Gundam, Gravity Elegy

Page 7

The evidence is that although Io's tone was gradually becoming extreme, Gao Ren only felt that something was stuck in his throat and he couldn't make a sound.

"After all, everyone can talk about big principles, but not all of us will necessarily live long enough to be able to think about the future."

There was no response, no rebuttal.

Io's words washed over Gao Ren's mind, and by the time he finally returned to reality from his chaotic thoughts, Io Fleming's argument had reached its final stage:

"All we can do is live a life of debauchery within our limited time."

Then, he handed me a small bag:

"what is this?"

"The parting gifts everyone gave me feel like the kind that are more suitable to be taken to the grave."

Seeing the jazzy old man's relaxed and cheerful attitude, Gao Ren couldn't help but smile wryly:

"Then I'll accept it."

"Hmph, farewell then—at least temporarily. If you can adapt to the battlefield, you'll probably learn to drink, right? I'll be waiting for your return then..."

"However, I still think you're wrong."

"Ok?"

"It is precisely because I have seen such things and know what it feels like that I cannot grab others like a water ghost."

Io subconsciously narrowed his eyes:

"Wow, that's a kind way of putting it, but what's the point of doing that?"

"It's not about getting anything, or rather, this isn't actually a conclusion drawn from one's own perspective. There are many other things that are worth... no, we should say things that must be paid attention to."

"what?"

"People around you".

The roles of offense and defense reversed in an instant, and under the Moorish's unfathomable gaze, Gao Ren couldn't help but sigh:

“You almost got me into a trap—although you say you consider the battlefield your final destination, you've never actually let go of your bottom line. So even from the perspective of your compatriots… no, I should say even from your own perspective, you shouldn't have completely ignored the things you could perceive.”

"What you've said..."

“You should know what I’m talking about, Io. Only the strong can find their own way of life in this strange world, but most people don’t have that courage.”

Ultimately, Claudia herself is merely a microcosm:

"People who are unwilling to succumb to despair with a clear mind, but who are also unwilling... or who do not know how to save themselves, are easily crushed by something illusory and distorted."

Meeting the man's increasingly gloomy expression, Gao Ren calmly spoke:

“Io, if you keep running away and wallowing in your own world, ignoring external problems, many things you don’t want to see will happen.”

'Splash'

Suddenly, a cold wind swept through the underground space.

The lively atmosphere that should have been created by the gathering and party completely disappeared, leaving only a lingering silence.

In the cold silence, Gao Ren could see the man's nose gradually turning red, and then...

"Ah"

After a sneeze, he couldn't help but reach out his hand:

"Ah Ren, do you have any tissues?"

Gazing at the other person's expression, Gao Ren couldn't help but sigh:

"Actually, improving air quality is better than constantly using tissues."

"...No, but it's still more convenient for me to use tissues."

Chapter Seven: Chewing Gum in the Army?

The spacious room echoed with the free-flowing drumbeats of jazz music.

But perhaps because the beer bottles and the like had been put away, the atmosphere of the previous day's gathering and party had vanished without a trace. Even though the music had been played to the climax that the composers used to stir the heartstrings, the whole room was still enveloped in a lingering sense of desolation.

This environment is torture for people with rhinitis—that’s what Éo Fleming, son of the former Chief of the Moores, thought.

After wiping his nose with a tissue, he casually tossed the crumpled tissue into the trash can.

Then, my gaze turned to the window.

From top to bottom, at that moment he could just see a figure walking out of the dormitory building's lobby, carrying a suitcase and holding a Hello Kitty as he walked towards the main entrance.

That was the passage to the battlefield, and also a direct route to hell:

"If you are truly determined to be a normal person in this abnormal world, then you have to endure more intense suffering than others, so how long can you sustain this state?"

Of course, the boy who had already left couldn't hear those words.

Perhaps realizing this, Io suddenly felt it was meaningless.

His gaze quickly left the window, lingering in the dormitory where he had lived for two months, before finally settling on the air purifier in the corner.

Earth is different from colonies. In colonies, the air circulation system is a necessary condition for survival, so it is always on 24 hours a day, but Earth is different.

Here, especially in this Gabulo, if you want to improve the air quality, you have to turn this thing on.

maybe……

Please replace the filter.

