Disclaimer: Sunrise


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Tokyo, October 2020

"Miss, you don't have too—"

"It's okay, I want to. Don't worry, Cagalli is with me, so you guys can rest for a while," Lacus smiled at her maids and cooks. Warily, but obediently, they left the kitchen, where Lacus was trying to help Cagalli.

"They all seem reluctant though," Cagalli couldn't help but stare at the leaving helpers, who were still popping their heads from behind the door. She had never known a family who actually had this many helpers at their house except in a movie. "Do we make some for them too?"

"Can we? I already prepared the ingredients, so it's enough for them too." She showed Cagalli all the ingredients she had bought, piling up like a mountain of food.

"How many helpers do you have in the house?" Cagalli asked, trying to suppress her surprise.

"Not much, only the ones in charge of kitchen, the house, the butler and-"

Cagalli's mind whirled at those she mentioned. She already realized there was a gap between her and Lacus but she didn't realize it was this huge.

Now here they were, at Lacus's house, having their usual weekend study session, as the final exam is nearing and next year they would have their entrance exam as well. Cagalli was having her proficiency test next month too, and she was nervous yet excited for it. Now she was getting even more earnest about her study. Her exam card would be delivered in a few weeks, and she was excited for it. Now, with Kira joining her, somehow she felt a little bit calmer than before, since her brother supported her wholeheartedly and helped her study again, just like old times. She was extremely grateful and helped by the way Lacus and Athrun explained things to her, but Kira also had his unique way that she was already used to when helping her study, so Cagalli was more familiar with Kira's explanation. It was kinda relieving to her that some things were still the same, even after years of being apart.

As it was in the middle of autumn and the weather was getting colder, Lacus offered to have their study session at her place, and have a meal together at the end. Cagalli saw this as her opportunity to fulfil her promise to Kira and make that oden for him, so she offered her hand to do the cooking. And Lacus, who had never cooked except for the Home Economics class (and mostly it was her friends who did most of the work since she was a bit clumsy in the kitchen) was getting excited to help. Hence the worried expressions on all her helpers. And after a few minutes into their cooking, Cagalli was getting the gist of which task was safe for Lacus and which one she better handle herself. Cagalli did all the chopping, and for things that didn't involve knives, she let Lacus do it.

"Put the mushroom, mochi and meat slices inside the tofu pouch just like this," Cagalli showed her how to make the treasure bag, "And then close it with a toothpick in waving way like this," she expertly sticked the toothpick to make the small pouch, and put it aside. "Now you try, Lacus."

"O-okay…" Lacus stammered a bit. She picked one slice of tofu skin and started putting the fillings inside. Cagalli would sometimes warn her not to put too many fillings, or to be careful on handling the toothpick so she wouldn't hurt herself. After a few tries, Lacus already mastered the art of making that treasure bag, so Cagalli left her on it and made another prep for the oden.

After a few minutes of making the stuffed cabbage, Cagalli casually called out to Lacus, to which she replied with a simple "Hmm?" as she was too focused on her task.

"The one you talked about that time at the cafe, about the one you like, it's Kira, right?" Cagalli asked out of the blue, which made Lacus drop the tofu skin right on the chopping board. At that, Cagalli turned her head toward Lacus, who was bright red and trembling.

"So cute," Cagalli thought inwardly and unconsciously she chuckled at her reaction. Lacus always looked calm, but when it was about the one she likes, she turned into a maiden with a delicate heart.

"I guess I'm right then," she faked a cough. "So, have you told him about Austria?"

"I haven't, but I'm planning to, soon," she whispered.

Cagalli plopped her hand on Lacus' shoulder, "You weren't this stiff the last time you talked about him," Cagalli told her in a carefree voice.

"Because it's you…" she whispered.

"What about me?"

"You are Kira's sister…"

"So?"

"About me… what do you think… of…"

"I think it's great if you become my sister-in-law," she answered.

"Cagalli, that's—" Lacus shook her head, it was still too early to be talking about being in laws. She turned her steaming face, meeting Cagalli's—who was chuckling warmly at her-carefree face.

"You won't be like his last girlfriend, right?" To which Lacus shook her head. Cagalli already had some catching-up with Kira, and she already knew what had happened between him and his last girlfriend, Fllay Alster. What Kira had felt had something to do with their parents as well, and Kira needed to let it out to her, the only one who completely understood the roots of his feelings-that he had some kind of traumatic experience because of their broken family which started from a cheating father.

