"How could it be like this..."
Hearing Lacus's words, Flay pouted.
"We can still call each other."
Lacus comforted her gently.
"And Flay can still come to my house."
"Mhm!"
Only after hearing Lacus say this did the reluctance on Flay's face lessen somewhat.
Although she had considered this possibility earlier, after listening to Lacus, Flay understood something.
This wasn't a quarrel—the situation had changed.
Worried at heart, Flay also set aside her playful thoughts and continued, "Then... does my brother know?"
Flay asked softly.
Having attended classes with Lacus during this period, she wasn't completely ignorant.
Now, this question was a small, harmless probe.
"He already knows."
Thinking of how they had bid farewell just moments ago, with everything still as usual, Lacus's voice was certain.
It would be strange if he didn't know.
Yet, there was no reluctance.
Of course, she also knew what he cared about now.
PLANT, and even this world, were about to be engulfed in the flames of war.
They had to take the initiative.
As Lacus thought this, she added, "He is a pillar."
This statement also answered Flay's underlying probe.
After all, it was a war against Naturals—it was only natural for Flay to worry.
"Oh..."
Flay, looking at the resolute girl before her, let out a sigh of relief but then hesitated, unsure what to say.
She had many questions but didn't know where to start.
Somehow, gossiping about the two of them now felt inappropriate.
"Flay, do you have someone you like?"
Lacus, guessing her little sister's thoughts somewhat, took the lead with an amused tone.
"Ah...?!"
Suddenly asked, Flay's face flushed slightly.
And Lacus had no intention of letting her off the hook, continuing, "Look, Athrun and the others are quite nice, aren't they?"
"I don't have those kinds of feelings for them..."
Flay inexplicably thought of that boy named Kira from years ago. Though several years had passed, those memories seemed to grow clearer.
"You already have someone you like?"
How sharp Lacus was—just from Flay's pause, she guessed something.
"Not really... I guess?"
"Eh~"
Hearing Flay's words, Lacus meaningfully drew out her voice.
If it wasn't Athrun or the others, could it be someone she met in Copernicus?
Though quite curious at the moment, Lacus still had serious matters to attend to.
After promising to have a heart-to-heart talk at the next pajama party, she left Junius City.
...
"Father, do you think Fred's plan has a chance of success?"
Back in April City, just in time for dinner, Lacus asked elegantly while eating at the dining table.
Though it's said one should not speak while eating or lying down,
the young lady still appeared quite graceful even while talking during the meal.
Paired with the opulent setting of the dining room, she truly resembled a princess.
It was quite different from how she was at Fred's home.
"The plan is thorough—there is a chance."
Siegel pondered briefly before replying.
"But why is he so certain the transport ship will be discovered?"
"He said it's only a matter of time."
Lacus replied.
Fred had long anticipated Siegel would ask this.
It was no surprise—if something so obvious wasn't understood, Fred wouldn't have bothered proposing a plan at all.
"A matter of time... indeed."
Turning Fred's words over in his mind, Siegel sighed.
"South America is still too close to the Atlantic Federation."
So much so that spies kept emerging endlessly.
It would be strange if their so-called secret agreement could truly remain hidden from the Atlantic Federation all along.
"So, Father, what do you think...?"
Lacus pressed on.
"Proceed according to the plan. Leave the arrangements to you and Fred."
If successful, they could seize the initiative and gain more international support.
The challenge would be suppressing the Radical Faction, which would likely become increasingly difficult. He should inform Patrick beforehand, of course.
Naturally, he didn't think his friend and colleague would refuse.
"Yes~!"
Hearing her father's words, Lacus felt somewhat relieved, though a deeper sense of gravity also rose within her.
This was the first time her father had formally entrusted her with an operation, and such an important one at that—failure was absolutely not an option.
Of course, with Fred involved, the action would be more secure, and she would also have many opportunities to learn.
Perhaps this was also why her father had her work alongside Fred.
Watching the faint, unconscious smile on Lacus's face, Siegel sighed inwardly but said nothing.
Although Fred was a Natural, he was still better than some forced match.
He understood his daughter, just as with the Marriage Matching Law before.
She yearned for freedom.
If he told her there was a fiancé in her destiny, Lacus's resistance would undoubtedly be even greater than her opposition to a marriage alliance with Zala.
With Zala, it was for considerations of peace and political balance.
But with that person, it was all about some so-called fate.
He didn't want his daughter to compromise herself or sacrifice her happiness.
Moreover, he didn't care for Ola's character either.
He couldn't possibly push his daughter into a pit of fire.
"Hurry with the preparations. Give me a message before the plan begins, and I'll notify Patrick."
Siegel stood up as he finished speaking.
As Chairman, he still had much work to do.
"Alright."
Lacus responded gently.
...
Fred's plan wasn't complicated. It was simply about creating confusion and turning the enemy's schemes against them.
The most critical part was whether they could deceive the Atlantic Federation's informants in South America.
And this, of course, required the assistance of the Clyne Faction's intelligence organization.
Fred was only responsible for providing the plan and directing the operation.
"Brother seems very busy lately."
In a private classroom in Junius City, Yzak, who had just finished his operations and systems course, was feeling a bit frustrated.
Compared to dull classes, he clearly preferred fighting.
But the problem was, Fred had been disappearing for several days in a row recently.
"Brother does seem to be absent often lately."
Nicol nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Lowering his voice slightly, he continued.
"Do you think it might be some secret research?"
As Nicol finished speaking, the other two instinctively turned their gaze toward Flay.
"How should I know~"
Flay rolled her eyes at the group and quickened her pace.
Seeing this, the three exchanged a knowing glance before looking away in unison.
"It really does look like she's working on some secret research," Nicol remarked with a sigh.
Flay's expression was easy to read—her slightly smug look was admittedly cute, though a bit too obvious.