Let’s All Go Home Together
Unit 5 was flying at cruising speed, heading back to Astraea.
In the skies above, a squadron of fighter planes led by the Tachycineta appeared.
「Thank you for your hard work, Big Boss.」
「Cut it out, Jenny.」
Kou, slightly embarrassed, responded to Jenny, who saluted him. Shortly after, Joania from the Pleiades squad joined in.
「I wish I could’ve seen that secret technique of yours!」
Kurose appeared, saluting as well. It seemed he had heard about Kou’s battle with Castor. His eyes sparkled as he spoke to Kou. This younger friend had accomplished an incredible feat.
「Oh, it really was an impressive move.」
「It’s not a secret technique!」
Hyoue chimed in, responding to Kurose’s words. The more they talked about it, the more embarrassed Kou became. After all, it wasn’t something he could take pride in—it was a skill he could only reproduce while boarding Unit 5, impossible to replicate without extraordinary circumstances.
「How about we all do some training together sometime? What do you think, Kou? Come on!」
「That sounds great!」
「I want to join too!」
「If I may, I’d like to as well…」
「Shall I start designing a dedicated dojo for training?」
Hyoue enthusiastically supported Kurose’s proposal, while Eira and Palm, who piloted the Epona, also expressed their desire to participate. Astraea was the most eager of the group.
「This is going to expose just how much of a novice I really am.」
He wasn’t joking either—the group had several sword masters, and two Therianthropes with superior physical abilities, Kou was clearly outclassed there.
「Precisely because you’re a novice, you need training!」
「Well said, Kurose-kun. Exactly. I’ll personally take charge of whipping Kou-kun’s body into shape.」
It seemed the training event was now officially decided.
Behind Unit 5, tanks and half-track vehicles began to gather. They maintained their formation without disruption, looking very much like a grand military parade.
「Hey, isn’t this getting out of hand? This looks like a full-blown triumphal procession!」
「Well, I like the sound of that.」
For their sakes, Kou brought Unit 5 down to the ground and switched to roller-dash mode, keeping pace with the parade-like scene unfolding around them.
Behind Unit 5, a massive convoy of vehicles followed—tanks, armored cars, and half-track armored vehicles in an impressive array.
「This has to be a triumphal procession, right?」
「Sure feels like one.」
Kurose and Jenny said with laughter.
Above, the squadron of fighter planes was making celebratory wide circles in the sky.
「Kou, you defeated a demigod, a Hemitheos, in a one on one duel, no less, on top of that, you took him down while he was piloting a Corvus, one of the strongest Silhouettes. You won peace with your own hands. If this doesn’t call for a triumphal march, what does?」
Rick’s voice came over the comms, unusually lighthearted. Kou had forged the path to peace, and it was something even Rick took pride in.
「Rest easy, though. This triumph is classified. The public won’t hear a word about the Big Boss or Castor. Of course, it’s an open secret for the Familia.」
「Doesn’t that kind of defeat the purpose?」
The number of machines gathering behind them was becoming extraordinary.
「Hey, Kou? Shouldn’t we share this triumph, this victory, with both Metal Iris and Ulysses?」
Bleu joined the conversation, her voice soft and her expression more serene than anyone had ever seen.
It was true—this wasn’t just a personal achievement. It was a victory for all of them.
「Is that so? If it’ll make everyone happy, then I’m all for it.」
Kou realized he hadn’t fought this war alone. This was a victory for everyone, and if a triumphal procession was the way to share it, then it was worth doing.
「That’s right, Kou. Come straight back without any detours, okay? Everyone’s waiting for you at the command center!」
Asia’s voice chimed in, her smiling face appearing on the monitor.
「Got it!」
Kou replied enthusiastically and headed directly toward the Astraea.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
When they arrived at the Astraea, Unit 5 was moved into storage via the deck elevator.
The armor panels opened, revealing the bare structure of the MCS. A small boarding bridge extended toward the Silhouette, and Kou and Hyoue stepped onto it, heading for the waiting area.
From a distance, Familias and Terianthropes waved at them. Kou returned the gesture with a light wave of his own.
From afar, Kou also spotted Marl and Flack.
When he waved to them, Marl returned the gesture with a small, reserved wave, while Flak enthusiastically flailed his arms in response. The sight brought a smile to Kou’s face.
「I’m going to contact the folks from the other companies. They’re probably worried sick by now.」
No doubt the employees at TAKABA were on edge, waiting for news of Hyoue’s wellbeing.
「Understood. Please do as you see fit.」
Parting ways with Hyoue, Kou quickened his pace toward the command center.
The moment Kou entered the command center, Aimer ran up and threw herself into his arms.
「Welcome back!」
Kou caught her, steadying her as she clung to his waist and buried her face against his stomach. Gently, he stroked her head.
「Sorry for worrying you, Aimer. And you too, Asia.」
Kou immediately noticed that the girl before him was Asia’s Aimer, Asia and Aimer had joined once again. He addressed both of them with a soft voice.
「It’s really good to have you back.」
Nyanta and Aki approached, prompting Kou to spread his arms wide. They both leaped into his embrace, and he pulled them close, wrapping them in a protective hug.
「Nyanta, Aki—thank you.」
「We only did the natural thing. Ah, I’m so happy.」
Nyanta replied, her voice trembling, tears glistening in her eyes. She was so emotional that she even forgot to add her usual ‘nya’ at the end of her sentences.
「We were really worried about you… Welcome back.」
Aki said softly, her voice filled with genuine relief.
Kou then turned toward the massive monitor and spoke.
「I’m back, Astraea.」
「It is a relief beyond measure to see you safe. Nothing brings us more joy than your return, Kou.」
Astraea’s holographic vision appeared, bowing gracefully. Kou extended a hand and gently pulled Astraea’s form closer toward him. The hologram blinked in surprise but allowed herself to be drawn in. Despite now having four girls clinging to him—Nyanta, Aki, Asia’s Aimer, and Astraea—no one seemed to mind.
「Everyone, it’s finally over.」
Each of them nodded in agreement. The tension in the air had disappeared—there was no longer any sign of battle.
「What should we do now?」
Aimer tilted her head slightly as she asked. Up until now, they had all been united, racing toward a single goal. Now, with that goal achieved, a sense of aimlessness was beginning to settle in.
「There’s no need to overthink it, Aimer, once the allied units on the front lines have completed their withdrawal…」
He paused, his smile widening slightly.
「Let’s all go home. Back to the Silhouette Base.」
「Yeah!」
Asia’s Aimer echoed the sentiment, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. The sense of relief and hope among them was unmistakable.
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