The following morning Nepgear got up like she always did. After changing into her regular clothes, she made her way to her sisters room, but before she could open the door she heard music coming from the front of the house.
Nepgear spotted her sister sitting on her favorite pillow playing a videogame. Her eyes were wide with delight. “Come on! Jump!” Neptune said, in a small voice. “Yeah!” She cheered, when her avatar leapt over the hazard and destroyed an enemy located on the other side.
“Morning.” Nepgear said.
“Morning!” Said Neptune.
“Have you eaten already?” Asked Nepgear? The moment the question left her lips, Nepgear spotted two empty pudding packs in the trashcan. “You have. You know you really shouldn’t eat just pudding Neptune.
“I know, I know. I just felt like eating something quick so I can get started on my vacation.” Said Neptune. “We really worked hard yesterday, huh?”
“Well… Yeah and we accomplished our goal, but we still have to worry about our home.” Said Nepgear, glancing around the room. “I’m going to go and withdraw some credits from our bank account and pay the electricity bill. After that I’m going to go get an easy quest.”
“Huh? But lady…” Neptune began, but Nepgear quickly cut her off.
“You’re not just going to sit there and play videogames all day today, right?” She asked, narrowing her eyes at her sister and placing her hands high on her hips.
Neptune giggled nervously. “Of… Course not.” She said, shrugging her shoulders. “I’ll have you know that I invited IF and Compa over today and were going to do something later. Probably a quest. Probably.”
“Really?” Nepgear said, surprised.
“Probably.” Said Neptune, once more.
Nepgear wanted to say something to her sister, but quickly changed her mind. “We do have a really big task ahead of us. Maybe I shouldn’t nag her so much.” Nepgear took a deep breath, before slowly releasing it. “Alright big sis. I’ll get going now.”
“Be safe!” Neptune said, not taking her eyes off the screen.
After that, Nepgear headed outside. The sun was shining brightly that particular morning and a warm breeze blew through Nepgear’s hair. “It’s a nice morning.” Nepgear thought, glancing up at the sky.
“Morning Ge-Ge!” Compa said.
Nepgear lowered her eyes and saw Compa and IF heading towards her. IF had her hands shoved into the pockets of her long coat. Compa had her hands folded together in front of her. “Morning!” Nepgear said. “I guess my sister really did call you two, huh?”
“Yeah. This morning.” IF said. “I knew it was serious because she woke me up.”
“We wanted to see how you two were doing anyways.” Said Compa.
“Were good.” Nepgear said. Nepgear took another deep breath before she started telling IF and Compa everything that happened to them the day before. When she finished telling her story, Compa looked worried while IF looked calm. “I see…” Compa said, nervously. “Are you and Nep-Nep going?”
“We are.” Nepgear said. “Lady Purple Heart asked us to wait a few days before we go. She said she’s planning something for us, but didn’t say anything else.”
“Geesh… Now I’m getting worried.” IF said, rubbing the back of her head. “Is Neptune inside? Stupid question.”
“Yeah she’s playing videogames.” Said Nepgear.
“Did she sleep at all?” Asked Compa.
Nepgear didn’t answer. Instead she furrowed her brow before turning her eyes away from her two friends.
“I have an idea.” Compa said, happily. “I can see you’re about to go somewhere, right Ge-Ge?” Asked Compa.
“Yeah.” Nepgear said.
“Why don’t I go with you? And Iffy stay here with Neptune?” Said Compa.
“That sounds like a plan.” Said IF.
“Sure!” Nepgear said, perking up a little.
After the girls made their decision Nepgear and Compa started heading towards the bank where Nepgear was planning on withdrawing some credits. IF on the other hand stayed behind.
“Are you sleeping well Ge-Ge?” Compa asked.
Nepgear shook her head. “No. Not really. I’ve been thinking about everything that’s been going on lately. I can’t really wrap my head around it.”
“I understand.” Said Compa. “I’ve been losing sleep too. I’m worried about you and Nep-Nep. I have faith in both of you, but I’m also scared for both of you too.”
