Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V4Part2

Part 2 The decisive battlefield that would determine the outcome of the Hydrabard War was undoubtedly the Great Waterfall.

This towering waterfall, with a height difference of 1,300 meters, separated the northern and southern archipelagos. For years, the existence of this endless waterfall had isolated the Hydrabard Confederation from St Vault, and only with the advancement of aviation technology did the two meet—leading inevitably to a history woven with conflict and bloodshed.

The goal was pillage.

“There’s no doubt that a nation’s economy prospers through pillage. However, to plunder everything from another country requires a massive army to both conquer and maintain it. The great powers of the Mitterland continent eventually found themselves in a position where they had to plunder just to sustain their armies. Unable to support the military with the national treasury, they were forced into endless pillaging just to keep the army afloat. It’s a bad joke. Even if St Vault wins the Hydrabard War, the national economy will be saddled with enormous debt. In other words, this is a war where no one gains, whether we win or lose.”

Captain Leo Rosenmuller, the squadron leader of the Voltec Air Squadron, said this with a weary expression as he brought his coffee cup to his lips.

In the ready room of Chandler Fortress’s third airfield, more than twenty fighter pilots were always on standby in case of emergencies. Due to the eerie calm that had persisted lately, many were killing time, and if luck permitted, they might even get the chance to chat with national heroes like Leo, who would sometimes indulge in idle conversation with newcomers.

Kiyoaki and Illia listened with wide eyes, absorbing every word. It wasn’t every day that they got the chance to hear directly from St Vault’s current ace pilot, who boasted 56 confirmed kills.

“Hydrabard outsourced their air force to Urano because it was cheaper. They figured it was better to host the parasite that is Urano than to face St Vault’s plundering. To Hydrabard, both St Vault and Urano are external threats, but Urano is geographically farther away. They had to deal with the nearer enemy to survive… and so, with limited choices, the Confederation allied with Urano.”

Leo’s hawk-like gaze lifted to the sky outside the window. In newspapers and magazines, Leo appeared sharp and confident, a figure designed to inspire national pride. However, in person, he was thoughtful, weary, and carried a certain darkness within him.

Kiyoaki, feeling bold, decided to ask a question.

“I’m surprised. Captain, you seem quite sympathetic towards Hydrabard.”

“I just understand why they fight… You two will feel this someday too, but sometimes, you lose sight of why you’re fighting. As vanguards sent to plunder Hydrabard, I’ve occasionally questioned the need to kill enemy pilots…”

Leo trailed off, letting out a soft sigh, his expression softening.

“…I shouldn’t be saying this. Complaining to new recruits… it’s your fathers’ rivalry, isn’t it? That’s why I got carried away.”

He awkwardly tried to justify his ramblings, but Kiyoaki hurriedly waved his hands in apology.

“Not at all, sir! This is valuable insight! I’ve never considered the larger strategic perspective… I’ve only trained to fly and shoot down enemies. Your words are very educational!”

Leo, hearing this, gave a small, wry smile and lit a cigarette. His sharp, silver hair and rugged features were always tinged with a sombre hue.

“The truth is, don’t take what I say too seriously. Even I don’t think about such complex things when I’m shooting down enemies. And as for my kill count, it’s all thanks to my subordinates—none of it is personal skill.”

Though he spoke humbly, Leo’s face, hardened by years of command, reflected the weight of leading others. He had likely witnessed the deaths of many subordinates, and his words carried a deep mix of care and sorrow.

After just a short conversation, Kiyoaki found himself drawn to Leo’s character. He didn’t boast, and he spoke sincerely to newcomers. It became clear that great officers like Leo possessed not just combat skills, but also human qualities that earned the trust of their men. It was that trust that had led to his 56 kills.

Illia, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.

“May I ask a question?”

Leo nodded silently, and Illia asked in a serious tone.

“When leading a squadron, what is the most important thing to keep in mind?”

“Ensuring as many of your subordinates return alive as possible. That’s the squadron leader’s mission.”

His response came immediately, with such conviction that Illia was momentarily overwhelmed by the strength behind it.

“What should be done to prevent losing subordinates?”

Once again, Leo answered without hesitation.

“Spot the enemy before they spot you. That’s all there is to it. Guide your allies to favourable airspace, attack before being noticed, and retreat immediately.”

“And what if the battle turns into a dogfight?”

“Never end up alone. Even if the formation breaks down, stay in friendly airspace and fight together. Never pursue the enemy on your own. Survive by numbers, not by individual skill… Drill that into your squadron every day.”

Illia absorbed Leo’s advice with unwavering seriousness. The lessons Leo had brought back from the battlefield, having earned them through blood, were invaluable to the new recruits, and they were grateful for his generosity in sharing them.

“Thank you, sir. I will take these lessons to heart.”

“Wow, Captain is giving a lecture! Mind if we join in?”

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice interrupted Illia’s thanks.

“I wanna hear the Captain’s lecture too!”

Two young female soldiers, who still had a hint of girlishness to them, sat down across from Leo, flanking Illia and throwing their arms around her shoulders.

Leo’s stern face darkened even more.

“It’s not a lecture. Just idle chatter. And Illia is an officer—don’t get too friendly.”

The two female soldiers blinked and responded, still holding Illia’s shoulders.

“Illia’s still just a second lieutenant candidate, not an officer yet, right? We’re equals.”

“She’ll be an officer next year. Show some respect.”

“So, we’re good until next year, right, Illia? We can still be buddies until then?”

The girls stared into Illia’s eyes from up close, and Illia mumbled awkwardly.

“Uh, yes… You’re my seniors, so I still have a lot to learn from you.”

“See! Illia’s fine with it! That means Kiyoaki’s fine too, right?”

The girl on Illia’s left pulled Kiyoaki into a hug with her other arm, flashing him a wide smile.

“Uh, yes… I’d appreciate your guidance in learning more about the squadron.”

The lively sisters, twins and elite first-class pilots of the Voltec Air Squadron, beamed at Leo with triumphant smiles.

“See? We’re all equals here! Feels natural, doesn’t it?”

“It’s not natural. And stop drinking Illia’s drink, Lala. And you, Lulu, that’s Kiyoaki’s food. Honestly… I keep telling you to act more like soldiers.”

Despite his words, Leo couldn’t hide the affection in his eyes for the mischievous twin sisters, who had earned their place as the squadron’s mascots.

“So, what were you talking about?”

“Something juicy? Like who’s dating who or any secret affairs?”

“Uh, no, it wasn’t like that…”

“By the way, Captain, did you hear? Ellen and Macguire broke up. Apparently, Toby stole Ellen, and Macguire was furious, but it turns out Macguire was secretly seeing Shorty on the side. But then Shorty was also secretly seeing Neville, so it’s just a big mess.”

“I don’t care. They’re always switching partners. They should show some restraint.”

“And get this, Karen hooked up with Jude, but Jude was secretly with Macguire, and now Jude’s caught between men and women. Oh, and rumour has it Jude’s got his eyes on Illia, so watch out.”

“Huh…?”

“Tell Jude Illia is his superior officer. He’d better stop thinking stupid things.”

