Alive || 86: Eighty-Six [ vers. ENG ]

last night

The Nordlicht squadron was currently taking part in the battle to recapture the administrative sectors of the Republic of San Magnolia. All eighty-five sectors had been recovered up to the First. Since then, the operation had encountered some difficulties. As far as they were concerned, it was now time to withdraw with the rest of the main troops. The Federation knew better than anyone that it was important for its soldiers to rest so as not to lose their effectiveness.

Throughout this period, Charlize's mind was strangely calm. Returning to her homeland had not been as insurmountable as she had imagined. Because of their status, Grethe had done everything possible to ensure that their group did not come into contact with Republic soldiers without good reason. As a result, interactions with them were minimal. Dirty looks and whispered comments were commonplace even in those days, but they had long since decided to ignore them. The various operations had all been successful, so there was little to worry about.

However, on this last night, sleep would not come. The cause was surely a message delivered by Marguerite, her cousin. At the request of the interim president, Ernst, Colonel Arenberg had been tasked with finding Charlize's house and allowing her to enter it. Her own memories did not allow her to remember the way back. However, as her family had been connected to the government before the war, it had been easy to locate the house.

Now that the fateful day was approaching, her thoughts were racing through her mind. After ten years, what would her childhood home look like?

"Charlize, are you still awake?"

In response to her question, Charlize let her arm fall from the top bunk of the bunk bed.

"Did I wake you, Anju?" she asked, this time poking her head through.

"No, don't worry. I was looking for someone to talk to, and I knew you'd still be up at this hour."

"Hmm... The insomniac's club isn't accepting any new members, but I'll make an exception for tonight since we're going home tomorrow."

Anju laughed softly at her reply.

"So, what's keeping you awake, Snow Witch?"

"Well... lots of things, Ashbell..."

The young woman took a moment to gather her thoughts. Since the operation began, she hadn't been able to completely shake certain intrusive thoughts. Her father, for example. After abandoning his family, was he still alive? Anju didn't particularly want to meet or run into him... but she couldn't get those thoughts out of her head.

"When the soldiers came to take us away, only my father was spared... I don't remember everything, but... I know what didn't happen..."

Her mother was and would remain the only parent she would accept in her heart. At the time, and even now, she couldn't understand what had prompted her father to make such a decision. If he were given the opportunity to go back, would he change his choice? Would he leave with his wife and only child? Would the events following this tragedy be different? These kinds of thoughts continued to flourish in her mind. It was useless to think about it. She had moved on. None of it hurt her anymore. However...