Part 152: Operation Cristina is put into motion

When I'm done, Kurisu is standing before me. She's tampering with the wiring on the Microwave Ophone (Temp).

"You distract, so don't look this way. How many times do I have to tell you?"

She says so without looking at me. I see, she's still working on the Time Leap Machine improvements. I know it's bad to interrupt that, but there's nobody else I can rely on.

"Genius neuroscientist, I need to talk to you."

"Make it brief."



"Tell me why. If it's a date or something, then I refuse."

"L-Like I'd do something weak like go on a date, much less with you, Assistant. Please joke in moderation."

She's glaring like she's gonna kill me. Let's leave the jokes for now...

"So, basically, tell me the differences between the male brain and the female brain."

"I don't get you."

I briefly explain what happened with Rukako, and the current situation. How many times have I explained this to Kurisu now...





Rukako, seeing me and Kurisu, loses her focus as she says so.

"Eh, mmhmm, actually, we have something to talk to you about, Urushibara."

This is the strategy I thought up. Its name: Operation Cristina.

Rukako looks at me with biased eyes. She's already experienced an emotional reaction when I told her "You are a guy." And so, since she's not too familiar with Kurisu, and since they're the same sex, it should be easier for Kurisu to force-- I mean, persuade her to tell us the whole truth. So, I wait behind Kurisu and watch silently.

"What could it be?"

Rukako is shy. He was distant with me, too, back when we first met. I can see she's made a small wall between Kurisu and herself now, too. On the other hand, Kurisu's very calm. She truly is reliable.

Kurisu puts on a gentle smile and begins explaining to Rukako.



"What...?"

Hey, hey...

"Males use their right brains more. Females use their left brains more."

"Eh, eh...?"

"The right brain handles image processing, spatial processing, and comprehensive judgment. The left brain handles language and calculation. The right and left brains are connected by the corpus callosum, which is more developed in females. Lots of people say it, don't they? That females can do more than two things at once. That can be explained by the development of the corpus callosum."

"Uh... what...?"

Just what is she talking about...

"Well, which one's which is almost like scientific myth, though. Its credibility really isn't that high. But how about we try it out just a little?"

"Try... what out?"



"What is mapping...?"

Rukako is clearly frightened.

"Brainwave mapping. We just take a sample of your brainwaves. Anyway, you'll understand if you try it, okay? It won't hurt a bit."

"N-No thanks..."

"It'll be okay, I promise. I guarantee it, so come on. Come on..."

"What kind of perverted old man are you?!"

I lightly chop Kurisu on the head.

"Fwahn! Wh-What?"

"Don't you 'what' me! What did we come here for?! What are you going to do if you scare Rukako?!"

"I'm just treating her like a valuable test sub--"

"Go home, you experiment-loving girl!"

"Yeah, okay. So that's the thanks for going out of my way to help you. I'll just go home like you said. You're on your own now."

While mumbling complaints, Kurisu leaves the shrine with squared shoulders.

"Okabe, um, what was Makise talking about...?"

"Well, basically, uhh..."

D-Do I have to explain everything again in the end...?

"You... You're actually a guy."





It's morning now. It's nice that it's cool early in the morning, even though it's the middle of summer. The crickets are already chirping. The sunlight isn't too strong yet. This morning sky, and this changing of the calendar. I’ve already seen them before...

At least, my mental state is exactly the same. Outside the door, the sound of someone vigorously ascending the stairs resounds. I thought it was Moeka and got up in a hurry, but then I suddenly realized that the one who appears so hurriedly in this situation isn't Moeka...





Mayuri enters with a sour look on her lips. By all rights, Mayuri should have stayed in the lab today, but last night she got a call from someone and left in a hurry. She probably went to go meet Rukako.

"You know, Mayushii's disappointed in you, Okarin."

Mayuri points a finger at me with puffed cheeks. So that was it after all... I sigh in frustration. Before I time leaped, I heard Mayuri say these words on the 14th. Today is the 12th. Since I explained the situation to Rukako yesterday, it looks like Mayuri's protest came early, too.

"Okarin, you made Ruka cry, didn't you? Ruka consulted me. She said you said she was a guy. Okarin, why did you say such a mean thing?"

"...I'm going to meet her now, so don't worry."

"Eh? Really? Thank goodness. If Okarin said he wasn't going to apologize, then Mayushii was going to break her relationship with Okarin."

The mail should come soon.








If I go to Yanagibayashi Shrine now, what's waiting for me there is that confession scene.



But this time, I thought ahead.

"Cristina! Cristina!"

When I start yelling at the development room in a loud voice, I start to hear the sounds of someone moving inside.

"Cris is sleeping, you know? She worked all night, so you shouldn't wake her."

I know, but I have to do this.

