AN: A chapter that follows well after what happened, don't worry, our heroes are still alive hehe. Iris has shown that she's very chill in times of disaster like what happened. We can say it's her character, she reacts or gets shocked when it's something she doesn't know. Here, she knows what's going to happen, especially what she's going to do, so it's also this Navi aspect that prevents her from panicking like humans would in such a catastrophe. Now let's get back to the story!
Chapter 28: That Butterfly Girl I need to trust
Sherrice received an urgent call, feeling compelled to answer as she heard the shrill calls emanating from her Navi, Rideman. She hurried through the dark corridors of the unit. Shortly after, a calmer call from Darkman reached her, inviting her to urgently join him in the lowest basement for a meeting. An invitation she couldn't reasonably decline.
Rideman, her cowboy Navi, joined her soon after. His expression still seemed stunned by what he had undergone. He shook his head repeatedly as Sherrice inspected her PET, trying to understand what had happened. At first glance there was no corruption, no apparent error. Her Navi was in good condition, but he had fallen victim to a simple intrusion. A bubbling anger surged within Sherrice, her brows furrowing, already having a fairly clear idea of the identity of the one who had dared to do this.
With her Navi by her side, she headed towards the rendezvous point, standing resolutely, imbued with calculated coldness. A contained anger rumbled within her, a time bomb on the verge of exploding. As she entered the room, she noticed she was the last to arrive. The room was vast, illuminated by various lights that cast a gloomy atmosphere. Several people were scattered in different corners of the room, including the irritating Roppo accompanied by his Navi. In the center stood Darkman, the person in charge of leading the meeting. In the corners, she noticed two other imposing Navis: one taking on the appearance of a pharaoh's sarcophagus, the other adorned with cosmic armor. Sherrice then realized that something much more crucial was at stake.
"You're all finally gathered here," declared Darkman, scanning each of them.
None responded, all remaining still. Darkman turned and headed toward a staircase, suggesting that another person was likely to arrive.
"You've certainly heard about the situation, gentlemen," began the same dark Navi before turning to the two new present members. "Gregar is back."
The first to react was the pharaoh-faced Navi, positioned on the right side of the blonde girl. She observed the scene from the corner of her eye, her expression frozen, devoid of emotion. However, wide eyes betrayed her surprise, tinged with joy.
"We don't know how he managed to return, but he's been reincarnated in a Navi's body," continued the same Navi in a calm tone.
"So, the experiments with the dolls failed?" questioned the Navi situated to the left of Sherrice this time.
"No, they were used for other projects. Although we didn't succeed in bringing back the Cybeasts, these experiments allowed us to produce a more potent concentration of Beast Factor," explained Darkman.
"How does this concern us?" protested the cosmic Navi hidden in the shadows. "It's your affair! For us, it's a failure!"
"Come on, calm down," intervened a strong voice, emanating from a figure at the top of the stairs.
Looking up, Sherrice made out the silhouette of a man dressed in white, sporting a rather sophisticated scientific look, and his face concealed behind a helmet adorned with a luminous cross. While the presence of this individual seemed surprising to Roppo, the blonde girl wasn't taken aback.
"The dolls remain an asset of crucial importance for all of us," he continued, descending a step, his hands discreetly placed behind his back.
The cosmic Navi clenched his fist, growing increasingly irritated. "And what do you propose?! These fools got what they wanted through another method. We're still waiting for the coming of Falzar!"
The helmeted man raised his hands, mimicking an innocent demeanor. "No need to get worked up. That's why we've gathered you all!" He clapped his hands together. "We must simultaneously focus on the experiments to bring back Falzar and locate Gregar's reincarnation!" He expressed his enthusiasm, which didn't elicit much of the same from the others. "If we capture Gregar before the new incarnation of Falzar, we can study him and replicate the same success," he concluded as if he had just formulated a brilliant idea.
"No way!" retorted the Navi in the right corner. "We already had Gregar! Why should we let these idiots have him?"
"How dare you..." reacted the other Navi, clearly catching the insult.
Sherrice sighed, familiar with their rivalry, and grew annoyed at their quarrel.
"Calm down, gentlemen!" intervened the masked man. "You're at peace. Don't forget that!"
The two Navis stopped glaring at each other and turned their attention to the Master, grumbling in discontent. Darkman spoke. "Gregar's Navi is still at large," he informed. "I managed to kidnap his operator, but unfortunately, he escaped without his Navi intervening."
"An operator?!" exclaimed the Navi with the pharaoh-like appearance. "Gregar has an operator?!"
"The operator of the original Navi, yes. It's a child he seems to be protecting. Capturing the child would be a way to lure Gregar," explained Darkman.
"A child... Gregar is under the command of a child..." muttered the sarcophagus-shaped Navi.
The cosmic Navi suddenly burst into laughter. "How humiliating! Your precious wolf has become some sort of babysitter!"
"Shut up!"
This didn't stop the relentless laughter of the same Navi.
"I sent that child to be the new doll of Falzar, by the way," added Darkman, ignoring their quarrel. "But the Priestess intervened before the start of the experiment."
Sherrice tilted her head, brows furrowed. The Master placed his hands against his helmet, feigning surprise.
"Oh no... So dear Iris has entered this story as well! I had something else planned for her..." He let out a disappointed sigh.
Rideman stepped forward, anger evident, as Sherrice looked at him unsurprised.
"What?! That wench I saw, the one who controlled me, was the Priestess?! Why did she have a different appearance?!" exclaimed the cowboy Navi with a loud tone.
"The fact that she could hack you didn't cross your mind?" Sherrice asked calmly.
Rideman furrowed his brows while grinding his teeth. "She looked like a human! I would have thought of a witch!"
"That's true... Our little Priestess is a true witch for Navis!" commented the Master, placing a hand in front of his helmet as if he were covering his mouth to discreetly laugh. "I recognize the work of Doctor Wily!"
No one responded immediately, but Darkman turned his attention to the masked man. "What are we going to do now, Master? Iris is involved, and our plans with her are of great importance."
The helmeted man shrugged. "We simply need to capture her as well, just like the child."
"Can the project with Ijuuin start?" he asked next.
The Master nodded with a gesture. "Here's our plan: let them handle Iris. On our side, we need to locate the child and the Navi. We'll also be ready to launch the Firefox Operations."
Rideman stepped forward, gritting his teeth. "Master, I'd like to know...where do we stand with the serum chip? Now that Iris is with them, it's time for it to be ready," he said in a calmer voice.
"Patience, my friend. Until it's officially announced before the Variety Council, I'd rather not let you be the first to benefit from it," the man at the top of the stairs added.
