AN: And hello! This new chapter will undoubtedly give you some hype towards the end, I suppose. By the way, I'm telling you this, but from this chapter on, the chapter titles will represent Iris's thoughts and no longer Saito's! Also know that this week I caught COVID for the first time... It's annoying. I spend my time doing nothing since I feel too weak to do anything, oh and I'm playing a FF game right now, no it's not 16 even though I'd dream of it.
Chapter 31: The Virus Hunting
A jazzy ambiance filled the room, bathed in a light fragrant mist. Pink tones dominated, accentuated by cocktails adorning each table. Sitting at one of them, Miyabi hadn't yet lifted his drink to his lips. Instead, he stared intensely at the person opposite him, twirling a coin between his fingers.
"So, great Miyabi-san, was the hunt fruitful?" she inquired, breaking the silence between them.
Miyabi slowly lowered his head, his gaze remaining elusive. He finally took his glass containing only sake and took a sip, savoring every moment. Then, placing the glass down carefully, he kept his eyes on it, ignoring the woman across from him.
"I came across many kids, each life taken," he began, finally lifting his eyes to meet those of his interlocutor. "But...what's the point of all this?"
The young woman, dressed in a long black coat and sporting a brown braid that reached down to her waist, observed Miyabi with clear amusement. Her smile—accentuated by bold purple lipstick—might appear ruthless and devoid of remorse, but her almost blackened eyes betrayed the true complexity of her thoughts, hidden behind the facade.
"To destroy evidence?" she retorted, her tone deliberately provocative. "Variety is full of secrets, and with the mission entrusted to me, I'm convinced they won't remain hidden for long."
Miyabi remained silent but his eyes narrowed slightly, signaling his profound disagreement. He looked down, revealing a latent disgust. The young woman tilted her head in response, her smile stretching like that of a venomous serpent.
"What's bothering you? Do you doubt?" she inquired. "Do you pity children who've become monstrosities? You deeply disappoint me, Miyabi-san."
The ninja abruptly lifted his eyes, his gaze becoming almost as sharp as hunting rifles.
"I served Doctor Wily and Barrel-san for many years. These new successors are nothing but impostors in my eyes, incapable of matching what Wily had put in place."
She opened her mouth, clearly caught off guard by Miyabi's revelation. She took a sip of her cocktail, making a slight sound of satisfaction while maintaining a mischievous smile.
"At least you can always rely on your main driver, money, right?" she teased, winking. "When you've amassed enough, what do you intend to do with it?"
Miyabi stopped looking at her and closed his eyes. "I'll leave this place, probably head to Choina where I'll find peace."
The young woman rested her elbow on the table, her head in her hand. "And you plan on taking the kid with you?" she added.
Miyabi frowned upon hearing her question, although he knew exactly who she was referring to. Suddenly, noises were heard near the entrance of the bar, one person denying entry to another, followed by shouts that caught the attention of all the patrons, except the two in black and purple.
"Speak of the devil..." she commented with the same smile.
A pre-teen approached, whom she welcomed by sinking into her seat, getting more comfortable. Kirisaki took a seat and settled in.
"You know this is an adults-only bar, Kiri-chan?" the young woman pointed out.
The boy's playful expression instantly vanished, his face darkening.
"I've told you tons of times to stop calling me that, Yuriko-san," he replied loudly.
Yuriko showed no apparent reaction, other than crossing her arms over her chair, intently observing the young boy seated in front of her. The other man, meanwhile, kept his eyes closed, a lost expression on his face.
"So, did the hunt go well?" she finally asked.
Kirisaki seemed to relax slightly and let out a chuckle. "Let's just say it took an interesting turn."
She opened her mouth while Miyabi, beside her, barely opened his eyes to cast a sidelong glance at Kirisaki without uttering a word.
"I have a new mission that I like much more. Killing children quickly bored me," he explained in an almost amused tone.
"Oh?" Yuriko raised an eyebrow. "I'm curious. What is this new mission?"
Kirisaki propped an elbow on the table, supporting his head with his palm, displaying a sinister smile. "I'm the one tasked with taking care of Gregar's Navi," he announced, causing Miyabi to gasp in surprise.
Yuriko displayed a fascinated expression, a slight menacing laughter threatening to escape. She finally took her cocktail and brought it to her lips.
"That's a prime mission," she commented with a sly smile.
Miyabi continued to observe the young boy beside him, his pupils slowly dilating, expressing growing concern for the boy's fate.
"The monster...who killed Chirol, right?" he asked to confirm what he had heard.
Kirisaki nodded proudly. "Absolutely! That bitch was so arrogant that she became a mere piece of meat for him," he said, almost snickering.
"Well," Yuriko began, placing her glass on the table, "at least we know what we're dealing with."
Miyabi found himself momentarily at a loss for words, his gaze immersed in that of the young boy, an expression of intense seriousness marking his face—distinctly setting him apart from the other two.
"Kirisaki, I don't think this is a good idea for you. Don't underestimate the risks you're exposing yourself to..."
"Miyabi-sensei, you worry too much. I already have a good analysis of this creature," he interrupted, wearing a sly smile while staring at the ceiling. "He's rather fascinating, once you know what he really is."
"I didn't know you were so fascinated by the Cybeast," Yuriko added with a small chuckle.
"The Cybeast, I couldn't care less. There's something else associated with this Navi, and that's what I want," Kirisaki continued.
"Oh? Is its operator a little boy barely taller than three apples?" asked Yuriko, teasingly.
"Nah... It's another boy. He's like me, he's seen death with his own eyes," the boy confirmed.
Miyabi squinted, crossing his arms. "I don't like where this might lead you."
"Why so worried, Miyabi-sensei?" Kirisaki began, his tone becoming more amused. "Do you really think this creature will take my life?"
"No... It's rather your...teammate that concerns me." Miyabi took his glass of sake and took a sip, while Kirisaki frowned. "You know very well that I don't trust him."
"Tss... We have an agreement, he and I. I'm not worried about that," Kirisaki explained.
