Two knocks on the door.

Two knocks on the door. Then another one. The usual signal.

"Come in."

She entered the student council room before hiding inside the closet. Not even ten seconds later, a horde of young men came hitting on the door, more violently this time.

"Where is she ?" "We want to see her !" "She's our goddess too !" "Stop monopolizing her, brat !"
"Come in."

The door then opened to a large group, with three muscular people, apparently aged on their early twenties despite being 16-17, leading them.

"We demand to see our goddess, and for her to spend time with us !"
"She's not here. You can see it, right ?"
"People have seen her enter here ! Don't try to fool us !"
"Yes, she entered here. Then she heard you and she jumped through the window to reach the entrance, hoping she'll make it while you'll be forced to run back to it."
"Truly ?"
"Did I ever do lie to you ?"
"Of course not. Thanks for the information."
"You're welcome. Be sure not to cause trouble to others, okay ?"
"Will do. Guys, to the entrance !"

A whole rush going out as fast as it went it. Then several seconds of pure silence.

"They're gone. You can get out, president."

And she went out, like it was nothing.

"Sorry for the trouble, Cain."
"Not a problem. It's not like it's the first time, right ?"

Three years ago, the sixth Goddess Student Life Program rolled on. Nearly every goddess ended up in Planeptune High for a total duration of six years, and due to her being the oldest of the group and thus the first one to enter at the age of 15, the only representative of Leanbox became the student council president by default. However, the presence of so many goddesses here led an unexpected amount of people to enter this school on the following year, and two years later, there was a huge group emerging from that, calling themselves the Believers and stalking the goddesses in every of their school moves. Some of the goddesses endured it, some went ballistic on their followers, and some, like our dear president, keep hiding and playing tag with them in the hopes they'll calm down.

"Yeah, but it must get hard to endure sometimes, right ?"
"It is. But I don't care."

Of course, the rest of the student council had a hard time. Having to endure a swarm of young men in heat all day, every day isn't for the faint of heart. Which is surprising since I am, especially around women. But since luck drawn me next to such a kind and cute girl, I thought I might as well give it a try, and, to my surprise, I understand easily why people tend to revere her. While many other girls tried more or less successfully to hurt me by making me believe about non-existent feelings, our president didn't even tried that once, instead talking with me like if I was another person. And slowly but surely, she understood she could count on me, while I learnt to hide feelings that could only cause problems to her should she knew them.

"You're kind as usual."
"Then treat me something as return."
"I will, promise. So, how about the week issues ?"
"Here's the rundown."
"Let me check… Hmm… The janitor is alerted about the water leaks, and the theft issues have been solved. Which means there's actually nothing, right ?"
"Exactly. You can take some time to rest a bit."
"I'd love to, the Believers are getting more and more persistent, with the end of winter."
"Hormones leaking, I'd say."
"Probably. Don't that affect you too ?"
"I'm not the kind of going around groups, so it must have made me more resistant to them."
"That, or you don't know yet that girl."
"That girl ? You're talking about the incoming candidate from Planeptune ?"
"Yeah, Nepgear. She already has a huge fanbase due to her looks and how kind she is, and I guess you and her would go along rather well. I'd thus like to add her to the student council next year, if I can."
"You're the president, remember ? This kind of decisions are for you to take. However, it'll become harder for me to hide two girls in the closet."
"She'll take my place inside, I'll confront them. It's becoming too hard having to hide every day because of them."
"You've taken your decision ?"
"Yeah. Don't worry, I won't smash them with a hammer."
"Phew, I expected to have to take another round of excuses. Still, be careful, Vert. I don't want to hear something bad would happen to you."
"Thanks. Be careful too, Cain. You're the vice-president and the only remaining member after me, and they know that too well. They might try to give you some hard pressure."

Then please don't go to my classroom.

It's a good thing she's one year older, as the classroom has decided to take me as the class' black sheep. Which means my bench is tagged as hell, my belongings are usually trashed, and I'm not even listened on my role when it comes to there. Good thing the rest of my class is usually calm outside of that, or I don't know how to act on that without involving her, as we're the only two remaining members of the student council.

"I wouldn't be here if I couldn't endure some hard pressure."
"True."

