AN: This is a really fluffy and maybe cheesy chapter, like really and trust me... You need it right now, because next week, it will be really different, but trust me, this chapter take it as a good little sweet you like to eat with a tea, cause next week, it's the pepper in your pizza.
A chapter more chill and with something I was scared to do actually, please don't leave the story for that :( it's not finished you will be surprised.
Chapter 19: The Story You Don't Know
On a day like any other,
You suddenly stood up and said,
"Let's look up at the stars tonight!"
Saito's eyes slowly opened. Meiru stood in front of him, looking at him gently. Remembering what had happened the night before, he gasped. He almost tried to get up, but she quickly held him back.
"Wait," she said slowly.
"No..." he began, almost whispering. "I have to go, I can't..."
"You can stay here, what does it change? Keep sleeping," she continued, getting up and holding the boy against the bed.
Saito trembled softly but he nodded, watching the girl leave the bed. He didn't know what to do. First, he tried to calm down and let fatigue take over him, his eyes closing weakly.
He opened them again, feeling as though five minutes had passed. However, his body was no longer Saito's, but Rockman's. He looked at his hand, as if it were normal. Through the curtain, the sun was shining brightly and Meiru had left the room. He slowly got up without making a sound, feeling comfortable waking up without worrying about his transformation.
Rockman left the room and walked purposefully down the hallway towards the stairs. Standing outside his young operator's room, he raised a hand to open the door but ultimately lowered it, abandoning the idea. He then descended the stairs and noticed that all the children, except Netto, were gathered around the table. Meiru was probably hiding in the kitchen. Akane was the first to react, her face lighting up as she caught sight of her beloved Navi.
"Rockman!" she exclaimed as if greeting a beloved pet. Yusaku waved his hand in greeting while the other two boys looked at Rockman with indifferent interest. Meiru emerged from the kitchen, smiling at the Navi.
"Ah, Rockman!" She placed a large pot on the table. "Here's your breakfast!"
Rockman slowly approached the pot of food, followed closely by the little girl, and knelt down to examine its contents. The pot contained several pieces of meat, mostly raw. His helmet disappeared and he licked his lips, grabbing each piece with both hands and putting them into his mouth. Akane chuckled beside him, amused by his tasting. Sota, on the other hand, turned his head away, uninterested in watching someone eat in such a noisy manner.
Quietly behind them, small footsteps approached. Akane smiled as she saw the last person approaching. "Hi, Netto!" she exclaimed with her usual cheerfulness.
Upon hearing her, Meiru put her hands on her hips while Rockman froze and slowly turned towards him. The child's face surprised everyone: his eyes were red and he kept rubbing them. The Navi's heart ached at the sight, but it was the pink-haired girl who approached him, kneeling in front of him.
"Netto... Why did you lock the door?" she asked, her voice firm yet gentle. "You should never lock the door."
Netto continued rubbing his eyes and sniffled, his gaze not meeting hers but rather fixated on the floor. "I wanted...to be alone for the night," he simply replied.
Meiru stood up, her face tense with displeasure, then turned her gaze towards the Navi in the same manner. "Because of that, he had to spend the night in my room," she said firmly. At those words, Netto looked up with fear. She turned her gaze to a corner of the room, arms crossed and pouting. "He snores so loudly, I'm returning him to you for the night."
Upon hearing this, Akane smiled widely, catching her breath to exclaim something. "Shut it, Akane-chan," Meiru quickly retorted, not giving her a chance to say a word.
Netto lowered his head, his expression sad as Meiru noticed.
"I want you to apologize to Saito..." she continued more seriously. "I know there has been tension between you two since yesterday... Even though I'm trying to sort things out, please don't make them worse than they already are."
Rockman observed the scene, attentive to every gesture and every word exchanged. The children, too, had followed the conversation, even if they didn't fully understand the situation. Netto stepped forward to the table, standing next to his Navi, but remained silent, his trembling eyes reflecting his sorrow. He feared that his best friend would judge him based on what had happened, that he wouldn't take his side.
Unexpectedly, Rockman's hand slipped into Netto's hair, ruffling it gently before pulling him softly against his chest. Netto was initially surprised, but he quickly felt the comforting warmth of the Navi against him. He then heard a soothing purr emanating from Rockman, instantly calming him down. A small smile appeared on his trembling lips, reassured by the affection his virtual friend showed him.
Akane watched the scene benevolently, wearing a warm smile. She turned to Meiru and asked, "Where's Saito? Has he left?"
"No, he's still sleeping upstairs. I told him to...take his time," Meiru replied, observing the Navi gently caressing Netto's head as if to comfort him.
Netto didn't show much reaction, except for a slight twitch of his eyebrows upon hearing what the girl had said. During breakfast, he ate very little, staying close to his Navi. Meiru eventually went back upstairs to her room, leaving the children alone and telling them that Saito would probably come down soon.
Netto didn't really know what to make of all this. Yesterday, things hadn't been easy between him and Saito, and he knew he hadn't put much effort into fixing things. Moreover, he was aware that the older boy had grown closer to Meiru than he should be and it worried him. He wondered how things would go if he went to visit Saito at the hospital and introduced "his" own Meiru. Would they be as close as they would be? Netto already disliked the resemblance between him and Saito, and if he acted like a better version of himself, it would only add to his frustration.
He categorically dismissed the absurd theories. Akane was already imagining that Saito and Rockman were the same person…
The children interrupted their meal and looked up as footsteps echoed on the stairs. To their great astonishment, they saw Saito appear. But something was off... His hair was styled in a strange way. Rockman widened his eyes upon seeing him from behind, doing his best to hide his face.
"Saito-Onii-chan?" exclaimed Akane, surprised to see him here.
Netto also turned his head towards Saito, astonished that he was still there. He wanted to approach him, but Rockman held him back firmly. Kohaku furrowed his brows, suspecting that something fishy was going on. They heard a discreet cough coming from the older boy's throat.
"Hey, kids!" he said in a strange voice. "I see you're all here, but unfortunately, I have to leave now!"
Netto furrowed his brows upon hearing this, then Saito walked away with a normal stride. The brown-haired boy struggled to straighten up and follow him while all the other children, except for Kohaku, followed suit. Rockman also stood up and, once outside, he leaped over the overly curious children to get closer to "Saito." Once in front of him, the Navi squinted, examining him closely. Under the ill-fitting fringe of the wig, he could see Meiru's comically amused face with a slight smirk.