“And when Hamilton was flirting with Sebastian, Connie caught them in the act, and it turned into a huge mess. Leon tried to break it up but got caught in it too, and by the end, all four of them were tangled up in bed until morning. Oh, and during all that, Leon whispered, "I’m in love with Kagura Murasaki," while hugging Hamilton.”

“Tell Leon that Kagura is an officer cadet from an allied nation. If he gets involved, it could cause an international incident. He should refrain from any reckless behaviour.”

Kiyoaki and Illia listened to Lulu and Lala’s gossip, their expressions tense. They couldn’t fully understand half of what was being said, but they grasped enough to realize it was all about the Voltec Air Squadron’s internal love affairs. The lewd details, full of infidelity and crossing gender boundaries, were mind-boggling. There was no mention of combat or tactics—just an endless stream of lowbrow, sensational gossip.

Despite their wild behaviour, the non-commissioned officers of the Voltec Air Squadron were air combat specialists. They were elites, handpicked from across the country for their superior piloting skills. Gender didn’t matter—when it came to flying, they were all the best of the best.

Because they were only taught aerial combat techniques in flight school, they often surpassed even officer pilots in dogfighting skills. However, they lacked general education and were often considered rough and uncouth, even outcasts in normal society. Yet, on the battlefield, where killing enemies made you a hero, it was those outcasts who often thrived. The job of officers like Kiyoaki was to lead and harness the immense power of these wild, “misfit” pilots, directing them toward victory.

But leadership wasn’t something you learned from a textbook. It required face-to-face interaction, building trust through shared experiences. And Kiyoaki was beginning to realize just how difficult and distant that goal was.

“Hey, Captain, have you ever had an affair? Are you faithful to your wife?” Lulu suddenly asked, resting her chin on her hand.

Leo scowled and answered curtly.

“No. Is that a problem?”

“Still head over heels, huh? I see. And you’ve got a daughter, right? Must be tough with leave still a long way off.”

“It’s not tough. This is the job.”

“Man, you’re so rigid. You could have anyone you want as Captain. Seems like a waste.”

“I don’t care. I’m here to fight a war, not to have affairs with my subordinates.”

“You’re missing out! You never know when you’ll die, so you’ve got to live for the moment! Right, Illia?”

Lulu turned to Illia for confirmation.

“Eh, uh… I haven’t really thought about it much…”

“What? Then what are you living for? I don’t get it!”

“Hey, Lulu, don’t put Illia on the spot. Illia’s a serious person, not like you two who float through life all the time.”

Even after Leo scolded them with a sharp tone, Lulu and Lala just laughed it off without a care.

“Illia’s super popular with the guys in our squad, you know? They can’t make a move since you’re an officer, but they’re all staring at you with these hungry eyes. If you’re not careful, you might get jumped, so don’t go out alone at night.”

“Uh, okay…”

Illia, looking troubled, sighed and glanced toward Kiyoaki for help. Feeling flustered, Kiyoaki pleaded with Lulu and Lala.

“Um, Illia really isn’t good with this kind of talk, so… if you could take it easy, we’d really appreciate it…”

For a moment, Lulu and Lala exchanged glances, and then they both let out high-pitched squeals.

“Wait, what? Are you guys dating?”

“Sorry, we didn’t know. You guys didn’t look like that kind of couple. So, you’re already claimed, huh? That’s too bad!”

“I totally thought Illia was still a virgin, but I guess I was wrong. Man, I’ve lost my touch.”

“But don’t relax just yet. The guys in our squad don’t care if someone’s already taken. They’ll steal from right under you, so you better mark your territory every night.”

Lulu and Lala were getting all excited, throwing around crude terms Kiyoaki didn’t fully understand. He realized they had completely misunderstood his relationship with Illia and hurriedly raised his voice.

“N-No, it’s not like that! We’re just friends from the same officer school, and we happened to get assigned to the same squad. So, um, it’s really not like that…”

“Oh, really? So you’re not together after all? Yeah, I didn’t think you guys gave off that kind of vibe. But hey, Kiyoaki, are you a virgin? You don’t smell like one.”

“Uh, um, I don’t really know how to answer that. And… uh, is that something you can even smell?”

“It’s kinda fuzzy, you know? Like, the way you act is totally like a virgin, but your body doesn’t really give off that vibe. You’re a rare find.”

“Uh, could we please drop this? I really don’t understand, and, um, I’m not used to these kinds of crude conversations. If we could stick to something a little more appropriate, I’d appreciate it.”

“This is appropriate! Not doing this stuff is what’s inappropriate!”

“Um, I’m not really sure about all that…”

As Kiyoaki struggled to respond, more off-duty junior officers who had been lazing around nearby started gathering with mischievous grins, joining in to poke fun.

“What’s the matter, Officer Candidate Sakagami? You seem awfully flustered.”

“If these wild girls are causing you trouble, shall we toss them into the bushes?”

A group of rough-looking men, clearly the type who lived for the sky, approached. Smoking their rolled cigarettes and gripping bottles of brandy, they leaned in close to Kiyoaki.

“Uh, no, it’s fine. They’re just… teaching me some things…”

The junior officers ranged from their early twenties to late thirties. Being surrounded by men older than himself, all of whom had plenty of battlefield experience, made Kiyoaki feel like he had been dropped into a pirate crew, causing him to shrink back.

“They’re not wild; they’re just a little open-minded, that’s all. Anyway, Hamilton, I told you Illia and Kiyoaki aren’t dating. You happy now?”

Hamilton, a hulking man, nodded enthusiastically at Lulu’s words and turned his gaze toward Illia.

“Good to hear. Officer Candidate Illia Kreischmidt, I would gladly offer up every hole in my body for you. Please use them as you wish.”

“See, Illia? Isn’t that amazing? He’s offering his holes, not his life. Isn’t that fresh?”

“Uh… sure…”

Beside Hamilton, another hulking man, even hairier than the last, grinned down at Illia with a clueless expression.

“I would offer up my sack for Officer Candidate Illia Kreischmidt. It’s got plenty of uses.”

“Uh…”

Suddenly, a group of male junior officers gathered around Illia, sizing her up and trying to figure out if they could get away with flirting. Everyone was leering, and though their comments were crude, Kiyoaki and Illia couldn’t even begin to understand the slang they were using.

“Uh…”

Illia remained expressionless like a stone mask, only letting out occasional sighs in response. Leo, letting out a long sigh himself, stepped in to break up the group of junior officers.

“Enough.”

“Sir!”

The ruffians immediately straightened up and fell silent, though their faces still wore grins. Leo, still stern, continued.

“Illia will be your superior next year. You’d better keep that in mind when you’re trying to woo her. Keep pushing it, and you’ll face the consequences.”

In response to Leo’s warning, Hamilton puffed out his chest and replied with confidence.

“No worries, sir!”

“What do you mean, "no worries"?”

“With all due respect, Captain, I’m confident that within a year, I’ll have turned Officer Candidate Illia Kreischmidt into one of us!”

“Absolutely not.”

“No worries!”

“It’s not fine. Turning Illia into someone like you is not a good idea. For the love of all that’s holy, understand what I’m saying.”

“Yes, sir, no worries!”