“Thanks Compa.” Said Nepgear blushing a little. “You know. For worrying about us.”
“Of course! Were friends!” Compa said, happily.
When Nepgear and Compa finally made it to the bank, Nepgear stepped up to the teller. “Hi. Can I check the balance on my account please?” Asked Nepgear.
“Of course.” Said the teller.
Nepgear glanced over her shoulder at Compa. “I should have about two-hundred and fifty credits, but I like to make sure before I withdraw anything.”
“I understand.” Said Compa.
“Here’s your balance ma’am.” Said the teller, sliding a piece of paper over to Nepgear.
Nepgear took up the paper. Her eyes went wide. “Th-This isn’t right!” Nepgear stammered.
Compa moved closer to Nepgear and glanced down at the paper. “Fifty-thousand two-hundred and fifty credits?” She read.
“How?” Nepgear asked.
The teller turned to the computer she was working on. “It looks like fifty-thousand credits was sent to your account by Planeptune’s Basilicom.” She read.
“Uh… No… I…” Nepgear began, trying to make sense of the situation. “Compa!” The girl suddenly cried.
“YES!” Compa cried, surprised by the sudden outburst.
“I’m sorry, but I really need to go to the Basilicom!” Nepgear said.
“Okay.” Compa said, and with that the two girls ran out of the bank as fast as they could.
***
Once Nepgear and Compa started making their way to the bank, IF opened the door to Nep’s home and stepped inside. “Hey Neptune.” IF said, closing the door behind her.
“Morning Iffy! Where’s Compa? Ooh I know. She’s buying some pudding, right?” Neptune asked, from her pillow.
“Do you ever think about anything other than pudding?” IF asked, making her way over to where Neptune was sitting.
“Of course I do. I’m thinking about my best buddy and me playing two player right now.” Neptune said, moving over to that IF could sit next to her.
IF looked down at Neptune who was holding up a controller for her. IF couldn’t help, but smile. “Alright. Let’s play.” IF reached for the controller, but Neptune pulled it away before she could take it. “Huh? What’s up?” IF asked, confused.
“Iffy wants to play videogames instead of working?” A mischievous smile suddenly appeared on Neptune’s face. “You think I’m going to become dogoo chow, don’t you?” She asked.
IF’s cheeks grew bright red. “Of course not!” She said.
“Haha! You think Nepgear and I are going to die. How horrible of you!” Neptune giggled.
“I do not!” IF said, plopping down on the pillow so hard that Neptune was nearly thrown off. “Now give me that controller and I’ll show you how to really play this game.” IF said.
Neptune handed over the controller and the two girls started playing in relative silence. The only sounds that could be heard was the music and sound effects coming from the television.
“I’m just worried.” IF said, breaking her own silence.
“I know.” Neptune said.
“I want you to promise me that you and Nepgear will come back safe. Okay? Even if you can’t complete your mission. Just come back alive.” Said IF.
“I promise.” Said Neptune. “So Nepgear told you everything that happened?”
“Yeah.” Said IF.
“She’s a good kid.” Said Neptune. “I’ll take care of her and I know she’ll take care of me. We’ll be fine IF. I promise!”
“Good.” Said IF. “Now I want you to promise me one other thing.”
“What’s that?” Asked Neptune.
“The next time we find a healing item in this game let me have it! I’m dying over here!” IF said, annoyed.
“I thought nearly being dead was how you played the game.” Neptune said, her voice was filled with sarcasm.
***
Nepgear felt like she was going to have a panic attack by the time she and Compa reached the Basilicom. “I’m… sorry… to… bother…” Nepgear was breathing hard.
“Nepgear noticed an unusual amount of money in her banking account and it was supposedly sent by the Basilicom. We just wanted to make sure there weren’t any mistakes.” Said Compa.
“Of course, one moment please.” The staff member said, as they glanced at the computer they were sitting at. After a few moments of checking, the staff member nodded before turning their attention back towards the girls. “It seems fifty-thousand was sent to your account and it was done by lady Purple Heart. There is a memo, would you like me to read it?”
