Mu Volunteers

Mu's voice rang out behind them, carrying a hint of teasing. One hand rested lightly against his mouth as he struck a thoughtful pose.

His gaze swept over Xia Ya and Jiliang, catching the smiles that had yet to fully fade from their faces. His words accurately pointed out the current distribution of mobile suits.

"Looks like you've already come to an agreement. But no matter what, isn't there still one extra?"

Although Mu's voice was teasing, it concealed a problem that could not be ignored.

Xia Ya's smile faded slightly. He nodded and turned his gaze toward the Strike Gundam parked on the maintenance platform.

His mind began calculating rapidly.

Mu was right. He would pilot the Blaze Gundam, and Jiliang would pilot the Freedom Gundam. That left no one to pilot the Strike Gundam.

Though this Strike Gundam could no longer match the Freedom Gundam's performance, it was still a powerful MS.

He considered who the machine should belong to, countless possibilities surfacing in his mind.

Just as Xia Ya sank into thought, an energetic voice suddenly rang through the hangar.

Cagalli Yula Athha rushed to the Strike Gundam's maintenance platform. She leaned forward, her movements charged with an undeniable momentum.

She abruptly raised her right hand, clenched it tightly into a fist, and thrust her arm high overhead in a powerful pose.

"Then I'll pilot it!"

Cagalli's voice was loud and forceful, her decisiveness utterly free of hesitation.

Yet after saying that, her momentum suddenly diminished somewhat.

Her raised arm lowered slightly, and with obvious concern in her eyes, she carefully looked toward Xia Ya, Jiliang, and Mu.

Her voice dropped as well, her tone carrying a tentative, pleading note. It was as though she were seeking their permission, afraid that her initiative might cause trouble.

"Of