After a brief embrace, Felix stood up and walked out of the room.
Athena Bridge
Upon entering, Felix exchanged a brief nod with Aric before taking his seat. His fingers moved across the communicator buttons, sending out a transmission.
Moments later, the communication was connected.
Patrick's face appeared on the screen, followed by his voice through the speakers.
"How did the reconnaissance go?"
"Ptolemy Military Base has strong anti-air defenses. Even after eliminating their mobile forces, attacking the base would still be a highly costly battle."
Felix reported with a grave expression as he looked at Patrick.
After listening, Patrick remained silent for a long while before speaking.
"In that case, we'll terminate the operation against Ptolemy Military Base. Lead your forces back from the moon to the Jachin Due Defense Line near PLANT territory."
Hearing this, Felix's expression turned solemn.
After a moment, Felix spoke.
"Are we simply abandoning Lorentz Military Base?"
"The moon is too far from our territory. Engaging the Earth Alliance Forces there would inevitably require excessive troop deployment. This wouldn't be favorable for homeland defense!"
Taking a deep breath, Patrick made his decision.
"Therefore, considering homeland security, abandoning Lorentz Military Base is necessary."
Seeing that the decision had been made, Felix didn't insist further.
"I understand."
"Hmm."
Patrick gave a brief acknowledgment before advising Felix.
"Felix, you're no longer just a soldier. Leave reconnaissance missions to your subordinates from now on. Don't continue undertaking such extremely dangerous operations yourself."
"Chairman, this reconnaissance mission was particularly dangerous, which is why I decided to lead it personally," Felix explained while looking at Patrick. "I normally assign reconnaissance duties to my subordinates."
Hearing this, Patrick said nothing more.
The communication ended at that moment.
Once the call disconnected, Aric approached Felix and asked.
"Captain, are we really withdrawing like this?"
Looking up at Aric, Felix replied calmly.
"We're withdrawing."
After his response, Felix continued.
"You'll lead the others in drafting the corresponding withdrawal plan. Submit it to me when ready."
Aric looked at Felix, raised his hand in salute and said.
"Yes!"
Giving a slight nod, Felix stood and walked out of the bridge. Aric watched Felix's departing back and snickered quietly.
Felix stopped at the doorway and suddenly turned back to look at Aric.
The snickering Aric was caught red-handed.
An embarrassed expression appeared on Aric's face.
Observing Aric's discomfort, Felix calmly averted his gaze and continued walking out.
"Caught you, didn't he!"
Oakley looked at Aric and teased with a laugh.
Provoked by the teasing, Aric glared fiercely at Oakley and spoke in a serious tone.
"Come and finalize the retreat plan!"
...
In Felix's room
Lacus sat in a chair, placed Pink Haro on the table, and her gaze fell on a photo frame on the desk.
Looking at Felix's family photo, Lacus reached out and picked up the frame.
Her eyes lingered on Felix's parents in the picture, and she felt a little uneasy, murmuring to herself.
"Will his parents be easy to get along with?"
Just as she was thinking this, a soft sound of the door opening was heard.
Lacus, as if caught red-handed, quickly put the photo frame back in its original place, sat up straight like a schoolgirl, and fixed her eyes on the doorway.
At the door, Felix noticed Lacus's tense and unnatural demeanor and felt puzzled.
'Lacus, what's wrong with her?'
While wondering, Felix stepped forward and walked toward Lacus.
As he approached her, he noticed from the corner of his eye that the photo frame had been moved, and in that moment, he understood.
Gazing tenderly at Lacus, Felix picked up the frame.
Under Lacus's watchful eyes, he placed it back in its original position.
"Lacus, I feel like something is missing from my desk!"
"Missing something?"
Lacus muttered in confusion.
She scanned Felix's desk, thinking to herself with some bewilderment.
'Isn't it exactly the same as when you left?'
Seeing the confusion on Lacus's face, Felix bent down slightly and pulled open a drawer. Lacus noticed and looked down to see an empty photo frame.
The sight of the empty frame made Lacus instantly understand.
A joyful smile spread across her face.
While she was still delighted, Felix took out the empty frame and gently placed it beside the family photo.
Lacus stood up then, naturally linking her arm with Felix's, and said happily,
"Felix, shall we take a photo together?"
Turning to look at his partner beside him, Felix replied with a gentle and expectant smile.
"Of course."
As he answered, Felix reached out and operated the computer.
Once everything was set, the two stood side by side.
Lacus linked her arm with Felix's, leaning her head sweetly against his shoulder as she waited for the photo to be taken.
Just as the camera was about to activate, Felix suddenly changed his pose, withdrawing his arm and wrapping both hands around Lacus's waist.
Startled, Lacus quickly regained her composure and, still beaming with joy, wrapped her arms around Felix's neck.
She tilted her head, pressing her cheek against Felix's.
Seeing this, Felix smiled and responded, turning his cheek to meet hers.
As their cheeks touched, the flash went off.
Their pose was captured perfectly in the photo.
Looking at the flawless picture on the screen, Lacus turned to Felix with a joyful smile. Felix, sensing her happiness, let his gaze fall on Lacus's lips.
The next moment, he gently kissed her.
The sudden kiss caught Lacus off guard. When she came to her senses, her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head, burying it against the side of Felix's neck.
Lacus's shy yet delighted voice rang out.
"What are you doing!"
"I'm kissing you!"
Hearing Lacus's lovely and charming voice, Felix wore a smile and spoke with a hint of cheekiness.
Lacus looked up at Felix upon hearing this, gazing into his deep eyes, and in the next moment, she mirrored his actions.
Afterward, Lacus smiled joyfully, her voice tinged with liveliness as she said,
"I want to kiss you back."
"Then I must kiss you back too!"
Pretending to refuse, Lacus laughed and replied,
"No, you've already kissed me just now."