One after the other, all of the other members ran away because of the Believers stalking them for information about Vert. Where she went, what classes she was attending, at what time she was at certain places, her personal informations, they tried to grab any and all things, hoping one of them could one day be that special someone for her. But they mostly went for her because of that stupidly sexy body of hers. Or because she once was kind to one of them. Or because of her status as the actual Goddess of Leanbox. None of them actually tried to consider her as a person. Maybe that's something we have in common after all.

"Oh, by the way, Cain, can you accompany me ?"
"Depends where."
"We need to work on the paper issues for the incoming party."
"Oh yeah, the Spring Festival. What's planned for that outside of the usual ?"
"The Big Ball. Where couples will form, and where the next year students will be invited, to let them discover their future school."
"Which means our new student council member will be in, which means there might be problems due to her popularity."
"Exactly. Thus, we need to act on that, and I have an idea about it. But you need to meet her before that."
"Fine. Let us have a meeting wherever you want."
"How about your house ?"

I live in Planeptune, near the border linking it to Leanbox. I was living more in a rural zone, but changes were done as a security measure from Leanbox, to ensure their goddess had some secure place to hide if needed. Of course, Vert comes frequently there to have "special student council meetings", in order to relieve her stress and to have some partner to play games with, and I won't complain at all.

"Fine. When exactly ?"
"Tomorrow, 10 am. Prepare for us to stay the whole day, as I really want Gear to become familiar with you."
"Okay. Want some sweets ?"
"Just your usual cookies."
"I made some last day. They should still be fresh next day."
"Fine. Now go ahead and end your day here, or it'll become suspicious."
"Yes sir. I close the door ?"
"Yeah. I don't want to have troubles with Believers."
"See ya then."
"See ya."


Two knocks on the door. Then another one. The usual signal.

"Yeah, come in."

The door opened to two girls hidden under heavy clothing. Two girls who didn't waste time undoing the "heavy" part as soon as the door was closed.

"Did anyone followed you ?"
"None at all."
"Fine."

Vert has come countless times here, but the hesitant girl behind her is here for the first time. Which explains the sheltered animal attitude. An attitude Vert immediately notices and tries to break by pushing her in front of me.

"Cain, here is Nepgear."
"H-Hi."
"Hello and welcome on my house, Nepgear."
"I told you he's a gentleman."
"Y-You're right."
"I can understand you might have reserves against me, and I won't mind."
"However, Gear, you don't need to, he's good enough to have serve under my orders as vice-president of the student council, that speaks enough of him, isn't it ?"
"I think I can trust him. Thanks for the invitation, Mr. Cain."
"Cain will suffice. No need for honorifics, right, Nepgear ?"
"Call me Gear, then."
"Fine, now the introductions are made, where are the delicious cookies you promised me last day ?"
"On the room's table. Follow me, both of you."

I let them follow me to the next room, where a round table with three chairs was waiting.

"Now, Knights of the Round are in session."
"Weird name for a student council. Isn't it, Gear ?"
"It looks like you have fun."
"We have. Except when the Believers charge, which is nearly every day."
"You briefly talked to me about it, Vert, but who are they exactly ?"
"See your followers, Gear ? Imagine a group like that, but devoted to all the goddesses and candidates and especially devoted to any attempt to go into their pants."
"Cute way of telling it from a goddess, Vert."
"But you can't deny it, Cain."
"Obviously not."

I turned to Nepgear, who met my gaze.

"Let me warn you, Gear. These guys are a frenzied bunch, trying by any and all means to grab information about your divine group. Which mean they will harass you at every opportunity, beginning with the Spring Festival's Big Ball."
"Vert told me she had an idea about that, but she didn't want to tell me."
"I wanted to check something before, but it seems it'll be okay, so Cain, I'll ask you to be Gear's partner and knight during the Spring Festival."

Both me and Nepgear answered in unison.

"W-WHAT ?"
"What, "what" ? I know Gear will accept the first demand coming, which will probably come from one of the Believers, and I don't want them to manipulate her. And you're the only trustworthy guy I know. Who else could I ask ?"
"…You got a point. And I guess you already thought about it countless times before taking this option, right ?"
"Exactly. Plus, remember last day's talk. I want you to support Gear like you supported me, and I want her to be able to rely on you like I actually am. I honestly couldn't let such a responsibility lay on anyone else but you."