“Listen, it’s really not okay. Illia, I’m sorry. These guys mean well, but… they’re just, uh… a little dumb.”

Maintaining her poker face, Illia nodded slightly.

“It’s fine. I didn’t understand a single thing anyone was saying, but I’ll try to learn going forward.”

“No, you don’t need to learn. If these guys approach you again, just run. If you get too close, they’ll drag you down to their level.”

Leo’s words made Lulu and Lala laugh even harder as they hugged Illia from both sides.

“If Illia becomes like us, life would be way more fun! Right, Illia? You want to be like us, don’t you?”

With a sincere expression, Illia nodded.

“I just want to catch up to everyone in terms of air combat skills as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, a bright wave of laughter erupted from the junior officers.

“Just a few more battles and you’ll surpass us in no time.”

“All you think about is flying, huh?”

“She’s amazing. At that age, all I thought about was women.”

“Even now, isn’t it?” “Well, now I think about men, too!”

“Ahahaha!”

“Jeez, you guys…”

The men, delighted by Illia’s praise, started roughhousing, tugging at each other’s cheeks, pinching noses, sticking fingers up noses, slapping foreheads, delivering backhand slaps, headbutting each other, and kicking sensitive areas.

“What the hell, man?”

“Hey, you’re the one who started it!”

“Don’t kick there!”

“Hey, watch your hands!”

“Captain, there’s a pervert here!”

Leo, watching this chaotic mess unfold, gave them a distant, resigned look before letting out another deep sigh.

“Knock it off.”

“Yes, sir!”

The ruckus abruptly ceased. Dishevelled and with blood trickling from their noses, the men straightened up and stood at attention with big grins on their faces.

“I get that you’ve got energy to burn, but… try to live a little more peacefully. You can’t just start brawling over every little thing.”

“Yes, sir! No worries!”

“It’s not "no worries." Get along. Follow the rules. And stop saying crude things to Illia and Sakagami. You’re not children anymore; at least try to act with some decorum.”

Just as Leo was about to continue his lecture, the sound of sirens blared from the distance.

Instantly, the junior officers’ faces lit up with excitement.

“Enemy incoming!”

With that shout, they all bolted from the waiting area toward their planes, racing each other to be the first to take off.

“Let’s go, Illia, Sakagami! First come, first served in the skies!”

Leo barked orders, and Illia and Kiyoaki scrambled to follow the junior officers, running full tilt.

Through the loudspeakers, the voice of the air command blared enemy details.

“Northwest direction, altitude 100 meters, twenty large bombers approaching! No sign of smaller planes, but stay alert!”

It appeared that a bombing squadron had taken off from Sierra Greed on Santos Island, across the great waterfall. It was likely a reconnaissance force sent by Urano to test the waters.

“Run, run!”

Leo shouted as Kiyoaki raced after the others, heart pounding. In the scramble to launch, there was no rank. Whether officer or junior officer, it didn’t matter—whoever got to an open plane first would be the one to take off.

The junior officers were in a frenzy of enthusiasm, sprinting full speed toward their planes. Just moments earlier, they had been lounging around, joking, but now they were charging like men possessed.

Kiyoaki pushed himself to keep up.

He knew he was seen as inexperienced, still green. But he had to get accustomed to real combat as soon as possible and prove his skill, or he’d never be able to command these wild men in battle.

Passing by a few who had been drinking at the waiting area, Kiyoaki managed to slip into an open Beo-Eagle fighter. The ground crew had already warmed up the engine, allowing him to quickly complete his pre-flight checks and start taxiing.

Following the ground crew’s signals, he rolled his plane into the take-off position. Five aircraft had already taken off, with Leo leading the formation ahead of him.

—This is my chance to see the legendary Sky King of St Vault in action.

This was Kiyoaki’s first time flying in combat since arriving at the squadron a month ago. He couldn’t wait to witness firsthand the skill of an officer who had earned the respect of these sky-hardened men. Trying to contain his excitement, Kiyoaki opened the throttle, following Leo into the sky.

The red soil runway receded below him as the windshield filled with nothing but blue sky. Glancing back, he saw that Illia had also won her “seat game” and was flying close behind with her wings spread wide.

Fifteen Beo-Eagles had taken off. Additional planes were being pulled out from the hangars by the ground crews, but it would take some time before they could join the fight.

At 700 meters, Leo began a wide, slow turn. The remaining 14 aircraft followed suit, communicating over the radio to form five groups of three. In the Voltec Air Squadron, these three-plane units were referred to as squads, and five squads made up a company. Leo was the company commander, and each squad leader acted as a unit commander.

“Sakagami and Illia, form up on my wings. Don’t stray from me, no matter what.”

Leo’s voice crackled through the speakers. Being selected to fly as his wingman left Kiyoaki elated.

“Yes, sir!”

“No solo manoeuvres. Don’t chase too far. Just focus on maintaining formation.”

“Yes, sir!”

Today was a test—Leo was giving them a chance to show their worth. The enemy had no fighter escorts, just large bombers, so this was a controlled opportunity to let Kiyoaki and Illia gain some combat experience. Grateful for the consideration, Kiyoaki glanced over to Illia, flying on his left. They exchanged a firm nod through the canopy.

Illia’s gaze was sharp and focused.

Going into combat meant killing the enemy, and of course, it also meant the possibility of being killed. Even though their task today was to guard Leo, letting their guard down for even a second could see them engulfed in flames and spiralling into the ocean. Tightening his grip on the controls, Kiyoaki locked onto Leo’s right wing.

The junior officers flying with them were all aces, each with at least five confirmed kills. This squadron was considered the best of the St Vault Air Force. Kiyoaki couldn’t afford to drag them down.

“Hey, Kiyoaki! Nice job getting airborne!”

“Don’t die, okay? Just wing it!”

Lulu and Lala’s playful voices echoed through the radio. Kiyoaki glanced to the left, spotting their three-plane squadron trailing him, with Lala waving from her cockpit. Their squad leader was Hamilton, the man who had earlier declared he’d turn Illia into one of them, with Lulu and Lala flying as his wingmen.

“Thanks, I’ll be careful!”

Kiyoaki waved back, then refocused on the mission ahead. Leo was climbing to 1,500 meters, scanning the surrounding airspace. They weren’t flying too high, likely because the enemy bombers preferred low-altitude approaches for better bombing accuracy.

“Hey, I see the enemy!”

Suddenly, Lulu’s voice, as carefree as ever, came over the speakers. Leo sounded less than amused.

“Where? I don’t see them.”

“Over there!”

“‘Over there’ doesn’t help. Lead the way.”

“Aye, aye, sir!”

Without waiting for orders, Lulu took the lead, accelerating northwest while the other 14 planes followed her. Ordinarily, Leo should have been at the front, but no one seemed to mind. Kiyoaki squinted ahead, trying to spot the enemy, but saw nothing.

—Are they really there?

He began to doubt if Lulu was joking, but still, he followed. Soon, they left Mauregan Island behind, with nothing but the vast blue sea stretching out below.

Clouds covered about 70% of the sky. Layered clouds and scattered clouds created patches of limited visibility, while the warm spring sun caused a light haze, further reducing the range of sight. Under these conditions, spotting the enemy would be quite difficult.

