With a gaze calm yet tinged with resentment, Athrun gave Cagalli a deep look before turning toward the Aegis Gundam and striding away.
Seeing Athrun leave, Cagalli called out twice.
"Stop! Stop!"
Her shouts did nothing to slow his steps. Under her watchful eyes, she saw Athrun grab the lift cable and ascend into the Aegis Gundam.
The Aegis Gundam raised its arm and launched the Beacon Signal Transmitter. Once the command was executed, the raised arm lowered.
Time passed minute by minute. The clear sky suddenly grew overcast with dark clouds, and raindrops began to fall from them.
The dry ground gradually became wet!
Feeling the raindrops on her body, Cagalli squirmed like a caterpillar, inching her way toward a better spot.
Crack!
A clap of thunder roared across the sky.
Startled by the thunder, Cagalli lost her balance and uncontrollably tumbled down the slope.
Splash!
The sound of something hitting water echoed.
Cagalli landed in shallow water within a crevice of the rocky wall.
Salty seawater flooded her mouth. Cagalli frowned slightly, spat out the water, and struggled with all her might to twist her body in the shallow water.
Inside the Aegis Gundam Cockpit
Noticing the falling raindrops outside, Athrun stood up and exited the cockpit. As he observed the weather, his gaze inadvertently fell upon Cagalli struggling in the water.
Watching her flounder, a pang of sympathy arose in Athrun's heart.
He turned and went back into the cockpit.
In the Shallow Water
Cagalli tasted the saltiness of the seawater as the tide washed in and listened to the pitter-patter of raindrops falling into the shallow water.
Just then, she saw the Aegis Gundam's shield moving above her head.
"How pathetic."
A voice sounded beside her ear.
Cagalli turned her head and saw Athrun standing next to her.
"None of your business!"
She stubbornly retorted without looking at him.
As she spoke, another mouthful of seawater rushed in.
The salty taste made Cagalli wrinkle her nose. She strained to lift her head, keeping her face above the water to avoid swallowing more seawater.
Seeing her stubbornness, Athrun jumped into the water and reached out to help Cagalli up from the shallow water.
Feeling Athrun's kindness, Cagalli awkwardly muttered her thanks.
"Thank you!"
After saying this, she felt as if the restraints on her body had vanished.
Moving her arms tentatively, the sensation grew clearer, confirming that she was indeed free from her bindings.
She looked up at Athrun, confusion written on her face.
"You...!"
"With you being so clumsy, even unrestrained, you're no threat to me."
Athrun cut her off before she could finish.
Hearing this, Cagalli was displeased and about to retort when she felt something inside her clothes. Forgetting her words and disregarding Athrun's presence, she lifted her shirt.
Athrun was taken aback by her sudden action, and the next moment, a glimpse of her skin caught his eye. Even someone as composed as him couldn't help but blush.
"Why are you blushing..."
Noticing Athrun's flushed face, Cagalli asked with confusion. Before she could finish her question, she realized something and her own cheeks reddened as well.
She sprang to her feet, leaped out of the shallow water, and walked straight out from behind the shield's cover.
Feeling the cool raindrops, a happy smile spread across Cagalli's face as she spread her arms to embrace the rain's cleansing. She exclaimed cheerfully:
"So refreshing!"
Her beaming face and carefree, unrestrained demeanor caught Athrun's eye. Watching her so vibrant and open, he momentarily lost himself.
...
Inside the cave
The shadow of the campfire flickered on the walls, the wavering flames bringing some warmth to their chilled bodies.
"Your clothes should be dry soon," Athrun said gently, having prepared two cups of hot tea and handing one to Cagalli.
Accepting the hot tea from Athrun, Cagalli thanked him.
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Athrun smiled slightly as he replied.
Holding his own cup of hot tea, he returned to his spot and sat down.
Cradling the warm drink and soaking in the cave's tranquil atmosphere, Cagalli looked up at Athrun and couldn't resist asking:
"What's your name?"
"Curious about your enemy's name?" Athrun looked up at her with a light laugh. After a pause, he glanced down at his tea and continued, "Athrun."
"Athrun?"
The name sounded familiar to Cagalli, though she couldn't quite place it immediately. Seeing her thoughtful expression, Athrun chuckled playfully:
"Shouldn't you tell me your name too?"
His words snapped Cagalli out of her reverie, and she realized her rudeness. Meeting his gaze, she introduced herself:
"I'm Cagalli."
Just as she finished, it suddenly dawned on her where she'd heard that name before.
She looked at Athrun tentatively:
"Do you have a friend named Kira?"
Hearing Kira's name, Athrun's expression froze. He stared at Cagalli and asked cautiously:
"You know Kira?"
"Yes!"
Cagalli gave a slight nod.
At her confirmation, Athrun's eyes lowered, and he avoided looking at her. Watching him, Cagalli sensed the sorrow emanating from him.
'Did I touch a nerve?'
"Let's rest early," came his subdued, melancholic voice.
Having said that, Athrun showed no further interest in conversation.
Taking the hint, Cagalli wisely fell silent.
...
Night deepened, and all fell silent!
The flickering firelight in the cave seemed to dim slightly as faint crackles sounded from the embers.
On one side of the fire, Cagalli opened her eyes—having only pretended to sleep—and gazed at Athrun, who appeared to be sleeping soundly with closed eyes on the other side. Her glance fell upon the pistol hanging at his waist.
Looking at the gun, an idea began forming in Cagalli's mind. Rising carefully, she crept softly toward Athrun.
Unbeknownst to her, Athrun—ever vigilant—had detected her movements from the very beginning.
'What is she planning?' he wondered, watching her approach.
While still puzzled, Athrun continued to feign sleep, waiting for Cagalli's next move.
A faint touch at his waist made Athrun instantly realize what Cagalli intended to do. No longer pretending to sleep, he reached out and seized her wrist.
Cagalli's face showed surprise as she looked up directly into Athrun's now-open eyes.
In that moment, Cagalli immediately understood she had been deceived by this guy.
Without time to consider anything else, just as she was about to make another move, Cagalli discovered her other hand had also been captured by him.
"What are you trying to do?!"
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