"Then I approved," she let her go, and went back to cutting the cabbage. "If you want to know anything about Kira, just ask me. Well, I didn't know anything about him after he got adopted, but I can give you any information I know when we were still together. Like this one," she gestured at the stuff in Lacus' hands. "Kira loves oden, especially that takara-bukuro, but hates konnyaku jelly in any way served. If you are making something for him, make sure to avoid konnyaku."

"Oooh," was all Lacus' response to the new information. She would have to ask Cagalli more about Kira later. "Thank you, Cagalli." Lacus now gathered all the treasure bags she made into a bowl.

"So, have you decided yet, if you are going to Austria or not?" The change of subject stopped Lacus' hands movement for a while, and then she resumed the work slower than before.

"I have," she whispered. "This month all homeroom teachers asked everyone to fill out the guidance counseling card. Everyone wrote what they are going to do after they graduate, continue to uni or any other school or look for a job. I wrote in my card that I'm going to take the offer to Austria. I have consulted about the plan too. I'll be taking Germany course for a year, but I'm still not sure if I'm going to take the full course or the short one for my actual study." Lacus paused, "I'm still thinking about how fast I can go back to Japan, to see him again," she half-smiled, feeling that Cagalli might rebuke her or something for that. She started to feel like her own elder-sister.

"But if you are studying there, then won't it be better to pursue your career there?"

"It might be, but I still haven't decided which path I want to be doing, since there are quite some options available for a singer," she took a deep breath and continued. "Maybe it's because I'm still trying to tell myself that it's better for me to accept the offer. I do want that offer, but Kira's still on my mind. But I promised to myself that I want to plan it all carefully so I won't have any regrets. I want a clear mind when I decide which path I will choose. One step at a time, right?" Lacus smiled.

Cagalli couldn't help but smile back at her. She was glad that Lacus seemed to have found her way. "As long as it's the one path you believe in, I'm sure you won't have any regrets. And that's the best path for you. I'll support any choice you take."

"Thank you," Lacus paused, and added in a low voice, "Sister…"

"What? What was that?" Cagalli asked, though she somehow could hear it the first time.

"No, nothing," she answered as she continued her work, her face even redder that before.

Cagalli just chuckled again and resumed her cooking preparation, letting her go for now.


"Say, Kira," Athrun called as they sat in the gym hall. They were in PE class, and their class was doing gymnastics today. They were gathering in the gym hall, doing straddle vault. In front of them was the vaulting box on top of a large mattress. Their teacher, Fllaga, was giving instructions to the students doing the vaulting, and instructed them to do it one by one. As they were waiting for their turns, Athrun started a conversation with Kira.

"Hmm?"

"What did you write on your guidance counseling card?" Athrun asked as his eyes were following one of the students leaping to the vaulting box. "Have you written and handed them out?"

"I have, but still not sure though. I'm having a counselling session with sensei tomorrow."

"Really?" Athrun turned his head. Kira had never told him about his plan, so this was a first for him.

"You are going for engineering, aren't you?" Kira guessed; even though that was pretty much clear from the start. "I'm planning on majoring in exercise physiology. With me being in second place at the Judo tournament, I might be able to apply for a scholarship, and it's still not that far from the sport I've been doing. I just haven't had the chance to check the place yet. I want to choose the best uni of course, but I think I want to be closer to Cagalli now that she's back in my life. So I'll ask her which school she'll be going to first."

The sounds from the students doing vaulting exercise were echoing through the gym hall as their conversation continued. "Are you going to leave your family and live on your own?"

"I'm thinking about that, but they already told me if I'm going to choose a university in Tokyo, it's better to stay with them. Though I'm worried about Cagalli living alone. That's why I want to be near her if possible."

"Is that so…" Athrun mused.

"Do you know anything about Lacus?"Kira suddenly asked, as if it just came to his mind. "Is she going to go to uni or try to pursue a career in singing?"

"Ah, I haven't heard from her, nor have I asked her. Maybe I'll ask later," Athrun replied before their teacher's voice caught the two's attention.

"Yamato san!" Their teacher called, signaling Kira to go to take position on the vaulting box bench.

Athrun watched quietly from the sideline as Kira took a leap from the springboard. Though he only watched idly, he was sure he didn't imagine Kira's face suddenly contouring in confusion and sudden discomfort there as he put his hands on top of the box, which had him on alert.

