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Chapter 20 - Feelings and Side Work

10:24 AM September 10, 2002

~Eden~

The jobs were quite simplistic. However, there was one that caught Eden's eye, and it paid somewhat more handsomely than the others. He supposed this would be a good at time as any to demonstrate his talents to Hinata.

Freelance Wedding Singer.

"Hey... I'm taking this one," Eden spoke with a grin as he pressed the green-tinted, Accept button, "You haven't heard me sing yet, have you?"

Shaking her head, Hinata looked to him, pressing the button next to his, "No... I haven't. And if that's the case, then I suppose I'll choose the janitorial services at the same wedding." She turned her head downwards, folding her arms across her chest, "I think my rifts will do a good job at taking care of the trash."

"You know I can tell when something is bothering you by now, love," Eden sighed, placing his arms around Hinata's neck, pulling her into an embrace, "What's on your mind?"

In response, Hinata wrapped her arms around his waist, her words a whimper, "I'm scared for her. I've always been scared of what would happen if she were to become gravid in that form. She could die, Eden! She could die because of so many reasons!"

"We talked about this last night, remember? Katrina said she's bound to be fine as long as we get enough money to cover the medical expenses. And you know I can tell when there's something else going on...," Eden whispered, rubbing Hinata's back with tender care, "You can tell me anything, you know."

Hinata's arms fell to the side as she buried her head into his chest, "...Fine. I... I regret dating you. Not for my sake. I feel closer to you than I have anyone in my entire life. I regret it for your sake."

"Why...?" Eden cooed, placing his hand on her chin, lifting her head up to meet his, gazing into her dampened eyes, "You're such an amazing woman. Why would you ever think you don't deserve me?"

With a sigh, Hinata closed her eyes, an ironic smile forming on her face, "It's not that. I know I deserve you. I regret it because I can't have a child... ever. I regret it because I won't be able to satisfy you sexually. I know you love me, and I love you. I'm just afraid the tension between us may become too much."

"I promise it will never come down to that." Eden smiled warmly at his words, placing his forehead to Hinata's crest, "I love you for you. Sure, you may have a little bit of damage, and you may be terrified of sex. But I'm sure we can make it work. I don't care how long it takes for you to be ready or how sickly your cat is. After all, sex is an expression of love, not love in of itself."

It worked. Hinata's formerly-ironic smile had become one of joy. She opened her eyes, her tears falling again as she spoke, "You have a way with words, you know."

"People have told me that," Eden spoke as he took Hinata's hand, "But I'm more of a therapist than a public speaker." He placed his other hand upon her head as a wry grin formed on his face, "I mean, I could have probably blown Jake Tommy out of the water during the whole video game scare. I just didn't see any reason to bust his balls so hard that he turned into a woman. After all, a religious nut like him would probably kill himself after being forced to become a transvestite."

The jest caused Hinata to snicker. She began to stare into his eyes. For the first time, he was sharing a gaze of romantic longing with her. Without warning, she thrust her muzzle towards his lips, stealing a kiss from him. This shocked him, as he was merely attempting to cheer her up. He never expected such a reaction as this.

Her delicious saliva tasted of wild flowers and honey. Although the kiss lasted for no more than a second, it was the most incredible kiss he has ever experienced. His eyes widened at the flavor and intense waves of energy which flowed through his body.

"Wow..." This was all he could muster.

He could see the pink scales on Hinata's face shift to a shade of light indigo as she began a fit of nervous laughter, "Y-yeah. I-I don't know what came over me." She turned away, folding her arms around her body, "W-well... s-see you at the party!"

Before he could ask a single question, Hinata had disappeared through a spacial rift. Although confused, Eden could also understand why she reacted the way she did. She had likely never displayed true feelings toward anyone before, or at least in a physical sense. Even so much as kissing was certain to be completely alien to her, and her inexperience in such a thing was obvious.

'You deserved better than the hand you were dealt in life, Hinata-chan. ...But at least you're finally coming out of your shell.'

