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How strange life is.
Weisz Steiner, a young blond boy, never expected to find himself back on Norma, his home planet. Or rather, he didn't expect it this way. The planet, returned 50 years back to its old ruin, thanks to the chronograph, was still his home. And yet, returning there seemed alien to him, like a nostalgic ghost that pulled at his heartstrings to create a strange and harmonious melody. What made everything even more surreal was who he was sharing this new chapter of his life with.
Hermit Mio.
She was no longer just a crewmate of the Edens Zero; had become something much more important, much more personal.
It was, his girlfriend.
And it had been a long journey for both of them: facing trauma, fighting together, and learning to live after everything they had been through. When the blue girl had agreed to move in with him after the final battle, it was a decision that brought joy but also a certain anxiety that the young blond boy had not foreseen.
His mother, Irma Steiner, was overjoyed to see her son return safe and sound, bringing with him such a special person. A warm and welcoming woman, she had treated Hermit with kindness and respect, making her feel part of the Steiner family from the first moment. But even with his mother's reassuring presence, Weisz could not shake off that tingle of nervousness that boiled inside him.
Especially now.
The boy found himself in front of the door of his childhood room with his suitcases in his hands, the weight of old memories pressing on his chest. He had long outgrown this room, figuratively and literally, but tonight it took on a new significance. For the first time, he wouldn't be sleeping in it alone.
"Are you okay, Weisz?"
He almost jumped at the sound of Hermit's soft voice beside him. She was holding her suitcase, looking up at him with those bright, curious eyes, a sweet smile on her face. Her slim frame stood out against the slightly worn hallway, and there was a serenity that emanated from her that always calmed him. Usually.
Tonight was different.
"Yes, I'm okay," Weisz said quickly, forcing a smile. "It's just... you know... it's been a while since I've slept in this old room. And I'm a little... overwhelmed by memories, you know."
The girl looked at him sympathetically. She had a way of reading him, and at times like this, it was both reassuring and unnerving for him.
"It's not the room you're worried about," she teased softly, tilting her head as if to examine him more closely. "It's that we'll be sharing it. On the Edens Zero I had my cabin and you had yours."
Which was true, if Weisz's cabin was practically no different from a mechanic's shop with lots of objects on the floor and posters of scantily clad women, Hermit's was practically as if a unicorn had thrown up in it, all pink with a large TV, two sofas, a corner for his laptops and a corner JUST for his collection of stuffed animals.
Would she survive his old room from when he was a kid?
And more importantly? Would he survive all those stuffed animals or would he die in his sleep suffocated by one of them?
Weisz scratched the back of his neck, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. He wasn't used to feeling this awkward, especially not with Hermit, but the truth was undeniable. "Maybe... just a little," he admitted with a shy laugh. "I mean, I'm not used to sharing a room. It's... it's a big step up, right?"
Hermit chuckled softly. "It's a big step for both of us." He took his hand, his fingers gentle on the blonde's skin, and pulled him into the room.
The room itself was small, cluttered with memorabilia from Weisz's past. Model superheroes, some old gadgets he'd tinkered with to test the machina maker, posters of machines and old bands he'd listened to as a kid covered the walls. It was clear that the space had belonged to a kid with big dreams, but tonight it felt more intimate, as if the room had aged with him.
Weisz's heart was pounding as they entered. Hermit looked around with silent interest, surveying the room with his usual analytical gaze. Then he turned to him, his gaze softening.
"Ahhh I have to put my collection in here right now!"
Pulling out his phone, he scanned Weisz's bed, before sending his entire stuffed animal collection out of the phone's digital archive, which overflowed and even fell to the floor.
"Ugh, I have to put this all away," Hermit said,
approaching that pile to make some order and space. "Leave us a place to sleep" Weisz urged her as she arranged their suitcases on the small desk, continuing to look around me. Her heart still in her throat as she saw her old things, her old photos of when he was a child still hanging or her old favorite mangas still on the shelves. In plain sight, as if no one had touched them.
"Hey, what is this stuff?"
Weisz didn't even have time to turn around that he died of embarrassment on the spot, seeing that something else had also not been touched by time. Or by anyone.
Hermit with a short magazine held between his fingertips that he had probably found under the bed, since he was rummaging for the fallen stuffed animals.
"PUT THAT THING DOWN!!!!"
"No No, I'm going to read it out loud now!"
"DON'T YOU DARE!"
The girl threw herself on the pile of mixed stuffed animals on the bed and began to read, while the boy tried to snatch the magazine out of her hands.
"Magazine released in April X439. Considering that Norma is now in X442, it was moldering under your bed for three years? Wow!"
Weisz wanted to bury himself alive and try to grab the magazine from her hands as best he could but Hermit held him well away with his feet on his chest as he pushed him away. His grip was deadly even though she was a very thin robot.
"I'm not particularly interested in pictures of naked women but UHHHH, Wait there are also comics and articles in here! I like this vintage style!"
By now the boy's face was completely purple before he finally managed to snatch the magazine out of her hands, his face now completely bruised from embarrassment. However, instead of finding the typical Hermit stoic and even annoyed by these situations, I find her amused by his embarrassment, practically almost mocking him good-naturedly.
"I-I.."
"I knew I would find something like this, don't worry"
"Y-you're not-"
"I'm not angry" she continues getting up from her pile "But I would prefer to see as little of this stuff as possible. With you I don't think it will disappear but don't do it in front of my face either, okay?"
Weisz nodded and Hermit turned towards the door "I'm going to wash my hands, I don't even know what I touched." she concluded walking out of there.