"Cristina! Please wake up!"

"Oh, shut up."



"Cris, tutturu♪"

Last night, she fell asleep at the desk after working so long, so the sleeves of her clothes left a mark on her cheek. Her hair is frayed and her eyes are red. She rubs her eyes.

"What is it?"

"I'm gonna go to Yanagibayashi Shrine. Come with me. It's Operation Cristina II."



"It's okay... if it's only for before Mayuri gets in danger, so... so... please be my..."

"..."

"...Please be my l...er"

"..."

"Lo...er..."

"..."





"..."

It's the same after all, huh... And since it's until the 15th, that means it's now 4 days, including today. Before I time leaped, she said 'for just today and tomorrow', but now the time's doubled. She came out with something delicate and bold.

But that's that. Better safe than sorry. Now's the time to set "Operation Cristina II" into motion. Things got complicated when I had that experiment-loving girl add to the conversation. I forcibly persuaded Kurisu to help against her will, but this time I had her watch things from up above on the highway.

"S-Sorry. P-Please wait a bit."

I turn my back to Rukako and call Kurisu.



"You don't understand people's feelings either. Who's a normalfag? Did you listen to what Rukako said just now?"

"tl;dl"

"You didn't listen?!"

"There's no way I can hear from this far away."

"Confession. Until the 15th. Then turn back into a guy."

"I get it."



"Bu-But it's Rukako!"

"What's wrong with her? I mean, look how cute she is."

"But he's a--"

"Her originally being a guy might just be your delusion. The way I see it, she's always been a she."

"Guh..."

"Just give up. Bye."

"Ah, wai--"



"Mm, mmmmm... why did I even bring her along..."

Such a useless assistant! I stuff my phone into my pocket and head towards Rukako.



"Hm? Ah, yeah..."

"Is that so..."
"It kinda seemed... like it was a really fun conversation, huh..."

"H-How..."

Is this pressure? Is she applying psychological pressure?!

"So, well..."

Rukako fidgets restlessly.

"Your... answer..."



A limited time trial relationship of only four days. Will those four days feel long, or short?

Rukako certainly does have cute facial features. She has very slender hands and a slender waist. Her skin is white like alabaster. Honestly speaking, I've been fascinated several times by Rukako's demeanor, even back when he was a guy. The current Rukako is biologically a girl, so even if we go out and do this and that, there really shouldn't be a problem. But...



If I don't, I can't save Mayuri. Basically, if I go out with the girl Rukako, and fall in love with her... in the end, will I be able to see the guy Rukako as a guy? If I can't, and then lose self-control, what waits for me is... uho!



Of course, my heart's not sorted out, but cute is justice, so who really cares? The source of my hesitation is thinking what comes after that. The problem isn't Rukako, but my own heart. And what I should be doing now isn't romance, but saving Mayuri.

But Rukako's cooperation is essential to save Mayuri. If I refuse h ere and make Rukako cry, nothing will change. I need to ignore the problems in my heart for the sake of my goal.

Let's accept.

Let's accept Rukako's deal. But before that, there's one thing I need to convince myself deep down.



Even if my way of thinking tramples over her feelings, I must still not fall in love. If I fall in love, I might end up walking down forbidden roads. Rukako is a guy. A guy. A guy a guy a guy. GuyGuyGuyGuyGuyGuyGuyGuyGuyGuy... And don't you forget it.

As long as you never forget...



"Eh...?!"

"I'll go out with you. But just until the 15th.

"Ah..."



"Wh-Why are you crying?!"

"Ugh... sniff... I'm h-happy... I was sure... that you'd say no... thank goodness... thank goodness..."

Her face flushes red, wet with tears, yet she's really happy. Though she's a bit shy and embarrassed, seeing Rukako's bravery makes me--



I mustn't fall in love, but I'm about to! Why does every single one of her actions tickle my male instincts?! She must be doing it on purpose! There's no mistaking it! There's just no other way!

Rukako's cuteness is a terror of the universe.

"...Um, Okabe."

"Wh-What?!"

Rukako timidly mutters while wiping her tears.

"Well... tomorrow... a da..."

Da? What does she mean by da?



"What... did you say...?"

A date...?

Certainly, when two lovers go out somewhere together, that's called a date. It would really be a dick move if I refused to go on a date right after we started going out, wouldn't it...

"I don't mind going, but where?"

"Eh..."

Doesn't look like she's decided.

"I want to go where you want to go, Okabe... basically, I want to know the places you like..."

So basically, she wants me to decide for her? It's really unfair to have such a cute face that people will forgive anything you say. I scratch my head in thought.

"Then, I'll think of some plans until tomorrow."

I want to get away from this irritatingly sentimental alone time with her, so that's what I answered.