“There they are. Nice work, Lulu. You’ve got sharp eyes.”

Leo’s voice came through the speaker.

“…!?”

Kiyoaki strained his eyes to see below the horizon. The sky was thick with clouds, making it hard to spot anything.

“Thirty-five degrees to the left, altitude 100 meters. The enemy hasn’t noticed us.”

Following Leo’s direction, Kiyoaki turned his gaze.

But all he saw were clouds and atmospheric haze.

“Jude’s squad and Macguire’s squad, stay behind and watch the skies. There are probably enemy fighters hiding somewhere. The rest, follow me.”

“Aye, aye!”

“Roger that!”

“Got it!”

The exchanges between Leo and the junior officers were more like a pirate captain and his crew than professional fighter pilots. Rough, direct, yet maintaining strict discipline.

Two squads remained on high alert, while the other three began descending in altitude.

“We’re entering the clouds. Spread out the formation. Do not change speed or course, and we’ll exit the clouds in ten seconds.”

After giving his orders, Leo disappeared into the clouds. Kiyoaki and Illia, having yet to spot the enemy, followed instructions, widening the distance between them while trailing Leo from either side.

Raindrops slid across the windshield. Visibility was so poor that Kiyoaki could only just make out the lights on Leo’s wingtips. The enemy couldn’t see them, but neither could they see anything ahead.

—Will this really give us the advantage?

Doubt filled his mind, but the junior officers behind him followed Leo’s lead without question, flying confidently through the clouds.

Just as Leo had said, they flew through the clouds for only about ten seconds.

Suddenly, the sky opened up, revealing a vast blue ocean below, and there, flying low over the waves, were 20 massive Gorgona bombers, their enormous silhouettes laid bare before them.

“…!?”

The suddenness of the encounter caught both Kiyoaki and Illia off guard, but in that instant, Leo’s twin 20mm cannons tore into the right wing of a Gorgona bomber.

Flames spread across the windshield.

The Gorgona nosedived into the ocean, with Leo streaking above it in a flash.

Kiyoaki and Illia barely managed to follow from either side.

—How did Leo and Lulu spot the enemy? It was as if they could see through the clouds.

There wasn’t even time to be impressed. Kiyoaki had to pull up quickly as the ocean rose to meet him.

As he gained altitude, he glanced back at the trailing bombers.

Just as he looked, two Gorgonas at the rear burst into fireballs. It seemed that Hamilton’s squad, three planes with a total of six 20mm cannons, had managed to shoot down two bombers in quick succession. Explosions of ammunition stored in the bombers’ wings sent fireworks scattering in all directions.

“That’s incredible!”

He couldn’t help but shout. Was this really the work of the same reckless, drunken ruffians who had been fooling around just moments ago? The attack was as precise and calculated as a medieval cavalry charge.

“This is where the real fight begins. The element of surprise is over.”

Leo’s voice snapped Kiyoaki back to reality. Looking forward, he noticed that the formation had become disorganized.

“Y-yes, sir!”

“Don’t stay behind them and above. Use your speed to attack as you pass through.”

“Understood!”

Leo climbed to 700 meters, identified his next target, and swooped in.

The horizon tilted sharply, sunlight spinning through the cockpit as the plane banked hard. Kiyoaki gritted his teeth, fighting the centrifugal force, and followed Leo.

The remaining 17 Gorgonas huddled together.

Though they had been thrown into confusion, they quickly reformed into a combat formation. It seemed they had not yet given up on their bombing mission and were stubbornly flying toward Mauregan Island with their tails pointed toward Kiyoaki’s squad.

Leo increased his speed, heading straight for the tight Gorgona formation.

The 17-plane formation grew larger and larger as they approached.

The Gorgonas, known as aerial fortresses, had been a serious challenge when Kiyoaki had engaged them during the Eriadore airship mission. Each of the massive bombers was armed with thirteen 15mm machine gun turrets, giving them 26 guns in total. With 17 bombers, that meant they were now flying into a storm of 442 machine guns.

—This is insane.

Kiyoaki was stunned. Yet Leo pressed on without hesitation.

—Captain Leo said the goal of leadership was to bring his men back alive.

—Trust the captain.

Kiyoaki told himself that, just as the air around him exploded with tracer rounds.

“…!”

He had never experienced such concentrated fire before.

But Leo surged forward through the fiery deluge.

The sky itself seemed to be ablaze, everything engulfed in red.

Leo’s tail fin was no longer visible.

—Did he get hit?

For a split second, Kiyoaki felt heat through the canopy.

A giant fireball erupted right in front of him.

“…!?”

Kiyoaki had no idea what was happening.

He could only push the throttle as hard as he could. That was the only thing he could do.

Suddenly, the sky in front of him returned to clear blue. It was as if the flames and azure sky were flashing alternately across the windshield like frames of a movie. The situation was changing so rapidly that he couldn’t make sense of the battle.

Ahead of him, Leo’s plane calmly climbed into the sky.

“I got one.”

Leo’s voice came through the speakers, likely to reassure his team that he was unharmed.

Kiyoaki looked back.

Far below, the Gorgona formation was in chaos, flames erupting from several planes.

Leo had apparently fired on the Gorgonas as he passed overhead, setting three of them ablaze. They were now trying to veer off course while their planes burned.

But then, from behind, two more squadrons—six Beo-Eagle fighters—descended upon the remaining bombers. Despite the intense anti-aircraft fire, they broke through the barrage in an instant, setting four more bombers aflame.

Above them, more explosions filled the sky.

Fighter planes, engulfed in flames, spiralled downward, trailing long plumes of smoke.

At first, Kiyoaki thought they were friendlies, but no. The falling planes were all Urano fighters, the Type 3 Idra.

Looking up, he saw Jude’s and Macguire’s squadrons, who had stayed behind, now controlling the skies at 4,000 meters. They had skilfully spotted and eliminated the enemy Idra fighters hiding behind the clouds. Kiyoaki hadn’t even noticed the Idra’s presence—had Jude’s squad not provided cover, he might have been taken out by a surprise attack.

The remaining Gorgona bombers, left behind, abandoned their bombing run and began turning away. They dumped their bombs into the ocean to lighten their load and attempted to flee at high speed.

They had won. Kiyoaki wanted to pursue them. As if sensing his thoughts, Leo’s voice came over the speakers.

“Don’t chase them too far. Jude, Macguire, thanks for the assist. Drinks are on me when we get back.”

“Yay!” “Roger!” “We love you, Captain!”

The replies from the junior officers were carefree, without a trace of arrogance or excitement. As if they had simply completed another routine mission, they began their return.

—So this is the Voltec Air Squadron…!!

In just a few minutes of aerial combat, Kiyoaki had come to understand their prowess.

Despite the number of enemy planes, Leo had fulfilled his earlier promise—none of his men had fallen, and they had won the battle. This victory wasn’t just thanks to Leo’s skill, but also the unwavering trust and discipline of his junior officers.

Kiyoaki had no idea how many more battles it would take to reach their level. All he knew was that he was nowhere near it yet.

But.

—Learn. Learn as much as you can.

