Time
"Time heals all wounds… even the ones that have lasted years."
Book 1: Morning
Prologue: IF there was a change at Re;Birth…
"Onee-chan!" A woman with deep purple hair slid across the ground, her black high heels digging into the earth as her milky white skin trickled with a continuous stream of perspiration. The silky smooth hair was braided into two large pigtails that trailed all the way to her knees and two symmetrical round deep black hair clips, a luminous blue plus sign impressed into it, pinned to the top of her hair.
One eye closed and the other one revealing a pupil filled to the brim with dimensional determination. At the center of that determination was a power-symbol shaped iris. The woman's mouth dangled open as she desperately attempted to bring oxygen into her lactic acid filled muscles.
The woman wore a midnight black bodysuit that wrapped tightly, yet comfortably around her body. The suit also had lavender and sky blue linings around her arms and torso. The torso lining was given a mesh, giving a transparent view of her stomach. Her pointy high heels connected to thigh high boots with an octagonal pattern at the top of the boots' legs.
The woman's glove-covered wrists were protected by gauntlets that resembled the chambers of magnums. In her petite hands was a giant katana that carried an identical color scheme to her outfit, which she lowered to the ground. It's blade, made of divine metal, was longer than the woman's hair. The hilt was fitted so that her hand wrapped around it naturally, no matter which hand she held it in.
The woman looked around, closing her eyes upon seeing copies of floating islands. Opening them, the purple-haired woman looked behind her to see that she was nearby the edge of the island they were on. Struggling to get to her feet, the woman turned to feel wind caress her pale face.
In front of the woman were three other women wearing outfits with similar styles. One woman had long snow white hair that comfortably sat on her back and held onto a large black blade that carried a poise similar to it's owner.
The woman to her right had an emerald colored ponytail and a lance that was tipped with the material as the other two women and her most defining feature was her chest, which was big enough to envelop the third woman to their left.
The third and final woman wore a white bodysuit and had short sky blue hair with two long side-locks and a giant axe that she carried with ease. Compared to the white-haired and green-haired women, who had decently sized and humongous sized chests respectively, the third woman, who actually had the body similar to a girl before her preteens, had little to no breasts whatsoever.
Compared to the purple-haired woman kneeling on the floor, the other three women floated in the air, held up as if their status gave them the power to fly. At the side were four girls, one of them, who wore a white bodysuit and had light pink hair, was being held down- held back, by three other girls.
One of the girls, who was holding back the pink-haired girl by hugging her waist and digging her feet into the ground, was identical to the white haired maiden, except that she had twintails shaped like the heaven piercers that will save the world with charisma. The other two girls, who pushed the pink-haired girl back, were smaller than the blue-haired girl and wore white and pink bodysuits. One of the two had cotton candy blue hair and cotton candy pink eyes, while the other girl had an inverted color scheme of her sister's.
The pink-haired girl swung her bound arms and legs with all her might as the maiden with piercing blue eyes glared at the downed woman across from her. Swinging her blade to her side, she puffed her chest forwards, her snow white hair flowing majestically like an eagle with her motions.
"Neptune, you made a mistake trying to wage war on all three of us at once!" The maiden glanced to the side, her cheeks dusting a light maroon. "I-I did enjoy our time together, so if you apologize now…" Shaking her head and her gallant white hair swishing side to side, the maiden pointed her blade at the woman, whose breaths haven't calmed down nor has she regained her footing. "Time to show you Lastation's might," The maiden twirled around, her blade and hair whipping around to create a black and white tornado. Extending her free hand, the maiden spread her fingers out so that her opponent was in her sights. "Infinite Sl- Ooof!"
The hilt of a giant axe hit the maiden in the stomach, stopping her in her tracks. The maiden turned to the smaller woman in next to her.
"I'll do it." The maiden stepped backwards, mouth dropping open and eyes widening. Snapping her mouth shut and shaking her head, the white-haired maiden's eyes darted to her white-clothed companion.
"What!?" The maiden put a hand to her chest, glaring at her ally. "Neptune's is supposed to be my rival, so it's my responsibility to finish her off!" The blue-haired girl shook her head. Eyes frozen in place and in resolve, the smaller maiden's mouth stayed placated, the edges of her lips bouncing up and down erratically. Gripping her axe, the blue-haired lady raised her axe and comfortable placed the weapon over her shoulder.
