"You... you hit me too..."
"What? Can't I hit you? Listen well, Cagalli—Lord Uzumi may spoil you, but I won't! Others might not dare to strike you, but I do!"
With that, Yang Hui strode up to Cagalli, grabbed her collar, and yanked her up, forcing her to face the direction of the funeral pyre where their fallen comrades were being honored.
"What do you see?"
"Y-you... what do you mean?" Cagalli stammered.
"I asked what you see!"
"It's... it's our comrades' funeral..."
"And do you know what I see?"
"W-what?"
"A bunch of fools whose reason has been swallowed by hatred and rage! A crowd of idiots spurred on by some ignorant brat to throw their lives away!"
"H-how can you say that!? Everyone... everyone fought desperately! For the people and things they cared about, they gave their lives!"
Slap!
He released her collar only to strike her again, then hauled her back up.
"Have you already forgotten what Kira told you? Without power, without a plan, what can empty slogans protect? What can battles like these achieve besides pointless sacrifice?"
"I... I... sob..."
Seeing Cagalli's pitiful state, Yang Hui let go, letting her collapse to the ground.
"You have no right to scold me, no right to scold Lord Uzumi, and certainly no right to scorn the nameless heroes who sacrificed everything for Orb in the shadows."
"N-nameless... what... what do you mean?" Cagalli looked up at him in terror.
"Do you think Orb's neutrality was built on empty slogans like the ones you shout?"
"No... I didn't..."
"In the places you refuse to see—no, the filthy corners you won't even glance at—the beggars you disdain could be our intelligence operatives. They risk the gallows every day for Orb, for our nation. And you... you dare belittle their contributions? Do you have that right?"
"I didn't! I never did that!"
"Then tell me, what exactly are 'shady dealings'? Is negotiating with other nations for our country's benefit 'shady'? Is strengthening our military to avoid becoming helpless prey when enemies descend 'shady'?"
"I... I..."
"Do you know why I hit you? Because you know nothing, yet remain blissfully ignorant. You stand on your high horse and judge others—tell me, what gives you that right? Just because you're Orb's princess?"
"I didn't! You're lying!"
"Think carefully before answering, Cagalli. Your response will determine my final decision about you."
"What, more hitting? You've already struck me twice—go ahead, do it again! I'm not scared..."
"Heh."
Watching Cagalli revert to her usual brash, tomboyish self, Yang Hui sneered coldly before turning to leave.
"Tch. Some tough guy. Too scared to hit me now?"
"Cagalli, enough. Stop this," Kisaka interjected, stepping forward to calm her.
It was clear that Cagalli didn't grasp the weight of Yang Hui's final words—they weren't just a reprimand but a threat.
The "final decision" Yang Hui spoke of wasn't merely about disciplining Cagalli. Given that his suggestions and decisions already represented Orb's core leadership, if Cagalli continued her reckless behavior without self-awareness, she could face lifelong house arrest, imprisonment, or worst of all, exile from Orb.
"Kisaka! Why are you here? Why didn't you help me earlier?"
"..."
Kisaka gave a bitter, self-mocking smile. Help you? The best outcome was not siding with Yang Hui to discipline you—and you still expect help?
Yang Hui was right. You deserved that scolding. If I hadn't watched you grow up and Lord Uzumi hadn't repeatedly asked me to protect you, even I would've been tempted to slap some sense into you.
"Enough of that, Cagalli. You really should reflect on what Yang Hui said. Otherwise… you'll lose the right to even tell others your real name."
"Even you—"
"Yang Hui was right about one thing. Whether it's Lord Uzumi or the rest of us, we've all spoiled you."
With that, Kisaka ignored Cagalli's protests and quietly stood guard beside her. After a while, Cagalli sat down, hugging her knees as she cried.
...
Yang Hui wasn't far away and could hear Cagalli's sobs, but he paid no attention. He had said and done all he needed to. For Cagalli and Uzumi, he had gone above and beyond. If Cagalli still refused to understand and continued acting out, he wouldn't hesitate to remove her from the equation early.
"You're forgetting—you're part of the reason she's spoiled too," Lyle remarked with a smirk as he sat beside Yang Hui.
"..."
Yang Hui stayed silent. Had he spoiled Cagalli? Well… maybe. Otherwise, why had he, like Uzumi, shielded her from the world's darker truths even as she grew older? Why hadn't he lost his temper more often, scolded her harshly, or lectured her at length?
"Regretting it now?"
"… I never regret what I've done."
"Fair enough. But that girl—"
"This is her last chance. The chaos of war is about to peak. I won't let her ruin everything we've planned for everyone."
"Didn't you say it yourself? You want it all?"
