Chapter Text
2012:02:05:11:21:15:00
“I've had it!” Kurisu screamed at Okabe from across the room. She was covered in the remnants of a previously teleported banana from an experiment that had taken place just minutes before which had missed the trash after being thrown by Daru. The air was think with tension and the stench of burnt fruit. Mayuri was terrified as she sat on the couch, pausing from folding Okabe's clothes. Daru froze, as did Okabe who was standing next to him.
“It was just an accident, assistant, there's no need to raise your voice!” Okabe said in his usual authoritative tone. He soon came to regret saying anything.
“Assistant!? Is that all I am to you!?” She yelled. It was apparent there was more to this than just a missed trashcan shot.
“Kuristin-...” Okabe started in a concerned tone, only to be interrupted.
“Don't call me that either! It's not my name and I'm sick of it!” She was more upset than before.
“Pipe down or I'll double the rent!” Mr. Brown yelled up the stairs. There was a brief silence as Kurisu and Okabe stared at each other. “I'm done for today. See you later” she said as she went quickly down the stairs, not giving any of the others the chance to see her tears. Okabe was out of breath, and sat down on the sofa next Mayuri. “What...just happened?” He murmured to himself, holding his head in his hands.
“I hate it when you guys argue...why was she so upset?” Mayuri said in a very sad tone. Okabe looked at her, curious to her question, since she was usually very perceptive.
“Your guess is a good as mine...I've never seen her like that...it's like she had it all bottled up.”
“Women...guess we'll never understand 'em” said Daru out of the corner.
“Says the one who does nothing but read about and play online with fictional ones” Okabe joked.
“Hey, that hurt!” Daru joked back.
Kurisu was walking back towards the train station, still in a funk. She was feeling worse by the second, both emotionally and physically. She was reflecting on times where she felt Okabe had unknowingly wronged her, wondering how he even truly felt about her after everything they'd been though in the last year and a half. This wasn't helped by the fact that it was that time of the month. She wasn't paying much attention where she walked, when bumped into a stranger.
“Pardon me, miss “ he said as he went along his way, large backpack in tow. She stopped and looked back for a moment. Even though she only caught a glimpse of his face for a moment, she couldn't help but feel there was something familiar about him. She shook her head and continued to the train, then on ward to her hotel suite. She lie on her bed for most of the afternoon, looking at photos from the last date she and Okabe had been on, over a month ago.
The bells rang on the door of Mr. Brown's shop as a silhouette walked in. Moeka had been reading a book when he approached the counter. It was the slow time of the day, and both he and Nae had gone home for the day.
“Excuse me...” he said, startling her in a way that caused her to drop the book.
“Oh..I didn't see you there...would you like to look at what we have in stock?” She asked with a sense of nervousness, still adjusting to face-to-face interactions.
“No thank you. Actually, I'm trying to find a...” he paused as he took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket, “Future Gadget Laboratories?”
“Oh! You mean Okabe's loft. It's just up stairs, follow me” she said getting up to lead the way. He tried not to stare at her as he followed behind. She knocked on the door, instead of just entering, something Okabe had requested the last time he paid the rent. “Tutturu! Who is it?” Mayuri said from the other side of the door.
“It's me...there's someone here for Okabe” Moeka said I usual, quiet tone.
“It's Moeka, and she says there's someone here for you!” Mayuri shouted to Okabe.
“Send them in!” He said loudly as Mayuri opened the door. Moeka entered first.
“Ah yes, member 005, 'Shining Finger,' let me guess, Brown wasn't content with raising the rent and instead sent a debt collector, city inspector, or some other easily corruptible bureaucrat?” He said in an accusative tone.
“No, this guy said he wanted to find your lab” she said as the young stranger entered the door. Okabe wasn't sure what to think of him. He took out his phone, turning to talk into it. “it's me, once again the organization has attempted to infiltrate my sanctum of science with a fresh face, I won't let my guard down.” He turned around to face them. “Who are you, and what business have you here?”
“Pardon me for not introducing myself properly. My name is Makaito Kyusawa, but I go by Kaito for short. Actually I was wondering if we might be able to work out some sort of business deal.” He sat down his backpack, waiting for Okabe to respond. Okabe began to laugh.
“You realize of course that this is a not-for-profit enterprise devoted exclusively to the benefit of mankind? What manner of deal could we possibly work out?” He said condescendingly.
“Well, you see...” Kaito said as he took some papers from the backpack, “I'm a student of film at the the Institute of Developing Technology of Kyoto, and a large part of my final grade involves documentary-style filming. So, I thought that since my minor was theoretical physics, I might document experiments as an a lab intern. I heard about your lab at a conference where Makise Kurisu spoke, and well, here I am.” He didn't flinch. Okabe was stunned by the perfectly explanatory answer, and the fact that the newcomer had known anything about the lab or Makise. He pondered the facts.
