Salutations.Nagate and Shizuka return to Sidonia, where they are heralded as heroes for their survival of being stranded in outer space for three weeks. Nagate, Shizuka, Norio and En are promoted to official Garde pilots following their services in the battle against Gauna 487. During the festivities, Norio apologizes to Nagate for his previous behavior, as the four of them practice a clasp formation with their hands. Nagate later questions Kobayashi about why Saitō raised him underground and why his wounds heal quickly, but Kobayashi says that she would like Nagate to be a knight of Sidonia. After the party, Nagate is approached by Yuhata, who accompanies him to the water reservoir, with Shizuka and Izana joining them. However, Yuhata attempts to get Nagate alone with her in a bathysphere. Izana's interference causes Nagate to ride alone with Shizuka instead. The two spend some quality time together until they are called for another sortie, as Gauna 488, shown as a pod, approaches Sidonia. Nagate and Shizuka depart to confront Gauna 488, but Nagate wakes up in the hospital some time later where he learns that Shizuka was killed during battle.