Chapter 7: SpriNg Cleaing (It's not actually spring though)

"Hmm…" N sat on the floor, looking around his apartment. IF was in front of him, trying to bounce a ball barely bigger than her hand. On N's lap was the guide given to him by Arfoire's daughter, open and the cause of N's current thoughts. On the page was a few words,

CLEAN THE ROOM SO BABY DOESN'T GET SICK!

The words were pushed onto the paper by marker to the point that the page was dented and the ink bleed through paper, staining other pages beneath it. Upon seeing the page, N was taken back and quickly tore his eyes off the guide. N surveyed his room, a couple drops of sweat forming on his forehead, threatening to roll down his face.

The couch was in disarray due a handful of games "Iffy wants to hide and finds the couch comfy" which included of the girl trying to squeeze herself in between the couch cushions and N either yanking her out, pulling the cushions aside, or trying to help her dig as deep as she can into it until N pulled her out again. The table was covered in dirty dishes and take out containers. The kitchen sink was filled with dirtier dishes that N decided to do another day. He regretted doing that now. Laundry sat in piles unwashed and smelly.

IF, with her enjoyment of the ball, blissfully didn't notice her father's predicament. N let a disturbed grunt.

"Man, this place is a mess." N thought to himself. He glanced back at the guide, then to IF. "...I really should handle this." N glanced at IF, who felt his stare and stared back. "...I could probably clean this place up, but I need someone to watch Iffy." N would have immediately called Arfoire to help out, but she was currently out of town.

"Papa?" N blinked.

"Hm?" N smiled at his daughter. Seeing her father smile, IF smiled back and picked up her ball.

"Ball?" N's smile grew a little wider. N took the ball and bounced in front of IF, the girl's eyes engrossed in the consistent bouncing compared to hers. N caught the ball at the apex of his bounce and flicked his hand, twisting the ball and spinning it on his pointer finger. IF's eyes shined at this. N shifted the ball between his pointer finger and his thumb, but the ball tipped to the side and fell on the floor.

"Ah." The ball bounced on the floor in front of the two and rolled off to the side. IF began giggling as the ball rolled away. Grinning, N reached over and grabbed the ball before it could get far. "Get back 'ere you!" IF's giggles turned into laughter. N whisked the ball away from its destination and held the ball in front of IF. IF's laughter subsided and she reached for the ball. "Oop." N quickly pulled the ball out of IF's reach. As IF pulled her arms back, N slowly moved the ball back into her grasp. IF tried to get the ball again. "Oopsy." N pulled the ball away again. IF turned to stare at her father, seeing the smirk on his eyes. IF let out a small giggle and made a similar smirk.

The game was on.

"Oh no~." A tiny grunt.

"Uh oh." The sounds of a tiny giggle.

"Almost had that one." The ball slipped out of IF's grasp. A small determined cry erupted from the small child. She reached out and grasped the ball with both hands. "OH-" IF's grip tightened on the ball, letting out a triumphant giggle. "Oh, I don't think so~." N pulled on the ball gently. IF pulled back harder. N pulled softly. IF pulled roughly. N made a small smile as he saw the determination on IF's face. "Okay, you win today Iffy." N loosened his grip on the ball and IF ripped the ball from her father's hand holding it up in the air. IF let out a squeal and bounced around, holding her trophy close to her stomach. N laughed. "Are you the ball now?" IF let out a satisfied hum. The hum was broken with each bounce she made.

The phone rang.

"Aw. Looks like only one round for now." N patted his still bouncing daughter on the head. "Stay here, Iffy. I'll be back in a second." N got up from his seat and walked over to the table where his phone sat. N's phone sat in a clean spot on the table, easy to find. N picked his phone up and quickly rushed back to where IF was on the floor. N was amused to see that IF had gotten tired of bouncing and was now rolling on the floor, still clutching onto the ball. "Hey, that might hurt your tummy." As he sat back down, N put a hand on IF's back to stop her from rolling. Answering the phone, N tapped the speaker button. "Heyo." N tossed his phone onto the couch next to him. The phone slid off the couch cushion and into the open couch interior that was missing its cushion.

