Chapter 104: SEED – Rest After the Battle
Kira watched helplessly as the LaGOWE piloted by Andrew and Aisha exploded. Sitting in the cockpit of the Strike Gundam, he broke down in tears, choking on his grief.
"I never wanted to kill them! But why… why did it have to turn out like this!"
When the battle ended, the Archangel began cleaning up the battlefield, retrieving the energy-drained Strike Gundam and the downed Skygrasper Unit 2 back into the hangar.
As Tolle had just climbed down from his Recon Ginn, Mu walked over happily, whistling at him.
"Kid, not bad this time—took out more than twenty combat helicopters in one go. That's a better record than mine. I could even ask Captain Ramius to promote you, make you an official ensign. Or… do you have any special requests? I could put in a word for you."
Tolle beamed, grinning from ear to ear.
"Really, Major Flaga? If I get promoted to ensign, could I have my own private room? Always having to cram into the common rest area to sleep… with people snoring at night, I just can't get a proper rest. It's really not working out."
Hearing that Tolle's only request was for a private room, Mu immediately agreed, patting him on the shoulder.
"A private room, huh? No problem, leave it to me. That I can definitely arrange. If you'd spoken up earlier, you might've already had your own room like Kira. I'll go talk to Captain Ramius right away. Should have it done before tonight's victory banquet."
Tolle was overjoyed at Mu's words, almost leaping with excitement.
Finally, he could have his own room—and he could even sleep with Miriallia, with a chance to get closer to her. Fantastic!
He immediately hugged Mu in gratitude. "Uncle Mu, you're the best, thank you!"
Mu pushed him away in disgust. "Alright, alright, it's nothing worth fussing over. And besides, I only like being hugged by women, not by men."
Tolle stepped back quickly with a chuckle. "Heh, I was just too happy. I don't like hugging men either. I'll be careful next time."
Mu glanced toward the Strike Gundam and saw Kira still hadn't left the cockpit. He walked over to where Murdoch was about to open the hatch.
"What's wrong with the Strike? Some kind of malfunction? Where's Kira?"
Murdoch spread his hands helplessly. "That kid Kira's at it again, locked himself inside and won't come out. We're trying to figure out how to get the hatch open. Give us a minute."
Tolle knew Kira must be grieving over Andrew and Aisha, thinking he had killed them. He didn't know that Tolle had actually saved them.
They were only suffering from concussions, unconscious but otherwise not badly hurt.
Tolle had only made sure the Tiger ended up with a scar on his face and some minor shrapnel wounds that didn't hit anything vital.
Aisha was even better off—the shrapnel on her body was small enough that she wouldn't even be left with scars once healed.
But he couldn't tell Kira about this. Otherwise, the story's original plotline would fall apart.
He spoke to Mu.
"Uncle Mu, Kira must be grieving over the Desert Tiger. After all, the Tiger wasn't a bad man. Even knowing we were enemies, he still deliberately let us go. And now this result…"
Mu sighed and cut him off.
"Like I've said, the less you know about the enemy, the better. It does you no good. On the battlefield, if you can't harden your heart, then you'll be the one who gets killed. Even if you defeat the enemy, you'll still end up like Kira—broken by sorrow afterward."
Tolle nodded in agreement. War was cruel—kill or be killed.
But he was a man with cheats. For those he wanted to save—even if they were enemies—he had no reason to fear.
And for those he wanted dead—even if they were allies—he could eliminate them without leaving a trace.
Soon enough, Murdoch got the Strike's hatch open. Sure enough, Kira was curled up inside, crying nonstop, his helmet already filled with tears.
Tolle helped him out of the cockpit and lifted his visor. "Kira, are you alright?"
Kira didn't answer, his eyes still wet with tears, only moving slowly with Tolle's support.
As they reached the hangar's changing area, Flay came rushing over at a trot. Tolle greeted her.
"Flay, Kira's a little upset. I was just about to take him back."
But Flay snatched Kira's arm from him, supporting him and heading straight toward her own quarters without a backward glance.
Before leaving, she even shot Tolle a glare.
Tolle was left fuming. What the hell happened to basic manners?
I just brought your boyfriend back safe and sound. The least you could say is thank you. But no, not even that—just a glare?
If not for Lacus, I'd really love to just cut you out of the picture. But since this tool still has some use, guess I'll just swallow this indignity for now.
After the Archangel finished cleaning up the battlefield, the Desert Dawn resistance group returned to their base.
They invited everyone from the Archangel to join them that evening for a celebration—celebrating their victory in today's battle and the fall of their sworn enemy, the Desert Tiger.
Preparations began immediately, with Cagalli especially busy. As the Desert Dawn's goddess of victory, she naturally became the center of attention, surrounded on all sides. She kept issuing orders, directing the arrangements for the celebration.
Meanwhile, back in her quarters, Flay comforted Kira tirelessly, waging her own kind of silent battle. Under her care, Kira gradually calmed down and even responded to her.
Tolle, secretly watching, cursed them as a pair of shameless lovers. Figures they'd be at it again, with no regard for anyone else's feelings.
But tonight… heh, my turn too.
That evening, everyone gathered, drinking and eating heartily together.
Sahib Ashman raised his glass cheerfully to Murrue, Mu, and Natarle. "To Desert Dawn!"
Murrue clinked glasses happily. "To winning the future!"
Mu and Natarle followed suit. "To it all—cheers!"
Sahib, Murrue, and Mu downed their drinks in one gulp, while Natarle could only sip, immediately coughing from the burn.
But the most surprising of all was Murrue. No one had expected her to be such a heavy drinker.
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