A/N: Hello, hello! Welcome to the first of several "bonus" chapters! Remember that super serious tone the last few chapters had? Forget about it, we're going back to what you love!... Mostly.

Character development is hard, okay?

I mean, it's still the fluffy shenanigans that you signed up for, just with some heavy shit added in at least for this chapter.

This thing went way too far...

Loading save file "Koei Tech"

…

…

True Ending completed! Drinking Buddy: Uzume Tennoboushi unlocked!

True Ending completed! "No Pain, No Game" T-Shirt added to inventory!

True Ending completed! Bonus Chapter: "Suplex the Shark" unlocked!

True Ending completed! IF has gained "Flame Awakening" form!

True Ending completed! IF has learned EXE Drive "Apocolypse Supernova"! (Only usable in Flame Awakening form.)

True Ending completed! Koei Tech has relearned EXE Drive "Glacial Cleave"! (And won't nearly die this time!)

True Ending completed! The Artifacts can be used in New Game Plus!

True Ending completed! New Game Plus unlocked! Talk to Altradimension Neptune in Planeptune to start the story again, but keep your memories, EXP and inventory!*

True Ending completed! "Road to Redemption" campaign unlocked!

*This won't happen.

EXTRA DLC Detected! Loading Chapter EX1: Old Friends, New Family...

After the concert had ended, IF and I hung around the Planepark for a bit, catching up over the last week or so of events since… that.

Of course after the crowds had left, there was only the staff around, including the newly revealed Helena who we happened to run into.

"Ah! Koei! IF!" She seemed to burst with confidence now that she no longer had to hide behind a persona. "I really do wish to congratulate the two of you on getting back together!"

IF nodded. "Thanks."

I rubbed the back of my head. "Yeah, sorry about the whole hostage situation thing."

To that, Helena giggled politely. "You think that's the first time I've had someone try to pull that on me? The only reason why you weren't shot is because we're friends!"

I tilted my head. "Friends don't force each other into hostage situations?"

Helena giggled again. "Oh you get what I mean. I have a signal for Uni to take the shot. If I was in danger I would have used that in a heartbeat! I knew you were bluffing the whole time."

IF sighed. "Your newfound confidence is a little worrying, but if Purple Heart herself pardoned him, there's not much anyone could do unless you insisted on pressing charges."

Helena shook her head in response. "Koei's been nothing but helpful to me. Not just for the first time we met after my kidnapping, but for treating me like a person rather than an idol. Made me realize that I enjoyed being myself more than the Lyrica persona I put on."

I gave a genuine smile in response. "Thanks. Guess you don't get a lot of casual banter between friends."

"Not really." She sighed. "But with Seven Hels now up and running, Sandy and I should have a lot of fun times together. Obviously Cave will still be around and Uni can sometimes cover me, but Sandy can take care of me on-stage. She's a former shipgirl, you know."

I nodded. "Yeah I get what USS means, Azur Lane cameo, very funny." I looked at my watch. "Shit, Best get going before they close up the Planepark. Good seeing you Helena!" We started to head to the exit.

Planeptune is still so pretty at night. The purple lights lighting up the streets as the ivory pavements made street lamps almost unnecessary.

Of course, finally being together again I just had one question for my darling girlfriend. "Celestia?"

IF smiled. "Was just about to ask the same thing." With that it was a simple walk back to the establishment.

Opening the doors to the bar, Jill and Uzume were waiting, Uzume in the middle of a Crevice Spike and Jill cleaning out more glasses. Noticing the sound of the door opening, Uzume gave a wave. "Kosy! Ifsy! How's it ha-"

One left hook to the face from IF later, Uzume was now rubbing her broken nose, Jill looking at the guild member incredulously. "Normally I'd reprimand you for that, but she has been rather annoying. That and Koei told me pretty much everything over the last week, so I get why you'd want to do that."

