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Not for the first time that day, Lucky fought back an urge to shake his head to clear it as he tried to pay attention to what his advisor was saying. Something about a negotiation with the Scorpio System over a trade dispute. As the king of the Leo System, he knew that such matters were important and needed to be addressed. Usually, he was able to focus enough to do just that, but today his mind kept wandering to something, or rather someone, else.
Seeing that his liege was preoccupied and struggling to keep his attention on the subject, the advisor said, “Your Majesty, if you wish, perhaps a short recess is in order.”
Lucky smiled. “Yes, that’s a good idea. Thank you.”
“Yes sire. Notify me when you are ready to resume.”
As the advisor left the room Lucky sighed deeply. He knew that he should use this time to clear his head of distractions, but instead his thoughts turned fully to said distraction.
A few weeks ago, Hammie had stolen four of the newly developed Neo Kyutamas. Knowing that she wouldn’t have done such a thing by choice, Lucky had fought to protect her from Tsurugi’s attempt to arrest her. This had led to the Kyurangers splitting into two sides and fighting each other based on who sided with who.
Of course, it turned out that Hammie had been coerced into her actions. The evil space ninja Demost had kidnapped her mentor in order to force her to do his bidding. At that thought, an uncharacteristic surge of rage went through Lucky. There were very few beings in the universe that he had ever truly hated, but Demost was one of them after what he had put them all through, especially Hammie.
Ultimately it had all worked out all right. The Kyurangers had resolved their differences, Hammie had been exonerated and Demost had been defeated. Lucky’s mood brightened and he smiled as he thought of how Hammie had personally defeated the evil ninja while he and Tsurugi had battled one of his clones. He had been so proud of her. After that she had returned to her studies. Lucky had kept an eye on her, concerned that she might still be struggling with guilt over her part in what had happened, but as far as he could tell she had fully made peace with herself. For that he was very glad.
Nonetheless, since then he hadn’t been able to get his mind off of Hammie. The Shinobi Star’s bright smile and her adorable laugh occupied his thoughts almost constantly. He found himself replaying all of their times together in his head. From her initial annoyance towards him to her compassion and support after his father had given his life to save them all from Don Armage’s Planetium bomb, and every moment in between.
Just then he was jolted from his recollections as he heard a beep from his private computer. Lucky looked over with interest. This wasn’t someone requesting an audience with the king. Only his closest friends knew how to contact him this way. Curious, he opened a communications channel.
“Hi Lucky!” Hammie exclaimed as her smiling face appeared on a holographic image before him. She was usually cheerful but this time she was practically glowing with excitement.
“Hi Hammie” he replied with a broad grin.
“Guess what?” she said. “I just got the results of my test. I passed! I’m a qualified teacher!”
“Hammie that’s wonderful! I knew you’d do it.”
Her smile brightened even more. “Thanks.”
“Do the others know?”
“Not yet. I wanted you to be the first to know.” Lucky’s heart swelled as he heard that. Her expression changed for a second before going back to a smile. Lucky wasn’t certain, but it looked like she was nervous, as if she had said more than she meant to.
Could that mean something?
He pushed the thought to one side and said, “we should celebrate. Why don’t you come to the Leo System? I’ll invite all the others too.”
As he spoke the last sentence, he was surprised by the realisation that a part of him regretted saying it? Why wouldn’t he want to see all the other Kyurangers, his best friends and closest comrades again?
Because I want it to be just me and Hammie he thought.
“Sure, that’s great” she replied happily. “I’ll see you soon. Bye Lucky.”
“Bye Hammie.”
The image of Hammie’s face disappeared. Lucky stood up, feeling a renewed sense of resolve. He sent a notification to his advisor that he was ready to get back to his duties. After all, now he had something to look forwards to afterwards.
A few days later the Kyurangers arrived at the royal manor house on planet Kaien. They all assembled in the main hall where, as usual for their reunions, there was much laughter and hugging. Garu brought along his wife and child, so there was also a lot of cooing and fuss given to the baby Lupus.
When it was his turn to hold the baby Balance stared at him curiously for several moments. “He looks just like his father” he said at last.
“Thank you” said Garu.
Hammie burst out laughing. “That’s hilarious” she managed to say through her giggles.
“I’m so happy for you” said Lucky, giving his best friend a hearty pat on the back. Champ did the same and knocked him flat on his face.
“Sorry” the robot wrestler apologised as he helped him to his feet.
“It’s okay” Garu replied. He dusted himself off and turned back to Lucky. “How about you Lucky? Have you found someone yet?”