To support her plea, she pushed a puppy-like look on her eyes. She clearly knew I wasn't able to resist it, and was probably banking on it to obtain my support.

"You don't need to look at me like this to have my support and you know it, Vert. However,…"
"However ?"
"Nepgear, are you all right with this decision ? Or would you prefer to go alone ?"
"From what Vert told me, I think it's better for me to go with you. I just hope I won't be a burden."
"You won't. I'm glad I could go to the Big Ball with someone."
"Why ?"
"Cain has issues with himself. He doesn't see the qualities he has."
"Because I only can be someone trustworthy. I'm not special otherwise."
"You are. You just don't see it. But I do. Oh, and you make delicious cookies. Here, taste one, Gear."
"Hmmm… Tasty ! Do you have some coffee to go with them, Cain ?"
"I actually was about to make some for myself. Milk, sugar ?"
"Milk and two sugar, please."
"Noted. Anything for you, Lady Vert ?"
"I have my trusted friends and delicious cookies, what could I ask for more ?"
"Okay, green tea for you. Wait a minute."

I went on the kitchen, freeing a big breath I've taken on hold since one good minute. Being complimented by such cute girls is a rare treat I'm enjoying every time it happens. And while Vert has her usual charms, Nepgear brings something different on the table, something less charming and more cute… Oops, speaking too much my mind here, less talk and more work now.

The plate with the coffee, the tea and the cups was quickly ready due to preparations made in advance, but the plate itself forced me to stop in front of the door due to me not having three hands. However, as I was about to drop the plate on the ground to open the door,…

"So, what do you think of him ?"
"He's reliable and honest, I think I can trust him."
"You can. In addition, he's special."
"In which sense ?"
"In the sense he doesn't like us like goddesses or candidates, or like pretty objects to devour. And I like that look."
"It's a good change of pace. But are you sure he won't change ?"
"I don't know. He already changed a lot in the last year. You should have seen how shut in he was."
"Why was he like that ?"
"He has no parents and lives on school fundings, thanks to Planeptune laws. But he still needs affection he lacks, and he can't turn on school friends, so he shut himself in to not let them flow out. Probably a self-defence mechanism."

Thanks for spoiling my past, Vert.

"But… I guess that's something I like about him."
"Vert ?"
"He won't try to force himself into our pants. He don't see us for the social status or money he might have thanks to us. He just sees us as normal girls he can interact with. And it's maybe because of that thing that I think you can have him if you want."
"…Have him ? Why do you…"
"I've noticed your eyes on him, Gear. And I've noticed how he looks back at you. There's chemistry between you two, and I'm sure he won't let you down. So what about giving it a try and letting your inner female act a bit ?"
"What do you mean ?"
"Try going out with him, I meant."

The shock of the idea made me step back one step. One step enough to hit the wall with my head. A loud "THUMP" noise happened, and quickly, the door opened.

"Ah, you came back."
"Yeah. The plate was taking my both hands, so I did some noise to let you notice. You just went too fast for me to grab it back."
"You weren't listening to us, were you ?"
"I wasn't. You were talking about what so-important secret to not let me hear it ?"
"Girls can have secrets. Deal with it."
"Fine. Now, maybe can Lady Vert step on the side to let me enter with the drinks ?"
"Oh, sorry."

Nepgear's glance met my own. We both blushed, and I'm pretty sure Vert noticed it.


Two knocks on the door. Then two more. The new signal.

"Come in."
"Hi, sorry to-"
"You don't need to be sorry, Gear, I asked you to come."
"Right."

Three weeks happened since the reunion where I met Nepgear happened. And while the preparations for the Spring Festival were running, Vert took the opportunity of the lack of Believers' moves and insisted for me to spend some time with Gear, in order to prepare her for the big day. And while my partner still struggled with her timidity, she seems to have accepted me as a friend, which I did the same.

"Let me guess, coffee and cookies ?"
"As usual."
"It's already ready next door."
"Thanks."

We went together at the round table, in a meeting that was about to be an usual occurrence due to Gear becoming a Knight of the Round Tab… errr, a member of the student council.

