Of course, this wasn't to say that Lenoya Sala had brought the nuclear bomb here, or that the Earth Alliance had launched a nuclear strike specifically at this place.
It was because Lenoya Sala held the highest status among those who died in the Bloody Valentine.
Her death directly affected two important figures: Councilor Sala and Athrun.
Noer had indeed considered saving her at first, but... he simply lacked the ability.
When someone had to rely on the heavens just to protect himself, what could anyone expect him to do?
Besides those reasons, Noer also had a little selfishness and avoidance in him.
The only thing he could rely on in this world was that vague sliver of foresight from his memories.
If he really saved Lenoya Sala, what kind of impact would she have on this world as Athrun's mother and the wife of the PLANT Minister of Defense?
Would the events afterward still unfold the way he knew them?
In a completely unfamiliar world filled with all kinds of dangers, if he lost this one little cheat of foresight, could he really survive here?
The protagonists might have been thriving, constantly getting power-ups and showing off, awesome from the first episode all the way to the finale.
But aside from being the protagonists, there was another reason for that: strength.
Kira and Athrun, each piloting their own personal machine—without other elite mobile suits holding them back, those two were gods on the battlefield!
ZAFT, the Earth Alliance... it hardly mattered how many came. They would kill them all!
And what about him?
A Pseudo-Coordinator with no special talents besides the Coordinator label on his back.
No strength, no talent, no background...
In short, he was just a nobody. In that situation, if he didn't find a way to stay alive, was he supposed to force himself into becoming a savior?
When a capable person acted cocky, that was genuinely impressive. When someone without the strength acted cocky... that was just being an idiot!
So Noer Cassia could only choose to save Asya. That was already the most he could do.
After all, throughout the entire anime, apart from Athrun, there was no one named Asya at all. Of course, there was no Noer Cassia either. Two minor nobodies probably couldn't make much of a difference.
"Still... how am I supposed to get Asya to eat this? Pry his mouth open and force-feed him?"
Noer stopped what he was doing and looked at the half-finished result of his efforts, suddenly at a loss.
Noer's goal was simple: make Asya sick enough to miss the shuttle. Lenoya Sala couldn't possibly drag a sick person onto a shuttle, could she?
The thing before him had been made according to a method he found online. As for its effects, it caused stomach pain, dizziness, and limp limbs... among other things.
It wasn't fatal, though. At worst, it would make someone miserable for a while.
And judging from how it looked, the results should be quite impressive.
But its appearance was a little too impressive. Unless someone had something wrong with their head, no normal person would ever take a bite!
Knock, knock.
"Noer, dinner's ready!"
Just as Noer stood in his room wondering how to make Asya eat this culinary masterpiece, Anna's voice suddenly came from outside.
"I'll be right there!" Noer hurriedly got up to put the food away. This thing absolutely couldn't be exposed. If he got accused of poisoning someone, then...
Creak.
Before Noer could put everything away, Anna pushed the door open and walked in.
"Eek! Noer, what is that smell? Why does it stink so badly?"
The moment Anna entered, she covered her nose. The smell was so overpowering it practically stung her eyes.
"This..."
Holding his homemade dark cuisine, Noer was at a loss for words. How am I supposed to explain this?
"Ah, it's Traditional Chinese Medicine! A treasured remedy passed down through the ages!"
Suddenly, inspiration struck Noer, and he came up with a lousy excuse.
It had to be mentioned that Traditional Chinese Medicine actually existed in this world. Since Coordinators came from all kinds of countries, PLANT also had such things as Traditional Chinese Medicine.
"Traditional Chinese Medicine... what's that?" Anna asked doubtfully.
"As the name implies, it's medicine for treating illnesses!"
Noer hurriedly explained. Seeing Anna's puzzled expression, he added, "Don't let the bad smell fool you. Bitter medicine works best. Once you drink this, your illness will be gone and you'll be full of life again!"
"Really?" Anna clearly didn't believe him. Her little face was full of suspicion.
"Of course it's true! Why would I lie to you?" Noer quickly replied.
"Then take a bite and let me see?" Anna continued.
"Well..."
Noer was immediately speechless. Take a bite? I'd have to be crazy to take a bite!
"Didn't you say it was Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating illnesses? Weren't you making it because you were sick and wanted to take it yourself?" Anna wasn't stupid. Or rather, as a Coordinator, there was practically no such thing as a stupid person.
"Sick? When did I say I..."
"Then why did you make this Traditional Chinese Medicine?"
"I was..."
"Why aren't you two coming down to eat... whoa! What is that smell?!"
Before Noer could finish, Asya walked in from outside. The moment he entered, the pungent smell nearly knocked him over.
"This..."
"It's Traditional Chinese Medicine!" Anna answered before Noer could speak.
"Traditional Chinese Medicine?" Asya looked confused. Why had Traditional Chinese Medicine suddenly appeared out of nowhere?
"Well..."
"Noer seems to be sick. Should we take him to the hospital?"
Anna stole the conversation from Noer again. Looking at the teary-eyed Anna, Noer didn't know what expression he should make.
If he still didn't realize Anna had set him up, then he had grown up for nothing!
"Noer, you're sick? Are you okay? Could your injuries from last time not have healed yet?" Asya immediately thought of the previous car accident.
It had only been a little over a month since Noer's accident. Noer hadn't rested properly during that time. Could his old injuries have flared up again?
Besides, Noer's old injuries had acted up just a few days ago.
"I... this..."
Noer was instantly at a loss for words. How am I supposed to answer that?
"Noer, should we go to the hospital and get you checked out?" Anna asked at just the right moment, wiping her tears.
"No, no, there's no need. It's nothing serious." Noer hurriedly refused. With things this urgent, how could he possibly have time to go to the hospital?
"How could there be no need? Come on, let's go get you checked out together!" Asya thought, You've gotten to the point of mixing your own Traditional Chinese Medicine. If you're fine, then I'll be damned.
"Really, there's no need! I'm really fine!"
Noer hurriedly steadied himself, holding the bowl as he struggled against Asya. At the same time, he couldn't help glaring fiercely at Anna.
"How could there be no need? Come on, come on..."
"I really don't need to go! I'm not going to the hospital!"
As the two tugged at each other, Anna, whom Noer had glared at, seemed to think of something and said, "Asya, since Noer doesn't want to, then let's not go to the hospital."
"Anna?" Asya looked confused. Anna and Noer were close, so why had she suddenly...
Noer was just about to give Anna an encouraging look when he turned and noticed the slight curl at the corner of her lips. Alarm bells immediately rang in his mind.
Sure enough, Anna continued, "Noer, was what you just said true?"
"What do you mean, true or not?" Noer looked at Anna warily. Something was off about this girl!
"Didn't you say this would cure an illness immediately?" Anna continued asking.
"This..." Noer froze. Why do I feel like something's wrong? No, I think I know what's wrong!
"Then... how about you take this medicine and try it?" Anna asked hesitantly.
"I... this..."
Noer's premonition had come true. This little schemer was actually serious!
11,400 words 44 recommendation votes 44 weekly recommendation votes 44 favorites
Damn it, couldn't the stats be a little more normal?
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