A resounding slap struck Yang Hui's face, instantly silencing the bustling hangar.
"Cagalli! What are you doing!?" Kisaka and Erica Simmons rushed forward, grabbing Cagalli's raised hand as she attempted another strike, their voices sharp with reprimand.
Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei quickly moved to Yang Hui's side, flanking him protectively, their gazes cold and hostile—especially Wang Liu Mei, whose eyes burned with murderous intent.
"Why!? Why didn't you save Father and the others!? Was your plan so important!? Did people have to die for it!? Why did they have to die instead of you!?"
"Enough, Cagalli!" Kisaka barked, unwilling to let her continue. The atmosphere among those present was already unstable. It was only because of Yang Hui's reassurance and encouragement that they had remained steadfast. Cagalli's words now risked sowing discord and division.
"Why shouldn't I say it!? Am I wrong!? Why them!? Why did it have to be Father!? He's so strong, she's so powerful! They could have—they could have taken Father and the others with them! You just wanted them to—"
Slap!
This time, the strike landed on Cagalli's cheek—not from Yang Hui, Sumeragi, or Wang Liu Mei, but from Erica Simmons.
"Si... Simmons-sensei... Why?"
"Don't forget that Lord Yang Hongyu was there too, Cagalli!"
That was right. Those who had perished alongside Dawn Company and Kaguya weren't just Cagalli's father. Among them was Yang Hui's father in this world, as well as Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei's fathers in this world. They had all chosen to stay behind willingly, paving the way for the younger generation.
"Then... then shouldn't that make it even more—"
"You'll understand when you grow up."
For Yang Hui, disappointment was all that remained in his heart toward Cagalli. He had hoped that after everything she had been through, she might have matured—even just a little. But now, it was clear she was still the same ignorant princess.
So he wasn't angry. He didn't retaliate with a slap of his own. That strike was something he owed her—no matter the reason, the fact remained that he hadn't saved Uzumi, and Cagalli's father had borne the blame in his stead.
But...
You can slap me.
What you can't do is say these things in front of everyone, shaking morale and threatening to tear us apart.
Expressionless, Yang Hui turned to Kisaka.
"Lock her up. She goes nowhere. When we reach Ame No Minashira, hand her over to Mina. If she dares to leave her room without permission, treat it as treason—and the same goes for anyone who helps her."
"Who do you think—"
Click.
Before Cagalli could argue further, Wang Liu Mei drew her pistol, pressing the barrel against Cagalli's forehead.
"One more word, and I'll kill you."
"Stop!"
"Miss Wang Liu Mei!"
Everyone was stunned—Wang Liu Mei wasn't bluffing. The sheer killing intent radiating from her was thick enough to freeze the air.
"Miss Wang Liu Mei, I'll keep her under watch. She won't take a single step outside her room," Kisaka promised, pulling Cagalli behind him. Even he, a seasoned soldier, was shaken by the intensity of Wang Liu Mei's bloodlust.
"Let's hope so." Wang Liu Mei holstered her pistol back into her bag, her expression still icy, her tone sending chills down everyone's spine.
Seeing Wang Liu Mei put away her weapon, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Kisaka quickly escorted Cagalli out of the hangar and locked her in her room. This time, he wouldn't indulge her anymore—he had to keep a close eye on her, or Wang Liu Mei might truly kill her.
"Was that too harsh?" Erica Simmons whispered to Yang Hui, her gaze lingering on Wang Liu Mei. She wasn't questioning Yang Hui's decision but rather Wang Liu Mei's actions.
"I gave her chances—many of them," Yang Hui replied without looking away. He had indeed gone above and beyond for Cagalli. If she acted recklessly again, he wouldn't hesitate. The White Dove Plan had entered its final and most dangerous phase. Whether Orb could rise from the ashes depended on this stage, and he couldn't afford any instability within their ranks.
"I understand. I'll assign more personnel to watch her."
"Good. I trust you."
Erica Simmons' expression was complicated. Those words weren't just an expression of Yang Hui's trust in her—they were also a warning. If she betrayed that trust, Yang Hui wouldn't show her any mercy either.
Before long, Murrue, Mu, Natarle Badgiruel, Kira, and Athrun arrived on the bridge of the Kusanagi to discuss the next steps with Yang Hui.
Upon arrival, they immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere. Kisaka and Cagalli were absent, which puzzled them briefly. But then they remembered Uzumi's fate and assumed Cagalli was still grieving.