Rideman nodded and stepped back. Roppo, who hadn't spoken yet, approached, his face showing nervousness.
"Master, I apologize for asking this again...but I don't understand why you hesitate to inform the population about Gregar," he said with a slightly tense voice.
The High Master turned slowly, facing the wall, and raised his arms. "If we were to announce this Navi to the populace, Amerope and Sharo might end up spying on us much more than they suspect. I know there are fools with a similar purpose as ours, after all." He turned back and adopted a very sinister demeanor. "But... all these people, they will panic even more. They will be afraid to see the monster Gregar in front of them when they thought he was dead five years ago." He raised his arms even higher, almost adopting a malevolent tone. "This is their foretaste, before their return!"
"Master..." Darkman began with a concerned tone.
"Oh, of course..." he turned around. "These repulsive beings will see if they can survive in the new world!"
Darkman made no remarks and turned to Sherrice, visibly fixing his gaze on her, which surprised her.
"I forgot to mention," Darkman began. "According to the professor, this child is said to be from Terra."
A shiver ran through everyone, except Sherrice, who kept an unaffected expression.
"Ah, but that's equally fascinating! I might have suspected it!" commented the Master in an exaggerated manner.
Sherrice furrowed her brows while looking at her father, feeling her teeth clenching.
"So many more answers than I would have believed," the man continued. "By all the devils, the future looks fascinating!"
Saito grimaced, his teeth clenched, trying to piece together what had just happened. By his senses, he was still human; the night wasn't over yet. He quickly replayed the recent events in his mind. They were in the glider, then the explosion of the airship had violently thrown them, causing a rough landing. He opened his eyes and raised his head, surveying the surroundings where the wildlife and vegetation seemed wilder than usual.
"N-Netto?" he began weakly, searching with his gaze. "Netto?"
He felt something beneath his abdomen.
"I... I'm here!" he heard the child's voice. Saito frantically looked around for the child.
"Where?!"
"Stand up..."
Saito lowered his head and discovered that he was lying on the child's back. The child's cheeks were turning red under the weight he involuntarily bore. Overcome with embarrassment, the older boy quickly sat up, freeing Netto, who could breathe more easily. He turned to the now less tangled-haired boy, expressing a certain concern.
"Where's Iris?" he asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.
Saito opened his mouth, but no answer came out.
"I'm here." They heard her voice behind them, and the girl appeared on the completely devastated glider's wing.
Netto let out a sigh of relief. "At least the three of us are safe..." he said to reassure them, but his face tensed. He took out his PET and scrutinized the black screen. "But Rockman..."
Saito offered a smile and placed his hand on the PET.
"Once the PET starts working again, Rockman will find you," he tried to explain, seeking to comfort Netto in the best way he could.
Netto remained silent, his thoughts spiraling into doubt. He had already experienced his PET mysteriously shutting down. During the day it worked fine, only to go dark at night without any apparent explanation. Was Rockman falling asleep at night, causing the PET to shut down? A question for which there seemed to be no answer.
Iris observed them with an odd curiosity. She approached them, holding a PET similar to those used by the inhabitants of this world, pressed against her chest. The child got up, wide-eyed, looking at her.
"Is that...your PET?" he questioned, gesturing towards his own.
She lowered her gaze, looking at her own PET. "Yes, I always keep it with me," she replied softly.
Netto didn't say anything, reminiscing about how PETs were the very heart of Navis. If a PET was destroyed, the associated Navi would "die" in a way as well. He observed his own PET for a moment, a smirk forming on his lips. Then, he slipped it into his bag and reached out his hand towards Iris.
"If you want, I can take care of it! It will be safe with me!" he offered.
However, she slightly stepped back, displaying a worried expression as she averted her gaze.
"That's kind of you...but I prefer to keep it with me," she declined.
Netto didn't react immediately. He adjusted his bag on his shoulder as Saito also got up. The girl dressed in pink turned away, trying to distance herself, but the two boys followed her without hesitation.
"Hey, Iris!" Netto began with his ever-present enthusiasm. "Did you have an operator?"
She briefly froze before answering with a soft voice without turning around. "I had an operator, in a way."
The information piqued Netto's curiosity. He moved closer to her, leaving Saito behind, who sported a subtle furrow of his brows.
"And what was he like? Your operator, I mean," he continued, eager to learn more. "Was he kind?"
The girl slowed her pace, her gaze fixed on the ground, her emptiness seeming to reflect a deep melancholy. Netto's smile faded, replaced by a growing concern at this sudden reaction.
"He was my creator," she stated, still not looking at him.
Netto came to a sudden stop, followed by Saito, who was beginning to grow wary of the direction the conversation was taking. The pained expression on the child's face spoke volumes.
"Your creator... He's the same as Colonel's, isn't he?" he questioned, seeking to confirm his suspicions.
Iris observed them, her face remaining neutral, no longer betraying any emotion.
"You know him in your world..." She scrutinized their expressions carefully. "And he didn't act honorably, did he?"
Netto furrowed his brows and lowered his head, his face reflecting palpable disappointment, fists involuntarily clenching.
"Doctor Wily..." he began, but Iris didn't react. "He wasn't a well-liked man. He repeatedly attempted to destroy the Cyber World... Even though much later, he helped us defeat Duo."
Saito didn't interject. Any word from him could risk revealing the secret he was keeping. His attention simply focused on the child, conveying a form of silent compassion, trying to understand the trials he had been through.
"I suppose he hasn't changed, regardless of the world," Iris began in a composed tone. "Oji... I mean, Doctor Wily, committed terrible acts long before my creation. He is responsible for the Dimensional Area."
Both boys widened their eyes upon hearing these revelations, and Netto was left speechless. "What?"
"He and another renowned scientist wanted to demonstrate Japan's power with this technology thirty-five years ago," she continued softly. Her hair fluttered in the wind as she stood tall and firm. "We were in the midst of conflict between Amerope and Sharo, and they didn't want to stay idle. So, hoping to show the possible coexistence between the Net and the real world, they created the Dimensional Area... Unfortunately, all of this led to the events we know, and anomalies like the Cybeasts came into being."
Both boys remained stunned as they listened to Iris's revelations. The implications of this discovery seemed to weigh heavily on them, realizing that this man was the origin of so much suffering in this world. Netto finally lowered his head, his disappointment palpable.
"I don't know what to say..." he murmured.
Saito spoke up, placing his hands on his hips as he tried to offer a more rational perspective. "I think there's nothing to say. Even if Iris was created by this Doctor Wily, she doesn't seem to share his mentality," he explained, trying to ease Netto's worries.