"She may have been your rival for the past few decades, but did you forget who has been with that idiot for centuries." With her free hand, the blue haired maiden balled her hand into a fist and swung it at her heart, letting it bounce against her flat chest and emitting a loud thump. "I've known Neptune ever since the first Console War and I won't let her go down to some newbie CPU!" Now, the white-haired maiden, now revealed to be a CPU, raised her sword hand until a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"Noire…" The white-haired CPU, known as Noire in her human form and the name that the other CPUs know her personally, turned around to face her green-haired companion. "Please, let Blanc do this." Noire, raised her eyebrow before Vert turned to glance at the blue-haired CPU known as Blanc.
"Vert, why should I…?" Noire turned to see Blanc's ice cold red rubies. Despite the frigid look, Noire saw the slight shivers in her eyes that transferred to her arms. "...Blanc…" Sighing, Noire lowered her weapon and turned away.
"Noire…Thanks."Blanc drops to her feet, walking over to Noire and clapping her on the back. However, thanks to the difference between Blanc and Noire's height, and the fact that Blanc was standing on the ground and Noire was floating in the air…
"EEEP?!" The white-haired CPU dashed forward, dropping her weapon and covering her rear. Both Vert and Blanc blinked once as Noire turned around, cheeks burning. They blinked twice. Blanc dropped her hand and glanced away.
"Sorry." Vert crossed her arms, emphasizing her bust and slightly triggering Blanc.
"Blanc! If you wanted to feel the curves of a woman, please don't hesitate to ask." Blanc whipped her head towards Vert, glaring at the cat-like smile on her face. "You don't to be sly and put your hands on Noire…" Blanc swung her axe, digging it deep into the ground and knocking the girls off their feet and causing Neptune, the purple-haired woman, to drop to her knees. "Although, I won't question your tastes."
"Shut the hell up, Thunder Tits!" Noire pushed herself in between the other two CPUs, her face a little less red.
"COULD YOU TWO STOP MESSING AROUND AND HURRY UP!?" Vert coughed into her hand, giving a quiet apology as Blanc lifted her axe over her shoulder again and marched over to Neptune.
Neptune coughed, attempting to get rid of the dust that forced its way into her lungs. Footsteps approached her as she was on all fours. Wrapping her arms around her sword's hilt, Neptune used her weapon as support, slowly getting to her knees. As she got to a crouching position, the weary blade shattered into a million pieces and dropped Neptune to her knees once more.
The footsteps stopped as a shadow covered Neptune. The CPU looked up to see Blanc standing over her, a straight line shaping her mouth.
"Neptune." The woman smiled as she couldn't muster the strength to raise her arms.
"Blanc… I really messed up this time, huh?" Blanc's head bobbed up and down, before shifting the weapon off of her shoulders.
"I wish it didn't end like this…" Neptune dropped forwards and leaned against Blanc's shoulder as she felt a small hand on her back.
"Me neither… but…" Neptune nuzzled her head against Blanc's neck as the other CPU stroked her head. "Did it have to be like this?" A small smile graced Neptune's face.
"I'm sorry…" Blanc left her palm on Neptune's head, closing her eyes.
"I guess it's time…" Neptune slightly nodded, lifting her head and watching Blanc step back and brace her weapon.
"Blanc… thank you…" Neptune closed her eyes as Blanc raised her axe.
"Umdrehen!" With every ounce of her strength, Blanc's axe plunged itself as deep into Neptune's stomach with more power than Blanc's turtle mascot's Dropkick of Destiny at full charge. Thanks to her divine body, Neptune's skin was spared the gouging and goring that accompanied by the weapon. Instead, Neptune was carried by Blanc's axe and blasted away off of the floating landmass.
"ONEE-CHAN!" The white-haired girl tightened her grip on the panicking girl.
"Nepgear, don't! Neptune-san's gone now!" Neptune dropped quickly towards the surface below, slowly being consumed by a multi-colored light that flashed through each color so fast that one could only perceive mainly white and specks of pink and blue.
The Neptune shooting star fell faster and faster as Nepgear's voice echoed throughout the vast sky, littered with numerous islands.
০ ০ ০
"-epu!?" Two violet amethysts opened to the warmth of sun, hanging high in the sky. The body that connected to the orbs stretched its arms, opened its mouth to yawn, and inhaled the fresh and delicious oxygen. "Ah… I fell asleep again."
