Kira looked back at Flay, tenderness in his eyes, then turned and hugged her.
"I'll be back soon!"
"I'll be waiting!"
Flay hugged Kira back as she spoke.
Watching the two of them being affectionate, Felix reached out and knocked on the door.
At the sound, Kira and Flay remembered that someone else was there and released each other.
Kira turned back to Felix.
"Let's go, big brother!"
"Yeah!"
In Canard's room, shock surfaced in Kira's eyes when their gazes met. Looking at Kira, Canard clenched his hands at his sides, then relaxed them again and greeted him with a smile.
"Hello, Kira Yamato!"
The greeting brought Kira out of his shock. He pressed his lips together and asked,
"Who are you?"
Canard's expression visibly changed at the question, but he quickly recovered and answered with quiet acceptance.
"I was part of the Ultimate Coordinator Project!"
The mention of the Ultimate Coordinator Project immediately made Kira understand.
He looked at Canard and pressed his lips together, then lowered his gaze. Seeing his reaction, Canard walked over and patted his shoulder.
"You don't need to feel guilty. What happened to me had nothing to do with you. It wasn't something you could control just because you wanted to."
At those comforting words, Kira looked up and met Canard's gaze. The guilt in his eyes had not entirely faded, but he thanked him.
"Thank you!"
Canard heard his thanks.
He smiled faintly, then turned to Felix and thanked him as well.
"Thank you for helping me meet Kira!"
"It was nothing!" Felix waved a hand dismissively. Looking at Canard, he added, "You two should have a good talk while you have the time."
As he spoke, Felix looked at Kira.
"Kira, you remember the way back. You can head back on your