"Lily! Hurry!" Lan shouted across what felt like the longest corridor in the world.
"I'm…trying!" I desperately tried to hurry by his side.
…But it was no use…
*Beeeep*
The beep signified that once again, we were destined to be torn apart.
"Damn it! Is there nothing we can do!?" Lan curses and clenches his fist, frustrated at his inability to help me.
"Lan…go on without me…" He looks up, shocked.
"I would never abandon you!" Lan…
"Um, excuse me miss. You're going to have to go through the metal detector again."
…
"This is like the 5th time though!" I groaned at the security officer.
"I'm sorry. Is there anything else on you that could be setting it off?" I have literally taken off every- oh wait.
I take off my ring and put it in the security check basket.
I then walk through the metal detector…No beeps!
The security officer smiles at me. "Seems like that was it. Come down and grab your stuff."
Yessssssssss!
I hop over to Lan after grabbing my things and give him a hug. "We survived!"
"Yes…we did! I thought we would never make it!" Lan and I have a heartfelt moment, having grown closer after going through such an ordeal.
"Uhh, aren't you guys being a little dramatic? It's just airport security." Says a small purplette bundle of problems as she casually walks up to us.
That's right, we're at the airport about to head home so we can sort out our affairs.
We had plenty of time…that is until…
"It's your fault, Sis! You showed up out of nowhere telling us you were coming too and then took every detour imaginable!"
First, it was comic books, then she wanted some pudding, then we had to look at the game store, then it turned out she had too many bags!
"Woah, woah, woah! Don't hate the player! Hate the game!" She frantically waves her hands in front of her in defense.
"...I assure you I am quite capable of hating both" I gave her an icy glare.
"C-come onnnn, Jr.! Psst, Lanny, help me out here!" I turn to Lan and raise an eyebrow.
He is over by a bench, seemingly inspecting it. "Wow, what is this? Mahogany?" Smart man.
"Ahaha…Meet you on the plane!" She dashes off towards our gate.
"Haaah, whatever. Let's get going too Lan." As I turn back to face him, he is still examining the bench.
"...You mean that wasn't just a bit?" He looks up, finally noticing I was talking to him.
"Hmm? No, I'd say it was a lot of mahogany and maybe a bit of oak." …What?
"...Lan, the plane?" Seemingly to suddenly remember why we were here, he gets up and grabs my bags.
"Shall we, my goddess?" Hmph! It's not his fault, but I can't help but be upset anyway!
"Acting cute won't do-"
He interrupts me by doing a kickflip using the luggage.
"...Woah, that was rad…" How did he manage that?
"Come on, we're going to miss our flight." He starts walking ahead of me.
"Wait! How did you do that with a bag?" I chased after him.
I mean, think about it. The bag is very rectangular right? Not to mention it's stuffed with clothes and stuff.
Maybe because it has wheels? No way. Then he could theoretically kickflip anything with wheels.
He could have just practiced for this exact moment? It is Lan, so it's possible. However-
"Lily, we're about to board." Lan snaps me out of my thoughts.
"...Hey, you did that on purpose didn't you?" He knew I would over analyze something bizarre.
"Only thing I've ever done on purpose was you…" He flips his hair and winks at me.
"Hmm…I'm not sure what type of embarrassment I should feel." It's embarrassing due to the subject, but it's also embarrassing because it's bad.
"Wait…" I look around and we're already in our seats.
"Stop doing that!" I yell at Lan for once again getting me lost in my thoughts.
"Hahahaha! It's so cute though. I love how serious you look when you're deep in thought." Mmmrrgh.
"C-calling me cute won't do you any good! Hmph!" I cross my arms and puff my cheeks in protest.
"You guys can really flirt anywhere at any time huh?" Neptune, who is sitting in the window seat, seemingly complains.
"That wouldn't be complaining from the extra baggage I hear?"
She jumps a little in her seat and starts trying to nonchalantly whistle.
Hmph, I thought so.
How did it end up like this?
I was just trying to have a few days alone with Lan while we try to get everything ready for the move.
…But when Neptune came up and asked if she could come along, I wanted to say no.
Then she said she wanted to see where I lived these last 5 years…How could I say no to a face like that after saying something like that!?
Luckily, Lan didn't mind at all. Plus, our house has plenty of space for a few extra people.
I might be a little annoyed but, I don't mind all that much. I guess.
I feel Lan grab my hand and give it a squeeze.
"Hm?" I turn towards him and he just smiles.
…Geez, he's going to give me a heart attack with those.
"W-what?" I try to sound a little upset still. I don't want him to think I'm that easy!
"You know…" He points to the screen on the back of the seat in front of us. "I heard there was a new season of that drama we watched when we first arrived."
