Four Seasons - 1

13th February. A day when many people are preparing themselves for Valentine's Day, or buying things at the last minute. Not everyone, though, as some people, usually the loneliest ones, prefer to keep spending time alone, or at least not worrying about this occasion created by the shops to get more money in an otherwise empty month. I'm one of those people, not because I don't want to spend money, but more because I don't have anyone to offer such gifts.

Who am I ? Your ordinary geek, nothing more, nothing less. A tall, skinny guy with no muscles. Long brown hair tied in a ponytail, brown dull eyes covered by glasses, a plain face with nothing special coming from it. At least, this look allows me to pass as ordinary in the masses, which is rather useful since I'm pretty bad at social interactions, constantly fearing to annoy others by the simple idea of talking with them.

On my computer, though, things are different. I'm also one person in the masses, but as people do not care about appearence, I can more easily talk with others and have some contact where I do not feel like I pass as a disgusting person. Which gives me enough confidence to look like I have a more outgoing personnality, one that I appreciate and that is appreciated in return. Which means that, while I'm clearly lacking friends in real life, Internet has given me many chances to have some, even though I've never met any.

This night, I was playing with several others at a MMO. We had a little guild, nothing out of the ordinary, tackling quests together.

"And that one's done !"
"Nice work, Seedataur !"
"Yeah, you too."
"So, another one ?"
"Nah, I'm tired, I'm gonna log off and take some sleep."
"No problems. See ya tomorrow."

I shut down the game and any programs I used for discussion before heading to the imageboards. It's usually one of the last things I do before heading to sleep, and as usual, the discussion is centered about the same things. Board being bugged, popular games being talked, new releases and all that. However, the screen began to twitch a little.

"Oh god, not that one."

I had only one screen. Should he give up and break, I'd be without any computer use until I'd get a new one, which could happen between a week and two months, depending of how much money I'd still have. I checked the cables, pushed them a little, but the twitch still was there.

"...Maybe a cable having problems ?"

On that moment, midnight struck, and the whole screen became black. Then blue. Then red. Then switching, from a color to another, each color covering the whole screen.

"Come on, don't die on me !"
"...lo ? ...He... me ?"
"And now, the speakers. Fun thing."

I did a little tap on the side of the screen, and in answer, something came out of it. An undescriptible mass of purple, white and skin. Coming out of the screen, charging me, making me fall to the ground. I could only smelt a faint, sweet scent, as something obscured my face.

"Errrr... Excuse me ?"
"Mbrfrfrf !"

That something stepped back a little, and something incredible caught my gaze - A rather cute girl, apparently younger than me, with long, flowing purple hair, and big, round, equally purple eyes fixing me. I couldn't speak a word in front of that young girl that was in front of me, my mouth a bit open because of the surprise.

"A...Are you okay ?"
"..."
"...Sir ?"
"..."
"Hello ?"
"You're okay, Ge-Ge ?"
"Onee-chan ! Where are you ?"
"Behind you."

The girl stood up, watching at my screen. On the other side, three girls, one in the front having the same hair and eyes color as the one near me, hitting the screen from her side.

"I can't go through. Are you okay ?"
"I'm fine, but... How to say it... I apparently fell on someone."
"Ah, you fell on a Noire ?"
"Not really... A man, rather."
"Bring it on the screen."

With that girl's help, I managed to stood up, until I was in front of the screen.

"He looks weak."
"He seems weak. And tired."
"...It's midnight here. Many people would be tired, little girl."
"How dare you call me a little girl ?"
"First, mind explaining me the situation ? I just got percuted by a cute girl who went through my screen, and now you all are discussing like I wasn't even here."
"Oh, it's simple. That cute girl is my little sister, Nepgear. She was forced through dimensions to reach your place, and we will bring her back right now. Sorry for the inconvenience."

With that being said, the girl apparently called Nepgear put her hand on the screen and closed her eyes. And then... Nothing happened.

