Chapter 3: Visit
Two figures stood in front of N's apartment complex, staring at the young man's door. A young girl with short sandy brown hair, wore a white one piece press, a large plush hat and a larger coat despite the summer heat. Said girl had a pair of red glasses on, the corner sparkling in the light. Another figure, significantly smaller than the first girl, wore a purple and blue dress with matching ribbons that held her angelic blonde hair together. The smaller girl sat on the first girl's shoulder, who was carrying a thick book.
"Thank you once again, Blanc. ( ＾∇＾)" Histoire stared at the sky above, watching the clouds as she sought shelter from the heat under Blanc's hat and hair. "It was difficult to come here all the way from Lastation." The CPU of Lowee shrugged.
"Not a problem, I had no idea where Neptune lived anyways." Blanc held up Histoire's tome, opening it. As Histoire pointed her palm at the tome, a magical circle appearing before it. The circle floated over to the book, picking it up. Histoire slid off of Blanc's shoulder and landed onto the open pages. "Also, she owes more material." The former Oracle of Planeptune tilted blinked her eyes.
"Material? (*「･ω･)ﾝ？" Blanc nodded her head, pulling out her phone.
"Neptune's been texting me of his adventures as a part of our deal." Pushing a couple of buttons, the CPU of Lowee, pointed to a text message from Neptune. "But he hasn't sent anything in the past month." Histoire chuckled.
"Knowing Neptune, she probably forgot. （・□・；）" Blanc grunted, tightening her grip around her phone.
"She better have a good friggin reason." A drop of sweat rolled down Histoire's cheek.
"Blanc, you sound like a needy girlfriend.（￣□￣；）" The CPU scoffed.
"I'd go with sister or childhood friend." Shrugging her tiny shoulders, Histoire floated up to Neptune's apartment and knocked on the door.
"Neptu- I mean, N! I'm here for the check up, and Blanc is here as well! ∩( ・ω・)∩" Blanc finished climbing up the stairs.
"Sure. Show off your levitation skills, why don't you?" Histoire's tiny fist continued to knock on the door. Silent thump after silent thump, Blanc watched Histoire toil away at summoning their friend. When Histoire tried using both of her fists, Blanc stepped in and pushed the Oracle aside. "Here."
"Ah. I'm sorry. m(_ _)m" Blanc rolled his eyes.
"Mm." Blanc slammed her fist on the door. "Neptune's probably out cold." Taking a deep breath, Blanc glared at the door. "HEY NE-"
The door suddenly flew open and a purple wind swept up Blanc and Histoire, pulling them inside. Both Histoire and Blanc were dropped onto the couch and Neptune slid to a stop, panting.
"Ca...Ca...Can you not?" Blanc and Histoire stared at Neptune, the former CPU of Planeptune's hair was messier than Neptune would usually let it be; his jacket was roughed up and worn out, while there were stains of food everywhere. Neptune's eyes were red and swollen.
"Not wh-!?"Suddenly, Blanc and Histoire covered their noses and pressed themselves against couch. "Holy cr-" Blanc was silenced by Neptune's glare.
"None of that either." Returning said glare, the CPU of Lowee turned to Histoire.
"You know what? You talk to him." Histoire sighed.
"Neptune… why do you smell like that? (・_・ヾ" The former CPU glanced at himself then scratched the back of his head, chuckling.
"Sorry, I haven't found a good time to bathe…" A yawn erupted from Neptune's mouth. "...or sleep." Rubbing his eyes, the young man collapsed on the chair behind him. With a sigh, Neptune leaned his head against the plush furniture.
"How long did you not sleep or take a bath?" Blanc raised an eyebrow, her fingers not leaving her nose.
"About three days." Both Blanc and Histoire glanced at each other.
"N-Neptune, you should rest! （・□・；）" Yawning, Neptune shook his head, rubbing his eyes again.
"I would…" Neptune pointed to the portable desk off in the corner of the living room. "But Ganchy gives me too much work!" Blanc furrowed her eyebrows.
