What's a Boyfriend?

You there! You're that prodigy who's competing for the top spot at IDA School, Ruina, right?!

Who're you?

Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! Well, I'm from the distribution section of IDA School's News Magazine, and...

So you're from the News Club? The extracurricular activity group notorious for reporting only crazy, baseless rumors?

Gosh, that was so uncalled for! We won't be silenced by slander, I say! We are the voice of the people!

After all, "Fake news is the enemy of the people."

... Is there a reason you're speaking to me?

There's that famous straight-shooting attitude! Actually, I have a job for you. One that requires your elevated level of skill.

Rumors concerning a certain couple are flying round the school right now.

So I thought I'd ask you to investigate.

Prying into people's private lives is unacceptable. No.

Ooh, touché! But they're breaking a school rule, you see. The one that states that students must live to a high student-ly standard.

And THAT'S why their relationship is garnering so much suspicion!

You're saying their courtship is unbecoming of students here?

None of this is confirmed now, but... From what I heard the boy in particular is very, very suspicious.

How so?

The girl's in my class so we all know her. But nobody has any idea where the boy's from.

No one knows which area of Elzion he lives in, you mean?

No, I mean if you look up his citizen ID, not a single byte of data comes up. Not. One.

...Speaking of unknown people, who are you?

Never mind him. Go on.

Oh, right. And they never leave each other's side! It's like, what are they DOING, y'know?

I guess it's fair to say that's unusual. Is there anything more specific on the boy?

Let's see... Word also has it that he's always dressed really weird.

Dressed weird? I can't recall having seen anyone like that around here.

I also heard they randomly show up in places sometimes. People saying they were there one minute and gone the next. That one's still largely unconfirmed, though.

We'll need more than that to go on. How should I go about looking into this?

Well, they're a couple, so... Why not scope out the date spots in town for anybody who fits the description?

"Date spot"?

Do you know what it is, Aldo?

Don't ask me, I wouldn't know. I'm not all that familiar with this place.

Well, stores are a standard example. You window shop, stuff like that.

A date at a store? What kind of store do you think, Aldo?

Hey, I told you, I don't know this place that well. Shops included.

Geez, you guys are totally clueless...

Hm? You say something just now?

Okay, okay, look! Why don't you just try visiting, say... Your favorite store?

My favorite store?

Okay. That would be in the Gamma District.

Great. Well, good luck out there! I'm expecting a full report when you get back!

Here we are. The Armory. My favorite store.

Oh, hey, this is Amy's place, isn't it?

You've been here before?

Yeah, I used to come here quite a bit. I even know the owners, so recon should be easy. Leave it to me.

Okay.

Welcome, welcome!

Well now, if it isn't Aldo! Here to browse the wares?

Actually, I wanted to ask you something. Do you get many female IDA School students coming here regularly?

Hmm, wouldn't say so. Only your lady friend there and a couple others, maybe.

That narrows it down. Are any of them usually with a guy?

That'd be a negative. 'Cept for you and her being here like you are now.

I see...

That's all for now. Thanks, Za'ol. I'll stop by again sometime.

Sure thing, anytime. You be sure to swing by when you find you need the latest gear!

No info to be found there then.

......

Something on your mind?

Something of an epiphany, actually. I'm definitely no expert, but... Maybe a store that sells weapons isn't the most romantic of locations.

Really? But it's a necessity if you ever want go outside the city.

I mean, you're not wrong there, but...

...Explaining it might take awhile, actually. Come on, let's try another place.

A different store?

Er, not quite. Somewhere with a nice view seems appropriate. I was thinking we could try someplace like that.

Hmm... The view from the airport is nice. At least I think so.

The Airport, huh?

It has a good field of fire and decent cover.

...I had something a little different in mind. ...You really don't pay attention to this lovey-dovey sort of stuff, do you?

Lovey-dovey stuff?

It's...nothing.

Fine, then. Let's get back to tracking down this mysterious couple.

Now THAT makes a real pretty picture.

What do you think? I really like the view from here.

It is beautiful, that's for sure.

No sign of the couple here either, though.

The area's pretty dangerous. I feel like the only people who come here are probably construction workers.