Netto smirked and closely regarded the young girl who awaited his response. Slowly, he approached her.
"That's true... You've helped us, and you don't seem to endorse those guys' ideas. And like your brother and Barrel-san, you want to save this world!" he declared, nodding with optimism. "I trust you."
Iris remained impassive, averting her gaze without letting any trace of gratitude show through. On the other hand, Saito furrowed his brows, sensing that something wasn't quite right.
"We should keep moving, the road ahead is long," she announced, turning to walk, leading the boys behind her.
Iris's thoughts swirled in her mind, the conversation having brought forth numerous memories and emotions within her. Her PET was carefully tucked within her dress, out of reach, and she took the opportunity to place a hand over her chest.
"Iris... You are my most beautiful creation..." echoed Wily's voice in her mind, conjuring the image of a frail man seated in a wheelchair.
"Oji-san..." she softly murmured, immersing herself in the memory, her hand reaching out as if to touch him.
"I never want you to forget, you are undoubtedly my most magnificent dream," he repeated in a hushed tone, almost whispering the words like a prayer.
Iris bit her lip and shook her head slightly, as if to free herself from those intrusive memories. The sky above them began to clear, and Netto's stomach emitted a strange noise that nearly made him blush with embarrassment. Luckily, the young girl apparently hadn't heard anything. However, Saito seemed extremely embarrassed, darting frantic glances at the sky. He hurried ahead, surpassing the female Navi, leaving her perplexed. Then, he turned to face them, a blush tinting his cheeks.
"I... I have to go! See you tonight!" he rushed to say while waving his hand. Netto did the same, but his gesture was tinged with apathy. Saito swallowed hard and then quickly turned to leave.
Iris blinked several times, taken aback, and turned to the child for explanations. "Why is he leaving?"
Netto shrugged, sighing as if this had become an annoying routine. Having seen Saito behave this way repeatedly, he was almost jaded.
"He does this every time... And he does indeed come back in the evening," he replied. Then, his eyes widened as he stared at the path Saito had vanished into. "I never really understood... But I think it must be connected to a secret he's hiding."
Iris looked at Netto, perhaps expecting an answer she didn't receive. She scrutinized him, and he seemed to startle, showing his annoyance by grinding his teeth.
"Don't look at me like that! I don't know any more than you do!" he defended himself.
She turned away from him to gaze at the slowly rising sun on the horizon.
"He seems mysterious, but you two seem close," she remarked.
Netto pouted, his lips expressing a certain desolation. "We're not that close... Saito and I have only known each other since we landed in this world. Before that, we had never met. Saito had a serious illness and spent most of his time in the hospital. Then, once here, Duo somehow cured him. What's kind of funny about him is that he discovers almost everything."
Iris tilted her head, listening attentively to his explanations. "I understand. I thought he also helped you during the battle against Duo."
Netto quickly straightened his head and waved his hands. "Not at all! He didn't even know about Duo before being chosen!"
"Was nobody aware of Duo's existence?" she asked, her face filled with surprise.
"Well… Yes, only the chosen ones—including me and Barrel-san—were aware that he was going to arrive," he explained.
"I... I'm not sure I fully understand..."
"Me neither, sometimes it's hard to grasp everything that happened," he admitted with a weak, embarrassed laugh.
The sun was now high in the sky, and the two of them continued on their path. Yet, despite the apparent calm, Netto was still filled with worry. How would Saito manage on his own? What if he was found by Variety or the sects? He thought of Rockman, and suddenly, his eyes widened. He grabbed his bag with a quick motion and glanced at his PET. The screen had lit up, Gregar's symbol still prominent in the upper right corner, accompanied by reassuring information indicating that the Navi was in good shape.
Meanwhile, Iris had stopped, her gaze fixed on the child. A strange sensation ran down her spine, and she let out a small gasp as she spotted something further away. Netto, alerted by the sound, looked up and turned his gaze in the direction she was staring. On a destroyed tree, he saw Rockman. The Navi was sitting, legs bent, his body displaying an apparent calm, but his eyes were fixed directly on the child.
Netto moved forward slowly, his eyes perhaps misty with tears. The memories of the explosion, which had occurred just two days ago, were fresh in his mind. He eventually bit his lip, emotions seemed to surge within him as he approached slowly, then picked up his pace.
Upon reaching a certain distance, Rockman stood up as he approached, and Netto lowered his gaze before lifting it with a faint smile.
"I... You're here..." he murmured. The emotion was palpable, all the accumulated pain and despair seemed to fade. Saito had tried to comfort him, but it was hard to fight the feeling of loss. Now, he realized he was wrong, and he felt a deep happiness. He took a deep breath, as if mentally preparing himself, and finally whispered softly, "Rockman..."
He hesitated for a moment, but when Rockman emitted a purring sound, he felt invigorated. He eventually cast aside the fear he had felt for him and rushed toward the Navi, embracing him tightly.
"I thought I'd lost you!" he admitted, his voice filled with emotion.
Rockman didn't move, looking at him with his calm red eyes. He placed his hand on the child's head as if petting a familiar animal. Netto then lifted his head to meet the Navi's gaze, his eyes filled with tears but a radiant smile on his lips.
Iris, on the other hand, stood there with her mouth agape, completely shocked. This humanoid version of Gregar, this Navi, was a true little clone of the monster. She was well aware that this was a bad omen, considering everything she had heard earlier. However, the scene before her deeply troubled her. Seeing the child and this Navi together, in a relationship that seemed to transcend the typical one between a Navi and its operator, felt unreal.
She approached slowly, eager to get a better look at this strange creature. But Rockman lifted his head and growled in her direction, freezing her in place. Netto quickly turned around, wiping his tears.
"Rockman, don't worry!" he tried to calm the Navi. "She's a friend! She saved my life."
Rockman grumbled at most, his tail twitching around like an annoyed cat.
"She's Colonel's sister! Here he has a sister!" the child added in an attempt to calm him down, although the grumbling continued.
Moving away from Rockman, Netto came closer to Iris, placing his body between her and the Navi, acting as a shield. The child turned his gaze to Iris, forcing a smile onto his face.
"I know it might seem surprising, but he's not mean, I promise you. Sometimes, he can let his beastly nature take over, but...I don't think he's as bad as Gregar was supposed to be," he explained confidently.
Iris observed him silently, her eyes fixed on him, while Rockman calmed down, although he kept a suspicious eye on the girl. Netto, on the other hand, watched his Navi with a worried expression, his brows slightly furrowed, revealing his unease.