Sensing something bad happening, he got to his feet. But even so, he couldn't prevent what happened next.

Kira, who was known for his agility thanks to all the training for almost 6 years in Judo, slipped on top of the vaulting box, and as he lost his balance, toppled over to the front, on top of the mattress.

"Kira!" Athrun leaped forward to his aid, his steps getting faster as Kira was still lying on the mattress. He should be getting up and smiling sheepishly, saying he lost his balance and asking the teacher to try once more. He should be having enough strength to do that.

"Yamato san, are you okay?" Fllaga kneeled beside him as Athrun got there too. They both could see Kira was holding his left wrist and his face scrunching in pain. "Zala san, can you help me take him to the infirmary? He might have hurt his wrist earlier when he jumped." Athrun nodded to the teacher, who gave some instructions to the rest of the students. While he did that, Athrun tried to talk to Kira.

"Kira, we're going to the infirmary. Can you stand?" he tried to get Kira on his own feet. He sighed in relief as Kira seemed to understand him just alright, and tried to stand. But it was short term, as apparently Kira was only trying to reach him.

"Athrun…" Kira said through his teeth.

"What is it?" He asked as he tried to support Kira's body.

"Cagalli… Help…'er…"

"What?" Athrun stared at his friend's face. Why was he suddenly talking about Cagalli? "What do you—Kira!" He shouted as Kira suddenly lost his consciousness.


As the P.E. class was their last class today, not long after they reached the infirmary, the bell rang, indicating the end of today's class. Athrun could hear from the infirmary, the noise of the other students in the hallway, ready to go home or doing whatever they needed to do before going home.

Light dashing steps could be heard nearing the infirmary so he walked to the door. Before he could open it, the door opened to reveal Lacus who seemed to run with all her might from class to here, with a panicked face.

"Where is he?" she asked straight without any greetings to Athrun.

"Inside with the infirmary teacher. Can you stay there for me? I want to check on something—"

Lacus just walked past him to the infirmary bed. Seeing that his best friend was in the right hand, Athrun walked out of the infirmary and opened his phone. He had sent a message to Cagalli that Kira suddenly collapsed at school. There was still no read-mark on his message. Maybe she was still at work and didn't have her phone with her. But something just nagged at him; and with Kira's last words before he collapsed.

Deciding that there wouldn't be any harm—the least he could get was Cagalli not answering his call, Athrun tried to call her via the messenger.

At the fifth ring, when he was about to end the call, it got picked up.

"Hello?"

Athrun's body froze. It was not Cagalli's voice. Moreover, it was a guy, and from the sound of it, seemed young enough. Cagalli had told him about Andrew, whom she was living with—a middle aged man, and this guy was definitely not Andrew.

"Umm… Hello? You still there?" the voice from the end of the line called to him.

Still wondering why some other guy answered Cagalli's phone, and why it somehow irked him, Athrun decided to gain information from him. "Hello, my name is Athrun, isn't this Cagalli's phone?"

"Ah, it is. She's just… unavailable at the moment…"

"Unavailable?" Athrun repeated, confused. "She is supposed to be at work right? Did she leave her phone at home?"

"No, it's not that… Umm…" Athrun could hear the uneasiness from the other end of the line. There seemed to be another person with him, and sounded like a female voice. Was he lying about Cagalli being unavailable?

"Where is she? I need to tell her something, it's about her brother," Athrun urged.

"Huh, so she really has a brother?" That comment just made Athrun even more irritated. Why couldn't this person just tell her where Cagalli was?

"Then I think it's okay to tell you… I'm not sure though…" He sounded uncertain, like talking to himself, but finally said, "Listen, if you know her brother, can you tell him that Cagalli has been admitted to the hospital and to tell him to come here as soon as possible? She fell from the scaffolding at work, and the doc is currently seeing her—"

All Athrun could feel were his surroundings disappearing, and he couldn't feel or hear anything else, and his mind repeating the words he had just heard.


Sorry for the wait, I'm stuck editing this chapter even though its practically finished last month. Hopefully I can finish the next chapter soon

If the part about the study in Vienna is wrong, I apologize for that. The part where Lacus learn the language first then the actual study is actually the common course for studying in Japan, and I'm using that here

See you next chap

Cheers~