☂➀☂

"Master!...I mean Aoba-san! Wake up!" I felt something rocking me from side to side. I was still very sleepy and I wanted at least an hour more of sleep.

 

"Hmmm...Ten more minutes.." I rolled over to my side to avoid getting up.

 

"You can't! You're going to be late!" The voice urged me, making me snuggle closer to the sheets. I heard the sound of fabric moving and light footsteps but I disregarded it, wanting to sleep more."Aoba-san!" The person tried again, but it was no use because I wasn't going to get out of bed. "Fine then, don't be angry at me because of this," the voice said in a mischievous tone.

 

Before I could process what was happening, I felt my body being lifted into the air. "Wahhh!" I opened my eyes in a panic to find my attacker...

 

"Good morning Aoba-san!" Clear greeted cheerfully, his mouth moving into a wide smile. Annoyed, I struggled to get out of his grasp.

 

"Hey! Put me down right now!"

 

"Why? Does Aoba-san not like it when I carry him?" Clear pouted slightly, his pink eyes looking down at me.

 

I blushed hard and felt guilty. "No, no! It's not that....It's just that you said I was going to be late for work right?"

 

Clear's face brightened like a Christmas tree, "Oh yes! I almost forgot!" And with that, he carried me downstairs to the kitchen. "Please eat well Aoba-san!"

 

Putting me down on the floor, I slowly walked towards the table filled with delicious food. I looked back at Clear and smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you Clear!"

 

After the day we spent at Clear's home, I decided that Granny should know about us and that he should move in. It wasn't that hard to convince her and she surprisingly was very understanding. Since that time, Clear would wake me up for work and make breakfast too. While I'm gone, he helps Granny clean the house and does errands for her. It's a win-win situation because Granny is getting old and I don't want her to have another accident like before.

 

"How does it taste?" Clear's words cut off my thoughts and I was thrown back into reality. I hadn't noticed that I was eating the pancakes he cooked.

 

"It's great!" I grinned, honestly enjoying the food. I glanced at my coil and realized it was time for me to leave. "I'm so sorry Clear! I have to go to work now, is it okay if you clean it up?" I gave him an apologetic smiled.

 

"No problem Aoba-san! Have a good day at work!" Clear replied. On impulse, I ran up to him and hugged him tightly. Because of him, life was not only back to normal, it was always cheerful too. I quickly left the house before I could convince myself to stay.

 

"Aoba," a deep voice called me. I checked my bag and found a bundle of blue fur.

 

"Yes Ren?" I don't remember starting him up...

 

"You have to get Clear to stop petting me. He activates me early in the morning only to pet me and call me 'fluff, fluff, fluffy dog'." I couldn't help but snicker at Ren's words and behavior. "Please Aoba. It's worse than spending time with Clara-san." I laughed even harder at Ren's plea.

 

I gently pat the top of his head, "I'll see what I can do." I entered the junk shop and took my place behind the counter, greeting Haga-san. Another relaxed day at work...I wonder what Clear is doing..

 

🐙🐙🐙🐙🐙🐙

 

After a few hours, my shifted ended and I was finally allowed to go home. Since it was the summer time, the sun didn't set until eight o'clock. So when I got out at five, the sun was shining brightly over the buildings. I wasn't in a rush so I walked slowly back home. A lot has changed since Platinum Jail collapsed. The people from the Old Resident district were now allowed to visit Platinum Jail, or at least what were the ruins of it. The residents live peacefully now, since Toue's iron strong grip has been brought down. Koujaku still works as a hairdresser and drops by every now and then to mooch some food off of Granny. He and Clear get along well, not that he learned why he was always wearing that gas mask. Speaking of that, I convinced Clear to stop hiding his face so he doesn't adorn that gas mask anymore. He still carries that clear umbrella though, even though he only used it once when it was snowing.

 

"Aoba-san, what is this?"

 

"It's snow. It's like rain but instead the water has frozen."

 

Clear pulled out his umbrella and covered us with it. "Then I must protect you from getting a cold," he said, wrapping his yellow scarf around my neck and face.

 

I laughed, "Thank you Clear."

 

I learned many things about Clear and vice versa. I learned that his birthday was on February twentieth, the same as his grandfather. So when February twentieth came, of course I threw him a surprise party.

