Even Xiao Ran had not expected Yurika Mitotsudaira to choose not somewhere else, but to come personally to the Apocalypse, bringing only Kouji Kabuto and Sayaka with her. She had not brought a single other guard.
Even Kouji and Sayaka had insisted on accompanying Yurika. In fact, Yurika had originally intended to come to the Apocalypse alone. She had even argued with Akihito Tenkawa over it and handed the captaincy of the Nadeshiko over to Ruri Hoshino. It could be said that she had made every possible preparation.
After learning of this, Kouji and Sayaka had volunteered to come along. They also figured it would be easier to deal with acquaintances, and they were worried that Xiao Ran or the people aboard the Apocalypse might make things difficult for Yurika.
Xiao Ran was surprised by Yurika's courage and boldness. In truth, he did not know Yurika particularly well. He had only had some contact with another Yurika during Mecha Wars V, but that Yurika had already experienced many things and stood on the same side as him. She seemed more like someone willing to support everyone from the rear than someone who would take the lead and risk danger alone.
For such a Yurika, Xiao Ran showed considerable respect. He generously took Yurika, Kouji, and Sayaka on a tour of the Apocalypse before formally inviting them to the conference room for talks.
They spoke for more than an hour. Including the tour, nearly three hours had passed by the time Yurika and the other two returned to the Nadeshiko. Once back aboard, Yurika announced to everyone that they would be following the Apocalypse in their future operations, yet said nothing at all about what had happened aboard that ship.
Under Ruri Hoshino's questioning, she forcefully retook command authority of the