"He- Excuse me, what was that sound?" N recognized that voice and his sharp square glasses

"Ah." Shrugging his shoulders, N rolled IF onto her back before grabbing his phone. "Hey Nachey! Wassup?" Ganache cleared his throat. "What, are you in a meeting or something?" N could hear Ganache fix his serious glasses on the bridge of his nose.

"No, it's just that your friendliness never ceases to amaze me." N grinned.

"If it wasn't for Iffy, that'd be all I got!"

"Not everything. You seem to have forgotten something." N blinked.

"Uh… pudding?"

"Try again."

"...Histy?"

"One last chance." N sucked in a cheek, holding IF in place as she now held the ball in the air.

"Hmm… Blanc? Blanc's magic? Blanc's friendship." Ganache let out a hmph.

"I said one chance. Those were all correct, but not the one you forgot." Ganache cleared his throat. "I wish I could experience Lady Blanc's magic…"

"Wha-"

"Nothing, you seem to have forgotten your motorbike." N made a wide O shape with his mouth, leaning his head back. IF copied him, but her head was blocked by the floor.

"Oooooh, riiiiiiiiiight."

"Aiiiight." N smiled at his daughter.

"Whoopsy, I totally forgot about that." N made a frown. "Did it get impounded?" N could hear the small movement of fixing his glasses. "He should prolly tighten those. He keeps fixing those."

"No, we still have it in storage here. You had to leave it behind in order to take your daughter home."

"Oh yeaaaah."

"Indeed, we believe that now is a good time to inform you that you should go pick it up here whenever you get the chance." N shifted IF to a sitting position, but she decided to fall onto his leg. "You may need to arrange for someone to take care of your daughter-

"Iffy." N interrupted.

"...take care of Iffy." N could hear snickers in the background. N could only wonder the face Ganache was making as he had to say a cutesy nickname like that. He probably still had the same serious glasses face he always had. Maybe a small blush of embarrassment. "Or you can bring her in." N narrowed his eyebrows.

"Wouldn't taking Iffy home in a motorcycle be- I dunno… dangerous?"

"That is true, but we can arrange for a sidecar or baby seat to be installed into your vehicle in order to take your child home. However, you would have to take your vehicle to a separate area to get it installed." N nodded. "Furthermore, the costs will have to be paid yourself but we can reimburse you since this is both a job expense and a part of your paternity leave."

"Ooooh. Thanks, Nachey."
"Please stop calling me that." N pouted. IF tried to pout but just made a kissy face. N took the opportunity to give IF a kiss on the cheek.

"Aw come on, man. When are you gonna like the nickname I give you?" N heard a hmph.

"When you think of one that doesn't sound like a child made it up."

"Wow, rude." Ganache fixed his glasses again.

"I see nothing rude about that. Send me a message once you have decided on when you want to pick up your vehicle and whether you want to install a sidecar or baby seat or not."

"Aight, see ya man!"

"Have a good day." The phone hung up. N put his phone in his pocket, picking up his daughter and turning her to face him.

"Heeeeeey, Iffy!" IF stared at him. "You know something cool?" She blinked. "Hehe, I'll take that as a 'Wuh?'." IF giggled at the fake confusion N made. "We're gonna get my bike!" IF laughed as N held her up high from where he sat. N glanced around the room. "Aaaaaaaaaaafter I do some cleaning…" N lowered IF onto his lap. IF whined and raised her hands up.

"Gaaaan! Gaaaan!" N smiled.

"Again?"

"Weeeee! Weeeee!" N chuckled. IF seems to have associated the Uppies game with the "Weeeee!" that N always said when he lifted IF into the air.

"Well, just for a bit, then I gotta clean up okay!" N poked IF on the nose. IF tried to use her nose to chase it as N pulled his finger away. "Why you so silly, girl?" N said with an amused look on his face. IF grasped his finger. "Proooobably my fault, eh?" IF pulled on the finger she got a hold of. "Ow! Iffy, careful." N pried his finger free from his daughter's clutches and placed her on a foundation of blankets and pillows that N used to make a pseudo playplace/nap area for IF. Picking up the ball, N placed it IF's grasp and patted her on the head. "Stay still for a bit, Sweetie. Gotta make this place all spiffy and clean before we even think about going outside, okay?" IF swung the ball around, wiggling her feet and arms.

"Side!"

