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It was a drab, rainy autumn day as Theo walked from the military’s PX to the science and intelligence building, carrying several plastic bags. He was currently on a self-assigned mission.
He was wearing a military-issued poncho, which was very nice considering it was hard to hold an umbrella while carrying his loot with his missing left hand. It had been a while now since he was discharged from the hospital after the incident, but it still felt so strange to adjust.
He reached his left arm out to grab the door handle, but stopped midway, pausing for a moment as the rain continued to trickle down his cloak. He let out a tired sigh.
That’s right. Being ambidextrous was useless now with only one hand.
Thankfully, someone was just leaving and politely held the door open for Theo. He generously bowed and uttered a quick “Thank you” before continuing down the hall. He weaved through the building until finally arriving at his destination.
‘Henrietta Von Penrose’ was the name written on the plaque next to the door.
Ever since his accident in the Orphan Fleet Country, he and Annette had surprisingly been spending more and more time together. Because of her job and Theo’s medical condition, they were no longer stationed on the 86 Spearhead Squadron’s base, Rüstkammer, and because of how few people they knew in this environment, they naturally started hanging out.
At first, it was simple things like her bringing him art supplies while he was in the hospital. Then Theo took her to a nearby cafe, where he demonstrated his artistic craft by drawing animals on her paper coffee cup. A few days later, they just so happened to have lunch at the same time and decided it was better to dine together than eat alone.
And then Annette’s birthday happened.
Shin and Lena had bought gifts in advance, but were unable to give them to her because both had been given orders on their next assignments. Thus, Theo was asked to be the delivery boy.
It was his first time going to Annette’s office. He was nervous at first, but to his surprise, she casually shrugged her shoulders at the situation and happily welcomed him in, offering him cake and tea too. Since then, he continued visiting her, bringing other snacks to share together and hanging out while on break.
Their relationship was casual.
He stood in front of her door, shifted all the bags to his left arm, and knocked with his right. Theo didn’t hear a response. He knocked again and put his ear to the door, and heard a breath of a murmur. Theo knew this was Annette’s way of telling him to enter, but… this method of communicating made him wary.
Theo closed his eyes and entered. “Hey, please tell me you have clothes on this time,” he asked, exasperated. “Also, I brought lunch and some snacks.”
Yes. Just a casual relationship. Nothing deeper than that. Nope. Nothing more, nothing less. Just good friends at the end of the day.
The rolling of the wheels on a desk chair resonated against the floor. “Really, Theo? Why don’t you man up and check for yourself if I’m dressed or not?” Annette said with an air of teasing.
“Come on, Annette. What if it wasn’t me who came in and saw you half naked?”
“Don’t worry. I knew it was you.”
“Huh? How do you…” Theo could sense a proud smile stretching across her lips. He clicked his tongue and continued, “Please, think about what others would say if they saw me coming out of your room when you look like that,” Theo said pleadingly.
“You're the only one who would see me.”
“That’s…” Theo wanted to deny it, but coming out of a girl’s room would already raise suspicions. The attire she wore in her room, no one would know except those she gave permission to enter. Still, “You're the only one who would see me.” The way she said that sounded like he was the only one who came here, and that… didn’t sit right with him.
“Also…” Annette continued, “Why should I care about what others think about me? It’s not like their opinion of me is going to go any lower than it already is. After all, I am…” the sound of the chair spinning dramatically before halting could be heard, and Annette finished more dramatically, saying, “A filthy pig of the Republic of San Magnolia!”
An awkward silence hung between them, as Theo remained standing at the door, keeping his eyes closed.
“You’re no fun. Yes, it’s okay to look,” pouted Annette as she let out a sigh. “And for the record, it’s not like I wanted you to see me in my underwear last time. You just walked in on me without knocking.”
“I did knock! But you still didn’t answer properly, just like this time.”
Last time Annette gave him a weak reply to come in, she was hunched over in her chair, sitting at her computer with silver sleep-deprived eyes locked on the screen, a half-eaten energy bar hanging out of her mouth, and wearing nothing but her military blouse and laced panties that matched the blue sky that day.
“I was too busy to get dressed, plus it’s too hot,” was the excuse she gave at that moment.
Theo thought he would die on the spot from embarrassment, or be executed with a swift punch to the face as “PERVERT!” was shouted at him, the kind of retribution done in those animated cartoons Frederica has watched. Actually, is Frederica even allowed to watch that? Ernst should monitor what media she’s consuming better.