The amethysts looked down to the clothes that protected the body's dignity. At first glance, the eyes could see purple sneakers, worn out from walking miles and miles. Following up the body, next came a pair of medium length blue and white striped socks, connecting to a pair of white capri pants. A familiar pair of hands patted the pants, still feeling surreal to wear even after three years. Staring at the left hand, the pair of eyes glanced at the thin, white bracelet that doubled as a watch. Following up the arm, the eyes saw the toned, uncovered arms that connected the hand to the body. After a moment of staring at the hand, the hand glided over to the lazily made, sleeveless version of the hoodie that the body used to always wear, except that this was a jacket instead of a hoodie.
Raising the hand, the eyes watched the fingertips gently slide across the body's face and into the soft, yet shorter, lavender hair that covered the body's head. Luckily, the side locks were still as long as they used to be. Unfortunately, in order to keep hidden, the body had to trade its d-pad hair clips for a white wireless headset that had d-pads embroidered into the ear cups, which rested comfortably against the body's ears. Although, there was no music since the song had ended.
Taking a deep breath once more, the eyes used the hands to pushed itself up to a standing position, patting the pockets to find the phone sitting in the right pocket. As the body stood up, the katana that the body had kept on it since the beginning of the end clanked against the waist, hung across the body's back.
Speaking of hiding identities, the pair of orbs stared at the body she had now. Actually, the body that he had now. The body had been grateful to Histy, since she helped the body hide from society while still looking as familiar as possible, minus the gender.
However, if there was something that this body had trouble getting used to…. It was being mortal, not being able to fly, being almost as tall as Noire, being male… Actually, that's a lot of things.
"Ah, Histy might be waiting at home." The young man formerly known to the world as Neptune stretched one more time before leaving the tree that he had been sleeping against for some time. "Who knows, I might get paid extra for finishing so fast~!" Taking a step forward, Neptune froze.
"...I forgot to turn it in…" Pulling the headset off and letting it hang across his neck, Neptune tapped his watch quickly. And again, faster. And again, harder. One more time, this time causing his arm to shiver under the repeated pressure. "Come on… I need that extra paaaaaaay!"
A light blue holographic panel shot out of the the watchlet, revealing a list of Quests. Neptune scrolled through the list, scanning for a specific quest. Suddenly, a Quest titled. A Dogoone Dilemma, popped up and Neptune pressed against the holographic button. The small button expanded to cover the whole screen to reveal all the details that the Quest entailed. Neptune ignored all the details and hit the Complete button at the bottom of the screen.
The screen flashed a light blue and digital confetti floated down from the top of the screen, the words Congratlotion appeared on the screen. A bead of sweat rolled down Neptune's face.
"They made a typo again…" Neptune closed his Quest Log, satisfied. Despite no longer having to fight for Shares, or Quest for Shares for that matter, Neptune felt at ease knowing that he didn't have to care about which Quest would raise or lower his Shares. However, now Neptune had to worry about rent, bills, food- mostly food, and other things that pertain to cash. Although, he did help Leanbox for three reasons: One, he lives in the portion of Planeptune that was taken by Leanbox. Two, the Quests for Leanbox are abundant since Noire works too much and Lowee is too far from his home to work there… also, the pay from Leanbox Quests are really good.
"Ah, that's right!" Neptune reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, opening the Chirper app. "I wonder if there's anything new~!"
Under the account name, LadyGreenHeart, there was a new Chirp. Tapping the Chirp, the message extended to reveal a picture. A smile blossomed on the young man's face.
Third… was this. The picture was of Vert and Nepgear, the two of them drinking tea and playing games, having a great time in general. It was likely that Chika, Leanbox's Oracle took the picture, begrudgingly, since it looked like Nepgear was almost being cut off and blurred out. Amused, Neptune scrolled down to the caption.
"Having some a nice tea time and gaming session with my adorable little sister!"
"Nep Jr… Glad to see you're all hunky dory." Neptune thumbed up the Chip and put his phone away so that he wouldn't be out here any longer. Finally satisfied, Neptune put his hands in his pockets and walked out of the forest clearing he was in, finding the path after walking a bit.
Neptune walked through the forest, breathing in the familiar scenery. Just three years ago, this was Virtua Forest, the forest that once belonged to his country. Even after three years, nothing changed… Neptune stopped, putting his hand against a tree trunk, one that rotten green from the vegetation that has wrapped itself around it, draining its life force from it.