Without warning, Yuriko stood up, to the surprised gaze of Kirisaki, who followed her with his eyes as she walked away.
"Well, gentlemen, it's time for me to shine. I also have a mission of great importance, after all. And tomorrow...Mariko must sing."
"Oh..." the young boy with blue hair reacted. "Good luck, I hope her performance will be...explosive!"
She walked away, making a final hand gesture, forming a salute.
"Battle Chip! Mini Bomb, slot in!" Netto exclaimed as he inserted a chip into the slot of his PET.
Rockman, battling Beast Virus, gathered several small blue balls in his hand, which he threw at each of the enemy Navis, causing them to explode. Seeing the satisfying result, the boy smiled and grabbed three different chips, ready to be inserted.
"Battle Chip, Program Advance! Zeta Canon!" he continued, activating the three chips consecutively.
The effect of the sequence caused Rockman's two arms to merge, creating a massive cannon that fired a barrage of missiles at the Viruses in front of them, effortlessly eliminating them. Netto was taken aback by this execution. After all the experiences they had been through, he was thrilled to see that they could now master classic NetNavi techniques. Beside him, Iris watched closely, impressed by the perfect synchronization between the boy and his Navi. She did not participate in the battle; her mission was to observe how Rockman fought.
"That's impressive," she remarked, eyes wide.
Netto turned to her, displaying a broad smile. "You bet! This is just a glimpse. If you knew all the Program Advances we've mastered! And to think, in the beginning, we couldn't even summon a simple sword!"
Iris tilted her head, listening intently, watching the NetNavi continue to battle the remaining viruses with his buster. He was using his beast side less and less in combat. Netto noticed too, and couldn't help but be pleased.
"Saito was right, the more I use the chips, the calmer Rockman behaves!" he exclaimed enthusiastically.
Iris frowned, recalling what Saito had told her that morning before leaving. Everyone had noticed that Rockman seemed less influenced by Gregar when using the chips. This had proven to be a big help, and the teen had suggested training with chips. Of course, Netto had no idea what had transpired that night. The monster Rockman had become haunted Iris's thoughts.
Her gaze dropping to the ground, she remembered that since that night, things had gone back to normal for Saito. But if he lost control again, he didn't want her to step in. He had to find a new solution, and this seemed to be the best one. A good NetNavi that obeyed its operator due to a strong bond was key to calming his troubled mind. A smile crept onto Iris's face.
"You and Rockman have such a powerful connection. As a NetNavi priestess, I've met thousands of NetNavis who fear humans because of bad experiences with their operators. It makes me happy," she expressed sincerely.
Netto began to blush softly, staring at the ground while scratching the back of his head.
"Oh, you know..." he started, but then frowned upon realizing what she had said. "I can't believe some operators mistreat their Navis!" he added angrily.
Iris sadly nodded. "Of course, I've also met good operators and their Navis. I have a...human friend who probably has the most loyal Navi ever."
Netto's smile returned, happy for her. "That's great news!" he replied, then turned his attention back to his PET. Rockman was still managing brilliantly without any apparent issues. The boy picked up a chip, looking at it for a moment, then focused on the young girl.
"Hey, Iris, do you have chips? Can you use them in your PET?" he asked.
She stepped closer, looking at the chip he held. Raising an eyebrow in surprise, Iris took out her PET with several chips in one hand, showing the difference.
"Ah! They're smaller!" exclaimed Netto, surprised. He then looked deep into Iris's eyes. "But how do you... Do you operate yourself?"
"I have a cloud backup system that lets me store six chips in memory. I switch them out sometimes, but I prefer to keep the ones I use most," she explained.
He stared at her for a moment, then tried to smile, but it ended up appearing more like a grimace. "Would you let me operate you? Apart from a friend's Navi for a few seconds, I've never operated any Navi other than Rockman. Do you think you..." He didn't finish, blushing from embarrassment.
Iris averted her eyes, lips slightly twisted, clutching her PET to her chest.
"It's just...no human has ever operated me. After all, I'm the NetNavi priestess, I have to remain independent."
Netto nodded without looking at her, scratching his neck. "I understand."
But then, she spoke again and gently took the free hand of the child to place her chips in his palm.
"But if ever something happens, if I can't manage on my own, you'll be ready to do it," she stated.
Netto stored the chips that Iris had entrusted to him in his chip pouch, displaying a genuine smile.
"Thank you, Iris," he replied with gratitude.
As he was storing the chips, Netto felt a special chip he hadn't had the chance to use in a long time. He pulled it out and observed the blue chip adorned with bright green patterns, shining under the sun. Iris gasped upon seeing it, impressed by its unique appearance.
"What is that?" she asked.
"It's a synchro chip. With this, I can perform a Cross Fusion with Rockman and have all his capabilities when we're in a dimensional zone!" he explained.
She widened her eyes, gasping again. "But the Navis..."
Netto made a somewhat strange expression. "I told you it's very complicated to understand. It would indeed be simpler if the Navis could come here directly." He looked up, staring at the dimensional zone, then turned to Rockman who was standing up, playing peacefully with a Mettaur that seemed not aggressive at all.
"I wonder..." Netto began, slowly directing his synchro chip towards his PET, all while keeping his eyes fixed on Rockman. He seemed lost in his thoughts, eager to see if it was possible, and if something good might come of it.
Rockman, from a distance, slowly turned towards Netto, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. Iris, concerned about his unusual reaction, felt her eyes tremble.
"Wait..." she said while grabbing Netto's wrist, which held the synchro chip, snapping him out of his daze. "I don't think that's a good idea..."
He looked at her, his eyes both narrow and confused. "W-why?" he asked.
"Rockman..." She gazed at him for a few moments, then furrowed her brows thinking of Saito. "He became a hybrid; who knows what could happen..."
Netto's eyes widened in realization. He looked at the synchro chip, then nodded. "T-that's true, Rockman isn't the same as before... And since he can't even enter the PET..."
He grimaced with frustration and stored his blue chip back in his pouch, letting out a resigned sigh.