"Here are the papers for the Big Ball event, if you still intend of going there."
"I will go. I don't want Vert's efforts to go in vain."
"I see."
"How is she doing, actually ?"
"The preparation takes a lot of her time, but the Believers are rather calm these days, so she can easily focus on the work."
"And you, don't you have work too, as a student council member ?"
"I should, but Vert left me with a smaller part of the work so I can spend some time with you."
"I'll be sure to thank her then."
"Do you think you'll be okay with a guy like me ?"
"I don't know better partners than you."

The remark made me blush, and I tried to let it pass as a joke.

"You shouldn't throw compliments like that, young lady."
"Unless they're genuine. And they are."

Touché. I'm blushing even more, and by noticing it, she started to do so.

"Thanks, I guess. I'm not used to being supported like that."
"Not even with Vert ? But she can't stop talking about you every time we meet."
"I'm glad she does so, even though I don't think I merit it."
"…Cain, excuse me if I hurt you, but why are you blaming yourself like that ?"
"Is "Because I don't like myself" an acceptable answer ?"
"It is an understandable one, at least. But you should like yourself more."
"Give me one reason to do so."
"I like you. Vert does, too. And I don't think our judgment of you is flawed, is it ?"
"Yours certainly aren't. But I won't believe in me because I believe in you who believes in me."
"You should."
"I don't see a reason why, honestly. Look at me. I'm plain, common, not outstandish visually-wise, not interesting personality-wise, and with nothing in particular outside of common sense. Do you really think someone like me can love someone like me ? I do not."

Nepgear was about to answer, when she instead suddenly stood up. Surprised and fearing I went too far and she was about to run away, I stood up right after in order to stop her, but I didn't expected what happened. Her hands on my shoulders. My back pushed on the wall. Her arms around my neck. Her eyes closing. Her lips on mine. Her tears sliding on my cheeks. Her tongue playing gently with mine. Her mouth going slowly away from mine, leaving a spit trail behind. Her tearful look fixed on mine.

"I do love someone like you. So please don't believe no one can love you."

Her words froze me, and I couldn't stop her running off the house. I just let myself slid alongside the wall, until I ended up in a sitting position, back on the wall. I didn't expect that. Not so fast. Not like that. Not with her. Not that I hated her, but I was completely caught off-guard. Minutes passed before I was able to clearly register the event and its consequences. A girl kissed me. A cute girl kissed me. A goddess kissed me. Nepgear kissed me. Gear loved me. She loved the fool I was. She loved someone like me. She loved the stupid, ugly, incompetent thing I am. Or was I ? Her remark completely confused me, and the thoughts were running on my head over and over.

I decided I need to refresh my face with some cold water, but my legs weren't moving, so I crawled to the bathroom, where I decided to remove my clothes and to take a good cold shower, to bring back my thoughts together. The fresh water didn't help, and it's a confused and frozen myself that reached out of the shower, trying to grab either a towel or a housecoat. A hand gave me a towel, I grabbed it and wore it before going out of the bathroom. And right in front of an apparently worried Vert.

"W-W-W-W-What are you doing here ?"
"I was about to pay you a visit when I saw Gear rushing out of here, so I worried about you."
"I'm okay, d-d-don't worry.'
"I don't want to hear any of that, follow me."

She catched my hand and nearly dragged me to my room, where she went into my closet to grab some clothes and throw them at me.

"Dry yourself off, then put them on."
"Yes."
"…And tell me what happened."
"She kissed me."
"…WHAT ?"
"She kissed me."
"Are you serious ? The timid, constantly blushing Gear, kissing you ?"
"She kissed me."
"Thanks, dear metronome, but the fact is not what troubles me."
"She kissed someone like me."
"I see. Your issues are still troubling you, right ?"
"…"
"Listen, Cain. I don't know what you went with and I can only imagine a scratch of it, but neglecting yourself isn't the solution, and it'll only bring pain to others. Understood ?"
"I know that, but it doesn't make me think I have any value."
"Yet you have value. I wouldn't have let you meet Gear if I didn't think you had some."
"…There's another problem."
"Which one ?"
"I love you."
"…"

Vert stand speechless to the confession, a little pink blush on her cheeks and a cute smile on her lips.

"Thanks. I didn't expect that."
"It's not the same for you, right ?"
"I-It's…"
"It's always like that. Every time I'm becoming attached to someone, that someone takes my feelings as a joke, or laughs at it, or mocks it. They wouldn't do that if there wasn't something to mock, right ?"
"Why are you thinking like that ? I didn't even reject you."
"Because it's the only thing I've known."
"…Then let me let you know something else."
"Huh ?"