Later that night, Eden had arrived at the party dressed in a fancy blue 1950s suit, white bow tie, black disco shoes and a golden cape. It was more to stand out than anything else, but his random sense of humor also played a part in the decision.

Stepping up the oaken stage, Eden grinned, "How does everybody like my whacky suit? I heard it was casual dress, but casual can also mean spontaneous. So I thought, 'How can I look like the most unceremonious person of everyone here?' Well, here's you answer!"

Most of the audience responded with soft giggles, some with groans and a few with hysterical laughter. He clearly had made an impression.

"Hey, Katrina - put on the music! Karaoke of Sonata Arctica's 'White Pearl, Black Oceans'!"

The odd, spiky-green-haired groom known as Kenji and the busty, pink-haired bride known as Sakura were currently on the dance floor. Albeit in the middle of a ballad, however inappropriate the song was for such a thing.

The entire crowd seemed to be mesmerized by Eden's soft, slightly deep voice. He had never had such a large crowd before, and although this inspired him, he had to admit his nervousness. Even so, he managed to power through the entire song with barely a missed note. By the end of it, he received a mammoth round of applause.

"Damn... this guy's a badass!" Kenji spoke as he approached Eden, a smirk on his face, "And here I thought your Bishounen hairdo said everything about your voice! What's your name, kid?"

With a smirk, Eden gave a thumbs up, "It's Eden Hikaru Garter. Half Japanese, Half Hawaiian. Oh, and my girlfriend Hinata Dyne is your janitor. She's using spacial manipulation to toss any garbage away the moment it hits the floor. Can we give her a spotlight please?"

Snapping his fingers, the groom known as Kenji motioned to the crew. The spotlight then moved to the bubbly Hinata, who was currently dining on soda and cookies. She turned to him, her expression becoming shy as she formed a peace sign with her hands.

<Eden... is she a girl who came from one of those 'Misandrist Dystopia' things?>

<What do you mean?>

<She hasn't told you yet?>

<No.>

<Has she shown you her body yet?>

<All of it. I don't care. I love her all the same. And between you and me, I'm looking forward to when she's ready to be mates.>

<Even though she's been mutilated?>

<I told you. I don't care. If a kiss with her felt like that, then I can only imagine what it will be like for both of us when we're finally able to share the ultimate physical bond. Besides, what does it matter? She's an amazing girl.>

<Sakura, go talk to her. You know what to do after that.>

"Hey...," Kenji spoke as he grabbed the mic from Eden's hands, reaching out towards him, "Eden, I have to say I admire you a hell of a lot. Not many guys I've seen would even think of dating a former Resurgent Girl from one of 'those' worlds."

The entire audience fell silent. They looked to Eden with shock. This caused incredible discomfort for Eden. He could only mutter out, "Uh... surprise?"

"Hey... everyone? I have to talk to you all outside after the wedding," Kenji spoke, reaching out to Eden, extending his smallest finger, "And let's promise to meet up again sometime, mister trooper. What should we seal the deal with? A pinky swear or a fist-bump?"

Nodding, Eden accepted the gesture, pressing his fist against Kenji's, "Fist bump. And I'm looking forward to it."

"Anyway, let's continue with the party. This guy has done his share of work for now," Kenji spoke with a grin, "Don't worry about the janitor. I'll take care of the trash for everyone."

12:29 AM September 11, 2002

Dear journal... I'm scared for Hinata. She's been inside the bathroom staring blankly at the locked chest she got from Sakura all night. It's starting to worry me. Opal told me she was just thinking, but... I dunno. I hope she's going to be okay. When I thought she was dealt a bad hand in life... I didn't know the half of it.

If Hinata and Opal lived in a corrupted world classified as a 'Misandrist Dystopia', then why did she look like that? What happened to her? Opal even went so far as to say it was her father who mutilated Hinata! They're cousins?

Dammit.. what am I missing? What have they hidden from me? And why did they hide it for so long?

[End of Act II]