Ch 19: Conclusion

A/N: Sorry for the fastforward. :P

Youko was doing her research at the hallway when she noticed Nick and Usada arguing over a TV program. The TV program was entitled, "Marry early or Marry later", which discussed about the pros and cons of marrying early (or later) and the factors affecting it such as economic, psychological, financial and societal conditions. Nick was on the side of marrying early for longer chances of family time while Usada argued for marrying later because of reasons such as financial stability and psycho-emotional readiness.

As for Youko, she can't decide either. She remembered how she wanted a wedding of her own. When she was in elementary, she thought of being wed to Ryuuji (but that was a mere childish attraction back there). And when she reached middle school, her imagination wondered to Hasegawa-sensei.

Nick was imagining things again. And that included being under one roof with Usada:

Usada: Youko, why would Nick be coming with us at the amusement park?

Youko: The three of us will have a bonding time together.

Usada: But you only spend time at the park with me! You always consider that siscon and not me!

Youko: Things change, Usada. We're one family now.

But he thought again, would Hiromu and Youko want their buddyroids to be with them when they start a family?

Ryuuji emerged from the other end of the hallway with Gorisaki in his heels. He paused for a moment to look at the TV program that caught much attention to Nick and Usada. As if reading Nick's thoughts (or worries about being excluded from Hiromu's future family), he said unreservedly, "When I get married, I'll still bring Gorisaki with me. I'm sure Youko-chan and Hiromu would do the same."

Gorisaki looked like he was about to protest. The buddyroid refuted, "But that's being too reliable on us, don't you think?" Ryuuji gawked at him and hit him with a clipboard.

"No one's getting marriiiieeeed!" Usada shriked. The same white fumes bulleted from his ears. Ryuuji and the others looked flabbergasted by Usada's reaction. Youko on the other hand suppressed her laughter by covering her face with a book.

Three years after

Three years have passed and Youko just earned her bachelor's degree. It's been three years since she worked part-time at the Teleportation Facility at Dainan district as assistant researcher & first generation test pilot. Finally, she could reinstate herself both as full-time scientist and pilot respectively. Ryuuji, Usada and Hiromu could have never been happier and proud.

To celebrate Youko's graduation and installation as full-timer at Dainan, Hiromu and Rika-san made a cake for her. They gathered the whole team at the picnic grounds near the river for the celebration. Youko remembered how they used to have their picnics there when the Special Missions was still active as a unit.

The sun may have set down, but it was still a fine night to hold a picnic.

The buddyroids enjoyed the stars while lying on the grass. Usada taught J about the different constellations in the sky. Nick was listening and stealing a glance from Hiromu at the same time. Hiromu caught his glance and gave him an OK sign. He looked resolved but his anxiety was building up.

Gorisaki busied himself with the grill with Hiromu. The Morishita couple, Ryuuji, Rika-san and Youko were discussing about classified researches found at the ruins from Dainan. Youko had another slice of cake and an icing reached her nose. She cupped her pockets for her "treasured item" (Hiromu's handkerchief) but she can't find it. Perplexed, she wiped her nose with her sleeve and stood up immediately—her sight darting off to almost anywhere.

"What's wrong Youko?" Hiromu asked as he removed his apron and handed it to Gorisaki. Youko didn't pay any attention to him—she was busy searching on the grass for the handkerchief. Panic started to build up from her face. She tried to contain it so that the others won't notice.

She widened her search through the soft grass by almost reaching the river bank. Hiromu trailed after her.

"Youko?"

"I lost it—it's just with me a while ago. Your handkerchief" She replied fast. Her eyes began to get watery.

"Daijobou. I'll help you look for it." He drew closer and motioned a hand to pat her head.

Youko rolled her fists to get some resolve. Then after some seconds of retrieving her composure, she and Hiromu walked some few meters away from the team.

"Over there!" Hiromu pointed. The blue-striped handkerchief was found resting near a flowerbed. Youko hurried over to get a hold of it. When she picked it up, she saw a silver object that emerged from it—but it fell on the grass. Squinting (because it's dark), she cupped the grass and found it.

"Uzo!" Youko gasped. The silver object was a ring. She turned to look at her comrades, the boys were whistling already. Hiromu sat on the grass beside her. Apprehension was easily read from his face.

"Well?" he uttered.

"Well what?" Youko asked, still gazing at the object from her hand.

"How do I put this—" Hiromu stuttered for words.

"You're used to being blunt! Just say it!" she kidded.

Hiromu put his hands on Youko's shoulders. He inhaled deeply and said, "Will you—"

She waited eagerly for the next set of words. Could this be a proposal?

"…marry me?—not that I'm expecting your answer right away—I mean—the wedding can wait and—it's just an engagement—that's if, you say yes." He said these as if his superhuman speed was transferred to his way of talking.

She placed her hands on both sides of his face (to calm him) and smiled, "Haii" she replied. Both her gaze and touch were soothing that it almost distracted him from the spot.

"Honto?" he asked. Just to make sure.

She nodded, placed the ring on her index finger and showed it to him.

He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. The whole team cheered and congratulated them from afar. Ryuuji was supported by Rika-san from crying while Nick and Usada shook their heads approvingly.

Four more years after

The Teleportation Facility at Dainan was as productive as the main EMC branch. Prospective employees were no longer afraid of applying or transferring there. It was as lively as it did before, with megazords filling up tanks and buddyroids (led by J) spread out to help with the daily duties. Ryuuji was very contented with his own life in designing and creating more machines with Gorisaki. Hiromu was just as persistent with rather reckless researches and overall supervision of the center. Youko had the best of both worlds in assisting Hiromu and testing Ryuuji's machines.

Meanwhile, Nick and Usada were hurrying after a three year old kid in the grounds of the facility. The toddler was potentially good-looking in his spiky hair and pale complexion. Nick and Usada couldn't catch on him much—because the boy combined both his superhuman speed and jumping ability to escape.

"Matte Hiroyo-kun!" Usada called. Usada had to be carried by Nick after the exhaustion from jumping.

Hiroyo paused when he saw Youko writing on her clipboard from a bench. He sat beside her and rested his palm on hers.

"Okaasan, have you eaten your snack?" he asked worryingly.

Youko smiled and patted the boy's head. "My, my, my, you're quite the obstinate type, aren't you?" Hiroyo returned her smile and nodded.

Hiromu appeared behind them and said, "Why wouldn't he? He got most of his features from me." He bent down and messed his son's hair even more. Hiroyo did look more like Hiromu. But he got Youko's childlike spirit and playful stubbornness.

Nick and Usada finally caught up with them. They had to occupy the bench next to the Sakuradas. They looked so worn-out that Hiromu and Youko could only give sympathetic stares.

Nick and Usada were faithful buddies to Hiroyo as well. When Hiroyo's parents were busy from work, the two buddyroids were always present to look after him. In fact, the two buddyroids did manage to live with each other under one roof (there were adjustments in the beginning, of course) and the Sakuradas were ever thankful for their companionship.

Hiroyo's attention was caught by the buddyroids who were putting up a sign on a new building. Without asking permission from his parents, he went off to see them. Youko turned to Hiromu and said, "Run after him, onegaii".

Hiromu smiled at her and nodded. "We'll be right back." Before setting off, he turned back to her, placed his mouth on hers and muttered, "I love you."

"I love you too siscon" Youko replied cheerfully.

A/N.: And so this is the concluding chapter to the story that I made. I'd like to thank those who added this story to their list of their favorites, to those who followed and reviewed it and also to those viewed it. I enjoyed working on this and I appreciated those who've been consistently supporting my fics. Domo Arigatou! J