"By then I'll be a little old lady~!" Flay muttered discontentedly.
"Even as a little old lady, Flay would still be adorable."
Hearing Fred's words, Flay's face flushed red, nearly losing her feigned angry expression.
The others present twitched their lips at this exchange.
This brother complex was getting out of hand.
They wouldn't dare bully Flay even if beaten to death - who knew what this obsessive brother might do otherwise.
Ignoring their gazes, Fred continued, "Alright, at the latest in six years, when everything's safe, I'll retire."
It was currently 1966. Six years later would be 1972.
If everything went according to plan and all threats were eliminated, retiring in 1972 seemed about right.
"Really?!"
Finally, Flay's gloomy expression transformed into delight. Six years wasn't long at all - even faster than she had imagined, which made her even happier.
Hearing this, Athrun and the others forgot their earlier mental complaints and looked at Fred in surprise, as if trying to see through his mask to discern his true expression.
Retiring after just six years? Was that really reasonable?
He was still so young.
He had such a long life ahead of him.
Though Yzak couldn't see Fred's face clearly or know his exact age, he could see his teacher's continuing growth in height, clearly not much older than them.
And he was going to retire?
This would be a huge loss for PLANT!
As Yzak thought this and opened his mouth to speak, Athrun quickly covered it.
He could guess what Yzak wanted to say.
Though he also wanted to say something to persuade his brother to stay, who knew what the future held? Besides, this was a moment between siblings - they shouldn't interrupt.
After all, he was a brother complex.
And... if he could retire early, that might not be so bad either.
"Yes, really."
Glancing briefly at the antics of the others nearby, Fred quickly ignored them and nodded.
"Your brother I..." Fred started to say he'd never deceived her before, but thinking this sister would surely bring up past incidents, he decided not to continue.
"Hehe~" Flay didn't mind, just giggling as she clearly began looking forward to this not-so-distant future.
The parents who had remained silent nearby now showed surprise instead of their previous affectionate expressions.
What could be accomplished in six years?
Fred didn't seem to be speaking without a plan, but extinguishing the world's conflicts in six years seemed like mission impossible.
Though Fred was indeed more powerful than before.
The difficulty remained undeniable.
However, after exchanging glances, neither parent said anything discouraging.
Having dreams was good, and they too hoped Fred's words could come true.
In six years, everyone could sit peacefully at home.
Of course, it would be even better if Fred could provide them with a grandchild.
Soon after, Fred left, and Yzak finally broke free from Athrun's restraint.
"What were you doing!?"
Yzak's voice remained relatively soft, deliberately avoiding Fred's parents nearby and Flay who was talking about escorting Fred to his study upstairs for work.
"Think carefully! What my brother means is that he'll retire only when it's safe and peaceful, not that he's retiring immediately."
Athrun shot him an exasperated look as he explained.
Fortunately he had acted quickly, otherwise Yzak would have ruined the atmosphere for no reason.
If he had really interrupted that touching moment between siblings with words about Fred not retiring, that would have been utterly absurd.
"Is that so..."
Hearing this, the impulsive expression on Yzak's face finally calmed down somewhat.
"What else could it be?"
Among everyone present, Athrun understood Fred best - he cared about his family's safety but also had his own principles.
He would absolutely never abandon his responsibilities midway while even specifying the exact timing.
Considering Fred's earlier words, the most likely scenario was that he believed the world would achieve peace in six years, and the current tense atmosphere would disappear.
"But is that even possible?"
Yzak immediately voiced the doubt in Athrun's heart.
"How does he know the world will be peaceful in six years?"
"Hmm..."
Nicol also nodded in confusion upon hearing this, his eyes gazing toward the staircase where Fred had disappeared with equal bewilderment.
He believed Athrun's interpretation and trusted Fred's character, but was this really possible?
Was Fred not just a researcher and combatant, but also a prophet?
Though to be fair, if Fred really claimed to be a prophet, he might actually believe it.
After all, Fred's abilities were truly that miraculous.
"Don't ask me, I don't know either."
Athrun also looked helpless.
"But do you really think Fred is the type to desert his post so deliberately and with such detailed planning?"
Actually, he couldn't be sure whether Fred had intentionally spoken that way in front of them or simply hadn't been guarded around them.
But regardless, he didn't believe Fred was that kind of person.
"Hmm..."
Both fell silent upon hearing this, and when they saw Flay coming back down the stairs, they tacitly quieted down.
"In that case, we need to work hard too."
Watching the still ordinary scenes on television, Athrun stood up.
Hearing this, the other two also stood up in tacit understanding.
"No need to tell me!"
Yzak said irritably.
"Will Flay join us too?"
Nicol asked gently toward the returning Flay.
"Mhm~"
Having just finished her conversation and clearly in good spirits, Flay immediately nodded in agreement.
...
While things were heating up among the group, undercurrents were stirring in Junius One District visible on screen.
"Time 1135, target spotted, operation commencing."
As the person spoke from a high-rise building overlooking the route of Fran's motorcade, there was no response from the other end of the headset.
"Eagle, do you copy?"
"Eagle?!"
The black-clad person grew visibly agitated at the lack of response.
"Eagle isn't receiving."
A cool voice suddenly sounded behind the black-clad figure.
"Wha..."
Though unsure how the other party had infiltrated, the black-clad person reacted swiftly, immediately reaching for their gun while turning around.
But the other party didn't give them the chance.
'Bzzzz'
Before the man in black could complete his movement, a violent tremor struck and he lost consciousness.
"Team One, target confirmed captured."
A soldier clad in special combat gear unceremoniously delivered a heavy kick with his military boot to the fallen man in black. The impact left a faint boot print on the dark fabric while flipping the unconscious figure onto his back. With practiced efficiency, the soldier then tore off the operative's tactical mask.