"I don't know what got into me..." he finally said, releasing a forced laugh.
Behind him, Rockman approached silently, making no noise, just emitting a soft humming. Netto turned around and smiled upon seeing him, noting that he had completely cleared the area. There was nothing left to fight.
"We're stopping for today," he declared, and Rockman nodded.
Iris looked up, observing the sky. "It's going to be dark soon... I know there's a big city not far from here." Both nodded and continued their journey towards the city as night approached.
A new city, large and bustling, rose before them. Netto was awestruck at the sight of such a lively and illuminated metropolis, even as night began to fall. Hundreds of skyscrapers loomed ahead. As they entered the city, they had to leave Rockman behind, which upset Netto. However, in such a vast city, he wasn't alone, having Iris by his side. He stayed close to her, like an invisible shield, just like when he was with Saito. No one seemed to pay him any attention; he had become invisible to people who no longer acknowledged his presence.
As they walked, Netto's stomach growled and he placed a hand on it, grimacing, while Iris's green eyes watched him during their walk.
"I'm so hungry..." he complained.
"You'll eat when we find Saito-san," Iris stated in a neutral tone.
"Oh, right... Saito..." He sighed as he repeated the name. Even though Saito had given them advice on Battle Chips that morning, Netto couldn't help but worry about him, especially after recent events. He must not be feeling well to have left them so early in the morning.
Netto placed his hands behind his back and glanced at Iris out of the corner of his eye, hoping she wouldn't notice. He suddenly put on an innocent expression with pleading eyes.
"Hey, what do you think Saito does during the day?" he asked in a voice that seemed free of any ulterior motive.
Iris looked at him, her mouth slightly open. "It's none of my business."
He frowned at her response and then looked away, murmuring, "I know you know his secret..."
"Netto-kun..." she replied without much surprise.
"I guess..." He began to scratch his nose, looking ahead. "You won't tell me."
She nodded. "It's not me who has to say."
Netto let out a deep sigh, as if feeling weary. "I've heard that before..." he replied, a mix of sadness in his voice that drew Iris's attention even more.
"Why is that?" she asked.
Netto opened his mouth, then closed it, shaking his head and simply letting out a sigh. "It's nothing..."
Iris didn't press further. She continued walking, looking straight ahead, while the boy was lost in his thoughts, looking at the ground.
"Saito-san might be away during the day, but I'd say he still manages to keep an eye on you," she remarked, making Netto look at her oddly.
Netto tried to understand what she meant, but there was no clear explanation, leaving him even more puzzled.
"But how can he do that..." he wondered, looking at the ground and then slowly raising his eyes to meet hers. "How can he find me so easily every time? We have no contact with him, and yet he always manages to find me in a city."
Iris did not respond immediately, slightly biting her lip while keeping her eyes fixed on the ground. Then, she placed her hands behind her back and, without showing any apparent emotion, observed Netto beside her.
"Maybe... Saito-san has magical powers, and that's what he's not telling you," she suggested, her fluorescent green eyes locked onto his.
At first, Netto seemed completely stunned, but he furrowed his eyebrows. He almost fell forward, his mouth open as if he was out of breath.
"Iris...please..." He didn't want to say more; he just hoped she would understand immediately.
"What then?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Don't I also have the right to imagine an extraordinary story to hide a secret?"
The boy's eyes widened upon hearing her and blinked. He thought back to their meeting and let out a small laugh at that moment. She was probably right. He saw her smile tenderly, which made him blush even more, a strange effect she seemed to have on him. Yet, she wasn't human, but there was just...that smile. A smile no other girl had ever given him.
"Iris..." he began softly, looking at the ground.
"Hey!" he heard behind him, which made him tense up.
Netto jumped upon hearing Saito's voice calling him. Iris turned towards the older boy who arrived with a more relaxed air, while the child remained fixed where he stood, his cheeks as red as a tomato.
"I am happy to see you again! Did everything go well?" Saito asked with a smile, playing his part as Iris joined him in the act.
"Nothing serious, just some Beast Viruses," replied Iris, her hands still behind her back.
Saito made a sound of approval, nodding his head, then he looked at Netto who had still not turned around. He leaned forward, trying to get a response from the child.
"Netto? Are you okay?" he asked again, thinking that something had happened with Rockman that was beyond him.
The child choked violently and pulled his head back, his cheeks still red, which surprised the other two.
"I-I'm fine!" he tried to say with a smile, although it was slightly forced. Then, he lowered his eyes and moved his foot nervously. "I... I did what you told me, Saito. I trained with the Battle Chips with Rockman!"
Saito opened his mouth wide, continuing his acting game. "And how did it go?"
"It worked really well! Rockman seems calmer!" Netto replied, nodding his head to emphasize his words.
The pre-adolescent stood up, placing his hands on his hips. "Well, that's great!" Then he turned to Iris. "Let's find a hotel now!"
The tension that had preceded seemed to dissipate, and the trio continued their journey in search of a hotel for the night.
Both boys nodded as they walked through the well-lit city, observing every place, though Iris was the only one looking straight ahead. Netto walked ahead, slightly in the lead, while Saito always kept an eye on him. Then, glancing to the side, he suddenly stopped. In front of him, Iris noticed and turned her head in his direction, closely followed by the child who had also come to a halt.
Saito's eyes were wide open, mouth slightly ajar, looking at a colorful shop with a fantastic appearance. Netto approached and realized what the shop contained, which filled him with wonder: hundreds of donuts of all colors were displayed in the window. A small cry of joy escaped the child's lips.
"Donuts!" exclaimed Netto, happily, placing his hands against the glass to get a better look.
Iris watched the scene with curiosity, glancing at Saito's still amazed face and the child pressed against the window. Netto turned to look at his elder with a nostalgic expression.
"Don't you want some?" he asked, eyes shining with desire.
Saito wrapped his arms around himself, pinched his lip, and looked away slightly while blushing. "Yes, but...we should have a meal instead of sweets," he admitted.
"That's not a problem!" added Netto. "We can get them for dessert!"
