Song: Steins;Gate OST - Chaos Mind

Chiffon didn't know what her Limiter was thinking right now.

He was essentially doing something that nobody had ever done.

"...So, Satellizer L. Bridget?"

"Huh?"

He was talking to Satellizer, the infamous Untouchable Queen that everyone tries their best to avoid. Chiffon herself doesn't really have any hard feelings for the woman, but she did find it a wee bit difficult to approach her, or even have an actual conversation with her. Chiffon could essentially overpower the girl if she wanted to in terms of fighting, but when it came to simple interactions, that was something she could not just charge and break through. It didn't help that Satellizer deliberately tried to cut herself away from any contact.

Chiffon herself did a bit of research regarding Satellizer. She didn't just rely on rumors or accounts, because she knew by experience that those could be riddled with prejudices and wrong thinking. Based on the reports, the rumors seem to be accurate on the surface. Satellizer never really defended herself when being accused of what she did with a Limiter, Levon Brooks (*1), and only stayed silent on the matter. Nevertheless, it was based on that incident that happened in East Genetics that forever colored the reputation of Satellizer L. Bridget as this Untouchable Queen. If one tried to get close to her, well, ask East Genetics, and they'll tell you.

She remembered talking about this with Eugene and well, the latter didn't want to get involved in any trouble and opted to avoid Satellizer just like the rest.

At least, that was before this.

"Sorry, just starting a conversation, I suppose," Eugene spoke casually while still eating his food. "A bit of small talk I guess doesn't hurt for the soul."

Satellizer looked confused. "...Umm."

"Take your time to respond," Eugene reminded. "I'm not in any kind of rush."

Chiffon and everyone else was a bit mixed by what they were seeing.

"...Well, I'm just-"

"Are? Madam President?"

Chiffon would look to find a young man with short black hair and brown eyes holding a tray full of food. She recognized him. "Ah, Kazuya-kun."

"Oh," Chiffon would glance at Eugene, who noted and inquired of the young man. "So you're Aoi Kazuya, right?"

"U-Umm," Kazuya nodded. "That's right."

"Well, it's nice to meet you. My name's Eugene Thruston, Chiffon Fairchild's Limiter. I'd let you shake my head, but your hands seem slightly occupied," Eugene smiled a bit.

"I suppose," Kazuya smiled a bit, before looking at Satellizer, who glances away hesitantly.

...Oh dear. Chiffon thought softly, looking back and forth between the two. Things could escalate a bit if I don't do something about this.

She would recognize that these two had recent history, especially considering Kazuya's stunt in the so-called dethroning Satellizer of her status as an Untouchable Queen.

"Actually," Much to her and the other's surprise, she would see Eugene moving his tray and standing up. "You sit here, Kazuya-kun. I'll sit over there on the other side."

"Wait, what?!"

Half of everyone in the cafeteria would exclaim in shock.

"Eugene!" Chiffon looked worried. "What are you doing?!"

"Umm, trying to defuse a bit of tension and play peacemaker," Eugene spoke casually, as if nothing extraordinary was happening. "From what I heard, Kazuya-kun here did something... questionable to put it mildly." He says with a look, which made Kazuya looked a bit embarrassed and Satellizer blushing a little. "If anything, I believe that Satellizer would need a little space after that fiasco, Kazuya-kun." He suggested. "Just give her about a week to adjust. Then you can properly apologize to her and explain about your actions."

He looks at Satellizer. "Is that acceptable?"

"...Umm. ...Well, I... I... suppose," She muttered softly, looking hesitant and troubled.

"...I uhh... Yeah, that's a good point, senpai," Kazuya nodded in agreement, feeling ashamed.

And so, her Limiter and Kazuya would exchange seats. Everyone could not believe what was happening. The Untouchable Queen, Satellizer L. Bridget, was actually listening to someone for once, and complying?! Even Chiffon couldn't help but be amazed at this turn of events.

"Okay, man, I wanna know your secret now," Her Limiter's best friend, Abel Rotomaster, was eager and interested.

"What secret?" Eugene said while sitting down, though he was careful to also keep a proper space and distance for the blonde Pandora.

"Come on, you just..." Abel would point out with a disbelieving expression. "Here you are talking to the... umm, Ms. Bridget, and already, she's listening to your advice?"

"I just looked at the situation rationally," Eugene shrugged. "That and I'm hungry."

"Seriously?" Abel, as well as Chiffon's best friend, Ticy, looked exasperated.

"Seriously, I've gotta eat more food after this," Eugene smiled at the food before him.

Is food really your central motivation for doing all of this? Chiffon could not help but think exasperatedly and had the urge to tear her hair out. But there was also genuine concern that governed her current thoughts. Eugene hasn't been the same since yesterday. Not to mention, that strange dream that she had, about ruined buildings, strange mechanical beings and a large towering tank. One would have thought this scene belonged in the realm of science fiction novels and movies.

I just don't get him. She thought softly. She didn't like not knowing, especially when it came to her Limiter.

...

...

"Eugene Thruston?"

After eating his admittedly tasty and delicious meal, Eugene, walking side by side with Chiffon, Ticy, and Abel, noticed the blonde third year, the recognizable Empress, Elizabeth Mably, walking towards him. From there, he also recognized Arnett McMillian, her right-hand woman, who was at her right. On her left was the petite Attia Simmons, aka the Manipulative Schemer, a young woman with short, silvery-white hair twisted into two curls-tails, giving it a somewhat typhoon shape, and light brown eyes. Both Arnett and Attia were looking at him, the former being inquisitive, the latter being suspicious.

"Yes?" He would ask.

