The war never stopped echoing — even on Earth.
From the glass windows of Shinomiya Heavy Industries Headquarters, Tokyo was nothing but a reflection of fire and steel. The hum of Federation patrol craft filled the night skies, and the distant horizon glowed faintly from orbital debris falling through the atmosphere.
Inside, silence ruled the great conference hall.
At the head of the long obsidian table sat Gan'an Shinomiya, the man whose will had built half of Japan's industrial backbone. His children and board members sat in perfect formation, hands folded, expressions frozen somewhere between respect and fear.
The central projector displayed data stolen from the interplanetary network — casualty lists, Zeon tactical updates, resource graphs. At the bottom corner, one name kept reappearing across multiple fronts:
"Lelouch von Zehrtfeld."
Gan'an spoke quietly, his tone smooth but sharp enough to cut the air.
> "Zeon is losing… but this man continues to win. Odessa. Jaburo. Even the failed retreat from orbit bears traces of his strategy. He's young — perhaps too young — but genius rarely waits for permission."
His son Kei frowned.
> "Father, you can't be serious. Zeon is collapsing. The Federation will erase them in months."
Gan'an's cold eyes shifted toward him.
> "Perhaps. But even when an empire falls, brilliance survives. I've seen this pattern before. Great minds bend history — whether they win or lose the first war."
He leaned back, fingertips touching.
> "Which is why I've decided… the Shinomiya Group will extend a marriage proposal to the Zehrtfeld family."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Kaguya nearly dropped her tablet. "You what!?"
Gan'an didn't even blink.
> "A union between Earth's oldest corporate lineage and Zeon's rising military aristocracy. It ensures our legacy no matter who claims victory. The Zehrtfeld siblings — Lelouch and Tanya — are the future of Zeon's command structure."
Kei slammed his fist on the table.
> "They're the enemy!"
> "They're opportunity," Gan'an corrected coldly. "And opportunity doesn't wear a uniform."
He turned toward his daughter.
> "Kaguya. You will be the one to carry this proposal."
For a second, she thought she'd misheard him. Then the words sank in, burning like acid.
> "Father… you're marrying me off to a Zeon officer? The same people who bombed Sydney?"
> "You will not 'marry off.' You will secure an alliance. There's a difference."
The faintest smile curved his lips.
> "And if this Lelouch von Zehrtfeld survives Solomon, he will be a man the world bows to. Genius, charisma, scientific insight… everything your generation of suitors lacks."
Kaguya's voice trembled, anger barely leashed.
> "So this is what my life amounts to — another business investment?"
Gan'an's answer was merciless.
> "Exactly that. Investments ensure survival. Ideals do not."
She looked down, nails biting into her palm beneath the table. The room spun slightly, her heart pounding. A marriage to a stranger… a man of war… while the one I actually—
Her thoughts faltered on a familiar face — Miyuki Shirogane, the boy who once dared to look her in the eye as an equal, not a tool.
He's probably still working himself to exhaustion… trying to build a future with no place for people like us.
The thought hurt more than she expected.
Kei's voice broke her reverie. "Father, this is madness. The Federation would call this treason."
> "The Federation," Gan'an replied, "is bloated and slow. They fear change. Zeon may die, but their technology will not. The Zehrtfelds already work with advanced mobile suit systems, AI combat logic, even experimental power reactors."
Unyo, ever the realist, finally nodded.
> "If we're first to reach out, we gain influence over whatever rises from Zeon's ashes."
Kaguya stayed silent. Her pride warred with humiliation. Her heart whispered one name — Shirogane — but her mind screamed duty.
She could already hear her father's unspoken words: Love is a weakness the powerful can't afford.
Gan'an rose, signaling the end of the discussion.
> "The proposal will go through our Luna intermediary. If the Zehrtfelds respond, we'll prepare a public narrative — a union of peace between Earth and the Colonies."
He looked directly at her one last time.
> "If he accepts, Kaguya, show him that you are not merely a bride — but an equal partner. Make him see that the Shinomiya name deserves to stand beside his."
"Understood, Father," she said, her voice soft but controlled.
As the meeting adjourned, Kaguya stood by the window. The city lights below blurred as tears threatened to fall. She clenched her fists.
Shirogane… you idiot. You said we'd meet again. But now, the universe has other plans for me.
And if this Lelouch von Zehrtfeld truly is the man Father claims… then I will face him — as Shinomiya Kaguya, not as anyone's pawn.
---
Solomon Orbit — Zeon Outer Command, a week later
Lelouch von Zehrtfeld sat alone in his quarters aboard the Iron Serpent, the faint hum of reactor coils echoing through the metal floor. Reports from Luna and Earth scrolled across his screen — intercepted transmissions, resource lists, and casualty projections.
Among them, a new message glowed with a golden seal:
"From the Shinomiya Group — Formal Proposal of Alliance."
He opened it lazily. Elegant phrasing, flawless calligraphy, signatures of Earth's most powerful industrial dynasty. His own name repeated throughout, flanked by flattering titles and invitations.
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
> "Even Earth's nobility reaches for Zeon's dying star."
He leaned back, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
> "Shinomiya Corporation… interesting. A political marriage, perhaps? How quaint. They think this universe still runs on contracts and courtesies."
The holographic screen flickered, showing the orbital defense grid surrounding Solomon. Federation reinforcements were already preparing to strike.
He closed the message and exhaled softly.
> "A month left before they attack… and now Earth's vultures come bearing wedding rings."
His crimson eyes gleamed with that familiar, dangerous light.
> "Still, I'll remember your offer, Shinomiya. After all… every chessboard needs its queen."
The communication panel dimmed, leaving only the sound of deep-space static.
And somewhere on Earth, beneath the cold moonlight, Kaguya Shinomiya whispered to herself —
> "If fate insists on binding me to a stranger… then I'll make sure I'm the one writing the story."