Buddy Complex

Seriously...

I've explained the dangers of operating the old-type Coupling mecha so many times.

This is why I can't trust these people we call "pilots".

Maybe I am the Hina you knew.

Come with us, to Cygnus!

Thank you.

But...

No abnormalities detected in either of their brain waves.

Is that so?

Thank god.

However, Dio's Emphater waveform has diverged even more.

His Emphater level?

Let's see...

No way.

+15%!

I thought so.

In our last battle, I created a program to prevent a Coupling...

Yet those two overrode it and performed one.

Their bond has already exceeded my expectations.

Dio, what's wrong?

You... really did come from the past, huh?

What?

Who was that guy?

That guy?

The guy who was with you when your father died.

Watase Aoba. The Alliance's new-type pilot.

I'm asking you what your connection is with him.

Nothing in particular!

Then why did you protect him?!

So you really were with him on that island. Isn't that right?

Mm-hmm.

You...!

You got it wrong! I never betrayed you guys!

I spoke with him on the island for the first time!

You expect me to believe that?

I...

I'm... not my father's daughter.

What?

I was a war orphan who could only remember that her name was 'Hina'.

Father found me and raised me as his own daughter.

Father told me this right before he died.

When we met at the island, Watase Aoba told me that I came from the past.

The past?

Yes.

He told me that it is me who saved his life 70 years ago,

and brought him to this time period.

What's with that ridiculous story?

You're right. It's ridiculous, isn't it?

But... he somehow knew who I was when we met for the first time.

If I lost my childhood memories because of the shock of coming from the past...

That's enough!

Those are obviously bluffs to fool you!

But he even said that this was mine!

Stop this nonsense!

Listen!

Whatever you say will not change the fact that you were with an Alliance's pilot!

If I were to report this, even Lieutenant Colonel Alfried wouldn't forgive you.

I'm the only one who would forgive you.

Forget all of that nonsense and do as I say, got it?

I understand.

Stop that!

Shift A, Bypass 2, is still unstable.

Coupling aptitude is a D+.

With this, all the pilots here have failed the aptitude test for Coupling...

except her.

This is her first test and she's already showing such remarkable readings.

You are truly the angel that promises Zogilia's and my own bright future, Hina Ryazan.

You're telling me to pilot the Coupling mecha?

Of course. You have excellent Coupler qualities.

You want to avenge your father, don't you?

You can do that if you pilot my Valiancer which has an unrivaled ability over the existing Coupling mechas.

You can then easily seek redemption on the Alliance, who killed your father.

Hina is Hina, right?

Please give me more time to think about it.

Of course. Take your time.

That is...

A stimulant to repair a diverged brain wave after the experiment.

Come, give me your arm.

Yes, sir.

You've seen Aoba-kun's memories?

Yes.

Right before Decoupling with SkyKnight,

a series of images flowed into my head.

I can only think they're Aoba's memories

Is that even possible?

The first Coupling mechas made couplers have a strong connection with each other.

The pilots happened to share not only the thoughts, but their conscience and memories as well.

Then what I saw was...

Probably... my memories.

Because of the pilots' strong psychological ties to the first-type mecha,

their Coupling performance is more powerful compared to present mechas.

Isn't that a good thing?

Only if they can control it.

To have a stronger psychological connection means

the boundary between yourself and your partner would become uncertain.

If you continue Coupling under that circumstance,

it'll be difficult to maintain your sense of self and will strain you with great psychological pressure.

The worst case scenario is death.

This time, because your Emphater levels were high,

you've experienced no more than just sharing of memories.

You should be thankful that you were so lucky!

Yes.

Yes.

By the way, Dio.

You've seen Aoba's memories. What were they?

It's hard to believe,

but I've seen exact images of what Aoba described

when he first boarded Luxon.

His story about coming from the past may in fact be true.

Dio.

That can't be...

Impossible!

It sounds like a lie, doesn't it?

Captain, are you going to believe it?

I'm not really sure.

But in any case, nothing has changed, right?

That's right!

Whatever happens, Aoba-san is Aoba-san!

The same as before, a guy who came from the past.

Mayuka-chan.

Isn't that right, Elvira-san?

That's true, but...

That's right, nothing has changed!

How did you come into this time period, Aoba-kun?

Well, that was when Hina saved me...

That Zogilia pilot again.

Why would the enemy save you,

and send you to this time period?

Even if you ask me...

What about you, Dio?

I don't understand why either.

But...

You are going to the future.

Trust me.

Yumihara Hina definitely has all the answers to our questions.

As of 13:00 of today,

Second Lieutenant Hina Ryazan will be transferred to the Fifth Division of the Administration Unit.

That's absurd! Hina is now—

There must be a mistake, Doctor Hahn.

Second Lieutenant Ryazan has requested a furlough.

That must be a mistake.

She has volunteered to become a Coupler.

Volunteered?

Yeah, it appears that she desperately wants to avenge her father

Doesn't this make you want to cry?

So, from this moment on,

The military, including Lieutenant Colonel, of course, has no authorities to interfere.

Please keep that in mind.

What the hell are you thinking, Hina?!

I will avenge my father.

I told you to stay put!

If that's what you want, I'll do...

Hina?

Glory to Zogilia.

Did you know, Bizon Gerafil-kun?

Doctor Hahn.

Originally, a Coupler needs time to be synchronized with the system and a Buddy.

But in her case, she is almost perfectly synchronized with the system.

But she doesn't have a Buddy yet.

Then it's easy,

I'll be her Buddy!

Unfortunately, your Emphater waveform doesn't match either the system or her waveform.

Wha—?

Having said that, there is no other suitable candidate.

Wanna give it a shot?

Trying to synchronize in a short time will be quite harsh.

I don't care

If that will help Hina, I'll even let myself be burned by brimstone.

That's a good resolve.

Just wait, Hina.

For your sake,

I... I will...!

Our main ship, with the Alliance Pacific Fleet,

will be heading out to attack Zogilia's base.

Since we've landed in Hawaii,

I understand that everyone has not had enough time to rest.

However, our next course of action is an important one to turn the tides of battle.

We're looking forward to your performance.

Well, it's rather short notice, isn't it?

With Luxon and Bradyon taken away,

we have to hurry with the plan.

If they trained Couplers,

we'll end up fighting against the Coupling mechas.

In that case, it's better to strike sooner.

But you know...

Yeah.

Those higher-ups who were reluctant to recognize the value of the Coupling mechas,

are now in fear ever since it fell into enemy hands. It really is complicated.

Captain, a call from Lieutenant General Green.

I'm so sorry for the sudden battle, Kuramitsu-kun.

Not at all.

What's the status of the replacement new-type Coupling mechas?

No need to worry.

The ship carrying them has already left headquarters.

You can meet up at the rendezvous point.

The problem is the rendezvous point.

Isn't it in the middle of the battlefield?

It's a rather reckless plan.

I heard that the Cygnus's Couplers were outstanding.

I'm expecting results from you.