Saito's eyes widened at the idea, and he nodded. "I'll get some for Rockman, he loves them!"
"Oh really?" asked Iris, observing the two boys with curiosity, though she kept a particular eye on Saito.
"Yes! Ever since he became a hybrid, I think his new favorite activity is eating!" exclaimed Netto, sticking out his tongue.
Iris turned her gaze to Saito, who began to sweat slightly while lowering his eyes. Netto sighed softly, displaying a nostalgic look. "When was the last time we had donuts..." he murmured.
Saito almost answered, but he suddenly stopped, his face taking a darker turn and his eyes fixed on the ground, which Iris immediately noticed. "Oh, it was with..." began Netto before cutting off his sentence.
Saito took on a darker expression, his lips tightening and his fists slowly closing. Neither of the boys said a word, and Iris observed them in turn, still confused.
"With?" she asked, picking up where Netto had left off.
The younger boy choked and took a step back, showing a slight blush. "N-nothing..." He turned his head to Saito. "I'll buy some for dessert. Do you want any in particular?"
"I don't want any," he replied without looking at him.
Netto kept his mouth open, frowning at him with a puzzled look. He was sure that the last time they had eaten donuts, the older boy wasn't present. He sighed and shrugged. "I guess that'll leave more for Rockman," he said before entering the store, leaving the other two outside together.
Neither of them spoke; only the female Navi looked to the boy next to her, who had a blank look on his face. Iris, intrigued by the boys' sudden reaction, looked for a way to break the silence without appearing intrusive. She slowly approached Saito, keeping her hands behind her back, wondering how to phrase her question.
Finally, she leaned forward, looking at the bakery window and then at Saito. "What do they taste like?" she suddenly asked.
Saito flinched at the question. He looked her straight in the eyes, blinking. "Donuts," she repeated. "What do they taste like?"
He closed his mouth, taken aback by this unexpected question, and licked his lips momentarily. "Why are you asking me this?" he countered.
"You are a human who has been a Navi for most of your life, and now you have the chance to rediscover taste," she explained, coming a little closer to his face. Saito took a step back, blushing softly. "I want to know from a 'former Navi' what taste is."
Saito turned to the donuts in the shop, and his gaze softened instantly, staring at the sweets with a glint of desire in his eyes.
"Well... It's sweet, I'd say," he began, his eyes shining, "you feel like you're biting into something hard, but it's actually soft. It melts in your palate and the sugar is so smooth that you ask for more!"
Iris tilted her head, listening intently, and then Saito chuckled.
"Aah, you've made me want to eat one," he said with a smile.
She gave him a small smile which he didn't notice, and then lowered her head.
"What made you resist the urge?" she asked.
The boy closed his mouth, a melancholy expression crossing his face, and sighed softly.
"A...long story, let's say," he replied.
Iris adjusted herself, releasing her hands and staring straight ahead without addressing him.
"I understand," was all she said.
Saito looked at his hand, his thumb absentmindedly playing with the tips of his fingers, and then turned to the female Navi.
"Thank you," he said suddenly, taking her by surprise. She finally looked at him.
"For what?" she asked.
"Well..." he put his hand behind his head, clearly embarrassed. "It's true I didn't trust you at first. I had my reasons..." he began softly, then lowered his eyes. "But for now, I see you're taking good care of Netto, and you saved my life last time with that guy and that strange Navi... For all that, thank you."
Iris didn't respond immediately, simply staring at the ground.
"It's normal… I guess," she finally said.
"That's true..." He wanted to continue expressing his sincerity. "You could have easily chosen not to help me, to stay only with Netto, but you came to my rescue and helped me that day with those ice spikes," he added.
She lifted her head, moving closer to him without looking at him.
"Yet, isn't it just natural to do so?" Iris turned her head to him so quickly that he almost jumped. "Colonel always told me, 'Don't wait, act. If someone is in need, you must go there.'"
Saito closed his mouth, then began to think nostalgically. The military Navi who had assisted him throughout their quest against Duo had always acted according to a strong moral sense. He had saved him thousands of times. He didn't know how much he could thank him, but today, his feelings towards that Navi seemed so cold. He felt betrayed. Yet, the last time, Colonel had come to help; he had finally acted. Saito wondered again why he had done it if it wasn't because Iris was indirectly linked to him.
"Of course..." he murmured.
The store's door then opened, revealing the young child in the cloak carrying a large white box, his face beaming.
"Here!" he announced, and the other two looked at him. "Sorry, it took me a while because there were so many choices!" he admitted.
Saito nodded and approached Netto, wanting to take the white box.
"Hey!" the young child said with a displeased look.
"I... I just want to help!" Saito replied, a bit taken aback.
"You said you didn't want any, but now you want to eat them all yourself..." the child mumbled, annoying the older boy, then they resumed their journey together, the female Navi following them.
They found a restaurant with few customers, but the food looked appetizing. The two boys sat opposite each other, while Iris sat next to Netto, not eating anything but carefully watching the other two. She studied their way of eating: Netto seemed to be a real food lover but tried to remain calm, while Saito was a bit more clumsy, awkwardly holding his chopsticks.
"Saito..." Netto began, looking up at him, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. "You could eat more neatly... We have a lady at the table."
Saito stopped, looking at the young girl who tilted her head. He immediately composed himself, adjusting his posture and quickly wiping his mouth.
"Sorry..." he muttered embarrassedly.
Mentally, Netto almost laughed. Usually, it was Saito who scolded him when he did something wrong, and now the roles were reversed because the older boy couldn't eat properly.
On the opposite wall, a television hung. It first broadcasted ads for various products, then a special flash caught Netto's attention, his mouth full. A young woman in green appeared on the screen, the famous reporter Kero Midorikawa, her friendly face holding a microphone, looking at viewers with enthusiasm.
"Good evening everyone! This is Midorikawa!" she announced with a mischievous smile. "Tomorrow, the new Virus Hunt will be held in the heart of the city! We hope to see many of you there! Remember, registrations are open until midnight tonight!"
