Chapter 4

In the first place, Naomi was a quiet and introverted girl who doesn't speak much. And now, a handsome person suddenly intruded on her personal space and claimed that he was going to become her partner. OF COURSE, her heart would feel like it was going to take a leap out of her chest. Her mind was short-circuiting, or so she wishes, but it couldn't happen when that handsome guy's face was right in front of hers!

They were only a breath's away from one another and Naomi was pretty sure that she couldn't lean back anymore than she could. 

'Wait a moment, I should've already fallen backwards.' Naomi thought to herself, but that's when she realized that a strong arm was holding her behind her waist, preventing her from falling to the ground.

"Wa..wa...wa...wa..."

The close contact, his otherworldly handsome face, his mesmerizing blue eyes- all of it, the entire scenario was simply way too much for the teenage girl, to the point that her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her chest while her stomach was riddled with thousands of butterflies.

Her face was tinted in tomato red and her were spinning in circles. She couldn't understand anything anymore and not a second later, she fainted.

"Hm? What's wrong? Miss Naomi?" Adam worriedly called out to the girl whose body looked as if a puppet whose strings were cut.

Thankfully, Adam was already carrying her or she would've really collapsed to the ground. He gently tapped her cheeks in an attempt to wake her up but it seems that she was out cold.

Meanwhile, Adam was making a face as if he couldn't understand why that happened. 

"...."

"...."

As for the two onlookers, their eyes twitched in annoyance of the young man's seemingly obliviousness. 'Can't you see?! It's your fault she fainted!'

"Um...." Adam looked awkwardly at Hiro and the adult. "It seems that she has fainted."

'We can see that!'

"I should bring her to the infirmary." Adam said as he picked her up in a princess carry. However, before he could walk away, the adult blocked his way with his staff.

"No, it cannot be done."

"Hm?" Adam tilted his head in confusion as he looked at the adult. "Why not?"

"That's because she has already been designated to another plantation. Her departure time is nearing and her passenger shuttle should arrive anytime now."

Adam smiled at him and said, "That wouldn't be necessary now. She's going to be my partner after all."

The adult frowned. "You can't just decide that on your own!"

However, just as he said those words, the receiver on his wrist began to ring, signifying that someone was calling him.

"You should probably pick that up." Adam lightheartedly said. Inwardly however, his eyes were glinting in coldness as he held back a sneer. 'Of course, they would be watching all of my movements.'

He knew for sure that he was still under constant surveillance. Heck, even his intimate time with his sister was being watched and recorded. Of course, with years of being watched and having zero privacy, he had long gotten used to it. But that doesn't mean he finds it all the less displeasing. 

The adult glared at him for a moment as he raised his wrist to his mouth and answered the call.

"Who is this?"

"....." Adam and Hiro couldn't hear what the caller was saying since the voice would only transmit to the adult's earpiece. However, they saw how the adult's face change from resolution to reluctance.

"Understood, Sir." The adult ended the call and looked at Adam once more, this time with a more formal attitude. "It will be a pleasure to work with you, Sir Adam."

Adam amiably smiled and shook his head. "No need for 'Sirs'. Just call me Adam."

"Very well, Adam."

"Good." Adam nodded as the adult moved out of the way for them. As he did so, Adam didn't forget to bring the briefcase with him as he began walking away.

But before he took more than five steps, Adam stopped for a moment and looked at the boy behind him. "How about you?"

"I..." Hiro's face became conflicted as he looked at Adam and his former partner. "I'm useless here... it's better to leave."

Adam stared at him for the last time before nodding. "Alright. If that is your choice."

With that, Adam left with Naomi in his arms while Hiro stayed at the hangar to wait for his passenger shuttle.

Meanwhile, in another place of the plantation, Zero Two could be seen sitting by the edge of a tall humanoid mecha's hatch. She was currently wearing a red bodysuit with white accents as she blankly gazed at the distant sky, her hair slowly swaying through the wind.

"...I smell a klaxosaur." She murmured in a low voice.

***

"Uwa... that's weird... I just had the strangest dream." Naomi mumbled as she regained consciousness.

'At first I thought it was a nightmare since Hiro and I failed to pass the exam. Hiro then decided to run away from his problems and retreat to the orphanage, which is really annoying since he was given the chance to stay here but for me on the other hand... there was no such option.' Naomi sighed, feeling depressed. 'So I laid out all my frustrations at him. But then all of the sudden, a handsome guy appeared and claimed that he wanted me as his partner.'

"Oh, that wasn't a dream."

A deep and melodious voice snapped Naomi out of her thoughts. She opened her eyes and found herself sticking to the very same handsome guy's chest, causing her heart to immediately began picking up the pace again.

"W-w-wha..."

Adam smiled charmingly at her. "Good morning, princess. Had a nice nap?"

"Wha... where... what..."

