One shot: Just one more Day

[Nenji]

Just one more Day



“I’m sorry Netto-kun, but I have some terrible news about Rockman.” Yuuichiro said gently to his sons, Netto who stood in front of him and Rockman who resided in Netto’s PET.

“What do you mean, terrible news?” Asked Netto, concern creasing his forehead.

“While Rockman has been feeling fatigued the past few weeks, at first I didn’t think it was a serious problem because you two have fought so much while trying to help. However, after a fortnight I asked Rockman to come and be examined. We finally completed our analysis of the data from that examination…” Yuuichiro trailed off, a strange look in his face and his voice became hoarse.

“What’s wrong Papa? What’s the matter with Rockman?” Netto cried out, his voice fearful.

“Rockman’s Data is…is being rejected by his Frame.” Yuuichiro finished, barely whispering to his children. Rockman was silent but Netto cried out.

“What do you mean, rejected? What’s happening to Rockman?” Netto was almost in tears, fearful for what the truth might be.

“Rockman’s Data is being rejected by his Frame, his program has begun to deteriorate which is why he has been chronically exhausted.” Yuuichiro steeled himself against his son’s sorrow, Netto really began to cry now.

“Can’t you fix him?” He cried out, looking for anyway to deny the painful truth.

“I wish I could Netto-kun, but there’s nothing more I can do. The Saito Batch I applied to Rockman after he was deleted by Magicman had already prolonged his life as much as it can.” Yuuichiro said, no longer able to look at his son.

“How long do I have Papa?” Rockman asked quietly from Netto’s Link PET.

“By the end of the day you’ll…have died.” Yuuichiro replied but he had barely spoken the words before Netto ran out of the room.

“I’m so sorry Netto-kun, but most of all to you…Saito-kun.” Yuuichiro said, finally able to weep himself.



Netto ran out of Sci-lab and kept running, not caring where he went anymore. He was beside a park by the time he finally tired.

“Netto-kun, do you mind if we sit on the grass?” Rockman asked quietly from his PET. Netto walked over to the grass, found a nice clear patch and lay down.

“It’s not fair…it’s not fair!” Netto cried, tears still pouring down his cheeks. The salty tears clung to the blades of grass as if they were a midday dew.

“Deep down, I knew the truth. It wasn’t just merely being tired, I was exhausted down to my very soul.” Rockman said to a now hiccupping Netto. “I never thought about it before, but it’s peaceful looking at the sky. There’s no sun, no rain, no starry nights in the Cyber World. But, when I’m with you Netto-kun…I can feel the wind in my hair, the rain on my face and the sun on my cheeks.”

Netto couldn’t bare to say anything right then, so Rockman continued to comfort him.

“Even if it was borrowed time, I wouldn’t give up a second of the years I spent with you. It didn’t matter if we argued, played or simply talked together, being with you always made me feel alive.” Rockman said gently to Netto, who lay beside him.

Netto wiped his face and sniffed. “I wouldn’t give up the time I spent with you either. You were always there, always a friend who would talk to me, or play with me. Even if you scolded me or nagged me to do my homework, deep down I didn’t care because it was you. When I learned you were really Saito, it was the happiest moment of my life.” Netto smiled faintly at the memory, even though they had to fight the Dream Virus the knowledge that his brother would be at his side had given him all the courage he needed.



It was late in the afternoon when Haruka and Yuuichiro finally came to pick the two boys up. Netto and Saito were both quiet as they drove to Sci-lab, but neither parent could think of anything to comfort them. As they pulled up to the entrance, a solemn Meiru came to the car.

“Netto-kun…” The redhead said faintly, “I’m so sorry about Rockman.”

She reached out her hand and Netto took it. Together they walked into the building solemnly.



“Netto-kun, promise me you’ll treat your next Navi as you would have treated me.” A hologram of Rockman asked as he lay on a bed.

“Of course I will, but no can replace you!” Netto said to his dying brother.

“I love you Netto-kun, I will always love you.” Saito said so faintly that it was barely audible over the background noise.

“I love you too, Saito-kun.” Netto replied equally softly and tenderly.

Rockman turned to him, smiled faintly and closed his eyes. The Navi began to fade away, wisps of data blowing away in an invisible breeze.

“Don’t leave me Saito-kun! Please, come back!” Netto screamed, but his brother could no longer hear him. The smile grew fainter until it finally disappeared and nothing was left of the hologram.

Netto slumped, his heart suddenly empty and aching. Saito was gone. He would no longer be woken up by him, no longer chided for not doing his homework. They’d saved the world together so many times, but in the end it didn’t matter. His brother was dead and this time, he couldn’t come back.

Netto cried, harder than he had ever thought he could. He bawled his eyes out, screaming himself hoarse and then grew silent. Meiru bent down and hugged him firmly, but her touch nor that of his parents could condone Netto. He sat there wordlessly caught in his grief like a small child, and his parents wept as well. They had lost one of their children twice, their hope cruelly sntached away by reality.
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Previously known as "HiKaizer"

[Midnight]

Hmm...I definitely like this story, but I do have one pretty large gripe with it.

In addition to other people in the channel, I noted that this fic was FAR too short. The matter you are dealing with here is nothing to be trifled with, as this is an especially charged concept to write around. 1000 words simply don't do justice to something that has the potential to be a real sob story.

However, this was written well. Because it was written to be quite short, the images displayed by the words proved to be not as strong as I had hoped, but you still write compellingly.

My advice? If you are going to redo this story, please extend it. It definitely can and will do a lot better if you focus more on the events and pass through them a little more slowly.
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Today, these three players are after Big Bucks! But they'll have to avoid the Whammy, as they play the most exciting game of their lives! From Television City in Hollywood! It's time to 'Press Your Luck!'--Rod Roddy

The Kingdom of Loathing: An Adventurer is You! // I ♣ Seals

Avatar by Spork. I very much appreciate it! <3

[RollSoul]

*agree*
*sob*
I've been liking all the Saito stories floating around...this is sad...
good, depressing, and short. Back to my crappy fanart tablet yay!
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NOTICE: This user no longer uses this account, they made a new account cuz they dont like the name of their account anymore =3

[Kitty-Chan]

I agree with everyone else.
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Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Featherdust]

I agree with Midnight- if it had been quite a bit longer, I may have spilt a tear or two, because the way you expressed Netto's emotion was very strong. But, such an emotional and meaningful story is not complete if it isn't long enough to portray his memories with Rockman in more detail, as to give the story even more strength. But, besides that, it was nicely written. Well done.
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