“An intern, you say? Meaning I would not be compelled to pay you, but instead would be responsible for your final grade?” He asked in positive curiosity. Daru and Mayuri said nothing, waiting to see what would unfold.
“Correct, you only have to sign this student contract, and sign the final overview when we're done. Oh, and the intern period only lasts a week or two” he added.
“Only two weeks? That's not a lot of time to review one's work” Okabe said doubtfully as he looked over the terms of the contract.
“Please Okarin! It'll be fun having another person around!” Mayuri finally said in excitement.
“Yeah bro, it's free help! Besides, you don't pay any of us either” Daru chimed in. Okabe sighed.
“It appears I'll be over-ruled either way” he said as he signed the contract. “I hereby designate you honorary lab member 009.”
'Thank you! I promise I won't let you down!” Kaito said excitedly as he shook his hand.
Day-1
The next day at the lab was anything but normal. Kurisu made her way up the stairs as usual, although she was still harboring feelings from the day before. As she neared the door, she heard the muffled voice of Okabe and one she didn't recognize. She entered quietly to observe what was going on.
“You sure this won't damage my equipment, Mr. Rintarou?” Kaito asked as he finished setting up his video camera and tripod.
“I make no guarantees, and please, call me Kyouma” He responded as he noticed Makise's presence. She didn't immediately respond to his gaze, but she saw they he still held feelings from yesterday. He took a breath before saying anything.
“Christina, nice of you to join us! Say hello to our new associate, Mr. Kyusawa, first name Makaito.” He said, tapping the intern on the shoulder. He stood up and faced Makise, immediately recognizing her. “Just Kaito is fine, but I'll respond to pretty much anything. Nice to meet yo, miss...Kurisu, isn't it?” She was stunned, recognizing him from the day before. But there was something else, something she couldn't pin point that was odd about his behavior and his appearance. He had dark brown (almost black), red-tinted short, straight hair, bluish-hazel eyes, a fairly slim figure, a mid-tone complexion, light whiskers, and he spoke with an air she knew she had heard somewhere. He was also a few inches taller than her, but not as tall as Okabe, and claimed to be 19 years old.
“Nice to meet you...” she said hesitantly, suspicious of him.
“He'll be recording some of our experiments for academic purposes, as well as helping around the lab for the next week or two as our intern” Okabe explained.
“Intern? Don't you think we should've talked about this first?” She asked.
“Hey guys, we're ready to go” Daru said from the computer. Kurisu sighed in irritation.
“Whatever, guess my opinion doesn't matter anyway” she murmured loud enough for Okabe to here.
Kaito felt awkward as he powered up the recording equipment. “Whenever you're ready, Mr. Kyouma..”
“Very well, let us commence” he shrugged. Kaito counted to three and gave the okay signal, watching everything the happened thereafter through the camera.
“Greetings, this is Hououin Kyouma, founder of Future Gadget Laboratories, your host for the greatest series of experiments ever to be recorded.”
Kurisu sighed loudly. “Cut!” Okabe yelled.
“It's okay, I can edit it out” Kaito reassured as he recounted the start up.
“As I was saying, what was formerly a simple microwave oven, we have modified for other uses. Today, we will expose the potential of teleportation. For this, I will require a subject. Mayuri, if you please” he held out his hand. Mayuri handed him a lone banana torn from the bunch, placing the rest closer to the camera.
“Thank you. Now, while our esteemed computer master prepares the program, my assistant while explain how the process wor-” a wild empty Dr. Pepper can flew at him from across the room, striking him the side of the head. Okabe was stunned by the blow, finding that it had come from the direction where Kurisu was standing. She was breathing heavily and glared daggers at him.
“What was that for!?” He shouted.
“I'm not your assistant! How many times do I have to say it?!”
“What on earth is the matter with you, woman!? What have I done to offend you?”
“ You don't know?!”
“Of course I don't! If I did, I'd stop!” He rebutted, confused.
“Ungh!” She grunted as she slammed the door behind her, heading up to the roof to get some fresh air.
There was silence for a few minutes after she had left. “We can...re-shoot from that point later” Kaito finally said.
“Yes, I think that's enough for today” Okabe said with an air of exhaustion.
Day-4
After multiple attempts, Okabe, Kurisu and Kaito decided it was best to shoot scenes involving Kurisu or Okabe separately. Kaito resumed shooting Kurisu alone. After she had finished explaining the process with a dry erase board, he moved on to the personal interview, which was plan to happen with all active lab members.
“Miss Kurisu, do you feel the teleportation capabilities the lab has discovered may prove useful?” Kaito asked.
“ If we can move past fruit, certaintly.”
“Do you feel that working as a team is ideal in the laboratory environment?”
“In most cases...” she said with a sense of doubt.
“In this case, would you say there is a strong group dynamic?”