IF was shaking the pain out of her left hand. "Yeah, sorry about that Jill. Just needed to get that out of the way so we can get off on a neutral foot." She held out her still aching left hand. "IF. Guild agent, girlfriend of the Hero of Planeptune, local spellblade."

Uzume shook her hand. "Uzume Tennoboushi. Former goddess, former genocidal maniac and current alcoholic."

IF raised an eyebrow. "He got to you fast, didn't he?"

"Not really." Jill was back to cleaning glasses. "This is actually her first time here. Looks like she was just making up for lost time."

I sat down at the bar, potential fight now over and the usual tone re-established. "Beer please."

Jill nodded as she finished cleaning the glass, grabbing a Beer mug and starting to pour my usual. "So, I kinda noticed that you haven't really said anything about the time between you fighting Uzume and now…"

I shrug. "Had to get my girl back." I turned and gave her a headpat, to which she did not hide her squee. "Speaking of…" I pulled out the plush I had been carrying in my pocket since Heart Dimension. "You dropped this at some point, but it gave me the resolve to find you."

Dusting off the slightly dirty plush, she gave a truly genuine smile. "I'll admit… I missed this. Wish I had it when I was bedridden." She pulled me into a hug. "Thank you Kopey."

I blushed. "You're welcome." I remembered what started this topic at hand. "Oh right, yeah, the last week has been… Pretty uneventful. Even if I've been conscious for all of it."

Jill had picked up a new glass to clean. "Yeah, that was the answer I expected. Got any highlights?"

"Well, I could talk about what happened after Kosy left for this place." Uzume rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I know that it's a bit weird to be going back to the part he was talking about earlier, but…"

I shrug. "We're past the main story. It might be more interesting to change the story structure."

Jill stared. "Wouldn't it be better for a spin-off or something?"

IF put her left hand to her chin. "Well, it's not like we're going to be rocking the boat too much. If we're all here drinking, the framing device is still the same. Plus the epilogue did leave one too many loose ends for my liking."

I sigh. "Yeah that sounds like someone who had too much ambition and no plan trying to desperately tie up things without looking too much like a tool." I stared at no one in particular. "And no, the meta humor does not excuse it."

Jill put a glass away and started to make a drink for herself. "Sorry, but I kinda need a drink now that you're all discussing the fourth wall." She took a shot glass, poured some vodka in and tanked it, before starting to clean it. "Please don't tell me it will always be this meta, if someone catches me drinking on shift, I'll lose my license."

I looked at the other two bar patrons, making a wordless pact of secrecy. "Our lips are sealed. After all, I told you about… that."

Jill finished cleaning her shot glass, before filling a glass with water to presumably get it off her breath. "Oh yeah. You know, I don't think you should trust your own manifestation of yourself on that."

"He did kinda make me realize that I have Medium Awareness as a Neptunia protagonist." I pointed out. "Though I probably ended up slipping a few times in the retelling, huh."

"It's a long story, Koei. Surprised I didn't interrupt earlier. Guess I was just invested."

"Yeah…coughortheauthorsahackcough" I mock coughed, causing the assembled party to roll their eyes.

"So… Me at the Basilicom?" Uzume interjected before I could further discredit the story.

"Oh right! Yeah, let's do that." I nod.

"Well, Celestia should be open by now. I'mma go get hammered." Koei got up suddenly, apparently craving a drink as he left without another word, leaving me with a cup of tea and some very awkward things to explain to my former enemies.

"Just like Koei…" Histoire sighed as I realized that for the first time since freezing myself, we were alone. Well, not totally but it's not like IF could get out of her bed anyway.

"I still can't believe he managed to beat me, honestly." I was still processing my limited recollection of my time as a genocidal maniac as Histoire "sat" opposite to me.

"He and Neptune butt heads a lot, but they are similar in one aspect. They always give it their all when Planeptune is on the line." She smiled sadly. "Just like you did."

I put my head in my hands as the overwhelming guilt of my actions still haunted me. "Goddesses above, Histoire…"

I felt a small hand on my shoulder. "I'm just happy to have you back. If you're realizing the weight of your actions, it means you're willing to work to make sure you never make the same mistake."