"I can't go through, Onee-chan."
"...We're in trouble, I guess. I'll have to consult Histy on that one."
"Histy ?"
"Histoire, our Oracle. She's the most versed on matters relating to dimensional travels."
"Thanks for the compliment, Neptune."
"Aaah, you were already here ?"
"I heard the noise and saw what happened. Nepgear is trapped in another dimension and can't come back, is that right ?"
"Exactly. What can we do ?"
"Let me check the data... Hmmm... This is a problem..."
"What, what ?"
"It's too difficult to check it right now, even for me. Give me three days and you'll have your answer."
"And... What about me, Histoire ?"
"I'm sorry, Nepgear, but you'll have to take care of yourself until that. Young man, can I entrust her to you ? You'll be rewarded, of course."
"...Three days, isn't it ? It should be okay."
"Fine. I count on you... What is your name ?"
"Leo."
"I count on you, Leo. Take care of our princess for three days."

And with that, before I could even say another word, the screen went back to the usual browser picture.

"...Okay, now I need to sleep."
"Errr... Sir Leo ?"
"Call me just Leo. It would be awkward otherwise, Nepgear."
"Okay..."
"Now, now, now..."

I needed to sit on the sofa-bed I use, before noticing a little detail. One that could take lots of importance. I immediately stood up afterwards, before going to the next room, coming back with some covers and preparing a makeshift bed.

"...You're preparing another bed ?"
"I can't let you sleep on the floor, and the only place I have for sleep is this sofa-bed. And while it is technically counting as a two-place bed, I can't sleep on the same bed as a girl I just met. So you'll take the bed, and I'll take this."
"b-But it's your bed."
"But I can't let you sleep somewhere else. So take it."

Without a word, she took some of the covers and helped me arrange them into a neat makeshift bed.

"...You're tired ?"
"A little, but I don't think I could sleep right now. Do you have some coffee ?"
"I'll make you a cup. Milk, sugar ?"
"Two sugar and a little bit of milk, please."

In a quick moment, the cups were ready. I gave her her own and sat on the makeshift bed, while she sat on the sofa-bed.

"So, tell me what happened. Why did you end here ?"
"How to say it... "

She then began to tell me a story. About how she was living in another world named Gamindustri, as the candidate of the Planeptune region. About how her and her sister, the Planeptune leader, went to fight against what basically is the incarnation of piracy, the sorceress Arfoire and her goons. About how she got lured into a trap and thrown into a dimensional portal, and about how it took her hours to find an exit. One that lead her directly to me.

"...Incredible."
"You think so ?"
"It sounds like a video game, you know."
"Really ?"
"Gamindustri. Game. Industry. What are the regions outside of your Planeptune ?"
"Lowee, Leanbox and Lastation."
"I see. See that game console here ? It's a Playstation 3. Playstation, Lastation, it's rather similar. Same with Lowee and that console, a Wii."
"Ow... Goodness..."
"What I'm trying to tell is that your universe is weirdly mirroring what we call here the Console Wars. Here, let me get a resume for you."

I turned to the computer, grabbing the first one I could. The site where I found it disgusts me, but it works enough for the explaination, so I turned it for Nepgear to read. And she was... How to say it... Entranced ? Shocked ? Weirded ?

"Amazing... Goodness..."
"You're okay ?"
"Yeah, I think so... But this page... The names are different while sounding familiar, and the events are basically what happened for generations in Gamindustri... Also including what will happen in the future..."
"...And you saw bad things ?"
"It looks like, in your world, me and my sister aren't even relevant anymore, since the company representing us isn't making consoles anymore. Lowee's representative is dying out while her little sisters are some heads over the rest, Lastation's CPU will dominate the market while Uni will fall into obscurity, and Vert will become less and less popular, and still without a sister to care."
"You somehow lost me. Who are those Uni and Vert you talked about ?"
"Uni is a dear friend of mine, while Vert is like a surrogate big sister, despite both being from other nations. And what I'm reading here marks incoming troubles for both of them."
"...I can do something for that."

In three clicks, the whole page was printed. I took the paper and gave it to Nepgear.

"When you'll go back, give that information to all the leaders and candidates. There will probably be changes, either because you know the truth or because things are different, but knowing mistakes is the best way to avoid them."
"...You're kind."
"I'm not. I just do whatever I can to help."
"That's kindness, you know."
"...Thanks, then."

I blushed, and she quickly did the same.

