Quistis, Irvine, Nida, and Keri were all leaning against Balamb Garden's balcony, looking out as the mobile academy sailed out to sea, side-by-side with her Galbadian companion.

So Keri, Quistis began, What do you think of Balamb Garden?

The Galbadian student shrugged. I don't know. Everything's so...white.

You get used to it, said Irvine.

There was a short pause. The spinning ring of Balamb Garden made an intricate reflection in the water below as they left the Centra shoreline.

So...are all my SeeD missions going to turn out like this? Nida asked.

I wouldn't know, Irvine replied.

We're not even SeeDs yet, added Keri.

You never know, Quistis said, smiling. It's all part of the fun.

echoed the other three.

Quistis sighed. It was too bad about the Ragnarok, though.

Nida nodded. Yeah. I was kinda hoping for a chance to fly that thing. How's Selphie taking it?

Quistis smiled. As well as can be expected, I suppose, she said, in a tone that drew laughter from Irvine and Nida.

Yeah, I should probably go check on her, Irvine said, tipping his hat. Y'know, see if she needs a shoulder to cry on.

Quistis, Nida and Keri rolled their eyes.

The remaining three stared out in silence for some time. For the first time in longer than she could remember, Quistis realized, she found herself with absolutely nothing to do. The odd thing was, she found she rather liked that feeling.

So are you all right now, Keri? Quistis asked.

Raising her eyebrows, Keri looked after Irvine. Yeah, I'm fine. She shrugged. It's in the past, you know. There's nothing anyone can do to change it.

Quistis nodded. Nida? How are you feeling?

Don't worry about me. He smiled. After THAT mission, I'll be glad to go back to just being the guy who flies the Garden.

Once again, the three lapsed into silence. It seemed in a way, that after all they had been through in the past few days, anything they could say now would be utterly pointless. So, instead, they merely leaned against the balcony, watching as the two Gardens flew off in the sunset.


Hey, Squall, guess what! Zell called breathlessly as he ran up to the other SeeD. Cid's leaving, and you're the new headmaster!

Squall blinked.

Just kidding! Zell broke out laughing. Man, you should have seen the look on your face....

What is it, Zell?

Hey, come on, Squall! It was just a joke!

Squall started walking away.

Hey, wait! Okay, Laguna wanted to talk to you, okay? He's in the Quad.

Is this it, then? Is this when he plans to tell me? Squall nodded at Zell, who for once took his hint and walked away. It sure took him long enough.

He made his way from the entrance of Balamb Garden around the ring of the main hall, towards the entrance to the Quad. Considering how many thoughts had been flooding through his head every other time his thoughts had turned to Laguna, he was rather surprised to discover that now, his mind was a complete blank. Indeed, he felt almost like he was in a trance as he walked down the stairs of the Garden's recreational center.

It seemed that the students were still a bit wary about the ground falling out from under them, and the place was nearly deserted. Laguna was standing in the lowest portion of the Quad, near ground zero for the only time so far the ground actually HAD fallen away. The president was pacing back and forth nervously, either because of the gaping hole not two meters away or his pending conversation with Squall, the SeeD could not tell.

Abruptly, he looked up. Oh! Hi, Squall! he said, raising his hand as if to wave, but stopping in mid-motion, electing to scratch the back of his neck instead.

Squall didn't reply.

Right, so anyway, Laguna said, shifting his weight nervously, So I'd been meaning to...you know, talk to you for a while about something, and...you know.

Geez, Squall thought. He's waited 17 years, and he still can't get around to it.

So, you remember in Esthar when you asked me about Raine...and I told you I didn't want to talk about it then? Well, you know...I sort of figured you had a right to know and all, so...

Anytime.

Irritatedly, Laguna stomped the ground. Aw, man! he exclaimed. Look, why don't we just —

Why didn't you ever come back?

Squall's question stopped Laguna dead in his tracks. he stammered.

When you found out about me. Why did you stay in Esthar, instead of going to look for me like you did for Ellone?

All the blood seemed to run out of Laguna's face. Y...you KNOW?

Squall nodded. Sis...told me.

Laguna looked as if there was a brood of Propagators coming down the stairs. he said, nearly collapsing to the ground as he clutched at his leg.

Squall watched him impassively. This isn't right, he thought. Shouldn't I be feeling...something? ...Angry? Nervous? Betrayed? Not that I want to start acting out, but...shouldn't this mean something to me?

It certainly seemed to mean something to Laguna. Sitting awkwardly on the floor, clutching his leg, he was looking at Squall with an almost plaintive expression. Squall, believe me, there was nothing I wanted more than to go back and find you. But...I mean, I promised those guys I would help them out! I mean, I couldn't just leave them hanging! Plus, you know, there were still a lot of people in Esthar who still wanted to experiment on Ellone, and I couldn't let them have their way! He sighed. I guess, for a long time I was afraid that if I left, I'd be leading them to Ellone. And, after a while, I just thought that, you'd been growing up for so long without me, it wouldn't mean anything if I just showed up anyway. ...I guess that was just an excuse.

...You might have been right, Squall thought.

Laguna's tone was almost begging as he drew himself to his feet. Squall, I know there's nothing I can do to make up for the childhood you lost, and I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, and losing track of you and never letting you know I existed was the biggest one of all. I don't know if you can ever possibly forgive me, but I just had to let you know that...I'm here.

Squall pressed a gloved hand to his forehead, although the now-familiar throbbing was hardly there. I grew up without any parents. Most of the people I know did, too. I don't know what it would have been like to have a father around, or how my life would have been different. Every time I try to imagine, I just come up blank. It's just totally beyond me.

And what difference does it make, really? Being angry or sad about something that didn't happen just makes you feel lousy, and that thing still won't have happened. Dwelling on the past is just a waste of time. Nothing is going to change the way my childhood was. I'm not going to waste any time with the past.

he said. Before Laguna could respond, he turned and walked back towards the exit.