Rising Pilot!

Chapter 44: The Build-Up.

After Gai's realization and confession, he was quickly given a punch in the gut by Isamu, who begrudgingly forgave him as well...

But the redemption of the character aside, Raito was thinking of what his father said to him before she vanished into thin air.

"I'm going to finish what he started, I'm going to achieve my dream, our dream, her dream, but not in the way that you think."

Those same exact words echoed through his mechanical and cybernetic mind as Cecilia finally had his attention after multiple attempts to call him...

Cecilia: "Raito?"

Cecilia: "Raito!"

Raito: "Huh?"

Cecilia: "I've been calling your name multiple times and you just spaced out..."

Raito: "Oh, sorry about that..."

Cecilia: "It is quite alright, but understand I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."

Raito: "I know, thank you for that, Cecilia..."

Cecilia: "But if you don't mind me asking, what has gotten you all quiet?"

Raito: "I was thinking of what my Dad had said earlier when I arrived to rescue Yusuke."

Cecilia: "Oh, so what did he say to make you space out a lot?"

Raito: "He said he was going to achieve his dream, our dream, Izu's dream, but not in the way that we expect..."

Cecilia: "What do you think he really means...?"

She said with genuine curiosity, while also attempting to get Raito to think clearly, with no distractions.

Raito kept muttering those same exact words multiple times, trying to remember their dream, Izu's dreams, knowing that the more logical route would be terminating Horobi, but quickly changing that way of thinking since his father is planning something else...

But he couldn't think about it now, he had to scold his younger brother who had recklessly charged into battle alone without his help..!

And with that, Raito came up to Yusuke and scolded him for such a reckless attack plan, along with hugging his little brother tightly, tears dripping down his face, thankful that he was okay, despite sustaining minor injuries.

It was at this moment that Yusuke expressed his confusion, to which Raito explained that he was glad that another family member had bitten the dust...

Yusuke was certainly shocked but not surprised by this revelation, in his time of need, his older brother was always there to help him out, it was clear to Yusuke that he shouldn't risk his life like he originally intended to, returning Aruto back to Raito because he was guilty of temporarily replacing Raito, but returning Aruto back to Raito and himself, because they want to rescue their father, together...

So with the brotherly moment over, the two thought about what their father had said, thinking of what he intends to do, and what he plans to do with both of their heads working on full capacity or otherwise known as Top Gear!

Thought their lines of thought were immediately cut out as they were called by Aoi...

Raito: "Aoi, what's up?"

Aoi (Phone): "Get over to my coordinates ASAP!"

Raito: "Woah, what's wrong?"

Aoi (Phone): "Your father is here with me, I'm trying to get him to stop him along with Gai, Shiro, and Taiga!"