You're My Hero

Everyone's always so carefree here.

(If everyone from the lab had been born in this time layer, would we have had such peaceful lives?)

But there's no point in getting sentimental.

Huh?

Even the cats here don't seem shy.

Quit it. I'm not a play thing.

AAAHHH!

Dewey, I found her!

Who are you? I don't know anyone in this time layer.

Don't run off into crowds like that! It's not safe.

I'm sorry... But I saw Mimi so I followed her here.

She was playing with this guy in the cape...

Guy in the cape?

Oh...

You again? Urgh, wipe that dumb look off your face. It's making your stupid face looks even stupider.

Well, I see you're still as unpleasant and mean as the last time we met.

Sorry. The sight of your gormless face just gets on my nerves.

See, that's exactly what I'm talking about. But enough about you right now.

What about the cat? You said you found her.

Yeah, but she ran off again... What am I gonna do? I've gotta go visit my mom in the hospital now.

Go. I'll look for her.

But you don't know what she looks like.

Well...

Ah! I know!

It's all going to be okay. Because this nice man here's going to help me look for her, right?

I don't remember signing up for...

Please?

......

......

Fine. I'll help look.

Really?!

Really.

Thank you! Find her soon, 'kay?

There I was thinking you were cold, but it looks like you have a warm side after all.

Hmph. Are you just going to stand there all day, or are you going to actually get looking?

I'm on it. I want the girl to get her cat back as soon as possible.

But where should we start looking? This park's pretty big.

All these people loitering around the park with clearly nothing better to do. Someone must have seen the cat.

Okay! Let's get asking!

Y'know that makeup line that launched yesterday? I looked for it today, and it was sold out absolutely everywhere!

You mean the one Shannon designed? I'm so glad I pre-ordered! All the products in stores sold out immediately.

WHAT?! You actually got some?! I'm so jealous! I want it, too!

Excuse me, would you mind if I asked you something?

What do you want? You trying to hit on us?

Wha?! Hit on you? N-No you've got the wrong...

Stop being so weird. We're looking for a cat.

Y-Yeah, that's right! It belongs to a little girl. Did you see it by any chance?

A cat? Nope. Haven't any around here. I did see some Guard Drones fly by though.

That's so sweet, helping a little girl find her kitty. Aren't you a good boy!

Hey, I'm not a little kid. We're probably the same age...

Wait! Don't leave me!

Hm? Do you need something?

Pipsqueak? Hey, don't judge a book by its cover.

Pfft...

Don't laugh! I'm still growing! When I'm your age, I'll...

Then you're out of time. The nano machine may have changed my growth rate, but we're still the same age.

Huh?

Disappointing as it is, you are me. So of course we're the same age.

WHAAAT?!

Sorry, I didn't mean to...

Urgh, you're all so loud.

So? What did you want with me?

Dope...fit? What's he talking about?

He wants to dress like you. This wouldn't be happening if I was wearing my best outfit today...

I don't know what's going on here, but I do know that I don't care to find out. Well, this has been a waste of time. Get back to looking for the cat.

I'll try and ask him later, okay? I'd better be on my way.

Here little kitty! Come on! I've got some tasty treats for you.

*sigh* Why do cats have to be so cute?

Excuse me. Did you see a cat around here?

Eeeek! Y-You startled me...

Sorry about that. But we're looking for a cat...

You are? Oh. Sorry, no cats around here.

But you were just...

Sorry if I gave you the wrong idea. I was just playing on an app. See? There's my cute little kitty.

Wow, it looks so realistic.

Doesn't it? But that's both a good and a bad thing. My cat had a worm in its mouth and I was so shocked that I actually screamed... It even alerted the security drone patrolling the area. It must have registered it as a potential incident. I'm so embarrassed. Maybe I should tell the student who made the app to create a worm-free version.

Wait, so an IDA student made this?

That's right... But you're not students of mine, are you?

No, I've been in the hospital until recently, so I don't go to school. And as for him...

I'm not an IDA student either. I have no interest in school.

Oh, that's such a shame. School and studies can increase your potential, and it can be really fun, too. I may not have been able to help with your lost cat, but if you're ever feeling lost about life, come talk to me. We have trial classes.

Thanks. I'll come and see you if I ever get the chance!

So no one had seen the cat after all.

What a waste of time. Surely if the cat was happy in its life, it would go back to its master of its own accord?

Maybe, but what if something bad happened to it?

*sigh*

You know, I noticed when we were doing the rounds together, but you're actually kinda naive. I know that this is gonna make you mad, but it reminded me of the younger kids from the Special Ward.

The Special Ward? I guess it's to be expected, you are me after all. They...

Forget it. There's no point.

You...

Did you hear about the security drones going nuts outside ElziMed?

Yeah, I heard they mistook a cat for an enemy target and started chasing it around.

What was that?!

Don't shout so loud. I can hear you just fine.

ElziMed, that's what they said, right? The cat's in trouble! We have to go save it!

Over there! The cat's surrounded!

Hm? That cat... Yep, that's the one. That's the cat we're looking for.

