February 15th, 2011; Akiha Residence, Akihabara, Tokyo; 10:16 a.m.

Seated comfortably at the head of a grand dining table, Rumiho sat still, her head perched on her arm above the dark wooden surface. Seated to her left, Okabe busied himself with a satisfying breakfast of eggs, sausage and toast, repeatedly glancing at the young woman as she observed every little movement of his, visibly enamored. Still wearing the same clothing they previously slept in, both teens remained calmly content with each other's company, offering hints of smiles as memories of the previous evening wandered through their conscience.

Kyouma. Okabe. My prince, knight, mad scientist... Whatever you wish to be. I don't think you realize how entertaining you are to observe. I keep getting distracted from eating because of you, you handsome rascal.

Eyes peeking down at the half-eaten breakfast beneath her chin, her vision flitted back up to his messy dark hair as he sat back, retrieving his phone from his pocket.

"Have somewhere to be?"

Setting the phone face-down onto the table, he gently shook his head.

"Negative. No obligations this morning."

"Not even a secret meeting with your agents?"

Eyebrow rising, a smirk curled on to his cheek.

"That, however, is likely. And top secret."

"Well ordinarily I'd insist on being present... With our cooperative battles we fought yesterday. But my presence is required at my cafe fortress."

"Fortress? May Queens?"

"Yes, Meowster. My presence will strengthen the defensive line, protecting our homeland from the zombie minion armies sent from the nine hells beneath us."

Seeing Okabe's eyes widen comically, she began grinning herself.

"Good heavens. Be certain to send intelligence updates."

"I'll manage as much as possible, but the battle will be long and unrelenting."

"I have no doubt you'll persevere. Such strength of will shall bring forth victory. I feel it in my bones."

Faces curling with amusement, they both burst into a fit of laughter.

Spearing a forkful of eggs with her fork and quickly consuming them, she lifted her head from her arm, brushing a group of hair behind her ear.

"Mmmister Rintarou."

"Kyouma to you."

"Either one. Am I to assume you require a car ride home?"

"I do not. My legs are functional."

"Mine are too, silly. But we have technology to assist us."

Turning his head as the quiet whir of the Roomba vacuum passed behind his chair, Okabe's eyebrows quirked with interest.

"I noticed."

"I'll be on my way to May Queen's around noon-hour today. Kuroki can easily take you home on the way there."

"If you insist."

Eyes slowly meeting, a sigh seeped out of Rumiho's lungs from his natural reluctance, only for her lips to curl into a hint of a smile.

Okabe. I know you're not familiar with a lifestyle like mine... But if we're going to be seeing each other, you'll have to get used to it.

Vision drifting down along his face, following his jawline to his chin, her heart beat with a hint of excitement for the future.

A prince has to be accustomed to a little bit of luxury. You'll come to enjoy it... I promise.

Akiha Residence, Akihabara, Tokyo; 11:04 a.m.

Sitting on the living room couch with legs crossed, Okabe sat in silence, staring out of the large windows into the overcast February sky beyond.

Of all the places to wake up on a Tuesday morning... I find myself in the cat's den. Laying beside miss Akiha Rumiho. Or, rather... Faris NyanNyan. The lively, enigmatic proprietor of a legendary maid cafe, and from what Steins Gate has dictated... A newfound partner in crime. A pink haired kitten, curling up beside me and luring me closer with her feline charms.

Looking aside at the closed door to her room, his imagination wandered, picturing the attractive young woman in various states of skin-revealing dress beyond, and his neck grew warm, imagining the rush of several kisses shared.

She has certainly garnered my attention. Tore down all of my walls of resistance... Now that I know who she truly is, beneath that hyperactive moe facade, her behavior makes perfect sense. Seeing the honest, wounded side of her has opened my eyes... And my heart.

Slowly turning away from the door, his eyes panned across the enormous television against the wall, and then wandered among the various curios and vases on the shelving next to it.

It must have. For me to accompany her yesterday as I did, and to end up here afterwards... Bound by the innocent promise to see her with increased regularity in the future. Maybe one day to be boyfriend and girlfriend.

A single laugh left his nose, shifting his chest.

