A/N: Whew! Ah, finally got this up. I've got school (hospital & clinics, to be more precise) and no more long vacations, so updates might come up irregularly and after months or so...I apologize in advance. Writing's an avenue for creativity and leisure, but school takes up more time, so...there. Fret not, the story will continue. And I'm really beginning to hate things concerned with our internet here (phone line, PC, connection, etc...It's driving me crazy!) Many thanks to all who R&R and who enjoy this as well. Shout-outs!

Froger54 – Sorry for not updating soon(er)...glad you think the story's good. :-)

Shadowzero789 – (to all your reviews) Hey, don't worry. It won't be as long as the last time; I'm making that a point. Actually, this was done around two months or so ago, but I've been having really, reallyannoying PC problems. Ergo, unfortunately, updates might still take months. Oh well. I'm looking forward to reading your work as well...when I can. I'm not really familiar with the additional GA characters (Tact, Chitose, etc). And who am I really pairing up? It's a secret... :-) And don't worry about the "cute"...that is, if you cooperate. (Evil laugh) (Haha...just kidding!)

Ultimaclaw – Thanks for the review:-) I'm still thinking about your suggestion...it could happen. :-)

Twillyzorak – Haha...looks like the whole family's here:-) Torture won't do any good...if at all, it'll only make updates come even later since I'll be tied up. Hehe... :-) Seriously, tho, I'm trying a great deal to have the new chapters up ASAP. You guys aren't the only ones pissed at delays in updating... . Thanks for the review!

montypython – Again, I don't know anything about the new characters 'cept their names (and in the case of Chitose, her face)...I might include them...maybe. I'm still figuring that out. Anyways, thanks for the review:-)

I shouldn't let reviews pile up like that...I forget which ones I haven't replied to yet. Anyways, thanks lots! Here's the much-awaited (though a little short & lame) continuation. Enjoy:-)

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CHAPTER 4

Lesson, Advice

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The door to my room slid shut as I ambled straight to bed and collapsed heavily on the soft cushion, though I wasn't particularly tired. My timepiece read 21:00; it was night.

"Ah, man...what a day..." I sighed, though smiled inwardly. The day's events proved to be very relaxing, not to mention a little eye-opening and introspective. Looking back at the afternoon, after we had arrived from the morning's outing, I found it as much enjoyable as it was unusual compared to my routine days anytime before.

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Flashback:

"Okay...is everything set?" I asked.

After looking around for a bit at all of the ingredients and utensils on the countertop, Milfeulle beamed and nodded enthusiastically.

Milfeulle and I were in the kitchen of the Angel Brigade ship, getting ready for a cooking lesson...which she had made me agree to do immediately. Particularly, she wanted to learn to make the apple pie I had served for breakfast earlier.

"You sure you want me to teach you right now? You're not tired from this morning?"

"Of course!" was her cheerful reply. "We shouldn't keep for another day what we could do for today, and that apple pie tasted really heavenly! And besides, you promised, right? Please...?"

'I didn't think it'd be for right after...' I thought, though I let out a weak laugh. "Oh all right..." I said finally, "let's get on with it."

"Yeah! I promise to do my best, teacher!"

I let the remark slip, even though I told her earlier not to address me as such. 'I guess it's okay...'

For the next two hours or so, we spent the time baking. Milfeulle proved to be an attentive and quick learner; it took only one try for her to make an exact-looking replica of my delicacy.

"This is great! It's even better than how I make it!" I lauded after sampling a piece.

She laughed modestly. "I just thought of adding some stuff in; I'm glad you like it."

I laughed as well. "I think I'm the one who should be taking lessons from you, then," I said, earnestly meaning just that. "Did you have any formal lessons, might I ask?"

"Not really," she replied, "well, you can say I just learn from experience and watching others, especially on the TV. And I also love to experiment a lot,"

"You mean you have a natural talent for it?"

She just blushed and laughed sheepishly.

"This tastes good..." a voice sounded suddenly beside us. Milfeulle screamed and jumped in surprise, while I just waved and answered, "You think so too, Vanilla?"

She just nodded and continued eating her piece.

After regaining her composure, which didn't take all that long, Milfeulle continued our discussion. "How about you, Jai? Where'd you learn to cook so well?"

A slight shadow crossed my eyes. I wasn't privy to answering questions about my personal life, especially my past, but I gave her an honest answer; the shadow was gone just a second after it had appeared. I even laughed a little. "Much like you, I guess...through experimentation and reading."