I smiled. "As usual Histoire, you're right. How did it go back when I was CPU? I was the brawn and you were the brain?"

"Exactly. With my memories of you now restored, we can continue our relationship on the same parameters that we ended it on if you wish." She offered, a ghost of a smile on her tiny face

I thought about it, leaving an awkward silence between us as I considered the ramifications of such a thing. "I… I'm not even sure how long it's been. It has to have been years, though."

Histoire nodded. "Yes. 20 to be exact. While you and I haven't changed, Planeptune- No, all of Gamindustri has. On further consideration I realize that you require some time to readjust. How is your mental state?"

That came out of nowhere. "Well, I still feel like I'm two people if I must be honest." I rubbed my temple. "I can feel my better half's presence within my heart and it's why I can feel remorse, but I don't think we've fully joined back together yet."

Histoire nodded solemnly. "You do still look like the Uzume who fought Koei, the purple haired goddess I remember."

I never thought about who I might look like upon awakening. "That's not good. I vaguely recall projecting my mind to everything connected to the Internep, so everyone saw me…"

"That isn't a concern as long as you lay low until word of your reformation is spread." Histoire put a small hand to her chin. "I suppose the only problems your appearance would cause are to the CPUs, but-"

"OH GOD SHE'S BACK! NEPGEAR, GRAB THE DUBSTEP CANNON!" Neptune had come in at the exact wrong time, having dropped her pudding in shock as I sighed.

Nepgear understandably came rushing in, beam sword in hand as I looked at my successors in the eyes. "Do I look evil to you?"

Nepgear approached me cautiously, clearly the more rational of the pair. Kneeling down to see me face to face, she stared for nary more than a moment before getting back up. "False alarm Neptune, her eyes are lilac-ish, not the crazed dark purple she had."

"R-really?" Neptune rubbed the back of her head nervously. "I thought Kopey would have you know… Killed her."

I got up, the awkward situation not getting better with my sigh. "Look, I know what I did was wrong. I made your fight your own Nation-"

"AND I got special treatment from Sadie! You're SICK, SICK!"

My eyes instinctively went half-lidded. "I don't know who this "Sadie" is, but I sent you specifically to fight Koei." I shook my head, my face becoming neutral again. "Regardless, I am sorry for what I did to both you and your older sister-"

"Hey! I'm the older one here!" Neptune corrected. "It's a Mario and Luigi situation here."

I turned to Histoire, rubbing my temples in frustration. "She's always like this?"

Histoire nodded as I turned back. "I'll talk to you, then." I pointed to Nepgear. "I am remorseful for my actions and wish to spend my days doing what I can to fix my mistakes. If you wish, I will even live here in the Basilicom in order to ensure you can keep an eye on me."

"There is a small problem with that…" Nepgear rubbed the back of her head nervously. "Not the part where you're working to redeem yourself, I'm sure once you explain yourself to the other CPUs they'll understand, but…"

"I'll break the bad news to her Nepgear. Please return to what you were doing." The book fairy floated to where Nepgear was standing. "Due to IF being bedridden and the potential conflict she would have with you once she fully recovers and is told the truth… I'm afraid for your safety neither you nor Koei can live here for the time being."

My face fell. "O-oh… So we can't even spend time together?" The disappointment I felt was immeasurable.

"You'll still be allowed to visit, of course. But my hands are tied on the living situation, at least until IF can move into Compa's apartment again." Histoire pulled out a pair of keys. "Thankfully, Planeptune's housing situation is more than adequate for you two to share an apartment."

I took both keys. "Let me guess, you want me to give one to Koei, as he's gone to Celestia to go get hammered?"

Histoire sighed. "I know he's been through a lot today… Recently in general but he could have waited. It's a good thing I can give him a call on his gloves."

I blinked. "Wait, his gloves are his phone?"