"Right!" N clapped his hands. IF clapped the ball. N turned to the couch and pointed at it. "First, you…" IF pointed at the couch.

"You…" N grinned at IF.

"Good job, Iffy!" IF smiled back.

N texted Histoire to ask her how to clean a couch. While waiting, N took the couch cushions and put them back into place. As soon as he fought the last cushion back into place, he got a reply. Looking at his phone, N let out an annoyed grunt and removed the cushions again. Placing them near the kitchen, N walked over to IF and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, Iffy. You know if we got a spray bottle?" IF blinked and looked at her ball, offering it to him. "Close, Sweetie. That's a ball, not a bottle." N ruffled IF's hair. Straightening his back, N scratched the back of his head. "Now where did I put that thing?" N glanced towards his kitchen. "Hmm…"

Walking over to the kitchen, he opened some of the cabinets and found a tiny spray bottle that N used to use to spray himself with water during hot summer days.

"This'll work…" N noticed a fine dust covering the bottle. "Maybe after a rinse." N turned toward the sink and flinched at the piled up dishes and containers. "Oh… Uh…" N glanced at the clock. It was currently 3:30 in the afternoon. "Hmm, guess we're going tomorrow, Iffy!" IF made a random cry. N put the spray bottle on the cushionless couch and rolled up sleeves. "Alright, let's get this-"

The doorbell rang along with a loud knock.

"-Distracted!" Unrolling his sleeves, N jogged over to the door. As he was running past, IF tossed the ball. N turned around, picked up the ball, gave IF a hug then placed the ball in her hands again. Turning back to the door, the knocks were getting faster and louder. "Who could even want to be here at this time of the day?" Patting his clothes and attempting to comb his hair with his hand, N opened to the door.

"Ah, he does live here! Sis was right!" Only to see a recognizable pair.

"H-Hello, Mister N!" N blinked. Rom and Ram were standing in front of him. Due to the heat, the two had taken their coats and hats off and were holding them in their hands.

"Hi!" N blinked again.

"Uh… Hey lil Blancs…" Ram pouted.

"It's Ram!" Ram pointed to her sister. "And Rom!"

"Yeah, I know… just teasing." N patted Ram on the head, prompting a "I'm not a kid!" whine from her. "What are you two doing here?" Ram puffed out her chest, making a proud face. Rom shuffled over to N and quietly poked his hand. When N glanced over, Rom closed her eyes and leaned her head forward a bit. Ah, right. N used to pat both of their heads when he lived in Lowee. Smiling, N patted a happy Rom on the head while Ram explained why they were there.

"We got a quest from Miss Historie!" Ram beamed with pride. "She told us to come over and help you out before you burn your house down!" A droplet of sweat rolled down N's face. Fighting through the assault of headpats, Rom looked up with eyes beaming just as much as Ram's.

"Yeah, Blanc even told us where you lived and let us go without her!" N raised an eyebrow.

"Really?" Ram nodded her head, her hair flying around.

"Yuh huh! We're old enough to go out on our own now!" Rom chimed in.

"As long as we're together!" N widened both of his eyes.

"Huh… It's been that long…" N grinned. "But you two still look like the same squirts I remember!" N grabbed onto Ram's head and assaulted both twins with a headpats.

"What- hey! My hair!" Ram tried to grab onto N's arm but mostly to keep in place. Rom smiled through the assault. Satisfied with messing up their hair, N let go of the twins and stepped aside.

"Well, come on in I guess." N couldn't really send the two back if they went all the way here from Lowee, in such a short time after he texted Histoire too. "I've got a lot to clean so I can't really entertain you." Ram puffed out her chest again, putting her hands on her sides.

"We can help with whatever you want!" N smirked as he walked over to the kitchen.

"You sure? I got a looooooooot of stuff to do!" Rom nodded her head.

"Yeah, we helped Blanc clean the Basilicom-"

"And our rooms!" Ram cut in. N rolled his eyes.

"Alright, I need someone to keep an eye on Iffy-" Ram raised her arms into the air, waving them. IF let go of her ball and tried to copy her, struggling to do so from a sitting position and eventually fell onto her back. Ram rushed over and sat her up. The two smiled at each other. N turned to Rom. "Alright, I guess you'll help me clean up a bit." Rom nodded her head.

"Okay!" N paused.