Kiyoaki stared at Leo’s plane flying ahead of him. One day, he wanted to lead his comrades with the same level of skill and confidence, bringing them back safely with victorious results. For now, he would treasure each experience, building up his knowledge little by little. The journey ahead was long, but he had no choice but to move forward, step by step. With this resolve, Kiyoaki followed the squadron back to Chandler Base’s third airfield.

That night—

On the beach, the pilots of the Voltec Air Squadron, about 140 strong, were celebrating their victory with a wild outdoor party. Alongside them were not just their female pilots but also girls brought from the nearby town. Music blared from the radio, and laughter and boasts about their battlefield feats filled the air, blending with the sound of the waves.

Was the sortie earlier in the day simply an excuse for this party? Such suspicions arose as the junior officers poured the same passion into their drinking and interactions with the opposite sex as they did into combat.

“Man, this is a great atmosphere! I thought frontline squadrons were all stiff and formal. This is the best,” Reiner said, standing beside Kiyoaki, holding a paper cup of beer and watching the squad members gathered around the fire. To the upbeat jazz flowing from the radio, they laughed, sang, and danced, clearly having a great time. Some, now quite drunk, had even stripped off their clothes and jumped into the sea for a swim. They seemed determined to enjoy the moment to the fullest, a release from their everyday lives lived on the edge. Beneath the moon, stars, and the glow of the bonfire, the celebration of the sky warriors showed no signs of ending.

“Come on, have a drink. If you can’t even drink, you’ll never fit in with the junior officers,” Reiner grinned as he handed Kiyoaki another paper cup.

“Uh… in the Akitsu Federation, you’re not supposed to drink until you’re an adult…,” Kiyoaki said, hesitating. He was turning nineteen next month, in June. In his homeland, underage drinking was punishable, so he was cautious.

“Maybe that’s the case in your country, but here in St Vault, anyone over eighteen can drink. So, it’s all good—go ahead and drink.”

“O-okay…”

Reiner was right. It wasn’t a problem here. Kiyoaki took his first sip of alcohol.

“Bitter.”

It tasted strange. He didn’t understand what was supposed to be enjoyable about it. His head began to feel a bit warm. Reiner, still wearing his usual carefree smile, turned to Illia, holding another paper cup.

“And you too, Illia. Drinking with the junior officers is important, you know? Think of it as practice.”

“…”

With a stiff expression, Illia accepted the beer.

“Looks like you’ve never had a drink before either. We’re not students anymore, you know? Even though we’re still candidates for junior officers, we’re proper adults now. There’s no problem—just drink up.”

Despite the pressure, Illia stared intently into the cup, unmoving. It was only after Reiner repeatedly urged her that she finally raised her eyes, looking troubled.

“… My father was an alcoholic… I’ve seen firsthand the effects alcohol can have on a person’s mind. So, to be honest… I’m afraid to drink this.”

Reiner shot a bewildered look at Kiyoaki. Concerned, Kiyoaki spoke up.

“Yeah, you shouldn’t force yourself. If you’re scared, it’s better not to drink.”

Reiner let out a strange laugh, shrugging his shoulders.

“Man, Illia can be surprisingly cautious. People become alcoholics because they can’t control themselves, right? But you’re fine—you’re so strict about self-control that nobody even asked you to be!”

“…”

“Look at everyone. They’ve thrown off their usual restraint and are having a great time. That’s how you’re supposed to drink. Drinking while sulking and dragging things out is the worst. But if you drink like they are, it’ll only strengthen the bond between you and your comrades.”

For once, Reiner’s words carried weight. Kiyoaki, feeling slightly more convinced, took a second sip of his beer. It was still bitter, and not particularly tasty, but somehow it seemed to ease a bit of the heaviness that had settled in his chest.

“… Yeah, I see your point, Reiner. But… when I think about my father’s blood running through my veins…”

“I’m telling you, it’s fine. Alcohol addiction isn’t hereditary. What you should focus on is your relationships with everyone. We’re officers now. If we can’t connect with our subordinates, we don’t have the right to lead them into battle.”

Finally, Illia’s gaze showed a hint of resolve. She nodded slightly, turning to Kiyoaki and Reiner with a determined look on her face.

“…You have a point. If drinking this helps foster smoother communication, then it’s worth trying. Besides, it’s just beer. As long as I can maintain control, there’s nothing to be afraid of. I vow—I will never lose myself to alcohol.”

She declared it as if reassuring herself. Kiyoaki clapped in response.

“Yeah, you’ll be fine, Illia. And even if you start feeling sick, we’ll be here to support you, so don’t worry!”

“Yeah, leave it to us. If you turn out to be a bad drunk, we’ll hold you back with everything we’ve got. We’ll keep a watchful eye, so you just focus on enjoying the drink!”

With her resolve finally set, Illia straightened her back and, as if preparing to fire on an enemy, took her first sip.

“So, how is it?”

Reiner asked cheerfully. Illia shook her head slightly and answered.

“It tastes as I expected. Nothing surprising.”

Reiner let out an exaggerated “Ooh,” and said, “But once you finish the whole cup, your thoughts might change.”

“Is that so? From just this?”

Emboldened by Reiner’s challenge, Illia quickly downed the entire cup in one go.

“There. Nothing to it.”

With a focused gaze, she met Reiner’s eyes. He grinned and walked over to the barrel by the fire, refilling her cup with more beer.

“Not bad. How about you, Kiyoaki? You can’t let Illia outdo you, right?”

“I’m fine. How are you feeling, Illia?”

“I feel no different. Honestly, I’m embarrassed that I ever feared something so trivial.”

Taking her refill from Reiner, Illia drank it as easily as if it were a soft drink.

Just then, Lulu and Lala came running over with playful shrieks.

“Wow, Illia’s drinking alcohol! So cute!”

They both latched onto Illia.

“Who knew Illia could drink? Sooo cute!”

Clearly intoxicated, Lulu and Lala clung to Illia, repeating how cute she was over and over.

Seeing this, the junior officers, who had been watching from a distance, came over with their drinks in hand and called out to Illia.

“Whoa, Candidate Kreischmidt’s drinking with us!”

“We thought an elite candidate like you would never join us for a drink!”

Illia was well-liked among the junior officers, but many had felt she was unapproachable. Now, seeing her share drinks around the same fire, they seemed genuinely happy.

Illia raised her cup seriously.

“Likewise. I was impressed by your skill in today’s battle. I hope to catch up to you all soon. Cheers.”

When she initiated the toast, the junior officers raised their drinks to the night sky.

“Cheers!”

A loud chorus rang out as everyone downed their drinks. Kiyoaki and Reiner, following Illia’s lead, emptied their cups as well.

“Illia, let’s dance with everyone! It’s sooo much fun!”

Lulu and Lala grabbed Illia’s hands and pulled her toward the fire.

“Dancing? I’ve never tried it.”

“We’ll teach you! But it’s easy—just let your body move to the music!”

“Please instruct me.”

Illia allowed herself to be led toward the fire, joining the circle of people dancing to the radio’s music.

“Come on, Candidate Kreischmidt!” “You’re gonna dance? Right this way!”

The dancing junior officers noticed her and clapped their hands in cheer.