Histoire smiled as the tone of the conversation changed. "Oh yes! Lastation has been hot on the heels of Planeptune in terms of technological advancements, especially as the two have been more willing to work on projects together since the treaty!"

I crossed my arms. "Treaty? Back in my day, we didn't need a piece of paper to be friends."

Histoire shook her head. "Many things have changed since your time. Unfortunately, relations between Nations broke down after a Lastation/Lowee console proposal fell through. This escalated to a full on "War" for Shares. It was most unfortunate that it ended up like it did… But Koei helped reunite the CPUs under a single banner. If you had attacked only a week or so earlier…"

I blinked. "I could have won if the Nations were still at war... " I shook my head. "No. I'm not like that anymore. I'm glad the Nations are cooperating and I'm especially glad that I was stopped. Who knows, I might even explore Gamindustri now that I'm not tied down to being a CPU."

Histoire smiled. "Excellent to hear. In fact, cross Nation relations have never been better! Vert and Blanc are even dating."

Now that was shocking. "Never thought I'd see the day. Then again, before I was frozen Leanbox was a brand new Nation and Lowee was too focused on their image while Lastation just dominated the Shares market…"

Histoire nodded. "That is in the past now at least. The best we can do now is look towards the future."

I put my index finger on her shoulder. "Land of Purple Progress isn't just there for show. We were always trying to get ahead of the game. I believe that's enough reminiscing. I should probably see how my successors have done."

"There's a balcony just behind you if you want to see how far we've come." Histoire pointed out helpfully. "If you have any questions for me, I'll be doing paperwork, but I'm sure Neptune… Well Nepgear could give you a tour." With that she floated off.

I turned around to the glass doors leading to said balcony. Histoire and I spent many a night here, reminiscing over the day's events, planning for the future… Or just talking.

Maybe just this once. Grabbing the handle, I opened the door and breathed actual fresh air for the first time in over 20 years as I felt a breeze…

A breeze from home.

(Current Song - A Breeze From Home (Vocal Version) - Epic Battle Fantasy 5)

Taking the steps required to look over the balcony, I was blown away by how much Planeptune had grown since my time. Not only did it feel much higher than the balcony I was used to, but the buildings and streets seemed to stretch out forever.

I gained a sad smile as vague memories of what I said under my delusional state rose. They were wrong of course, but I had so much confidence when I said such things at the time.

I felt a tear start to roll down my face. To think… I had tried to destroy this wonderful utopia. For what? A lie I told myself to cope with the fact that I failed my own Nation?

Truly I must have been delusional. I killed thousands. I broke families. I did awful things under the influence of something and told myself it was never my fault in order to justify it.

Pulling myself up from the railing to stand up straight, my resolve hardened. No longer would I linger on my past mistakes. Trying to turn emotions into Shares led to the biggest mistake of my life…

"Uzume, I'm not sure about this." Histoire warned, as my magnum opus had been revealed. A machine that could turn the user's emotions into Share Energy. "This could very easily go wrong…"

I shook my head. "Nonsense. This is just to get a leg up on Lastation. You know we're struggling for Shares, so why not play to our strengths?"

Histoire put a hand to her chin. "I have a gut feeling that this could go horribly wrong… As your advisor-"

"What's the worst that could happen?" I interrupted her. "As a CPU, I already gain strength from my followers. This is just a bit of a boost for emergencies only." I tried to assure my Oracle, who seemed uneasy.

"A-Arlight… Please be safe, Uzume. You know how I've warned about trying to use technology to generate Shares." She left the room as I stepped into the machine for the first time. I had to admit, I had just finished the machine and was excited to test it out.

…

I sighed. Histoire was right, using that machine was a mistake. I didn't think that it'd turn negative emotions into Share energy and all it took was that small bit of anger I felt towards her to ruin everything. I didn't remember much after trying that machine out, but when I came to…

The memories didn't bear thinking about. I had gone through them too much in my time under my own delusion's influence.