As soon as he was out of sight, the blond opened the window, pulled the magazine out and closed it quickly, hoping that no one would find it the next morning before he got rid of it in the dumpster, then threw his head into the pile of stuffed animals and let out a nervous scream disguised by those fabric objects. He was already tense in himself, this was just not what he needed.
"You're not the only one who's nervous, you know," I heard the blue one's voice say softly, closing the door behind him and squeezing his hand.
That confession surprised the blond boy, but he didn't raise his head. "You? Are you always so calm?"
I'm better at hiding it than you are," Hermit interrupted him gently, stroking his blond hair. "I've never shared my personal space with anyone, not even me. We've been through so much, and this... is something new for both of us. But I trust you, Weisz. That's why I'm here, on this planet."
The sincerity in her voice hurt his heart, in the best way possible. He'd been through so much that girl, broken and rebuilt more times than he could count, but her trust in him? That was all he could ask of her.
Weisz swallowed hard, searching for the right words as he raised his head. "I... I think I'm just afraid of ruining everything. The last thing I want to do is make you feel uncomfortable."
The robot smiled, a light blush coloring her cheeks that were already red from her activation lines. She pulled him toward the bed, sitting on the edge and patting her hand beside her. "We're going to explore this new side of our lives together, okay?"
He hesitated for only a second before reaching her, the bed creaking slightly under their combined weight as stuffed animals fell to the floor. It wasn't much, this small childhood room, but sitting there next to Hermit, it felt like the most important place in the universe.
For a few moments, they were silent, listening to the soft hum of the night outside the window. Norma's sky was clear that night, and the stars twinkled like little beacons, casting a serene light into the room.
"I would never want to live in this place again for too long," Weisz murmured, looking out the window. "And certainly not with you."
Hermit rested his head on his shoulder, her pale blue hair with green highlights falling to the side and the simple gesture made his chest tighten. "I didn't think I'd ever leave Edens Zero, but being here with you... It makes me so happy."
Weisz wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. There was no need for grand gestures or grand declarations of
love between the two of them. They had both lived the lie of "just friends" for too long to waste any more time like that. Now they just wanted to be themselves.
"I'm glad you're here," he whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never know," the girl replied, her voice soft but confident, "I'm staying here and I'm not leaving."
As the night wore on, the two of them lay together on the single bed, the blonde's nerves slowly calming under the warmth of her presence. It wasn't the room that mattered, nor the awkwardness of the situation. What mattered was that they were together, that they had chosen to face this new chapter of their lives as partners.
Weisz felt his eyes grow heavy as the robot gently caressed his face and chest, the comfort of Hermit's small form beside him calming him in a way he never expected. Just before he fell asleep, he whispered, "Goodnight, Hermit."
Her reply came in a soft, almost inaudible whisper. “Goodnight, Weisz.” as the bright red sensors between her cheeks also faded to white in standby mode.
And for the first time in a long time, Weisz Steiner fell asleep feeling completely at peace, knowing that tomorrow, and every day to come, would be better with her by his side.
-----
Sunlight filtered through the small cracks in the curtains, casting a warm glow into the room. Hermit Mio stirred in her sleep, the unfamiliar softness of the bed cradling her small body as she slowly awoke. The morning was sunny and quiet, even peaceful, but the weight of the memories of the night before made her heart beat a little faster.
She was in her Weisz’s childhood room, a place filled with memories of his boyhood days. The night before, they had shared a bed for the first time since they moved to Norma. It wasn't the first time they'd slept together, to be honest, or done anything else, but it was completely different to do it here, in that house and on that planet, for the first time. Despite both of their initial nervousness, Weisz had held her tight all night, and they had fallen asleep together without any problems.
Now, as the morning light caressed her white face, Hermit found herself smiling softly. It was a new beginning. She had never imagined she'd find herself in this position. Not only being here on Norma, a planet so different but also so backward, because of the Chronophage, compared to the others, but being here with Weisz. A human. A human she actually trusted. Her life had taken so many unexpected turns, and somewhere along the way, that boy had become more than a lover. He had become her future.
And yet, waking up in his own home was strange. It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable... it was just new. She turned to the side and realized that Weisz was already awake. Her side of the bed was cold, but the faint sound of voices coming from the hallway drew her attention away from the quiet serenity of the room.
The girl stood up, her advanced auditory sensors picking up the conversation more clearly now. She recognized Irma's warm, soft tone. The other deep, familiar, slightly rough voice obviously belonged to Weisz. He was talking to his mother, and even though she didn't want to eavesdrop, something about the conversation intrigued her.
Maybe because she immediately realized… that they were speaking German.
Weisz's native tongue, one he rarely used with her or the other members of Edens Zero, except for a few curses or vague words when he was frustrated with some gadget or machination of hers. His mother, of course, spoke it fluently, and here they were sharing a conversation that Hermit would normally have trouble understanding.
Normally.
But she wasn't like everyone else. As a highly advanced android, the girl had the ability to translate languages effortlessly. Even though her basic programming was derived from Japanese, she could process any language spoken around her, as could Witch, Sister, and Valkyrie. Pino even received a patch for this. And now, as Weisz and his mother conversed in German, Hermit's systems began to translate silently and automatically.
She slid out of bed, careful not to make any noise. Now she was curious. Not in an intrusive way. Just... curious. What were they talking about? What was Weisz up to?
The door to the room was slightly ajar, so she tiptoed over and leaned against the frame, listening more closely to the conversation taking place in the hallway.
"...and du liebst sie wirklich, nicht wahr?" Irma's voice was soft, but there was a tone of deep understanding behind it.
The robot system translated: "
...and you really do love her, don't you?"