“Illia, come on, like this!”

Lulu and Lala guided her, playfully forcing her into the dance.

“L-like this? I’m not sure…”

Though a bit awkward, Illia followed their steps. She seemed stiff, but she was managing just fine.

“You’re doing great! That’s it—just keep going with the flow!”

“Keep dancing, Illia!”

Lulu and Lala laughed as they spun around the fire. The junior officers cheered her on, singing loudly as they joyfully joined the dance.

“Have another drink, Candidate Kreischmidt!”

Noticing that Illia’s cup was empty, one of the junior officers handed her a fresh drink. Perhaps feeling thirsty from the dancing, Illia casually downed it, keeping up with Lulu and Lala.

From a short distance away, Kiyoaki watched Illia’s steps.

She must have been feeling warm, because at some point, she had taken off her military jacket, and now, like everyone else, she was down to a T-shirt, moving to the music. Her red hair fluttered in the night, illuminated by the orange glow of the fire, with sparks flickering around her.

—She looks like a fire fairy.

The thought crossed his mind. Perhaps it was the alcohol loosening his self-control, but he found himself mesmerized by her dance.

“Hey, don’t just stand there! Let’s dance too!” Reiner urged, snapping Kiyoaki out of his daze, and they both joined the circle.

Noticing him, Illia stepped closer, still dancing.

“How are you doing, Sakagami?”

She seemed to be in a much better mood than usual, and her forehead and cheeks looked red—probably from the firelight, Kiyoaki assumed. He smiled back.

“I’m having fun. Thanks to you.”

“Sometimes, this kind of thing isn’t bad. It feels freeing.”

“Yeah. You seem to be having fun too, Illia.”

“Come on. Let’s dance. If you don’t interact with the junior officers, you can’t be a proper officer.”

Illia extended her hand. Kiyoaki hesitated briefly but then took it, following her steps awkwardly. Seeing his clumsy footwork, Illia softened her expression.

“What’s that? You’re like a chicken. It’s like this, like this.”

She demonstrated the steps, moving her feet in time with the music, guiding Kiyoaki.

“L-like this?”

“Yes, just like that. Now, let’s go—keep up with me!”

Issuing commands as if she were on a battlefield, Illia led Kiyoaki into the dance circle.

—Illia’s in such a good mood.

Kiyoaki had never seen her like this. This was the most joyful he had ever seen her.

—Could she be drunk?

It was a possibility, but—

—This much should be fine.

She wasn’t bothering anyone, so it should be okay. Deciding that this was just the positive side of alcohol, Kiyoaki surrendered himself to the music.

The dance was simple—just stepping in time to the music, taking hands with your partner, and spinning around. It was easy enough, but just dancing hand in hand with Illia made Kiyoaki feel incredibly happy.

“Haha. You’re getting the hang of it, Sakagami,” Illia said, her back lit by the fire, smiling.

It was Illia’s smile—one Kiyoaki hadn’t seen in a long time.

It was a sweet, almost heart-wrenching smile.

“You’re great at this, Illia. You might have a talent for dancing.”

“Really? That makes me happy. It almost feels like we’re in a dreamland.”

Illia spoke with a shy smile.

—She’s… adorable…

Kiyoaki’s heart pounded in his chest. He barely managed to suppress the urge to hold Illia in his arms, quickly composing himself and keeping his expression neutral.

“Illia, are you okay? Are you a little tipsy?”

“Maybe… Yeah, I feel a bit more lightheaded than usual.”

“You should probably drink some water. I’ll go get some.”

Kiyoaki stopped dancing and looked around. Just then, Lala approached him.

“Oh? Are you done already? The night’s just getting started!”

“Uh, Lala, do you have any water? Illia’s starting to feel the effects of the alcohol.”

“Oh, water? Give me a sec!”

Lala quickly disappeared behind the crowd and returned with a large bottle in hand.

“Here you go! Is Illia getting tipsy? She should rest somewhere quiet. Kiyoaki, you take her there, okay?” she said with a mischievous wink, patting him on the back and pointing to a quieter part of the beach. The sandy shore stretched far into the distance, and the spot she indicated was away from the bonfire’s light. Kiyoaki figured a quiet place would be perfect for sobering up, so he took the bottle from Lala, thanking her.

“Thanks. Illia, let’s go rest over there.”

Illia nodded obediently and took a long swig from the bottle.

“This is delicious. I didn’t know water could taste this good.”

She let out a satisfied sigh, almost like she’d just drunk alcohol, and murmured in amazement. In good spirits, she followed Kiyoaki to a quieter area of the beach.

“The night sea is nice,” Illia remarked.

“Yeah, the night breeze feels great,” Kiyoaki agreed.

The sounds of music and chatter faded behind them, and the calm of the night began to envelop them both.

Illia took another gulp from the bottle, wiped her mouth with her arm, and looked up at the sky.

“The stars are beautiful.”

The bonfire had shrunk into a tiny speck in the distance, leaving the beach illuminated only by the moon and stars.

“You’re right. It’s amazing. It’s been a while since I’ve seen stars like this.”

A vast Milky Way spilled gold, silver, blue, and yellow light down toward them. Listening to the sound of the waves and gazing at the stars, Kiyoaki felt as though they were in a paradise far removed from the war.

“Do you remember that time we broke through enemy lines in Eriadore? The stars were incredible then, too,” Illia said with a fond smile.

“Of course. The Etica meteor shower. It was like the stars were rushing toward us. I miss that.”

It had been a surreal sight. He and Illia had watched from the cockpit as thousands of stars showered down on the Eriadore airship, streaming past them as they flew above the clouds.

“It hasn’t even been two years since then, but it feels like a lifetime ago.”

“Yeah… A lot’s happened since.”

As they walked side by side along the beach, a wave of nostalgia washed over them.

It had been a year and nine months since that adventure on the Eriadore airship, when they first met. They had transferred to the Air Hunt Academy, honed their skills in mock air battles, witnessed the destruction of Air Hunt Island, and said goodbye to Mio… All those memories came flooding back to Kiyoaki, leaving only the pain behind.

“Yeah… It’s hard to believe it’s been less than two years.”

“Yeah… And there’s probably a lot more ahead of us.”

“Let’s hope there are more happy times, not sad ones.”

“Yeah… I hope so.”

They fell silent for a while, the sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore the only noise.

Then, Illia glanced at Kiyoaki’s profile and hesitated before speaking.

“Sakagami…”

“Yeah?”

“Well… It’s just…”

“What is it?”

Illia seemed to be pondering something, then shook her head and looked straight ahead again.

“…Sorry. Never mind.”

Kiyoaki felt deflated.

“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t be shy. You can tell me anything.”

“…No, it’s nothing. It seems the alcohol’s affecting me more than I thought. Don’t worry about it—it’s just nonsense.”

Even as Kiyoaki gently urged her to speak, Illia didn’t say anything more. Watching her rigid expression, Kiyoaki wondered if she was thinking about Mio, and in that moment, he decided not to push further.

He had never talked about Mio when he was alone with Illia. Neither of them had been able to come to terms with the events involving her, and it was a difficult topic to broach. Illia had always been careful not to mention Mio’s name in front of Kiyoaki since then.

