[ Nakajima residence, Southern Mid-Childa / September 20, 0078 20:04 ]

Subaru's heart beat madly, as she approached the familiar door. She took a few deep breaths before daring to push the doorbell.

She fought back the urge to run away as she waited. Finally, light steps approached from the other side. The door swung open, revealing a young woman with long purplish-blue hair, her blue eyes full of astonishment.

"Hello, Gin-nee," Subaru said weakly, meeting her eyes for a moment.

"Subaru!" The delight in Ginga's voice made her raise her eyes again, but Ginga already turned back to the house: "Dad! Cinque! It's Subaru!"

A few moments later, Subaru was seated on the sofa in a large but cozy living room and bombarded by questions. Tears suddenly swelled up at the corners of her eyes.

"Subaru?" Ginga put her arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"Gin-nee… Dad… Cin-nee…" Tears were falling onto her hands, clenched upon her knees. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…"

Ginga pulled her into a hug, whispering in her ear:

"It's OK, Subaru. It's OK…"

"No, Subaru. It is me who should be sorry," Genya looked down. "For never figuring out how to help you when you needed our support. You are a big girl now, and all I could do was to hope you'd return to us some day."

"It's OK, Dad," Subaru smiled through tears. Ginga's hands and chest were soft and warm. "It's me who acted dumb…"

"Well, well," Ginga interrupted their mutual apologizing. "I bet Subaru wants to see her room after so long. Cinque, dear, would you please make us all some tea?"

"Yes, Ginga-neesama," the small platinum-haired girl nodded.

Ginga took Subaru to the bathroom, and then to the second floor. The door to her room opened with a creek, revealing it just as she remembered it. If it weren't for the absence of dust, she would have thought nobody went in here since she left. The window overlooked the woods, reminding her of Walder. The walls were still covered with newspaper clippings, extranet printouts, and years-old Bureau posters. She smiled, looking at the person depicted on them.

"Subaru, I know it is not really the time for this…" Ginga traced her gaze. "But don't you think it is time to move on?"

"Gin-nee…"

"These posters, Subaru… They are dragging you into the past, when you should look forward to the future."

Subaru thought about it. Ginga was right and yet, what she suggested felt like treachery.

"You could replace them with Lanster-san's pictures," Ginga suggested playfully, making Subaru blush.

"Gin-nee!"

"Oh, don't give me that. I've seen your love-struck puppy eyes when you were looking at her… I hear you two have been lent to the Navy on Admiral Harlaown's personally request."

"Yes," Subaru was glad to change the topic. "Though we are not really allowed to talk about our mission."

"Does it have to do with the Cradle?"

"Yes," Subaru confirmed after a pause.

"Take care of yourself, Subaru," Ginga asked very earnestly. "And speaking of which…"

She walked towards the desk and came back holding a heavy armored gauntlet. Subaru stroked it tenderly.

"I haven't worn it since the day you gave it to me, Subaru. This one belongs to you. One day, one of us will wield both of them and we will make Mom proud."

"It's a promise," Subaru nodded, pressing Revolver Knuckle to her chest.

"Oi, Ginga-neesama, Subaru," Cinque's head popped through the door. "Nove and the others just came running and demand to see you."

"Well, we better not keep them waiting," Ginga smiled.