"Why, I thought you worked out in the fields." Neptune shook his head.
"I was, but Ganchy but me on...pa-pa-paternity leave?" Blanc and Histoire flinched. Neptune put a finger on his chin. "Or was it maternity…?" The young man shrugged.
"N-Neptune…" Blanc's eyes couldn't look into her friend's. "Y-you… a kid?" Neptune nodded, a large grin spreading over his face.
"Yup yup yup!" The young man put his arms at his hips, puffing his chest. "I'm now a Dad-Nep!" Neptune tilted his head to the side, ignoring Histoire slumping over. "Or Nep-Dad, depends on how you see it."
Histoire suddenly sat up, her eyes dead. Slowly and mechanically, the former Oracle's lips quivered and her body began to vibrate.
"N-N-N-Neptune? （○□○）" The young man blinked his eyes.
"Yeah?" Histoire began to shake harder.
"D-D-D-Did you h-h-h-have a-a-a-ababa. Abababa-!? （＊〇□〇）…!" Neptune raised an eyebrow as Histoire began to activate her alarm function. After a second, Neptune's eyes widened.
"Oh, no. I didn't have the kid." Neptune put his hands behind his head, grinning. "I adopted her!"
"Eh?" Blanc and Histoire stared the former CPU.
Whining came from Neptune's bedroom, the young man smiled and let out another yawn.
"Hold on." Standing up, Neptune walked over to the other room. Histoire and Blanc turned to each other. "Morning, my wittle Iffy-Biffy~!" The two on the couch flinched as they heard Neptune's voice.
"D-Did. Did Neptune's voice just crack?" Histoire shook her head.
"I-I believe, that Neptune did that purposefully… (・・。)ゞ" Blanc's eye twitched.
"Aw… Did you take a good nap?" An incoherent mumble rang out. Blanc and Histoire heard Neptune chuckle. "Wanna say hi to some of my friends? Huh~?"
Neptune walked out of the room, carrying a tiny bundle of life in his arms. The bundle's emerald eyes stared at Blanc and Histoire. Neptune sat back down, placing the child on his lap. The child quickly looked at him as her father hugged her.
"Histy, Blanc. This is my baby girl, IF." Neptune held IF close. "Say hi, Iffy~." Neptune raised IF's tiny hand, waving it. Blanc raised an eyebrow.
"Really?" Neptune chuckled. Histoire stared at IF, who stared right back. The former Oracle floated over to IF and smiled at the child.
"Hello, Little Miss IF. My name is Histoire. ヾ(｡･ω･｡)" IF continued to stare as Histoire bowed. A drop of sweat rolled down Neptune's cheek.
"Histy, I don't think Iffy knows what you're talking about." Histoire furrowed her eyebrows and floated in front of Neptune's face.
"Nonsense, Neptune! (￣ヘ￣)" The Oracle crossed her arms and turned around. "A child absorbs knowledge the moment she is born! You must talk to her as often as possible. (￣ω￣)" Histoire smiled at IF, who made her own toothless version.
Suddenly, IF turned to Blanc and stared at her.
Blanc stared back.
IF stared, her eyes searching through Blanc.
Biting her cheek, Blanc turned to Neptune.
"Hey, can you do something about your ki-" Neptune slowly began nod off. Blanc quickly stood up and flicked the young man on the face.
"Mua-"
"Wake up!" Neptune yawned, handing over IF to Blanc. "Wha-Hey!" Tears in his eyes, Neptune relaxed on the chair.
"Sorry… No sleep… Lemme nap please…" Neptune's eyes slowly shut. Histoire grabbed onto his arm.
"W-Wait, Neptune how did you adopt this child?! ( _ )" However, Neptune's eyes were shut and his chest began to rise and fall. "Ah… he's already asleep."
Clicking her tongue, Blanc looked at IF, who was staring back at her.
