IF sat up in bed. Stretching her hands high over her head she yawned loudly. “Morning already?” IF muttered, as she threw her blankets off her body and swung her bare feet over the side of the bed. IF groaned loudly. Even though several days had passed since the zombie monsters attacked, the girl was still feeling the effects of her battle.
Getting to her feet, IF quickly changed into her regular clothes. After sliding her socks and boots on, she headed downstairs.
“Morning.” IF said, to Compa.
Compa was standing in front of a coffee machine. “Good morning Iffy.” Compa said, smiling warmly at her friend. “How did you sleep?” She asked.
“I’m good.” IF said, as she started rotating her arm. “My muscles are a bit sore though.”
“Oh no.” Compa said, turning to face IF. A concerned look could be seen on her face. “Do you want me to give you a massage and maybe rub some lotion on your body?” Compa asked.
IF blushed a little and quickly turned her eyes away from Compa. “I appreciate that, but no thanks.” IF kept her eyes off Compa as she made her way to their kitchen table and took a seat. Before IF was even sitting, Compa had set a plate with two pieces of toast and some coffee down. “Thanks Compa.” Said IF.
“You’re welcome Iffy.” Said Compa.
IF took a deep breath before she took up her cup of coffee and slowly sipped the black liquid. “Very nice.” IF Said, closing her eyes and enjoying the atmosphere. IF and Compa had been living with each other for several years as roommates. Even though IF considered herself a loner, she enjoyed Compa’s company very much.
Compa took a seat at the table as well and began drinking her coffee as well. “So Nep-Nep and Ge-Ge are already training, right?” Compa asked. “I’m going to miss them.”
“Yeah, but were going to join them tomorrow morning, remember?” Said IF, taking another sip of her coffee.
“That’s true. I already informed the hospital that I’m taking some time off.” Said Compa.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” IF asked. “You’ve taken a lot of time off before, right? You’re going to get fired.”
“If that happens I’ll just find another hospital to work at.” Said Compa. “I really want to help Nep-Nep and Ge-Ge with their mission and in order to do that we have to get much stronger!”
IF nodded. “That’s a good point.”
“If I didn’t have to work today, we could join them right now, but I promised them I would show up.” Said Compa.
“It’s alright. We still have plenty of time to train along side Nep and Gear.” Said IF.
Once the two girls finished their breakfasts, they got to their feet. IF did the dishes while Compa went upstairs to change into her nurses outfit. After that the two girls headed outside. “Well I’m going to the guild and getting some work.”
“Are you going to Arfoire’s?” Compa asked.
IF shook her head. “No. I want to give her some space.”
“Okay…” Compa said, feeling a little sad.
“Well maybe I’ll stop by her apartment and say hello. Who knows?” Said IF.
Compa smiled brightly. “Thanks Iffy! I’ll see you later!”
“Bye!” IF said, waving goodbye to her friend. After Compa had vanished from sight, IF turned her eyes towards her feet and spotted a small stone lying on the ground. “Great…” She breathed, as she kicked the stone and watched it bounce away.
Even though IF really didn’t want to bother Arfoire, she made her way to the woman’s apartment anyways. Climbing the steps up to her room seemed to take forever, but soon she was standing in front of her door. “Arfoire?” She called out, knocking lightly on the door.
“Well she’s not here.” Arfoire thought, turning to leave. Before Arfoire could take a single step, the door opened and Arfoire stood before her.
“IF. What are you doing here?” Arfoire asked.
A small smile appeared on IF’s face. “Morning Arfoire. I just wanted to see how you were doing.” The girl said, nervously scratching the back of her head. “So… how’s it going?”
Arfoire didn’t’ smile. Instead she took a step to the right. “You can come in if you want.” She said.
IF swallowed hard as she stepped into Arfoire’s apartment. The apartment looked as empty as usual. The kitchen looked completely barren. The walls didn’t have any paintings or pictures despite the fact that IF, Compa and Arfoire had taken several with her. The only piece of furniture that Arfoire owned besides a bed and table, was a television set that was hanging on the wall.
