Chapter 119 ~ From the Shadows

The preparations for the establishment of the Special Administrative Zone of Japan continued to progress rapidly under the name of the third Britannian Princess, Euphemia li Britannia. 

Though, of course, it was only due to the support of her sister, Cornelia, and her brother, Schneizel, that it could proceed smoothly and rapidly. Although a princess, she did not have much influence over the Britannia government and officials placed in Japan. So she could only rely on her elder, more accomplished, siblings. 

However, Euphemia didn't mind it. People could perceive her as a naive, foolish, powerless little princess. Some, she knew, already had done so behind her back. And perhaps there were even more who thought of her in such a way without her knowledge. 

But that's fine. If her dream of creating this zone could be realized and ended the conflict raging within this country, then she wouldn't mind how they perceived her at all. 

In the midst of the busy preparations, an officer clad in blue suit walked through the hallway of the military office barracks, officers did their official duties outside of the battlefield. 

The light blonde haired officer with light blue eyes arrived at a door and knocked on it. 

"It is Luke, my lord."

"Enter."

A voice came from within, and right after, the door slid open, allowing the officer to enter. 

The door slid to a close behind him, and the sound of locks clicking together resounded. 

Luke saluted as the chair spun around towards him, revealing the appearance of a man with light brown hair, blue eyes, dressed in a similar blue suit with a single red feather pin on his collar. 

"How are the preparations progressing?"

Luke lowered his head slightly, and with a smile on his face, answered his question.

"My lord, everything is going as planned. The hectic preparations for the establishment of that "zone" had made it easier for us to progress. It will be done as scheduled."

"Hahaha… It seems that the princess's foolishness had become a boon for us instead by gathering all of them into one place."

The man seated behind the desk, Kewell, clapped his hands in delight as he let out a sarcastic mirthful laugh.

"Good. Proceed with the preparations, and make sure that the cleansing will be done without a hitch. We shall carry on his will in his name…"

His blue eyes shined with a sharp glint as he looked at the officer before him with a grave expression.

"Yes, my lord. It will be done."

Luke lowered his head and bowed. And as he raised back up, he saluted once more.

"Hail to the Morningstar."

Kewell nodded.

"Hail to the Morningstar."

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

It was the morning of the start of Ashford Academy's annual school festival. 

Although it has not officially started, a large group of crowds and excited students have gathered within the courtyard and the academy grounds in preparation for the school festival. 

Food stands, game stands, and a stage with a large structure hidden under a cloth had been built and readied for the start of the festival. 

Yuuji, Karen, Nunnally, and the rest of the student council aside from Lelouch and Shirley were currently in their office, getting ready to announce the start of the festival. 

"I-Is it really okay for me to do this, Milly…?"

Nunnaly asked nervously as she sat before the school's PA system, which was currently being set up by Rivalz and Nina, on her wheelchair. 

"Of course~! It would be the perfect thing to start this school festival with~!"

Milly placed a hand on her, giving her encouragement, and Nunnally nodded.

"Then…"

Rivalz grabbed the microphone and placed it before Nunnally. Then, taking in a deep breath, Nunnally made the most adorable cat noise there ever was.

"Nyaaaaa~!"

Loud, deafening cheers immediately resounded throughout the entire academy grounds as the long awaited festival had finally begun. 

"Fufu~ As I expected~ Such a cute "nya" would definitely hype them up even more~!"

Milly placed her hands on her hips and puffed her chest out proudly with a smug smile. She knew that the guys would become even more excited if they heard such a cute nya. 

"Now then."

Milly turned towards Yuuji and Karen. 

"Are you guys sure you're not going to enjoy the festival for a bit? Your work won't start until 11. There's still plenty of time."

Yuuji shook his head and answered.

"It's really fine, pres. I… don't really want to be seen by the media. So I'll just go and help prepare the ingredients for the pizza."

"Hmm… I see. That's too bad. I'm sure a lot of prospective students would come to our school if they see you~ But I guess I can't force you either~"

Yuuji's lips twitched as Milly let out an exaggerated sigh after she shamelessly told him her intention of using him as free advertisement.

"What about you, Kallen?"

"I'll… I'll join him. I don't really like crowds, so…"

Kallen said in a soft, demure tone, just like how her "Kallen Stadfeld" persona would have answered. But in truth, she was truly feeling a bit shy about saying her intention to be with him out loud, proven by the clear blush she had on her face. And the fact didn't escape Milly's sharp eyes.

"Oh~? Is that so~? Mm, I see, I see~ Fufu~ Then, enjoy your time with your lover~ Ohohoho~"

"T-That's not-!"

Milly turned around and left the room, pushing Nunnaly's wheelchair with her, along with Rivalz and Nina who followed right after, leaving behind a flustered Karen and a helpless Yuuji.

"T-That girl…!"

"A-Ahahaha… Well, she's just like that. You don't need to mind it too much."

Yuuji calmed her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"...You're right."

Milly was just someone who loves teasing those she cares for and messes with them out of love. And Karen understood that she was that kind of person. Although it was embarrassing, she still decided to just let it go.

"Then, shall we head to the prep room? It's in the cooking class on the first floor, right?"

"Mm… Let's go."

