Chapter 5: How Time Fly's

Months passed since that day, and it was soon 2015, during the last month of winter. Despite being swamped with work, the group of friends found time to spend together, albeit with more difficulty. Today was one such day when Asuka had requested to talk with Daubeny alone in a park.

'Asuka has become more suspicious during the last few weeks. I believe he has noticed that Aria and my condition have worsened. But there's a chance it has nothing to do with that.'

Daubeny silently sat in the park while waiting for Asuka to show up. While waiting, he lifted his tired eyes from the cobblestone trail, with bits of dirt between its rough edges, to see something beautiful. He stared at something he hadn't seen in a while: the lush green dense forest with lush green trees and plants, the sparkling lake, and towering mountains, along with the chirping of birds, insects, and people walking and the cool, gentle breeze blowing his red hair out of order. He smiled, happy to be alive for this moment. 

That was when his ears picked up the sound of boots hitting the hard cobblestone as the owner stepped slowly in Daubeny's direction, and it was Asuka in a winter jacket. Taking a seat beside Daubeny without either one of them looking at the other. Before he could say a word 

Daubeny crossed his left leg over his right, staring sadly at Asuka. "Do you understand how I feel? Why I never told anyone?" he said, Getting straight to the crux of the matter.

Looking into Daubeny's green eyes, Asuka opened his mouth to respond. "I think I might."

Daubeny's sad expression turned to scorn as his hands gripped the handles of the bench, his knuckles turning white as he spat out angrily. "I know you're not lying, but don't you dare be ignorant. You're not Frederick." Sighing heavily, he released his grip on the handle, resting his hands on his knees while looking down. "I have an incurable tuberculosis infection, and unless you're in my situation, you can't understand how I feel."

Asuka regretted saying those words, but he spoke up in a more downtrodden tone. "Forgive me, Daubeny, I didn't mean to offend you. But if you've hidden this from us for so long, why say it so readily?" 

Daubeny looked up at his friend, sighing and closing his eyes. "Apology accepted; sorry about that. I didn't mean to snap back at you. As for why I told you, you probably would've investigated until you found out the truth or convinced Aria to tell you. I'm just saving you the effort." 

Asuka raised his head slowly in shock, interlocking his hands while tapping one of his feet. "I have no idea what you mean. I would never abuse my power?"

"We... wanted to spend the rest of our time together living in this world with everything we have left."

Opening his eyes again, Daubeny gazed at the crystal clear blue sky with puffs of clouds moving close together, so close that people could imagine so many objects from them. He spoke. "And if I told you or Frederick about it, I was afraid you two would spend all of your time looking for a cure, which you would find, but Aria and I would be dead by that point." 

Narrowing his eyes as if reminiscing about a bad memory, he continued. "Back before I met you or Frederick, whenever someone found out about it, they never treated me like normal. Only Aria understood because she's going through what I am. Everybody else would all keep their distance from me and say, "Oh, what a poor soul." I could see it in their eyes. All they felt was pity and curiosity towards me..."

Asuka listened intently to Daubeny's words, his heart heavy with the weight of his friends struggles. And the thought of losing two of his friends was unbearable, so he took a deep breath.

"Daubeny," Asuka said firmly, "I understand why you didn't tell us about your and Aria's illness, but you have to know we're not going to give up on either of you. We'll do everything possible to find a cure, no matter how long it takes."

"You didn't hear me the first time, so I'll say it again. I appreciate your concern, Asuka, but I don't want you driving yourself mad over this hopeless miracle. I've made my peace."

Asuka shook his head. "Nothing is hopeless. You can still enter   cryo-sleep."

"What's the point in entering if everything I love is already dead." Adamantly refusing that solution. Daubeny was silent for a moment before pleading. "You're a great friend, Asuka. And I appreciate what you said, but you have to promise me one thing: never tell Frederick about Aria and I's infection. She should be the one to tell him."

"I promise, but Frederick has to know eventually."

"And he will when Aria is ready, and I think we've talked enough about diseases. Let's get to living instead."

Taking a step forward and gently pushing him away, Daubeny reassured, "Don't worry, I'll be fine making my way back. I just want to look some more at the world."

When they parted ways, Asuka thought that despite the gravity of the situation, he would not give up hope. 'Frederick and I are resourceful, and if that fails, then I will find a way to help you two, even if it means going against your wishes.'

 -

Frederick and Asuka are looking at a magic-powered widescreen with their team's research results though the next few months.

Frederick looks at his friend with a satisfied smile, "We're finally done."

"Yes".

"Stabilized Gear cells infused with magic... This means no more human illness".