“Um… Compa was worried about you, so she asked me to see how you were doing.” Said IF, turning to face Arfoire.
“Was she? I’m alright.” Arfoire said. “Would you like some coffee?”
“No. I had some already. Better not drink too much.” Said IF. “I… wanted to see how you were doing as well. I appreciate everything you did for us yesterday. You know, coming to our rescue.”
“No.” Arfoire said, shaking her head. “You two did a lot for me already. I owed you.”
“Well if Compa were here, she would say that we didn’t do anything for you to owe us for.” IF said.
Arfoire blushed a little and nodded. “Compa’s a good girl.” She said.
IF suddenly felt awkward. Even though Arfoire wasn’t saying or doing anything, she felt as though she were intruding on her. “Well, I guess I should get going.” Arfoire said. “I just wanted to see how you were doing and thank you for helping us out. I also wanted you to know that were still here for you. If you need anything.”
“Thanks IF. Tell Compa I’m good and I’ll see her again soon.”
“You could tell her-” IF began.
“No.” Arfoire said, shaking her head. “Listen IF.” Arfoire took a deep breath as she closed her eyes. When the woman released her breath, she slowly opened her eyes. “Listen… I don’t know why I feel the way I do. When I look at Purple Heart, for some reason I feel hatred towards her. Same goes for Neptune, but I’m not sure why. I feel like it’s best if I keep my distance from everyone.”
“Yeah.” IF said, her shoulders sagged. “I understand.”
“Thanks IF. I mean it. Thank you for everything, but please give me some time.” Said Arfoire.
IF nodded once more. “Yeah. Take care Arfoire and like I said. If you need anything.” And with those words, IF headed out of Arfoire’s apartment. “Well… Better get to work.” IF thought.
***
Purple Sister gathered all her courage as she stepped into the guild and accepted several jobs. Afterwards, she headed outside where Purple Heart was waiting. “I-I did it!” She said, holding up three pieces of paper. “I didn’t cry or anything!”
Purple Heart smiled warmly at her sister. Making her way over to the girl, she placed her hand firmly on her head. “You did really well! Now, what kind of jobs did you accept?” She asked.
Purple Sister blushed and giggled, before she looked down at the papers she held. “Okay. One is to kill some dogoo, I’m not really happy about killing dogoo, but I thought it was important. The next two are collecting herbs.”
“Two jobs collecting herbs?” Purple Heart asked, furrowing her brow.
“Yes. One is for a hospital and another is for a doctor.” Said Purple Sister.
“Oh okay.” Said Purple Heart. “I thought you might have applied for the same job twice.”
“I didn’t make any silly mistakes either!” Purple Sister said.
Purple Heart giggled as she tousled Purple Sister’s hair. “Alright little sister. You work hard, okay? If you need me for anything, anything, just let me know.”
“I will.” Purple Sister said, nodding.
Purple Sister turned and flew towards the Planeptune’s gate. Once she had left the city she started her first job, hunting dogoo. Purple Sister summoned her sword just as she landed on the ground. After that, she made her way to the first dogoo.
“These things are cute, but I have to do my best.” Purple Sister said, as she raised her sword and brought it down on the dogoo’s head. The dogoo was cut cleanly in two and after a moment the creature vanished. After that, Purple Sister hunted down four more dogoo.
“Purple Sister?” Came a familiar voice.
Purple Sister turned and spotted IF standing a few yards away. IF wore a large smile on her face. “Good to see you again!” She said, waving.
“IF!” Purple Sister said, floating over to her friend. “I missed you! How are you?” She asked.
IF giggled. “I’m good.” She said.
Purple Sister blinked her eyes several times. “Are you sure? You seem kind of upset.” Purple Sister began. “I know I might not be useful, but…” Before Purple Sister could finish speaking, her shoulders started to shake.
“No, no!” IF said, patting Purple Sister on the shoulders. “You’re great! I was actually trying to hide it. How upset I feel.”
“Really?” Said Purple Sister. “You don’t have to hide anything from me. What’s wrong?” She asked.