The two began making their way to the prep room. And as they walked, Yuuji suddenly held her hand and intertwined their fingers together, surprising her and causing a healthy blush to appear on her face. 

She averted her face away from him the entire way, but Yuuji could feel her holding his hand tightly in return, and he could also faintly see how red she was from the side. 

Fortunately for her, the path they were taking was one that very few students were present. Most have either gone outside the building or were staying within the main academy building to celebrate or tend to their club and class activities for the school festival, instead of the Student Government building. 

Thus, no one was there to disturb them, and Karen kept holding the hand of her beloved tightly as they enjoyed the warm, fuzzy silence between them. 

Soon, the two reached the ingredients preparation room, which was previously a room made to be used by cooking and baking clubs. It was filled with complete cooking appliances of amazing quality and was quite large as well. But since there were also rooms and kitchen facilities within the main academy building, the few culinary clubs preferred using those instead of the ones in the Student Government Building since they were much closer to their class. 

Yuuji opened the door and entered along with Karen. And they were immediately greeted by numerous crates filled with raw ingredients that would be used for the giant pizza which was over 12 meters in radius. 

But that wasn't all. Standing in front of one of the kitchen counters a bit deeper into the room, they saw Suzaku, knife in hand, dicing and slicing some onions quietly all alone. 

Karen's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't expect Suzaku, who had just been newly appointed as the third Britannian princess's knight, to be here. 

The words got stuck in her lips. But Yuuji, who knew that there was a chance for him to be here, wasn't taken by surprise and greeted him normally. 

"Oh? This is a surprise. I didn't expect to see the newly appointed Knight of the Third Princess of Britannia to be here, cutting up onions all alone. Aren't you supposed to be busy guarding her and being by her side?"

He said with a slight bit of teasing in his tone. And Suzaku, who had heard the door open, simply turned and looked at Yuuji and Karen with a wry smile.

"A-Ahahaha… I thought so as well. But she ordered me to relax and take a small vacation before the establishment of the special administrative zone. So… I decided to come here to see if I can help around for the school festival. I met Lelouch earlier, and he told me to prepare the ingredients for the giant pizza, so here I am."

"I see. Well, you're here to relax, so make sure you can enjoy the festival as well later. We'll help out."

"Mm. Thanks."

Yuuji and Karen entered and began helping Suzaku with cutting up some onions and bell peppers. 

And as they did, Karen and Suzaku couldn't help but look at Yuuji in shock and awe. 

The way he handled the knife fluidly and precisely while moving at such a speed… It was as if they're watching a master chef's knife skills at work. 

"You know, I was quite surprised when I saw the announcement of your knighting on the tv. And the announcement for the establishment of the special zone also seemed like it came out of nowhere…"

Suzaku snapped out of his daze and looked up towards Yuuji's eyes, who was still maintaining the speed and precision of his knife work. 

"A-Ah… Actually, it came out of nowhere for me too. If you recall, I got a call from my superior that forced me to leave the student council early a few weeks back… That's when I was offered the position by her highness herself…"

Suzaku's hand stopped as he reminisced the time he was called by Euphie to her office, and given the offer to be her knight. 

Karen's hand similarly stopped as she listened to his words attentively, while Yuuji split his attention between his task and Suzaku's words. 

"And then, she told me about her plan to establish the special zone, and that she wanted me to become her knight to also show her sincerity to the Japanese people. I was very shocked as well when she told me her plan. But… after I heard her true intention… I wanted to help her bring peace to this nation. So I agreed."

Although he didn't know if he was worthy or even had the strength to protect Euphie as her knight, he wanted to help her realize her dream of bringing peace to Japan. Even if all he was useful for was his origin as a Japanese, he would gladly become the proof of her sincerity and help her gain the trust of the Japanese people. 

"I see. That makes sense. And now, with your position as her knight and the pilot of Lancelot, you can also be considered as the shield that would protect her and her vision. But… You do know that many of the Japanese don't believe her words completely, right?"

"Yes…"

Suzaku nodded and lowered his head down. 

Of course he knew. Even if he was an honorary Britannian. Even if he was Euphie's knight. Even if he knew Euphemia's true intention. He was still Japanese, and he knew how her words and aspirations could be interpreted by the Japanese people, who had suffered under Britannia's colonial rule for more than a decade. 

This was perhaps the most difficult part for Euphemia… To gain the trust of the Japanese and show her sincerity and genuine wish to help them and bring peace to the nation, and then to protect the special zone from the control of the Britannians and prevent it from being turned into a puppet state. 

"...Well, I personally hope this will work out. It'd be tough for her highness to keep this special administration zone away from those who wished to control the "Japanese" government from the shadows. But if she could… then it'd be a win-win for both sides."

"Mm…I hope so too."

Yuuji glanced towards Suzaku and saw the clear worry and anxiousness in his countenance. This was clearly something that had been bothering him and filling his mind. 

"...Well, I'm sorry for bringing up such a heavy topic."

"No, it's fine… It's something that needs to be handled. And I'm glad to hear what you think."

Suzaku smiled softly, and Yuuji nodded. 

They resumed their work. And a while after, the door to the room opened once more. They all turned to look, and saw Lelouch standing there with a headset on and a tablet in his hand. 

"Oh, so you guys are here. Perfect. There's something I need your help with."