…
"...Boot it up…" Darn, I just have to know what happens.
Before we knew it…We had already reached the island airport.
Thankfully, the process to leave the airport was a lot easier than it was to get in.
Once we step out onto the street, Neptune immediately starts looking around.
"Huh, not a whole lot out here." Yup, just how we like it.
"Are there even any taxis around? How are we getting back to your place?"
"Hmm Hmm!" I puff out my chest proudly as I prepare to answer her.
"With this of course!" I pull a small box out of my inventory and throw it on the street.
"...Uh, nice?" Hmph, give it a second! She has no appreciation for suspense.
Within a few seconds the box rapidly expands into the shape of a slim, sleek, black car.
"Woaaahh!" Ahhh, the satisfying sound of awe.
"That's pretty neat!" Her eyes sparkle and she runs right up to the car and starts examining it.
I give Lan a smug look and reach my hand out, he immediately responds with a low-five.
"Can I drive it!?" I was about to agree when I suddenly remembered the type of person my sister was.
"...Do you even have a license?" She looked at me, then at the car, then back to me.
"I have a license to rock." She pulls out what looks like an ID made from some kind of sticker machine that says 'Made to Rock' on it.
"...Yeah, that's not valid in the PC continent or the surrounding islands." Or anywhere for that matter.
"Lanny~, Nepgear is being mean to meeee!" She runs over to Lan with her arms outstretched…and he places his palm right in her face.
"Mmmnnghnjfdkbkdj"
"I agree, Neptunyan. You should get in the back seat while I drive." Excellent translation, dear.
Just then he grimaced and pulled his hand away. "Euck. She licked me." Hm?
"Yuck! Hm? Ohh, your lotion kind of tastes like strawberry!" She licked him?
"Um-You okay there Jr.?" Licking him is…too far.
"I'm fine, Neptune.
"Woah! I have never heard your voice so low before!" So loud.
"Lily, it's just Neptunyan. That's just how she is." …Yes, that's right. She isn't doing anything intentionally.
"Right, right. Sorry, Neptune. Let's get going! Lan is driving."
I hop in the passenger seat while Neptune begrudgingly sits in the back seat.
We all buckle up and set out on the road.
Not even 15 minutes later though…
"Are we there yet?" Neptune began complaining.
"...It'll be another 15 minutes. Just sit tight." Maybe I should have driven?
Lan gets a little irritated when anyone interrupts him while he's in the middle of something.
Well, anyone but me! Hehe.
Anyway! I should've known Neptune would be the type to talk non-stop.
"Hey! What kind of stuff do they sell there?" She would ask.
"...The thing kind of stuff." He would answer.
Back and forth they would go. My attempts to distract her with conversation were ineffective.
…She always wants to bring Lan into it. I'm glad she's trying to get closer to him, but…
"Woaahh! Do you guys live in that mansion!?" Her face was practically glued to the window.
"...No, if anything, it's like a cabin." He's trying real hard for my sake. I can see him tightening his grip on the wheel. Just a bit more Lan!
After another 10 minutes of excruciatingly tense driving, we made it to the driveway.
"Oooo! Are we driving up this road? Are we there!?" She had gripped the back of my seat and was practically shaking it.
"Yes! We're there! Please relax so he can park!" I honestly was a little fed up as well. Oops.
Driving up the gravel road we finally reach our destination.
A nice two story, 3 bedroom home with 2 bathrooms! Plus, it had a cute ranch look and feel to it.
As we stepped out of the car, I took a deep breath and exhaled.
"Hnnnnn…ahhh."
Yeah, I missed how the air feels here.
"Not too shabby guys. This is a pretty cool pad you got here." Neptune whistled while she got out of her seat.
Of course! "I know right!? Lan and I have been building it up since I moved in!" I puff my chest out in pride.
"Hehe, we basically built it from scratch." Lan boasts as well.
""Welcome!"" Lan and I practically say in unison before looking at each other and giggling.
"Now that's the kind of welcome a protagonist deserves!" She gives us a hearty laugh like some old man.
After heading inside, we show Neptune around our kitchen, living room, and the bedrooms.
"Wow! It all looks like something out of a suburban lifestyle magazine!" Is that a compliment?
"Can I pick any room?" She peeks down the hallway where all the bedrooms are located.
"Umm, the last bedroom down the hall is free." I take her down the hallway and show her inside.
"What about the other two rooms?"
"Well, the first room is Lan and I's. The second one is connected and we plan to use that for the baby." Even if there's no one in there now…the walls were designed to be thin. So…that's a no go.
"Oh yeahhhh! You guys were going to get a kid! Have you decided to adopt?" Adopt? Well, we might if we can't have our own but…
"We were planning on trying ourselves for a while first." No luck so far, but the doctor says I should be able to.