It is?

WAIT!

Don't harm this kitty!

Urgh, what an idiot...

Your back's wide open! Couldn't you at least have culled a few of them first?

What was I supposed to do? The cat was in danger!

You won't protect yourself, but you will protect others? Do you really expect everything to just work out in your favor?

Enough already! I appreciate your help and all, but you're so mean! How can you be me?

That's supposed to be my line. How could I possibly wind up as a simple-minded fool like you?

Doesn't look like these drones are gonna be leaving in a hurry.

No, I think we're going to have to silence them ourselves.

You're tougher than you look. You know, we could use my power to boost your water gun. Let's take these drones down.

It's not a water gun, it's a mist gun! But why're you suddenly helping me out?

My power left unchecked could end up razing this whole area to the ground. So you've got to be the one to shoot.

Okay, I can do that! So what should I do?

My nano machine power is specialized for combat. I'll use resonance to pass it on to you. Okay? On my count...

3...

2...

1...

Now!

Phew... Is your power always this strong?

Urgh, it feels like my blood's boiling. It's like when I had my fever...

That was nothing, quit your whining. You're so weak. This is why the Dawn Time Layer...

Excuse me, you two!

I heard the guard drones were acting up, did you see them anywhere? By the sounds of things, a few of our test devices have stopped working properly.

Yeah, we dealt with them just now.

What?! You DEALT with them? But their composite armor should protect them from that kind of...

Um, sorry, that's not what I should be saying right now. Thank you for stopping them.

Don't worry about it. We could hardly leave them like that, could we? Besides, we just wanted to save this little kitty.

Hey. Stop that. If you want to play, go play with that blockhead over there.

Hey, don't call me names. If I'm a blockhead, you're a battle junkie.

Heh, it's so cute to see brothers bickering.

We're not brothers!

Really? But you're so in sync, I just assumed you must be brothers.

Anyway, I'd best clear up these broken drones. If you'll excuse me.

*sigh* I feel terrible.

Whatever. I'm going. You can bring the cat to the girl.

No, you've gotta come too! We promised her we'd look for it together.

And besides... I think the cat likes you.

Fine. But I'm leaving the second we hand over this cat.

Sure. Let's go back to the Garden of IDA. She'll probably be back by now.

There you are!

Sorry to keep you waiting. We brought a special someone to see you...

Mimi! I've missed you so much! I dunno what I would've done if I lost you...

......

Hey! You can't just leave without saying anything!

I did tell you I'd be leaving the second we handed over the cat.

That's fine and all, but at least say something first! You're so horrible!

*sigh* You really do get on my nerves. Not all of us have as much time on our hands as you do.

Do you have things to do, Mr. Cape Man?

I'm sorry, I shoulda thought about that before I made you go look for Mimi.

...... It's nothing urgent. So you don't need to worry.

Okay. Thanks, Mr. Cape Man. Actually, that's a good point... What's your name, mister?

My name? We're never going to meet again. There's no need for you to know it.

But you found Mimi for me... So I wanna remember your name.

It's Dewey. My name is Dewey.

Huh? But he's Dewey? You're a Dewey too, Mr. Cape Man? Whoa that's so cool! You've both got the same name!

Haha, isn't it? It's such an amazing coincidence for us both to have the same name.

......

Dewey... Dewey... I really like your name!

Thanks! I really like my name, too! My mom and dad gave me this name, and I'll cherish their gift forever!

So a name's like a present?

Then I've made up my mind! When my baby brother's born, I'm gonna gift him the name Dewey!

Huh?

I'm gonna be a big sister, and I wanted to find some kinda present to give to him. I bet he's gonna love the name Dewey!

'Cause it's the name of the heroes who came to save Mimi!

Stop it. I'm no hero. And I really don't think we need any more Deweys.

Well, I'm happy about it! Though I'm not sure how comfortable I feel being called a hero...

Teehee... Thanks for finding Mimi for me, Dewey and Dewey!

......

I don't want your thanks. Just keep that thing on a leash so it won't run off again.

Honestly, that guy...

I'm sorry, I should be on my way, too. But if you ever need anything, you come to me, okay?

Wait up! Dewey!

I don't like you calling me that. It makes me want to throw up.

I find it a little uncomfortable too, but it is your name...

And? Why did you follow me?

It looked like you winced when she called you Dewey. I was worried about you.

You're imagining things.

For me, it reminded me of the kids in Special Ward who used to look up to me. I thought maybe you were the same. Maybe you went through the same thing I did...

......

Look, can't we be friends? At first, I couldn't believe that you could possibly be me from a different time layer, and I really struggled with it.

But now that I know you, I'm glad that you're me from a different time layer.

The feeling is not mutual. The fact that you are me disgusts me.

Why did our conversation have to take this turn? Can't you at least try to meet me halfway?

No. This is why I hate you people from the Dawn Time Layer. You always expect everything to work out perfectly.

Not this again...

I'm glad you didn't have to be me.

What was that?

I said you annoy me.

You see, this is what I don't like about you...