Netto and Iris stayed agape watching the television, while Saito was the only one trying to continue eating his meal.
"Oh, that's right," the young girl quietly commented.
The child turned his head to her, curious about what she was talking about.
"What's the Virus Hunt?" he asked.
"It's a kind of annual festival. They release viruses into the city, and the Navi that eliminates the most and accumulates the most points wins the festival," Iris explained.
Netto's mouth fell open. "And what do you win?" he asked.
"In most cases, money," she replied.
The child's eyes widened, mouth agape, while Saito looked at him, an eyebrow raised.
"What's wrong, Netto?" he asked.
Netto lowered his head, looking at his plate. "No, it's just...it sounds amazing, such an event."
Saito looked at him with half-closed eyes. "Except we can't participate in something like that. You know very well that Rockman might alert a lot of people."
"I know... But..." Netto lowered his head, took his bag, and looked at his wallet. "We're almost out of money."
Saito twitched for a moment, realizing that they were probably running out of money. Iris, on the other hand, looked at the two of them, elbows on the table, joining her hands.
"Why are you worrying? I have money; I have a credit card in my PET," she stated.
Netto looked at her in surprise. "Are you sure that's not risky?"
Saito nodded. "What if you're being tracked? Variety knows you're with us now. By looking at the latest expenses, they can find out where you are."
Iris frowned at that, surprising both boys. She stared straight ahead, her hands now clenched into fists.
"Damn, I didn't think of that," she said, clearly angry with herself.
Netto displayed an awkward smile, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.
"It's okay, Iris..." He turned to Saito, "But we could participate, but as you said... With Rockman..."
"I can do it," Iris replied, leaving both boys in shock.
"But Iris..." Netto began, then lowered his voice. "Everyone knows your true form."
"I have a customization software," she added.
Both boys remained silent, their eyes on Iris, waiting for her response.
"So...you really want to do it?" Netto finally asked.
The young girl nodded without looking at him, showing slight determination. "But when we sign up, you'll have to pose as my operator."
Netto's mouth fell open, uncertain. "I... Are you sure?"
"Yes, I can entrust you with this responsibility."
He wasn't sure how to react initially but ended up nodding shyly, accepting her request.
"It's only for the festival, after all," she added.
He agreed hesitantly. Then he heard a noise from the TV, noticing that Midorikawa continued to present the program for the next day.
"And it's also noted that tomorrow, the festival has invited singer Mariko, an idol we all love! She will give a concert at the beginning of the festival and award the prize to the grand winner!" she announced, showing images of a woman singing on stage.
Netto almost jumped up from the table in shock, his mouth wide open, making several sounds of astonishment. The other two looked at him, although Saito managed to hide his surprise by also watching the TV. Iris watched without expressing any thoughts.
"Do you know her in your world?" Iris asked, suspecting that was the most probable answer.
"Do I ever!" he replied, settling back down. "She's my school teacher!"
She raised an eyebrow, while Saito remained motionless. "Interesting. Here, that woman is a famous idol."
"I can't believe it! My school teacher became a professional singer!" Netto exclaimed.
"Just goes to show you can have surprises," Saito commented with a smile, still struggling with his food using his chopsticks.
Netto squirmed for a moment noticing how Saito was eating, then he noticed something on his wrist that he hadn't spotted before.
"Saito..." he began, his gaze shaky. "What's that bracelet?"
Saito dropped his food, freezing. He quickly glanced at his wrist and tried to hide it with his sleeve.
"It's nothing, I've had it for a long time..." he murmured softly, trying to continue eating.
"Why does it have Meiru-chan's symbol on it?" Netto finally asked, his voice sounding troubled.
Saito slowly opened his mouth without looking at him, while Iris stared at him. Just the mention of her name made him uncomfortable. If only they were alone, it would have been easier.
"She...gave it to me before I left that day," he explained without elaborating further.
Netto slowly furrowed his brows but didn't say anything else. Saito could feel that his explanation had upset the child again.
The meal had ended in a heavy silence. The trio found themselves at the warehouse where registrations were ongoing. To participate, an ID card and the PET's information were needed. Thanks to her technopath power, Iris had managed to manipulate the machine to provide false information. As such, Netto was not officially named for the festival, and Iris wasn't recognized under the name of .
The registration went smoothly, although Saito stayed away. Next, they found a hotel where they could use the money they had left. Once in their room, Netto rushed to the bathroom, expressing his eagerness to take a shower. Before finally getting there, the child gave Saito a strange look, frowning. This expression did not escape the pre-teen, who felt somewhat unsettled by that gaze. Finally, the child locked himself in the bathroom, leaving the older boy to sigh.
Saito sat on the chair, holding the bag, and checked if everything was well stored. He glanced quickly at his PET, which showed no activity, then set it aside. He let go of the bag and wiped his head, sighing deeply and thinking back to the busy day he'd had. The multiple moves and attacks had worn him out. He raised his right arm and stared for a moment at the bracelet he was wearing. Sometimes he even forgot he wore it on his wrist. He touched the object with his fingertips, thinking of Meiru. First, he remembered Meiru's reaction, who had suggested telling the truth, but then his thoughts sank as he recalled the horrified face of the young girl he had seen in spirit. He shook his head, banishing those dark thoughts.
"Who is Meiru?" Suddenly asked Iris from behind him, making him start.
Saito turned to face Iris, mouth slightly ajar. Instinctively, he took the sleeve of his clothing and passed it over his bracelet.
"She's..." he began, then lowered his head with a shameful expression. "I'd prefer that Netto explained it to you." He looked away.
Iris remained silent, but Saito could feel her heavy gaze on him, making him blush.
"Why do you want Netto to explain who she is?" Iris asked.
"Because..." Saito scratched the back of his head and looked again at his bracelet. "She's just a fantasy for me... Nothing more." He admitted sadly, forcing a bitter smile and frowning, feeling something rise in his eyes. "Yeah...just a simple fantasy," he repeated.