"What?" Quietly, IF raised a hand and pressed it against Blanc's cheek. "H-Hey, what are yo-" IF smiled. Pressing her lips shut, Blanc walked back over to the couch and sat down. Curling IF so that she sat on her arm, Blanc turned away and growled. "Neptune better have a good fri-" Blanc glanced at the child in her hands. "... It better be a good reason." IF reached out to Blanc, grabbing her shirt. "Be careful, it'll tear."
Histoire, turning away from Blanc and IF, looked at the sleeping Neptune.
"Neptune… just how much did you change?"
0 o 0
Three hours later, Neptune sat up and stretched. Rubbing his eyes, Neptune smacked his lips and scratched his head.
…
…
…
"Oh, Nep! Iffy!" Shooting straight up, Neptune whipped his head back and forth.
"Hey." Neptune stopped whipping his head to see Blanc sitting on the couch, a sleeping IF in her arms. "You should've woken up sooner." A drop of sweat rolled down Neptune's cheek.
"S-Sorry." Walking over to Blanc, Neptune picked up his daughter and cradled her in his arms. Histoire floated out of the kitchen, wearing a tiny apron and headdress. The words "KISS THE TOME" caught Neptune's eyes, but he decided to leave it be. "Oh, hey Histy." The former Oracle nodded.
"Hello, Neptune. How was your nap? ( ＾∇＾)" Bouncing IF in his arms, Neptune smiled.
"It helped." The young man nuzzled his daughter. "I never thought that I would need to nap." Blanc rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, you literally slept like the kid in your hands." Neptune giggled.
"Sorry. I was working hard." Blanc tilted her head to the side, narrowing her eyes.
"Why?" Neptune shrugged his shoulders.
"When you get used to a kid, you have a lot of time in your hands." Blanc grunted.
"That's bull and you know it." Neptune raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You're Neptune, the idiot that never does work." Neptune scratched his cheek, shifting IF to his chest.
"Sorry Blanc, parenting can change characters." Nodding her head, Histoire stroked IF's head; a soft smile on her face.
"Anyways, how did you adopt her?" Neptune sighed, his shine faltering.
"It's a kinda long story." Neptune gestured to the couch. "So you might wanna sit your tiny tushes down." Blanc furrowed her eyebrows.
"That doesn't sound right when you're a guy." Neptune pouted.
"Blaaaanc!" The Lowee CPU rolled her eyes.
"Whatever…" Sitting down, Blanc crossed her arms and stared ahead.
"Go ahead. Tell us what happened." Neptune looked at IF. The child curled up to her father's chest.
"...It all began when I woke up from my nap after a Quest…"
0 o 0
"...after all that, I focused my all into looking after this adorable wittle angel." Neptune cuddled his daughter, who was awake and reaching out and yanking on his shirt. Blanc lowered her arms and Histoire closed her eyes.
"You lied." Neptune blinked.
"Eh-"
"That wasn't long at all." Blanc turned to the clock on the wall. "Not even an hour has gone by." Histoire still kept her eyes shut.
"But-"
"Why was there even those three circles up there that signifies a line break?" Neptune held IF protectively.
"I-It's because the author probably didn't want to explain everything." Neptune grinned at his daughter. "Which is fine by me, now I don't have to lose my voice." IF grunted. "Right, Iffy?" IF stared at her dad, who gave her a quick nod. "Right." Blanc rolled her eyes.
"Speaking of skipping stuff, you should take a shower or a bath. You stink." Neptune smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, I guess." Neptune turned to his daughter, taking a quick sniff. "At least Iffy's nice and clean." Blanc scoffed.
"Doesn't help when the dad smells like a pigsty." Neptune laughed and reached IF over to Blanc.
"Could you look a-"
"Just hurry up, I don't like being a baby sitter." Neptune blinked his eyes.
"But what about Rom and Ram?" Blanc took IF in her arms.
"They're baby sisters, not babies. There's a difference." Scratching the back of his head, Neptune shrugged his shoulders.
"Alright, I'll be back in a flash." Neptune walked into his room. Histoire opened her eyes.
"I see." Blanc glanced over to the Oracle.