"They all fell into the trap..." she murmured, sticking out her tongue.
However, Rockman didn't seem to find it amusing at all. He crossed his arms and looked at her.
"Oh, come on, I'm sure you secretly like it," she added teasingly.
"Saito-Onii-chan!" Akane shouted from behind them.
She rushed straight toward "him", enveloping "him" in her arms. While the two elders gritted their teeth at seeing this (it was the trap), they knew they could say goodbye to Saito's secret. The child looked up, happy, but when she saw "his" face, Meiru burst into a small embarrassed laugh, signaling to the girl that everything was fine. Akane's smile faded as she stepped back, not saying a word, observing the Navi who also had a drop of sweat. Behind her, the three other boys joined them. Meiru then turned around, hiding her face.
"So, there you have it," Yusaku simply announced. "Saito is here with Rockman."
Rockman didn't react, just staring at the "impostor" by his side. Meiru bit her lip, realizing that the situation was much more stressful than she had expected. On the other hand, Netto tilted his head, intrigued. It was indeed the first time he saw both of them together, but he couldn't help but feel that there was something strange between them.
"S... Saito?" Netto timidly asked.
Meiru made a surprised sound upon hearing him. She was rather proud that he made an attempt to communicate with him since yesterday.
"Yes?" she replied, forcing her voice to sound deeper (which was absurd since Saito hadn't gone through puberty yet).
He looked at Rockman and then at the "boy," not knowing what else to say.
"I was wondering..." Yusaku began, "Are Rockman and Saito good friends?"
Meiru placed her hands on her hips. "Of course we are!" she replied with a certain pride that contrasted with the character she was portraying.
Rockman tilted his head and approached her. Holding her by the back, he pressed her against him, causing her to emit a whimper and her cheeks to turn red. He patted her back several times, like good friends would do. Slowly, a gentle smile formed on Meiru's face. Netto formed a strange smile upon seeing this scene, although a certain sadness was also evident on his face before he lowered it, almost ashamed.
"We... We are united in wanting Netto's well-being!" Meiru announced with a slight stutter.
The concerned party didn't move, but he nodded slightly while staring at the ground, his fists clenched.
"Well... I have to go now. See you tonight, kids!" she said, raising her hand and moving away from Rockman.
"Saito, wait!" Netto almost shouted.
She stopped, unable to take another step. Meiru gently parted her lips, curious to know what he wanted to say.
"I... I'm sorry...for last night. I wasn't doing well..." Netto admitted, averting his gaze, aware that his pride was shaken.
Rockman looked at him with tenderness. Even though he was the real Saito trapped under this armor, he could feel the words deeply touching his being.
"It's okay, Netto," Meiru replied softly, knowing that it was indeed what Saito would say.
"And for yesterday morning..." the child continued. "I'm sorry... But I..."
"I forgive you too," the disguised girl interrupted again, even though she didn't really know what had happened.
Netto looked at Meiru, his eyes shimmering with withheld tears. He wanted to move forward, ignoring everything around them. "I just want to know...where you're going... Why it's so important to you..."
Meiru didn't answer, aware that it wasn't up to her to provide an answer.
"Please...stay," Netto whispered.
The situation was becoming unbearable for Meiru. She felt trapped in a completely absurd story because one of the two refused to speak! Her heart was pounding, she had had enough. Rockman approached the child, raising his hand to make a strange gesture that signified a form of negation. Netto observed the Navi, then the boy who had turned his back to him, and sighed.
"Well... If Rockman trusts you on this matter..." he finally concluded, somewhat dejected. "But...please come back quickly..."
Meiru nodded and walked forward, gradually disappearing from their field of vision. The children eventually turned back and headed home, Netto dragging his feet. Although he wasn't entirely satisfied, he simply sighed.
"I found it strange..." commented Akane, still shocked by what she had seen.
"He had a deeper voice than usual..." added Sota.
The children entered the house and Rockman watched them, arms crossed and tail swaying. Suddenly, Meiru appeared from behind a bush, holding the wig in her hands.
"Ah," she said as Rockman looked at her. "We did pretty well, didn't we?"
Rockman didn't react, he continued to stare at the door. Meiru crouched slightly, trying to discern his expression as she kept her hands behind her back.
"What's the matter?" Meiru asked with a mischievous smile. "Aren't you satisfied with what happened?"
Rockman tilted his head, letting his arms fall to his sides. Meiru had a strange smile, her cheeks reddening. Slowly, she took hold of the Navi's hands, pressing them against herself despite his resistance.
"I'm sure...you're starting to understand that he needs you, no matter your form."
They stayed like that for a few seconds, and Rockman widened his eyes, not in anger but in a strange emotion. Finally, he forced Meiru to let go and began to move away. The young girl felt a strange sensation and eventually realized something.
"By the way... I don't know when I'll return your clothes... But they really need to be washed."
Netto settled on his futon, going over what had just happened. His heart was starting to feel relieved now that he had managed to apologize. Yet he felt that it wasn't enough. A deeper conversation between them might be necessary. It was the only solution.
There were so many things Netto wanted to express, especially regarding the previous day. On one hand, he could see that Rockman trusted Saito enough to let him go, as he must know things better than Netto. But on the other hand, he simply wanted the boy...to trust him. That's what he wished for deep down: just trust. After all, they were friends, so why wouldn't he have the right to know what others knew?
When Meiru had told him that the issue wasn't the secret itself but merely revealing it to him, Netto's heart had almost broken. What had he done that was so special that the boy couldn't know the truth? Did his secret have a connection to him? Was it because of their resemblance too?
Then came the moment when Meiru had taken Saito's hand. It was the first time Netto felt such jealousy. When it came to other boys, Netto didn't care because he knew Meiru wasn't interested in them, especially Dekao. What? No, he wasn't in love with her... Well... He shook his head, telling himself that he didn't care if Meiru could be with someone else. His problem was...Saito. Saito, who resembled him so much and who—just like in that dream—seemed to be an improved version of himself. And that's why Meiru could accept him more easily. Netto had rarely seen the girl behave towards him the way she had with the older boy.
Netto sighed, sitting on his bed. He looked out the window, eager to leave this place. He wanted to go home as soon as possible and reunite with his real friends, especially the Meiru he knew.