However, this was real life, not a cartoon. Annette just shrugged it off like it was no big deal, putting her skirt on. Was she really unfazed about having a boy looking at her while she was so… underdressed? Her being an exhibitionist was the last thing Theo expected. Lena had the exact opposite reaction when she ran into Shin in his bathing suit. Considering that the two of them grew up in the Republic, went to the same school, and worked in the military together, Theo thought Annette would be the same as Lena, but these two silver-haired women couldn’t be any more different.
Annette was an enigma to Theo, and yet… he couldn’t deny that he wanted to understand her better.
Anyways! Even if Annette didn’t care about her dress state, Theo did, and wanted to be considerate. She still was a lady, and he was a man, entering her territory.
Theo peeked with a half-lidded eye, and sure enough, she was indeed properly dressed in her Republic-issued Prussian blue military uniform. His shoulders relaxed before stiffening again, seeing the state her room was in.
His eyes narrowed in displeasure. “You know… Just because you call yourself a pig, that doesn’t mean you should live like one, Annette.”
To be frank, Annette’s room was — with its poor lighting, empty cans, old takeout boxes, papers on the floor, clothes strewn around, and an unkempt bed — the equivalent of a pig sty.
Taking two bento boxes out of the shopping bag and placing them on her desk, he removed his poncho, hanging it on a coat hook, and began collecting up trash to throw in the plastic bag.
“Sorry, I’ve been busy.” Annette got up from her chair, walked over to the sink, and grabbed two mugs to clean them out for tea.
“Are you allergic to being tidy? Because I sure as hell know this isn’t normal for Republic citizens. Dustin’s room and Lena’s office are neat and perfect.”
“Well, sorry I’m such a disaster, but this is just the way I work.” She let out a huff, not liking to be compared to her fellow Alba associates (especially Lena). “And what about you?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, I find it hard to believe the teenagers trying to survive the Eighty-Sixth sector internment camps and battlefields could have spare time to worry about clutter and needing to stay clean. I’ve seen Shiden’s room.”
“Hey, I’ll have you know we stayed neat and organized while under Shin’s command.”
Annette turned around and narrowed her silver eyes at Theo. “You mean Raiden’s.”
Theo stopped his cleaning. She had hit the nail on the head.
“… My room is clean at least …” he muttered before continuing to tidy up.
Annette’s eyebrows raised, amused. “Is it? Then perhaps we should hang out there instead.”
“No way.”
Annette smiled at his blunt remark, “Come on, it’s only fair. It’s not like I’m opposed to being in a guy’s room. I did it all the time back before the war. I would hang out in Shin and his brother’s room…” She paused for a moment while drying the cups, as if lost in a memory.
“It’s…” Theo hesitated, trying to think of the right words. “It’s just that the boy’s dorm can get pretty rowdy. It’s… much calmer here.”
Annette glanced over at Theo. For all the complaining he had done seconds ago, there was a subtle smile on his face, and his verdant eyes looked relaxed and content.
“Is it?” She questioned under her breath.
“Hm?” Theo turned his head in her direction, thinking he had misheard her.
She placed the mugs down on the little kitchen table and opened the curtains to let in some natural light. Despite the rain, her room lit up quite nicely. Annette gazed out the window through her black-rimmed glasses, as the light reflected off her white lab coat and silver hair. Her beautiful pale skin looked delicate like porcelain. Annette could be mistaken for a beautiful handcrafted statue. The kind people marveled when entering an art gallery. The pattering of the rain was soothing to listen to, wrapping up the whole scenery perfectly in a picturesque, tranquil atmosphere.
Theo’s heart began to beat faster. His artist instincts were kicking in. He wanted to draw. The composition, the lighting, the shadows, it was so captivating, everything lined up perfectly. Annette was exuding a refined, mature, listless beauty. He wanted to preserve this very moment forever in his sketchbook, but…
Annette’s alabaster eyes looked… uneasy. Why?
Realizing he had been staring for too long, Theo hastened back to his cleaning. He needed to purge his urge to draw. His body felt hot and sweaty, holding his breath, as he gathered and piled her clothes on her bed, internally murmuring to himself to remain calm.
“Okay, all done,” Theo said with a crack in his voice. He tossed the filled bags to the door, then grabbed the bentos and sat at the table, waiting for Annette.
She sighed and returned to the mugs, preparing them with substitute tea.
Theo raised an eyebrow, looking at the yellow and teal mugs she placed on the table. “Isn’t this the mug set I got for you for your birthday?”
Sitting down across from him and helping him open his bento, Annette nodded. “They are. Is there a problem?”
“Not really, it’s just…” Theo glanced over at the kettle where the tea was prepared. There was a stack of clean white mugs looking lonely, as light dust was beginning to build up on them. Theo’s cheeks started to turn pink. “Never mind,” he quickly said, before starting to fork food into his mouth.