Asuka turns his head towards Frederick's. "I never could have done this without you, Aria, and Daubeny."

In response, Frederick shook his head. "Don't try to be modest. You're about to win every achievement award they've got and get your name in the history books".

"I'm... not really interested in that".

"Have a little pride, man. Although... this could flip the healthcare system on its head. You're going to face some resistance..."

"I'm not concerned about that, actually..."

"... You're afraid someone's going to weaponize them".

Asuka began walking towards the desk and sat in the closest chair. Getting more comfortable on his chair, the future gearmaker turned to Frederick. His expression was slightly grim, but it quickly returned to normal.

Then, clasping his hands near below his chin, he continued. "Yes. I have decided I will turn over all of my research on Gear cells and the theory behind them to the state".

Frederick crossed his arms. "You've gotta be kidding me."

Asuka overlapped both of his hands over one another as he stated."Only if they can meet four conditions."

Frederick's voice became calmer as he asked. "Which are?"

"One... Any benefits derived from this research may only be used to further peace in the world".

"Two... Everyone involved in further research must have their physical and financial well-being guaranteed".

"Three... The current staff will retain their jobs, with a significant budget increase to keep this facility intact".

"And lastly... These conditions must be publicly announced to prevent the state from going back on them once they have been agreed".

Frederick, listening in silence through the four conditions, finally spoke up. "... All right, what if they don't go for it? I hate to say it, but you should probably be prepared for the worst".

The white-haired young man spoke up. "If and when that happens, I'll have to put a contingency plan in place to destroy all of our research material."

Frederick sounded a little saddened by this but nodded his head. "Heh heh heh… Well, that would be a huge waste of our best years". 

Asuka answered uncertainly. "Not necessarily. Even if our research never sees the light of day, I believe it can..." He had stopped mid-sentence, his calm face turning of one to worry.

Frederick only looked at his best friend in confusion, wondering what had made him stop talking. "..?"

Asuka placed one hand on the top of his chair and the other on the desk. His face shook slightly, and his voice was dead serious. He lowered it to a whisper. "Frederick, listen to me. This is about Aria and Daubeny..."

But before Asuka could share what he wanted, he was interrupted by the entrance door swinging open while creaking slowly, the sound echoing throughout the room. 

Two red-headed figures were seen at the door. The woman had her hands on the doorknob while the man gripped the door frame tightly. His hand was frightfully white from how much force was behind the hold. Behind Aria was her brother, who had small bags under his eyes. 

Aria was the first to speak up, with an exasperated face, taking a totally serious, solemn step towards her friends. "Ah ha! We were wondering where you two were! And, of course, you're here in the lab!"

Frederick lowered his eyebrows with slight confusion. "I thought you two went home".

Daubeny covers his mouth to stifle a yawn while groggily speaking, "We're working tonight! Unlike some people, these cells are very delicate. They might die if someone doesn't keep an eye on them."

Asuka tilted his head with a small smile, politely waving her off. "Actually, I believe the Gear cells are quite resilient..." 

Aria waved her index finger in front of her and stubbornly said. "Hush! We're not just cultivating Gear cells! Besides, tomorrow's an important day for both of you. Go get some sleep! Besides, Duabeny and I can take—" 

Daubeny began to feel a sharp pain in his side. He tried to ignore it a minute ago, thinking it would pass just the same as the other times. But the pain only grew worse until this moment.

"Gah...!" Daubeny recoiled away from the group, taking a step back as he shook uncontrollably, his hands spasming in the blink of an eye and struggling to take even shallow breaths.

Asuka was the first to ask in a worried voice. "What's wrong"? 

Luckily for the red-haired man, the pain had stopped. He straightened his back while smiling with his eyes closed and tapped his left cheek with his index finger, Muttering, "N-Nothing, just a stitch in my side. I must have run here too fast... Or fell down some stairs."

All Frederick could say was, "What the hell?" While Aria loosened her grip on the door, turning to her brother, she patted his shoulder, troubled.

"Hey, let's get to those Gear cells. They aren't going to care for themselves. And you two, goodnight, we can't wait for your big day".

Nudging her brother along the hallway, where the Gear cells were being contained, he caught on and followed her. But not before waving off his two friends goodbye. Frederick looked worried but shook his head and made his way out of the room.

Turning towards the white-haired young man, he said, "Aria's right. We should get some sleep. We can worry about it tomorrow."

"Goodnight Frederick".

Frederick left, heading towards the elevator to pick up his belongings on his way out. While Asuka just stood there, if one could see his eyes, they would see terror and the will to do whatever it takes to reach a goal.