Gundam: Changing the World Even with a Mass-Produced Unit

Chapter 79: Reunion

"Dad, Dad?"

After buying everything they needed and leaving the mall, Amuro suddenly stopped in his tracks. The cheerful conversation he was having with Christina moments ago was completely forgotten.

His gaze was fixed across the street, where a somewhat disheveled yet scholarly-looking man stood.

Following Amuro's line of sight, Eli immediately understood.

That must be Tem Ray.

"Can you guys take all this stuff back? Amuro, let's go!"

Eli handed all the bags from himself and Amuro to Bright, not caring if Bright could carry them all, and grabbed Amuro's hand, dragging him forward.

"Eh? Eli-san?"

Even Amuro himself hadn't reacted yet, still stunned by this unexpected reunion.

"That's your father, isn't it? If so, then we have to catch up. Watch the cars!"

Without waiting for the others at White Base to react, Eli had already pulled Amuro across the street.

"His dad? Amuro's dad? Here?"

Christina, startled, quickly took the items Bright couldn't manage, as if it was second nature to her to care for everyone.

Meanwhile, Fraw was filled with concern, her eyes following Amuro's figure across the street.

As Amuro's childhood friend, Fraw understood the complex emotions between him and his father.

Having cared for Amuro all this time, Fraw wanted to step forward and face this moment with him. But their day-long cold war held her back, keeping her rooted in place.

After all, Amuro hadn't asked for her help, had he? Amuro didn't need her care anymore, did he?

On the other side, Amuro was unaware of Fraw's thoughts. His gaze was locked on the all-too-familiar figure before him.

Or was it unfamiliar?

How long had it been since he last chased after his father like this?

Ever since they moved to Side 7, his father had been too busy with work to care for him, and Amuro had gradually turned into a mechanical geek, staying home all day.

Perhaps because of this, Tem Ray didn't notice the person calling out to him and following him. He kept his head down, preoccupied, until he boarded a bus.

Amuro gritted his teeth, even considering running after the bus.

"This way, Amuro!"

Eli's shout made Amuro snap his head around.

Seeing Eli flagging down a taxi by the roadside, Amuro quickly jumped in.

Watching Amuro fixate on every bus stop, searching for his father, Eli couldn't help but sigh.

He reached out and ruffled Amuro's hair.

"It's okay. We'll find him."

The "White Devil" who struck fear into enemies on the battlefield now looked like a frightened child.

But Amuro was just a child, after all.

Soon, Amuro urgently knocked on the driver's seat, signaling for the taxi to stop.

Like the wind, he dashed out of the car. Eli casually tossed a roughly estimated fare to the driver and followed him out, giving Amuro enough space to act.

"Dad!"

Amuro took a few steps forward and called out.

This time, Tem Ray finally heard the familiar voice and turned around.

"Oh, it's Amuro."

His father showed none of the excitement one might expect from a long-awaited reunion, standing in stark contrast to Amuro, who was still catching his breath.

As Amuro noticed this, Tem Ray spoke again.

"How's Gundam performing? Everything going smoothly?"

Amuro had imagined countless scenarios for their reunion, but the first words from his father after all this time were about Gundam's performance…

Surprisingly, Amuro could accept it.

Just like that time when he had questioned his father, "Is an MS more important than human lives?" his father's eyes still cared more about his creations.

"Ah… yes."

Amuro responded absentmindedly.

"And what about him?" Tem Ray pointed at Eli. "Is he an MS pilot too? Is it Guntank or Guncannon?"

Eli hadn't expected the conversation to involve him. He blinked before replying, "Yes, I pilot the Ground Gundam."

Considering Tem Ray's current state, Eli figured he probably didn't know about the EZ-SR, so he gave an answer that would be easier to understand.

"I see. My Gundam is the strongest. Follow me; you came just in time."

Amuro exchanged a few words with his father before walking alongside Eli, trailing behind Tem Ray.

"Dad only cares about Gundam… just like before."

Perhaps because he was walking beside Eli, Amuro snapped out of his daze. Looking at his father's back, he murmured to Eli,

"In my father's eyes, what am I?"

Amuro's question hung in the air, but he didn't seem to expect an answer. He quickened his pace and followed closely behind Tem Ray.

Eli watched the two figures—one large, one small—and understood that Amuro was deeply hurt inside.

They followed Tem Ray to his current residence, an apartment next to a scrap recycling plant. Each unit was a tiny one-room setup.

Inside, scattered parts littered the corners, and a makeshift workbench occupied the center of the room.

Tem Ray showed no intention of hosting his visitors. He walked straight to the workbench, picked up a metal box, and carefully navigated around the scattered parts to the desk.

Opening the box, he pulled out a memory circuit. Its crude design was evident, with exposed wires visible.

Yet the once top-tier scientist seemed oblivious to this, introducing it to them with pride.

While Tem Ray enthusiastically explained, Amuro's eyes were fixed on the memory circuit, his expression gradually twisting into a forced smile.

Though his eyes were dull, the corners of his mouth curved higher and higher.

Eli noticed the subtle twitching of Amuro's lips, a sign that he had realized something.

Because of him, Tem Ray had been dragged into space and suffered from hypoxia.

Regardless of their prior relationship, a tidal wave of guilt threatened to swallow Amuro whole.

"This can instantly boost Gundam's power several times over. Take it back and try it."

In no time, Tem Ray had finished his explanation.

He shoved the component into Amuro's hands, his words carrying an unmistakable hint that it was time for them to leave.