Annette’s lips curled as she joined him.
They chatted lightly over their meal, and once the two had finished, Theo stretched and let out a yawn in satisfaction. “Damn, that was pretty good.”
“It was. The Federacy really knows how to make a great meal.”
Theo let out a chuckle, “That’s because it’s made with real food.”
Annette shuddered, thinking about the synthetic slop she consumed back in the Republic. Eating the Federacy food made her realize just how much she had been missing out. Back in the Republic, she was able to consume real eggs from her chicken and the berries from the garden on occasion, but having this type of food available regularly really did feel like a privileged dream.
“But I gotta say, I really am starting to crave some of the fish they gave us back in the Fleet Countries.”
Annette tilted her head, “Was it that good?”
“Yeah, you would be surprised at all the different ways they served it, and all the different kinds of fish meat there are.” Theo cheerfully began listing the fish and shellfish he consumed while in the hospital back in the Fleet Countries, causing Annette to smile warmly. “Every meal was different, making it a surprise. I think… he really wanted us to experience everything they had to offer. That way we can remember and want to go back for more…” His voice trailed off.
Annette rested her chin in her palm, gazing at the golden-haired boy. His lips curled in fond recollection, but… his eyes looked remorseful, knowing what became of the Country he spoke of and what was lost.
“I get it.” She looked into her teal mug and swirled her substitute tea. “Even if the Federacy’s food tastes great, I still can’t help but miss some San Magnolian dishes.” “It was home,” she whispered.
Theo looked at her. She and Lena are the same, he thought, recalling how Lena was in tears while consuming the Republic’s signature dishes Ernst’s maid, Teresa, made for her. But he decided to hold his tongue on the matter.
But all this talk about food made Theo realize, “Oh, that’s right, you didn’t get to try any of the dishes because you didn’t get to go with us.”
Annette shrugged her shoulders. “It happens. Can’t experience everything with everyone all the time.”
Theo frowned, “Yeah, but it’s not like I can get any fish around here to make you some. The only way is to go there and eat it. Don’t you want to try it?”
“Hm… Well, if I’m able to go, then sure. I won’t be getting FOMO if I don’t. Also… I think, with the way things are, that dream is a long way off.” She sipped her drink and placed it back on the table. “Like I told you, I’m just going to go day by day and live for the simple things.”
Hearing that made something stir inside his chest. Theo clenched his fist, “I know that, but… it’s still good to have a bigger goal in mind.”
Annette raised an eyebrow and smirked, “Look at you now, I never would’ve expected to hear you say that back when I visited you in the hospital.”
Theo pouted, “I’ve had a lot of time to think about more… things. Things about my own future.”
“And what future plan is that?”
“I guess for starters…” Theo paused, remembering the golden sunset field he saw with his comrades on their mission to destroy the Morpho. “The ocean… ”
“Not you too.” Annette slammed her cup down, making Theo jolt.
“What the heck?!”
“Sorry, you just sound like Shin, and it sounded… wrong,” she stated bluntly before continuing, “Also, didn't you already see the ocean?”
Theo’s blush deepened further, hearing him being compared to Shin. It pissed him off. “Well, to begin with, seeing the ocean was something we wanted to do long before the Strike Package was even formed! And there are plenty of different kinds of oceans to see, too. Like tropical sunny ones, nothing like the Fleet Countries!” Theo huffed out and childishly turned his head away.
Annette smiled apologetically, not realizing there was more history behind this wish. “So it was something you all wanted to do together. I had no idea.” Her eyes became downcast. “I hope you all get to go see it together.”
“We will see it!” Theo nodded with pride and then looked at her out of the corner of his eye, and what he saw made them widen.
Annette looked… sad. No. It was something deeper than that. Her silver eyes were distant. Her smile was hollow.
It was loneliness.
Rain continued to pour outside, filling the quiet room with its somber aquatic melody.
Theo’s chest felt tight. He didn’t like seeing her like this. She said she was fine living day to day on the simple things, but was it wrong for her to have something bigger to look forward to, too?
The Eighty Six knew better than anyone what it was like to have dreams crushed, all hope shattered, and a future erased.
And yet… they fought on. And started to look to the future again.
Even Shin, the reaper who had only lived on the battlefield all these years, was finally able to move on and look towards a future he wanted. Lena was able to give him that hope.
But what about Annette?
When she visited Theo in the hospital, he was so lost and uncertain about what he wanted to do with his future. He could no longer fight alongside his comrades on the battlefield, but she gave him something smaller to strive for. Those little things lifted his spirits and made him begin to look to the future again.
So then…
“Come with us!”
“Huh?” Annette blinked.