“Not much anymore...” she trailed off.
“Do you..feel confident in the ability of your colleagues?” She sighed and shook her head.
“I'd rather not say.” Kaito leaned to switch off the camera. She looked at him with curiosity.
“Would you like to talk about what's going on? This is off the record” he asked in a serious yet calm tone. She nodded, and proceeded to vent while he listened. When she was finished, she hugged him.
“Thanks...I had to let that out.”
“No problem. I had a sister who always vented to me, so I'm used to it.” They laughed and smiled, then she left as Mayuri arrived for her interview, followed by Daru, Ruka, Moeka, and finally, Okabe.
“Mr. Kyouma, are you confident in the potential of the teleportation technology?”
Okabe stirred from his distant thoughts. “Oh yes, yes, there's nothing we can't do.”
“Do you believe advances in science over the next few years will provide us with a better idea of what we'll be able to apply the teleportaion process to, as described by Ms. Kurisu?”
He didn't answer immediately. He was obviously very distracted. Kaito sighed, and pulled up a seat next to Okabe. “Woman troubles, huh? I get it. I've been in that spot a few times myself.”
Okabe looked at him. “That obvious, is it? I'm surprised it took so long for someone to figure it out..”
“Well, I know what it's like, having been there myself. Wanna talk about it, man to man?” Kaito put his hand on Okabe's shoulder in comfort.
“Well, I suppose it won't help bottling it up” He finally said. Kaito nodded and pulled two Dr. Peppers from his backpack, handing one to Okabe. He took it in friendship.
After they had talked, Okabe walked him out, still laughing about something they had said.
“You're alright, Kaito. If your film career doesn't work out, look me up and maybe we can work something long term out!”
“Thanks! See you later, Okabe.”
Day-5
The experiment was resumed from where they had left off. Everything went without a hitch. As anticipated, the lone banana turned into a “gel-nana,” and reappeared on the bunch with the rest of the bananas.
“So, when do you think you'll have it ready?” Okabe asked Kaito as he packed up his equipment.
“Hard to say exactly, but I'm fairly quick at editing. Should have it ready by tomorrow. I'll get you the finished hard copies before I leave.”
“Very good! You've been exemplary in your short time here, 009” Okabe said to him. He refrained from making any eye contact with Kurisu, who did the same.
“Too bad you have to leave so soon! It was fun having someone new in the lab!” Mayuri said to Kaito.
“It was fun, but maybe I can visit some time in the future, ok?” He said with a smile.
“Okay.” Makise was intrigued by how they behaved, mentioning it later to Daru after the other three had gone.
“Weird, for a minute, I could've sworn he was acting like her big brother...”
“Eh, he's a pretty nice guy, smart too. I even had him help me on some programming earlier!”
“Hmm...very unusual that he'd show up out of the blue like that, but he'd feel so comfortable around us...like he knew us.” She tried not to dwell on it.
Day-6
Kaito spent most of the day editing the video footage in his hotel room. Rather than burn one DVD, he made three. Each disc, however, contained different footage, a fact known only to him. He made the trip to the lab later in the afternoon after 4 hours of editing.
“Here's the finished copy, Mr. Kyouma” he said, handing the disc to him.
“Excellent! We shall review it immediately” Okabe said with optimism as he sat it near the television.
“Daru, ready the DVD player if you please while I sign the contractual log for Makaito.”
“I've uh, already logged the arrows, I just need you to sign here and write the letter grade” Kaito said as he handed him a sheet of paper.
“Fair enough” he said as he signed.
“Unfortunately, I can't stick around, I have some things to take for before I head back.”
“Aww you're leaving already?” Mayuri sad sadly. He crouched down to hug her.
“We'll see each other again, don't worry.” He smiled at her, and she smiled back. Kurisu was reminded of how Okabe treated Mayuri, but kept silent. He got back up to shake Okabe's hand.
“Can't even see the fruits of your labor?” Okabe asked as they shook hands.
“I wouldn't say they're my labors...but, I really need to go” He turned to walk out the door as the DVD began playing. He was stopped by Kurisu.
“Thanks again for listening” She said just before kissing him on the cheek. He blushed a little, then shook her hand and left. As Kurisu went to watch the DVD, she noticed that there was now a disc in her jacket pocket, with a note attached, bearing her name. She looked out the doorway, but Makaito was long gone.
Later that evening, Okabe went to the refrigerator for something to drink. He found something bizarre: a Dr. Pepper with a DVD leaned against it, note attached with his name on it. With curiosity, he played the disc in the DVD player. He couldn't believe what he was seeing: it was Makise's interview, uncut. Kaito had never turned off the camera, intentionally it seemed.
“What treachery is this?” He thought aloud. He began to listen to Kurisu's honest thoughts and opinions as they were recorded.