Hermit's breath caught in his chest.
There was a pause before Weisz answered. His voice was lower, as if he didn't want his mother to hear how vulnerable he was about to be.
"Ja, Mama. Ich liebe sie. Mehr als ich jemals gedacht hätte..."
"Yes, Mama. I love her. More than I ever thought..."
Hermit's heart skipped a beat. Her sensors picked up the slight tremor in the blond's voice, and it made her chest tighten in response. She hadn't remembered a tremor like that in her voice since, in one of the small rooms in the Edens Zero warehouse, he said to her, "I don't care if you're human or android. It's because you're you." as a confession. She had always known that Weisz cared a lot about her, but hearing him admit it like this, so openly to his mother...it felt different. More real. More intimate.
"Ich weiß, dass es nicht normal ist. Sie ist other… Sie ist kein Mansch, aber das macht mir nichts aus." Weisz hesitated for a moment before continuing, more forcefully this time. "Hermit bedeutet mir alles. She is diejenige, mit der ich meine Future see kann."
"I know she's not normal. She's different... She's not human, but that doesn't matter to me. Hermit means everything to me. She's where I see my future."
The robot's fingers lightly brushed the doorframe as she fought back a wave of emotion that was about to make her collapse. She'd never doubted Weisz's feelings, but there'd always been that small, lingering fear; the fear that perhaps their differences, her being an android, might one day come between them. But hearing him speak to her mother like that, with such conviction, melted away every last doubt she'd carried with her.
Her mother's voice came next, full of warmth. "That makes me so happy, Weisz. I wondered how she changed you. You're much happier with her, and she's much happier with you. Has she already spoken about the future?"
"That makes me so happy, Weisz. I've seen how she's changed you. You're happier with her, and she's happier with you. Have you talked about the future yet?"
Hermit leaned a little closer, his heart pounding as he waited for Weisz's answer. He hadn't even thought to ask what his plans were for the future. They were just living day by day, learning to live in each other's presence. But the future?
Weisz let out a soft sigh, folding his arms. "Not really. I won't put pressure on her. She made so much... But I will, what I will. I will be with her. Forever. Very… very much here on Norma."
"Not really, not yet. I don't want to put pressure on her. She's been through so much... But I know what I want. I want to be with her. Forever. Maybe... maybe here on Norma."
Hermit's breath caught. Forever? Did Weisz really mean that?
The blonde woman's laugh was gentle, like a mother who had always known her son's heart better than he had. "Das klingt wundervoll. Du weißt, dass du hier immer ein Zuhause hast. Ihr beide."
"This is wonderful. You know you'll always have a home here. You two."
There was a long pause, then the blonde boy spoke again, his voice barely a whisper. "Ich will sie irgendwann fragen... ob sie bei bleiben will. Ob si für immer hier bei mir leben will."
"I want to ask her one day... if she wants to stay with me. If she wants to live here with me forever."
Hermit's heart swelled with emotion, and she bit her lip, trying to keep her composure. She had no idea that Weisz was thinking so far ahead, that he wanted her to stay by his side forever, here on Norma, in a place he clearly valued so much even if he didn't want to admit it.
Before she eavesdropped for too long, she knew she had to step away, to give Weisz and her mother their privacy. She quietly backed away from the door, her steps soft and careful, as she made her way back to their bed.
As she stepped into the sheets, she leaned against the headboard, taking a deep breath. Her heart pounded, and a soft smile spread across her lips. Everything Weisz had said, all the things she didn't know, all the silent dreams he held in his heart. He was thinking about a future with her. If he had told Hermit that a few months ago, she would have thought he was crazy. Yet here she was, trying to calm the agitation of hearing those words come from his mouth.
She sat up more comfortably on the bed, taking her pink tablet from her phone inventory, her mind racing, but not with uncertainty. Instead, her thoughts were filled with warmth, with the feeling of belonging she was feeling so strongly at that moment. She had spent so long fearing that maybe, just maybe, their differences would be too much. That her being an android, could never have truly been what Weisz needed.
But she was wrong. Weisz saw her for who she was, not who she wasn't. And more than that...he loved her. Deeply. More than they would ever perhaps admit to each other.
The door creaked open a few minutes later, and Weisz walked in, his blond hair a little messy, his eyes soft as they found hers. "You're up early," he said, his usual teasing tone coming through.
Hermit smiled, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill over as he connected his portable tablet to a network outside of Norma's, too far back to support him. He knew, deep down, that Weisz would be there for her, just as she would be there for him.
"I was just setting up here," Hermit said softly, his voice calm.
The blond looked at her curiously, sitting down next to her. "What?"
She looked at him, her smile widening. "Oh no big deal, I'll get online. I'll finish up here and we'll go get breakfast?"
The boy simply nodded, waiting for the blue girl to finish.
Arriving downstairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the kitchen, mingling with the savory aroma of eggs and bacon sizzling on the stove. The Steiner house had always been cozy if dilapidated on the outside, but today it felt even warmer, as if a new chapter was opening for all of them. Hermit sat at the small wooden table, savoring the familiar atmosphere that surrounded her.
It was their first morning together, she, Weisz, and her mother-in-law, Irma. After their first night on Norma, waking up in the boy's old childhood bedroom made the day already comfortable. A stark contrast to the battles and anxieties of life aboard the Edens Zero. Hermit had grown accustomed to the cold metal walls of the spaceship, the hum of machinery all around her, and the frenetic pace that came with being part of a crew. But this… this was different. It was peaceful. Gentle. Candied. The way the sun filtered through the curtains, the faint sound of birds chirping outside, and the smell of home-cooked food. It all seemed so… normal. So Cozy
She turned to Weisz, who had sat next to her at the breakfast table. He looked surprisingly relaxed, a soft smile on his lips as he watched his mother move about the kitchen.