IF hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell Purple Sister how she was feeling. “The truth is… I have a friend and-” IF told Purple Sister about Arfoire and she didn’t leave anything out. Once she was finished, Purple Sister had crossed her arms in front of her chest and closed her eyes.
“I see.” She said. “I don’t like people hating my sister or my friends, but…” Purple Sister opened her eyes. “I don’t like telling people how they’re supposed to feel either. Everyone’s different.”
“Yeah.” Said IF.
“And Arfoire’s afraid of hurting someone.” Said Purple Sister.
“She’s afraid?” IF asked.
“Yeah.” Purple Sister said, nodding. “I’m certain of it. When I learnt that I could summon a sword and shoot monsters with it, I became afraid. I was worried that I might end up hurting someone. Like Falcom, or someone else. I wanted to stay away from people, but Falcom made me feel better. She said that it’s my decision if I hurt anyone.”
“That’s a good point.” Said IF.
“That might not be it though.” Said Purple Sister. “She’s also remembering things, right? She remembers that she hates my sister and Neptune, right? She just doesn’t remember why. It might be better if…” Purple Sister quickly clasped her hands over her mouth.
IF giggled. “You were going to say it would be better if she kept her distance, right?” IF asked.
Purple Sister started talking through her hands while nodding her head.
IF couldn’t help, but giggle again. “No you’re right.” Said IF. “I mean I’m remembering things as well and apart of me is worried what those things might be. Right now I love my friends, but it’s kind of scary to think that I might end up hating them simply because I remembered something.”
“Y-yeah.” Purple Sister said, slightly moving her hands away form her mouth.
IF and Purple Sister stood in awkward silence for a few moments, before IF decided to change the subject. “Anyways, I see you took on some jobs from the guild?”
“Yes. I have to kill five dogoo, and collect herbs for two clients.” Purple Sister said.
“Ah.” IF said, nodding. “I’m killing dogoo, dogoo man and a few other monsters.” Said IF, reaching into her pocket and removing a few slips of paper.
“IF? Can I ask you something very serious?” Purple Sister asked, balling her hands into tight fists.
IF swallowed hard. She suddenly felt very nervous. “Of course you can.” She said.
“Well… Why does Planeptune hate dogoo so much?”
IF couldn’t help, but laugh which left Purple Sister confused. “No. We don’t hate dogoo. It’s just that they spawn so quickly and they can cause trouble for the city. That’s all.” IF said, reassuring Purple Sister.
“Oh! I see.” Purple Sister said.
“Anyways, I’ll help you collect those herbs, okay?” Said IF, patting Purple Sister on the arm.
“Thanks IF!” Purple Sister said.
“Nah. It’s the least I could do. Thanks for listening!” Said IF.
***
The following morning IF and Compa got up early. The girls had already told Purple Sister and Purple Heart that they were going to start training with Neptune and Nepgear for a while.
“Please be safe.” Purple Sister said. “I would go with you, but I want to spend time with my big sister.”
“It’s okay.” Compa said, reassuring the girl. “We’ll miss you, but family time is important.”
“That’s right.” Said IF.
IF and Compa ate a quick breakfast. After that IF and Compa grabbed some backpacks and started filling them with supplies. “I’ll bring the pudding.” Compa said.
“Yeah. Neptune might flip out if we forget that.” Said IF.
After the girls had finished packing they headed outside. “So everyone is going to meet us at the gate, right?” Compa asked.
“That’s right.” Said IF. IF turned her eyes back towards their little home. Even though IF knew they wouldn’t be gone for very long, she still wanted to take everything in. “Are you okay Compa? Are you sure you want to leave? If you want to stay here that’s okay.” Said IF.
“No. I want to help everyone including you Iffy.” Said Compa, taking IF’s hand into her own. “Iffy?”
“Yeah?” IF said, blushing a little.
“I love you Iffy.” Said Compa.
IF blushed heavily. “Y-Yeah? Well…” IF stammered. “I love you too!”
“Really?” Compa said, happily. “Thanks!”
IF shook her head. “Stupid! Don’t thank me for saying it! Now come on!” IF said, moving forwards. “Everyone’s waiting for us!”
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