Steins;Gate Part #90 - Future Gadget Laboratory throws a celebration

Part 90: Future Gadget Laboratory throws a celebration

It might blow your memories into the past just by touching it... that's how we felt. It's absurd, of course.

"I might become humanity's first time leaper!"

That curiosity couldn't kill the fear of the unknown. Just how should we react to that fear...

Before we knew it, we talked about having a small celebration. We kinda feel the need to let loose after working all night. Nobody opposed the notion.

Akiba has a severe lack of supermarkets. It's the same even after the moe shops disappeared and turned the town retro.

After we finish shopping, Kurisu and I walk along the evening Akiba streets. Kurisu's been walking next to me for a while, looking like she wants to say something. She keeps stealing glances at me.

"Dissatisfied?"

Doesn't look like she expected that word from me. Finally, she faces this way.

"Dissatisfied that we're not experimenting."

"No way. 'Humans are temporal beings'. That's a Heidegger quote. When you decided we won't experiment, I was actually relieved. If nobody came to stop me, then I might not have been able to stop myself. Thank you."

Oh, ohh...? It's a rare, admirable gratitude. Does she have a fever?

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"I thought you might have a fever, since you're saying such assistant-like words."

I drop my hand.

"It's not like I'm grateful for you or anything, okay!"

Kurisu attracts the attention of all the surrounding pedestrians with that line. Kurisu hangs her blushing head once she notices. If Daru were here, he'd probably get all excited and say "A real tsundere ftw!"

"Anyway."

Kurisu clears her throat, returning to her usual sour face.

"That thanks was just a formality. Don't get me wrong, okay?"

"Like hell I'd get you wrong, 'cause I've only done what was natural. For as Lab Member 001 and founder of the lab, I, Hououin Kyouma, place highest priority on protecting the welfare of my lab mems. So, I have no need for your thanks."

"And yet you say things like visiting chaos upon the world."

"My lab mems are my allies, and the world is my enemy."

"I'm speechless. You're too self-righteous."

"Speechless, yet you're speaking?"

"Don't be a grammar Nazi."

It's still just been two weeks since Kurisu and I met, and yet it's become normal for her to be next to me as a lab mem. Though, we may have been shackled together when we made that outrageous object.

This genuine girl's wealth of knowledge sure is wonderful. I'd like her to stay at the lab by all means, but she said she's going to return to America this month. It's already the 13th, so I wonder when she plans to return.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to get a plane ticket."

That's how she answered when I asked.

"I got too caught up in improving the Microwave Ophone."

"If we publically reveal the Time Leap Machine, it'll put the world in an uproar. We also need to prosecute SERN. You'll be unable to go back."

Working Warrior posted:

Subject: Re: Re: Oneself Don't forget Titor's words.

Looks like things are going to get busy. Naturally, I want Kurisu to stay with us to the end.

"Tutturu♪ I'm back!"

Seems Mayuri went to Rukako's. Our development council starts, with Suzuha also participating. Daru ordered three pizzas. We also lined up all the snacks we bought on the table. It's the same scene as the party we had to cheer Suzuha a few days ago.

It seems like Mayuri wanted to decorate the room, but since everyone's tired, I dismissed it as unnecessary.

"Man! That was terrible. I got stuck with acting like an exhibitionist for an entire day."

The Braun Tube Workshop's already closed for today. I checked with Suzuha to make sure the 42" Braun tube TV's off, so there's no need to fear failure from the Time Leap Machine. Upon hearing that, I take a big sigh and free my body from the stress. Then, I notice that I've been nervous these five hours since the Time Leap Machine's been complete.

Even when we started the development council, Kurisu didn't touch the topic of the Time Leap Machine. That topic is taboo in this party. It's become that sort of atmosphere.

I had opened the delivered pizza boxes to find the exact same ones as for Suzuha's party.

"Because I like it."

Naturally, I'm shocked.

"Okarin, Okarin. I called Faris and Ruka too, but they said they couldn't join today."

"I see. Did they have things to do?"

"Faris has a RaiNet tournament today."

"Crap, I should've cheered her on! How careless of me!"

"And Ruka seemed embarrassed for some reason."

"Maybe she thinks you'll make her wear a costume if she comes here again?"

"The cosplay stuff? You still haven't convinced her yet?"

Then what was the point of completing the costume?

"She said it was embarrassing, even though Cute is Justice."

"Cute is Justice... that phrase is getting popular."

"Cris, you're cute too!"

"Hah? Eh?"

Kurisu's surprised at the sudden turn of events. Mayuri starts teasing the blushing Kurisu like a nasty old drunkard. Figuratively speaking, of course, since there's no alcohol at this party.

"Hey hey, wanna go to this coming ComiMa? I can’t make something new, but I have a costume of Post-Awakening Seira from Blood Tune I made last year. I think the size is just right for Cris, too."

"Me, cosplay...?"

Kurisu makes a difficult face, and then murmurs...

Bitch, you didn't look interested at all before.

"Ah, but I refuse to do it in public, though."

"It's okay just to wear it! But you know, eventually, you'll want everyone to see. The cosplay demon compels you!"

Demon?

"That reminds me. Cris, you're always wearing that cute uniform, huh. But was there a uniform like this in metro Tokyo?"

"Ah, this?"

Kurisu pulls up her necktie.

"For two weeks, I did something like an abroad study at Ayamein, and so I modeled this after their uniform."

(Google only returns hits about Steins;Gate, so I'm guessing it's a made-up school.)

"Ah, so it was Ayamein. Their uniform is originally cute, huh... but Cris's modeling sense might be really good♪ Tomorrow, I'll bring the costume, okay? Then will you try it on?"