“Guten Morgen,” Irma greeted them cheerfully, carrying a tray of food to the table. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a side ponytail and there was a smile on her face that spoke of pure, utter contentment. Hermit had already grown fond of Irma; there was a gentleness about her that was as constant as the warmth of that home.
“Good morning, Mom!” Weisz replied, keeping his usual playful tone, though there was something more tender about it. He had never seemed so carefree on Edens Zero, always carrying the weight of their adventures on his shoulders despite being among friends and there being moments of calm even there. But here, with his mother and Hermit, there was a noticeable change in him.
Irma placed the tray in front of them, and Hermit's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the food. Freshly scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, slices of warm bread, and fruit. Everything looked so delicious. “I hope you're hungry,” the blonde woman said as she sat down, her blue eyes completely shining as she looked between them. “It's not every day that I get to make breakfast for my son and his girlfriend.”
The blonde rolled his eyes but smiled. “Mom…”
The blue girl laughed softly but a little embarrassedly, picking up her fork. “It smells absolutely inviting Irma, thank you so much. for the welcome.”
“You’re welcome Miss! Go ahead, help yourselves!”
The three of them began to eat in comfortable silence at first, the clatter of silverware against plates filling the room. Hermit found himself savoring the food, it wasn’t like the meals he had aboard the Edens Zero, which were delicious but still meant to be provisions. This was personal, homemade, cared for.
Weisz’s voice broke the silence as he turned to Hermit, smiling. “You’re not used to this, are you?”
Hermit looked at him, smiling back. “No, not really. It’s so cozy.
“I knew you’d like it here,” the blond said, a hint of pride in his voice. He took a bite of bread and chewed before adding, “Maybe we’ll get used to it. You know, more often.”
His mother gave him a knowing look. “Wirst du truly jeden Morgen aufstehen, um das Frühstück zu enjoyeßen, Weisz?”
Hermit’s eyes sparkled for a moment as he processed the German. His translation systems kicked in: “Are you really going to get up every morning to enjoy breakfast, Weisz?”
The blond blinked, swallowing his food quickly. “Ja, vielleicht. Wenn das Essen so gut ist, wer weiß?” he replied sarcastically in German without thinking.
“Yeah, maybe. If the food is this good, who knows?”
Hermit let out a soft laugh, covering his mouth with his napkin as he watched in amusement. The boy raised an eyebrow, confused for a moment. “What? What’s so funny?”
“It’s just—” the robot laughed again, shaking her head. “I’ve never heard you speak that much German before. You never used it on the ship.”
Weisz blinked, then ran a hand through his hair, realizing what had happened. “Oh. Right." He scratched his neck, a little embarrassed.
Irma laughed softly at her son's expense, “It's nice to be home again.” she said softly, before switching back to Japanese for Hermit's sake. “It's nice to see him at ease again.”
The blue girl's smile softened as she looked at the blond, the warmth filling her chest. It was nice to see him so calm, surrounded by his family, reverting to his native language so naturally. On Edens Zero, he was always on guard, always ready for the next battle and always ready to act like a mad dog even to those who loved him. But here, in the house where he grew up, with his mother beside him, he was free to… be himself.
“You know,” Hermit said, teasing him a little, “It's nice to hear you speak German. It suits that dick face of yours.”
"Hey! My mother is at the table."
"Don't worry, Hermit, you're right."
Weisz rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the slight blush creeping up his cheeks. "Yes, yes. That's fine, but don't get used to it."
Irma smiled warmly at their exchange, clearly pleased with the dynamic between her son and Hermit. "It sure is nice to have you here," she said. "It makes the house feel full. I've been eating breakfast all by myself for a while now."
Weisz looked at his mother and smiled sweetly. "It's nice for us too, Mom."
There was a pause, the kind that happens when words hang in the air, unsaid but understood. Hermit felt it too, that feeling of belonging somewhere. She had fought so long to find her place in the universe, and now, sitting at a breakfast table on a distant planet with Weisz and her mother, she felt closer than ever.
“I think…” Hermit began softly, looking between Weisz and Irma, “I think this will be a nice change.”
Weisz took her hand, squeezing it gently under the table. “Yes. I think so too.”
The soft clatter of plates being lifted to get or put more food filled the cozy kitchen, mingling with the buzz of casual conversation between the three. The morning sun was higher now, casting a warm golden light on the breakfast table where Weisz, Hermit, and Irma sat, finishing their meal. Hermit had quickly grown fond of the simple, cozy surroundings of Weisz’s home on Norma and felt more at ease with every passing minute.
Irma, with her sharp eyes and gentle smile, had been stealing glances at Hermit throughout breakfast, as if sizing up her son’s new companion. Not in a judgmental way, but more like the silent curiosity of a mother trying to figure out someone important in her child’s life. It wasn’t long before she finally asked the question that had been on her mind.
“So, Hermit,” Irma began, gently setting down her coffee cup, “Weisz has told me some things about you, but I I’d like to hear more from you. What do you do? What kind of things do you like?”
Hermit blinked, a little surprised but pleasantly surprised by the interest. It wasn’t often that people asked her about her life outside of her role on Edens Zero. She wasn’t sure what Weisz had mentioned already, but she had a feeling he hadn’t covered everything.
“Oh,” Hermit said, smiling slightly, “well, I’m… a programmer. I work a lot with coding, data, and digital systems. I love working with machines and technology; it’s something I’ve always been interested in.”