"… Then she'll stay in Orb, living as a carefree princess for the rest of her life."
"You really think she can?"
"I'll make sure she does."
"We'll see."
"… Enough of this. Lyle, tomorrow I need you to go here and buy everything on this list."
Lyle took the list from Yang Hui, skimmed it, and raised an eyebrow.
"So you're done hiding things?" Lyle asked.
"At this stage of the plan, it doesn't matter anymore."
"Then why not have the homeland ship it over? This stuff… I'm worried it'll fall apart." Lyle waved the list dismissively.
"No time. And the risk is too high. It's disposable anyway."
"Heh, really now..." Lyle was about to say "rolling in money," but then he thought about it—hadn't they been just as wealthy back in the Gundam 00 world? Yang Hui was the highest-ranking leader of the Celestial Being project, with full authority to mobilize the organization's resources and funds. Back then, they had thoroughly fleeced those major families and conglomerates, so money was never an issue.
Compared to those days, their current situation could be considered living on a tight budget.
"Alright, I get it. I'll be back by dusk the day after tomorrow at the latest. Will that be in time?"
"Yes, that'll work."
"I'll set off now."
"Stay safe."
...
The next day, Yang Hui also departed, accompanying Sayibu and the others to Baladia, the largest city, to procure supplies. Along for the trip were Natarle Badgiruel and another member of the Archangel, as well as...
"Why are you tagging along?"
"Hmph! I know this place better than you do. Do you even know where to buy what supplies?" Cagalli retorted smugly.
Yang Hui glanced at Cagalli, then turned to Kira and asked, "And you?"
"She insisted on dragging me along..." Kira pointed awkwardly at Cagalli.
"Y-you... what are you talking about? Who dragged you along? You're the one who insisted on coming! Saying something about... about... buying things for your girlfriend..." Cagalli's face flushed red as she protested vehemently, but her voice gradually trailed off.
"Sigh..."
There was no way Kira would say something like that. His relationship with Flay... couldn't even be called boyfriend-girlfriend yet, could it? Besides, Kira had now moved past his initial confusion and breakdown, realizing there were issues in his relationship with Flay. He hadn't figured out how to view Flay or how to face Sai, so he'd started avoiding her.
"You can come, but you follow orders," Yang Hui told Cagalli.
"Ugh... fine!"
"Heh."
Upon arriving in Baladia, Yang Hui took Cagalli and Kira with him as they split up from Sayibu and the others.
When this decision was first made, both Sayibu and Natarle had raised objections. After all, Yang Hui was the one footing the bill—if he wasn't coming along, what was the point of them going?
But Yang Hui handed the payment duties to Kisaka, instructing him to pay whatever price was quoted without hesitation. Even if they were being ripped off, the priority was securing the supplies. As for any losses...
Heh, revenge was a dish best served cold. Whatever they lost now, they'd make the other party pay back double when the time was right.
As for why Yang Hui wasn't accompanying Sayibu and Natarle, on one hand, he didn't want to waste time dealing with local power brokers. On the other hand... he was very interested in meeting Andrew Waltfeld.
"Meet back in four hours. Kisaka, it's on you."
"Understood."
"Yang Hui." As they parted ways, Natarle called out to him.
"Yeah?"
"P-please... take care."
"Got it."
Yang Hui smirked slightly. Watching the anime, he'd found it amusing how Natarle had suddenly blushed here—unexpectedly cute.
Yang Hui had never understood why Natarle suddenly blushed back then. Many speculated that Natarle had initially intended to call Kira by his military rank "Ensign Yamato" out of soldierly habit, but fearing exposure, abruptly changed it to "Young Yamato," causing her embarrassment.
Yang Hui had believed that explanation—until now, when he realized it was all nonsense!
The real reason Natarle blushed was because the items she and Murrue had asked Yang Hui to help purchase were... well, let's just say... ahem!
Honestly, Yang Hui never expected that beneath Natarle's stern exterior lay a heart that was both adorably charming yet also... ahem—no, let's say alluring!
Natarle Badgiruel, I hereby crown you the ultimate "gap moe" queen of the Gundam SEED universe!
"Hey." After Natarle and the others left, Cagalli nudged Yang Hui with her elbow.
"What?"
"You two... got something going on, don't you?Yang Hui: (╬ಠ益ಠ)
Flick~
Yang Hui flicked her forehead, leaving a red mark.
"Ow! Why'd you hit me?"
"Care~ to~ guess~?"
His nuclear-grade smile radiated terrifying pressure, making Cagalli immediately hide behind Kira. Still, the fearless girl muttered under her breath: "If there's nothing between you, why'd she ask you to buy those things?"
Snap~
The string called "reason" snapped.
Whack~!
"OW!"