Because they rescued the Strike Gundam, which had deviated from its landing trajectory due to battling the Duel Gundam during atmospheric entry, the Archangel had to correct its course and landed in the African desert, within the sphere of influence of the ZAFT Military.
The Archangel's destination, the Alaska Base, was almost half a planet away. Straight-line navigation was simply impossible, as various factors had to be considered, such as political aspects.
In the captain's office, Mikazuki sat opposite Murrue, eating, and spoke upon seeing her slightly worried face.
"Are you okay?"
"Hmm... Not exactly okay..."
Murrue sighed softly. As captain, she carried too many burdens. In space, her mentor had sacrificed the entire Eighth Fleet to cover the Archangel's descent, which she found difficult to accept for a while.
Mikazuki noticed the sadness on Murrue's face, his eyes shifted, and he looked at the food in front of him.
He scooped a spoonful and, while Murrue was distracted, directly put it into her mouth.
Murrue jumped up, startled. Anyone would be shocked if something was suddenly shoved into their mouth. After chewing and realizing it was soft rice, she swallowed it.
She looked at Mikazuki with dissatisfaction.
"Mika, what are you doing? You scared me."
"Because you're sad, right?"
Mikazuki blinked. Murrue paused after hearing him. Mikazuki continued,
"Someone told me that eating makes you feel better. What? Didn't it make you feel better?
That's strange, I thought Atra was right. I usually feel pretty good when I eat..."
When Murrue heard Mikazuki's words, she realized the boy was concerned about her and immediately broke into a bright smile.
"Mika, thank you. I do feel much better."
"Really? That's good. Do you want more?"
Mikazuki scooped another spoonful of rice. Murrue's pretty face flushed slightly; this was rice Mikazuki had eaten from... but Murrue unexpectedly agreed.
"Okay."
She opened her mouth slightly, and Mikazuki didn't feel anything amiss, feeding her a mouthful of rice.
If anyone else had been present, they would surely have gossiped excitedly.
Murrue ate the white rice, and for some reason, the more she chewed, the more fragrant it became.
Mikazuki also put a mouthful of rice into his mouth. Murrue sat back in her seat, resting her chin on her hands, watching Mikazuki eat. This scene seemed to have played out many times, but Murrue never tired of watching it.
Mikazuki, meanwhile, was used to it, because when he used to eat in Tekkadan's cafeteria, Atra and Kudelia Aina Bernstein would often watch him eat in the same way.
When he asked them why they weren't eating, both girls gave the same answer: they were full. Most girls had small appetites, and even Mikazuki understood that.
"By the way, how's Kira?"
Mikazuki asked while eating.
He heard that Kira Yamato had a fever and was currently in the medical bay.
"Hmm, they said Kira-kun's condition is stable, no major issues, but... he seems to be having emotional problems."
"Oh, really?"
"Mika, what exactly happened to Kira-kun...?"
Mikazuki put down his tray, the rice on it completely eaten. He wiped his mouth directly with his sleeve and said,
"What do you mean?"
Murrue thought for a moment and said,
"Ever since his first battle with the Duel Gundam, he's seemed a bit off. You know he was planning to leave on a civilian evacuation shuttle, right?"
"Yes, he told me. Speaking of which, not just Kira Yamato, but Miriallia Haw and the others also stayed on the Archangel, right?"
"Yes, they chose to stay, but Kira-kun... I don't know why he stayed."
Murrue frowned at this thought. To be honest, she had received no information at all about Miriallia Haw and the others staying.
It wasn't until the battle between the Eighth Fleet and the Creuset Team that she saw them appear on the bridge and learned that Natarle Badgiruel had agreed to let these students stay as volunteers.
"You'd have to ask him yourself, but I think it has something to do with one person."
"Who?"
Mikazuki picked up the water bottle on the table, took two sips, leaned back in his chair, and took out some dates from his pocket to eat, offering some to Murrue.
"That Flay Allster, she stayed too, right? And she joined your crew. Isn't that strange?"
Murrue took the dates and nodded.
"Indeed... When Kira-kun had a fever and was lying in bed, Flay Allster was the one who voluntarily offered to take care of him. Doesn't she despise Coordinators so much...?
Could it be that Kira-kun stayed because of her?"
"Probably. I just said it had something to do with her. She gives me a very unpleasant feeling.
She's getting close to Kira Yamato with some kind of agenda."
Murrue ate one of Mikazuki's favorite dates and sighed. She probably already guessed Flay Allster's motive.
"She wants to use Kira-kun to get revenge, right? To make Kira-kun fight his own kind... That must be very difficult for Kira-kun."
"Not only that, I heard Kira Yamato say that the pilot of that Spider-type Mobile Suit is his good friend."
Murrue was startled and then understood.
"Good friend? I see, no wonder Kira-kun's actions were always a bit strange when facing the Aegis (Shield)."
Mikazuki stood up.
"Anyway, let Kira Yamato handle his own affairs. We can't interfere."
Murrue saw Mikazuki walking outside and quickly stood up.
"Huh, are you going back already? Stay a little longer, I'll make you some coffee."
"No, I'm a bit sleepy. I want to go to sleep. See you tomorrow."
"Okay, you worked hard, Mika. Get some rest."
"Mmm..."
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