"What?" Histoire turned to the small child in the CPU's arms.
"After listening to Neptune's side of the story, I looked into the child's history." Blanc turned to IF, raising an eyebrow.
"This kid, why?" Histoire bit her lip.
"There has been an increase in kidnapping these days. Fortunately, all of them have failed. Yet, there is still fear permeating through all parents in the area." Blanc glanced at the kid. "All of these cases have been focused on children whose parents are financially struggling in any form. (ー_ーゞ" Histoire placed a hand on the child's head. IF reached out and grabbed it. "This child in particular was troubled with a single mother who just lost her homeland." The Oracle smiled. "It was just by pure luck that Neptune happened to be nearby."
At that moment, Neptune walked out of his room, carrying his clothes. Blanc and Histoire stared at the young man. Neptune grinned and ducked into the bathroom. The sound of the water tap reached the living room.
Blanc turned back to Histoire.
"So this kid was targeted… Huh, that's strange." IF blinked, letting go of Histoire's hand. Blanc placed IF on her lap, patting her on the head. "Do you think it has anything to do with what's going on right now?" Histoire shook her head.
"I'm not sure." Histoire could head the water running from the bathroom. "I hope that Neptune's fate was just that. I do not want her to give up anymore than what she already has." IF slowly nodded off, her eyes drooping. Blanc stroked the child's head as the baby leaned against the CPU's stomach.
"Yeah." Blanc made a small smile. "At least her new life's going to be slightly peaceful." Histoire copied Blanc's smile.
"Fortunately, yes." The sound of running water stopped and Neptune's drenched footsteps on the bathroom floor caught everyone's ears.
"Heeeeey…. Hisy… Blanc…." Histoire turned to the direction of Neptune's voice.
"Don't worry Neptune, your daughter has fallen asleep. Please take your time." Another wet footstep.
"Oh, that's awesome! Uh…" The bathroom door opened as IF's father poked his head out of the door, a sheepish grin on his face. "...Hehe." Histoire blinked.
"What's wrong?" Neptune scratched his damp head.
"...I forgot to grab my towel." A drop of sweat rolled down Histoire's cheek. "Could you grab it from my room?" Histoire giggled to herself after shaking her head. The tome fairy floated towards Neptune's room.
"Give me a minute. (￣▽￣)" Neptune glanced at Blanc, who was stroking IF's head.
"She's a cutie isn't she?"
"If she wasn't your kid, I'd call you a pervert."
"Eeeeeh…." Blanc rolled her eyes as Histoire returned with Neptune's towel. The former Planeptune Oracle handed to towel over. "Ah, thank you Histy!" The young man immediately ducked into the bathroom.
Blanc turned to IF as the small girl let out a smaller yawn. The CPU gently hummed a small tune from her country as Neptune walked out of the bath, drying his hair. The young father was now wearing a plain white shirt and purple shorts.
"Ah… Sorry about that." Neptune pulled the damp towel out of his hair, beads of water still hanging onto some strands. "How's Iffy-biffy?" Blank azure eyes stared at the purple-haired father.
"I'm going to start feeling bad if this kid's dad is gonna call her that." Neptune grinned and plopped down next to Blanc, reaching out.
"Aw, don't be like that~." Blanc handed IF to her rightful father. "Iffy loves me, right?" Neptune held her child close her face, ignoring the drool that smeared onto his cheek. Blanc thrusted the towel at the young man as Histoire floated atop the coffee table.
"Neptune, your child is asleep. (^▽^)" The young man pouted, placing IF on his lap, and dapped the drool away. Neptune chuckled to herself. Histoire turned to the former CPU. "In any case, I'm here for your monthly check up." The former Oracle smiled. "Has anything different or new come as of late?" Neptune scratched the back of his head, grinning madly.
"Well…" Neptune glanced at IF. "I pic-"
"Other than your escapades as a paternal figure. (￣▽￣)ノ" Neptune pouted. Making sure IF was safe in his lap, Neptune leaned against the couch.