"...It's in return for calling me cute."
"I did ? I mean, I think you are cute, but I didn't remember it."
"While you talked to my sister, you called me a cute girl."
"Ah... Maybe. Sorry if it shocks you."
"No... I'm just not used to compliments."
"It's weird. You're your nation's princess, I wouldn't be surprised to see lots of men trying to court you."
"Yeah, they do so. But they're not interested in me. Arranged meetings, proposals, everything to empower them by linking them to Planeptune's Candidate."
"And... You don't like them, isn't it ?"
"Yes."
"Then refuse them."
"I can't. Planeptune needs their support for us to have our part of Shares."
"That's a difficult situation. You should have the right to elope if needed."
"I'll remember that. Will you help me, should that happen ?"
"If I can, I may do it. Depends of the situation."
"I see. Thanks, Leo."
"You're welcome."

I finished my cup, and so did she.

"Now, do you want to rest a bit ?"
"Yeah, it's rather late."
"Okay. I'll go turn off the lights."
"Okay. Good night."
"You too."

I went back to the makeshift bed right after the lights were off, and slipped under the covers quickly. However, despite my efforts, I couldn't find the sleep. Was it because I wasn't on my usual bed ? Was it because of the events of the last hour ? Or was it because of the cute girl who actually was using my bed ? I don't know. However, something struck my mind, and I stood up.

"...You can't sleep, Leo ?"
"I forgot something for you. Give me a second."

I went to the other room, before coming back moments later with a long t-shirt I gave at her.

"You don't have a pyjama, do you ?"
"Yeah, but... You're okay with this ?"
"I wouldn't leave it to you if I wasn't okay with this, right ?"
"You're right."
"I'll go to the other room, tell me when you'll have changed. You can leave your clothes there."
"Okay."

Back to the other room. Thinking about it, I will need clothes for her, as, while the ones she has are cute, they'll get dirty in a short time, and she didn't brought changes with her.

"I'll have to interact with people in real life again... Fuuun..."

I noticed something, then. I had no problems interacting with her. No idea why, though.

"Ummm... I'm ready."
"Okay."

Without another word, I went back to my makeshift bed.

"...Don't I look weird with your shirt on ?"
"Don't worry, I'll get you new clothes."
"It's not needed, I'll just take care of this until I'll go back."
"...You're sure ?"
"Yes."
"Fine, as you wish."
"...Can we talk a little ?"
"Sure, but... Talk about what ?"
"...I don't know. I just want to hear you talking."
"Fine. Just ask questions, I'll answer."

She began asking me questions about how does this world work. I answered them to the best of my abilities, but at the third question, I was interrupted by her small breath going on and off. I stopped and turned myself to the other side for some sleep. However, sleep was rather short, as I was waken with small sobs. Coming from a crying Nepgear, who tried to keep them as silent as possible.

"...What happens ?"
"...I... I'm scared..."
"...Having a bad dream ?"
"No... It's just... It's just that..."
"You're worried because of the others who are on your dimension ?"
"...Yes..."

I woke up completely, and sat on the side of the sofa-bed, where she was lying.

"...You know you at least are fine here, right ?"
"Yes."
"And, from seeing these faces on the computer, you could see they were fine, right ?"
"It's true..."
"Then calm those tears. All you'll do is worry people more and more, by crying like this."
"...Sorry. I made you worried, too."
"No problem. You're on my charge for three days, let me at least help you stop crying."
"...You're kind."
"I'm not."
"You are. Or else you wouldn't have done anything."
"Isn't it normal to act when the person who is in your charge seems to be suffering ?"
"It is, but everyone doesn't act like you did."

I felt a pair of hands surrounding my waist, and a head pressing on my knees.

"...You're a kind Onii-chan. Mind if I call you like that ?"
"If that's the price you ask for reassuring you, I'll take it."
"Okay, Onii-chan. Good night."

In a flash, she fell asleep again. However, I couldn't move, due to her hands and head on me. I grabbed one of the covers to put it on my back, and a pillow I put between my crossed arms and my head, so that I could sleep a bit too.

"...It's all too weird."

Everything seemed so surreal about this scene that you didn't saw sleep coming.

-------------------------------------

14th February. Lovers' Day. And what I woke up in front of was a smoking cup of coffee.

"Ah, you're awake, Onii-chan !"
"Mmmmh... Braiiiins."
"Having a hard time waking up ? There's coffee in front of you."
"Thanks."

Without another word, I took the cup and drank a sip of it. Warm. Some sugar and milk. Nearly the exact same way I made her own coffee last day.

