Chapter 212: Quattro Is a Responsible Man
Why had he suddenly called out to this detestable, hypocritical man?
Why was he so sure this person was the one being hunted by the Titans?
Kamille didn't know the answer.
His mind was a complete mess.
Just moments ago, he had stumbled upon video footage and photos of his father on a date with his mistress in the computer at his mother's lab.
When he confronted his mother with the evidence, all he got in return was the fact that she had long known about it—and had done nothing.
Why? Was it because his father's MS development still depended on the metallic materials she designed, and so she clung to that power, unwilling to let go?
And as their child, was he supposed to be shackled to this place, trapped in such a dysfunctional family, unable to feel even a shred of love?
Was he, like Matosh, merely an extension of his parents?
Kamille denied his parents in his mind.
Until the man before him slapped him across the face.
Unlike his mother, who just wanted him to shut up, this man—strangely enough—looked at him with a hint of hope.
Even though they had only just met and were essentially strangers.
That feeling came alongside the sting of pain on his face.
Then, the man spoke a few words of what sounded like genuine concern.
So that was it—it was because Kamille had just said something along the lines of not caring if he died.
And this man, a soldier, had shown surprising softness.
By the time Kamille had sorted his thoughts, he had already driven to a side gate and, taking advantage of the cover from trees on both sides, let the man slip into the back seat.
The car approached the main gate. The guards didn't even bother to check—one glance at Kamille's face and they waved him through.
It wasn't until then that the man in the back seat finally sat up.
"Kamille Bidan."
Kamille introduced himself, his voice cold and sharp.
That was his way of putting up a defense after realizing this man was an enemy of the Titans—someone who could bring danger down on him.
Or perhaps, it was the shame of having had his most embarrassing moment seen by this man.
"I see—Kamille, is it? Thank you very much for your help. My name is Quattro Bajeena."
"That name?"
Kamille glanced at Quattro through the rearview mirror.
"What about it?"
"No, nothing. It just… doesn't sound like your real name."
Char blinked, a flicker of realization crossing his eyes.
So the person he'd sensed outside the colony satellite was this boy.
Kamille felt the same.
So he was the one who gave off the same kind of feeling as Mr. Amuro?
And yet, Mr. Amuro was so much more open and full of vitality.
This guy in the back seat was nothing but a fraud who didn't even dare reveal his real name.
Frustrated that he'd risked himself for such a man, Kamille angrily slammed the horn to get the car in front to move.
"You'll get exposed like this. If someone finds out I'm in your car, it won't end well for you."
"It's fine. My mother will just assume I'm throwing another childish tantrum and cover for me."
This time, Kamille didn't even look back—he was entirely focused on driving.
"I may not have the right to say this, but…"
"In that case, don't say anything at all—Mr. Quattro from AEUG."
Quattro raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I never said I was with AEUG."
"Anyone opposing the Titans has to be with AEUG, right?"
Kamille said this as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Right now, all anti-Federation sentiment among space colonists was funneled into AEUG. Even organizations with no direct connection to them were operating under the AEUG name.
"And what about Undertaker? That military group Mr. Amuro belongs to probably doesn't think too highly of the Titans either."
Quattro deliberately offered the alternative.
"They're still part of the Federation Forces—that's what holds them back. That's what I don't like about that Eli guy. He has the power to change the world, and yet he refuses to use it."
Kamille spoke angrily.
"If he were just another pilot like Mr. Amuro, fine—but he's not just a pilot anymore, is he? Why won't he take responsibility?!"
Ah, the idealism of youth—always chasing some righteous cause.
How nostalgic. Quattro realized he had never really had such a phase himself.
That recent comment had been a jab at the Eli he didn't particularly like, but for some reason it left him feeling uneasy.
Why was that? Char wondered to himself.
"Maybe he has his own reasons."
Char forced himself to defend Eli—for the sake of his sister's beloved.
"But since you put it that way, I take it you're against the Titans?"
"Of course I am. If the Titans keep going unchecked, they'll end up doing something terrible to the colonies—just like Zeon did!"
As the car turned a corner, Quattro leaned against the window.
"…I'll make sure that doesn't happen."
He gave his word.
"I don't want to leave something that important in the hands of people who just stir up protests."
Kamille shot back, making Quattro feel a bit uneasy.
"I want to go back with you. I want to join AEUG."
The car came to a halt at another port in the colony.
From here, Quattro had plenty of ways to make his exit.
Kamille sat in the driver's seat and turned to face him.
"Take me with you. I don't want to stay in this place anymore."
If he agreed to it now, given the boy's Newtype potential, AEUG would surely gain an exceptional pilot.
Quattro's throat tightened, the words of acceptance almost spilling out.
"…Sorry. I can't take you."
Char gave his answer.
"If you were two years older, I definitely wouldn't say no. But right now, you're still not ready to make that kind of life-changing decision. I believe you'll be able to one day. If, when that time comes, your resolve hasn't changed—contact me through this account."
Char handed over his personal contact info, then opened the door and stepped out.
But he didn't walk off right away. Instead, he knocked on Kamille's window. When Kamille rolled it down, Char leaned in close and whispered in his ear.
"Think carefully about your life. It doesn't belong to your parents. You'll have plenty of encounters ahead."
Char's low voice echoed in Kamille's ear, sending a slight shiver down his spine.
That feeling reminded Kamille of the flower he had failed to protect just that afternoon.
If he left now, how would he be any different from his parents?
"…I understand."
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