“Uh well actually…”
Before he could finish there was a sudden wailing. They looked over to see that the baby had started crying after being handed to Raptor. Garu instantly dashed over to help his wife comfort their child while Raptor began crying that children hated her and Spada tried to console her.
After a while, things settled down. Garu managed to get the baby to fall asleep and Spada was able to reassure Raptor that she wasn’t hated. When he was sure that everyone was all right, Lucky discretely (or so he thought) went up to Hammie as she was chatting with Raptor.
“Uh Hammie, can I have a word?” he asked.
“Sure” she replied.
“Not here” he added hastily. “How about a walk in the gardens?”
“I’d love that!” she said enthusiastically.
“Great!”
As they walked off Balance got a gleam in his optics. “Ooh, what does Lucky want to talk about that he can’t say in front of all of us?”
Naga shrugged. “It’s none of our business.”
“Oh, maybe Lucky is finally going to tell Hammie he loves her” Raptor said eagerly.
“Let’s follow them!” Balance exclaimed.
“No” Stinger said firmly. “As Naga said, it’s none of our business.”
“Spoilsports” Balance grumbled.
Hammie looked around in wonder as she and Lucky walked through the gardens. They were teeming with beautiful flowers that filled the air with a sweet fragrance.
“So, Hammie” Lucky said, his voice just a touch too casual. “Congratulations on passing your test.”
Hammie noticed his odd tone but decided not to mention it. “Thanks. I was so worried that I’d messed up somehow” she replied.
“No way. You worked too hard for that” he said. “So, uh… have you decided where you want to apply?”
“Probably my home system I guess” she replied.
“There are some great schools here and they’re hiring” Lucky said. Again, Hammie noticed that he was trying to sound casual.
“Lucky, is something wrong?” she asked gently.
He sighed. “Hammie, there’s something I want to tell you.”
Hammie felt her heartbeat quicken as a possibility occurred to her. One that she hadn’t allowed herself to consider for fear of having her hopes dashed. “Go on.”
“Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about our adventures.” He chuckled softly. “We went through quite a lot huh?”
Hammie giggled. “Like when we had to take the Commander’s dance class? Or when we had to play baseball against Jark Matter?”
He laughed. “Like those yes.” Then his expression turned serious. “I also thought about when I lost my father.”
“Oh. Lucky, I…”
“It’s okay” he said. “Hammie, when my father was under Don Armage’s control, when he gave his life… You were there for me when I needed someone. I don’t think I could have coped without you. When Tsurugi wanted to arrest you, I was so afraid that I’d never see you again”
“Lucky…” Her voice trailed off as she found herself not knowing what to say. As racked with guilt as she had been over the Kyurangers brief civil war, she had also been deeply touched by how Lucky had steadfastly believed in her innocence. It was then that she had realized just how deep her feelings for him truly were.
“Hammie, what I’m trying to say is…” He paused and took a deep breath, gathering his resolve. “Hammie, I love you.”
While his optimism and positive attitude were normally unshakeable, in this case he had been unable to dismiss the possibility of rejection. He tried to brace himself for the worst.
Hammie’s eyes filled with warmth and she smiled. “I love you too Lucky” she said softly. She then stood on her tiptoes, put her arms around Lucky’s neck and kissed him on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her waist and returned the kiss. Finally, they both drew back so they could speak. Lucky had a dazed look on his face which then became an expression of utter happiness. There was only one thing he could say.
“All right Lucky!” he exclaimed, punching the air gleefully.
Hammie laughed in delight and added “Here we go!” They grinned at each other and hugged again.
A little while later they started back towards the manor house, hand in hand.
“So Lucky…” Hammie said casually.
“Hmm?”
“Do you think the schools here would like me?”
“They’d love you.” He chuckled and added “not as much as I do though.”
She giggled and bumped her shoulder against his.
When they told their friends about their new relationship none of them were surprised but they were unanimously delighted. Raptor squealed in excitement and proclaimed that it was just like a fairytale, Champ patted Lucky on the back so hard he was launched through the air into a settee, Commander Shou offered to officiate their wedding and so on. Naga and Stinger were more restrained but their congratulations were no less sincere.
“Thanks guys” said Lucky with a broad smile on his face.
Commander Shou raised a glass. “My friends and comrades, a toast. To Lucky and Hammie. May their lives together be long and happy.”
“To Lucky and Hammie” the others repeated, raising their glasses and clinking them together.
Lucky and Hammie looked into each other’s eyes. Both felt happier and more content than they ever had in their lives. Whatever the future held they would face it together.