He heard a noise and saw Sota crack open the door, looking at him with a neutral expression. "Meiru-Onee-chan went shopping... So if you need something, you have to see Yusaku..." he announced.
Netto nodded and let the other boy go, keeping his sad expression in mind. With the kids around, he felt uncomfortable complaining, knowing they had experienced much scarier things than him. He sighed once again, thinking back to what happened with Sota yesterday. If he were in his world, what would he do to comfort someone in a similar situation?
An idea suddenly came to his mind, and he wondered how he could have forgotten his true nature. A smile formed on his face and he clenched his fists, trying to chase away his negative thoughts. Netto hurriedly left the room and went downstairs. He spotted Sota pouring himself a glass of water and placing it carelessly on a surface.
"Hey, Sota!" he called out.
The boy turned to him, wearing a confused and slightly sad expression.
"Do you want to play with me?" Netto offered with a smile.
Sota seemed even more perplexed, but Yusaku, curious, intervened before he could respond.
"What do you want to play, Netto?" he asked.
Netto pretended to think for a moment, then looked at the garden and had another idea.
"Do you have a ball?" he asked.
Suddenly, Yusaku seemed excited, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
"Oh yes, that would be great!" he exclaimed, turning to the third boy in red who still looked unsure. "Go get the ball from the cupboard!"
"But..." the boy started, still hesitant. "Shouldn't Netto stay indoors?"
The brown-haired boy furrowed his brows, slightly angry. "I'm almost fully recovered! Tomorrow, I'll be free!"
Sota hesitated for a moment, but with Yusaku's insistence, he went to fetch the ball from the cupboard, offering a smile to the two other boys. They then headed outside, delighted to be able to have a good time together.
"Great! Since we're only three, we can pass the ball!" declared Netto.
The other two nodded, and Sota sent the ball with a powerful gesture. Netto reacted with a strong kick, almost too strong for Yusaku to catch.
"Wow, nice shot!" exclaimed Yusaku.
"Yeah! I've been playing soccer a lot since I was seven!" declared Netto without immediately realizing what he had just said, leaving the two other boys perplexed. Netto noticed their confusion and a bead of sweat formed on his temple. "Well, I mean...since I was five..."
Despite this small incident, they resumed their attack on the ball, energetically tossing it to each other. At one point, Sota delivered a particularly powerful strike, surpassing even Netto's shots, which surprised the two other boys regarding the hidden strength of the more timid boy. Determined smiles increasingly appeared on their faces, especially on Sota's.
Meanwhile, Rockman had moved closer to the door, observing them. He knew he couldn't join in the game; his strength was too great, and he wasn't really interested in physical activities. Kohaku, the only boy who couldn't join them due to his physical disability, also watched them with a gaze tinged with jealousy. Akane, on the other hand, nestled against Rockman, holding his arm and rubbing against him for comfort.
Sensing her, Rockman gently lowered her onto his legs so she could rest on them. His hand caressed her head softly as he kept a vigilant eye on the boys he was watching. He didn't immediately notice the wide smile stretching across Akane's face until she turned her head to get his attention. At that moment, he instinctively lowered his head.
"I know you're Saito," she expressed softly, her voice carried by the wind, inaudible to anyone else.
Rockman froze, his hand coming to an abrupt stop. His eyes gradually widened, a glimmer of anger starting to distort his gaze. Almost instinctively, he almost growled. Yet, the little girl maintained her mischievous and confident expression.
"I won't tell anyone," she reassured in a soothing tone that seemed to defuse the bomb Rockman was about to drop. His eyes regained their calmness, and his breathing became more regular. Gently, she took his hand, placing it against her heart, and then closed her eyes.
"You don't want to say it because you want to protect us?" she asked. Rockman averted his gaze, no longer wanting to confront her stare. "That's what superheroes do; they protect those they love by keeping secrets..." She raised her hand, attempting to touch his face until he finally looked at her. "I think you're the coolest superhero that exists!" she whispered, her eyes sparkling.
A soothing warmth filled the Navi's chest, his reassured heart beating. He lowered his head and retrieved his hand, gently rubbing his thumb against her palm, closing his eyes with an expression of tranquility.
The sound of the door opening didn't take Rockman by surprise. He didn't even need to turn around to check who was there. He heard Meiru greet him and drop her things, but when she saw the boys outside, one in particular, she panicked.
"Netto!" she called from the outside doorway. "Your treatment isn't finished! Come back inside immediately!
The person in question turned around, furrowing his brows.
"Hey! I'm not sick anymore, and I'm almost done! I have the right to play outside!" he retorted, sticking out his tongue.
The girl seethed with anger, clenching her fists, then abruptly turned towards Rockman, her eyes expressing an exaggerated anger to try and startle the supposedly more intimidating Navi.
"Why did you let him play outside!" she exclaimed.
Finally, Rockman closed his eyes, raising his arms and shoulders in a sign of resignation. It was the least of his worries. Seeing that she wasn't receiving any support from the one who was supposed to be the child's "brother," she sighed and approached the children sternly, trying to soften her tone.
"Netto, please, I don't want you to get sick again! If you catch a cold again tomorrow, you might have to stay here even longer!"
"But earlier when I said goodbye to Saito I was outside!" he retorted as an excuse.
Meiru had a drop of sweat, realizing that she had indeed left the boy outside to meet his "friend" who was actually herself. A small nervous laugh escaped her lips as she spoke again.
"Yes... But I wasn't there."
Netto puffed his cheeks, furrowing his brows more intensely.
"Come on, please, you know I'm doing this for you."
He sighed and headed inside, followed by Yusaku and Sota, both saddened for him.
"It's okay, we can play a board game!" comforted the eldest of the three.
Meiru watched them, arms crossed, discreetly glancing at the Navi who was gently playing with Akane by his side. Finally, a genuine smile stretched across her face.
During the meal, Meiru couldn't help but watch the Navi gobble down his food while his operator did almost the same. Both seemed to have regained their former energy. Her gaze briefly landed on Rockman—who had removed his mask—revealing a face devoid of details, and then she turned her attention to Netto. It was strange how this child couldn't recognize that the Navi beside him was the boy he interacted with every day. His red eyes and sharp teeth didn't make it any easier, especially since he had no details without his helmet. Was it even possible for a Navi to remove their helmet?