"So, how is it ?"
"Good. Thanks."
"You're welcome, Onii-chan."
"So... Since how long are you awake ?"
"...One hour, maybe a bit more. I took some time to find your coffee and everything to prepare it, and your coffeemaker seems to be dead, so I took the boiler to directly drop hot water on the coffee."
"I... Actually never thought about that, I was about to throw the coffeemaker in a bin. Nice idea."
"Thanks."

As the discussion stopped, I noticed something... And immediately spit a bit of my coffee, which made Nepgear come to me.

"Are you okay ? Here, clean yourself, Onii-chan !"
"...Nepgear... Go put some clothes, please."
"Huh ?"

I hid my face with my hand. She was still wearing my shirt. And nothing else. Good thing I only saw the back.

"Please. I'll go to the bathroom during that time."
"...Okay."

I ran more than I walked to the bathroom, before quickly passing some cold water on my face.

"...Dear diary. Even the ass was cute."

This could become a major problem, as she obviously was a cute girl, alone with a guy for three days, and already dropping any semblance of protecting herself against me. Plus, how can I expect to fap if she's around ?

"...It's okay, Onii-chan."

...Looks like her calling me that way is a trigger. I need to be careful about that too.

I went out of the bathroom, a towel in hand for the excess of water. She went back to her apparently usual clothes.

"Sorry for this."
"You lowered your guard already, around a man like me ?"
"You're kind enough, Onii-chan, I know I can trust you."
"Yet, in the end, I'm still a man, with his urges and all that matters."
"...I'll be careful with that."
"Don't worry. In two or three days, you'll be back to your sister and your friends, and all will be forgotten."
"...I won't forget you, Onii-chan. Will you ?"
"...I... Guess I won't, either. But what I was talking about was that I'll forget such incidents."

Like I could. I know this is a memory I'll take to the grave. However, she has other thoughts about the day.

"Say, Onii-chan... Can you make me visit your city ?"
"Errr, what ?"
"I want to see this place by my own eyes, so I'll be able to inform Onee-chan and everyone about it when I'll be back."
"I see. No problem, then. Leave me some time to wash and cloth myself, and we can go on."
"Can I take some coffee with us ? We may want to drink a bit on the way."
"There's a thermos here. Wash it if you want to use it, it's an old one."
"Okay."

Half an hour later, we went down the stairs and through the door leading to outside. The sun was shining and there were few clouds, but it could rain any time. Good thing I took an umbrella.

"Woah, so many people !"
"Isn't Planeptune full of people too ?"
"Yes, but I don't see them too much."
"So what do you do on your free time ?"
"Building mechs, doing Onee-chan's work, cleaning the Basilicom or going on missions."
"Sounds like hard work."
"It sometimes is, especially with Onee-chan's work."
"She's working that little ?"
"Yes. Histoire is usually angry about her not working, and tries her best to drag her back to it, but most of the time, it just don't work, and Onee-chan is back to playing video games."
"And thus, you're in charge for the work ?"
"Exactly."
"Consider these days as holidays, then ?"
"I should do so."

While we walked, she ended up catching my sleeve.

"...Onii-chan... Is that a special day, today ?"
"Errr, yes, why ?"
"All those couples seem so happy."
"It's Valentine's Day. You heard about it ?"
"A day where girls offer chocolate to the man they appreciate, right ?"
"Depends of the country. Here, it's the opposite."
"Sounds special. At Planeptune, the girl offers the chocolate, and the man answers the following month."

She looked at me, right in the eyes.

"...Do you want chocolate, Onii-chan ?"
"Nope. I'm allergic to it."
"...That means you never received some ? Not even once ?"
"Exactly, although it isn't because of that."
"Why ?"

I hesitated a bit before answering.

"I've never had a girlfriend."
"Awww... Are you okay with that ?"
"...After a certain time, you grow used to it."
"What you should wonder is if you are okay with that, not if you are used to that."
"I don't have that much to say about it. I haven't met any girl who is interested enough by me to accept chocolates, or any gift for that matter. It must be destiny telling me that I don't merit a girlfriend, or someone at my side for that matter."
"..."
"Don't pity me, please."
"I don't. I was just thinking that... You want something from me today, Onii-chan ?"
"I don't know what you could offer to me without any money, but give it a try."

She answered by grabbing my arm and tugging herself against it, with a visibly red face.

"...Will it be alright as a gift ?"
"...It'll be fine. Thanks."

