Hmm

Saburo padded slowly up to the Keronian, each step measured to keep it quiet, to keep his presence hidden until he murmured, “Hey, Kururu...”

The scientist whipped around, half-jumping into the motion. His shock was evident, though it soon melted into sour annoyance.

“What do you want?” He snapped, without offering a greeting or even acknowledging his companion by name. The boy laughed drily, and gave Kururu an odd look; filled with curiosity when he wasn't supposed to know that there was something to be curious about. Kururu was unsurprised that he had come across that much knowledge, but it posed a greater problem than usual. He had enough trouble dealing with the people who were mentally inferior to him now, so he would prefer to put off any encounters with Saburo.

“Jumpy, aren't you? Normally, you would have known I'd be here, probably before I even decided to come.” Saburo smiled, delivering quiet reassurance to contradict his vocal prodding. Kururu would certainly be bothered by it, but he wouldn't reject it. Truthfully, Saburo himself could have used something to ease his worries at that moment, and he held no doubt that Kururu had more use for such a comfort than he did. So, he gave it in a manner unobtrusive enough to stop Kururu from complaining about it, unless the Keronian wanted to call it into the open himself.

He had no desire to do this, and since he was still debating with himself whether to accept that gesture or not, he looked away brusquely. He was seemingly motivated by nothing more powerful than his ever-present impatience for everyone who wasn't himself, but in this case, his impatience had a different source, and he didn't want Saburo delving into it. “That doesn't answer my question. If you want something, be quick about it.”

“If you have a reason to be in such a rush, I won't hold you,” The Pekoponian sighed. “I want to know what that reason is, though. I'd prefer it if you didn't run off like this. It doesn't leave me with much to do.”

“Oh, come on, is that all?” Kururu remarked mockingly. “Kuku... Even a Pekoponian can understand how messy politics are, right?”

“Well, sure. But somehow, I get the feeling that things become a little more complicated when lasers are involved.” His smile shrunk and shifted into a smirk. “And I thought you wanted me to keep you informed of anything exciting on my end? So, this is a little hypocritical, Kururu.”

“So? Just because we make a bargain doesn't mean I have any reason to keep it,” Kururu grinned darkly, glasses flashing as he gave them a businesslike adjustment. However, he still kept his gaze down, and it was starting to make him appear more uncomfortable than someone who was just bored with the conversation would be.

“Oh, is that right? Heh... I can't disagree, but then, it's not as if I can just leave it.” Saburo narrowed his eyes almost imperceptibly, and turned away despite his words. He tossed an additional remark casually over his shoulder, “Ah, and I'd appreciate it if I wasn't left, along the same lines.”

Kururu twitched, the skin of his eyes pinching against the top of his glasses. “Saburo, you...”

“I...?” He turned his head halfway, glancing over his shoulder at his friend. His eyebrows arched delicately, an open revelation of expectancy. He was going to receive what he wanted, with or without Kururu's willingness to give it. He fixed Kururu in that fragment of his gaze, its clarity freezing in a resolve that Saburo shared with him, without even knowing precisely why it was needed. He would work patiently as always until he found out, but he would not discard whatever cause drove Kururu  just because it would put him in ultimately unnecessary danger.

There was one thing had to protect above all else, and since his life was a science fiction story, he would go by the cliché on this one.

“You're just another foolish Pekoponian. So fine, if you want this, then you'll only get what you deserve. Ku, ku, ku!” The Keronian's head snapped up, and the spirals on his glasses were once again burned out in the acidic glow. He continued, drawling, “I hope you won't disappoint me.”

“No, of course not. Don't worry about it!” He laughed, a surprisingly bright laugh, not one of the bitterness or sarcasm that might be expected from one who had committed to a vicious campaign and all its battles.