The boy turned away without a word for the Navi behind him, evidently deciding on saying nothing more. She eventually sat on one of the beds, having nothing else to add. After a few minutes, Netto came out of the bathroom, holding his bandana in his hands and wearing only a tank top and his shorts.
"I'm done," he said without glancing at either one.
Eventually, he looked at them, noticing that both were distant and had melancholic expressions. The older boy said nothing and got up to head to the bathroom. He lowered the zipper of his vest before removing it and closed the door behind him, leaving the other two in complete confusion, at least for the child.
Netto quickly turned to Iris, who hadn't changed her expression.
"What did you talk about?" he asked suspiciously.
Iris stared at him intently, taking her time before answering, her eyes diving into his. She tried to pierce the inside of his pupils, which sent shivers down his spine.
"Who is Meiru?" she finally asked.
With bated breath, Netto felt his eyes slowly widen. He closed his mouth and lowered his head, feeling a void in his chest. He looked away, almost shamefully.
"She's..." he began, then let out a slight sarcastic laugh, realizing that's what they had discussed, although Saito hadn't provided many details. "She's a friend of mine."
The female Navi tilted her head, and Netto looked up at her. She gestured slightly, seemingly indicating him to sit next to her on the bed. Hesitant, he blushed slightly, then gathered his courage and sat down, keeping some distance from her. Her presence seemed to make him anxious.
"She's my childhood friend, and I met her in this world too... And she..." He paused without adding anything else, but his lips tightened, holding back a sob. "I miss her..."
Iris didn't respond, just looked at him, her green eyes faintly glowing.
"In this world, she didn't fulfill you?" she asked, not fully grasping what he meant.
He quickly looked up, narrowing his eyes. "No, actually..." He bit his lip, searching for a better explanation. "In this world, she doesn't know me... I don't know if a version of me exists in this world, because the city I come from was destroyed shortly before I was born..." He stared straight ahead, observing the bathroom, while thinking back to the bracelet that evoked all the moments Meiru had been happy with his elder. "Saito didn't know her in our world, they got closer here."
The female Navi could feel all the sadness and distress in the boy's voice. His hands trembled slightly as he gripped his shorts.
"She never looked at me the way she did with Saito..." he murmured almost in a whisper.
Slowly, Iris frowned and gently took his hands, forcing him to look at her. He almost jumped at the contact.
"But the one you're waiting for is in your world, isn't she?" she replied, trying to reassure him, but the effect was quite the opposite. Netto's face twisted, as if feeling an invisible pain.
"H-how do you expect me to find her... When I saw her die in front of me..." he articulated in a broken voice.
Iris's eyes widened as she fully grasped the gravity of what he was expressing. The child pulled back, freeing his hands from the girl's grip, then stared straight ahead.
"How do you expect me to look at her and pretend everything's normal again when I saw her, she was real..." He sniffled loudly while wiping his eyes repeatedly. "I couldn't save her... I couldn't do anything for her here, I had..."
"I had no value in her eyes."
He remained silent for a moment, realizing his thoughts. His tears had disappeared, and he turned his head to look at his hand, closing and then opening it.
"And what if... I kept this body? What if I went back like this, stayed in the body of a six-year-old boy..."
Netto's thoughts began to whirl as he imagined what could happen if he remained in the body of a six-year-old. He visualized a world where everyone would mock him, treating him like a frail little boy. His parents, especially his mother, would see him as a baby. Meiru would probably act the same as her Beyondard version, as would Yaito. Dekao would tease him every day, and Enzan and Laika wouldn't need his help anymore. He wouldn't be a NetSavior anymore, and Rockman would treat him like a false mother.
He also pictured visiting Saito in the hospital, finding himself in a bed, with IVs attached to his body. Saito would be there, smiling faintly at him. Then, inexplicably, the usually older boy appeared to also be six, becoming as vulnerable as a child.
"Netto... Can you get me some water, please…? I'm really thirsty," he would ask as he tried to get up. Netto nodded and poured a glass of water for his friend.
"Thank you so much, Netto. You're my favorite nurse!" he would declare with a smile.
He didn't know why he'd imagined that, as if it was a distant, blurred memory, like a video playing on a VHS. Netto opened his mouth, seeming frozen in time, as if there was nothing else around him, until he felt Iris's hand on his shoulder.
"Even if you go back with scars, you'll live with the one who's still alive in your world. That Meiru might be gone forever in this world, but she's still alive elsewhere, and that one is waiting for you. There's always another version of someone you love living across another world," she said softly. "Much like Colonel in your world, who's still alive..."
Netto slowly closed his mouth and looked at Iris, his eyes trembling gently as he grasped what she was saying. He observed her bright eyes, and his gaze darkened.
"But you... You won't be there," he said softly, as if it was a given.
Iris opened her mouth, her eyes wide in surprise. Gently, she stood up and let go of him, looking away.
"You're not supposed to worry about me."
Netto was about to reply when the bathroom door opened, Saito unknowingly interrupting their conversation without really looking at them. The little boy returned to his bed, placing his feet on it, and stared at the floor, now intrigued by Iris's words.
Looking at the camera, Midorikawa spotted the cameraman and waved to him. She took a deep breath, and finally, the man behind the camera gave a thumbs up.
"Hello, everyone! Today's the big day in Kobi City! The grand annual Virus Hunting festival is finally upon us! I'm Kero Midorikawa, and I'll be covering this event with my dear colleague..."
A man in a cowboy hat stepped into the camera's view, microphone in hand, waving to the lens.
"Sunayama Noburo! Your favorite VNN producer!" he announced, flashing a charming smile.
Midorikawa felt a bit awkward for a moment, but a third, less-human figure also stepped into the frame, reigniting her grin.
"And also, our field reporter Toadman will be on-site for live coverage of the event! Isn't that right?" she asked.
The frog-themed Navi nodded, holding a mic, also waving at the camera.
"Of course, kero! For this event, humans can't enter the grand arena, they need to stay safe! I'll be there to bring you all the highlights, kero!" he explained enthusiastically.
The female reporter nodded and turned her gaze back to the camera, her smile beaming.