“He doesn't acknowledge me in the lab...he won't call me anything but 'assistant' or 'Christina'...he hasn't offered to take me anywhere in weeks...it's like we don't have anything to do with each other anymore.”
Kaito, off-camera, asked: “Then how did you two get together in the first place?”
“He saved my life...it's hard to explain, but...I owe him at least for that. He took a knife for me, risking his own life...and I'll never forget that.” She was getting emotional. “He may not know it, but I love him for it still...maybe I really am a...a 'tsundere'...” Okabe snickered at this part.
“I don't wanna lose him...I just wish he understood that...” Okabe stopped the DVD, and a message appeared on screen, reading: “The roof at 7AM.”
Meanwhile, Kurisu, back in her suite, had also decided to watch the disc she found. It was Okabe's own interview, uncut. She couldn't help but wonder to what purpose Kaito had betrayed Okabe's trust in this way.
Kaito: “So, what happened between you two?”
Okabe: “Well...where do I begin...without her...I'd be a dead man...literally...it's hard to explain. There's a bond we share that I cannot ignore, and perhaps...I don't acknowledge her or give her any credit as much as I should...the last thing I want is to lose her...I guess my real problem is prioritizing.”
Her eyes welled with tears.
Okabe: “I want to make it up to her...I just don't know how I can.”
Kaito: “Try being direct. I learned the hard way that girls want you to be direct, and not to put it off.”
Okabe: “Not a bad idea. I've told her I loved her before, but now...love just doesn't even begin to describe it. I mean, we saved each other, in a manner of speaking, I mean. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her...”
Kaito: “And what about now?”
Okabe took a drink of Dr. Pepper before answering. “I've never had the courage to bring it...I just hope it's not too late.”
Kurisu broke down crying just before the message appeared on screen. She looked up to read “The roof at 7AM.”
“I'll be there” she said aloud, wiping the tears from her face.
Day-7
Okabe was on the roof, watching the sunset. He hadn't caught much sleep, kept awake only by the fresh bottle of Dr. Pepper in his hand. Kurisu walked up behind him silently, him not noticing.
“You're early” she said as she leaned on the railing next to him.
“So are you” he replied in a tiresome voice. He offered her another Dr. Pepper from his lab coat pocket, which she accepted.
“Did you mean what you said...in the interview, I mean” Okabe asked hesitantly.
“I did, if you did...” she responded solemnly, her blushing hidden by the sunlight.
“I meant every word...” he said turning to look at her. She got closer.
“Okabe...I...” He took her in his arms, tears streamed down her face.
“I know...” He kissed her like the first time they ever did. She looked into his eyes as they finished.
“So, no more relationship and work separation, then. And I promise to call you by your real name as well.”
“And I promise not to be so hard towards you.” She said towards a smile.
“I wonder why Kaito felt compelled to do that” Okabe said as they walked back into the lab.
“Yeah...there was something about him that seemed...familiar...I wonder if he was even really a student” she said as the entered the stairwell.”
Daru was on his way to the lab, passing a secondhand electronics shop, when he saw something interesting in the window. A digital video camera that was recently acquired. He looked closely, noticing a set of initials: “M.K.”
“Can't be...” he said to himself.
Kaito emptied his wallet of unnecessary materials into the public trash, including his fake I.D.
He snuck back to the roof of the abandoned parking garage on the far west side of the city, where he had stored it: the time machine, FGL model 205 Ed.2 Ver.1.15.
“My work here is done. Here's to a smooth future, Mom and Dad. Hope it's the choice of Steins;Gate” He told himself as he fired up the machine, looking at a picture of the two of them from 10 years in the future.
2037:06:19:16:18:35:00
Kaito returned to the lab warehouse, carefully putting the time machine back in its proper place.
As he went out, he passed by a collage of pictures on the wall of the lab's members and their families over the years.
He leaned against the railing that was across the road from the lab, watching the summer sunset hit the bay. He heard footsteps behind him.
“Hey! Where've you been?” The female voice said as it came up beside him. It was Amane, Daru's daughter, who had herself traveled back in another world line, who was barely a few months younger than him. They had grown up together, and were closer than brother and sister. He was relieved to see her.
“I had something to take care of, but it's done now. Guess it worked out just as I planned.”
“You time jumped without permission!?” She was pretty concerned.
“I had to make sure everything worked out with my parents...and it did.”
“You doubted it?” She asked in curiosity rather than scorn.
“For a minute...but I guess there was nothing to worry about.”
“Yeah...they were a perfect match.” She put her hand on his. He looked at her.
“C'mon, it's BBQ night and my dad said you could come over.”
“And I shan't deny the offer, fair maiden 'Amanasami'” he said in his best Hououin Kyouma voice.
“I told you I hate that name! You are definitely your dad's son.” She teased. They ran back toward the lab.
“There is no fate, other than that we choose to make,” He said to himself as he chased after her.