Seeing the prompt that appeared on the control panel, Io couldn't help but sigh:

"Some things just have to be done... is that what you mean?"

After wiping his red nose, he disassembled the machine and installed the new filter.

'drop'

In less than a minute, amidst the subtle rumble and the restless drumbeats of jazz, the air in the enclosed underground space seemed to improve.

However, this did not improve Io's mood.

"An air purifier can handle the air in a room, and a circulation system can keep a satellite running, but what about the rest of the world?"

After casually placing the tissues on the bedside table, he instinctively covered his forehead.

"Gao Ren, this world is far more cruel than you imagine."

…………

July 25, UC.0079

Gao Ren, a cadet in the Special MS Pilot Class at the Earth Federation Military Academy, graduated with the rank of Second Lieutenant after completing 64 days of intensive training.

Of course, this is not a big deal.

The identity of the Sydney survivor might have initially caused a sensation, but months later, when Gao Ren stepped out of school, he was just an unknown figure. The only thing that gave him any sense of presence was the convertible sports car that was now speeding along the highway in Gabro.

Of course, although the Earth Federation has relaxed the driver's license age to 15, this matter obviously has nothing to do with him. The person in charge of driving is his guardian, Miss Sherry, who is 18 years old.

"So, how does it feel to part ways with your classmates?"

After casually switching the car to autopilot mode, the woman used her hands as support points and performed a backflip to get into the back seat.

"Do you have any interesting stories from school to share with me?"

"...Your behavior is very dangerous."

Looking at the woman who had already sat down next to him, Gao Ren couldn't help but complain.

"It's okay, you know I used to be a gymnast."

To this, Shirley simply waved her hand:

So, is there anything you'd like to share?

"That's basically all. You already knew the biggest news yesterday."

Two months after enrolling, he started fighting on campus and seriously injured someone. Under normal circumstances, this would be a topic of conversation for a long time.

But what if it comes to nothing due to a higher-level reason...

"What about the others?"

"It's gone."

"That's a real shame. I had so many fun things to do when I was in school."

"Can those be the same?"

Gao Ren couldn't help but roll his eyes:

Ultimately, he had only been enrolled for two months, and spent most of that time buried in his desk and training ground.

Having not experienced anything particularly special together, they couldn't offer any substantial evidence to illustrate their so-called camaraderie or classmate relationship.

What might even leave a deep impression on him is something that happened unexpectedly yesterday.

Thinking of this, Gao Ren's hand couldn't help but reach for the bag beside him, but before he could open it, that lithe body had already slipped past him, moving directly from the left to the right:

What is this?

"The parting gift they gave me."

"Yes, it's all new stuff."

She reached into her pocket and rummaged around for a bit, then casually pulled out some things:

"Let me see, gloves, magazines, books, tank and ship models... um, there's also a Walkman and cassette tapes, but it doesn't seem like there's much there."

"After all, that's about all you can buy at the school store."

"Hmm, but it just doesn't feel very sincere~"

"This is not a matter of sincerity."

Hearing Shirley's carefree voice, Gao Ren couldn't help but purse his lips:

"The transfer order itself came yesterday. In fact, it's quite sincere that they even thought of sending something under these circumstances, not to mention that they organized a party yesterday."

So that means you two have a very good relationship?

"Maybe?"

Meeting that gaze that seemed to hold a certain expectation, Gao Ren shrugged:

"At least it's a normal classmate relationship."

"Hmm~ so, and then, you used your cute face to fool a few older women?"

"...What's your question now?"

Feeling as if he had misheard, Gao Ren's expression turned strange.

"Because we found this in your bag."

Under his gaze, Shirley's fingers simply picked up a small package from the bag. The thing looked round, as if it could be torn open easily, and was incredibly thin.

"—How much was used?"

At the same time, Gao Ren could sense that her expression was gradually becoming strange, and her eyes were filled with a mocking tone.

But that's precisely why he was so confused:

What is this?

Then, that strange smile just froze.

After carefully examining Gao Ren's calm face and confirming that she couldn't discern anything amiss, Shirley pursed her lips:

"So that means it was slipped in by those shady old men in your class? No wonder there wasn't even a box."

"So what is this?"

"It's nothing, just bubble gum."

"Oh, there's food too. Give me one."

"No, it's expired."

"Even if it's expired, it can still—wait?!"