A natural surprise
Onogoro Island – ORB
Shortly after talking with Shinn, the group offered a prayer to the cenotaph. They closed their eyes and quietly sent their messages to the people they lost during the war. The sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline and the seagulls filled the atmosphere, the calm felt very comforting and for a moment they felt connected to the ones in heaven. As they finished they all turned away to leave but one person stayed staring at the piece of stone adorned with flowers.
"Kira is everything ok?" Lacus took a few steps closer to him. She knows he likes to be left alone with his thoughts but at that moment he was filled with melancholy.
"Mm." he shortly answered and followed them.
They arrived at the top overlooking the cenotaph where the cars are parked. Shinn and Meyrin agreed to have dinner at Watfield's Mansion as Lacus insisted she will be serving dinner. Athrun was on his phone when he heard Shinn calling out for Meyrin at the back. He curiously peeped in the car to have a second look certain he saw her hop on his car, and there she was scrolling through her phone. "Hey, Shinn! She's here." He pointed but the young coordinator just gave him a confused stare. Annoyed at his expression he walked up to him to say it again, he was followed by Kira who has nothing better to do than snoop around him and his junior; and there he is again calling out for the pigtails at the edge of the cliff. "I told you, she's in the car." He exclaimed as he surveyed where he was shouting, Kira, did the same.
It was a girl with red hair walking up to where they were a few minutes ago. She held a bouquet of red roses that she carefully placed beside the flowers they offered. There were three men following her in Earth Forces uniform, Athrun had the urge to check on their left side and he saw a couple of black cars parked a few meters away from them with men standing guard wearing the same uniform.
"What's happening?" Lacus asked from the car but didn't get an answer.
They kept their eyes on the girl as she carefully arranged the flowers. Then suddenly one of the guards grabbed her arm pulling her back to their car.
"See? I told you." Athrun clarified walking back to his car." Must be some politician's daughter."
PLANTS- 3 months after
It was especially busy at Aprilius 1 political base, soldiers ran around to make sure everything runs smoothly as today is the first official conference between Zaft and Earth Alliance. The ORBS Representative Cagalli Yula Athha, escorted by her brother and bodyguard arrived first with Cagalli snorting at the heavy atmosphere.
The base was a large structure of metal and glass that suggests a strong presence of power.
"How impressive." She uttered but was distracted when she felt her twin leave her side.
Kira ran to meet the Chairwoman that just arrived followed by her escorts. They reunited in the middle of the room where they wrapped each other in a hug. This has been a normal ritual between the lovers and everyone was happy to see them openly display their relationship.
"It's good to see the future generation of PLANTS is secured" an old man wearing an EA Uniform arrived breaking the sweet reunion and startling Tori off Kira's shoulder.
He continued to walk towards them as he spoke, "It's nice to finally meet you, Chairman Clyne, I am Admiral Garcia from the Earth Alliance." offering his hand to Lacus.
"Tori!" the mechanical bird landed on one of the admiral's entourage.
Lacus accepted his hand, "It's also a pleasure to meet you, Admiral." She smiled sweetly.
The Admiral took a few glances around the base, admiring the marvel around him. "Please Chairman lead the way." He quickly gestured after noticing the stillness in the room.
"Shit," Cagalli whispered under her breath as she worriedly looked at her brother.
Athrun who felt the uneasiness leveled his head behind Cagalli. "Is something wrong?" he quietly asked to which Cagalli just nodded.
"We'll head to the boardroom right away," Lacus instructed.
While everyone prepared to move, Admiral Garcia noticed Kira and smiled to himself. "Flay, please hand the bird back." He asked the girl from his group. Contrary to her companions, she's not in a uniform instead, she's dressed in a pink high-waisted shirt, and a cropped blazer, with her cherry red hair, was tied in a half ponytail.
She slowly approached Kira to give him back the mechanical bird. "Here you go." As she slowly perched Tori back to his owners' soldier. She gave it a few pats and finally bowed to its owner and turned away.
Kira unknowingly grabbed her wrist and quickly froze when he realized this.
Sensing something was off Yzak asked his best friend who was also tensed up beside him, "What's going on?" he quietly asked without turning.
"I'm not entirely sure Yzak." The blonde answered half amused.
"The fuck you're not sure about?!" annoyed.