“The sea, come see the sea with us,” he pressed, his voice firm.
“Gross. Now you are really starting to sound like Shin.” She scrunched her nose, trying to look disgusted, but it quickly faded. She shook her head, “Thanks for the invite, but I think I’ll pass.”
Theo’s mouth dropped. “What? Why?”
“I don’t want to be a party crasher. You don’t want someone like me coming along. I would just… ruin the mood.”
Theo clenched his fist. Why? Why is she being so persistent about not going? The chair squeaked against the floor as he stood up. “Stop it! Stop saying how it would be terrible if you come! It’s bullshit!” Theo’s green eyes were lit with frustration. He wanted her to understand. “You have to come. I want you to come! I want to show you the sea!”
Annette’s eyes widened.
Theo’s eyes widened too.
“I’ve said it already, but you really do sound like-“
“Shut up!” He closed his mouth tight, internally cursing Shin. Of all the things Shin could’ve rubbed off on Theo, this was the last thing he wanted. He sounded so pathetic, but… he meant it. He took a deep breath and continued, “I know what it sounds like, but I mean it. I know it’s not just me who would want you to come. Lena would get depressed hearing you turn down the invite with that excuse.”
“I know. That's why I don’t want to go.” Annette smiled sardonically. “I don’t want to end up like a third wheel between her and Shin. Those two… deserve their time alone. I don’t want to get in their way.”
Theo painfully understood where she was coming from. Seeing his friend finally living and being truly happy made Theo proud, but…
He cracked a teasing grin, “And why not? You can join the rest of us as we tease and torture them as recompense for the headaches they’ve given us.”
Hearing that earned him a smile from Annette. “Now that is something that I can look forward to.”
“Really?” Theo’s eyes lit up, his heart beginning to race.
“Well… it sounds nice in theory, but I’m still feeling a bit wary.”
Dammit. Theo’s shoulders slumped in dejection.
Annette helped him face his uncertain future. And that is why he wanted to help her in return. However small and impractical it might be. Just like visiting a street cafe or bookstore. He wanted to give her something to look forward to, too.
Something… anything…
“It doesn’t have to be the sea. We can go anywhere.” He gripped his left arm with his right hand. “Once the war ends, we’ll be free to go wherever we want, when we want. We can go back to the Republic, and I can show you the cherry blossoms, or we can go to the southern deserts, or go east to where Kaie’s home country is located. There are so many more things I can show you, Annette.”
Hearing her name called, Annette looked up into Theo’s green eyes.
“I can even take you to the Fleet Countries, that way you can eat those fish dishes my cousin gave me.”
“Cousin?” She asked quizzically.
Shit! Yet another person had rubbed off on Theo. “Captain Ishmael. It was a slip of the tongue.”
In a far away battle field, amongst the red maple leaf autumn forest, Captain Ishmael — self-proclaimed cousin of Theotto Rikka — sneezed.
Annette smiled again, “Alright. It seems like you are hellbent on taking me along somewhere no matter what. So… I’ll just leave the planning to you.” She gave him a wink.
Everything Theo had just said was slowly starting to sink in. He didn’t realize just how bold he was being, causing him to go red like a tomato.
But she finally agreed, and that gave him another thing to look forward to.
“But you know…”
Theo looked down at Annette. She had a mischievous smile. What was she plotting?
“If I’m going to the beach, I’m going to go in a bikini.”
“Yeah… and?” He said hesitantly, baffled why she was bringing up the obvious.
“Meaning I’m going to be wearing less clothing than I did when you saw me in my underwear. So you should get used to seeing me that way.”
“Eh?!” Theo staggered back. His head suddenly felt light, a deep pink blush spreading across his face like a wildfire. “Sh-shut up! It’s not the same!”
“You sure? It’s the same amount of coverage.”
“Stop! Please, have some decency, Annette!”
That was the reaction Annette wanted earlier. She hunched over in her chair and let out a laugh of pure satisfaction.
Theo had left to go back to his job, taking all the trash with him, leaving Annette cleaning out the mugs once again.
She paused her washing and gazed out the window. She looked off into the western horizon to the homeland she couldn’t see or return to. Gray rainy days like this made her heart yearn for the long-gone days she spent in the Republic. A simpler, brighter time when she was just a child, surrounded by a loving family and kind neighbors.
She assumed she would never have such a peaceful life after everything that had happened, but lately…
He said my place was calming.
She held the yellow mug and traced over its rim, admiring it like it was some sort of precious artifact. It was a beautiful shade of yellow, and it paired perfectly with the teal mug.
A ray of light shone through the gray clouds as Annette placed the two mugs side by side on the counter, completing the set.
It only feels that way because you're here.
