Yeah, that comparison was much more reasonable.
Matt scratches his head. What if his own alternative version was an exception though? What if his circumstance was like the comparison to Neptune and Plutia? Maybe there was an alternate version of him somewhere acting like a crazy maniac.
Just the thought of that was concerning enough. What else would that crazy version do? Take over the world? Steal all the pudding so Neptune would turn evil? Sow chaos and destroy the entire universe? Brainwash people? Massacre all the Neptunia characters?
Matt shook his head.
No. No. There was just no way there was an alternate version of him. Besides, now that he thought about it a bit more, there was one very important fact that quickly nullified the idea: the fact this happens only to NEPTUNIA characters.
Based on that, it would make sense that there are no other alternative versions of him out there. That was good.
However, this lead him back to square one: meaning that somehow, he was still responsible for committing actions he would never do.
Matt groans and rubs his forehead. Ugh. All this thinking was going to just give him a headache at this point.
Matt put on his glasses and lies back on the hospital bed's rails. For a hospital room, this place was very bland and pretty boring. Like there was literarily nothing to do here.
It would be nice if there was something that could occupy him while he wasn't alone in his thoughts. Maybe like a television or some books or games. It was kind of odd that this hospital room didn't have any sort of device around here that could keep him occupied. There wasn't even a radio for crying out loud!
Perhaps he could ask Compa for something. Maybe she could bring something in for him to keep him busy. Even if it was just one book or game. Something like that, just so that he had something to do.
Or...even just stay with him and talk with him. Sure, Matt understood that Compa was busy taking care of patients. He wasn't asking her to leave the other patients just for his sake, but he wouldn't mind to listen to her tell stories of their past. Not that he still believed it, but he would be okay if it was just for the sake of her being here. It would take away the loneliness he felt when no one was here with him.
The visits were nice. Granted, Matt still didn't understand how on earth he had met with Neptune and the others before. That was still a mystery. However, it was nice at least that they showed concern for him and treat him as a friend. So far anyway. He couldn't say the same for IF, but at least he could vouch for Compa and maybe Ridley.
Who would he get to see today? Maybe he would finally get to see Neptune today? Or maybe Noire or the other goddesses? Or maybe, if he was really lucky, he would see Uzu-
The door slams open.
Matt sits up. Was that Compa? That's odd though. Usually, Compa opens the door in a calm, nice manner. Not open it like this. So, who-?
The questions in Matt's head dies as a girl with black clothes walks in the door. Her lime green hair sways slightly as she moves step by step. Her red ruby eyes burn through the room, searching for something. That's when they found their target and glare intensely at Matt. She walks over, not wasting any breath until she was by Matt's side.
"YOU," She growls.
"Hi?" Matt responds.
SLAP!
"Ow!" Matt says as he puts a hand on his stinging left check, "What was that for?"
That woman...What was her name again? Chickpeas? Chipmunk? Chimpa? Uh, her name started something with a C, but that was basically all that Matt remembered of this character.
What was her problem? Why she slap him all of a sudden? Plus, the way she looks at him made Matt think she just wants to kill him right here and now.
"Serves you right! Do you have any idea what you've done?!" She screams.
Matt shook his head as he shoots her a questioning look.
"You! You think you're so smart, don't you! Well, your plan worked!" The woman yells.
"My plan?" Matt asks.
"Don't play dumb with me! I know you did this all on purpose! Now all Vert has ever done was talk about you! She doesn't even acknowledge me! It's always Matt this! Matt that! Poor Matt! Not poor Chika!"
Chika? That's her name? Wasn't she like Leanbox's oracle or something like that? She basically held the same role that Histoire does back at her own CPU nation. At least, to Matt's knowledge anyway. He didn't really know anything else about her.
"She doesn't even spend time with me anymore!" Chika rants, "She's always in some meeting with the other goddesses! Then the times when she isn't in a meeting, she spends the whole day, by herself, playing video games, WITHOUT ME."
'...Pretty sure Vert does that anyway, but I could be wrong.' Matt thought.
"Now all she does is talk about you. She doesn't care about me, my darling Vert. She will never see me as her sister." Chika weeps.
Well, it was obvious now. It was clear that Chickpeas had a huge obsession over Vert. To the point where she would call herself Vert's sister.
Matt felt really odd about this whole thing...Despite the obvious feeling of not knowing what was going on. A large part of him felt angry at Chickpeas for the slap, and yet, he felt a twinge of pity. Just a tiny bit. Probably because of the tears though.
Chika glares at him, "And it's all thanks to you!"
"Uh...I'm sorry, but I don't even know you," Matt said.
Chika reels back and puts a hand to her mouth. Her eyes widen as though she couldn't believe what Matt just said to her.
"Y-You don't know me?" Chika asks, the shock drips from her voice.
'Oh, that could've been said better,' Matt cringes mentally, 'I better clarify it before she takes it the wrong way. Better go with the whole amnesia thing'
"I'm mean, I actually have amnes-"
Before Matt could continue, he felt a strong grip on his neck. He looks at Chika with wide eyes as he tries to pry off her hands.
"Oh! So, you decide that I'm not even worth remembering?!" Chika screams.
Matt's heart sinks. W-What the hell was wrong with this lady?! She was acting like a manic! She was going to choke him to death at this rate! No! She was already choking him!
The door to his room bursts open. A bald guy with a dark green vest and light green jeans quickly takes note of the situation and runs over to Matt's bed.
"CHIKA! NO!" The guy screams as runs toward Chika. He quickly grabs hold of Chika and pries her off Matt, causing the latter to hold his neck.