"Well, we can see the Navis with their operators finalizing their preparations and getting into position! Let's not forget, the winner who collects the most points will take home a whopping five hundred thousand zennies!"
"A massive sum for such a festival!" commented Noburo.
"Last year, our winner racked up over seven hundred fifty-eight thousand points! Will this year's champ beat that?" she added.
"I can't wait to find out!" the frog Navi admitted excitedly.
Netto had been staring at the giant screen on the buildings for five minutes already, listening carefully to the instructions. Suddenly, a burning determination overcame him. Of course, winning five hundred thousand zennies was an enticing reward, but what pushed him even more was the idea of beating last year's score. An inner flame ignited within him, and his motivation nearly burst. He nodded, fists clenched. He had to be the highest scorer!
Behind him, Iris appeared in her Navi outfit. Netto jumped when he saw her; her outfit was too close to her priestess get-up, but in a shade of pale pink that left no doubt about her identity.
"I-Iris... Are you sure that…" he began, but the Navi quickly stepped past him.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," she said confidently, although Netto wasn't entirely convinced.
They headed to the grand square, which was the gateway to the city streets where they would hunt viruses. There were still operators giving instructions, but some Navis almost raised an invisible eyebrow when they noticed the female Navi. Some approached her, drawing Netto's attention, and he began to feel sweat form on his brow. A very robotic-looking Navi came closer, his data filling with questions.
"Hm, tell me, is this..."
"This Navi isn't who you think she is," she replied loudly without even looking at him.
Suddenly, the Navis froze in their tracks, exchanging puzzled looks before swiftly moving in the opposite direction, no longer paying any heed to the female Navi. Netto forced what almost appeared to be a smile, though it came across more as a gritted teeth expression.
"Woah... You really have a power that could be quite terrifying if you were on the bad side..." he commented with an undertone of apprehension.
She turned and approached him, "Do you find me terrifying?"
He jumped slightly, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. "I... No! I swear I'm not scared of you! It's just that if you were our enemy... I might be... Probably..." he admitted, eyes darting downward, scratching his head, his face painted with a hue of red. "But fortunately, that's not the case."
She tilted her head and, under her visor, her gaze lowered. Retrieving something from her pocket, she held it up to Netto's eyes.
"I entrust this to you for the duration of the festival; I have faith in you," she declared as the boy stared wide-eyed at the PET.
Handing it over to him, Netto remained perfectly still, treating the item as a cherished treasure. Then, he lifted his head.
"I rely on you, Netto-kun, but you probably won't need this. I can manage on my own."
Iris's comment made Netto furrow his brows, causing a slight stir in him.
"Hey! I want to operate you! I'm sure we'd have a great synergy!" he conveyed with mock indignation.
Standing up, he quickly noticed a teasing smile form on her face, quite unusual for her demeanor. With a sigh, he was somewhat exasperated at being teased by the Navi.
"Then prove it to me," he heard her say, causing him to gulp.
Iris didn't turn around; she fixed her gaze straight ahead. Netto stared at the PET in his hands and gave a nod.
"All right! Now that the operators are behind the safety barriers!" came from an announcer's voice.
Netto cast one last glance at Iris, slight concern evident in his eyes. It wasn't that he lacked trust in her, but something seemed off. After all, it wasn't Rockman participating in this event. He moved back, positioning himself behind the special barriers where operators had to stand to track their Navis in the race.
"Navis, take your positions!" they heard as Iris stood in front of large gates soon to open. "Are you ready?"
From the other side, nervous anticipation bubbled within Netto as a single sweat droplet slid down his temple.
Then, a small explosion rang out. "Go!"
The gates flung wide open, releasing a flood of Mettaur that swarmed the area, attacking each present Navi. Many counteracted swiftly, wiping out the viruses in no time. Toadman discreetly positioned himself in a corner, steering clear of any attention.
"As you can see, kero, the first wave of viruses has just begun! I'd like to remind you that a Mettaur fetches two points! Each virus has its unique point value! If contestants wish to face more formidable viruses, they'll need to venture deeper into the city to locate them and thus score a significant number of points!"
Iris had eliminated quite a few, but she wasn't sure of the exact number of Mettaur she had taken down. She noticed Netto at the side, calling her from behind the large safety barrier, signaling her to move from the spot and continue the Hunt. She gave a nod, and they both started progressing into the city to hunt down more viruses.
From the rooftops, hidden from prying eyes, Rockman observed everything that was unfolding. He noted that Iris seemed to manage just fine without needing to be operated by Netto. This was reassuring, as he felt confident that nothing might befall her. Still, he had to stay on alert as Netto was still vulnerable to malicious intent from other humans. He pondered whether he should step in but then realized it might be deemed as cheating. So, he decided to stay back for now.
While observing, Rockman caught sight of a Navi he was familiar with. He was blue and white, specializing in needles—Needleman. Although once considered a foe, they were now allies. However, despite being in another world, Rockman couldn't shake off the lingering distrust he felt towards this Navi. Needleman was heading in a different direction, a sly smile plastered on his face, seemingly paying no heed to the ongoing event. Recollecting who his operator was, Rockman couldn't help but think that a similar scenario from their own world could play out here. He then leapt off the building, filled with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, determined to investigate Needleman.
Iris carried on, taking down every virus she came across, under the watchful eye of Netto behind the large safety barrier. At this point, it was clear they were racking up many points, but despite that, the boy couldn't help but feel a tad annoyed that the young Navi was indeed faring better without his assistance. He analyzed the chips she was using, the ones she reserved for critical situations, and noted a lot of cannon or gun-based ones as he understood she was a Navi more comfortable with swords. He also recognized some other chips he frequently utilized, such as the yoyo and boomerang, and he felt the itch to use them.
Looking up, Netto recognized just how brilliantly the female Navi was performing, taking down virus after virus, even the toughest ones.
"It looks like the Navi with the highest points so far is this female Navi!" announced Toadman on the ground. "Her name is... ? It's unusual to have a human name for a Navi!" he admitted.