I was having the same red face too, but I didn't care, and we walked through the streets this way for some hours, emptying the thermos in the process. I showed her everything I could, until it was lunch time and we stopped at a shop.

"So, your opinion about the city ?"
"It's a very nice one, even though there are some things to change for it to work better."
"Nothing escapes the eyes of a leader, isn't it ?"
"I'm only working for it."

Two cups of coffee and sandwiches. Nothing special, but it seemed particularly tasty this day.

"What are we doing after that ?"
"I have nothing planned, but we should go back home. Maybe we will have some news from your sister ?"
"Possibly. Either from her or from Histoire... But..."
"But ?"
"...You enjoyed that little date with me, Onii-chan ?"

...It was a date ? Sure, she spent the whole time clinging to my arm, but outside of that, all we did was walking through the city.

"I can say I enjoyed your presence. But you, did you enjoyed walking here and there with someone like me ?"
"...Someone like you ?"
"I'm not the best partner one can dream to have."
"But I had fun at your side."
"You did ? That's the first time it happens."
"I really did. I don't know why, but I really had fun walking through here with you."

These words did hit a string inside me.

"...Thanks for the gift, then."
"You're welcome, Onii-chan."

And her smile did hit another one. I smiled in return, but in reality, I was more on the verge of breaking in tears. Good thing she didn't pushed it further. The meal happened without a hitch, and we went outside... To be welcomed by the rain. I opened the umbrella, and Nepgear clinged to my arm once again.

"Isn't the date finished ?"
"It will be once we reach your home."
"...Are you conscious of what can lie behind those words ?"
"...Goodness... Sorry."

She became red once again, while we began walking. The walk to my home was rather short, though, and it's a good thing since the rain was intensifying. I entered the first to my appartment, grabbed a towel and gave it to her.

"Your shoulder is wet. Take care of it before you get a cold. I'll prepare some more coffee."
"...Gear... ening... re here ?"
"Wait, the computer is reacting. Come on."
"I'm here... Oh, Histoire !"
"Nepgear, I have bad news."
"...Please go ahead."
"Arfoire completely corrupted the link between our dimension and others, by plunging the grid linking them into chaos, thanks to other selves from other dimensions."
"What does it mean ?"
"It means it'll take time to fix it and restore a path for you."
"...How many time ?"
"...Between three months and three years. I'm terribly sorry, Nepgear."

Nepgear fell unconscious, and I caught her in the nick of time to avoid a shock on the head.

"Sir Leo ?"
"Yes."
"We cannot count on anyone else but you. Can you keep supporting Nepgear until that day ?"
"Physically, I can do it. Financially, I'm not really sure."
"I don't know if we will be able to do something for that. But be sure we will give it a try. Consider it part of your reward for taking care of her."
"...You said between three months and three years, isn't it ?"
"Yes."
"...Any particular wishes about this time she'll pass here ?"
"Stay at her side, but don't go against her wishes. Except if they go against waiting for us or the previous orders, of course. Also, we will establish contact once every week, to inform you about the state of things and to let Neptune or others take news about Nepgear."
"I have no problem with that. Ah, also, I have one thing to show you."

I pulled the paper with the resume of the Console Wars and pushed it on the screen.

"Nepgear said she wanted to show you and everyone this. It's a resume from what is simply a console wars here, but apparently, this console war is heavily linked to the past, the present and the future of Gamindustri."
"I see. Let me take the time to scan the whole thing and I'll analyze it in the following days. Thanks for this."
"No problem. I've been tasked with taking care of her, I won't deceive her while I can use such a situation to help you all."
"You're a kind person. Nepgear is in good hands with someone like you."
"Thanks. I begin to believe it."
"I'll shut down the transmission. Next time will be in seven days, at the same time."
"One moment, I'll mark it down... There. And one thing."
"Yes ?"
"Be sure to tell Nepgear's sister how much Nepgear misses her. She was crying about that last night due to worriness."
"I don't think that detail about your last night should be told, but I'll tell Neptune about Nepgear. It should reassure her."
"Thanks. See you next week, then."
"Have a good week."

And the computer went back to normal, leaving me alone with an unconscious Nepgear in the arms. I carried her to the sofa-bed, while noticing how light she was, then laid a cover on her, prepared myself some coffee and kept an eye on her.