"...Mmmh, Ganchy's making me take a desk job now." Blanc raised an eyebrow.
"How did you even agree to that?" Neptune sighed and gestured to IF.
"All for my little sunshine." Neptune glanced to the side. "...Although all he has me do is sign a ton of papers that aren't important… and completely boring." Blanc rolled her eyes.
"Wow, I can't believe that Neptune has actually done paperwork and it's when she's not a CPU anymore." Neptune pulled Blanc into a hug.
"You don't have to be mean about it~." Blanc pinched Neptune's check, causing her to pull back. "Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. At least spare me the pain, Blanc. I'm not as tough as I used to be." Blanc scoffed.
"Oh really?" Neptune's face didn't falter as she nodded. Lifting up her shirt, Neptune revealed two stitches that made an X around her abs. "Woah, you're actually toned." Neptune pointed at the stitches.
"Uh, I got this about three weeks ago. The abs were from the three years I've been working to keep alive." Blanc traced her finger over the stitches. "Hey, that tickles."
"Huh." Blanc pulled away as Neptune dropped his shirt. "It must've been hard adjusting to that kind of stuff." Neptune nodded hard.
"Suuuper hard. I didn't even know I could bleed so much from one place." Neptune patted his left arm. "I guess I took my powers as a CPU for granted…" Neptune's smile began to frown. "...Man…" IF began to shift in Neptune's lap. "Ah, Iffy's awake~." Blanc blinked as Neptune dropped the oncoming frown and lifted her daughter up, a brand new smile on her face. "How was your nappy, Iffy?"
IF stared at her father with droopy eyes. Neptune began to raise IF into the air.
"Up high, Up high~!" IF's eyes began to widen. Neptune pulled her daughter close, pecking her on the nose. IF's arm reached out. "Up high, up high~!"
Blanc and Histoire smiled as IF let out a small giggle.
"Up high, up high!" Neptune pulled IF into a hug. Meanwhile, the child gripped onto her father's shirt. "Aw, Iffy~. Daddy loves you soooo much!" Neptune kissed his daughter's forehead. "You Daddy too, right? Right?" IF stared at her father with her wide eyes. The girl smiled at Neptune.
"Dada!" Neptune froze.
"Dada!" Neptune blinked.
"...'Dada'?" Neptune stared at IF. "Iffy, did you just say… 'Dada'?" Blanc and Histoire looked at each other, smiling.
"Dada! Dada! Dada!" Neptune's lips began to quiver, slowly curving into a giant smile. Tears began to form as the young parent shook.
"Right! I'm your 'Dada'! 'Dada'!" Neptune cuddled her daughter, tears flowing down her face. "Ooooh, Iffy! Daddy loves you!" IF grabbed onto Neptune's hair and began pulling. "O-ow, Iffy. Please, we were having a moment." IF smushed her cheek against Neptune's chest. "This works too."
Blanc smiled and reached into her pocket.
"Oh right. I actually have a few reasons for coming today." Neptune turned to Blanc as her hair was still being pulled.
"Oh? Wh- Ow, Iffy. What is it, Blanc?" Blanc held up three fingers.
"Three reasons." Blanc folded two fingers. "One. Figuring out why you haven't accepted any of the jobs I sent you." Blanc put up a finger. "Two. Find out where you live." The CPU reached into her pocket, pulling a folded piece of paper. "Three. This." Neptune put IF down and reached for the paper. IF sat in Neptune's lap as her father unfolded and read the paper.
"...A flier?" Histoire tensed. "What's this?" The former Oracle turned to Blanc.
"Blanc-san, is it alright to show this to Neptune? (; ﾟдﾟ)" Blanc nodded and turned to Neptune.
"As you see from the flier, there's this extremist group that's been saying people don't need CPUs anymore." Neptune nodded and grunted. "I have a feeling that they might have been one of the reasons Planeptune went under." Neptune folded up the flier. "What do you think?"
Neptune took a deep breath. Putting paper at her side, Neptune moved IF to the couch.
