23 The Reason Why Yuri Fights

"Ship 11. Incident involving accidental ASID attachment."

It was said to be the result of a chain of unfortunate events.

There was no large-scale humanoid assault. Instead, a series of failures on the defense force’s part allowed a single ASID to infiltrate Ship 11.

Nine dead. Eighteen missing.

Excluding the sinking of the liaison vessel carrying the Order, this was the most severe incident in recent years.

The defense protocol was criticized… according to the records.

I was still new to the training academy at the time, but I remember it being chaotic.

"Twenty-seven..."

It was theoretically impossible for someone to go missing within this convoy.

Surveillance cameras monitored every location at all times.

If that failed, it meant one thing: they had been ejected into space.

"Was there a relative of Trainee Sasamori among those missing?"

Given his earlier demeanor, Jin had been thought to believe that.

But it was unclear whether he had revealed emotion specifically in response to May’s mention.

It might be premature to conclude the two were unrelated.

“Don’t know.”

There was no immediate need to reach a conclusion.

Uria shifted focus toward beginning the interview.

“Trainee Nastin. Next is you.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

Uria was, fundamentally, an exemplary student. The problem was her excessive compliance.

“Then, is there anything troubling in dorm life?”

“Yes… one major issue.”

“What is it?”

“May oversleeping.”

“We’ll discuss that later. Anything else?”

“No. That’s all regarding the dorm.”

Should one pity May, singled out for criticism? Or view it as inevitable?

“Anything regarding the squad?”

"Yes. Overall, coordination has improved significantly. The ability to use the simulator for self-practice after lectures seems to have made a big difference."

"Is that so? Did anything feel problematic?"

"Sasamori. It's about you."

Jin's expression did not change, but he registered the mention with quiet surprise.

The report had stated no issues, yet perspectives shift when viewed from another angle.

"Occasionally, you track May with your gaze... I was wondering if you might end up pushing her down."

If Kou had heard that, he would have delivered a sharp retort—something like, "What the hell are you talking about?"

May would have doubled over laughing at such a ridiculous claim.

"...No, that's not likely."

"Really? Why can you say that with such certainty, Instructor? Wait—could it be... an inappropriate relationship between Instructor and trainee...?"

"Would you really want to be saying something like that outside this room?"

The first half holds important information—regardless of the second.

There is no doubt Kou harbors some interest in May.

But wait—something within Jin halts him.

What if Yuriya’s delusions were half-right?

Suppose that interest were love. If Kou, rather innocent, could not speak May’s name directly...

“Yeah, none at all.”

“Such a blunt denial!”

Still, that much could be dismissed as Yuriya’s delusion.

“Not everything needs to be tied to romance.”

...Both of them say that often...

Perhaps it is just the way a girl of her age would be.

Yet, paradoxically, it is precisely that which concerns Jin.

Regardless of skill level, a girl of seemingly ordinary mentality—why would she choose the military path?

“Trainee Nastin. Why have you chosen this path of combat?”

“Why, you mean?”

“Ah. I say this not to offend—but you do not seem to belong on the battlefield.”

Of course, anyone who seems suited to the battlefield is invariably a personality disintegrated—so naturally, Jin is not among them.

“Um, as I said earlier, I tend to connect everything to romance. My parents, you see—they fell in love with such intensity that their relationship became a family legend, and eventually married.”

“Hmm.”

“So I suppose there are people out there who experience such extraordinary love. It makes me think—there are such beautiful things in this world.”

Even after listening, Jin could not discern Yulia’s conclusion.

He nodded, prompting her to continue.

“But recently, and even ten years ago—ASID attacked, didn’t they?”

“That’s right.”

“So I didn’t want to interfere with someone’s beautiful love. I wanted to protect those rare, radiant things.”

To protect the quiet lives of ordinary people—starting with her own parents.

That was Yulia’s reason.

In a way, that might be something everyone possesses.

"...No, one question. If you're so enamored with love, why didn't you try it yourself?"

Why go to such lengths to protect it?

"Um, but you can have a wonderful romance even if you're in the military, right?"

"You've got a strong mind."

The remark slipped out before she could stop it.

"Actually, I prefer people with strong physiques."

"Is that so..."

She almost said Sasamori cadet has decent muscle tone, but held back—Kou would only get flustered.

"Seems like you don't have any real worries."

"Ah, worries! I can't find a wonderful partner!"

"Keep trying. I'll support you as long as you're not breaking school regulations."

"This isn't a counseling session—don't be so dismissive!"

She couldn't afford to care about her student's romantic troubles.

"Then, let us proceed to the main subject. Regarding the Belwahr trainee..."

"I visit her every morning... but she never wakes up. I know it's improper of me to bring this up, but I'm worried."

"To be honest, we've begun to regard this as an issue here as well."

"…I see."

In fact, I'd be interested to meet a soldier who doesn't consider this a problem.

Discipline demands strict adherence to time.

"Have you noticed anything unusual?"

"Sorry. I don't know... just..."

"Just?"

"She seems to be struggling with money."

"Money?"

"Yes."

That, too, struck Jin as peculiar.

As long as she remains at the training academy, she lives in the dormitory.

She does receive a salary, however small.

Her recent vacation trip should have been paid from that.

"Money... money..."

"We don't know if that's the cause."

"No, thank you."

If even Yuriya, the one most likely to know, is unaware, there's only one person left to ask—May herself.

Jin had no other conclusion.

"Um..."

"Ah. Sorry. That's all for the meeting with Trainee Nastin. Come by anytime if anything comes up."

"That's not it. It's about May."

"Hmm?"

"Well, she's a bit careless with time, selfish at times, and leaves everything to others..."

What was it? Jin tilted his head, wondering if this was gossip.

"She's a good girl. So, you know, things like expulsion or... that kind of punishment..."

Ah. Jin realized his mistake. Yuriya was simply trying to defend a friend.

"It's fine. At least for now, we're not considering any such disciplinary action."

Upon hearing this, Yuriya visibly relaxed.

She must have been worried, given how abruptly he'd called for this meeting.

"Sorry. Thank you."

"Once you're back, bring Trainee Bellwair here."

"Understood."

Yuriya's reason for fighting was more straightforward than he'd thought.

The reason for joining is a little questionable... but, well, it's acceptable.

As for the crucial matter of Bellwair, in the end, it remained unclear.

To put it plainly, not even to a friend has she disclosed the reason.

Jin wonders if he could dismantle that wall with nothing more than a question.

"Wall...?"

There is a memory of hearing the same thing in the past.

While constructing the wall.

Ah, I see.

Thus, as information is gathered, one fact becomes clear.

It was that May resembled Jin slightly.

Not Jin as he is now, even if they say he resembles him.

Jin during training academy days. Approximately one year after that.

Jin, before meeting Rei.

Unable to find a reason to fight, she built walls around herself.

There is also a decisive difference.

Jin had nothing. Not even a family, which most took for granted.

But May is not like that.

There should have been at least a proper family.

What does it mean that she is similar to him?

Though their vectors diverged, what did she think, being the focus of attention from both Yuriya and Kou?

Words unspoken remain unknown.

No more stealthy probing.

Only direct confrontation can reveal the other’s true intent.

"Excuse me, Instructor."

"Good to see you, Belwahr trainee."

May arrives at the instructor’s office, summoned by Yuriya.

From here, in a sense, today’s main event begins.

A small, deliberate lick of the lips.