Back on the television set, Midorikawa was buzzing with excitement while Noburo looked on perplexed.
"Wow! Could a female possibly win the Virus Hunt this year?!" she exclaimed enthusiastically. "It would be so awesome! For once, a girl winning the festival!"
Noburo felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. "Actually, Midorikawa-san, there have been instances in the past where a female operator has won the festival, it's just that their Navis were male."
She recomposed herself, first looking embarrassed and then puzzled. "Wait, this Navi's operator isn't a girl?"
"Well, no, Midorikawa-san!" Toadman announced, approaching Netto, who was unaware of their presence. "It's actually a young boy! He's quite young to be participating in the Hunt; I wonder if he was really allowed to register?"
Netto finally turned his eyes to them, taking notice. He began to blush profusely and pulled his hood over his head to hide his face, not wanting any more public exposure.
On the other side of the screen, Noburo took notice of the boy and frowned, while Midorikawa blinked in surprise.
"This female Navi..." Noburo began, "I feel like we've seen her before, right?"
Midorikawa looked up at him, one eyebrow raised, while continuing to watch the screen where the Navi was fiercely battling numerous viruses.
"Well...she does seem familiar, but I can't place where I've seen her... Oh, maybe she participated in the event last year!" she suggested.
"No..." Noburo replied, appearing annoyed.
Netto quickly beckoned Iris, asking her to move since the cameras were fixated on them and he wasn't fond of it. She jumped back, nodding in acknowledgment, and chose to move away from the area. Just when they thought they were clear, a piercing sound hit their ears, and the boy almost jumped.
"Oh, what in the world is that!" Midorikawa exclaimed dramatically.
"It's simple, Midorikawa-san, kero!" responded Toadman. "It's the highest point-yielding virus of this round, the Bloodia!"
Netto heard Toadman's explanations and his eyes widened. He turned to Iris with a determined expression.
"We need to find this virus!" he exclaimed.
From the other side, Iris responded with a simple nod. She eliminated one more virus and continued on her path, closely followed by the boy. Netto was scanning every corner, looking for a particularly designed virus, a monster that would stand out immediately.
They moved closer to the shrill noise, and Netto felt the monster approaching. They arrived at a large courtyard where everything was calm, despite the flying cameras recording the scene. Netto joined Iris behind the barriers, and they both waited. Without them noticing, a shadow suddenly dashed towards them, ready to attack the Navi. The child opened his mouth to warn Iris, who managed to dodge just in time. Before them stood a formidable virus, armed with a sword attached to one of its arms.
Iris raised her sword in front of her, ready to take on the challenge. Their eyes met, the anticipation of the showdown weighing heavily in the air. Suddenly, they both lunged forward, their sword strikes resonating loudly. Netto winced, quickly glancing at Iris's PET to check that everything was fine. His eyebrows furrowed when he realized he was powerless in this fight. An idea crossed his mind, and he rushed towards the barrier, shouting repeatedly.
"Perform a Program Advance!"
Before Iris could react, she almost missed Netto's shout. She grunted slightly, raising her hand towards the virus, which made the boy's eyes widen.
"No, not like that! That's not how we should win! Please, don't do that!" he yelled, guessing what she was about to do.
She lowered her hand, almost grumbling, but she respected the child's wish. She raised her arms as Netto had instructed her.
"Sword! Wide Sword!" she began shouting. "Long Sword! Program Advance!"
Her hands then shone with a light sword, and she quickly rushed towards the virus, battling it with one strike after another.
"Program Advance, Dream Sword!"
The attack was shockingly powerful, but the virus managed to survive. Netto realized this virus was even more formidable than anticipated, explaining its high point value. He glanced at the PET, then at the Battle Chips, furrowing his brows.
"I'm taking over!" he yelled. "Battle Chip! Yoyo, slot in!"
Iris's arm transformed, revealing a yoyo, which surprised her.
"Iris, use it to immobilize it!" he continued determinedly.
She nodded timidly, then launched the yoyo. The string that held it silently wrapped around the monster, holding it in place. Netto already had a new Battle Chip in hand, ready to slot it in.
"Battle Chip! Zeus Hammer, slot in!" he yelled while making the motion.
"Wait, Netto-kun, this chip..." Iris began, but she didn't get to finish her sentence. The hammer appeared in her hand, and she tried to throw it at the virus, but she missed her target.
Netto was left speechless by what had just happened. The hammer had hit the ground, creating a huge crack. How was it possible for Iris to miss her target so spectacularly? She tried to get up, but the hammer disappeared, meaning she had already used this Battle Chip and was now out. The child froze, powerless, as the virus freed itself from the yoyo and headed straight for Iris.
"Iris, watch out!" he yelled, filled with panic.
She was about to react when suddenly, an attack of blinding speed—resembling a blade slicing through the wind—occurred. The virus was sliced into pieces that dissipated into the air. Iris got up, shocked, seeing a Navi standing behind her. As she took a closer look at this Navi, her mouth opened in an expression of surprise. Netto, on the other side of the barrier, widened his eyes when he recognized him.
"I see you still can't lift that hammer," the Navi stated, straightening up. His red helmet shone on his head, and his eyes were concealed behind black glasses. "It's been quite a while, Iris-sama."
Netto couldn't believe his eyes seeing this Navi in front of him. He was still behind the barrier, searching for the operator of this Navi. His breathing was choppy as he tried to grasp what was happening, but in some way, he felt reassured.
"Oh, but..." Toadman began, filming the two Navis. "It looks like the Bloodia has been defeated by another Navi! And it's not just anyone! The legendary Blues, the Navi of the prestigious Peacock of Iijuin!"
If Iris had been human, she probably would have had sweat dripping down her forehead at that moment.
To be Continued…
AN: There you have it, you'll finally get them... At least...Blues belongs to a peacock... Maybe it's a real peacock? Who knows? By the way, the festival in which Netto and Iris participate is inspired by the monster hunting in FF9. I'm putting so many references to my favorite saga in this fic, oh my. See you next week!