Huh, he thought. I was kinda wondering when I started to attract the attention of the second, if not officially, recognized authority within the academy. Elizabeth Mably. After Judgment Day came down in our world, Elizabeth was one of our best when it comes to leading. She rallied whoever she could find, any surviving Pandora and Limiter, capable of fighting back. The world was in complete and utter disarray when the machines started attacking and the bombs started to fall. She...

He recalled a darker day for everyone, Limiter and Pandora, of how Elizabeth Mably, who had fought valiantly for many years, eventually made an act of noble sacrifice that would ensure that the peoples would evacuate. Ironic, he thought bitterly, it wasn't the Nova who did her in, but rather the work of human hands, of a malevolent artificial intelligence that represents humanity's own sins.

We made our own devil. He thought grimly. That devil saw our sins and decided to wipe us out.

"If you or the Madam President wouldn't mind, can I have a moment of your time, sometime in the afternoon?"

"Eh?" Abel looked surprised. So was Ticy. Both looked at Chiffon, who looked torn and glanced at Eugene.

Hmm. He thought. Perhaps I can take this golden opportunity to speak with her. After Chiffon, it's more than commonly agreed that Elizabeth Mably holds the power and the authority around here, with the only ones capable of overruling her being Chiffon, or the teachers who served as Pandora, or the Head Mistress of this academy. I could establish cordial relations with her, get some natural discussions going. Obviously, I'm not gonna discuss something as blatant as 'Oh, I'm from the future.' because that would be detrimental as of this time.

"Of course," Eugene nodded, before his expression turned serious. "Though I have a condition."

"A condition?" Elizabeth raised a curious eyebrow.

"You and me, just the two of us talking, nobody else," Eugene explained.

"WHAT?!" Abel, Ticy, and Chiffon exclaimed in shock and disbelief. Chiffon herself comes dangerously close to opening her slit eyes before closing it instantly. Some people in the background who heard were softly side-commenting in similar sentiments.

"Wha-" Arnett looked at Eugene with a disbelieving and bewildered look.

"Hoho~" Attia however looked amused. "That's quite bold of you, junior, asking Elizabeth for such a request?"

Eugene simply shrugged. "Well, I only asked if it's an option because I figured it was for the sake of our own privacy, unless of course you and Arnett-senpai are also needed to appear for this meeting."

"Actually, no," Elizabeth gestured her hand to quiet the two girls beside her. "I would accept the condition."

"Umm, pardon me," Eugene felt a shiver run down his spine as he noted Chiffon's... "scary smile" face directed at him and Elizabeth, which made them feel like sweating drops. She placed her hands together and spoke cordially, though for Eugene, it felt like it was tainted in lead. "Just what exactly is this conversation supposed to be about, Elizabeth? And why am I not gonna be invited to this one? Is it really that super-secret or nonconsequential that the Student Council President could not be notified of what's going on?"

"Ah, wait, Chiffon, calm down?" Ticy would try to reason with her best friend, while sporting a look of worry. Arnett and Attia both had the urge to hightail it out of there because they could just feel the killing intent.

Eugene sighed a bit before speaking bluntly. "Nee-chan, are you actually getting jealous right now?"

That... made Chiffon snap out of her "scary smile" mode rather quickly and became a bit more self-aware of everyone looking at her.

"Huh? Well-"

"If you were worried about that, don't be," Eugene reassured kindly, sporting a no-nonsense expression. "As far as I'm concerned, you are the only Pandora for me, and that would never change, ever."

"Eugene..." Chiffon looked touched, blushing a bit.

Eugene would look back towards Elizabeth, who was looking at him with a hint of curiosity. "So then, do we have a deal?"

"...I, ahem, yes," Elizabeth nodded while trying to regain her composure. "Of course."

"Though," Eugene reminded. "Before we meet, I would suggest that you tell your Limiter about our private meeting personally and what's the full context on. Knowing the sheer stupidity of the rumor mill, he might get the wrong idea."

"Hmm, that would be a wise course of action," Elizabeth nodded. "Meet me somewhere on the fifth floor of Building 21, at exactly 5:00 p.m., I will be waiting for you there."

"Of course," Eugene nodded.

"Well, if you would excuse us," Elizabeth bowed her head a bit before walking forward. "Come along, you two."

Arnett and Attia would look at each other, with inquiring expressions, before looking back to Eugene for a bit as they walk ahead and catch up to their leader.

"Okay," Abel's stressed and bewildered tone drew Eugene's attention. "First Satellizer, now Elizabeth-senpai. Seriously, what the heck, man?"

"And now you are just reading into things," Eugene shakes his head as he was walking ahead.

Well, the best way to derail the so-and-so 'canon' events is by deliberately garnering everyone's attention on me, ironically. That way, Satellizer would be old news and almost nobody would pay attention to her. Leaves more than ample time for both her and Kazuya to get reacquainted as it were. In the future, they were pretty much an established power couple. The only problems that I would have to worry about would be Miyabi and that newcomer from all the way to Tibet, Rana Linchen (*2).

Trivia For Chapter:

(*1) - From Freezing Wiki - Levon Brooks was an un-baptised first year Limiter from East Genetics. He suffered severe trauma at the hands of Satellizer L. Bridget after he attempted to coax her into being his partner.

(*2) - From Freezing Wiki - Rana Linchen is a main character from the manga and anime series Freezing. A Pandora from Tibet, she arrives at West Genetics in search of her "soul-mate", whom she eventually finds in the male protagonist Kazuya Aoi. However, this creates a love rivalry with Kazuya's unofficial partner Satellizer L. Bridget. Despite this, she hopes to convince Kazuya to be her Limiter.