"Kira's girlfriend that died during the battle of Jachin Due had the same name." he shrugged. "I guess."
"Damn it."
Confused, Flay scanned the crowd for an explanation.
The Admiral who was facing away looked back at Flay as he creased his eyebrows "Is something the matter?"
"Uh no." Cagalli stuttered as she marched up to them. "Kira and Flay shared a school back in Heliopolis."
"Ah." He caught on bobbing his head. "I remember." Shifting his eyes to Kira. "I took Ms. Allster here as part of her political studies. If you don't mind." He stood fully facing them again gesturing for Flay to come back.
"Right." Flay took Kira's hand between her palms, "I'm glad to see you are well Commander."
Something inside Kira broke when he heard her speak and it must've shown through when he felt a tight squeeze on his hand. "I'm really happy to see you." The girl in front of him searched his eyes making sure he heard her before turning away.
The board room was dark, the only lighting in the room was a hologram of space floating in the middle of the round table. The two groups exchanged ideas regarding their plans for their nations, what aid they can offer, and several more economic matters.
Flay sat on a chair behind Admiral Garcia observing whatever she finds interesting and taking notes as they go along. She can feel someone was watching her, so she avoided looking around to avoid any attention, and instead, she forced herself to focus on the discussion.
After the meeting, Lacus showed them around the base openly explaining how each Plant colony is built and what work goes into the maintenance of the whole area. Some soldiers showed bewilderment and some debated theories with whoever is beside them.
Kira who was walking in front of the group discreetly stole glances at Flay as they walked around the corridors, she was walking with her head slightly bowed down and only looking up whenever they enter a new section of the building. Her expression didn't say much like her colleagues as she was also once a citizen of a space colony, he thought.
After the tour, they all gathered in a ballroom where they had their banquet served on a long table, and later, Lacus ordered her soldiers to escort the Admiral and his group to their accommodation.
A week has passed since their meeting, Kira lay in bed staring up at the ceiling drowning in his thoughts. His alarm has gone off five minutes ago, it was already morning, but he didn't feel the urge to sleep. He dragged himself out of bed and carried his thoughts with him to their dining table where he saw Cagalli and Athrun talking.
"Good morning Kira" his twin greeted him.
He exhaled and took the chair furthest from them.
"What's wrong?" She got up to take the chair on his side. Athrun followed her. "It's Flay isn't it?" she judgingly glared at him.
"I don't get it Cagalli." He confessed defeated by the ideas in his head.
"Don't get what?"
"Flay would've communicated." His voice was low and unhappy. "She knows how to get a hold of me if she wanted to." He looked at his sister for any sign of confirmation or answers. " At least that's what I thought she would do."
"You are already with Lacus. I don't think there is a need for her to get in touch with you anymore."
Kira shook his head. "I don't think that's it."
"What is it then?" Cagalli swallowed her toast.
"I don't know."
"Well, I'm not the one losing sleep." She scolded him before finishing off her coffee and leaving the table.
Athrun watched her walk away in anger. "I think she's right Kira." He kindly smiled at his best friend feeling sorry for his state. He knew he hasn't been sleeping since the day he saw Flay Allster. "You also need to get ready soon we have to be at the ceremony in two hours." He suggested.
"Yeah."
Yzak and Dearka stood glumly outside a huge building having a break from their normal squabble. They have been arguing about each other's choice of uniform for the ceremony since Dearka insisted Yzak should wear his council uniform instead of the white uniform that he has on now all for the sake of variety he said.
"Come on Yzak! Those children might also want to join the council someday!" he insisted.
"They are opening a military school Dearka did you read the invite?" He was about to show off his vocabulary of insults when the red car they'd been waiting for arrived. "And why are you wearing an Orb uniform for a ZAFT school, genius?" he spat at the driver before getting in the car. Athrun was wearing his uniform from Orb and beside him was Kira in his white Zaft uniform. They are on their way to the grand opening of the new military school in PLANTs.
Dearka looked around the city inwardly glad to finally see people back on their feet enjoying the beautiful weather and just sitting around the square. "It would've been cooler if we arrived on a mobile suit. It will show those kids how cool Commander Elsman is for sure!" he said proudly.
"Did that natural girl ever return your calls?" Yzak asked causing the blonde to frown.
"That's not nice Yzak and that's not fair!" hurt.
