Chapter Thirty-Two: The First Act Ends

“Director...” At that moment, Deputy Captain Sogata and Kutsui had already brought Dr. Tango back in custody. Seeing Director Sawai and Captain Jujima, Sogata hurried forward, speaking with heartfelt relief, “It’s finally over...”

On the other side, staff members were carrying the seemingly deranged Masaki Keigo away. Heart-wrenching screams tore from his mouth, interspersed with incoherent mutterings: “Hayate Tetsuya... you won’t escape my consciousness...”

“Captain~” In the distance, Rina, the pilot of Victory Swallow II, and Shinjou, the weapons operator, waved and ran over, their faces radiant with joy. Tiga had successfully defeated the enemy—this was a wonderful outcome.

“Where’s Daigo?” Deputy Captain Sogata asked curiously.

At his question, everyone’s expressions shifted. They had never managed to locate Daigo’s whereabouts, except for Captain Jujima, whose face was filled with hopeful anticipation.

“Captain...” Just then, Daigo’s voice came through the earpieces. Looking up, everyone saw Victory Swallow I slowly descending.

“That rascal... how infuriating, coming back only now!” Shinjou complained, though he couldn’t stop smiling. Even Rina, who waved beside him, seemed to be shedding tears of happiness and excitement.

“Daigo~ you troublemaker, where have you been?” Shinjou called out, rushing toward Daigo. Following him, Kutsui, Sogata, and Rina all hurried over, eager to embrace Daigo.

“Everyone... wait!” Daigo’s face did not carry its usual bright, sunny smile; instead, he looked troubled. Their laughter slowly faded, uncertain of what had happened.

“Director, Captain...” Daigo bypassed his teammates, approaching Captain Jujima and Director Sawai first.

“I have something very important to discuss with you...”

The smile on Captain Jujima’s face had not yet faded. She asked, “What’s so important? Isn’t the crisis already resolved?”

But Daigo did not answer her question; his expression grew even more sorrowful as he finally turned to Director Sawai. “It’s about Captain Hayate...”

“Hayate?” Director Sawai asked, clearly concerned. “What happened to him? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen that kid these past few days...”

“I need to report to you privately... about Captain Hayate. He’s in Victory Swallow I right now; we may need to call medical staff immediately to carry him out...”

“What!?”

Inside the makeshift command tent, Daigo looked at the two superiors and spoke slowly. “When Masaki Keigo transformed into a giant using his methods, Captain Hayate broke through the arc’s range at the last moment and transformed into a giant alongside him.”

Captain Jujima interjected, “Was it in that cave?”

Daigo nodded slowly. Captain Jujima, a bit anxious, pressed, “How did Hayate... end up like this?”

“At the very end of Tiga’s battle with the giant, I believe Captain Hayate’s will intervened. He controlled the giant, preventing it from unleashing its finishing move, and then...” Daigo’s words trailed off; the rest was already clear to his superiors.

“Hayate is an outstanding teammate, a genius in battle...” Director Sawai sighed, recalling the first time he met Hayate Tetsuya years ago. That young man had left him with endless hope and drive, as though anything, no matter how impossible, could be handled perfectly in his hands.

“So... when will he wake up?” Captain Jujima’s gaze burned as she looked at Daigo. Instead of asking the medical staff, she posed the question to Daigo, convinced he would have an answer.

She had already guessed much about Daigo’s secret.

If Masaki Keigo could transform into a giant by some means... then Daigo, always mysterious and disappearing whenever Tiga appeared, might also have that possibility.

Faced with Captain Jujima’s hopeful gaze, Daigo shook his head helplessly. He didn’t know—and in truth, no one did.

Within the TPC Medical Bureau, Mayumi was led by the attending physician into a bright hospital room. She looked curiously at Tetsuya, who lay quietly on the bed, her gaze lingering on his mature, handsome face as she asked, “Who is this patient?”

The doctor methodically examined Tetsuya’s condition, sighed, and replied, “Former head of Carlo Base, former member of the Victory Team—Hayate Tetsuya.”

After a pause, he looked at Mayumi. “You’ll be responsible for his care from now on...”

Mayumi glanced at him, then hesitated. “Will he wake up?”

“He may regain consciousness in a few days... or perhaps never.”

Several days later...

“Sis...” From afar, Shinjou hurriedly waved to Mayumi, who was sitting in the garden reading.

“You know... this doesn’t look much like a proper work attitude!” Out of habit, Shinjou started his usual nagging.

“Hmph~ Brother, just mind your own business...” Mayumi shot him a glare, clearly displeased.

Seeing his sister so bluntly dismiss him, Shinjou awkwardly smiled, feeling embarrassed before Daigo and Rina.

“Have you been taking care of Hayate? I’d like to visit him.” Daigo ignored the banter and asked directly.

“You mean that guy who’s been unconscious all this time?” Mayumi looked at Daigo, closed her book, and led the three toward the hospital room, her tone slightly complaining. “I’m responsible for his care now, but looking at him... I really have no idea when he’ll wake up...”

She paused, repeating the doctor’s words with resignation. “Maybe... he never will.”

Daigo felt guilty hearing this, keeping his head down as he followed Mayumi into the room.

Just as Director Sawai had once said, time seemed to leave no trace on this man’s face. He looked much as he always had—handsome features, brows like strokes of a master’s brush. Yet his deep, star-like eyes were gently closed, his entire presence devoid of vitality.

The three looked on for a while. Shinjou sighed, “See... your brother works every day under such danger. You never know what crisis might strike the next moment.”

“Tch~”

Daigo turned to the three behind him and calmly asked, “Would you let me speak to Captain Hayate alone?”

The three left the room one by one. Mayumi, curious, asked, “Isn’t this kind of scene usually reserved for women? Now it’s a man...”

“Thump~” Shinjou knocked her lightly on the head, causing her to glare at her brother in annoyance.

“I understand what you’re thinking now...”

“Hurry up... hurry and wake up. I look forward to fighting side by side with you in another form!”

“Hurry up...”