"I should prepare Iffy's food for later." Blanc furrowed her eyebrows while a bead of sweat rolled down Histoire's cheek.
"Haaah?!" Blanc got to her feet as Neptune casually walked over to the kitchen. "Are you just gonna ignore this?" Neptune paused in front of the kitchen. Putting her arms behind her head, Neptune grinned.
"Exactly." Blanc's shoulders slumped.
"What." Neptune walked into the kitchen. "Hey, these bas-" Blanc glanced at IF, who was staring at her. "I mean, those guys could have been the reason your life was ruined!" Neptune laughed.
"You're probably right, Blanc." Neptune poured some baby formula into a bottle. "But it's kinda pointless for me now." Blanc stepped back. Neptune pushed the formula into fridge. "Think about it. It's been about three years since I 'died'." Neptune walked back into the room, placing a hand on her chest. "At this point…" A small flash of light engulfed the young man. The light died instantly to reveal a small power-symbol shaped crystal floating in Neptune's hand. The crystal was dull and dark. "My Sharicite is basically a physical version of my soul, and also serves as a nightlight for Iffy~."
"...A night… light. (´Д` )" Histoire said. The former Oracle put her hand on her head, teetering back and forth. "A CPU is using her own Sharicite as a nightlight… (´Д` )" Blanc clenched her fist.
"But… Planep-" Neptune put her hands on her hips, giving Blanc a cold stare.
"Planeptune fell because of my terrible management. Extremist group or not, it was my fault." Neptune put her hand over her heart again, causing the Sharicite to vanish. "Nothing can change the fact that I screwed up." Blanc glared at her former CPU companion as Neptune gestured to the room. "In fact, if it wasn't for you, Histy or even Ganache. I would have died in less than a day, forget three years." Sighing, Neptune grinned at Blanc, giving her the peace sign. "Although, it's been rough. I'm peaceful now. Thanks for that." Histoire floated closer to Neptune.
"...Neptune-san. ( ;ﾟдﾟ)"
Blanc squeezed her eyes shut, releasing her fist.
"It's impossible to realize your the same person now." Neptune rubbed the back of her head.
"Well, three years is a long time in human years." Blanc shook her head.
"That wasn't a compliment, nor was it an insult." Crossing her arms, Blanc shrugged her shoulders. "If you're happy, that's all that matters I guess." Grabbing the flier and patting IF's head, Blanc headed for the door. "I should get going before the twins start messing up the place. Text me when you're able to take on jobs again, alright?" Neptune nodded.
"Kay~. Oh right, Ganchy said hi." Blanc waved it off and walked towards the front door.
"Later."
"Bye bye!" Neptune huffed. "Fans have it rough."
Histoire floated to Neptune, grabbing one of her hands.
"Neptune, please know that I'm here to help whenever you need it. ( ＾∇＾)" Neptune smiled.
"Aw, thanks Histy." Nodding Histoire floated over to the front door.
"I must go now. Please, take care of yourself Neptune. Good day. ( ＾∇＾)" Neptune followed Histoire to the door.
"Thanks again, Histy. Come by when you're free!" Histoire smiled and bowed.
"We'll see. (^ _ ^)/ " Neptune closed the door. Locking the door, Neptune let out a sigh.
Suddenly, Neptune heard IF grunt.
"Coming, Iffy." Plopping back down on the couch, Neptune stared at her daughter. "I guess it's just you and me again, huh?" IF reached out to Neptune.
"Dada!" Neptune pulled IF into her arms and took out her phone.
"Hmhm~ I am you Dada!" Turning the phone towards them, Neptune held IF to her face and grinned. "Alright, for your first words! Say Cheese!"
Taking the picture, Neptune placed IF on her lap and stared at the picture.
"Iffy, you were supposed to say cheese." Once the picture loaded, Neptune saw herself- the new guy version of herself- pressing close to a confused IF. "Aw well. It's the thought that counts right?" IF blinked. "Oh shoot, that's the wrong phrase."