She realized that she was being carried in a princess style and her close contact with his chest only made her even more flustered. 'Uwaa!!!! Why does he smell so good?! What the heck?!'

"No... wait..!" She tried to speak but voice grew smaller and smaller to the point that it sounded like a whisper. "....w-where are you taking me?"

Adam smirked and teasingly said, "Well, where do you want me to take you?"

Poof!

Smoke came out of Naomi's ears as her brain short circuited. Her face was blushing like a tomato while her eyes became blank. Seeing this, Adam narrowed his eyes. "If you faint again, I'll wake you up with a kiss, just like the same way they do in fairytales."

Hearing that, Naomi immediately snapped her back to reality and tried to regain her composure, which proved hard to do when she's being carried in the most dreamiest guy she met. She didn't know what a kiss was, but she definitely did not want to be embarrassed by him any further.

"S-s-seriously..." Naomi complained while avoiding to look at his face. "...please stop teasing me."

Adam raised a brow and smiled. "Oh? You can tell?"

Naomi frowned and pouted a little. "...I can tell that much.."

"Well then, Miss Naomi, I'll just let you know that we're on our way to the infirmary. You fainted all of the sudden after all."

"The infirmary?" Naomi looked at him in confusion before becoming frantic. "B-but my departure time is already near! Oh no! What do I do if I missed it! I'm going to be punished! I- I-"

"Calm down." Adam told her. "Don't worry. I meant what I said when I wanted to be your partner and now, you are."

Naomi stared at him with her brows slowly knitting. "...What do you mean?"

Adam met her gaze and said, "What I mean is, we're officially partners now and you can continue stay here."

"Wha- bu- but how?" Naomi asked as he thoughts become turbulent. 'We've never even partnered up before! How could they allow this? What if we're not compatible? What if we fail? What if-'

"It's fine, it's fine." Adam reassured her with a confident tone. "Don't worry too much with that pretty little head of yours. I'm a great pilot, you know?"

"Really? But what if-"

"It's fine!" Adam cut her off again. He looked at her and said, "Just trust me, okay? You don't want to leave here after all, right?"

Naomi stared at his mesmerizing blue eyes and gulped. She looked away as her face became red again.

"...but what if I cause trouble for you?" She asked in a low voice.

She knows herself very well and while she may be a capable pistil, she knows quite well that she wasn't as outstanding as the others. She was very average in every aspect, which is the main reason why she struggled so hard to make it far. And now that she was being helped out of good will, she really couldn't shamelessly accept it as she felt that she wasn't worthy of it.

After all, one look at Adam and she knew for sure that he wasn't 'just' a great pilot. Her thoughts was further supported by the fact that they allowed her to become his partner even though she was already set to be on another planet. She's sure that Adam was a special personnel with connections with the higher ups. That's why she didn't want to waste his good will on her for the fear that it might trouble him.

"Idiot." Adam said which stunned Naomi.

He wanted to flick her forehead the same way he does to his sister whenever she says something stupid. "You have the opportunity to stay here now. Didn't you say you would've done it even if it killed you? Why are you worrying about useless things now?"

"....." Naomi grew silent upon hearing his words.

"Besides," Adam continued, "I didn't help you out of pure good will, you know? It just so happens that I don't have a partner yet after being transferred here and you happen to be a cute pistil that caught my eye."

"C-c-cute?!"

Adam raised a brow and teased, "Why yes, of course. Were you not aware of it?"

"You...!" Naomi really couldn't handle him anymore as her face grew hot once again, making her look away in haste. Be that as it may, the corners of her lips were twitching, signifying that she was very happy by his compliment.

Naomi took a few moments to regain her composure and asked, "You mentioned that you were newly transferred here... doesn't that mean that they would assign a partner for you eventually? One that should match your capabilities?"

She was worried that she would get replaced and her already rising hope would get crushed right as soon as possible.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that." Adam smiled and explained, "I am compatible with just about any and every pistils. I'm that much of a great pilot and this isn't just empty words.

Naomi wanted to give him a skeptical look because his statement was far too impossible, but refrained from doing so as to not want to hurt his feelings.

"So," Adam continued, "Even if they were to assign another partner for me, I would reject them because I already have you."

"....." Hearing his words that felt like cupid shooting arrow straight through her heart, Naomi felt herself blushing once again as his words echoed in her head. 'Mouu!!! Seriously! He's doing this on purpose, right?! Right?!'

".....Mister Adam.... has anyone ever told you that you have a glib tongue?"

Adam narrowed his eyes at her and smirked. "And I'll be happy to let you know that it can do a lot more than that." He licked his lips seductively, "Would you like to confirm it?"

".....Mister Adam... please stop teasing me." Naomi begged inwardly. 'Seriously, anymore than this and I'll lose it.'