What a thought to consider. Dating Akiha Rumiho. If Daru wasn't seeing Yuki... He'd have it out for me, to no end. Kurisu would certainly have much to say as well... Telling us we're equally loony and that our universe's physics cannot handle the combination. I can only imagine the reactions from our friends... And for some reason, I look forward to that.

A hint of a smirk curled the corner of his mouth upward.

Yes. The innate desire to incite chaos. Rumiho understands it, but she has yet to match my level of mayhem. However I am certain she anticipates the endless possibilities as much as I do. How glorious!

Eyes closing, imagining various scenes of her devious smirks and blushing smiles, a breath of delight seeped from his lungs, only for his mind to wander into a faded, darker realm of imagery.

Such outgoing spirit... From a girl who's lost the best father she could have ever had. Together, we resurrected him back into this world... And then, together, we let him slip away again, for Mayuri's life. I can't even begin to imagine how she felt, having to lose him again, casting him away with just a mere text message.

Eyebrows furrowing, he touched his hand to his chin.

The remarkable part, amid the tragedy, was that her D-mail sent to her father had an unprecedented change on the world line. Much more than I anticipated with Kurisu and Suzuha's theories of undoing them all to bring us over the one-percent boundary. Rumiho's father still perished, albeit at a later date, but to this day, Mayuri and Makise both remain alive and well. I don't know what aspect of her text message caused such a drastic alteration... But the divergence number more than doubled, and we've all been kicked onto a far different world line. Even Rukako remains female, which I still have yet to wrap my head around... But no matter. What's done, at this point, is done. Many months have passed since the catastrophic experimentation with the phone-wave, and no eye or ear of SERN or the rounders or anyone else have been seen since Daru disconnected us... And I feel certain that the dismantling of future gadget number eight has cemented it. At least, I hope that is the case. It should be, by now.

Shaking his head slowly, he blinked several times.

The other odd part... I have no clue what has happened in the rest of the world after the jump. Experience has shown that something always goes awry in exchange, but I haven't a clue of what's taken place. No new wars, no catastrophes that I can think of... Nothing local either. I really don't know what's going on out there. Or if anything even should be. Perhaps my paranoia of things has made me constantly fear for the future... Thankfully that isn't the case anymore. Not with college occupying my mind, and all my friends being alive and well...

Heart beating harder, his vision rose to the ceiling above.

Perhaps dating Rumiho could be better than I anticipated. With what we've both independently experienced... We could help chase each other's nightmares away. That alone would be worth every minute spent with her.

Spirit lifting with a renewed sense of elation, his eyes returned to the horizon beyond the living room windows.

...Along from being kissed. And whatever else happens. For science, of course.

Donned in her normal black and white maid attire, with her hair captive in her lengthy coiled ponytails, Faris sat in a lean against the tinted window of the car, gazing at Okabe as he silently stared beyond the windshield ahead, lost deeply in thought.

"You should wear black more often."

Watching his head turn from her statement, he blinked.

"You think so?"

"I do, nya. Black and white go well together, don't you think?"

Looking between their outfits, a single humored chuckle left his throat.

"Like Yin and Yang."

"I think you'd look great with black pants... Or even just a black shirt under your lab coat."

"My lab coat is my external armor. It looks good over anything."

Watching her eyebrow rise with interest, his vision then followed her pointed index finger as it pushed against his shoulder.

"I don't know, Kyouma. I think this suit of yours is my new favorite."

"Even over my legendary scientific whites?"

"Maybe they're tied. Either way you're handsome."

Tilting his head, he smiled confidently.

"You flatter me, Maid Queen."

"Someone has to!"

Looking aside as the car drew to a halt, the familiar storefront of Tennouji CRT was visible beyond the tinted glass.

"Good day, mister Rintarou."

Bowing his head from the calm voice of Kuroki in the driver's seat, Okabe pushed the car's door open.

"Thank you sir."

Watching him rise to his feet on the sidewalk beyond, Faris swiftly scooted across the seat.

"I'll be just a minute or two, Kuroki."

Hopping upright out of the vehicle, she quickly pounced against Okabe as he turned, and both teens halted, gathering together in a delightful embrace.

"Okabe."