 

All day long, I forced Clear to stay out of the house. Where he went, I don't know but I made him promise me that he wouldn't come near the house until I told him to. Something about an important business meeting I told him. During the time he was gone, I decorated the house with ocean-themed ornaments. Koujaku helped me decorate, while Granny baked a cake. Noiz showed up too, which shocked me because I didn't call him. I could never understand that boy's personality. Here one day and gone the other but he helped me nonetheless by tracking where Clear was.

 

After I tied the last set of jellyfish balloons to a weight, I texted Clear to come home. The cake looked absolutely delicious and I couldn't wait to taste some of it. Granny especially baked the lemon cake with strawberry filling for Clear, even though Clear told me that he favors my cooking the best. Noiz informed me that Clear was on the northern tip of the island, close to the sea. At that moment, I realized that Clear was visiting his grandfather, it was his birthday too after all. I couldn't help but think of the time when Clear was broken, his skin falling off like dead leaves. I was snapped back to reality though when Noiz whisper-yelled that Clear was going to be here at any minute now. I swiftly turned the lights off and hid inside the kitchen where everyone else was.

 

The sound of the front door sliding made my heart beat faster, and then his shadow appeared in the doorway.

 

"You know I could hear you breathing Ao--"

 

"Surprise!"

 

We all jumped out from our hiding places, some of us blowing on noise makers. I hugged Clear close to me, not caring about what the others around me would think.

 

"Happy Birthday Clear," I pulled his face down to me and kissed his soft lips.

 

"Aoba, we're home," Ren called.

 

"Huh? What?" I looked at my surroundings and realized that I was facing the front door.

 

"Aoba, I can sense that you were over-thinking again, you know what happens to someone like you who has a low--"

 

"Yeah, yeah I know." I grumpily interrupted Ren. What's worse than being called dumb from Granny is your own Allmate telling you that you have a low brain capacity.

 

I unlocked the front door and slid it open, unveiling the sparkling clean house. Clear appeared before me and took my bag away.

 

"Welcome home Aoba-san!" He smiled his usual happy smile and bowed slightly.

 

"I told you you didn't have to greet me every time I come home," I say, feigning an angry tone.

 

"I'm sorry Aoba-san! Please forgive me!" He proceeded to kneel on the floor but I stopped him before he could do so.

 

"I'm just kidding! C'mere!" I opened my arms wide for him.

 

"Aoba-san is so mean to me!" Clear embraced me either way though, and I felt myself smiling and laughing at his reaction. "Are you hungry?" he asked me all of a sudden. I shook my head and released him from the hug.

 

"No I'm not, but did Granny eat?"

 

"Yes I did. Now would you stop worrying about me like an incompetent child?" Granny stood in front of us and gave me a glare. It was just like old times.

 

"But who else would worry about you if it weren't for me?" I teased, earning a smack on my head. I chuckled and grabbed Clear's hand, moving to the living room. Ren plopped himself down on my lap as I sat down next to Clear on the couch.

 

"Aoba," he started, "Remember what we talked about?" I burst out laughing, causing Clear to look at me worriedly. I calmed myself down and cleared my throat. Clear started to pet Ren and began his little jingle of "fluff, fluff, fluffy dog." Ren shot me a look, and I chuckled a little.

 

"So Clear," I fiddled with my fingers. I hope Ren wouldn't mind...

 

"Since you like to play with Ren so much, why don't we get you an Allmate yourself? Ren is complaining that you give him so much love that he feels like he doesn't deserve it." Ren's eyes widened and I stifled a laugh. "So what do you say? Do you want to get an Allmate?"

 

Clear stopped touching Ren and instead lifted him near his face. "Is that what you think Ren-san? Well just know that you do deserve my love!" Clear pushed Ren to his chest and hugged him lovingly.

 

"A-aoba..Stop him.." Ren said, his voice being muffled.

 

"I think that's enough love for today, Clear." I took Ren from his arms and set him down on the ground. "You still never gave me an answer."

 

"Oh yes! If Aoba-san wants to buy me an Allmate, then I will want it. Even if there is no need for me to have one." I facepalmed myself but smiled. I've been meaning to give Clear a gift and this is the perfect thing. Ren can be left alone, and Clear has a new buddy, it's killing two birds with one stone.

 

"Let's go now then, before it's too late." I dragged Clear from the couch and into the main hallway. Ren followed and jumped into my bag. "You're ready right?" I looked beside me.

 

"Yes Aoba-san!" Clear grinned, hooking his arm with mine.

 

"I'll be back later, Granny!"

