The next day, a few hours before his mother's surgery, Atsuki was in his office signing a few documents but as he tried to focus on his work, he couldn't due to being worried about his mother, Sakura.

Ugh... I can't get anything done today. Stop worrying! Everything's going to be alright. He said trying to reassure himself. As he was busy thinking about his mother's condition, Haruna came into the room with a cup of tea.

Haruna: "Commander, would you like some tea?" she offered.

Atsuki: "Ah, yes. Thank you, Haruna."

Haruna then placed the tea on the desk for him to drink.

Haruna: "Commander, is there something bothering you? You look stressed."

Atsuki: "I'm fine. It's just that I can't stop thinking of my mother's surgery. What if something goes wrong with the surgery? Will she be alright? These thoughts keep going around inside my head, preventing me from thinking straight." He said placing his hands on his head.

Haruna stood there silently. Even though she doesn't have any parents, she does have sisters which she cares about. She thought of what she would do if she were in Atsuki's shoes.

Haruna: "You just have to believe that everything will be alright, commander. I know that it's a simple answer but it's true. Worrying won't solve anything. It will just put more stress on you. I'm sure everything will work out." She said trying to comfort him.

Atsuki: "Yeah, you're right. Thank you, Haruna."

He then took a sip of tea while he looked at the clock. There were still 2 hours before the surgery. He thought that he could go a little early to check up on his mother but his work isn't finished yet and he needs someone to look after the base while he was away.

Atsuki: "Hmm... Haruna, can you call Eiji here for me?"

Haruna: "Uh, of course but why do you want me to call him?"

Atsuki: "I was planning on going to the hospital before the surgery began so I need someone to fill in for me while I'm out."

Haruna: "I see. Then, I'll call him right away."

A few minutes later...

Eiji: "Hey Atsu- I mean, commander. Is there anything you need from me?"

Atsuki: "It's alright Eiji. You can drop the formal stuff. Were friends, aren't we?"

Eiji: "Alright then. So, what do you want?"

Atsuki: "It's about what I told you yesterday."

Eiji: "Oh, about your mother?"

Atsuki: "Yes. She will undergo surgery in a few hours so I have to go to hospital. I need you to fill in for me while I'm out. Can you do that?"

Eiji: "Sure! I can do it."

Atsuki: "Thanks. Alright, I'll be going now. If you have any questions, just ask Haruna. I'll be back around noon."

Astuki the left the room and went straight to the hospital.

Eiji: "Alright then, uhh let's start, shall we?"

Haruna: "Yeah, let's."

The two then began to work. Even though Eiji was Atsuki's right hand man, he was still new to Atsuki's job, so he was a bit overwhelmed.

Eiji: "Uhh, Haruna, does Atsuki do this every day?"

Haruna: "Yes, he is the leader of this base so this is his job."

Eiji: "I see... Damn, I didn't know how hard it is being him."

Haruna: "Yeah, even though this job isn't particularly easy, he still does his best for our sake..."

Without realizing it, Haruna blushed a little. Seeing this, Eiji was curious about the relationship between her and Atsuki.

Eiji: "I see. Hey Haruna, can I ask you something?"

Haruna: "Sure, what is it?"

Eiji: "You've been working with Atsuki for quite a while now, so can you describe him?"

Haruna: "Describe him?"

Eiji: "Yeah, like his personality, his hobby, stuff like that."

Haruna: "Hmm, let's see... He's a nice and gentle person but he can also be stern when he is needed to. I realized that when we were spending our day off together. He also likes to forget stuff so he needs someone to remind him from time to time. Like that one time when he was almost late for a meeting with the other commanders from HQ. It's a good thing I remembered him otherwise I think he would have never gone to the meeting."

Haruna kept talking for a few minutes until she finally saw Eiji with a smile on his face.

Haruna: "Hmm? Is something wrong, Eiji-san?"

Eiji: "No, nothing's wrong. It seems you know a lot about him, huh?"

Haruna: "Y-you could say that..."

Eiji: "I see... Okay then, let's continue with the work."

Haruna: "Oh, yeah."

A few hours later...

Eiji: "And that's the last one. Finally, it's over..."

Haruna: "Thank you, Eiji-san. Now Atsuki can take a break for the rest of the day, since today's work is finished."

