The Unusual Pair (2)

At the same time.

Thanks to Noer's delaying tactics, Kisaka successfully recovered the Savior Gundam.

Under the anxious gazes of Cagalli, Kira, and the others,

two stretchers were wheeled out unexpectedly.

"Athrun!"

The moment she saw Athrun lying on the stretcher, Cagalli ran over without thinking.

The injured man was unconscious. His bandaged arm hung limply off the side of the stretcher, and his head was wrapped in bandages as well. Seeing his pale face beneath the oxygen mask, Cagalli's tears immediately welled up and blurred her vision.

"Athrun...!"

A gentle, nostalgic voice rang out in his mind.

That voice seemed to draw him in, making him turn his gaze toward it even through the haze, focusing his eyes there.

Then Athrun's eyes widened.

"...Kira... Cagalli?"

That face drifted unsteadily, as though it were about to move away. Athrun tried to reach out, but a sharp pain surged through his entire body.

Looking at Athrun's pale face,

crystalline tears rolled from Cagalli's eyes once again.

Athrun weakly looked over and saw that the ring was still gleaming on her finger.

Athrun remembered the day he had given her that ring, yet that day now felt distant and blurred.

His vision gradually dimmed at that moment.

Heaven's Pillar.

Because of the support operation, Noer's wound, which had nearly healed, had been pulled open again.

After having medicine applied, Noer returned to his room to rest with Lacus supporting him.

"Noer, get some rest early. Don't aggravate your wound again."

After Noer lay down on the bed, Lacus stood nearby and said this.

"Don't worry, don't worry. You should get some rest too. You've worked hard these past couple of days."

Come to think of it, Lacus had not gotten any proper rest lately either.

"Mm, then get some sleep early."

Lacus