"Ah, no magic okay?" The twins stared at him.

"Okay?" Ram raised and eyebrow as she lightly bounced the ball towards IF.

"Why do you think we'd use our magic to clean up the place?" N shrugged.

"I dunno, I feel like you'd do that for some reason." The two looked at each other, then to N. "You didn't, did you?" The two responded with a unified "No.". N shrugged again. "Alright, whatever. Come on, lil' Rom."

"I-I'm not that little…"

"I know, I know, but it just rolls off the tongue pretty well." Rom pouted.

"Hm… lil' Rom. Oh hey, it kinda does. Hehehe." N and Rom walked over to the kitchen.

As Ram was playing with IF, N and Rom sorted the trash. Rom separated the empty containers and handed dirty dishes to N. N tackled the dirty dishes with soap and water, with a lot of elbow grease. Meanwhile, Rom wrapped up the trash bags.

"Ram, can you help Rom take out the trash? You gotta take them out front and around the corner, you'll see a pile of trash under a tarp. Toss the trash under the trap and recycling near the gate." Ram stood up and saluted N, IF copied Ram but facepalmed instead.

N continued to wash the dishes but glanced over at IF every time he either finished soaping or rinsing something. IF was watching N and mimicking whatever movements he could see. Seeing how cute his daughter was when he saw her try to copy him looking over his shoulder made his heart squeeze a bit. Energy suddenly burst through his body and N renewed his battle with the grime and grease on these plates and pans.

Once N was able to scrub off the dirt from a plate or a pan, he would place the item in a different spot of the sink where he would rinse it off later. As he was through the 4th plate, he could hear Rom and Ram chatting from outside.

"So loud…" N thought to himself. "Well, they wouldn't be Blanc's lil' hellspawn if they weren't~" N chuckled to himself as he could hear Ram get louder. "Better not tell them I thought that, or else they're gonna get actually annoying." N placed a small pan in the rinsing spots.

Suddenly, N could hear Rom speaking louder. "Strange, Rom usually isn't that loud unless she's pani-"

"N-No, Mi… …gear. We're …. here on ….rand!" Rom's voice was getting loud enough N could almost hear what she was saying.

"Ye-Yeah, what Rom said!" Ram was clear as day.

N straightened his back.

"They're panicking." N dropped his sponge and dried his hands. IF noticed N walking towards him and reached out to be picked up.

"Uppy!" N picked his little girl and gave her a big hug. Walking over to the door, N shifted IF to one arm and grabbed the door handle.

"Now, what are they going on ab-" Turning the door handle-

"We're fine! Nepgear, we're not doing anything weird!" N froze.

"Oh." N blinked. "That's why."

"Y-Ye-Yeah! What Ram said!" N took a deep breath.

"Man, I am not prepared for this…" N looked at IF. IF tightened her grip on her father's shoulder and pressed her cheek against it.

"Daddy, awight?" N smiled.

"I'm fine, sweetie." N dropped his smile.

"Better than what the twins are feeling right now." Taking a deep breath, N opened the door and stepped outside. "Welp, I guess I should save the twins. Somehow."

N was greeted with the sight of Rom and Ram at the gate of the apartment complex. They were doing their best to push away Nepgear, who just stood there in confusion. "Maybe I shouldn't help them." Fighting back some laughter, N walked down the stairs. As he approached, N noticed that the three girls didn't notice him at all. Smirking to himself, N quietly walked around them, planted his feet, and straightened his back.

"Whatcha doin?" The three girls froze, slowly turning around. Nepgear's eyes widened.

"Wha- Why- How-" N raised an eyebrow, lifting IF a bit.

"How did you get over there!" Ram pointed from the door of N's apartment to where N was now standing, outside of the gate. Rom looked back and forth from those two locations multiple times, getting dizzier and dizzier with each look.

"I walked." N gave a smug smile. "Say hi, Iffy." N looked at his daughter and waved at them. IF waved at them as well.

"Hai." IF also made a big smile. Rom and Ram let go of Nepgear and rushed over to the little one in N's hands.

"Aaaawwwwww!"

"So cute!" N looked at Nepgear.

