"Let's go!"
As Heine was examining Felix's apartment, Felix's voice sounded behind him. Standing up and turning to look at Felix, Heine nodded in response.
"Mm!"
The two walked out of Felix's apartment one after the other. Taking the elevator downstairs, they headed outside the ZAFT Forces garrison.
"Captain, I know a newly opened barbecue place nearby. Shall we go there for barbecue?"
Heine recommended this to Felix as they walked together. Felix responded to the suggestion with a slight smile and a nod.
Turning his head slightly toward Heine beside him, he said:
"Heine, you can just call me Felix when we're outside. Don't call me Captain anymore—it feels a bit strange."
"Okay, Cap... Felix!"
As he nodded in agreement, Heine almost let "Captain" slip out but corrected himself just in time.
Seeing this, Felix smiled slightly.
The two continued walking along the street toward the restaurant Heine had mentioned.
After about two or three minutes of walking, they noticed a commotion up ahead. Seeing the disturbance, Felix frowned.
"Miss Lacus! Miss Lacus!"
Just as he was frowning in displeasure, shouts reached his ears. Those simple words instantly made Felix understand the reason for the commotion and the crowd gathering.
"Felix, let's go take a look too?"
Feeling the urge to join the excitement, Heine wanted to pull Felix along to see, and if possible, get an autograph.
Felix, who had been about to refuse, hadn't even gotten the words out before Heine dragged him toward the crowd.
Thanks to Heine's brave charge, Felix successfully found himself at the front of the crowd. Standing in the front row, Felix finally got a clear view of Lacus's face.
'No wonder she's called the Pink Diva! Her features paired with that pink hair are truly beautiful, truly lovely!'
As he looked at Lacus, Felix praised her appearance inwardly. While admiring her, he also noticed that the expression in her eyes was still very innocent and naive, not yet carrying the complex emotions they would hold later.
'What a pure expression!'
Just as he murmured this to himself, a loud shout rang in his ears.
"Miss Lacus! Miss Lacus!"
The two loud calls snapped Felix out of his thoughts. Turning his head, he saw the starstruck passion in Heine's eyes as he stared fixedly at Lacus ahead.
Seeing Heine's enthusiastic, fan-like demeanor, Felix thought of Heine's usual self. The contrast made him inadvertently smile.
"Hello!"
A melodious and gentle voice instantly drew Felix's gaze, and he saw Lacus walking toward them.
Watching her approach, Felix remained calm and composed as usual, while Heine presented a completely different picture.
"Miss Lacus, could I have your autograph?"
Looking at Lacus, Heine made his request.
Facing her fan's request, Lacus responded with a gentle smile.
"Of course!"
After these words, Lacus took the pen and, at Heine's request, signed her name on his jacket.
After finishing Heine's autograph, Lacus turned to Felix with a slight smile.
"Captain Griffith, would you like an autograph too?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not really into celebrity chasing."
Waving his hand, Felix declined Lacus's offer. He showed no curiosity about how she knew his name either.
After all, given her father's status, it wasn't surprising she would know his name.
Hearing Felix's response, Lacus put away her pen and smiled at him. Shifting her gaze elsewhere, she turned under her bodyguards' protection to sign autographs for others.
"Heine, shall we go now?"
Seeing that Heine had already gotten his autograph, Felix asked him.
Heine snapped out of his daze and nodded.
Seeing this, Felix turned and walked out of the crowd, with Heine following behind him.
"What a lucky day!"
Looking at the signature on his jacket, Heine murmured happily with a smile on his face.
Noticing this, Felix teased.
"Then you'd better keep that jacket safe. If it accidentally gets washed, your luck will disappear."
"Of course. When we get back, I'll seal this jacket in a vacuum bag to prevent accidental washing."
Looking at the jacket bearing Lacus's signature, Heine spoke with a serious expression and a smile. Felix said nothing more upon seeing this, his gaze fixed ahead.
Barbecue Restaurant
The two arrived and asked the owner for a private room.
Private Room
"This meal is on me. Order whatever you want!"
Looking at the electronic menu, the delighted Heine generously offered to treat. Glancing up at his smiling face, Felix then looked down at the menu.
While placing his order, he said.
"Let me treat you instead!"
After speaking, he continued ordering.
Heine wanted to refuse upon hearing this. Felix seemed to sense it and raised his hand to stop Heine.
"Alright! There's no need for such politeness between us. If you feel bad about it, you can treat me next time."
"Okay!"
Convinced by Felix's words, Heine stopped insisting, saving his treat for another time.
Soon they finished ordering their dishes, paid, set the electronic menu aside, and sat waiting quietly for the restaurant staff to serve their food.
Knock knock knock!!!
A series of knocks sounded at the door.
"Is this restaurant's service really this fast?"
Felix, who had just put down the electronic menu, murmured in surprise while looking toward the knocking door.
Heine shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.
The next moment, Heine stood up and walked toward the door, opening it to look at the staff member as he inquired.
"Is something the matter?"
"My apologies for disturbing the two of you."
The staff member looked at Heine, first expressing regret in his words.
Heine waved his hand dismissively, replying generously and amiably.
"No problem!"
At this point, the staff member continued speaking to Heine.
"Sir, could we discuss something with you both?"
"Just say what you need to say."
Seeing the staff member still hadn't gotten to the point after a few sentences, Heine's tone carried a hint of impatience.
The staff member then continued.
"Sir, would you mind sharing this private room with others?"
Here, the staff member's words shifted as he went on.
"Of course, to express our apology, we'll give the two of you a 40% discount on today's bill and also provide three 30%-off coupons!
How does that sound?"
"No problem! This private room is quite spacious anyway, sharing it isn't a big deal."
Before Heine could respond after the staff member finished speaking, Felix, who had walked over, answered. Seeing that his captain had no objections, Heine also shook his head to indicate he had no issue with it.
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