“Please…” Nepgear said, nodding her head several times.
“Dear Neptune and Nepgear. I apologize, but we forgot to talk about credits. I can’t allow you to go on this journey without an award so with every Fairy Tower you activate, I will send you fifty-thousand credits. If this isn’t enough, please let me know.” The staff member finished reading. “That’s all it says.”
“That’s great news!” Compa said, happily. Compa was now helping Nepgear to stand. “Thank you very much.”
“Of course. Is she…” They began, gesturing towards Nepgear.
“She’ll be fine. I’m a nurse after all.” Compa said, and with that she helped Nepgear out of the Basilicom.
“F-Fifty thousand… Credits! Compa! Fifty-thousand credits!” Nepgear said.
“I know! That’s so much money!” Compa said, giving Nepgear a gentle squeeze. “I’m so happy for you and Neptune.”
“We can do so much with that money! We can pay all our bills and fix up the house! There’s a leak in the kitchen that’s been driving me crazy for months! I can get new tools for my workbench! I can buy an actual workbench and get rid of that old table I’ve been working on! I can buy a month supply of pudding for Neptune and new videogames for her!”
“Hold on!” Compa said, giving Nepgear another squeeze. “Better not go overboard. You don’t want to waste it all, right?”
“R-Right.” Nepgear said, finding the strength back in her legs. “Thanks Compa. All those zeros went to my head. I still need to pay the bills and get some groceries though.”
“How many puddings are you going to buy?” Compa asked.
“Just two packs like usual.” Nepgear said, before shaking her head. “No! Just one pack. No! Just one cup of pudding and Neptune’s gong to have to make it last for a month!”
Compa sighed deeply. “Ge-Ge… Now you’re being too frugal.”
***
“VIDEOGAMES AND PUDDING!” Neptune cried, when Nepgear told her about the fifty-thousand credits in their banking account.
“Hold on.” IF said, crossing her arms in front of her. “Do you want Compa and I to leave before you discuss this?”
“No.” Nepgear said, shaking her head. “You and Compa are both pretty level headed so I want your opinions as well.”
“Thanks Ge-Ge!” Compa said, happily.
“That’s true. Compared to Neptune, were all…” IF began, but stopped herself before she continued. “Anyways. I can fix the leak in your roof. It wouldn’t take much and I won’t even charge you.”
“Aw! You do love us!” Neptune said, throwing her arms around IF’s waist. “I guess the only thing left for us to buy is pudding and videogames.”
“No.” Nepgear said. “I did pay all our bills for the month though.”
“Alright. Pudding and videogames it is!” Neptune said.
“No.” Compa said, shaking her head.
“I’m starting to notice an anti pudding and videogame agenda around here.” Neptune said, eyeing her friends and sister.
“Nepgear? Is there anything you need?” IF asked.
“Well… Personally I could use a new workbench. I’d also like to buy a part for my energy sword. The power output can be kind of spotty.”
Neptune released her grip on IF’s waist. “You know what Nepgear? You should buy a new workbench and that whatchamacallit thing-a-ma-bob.” Said Neptune. “You deserve all the workbenches and thing-a-ma-jigs in the world!”
“Really?” Nepgear said, blushing a little.
“Really!” Neptune said. “And if you feel like buying some pudding and videogames I wouldn’t complain.” Neptune added, in a small voice.
“What was that?” IF asked, venom could be detected in her voice.
“Nothing.” Neptune said, in a sing-song voice. “Seriously though! If you need a new part to make your energy sword more dependable, you should get it today!”
Nepgear’s cheeks grew even redder in color. “Thanks Neptune!” Nepgear turned to leave. “I’ll be right back!”
“Wait!” Neptune began. “Uh… Why don’t I come with you and help you carry everything home? Okay?”
“Sure!” Nepgear said.
“Sounds good.” IF said, before leaning closer to Neptune’s ear. “You were about to ask for pudding and videogames, right?”
“Of course not! That’s slander lady!” Neptune said, but she knew that IF was right.