"So, you've become...a hybrid," he commented, trying to put on a smile. "Discovering human life must be strange for you... I hope it doesn't disturb you."
The Navi gave a slight negative nod, reassuring Netto without saying a word.
"Enjoy eating here, because once we're back home, you'll go back to being a regular Navi," Netto declared, trying to sound cheerful, although his discomfort was still evident. The hybrid nature of his Navi didn't bother him so much, in reality, it amused him more than anything. It was the fact that his Navi was now the reincarnation of a Cybeast—Gregar's host—that filled him with sadness. If he could have remained just a hybrid in his usual form, he would have jumped for joy.
Iris observed both of them quietly. A strange sensation, both vague and familiar, emanated from the wild Navi. She raised her hand to approach gently, but without warning, Rockman spotted her and growled so intensely it sounded like a roar. The young Navi recoiled, her surprise evident.
"Rockman!" called the child, quickly positioning himself between the two, trying to defuse the situation. "She didn't mean any harm! She didn't know!" He turned quickly to the girl in pink, giving a smile. "Sorry, Rockman doesn't like being touched, even with me. It's pretty complicated..."
However, Rockman's growls intensified, causing a wince from Netto. "Rockman, please, it's okay. She's kind! She must be like..." He trailed off, refusing to say the name he had in mind. Rockman locked eyes with his operator, then seemed to calm down, straightening up and looking at him dominantly. Netto continued in a weak voice, "You understand what I mean..."
Iris observed them in confusion, not attempting to unravel the complexity of the situation.
"Forgive me..." she murmured softly, thinking she had made a mistake.
"Don't apologize, Iris! It's up to Rockman to learn how to live in society again!" he affirmed with a hint of humor, which earned him another additional growl from Rockman.
Rockman interrupted his growling, turning his head to a specific point, his eyes slowly distorting. Without warning, he swiftly scooped up the child in his arms and, gaining momentum, leaped forward. Several wooden pillars rushed toward the spot they had just left. Netto's eyes widened in surprise, but his astonishment grew even greater when he noticed that more pillars were coming towards Iris. In an instinctive move, he reached out his arms towards her, calling her name.
The young girl turned her gaze towards the pillars, first with eyes filled with surprise, then she took on a serious expression. With impeccable agility, she suddenly disappeared and the wooden pillars were sliced in half in a single stroke. Rockman landed on the ground, and Netto watched the result of this display of power. His worry heightened when he realized that Iris had vanished, but further away, another figure appeared. The right arm of this person was formed into a glowing sword. The child let out a breath of surprise as he observed the newcomer who had evidently defended them. Now wearing very different attire, she was dressed in a long turquoise coat and wore a helmet shaped like a flower.
Netto struggled to free himself from Rockman's arms, approaching her with wide-open eyes, clearly shocked. "Iris...you're...Iris?" he stammered, his brows furrowing as he realized what he had just said.
The turquoise-clad Navi turned around, looking at the child through the eyes hidden behind her helmet. Rockman was also watching her, disturbed, emitting a silent growl. Slowly, she removed her helmet, revealing her entire face with her long brown hair tinted pink cascading down her back. Netto's cheeks turned rosy, and he shyly averted his gaze, sporting an embarrassed smile while scratching the tip of his nose.
"How could I have been so naive? I didn't realize you were the same person," he admitted with a hint of shame.
Iris approached him gently. "It was intentional; no one knows that the priestess possesses this appearance."
Netto looked up at her, understanding the meaning of her words. "So, it was you who helped me that day," he realized. He quickly placed his hand on his chest, not touching anything, and began to show signs of panic. "Your pendant, I'm sorry, I used it to pay for my PET's repair!"
Iris's body shimmered, returning to her previous appearance, with her pale pink dress and the butterflies reappearing in her hair. "It's okay, Netto-kun. I gave it to you for that, after all."
The young boy scratched his head, still feeling a bit embarrassed but displaying a smile.
"I wanted to tell you the truth once we were in a calm place," she admitted, looking to the side.
"It's not a big deal! Actually, it's better this way!" he replied with a smile.
Rockman growled, causing Netto to turn toward him, visibly confused. "She's the priestess of the Navis!" he hurriedly explained. "She's considered a benevolent person! You should be less wary of her!"
Rockman quickly turned his head away, seeming not to want to hear more, which furrowed Netto's brows. "Well, Rockman, be nice. She won't harm us!"
As Rockman wasn't inclined to stay quiet and showed signs of impending annoyance, something emerged from the trees, swinging on a white vine. A yellow creature nestled in a pinecone, which turned out to be a virus, took advantage of their moment of inattention. Narrowing his eyes, he summoned a wooden tower from the ground beneath Netto's feet, lifting him into the air. The child let out a cry under the shocked gaze of the two other Navis.
"Netto-kun!" Iris exclaimed.
"Rockman!" they heard as a vine grabbed the boy and pulled him away. The wild Navi roared and evaded another wooden attack sprouting from the ground, finally spotting the virus. With a breath of flame, he reduced it to data dust. Given his apparent anger due to his operator's disappearance, Iris clenched her fist and tried to gather her courage to approach him.
"Listen, I know you don't seem to like me, but let's try to work together to save Netto-kun. We can—" She didn't have time to finish her sentence as he quickly dashed after the place where Netto had vanished. Wide-eyed, Iris started running to follow the Navi. "Wait!"
Rockman leaped from tree to tree, while Iris stayed on the ground, covering the distance by jumping over obstacles. She tried calling him, catching his attention, but nothing seemed to work. They arrived in front of a barrier of thorns and vines. The Navi took a deep breath and released flames from his mouth. Although some of the data vines began to disappear, the real vegetation was affected by the flames, causing the girl's eyes to widen.
"Stop!" she cried.
Rockman appeared to pay no heed to Iris's calls, the resilient vines taking more and more time to dissipate. He desperately scratched at them to eliminate them. Iris watched the scene, realizing that these vines were much more resilient than she had imagined. Two explanations came to her mind: either it was an extremely powerful bug, or it was a wood-type Navi that had mutated into a Zoanoroid, becoming much more resistant.
She altered her appearance back into the priestess, donning her helmet, and transformed her arm into a sword. She charged straight towards the vines, her blade taking on a reddish hue as it quickly charged up. She sliced through the vines with a precise motion, realizing it wasn't just a bug, or else her attack would have been less effective. There was indeed a Zoanoroid hidden behind all this, and it had kidnapped Netto, as was its usual mission.
Iris stepped back after creating an opening. She tried to catch the attention of the wild Navi who was still chewing on one of the vines. She pointed her sword at him, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Hey!" she called, attempting to quickly get his attention before the opening closed. "Rockman! If you want to save Netto-kun, you have to go through there!"