"You! You're worse than filth! I hope you die and Dogoos spit on your grave!" Chika sobs.
"Bad Chika! Bad! Stop that now!" The guy yells. He turns to Matt with an apologetic look on his face, "I'm sorry about this! Give me a moment and I will be with you!"
With that, the bald guy drags Chika out. As the door closes behind them, Matt could hear them screaming at each other.
Matt continues to rub his neck.
"What on earth is going on?" Matt breathes.
000
Well...that was eventful to say the least. Not to mention, painful. Matt rubs his neck area before moving to his left cheek. That woman could sure slap hard. Strangle hard too. It was a miracle Matt was still alive.
Compa had quickly come to check on him after the small incident. Thankfully, he wasn't seriously hurt so he was okay, physically in the sense. Compa had to leave again, but she told Matt she made a note and made sure that Chika would be banned from coming to this hospital since the latest stunt.
'Good.' Matt thought.
The last thing Matt wanted was to let Chickpeas have another chance to assassinate him again.
Creak.
The door to his room opens again. This time, in a much calmer manner. At first, Matt thought it was Compa again. However, it turn out to be the bald guy that saved him earlier.
Matt was thankful that it was him, not the mad green hair demon lady.
"Ugh, I should've known that she had another reason for coming with me. Ridley's gonna be pissed at me," the bald guy groans. He turns to Matt with an apologetic smile, "Uh. Right, um, sorry about that whole thing Matt."
"It's okay...Um...who was she?" Matt asks.
"That person was Chika, Leanbox's oracle," The guy sighs, "Unfortunately, from what I can tell, it looks like you just experienced the dreaded Chika slap."
"What?" Matt asks.
"The Chika slap. Whenever Chika gets upset, she has a sort of tendency to slap someone, especially if she believes that person is competition for Vert's love."
Matt frowns. This...this was a rather weird trend. Seems like every character has something associated to them.
Chika Slap? Nep-Promise? What next? The Blanc Stab? Er...actually, let's hope that last one doesn't become a thing.
"And the strangling?" Matt asks.
"Ah...That's a new thing," the guy chuckles nervously.
'Yeah. Maybe it should be called the Chickpeas Death Grip or something.' Matt thought darkly.
Matt briefly shook the thought away mentally. Now that he thought about it, Chickpeas didn't even play that big of a role in the Neptunia games. Otherwise, he would've remembered her as someone important. Lesson learned: Never remind a minor character that their existence is easily forgettable.
...Still doesn't really explain why she attacked him out of nowhere though.
"That Chickpeas lady-" Matt began, only to be cut off by Shane.
"It's Chika." Shane chuckles.
"Ah, right..." Matt trails off, before he continues, "Do you know why she's...um...like that? Or why she attacked me? She look like she had some sort of grudge against me."
"Well, you see, Chika has this sort of thing where she sees Vert as her sister. I think she saw you as some sort of rival for Vert's love. That's my guess though." Shane shrugs, "A Dogoo could want to be Vert's sister or brother and Chika would see it as a rival/potential threat for her sisterhood with Vert."
"Huh. Okay...I'm not going to have to see her again, will I?" Matt asks.
The bald guy's expression turns serious, "No. You won't have to see her again. She's going back to Leanbox as we speak and Compa told me that Chika is never allowed to come to this hospital ever again."
"Okay. That's good." Matt says.
Yeah. Thank goodness. Matt didn't ever want to see her face again. Also, because she slapped and strangled him, she doesn't even deserve to get her name used. Not that Matt would've remembered her name anyway. Chickpeas is what her name is going to be.
"Anyway, uh, I know the circumstances were not ideal but let me reintroduce myself. Hello Matt, my name is Shane." the bald guy extends his hand out.
"Nice to meet you," Matt shakes his hand. "But, how did you know my name before?"
"Well, I've met you before, like Ridley did," Shane shrugs, "So, of course, I know who you are."
"Ah," Matt nods. "Wait? You know Ridley?"
"Of course, I'm one of his closest friends, after all," Shane replies. He grins, "And not only that! I am also the one and only Lady Vert's boyfriend!"
Huh. Interesting. Seems like the CPU goddesses are already in relationships here. Ridley was Neptune's boyfriend and Shane was Vert's boyfriend. Judging by that fact, chances were that Noire and Blanc had boyfriends of their own too.
"You look like you don't believe me." Shane states as he raises an eyebrow.
"No, I believe you," Matt said quickly. He then shrugs, "I guess I kind of expected you to have green hair or something. Kind of like how Ridley has purple hair."
Shane rolls his eyes and sighs, "Look. Not everyone has to be like Ridley and show his dedication to his girlfriend by changing his hair color. Besides, my clothing is all green so it shows I'm dedicated Vert, you know?"
"I suppose so," Matt nods.
"Well, I need to get going now. I have to report to Vert about...the incident." Shane sighs. He turns to Matt, "Oh yeah. We're going to do something so you can get to know us better. Maybe in a few days or something. Hang tight in the meanwhile."
"What is it?"
"Don't worry, it's a fun event," Shane grins," Trust me. You'll like it. We call it Delinquent Night."
"Delinquent Night? That-That doesn't sound to comforting." Matt asks.
"Oh Matt, Matt." Shane smirks as he shakes his head. He puts a hand on Matt's shoulder, not at all reassuring the latter, "That's about to change my friend."
Apologies for the very late update. Hope you guys enjoy the latest chapter. Thank you everyone for your reviews, favorites and follows! See you next time!