Around 3 PM, after making all the arrangements, Aric pressed the doorbell to Felix's office.
After the chime, the door opened.
Aric stepped inside.
"Something you need?"
Looking up at Aric's entrance, Felix smiled slightly as he asked. Aric raised his hand in salute, then reported after lowering it.
"Captain, everything has been arranged. Miss Lacus's concert will officially begin around 4:15 PM."
"Have all personnel currently off-duty been notified?"
Nodding, Felix asked him.
Aric nodded, replying verbally.
"Everyone has been notified."
"Hmm."
Grunting in acknowledgment, Felix waved his hand at Aric.
"Go attend to your own tasks."
"Yes, Captain."
Raising his hand in salute, Aric replied crisply with his resonant voice. Lowering his hand, he turned and walked out of the office.
After he left, the opened door closed.
Felix lowered his head and continued handling the matters in his hands, not giving further thought to other affairs.
Around 4:15 PM, the cafeteria at Lorentz Military Base—normally capable of seating several hundred people for meals—had been transformed into the venue for Lacus Clyne's concert.
The usually quiet cafeteria, bustling only during meal times, was now lively and crowded. Soldiers gathered here looked eagerly toward the stage ahead, their expectant gazes unanimously fixed there, awaiting Lacus Clyne's arrival.
"It's really lively, Captain!"
Standing beside Felix, Aric glanced back at the gathered crowd and said with a cheerful laugh.
Turning to look at Aric, Felix smiled slightly.
"Yes. It's rare for the base to be this lively."
The moment he finished speaking, all the lights in the cafeteria suddenly went out, and the noisy chatter ceased instantly. A soft melody began to play from the stage, reaching everyone's ears.
The melody drew Felix's attention, and he looked toward the stage.
"In the quiet night, I wait for you..."
A beautiful, healing voice sang out from the stage.
Along with the singing, the stage lights brightened.
Lacus appeared on stage, wearing her formal performance attire. Her lovely face showed concentration, her eyes focused as the song flowed from her perfect vocal cords.
"...I recall the forgotten smiles, the time that has passed, thinking of the beautiful place where stars fall, wishing for your smile in the quiet maiden night (in the silent night)."
Felix, who had closed his eyes to appreciate the beautiful singing, murmured these thoughts inwardly. After this moment of reflection, he relaxed his mind and body, devoting himself entirely to enjoying the exquisite and lovely song.
Time flowed by, minute by minute, gradually slipping away under the influence of the beautiful, healing voice.
As the final note of the melody on stage ended, the quiet crowd erupted, and shouts suddenly arose.
"Miss Lacus!"
"Miss Lacus!"
Shouts tinged with fervor roused Felix from his serene reverie. Turning to look at the lively crowd behind him, he watched their enthusiastic cheers, a smile spreading across his face.
Withdrawing his gaze, he looked up toward the stage.
Seeing the graceful and gently smiling Lacus, Felix raised his hands and applauded for her.
Just as Felix was clapping, Lacus on stage turned her gaze in his direction. The sudden eye contact made Felix pause briefly, but he quickly adjusted his expression, revealing a smile as he looked at Lacus and nodded approvingly.
Seeing Felix's approving nod, Lacus suddenly felt very happy—a joy reminiscent of the first time she had ever been praised.
After a few moments, Lacus shifted her gaze to others, her face radiant with a happy smile as she spoke in a cheerful voice.
"Thank you all for your support! Next, I will sing 'Proof of Water' for you. I hope you like it!"
"Whoo!!"
As soon as Lacus finished speaking, enthusiastic cheers erupted from below the stage. Feeling such fervent support, Lacus beamed, closing her eyes as she waited for the melody to begin.
Soon after Lacus closed her eyes, an ethereal melody started playing on stage. Under the melody's spell, the excited crowd grew quiet.
Lacus stood on stage, lightly tapping the floor with her toes, feeling the rhythm of the music.
When the moment arrived, Lacus opened her eyes and began to sing the beautiful, melodious song.
"In the water, the night sways, a hundred sorrows quieted, standing by the green shore, awaiting the beautiful dawn, a lovely heart."
The exquisite, beautiful singing flowed from Lacus's lips on stage, her voice passing through the air to reach everyone's ears.
Immersed in the wonderful song, Felix closed his eyes again, emptying his mind and body with the beautiful music, experiencing a peace unlike that of the battlefield.
By 9 PM, as the final慰问演出 ended, the once bustling cafeteria became empty again.
The tables and chairs that had been moved elsewhere were brought back, the only unchanged element being the erected stage, standing silently as if declaring that everything was not yet over.
"Captain Griffith!"
On his way to the office, Felix heard a familiar voice calling him. Pausing his steps, he turned to look behind him. There stood Lacus, who had changed out of her performance attire, not far away.
"Something you need?"
Looking at her, Felix smiled slightly as he inquired.
Lacus quickly walked over to Felix, her face beaming as she asked him.
"My performance today was quite good, wasn't it?"
"Excellent! Miss Lacus, your singing is the best I've heard among all vocalists. Both songs were also very well-written."
Seeing the unintentional expectation in her eyes, Felix nodded, honestly expressing his thoughts.
Hearing such praise, the smile on Lacus's face widened. Looking at Felix, she joked lightheartedly.
"I never expected to receive such high praise from you."
"Miss Lacus's singing deserves such high praise."
Smiling slightly, Felix replied.
After speaking, Felix checked the time and asked with concern.
"It's getting late. Aren't you going to rest?"
"I can't sleep just yet. I wanted to find someone to chat with."
The smile on her face faded a little as Lacus leaned against the wall, tilting her head to gaze at the scenery outside the porthole, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.
Seeing her like this, Felix moved to lean against the same wall beside her, his tone gentle as he said.
"Miss Lacus, if you don't mind, I can keep you company for a chat."