In an instant, she went over me, her arms over my neck and her lips pressed on mine with the same softness as when Gear did it. I couldn't move. I couldn't resist. I couldn't do anything else but letting her act on me.

"I won't let you off until you believe in three things."
"Which ones ?"
"Yourself, Gear's love for you, and my feelings for you."

Again, her lips pressed on mine, not even giving me the time to answer. But I couldn't say I was completely at her mercy, as I could escape should I really want it. Should I really want it. But I didn't want it. It was like a dream, one of those dreams you'd want to last until the end, one of those dreams you're coming out with wet pants and teary eyes. But it was the reality. It was me, with a towel as my only clothing, and Vert on top of me, kissing me until I ended up accepting her point of view.

The intensity of the scene was too much for my mind, and I ended up passing out instead. When I woke up, Vert wasn't here and, instead of my room, I was in the bathroom, a towel in hand and in Adam's clothing.

"…What happened ?"

No one to answer. Nothing to confirm or deny what did happen or not.

I stood up, a little hazy and rather frozen due to the cold. And came to the only logical conclusion I could come with.

"Fucking hormones messing up with my sleep."

However, a detail hit on me. While I may have dreamed about the encounter with Vert, that didn't left out what happened with Nepgear. Did my old feelings awakened at the sight of a potential other important one ? Did my heart and my mind react differently to the same stimulation ? And, most importantly, why am I so confused by that situation ?

I spent the rest of the day alone, ignoring countless calls from both girls, and my mind focused on trying to understand what happened. The Big Ball was happening the next day. And I wanted to make my choice before it.

Or I could lose both of them.


Two bags under the eyes. Then two more. Usual after a sleepless night.

I thought about the situation the whole night. About how I, a nameless random guy, ended up in a love triangle with two goddesses. One of them I've come to know and love for a whole year, and the other I've only recently met but who already occupy an important place in my heart. And, at least one of them made a move on me, although the scent I recognized instantly while going back to my room makes me believe the two of them did. That's something I'll need to clarify. That's something I need to talk with both of them. I need answers, and they need them too.

Speaking of the devil, two knocks on my door as I finished to prepare myself. Then three.

"Hi Cain, ready for the big day ?"
"Hello Cain."
"…I'm dreaming, right ?"
"I told you he'd react this way. You owe me a crepe."
"…We need to talk, I guess."
"No time for the moment. You have to escort your protégée for the day, and such a talk could bear bad consequences the Believers might take as an opportunity to strike."

Vert placed herself behind both Nepgear and I, pushing us forward.

"Now go. We'll talk about this later."
"Later, okay, but later when ?"
"Later. Good luck."

The door to my own home closed on in front of me.

"…"
"…"
"…Guess she doesn't leave us any choice."
"…Yeah. Do you want to stop now ?"
"I promised you I'll be there and stand by your side. I won't break my promise."
"You're too kind. Even when it might hurt you."
"That's the way I am. You accepted it, right ?"
"Right."

She held my arm with hers.

"And I won't go back."
"As you wish. I just hope you won't be deceived."
"We'll see. Should we go now ?"
"I'm fine with staying near my home, but I have the feeling Vert would kill me if I do so. Let's go."

The walk was short, but the moment was tense, especially since there were many students who noticed I was with another girl than Vert, and especially since I was with another eventual Goddess. As I reached the school gate, that's the moment where the Believers' leaders made their entrance.

"You shall not pass !"
"Not until you leave our goddess' side and make your way !"
"Oh ? What about letting pass your goddess and her partner instead ?"
"D-D-D-D-Did you just say "partner" ?"
"Exactly. Right, Gear ?"
"Right, Cain."
"A-A-A-A-And he's too familiar with her !"
"We can't accept that !"
"And I can't accept anymore the fact you're treating them as items or positions of power, for fuck's sake !"

The fatigue took a toll on my mind enough to let me confront the leaders. I broke out of anger.

"Look at you, weirdos ! All you do is mindlessly stalking girls who absolutely do not have interest in guys like you, to the point they're falling in love with guys as common and useless as me, while you could instead have treat them like the human beings they actually are, and thus have them treat you as something else than a stupid group who plant fears in some of them !"