"No need for formalities." Adam said before chuckling at her adorable struggling face. "Just call me Adam."

Naomi pouted again before slightly nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Y-yes... okay... Adam."

Adam smiled at her and Naomi reciprocated that smile bashfully. Honestly, she felt very shy in front of him and wondered how she could even talk to such a handsome person. It was while she was thinking that, did Naomi remembered that she was still being carried by Adam.

"U-um... Adam... you can put me down now. I can walk on my own."

"Are you sure? You fainted earlier after all."

'That was because of you!!!' Naomi complained in her heart. "I-I'm okay now! Besides, aren't I heavy?"

"Heavy? Not at all. In fact, are you sure you're eating right?"

"...." Naomi shut her mouth again but her lips were trembling uncontrollably. She was seriously trying her best to not smile like an idiot. 'Mmmmmouu!!! Seriously! stop this already, Sir Adam!!!'

"Puhahahaha!" Adam burst in laughter as he couldn't hold it in anymore, making the teenage girl feel sour for being teased endlessly. She turned her face away with a pout, showing that she was sulking.

Adam reined in his laughter and apologized. "I'm sorry Naomi, but you really make the most interesting faces."

"Please put me down, Adam." Naomi requested for the last time as she felt embarrassed for being carried by Adam.

In public, by the way!

She could feel other people's gazes at them! It was embarrassing, okay?!

"Alright, alright." Adam gently released her and Naomi straightened her gait while softly fixing the creased uniform. Her face was still faintly red as the result of Adam's continuous teasing.

Adam observed her with a smile and said, "Anyway, I take it that you agree to being my partner?"

"...Do I have choice?" Naomi quipped back in a shy tone.

"Nope!" Adam beamed a smile. "You were already mine from the moment I decided so."

"...?!!! Adam!" Naomi's face began turning red again. ' I-I-Isn't that like a proposal?!'

Just then, a strong force shook the entire building, startling both Adam and Naomi along with many of the other people nearby.

"What was that?!" Naomi asked in fright.

Adam stared at the walls with vigilance. "We need to move." He said before grabbing Naomi's hands.

"Wha- where are we going?!"

Adam calmly turned to her and asked, "Where do you keep your FRANXXs?"

***

Meanwhile, back in the hangar, Hiro could be seen running frantically by the outer hallways as the enormous obsidian-black body of a moho-class klaxosaur crashed against the building. It's lizard-like head crashed against the side of the plantation as its body was rained with powerful explosives. Loud explosions reverberated outside while smoke accumulated on the klaxosaur's giant body.

Hiro hastily ran while keeping steady steps as the klaxosaur passed by his side. The boy's size was like an ant when next to the ginormous monster. The klaxosaur left a trail of tremor and thick smoke of dust as it passed by Hiro, forcing Hiro to cover his face as he continued to run.

Just then, a loud thumping noise could be heard as a bright glowing eye peered through the thick smoke of dust. Hiro glanced to his side and saw the head of a large cross-shaped glowing yellow eyes. 

"Another klaxosaur?!" It quickly passed by him but Hiro could make out its jaguar-like figure as it ran on four limbs.

Meanwhile, the start-up ceremony has been cancelled as countless adults hastily retreated back inside the plantation.

"Run away! Take shelter!" One of the guards shout while trying to direct the other panicking civilians.

The large head of the klaxosaur reared from the edge of the building, striking fear amongst the panicking mob, making them run even more frantically. Near that area was Dr. FRANXX and Nana as they attended the start-up ceremony.

"A moho-class huh?" Dr. FRANXX said as he observed the frighteningly large klaxosaur while holding his chin in curiosity. "It's big, strong, and has a fine look."

"This is no time for casual commentary!" Nana exclaimed. She really couldn't believe the doctor was acting like this in an emergency.

"Prepare to evacuate!" She said to the doctor before turning to the surrounding escorts and ordered, "Hurry up and retrieve the parasites!"

BOOM!

The ground quaked once again as the klaxosaur crashed its head into one of the facilities.

"Garage 2 damaged." A robotic female's voice reported through the speakers. "Unfit for housing Delphinium."

Meanwhile, in garage 2, the klaxosaur could be seen tearing through the steel walls by forcing its large head in. It was able to pry through the station door just enough for its large gaping maw to open wide, revealing the bright blue throat of the klaxosaur. Unfortunately, resting inside that station was a FRANXX with blue and white theme, namely Delphium. Even though the its height reached about 60-70 meters tall, the humanoid mecha seemed to only match the size of the klaxosaur's mouth.

"?!" The female pilot inside Delphium gasped in fright as the cockpit slowly lit in blinding blue light, indicating that the klaxosaur was about to release an attack.

However, just as it was about to blow a powerful attack, a beast-like mecha crashed into its head, forcing it away from the station garage. The impact of the beast-like mecha was so strong that it managed to push the enormous klaxosaur away by several meters.