Irma’s eyes lit up with interest. “A programmer? Impressive. What kind of programming do you do?”
“Mainly AI systems and advanced algorithms,” Hermit explained. “I run a lot of the ship’s main functions, help with security systems, and sometimes… well, sometimes I just tinker with things for fun. There's something satisfying about taking a bunch of complex lines of code and making them work perfectly with whatever Weisz comes up with.”
Weisz smiled beside her, clearly proud. “Yeah, you should see her in action, Mom. She's practically a genius. Half the time I can't even keep up with her."
"We made a working superhero suit together for our first date."
"Okay, that was supposed to be a secret!"
"Too late," the robot said, sipping her coffee to finish it.
Irma laughed softly, watching the two fondly. "Then you two will make a great team. I'm not surprised. Weisz has always had this strange calling since he was little. I remember him taking apart everything he could grab when he was just a kid. Always messing around, breaking things, but he would put everything back together again."
The robot's smile widened. "Yeah, that's totally like him to do that."
The blond, feigning offense, crossed his arms. "Hey, I always put things back together better than before!"
His mother gave him a knowing look. "Some of the time, maybe."
Everyone laughed and everyone felt the warmth of the family growing around the table. However, Irma’s curiosity hadn’t waned yet. Her eyes shone with pure, mischievous curiosity as she leaned forward slightly, a playful smile on her lips.
“So,” she continued, “Weisz’s old room… that’s where you guys are settling in, right?”
Hermit nodded, not quite sure where this was going. “Yeah, we’re sharing a room for now.”
Irma glanced at her son, raising an eyebrow before turning back to Hermit. “I couldn’t help but notice something when I looked over earlier.”
The blue girl tilted her head, curious. “Oh? What did you notice?”
“Well,” the blonde woman said, trying to hold back a laugh, “on one side of the room, it’s just how Weisz left it. Old posters, tools scattered around, and some of his gadgets from when he was a kid. But on the other side, I saw the cutest collection of stuffed animals I’ve ever seen.” She smiled knowingly at Hermit. “It’s quite a contrast, don’t you think?”
Weisz choked on his coffee, immediately turning red as Hermit let out a light laugh. “Mom!”
Irma laughed in response, her eyes shining with amusement. “What? It’s adorable! I didn’t expect to see such a sweet collection next to all your clutter.”
The blue one couldn’t stop laughing, her face lighting up. “Yeah, well, I’ve always liked stuffed animals. It’s a comforting thing, I guess. I’ve been collecting them for a long time now, on every planet I went I’d buy one or get one as a gift. It started out as a hobby, but now I just can’t resist when I see a cute one.”
Weisz, still shaken, scratched his neck, trying to recover. “I told her she could decorate her side however she wanted! It’s her room too, after all, and I don’t care…”
Hermit gave him a teasing look, his laughter subsiding into a gentle smile. “You don’t care? It’s funny, considering most of the bunnies I have were gifts from you.”
The blonde groaned, burying his face in his hands. “You’re never going to leave me alone about this, are you?”
Irma, clearly amused by the exchange, reached out and patted her son’s arm affectionately. “Don’t be embarrassed, son! It’s nice to see you’re helping her feel at home. Plus, Hermit’s collection adds some color to your room.”
The girl, still smiling, leaned back in her chair and looked at the blonde. “He’s really doing his best, actually.”
Weisz muttered something to himself, still blushing. “Yeah, yeah…”
“Good,” Irma said after a light giggle at the situation, her voice softening with affection, “I’m glad to have you here, Hermit. Weisz is lucky to have found someone like you.”
The robot felt her heart warm at the compliment, her cheeks blushing slightly. “Thank you, Irma. I feel lucky to be here, too.”
Weisz looked between the two, her awkwardness fading into a genuine smile. “Yeah. I’m pretty lucky, I guess.”
The rest of breakfast was spent in laughter, light conversation, and a growing sense of belonging. Hermit hadn’t expected to feel so at home so quickly in a place so different from Edens Zero, but with Weisz and Irma by her side, it didn’t feel so foreign after all.
In fact, it felt like she’d finally found another part of herself—one that could enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like breakfast in a cozy kitchen and a small army of stuffed animals to keep her company in the room she now shared with the man she loved.
They continued to eat breakfast, the conversation flowing easily between Japanese and the occasional slip of German from Weisz. Hermit found himself laughing a little every time he did it, enjoying this new side of him that he had never seen before.
And Hermit couldn't wait to see what would happen next.
After breakfast Weisz had walked away with the garbage bag to the garden, probably to throw away the magazine he had discreetly thrown downstairs the night before, leaving Hermit and Irma alone for a moment.
“So, Hermit,” the blonde woman began, her tone still warm and full of curiosity, “you’ve had many adventures with my Weisz, but there’s one thing I’ve been wondering about…” She leaned in slightly, as if she were about to reveal a big secret. “How do you deal with the language barrier? Weisz grew up with German here on Norma. Does that ever come up between the two of you?”
She was expecting something about her being a robot and him being human, but instead…
Hermit’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. He had been waiting for this moment, a little amusement dancing in his eyes as he considered her answer.
“Well, besides the crew speaking Japanese to him…” she began softly, glancing at the woman, “to be honest… I understand German.”
Irma’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Oh? Really? You didn’t say that before.”
The girl laughed softly, leaning a little closer to the woman as if sharing a mischievous secret. “Yes, I’ve always been able to understand him. My systems can translate practically any language instantly. But…” She paused, a playful glint in her eye. “Weisz doesn’t know that.”