"Planeptune is pretty beautiful, isn't it?" I heard Neptune's voice as she walked out to the balcony, revealing the interdimensional mercenary herself. "How's it hangin'?"

I sigh. "Just going over painful memories. Looking over this balcony made me think of Histoire… I still don't think she's forgiven me for that incident. She was right."

I saw curiosity in her eyes, but she relented. "Yeah. I understand what you mean." She took out a picture and handed it to me. It was her other self, her sister and Koei.

I blinked. "Where did you get this? Did Koei give it to you or something?" I gave it back to her.

"I never did tell you that I was under your delusion once, did I?" She sighed. "You managed to win in my original timeline. You broke Koei's spirit and he disappeared without so much as a goodbye."

All I could do was keep staring out, not even moving. "Oh…"

"I only agreed to be your mercenary because you started to make your move on Planeptune when I ran into you. I… I just felt I could help him win this time." She smiled sadly. "Thank the Goddesses I said the right thing to him as he needed it. It hurts to lose someone you love."

"Seems we're all linked by that now, huh?" I reflect on my actions once again. "Koei lost his girlfriend either way, you lost your entire dimension… Seems like I'm the only one who got their loved one back… The least deserving of the lot."

Neptune shook her head and put a hand on my back. "Don't blame yourself for what happened in an alternate timeline. It was a version of you that ended up never seeing the error of their ways and in a way, I still managed to find myself a loved one."

"Yeah…" I agreed. "How is Nep Jr. anyway?"

"Doing well. In hindsight, you wouldn't have been able to do anything if I refused, would you?" She contemplated, hindsight being 20/20 and all.

I sigh, remembering that day. "Not really. It was more playing off the fear than anything else. I'm sorry I did that and I hope you and her have a wonderful life."

"Thanks." She took her hand off my back. "I should probably go check up on her. Want to see her in person?"

I considered for a moment. "Well, I told myself I wouldn't keep living in the past. So why not?"

The mood had lifted a bit as Neptune opened a rift. "Come on then, I'll show you around."

I followed her into the rift, but not before taking one last look at my former Nation. It did better than I could have imagined without me.

No wonder I hired Neptune's services.

The mood had darkened quite a bit in Celestia as I finished off a drink. "Fucking hell." I mutter. "That escalated a fair bit. Going from talking about the past to straight up revealing how you gained your delusional powers and talking about… That."

"I was still getting over the shock on that first day. I'm better now." Uzume smiled and took another drink of her Crevice Spike. "I've accepted myself and my actions. You were right, Koei. You can't focus on what ifs."

"I'm curious about this "Nep Jr." though." Jill admitted, cleaning her glass. "I vaguely recall Koei bringing up something about Big Neptune having to work for you because you threatened something precious of hers."

Uzume nodded. "I'm not proud of that. But as I said, it was more the fear of the threat than of me pulling it off. In a sense I was bluffing."

Stepping out of the rift, we were in a pretty generic apartment complex, something I could have imagined being from my time. Taking a key from her pocket, Neptune unlocked the door to hers and walked in, only to be assaulted by small black and purple lump.

"Mama!" The adorable voice of a tiny Nepgear, maybe no older than 5 or 6 years old hugged her…

"A literal Nep Jr." I said, realizing what Uzume implied. "Damn, Big Neptune's a MILF."

I felt a look from IF. "If my right hand wasn't still in a cast from slugging you, your head would currently be on the counter."

Ah fuck, forgot she was here. Abort MILF comments!

"Yeah, as it turns out after she started a new life in her version of Ultradimension, she had a child…"

"Then the b-sword had an affair with some bimbo named Tekken." Neptune sighed in frustration, the two chatting like old friends while Nep Jr. played in the corner. "The only reason why I didn't slug him when I found out was because then Nep Jr. would have been put up for adoption due to the father not wanting anything to do with her and me being in prison for assault."

I sipped my tea. "You know, I could go find him if you want…"

Neptune shook her head. "No point. He'd find some way to track it to me. I don't want revenge anymore anyway. Because I'm happy with my daughter and that's the best revenge of all."

