Felix got up and walked out of the office, intending to head to the hangar to pilot the Dawn and return to his unit. Just then, someone appeared before him.
Recognizing the person as Chairman Siegel's secretary, Felix asked, "Mr. Martinez, is there something you need?"
"Captain Griffith, do you have a moment?" Martinez stood two steps away, a gentle smile on his face as he posed the question.
Felix replied directly, "Nothing urgent, but I'm about to return to my unit." He then looked at Martinez and countered, "What is this about?"
"Chairman Siegel has invited you to his residence for dinner," Martinez explained, meeting Felix's gaze.
Hearing that Siegel wanted to dine with him, Felix was momentarily taken aback. He pondered briefly, a thought crossing his mind, though it seemed unlikely at this time. Unable to fully grasp the reason, he decided not to dwell on it and looked up at Martinez. "Since the Chairman has extended the invitation, I can't refuse his kindness. However, I need to change out of this combat suit—it wouldn't be appropriate to wear it there."
Martinez smiled at Felix's gesture toward his attire and responded, "The Chairman anticipated that and specifically asked me to purchase a new set of clothes for you." With that, he handed a shopping bag to Felix.
Seeing that Martinez had come prepared, Felix didn't refuse. He accepted the clothes and went to the restroom to change out of his combat suit.
Emerging from the restroom carrying the bag with the combat suit, Felix considered taking it along to Siegel's home. But Martinez spoke up, "Captain Griffith, you can leave the combat suit with me. I'll have someone deliver it to the hangar to be stored properly."
"Thank you for your trouble," Felix said, handing over the bag with gratitude.
Martinez took the bag, arranged for its delivery, and then escorted Felix to a car bound for the Clyne Residence.
In front of the Clyne Residence
After stepping out of the car, Felix gazed at the villa, which boasted a classic old-century European architectural style, and glanced at the artificial lake nearby. A mix of envy and resentment stirred within him. 'As expected of a leader's home—it's far superior to my own apartment building.'
"Captain Griffith, I'll leave you here," Martinez said humbly from beside the car.
Turning to him, Felix nodded and bid farewell with a "Goodbye and thank you."
Watching Martinez drive away, Felix straightened his clothes and was about to ring the doorbell when a servant from inside opened the gate first, leaving his outstretched hand awkwardly suspended in mid-air.
The servant addressed Felix respectfully.
"Captain Griffith, the Chairman sent me to greet you."
"Thank you!"
After expressing his gratitude, Griffith lowered his raised hand and followed the servant into the courtyard.
The servant led Griffith around the villa to the back garden of the Clyne Residence. Upon arriving, Griffith saw Siegel wearing an apron and flipping skewers on the grill.
Not far away, his daughter Lacus sat on a swing in the back garden, gently swaying her legs as she gazed with her beautiful blue-purple eyes at the serene lake ahead.
Witnessing this picturesque and heartwarming scene between father and daughter, Griffith felt a sudden surge of contentment, thinking such moments made his bloody battles on the front lines worthwhile.
"You're here?"
Siegel looked up from turning the skewers and greeted Griffith in a gentle voice. Griffith's admiration of the serene scene was interrupted, and he nodded at Siegel.
"Chairman!"
Lacus, who had been on the swing, stopped swaying and turned her gaze toward them.
With a tender and sweet smile, she greeted Griffith.
"Hello, Captain Griffith."
"Hello, Miss Lacus!"
Turning to Lacus, Griffith smiled slightly in response.
Just then, Siegel picked up a skewer and handed it over.
"Try it and see how my cooking is?"
As he spoke, his eyes held an expectant look as he watched Griffith.
Looking at the skewer Siegel offered, Griffith said "Thank you," reached out, and took it.
As he was about to taste it, he noticed Lacus getting off the swing out of the corner of his eye. She jogged over, stopping in front of the grill, and asked in a slightly spoiled tone.
"Dad, how are my skewers coming along?"
"They're ready!"Faced with his daughter's coquetry, Siegel's expression softened with affection as he picked up the skewers he had prepared for Lacus and handed them to her."
Lacus took the skewers from her father, turned to Griffith, and said with a smile,
"Captain Griffith, my dad's skewers are amazing—you should try them quickly!"
After speaking, Lacus took a bite of the skewer.
The moment she bit into it, the freshly grilled skewer burned her mouth, and she quickly let go, sticking out her tongue.
"It's so hot!"
"You silly girl!"
Siegel chided her affectionately, then handed her a glass of water. Lacus took the water from her father and drank nearly half of it in one go.
After drinking, Lacus noticed that Griffith had already eaten more than half of his skewer and asked curiously,
"Aren't you afraid of burning yourself?"
"Skewers are best enjoyed hot—they lose their flavor once they cool down."
Griffith replied with some expertise as he looked at Lacus.
After his reply, his eyes lingered on the Wheat Juice on the table, looking tempted.
Siegel noticed Griffith's gaze and encouraged him,
"Go ahead, have a little. It's fine."
"No, thanks! I don't drink when I'm not on leave!"
Waving his hand, Griffith declined Siegel's offer. Instead, he picked up a bottle of soda from the table, bit off the cap with his teeth, and took several large gulps.
As the soda went down, a refreshing sensation washed over him.
"Ah, refreshing!"
He let out a satisfied sigh.
After speaking, he quickly finished off the remaining skewers in his hand.
"Was I right?"
Seeing Felix finish his skewers, Lacus spoke with a hint of pride and satisfaction in her tone.
Turning to Lacus, Felix nodded at her before shifting his gaze to Siegel and praising, "Chairman, your skewer-making skills are truly excellent!"
"Not at all! It's just a hobby of mine," Siegel waved his hand modestly.
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