Among those present, if anyone was most familiar with Yang Hui, it would undoubtedly be Rey. Several months prior, Creuset had secretly arranged for Rey to receive treatment on Orb's mainland, curing his Mitochondrial Shortage condition. After spending a vacation in Orb, Rey had numerous interactions with Yang Hui due to Creuset's influence.
"As Captain, it's only natural to look after my team members," Rey said with complete seriousness.
"..." Yang Hui gave him a deadpan stare before turning to Athrun and pointing at Rey. "Is this what you call a Captain's dignity?"
"Uh..." Both Athrun and Rey twitched at the corners of their mouths.
"Hmm... He was actually quite adorable back in Orb."
"Eh? Really?" Shinn, Mayu, Lunamaria, and Meyrin all turned their gazes toward Rey as if they had discovered a new continent, their curiosity exploding.
This reaction wasn't surprising. Like Athrun, Yzak, Dearka, and Nicol, they were all graduates from the same military academy class as Rey. Throughout their interactions, Rey had been famously known as the "iceberg beauty."
Ahem "Lord Yang Hui, please refrain from making such misleading statements," Rey coughed lightly, complaining with a hint of resentment.
"Oh? Then who was the curious little kid back then?"
"Uh..."
"Curious little kid!?"
"Please elaborate!"
Rey watched as the others' eyes sparkled with excitement, opening his mouth to speak but finding no words. In the end, he could only cover his face in frustration, knowing full well that Yang Hui's mischievous side had taken over—his Captain's dignity was beyond saving.
"Back then, when Rey arrived in Orb, his guardian was too busy, so I ended up looking after him. During that time, he followed me around everywhere. Because of the differences between Orb and PLANT, he..."
For over ten minutes, Yang Hui vividly recounted Rey's behavior during his stay in Orb, eliciting gasps and laughter from the group. He occasionally shot Rey a teasing glance before continuing his storytelling.
Rey, standing to the side, wanted nothing more than to leave, but Athrun slung an arm over his shoulder with a solemn expression—seemingly offering comfort, but in reality, preventing his escape.
"Let me go! I need to get out of here!" Rey pleaded with his eyes.
"No way. If you leave, I'll be the next target of Yang Hui's teasing!" Athrun's gaze replied.
"You're not the Athrun I remember!" Rey's eyes accused.
"Can't be helped. Bad company corrupts good morals. Spending too much time with Yang Hui has its effects," Athrun's eyes seemed to say.
"Can I just find a hole to crawl into? I promise I won't run!"
"Your promises are worthless. Besides, what's more entertaining than a public execution?"
"Ugh..."
By the time their silent exchange ended, so did Yang Hui's storytelling session. Laughter and exclamations filled the air as Shinn and the others looked at Rey with increasingly strange expressions.
"It's over..." Rey felt like crying but had no tears left. He had anticipated the beginning but not the ending—he expected Yang Hui's mischief but never imagined Athrun would be tainted by Yang Hui's influence!
"Alright, it's about time we head out," Yang Hui announced to the group.
"Eh? You're leaving already?" Mayu, Lunamaria, and Meyrin wore expressions of reluctance.
"Well, I am Orb's Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief of the entire military, you know?"
"Oh, right!"
The group suddenly realized that although they hadn't known Yang Hui for long, the warmth he exuded made them genuinely like him. He carried none of the imposing authority typical of powerful figures or high-ranking officials, instead resembling more of an approachable big brother next door.
"Alright everyone, see you next time. A large-scale operation is about to commence soon, so stay sharp. Let's make sure we don't lose anyone before we meet again."
"Large-scale operation!?" The group was startled and wanted to ask for details, but Yang Hui had already left the training room with Athrun, waving at them over his shoulder without turning around.
"Damn it! That guy..." Shinn grumbled in frustration. Leaving them hanging mid-sentence was so annoying!
"Shinn, Lord Yang Hui wouldn't make baseless claims. We just need to wait for orders," Rey said seriously.
"I know! Geez... But Rey, you're now—"
"Ahem! I'm still your Captain, remember that!"
"Yeah, yeah, Captain Bale."
Faced with their teasing smiles and half-hearted responses, Rey covered his face in dismay—it seemed his authority as Captain would never recover.
...
After leaving the Minerva, Yang Hui and Athrun wasted no time and immediately returned to the Sword of the Heavens, setting course back for Ame No Minashira.
"What's this?" Natarle Badgiruel, Mu, Morgan Chevalier, and the others stared oddly at the two large, fragrant bags in Athrun's hands.
Slurp
"Who was that!?" they all exclaimed.
Growl
Apparently, hunger was contagious.
"Local specialty from Armory One—Secret Recipe Roasted Space Chicken Skewers. Pretty tasty," Yang Hui gave them a thumbs-up.
"They're cold by now, aren't they?" Athrun sighed, baffled by whatever spices the vendor had used—even cold, the aroma was irresistible.
"Someone! Take these to the mess hall. Let's have a chicken skewer party—"
"Absolutely not!"
"Oww! Honey, I'm sorry! Let go! Let go!!"
Seeing Yang Hui acting up again, Natarle's right hand moved like lightning—still as a maiden, swift as a startled hare—grabbing his ear and twisting it in a full 360-degree spin.
"We're still on our return journey! Until we've confirmed complete safety, how can you all be so lax!?"
"Well... I just thought everyone was hungry," Yang Hui mumbled pitifully.
"Hmm?"
"Ahem, exactly! How can you all be so lax! Stay alert!" Yang Hui feigned seriousness. "Athrun, take these to the mess hall. Heat up half and send them to the captain's quarters. Refrigerate the rest—I'll have them when I get back—"
"No way!" everyone except Natarle on the bridge protested in unison. Mu promptly locked Yang Hui in a headlock, while Morgan Chevalier quietly restrained Athrun.
"Hoarding food is shameful!"
"Right! Even the Commander-in-Chief can't do that!"
"Then what do we do?" Yang Hui spread his hands helplessly. "The Captain won't let me share."
Growl
Another stomach growled. The bridge fell into an awkward silence as all eyes turned toward the source—Natarle!
Ahem Her cheeks flushed slightly as she cleared her throat to dispel the embarrassment. "Lieutenant Zala, take the food to the mess hall and heat it up. Everyone will take turns."
"Woohoo!"
"Captain! I love you!"
"Huh!? Who? Who said that!? You wanna die!?"
"I meant respect and admiration!"
"No kind of love is allowed! She's my wife! Got it!?"
"Got it~~!" XN
"Yang Hui!"
"Ow! Honey, let go! Or at least switch positions! I'm really gonna fall!"
...
The cheerful banter was always short-lived. Yang Hui and Natarle Badgiruel entered the captain's quarters—not for romantic endeavors, but because there was intelligence that needed to be reported to Yang Hui privately.
"Found it?"
"Yes. Based on the coordinates provided by Lily Savary, our reconnaissance unit has located Librarian Works' headquarters. However, security is tight, so they couldn't get too close. We don't have specifics on their troop numbers or firepower."
"Doesn't matter. Once we make our move, Librarian Works' destruction is inevitable." A sharp glint flashed in Yang Hui's eyes. The headquarters was the final target, one they had failed to locate until now.
But thanks to intel from Lily Savary's true self, they had finally been exposed!
(End of Chapter)