The three men just smiled knowing fully how he was still trying to be with Milly but the girl just won't give him the time of day.
"I just hope we didn't need to open up another military school though."
Athrun stopped at a red light, casually waiting for the yellow light and for the green light to show up and looking around if anybody pressed the pedestrian switch. He saw some figure walking up their right side and he was surprised to see a familiar face yet again.
Flay looked down also surprised to see them. Kira who was on the passenger side immediately left the vehicle without saying anything.
"Oh hi!" she awkwardly smiled looking over her shoulder to check on her guards. "I was not expecting to bump into you here Commander."
(There she is again) he thought. "Flay, can we talk for a moment?" he politely asked.
The girl looked at the car behind him. "Aren't you going somewhere?"
"We have time."
"Sure, I'm about to head back to my hotel anyways."
The men in the car knew it was useless to call him back. Instead, Dearka quickly helped Athrun to find a parking space near the area so they can follow Kira.
Flay spoke to the two soldiers that were following her and followed Kira to an empty table just beside a fountain café outside the city square.
He quietly observed her as she made her way toward him. She's wearing a long spaghetti strap dress in a pale pink silky fabric that delicately hugs her figure, he's glad that she is no longer wearing the military uniform she used to wear.
She waved at his friends as they approached pointing in his direction.
"I ordered us some coffee if you don't mind" she slowly pulled the chair across him. "This is such a nice café" smiling at him and soon to the men that arrived at the table.
Flay cleared her throat not knowing what to do. "So… what is it that you want to talk about Commander?"
"Nothing." He lied. "I just thought we'd say hello."
"Oh" her face cleared up. "It's so nice of you." Looking at the gentlemen at their table. "So where are you headed to?"
Yzak who knew Kira Yamato just chickened out had the most obvious frustration on his face. He's not about to get late for his appointment without getting any sort of information from this delay. Yzak despite not showing it, is already a good friend with Kira and shares the same concern for the girl he briefly met inside the Vesalius.
"What are you doing with the Earth Alliance's Admiral?" he flatly asked.
Flay took a sip of her coffee that just arrived. "You mean my uncle? Well... technically he's my godfather."
"And so?"
"That's why I'm with him?" she looked confused. " I knew him since I was little and he's like a second father to me." She paused. "Why do you ask?"
"You don't seem like a person that would go around with the military. That's all." Yzak quickly dropped his little interrogation.
"Ah, I know it's weird. Since I joined the military uncle thought it's best I learn more about it rather than you know, resign."
"You should just do what you want."
"Do you remember being on the archangel?" finally Kira found the courage to ask a question.
"I do a little but not everything. I'm sorry."
"Are you ok—with the admiral?"
"Yes." She shortly answered and suddenly brightened up, "How about you Commander? When are you and Lacus Clyne getting married?" she excitedly asked.
Dearka choked on his coffee while Athrun and Yzak paused.
Kira lost his words and felt guilt wash over him.
"You don't have to answer if it's a secret you know." She beamed at him. "I just thought I'd ask since everyone was talking about it everywhere."
"Not yet." He quickly said after getting kicked by Athrun for not answering.
"Yet," Flay whispered over her coffee as she looked away to avoid Kira's eyes, feeling close to tears. "You must be excited." She said after taking in a deep breath.
Silence.
"Hey! You're friends with Milly, right?" Dearka jumped in. "Will you give me a call if you hear from her?" he wittily placed a napkin with his phone number in her hand.
"Oh sure!" she was refreshed. "Not a problem."
"You haven't been talking to her, have you?" the blonde nicely asked.
"No, I haven't"
"Well you should and make sure you say good things about me" he continued to urge her when Yzak tapped him on the back. He was on the phone and was already standing behind him.
"We have to go it's about to start." He informed him.
"Oh…" she looked up. "It was a nice chat, thanks." Flay got off her chair to say goodbye.
"You're welcome." Kira managed to force a smile, but his eyes widened in shock when the girl suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around him as she buried her face in his chest unable to control herself. His hands returned the gesture unceremoniously as if it were the only thing he knows. For a moment everything slowed down, and they were alone. He held her tight for as long as he can trying his best to remember how she feels in his arms. The spell broke off when Athrun had to remind Kira they must leave, and they slowly let go. He turned his back on her walking away as she stood waiting for them to disappear from her view.