I nodded. "I guess I'm still getting used to this "good guy" thing."

"Change takes time, it's alright." She put a hand on my shoulder. "I didn't just bring you here to meet my daughter after all. We've been through a similar situation and wanted to give you a safe place to kinda… Talk about it if you want to."

I smiled. "Despite our differences you still are a Neptune, huh?" I put down the cup. "But I can't really keep wasting your time like this. You're a mother after all."

"Yet I'm still an interdimensional mercenary. Gotta pay the bills after all." She took a look at her watch. "Actually, speaking of, I have a babysitting job in like 5 minutes. You wouldn't happen to-"

I stared. "Neptune…"

She sighed. "Yeah, maybe the woman who just attempted to destroy Planeptune would be a bad influence." She opened up a rift and I stood up to leave, but not before Neptune did herself, giving me a tight hug. "If you ever need to talk, you still have my number." Letting go, she let me go on my way back to my Planeptune.

"Aw, that's sweet." Jill had finished cleaning glasses for now and was just listening intently to Uzume's story. "But I have one question."

"Shoot." The former goddess finished her Crevice Spike. "I might actually like these more than the Pile Drivers."

"Another one then while I ask you. Obviously Big Neptune is from an alternate timeline, but is her version of Ultradimension the same as ours or is it a different one?"

She put a hand to her chin. "I don't know."

"I do!~" A mature voice came from a rift as Big Neptune joined us.

Jill sighed. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't open interdimensional rifts in the bar itself."

"Well, whatevers. I'll have a Sugar Rush while I answer your question. I just put Nep Jr. to bed so I can have at least one drink.

I took a drink of my Beer. "So… How'd you know we were talking about you?"

"Narrative convenience." She shrugged. "Hey, I'm still a Neptune."

Jill served the interdimensional mercenary her drink. "I guess you're over the legal drinking age if you're a mother, but just in case this Sugar Rush is non-alcoholic."

"Thanks, love." She took a swig of the pink mixture. "I don't really drink anyway, because of Nep Jr. being a handful, but sometimes I might have a cheeky one if she's already tucked in."

"So… The version of Ultradimension?" Jill prodded.

"Ah. Well, originally it was my version and for a couple of years we did stay there… Then of course Nep Jr.'s father had to be a cheating b-sword who wanted nothing to do with her. So I figured why the heck not and moved to the exact same apartment… But in this timeline's version of Ultradimension. Took a bit of work, but this was when Nep Jr. was still a baby and I was going from dimension to dimension getting everything sorted with both versions of the landlord. Utter pain, but it was for her sake more than anyone else's…"

"So in summary, you're in this timeline's Ultradimension now." Jill stated.

Big Nep nodded. "Yup. That's why when I started hearing rumors of a rift between dimensions I knew that things were going to get pretty serious soon. As much as I didn't want to get involved for the sake of Nep Jr. more than anyone else…" She pulled out a picture and handed it to me. It was the same one Uzume had described before. "I had to do it for them. It was only fair if I got my second chance… So should you. Even if I had to risk Nep Jr. for it."

I gave the picture back. "Thanks Big Nep. Genuinely."

"I'm only alive because you intervened… So is Kopey. So thank you." IF gave a genuine smile similar to the one when we reunited at the Helena concert earlier.

Big Neptune rubbed the back of her head and blushed. "Oh you guys. I just did what anyone with the power to cross dimensions and so happened to have a chance of preventing a major tragedy would."

I shrugged. "Fair enough. Anything else?"

Big Nep smiled. "Yeah actually, I figured out it was this version of Ultradimension not long after Uzume left, actually…"

Closing the rift on my NepNote, I cleaned up the cups and prepared for my next job.. Babysitting. Bit of a step down from saving the world, but it was a step down I was willing to take for my daughter.

