...

Tick-tock. The clock read six thirty. By using their time efficiently, Eve and Chung had their assignment pretty much complete.

"Phew, this session was great, Miss Eve! We got lots done." he grinned, giving Eve a thumbs up.

She nodded, feeling satisfied with the poster they created from scrap. "You can keep it."

"Okay! But, before I leave, there's something I... want to give you."

Prince Seiker handed the Queen of Nasods the pink, fluffy teddy bear he had purchased earlier. "I'm not sure if you'd like it or not, but--"

Eve promptly embraced the bear in her arms. "Thank you. I don't know why you gifted this to Eve, but thank you."

"Glad you like it." he chuckled. "See ya tomorrow, Eve."

"Farewell."

Even as Chung began to pack up and depart, she refused to let go of the stuffed toy. She wasn't sure why, but that was what ended up transpiring. The sight of it made Chung grin even more than before, he was extremely happy that he trusted Lucy's intuition.

~

Nothing but the decryption of billions of codes occurred in the basement, Add was fully concentrated. He experienced pity for using such a shabby method of obtaining them, but it couldn't be helped. He had promised to himself that he'd make it up to her sometime, somehow.

Footsteps drew near, but due to the immense focus on the decoding, Add wasn't able to notice a thing. Eve approached the basement, not amused when she realized what Add was innovating in his own little world.

"Add, what do you think you're doing, in the presence of the Nasod Queen?" she inquired.

Despite the fact that she was incapable of sounding angry, mad, nor upset, her voice that was regularly devoid of emotion made it fearful nonetheless.

The curious Esper bit his lip nervously, his mind drawing a blank as to how to cover up the situation. He dismissed his screens and dynamos, slowly heading towards the Empress. His body was acting before his mind could properly think and catch up; there was no time for thought.

Walking and luring Eve to the corner of the wall, he placed his left hand beside her head on the surface, essentially pinning her with no escape.

The Queen thought it was foolish of herself to fall for such a thing, but she did. She couldn't call for her Nasod servants. No, she wouldn't. The force that was restraining her from doing so... was none other than herself.

The distance between the two was too close for comfort. Add already felt uncomfortable, but at the same time, it was even soothing. He could feel Eve's breathing, but oddly, he didn't mind.

Was the force of attraction because she was a Nasod?

The species that he was so interested and intrigued by?

What happened to the eccentricity that he saw in Eve?

Leisurely and steadily, he descended to kiss the captivating Queen. Their lips met for a while. One, two, three, four, five seconds, before Add forced himself to release, finally thinking straight.

Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum. The increase in speed of the beating hearts was mutual, they had both shared their first kiss.

Eve touched her lips with her fingers, while Add slowly receded back a step or two, mentally beating himself up for what he had done.

What was the sensation she felt? It was indescribable. A part of her almost enjoyed it, an emotion that was seemingly impossible for the Nasods. Another part of her blossomed thoughts about Chung.

However, they were interrupted by the notable Prince Seiker, as he ambled down the staircase, and into the basement.

...