"Hello, Lady Nepgear." Nepgear stumbled out a greeting and gave him a quick bow. N chuckled to himself. "Still as polite as ever, maybe even more nervous." N handed over IF to Ram and Rom to coo over and walked over to the still bowing budding CPU. "What does the newest CPU of Planeptune need with my little helpers?" Nepgear raised her head.

"Helpers?" N nodded. IF copied, tapping her forehead against Ram's face. Ram let out a small shout of surprise.

"Yes, helpers. Lady Blanc had sent the twins here on a quest: to help me out with some errands." Nepgear had a look of confusion. "Yeah, I'm not sure why she did that either." Shrugging, N walked past the girls. "Well, I still got a bunch to clean up." N turned to the twins cuddling with IF. "If you wanna hang out with Lady Nepgear, you two can watch Iffy out here if you want. I'll order dinner. Do you want pizza or sushi?" Ram raised her hand in the air. IF followed the swift motion with a confused look on her face.

"Oh-Ooh! I want pizza!" Rom lowered her head but raised her hand.

"I want… sushi." Ram looked at her sister, gasping.

"But Rom! Sushi is boring! You can eat it all one bite!" Rom looked hurt, as if Ram ruined her favorite drawing by calling stupid.

"But pizza is too cheesy!"

"That's because you keep putting extra cheese, Rom!"
"Because you put it on too!" N sighed and clapped loudly twice.

"Alright, that's enough." The twins stopped and turned their attention to N, only to turn it to IF as she clapped twice as well. "Good job, sweetie." Clearing his throat, N turned to Nepgear. "It doesn't seem like we're going to get anywhere with this. Lady Nepgear."

"Y-Yes!" N smiled.

"Loosen up a bit, you want pizza or sushi?" Nepgear pointed at herself.

"M-Me?" N nodded. "A-are you sure?" N gave a nonchalant shrug.

"Sure. I mean, why not?" Nepgear turned her gaze to the ground.

"I-I mean, after last time… I feel like I shouldn't be here." N felt a pang of guilt strike him. "After all, I acted like that just because I thought you looked like my sister. I thought you wouldn't want me here since I scared your baby." Nepgear bowed. "I-I'm sorry…"

"Yeah, that makes sense." N thought to himself. "I'd like to be as far as I can be from Nepgear right now too, but…" N stared at his estranged sister. "How Nepgear's acting is my fault." N glanced at the floor. "If I had been a better CPU…" N shook his head. "That doesn't matter now. Nepgear clearly isn't in the best state of mind." N clenched a hand and inhaled sharply. Opening his hand and placing his hand on Nepgear's shoulder, N smiled at the girl. "I can't be a good CPU now, but I can be a better sister to her." Nepgear looked up, a small tear on her face. "Well, better than I used to be."

"Lady Nepgear, relax." Nepgear received a warm smile from N. "It's not your fault that you reacted that way." N patted the girl on the head. "I heard from Blanc what happened to you. I'm sorry that happened." Nepgear lowered her head but leaned into the headpat.

"Oh… thank you." N ruffled Nepgear's head, much to her discomfort.

"And don't worry about last time. Sure you scared Iffy, but you were yelling next to a baby and shaking her, of course she'd cry." N turned to where Rom, Ram and IF are. IF was trying to reach and grab Ram's hair, wanting to feel long hair. Ram held IF as far as she could, doing her best to protect her hair while holding IF in a comfortable position. Rom was fretting over the two. "Besides, she's a baby. She probably doesn't even know how to spite someone, let alone hold a grudge." Nepgear stood straight.

"O-Oh." N crossed his arms.

"So, what'll it be? Pizza or sushi?" Nepgear blinked.

"Y-You're okay with me eating with you?" N nodded.

"I wouldn't be asking you if I wasn't okay with it. That'd be mean." N glanced at the twins still arguing about tonight's dinner. "If you don't mind helping the kiddos watch after Iffy or help me out. Well, after you pick something to break the tie breaker." Nepgear smiled.

"O-Okay, I think I'll pick…" The twins perked up. Suddenly appearing by Nepgear, startling the girl.

"You'll pick pizza! Right, Nepgear?" Ram got way too into Nepgear's personal space.

"Nepgear wants sushi, right?" Rom deployed her puppy eyes. Nepgear took a step back. Ram held up IF in front of Nepgear's face.

"Iffy wants pizza too!" IF stared at Nepgear, confused. N chimed in from behind.