This was some serious task that was given to me – Taking care of the cute princess of a nation, being sure to tend to her needs, and supporting her until the day she'll go home. But seeing that cute girl right in my bed dissipated all of my doubts. She believed in me, so all I was gonna do was believe in her in return. No matter the cost, no matter the time, no matter the consequences. Life has given me another chance and I'll grab it with those hands of mine.

But the first thing to do is waiting for her to woke up. Which happened one hour later.

"Onee-chan !"
"Calm down, Nepgear."
"...I didn't dream it, isn't it ?"
"You didn't."
"...I'm here for months, isn't it ?"
"Yes."
"...I won't see Onee-chan for all this time... She'll abandon me... Like everyone..."
"You're wrong."
"Eh ?"
"I've talked a bit with Histoire while you passed out. She'll contact us next week, probably with Neptune."
"Really ?"
"Of course. I've also been tasked with your protection and your care. Any objections with that ?"
"...I'm not a burden for you ?"
"Not at all, don't worry for that."
"...Then... I have a request..."

She threw herself on my arms, hugging me strongly, while her voice came out as faint and on the verge of tears.

"Don't leave me... Please... Onii-chan..."

I didn't stop her, knowing full well what she felt. Abandoned, left alone, without anyone to support her. Of course, she could still be in contact with her family and friends, but she was far from them, and it was too hard to endure, especially when you've never felt it before. I thus returned the embrace, letting her cry as long as she needed. I don't know how many time it took, but I didn't care about the time, or the consequences, or whatever.

"Don't worry. I won't go anywhere."
"Promise ?"
"Promise."

-------------------------------------

17th February. The rain didn't stop, so both Nepgear and I stayed at home. However, we planned for this day to take a little trip to grab clothes for her, and said rain wouldn't stop us.

The first stop was at the bank, so I could withdraw some money. However, since I didn't remember exactly how much money I still had, a check was necessary.

"Let's see... "Your accounts". "Credit card". I still have... Wait."

Normally, I should have had something like a hundred euros. And yes, that money still was there. Alongside fifty thousand. A money I never had, and probably never will.

"A problem, Onii-chan ?"
"Yeah. Let me check the archives..."

And there it was. In all glory. Hidden source. A single "Nepgear fees" as the comment accompanying it. Nice work, Histoire.

"...Nevermind. Histoire must have a Swiss bank account somewhere."
"A Swiss bank account ?"
"I'll explain it to you."

With some money in hand, we began the shopping.

The first shop was an easy stop, due to the high quantity of clothes available there. We went off with three sets of basic clothes, five sets of underwear and two pyjamas. The second took a little bit more time, to buy her what she needed for her everyday life, but we finally went out of it with two more bags.

"We should go home. Our hands are already full."
"Yes."

On the way home, she stopped to face a window, and something in particular. I took a glance at it and smiled, before entering the shop whose window it was. It only took one minute, and I'm not even sure Nepgear did notice me, due to how much she was focused on what she saw.

"Still with us, Nepgear ?"
"Oh ? Y-Yes, I'm there."
"You were looking for it, right ?"
"Look at it, Onii-chan, it's so cute."
"Of course it is. Come on, now, I don't want you to catch a cold."
"O-Okay, sorry."

With one last look at what she watched, she finally let go and went back to walking. We reached home after fifteen good minutes, rather exhausted, and took some time catching our breath back before beginning to install everything.

"Onii-chan ?"
"Mmm ?"
"You remember that package ?"
"Aaah, yes. I took a little extra for you. Open it."

She obliged and unmade the package, to reveal the teddy bear she was gushing minutes ago behind the shop's window.

"When did you bought it ?"
"While you were looking at it."
"But it didn't last more than a moment !"
"Ten minutes, more or less. Way enough time for me to notice, to go inside and to buy it."
"..."

She took the bear and hugged it, a large smile on her face.

"Thank you, Onii-chan ! I'll treasure it, promise !"
"Should we take a picture of it, then ?"
"Wait a minute, then."

She took some of her new clothes and rushed to the other room, before coming one minute later, wearing simple red and black clothes.

"I may as well show how much you take care of me, can't I ?"
"Your choice."

She sat on the sofa-bed, her bear in her knees, then pulled me to sit near her, while I took the camera.

"Okay, ready to smile ?"
"Ready !"

Click. One moment added to eternity.