Chapter Text
Suletta awakens from a restless sleep, groggily realizing she has slept through multiple alarms.
"Oh no, it's already 7:30 AM! I can't afford to be late!" She springs out of bed, quickly attends to her morning routine, meticulously brushing her teeth and arranging her hair before carefully selecting the finest suit from her closet.
As she prepares for the day ahead, doubts begin to plague Suletta's mind. 'What if I make a mistake? What if my skills aren't enough?' Anxiety threatens to overwhelm her.
Taking a deep breath, she repeats her mantra, the words her mother taught her. "If you run, you gain one. If you move forward, you gain two." Determined to push aside these thoughts, she steels herself with a resolute expression.
It all started a few days ago when Suletta stumbled upon a job opening at the esteemed company, "GUND-ARM, Inc." They were looking for a skilled pilot to join their ranks—an opportunity Suletta couldn't ignore.
As she tends to her garden, her phone vibrates, displaying an unknown caller. Curiosity piqued, she answers, "Hello?"
A voice on the other end identifies themselves, "Hello, Miss Mercury. My name is Miorine Rembran, the CEO of GUND-ARM, Inc. I'm calling about the pilot position you applied for."
Suletta eagerly shares more about her background and experience, feeling elated when Miorine invites her for an interview, which is scheduled for today at 9:00 AM at GUND-ARM's office.
Now, standing in front of the imposing GUND-ARM offices, Suletta gazes up and thinks, 'This place is huge...' With a mix of excitement and nerves, she enters the building.
A receptionist greets her warmly, "Hello, how can I assist you?"
Suletta smiles, brimming with enthusiasm. "Hello, my name is Suletta Mercury. I'm here for a job interview!" Her words express eagerness and anticipation.
"I will inform Miss Rembran of your arrival. Please have a seat," the receptionist says as she reaches for the phone to inform the CEO.
After a brief wait, the elevator doors glide open, revealing a striking figure—a young woman with flowing white hair.
Suletta finds herself captivated by her presence; her gaze fixed upon the enigmatic newcomer.
The woman extends her hand towards Suletta. "Miss Mercury, nice to meet you. I'm Miorine Rembran. Welcome to GUND-ARM, Inc. offices."
For a few long seconds, Suletta is speechless. The woman in front of her is so beautiful and perfect.
Realizing she has to reply, she shakes Miorine's hand. "N-nice to meet you, Miss Rembran!" She manages to say.
As they walk through the building, Suletta is amazed, catching a glimpse of a room that appears to be a testing lab.
She notices a blue-haired scientist, who is engaged in a conversation with her pink-haired colleague, seemingly involved in a test on a mobile suit.
They finally arrive in front of a big office; the sign on the door says "CEO."
Miorine opens the door and sits at the desk, gesturing for Suletta to take the seat in front of her.
Suletta sits down and begins to scan the room, noticing some of Miorine's diplomas, charts, numbers, and models of mobile suits.
Miorine brings Suletta's attention back to her as she starts to explain, “Here at GUND-ARM, Inc., we use the GUND format to develop cutting-edge medical technologies, aiming to enhance the quality of people's lives. To achieve this, we seek the finest pilots, mechanics, and scientists who aren't afraid of the Gundam curse and who are willing to go above and beyond to improve people's lives."
Her words have an impact on Suletta, inspiring her with Miorine's company's ultimate goal.
"So, it says here that you graduated from the piloting department of Asticassia School of Technology... Impressive grades," she says as she scans Suletta's file.
"You are affiliated with the Shin-Sei Development Corporation of Mercury, who also developed your mobile suit." Miorine hums and pauses for a moment.
Suddenly, she turns her gaze toward Suletta. "So, what do you think you can bring to benefit GUND-ARM Inc.?"
It's Suletta's turn to speak. She repeats her mantra in her head, takes a deep breath, and does her best to impress Miorine.
"W-well... I come from a planet far away from here. Mercury is a very dangerous planet for humans to live on... Therefore, back on Mercury, me and my mobile suit were part of a rescue team. We helped a lot of people... That's when I realized... I w-want to devote my life to helping other people..."
Miorine raises her eyebrow, piqued by Suletta's words.
Suletta continues, "Me and Aerial... If we can do something to bring happiness to other people's lives, it would be an honor!" She says with a big smile.
Miorine tilts her head as she looks at Suletta. 'Hmm... this girl is something else, huh?'
Suddenly, Suletta jumps as she hears someone forcefully trying to open the door. Miorine groans in frustration as a man with blackish-pink hair in a red suit enters the room.
"Miorine! Playing president again? Stop fooling around! Must I remind you who influenced your father to even let you open this company?" he says as he tries to grab her hand forcefully.
Miorine shoves his hand away. "Guel! You can't just barge in here. I'm in the middle of an interview!" she says with anger in her voice.
As Suletta watches the scene unfold before her, she sits there dumbfounded, playing with her fingers.
Guel finally notices her. "Hmm? What do we have here? Another pilot?"
He turns his attention back to Miorine. "Miorine, you know you can't waste all of my money by bringing more useless staff to this useless company of yours!"
This time, he really hits a nerve. "This is MY company, and MY money. They belong to ME!" she glares at him angrily.
"Ha, when we get married, it will be MY money, along with all your father's money! And I'll dissolve your pathetic company!" Guel laughs at her.
Suletta squirms in her seat as her heart sinks. "M-m-m-married?!" she squeaks.
The pair turns to look at her. As Miorine touches the bridge of her nose, she says, "Miss Mercury, I'm really sorry for this. This must seem so unprofessional..."
Before Miorine can finish her sentence, Suletta stands up, clenching her fists.
She turns to Guel, "D-d-didn't your mother ever teach you?! You can't act like that!" she says as she trembles. "T-this is wrong! T-t-tell Miss M-Miorine y-you are s-sorry!"
Miorine's eyes widen. 'Did she just stand up for me...?'
Guel starts to get really angry. "You... Who do you think you're talking to?!"
As he is about to shower Suletta with more of his words, Miorine grabs her hand, and they storm out of her office.
They arrive at what seems to be an indoor garden, and Miorine finally speaks. "Miss Mercury, I'm really sorry for all this." She turns her gaze toward the plants, taking an unripe tomato in her hand. Sighing, she continues.
"I really want you on our team, but I doubt after the stunt he pulled you will consider my offer seriously..."
Her next words are spoken weakly, and Suletta almost doesn't hear them. "And... thank you for standing up for me. Nobody has ever done that..."
At this moment, Suletta's mouth forms a small 'o'. She is silent for a few seconds.
'If you run, you gain one. If you move forward, you gain two.' Forming a determined expression, she begins, "M-Miss Miorine! I want to join GUND-ARM!" She says as she offers her shaky hand to Miorine.
Miorine turns to her, and a smile begins to form on her face. She shakes Suletta's hand, "Welcome to GUND-ARM Inc., Suletta Mercury."
Suletta realizes she held Miorine's hand for a few seconds longer than she should have. She releases the soft hand and blushes. "T-thank you, M-miss Miorine!"
Inside, she is beaming. 'After all, I want to be able to help other people... I want to help Miorine-san.'