"Raaam, Iffy can't eat pizza yet! Her teeth are still growing." Ram lowered the baby.

"Oh. Uh… Pick Pizza Nepgear!" Rom shook her head.

"No, sushi!"

"Pizza!"

"Sushi!" N stepped up to Ram, reaching out for IF.
"Thaaank you." N took IF before the twins got louder. Nepgear looked between the two, bewildered.

"U-U-Uh um…" N scratched the back of his head.

"PIZZA!"

"Sushi!"

"PIZZA!"

"SUSHI!"

"This isn't going to get anywhere is it?" IF shook her head.

Grabbing the couch cushions, N placed them on the balcony. Nepgear and Rom were finishing up the dishes that N had originally started on. Ram was currently teaching IF how to roll on the floor. Looking at the text message, N walked over to the kitchen and looked for vinegar. Finding the bottle that he rarely used, N poured some vinegar into a small bowl. He then poked the bowl over the sink Nepgear and Rom were at and filled it with water. Grabbing a spoon, he mixed them up and poured the mix into the small spray bottle he had found earlier.

Stepping outside, N sprayed the couch cushions with the solution and then did the same with the couch. IF was trying to copy Ram and roll on her side but she ended up stuck on her side. Ram would roll back over and keep cheering on the girl and show her how to roll again and again.

Chuckling, N picked up the dirty clothes and tossed them into a plastic bin that he had found in his room. He'd need to buy a laundry basket later, but that'll be after he washes everything. Walking back to the couch, N grabbed some wet wipes and wiped the counter and tables. Once they finished drying the dishes, Rom ran over and grabbed some wipes too. Nepgear wanted to help, but N directed her to be on Ram watch.

Rom tried to use the wet wipes to clean the floor, but she found it hard since they dried up so quickly. She walked over to N with a tear in her eye over her predicament. Laughing, N told her to find where to find a rag and what to do with it.

Thankfully, Blanc had taught N how to clean a room a bit while he stayed in Lowee.

"When you live by yourself, you're gonna have to start cleaning dammit! So learn!"

N wished that Blanc did so in a nicer way. And without a hammer. Or magic. Or without being Blanc. N rubbed his side. He swore Blanc didn't hold back even though she knew how he was now.

Taking some paper towels, N started wiping up the couch. N turned to IF who was watched by Ram who was watched by Nepgear.

"Pink Rom, can you take some paper towels and dry up the couch cushions outside?" Ram stood up.

"Okay- wait, hey! I am not a Pink Rom!" N raised an eyebrow.

"Then stop looking like Rom but in pink." Ram crossed her arms.

"Ugh, you wouldn't get it. It's a twinsies thing." N shrugged.

"Aight, whatever. Can you still do it?"

"Okay~." Ram walked over and grabbed the whole roll of paper towels and stepped outside. Rom finished scrubbing the floor and walked over with the dirtied rag.

"Mister N, I think I'm done." N smiled at the girl.

"Aw, thanks Rom that's- ew." N saw the rag. Rom nodded.

"It's gross. Can I wash my hands please?" N nodded.

"Yeah, sure. Use lots of soap." Rom softly put the rag down and ran towards the bathroom. N grabbed the rag and tossed it into the trash can. N shuddered.

"Gross." N looked over at Nepgear and IF.

"Wa-wa- IF please, don't pull on that." IF was tugging on Nepgear's skirt.

"Sorry, Lady Nepgear. I don't IF's seen that shade of purple before." Nepgear nervously laughed.

"I-I see. Goodness, she's strong." N relaxed on the couch arm, leaning his back against the couch while his leg lay on the couch arm.

"Yeaaah, babies are like that apparently." N crossed his arms. "Welcome to the world of babies." IF startled Nepgear by crawling onto her lap and grabbing onto her tie. "You know what, you wear a lot of colors Iffy's never seen before. She must be curious." Nepgear laughed nervously. "Also, did you notice?" Nepgear turned attention at N.

"Notice?" N smirked, crossing his arms.

"Is Iffy mad at you?" Blinking Nepgear looked down, IF was staring straight at her. Not a look of anger, annoyance or disgust was on IF's face. Just a look of wonder. IF tried to stand on Nepgear's lap, grabbing just below her shoulder to herself up. IF's emerald eyes stared into Nepgear's. Nepgear could swear that they were sparkling.

