Upon hearing Ruth's report, Theia ordered the Blue Knight to move. It was obvious that this was a trap, but they had no choice but to walk into it.
“Theia, bring out my armor! I'll control the Blue Knight's hull!”
Koutarou's armor was originally one of the devices used to control the ship. By wearing the armor and moving, the ship would replicate those motions. While the Blue Knight was a warship, it had the shape of a person, which it made it possible to change the direction of the weapons and boosters. This was a characteristic unique to the Blue Knight.
“Wait, Koutarou! You should head for the surface!”
However, Theia shook her head at Koutarou's offer. In a three vs one fight, it would be hard to win without making use of the Blue Knight's unique characteristic, but despite knowing that, Theia wanted Koutarou to head towards Earth to help the people on the ground.
“What do you mean?! Then you two will―”
“Listen! It will take some time even for the Blue Knight to reach the far side of the moon! And I don't want our people on the ground annihilated before that! So you head for the surface!”
By bending space-time to move, which was also called warping, it was possible to reach the far side of the moon in an instant. But since they would just end up getting shot down if they dropped out of warp in the middle of the three ships, they would need to do so a distance away to avoid being focused down right away. Which meant that after the warp, they would need to use normal means to move to the far side of the moon, which would take time. And if the people on the ground were annihilated during that time, there would be no point. That's why Theia wanted Koutarou to head to the surface to buy some time.
“...I understand. Be careful, Theia”
Koutarou endured his feelings of worry and decided to listen to her instructions.
“I know. I won't try to push for a win. I'll just run around while jamming their communications”
Theia had said she would only be running around, but in truth that would be difficult to pull off. Koutarou knew it was dangerous as well. However, they both knew it was necessary, so they didn't discuss the matter any further.
“Ruth-san, I'll leave Theia to― wait, I don't need to tell you that”
“No, I'll carve your words into my heart”
As Ruth said that, the floor of the bridge opened, and a blue armor standing upright rose from below. After putting it on, Koutarou would head for the surface.
“...Koutarou before you go, say something to us”
“Something? Like what?”
Koutarou replied to Theia while sliding into the armor that had just opened for him. The armor closed automatically and started making adjustments. The armor's motors started up, and changed the position of the armor's joints to take the load off of Koutarou. It was the usual startup process.
“Anything that will raise our morale”
“You make it sound so easy, but that's the hardest part”
“Just say something”
Theia knew that this might be the last time they ever see each other, that's why she at least wanted to hear Koutarou's words one last time. She didn't care if the words themselves were pointless, as she only cared for the feelings they carried.
“Theia, once this is over, I'll play games with you for as long as you like”
“...Now that you've said it, I won't let you go back on your word”
Theia got to hear exactly what she wanted. The many feelings put into those words brought tears to her eyes. However, Theia held them back and smiled in return.
“Yeah. And Ruth-san”
“Yes”
“Think of something you want. Once this battle is over, I'll listen to any request you have”
“Any?”
“Yes”
“...I understand. I have a very special request, so I'll pick that one”
Tears formed in Ruth's eyes, but she couldn't show weakness before a battle, so she wiped them away and braced herself.
“...That's unfair. Why do I get games, while Ruth gets anything? You're too kind to just Ruth. I demand you correct this disparity”
“Of course. Who do you think you are?”
Koutarou smiled wryly as he headed for the bridge's exit. He would use a small lifeboat to head down to Earth. And was outside of the bridge.
“I'm your princess! Treat me with more care!”
“Then you already know”
“I don't”
“Stupid”
After exiting the bridge, Koutarou turned around to face Theia and Ruth one last time.
“...Theia, you have the right to request anything from me whenever you please”
“Tha...”
Theia was shaken up by Koutarou's words, and her expression greatly distorted. Because she was too surprised, she completely forgot what she was about to say. But Theia only remained motionless for an instant. Noticing that the sliding doors leading out of the bridge were about to close, Theia desperately called out to Koutarou.
“Then you better come back to me!”