Chapter 79: SEED – Pause
Sergeant Murdoch looked at Tolle Koenig with disdain.
"Brat, you call yourself clumsy? You're already close to ace pilot level. That excuse is way too flimsy."
"Heeheehee, just because my dodging skills are good doesn't mean I'm not clumsy. Every time I switch weapons, I still fumble with it.
The key point is, this thing is really handy. It cuts down on the hassle and wasted time from switching weapons.
Works for close and long range, perfect for staying alive. Anyone who uses it will love it.
I really like this design, Uncle Murdoch. Help me design it, okay? When I switch machines later, I still want to use it."
Murdoch nodded helplessly.
"Alright, fine, I'll go with your idea.
But this isn't as easy to modify as a Moebius for space combat. On Earth, we have to account for gravity and aerodynamics.
Ah, damn it, you've just added more work for us again."
"Hahaha, sorry, Uncle Murdoch, take your time. No rush.
Who knows, maybe I'll be changing machines again soon. Make the structure easy to remodel and swap out, please."
Murdoch sighed, not wanting to talk to him anymore, and helplessly went back to working on repairing the Skygrasper.
Everyone in the Archangel's hangar worked hard for most of the day, straight through to late at night.
The same continued for several days, each of them working until nightfall.
When Tolle Koenig finally couldn't take it anymore, he dragged his heavy steps back to the quarters ahead of the others and collapsed into sleep.
Late at night, his shift-mate Miriallia Haw woke him from his pleasant dreams.
Still drowsy, he slowly got up, dressing himself as he stumbled forward.
Miriallia couldn't bear to watch anymore. Acting like a long-married wife, she came over to button up his uniform and straighten his clothes.
"Tor, hurry and dress properly. If Lieutenant Badgiruel sees you like this again, you'll get chewed out."
At that moment, they noticed Sai Argyle standing outside Flay Allster's quarters, talking endlessly.
Both of them fell silent at once and eavesdropped quietly.
"Flay, I'm really sorry to bother you so late.
But during the day, I could never find the right moment to talk to you alone.
About what happened today… could you get up and talk with me for a bit?"
After listening for a while, the two of them quickly left. Tolle Koenig knew Sai Argyle was about to be cheated on by Kira Yamato.
Flay had already gone to take care of the still-unconscious Kira Yamato—and was probably about to turn him from a boy into a man.
Hopefully he hadn't missed that scene. He'd have to go see Kira later if he had the chance.
Of course, it wasn't peeping. He just wanted to revisit a classic moment, that's all. Yes, that's it.
On the way, Tolle Koenig started teasing Miriallia in a whisper.
"Didn't think Sai and Flay actually had an engagement."
Miriallia softly retorted,
"Who said they're engaged? They only just started."
"Isn't that the same thing? Feels about the same.
Just like us—I won't marry anyone but you."
Hearing that, Miriallia was both happy and exasperated. She gave him a glare, then worriedly added,
"Flay's been acting strange lately. She never really disliked Kira before, but now…"
Tolle Koenig knew what she meant, but he couldn't spoil Kira Yamato's growth—and this was his romantic trial, something unavoidable.
"That's because she hates Coordinators, right?
Flay's a year above us, but since she's in the same club as you, she's often around Kira at school.
Kira did say she was cute, but I really hope nothing strange develops. Otherwise, things between him and Sai would get messy."
In his heart, Tolle Koenig added: It's already happened. Too late.
Before long, they parted ways—Miriallia heading to the bridge for her shift, while he went to the hangar for his.
By the time the Skygrasper's maintenance was nearly complete, Murdoch said to Mu La Flaga,
"That's enough for today. It's late. The rest can't be judged until we get her in the air."
Mu yawned and climbed down from the Skygrasper.
"Yeah, with Kira recovered, we might be moving out tomorrow. Really hope we can finish soon!"
Just then, Tolle Koenig, yawning nonstop, walked up to them.
"Yeah, I'm dead tired too. Even sleeping doesn't help. Hope we can wrap this up soon so we don't keep pulling all-nighters."
Murdoch spread his hands smugly.
"Now you know how tough constant overtime is, huh?
And you kept piling more work on us. Let's see if you still dare next time.
But you're lucky—apart from your attack-shield system, the rest is done.
You can go practice on the trainer now. We've got Skygrasper's flight simulation ready."
Mu joked,
"Yeah, go practice. When I've had some sleep, I'll spar with you. We're heading to bed."
With that, Mu and Murdoch left the hangar, while Tolle Koenig stayed behind to train on the simulator.
But before long, the broadcast alarm rang out:
"Second battle stations! Second battle stations! All units prepare to engage immediately!"
Tolle Koenig cursed—damn, he'd missed the scene. Too bad, nothing to watch now.
Since the Desert Tiger had already launched his raid, Flay must've already completed Kira Yamato's transformation from boy to man.
Sigh, he'd been so exhausted lately he hadn't kept track of Kira at all. What a failure.
Unwilling, Tolle Koenig switched the feed—only to see Kira Yamato lying naked on a bed with Flay Allster. Sure enough, it was already over.
Soon, Kira got up, pulled on his pants and shirt, and left his private quarters, leaving Flay behind unclothed.
Sigh… fortune or fate, let it be as it is.
But still, why the double standard between pilots? He was still bunking in a big dorm, while Kira had a private room.
Too unfair! Next chance he got, he'd bring it up—and arrange to share a single room with Miriallia.
Just then, Nami's voice suddenly rang in Tolle Koenig's mind.
"Master, don't be sad. I can actually help solve your problem too.
And~… I've already recorded the entire thing in 360 degrees. Master, surprised? Shocked?"
Tolle Koenig felt this was less surprise and more fright. He nearly jumped out of his skin at her sudden voice.
But since the recording was already done, this was really bad. How could she even record that?
Terrible… he'd have to personally review the footage later.
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