"Then that makes us the same, then," she concluded, smiling. I wasn't sure if she had noticed my sudden change in demeanor, or if my answer was enough. All the same, I gave a relieved chuckle.

"Yeah, you could say that..."

She took a bite out her slice of pie before asking, "If I may ask...how come you were transferred to Angel Brigade? It seems very unusual. But, ah, it's okay if that information's classified. I'm just curious. You don't have to tell me."

Still, even with all her mentioning that it wasn't all that important, it seemed that she genuinely wanted to know.

"Well, far as I'm aware of, that's not classified info. It's pretty silly, if you ask me. Our department head at Spec-Ops lost a wager, and he bet me into Angel Brigade. I tolerate it but I think this time was a little overboard."

I had thought she would find the whole thing despicable; I was only too surprised when she began laughing heartily. "That's kind of like what Commander Volcott might do!"

'Volcott! The very same hero mentioned in the military journals?' I thought with incredulity. I had read many stories about the man, and even remember meeting him in person twice or thrice at the academy, even before I was at Spec-Ops. At the time I supposed he was an associate of the general, maybe an old friend, but I wasn't sure; I didn't really give the matter much attention. I knew that he was stationed here as well, perhaps he even was the one responsible for the formation of Angel Unit, but I'd never think he'd be one to act so...foolishly.

"Oh, but he's a good and honest man, really," Milfeulle said, probably after noticing my confused look. "And I'm sure that your department head had his reasons as well."

'Reasons...yeah, right...as if...' I thought amusedly, remembering my talk with him before I had left for Angel HQ.

"Everything has a reason for happening. It's the will of God..." Vanilla said softly, after having just finished another slice of the dessert.

"You think so?" I commented, reflecting on the point at the same time. I couldn't think up a single reason for my transferal other than to follow the conditions of the lousy bet of an old fool.

But all the same, my stay until this point has been surprisingly refreshing, aside from being also very different.

'Never imagined I'd be chatting about cooking and causative theory in a casual day before...was this a good thing, though?'

"Yeah, well...it's not all that bad, I guess," I concluded, though not really sure of myself. I was starting to worry about whether too much time had been spent on unimportant things; I usually only allocated a few hours to my so-called extra-curricular activities before going back to training or the like.

Perhaps the worry showed on my face, as Vanilla looked at me, though still with an indifferent expression in her eyes, and spoke. "Relax. Breathe. Worry will only stress both the body and soul."

I sighed. 'Yeah, I guess that's right...' I thought. "Thanks. I needed that," I told her.

She just nodded, and then put her saucer away and left the room.

"Well, that's a...different side of her..." I said after a long silence.

Milfeulle looked at me. "Isn't she always like that? I think she was just being more like herself. It's better that way, isn't it?"

"You're right about that..." I replied, "How about you? What would you say would be acting more like yourself?"

"Me? Hmmm..." she thought for awhile, rubbing her chin and furrowing her brow. Finally, she said, "I like cooking. I also enjoy shopping and going on missions with my friends. But I'd hate to see anybody sad or get hurt, even if it's an enemy. I'm sure they have feelings as well, right? And I guess I'd try to do everything I can to always keep everyone smiling."

I waited for her to catch her breath before answering. "Isn't that kind of generic?"

"I guess so. But then I really can't describe it very well. Someone else would have to say for themselves."

"Okay...let's put it this way. If it were you instead of Vanilla talking earlier, what would you say?"

"Well now...let's see..." again, she contemplated for a while before replying, "I guess I'd say...'It doesn't matter what the reason might have been for your transferring here. What's more important is that you're still alive and well. In fact, I'm glad you were reinstated here, since you kept us company and taught me how to make delicious apple pie and had a good time as well. So don't worry about it. Everything will turn out fine'." I just looked at her almost as if in a trance while she spoke.

"How was that?" she asked afterwards.

"I feel much better after hearing it, actually," I answered, putting away the other used dishes as she kept the rest of the pie in the refrigerator. "I guess I'm going to go rest up for now...thanks, Milfeulle." I said, leaving the dining room.

"Okay. Have a nice sleep," she called out.

It was only after I fell on the bed that I noticed how late it was already.

End of flashback

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'I wonder how they could be so carefree...' were my last thoughts as I drifted off to a deep sleep.