A scream, more a screech, echoed throughout the forest as birds, deemed harmless by the Guild, although they love taking Neptune's lunch.
Neptune turned to the direction of the scream, which was off the beaten path. The young man looked around, finding no one in the immediate area.
Another scream. Now in alert mode, Neptune gripped the handle of his katana and rushed towards the sound of scream. Pressing his watch, a tiny yellow light bulb on the side light up. Another hollogram panel popped up, this time showing a well-groomed brown-haired man. He wore a suit over a white work-shirt and yellow tie. Adjusting his spectacles, the man cleared his throat.
"What is it, Cast-san?" Neptune ran forwards, keeping his eyes on the foliage and forest that he passed by.
"Ganchy-"
"It's Ganache."
"Semantics." Neptune sidestepped to dodge a stationary tree and climbed up another one, pausing to look around.
"No it's not. Anyways, what do you need?" Neptune leaned forward, catching two figures, one tall and lanky, the other one pudgy and short, standing over something through the bushy leaves that he was hiding in.
"I heard someone scream, and I think I found the folks who might caused it." Ganache nodded his head.
"Do you require back up?" Neptune shook his head.
"Not really, I think I can handle this." The young man narrowed his eyes, seeing a red tipped dagger in the lanky man's hand. "You might wanna send some medics over… I need to check out the place, first." Ganache nodded.
"If that's what you want, I'll have them on standby until you request them." Neptune grinned, giving his superior a peace sign.
"Thanks, Ganchy-"
"Ganache."
"Laters!" Neptune cut off the line and hopped off the tree branch he was sitting on, kicking off of it and dropping into some bushes, softening his fall. However, the landing caught the duo's attention and they turned around.
"Whazzat?" The smaller, and pudgier man held up a battle axe, with the blade grinded to look like the teeth of a Fenrir. The lanky man held out an arm, turning around to face the figure on the ground. Neptune popped his head out of the bush to see that the figure was dressed in a long blue overcoat, covering the body. However, Neptune saw a puddle of rusty red, liquid under the cloaked figure, which was slowly, but steadily expanding.
"It doesn't matter," The lanky man walked over and leaned over to the figure, brandishing the knife. "Y'know lady, if ya just coughed up da dough. Ya coulda been with ya baby a little longer…" Chuckling as the figure moaned and groaned, the man waved his knife around. "Well, too bad." The man raised his knife over the figure.
Clamping his lips shut, Neptune rushed out of the bush and towards the duo.
"Hold your horses!" The two turned around to see Neptune, hands on his hips and staring them down, about three meters. "Leave that lady alone!" The duo looked at Neptune in confusion.
"Who da hell are you?" Neptune puffed out his chest and made a peace sign, thrusting it forward.
"I am Ne-" Neptune shook his head. "I mean, I'm N Cast! The Wind Walker of Gamindustri!" Both of the men let beats of sweat roll down their faces. "Leave that fair maiden alone!"
"What…" Neptune, now known as N, pointed at them, shaking his head, his lavender sidelocks swishing side to side. "Is wrong with you?" N crossed his arms, huffing.
"I don't know about me, but you guys are in the wrong here!" Neptune pointed, shifting his body so that he was perpendicular to the two bandits, setting them off somewhat. "Attacking a defenseless lady… You should be ashamed!" The short pudgy guy with three red spikes for hair, raised his axe as a vein around his temple popped out, pulsing with each heavy breath.
"You bastaaaaaard-!" The fat bandit rushed towards N, raising his axe over his head. Once he was two arms lengths away, the pudgy man swung his axe down at N's head.
As soon as the weapon was brought down towards N's brain, N stepped forward, just out of range of the blade's jaws. Twirling clockwise, N raised his right leg backwards and twisted his body as hard as he could, thrusting his foot into the pudgy guy's neck.
The fat man bounced to the side, dropping his weapon and collapsed onto the ground, groaning and twitching as his face planted into the ground.
"Gooey!" The lanky man growled and turned around to the figure. "You won't be so tough if I-" A hand grabbed the lanky man's wrist, stopping him from reaching forward. "Wha-?! How did you-!?" N pulled the lanky bandit away from the woman and shoved him to the side.
"You know, you can just hit 'Surrender' and let me get the Exp already." Blinking his eyes for a second, the lanky man narrowed his eyes, growling like a Fenrir and crouching down a bit. "Ooooh! So you're one of those mooks!" With N's last words, the lanky man roared at him and rushed forwards, lowering his knife arm.