“I’m acting strange. I need to sober up quickly.”

Trying to shake it off, Illia took another long gulp from the bottle. Kiyoaki forced a smile.

“Yeah, they say drinking a lot of water helps dilute the alcohol in your system.”

“That’s good. My head’s been spinning for a while now. I’ll just keep drinking water.”

With that, she gripped the bottle with both hands, closed her eyes, and gulped down more of its contents.

“I really like the smell of the sea breeze. It’s comforting,” Kiyoaki said, trying to lift the mood. He stretched his arms toward the sky, letting out a long yawn. Illia, standing beside him, mimicked his actions, stretching her arms toward the stars.

“It feels like I could scoop up the stars with my hands.”

“Yeah. It’d be nice if we could reach them.”

“Do you think we’ll ever be able to travel to the stars?”

“With the way aircraft technology is advancing, I’m sure we will someday.”

“That sounds wonderful. I wish we could use planes for things like that instead of for war.”

“Yeah, I agree. Using them for fighting… it just feels wrong.”

Illia was standing so close that their shoulders brushed. A gentle breeze passed between them, lifting Illia’s hair and softly caressing Kiyoaki’s ear.

She smelled like spring flowers, a scent mingled with the salty sea air, and it tightened something deep inside Kiyoaki’s chest.

— I want to hold her.

The urge he had been fighting all night surged up again. Blaming the alcohol, Kiyoaki clenched his fists and forced himself to suppress his desires.

“How are you feeling now? Any better?” he asked, trying to sound casual.

Illia sighed deeply, almost in frustration.

“I might be feeling worse… My head is spinning.”

“Yeah, alcohol can hit harder after a while. I know you’ve been drinking a lot of water, but it’s still not helping?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure…”

Illia had been drinking a considerable amount of water, but her condition hadn’t improved at all. In fact, the more she drank, the wobblier she got. Her cheeks were flushed, and her words started to lose their sharpness. Something didn’t feel right. As she gulped down more from the bottle, her steps became unsteady, and Kiyoaki noticed that her expression seemed off.

“Illia, let me see that bottle for a second.”

“Hm? Why?”

Illia tilted her head, smiling sweetly, almost childishly.

“Just let me check. I need to make sure of something.”

He grabbed the bottle from her hand, took a swig, and immediately spat it out.

“This is wine! It tastes like grapes!”

“What? It’s not water?”

“There’s no way this is water! Have you been drinking this the whole time? Lala, what were you thinking? You can’t do that!”

Wine is easy to drink, but poor-quality wine can lead to bad hangovers. There was no way Lala would have given Illia expensive wine—this was definitely a cheap one meant to cause drunkenness. Illia had apparently been too drunk to even tell the difference between water and wine when Lala handed her the bottle.

“Really? I did think it was a little sweet for water…”

Illia giggled softly. Her words had become slurred, and Kiyoaki was horrified to see that the one-litre bottle was nearly empty. Illia must have been drunk even while they were dancing, and now, with this much cheap wine in her system…

“The stars have multiplied.”

Illia suddenly shouted, raising her hands to the sky, and before Kiyoaki could react, she ran toward the sea.

“Wait, wait, wait! Illia, don’t go into the water!”

Panicking, Kiyoaki ran after her, but Illia was already knee-deep in the ocean, gleefully splashing water with both hands.

“This feels great! Let’s swim, Sakagami!”

“No! You can’t swim when you’re drunk! It’s dangerous!”

Illia kicked at the waves, playfully splashing water at him.

“Illia, stop messing around!”

He tried to reason with her, but Illia, now too intoxicated to listen, just laughed and waded in deeper, splashing more water at him.

“Illia, okay, I get it. Please come back. If you go in any further, it’ll be really dangerous.”

If this kept up, she would definitely drown. Kiyoaki himself stepped into the water up to his waist, cautiously approaching her as if trying to coax a wild animal.

“Why not? Why can’t we swim?”

“Because you’ll drown! Please, Illia, I’ll do whatever you want, just come back, okay?”

Illia’s mischievous smile widened as she lowered her hands from the water.

“You’ll do anything I say?”

“Yeah, yes, anything.”

“Do you swear it?”

“I swear. I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“Then… I’ve got an idea!” Illia beamed, spreading her arms wide like a child.

“Give me a piggyback ride!”

“A p-piggyback ride?”

“Yeah! A piggyback ride!”

Apparently, Illia became childlike when she got drunk. She was now acting like a kid, eagerly asking for a piggyback ride.

Though taken aback at first, Kiyoaki figured it was better than letting her drown.

“Alright, I’ll give you a piggyback ride! Come on, hop on!”

He turned his back to her and bent down. The next moment, something incredibly soft pressed against the nape of his neck.

“Yay! A piggyback ride!”

Illia’s breath tickled his ear as she clung to him, her slender arms wrapping around his chest. Kiyoaki could feel her ample chest pressing against his back. He reached around to support her knees as he lifted her up.

“A piggyback ride makes me so happy.”

Illia clung to Kiyoaki, pressing her feminine warmth and softness against him without holding back. Feeling her warmth and the softness of her body across his back, Kiyoaki fought to maintain control over his instincts, using every ounce of restraint he had as he trudged through the sand, kicking up the waves as he returned to the shore.

“I’m not getting down yet. Keep walking!”

“Yes, yes, I’ll keep walking.”

He couldn’t let the junior officers see Illia in this state. They would mock her endlessly, and in her current defenceless state, there was no telling what might happen. It was best to stay like this until she sobered up.

“I love piggyback rides… It’s been a long time since I had one…”

Illia whispered in his ear, her voice filled with a childlike sweetness. Instinctively knowing it was best not to argue with a drunk person, Kiyoaki responded casually.

“Did your mother give you piggyback rides?”

“No, not my mother. Just once, my father did.”

“Really? Karsten did? That’s surprising.”

“Yeah. When I was little. I was training to fly, and I fell off the wing and got hurt. My father gave me a piggyback ride all the way home.”

Illia spoke with a nostalgic, slurred voice, recalling the memory fondly.

“That must have made you really happy.”

“Yeah, just that once. My father carried me on his back with one arm. His back was so big, so warm…”

“Sounds like Karsten was kind to you.”

“I wanted him to carry me forever, but we reached home too quickly. I was really sad when it ended. I wished he would carry me forever…”

Illia’s voice grew melancholic. It seemed that might have been the only time her father had shown her such tenderness. She clung to Kiyoaki even more tightly, as if seeking the comfort she remembered from her childhood.

Kiyoaki could feel Illia’s loneliness and sorrow radiating through her embrace on his back.

“Maybe Karsten wanted to carry you forever too,” Kiyoaki said softly.

“You think so? I wonder what my father was feeling…”

“He was worried about you. Carrying you with one arm must have been tough, but he did it all the way home.”

“Do you think so…? I hope you’re right.”

“I’m sure of it. He wouldn’t have done that unless he cared about you.”

Illia gently pressed her cheek against Kiyoaki’s hair, rubbing her face affectionately. He could feel the soft warmth of her lips through his hair, and his heart raced even faster.

“I don’t want to get down yet.”