"...No. No she isn't." N smiled.

"See? Nothing to worry about." Nepgear smiled, holding onto IF so she could stand up straight.

"Yeah. Um… hi." Seeing Nepgear smile, IF smiled back.

There was a knock at the door.

"Oop, dinner should be here." Getting up, N patted Nepgear on the head as he walked by. "Tell the twins to get ready and have them bring in the couch cushions. You can still hold onto Iffy."

"U-Um, okay!" With that, Nepgear gently lifted IF, but the child still held her grip on Nepgear. Nepgear headed over to where Rom was last went, only to almost run into the girl. "Oh, Rom. N just told us to…"

N tuned out Nepgear's voice and unlocked the door. Opening to find someone at the door.

"Delivery for a Mr. Cast?" The delivery man said, looking at a piece of paper in his hand while balancing a couple of items in his other hand.

"Yep yeppers. That's me." The man nodded, handing over the items. N took them with both hands. The man then held out a piece of paper and his other hand.

"Please sign here and the payment please." N nodded and turned to the inside of his apartment.

"Alright, one sec. Hey, kiddos! Can one of you bring your faces over here and help me out!" Ram's voice chimed in.

"Coming!" Ram ran over, grabbed one item and then ran back inside.

"I'm here too!" Rom ran over, grabbed the other item and walked back inside. N smiled as the two began to set up the table.

"Thanks," N reached into his wallet and pulled out some money. Counting it, N placed it into the delivery man's hand. "There you go." The delivery man gave a quick bow.

"Thank you sir." The man glanced inside to see Rom, Ram and Nepgear unpacking the food while IF sat comfortably on the couch. "Um, is that Lady Rom, Lady Ram and Lady Nepgear?" N glanced back inside.

"Wha- No." N blatantly lied.

"Then why do they look like them?" N shrugged.

"Not sure." The man raised an eyebrow.

"Your sister having a sleepover with some friends?" N tilted his head side.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" The man shrugged.

"Well, you have the same hair color as the girl that looks like Lady Nepgear, and you don't look that old to be their parents." N hmphed. He ran his hand through his hair for a second. N glanced at IF. N should correct him about Nepgear being his sister, he was actually right. However, if he denied it, there might be some annoying complications to deal with.

"Well, the baby is my kid." The man widened his eyes.

"Oh I see, I'm sorry! You are just really young for a parent." N rolled his eyes.

"I'm gonna get that a lot, huh?"

"What?"

"Don't worry about it, it's nothing." The delivery man nodded.

"Yessir, have a good evening." N waved.

"Good night." N closed the door. N turned around to see that girls were already digging in. Rom was eating cheesy pizza and Ram was popping two pieces of sushi into her mouth. N rolled his eyes.

"Um, I'm sorry. I tried to get them to wait." N shook his head at Nepgear, a small smile on his face. Nepgear held out a plate to N.

"Don't worry. They did this all the time when I lived in Lowee." N took the plate but then put it on the table. "Eat without me, gotta make sure-" N picked up IF from her comfy spot. "This little isn't hungry." N put his ear to IF's tummy. He heard a small growl. "Aha! So you were." N squished IF's cheeks as he walked over to the kitchen.

Preparing IF's bottle, N watched as the girls ate dinner.

"Your sister having a sleepover with some friends?"

"Well, you have the same hair color as the girl that looks like Lady Nepgear..."

N felt his hair, staring at Nepgear. IF held onto her bottle, drinking her milk without a care in the world. The delivery man's words rung in his head. Nepgear had recognized him almost immediately at the park, and the delivery man thought they were siblings just with their hair color. N sighed.

"Guess Blanc was right." N made sure IF was drinking properly and not too fast, but his thoughts drowned out his mind. "I really should change more than my gender." N thought that since there were so many people trying to cosplay as either Neptune or Nepgear, especially after Neptune was legally declared dead after that last 'war', that N would be able to get away with being a "dude that had Neptune's hair color." Pouting, N leaned on the kitchen counter and turned his head.

"Hey, Iffy." N's child turned to look at her father when he called out to her. N had grin on his face. "Whaddya think? Black or brown?"