Farewell

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and hazy light filtered in through the heavy curtains.

It was now 6:04 in the morning.

Mu Chen reached a hand out from under the covers and tapped his terminal twice. Beside him, he could hear the faint sound of breathing.

He turned to glance at the pillow beside him. Wright was still asleep, his thin lips pressed together. Even in sleep, he looked as rigid and proper as ever.

Wright would be leaving port with the fleet at noon today, returning to the military base in Corenna. This was practically their last time together.

In theory, it would be a shame not to do something on their last night.

But Wright had been staying in the training room until late for the past two days, and had plenty to deal with during the day, so Mu Chen couldn’t bring himself to wear him out any further.

He’d gone to bed early yesterday and wasn’t sleepy now, so he rolled over and browsed his terminal by himself.

As usual, he opened his inbox to check. The First Military Academy would send out military service assignments by email, and the notices should have arrived within the past couple of days. Some of his university groupmates had already received theirs.

So far, though, no one had received an invitation from the Mecha Corps...