Upon hearing his operator's name, the wild Navi leaped to the ground, facing Iris with an expression far from friendly. She took a step back, sensing the potential for an imminent attack. However, instead of attacking her, he focused on the supposed entrance. With a cautious glance, he entered first, showing no particular reaction. Iris, though astonished, decided to follow, sword still in hand. The tunnel seemed to be made up of thick vines or lianas, and Rockman used the blades on his arms to cut them if there was a risk. The two moved at a brisk pace.
"Rockman, listen to me," she tried again, seizing this moment of calm. "I know you're wary of me, but I promise you, I won't do anything to Netto-kun."
A simple growl emanated from the Navi walking ahead of her, clearly showing his disinterest in her words.
"I'll do anything to protect him... This boy... He's incredibly kind... I'm truly committed to helping you, even if it's just for one last mission," she continued in a softer voice.
Rockman turned his head slightly, giving her a sidelong glance. Under her helmet, Iris shared a sincere look, even if she couldn't openly display it. She stopped for a moment, contemplating, then clenched her fist.
"I won't let any harm come to him...and I won't let Variety capture you either. My goal is to save this world," she asserted with palpable determination.
Rockman remained impassive, continuing to stare at her without showing any real emotion. He continued walking without any notable action. Iris felt uneasy; even though her words were sincere, the Navi still seemed to reject her.
They continued on their path, and suddenly, a tremor was felt, capturing the attention of the two Navis. A new row of more aggressive vines emerged toward them. Rockman retreated, coming into contact with the priestess Navi. This seemed to trigger something in Iris, who had a vision. A familiar vision, the one she had some time ago when she had encountered the two boys in Akindo City. Although in this vision, everything was destruction and a devastating monster, she could see a crying boy in the midst of the chaos. She gasped several times, shocked to her core, and Rockman slowly turned his head towards her, seemingly irritated by the contact.
However, they didn't have time to react as the row of vines rushed toward them. Rockman had no choice but to counterattack. He spun his blades and unleashed an attack, obliterating everything in its path to push back the advancing vines.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Netto hung upside down, restrained by vines that prevented him from moving or falling. Despite his efforts to wriggle free, he was trapped. Struggling, he raised his head and horrifyingly realized the presence of a Navi he had already confronted twice before. Dark skin, a helmet resembling a rose...what was his name again? Plantman? It wouldn't have seemed strange to him if that was the Navi's name, given the situation.
"Well, what do we have here? A little lost fledgling far from the nest, isn't he?" the Zoanoroid spoke in a voice that was overly smooth.
Netto struggled as much as he could, eventually swaying gently in the air. The green Navi looked at him with a haughty smile, an expression the child wished he could wipe off. He quickly noted that this Navi wore Gregar's emblem on his chest, confirming his suspicions.
"You don't have to worry," the Zoanoroid began, reaching his hand towards Netto. "You'll see, you'll join many other lost children like yourself. Thanks to me, you won't end up as mere trees in this forest!"
The Navi attempted to caress Netto's cheek, but the latter managed to bite his finger violently, eliciting a cry of pain from Plantman. Plantman recoiled, visibly angry, and struck the child's face.
"You'll see what you get." He threatened with a stronger voice.
However, despite the pain in his cheek, Netto let out his inner child's spirit and stuck his tongue out at Plantman, further irritating the Zoanoroid. The latter was about to retort when the sound of a wall of vines followed by an explosion resonated. Netto immediately recognized Iris and Rockman landing with a cloud of smoke behind them. The child couldn't hide his joy, while the Zoanoroid gritted his teeth in frustration. Without hesitation, he projected vines in their direction, but they managed to skillfully dodge them.
Rockman rushed towards the vine holding Netto, allowing the child to drop with a muffled cry. Luckily, Iris was there to catch him in midair. The two Navis landed on the ground, assuming defensive stances, although the priestess Navi still held the child against her.
"You... The priestess!" the Zoanoroid pointed angrily, not giving Iris time to respond. He launched a new attack, which the young woman evaded by moving away from Rockman while still holding Netto in her arms.
Rockman charged at the Zoanoroid, attacking with his claws, but he was hindered by the vines that seemed more obedient under Plantman's control. On her side, Iris retaliated by maneuvering around each vine with her sword, until she was engulfed in a flame that sliced through each vine cleanly. Watching this scene, Netto got an idea and took advantage of a moment of relative calm to try to free himself from the young woman's grip, who yelled at him to come back.
"Cover me! I have to take care of Rockman!" he exclaimed as he broke free. He quickly pulled out his PET as Iris blocked the approaching vines. Netto inserted a chip into the PET, his tongue sticking out of his mouth as he inserted it into the device's slot. "Battle Chip! Fire Sword, slot in!"
On the other side, Rockman managed to cut through the vines more quickly thanks to his flaming sword. Netto watched in hope that his Navi would fare well. On his side, he began searching for other chips that could assist them in the battle. As he pondered, Iris managed to break free from her restraints. Finally free to move, she confronted Plantman.
Eventually, Iris had a clear path before her. She raised her hand towards Plantman, and strangely, he froze, ceasing his attacks against Rockman. The plant Navi lifted his head towards her with anger.
"Y-you bitch!" he spat out in rage.
Plantman didn't have the chance to utter further words. A precise sword strike hit his emblem, sending tremors through his body. In a cry of rage, the Zoanoroid dissipated into a flurry of data, much like the hundreds of vines and plants surrounding him. The forest opened up, letting the sun illuminate the area.
Netto quickly got up and headed towards Rockman, who was working to regain his composure. The child lifted his head to gaze at the sun shining through the trees. A gentle smile brightened his face as calm finally returned. Iris approached them slowly, reverting to her original appearance. Though Rockman watched her warily, he remained silent, allowing her to approach the child and join the small circle that was theirs.
Netto observed his two companions, and even though everything was silent between them, an atmosphere of contentment emanated. He clasped his hands together and tilted his head.
"Well done, Rockman. You've regained your team spirit! It makes me so happy," he declared with enthusiasm.
Iris made no gesture, but the wild Navi let out a soft growl, displaying his annoyance by exhaling slightly through his mouth, his tail twitching nervously.
Much later, they found a small town and finally a hotel. The child was in great need of rest after a restless night and a hectic morning. His longing for peace and relaxation was evident. Even though he had managed to find food for himself and Rockman outside the town, Iris was curious to learn more about this "Navi" like her, now capable of having genuine human characteristics.