"I'm gonna kill you!" The lanky bandit thrusted his knife upwards, making an uppercut motion. N stepped backwards, grabbing the hilt of his katana. N unsheathed and swung his weapon, backhanded, at his opponent's wrist.
"AAAH!" The lanky man jumped away, grabbing the remains of his wrist as he attempted to stop the bleeding. "My hand! My hand! You cut off my fucking hand!"
Using a napkin, N wiped off the blood that landed on his blade. Once he was done with that, N flipped his katana around and resheathed it.
"Hey, buddy." While the guy was panicking, N walked over to and grabbed the guy by the head. "Guess what?" The lanky man was still screaming, eyes completely focused on the his missing hand. Dropping him and punting the guy in the head, N turned around and grinned as he looked over his shoulder to make sure his opponent was down for the count. "I wanted to give you a hand, but you already gave me one. So sorry!"
A groaned, one that echoed pain from the bottom of the heart, rather than flesh, erupted from behind N.
"Oh, Ne-" Cutting his own verbal tic short, N turned around to figure and flipped the lady around. "Lady, you still up and running?!" N was greeted by a beautiful face, severely pale from the blood loss. She wore a large dark blue cloak, which was stained by the oozing liquid, that was sealed by a pin. The woman's dazzling emerald eyes were glazing over as her mouth flapped open in tune with her inconsistent rising and falling of her chest. "Uh… that was a dumb question. Sorry about this." N tore the cloak off to reveal a thin white shirt, drenched with a mixture of sweat and blood. "Oh, Nep. This is bad." Biting his lip, N apologized under his breath as he gripped the top of the woman's shirt. Closing his eyes, the young man pulled with all his might, listening to the tear of the shirt.
"Ugh…" Opening his eyes, N found the gash that caused the woman suffering. It was larger than actual knife that the guy had earlier and there was a disgusting yellow ooze leaking out of the wound. "Whe...re?" N held onto the woman, swallowing and holding his breath.
"Don't worry, help is on the way!" N quickly tapped against his watch, bringing out Ganache's hologram again.
"What is it, Cast-san?" The man was surprised by N's face. "What is wrong?"
"Ganache! I took care of the dudes, but there's a lady here with some kinda yellow jelly thingy!" After hearing N call him by his actual name, Ganache fixed his glasses once more, no longer annoyed by N's antics.
"A yellow jelly? Cast, tell me what it smells like and where it is." N nodded and leaned forward, only remembering that the knife wound was over her heart, where her chest was. Taking a sniff, after hesitating, N flinched and pulled away, pulling out a Nep Bull Sp from his pockets.
"U-Uh…" Shifting the woman to his lap, N uncapped the drink. "It smelled like a campfire after I dropped a mushmollew in it by accident." Ganache's eyes widened, his face hardening. "Here, drink this!"
"N, it won't work." N whipped his head, causing his locks to lightly tap the woman on the cheeks.
"What are you talking about, this is a healing item! It always works, even if your poisoned or feeling sick. A healing item wi-"
"It won't work. That's gel from Firious Flora." N closed and opened his eyes.
"You mean that red flower that tastes weird?" Ganache paused before nodding.
"You ate that? Well, when extracted, pure Firious Flora can act as toxic substance that will burn away everything in minutes." Ganache's mouth hardened as he saw N's eyes. "I've sent a medical group and some other Guild Agents to act as back up. Please keep your position." Ganache fixed his glasses before breaking eye contact. "I'm sorry."
"...Yeah…" N hung up the call and turned slowly, ever so slowly to the woman. The woman's chest was beginning to slow to a stop. N closed his eyes.
"...Ng…" A weak grip latched itself onto his chest and N opened his eyes to reveal that the woman was trying to sit up.
"He-Hey, hey! Don't move, lady! I've got people coming over to help you, just han-" The woman shook her head.
"My… baby…" N paused and looked around.
"Baby?" Scanning around, all he could see were the unconscious men, trees and themselves.
"Tree… above." Looking up, N saw a small blue bundle sitting in a niche in the tree.
"Ah! Baby!" Gently laying the woman on her coat, N hopped up the tree, careful not rattle or shake it. As N reached the niche, he found a small baby with soft brown hair and an angelic face as it slept. "Com'ere…" Picking up the small bundle of life, the young man held the baby carefully as he climbed down the tree, kneeling down next to the mother. "Here…"
"I...Idea…" However, the mother could only meekly shift her shoulder to the side. N, realizing how much time the woman had, lowered the baby onto the mother's shoulder and looked away, squeezing his eyes tight.
