Warning: Sex, Violence, at the same time, if you are under 18 and do not have a parent beside you that condones reading this story. If you read on, and are squicked out, I'm not responsible.
Festum attacks, along with messages from New United Nations, temporarily stopped. The precious free time was used to train more Fafner pilots. Kazuki was both aggressor and bait in a complicated game of paintball, but the new pilots were like clumsy toddlers. They broadcasted their every move, making the game infinitely easy for Kazuki. Feigning left and attacking from behind, or running to a more strategic battle point, Kazuki briefly wished that fighting festums were this simple. If only all battles used paint rather than destructive weaponry, how many lives would be saved?
But that was wishful thinking, and to protect the world, Kazuki would have to defeat the festums. He still clung to the idea that the island could work in conjunction with New United Nations, but learned to keep the idea to himself, as friends began avoiding him, and his father ignored half the things he said. One Fafner pilot clumsily attacked, but Kazuki saw the shot before the other person even aimed. Dashing on top of a hill, he quickly fired without looking, but still managing to hit his target.
Another that thing that bothered him was Soushi. Whereas he had been quiet and serious before, he still always found time to talk with Kazuki. In fact, the only person he spoke with was Kazuki, but now that Michio came back to the island, the two were inseparable. Not that he was jealous of the praises Michio received, but he wondered how much integrity a man who blasted his own partner out of the sky for a handsome amount of money, or whatever Soushi offered him, could have. Soushi had never been a good judge of character, and there were many similarities between Michio and Soushi. They both did not blink at sacrificing a life for what they deemed as a good cause. In addition to the threat the festums originally presented, Kazuki now had to wonder when one of the two would betray him.
Dodging another amateur attack, Kazuki reflected on the past- the past where he believed that they were all living normal lives, Tokyo was still the bustling center of the universe, and he trusted Soushi. But he must be realistic; Soushi never cared about him, all he cared about was Fafner and the island. Still, Kazuki wished to believe that every human being could change for the better, including Soushi- especially Soushi. One day, the people on the island would realize the truth in Kazuki's words. It's not as if this island was that important in face of the vast earth. And here they were spending all this time defending one small island, instead of helping innocent human lives. Instead of practicing, they should be out there doing something.
Thought after thought drifted through Kazuki's mind, and all of a sudden red paint splattered his vision. "Defeated by a trainee," he thought, "how humiliating." The practice session was halted for the day, and Kazuki itched to get out of the synergetic suit. Just as he was about to go change, he saw the faint figure of Soushi. Kazuki chased after the elusive shadow of his friend. Accosting his quiet friend, Kazuki asked, "How are you these days?"
Soushi looked at him and then away.
Kazuki was undeterred. "Hey answer when someone asks you a question!"
"Fine," stated Soushi in a flat voice.
"I never got a chance to thank you for rescuing me." Kazuki said, trying to come up with anything to chase away the awkwardness he was feeling. This was his childhood friend, but now he felt like he was speaking to a stranger. Then Soushi smiled, a ghostlike gesture, and in a moment, conversations, betrayal, arguments were all forgotten. Acting on impulse, Kazuki hugged his friend, mumbling, "I miss you." A startled gasp was heard, and for the first time in weeks or perhaps years, emotions rose in Soushi. He hugged back, and the world was pleasant once again.
But wishful thinking was never reality, and the moment passed. The two friends became strangers once again. Soushi nodded and left. Kazuki resolved himself to fight to save the world and all the people in it. A gap was formed and no miracle could mend these two friends. Only a sense of loss remained.