Once in the hotel room, Netto sat on the bed and let out a sigh of relief. He almost slumped down, observed by the female Navi who was evidently curious. He gave her a gentle smile while rubbing the back of his head.
"One can't say this day started calmly!" he commented with a hint of humor.
Iris nodded slightly, but her expression changed when Netto seemed lost in thought.
"I feel like I'm experiencing something new," he stated, his gaze lost in the distance.
The brown-haired girl tilted her head slightly. "How so?"
"Well... After everything I've learned...it's strange. I feel like my life will never be the same again after all this. Rockman has become a hybrid, it's so bizarre!" he explained with a somewhat bewildered smile.
Iris moved closer to him and sat by his side, seeking to reassure him. "Everything will settle down for you."
"I know!" he replied with determination. Then his face darkened as he recalled what he had seen in the laboratory. "But...it's just...I don't know, I feel bad." His expression grew even sadder as he also thought of all the children he had seen there. "All those children..." he said with a voice heavy with emotion.
"We couldn't save them immediately..." Iris tried to console him, understanding how deeply this reality affected him. "But...once we get to Hokkaido, things will change. They won't have to endure this anymore, they'll be saved," she added with an encouraging tone.
Netto weakly nodded, taking in Iris's words. Patience seemed to be the key in their complex situation. He then raised his hand and focused on the young girl, seemingly preparing a question.
"Tell me, Iris, what would happen if you, the Navis, ate something?" he inquired curiously.
Iris raised her eyebrows, intrigued by the question. She took a moment to find an appropriate explanation. "Um... I don't think we can actually swallow anything," she answered, trying to explain the situation. "We don't have the sense of taste or the ability to feel anything when eating."
Netto's eyes widened as he tried to recall another question. "But then...what would happen if you entered the water?"
The young girl displayed a slight look of confusion; Netto's questions seemed strange to her.
The boy smiled, noting her confusion. "I'm asking these because I've never really had in-depth conversations with other Navis...and Rockman is different. All of this intrigues me," he explained, seeking to understand more about her.
Netto's intrigue was growing. It was becoming increasingly evident that Navis and viruses were capable of using and manipulating elements, but the consequences seemed to differ if the elements were real or not.
"So...you don't know what it's like to feel touch?" he asked with a tone tinged with sadness.
"Touch?" Iris repeated, visibly perplexed.
Suddenly, he took Iris's hand in his own and placed his own hand flat against hers. His eyes widened in amazement as he realized that Iris's hand indeed had no real sensation. It was neither cold nor warm, just normal, almost like touching something plastic.
"You... You really don't feel anything?" he asked, clearly taken aback by this discovery.
Iris observed their contact, her hand overlapping with Netto's. She gave a simple negative nod. "I don't feel anything," she finally admitted.
Netto gently withdrew his hand from Iris's, feeling a sort of compassion for her situation.
"Rockman is probably the only Navi who's fortunate in that sense," Iris remarked.
"It would be really cool if we could come up with a device that would allow you to feel things and even eat!" Netto exclaimed with a more cheerful tone. "That way, you could experience what you're missing out on! Look at Rockman, ever since he discovered donuts, he's become addicted!"
"That wouldn't make much sense," Iris replied in a neutral tone. "Once we're in Hokkaido, you'll go back home and I'll deactivate the Dimensional Area, and everyone will return to the Cyber World."
Netto blinked, lowering his head with a tinge of disappointment. While Iris was right and their situation was temporary, he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness for her.
A bit later, as the night began to fall, Netto decided to go out to eat. Having Iris with him was a little strange. While it helped him avoid worried adults, it was still odd to be primarily accompanied by a girl who was taller than him. With Meiru, it was rather humiliating since she was his childhood friend, but here, it was a girl he barely knew and found quite interesting.
Iris followed him, raising an eyebrow with curiosity as they walked. "What are we doing, Netto-kun?" she asked as they moved forward.
He turned his head to her, his face turned towards the sky. "We're waiting for Saito. He should be arriving here soon."
She closed her mouth, then her eyes widened suddenly as the other boy's name was mentioned. She bit her lip, struggling not to show her wariness but striving to remain as neutral as possible.
"Do...Rockman and Saito-san know each other?" she dared to ask in an almost timid voice.
Netto turned his head completely, clearly surprised by this question.
"Of course! In fact, Rockman seems to have accepted Saito more easily," he explained, finishing his words on a slightly embarrassed note. "But I guess it's because we come from the same world."
"Do they..." She began, trying to think of a good question about that. "How are they together?"
Netto tilted his head, not fully grasping the question.
"I mean..." she continued, thinking about her phrasing. "Do they have a good relationship? Do they get along well?"
"Oh! Well, yeah, I'd say so. They seem to get along really well," he replied, his expression gradually becoming tinged with annoyance. "I actually think their rapport would be much better if Rockman wasn't in this state! These two... They almost share the same opinions, and when it comes to looking after me, they're both incredibly insistent on what I should or shouldn't do."
Iris remained silent, simply lowering her head. Netto resumed walking, and she followed suit, as he continued to look ahead, hands behind his head.
"You see, when it comes to his secret, it frustrates me... I still can't figure out what his real intention is! But well... I guess I have to accept it..."
Iris said nothing, quietly absorbing all the information he was sharing.
"I can't even grasp why Duo chose him; after all, he doesn't have the same past as me."
On her part, Iris narrowed her eyes. There was undoubtedly a connection between these boys, an unexplained mystery, but Netto seemed the most ordinary. She was aware that he shouldn't be much different, that he was simply a boy turned into a child. However, when it came to the other boy...
She was sure there was a connection between Rockman and Saito.
Further down the way, Saito appeared running, waving an arm to announce his presence. The two boys greeted each other, a gesture to which Iris didn't react to. The older one scratched his head, his gaze constantly on the child.
"Everything went well?" he asked.
The younger one nodded.
"Yeah, it's fine. Rockman and Iris saved me from a Zoanoroid," Netto stated.
Saito's eyes widened, as if playing a comedic scene. "Really? Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He firmly grabbed the boy's arm, checking every inch even though Netto simply sighed.
"Saito, I assure you I'm fine, I'm not hurt."
Saito let out a sigh and glanced at the girl who hadn't flinched. A sense of awkwardness suddenly overcame him, prompting him to look away.
"Thanks for looking after him," he said in a gentle voice, almost as if swallowing his pride.
"I promised you I'd protect him no matter what," she simply replied, her tone devoid of any emotion.
Saito blinked, feeling the penetrating gaze from her green eyes almost pierce through his chest. A tingling sensation spread through him, leaving a bitter and uncomfortable taste in his mouth.