"Groaaahhhh!!!" The moho-class klaxosaur, now revealed to have a similar appearance as a tyrannosaurus rex, roared in anger as it tried to shake off the jaguar mecha that had white theme with red highlights. 

The klaxosaur frantically shook its head but the jaguar mecha firmly held on by biting through the klaxosaur's flesh. With the giant body of the klaxosaur, the mecha looked like a regular dog trying to fight a grizzly bear.

"A stampede, now?" Nana murmured as she looked at the live fight between the FRANXX and the klaxosaur.

"What an ugly sight." One of the officials wearing an oversized white uniform and golden mask remarked. "Did she devour her stamen again?"

"It's hard to tell which is the real monster here." Another official commented as they watched the fight.

Meanwhile, the FRANXX in stampede mode, brutally bit off the klaxosaur's flesh, pulling and tearing its skin apart. The klaxosaur, sensing the danger, slowly began to open its maw again and this time, particles of blue energy began gathering in.

Fshhh!

Its lizard tail transformed into a cylindrical shape before expanding outwardly, turning into a cone-shaped part, while blue circular interiors began spinning rapidly and glowing in bright blue light. Loud whirring noise resounded as its obsidian-like skin abruptly bulked, launching away the stampede FRANXX several meters away.

The stampede FRANXX bounced on its back and regained its footing while facing the klaxosaur's direction.

"Guys!" By this time, Hiro arrived at the outer hallway where the stampede FRANXX was near him. He held unto the railings while shouting towards the FRANXX, thinking it was one of his friends piloting it.

But then, he froze in place as he saw the klaxosaur opening its large maw and gathered a large amount of energy.

"What the hell?"

The ground began trembling as the klaxosaur's attack rapidly built up, its tail absorbing and generating large amount of energy and directed it into its mouth. Not a second later, a bright blue beam shot towards the stampede FRANXX.

The FRANXX quickly reacted, its tail turning into a golden lance-like weapon and intercepted the attack. The impact resulted in a bright blinding light covering the ceremonial area accompanied by a strong shockwave that forced everyone to brace themselves for the fear of being pushed away by the wind.

After a few seconds of enduring, the beam stopped and its lingering energy spread across the plantation's walls. However, those lingering energy became the source of simultaneous strong explosions.

This stampede FRANXX, being the main receiver of this attack, was heavily affected by the explosion, launching it towards the plantation. Hiro narrowed his eyes as he saw the figure of the stampede FRANXX landing towards his direction.

"AHHH!!!" He desperately ran away but the FRANXX landed faster than he thought. He was thrown away by the force as he held his head in pain.

"Ow... what was that?"

Thick grey smoke filled his vision while the surroundings were littered with destroyed debris. 

"Kuhak!"

Hiro opened his eyes as heard the sound of a man falling in front of him while coughing violently.

"Huh? H-hey..." Hiro approached the man wearing a body suit but was stopped by a familiar woman's voice.

"Forget about him. He's done for."

Hiro turned towards the voice and saw a young woman with a long pink hair and straight cut bangs wearing a red bodysuit with white highlights. She emerged from the cockpit of the FRANXX as she weakly leaned on the side of the entrance. It seems that she was injured as blood fell from the side of her face. 

"You're...." Hiro couldn't believe that he was seeing the beautiful woman that he met the other day. The teenager gently laid down the man who seemed to have lost his life after the battle. He looked at the woman and asked, "What are you doing in there?"

"What, you ask?" Zero Two grimly smiled. "I'm going monster hunting, of course."

"You're going to pilot this robot alone?" Hiro asked worriedly.

Zero Two looked at the boy and grimaced. "I wish my Darling could pilot me, but I can't afford to look for him right now.

'I should've just stayed where asked me to.' Zero Two deeply regretted her decision to look for him herself.

She took a breather for a few seconds while the boy looked at her with a worried face.

"I gotta go." Zero Two said as she turned around to pilot the FRANXX again, but her knees failed her as she fell to the ground and used the wall as a support. 

"W-wait a second!" Hiro stood by the cockpit's entrance as he tried to stop her. "You can't! You're hurt!"

He grab unto her arm in an attempt to pull her away from the cockpit but the latter slapped his arm away.

"Out of my way!" She exclaimed as she tried her best to climb over the pistil's seat, but she was evidently too weak to do so.

"This is insanity." Hiro tried to reason with her. "Besides, you're by yourself now."

"I've been alone for a long time." Zero Two answered with an emotionless voice. "Ever since I was separated from him, I have always been alone."

Her face turned serene while her voice softened. "But now that I'm finally with Darling again..." Anger flashed in her eyes as her face twisted in hatred. "I won't let some monster ruin that for me!"

"No! You'll die!" Hiro shouted.