Neptune just looked at me like I said something really strange. Oh goodness…is she thinking too deeply about it!? Ugh, it's super embarrassing when you think about it!
"Uh, Nepgear?" Oh, she sounds a little serious. Does she actually not approve?
"We, as CPU's, can't conceive." …What?
Seeing how I was dumbfounded, she continued. "We aren't human. We don't age, we don't grow, we don't change. I've looked like this for…well forever." We don't…change?
I…then that means…but!
…Wait…
I guess she noticed how distraught I looked because she started to get panicky. "W-well, it isn't the end of the world! It just means you get to be young forever! Plus, you can always adopt! Umm, uhh, Lanny! I need help here!"
Lan had been preparing tea for us in the kitchen when he rushed over.
"What's the matter?" After he saw me, he guided me over to the couch in the living room while Neptune brought him up to speed.
"Huh? That's not true." He said it as if it was a matter of fact.
"Listen, Lanny. I've been around a lot longer than I'd like to admit. Same with the other girls. We have never changed. I thought you guys knew that." I can tell she's sorry about bringing it up, but I can barely process what's going on right now.
Ever since I fell in love with Lan…I've always dreamed of having our own children and starting a family. It isn't like we couldn't adopt but…I wanted to experience it. I don't know why it's such a huge deal to me. But, I don't know what to do…
"According to the medical records I received from the hospital we have been going to, she only stopped growing last year." Medical records?
Neptune looked shocked for a moment, but soon recovered. "What do you mean!? That isn't supposed to be possible!"
Lan just shrugged. "I guess it is now."
After thinking about it…he's right! I used to be a little shorter than Lan, but now we're about the same height! Not to mention I've grown in other areas as well! Hmm, I-I don't think Neptune needs to know all that…
"Let me see those records!" She was the one starting to look desperate now.
"Umm, can you maybe not? It's a little embarrassing…" I really really don't want her to see all my measurements.
"Nepgear." She looked at me dead serious. I don't think I've ever seen her act like this before.
"Alright…but don't be weird about it!"
With that, Lan goes to fetch the records and hands them over to Neptune.
"!" Her mouth hangs open and she looks at me, then back at the records, and then back to me.
"Y-y-you got taller!?" Ahh, I can already feel regret.
"And-and-you!" Go ahead, get it out of your system.
"Your boobs got bigger!" Yeahhhhh, this is what I wanted to avoid. My sister, ladies and gentlemen.
I can feel my face burn up as she hard stares right at my chest.
"Are you done harassing me now?" I quickly snap the records back.
"I have to check for myself!" She reaches out for me…but I smack her on the head with my slipper.
"That isn't going to happen. Ever." She rubs her head and groans.
"Welp! I guess everything I thought I knew was thrown upside down!" Annnnd, just like that she recovers. Seriously? What is her will made of?
"Histy even confirmed that you were definitely still a CPU, so I guess you're just special!" Right…
While I'm glad that I at least age and grow like a normal human…I think…There's still a lot that's concerning.
Why only me? Did something else happen when I was injured? Was part of my divinity taken away?
…
Looks like something I should deal with sooner rather than later. Probably when we get back to Planeptune.
For now though…"Let's just relax and think about this later. Lan and I still have a lot to do if we're going to move to Planeptune."
Tomorrow is going to be hectic. I just want to relax while I can.
"In that case, I think I'll go to the store and pick up some ingredients for the next couple days." Lan gets up and starts getting ready to head out.
"Mm, good idea. I'll send some emails out to my colleagues to let them know the situation." I don't even know where to start with that. It has to be done though.
"Your colleagues?" Hm? I'm sure I told her about my job.
"Yes, I work as an engineer. In robotics. I have quite a few people working under me and with me, so it's pretty important that I at the very least inform them."
Hm? Why is she looking at me like that? "You're a bigshot now huh?"
"I don't think so? Er, actually I'm not really sure? I just mess around with robots all day so…" I haven't really cared about much else now that I think about it.
"Hahaha, you're still such a nerd!" So I'm a nerd am I?
I snap my fingers and the glass she was drinking from stands up, walks over to the sink, and dumps itself out before returning to its original position.
"...Well, I uh, guess I can say I didn't see that coming."
"Heh, got em." I can hear Lan say before the front door shuts.
Got em indeed. Wowzers! That's a lot to take in all at the same time. Looks like there's hope for them to have a child yet! Maybe? I dunno? It's not like I have any idea what's going on. I just live down here. It is a little concerning though. How come she's been aging? I wonder what else has changed? Anyway, hope you guys enjoy it before I vanish into the void once again. I don't get reception down here so...No one can contact me about my car's extended warranty. Have a good one gaymers.