The boys found a restaurant to settle into, and Netto proceeded to recount the whole story to Saito. He spoke in a hushed voice, explaining how Iris was the priestess of the Navis, describing what she did, and mentioning how he had met her in this form before. Saito reacted half-heartedly, as he wasn't unfamiliar with what had happened, but he showed curiosity about her being a priestess.
However, throughout the conversation, Iris remained almost motionless. She sat at the table with them without a plate. Her role was limited to passively listening to their exchange without contributing a single word. Her gazes were primarily fixed on the older boy, an almost palpable expression of suspicion clouding her features.
After the meal, they returned to their room. Netto was about to prepare himself to go to the bathroom when Iris stepped forward, her face wearing an almost austere expression.
"Saito-san, I'd like to talk to you," she announced.
The two boys stared at her, surprised by her tone. They exchanged a look, then Saito pointed to himself.
"What would you like to know?" he asked, perplexed.
Netto looked at both of them in turn, sensing a certain coldness in Iris's demeanor. This new attitude troubled him.
"I'd like us to be..." she glanced at the child, who was waiting for an explanation, took a brief moment to think, then met Saito's gaze with her green eyes, "alone."
Netto's eyes widened, and suddenly Saito furrowed his brows in a more serious manner, letting out a contained grind of his teeth.
"But why can't I stay?" exclaimed Netto, feeling left out of the conversation.
Saito didn't reply, but Iris maintained her gaze on him as she addressed the child.
"I'd like to discuss with him a subject that concerns him," she explained softly.
Saito gave the girl the darkest look he could muster. He clenched his fists while Netto started to feel uncomfortable. The older boy collected himself and spoke in a firm voice. "Take your shower while you can!" he told Netto, following Iris to the exit.
The two taller ones left the room, leaving behind a child with an air of deep disillusionment. They progressed in silence, resolutely moving away from the town to eventually reach a place devoid of any witnesses. Saito moved forward a step, turning to face away from her. After taking a deep breath, he turned around, adopting a comical expression and playing the role of some sort of actor.
"So, is there some crucial reason you want to see me without Netto?" he quipped in a forced voice, sporting a smile mixed with awkwardness.
Iris didn't show any change in expression, but a darker shadow cast over her face, causing her eyebrows to slightly furrow.
"Who are you really? You...and Rockman...I'm convinced there's something going on between you two. I've caught glimpses," she stated in a frigid tone.
Suddenly, Saito dropped his act, adopting a tone of great seriousness in turn. "What do you mean? I have nothing to tell you."
"The secret you're keeping from Netto, I believe I've deciphered it," she almost threatened, her tone remaining icy.
Saito growled, approaching her with clenched fists, his eyes emanating a similar darkness.
"You don't know what you're talking about, you'd better stay away from all of this. It's none of your business!" he spat out, his voice growing in intensity with each word.
Iris felt a complete lack of intrigue. Her gaze shifted to the ground, scrutinizing every curve of her own body, before locking onto his eyes again.
"You leave for the day by becoming Rockman, don't you?" she declared, though behind the impassive facade, her voice betrayed shivers.
Saito widened his eyes, stepping back as if he could have fallen backward under the weight of surprise. After taking a deep breath, he managed to let out a chuckle. "What a fanciful idea, as if that would make any sense."
"It does when you know that Rockman is a hybrid... He can take on a human form," she continued.
He remained frozen, his lower lip trembling slightly, his gaze locked onto her. Iris eventually softened her threatening expression, trying to hide the coldness she had displayed.
"The first day we met, when I touched you," the same Navi continued, in a less relentless tone, "I felt something in you, something eerie. And when I touched Rockman, I felt the same thing, and I saw you, too."
Saito loosened up and lowered his head, a resigned sigh escaping his lips.
"Of course... You, the priestess of the Navis, must possess gifts that no one else has... Of course, you could have perceived it so easily," he let out with sarcasm, a hint of irritation in his voice as he clenched his fists to the point of making them tremble.
"Saito-san, all I want is an honest confirmation. I won't judge you. It'll probably be easier for me than harboring suspicions against you," she explained.
The boy raised his head, a lock of hair falling in front of his eyes.
"And I suppose you intend to reveal it to Netto?" he continued.
She held her ground against his intimidation, maintaining her impassive expression. "Why not just tell him the truth?" she asked, tinged with confusion.
"That..." He began, his fists still clenched, but his voice got caught in his throat. Just as he was about to tell her she didn't need to know, an image of Meiru briefly flashed in his mind, dispelling the darkness of his current thoughts. He shook his head.
Iris waited, not trying to force him to speak, displaying equal patience.
"Netto shouldn't find out that his Navi is actually a human from the start," he finally concluded.
Those words had the surprising effect that Iris hadn't anticipated. Her mouth opened, her eyes widening. Saito unveiled his eyes, tinted with sadness.
"I'm not just his Navi, there's a reason why I became a hybrid... I already was one in my own world," he began to explain in an increasingly somber voice, his head lowered, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I'm his twin brother, I met my death, and my father found a way to transfer my consciousness into that of a Navi."
Iris placed her hands over her mouth, utterly stunned by what she was hearing. "But... This..." Words failed her.
"I know, it's not morally right, it's a bit like those children, I suppose..." he sighed. "But for me, I owe him an infinite gratitude for giving me a new life where I can finally watch over Netto."
The female Navi slowly lowered her hands, her gaze fixed on the ground, her lips twisting in an expression of bewilderment. "So why not tell him?"
Saito hiccupped briefly, "I... I think it wouldn't serve any purpose anymore. Once we're home, things will go back to how they were. I'll just become the Rockman he's always known again, and then... He doesn't need me as a brother," he murmured, his voice catching in his throat. "Yeah... He doesn't need Saito."
His words evoked a peculiar sensation in his body, a rising in his throat that turned into a sigh tinged with sadness. Saito once again recalled that evening with Meiru, the moment he had decided he was ready to tell the truth to Netto. That option was now out of reach. Being human? No, it seemed futile. It didn't matter, things would never be the same again. He didn't deserve this, didn't need to suffer like this. Yet, the image of the pink-haired girl still haunted him, prompting him to growl in irritation.
"I have no need for humanity," he concluded with a venomous tone.
Iris found herself at a loss for words in response to his statements, almost feeling sorry for him. Her eyes reflected deep sadness as she looked at the ground.
"But... Doesn't Netto-kun know he has a brother?" she asked softly.
"No... He forgot about me after I died, due to trauma," he answered with a sarcastic chuckle. "Maybe that's a sign, isn't it?"