Kiyoaki, too, didn’t want to let go. If he could, he would carry Illia on his back for as long as his strength allowed.

“I’ll carry you as long as you want.”

“…Thank you… Sakagami, you’re so kind.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Kind, even though you’re a Black Rabbit. You’re always kind.”

Kiyoaki laughed, “I haven’t been teasing you recently, have I?”

“You have. You always tease me. You provoke me on purpose just to see me get mad, don’t you?”

Illia tugged on his cheeks, making him smile wider.

“I do not! I do not!”

They both laughed as they continued walking along the long, quiet beach, guided only by the blue moonlight and the thousands of stars.

The rowdy noise from the junior officers had completely faded, leaving only the gentle sound of waves lapping at the shore. It was just the two of them now, alone with the sea and the night.

— This is happiness…

Kiyoaki felt a deep sense of contentment. He imagined walking with Illia like this, reaching an island without war, and living together in peace…

“Hey, Sakagami.”

His daydream was interrupted by Illia’s soft voice.

“Yeah?”

“I’m not sure if I should say this… but, can I?”

“Of course. You can tell me anything.”

“It might be a bit… meddlesome, though.”

“That’s fine. I don’t mind if it’s from you.”

“Okay then… Well…”

Even after hesitating, Illia finally spoke.

“It’s about Mio. There’s something I haven’t told you.”

Kiyoaki’s heart almost stopped at the mention of Mio’s name. Just hearing it from Illia made his pulse quicken.

“Yeah?”

He tried to keep his voice calm and natural.

“Remember after she came back from winter break? She started avoiding everyone… and one night, when she was sharing the bunk with me… I told you she was crying, right?”

“Yeah. You told me about that.”

Illia had once shared that she had witnessed Mio sobbing quietly in their shared room at the Air Hunt Officer Academy. But it seemed there was something more Illia hadn’t mentioned.

“And… well… this might be hard to hear, but… I’ve been debating whether to tell you…”

“It’s okay. Please tell me. I need to know.”

“Okay… so, the thing is…”

After a brief pause, Illia whispered the words.

“Mio… she was calling your name.”

“…What?”

“In her sleep. She called your name, over and over, sounding like she was in pain.”

A warm breeze blew past them, stirring up the waves, which lapped at Kiyoaki’s feet.

“…Sometimes, she would mumble apologies in her sleep. She was apologizing to you.”

Kiyoaki turned his face toward the sea. The stars crowded together above him, their reflection in the water forming a stream of silver tears. Somewhere beyond that horizon, he imagined Mio, still crying.

“So… the words she said to you when she left… those weren’t her true feelings. I believe Mio didn’t mean any of it.”

That day on Air Hunt Island, when it was burning, Mio had stood on the rocky cliffs and hurled cruel words at Kiyoaki before leaving him.

There was no way to ask her what she truly felt now.

But still…

“…I see. Mio… said my name…”

That simple truth washed away much of the frustration that had been festering inside him.

Mio had held him in her heart, somewhere deep within.

The knowledge of that simple fact brought him an immense sense of relief.

“Mio was… such a kind person. She was always going above and beyond to help everyone before the winter break. But after her family forced her into becoming a spy… she had no choice but to act like a villain and erase herself from our lives. I think… that’s why.”

Illia’s words resonated deeply with Kiyoaki’s soul.

“Yeah… that sounds like something Mio would do.”

“So… you weren’t deceived by her. Mio cared about you deeply… I’m sure she still does.”

“Do you think so? I hope you’re right.”

“I know it’s presumptuous of me to say, but… I think Mio was just too kind… She always put others before herself, and she didn’t value her own happiness enough…”

“Yeah… It feels like you understand Mio better than I do. Even though I’ve known her for longer.”

“It’s just a feeling. But before the winter break, we used to talk late into the night sometimes. I think I got to know a little bit about how she thought.”

“Thank you for telling me, Illia. Really… thank you.”

“You’re welcome. As a reward… keep giving me that piggyback ride.”

“Sure. I’m happy to.”

Without speaking further, the two of them continued walking along the beach, just feeling each other’s presence.

Before long, Kiyoaki heard the soft sound of Illia’s breathing near his temple.

She had fallen asleep, exhausted from the alcohol. Kiyoaki smiled and, careful not to wake her, continued to walk along the moonlit and starlit shore.

As they walked, memories of Mio came and went, as if carried on the wind.

"Forget everything. Every word I’ve ever said to you was a lie. I’m a liar."

He remembered that morning of the mock air battle with Illia, when he had found Mio sitting alone on a bench, eating her breakfast. He had hugged her tightly, demanding to know why she was pushing him away. That’s when Mio had spoken those words, crying as she did.

"I can’t fight without you."

Kiyoaki had told her that through his own tears.

"I’d do anything for you."

Back then, he had meant it with all his heart. He would have burned the entire world down for her if it had been necessary.

Now, that deep resolve stirred within him once again, transforming into a new sense of courage.

— I won’t let it end like this.

— I’ll find Mio. No matter what it takes.

— I swear it on my life.

"To end this war, I will crush Urano."

It was a dream too large for his fourteen-year-old self.

"Let me share that dream with you," Mio had said, standing beside him as they both gazed at the ruins of their homeland.

Kiyoaki now added a new layer of determination to that old promise.

— I will destroy Urano to bring you back.

He would destroy Urano, not as some vague dream or distant hope, but as the purpose to which he would dedicate his life. Every moment from now on would be devoted to that singular goal: to end Urano and bring Mio back.

— I will never forgive Urano for what they did to you.

No matter how enormous the enemy, no matter how far they were, no matter how small and insignificant he might seem in comparison, he would make it happen one day.

“I will bring you back.”

Kiyoaki spoke those words aloud, with all the strength he could muster, into the vast, star-filled sky.

Illia slowly opened her eyes.

At some point, she had fallen asleep.

She glanced up at the moonlight and starlight and realized she was being carried on Kiyoaki’s back.

Her head was tingling. The effects of the alcohol were causing thoughts that she usually kept buried to surface one after another.

—But it’s fine. Just for now.

She attributed this rare freedom to the alcohol, allowing her to accept it.

Still pretending to be asleep, Illia let her hand slip down from Kiyoaki’s shoulder, clasping it in front of his chest.

Then, through her own hair, she pressed her cheek against his, gently tightening her grip on him with her arms and legs.

It felt as if she were embracing him from behind.

—Don’t let go.

That was the thought that crossed her mind.

—I want to stay like this forever…

If she were sober, she would have immediately dismissed such a thought. But in this moment, Illia didn’t resist her own feelings.

—Don’t leave me.

The wish welled up from deep inside her heart. She didn’t know why. There was no reason for it. But she wanted to ask the Kiyoaki who was carrying her right now to stay by her side.

—Don’t go anywhere.

—Stay close to me, always.

A sense of longing began to stir inside her, as if she knew, with absolute certainty, that Kiyoaki would disappear from her life.

Still pretending to sleep, Illia clung tighter to him.

—I want to be with you forever.

She listened to the soft voice of her own heart without resisting. For some reason, tears threatened to well up. Illia told herself that her thoughts were only confused because of the alcohol.