It has been seven months since Noin has gone to L4. The reason for her to go became obvious when she studied the case carefully in the military base. The military base was served as an intelligence agency in old times. Although it has been abandoned for three years, the information was still intact in the main computer and the files. When Preventers first took over it, the authority thought that it was a central station of a mass communication system as it was stated. As the Preventers renovated it to restore its original ‘function’, the workers found that there were some mysterious data in the whole system. Lady Une sent Fire to find out the data with the computer experts. It was not a difficult job, Fire just needed to read the data and supervise the renovation. She usually spent her evening in practicing running and other fitness exercises. When she had enough time, she went sport climbing. Then she would collect some information from the computer and answered some emails. Zechs has sent her emails, talking a variety of things. She found that kind of communication was really good because she could read the things over and over again. As for the mountaineers, they still kept in contact with Noin and they had a very detailed discussion of the coming trip. The trip would be a very challenging one.
“So, the data would be transported back to the headquarter on Earth tomorrow, and all the electronic appliances will be destroyed two days later, right?” Fire asked another preventer beside her. “Yes, then the data will only be stored there and remain highly confidential for the next five decades.” The other one replied. “That’s the best way to deal with this problem. So, our mission’s finished. Thanks for helping, Preventer Forte.” said Fire, shaking hands with Preventer Forte. “Thanks, Preventer Fire. I’ve really learned a lot from you.” the other said. “Holiday, at last!” Fire thought. She has been waiting for that for nearly a year. “This holiday will surely be a meaningful one.” “Preventer Fire,” an officer called her from behind. “Yes.” “Preventer Wind is waiting for you outside.” the officer said. “Oh, thanks. I’ll go now.” She said, as she was walking towards the exit. “Wind, what’s the matter?” Fire asked cheerfully. Zechs was a little bit unhappy when Noin called him ‘Wind’. “I thought you’re off duty now. So, we can have dinner together. See, it’s eight o’clock.” “Wait for five more minutes, I’m going to change my uniform.” Noin said with a smile.
As Noin was changing her clothes, Zechs thought about the scene over and over again: He was dining with Matilda. They have come together for several months already. She was a good companion, always cheerful and caring. The ‘terracing project’ has finally finished and they both could relax a little bit. He was talking about the things happened in daytime. As they finished their dinner, they went for a walk. Suddenly Matilda stopped and released Wind from her hand, Wind stopped too. “What’s the matter, Matilda?” Matilda’s voice trembled, “I can’t stand this.” Wind did not understand. “Why did you treat me like this?” Silence. “You don’t love me, you don’t even like me.” Her voice was hurt. It’s time for Wind to say something, “Matilda, you know that I was a pilot before. What I learned was just concentrating on my mission and be calm and cool. Expressing feelings, to me, is a very difficult thing to do…” Matilda stopped him, “Yes, you’re really weak in expressing feelings, but not to me…” Tears dropped from her eyes. “To the one you loved.” Wind instinctively asked, “Who is that?” “Think, Wind, think.” she urged him. “You miss her all the time, the one who you care most.” The first answer flashed to his mind: Noin. So, he traveled from Mars to L4 to find her and also find the answer.
“Zechs,” Noin called him in her casual clothes. “I’m ready.” They went to a restaurant nearby. As they were having dinner, they talked merrily. The conversation between Matilda and him no longer bothered him, for they had so many things to talk about. They talked from about the routine work to the little careless mistakes they made in these months. Zechs finally realized that Noin was the only one who could make him happy and content. Before that, he missed her a lot but he did not understand why, but then he was clear. He was too happy to talk and so the conversation slowly faded. “What’s happened, Zechs?” asked Noin, as they were walking in a garden. Zechs looked at her, figuring out how to tell her. “Is Matilda all right?” Noin asked with concern, looking directed at him. “Yes, she’s fine. You know… Noin, it’s your fault. You told me to…” He stopped; he was talking like a fool. “Zechs?” Noin asked again. “You have to tell her.” Zechs told himself. He took a step and stood right in front of her, face to face. She was still looking at him with concern. “Noin, you know, Matilda and I…” His diplomatic skills were of no use. “You told me to be nice to Matilda. I do it because you’re such a good friend to me and always give me good advices… You’re my best friend, but I want something more. You’re the one I care most and the only one who can make me happy and content… Noin … can you love me?” He finished that; it was a relief to him. He smiled because he was happy, he knew he had expressed himself completely before her. Originally, Noin expected him to talk about his nightmares, she never expected him to say such things. Did those passionate words come from Zechs? Her eyes shone with happiness, she was like a dream. Instinctively, Zechs took a step closer to her and held her hands in his. His lips almost reached hers, however Noin suddenly turned her head away. His lips brushed lightly on her cheek. Noin took one step back and freed her hands from his. Zechs was surprised. Her eyes were filled with sadness, he would never forget how sad she looked at that time. Zechs looked hurt, too. Noin slowly reached out her hand and caressed his face, “It’s too late, Zechs.” Noin said with a sad voice. He could only echo, “Too late?” Noin nodded, smiling bitterly. They were silent for a moment. “I’m having a two-month holiday starting from tomorrow.” Noin resumed her normal tone. “See you two months later. Till then, my best friend.” she said. She looked at him for a while, then she gave him a hug and returned a kiss on his cheek. She went away without looking at him.
When she arrived at home, she sat down and began to write a letter.
