"...Flay."
The girl, having regained her composure, gazed into Flay's bright eyes, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
"It's alright. Your brother helped us drive them away."
As she spoke, Lacus's smile grew even warmer.
"Mhm! My brother is the best~!"
Hearing Lacus's words, Flay's worries faded away.
Heather and the others behind Flay felt the same.
Looking at the familiar family of three, Lacus took a deep breath. Having made up her mind, she pulled Flay aside to a corner, away from her parents, and asked.
"Flay, would you like to move in with us?"
Lacus's voice was soft, but her meaning was clear.
"Huh?"
Flay, who had been wondering what Lacus wanted to say, was suddenly taken aback by the invitation, her round eyes widening in surprise.
"But I sometimes stay over anyway."
Flay replied.
Though she said this, Flay already had an inkling of what was coming.
"It's for your whole family."
Seeing Flay's adorable, dazed expression, Lacus's heavy heart lightened slightly.
"We... move in with you?"
Confirming her suspicions, Flay asked again.
She tried to find the reason for the invitation on Lacus's delicate face, but unfortunately, she saw nothing—only the increasingly lovely and charming features that came with growing up.
"Mhm!"
Meeting Flay's gaze, Lacus nodded candidly.
Junius City was dangerous. The reason she invited them was not only because she genuinely felt close to them but also, undeniably, because of Fred.
Fred cared deeply about his family. If she sincerely treated his family well, he would naturally trust her more.
Moreover, she didn't want Fred to turn dark or anything like that.
If that person ever did something harmful to the world... it would likely be more troublesome than any other threat.
Her intuition told her so.
In short, for both public and private reasons, she had to protect them.
Besides, since Fred had sent them to her this time, it meant he trusted her.
Perhaps he had the same idea himself.
Now was the perfect time to bring it up.
"Will my brother move in too?"
Flay asked again.
"Probably."
Lacus nodded, and Flay's expression soon turned a bit strange. She then gave her best friend a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Lacus... I'll convince my brother to move in!"
Flay's thinking was simple: if she couldn't figure it out, she wouldn't dwell on it.
After all, Lacus wouldn't harm her, and if Lacus was inviting her brother too, Flay didn't believe there was no ulterior motive.
As for whether she felt jealous or anything like that—
Not at all.
After all, Lacus was a princess and an idol already famous throughout PLANT.
In Flay's heart, if there was anyone worthy of her brother, it was definitely Lacus.
And with Lacus as her sister-in-law, wouldn't she be able to walk around PLANT without a care?
The idol everyone outside adored would be her sister-in-law.
Just having this realization already made Flay quite excited.
"..."
On the other side, Lacus watched Flay's actions with a calm expression, but the tips of her ears couldn't help but flush slightly red.
Having already understood Flay's misunderstanding, Lacus felt a rare sense of embarrassment in her usually tranquil heart. Fortunately, her reaction wasn't too obvious, so Flay didn't notice.
Quickly gathering her emotions, Lacus elegantly cleared her throat and continued.
"This is for safety reasons. What are you thinking about?"
"But there's no rush. Go back and ask your brother first."
Suppressing her embarrassment, seeing that Flay didn't know how to respond, Lacus wasn't in a hurry.
She believed Fred had a plan to settle his family.
Moreover, they had just driven away the Atlantic Federation, which would likely lie low for a while before taking any action after analyzing their strength.
After all, the Atlantic Federation was evil, not stupid. They wouldn't recklessly swarm in knowing there were issues with their MS and battleships.
Besides, the Moderate Faction within was also exerting influence.
So, according to Lacus and the mainstream view among the higher-ups here, the world situation should experience a period of calm for some time.
As for Fred, whether he intended it or not this time, giving him a choice was enough; there was no need to force anything on him.
"Alright."
Flay smiled brightly and nodded in agreement.
Although she wasn't entirely sure of Lacus's intentions beyond her brother, she knew Lacus wouldn't harm them, so she didn't ask too many questions.
Besides, it wouldn't be bad to be with Lacus. It's just...
"What about... my brother's classes if we come over?"
Flay couldn't help but ask.
"Classes..."
Lacus was momentarily stunned, wanting to say they probably no longer existed.
After learning about the Atlantic Federation's ambush just outside Junius City, those uncles and aunts would likely take their children back home soon.
With war on the brink and Junius City potentially facing ambushes, who would feel safe leaving their children there? Not to mention that Fred, their teacher, might also leave.
Thinking about it now, the peaceful days they once had were probably gone.
At least not until the war was completely over.
And in the future, after experiencing the brutality of war, could they ever return to their former relationships?
Even Lacus had no clue about these matters and could only silently pray for them.
"I understand."
Although Lacus didn't say it directly, seeing her somewhat somber expression, Flay bravely nodded and then let out a light laugh, as if to comfort her.
"Even if we don't get to see each other for a while, we'll still be friends, right~"
As she spoke, Flay's warm hands tightly covered the back of Lacus's hands.
They had all grown up.
According to the typical enrollment age for Coordinators and here, they could even start university next year.
This separation, though sudden, was something Flay had anticipated.
"Mhm."
Feeling the warmth on the back of her hands, Lacus also smiled softly.
Her troubled expression faded as she leaned forward and gently hugged Flay.
Flay was sensible, and it pained her to see it.
They had embarked on this path, and there was no turning back now.
Ever since Fred's father joined the Atlantic Federation, they had inevitably been drawn into this conflict.
What the future held, she did not know.
But she would never let Fred down.
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