Iris remained silent, still feeling sympathy towards Saito, but mostly towards the child waiting for them back at the hotel.
"Moreover, it's my fault if it's like this... Since Netto and I share the same DNA, Duo used half of his life so that I could have these two forms, and him... He's trapped in this child's body, and we're stuck here because of what I am," he continued.
Saito lowered his head, looking at each of his hands. With what he had learned, he was also a reincarnation of Gregar—not just a horrifying creature, but a walking nightmare. If he sensed that Netto had trouble accepting the fact that he was both Gregar, how would it be if he found out he was also his brother, and that he had taken half of his life? All of this was his fault from the beginning, simply because he had wished to be human, even if just for one time.
"Now..." he began, approaching her, his voice dark, "I want you to promise me not to tell Netto. I'm not asking you to cover for me, but Netto doesn't need to know, as I told you."
Iris raised her head, displaying a serious expression, her green eyes piercing.
"I won't tell him... After all... I probably would have done the same thing," she said in a neutral tone that bewildered the preteen in front of her, unable to grasp the mysterious aura around her. Then she looked away. "Nevertheless...as a 'little sister,' I don't think it's a good idea for a big brother to hide the truth."
Saito grumbled. The girl looked at him again.
"That's just my point of view... After all, Colonel never told me he was leaving to never come back that day." Then she walked away, leaving the young boy with a calmer expression, his gaze fixed on the ground with a hint of sadness.
The conversation had left a painful impression on Saito, who returned to the hotel room alone. Iris had chosen to stay outside. Opening the door to the room, he found Netto sitting cross-legged on the bed, his head lowered, seemingly not reacting to his return. The older boy approached, concerned for his younger companion.
"Hey, are you okay?" he asked softly, trying to sit down next to him.
"What did you talk about...Iris and you?" Netto asked in a weak voice, without looking up.
Saito raised his head, slightly surprised. "Not much, she wanted to know more about me," he explained in a calm voice.
Netto slowly raised his head, and finally met Saito's eyes, his expression remaining unchanged.
"And...you revealed your secret to her," he affirmed in a low voice.
The older boy's eyes widened gradually, realizing what he had just said.
"N-Netto, it's not..." he tried to explain, but the child averted his gaze, seeming deeply affected.
"It's okay... After all, it's a habit," he retorted in a more curt tone.
Saito softly repeated Netto's name, feeling lost about how to react and convince him to see things differently.
"She's...the Priestess... It's hard to explain, but I couldn't hide anything from her," he tried to justify.
Gently, Netto pulled his legs up to his chest and rested his head on his knees.
"Tell me..." he murmured in a weak voice, as if giving an order.
Saito got up and moved away, his eyes narrowing slowly under the weight of sadness.
"I can't..." he answered.
Netto raised his head more quickly, his expression finally changing. He displayed a much sadder look, tinged with bitterness.
"Meiru-chan had told me that you couldn't tell me! Why to me specifically?!" His voice resonated louder.
Saito retreated, his arms folding around him until he touched the wall. He had become barely aware of the child in front of him, feeling his heart accelerate to the point of pain. The pressure was such that he almost lost his footing.
"Netto..." he murmured, but the child didn't seem to hear him.
"What did I do to you?" Netto began in a weaker voice, tears welling in his eyes. "Why is it easier for you to tell others and not me!" His voice sounded heart-wrenching, yet he raised it with more determination.
The boy in front of him shook his head slightly, his eyes hidden beneath his fringe.
"Saito, what did I do to you?!" Netto concluded, tears streaming down his cheeks.
However, Saito couldn't bear it any longer, collapsing to the floor with his hands pressed against his burning chest, struggling to breathe. Seeing his elder's reaction, Netto stopped abruptly, shocked, and backed away onto the bed. He murmured Saito's name with sudden concern. The boy was making distressing sounds in his struggle to stay alive. His whole body was trembling, his wide-open eyes staring into emptiness.
The child remained frozen, overwhelmed by fear, also feeling a pain in his chest. He pressed his hands against his head, tears streaming from his eyes. It was as if he had already experienced a similar scene. He cast a quick glance at Saito, who was slumped to the side, on the verge of collapsing completely, still struggling to breathe. Then Netto closed his eyes, refusing to see the scene, scared of what he was witnessing.
"Breathe," he heard in his head, like the distant memory of advice.
Netto slowly reopened his eyes, fixing them on Saito's weakened form. Then, mustering his courage, he swallowed hard.
"Breathe," he whispered first, then took a deep breath to repeat louder, "Saito, breathe!"
Very slowly, the rhythm of Saito's body began to slow down. He struggled to breathe, with laborious inhalations and exhalations. Although it wasn't instantaneous, he was making an effort to do his best, his hands still pressed against his chest as he trembled, sweat beading on his forehead. On his part, Netto, unsure of what else he could do, wiped his own tears away in a flustered motion.
Finally, the older boy regained his composure. Initially huddled in on himself, he gradually got up before heading towards the bathroom. On the other side of the door, Netto could hear him slump against it, continuing to cry bitterly. Moving cautiously, he could hear the dull sounds as if Saito was repeatedly hitting his head against the door. When these sounds finally stopped, the young child approached the door and placed his hand against it, listening to the soft whimpering from the other side.
Netto felt guilty now. He realized that perhaps he would never know the reason why Saito couldn't reveal his secret to him. With some hesitation, he gently knocked on the door, but there was no response. He pressed his head against the door, remaining still, waiting.
"I'm sorry..." he murmured weakly, hoping that Saito on the other side could hear him.
To be Continued…
AN:This ending is a bit intense, I suppose. Of course, Iris was bound to discover Saito's secret, unlike Meiru, she found out because she can sense the Navis and their "essence". Netto easily bought his excuse because, well, "Oh, right, she's of a higher status, she needs to know, she must know," something like that, but no, she just saw right through him, lol. It's a shame it ended like this. I do think Netto remains quite angry at Saito, that's true. But if I were in his place, I'd feel just as bad having a close friend who we've grown close to because we have to survive together, we've learned to trust each other, and that person categorically refuses to tell us something they're clearly able to tell others. It's unfair, really. He doesn't know what to expect, he might even think that Saito's secret is that he doesn't like him and sees him as worthless; it could be something like that. However, I think this moment will likely mark the beginning of Netto simply accepting that Saito probably won't tell him anything. But that doesn't mean he won't bring it up again. There's a good chance that much later, they might have a similar conversation. It adds tension between them, after all, and it develops Netto's character.
As for the moment between Rockman and Iris, I thought it was quite intriguing. In any case, Saito is now forced to trust her, considering she knows.