Speaking of, she was still playing the corner, but seemed… Kinda lonely. I never really considered that she would be at the age where she should be meeting others and developing social skills. Guess I only noticed now because I had some downtime and wasn't focusing on saving Hyperdimension.

A knock at the door indicated that my current job had arrived. Opening the door, there was a face I hadn't seen in years… Noire.

Obviously not my Noire, but still Noire. A rush of bittersweet memories came over me as she cleared her throat.

"L-look, I know I shouldn't be leaving three kids with someone I've never met, but I really need to be getting to my job and the one who usually looks after them is… Well you wouldn't believe me if I said it, but-"

"Fighting an interdimensional war?" I guessed, thinking of my own recent job.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Y-yes! How did you- You know what, if you know Plutia, I can trust you… I guess."

She stepped back, revealing the three kids she had asked me to look after, stood in a line. "Meet Compa, IF and Peashy." She pointed at each child, who seemed polite enough.

I bent down, smiling at the adorable charges I had to look after. "Well, aren't you the cutest little tykes in Planeptune?"

I think they noticed my… Assets but I ignored that as I got back up, "Well, how long did you say you were going to be busy for?"

She didn't look me in the eyes. "At least a week, but I don't know when Plutia will be back, so I left your address and number at her place just in case she gets back earlier than that. You think you can look after them until then?"

I saluted. "Course I can. My daughter could do with some friends, anyway. But just in case something goes awry, could I trust you as my emergency contact?"

She nodded. "I just can't afford to be looking at them at all times of the day. But as a mother yourself… Oh that came off wrong!"

I shook my head. "Don't worry about it, I'm never out for more than a few minutes." This wasn't a lie, as I always did daily shopping by using Crosty's rifts, saving the travel time and meaning I can get more shopping if needed without straining myself too much.

"Fair enough. Now excuse me I have about three weeks' worth of paperwork to get through." She said with a heavy sigh before leaving. I shut the door behind me, realizing the tykes had run past me and were already with Nep Jr. They seemed to get on well, great even so I left them be as I pretended to go to the bathroom, but headed to my bedroom really.

Shutting the door behind me, I went over to my drawer and got out a locked box that only I had a key to. Opening it up revealed a set of pictures and memories from my old life as a CPU. Nepgear, Vert, Blanc, Noire, hell even a picture of Koei.

Taped to the inside lid of the box was a picture of me, Iffy and Compa. My two BFFs. I finally let the tears roll down my face as I stroked the picture.

"You two are going to get on with Nep Jr. great, I know it." I said with a bittersweet smile as I closed and locked the box, putting it back in the drawer as I left to go babysit the four.

One day Nep Jr. will learn the truth about me. And I hope after that she'll still accept me.

"Koei… Are you crying?" IF asked with a look of concern. I definitely was, but determined not to let anyone know.

"It's just… Beautifully tragic. Your two best friends back in your life… And they'll be your daughters' friends. Every time you look at them all together, you know you'll never have that same bond you once had…" I smile sadly as I turn back to Big Neptune.

"Yeah… But I'll still see them as Nep Jr. 's before mine. When Nep Jr. first started to show an interest in technology, I knew that fate was throwing me a bone by at least letting me raise my sister right this time. Speaking of, I should go check on her. I hope my explanation was good enough and apologies for making this bittersweet." She got up to leave the bar and I heard a rift open.

"Life is like that sometimes." Jill cleaned out Big Neptune's glass. "I think even despite how cruel that was, I still think she'll appreciate that her daughter will have three of the best friends anyone could wish for."

I nod, wiping the sadness away. "Yeah. I'm just kinda glad I didn't lose anyone like she did."

Mutters of agreement came from the others as we continued to drink, simply enjoying the company of my newest and oldest friends.

A/N: NEXT TIME on Sociopath With a Spellblade: MORE FILLER, LESS KILLER.

Koei's new fate is revealed! A new MMO releases, wowing all of Gamindustri, and Jill takes a day off! How will Koei poison his liver?!

FIND OUT NEXT TIME!