Luca did not expect that kind of reception.
While he'd been excited to see his family and friends, he definitely didn't expect a crowd waiting for him the moment he stepped out of the arena proper.
"!!!"
A swarm of elderly people surrounded Luca like he was the key to the fountain of youth.
He blinked.
They blinked back.
No one moved.
Until Instructor Moore, bless his soul, descended like a divine intervention and reminded the excited elders that Luca still had to deal with the mecha pilot.
"!!!"
That's when it hit him.
Luca slapped his forehead.
He'd forgotten all about the pilot he stashed away!
Inside the cockpit, Deputy Officer Curtis thought he had died. The light had been so blinding, he assumed this was it. A hero's sendoff. A clean death, even. But no—unfortunately for Curtis, the light cleared up to reveal something far more horrifying.
Old people. So many old people.
And one very familiar woman.