 

We stepped out of the house and began to walk towards the southern part of town. The sun was still out and it was quite hot outside. I no longer wore my brain bolts jacket and Clear didn't wear his white lab coat either.

 

"We're really going to get an Allmate!" Clear practically bounced beside me as we neared the new Allmate store. After Platinum Jail was destroyed, shops and businesses relocated to the south side of town, so the shops were now updated and fresh like the old Platinum Jail itself. We entered the store, which was decently full of customers. A more robot looking Allmate welcomed us.

 

"Welcome to the Allmate Store, how may I help you today?" Before I could respond, Clear did it for me.

 

"Can you show us your Allmates please?"

 

"Of course!" the robot Allmate replied, leading us to the center of the store which had a various selection of Allmates. "You may look at them and test the models out yourselves."

 

At that, Clear let go of my arm and ran up to the aisles of Allmates.

 

"Look at this one Aoba-san! Oh and this one!" I smiled as I watched Clear interact with the Allmates. He went down each and every aisle, testing out the Allmates.

 

"Aoba-san look! This one has a security program! And this other one can cook!" I was about to turn my head to look when a bundle of blue caught my attention.

 

"Aoba, this is your idea of getting Clear to stop petting me?" Ren asked me. I laughed again at his behavior.

 

"Yes, because if Clear has an Allmate then he'll be distracted and away from you."

 

That made Ren shut up.

 

The same Allmate from before approached me, "Sir, are you looking for anything specific because your friend over there is checking the Almates out one by one and it's not quite efficient. It also seems that he is bothering some of our customers."

 

I peeked at Clear who was indeed causing a kerfuffle. I bowed down to the Allmate, "I am so sorry for the mess! Maybe we should leave..." I walked towards Clear but was blocked by the Allmate.

 

"It is alright, Sir. We don't get fun customers like him very often. But are you not looking for something specific?" The Allmate tilted its head and I took a minute to think. It wasn't long before I knew what Clear wanted.

 

"Do you have a jellyfish Allmate?"

 

"As a matter of fact, we do! It came in a few weeks ago but its design is truly unique. Follow me please." I started to follow the Allmate almost forgetting the special person that I brought here.

 

"Clear! I need you! Come here please!" I called to him. In a matter of seconds, Clear was beside me.

 

"Yes Aoba-san?" He smiled at me, wrinkles forming at the edges of his eyes. I held his hand and gently squeezed it.

 

"I think I found the Allmate you want." As we turned a corner, Clear and I were faced with a levitating, bright jellyfish. It was floating in midair as if it was in the sea and not on land. It was mostly transparent but had a tinge of blue to it.

 

"A jellyfish!" Clear exclaimed as he excitedly touched the Allmate's body. 

 

"Its state-of-the-art design allows this Allmate to maneuver gracefully like a real jellyfish. It also has the ability to float in midair and some of its special features are the music program that's installed in its system. The music program allows you to create your own songs or remixes of your favorite ones. It is an easy software to use and it is all free and included with this Allmate."

 

"We'll take it," I say, paying for the purchase with my coil.

 

"Thank you so much Aoba-san!" Clear embraced me suddenly, causing me to lose my balance and fall onto the ground. We were so close to each other... and just like that, his lips met mine in a sweet kiss.

 

Aᴏʙᴀ ᴀɴᴅ Cʟᴇᴀʀ 

 

 

After buying the Allmate, Clear and I returned home. As I expected, Clear forgot all about Ren and mostly paid attention to his new toy. He thanked me countless of times and I was really happy. We were now lying down side by side in my bed, Clear's warmth traveling through me.

 

"Aoba-san," his soft voice called me,"What should I name it?" Clear had his Allmate resting upon his chest. The Allmate's glowing complexion lightened the room and it made me think of how Clear's presence brightened my life. I wanted it to stay like this forever. I closed my eyes and rested my face onto Clear's shoulder.

 

"Anything is fine I guess. It's yours anyway." I touch the glowing mass on his chest and felt a cool sensation run through my fingers. Minutes passed by leisurely as I watched Clear's face.

 

"Aoba-san it's getting late. You should sleep now." His eyes met mine and I couldn't help but feel so lucky.

 

"Can you sing me your Jellyfish Song then?"

 

"Of course!"

 

He began to sing his mesmerizing song that always soothed me. Before long I was feeling drowsy. A moment before my eyelids gave up, Clear pecked my forehead and the tip of my nose.

 

"Good night, Aoba-san."