Eiji: "You too. I couldn't have done it without your help. Anyway, I'll be heading back now."

Haruna: "Oh, okay then."

Eiji: "Oh yeah. Haruna, can you tell Atsuki to meet me at the bar when he gets back? I have some stuff I want to talk with him."

Haruna: "Sure. I'll tell him when he gets back."

Eiji: "Alright then. Thanks."

And with that Eiji left the office.

A few hours later...

Atsuki just returned to base and was walking towards the office. When he arrived, he saw Haruna sleeping on her desk.

It looks like she waited for me... he thought as he tried to wake her up.

Atsuki: "Haruna, wake up. Don't sleep here or you'll catch a cold."

Haruna: "Ugh... commander? Welcome back. How is your mother's condition?"

Atsuki: "Thankfully, the operation was a success. She's still in the hospital and will be discharged in a few days."

Haruna: "I see... Thank goodness she's alright."

Atsuki: "Hmm? Where's Eiji?"

Haruna: "He left some time ago after we finished work. Oh, and he left a message for you. He said that he wants to meet up at the bar."

Atsuki: "I see. Wait, all of todays work is finished?!" He said shocked.

Haruna: *giggle* "Don't underestimate me or Eiji-san commander. And besides, you had a long day. We thought that it was the least we could do to help."

Atsuki: "I see... Thank you, Haruna! I'll be sure to return the favour."

Haruna: "Hmm..."

Atsuki: "Hmm? What's wrong Haruna?"

Haruna: "T-then, can we spend time together again some other day?"

Atsuki: "Of course!"

Hearing this, a huge smile appeared on her face.

Haruna: "Then it's a promise!"

Haruna then got up from her desk and went to the door.

Haruna: "Well, I have to go now. I'll see you tomorrow commander."

Atsuki: "Okay. See you."

And with that, Haruna left the office.

Atsuki: "Alright then, I guess I gotta go meet up with Eiji."

He then went out of the office and headed towards the bar.

At the bar...

Atsuki saw Eiji at the counter having a drink so he sat next to him.

Atsuki: "Hey Eiji."

Eiji: "Oh, hey dude. Do you want anything?"

Atsuki: "No, I'm good. I'll be driving to my mom's house later so no drinking."

Eiji: "Oh, alright then."

The two stayed silent for a bit until Atsuki asked Eiji something.

Atsuki: "So, Haruna said you wanted to talk about something. What is it?"

Eiji: "Just wanted to talk to you is all. Is your mother okay?"

Atsuki: "Yeah, she's fine. She'll still be in the hospital for a few days though."

Eiji: "I see."

Atsuki: "Oh yeah, I heard from Haruna that you two finished todays work. I never expected you to complete it that fast."

Eiji: "Hahaha! I'm not the same person I was when we met a few years ago. Anyway, since I helped you today, care to take up the tab?"

Atsuki: "Yeah yeah. And you said you changed." He said jokingly.

Eiji: "What can I say, old habits die hard."

They both laughed at the statement.

Eiji: "Hey Atsuki, do you have someone close to you?"

Atsuki: "Hmm? Yeah, like my friends and family-"

Eiji: "Cmon dude! You know what I'm talking about."

Atsuki: "Oh, I see. Where did that come from?" He asked confused

Eiji: "I just broke up with my girlfriend a few days ago."

Atsuki: "Oh, sorry to hear that dude."

Eiji: "It's alright."

They both fell silent for a moment.

Eiji: "You know, you really are a lucky guy, Atsuki."

Atsuki: "What do you mean?"

Eiji: *chuckle* "You'll know sooner or later. Anyway, I gotta go. As promised, you'll pay for my drink, yeah?"

Atsuki: *sigh* "Fine. But this is the last time, you hear?"

Eiji: "Alright! Thanks dude! So, I'll see you tomorrow then."

Atsuki: "Yeah, see you."

After paying the bill, Atsuki went to pick up his mother's car at home. On the way there, Eiji's words kept ringing in his head. Suddenly, he thought of Haruna.

Why am I thinking of her? Atsuki thought to himself. Is it because I like her? No, I can't be... or His thoughts were cut short when he arrived at his house. After arriving, he went and got the keys to the car and went back to the hospital.