Once the meal was finished and the children had cleaned up their dishes, Meiru observed the children who didn't seem to be doing much, occupied with their usual habits. She placed her hand on her hip and cleared her throat, thus capturing their attention.
"You know that after the meal it's time for everyone to take a nap, right?" she announced in a calm voice.
Akane pouted, slamming her hands on the table and furrowing her brows.
"We don't want to take a nap, Meiru-Onee-chan!" she protested.
This remark caught Meiru off guard, and she closed her eyes, trying not to get angry.
"Meiru-nee, I have to admit that I don't want to either," Yusaku added.
Meiru's mouth twisted and a drop of sweat appeared on her temple.
"If you take a nap, you'll be allowed to have the donuts I'm preparing!" she said with a sly smile.
Instantly, Sota and even Akane's eyes sparkled upon hearing that. Like a robot, Rockman stood up and headed towards the stairs.
"Stop, Rockman!" Netto exclaimed, panicked. "She's blackmailing us!"
The Navi stopped and cast a fleeting glance at Netto while Meiru dropped her smug smile. She attempted to sigh multiple times.
"Fine, fine... But if you don't want to take a nap now, you'll end up exhausted later..." she said, lowering her arms in discouragement. "So I'll prepare those donuts, and then we'll have an afternoon snack..." She opened her eyes, noticing that all the children were looking at her with enthusiasm, their cheeks rosy and their eyes sparkling, along with the Navi behind them. "Don't tell me you don't want to take a nap because you're impatient..."
Without waiting for a response, Meiru quickly found herself in the kitchen. Each child stared at her impatiently, even Rockman observed her from the stove. She glanced up to look at him and the children who were doing the same, which started to annoy her, but she had to deal with it…
Time passed and finally, Meiru arrived with a plate full of donuts, which she placed on the coffee table. The children's mouths opened in silent wonder. The girl placed a ceramic teapot on the table and distributed a cup to each one. She prevented the greediest ones from touching the pastries by tapping their hands and threatening them to wait until she finished serving the tea. She sat at the end of the table, closed her eyes, and then reopened them while raising her arms.
"You can each take one," she announced.
Without saying a word, everyone pounced on the first donut in front of them, devouring the pastries with a voracity that would have made Meiru shudder (or maybe not). Rockman savored his donut as if it were a sacred delicacy while Netto, after a few bites, turned his gaze towards Meiru with sparkling eyes.
"Meiru-chan, it's so good!" he exclaimed, all happy.
She responded with a smile and finally tasted her own. She had to admit she wasn't very confident, but she could be proud of what she had accomplished. The Navi, ready to have another serving, was stopped by a tap on the hand from Meiru.
"We wait for the others to finish!"
He pouted and Netto chuckled beside him. Other children had also finished and were requesting another donut by raising their hands. Meiru sighed, allowing them to serve themselves. At least they were calm now that they had gotten what they wanted. Time passed, and Meiru enjoyed her tea while nibbling on the first donut she hadn't finished yet. As for the remaining donuts, there weren't enough left. Akane clapped her hands on the table and quickly got up to fetch a stereo from the cupboard.
"I want to listen to music!" she exclaimed.
She plugged in the stereo and turned it on, letting the music resonate at a high volume. A typical pop song of the moment started playing, and she began shaking her head to the rhythm, completely absorbed in the music. The other children remained still, watching her with some awkwardness, while she waved her arms to invite them to join her.
"Are you coming to dance?" the girl asked the boys who looked at her strangely.
Netto sat at the table, already finished with his donut, and sulked while enduring this idol music. The Meiru he knew was right, it was losing its appeal. Did Aki-chan exist in this world too? He got lost in his thoughts for a moment.
Rockman, wiping his mouth with his wrist, approached the stereo and examined the buttons, curious to discover its other features. He realized that the stereo was actually a radio that could also play cassettes and CDs. He pressed one of the buttons with a number, which changed the music to something different, a song that seemed to belong to another era.
"Hey! Why are you doing that!" Akane exclaimed, almost frustrated by the music change.
Meiru observed the scene from the table, cup in her hands, listening to the new music that almost made her bite her lip. It was a pop song from twenty years ago. The Navi stood frozen, attentively listening to the music, while Netto watched him and smirked.
"Oh yeah, it's the Grandma's music that you enjoy," he said, still sitting in the same position.
Rockman growled, turning his head towards him after those words.
"'Grandma's music'? That was my mother's youth cassette; she used to listen to it all the time!" Meiru replied, not truly angry, staring at the liquid in her cup. "These songs hold a part of her past, it's what she passed down to me."
Netto raised his head, listening attentively. It was an argument he had never heard before, and he was perplexed. Rockman, on the other hand, still looked annoyed at him but seemed to agree with Meiru.
"Do you like these songs, Rockman? It's music for old people!"
"Stop saying that, Netto-kun. These songs shaped the art of music and contributed to its development! It was the golden age, a period of unprecedented experimentation. In the span of three generations, we have never known so many wonderful artists who created a musical genre and left a magnificent legacy. It's like the Net or any other technology, after all..."
That's what he had said that day as well. Yet Netto couldn't understand where it came from. How had he managed to feel such passion without being influenced by his operator?
Akane mumbled her words while observing the Navi who was flourishing with the music. Then she turned to the accommodating girl.
"Meiru-Onee-chan! I want to listen to what was playing!" she exclaimed.
"Rockman is our guest for the week, so he gets to choose the music. You can listen to whatever you want when they leave!" Meiru replied in a neutral voice, but with a smile.
The child almost complained but was tapped on the hand by the Navi right behind her. Displeased, she turned around to look at him, as he wore an innocent expression. She hurried towards him but started looking at him gently with a small smile.
"Shall we dance?"
Rockman tilted his head, perplexed, but she pulled him up onto his two legs and jumped while holding his hands. Her laughter filled the air, and through Rockman's eyes, one could see that he was equally happy. Meiru simply smiled as she watched them and then turned her gaze to the boys surrounding them. Kohaku had taken out his pencils and papers, which he always kept tucked under the table. Sota had his head resting on his hands while Yusaku had a smile on his face. Netto was the only one lost in his thoughts.
The girl looked at him, reminiscing about the past days, especially the previous day. She straightened up and approached him, catching his attention as he looked up.