Irma’s eyes widened in surprise, and then a soft laugh escaped her. “Oh? You mean he speaks German around you, and you just… let him think I didn’t understand?”
The blue girl nodded, her smile becoming slightly embarrassed. “He’s tried to give me a few lessons here and there, and, well… I find him quite cute, he gets all serious when he tries to teach me the basics, like saying ‘good morning’ or simple sentences. He’s very patient, too. He’s sweet, and I like the role reversal since I often have to teach him everything myself.”
Her mother-in-law’s laughter grew louder, though she quickly covered her mouth to muffle the sound, not wanting Weisz to hear from outside. “I can’t believe he doesn’t know! He’s adorable.”
“Right?” Hermit laughed, shaking his head slightly. “He’s so proud of himself when I manage to say something ‘right’. I think he just likes to feel like he’s in my shoes for once, and I don’t have the heart to tell him the truth.”
Irma smiled, clearly amused by the situation. “I can see why you’d want to keep this to yourself. It’s a harmless little secret just between the two of you… or I guess, between us now.” He winked at her, clearly enjoying the playful conspiracy.
Hermit’s smile softened as he thought about Weisz, how serious he always was during their impromptu language lessons. It wasn’t something she’d expected from him, often when she had to teach him something, he’d act stubborn and sometimes cocky even though he’d listen to her obediently. But when it came to teaching her German, there was this soft side to him that stood out above everything else, one that she found absolutely charming.
“I know he’ll figure out that I’m playing dumb eventually,” Hermit admitted, “but for now, it’s fun to see him so excited when he thinks I’m learning something new. Let’s make him feel special for once.”
Irma nodded, her expression warm as she looked out the window to see her son coming home. “Weisz has always had a soft side, even if he tries to hide it most of the time. I’m glad you’ve brought it out. It hasn’t always been easy for him, but I can already see how happy he is with you.”
The blue girl’s heart warmed at the woman’s words. She felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Weisz’s mother, not only for welcoming her so warmly into their home, but for seeing and understanding the bond between her and Weisz, as strange as it may have seemed to the outside world.
“He makes me happy too,” Hermit said softly, his smile genuine. “Even if he is a little challenging sometimes.”
The blonde woman laughed softly. “Oh, trust me, I know. He’s been a little challenging ever since the day he was born. But it’s nice to know he has someone like you to keep him in check.”
“Yeah,” Hermit smiled, a conspiratorial glint still in his eyes. “And…about that…it’s our little secret now, right?”
Irma nodded, mimicking his playful tone. “I won’t say a word. But I wonder how long it will take for him to realize you’re already fluent.”
Just then, Weisz walked back into the house through the front door, unaware of the silent giggles that had passed between the two women. “What are you whispering about?” he asked, his eyes narrowing playfully as he sat back down in his seat.
The robot gave him an innocent smile, her expression perfectly composed. “Oh, nothing much. Just a chat with your mother to get to know each other better.”
The blond raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the subject. “Good. I’m glad you two are going so along." he then turned to his mother "Anyway, mum Sibir will be arriving soon if you don't mind, I wrote to him that I'm back. I'm going to the garage."
"Okay, son."
The boy gave Hermit a quick kiss on the temple and then walked away toward the garage door, leaving the two women alone again.
"A little peck on the temple, huh?" Hermit began. "He's never so sweet with me, what did you put in those eggs Irma?"
Irma gave Hermit a knowing look from across the table. "Maybe he's just trying to make a good impression," she said with her barely contained chuckle as she cleared away the coffee cups.
After helping the woman clear away the table, she decided it was time to follow her boy into his, now their, garage workshop.
The faint hum of machines filled the garage as Hermit approached inside, the familiar smell of oil and metal welcoming her. This was Weisz's refuge, his laboratory, where he spent countless hours tinkering, repairing, and building new inventions. He had already fond of this place, finding it strangely calming despite the clutter of parts and tools scattered everywhere.
This morning, however, she had a mission. A playful smile spread across her lips when she noticed the blond hunched over a table, intently working on a mechanical part. He hadn’t noticed her yet, which gave her the perfect opportunity to sneak up on her.
She approached silently, her footsteps light as she approached from behind. The garage was filled with the clatter of tools, so he didn’t notice as she stood beside him, smiling mischievously.
“Weißt du, was ich heute Morgen bemerkt habe?” (Do you know what I noticed this morning?) Hermit said softly in flawless German, his voice laced with challenge.
Weisz almost jumped from his chair, dropping the wrench he was holding. He turned to her, eyes wide in shock, before quickly realizing the tone of her voice. “Wait, what?” he looked at her in confusion before realizing what she had just said. “Did you just…?”
Hermit laughed, crossing his arms as he leaned against the workbench, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I thought I’d surprise you.”
The blonde squinted, a playful smile creeping onto his face. “Oh, so these are your surprises now?”
“Absolutely,” the blue girl replied, feigning innocence even though her smile betrayed her playful intent. “And hearing you speak your own language is quite a turn-on.” Fini massaged his shoulders, sending a shiver down his spine
Weisz groaned, rubbing his face. “What’s on your mind?”
“What do you think?” the girl laughed and moved closer, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the workbench beside him. “Really, it’s nice to see you so relaxed here. I guess coming home has that effect on people.”
“Edens Zero is my home too.” Weisz looked around the garage, a soft smile creeping onto his lips as he stood up. “But yeah… it’s nice to be back. But it’s even better to be here with you.” His voice softened, and his gaze settled on hers, filled with pure affection.
The robot’s heart warmed at his words. She had always known Weisz to be bold at times, but there was something about this place, about being here, in his element, that made him even more open. He leaned in closer, tucking a strand of her pale blue, green-tinged hair behind her ear as he looked down at her.