"Rumiho."

"Thanks again... For being my valentine."

And my knight... And my prince.

"You are quite welcome. I thank you for your endless generosity as well."

"Oh, there's plenty more where it came from."

"I can only begin to imagine."

Standing still, their thoughts meandered through a moment of peace.

"...I would love to see you again soon. Whenever you aren't busy with college and studying."

"I'll be around. Feel free to come by the lab at any point, even if I'm not there."

"I may just do that, Meowster. But I see Mayushii at work anyway, so honestly I'd only come by if you are there."

"Then whenever you are free, message or call me. I'll be sure to answer."

Head sinking against his chest, her cheeks grew warm with mirth.

"I know you will. You've always been good about that."

Drawing together into a firm, comforting embrace, she nuzzled against his collar, pushing his white tie aside with her nose.

"Don't by shy about calling me either... And please feel free to dine at May Queens whenever you wish, nya."

Brushing his hand beneath her ear, his fingers drifted through the shorter locks of her her pink hair.

"Certainly. My continued patronage is guaranteed."

Nudging her head against his hand, she looked up to him fondly.

"Then I'll be seeing you soon, Meowster Kyouma."

"Likewise... Faris."

Gazing at the other, brimming with heartbeats and tingly emotions, she then rose on her tip-toes, and in a swift motion, Okabe sank lower, meeting her halfway and capturing each other in the sweet simplicity of a kiss.

Ohhh... Okabe.

Eyes flitting back open, faces expectedly tinted with blushes, she bat her free hand against his chest, pawing at him several times and wiggling back and forth.

"You have fun with your mission intelligence meeting."

"It'll be more informative than fun... You stay safe out there. Waging war against the undead armies and all."

"Its a valiant battle I must be part of."

"Then bring forth victory, miss NyanNyan."

Bowing her head with noble acceptance, their hands withdrew, and she spun around, maid dress twirling around her black stockings.

"I shall. For you, my prince."

Chuckling as she pulled open the car door, he slipped his hands inside the pockets of his white dress coat, watching as the door shut, and the sedan promptly drove away down the street.

Listening to the echo of his heartbeat in the following calm, a lengthy breath drew from his nose.

Dating miss Akiha Rumiho... A choice destined by Steins Gate.

Turning on his heel, he began towards the stairs to his apartment above.

With that established... I have no idea what I'm about to get into.

Withdrawing his hands from his pockets, he touched the brick wall of the stairwell as he ascended it, turning twice into the dim gloom of the short upper hallway.

At least I can be certain of that.

Unlocking and opening the noisy steel door to his apartment, and then shutting it behind himself, Okabe slipped his shoes off and took in a breath, greeted by the comfortably familiar aura of the future gadget lab.

I have returned at last... From a legendary adventure.

Stepping onto the wood floor in his socks, his hand rose, pulling his tie from the collar of his shirt and casting it aside onto the coffee table. Looking up at the clock above the couch, he observed the circular progression of the second hand, squinting as it appeared to slow down.

12:18 p.m.

Halfway through the day already... I need to shower.

Pulling the white suit coat off himself and draping it onto the arm of the couch, he looked down, brushing the black shirt with his palm for a moment. Blinking for a moment, his head rotated sideways, peering towards Daru's computer desk. Expecting to see the notorious square shape of the phone-wave sitting on the floor beneath, he was instead greeted with Mayuri's Upa plushie, sitting atop the cushion covering several broken planks.

Its been quite some time... But that damn thing still haunts me.

Eyes rising further upwards, the faint orange glow of nixie tubes attracted his attention. Focusing on the divergence meter, sitting harmlessly on a shelf beside the blue sand hourglass, he squinted at the jumble of digits displayed by the mysterious electronic object.

1.476134

One point four percent... And several D-mails still remain in play. With no apparent need to undo them... That I know of.

Tearing himself away, he stared at the dim interior of the bathroom as he quietly stepped towards it.

One can only wonder what that means for the future of the world.

Future Gadget Laboratory; Akihabara, Tokyo; 6:17 p.m.

Donned in the familiar white armor of his trusty lab coat, Okabe stared out of the window, lost somewhere among the ever-present overcast sky above.