N couldn't believe it. After three years, he thought that he wouldn't see people suffer anymore. Not since Planeptune fell and the other three countries were able to assimilate the three sections of land and help the people get accustomed to the new rule.
N blamed the people that kept Neptune away from his work. He blamed the people that distracted him, that prevented him from keeping Planeptune afloat… but then again, the only person that could have distracted Neptune was Neptune herself.
Now the young man gripped his knee, only conscious enough to not crush it out of grief. N could only blame himself. If only he had been a better leader, maybe he could have saved this woman and prevented this child from being alone… If only he could do something… If only-
"S-Sir…" N opened his eyes, his vision blurry from the warm liquid that ran down his cheeks. Wiping away the tears, N turned to see the woman staring at him, a peaceful smile on her face. "Th-thank… you…"
The woman's smile grew larger as Neptune wept more.
০ ০ ০
"Welcome back, N Cast." Ganache sat his desk, hands folded over his desk. It was a modest office, especially for one that belonged to a Guild Leader. Bland, simple, a boring shade of blue covered the walls, a nice looking desk and a potted plant too. Not too much lavish decor, nor was there anything that identified that the office belonged to Ganache except for three things. A picture of Ganache, which was there because of protocol, his name tag, because Ganache didn't want to get a plaque and put it over the door, and… a poster of White Heart that was pinned against the wall to his right. The entire wall. "Thank you for taking care of those bandits in Virtua Forest. You saved a lot of lives, back there."
Sitting across from Ganache was N, staring at the maroon rug floor with his hands over his lap. His eyes were red and puffy ever since back up arrived.
"I couldn't save her…" Sighing, Ganache took off his glasses, revealing his sharp brown eyes staring into N's head.
"I understand Cast, but there are some things we cannot accomplish, no matter who we are." N lowered his head. "However, there is one predicament we have yet to solve."
"What?" Ganache cleared his throat.
"The child." N blinked his eyes, slowly raising his head to stare at Ganache.
"What's wrong with the kid?" Ganache unfolded his arms and pulled open a drawer, taking out a folder. Placing the folder delicately on the table, Ganache tapped it twice before turning away.
"You might want to look through it." Glancing at the folder, then staring at Ganache, N curiously, and cautiously, opened the folder. There were pictures and documents, mostly of other children and articles of kidnapping. Shifting through the articles, N found the picture of the woman and infant he had saved just saved a while ago.
"What is…" N looked up to Ganache, who was staring out the window of his office, after opening the blinds.
"There have been a large number of kidnappings and murders recently. Some of the people we saved have informed us that in order to let them keep their children and their lives, they must pay an impossible amount." N's hand clenched into a fist.
"So you mean…" Ganache nodded.
"That mother and child were victims." Ganache closed his eyes upon hearing N growl.
"Why."
"I couldn't tell you if I knew." There a loud slam behind Ganache, immediately followed by a crash and tiny ticks from his behind him. Sighing, Ganache turned around to find his prediction was correct.
N's fist punched through his desk, and tiny chips of wood flew across the room. Thankfully, none of the chips had hurt his beloved Lady White Heart.
"As a result, we cannot allow this child to be raised in an orphanage." N pulled his arm out of the desk, slightly bruised and bleeding. "This child is too important."
"...Do you know where the mother and child lived in?" Ganache nodded.
"Planeptune." N flinched. "Mrs. Factory was an avid follower of Lady Purple Heart." Ganache made eye contact with N, who turned away to break it.
"Does she have any relatives?" Ganache shook his head.
"None." Silence.
Ganache crossed his arms thinking of how to save this child from suffering. Maybe he could ask Financier? No, she's too busy working with Lady White Heart and Oracle Mina. How coul-
"I'll take care of her." Ganache blinked.
"Excuse me?" N turned around and wiped his eyes. Standing over to Ganache, N put a hand over his heart, eyes determined and powerful.
"I'll adopt the little munchkin!" Ganache stepped back.
"But… Cast-san." The Guild Leader paused, consumed in N's determination. Clearing his throat, Ganache put on his glasses. "Are you sure?" N nodded. "Even with your… background… Lady Purple Heart?"
