Chapter 121: Reunion
"Bright, have you received your next assignment?"
After calming down a flustered Amuro, Eli stepped onto the bridge.
Aside from Amuro, who had decided to enter the military academy, most of the other student soldiers who had come aboard the White Base with him had chosen to retire from service.
Kai, Hayato, and Fraw were already in the process of handling their discharge paperwork during their journey to Luna II.
However, Bright had yet to receive any official notification regarding his future.
"I have no idea… If possible, I'd like to continue as the captain of this ship. But as just a lieutenant, that probably won't happen, right?"
After all, Bright wasn't like Eli, who had repeatedly distinguished himself in battle.
Although the White Base had achieved numerous military successes under Bright's command, he remained somewhat pessimistic about his prospects.
"Believe in yourself, Captain. There's no one more reliable than you to command this ship, Bright."
"Don't say that. I was too immature at the start… My relationship with Amuro was a mess. Not that I've matured much since then."
Bright tapped his fingers irritably on the armrest.
At that moment, a glass of water was handed to him.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Bright-san. You're an amazing person."
The one offering the drink was Mirai.
She handed another glass to Eli, who took it and sipped through a straw while observing their interaction.
It was the usual routine—Mirai praised Bright, Bright shyly waved off her compliments, and Mirai reaffirmed her words with a gentle smile.
A pair of lovebirds, truly.
Eli's gaze darkened slightly for a moment before he quickly adjusted his expression.
"What about you, Mirai? What's your plan?"
After taking a large gulp of water, Eli turned to ask her.
"Hmm, as for me…"
Mirai hesitated, touching her cheek while sneaking a glance at Bright.
"I might leave the military."
Eli raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by her decision.
"Well, that makes sense. It's probably for the best if you do."
Bright agreed without hesitation.
"Oh? Don't tell me you're saying that just because I'm a woman—"
"I'm worried about your safety."
Mirai was about to get upset, thinking she was being dismissed for being female, but Bright's straightforward words instantly calmed her down.
"If possible, I'd rather be the one protecting you."
Eli took a deep sip of his drink, making a loud slurping noise that caused both of them to blush.
Then, without a word, he crushed his water bottle in his hand, waved them off, and walked out of the bridge.
As he wandered through the ship, he arrived at the hangar.
"Ah, Major… or rather, Lieutenant Colonel? Could you lend me a hand?"
A lively voice called out to him.
Turning around, Eli saw Christina, overseeing operations in the hangar.
"What is it?"
Eli jumped down from the catwalk and floated toward her.
"Could you help me move the NT-1 into the cargo ship? We're short on manpower, and we're running out of time."
The NT-1 had sustained severe damage, and with Amuro choosing to attend the academy, it was naturally being sent back to the Augusta Research Institute.
"Hmm… Amuro?"
"That kid has been avoiding me… Sigh, maybe I was too harsh when I spoke to him back then."
At the mention of this, Christina's usually bright eyes darkened slightly.
Eli understood her feelings.
Still, he felt he should say something on Amuro's behalf.
"If possible, Lieutenant, I think you should have one last conversation with Amuro. Let him know that the time for acting willfully is over."
Before stepping into the NT-1's cockpit, Eli offered this advice.
Later, as he walked back through the hangar after finishing his task, he saw Amuro standing against a wall, eyes brimming with tears, while Christina gently placed a kiss on his forehead.
"This is a grown-up's kiss, okay?"
…
What was this? Neon Genesis Evangelion Gundam?
—
The time for farewells had come.
Eli had expected Amuro to spend a long time saying goodbye to Christina, but in the end, he only gave her a handmade NT-1 Gunpla before returning to Eli's side.
Wait, when did Amuro even get the parts to build that NT-1?
Eli was still wondering about this when Amuro spoke up.
"I don't think I'll ever see Christina again…"
He sounded dejected.
Seeing him like this, Eli smiled faintly.
"Come on, let's head to Luna II. There's a ceremony we need to attend."
"A ceremony?"
"Remember your first crush, Matilda Ajan?"
"Wha—! First crush?!"
Amuro's face turned red with embarrassment.
"She's getting married. The wedding's being held right here on Luna II."
Eli dragged Amuro along, leading him deeper into the space station.
"Back when we left Jaburo for space, did you ever think you'd reunite with her like this?"
After entering Luna II's residential sector, Eli let go of Amuro's arm, giving him time to adjust to the station's artificial gravity.
Just a little farther, and they would reach the hall where the wedding was set to take place.
Matilda's fiancé, Woody, had come to space with the fleet, which was why the ceremony was being held here.
"Woody wants to personally thank you. He said that thanks to Gundam, he was saved from the enemy again. Matilda shares the same sentiment."
"…"
Eli continued chatting as he led Amuro to the grand entrance.
"So don't be too sad, Amuro. Just being able to reunite in this vast universe is a miracle in itself."
With that, Eli pushed open the doors and gave Amuro a firm shove into the hall.
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Then, cheers erupted.
These were the people who had just returned from the Battle of A Baoa Qu. Every single one of them had heard about the crucial role Gundam played in the war.
And in the Federation's propaganda films, Amuro—the so-called "White Shooting Star"—had left an unforgettable impression.
Of course, on a side note, Eli had also been featured in those propaganda films.
Though, much to his embarrassment, the titles given to him were things like "The Federation's Hope" and "Zeon's Grim Reaper."
As a responsible adult, Eli found them utterly cringe-inducing.
But for now, he simply watched as Amuro was quickly surrounded by the crowd.
He noticed a bald, dark-skinned officer trying to offer Amuro a drink, only to be dragged away and elbowed by someone—everyone here knew that Amuro was still underage.
Before long, someone sharp-eyed spotted Eli standing by the door.
With 134 confirmed kills to his name, Eli was just as much of a legend.
What happened after that was a blur to him.
All he remembered was Woody, grinning as he and Amuro hoisted Eli up in the middle of a group photo with Matilda and a bunch of Federation soldiers.