“Maybe if you behave I’ll forgive your slip-up in German,” she teased, her voice barely above a whisper. “But if you do me a favor.”
The boy smiled, clearly aware of the playful tone. “Oh really? And how do I fix that?”
Hermit tilted his head slightly, closing the distance between them until their faces were just inches apart, his shirt holding her chest tight, given the height difference between the two. “I know you’ll find a way.”
Before she could wait for his response, the blonde leaned down and captured her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. Hermit, taken aback for a moment, responded quickly, her hands instinctively wrapping around her waist as she pulled him closer to her. The world seemed to fade away in that moment, the hum of the cars and the smell of diesel fading into the background as the two were wrapped in each other.
But just as the kiss intensified with enormous passion, a loud voice suddenly sounded in the garage.
“Weisz! Are you here?”
Both Hermit and Weisz froze, their lips still touching as they pulled away in surprise. The garage door creaked open, and before they could react, a familiar figure entered, none other than Sibir.
Weisz's old friend looked around to the garage with his trusty bird Payo at his back, his usual gruff demeanor on full display as he scanned the room. He hadn’t noticed them yet, but that changed the moment he turned to the workbench.
His eyes widened, his mouth falling open as he froze.
“WHAT THE FUCK?!?” Sibir's voice was a mix of shock and confusion, her gaze darting between Weisz and Hermit, who were still very close, clearly caught in an intimate moment.
The blond quickly pulled away, confused and a little panicked, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Uh… S-Sibir! Hi I-”
"HELLO WEISZ!" Sibir crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she looked between them. “You told me you were back on Norma, but you didn't mention…” Her gaze landed on Hermit, clearly confused by her presence. “Who is this?”
The blonde bit his lip, realizing the mess he had gotten himself into. “Oh… right. Uh, Sibir, this is Hermit. She’s, um… from Edens Zero. It was supposed to be a surprise, but…” He trailed off, gesturing awkwardly toward the scene.
Hermit, who had been watching the entire exchange, felt a little embarrassed but couldn’t help the amused smile that played across her lips. She stepped forward, offering Sibir a polite nod. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Hermit Mio, one of Weisz’s crew.”
Sibir looked at her, clearly surprised. “Wait, Hermit? The same Hermit you told your mother about a while back? You didn’t say she was… here.” His gaze returned to Weisz, who looked even more embarrassed now.
The blonde sighed, his shoulders slumping at the thought of his mother putting up posters announcing Hermit’s arrival. “Yeah, well… I was going to tell you, but I didn’t think you’d walk in while…” He gestured vaguely, clearly not wanting to explain further.
Hermit laughed softly, walking over to Weisz and placing a hand on his arm to calm him. “It’s okay. I don’t think he’s that shocked.”
Sibir raised an eyebrow, finally relaxing a bit as her initial surprise faded. “Well, I admit I wasn’t expecting to walk into… whatever this is, but it’s nice to meet you, Hermit. Weisz’s been talking about it a lot. I didn’t think I’d meet you like this, though.”
Weisz groaned. “Yeah, it’s definitely not how I planned it.”
Sibir, still a little confused, looked between the two again. “You could have warned me, buddy,” he replied, walking over to the girl and taking her hand. “And you really are a sight to behold, delighted to meet you.”
Sibir kissed her hand, and under Weisz’s obvious dissent, Hermit couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer, his sweet laughter filling the garage as he shook his head. “It’s my pleasure too. Sorry for the… awkward introduction.”
Sibir laughed her off, his demeanor finally softening. “Nah, no worries. I’m just glad Weisz didn’t tell me you were a robot, a 2D anime girl with super boobs or something.”
The blond glared at him. “She’s a robot.”
Sibir looked back, looking Hermit up and down in disbelief. “You’re kidding.”
Hermit was taken aback for a moment but replied politely. "No. I'm an android."
Sibir stared for a moment, clearly trying to process the information, before shaking her head with a resigned laugh. "Weisz, man, you've really outdone yourself this time."
"Yeah… I think so." the blond replied angrily, reaching for and taking his girlfriend's hand with Sibir immediately realizing she had touched a sore spot. Which he didn't want.
"Hermit, I said it without thinking, I have nothing against that sort of thing. And you're a flower! But I didn't expect Weisz to ever bring anyone home."
"Don't worry Sibir, it's all fine."
The robot smiled but the blond boy continued to watch his best friend. Seeing Weisz like that, Sibir simply laughed, shaking her head. "Well, lovebirds. Now that you’re here, maybe close the garage door next time, shall we?”
“Absolutely,” the girl chuckled, still a little embarrassed.
Sibir hovered by the garage door, as if contemplating whether to leave or stay after that. He glanced back at Weisz and Hermit, his usual tough demeanor faltering as curiosity got the better of him. “So… can I stay a while? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you or your lab, and, well… it looks like you’ve got some interesting company to meet.”
Weisz, just starting to recover from the embarrassment of Sibir walking in and making that rude statement, gestured to an empty stool. “Sure, grab a chair. Just don’t touch my tools…or my girlfriend.”
“I would never,” Sibir replied, ruffling his blonde hair to annoy him a little.
The blue girl smiled, moving to make room for the man. She found the whole situation amusing, how quickly things had gone from an intimate moment to an unexpected encounter. Sibir wandered into the garage, inspecting some of Weisz’s projects with mild interest before sitting down, her gaze constantly flitting between Hermit and Weisz.
“So,” Sibir began, smiling as she leaned against the workbench, “you didn’t just come back from space; you brought some sweet company, too. You really hit the ground running this time, didn’t you, Weisz?”