That's a shame. It's so nice here...

I can see why you'd think that, minus the homicidal robots and all!

An out-of-control robot... We have to stop it. There's no way I'm letting it spoil the view for me.

*sigh*

You okay? Getting tired?

No. I'm fine, really.

And we have the clincher!

(That sounded like...No, it can't be.)

We've searched high and low and still can't find this couple...

Yeah... Well, Elzion's a big place.

You're right, it was overly optimistic to think we'd find them in one day.

Well, we've done what we can. Let's give up for now and head back to the city.

Yeah. There's not much more we can do. But don't worry, I'll help you explain things to that student reporter.

You're back! Excellent work!

I'm sorry. We couldn't find this suspicious couple of yours anywhere. We gave it our best shot.

Oh, not at all!

This whole thing has been a huge, HUGE success. Trust me.

It has? But we didn't even find a single trace of this mystery couple...

Well, of course. I mean, tracking yourselves would be pretty difficult, right?

What do you mean?

It means that the truth is... I've been operating this whole time on a tasty tidbit of info from another IDA student!

That the previously solitary, goody-two-shoes Ruina has somehow finally found love!

...Huh?

I took an interest, decided to snoop around, and look what I found!

A cute guy in weird clothes who never leaves her side. This is breaking news, I'm telling you!

But reporting on such a sensitive matter requires an indirect approach. So, to get the proof I needed I simply pushed things in the right direction...

What in the world are you talking about? Me, in love?

I had no idea you had a boyfriend, though. Congrats, Ruina.

I knew you'd play coy, but I know Ruina's secret boyfriend is you, Aldo!

...Wait, what?! Hold on a second here... People think my clothes are weird?

Duh! Come on, you stick out like a sore thumb.

O-Oh, yeah. I guess that makes sense. I am kind of from another time, after all...

Ooookay then, whatever, but at least you know now.

Personally I think they're interesting so you get a thumbs up from me though!

Now, how did you meet? Who confessed first? And where did it all go down?!

W-Wait a moment!

I really have no idea what you're talking about.

Ah, the sweet innocence of youth. Allow me to spell it out for you then, if I may.

A boyfriend is someone who's always there for you, and cares about you deeply...

And when you're together you can't help but feel the burning heat of love!

Somehow I didn't have her pegged as the love-crazy type...

Who doesn't love a good love story?! Anyway, Ruina, that's the gist. Can I get a comment?

Hm... Let me think. I can't speak for others' feelings, but as for mine...

It's true that we're always together, and he's come to my rescue before. And I guess I do have this warm, comforting feeling when we're together...

Does this mean Aldo is my boyfriend?

I'm your what now?!

Yes! What a scoop! Juicer than a Comet smoothie! This is going to be the story of the century!

I've gotta get this recording of what you just said up on the website. Toodles!

*sigh* Ohh, I really wish I had a boyfriend too!

...... What a busybody.

......

...What?

Aldo, are you my boyfriend?

Th-That's a pretty awkward question you're asking me...

If you're my boyfriend, is there anything special I should do?

Special? Well, if you mean the stuff couples get up t...

No, wait, that's not where I wanted to go with this!

Let's break this down first. A boyfriend and girlfriend are...a couple.

Neither did I, to be honest.

But that's not what we are now, is it?

I don't know...

Am I not important to you?

No, you are. But with a couple it's different.

Um....I still don't get it. Does that mean we might be a couple someday?

You're really determined to push this couple thing!

How does something like that happen? If we become a couple, will I be able to understand your feelings better?

Maybe I didn't explain myself all that well. Okay. How about I put it this way...

To me, Ruina, you're a precious friend. I like being around you, I really do. But, how should I say this... I'm happy with how things are right now. I can't speak for what happens in the future...

But even if we're not a couple the fact that you're important to me doesn't change. I hope that's enough for you.

Enough? ...I think so.

I probably should know my own feelings, but with all that's been going on, I haven't had time to think.

I think if I can find an appropriate descriptor, I'll be fine.

Yeah? Okay, that's good to know.

"Friends"...

Yeah, that sounds good.

I think that word works best. I like it.