Besides Blanc and Histoire, Ganache was one of the few people that knew N's true identity. Luckily, thanks to Blanc's presence, Ganache was more than willing to assist N with his predicament. Anything to talk to- No, be around Lady White Heart. Ganache even burned her image, her smile, her voice, into his memory thanks to N. In a sense, the Guild Leader was indebted to N, but he wasn't sure that the former CPU could take care of a child, especially an infant. Ganache usually never calls N by his original name, but considering the sensitivity of the situation, he couldn't be helped.
N nodded once more.
"I'm completely into this Ganchy!" Shaking his head, Ganache's lips slowly turned upwards.
"If that's what you want, I can't stop you." Ganache reached into his desk and pulled out a stack of forms. "Please take a look through these for a moment." N tilted his head.
"What's that?" Ganache placed a pen on top of the stack. Raising his hand, Ganache fixed his glasses again.
"Adoption papers." N blinked.
"Oh, right."
০ ০ ০
As N was filling out the child's adoption papers, Ganache left the room, saying that he had an errand to work on. Scratching his hair, N signed his name and scanned through multiple terms of agreements.
"I swear… Histy would be so proud of me." Filling his name on another name once more, N heard the door open and turned around. Ganache closed the door, a slip of paper and another sheet of paper in his hand. "Ugh, not another thing to sign! I'm not even a Histy-way through!" Ganache stifled a chuckle before handing him the slip of paper.
"Here, the payment for adopting the child." N looked at the paper, confused. "There was going to be a Quest to take the child, but since you're already in the process of adopting her, the Guild decided that we pay you now." N smiled, putting the paycheck into his pocket after thanking Ganache. "And here, this is important." N skimmed through the paper before looking at the title of the paper.
"Paternal Leave Form?" Ganache nodded.
"Yes, since you'll be raising a child. It'll be difficult for you to take Quests." N looked through the paper once more as Ganache continued. "You will be on Paternal Leave for about five years, so that you can take the time to become a father. Meanwhile, in order to make sure that you're going to keep financial stability, you'll receive money from the Guild at the end of every few months and you'll be moved to a desk job while raising the child." N nodded.
"Woah, that's a lot preparing…" Ganache fixed his glasses.
"Of course, you're going to become a father, after all." N finished the last signature and handed it to Ganache, who flipped through the pages mechanically. After a minute, Ganache nodded. "Alright, come with me."
Ganache guided N through the Guild until they reached a small guest room. In the middle of the white room was a crib. Sitting in the crib, wearing cotton candy blue footie pajamas, was the infant. N and Ganache entered the room, causing the baby to turn and around and stare at them with her curious, large emerald eyes.
"Hello, Little Idea Factory…" Ganache waved over to the baby, who let out a baby-ish grunt. N smiled at the baby. "I'll leave you two alone."
Once the door closed, N walked over to the crib, leaning over it. Reaching out a hesitant finger, N pushed a stray hair out of the baby's face.
"Hey there, Lil' Idea Factory…"
Now that the baby wasn't bundled up anymore, N could see the baby's true form. The child had soft and beautiful brown hair that stopped at her shoulders. The infant slowly raised her tiny palm and grasped the young man's finger. N was taken aback by the soft, yet terrifyingly tight grip, but at the same time there was a tiny, comforting spark within his heart.
N stared at the child's emerald orbs, completely entranced by the girl's curiosity. Suddenly, the baby began to giggle and the feeling within his heart grew three times as big.
"Heh~, Idea Factory… Guess what?" The baby, unable to understand him, continued to giggle. "I'm gonna be your dad!" Baby Idea copied N's smile.
The baby squealed and let go of N's finger. Moving his hand away from Baby Idea's grasp, N blinked as his eyes widened in excitement.
"And as the first thing I'll do as your dad, I'll give you nickname! How'zat sound?" Baby Idea blinked. "I agree!" N crossed his arms, closing his eyes for a second before making a feline grin. "Got it!"
N leaned against the crib again, reaching out to the baby.
"How about IF? That's a good nickname right?" Baby Idea smiled again, grabbing N's hand with both of her hands, pulling it towards her. "See that's a great name!" N gently picked up the baby, now christened IF for short, and held her close to his heart, rocking her slowly.
The infant pressed her head against N's head, listening to the rhythmic heartbeat and falling asleep.
For the first time in three years, N felt something. Something that he never thought he'd feel again.
"Take care of me, Iffy!"
Neptune smiled from the bottom of her heart.