The blonde, still trying to downplay the situation, rubbed his neck. “Yeah, well, me and Hermit—”
Before he could finish, the soft creak of the garage door opened again, and Irma appeared, carrying a tray containing a steaming teapot and several cups. She had a knowing smile on her face, clearly having heard part of their conversation from the house.
“I thought you three might like some tea,” the woman said warmly as she stepped into the garage. “It looked like things were getting interesting in here.”
Weisz groaned slightly, but couldn’t help the smile that played on her lips at having saved some of the awkwardness of the situation. “Mom… you weren’t supposed to bring us anything.”
“Come on,” Irma said, waving her hand as she set the tray down on the nearest table. “It’s always nice to have some tea while chatting with old friends… and new.” She smiled kindly at Hermit as she handed her a cup.
“Thank you very much,” the robot said politely, accepting the tea. Irma’s warmth felt strangely comforting as usual.
Sibir took a cup as well, raising an eyebrow at Weisz with a smile. “You really have changed. You had quite a trip, a pretty girl, and now your mother even brings tea to the lab without you calling her an old hag? If I hadn’t known you for years, I’d say you were becoming a family man.”
The blond rolled his eyes, but couldn’t fight the faint blush that was creeping into his cheeks. “Shut up. It’s not like that.”
“Oh really?” Sibir smiled, clearly amused at the chance to tease his old friend. “So what’s it like? You didn’t say you were bringing Hermit with you. I thought you were going to surprise me with some new invention, not…” He gestured vaguely in the blue girl’s direction, “a girlfriend.”
Hermit laughed softly, sipping his tea as Weisz spat hers out in response. “It’s not—I mean—come on, Sibir!” the blond groaned, casting a pleading look at his girlfriend.
Hermit raised an amused eyebrow, clearly enjoying the scene of Weisz in distress. “Well, I live here with him now,” she said innocently, which only made Sibir’s smile grow wider.
“I knew it!” Sibir slapped her knee in exaggerated triumph. “Weisz Steiner, he’s finally settling down! Who would have thought? Once the rest of the gang hears about it, it’s going to be a blast.”
Ohhh the rest of the gang would look at Hermit coming in to meet them like an alien. And even those who were aliens would see her that way because she was a FEMALE brought BY WEISZ and both things were unattainable for many.
Irma, observing the exchange with a kind smile, chimed in with a playful tone. “Well, I must say, it’s nice to finally have a daughter-in-law in the house. Weisz wasn’t exactly quick to bring someone home.”
“*Mom!*” Weisz groaned, her face now bright red. “It’s not—I mean, we’re not…”
The robot couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of her boyfriend in distress from all sides. She glanced at Irma, sharing the humor in the situation, before giving the blonde’s arm a gentle shove. “Relax, we’re just teasing you a little.”
Sibir laughed, sipping her tea with a satisfied smile. “Oh, I sure am enjoying myself. It’s about time someone made you sweat all over, buddy.”
The blonde shot him a half-hearted look, but quickly gave up on fighting the teasing. He slumped into his chair, looking up at Hermit with a defeated sigh. “Why do I always end up in these situations?”
“Because you’re easy to tease,” the girl replied with a smirk, placing her hand on his arm. “But seriously, I’m glad I met your friend today, even if it wasn’t how you planned.”
The boy sighed, though the corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile as he stroked her back. “Yeah, well… I guess it’s for the best. Surprises tend to backfire on me anyway.”
His mother, pouring herself some tea, joined in the conversation with a gentle laugh. “Son, dear, I think the real surprise is how happy you look. I didn’t see you so relaxed in a long time.”
Weisz looked at Hermit, her expression softening as she reached out to take his hand. “Yeah, well… Hermit has that power over me.”
“Oh yeah, skinny girls usually have that power.”
“Say one more thing about Hermit and you’ve got a wrench tattooed on your face.”
Hermit’s cheeks flushed slightly as everyone laughed, her smile growing warm as she pressed her hand against his chest in response to his stroking her back. It wasn’t often that Weisz showed affection openly in front of others, but in moments like these, it reminded her of how much he had changed and how much she truly appreciated their time together.
Sibir, watching the tender moment with an exaggerated look of disbelief, couldn’t resist throwing in another quip. “Wow, Weisz acting all romantic in front of people? Girl, you must have hit him on the head, that’s not possible.”
Weisz groaned again, but there was no real frustration in his voice. “You’re leaving me alone?”
Sibir smiled. “Absolutely not.”
The group shared a quiet laugh, the playful atmosphere gradually giving way to a comfortable warmth. Irma sat down next to them, her presence soft and welcoming, and it seemed like this was exactly how things were supposed to be, friends, family, and the people you care about, all in one place. Sure, they missed the crew of the Edens Zero, another family to both of them, especially Hermit, but they knew it was only a physical absence since they would always be there for anything despite now all of them being far away doing their own thing around the cosmos.
Hermit leaned back slightly in his chair, his hand still on Weisz’s chest as they sipped their tea. Despite the chaos of the day and the unexpected meeting, everything had settled into a way that felt right to both of them.
Weisz, finally relaxing, looked at the people in the garage—his mother, his best friend, and his girlfriend. He let out a contented sigh. “Well… this isn’t exactly what I imagined, but… I guess it’s not that bad.”
Hermit smiled at him, his voice soft as he replied, “Absolutely not.”
And in that moment, as the quiet laughter and conversation filled the room, it felt like the start of something even more meaningful. A place where everyone could belong, surrounded by love, friendship, and the occasional jokey comment that kept things light.
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