Something has to have happened out there. I just don't know what it is... And something tells me I shouldn't drive myself mad trying to find out. But I can barely resist the temp-

Jerking from the startling noise of his door opening, he turned aside, watching as both Daru and Mayuri ambled in.

"Tu-tu-ruu! We're here, and Okarin makes three!"

"Hey dude. Did you fall off the world yesterday?"

Blinking from the jumble of speech, his mouth slowly drifted open.

"Considering we're bound to the surface by gravitational force... I could not have fallen off the earth."

"Well regardless, Mayushii checked every corner in here, and you were nowhere to be found."

Mildly humored, Okabe's eyebrow rose as Shiina put her hand flat above her eyebrows.

"I think Okarin didn't tell us he was playing hide and seek."

"Alas, Mayuri, I was not hiding. To tell the truth, I was actually on a whirlwind adventure... For science."

Her mouth curled into an unexpected smirk following his statement.

"Mmhmm. What kind of adventure? Did you find a special friend along the way?"

Watching Okabe's expression cycle into a look of surprise and alarm, his mouth remained open, but Mayuri turned away, dropping her backpack beside the coffee table.

"I... Perhaps I did."

"Was it fun? I heard you dressed up in a suit and everything."

"Okarin? In a suit?"

Both of them temporarily eyed Daru as he sat into his computer chair, clicking the mouse and bringing his desktop computer online from its slumber.

"Its true! Detective Mayushii knows all of the imper...tinant facts about his adventure."

Eyes meeting Shiina's, Okabe couldn't tell if he liked or disliked the mischievous smile on her face.

"Is that so? You just stated you had no idea where I was."

"I didn't yesterday. But a certain someone said something about a dance and a ball earlier today."

Looking back over at Daru, who was shooting him a glance of interest, Okabe exhaled.

Mayuri must be communicating with Faris... As for Daru... You're seeing your darling Yuki. Why would you care?

"Did you malfunction yesterday, bro? A suit and a dance, on valentine's day. Who was the lucky girl, and how the hell did she -."

"Yes, fine. I admit it. Faris asked me to a valentine's ball and I accepted. Happy?"

"Eeheehee! Of course we're happy!"

Suddenly glomping Okabe into a hug, Mayuri squeezed his breath out of him, and a strained chuckle left his throat.

"Faris-chan has liked you for a long time, Kyouma. I hope you two had lots of fun together!"

Bringing air back into his chest, a smile cautiously spread onto his features as he returned his best friend's hug, enveloping her within the folds of his lab coat.

"We did... And I'm destined to end up at May Queen's much more often than before."

"Oooh why's that?"

Calmly exhaling, his mind approved the coming revelation.

"It so happens that miss NyanNyan has also requested my ongoing companionship."

"That's adorable! Are you both boyfriend and girlfriend now?"

"Not yet... But we are planning on seeing each other."

Peeking towards Daru, the lack of adverse reaction made him squint at the back of his friend's yellow ball cap.

"...In case you're wondering, I'm not surprised."

"I noticed, Hashida."

"She's been into you for a while, bro."

"Believe it or not, I'm aware of this."

"Yeah? What did she do to make you give in?"

"She deployed her womanly tactics and charms, rendering me helpless with her overwhelming strength and willpower."

"Oh really. Strength and will for what, fighting your roleplay battles?"

"Yes. Precisely."

Looking down at Mayuri as she peeked upwards at him with a wink, he rolled his eyes with a smile as she withdrew from the embrace, skipping over to the kitchen and opening a cupboard.

You know about all the kissing... Don't you, Mayuri. You ladies and your hyper-speed communication... Truly remarkable.

"So now that you've done the valentine's day thing, what's the plan for the future?'

"Well I've already agreed to seeing her... So now I'm at her whim, it seems."

As if on cue, his phone began ringing with a clearly audible ringtone, and he grew red as Mayuri peeked around the kitchen with a grin.

"Is that your sweet valentine?"

Lifting his phone from his pocket, his free hand covered his eyes, and he began shaking with stifled laughter.

"Yes."

Lifting the phone to his ear, and answering the call, he leaned back against the window sill.

"Kyouma speaking."

