Chapter 34 - "Home"
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The mechs touched down in the academy courtyard—smoking, dented, but still standing.
Ren's hatch popped open first.
He climbed out—blood on his face, shirt torn, grinning like an idiot.
"Phew! That was close!"
Miku jumped down behind him, already running to the rescue compartment.
She opened it gently.
Civilians first—helped down one by one, blankets wrapped around them.
Then Rei—pale, stomach bandaged roughly, but upright.
Miku supported her.
"You're okay… right?"
Rei gave a small nod.
Then Riku—unconscious, blood on her uniform.
Miku's eyes filled instantly.
She lifted her sister carefully.
Tears dropped onto Riku's cheek.
Colonel Hasegawa arrived—boots clicking, uniform crisp.
She scanned the scene—civilians, mechs, blood.
"Hmm. So you actually did your job properly. Nice."
She waved a hand.
"Leave the civilians here. We'll handle them."
Kaito climbed down from his cockpit.
"Okay."
Ren gave a lazy salute.
"See ya, Colonel."
He turned—saw Saki sprinting across the courtyard.
She ran straight into him—arms wrapping tight.
Hugged so hard he almost fell over.
She started crying—loud, messy sobs.
"I was so scared…!"
Ren laughed—soft, warm.
"I'm home."
Saki pulled back, looking at his torn shirt and the deep cuts on his arms.
"You're literally falling apart, Ren."
Ren grinned, winking at her.
"Don't worry. If I lose a few pieces, I'll just find someone to stitch me back together. Maybe they'll use better thread next time."
She looked up—tears everywhere—then smiled.
They leaned in—slow, gentle.
Lips almost touching—
Kaito walked by at that exact second.
"No public affection. Rules~"
Ren and Saki burst out laughing.
Ren hugged her tighter.
Saki squeaked.
"Sorry!"
They kept hugging—laughing through tears.
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Medical room.
Rei sat on a bed—bandages fresh, color slowly returning.
Kaito walked in.
Mio was already there—hovering like a worried puppy.
Kaito pulled a chair over.
Sat beside Rei.
"You're so strong," he said. "Fighting bare-handed while we were inside robots."
Rei looked down.
"No. I was weak."
Kaito laughed.
"Yeah, you're talking like an anime protagonist now."
Rei looked at him, noticing how calm he was despite the carnage.
"You're weirdly fine, Kaito. It's like you don't have room in your head for fear."
Kaito tapped his chest.
"There's plenty of room in here. I'm just saving the space for something big to fill it later."
He leaned forward.
"Defeat and victory are two sides of the same coin. Throw it—you can't get both. It's better to live and be weak… than die because you're strong."
He grinned.
"Remember—you're not alone. Someone might get hurt by your death."
Rei stared at him.
"Are you flirting right now?"
Kaito's face went red.
"What?! I was just trying to be cool!"
Mio jumped in—literally—landing on Kaito's lap.
"Hey! Talk to me too! I'm here!"
Kaito flailed.
"Ohh—hol—!"
Rei smiled—small, real.
The room felt lighter.
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Outside the Peak Harem Academy building.
Colonel Hasegawa walked call Minister Aiko Tanaka.
Aiko appears in hologram.
Mission report—crisp, efficient.
"We completed the mission. Civilians rescued safely."
Aiko leaned back in her chair.
"Hmm. I wasn't expecting just two units to pull that off."
She smiled—faint, satisfied.
"But I guess we've got some worthy assets."
Hasegawa saluted.
"So what now?"
Aiko tapped her desk.
"As promised—let Saki keep her position as personal assistant. For Kaito… he can continue using our resources. Tell Akane."
Hasegawa nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
Salute.
Ends the Call.
Hasegawa enters into Academy building again.
But.
Akane wasn't in the office.
Hasegawa stepped outside.
Soldiers stood near their vehicles—laughing, talking, wiping dirt from their faces.
One of them waved.
"Colonel! We got all survivers!"
Hasegawa smiled—small.
"Okay. Let's go"
The sun was rising.
Somewhere, a new day started.
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*End*