"Yang Hui, Sumeragi, Liumei... our condolences," Kira and Athrun said. Murrue and Natarle also approached Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei, taking their hands in comfort. After all, their fathers, like Uzumi, had perished in that inferno.
"Thank you."
Yang Hui expressed his gratitude, while Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei nodded appreciatively at Murrue and Natarle. Though they weren't originally from this world, the years they'd spent growing up here were real, as was the bond with their parents. Their familial ties were undeniable.
"Let's focus on the task at hand. Time is short." Yang Hui pulled up a star map, marking their planned trajectory. "First, we'll head to Ame No Minashira for resupply and a ship replacement, as well as space adaptation training for our pilots. After that, we'll proceed here."
"L4?"
"Correct. The colony cluster at L4. There, we'll rendezvous with our final allies."
"Final allies?"
"Yes. We're not the only ones who want to correct the world's distortions and fight for peace."
"Lacus!" Kira and Athrun immediately thought of her—Kira because he knew of her close ties with Yang Hui, and Athrun because of their last conversation.
"Exactly. Everyone, prepare for departure. Once the Kusanagi finishes docking, we leave immediately."
"Understood."
The group dispersed. Though Murrue and Natarle hoped Yang Hui would transfer to the Archangel—after all, the Kusanagi's hangar was full—they also simply wanted more time with him.
But Yang Hui refused. It wasn't that he didn't want to stay with Murrue and the others, but there was someone on the Kusanagi he had to keep an eye on. Until they reached Ame No Minashira and handed Cagalli over to Mina, he couldn't trust anyone else with her.
"Yang Hui, how is Cagalli?" Kira and Athrun found Yang Hui after the meeting and asked.
"...Locked up."
"Locked up? What did she do this time?" Kira asked.
Yang Hui then told them everything Cagalli had done in the hangar. He wasn't seeking their support—he just didn't want to hide it. After all, Kira and Athrun were powerful allies, but they weren't under his command. Their relationship was purely cooperative, and he didn't want secrecy to create a rift that might turn them into enemies.
"..."
After hearing the story, both Kira and Athrun fell silent. Cagalli had indeed acted thoughtlessly. Even if she had doubts, she shouldn't have argued with Yang Hui in front of so many people.
Cagalli held no official position, but she bore the name Attha—a name that carried weight in Orb. If she publicly clashed with Yang Hui, wouldn't that signal division among the leadership? Who should the people support then? One faction backing her, another backing him—leading to outright schism?
Still... they also felt Yang Hui's response had been excessive. Charging her with treason was too harsh.
"Can we see her?" Kira requested.
"...Ten minutes. I'll be present."
"No problem." Kira and Athrun understood Yang Hui's condition. They both knew Cagalli well—her thought processes weren't exactly... conventional.
Yang Hui led them to the room where Cagalli was being held. Erica Simmons had clearly taken precautions—Kisaka stood guard inside, two sentries were posted outside, and the door was locked, only openable from the outside.
"Commander." The guards saluted as Yang Hui approached.
"At ease. Open the door."
"Yes, sir."
When the door opened, Cagalli's anger flared again at the sight of Yang Hui—but then she froze, spotting Kira and Athrun behind him.
"Kira! Athrun!" Seeing them, Cagalli immediately latched onto them as pillars of support, hugging them and bursting into tears.
Kira and Athrun exchanged a glance, shaking their heads with wry smiles. Cagalli really was still just a kid.
"Listen, Kira, Athrun, Yang Hui he—" She started to complain, but then noticed Yang Hui hadn't left the room and abruptly cut herself off.
"Ten minutes. Talk." Yang Hui addressed the three, but didn't leave. Instead, he leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes closed.
Noticing this, Cagalli pulled Kira and Athrun deeper into the room, deliberately lowering her voice to keep Yang Hui from hearing.
Yang Hui smirked but said nothing. The room was small—no whisper could escape his ears. Still, he didn't call her out, letting them talk in peace.
The ten minutes passed quickly. Most of the conversation consisted of Cagalli crying and venting while Kira and Athrun comforted her and tried to reason with her—though it was doubtful she absorbed any of it.
It didn't matter anymore. The most important thing was that Cagalli had taken out the photo Uzumi gave her before boarding the ship.
Kira was stunned, and so was Cagalli. One was a Natural, the other a Coordinator. One bore the surname Attha, the other Yamato. And they were actually twin siblings?
Athrun saw this and unconsciously let out a sigh of relief, though he didn't know why himself.
(End of chapter)