Chapter 239: Kamille's Resolve
"Sorry, but I believe this child was deceived as well."
In the haze of unconsciousness, Kamille vaguely heard his mother's voice.
He tried with all his might to open his eyes, to say that he hadn't been deceived.
But the dull pain at the back of his head made it impossible to lift his eyelids.
"Hmph, I'll take your word for it. But really, it was thanks to this guy stalling that woman. Otherwise, she would've gotten away."
"In that case…"
Perhaps understanding the unspoken implication in the Titans officer's words, his mother's voice carried a note of hope.
Beep!
A mechanical chime sounded—one Kamille was all too familiar with. It was the sound of a payment being made.
"Take care of your child properly. Don't let him stray down the wrong path. After all, we Titans are reasonable people."
Like hell you are! You just hide behind privilege!
Kamille's outrage surged, nearly bursting from his chest.
He desperately wanted to wake up and hurl curses at that damned officer.
"You power-abusing bastards!"
He shouted it!
A mix of joy and fury surged within him.
Even before his eyes opened, Kamille had already clenched his fists, ignoring the pain in his skull, ready to punch the moment he could see where his target was!
But what greeted his eyes was a familiar ceiling and shelf—this was his own room.
And in front of him, looking at his raised fist in fright, tears still lingering at the corners of her eyes—was Fa Yuiry.
"Fa? Why… mmph."
Kamille reached for the back of his head, feeling the texture of a bandage.
Right. His head was wrapped in thick layers of gauze, and he could feel moisture on his fingertips.
"Careful, Kamille! You'll reopen the wound—"
Fa rushed to him, trying to ease him back into bed.
"No, Fa."
Kamille struggled to sit up, pushing away her hand, and grabbed the water glass from his desk. The cold water soothed his pain, if only slightly.
"Where's Beltorchika? Where's my mom?"
He rubbed his forehead and turned to ask Fa, who had reached out again but hesitated to touch him.
"Beltorchika's been detained. Your mom said… she'll be executed in secret. And… your mother went back to the research facility."
Fa revealed everything she knew, her voice growing softer with every word.
Either piece of news would've been a cruel blow.
"Damn it!"
Kamille slammed his fist on the desk, sending several precision components flying to the floor, lost forever.
"I'm going to rescue Beltorchika!"
"You can't, Kamille! What can you even do?!"
Fa finally broke down, throwing her arms around him, burying her face against his back.
"And besides, Beltorchika is with AEUG, isn't she?! She's a criminal trying to overthrow the Federation! You don't owe her anything! Your parents are the ones who saved you!"
As if venting all her emotions, Fa poured her heart out in a single breath.
Her words seemed to reach Kamille—he visibly relaxed in her arms.
Yes, this was for the best. If he stayed, he would be safe and by her side.
With a darkness even she didn't recognize, Fa tried to convince herself of this in her heart.
For a moment, the room returned to the silence it had while Kamille was unconscious.
The persistent pain in his head seemed to urge him to stay down, whispering that everything else was no longer his concern.
Suddenly, the light came on.
But it wasn't the room's interior light—it was the streetlamp outside.
The glow landed squarely on Kamille's desk.
A glint from a particular object caught his attention.
NT-X.
It was the Gunpla he had rebuilt once again.
Bathed in the streetlamp's glow, its twin camera eyes seemed to emit a faint green shimmer.
And next to that NT-X was a data chip—Kamille's recording of Amuro's message.
"Next time we meet, I hope you'll be a dependable man."
That's what Amuro had said.
Kamille raised his head and looked out the window at the streetlight.
That very morning, Beltorchika had stood right there, waving at him.
"Thanks to this guy, we managed to stop that woman."
That's what the Titans officer had said, right?
Which meant—if not for him, Beltorchika might've escaped.
She had sensed his inner rejection and hatred toward the Titans. She'd feared he'd do something reckless and fall into danger, so she stayed to try and take him away.
Kamille realized this clearly now.
What he had wanted to say back then was:
"I want to join AEUG."
If he ran away now, how could he ever consider himself responsible?
He picked up the data chip containing Amuro's message and slipped it into his pocket.
Then he reached out and placed a hand over Fa's.
"I'm sorry, Fa. I can't stay here."
I have to save Beltorchika.
But I won't drag Fa into this!
"No! Kamille, you'll die!"
Fa's eyes filled with tears again.
She desperately grabbed his wrist, trying one last time to stop him.
But in return, she saw only Kamille's resolute gaze.
Fa instinctively stepped back.
She realized—she could no longer hold onto this man.
If that's the case!
"Then I'll go with you!"
Fa clenched her eyes shut and cried out, suppressing the fear in her heart.
"This afternoon, when the Titans came to your house, I was nearby. When they asked about your whereabouts, I was the one who told them! So Kamille getting hurt, and Beltorchika getting arrested—it's all my fault!"
Unable to contain the guilt any longer, Fa pressed her hands to her chest and confessed through sobs.
"I was scared! I nearly got you killed! So please, Kamille—take me with you!"
From her words, it was clear—Fa had already guessed what Kamille's answer would be.
"Fa, you don't need to blame yourself. The real ones at fault… are the Titans. Just as I thought."
Even though the cause of Beltorchika's arrest was standing right before him, Kamille bore no grudge.
Because now, the true enemy was clear.
Kamille's resolve had never been firmer.
"Let me come with you, Kamille—mmph!"
Fa rushed forward, but to her surprise, Kamille struck her neck with a hand chop.
He caught her as she collapsed, keeping her from hitting the ground.
This way, at least the Titans wouldn't come after Fa.
Looking at her face, a softness welled up in Kamille's heart.
Of course he had noticed her constant care and devotion.
Unable to help himself, Kamille pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Ding-dong!
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, sending a jolt through Kamille's body.