The leaders seemed shaken, yet it didn't stop me.

"Do you think it's natural you stalk girls to the point one of them has to bring out a giant hammer to stop you from doing so to her and her sisters ? Do you think it's normal you stalk other girls to the point they have to hide themselves into closets while having others cover them for months ? Do you think it is a good thing your presence is a menace big enough to force new girls coming here to have partners escorting them ? And finally, do you think all of these acts will warrant you a simple chance of being near enough one of them to be able to understand the importance of receiving and feeling love in return for at least one of them ? No, you don't understand any of these things, and as long as you act this way, it'll never happen, so move your asses off the goddesses' way or I'll make you ! Got it ?"

Without a word and visibly shaken by my words, one of the leaders stepped aside, slowly followed by the others. Without even a semblance of a glance at them, I took Gear's hand and crossed the path they were blocking.

"…Cain ?"
"Yes ?"
"…Thanks."
"It needed to get out. No need to thank me."
"Why ?"
"I've seen Vert suffer from it for a year. I've seen you having fears of coming here because of them. I've seen countless problems due to such a group. I'm tired of their shit. And should I engage in a world of hurt because of my opinion, let it be. At least I know I'm not all alone thinking that now."
"…Is it because of me or of Vert ?"

I stopped at that question, before watching Gear, who was about to cry. Without hesitation, I took her into my arms.

"Don't ask that kind of questions for the moment."
"…I want to know…"
"Me too. But I want Vert to know too. She's involved too, after all."
"Yeah…"
"…Should we go, then ? I want you to discover what's gonna be your new school, after all."

She nodded before wiping the few tears that started to flow, and took time enjoying the place. Or was she only enjoying because she was with me ?


Two steps, then another one. The more we were walking together, the more I was feeling well. Didn't happen to me that much, and while the feeling was refreshing and Gear's company was surely the reason for it, I felt weird, so I felt the need to talk about it with her.

"It's strange."
"What ?"
"I feel weird."
"Ill ?"
"No, not at all. I feel nearly euphoric, instead. Like I'd be in a good mood."
"Is it that weird ?"
"Well, it should be logical, I'm in good company after all."
"Thanks, but... Oh, here are the crepes Vert asked for. Should we take one now ?"
"It'd probably be a mess by the time we'd reach there… Huh, excuse me ?"
"Yes, s… Oh, vice-president ! Enjoying the festival ?"
"You did a good work, I'm proud of you. How are the sales ?"
"Through the roof, thanks to one student in particular, a little girl with purple hair buying four or five crepes every ten minutes."
"Onee-chan…"
"Tell me, can you do a special order for me ?"
"What do you need ?"
"Have you got something that could conserve crepes in a good state for hours ?"
"As long as you have a fridge, it can be done."
"Fine. Drop three parts on the student council's fridge. Here's the pay for…"
"I'll pay, Cain. Remember, I owe her one, right ?"
"You got it."
"Since it's the lovely girl paying, I'll drop the price to half."
"Thanks !"
"I'll deliver it personally as soon as I'll have my switch, which means in one or two hours. Unless you need them there sooner ?"
"It'll be fine. Thanks a lot."

We then walked away, until a growing and noisy voice kept approaching.

"GEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR !"
"Ah, Onee-chan ! You're having fun ?"
"Yeah, the food here is absolutely tasty ! Here, have a bite !"
"Let me check… Hmmm, good !"
"We did a good move keeping some in reserve for Vert, right ?"
"Huh, who are you, sir ?"
"Let me introduce him to you, Onee-chan. He's Cain, the vice-president of the student council, and a good friend of Vert. We… Well, we…"
"Nice to meet you, Onee-chan, I'm Cain."
"Nice to meet you, Onii-ch… Wait, WHAT ? Who the hell do you think you are, to call me like that ?"
"Someone your sister chose, I guess ?"
"Ah, she's the one who acted first ? And I guess you meet through Vert, right ?"
"Bingo."
"You're becoming bolder, Ge-Ge. Just don't go too far."
"I… May already have."
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT ? What did you do to my beloved sister, monster ?"
"Well, she's actually the one who made the move, I didn't expect that either."
"Seriously ?"
"Yeah, Onee-chan… I… I just… Acted on impulse…"
"I see. Cain, is it ? Will you take responsibility ?"
"You're thinking about things that didn't happen. We just kissed."