"Good evening Meowster! How was the meeting?"

Meeting? Oh, right, uh...

"Productive. Further plans for this year's strategic operations have been outlined. The first of which, are slated for execution in the coming months."

"That's marvelous, nya. I'm sorry I wasn't able to contact you sooner... The battle was long and weary, but we reigned victorious in the end."

Standing upright again, his mouth opened with renewed interest.

"How did the structure fare?"

"Minimal damage. Our moe maid defenses repelled the zombie armies with extreme prejudice."

"Excellent. Will it be open for business again soon?"

"It remained open during the conflict, actually. Despite the roar of weaponry outside, my loyal customers dined with ease."

Shaking his head with amusement, Okabe began towards the couch.

"Such loyalty is well deserved."

"Mmmm thank you. That's how I feel about seeing you, you know."

"Is that so?"

"Nyeah! Yesterday's date was beyond wonderful... And you've always been a bright light in my life, Kyouma."

Heart beating from Rumiho's words, he hesitated for a moment, before sinking down onto the couch in a turn.

"Well I appreciate your sincerity."

"And I value your honesty... And lots of other things you do, you big goofball."

Feeling the couch shift as Mayuri sat beside him, resuming sewing on another cosplay project, their eyes met for a moment.

You like her, don't you, Okarin?

Head tilting, a shrug followed shortly afterward.

Yes. I do.

"In any case, Mister Mad Scientist, I called you because your voice has healing powers, which is something one greatly needs after a long day like today."

"I was not aware of this."

"It was a secret."

"Past tense. Marvelous. Who else knows?"

"Mayushii hinted at the phenomenon. I couldn't help to admit it."

Peeking over at his best friend, he watched as she burst into a giggle, obviously eavesdropping on the phone call.

"As long as she's the only one... We cannot allow the Organization to learn of this power. I'm already high on their hit list as it is."

"Oh I'm aware, Kyouma. Are you wearing your armor plating?"

"Always am."

"Good, but just so you know, my outward Radiance of Passion provides a fifty percent shielding boost to those nearby."

Face curling into a restrained grin, his lips pressed together tightly.

"A local status effect?"

"Yes sir."

"So if I'm in your presence..."

"Exactly."

"I see."

Leaning back in his chair, Daru stretched his arms with a groan.

"You know, it almost makes sense that you two are seeing each other."

"Why's that?"

"You see, Mayushii, Okarin and Faris are both from an alternate plane of existence... Their weirdness is sourced from the same place in outer space."

"Ohhh, so they're both from the same planet?"

"Yep."

Rolling his eyes again, Okabe looked on, distracted between Rumiho's sweet-voiced rambles, and the other two lab members.

"If they're both from the same world... They both have the same skills, right?"

"Not necessarily."

"Maybe Faris-chan can teach Okarin how to win at Rai-Net!"

"Maybe. Unless he's playing against her... She'll still whoop his ass every time."

"All's fair in love and war, Daru."

"...Anyway, I'm almost to my room, and it sounds like you have company, so I'll leave you be."

Blinking from the disappearance of her moe character, he listened with renewed intent.

"You're not interrupting anything."

"No?"

"Not at all. In fact, talk to me as long as you wish."

Listening to the chime of a giggle on her end, Okabe tingled from the sweet, fleeting sound.

"Let me have supper first."

"Take as long as you wish."

"You should eat too."

"Perhaps. Your breakfast held me over pretty well."

"Good. You earned it... Prince."

"Knight."

"Both. I'll text you, okay?"

"Alright."

"Talk to you soon... Okabe."

"Likewise... Rumiho."

*click*

Slowly slipping his phone into his pocket, he sat back, silently exhaling.

This must be what it feels like... Being a boyfriend... Or prince. Or something.

Either way... I'm her Knight in White. So I must be doing something right.

END.

Hope you all had fun reading! I don't normally work against a set deadline, but a valentine's themed story had to be ready by Valentine's of 2018, so... NYAN! Also, Okabe + Rumiho/Faris has officially joined my pairing fleet, so further mayhem with these two may be possible...!

El Psy Congroo,

~ C. Betchimov (Formerly ~SMPG394)