"Are you coming? Let's dance too," she said to him.
In shock from the question, Netto expressed multiple reactions at once: surprise, embarrassment, and a glimmer of joy also appeared on his face.
"I..." he started, his face turning as red as a tomato. "I don't know how to dance!" he blurted out as his only excuse.
But Meiru did nothing but hold him firmly in her arms, bringing him closer to her.
"I'll lead, don't worry!" she reassured him.
Netto tried to free himself, but ended up staying against her, his face still as red. In the CD player, the music changed to something both upbeat and soft.
At the summer party, I never forget you talked to me
Your voice on the phone always says only clichés
Meiru held him tightly against her, preventing him from touching the ground. She swayed in all directions, imagining that she was dancing an exaggerated slow dance. Netto also held onto her tightly, fearing he would fall.
You are my shyness boy
I'm waiting for your temptation words
I hope today's the last day of my frustration
I'm falling in love!
She continued to sway while Netto stopped making noise. Eventually, they all started laughing, each in their own gentle way. Rockman observed his operator, his face red, almost frozen, yet he could see how happy he was to be so close to her. With a hand on his shoulder, Netto was equally amused.
Meiru finally let go of him and bowed, applauded by Akane.
"Bravo!" Akane exclaimed cheerfully while Netto stepped back, still blushing. "But now, Meiru-Onee-chan, you have to dance with a taller boy!"
Meiru tilted her head, and behind them, Yusaku also blushed with embarrassment.
"Oh no... I don't dance!" he said, feeling targeted.
"Saito could have been the perfect candidate, but he's not here..." Sota commented.
"No!" Akane replied, heading towards the green Navi. "Rockman will dance with her!"
At that moment, it was Meiru who felt her cheeks turn red. "But Akane-chan, Rockman is a Navi, and besides, in this form..."
The girl approached the Navi in question, who almost made a strange noise. She took his arm and pulled him towards her. "If Rockman can dance with me, then he can dance with you too!"
Meiru blinked several times then ended up looking at the Navi in a strange way; just like Rockman, who was starting to lose his composure. She sighed and took his hand. "Fine, I don't have a choice!"
You are my shyness boy
I'm so frustrated by your love
Your hand you hold a cigarette is shaking
You're so useless!
She led him to the center of the dance floor, forcing him to dance her way, performing the same movements. The poor Navi felt completely lost, trying to follow Meiru's instructions. The other children burst into laughter, teasing Rockman in particular for not being able to properly keep up with what Meiru had planned.
You are my shyness boy
I'm waiting for your clichés
Too tender eyes of yours
That's what I love about you!
Finally, Rockman managed to keep up with the dance steps and spun Meiru around. She noticed that he was learning quickly, likely due to his nature as a Navi. Unbeknownst to them, they began twirling together, narrowly avoiding a fall but Rockman managed to catch the young girl in his arms. Leaning forward and backward, their faces were very close, their gazes meeting, almost dazzled. Gradually, Meiru started to laugh softly, perhaps out of embarrassment, and Rockman wished he could do the same.
Netto watched them attentively, wearing a small smile, happy to see that Rockman was also having a good time. But...something gripped his heart, especially as he recalled the events of the previous day. Without attracting attention, he quietly made his way upstairs.
You are my shyness boy
I'm waiting for your temptation words
I hope today's the last day of my frustration
I'm falling in love!
The two dancers continued to express their joy in their own way as they danced. The other children were astonished by what they saw. They had fun, and as the music ended, it left them laughing.
Sota was the first to react to their performance. "Wow... Rockman suddenly seems so...human," he whispered.
Akane turned around, placing a finger on her lips, looking at him with a teasing expression. "I know why."
Another song started playing and Meiru headed towards the boys, Yusaku and Sota following her (while Kohaku watched them with a mischievous smile). After observing them for a moment, Rockman noticed that Netto was gone. He scanned the room but couldn't find him anywhere. He decided to go upstairs. Upon reaching the bedroom, he found it empty, except for a few scattered belongings. He wondered what Netto had been up to during his lonely night. He heard a voice behind him. He turned around and listened at the door of the children's room.
"...Maybe it's up to me to make an effort... But I wish they would understand me," he heard, realizing that Netto was behind that door. "I want them to trust me, especially Saito... I feel like I'm living a kind of deception with him."
Strangely, Rockman lowered his head. His hand grazed the door, and his claws lightly scratched the wood.
"I hate this form... I want to be treated like I always have been," he murmured. "Saito tells me that we won't be able to see each other anymore once we go back home. I want to visit him, it's true. I want to be real friends, but I feel like he's held back by the fact that I'm a child. Is that really the reason he doesn't say anything to me?"
He looked at his clawed hand and lost himself in his thoughts. When he was still the true Rockman, life was simple. There was no more doubt, he had embraced a new existence by sacrificing the old one. Here, as a Navi with a monstrous appearance, he could still enjoy the humanity he had abandoned. The simple fact that everyone in this house had accepted him gave him a strange comfort, and he felt like himself again. But the fact that Meiru (and probably Akane) knew his secret unsettled Saito. He felt a certain joy in being treated as one of them. And Netto had been the first to do so.
He placed his hand on his emblem and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
Rockman turned his head when he heard a noise on the stairs. He saw Meiru holding Akane with one hand, the little girl rubbing her eye.
"You see, I told you that you should take your nap," she said softly.
She stopped when she noticed the Navi at the door of the children's room, a slightly panicked expression on her face.
"Is something wrong?" she asked. She opened the door and came across Netto, kneeling near Shinobu's bed, who was looking at him with wide eyes. The young boy startled at the sight, his cheeks turning red with embarrassment.
"I was just...uh..." he stammered, searching for an excuse.
Meiru tilted her head. "It's okay, Netto. Nothing is stopping you from talking to Shinobu-chan whenever you want!"
The round-eyed girl in the bed spotted the Navi and waved her little hands, wanting him to come closer. Rockman approached her and stood beside the child, who looked away, then he let his left hand be taken by Shinobu's hands. With his other hand, he quickly stroked the boy's hair, causing him to furrow his brows.
Laying the other little girl in her futon, Meiru looked at the two boys, hands on her hips.
"It would be better if you let Akane-chan get some sleep," she declared.
