Set during episode 23, after the point in time when Shin, Raiden, Theo, Korena, and Anju learn who the “foreign officer” is – and agree to work with Lena.
Note: This is the first in a series, about the anime: 86 – there aren’t 86 vignettes planned
“I know you don’t understand, Ernst.” Raiden shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the doorframe of the older man’s study. “But, I came to remind you: this is our choice.”
A long pause. A stillness that wasn’t waiting. Just…quiet.
“I don’t understand. I won’t insult you by pretending I do. But, it pains me.”
“You don’t have that right.”
“I don’t. But, I do care. And still.”
“We don’t need your pity. Or your good intentions. We’ve all struggled with our own demons, but, we’ve made our peace with it. Anyway, that’s all I came to say.”
“I didn’t fight. I-I didn’t stop you, I didn’t even really try. To prevent you from returning to the battlefield. Barely giving you some pretense at setting yourselves up for having a future. When I was so afraid….All I could do was delay the inevitable.”
“Story of our lives.”
“But I don’t understand why. We all know, now, what was done to you. And that foreign officer has no right—“
“I think you should take that up with her. We’ll fight, whether she’s there or not. But, I think…she’s a little like…remembering home.”