I blushed thinking at that, quickly followed by Gear.

"Well, if a simple kiss makes you blush like that, I have no worries. Take care of my sister, then."
"I will."

Standard Japanese procedure of bowing in front of the one you're leaving your family member to. Which makes me guess, since when are goddesses Japanese ? Or did they took courses into Japanese policy due to them being pretty hardcore in that aspect ? I guess there are things you shouldn't ask.

"Oh, by the way, I still need to find a partner for the Big Ball. You're going together, I guess ?"
"Yeah."
"Fine, we'll meet there then. Have fun and eat well !"
"And don't overeat, Onee-chan, or you'll be a mess for the ball !"
"I know, I know !"
"…Your sister is really different from you."
"Someone once told us we have the same hidden depths."
"Hidden depths ?"
"Yeah. For example, Onee-chan spends her time having fun and nothing else, but when push comes to stove, she's the most brilliant strategist Planeptune ever had."
"I see. And when push comes to stove, you're bolder than anyone I know."
"You only really know Vert and me, that's not fair."
"And your sister, now. Which makes you bolder than her."
"Ha ha… Really ?"
"Really."
"…"
"This isn't an insult, you know. Being bold has its advantages. I probably wouldn't have noticed anything if you weren’t that bold, after all."
"Then I'm glad I am."
"Good thinking. Now, shall we continue ? I'll give you the tour of the inner building."
"Right behind you !'

The tour ended up being longer than planned, thanks to every class trying to do different things. Between small cafes, film diffusions and little spectacles, we could really think ourselves into a Japanese school. Maybe Vert's influence did help.

"And we finish with the place you'll learn to know the best, the student council room."
"Waaah, nice place."
"Ah, the crepes are already there."
"Who said something about crepes ?"

The one who asked that was Vert, coming out of the closet. We watched her, silent for some seconds, before she started closing the closet from inside.

"Act like I'm not here."
"Get out, Vert. We have time to talk now."
"What about the Believers ?"
"I told them my thoughts, they calmed down since then."
"Ah, that's why they apologized to me while I was coming here ?"
"I guess so."
"Fine… Let us talk, then."
"…Let me confirm something before, Vert. You went to my house right after Gear was out, right ?"
"Yes."
"And it happened everything as I remember until I passed out, right ?"
"Yes."
"So why did I ended up in my bathroom, like as nothing happened ?"
"…I was confused."
"Vert ?"
"When I came on you, I… I definitely was ready to go the whole way with you, should you want it or not."
"…I see. But something happened which changed your mind, right ?"
"Yes. I saw you fall unconscious from the pressure of the moment. And I realized your feelings at the moment… As well as what I was planning to do at said moment. And I panicked."
"You… Panicked ?
"I did. Surprising, isn't it, to see the confident and aggressive goddess of Leanbox panic and fear because of what happened ? Yet that's the case because I saw how honest you were."
"…I was always honest. At every moment."
"Yet you know the situation. You know you have Gear now. You can't leave her alone. Yet you love me."
"…That's the case. And that's why I wanted to talk with both of you."

I turned on Gear, who was back on the verge of tears.

"…I'm sorry for being such a guy. But outside of this day, I won't continue further until I am sure I choose you and not Vert."
"…"
"Do you resent me because of that ?"
"…No, not at all. But I think I have a solution to your concerns."
"Which is ?"
"…Until you'll make your choice, let's stay together. The three of us."

One moment of silence.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT ?"
"My, my, how bold, Gear, proposing such a thing in such a situation !"
"Cain made me being glad of being that bold, Vert. And I'm pretty sure we can both give him the tenderness and the support he needs to gain confidence in himself. But will you accept sharing him with me ?"
"I guess this is the best way we can get out of this, even though I'm still surprised about how it came out."
"…Do I have my word about this ?"
"Nope. All you can do is accept the fact that two lovely girls are madly in love with you and accept to share you between themselves."
"I see. Guess I'll probably accept my fate. But what about the ball ?"
"We'll stay here together. You'll first dance with Gear, then with me. Is that okay, Gear ?"
"Fine."

And I guess that's how I became linked to both of them.