CHAPTER 567: THE NOTE

It definitely was.

However, that was only the beginning.

Because while they’d let the leaders of the military figure out a way around this, they were immediately met by the next big ticket item.

Biomechas.

Once the new biomecha pilots started training in the dungeon space and adapting to a completely new piloting system, Xavier—the only other biomecha pilot—was in charge of giving demonstrations and instructions.

Because there was really no question about Xavier’s competence as a biomecha pilot. Especially not when D-29 still couldn’t hold a candle to Sid in terms of experience.

And so it was practically a given for Xavier to lead this endeavor.

At least, until Duchess Amelia could formulate a better teaching plan after learning it herself.

But despite the insane schedule, Luca had been content. Because at least, during those days, he got to spend a whole lunch break with Xavier.

However, everything changed when the pilots had to be taken outside to test whether they could still operate their biomechas without the same type of energy-rich environment.

And ever since then?

No Xavier.

Not a glimpse.

Not even his shadow!

And it was apparently what hell looked like for a certain golden dragon.

When it started, Luca still managed to smile. In fact, he had been amazed at how the prince always seemed to know just what to do.

From how they considered the entire process and its potential fallout, Luca and Ollie realized that there were so many other things to consider aside from the logistics.

It was then that he realized he needed to broaden his thinking in other areas and promised himself that he would learn more once Xavier had the time.

But who was he kidding?

It would have been much easier to arrange a meeting with Pan-pan and her crew than to catch a glimpse of Xavier.

In fact, it was easier to schedule Tortie’s shell and limb cleaning than to get a moment with his very own husband.

However, in the end, Luca realized that it was all because he had started these changes. What else could he expect after introducing them?

So Luca pushed through. Relying on messages, calls, and handwritten notes Xavier apparently hid all over his workspace.

But the little guide was only human. He’d never gone this long without someone who had quietly become a constant in his life.

Therefore, as Luca counted the twenty-one space days he’d managed to endure, he decided he deserved another note.

Just one more.

The final one.

The one he was told was behind the door of his thinking hideout, which he only discovered after D-29 said, "Host. The benefactor left an instruction. That if badly needed, it would be best to direct you to this note."

Luca thought that maybe Xavier had left him an uplifting message.

But surprisingly, when Luca opened it, the letter read:

"I only meant to say I miss you. That’s it. Just that."

"But then I’d be lying when I’m painfully aware that it’s what I think of the most. And how every time I do, I catch myself wondering, are you thinking of me too?"

"But who am I kidding? What most? When you’ve always been my never-ending thought."

Luca read it once.

Then again.

Then read it one more time, ever so slowly, as his eyes began to water silently.

Then he sat on the floor and stared at the note while D-29 quietly questioned whether it had made a mistake.

Because the host did not look uplifted.

But he also didn’t tear the note into pieces or eat it like in his research.

So what should be the next step taken?

D-29 further assessed the situation and figured Sid would say, "silence."

And it was the right call.

Because Luca didn’t receive a consolation or a promise.

Instead, what he got was a validation.

A reassurance that he hadn’t been the only one feeling this way. That behind all those smiles and Xavier’s constant reminders for him to rest was someone who had also been pining.

Just like him.

And like a straw on a camel’s back, Luca had made up his mind.

He was going to—

To what?

What exactly was he going to do to fix this?

Fly out and look for them? Or demand that Xavier come back, even just for a moment?

But was that fair? When others probably missed their loved ones just the same?

However, just as Luca contemplated his plan, his terminal prompted him about an incoming call.

He panicked.

No, no, no. He couldn’t let Xavier see his puffy eyes. Absolutely not.

He quickly turned off the camera and took a deep breath before answering.

"Hello!" Luca chirped with way too much gusto. "How’s everything on your end?"

"It’s been good, the pilots have adapted better than expected. What about you?"

"Oh! Um...I’ve been able to start on the other projects now. So it’s been good! Great! Really!"

Xavier’s voice came through, warm and steady. "Mn. That’s good to know. And you’ve done really well. I just hope you ate before you started working."

"Of course I did," Luca replied quickly. "I even had snacks!"

Then he realized just as quickly that he’d done something unthinkable!

That last part nearly slipped out.

And it hit him.

He had finished the last of them.

The dried nuts Xavier had made especially for him.

The taste was still on his tongue, but now there were no more left.

His throat tightened.

He blinked furiously, refusing to cry again.

"I’m—I’m going to go check on the machine now," Luca said, voice wobbling despite his best effort to sound normal.

"Alright," Xavier replied, still walking on the other end. "Talk to me again later. And remember what I promised. It shouldn’t be long now."

Luca’s shoulders trembled.

That promise.

Xavier had said he would be back before the snacks were gone.

So Luca wouldn’t be without.

But now they were gone.

And Xavier still wasn’t here.

He could have called Xavier a liar. He could have gotten angry.

But instead, he reasoned it was because he had eaten them faster than usual.

Every time he missed him, he had snacked.

And now Xavier wasn’t back.

Luca slumped back down to the floor, still holding the note tightly.

But then—

Knock, knock.

"...?"

Luca stiffened.

No one should have found him here. He was deep in his hideout, tucked away behind a thick stack of spare panels and a half-assembled stabilizer. Even D-64 had only located it once by accident. So who—

"Luca."

One word. Soft. Certain.

His breath caught.

It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t insistent.

But it was him.

That voice—so familiar, so unmistakable—traveled through the narrow space and settled in his chest like a spark.

Luca’s back straightened instinctively, his heart thudding loud in his ears.

He turned slowly, almost afraid to hope.

"Luca, it’s me," the tone calm and light, as though he hadn’t just caused the dungeon’s number one shut-in to freeze mid-thought. As though he didn’t use spiritual energy to mask his arrival while simultaneously telling D-29 about a new catalog he was thinking of sharing with him.

"!!!"

Luca stared at the makeshift door.

Then his mouth moved on its own.

"Xavier?" he called out, as if the name itself could pull him closer. His voice cracked slightly from disuse, but he didn’t care.

"Is that really you?!"

He scrambled to his feet so fast he nearly tripped over the spare parts scattered around him. His hands fluttered uselessly at his sides as he rushed toward the make-shift door like a pet waiting for its long-lost owner.

Because he had heard something good.

No, not just good, but the best.

And for a moment, the aching days, the lonely breaks, the echo of his own thoughts inside this space—all of it fell away.

Because Xavier was back.

Just as he promised.