They both turned and nodded. Before leaving, Rockman gently brushed his fingertip against the girl's forehead, then he joined the others. They all headed towards the dining room, where Yusaku had suggested playing a small board game. Unsure of what to do, the Navi decided to go outside for a while to be alone and reflect. Meanwhile, Meiru had an idea. She rummaged through her belongings in search of a sewing box, then sat at the table and began working with several threads of pink and blue, mixing them together. Sota looked up to observe, intrigued.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She didn't look at him, but her cheeks blushed as she displayed a tender smile.
"A promise..."
Saito knocked on the front door several times. Quickly, Meiru opened the door and looked at him tenderly.
"Hey..." she said softly.
"Hey..." he replied in an even tone, displaying the same expression as her.
They stood at the door for a few moments, silently gazing at each other, but their moment was interrupted when Akane appeared at the door.
"Saito-Onii-chan!" she exclaimed, rushing towards him and grabbing him by the hips.
"Hey!" he responded with a slightly louder voice.
Gently, she lifted her head, a radiant smile spreading across her face as she looked at him. Saito, softly, ruffled her hair and still attempted to approach, despite her efforts to prevent him. All the other children also greeted him warmly, including Netto, although his shyness was more apparent. The young boy tried to be affectionate, especially as he recalled the morning they had spent together. He followed Meiru, who had returned to the kitchen, and when she noticed him, she turned towards him.
"I wanted to help," he said kindly, his cheeks slightly blushing.
She reacted similarly, suddenly exaggerating her expression.
"Really?" she asked.
Then, she abruptly turned around and brought out a stack of plates, placing them in the boy's arms, causing him to almost stumble forward.
"You know what to do!" she exclaimed.
Saito sighed lightly while nodding, a small bead of sweat forming on his temple. He headed towards the table to set it up properly. Once he finished quickly, he noticed Meiru mixing the vegetables, carrying out the task intended for Shinobu. He approached her as she attempted to transfer the "soup" into the baby bottle.
"Can... Can I try to feed her?" Saito asked timidly.
Meiru turned her gaze towards him, her expression remaining unchanged. "Well, I'll have to guide you; it's a bit strange the first time."
Saito nodded and they eventually went upstairs, followed by a few curious children, including Netto. The two preteens knelt beside the little girl's bed, who observed them with curiosity.
"By the way... Is this the first time you're seeing her?" Meiru tried to imply, as they were surrounded by the other children.
Saito nodded and focused his gaze on the child, extending his hand towards her, which she gently grabbed.
"Hey..." he whispered softly. "It's me..."
The little girl, with her round eyes, looked at his hand and then raised her gaze to Saito, offering him a tender smile. A certain realization seemed to dawn upon her, her eyes widening slightly. He let out a light chuckle, noting that she had understood. She was much more perceptive than anyone else.
"Now, you're going to support her head and bring her towards you," Meiru explained to him. He nodded and followed the instructions. "Make sure her head is on the side where her mouth is closed," she added.
He continued to nod, aware that this task was delicate and technical, especially since the little girl allowed herself to be handled like a ragdoll. Once he successfully positioned her head correctly, Meiru placed the bottle back in his hand, and he managed to place it in the girl's mouth, causing her eyes to widen. The young girl sighed and gently wiped Shinobu's mouth.
"He's doing his best, Shinobu-chan," she said, as if apologizing.
But the girl did not remain passive. Like an elderly person, she slowly opened her mouth to take the plastic nipple of the bottle, raising her hands to try to grab it as well. A smile formed on Saito's face, proud to have successfully secured the bottle in her mouth, even though some liquid was spilling out. She seemed to enjoy it. Saito paused, starting to feel a slight strain in his arm.
"It's quite a workout, huh?" Meiru commented with a small sarcastic smile.
He responded with an embarrassed smile and resumed his efforts, trying to ensure that the girl finished the bottle. They finally reached the end, and Meiru once again wiped the girl's mouth. Shinobu raised her hand, trying to reach Saito's face, and gently touched it. He caressed her hand, delighted to feel her gratitude.
"I wonder what Shinobu-chan was like before..." he murmured slowly.
Meiru tilted her head, trying to smile. "Probably a very kind little girl," she finally said before stroking her head.
Netto once again observed the scene, the two preteens together as always. But when it wasn't Saito, it was Rockman. He tried to smile, but the pain was present. The Meiru he knew always wanted to do something with him.
The meal proceeded as usual, and then Meiru looked at the two boys, a question crossing her mind. "Tomorrow, I'll try to prepare some things for you before you leave. By the way, when do you want to leave?"
This announcement had the effect of a bomb. Netto was reassured, but it shocked Saito that she could bring it up. The children wore a sad expression upon hearing this, devastated to learn of it.
"What? Already?" exclaimed Akane first.
"Yes..." confirmed Saito. "We'll have to hit the road again soon..."
"That's... That's too bad..." Yusaku commented with sadness.
Netto took a deep breath. "I'd like to leave tomorrow afternoon," he declared. This announcement shocked everyone at the table.
"Eh?" exclaimed Akane. "But no! Tomorrow is your last day here!"
Netto turned his head, trying to meet her gaze despite her apparent gentleness. "We have to leave as soon as possible, I want to go back home."
"But Netto..." Meiru began.
"We have to... I have to... I want to..." he hesitated, his breathing blending with a choked sob.
"Don't you like us?" Akane asked, her question stabbing Netto's heart.
"Yes... You're all wonderful friends! I've been delighted to meet all of you, and most importantly, it has helped me understand...children like you," he responded emotionally.
Yusaku gave a slight smile, grateful to hear those words.
"So why do you want to leave so quickly? Please, stay with us a little longer!" Akane continued, still filled with sadness.
"I... I told you, I just want to go back home. It's been so long since I've been away, I want to find my parents."
"If you really find them," commented Kohaku in his usual tone, furrowing Netto's brow.
Sota lowered his gaze. "You should be happy for Netto. He still has his parents, and he's doing everything he can to find them as soon as possible. He's lucky..." he replied timidly, avoiding looking at the people in front of him.
Netto felt his cheeks blush slightly and felt relieved, but it didn't really calm down little Akane, who stood beside him with tears glistening in her eyes.
"So, will you try to give us news once you're home? Just because we're like this doesn't mean we don't have the right to hear from you!" she cried.
"I..." he began, searching for a lie, but he couldn't. He looked at each of them, realizing that he would never be able to contact them once he returned to his world. It would all be over. "I'll do my best..." he expressed in a trembling voice, the tears he held back escaping his eyes.
"Netto, I know you have your opinion about this, but it's not up to you to decide," Meiru started in a neutral tone. She turned her head to Saito, who hadn't said anything yet and dared not say anything from the beginning. "And what about you?"
"I..." he began, struggling for breath. "I would like to leave the day after tomorrow, Netto."
The child gasped, feeling almost betrayed. "But..."
"I know you want to leave as soon as possible, Netto. I do too, I want to go back as quickly as possible," the preteen continued quickly. "But we're not ready. Meiru volunteered for something, and I want her to be able to do it. And we also need to prepare ourselves mentally."
Netto held back from saying something, anger rising within him, but he noticed the enigmatic smile on Saito's face.
"And also, I would like...for this last day to do all the things that I won't be able to do anymore..." he said, looking at Netto, his face filled with tenderness.
Netto calmed down, this reaction somehow spurring him on. He bit his lip, understanding that Saito had probably planned something for tomorrow and he wouldn't change it. He furrowed his brow, suspecting what it might be, but ultimately shrugged.
Meiru also looked at the other boy, realizing that he had a plan in mind, that something was going to happen tomorrow. She didn't make any assumptions, knowing that she would find out anyway.
Meiru had been very discreet during the evening. She had entrusted the children to Saito, leaving everyone wondering what she had gone to do. She had simply asked him to take care of them in his own way while she was absent to fulfill a mysterious task.
Saito, not having the talent to play music, had taken a book and settled in the middle of the children's room. He had started reading them a captivating story. The children were all focused, absorbed in the story, while Netto lay sprawled across a futon, arms and legs spread out like a starfish. He listened to the story with a distracted ear, lost in his thoughts, which constantly revolved around numerous subjects.
The story was nearing its end, and Meiru made her appearance, helping Saito put all the children to bed. Once the task was completed, Saito accompanied the last child to his room, looking at him with a worried expression.
"What's wrong?" he asked, observing him attentively.
"I... Nothing... I'm sorry about yesterday..." murmured Netto, looking concerned.
Saito smiled softly and ruffled his hair. "I don't blame you, I promise you this will be resolved soon."
Netto stared at him, his eyes shining with hope.
"There's a reason why I want to stay tomorrow, don't worry. It will be strange, but very important. I hope you understand," Saito added in a confident tone.
The child nodded and flopped onto his bed.
"I'll be back, but now you need to sleep, okay?" Saito said.
Netto did nothing, he continued to look at him with concern but closed his eyes. Saito stood up and walked toward the door. "Goodnight," he whispered before closing the door.
He closed the door behind him, and as he turned around, he noticed Meiru staring at him, her hands hidden behind her back. A strange smile illuminated her face.
"Do you...want to have one last discussion?" Saito asked tentatively, intrigued by her peculiar behavior.
Meiru lowered her eyes with a mischievous smile, then raised them again. She gently took his hand and led him without warning, causing sounds of surprise from him. When they reached downstairs, she came to a stop.
"Is there something, Meiru-chan?" Saito asked, tormented by Meiru's enigmatic behavior.
"In reality, there's much more," she replied, quickly taking out a black blindfold and placing it over the boy's eyes.
"Hey!" he protested, struggling as she forced the blindfold onto his eyes.
"Do you trust me, Saito?" she interrupted, her mouth slightly open.
He paused, his mouth hanging open. "Well... Yes," he finally responded.
"Then there's nothing to fear," she concluded, quickly tying the blindfold.
He felt completely disoriented. The blindfold was so tight that he couldn't see anything, immersed in complete darkness. Meiru's hand gripped his, and he simply followed her steps, holding onto her. He could feel the cool breeze of the wind, indicating that they were now outside. Step by step, he continued to follow her through the grass, wondering how long they had been walking. The absurd idea that Meiru was actually a man-eating psychopath crossed his mind, a twist of events as strange as it was unsettling.
Finally, they stopped, and Meiru released his hand, causing a surge of panic in his back. Thinking that she had abandoned him, he turned around abruptly, mouth wide open, terrified.
"Don't turn around, just sit down," a voice reached him from behind.
Swallowing hard, he obeyed and slowly sat down, realizing that he was on a soft surface. Behind him, he felt Meiru's hands undoing the knot of the blindfold.
"Close your eyes," she commanded him.
The blindfold slipped from his eyes, but Saito forced himself to keep them closed as Meiru's hands guided him to lie down. At first, he was tense, but then gradually relaxed. He sensed the movement of the girl near him.
"Okay, you can open them," she announced.
Saito's eyelids slowly opened, revealing the magical spectacle of the starry sky, embellished with the shimmering hues of the dimensional zone. His eyes filled with wonder at the purity of the firmament, free from any light pollution. It was not just a dark black, but a canvas illuminated by countless stars, highlighted by the last traces of blue and pink left by the sunset. Saito could hardly believe it. Since he had been plunged into this world as a human and aspired to fully experience the experiences unique to his humanity, he had never imagined one day he'd gaze at such a magnificent sky beyond the virtual screen.
"What do you think?" Meiru suddenly asked, placing her hands on her belly.
Saito did not move, his eyes fixed on the spectacle before him.
"It's...beautiful, I can't find the right words," he murmured.
Meiru chuckled slightly and pointed to a star that Saito could not spot. "Do you see that elongated line? That's the constellation Pisces, and those five stars forming a 'W'? That's the constellation Cassiopeia. And over there, you can see stars forming a cross, that's the constellation Cygnus..."
He blinked, trying to discern them, but could only raise an eyebrow, doing his best to distinguish them.
"Roll was passionate about stars," she admitted.
"Really?"
"I don't know about the one you knew, but mine loved the sky. Her favorite time was summer when she could admire her favorite constellations."
Saito blinked, and a strange memory came back to him.
"Roll-chan, are you okay? You seem quite...nostalgic?"
"I would have loved to see the lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi reunited tonight, always separated by that river of stars... Wouldn't you want to see them reunited on the other side someday?"
Gently, Saito closed his eyes, letting the memory leave a bitter taste within him.
"I suppose so... At least yours had the chance to see it for real," he admitted softly.
"No, it's not luck. This dimensional zone ruins everything," Meiru replied with a hint of bitterness.
Saito slowly turned his head towards her, concerned by her words.
"We're trapped inside, in a gigantic cage, destined to be devoured by the monsters it has created," she continued, biting her lip. "This is no longer the real world or the virtual world; we're in between, trapped in the screen."
Saito lowered his head, not knowing what else to say. Meiru's words were filled with venom. He waited for her tone to change, but she remained silent, her eyes fixed on the sky that she secretly seemed to despise.
"That's all," she finally concluded.
Saito glanced at her from the corner of his eye, feeling a new wave of worry.
"All what?" he asked.
"That's all I have," she simply replied.
Saito let out another gasp, but before he could ask a question, Meiru interrupted him. "This almost empty house, these children I take care of, this unfinished song... And this sky filled with stars," she said.
He made a sound of surprise upon hearing her words.
"These are the only things I have," she continued. "And the only things I can share with you."
Saito remained mesmerized by the sky, completely taken aback. "The only..." he repeated softly.
"Oh, but I can also share my pile of dishes with you, which you'll have to wash for me again tomorrow!" Meiru added with a sarcastic tone.
"That... That's fine, Meiru-chan," Saito replied, annoyed in a more comical way.
She chuckled softly, then slowly stood up under Saito's watchful gaze. She took his wrist and brought him closer to her, and he felt something cool all around him.
"But I can give you this, which I hope you'll always keep with you," she whispered.
Saito raised his arm once she finished, and his eyes landed on a bracelet made of light pink and blue threads with the symbol of Roll, or perhaps the symbol of Meiru's family, he thought. His mouth gently opened as he saw it while Meiru lay back beside him.
"This, Saito, is a promise. I want you to promise me that you'll take care of the Meiru in your world...but not to forget about me either," she said.
He turned his head, smiling, although his eyes were filled with tremors.
"I'll never forget you, Meiru-chan. I don't need to make a promise," he replied, looking at the bracelet again. "But as for the Meiru in my world, it's up to Netto to take care of her... I can't really fulfill that."
"I know," she replied. "I thought she could replace me, even though you seemed to already appreciate her."
"Don't say such things, Meiru-chan... It's true that I found the one in my world amazing, but... I realize how different you two are. She is herself, and you are you," he added, not entirely convinced by his words.
"You don't want her?" she asked, turning her head towards him, a gaze that could pierce his soul.
Saito blushed heavily. "I... No..."
She looked back at the sky. "I see."
They remained silent, and Saito felt uneasy, thinking that he had accidentally hurt her.
"I..." he started.
"The truth is, I don't want you to go. But I have to let you go, or else I would become terribly selfish. I still wanted to tell you because I didn't want to...lie," she continued, in such a simple tone.
Without hesitation, Saito took the girl's hand, causing her eyes to widen. "That's true, I don't want to leave either. But I have to because this isn't our world and I have to become a Navi again, and Netto has to safely return home!"
Meiru felt her eyes tremble softly, still feeling the pain of hearing him speak in this way.
"You've given me courage again..." she began softly. "I wish I could give you the same...for what should be the most important decision of your life."
At those words, she felt Saito's hand tighten around hers. She gently turned her head towards him, surprised by his reaction.
"That's why I've made a decision, Meiru-chan," he declared with a certain confidence. A determined smile illuminated his face. "I'm going to tell the truth to Netto tomorrow!"
A light gasp escaped Meiru's lips, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked at him as he continued to gaze at the sky.
"I've realized that I feel good being myself, and you've helped me understand that! If I can be Saito with you, then I can be Saito with Netto, and I want you to be there. Of course, he'll probably be bewildered, but...I have confidence in him. I want to finally start my life as a human with the two people I love the most."
Meiru made a strange sound, catching Saito's attention. His mind suddenly grasped what he had just said. His cheeks reddened as he clumsily attempted to respond, "I mean..."
However, Meiru simply smiled and slowly leaned her head towards him, her eyes filled with tremors. "You and the children are the most wonderful things that have happened to me. I would be afraid to lose all of you, but...I have to move forward and be brave. I'm glad I could help you as well."
Saito nodded.
"The love you have for your little brother is just as beautiful as this sky," she added. "Just like me, it's that child you want to cherish forever. I'm also glad that you let me take care of him."
Saito remained silent and gazed at the sky once again.
"That's why I can only give you this sky... And this promise," she continued weakly.
A strange feeling slowly took hold of Saito, bringing flashbacks of their encounters to his mind. Not only those in this world, but also those in his other world, and how Meiru had given him such a feeling. Regardless of the universe, she possessed a true power... But no matter the version, there was only one in the end.
"This place..." she softly resumed. "It was where I would meet with Roll every summer, our secret garden. It's my treasure."
Those words struck him like a stab, imagining the two best friends undoubtedly reuniting here. His mouth trembling, Saito tightened his hand against hers.
"Meiru-chan..." he began in a weak and trembling voice.
"Saito... Don't call me that... Please," she replied, shaking her head slightly.
Swallowing his saliva, he finally whispered, "Meiru... I will never forget you."
She offered him a sincere smile. Slowly, Saito felt hesitation, an idea sprouting in his mind, but he hesitated to put it into action. He began to stammer, "Me too... Me too, I would like...to give you something."
Both of them turned their heads to look at each other, their gazes meeting with a soft longing. Meiru knew what she was about to receive while Saito, blushing, was timid. He slowly leaned closer to her.
Like in a gentle dream, he delicately pressed his lips against hers.
"This is how... I sealed my own fate."
Since when did I become someone who chases after you?
I'm begging you,
Listen without being surprised, to these feelings I have.
To be Continued…
AN: So how it was ? I hope you really don't mind this little ship, cause I first included it to make Saito progress, in the end I fell in love with it, there is a big potential with Meiru and Saito like really, I like to believe that if Saito was still alive, Meiru would more end up with him. It's indeed the crack pairing of the story... But it won't be here for the whole story if you guys didn't liked it, as I said, the next chapter is the last chapter of this first part, so the story is fair to be over. You guys might be... really surprised.
The song used are, for the dance one "Shyness Boy" from Anri and the whole song that have the same name then the chapter's, is Kimi No Shiranai Monogatari from Supercell, I see this whole song as Saito and Meiru's love song.