Sousuke, as promised, had skipped the trip. Everyone in the class teased him the day before, “Aw, but you said you’d handle security!”
To this, he had responded with utmost gravity, “I’m afraid I have an irreconcilable conflict.” But then, he’d offered this advice: “If a seajacking does occur, don’t resist. As long as you’re peaceful, the terrorists won’t hurt you. Understand? Just do everything you’re told.” The words seemed pregnant with meaning, but Kaname had just sat in a corner of the classroom, indifferent to the exchange. They were still fighting, after all.
“You’d think he’d come with us, right?” she asked now. “If he were serious about me, he wouldn’t skip out.”
“I see... Well, maybe you’re right,” Kyoko admitted.
“I know I can be stubborn about a lot of things, and I know it’s not right, but I really don’t think he cares about me that much,” Kaname told her friend gloomily.
“Maybe not... or you might just be paranoid.”
“I so am not!” Kaname retorted. “I just think there’s another girl he likes better.”
“Aw, really? Who is it? Anyone I know?” Kyoko suddenly looked extremely curious.
“Yeah. Remember the girl who did a stint at our school, start of second term?”
“Oh, Tessa-chan?” Kyoko asked.
The students of Jindai High School knew Tessa quite well. The Tuatha de Danaan had taken a lot of damage during the Perio incident, which had put it in drydock for several weeks starting from the end of August. Tessa had decided to use that time to take a long vacation... which she’d opted to spend at Jindai High School in Tokyo. Perhaps, Kaname had thought, she’d wanted a taste of ordinary high school life.
Thus, she and Mao had barged their way into Sousuke’s apartment, joined class 2-4 under the pretext of being exchange students on a study abroad, and spent two weeks turning student life upside-down. Obviously, no one had brought up the fact that Tessa was really a colonel with Mithril...
“She’s in Australia now, right?” Kyoko went on. “I guess they’re still in touch? Then the party Sagara-kun went to is...”
“Yeah,” Kaname said. “I think he went to be with her.” That was her assumption based on Wraith’s testimony, at least; Sousuke’s claim about a mission was just an excuse. She sighed as she imagined the grand party probably unfolding on Merida Island right now. All the crew would drink and sing and party, and things would start to get romantic between Sousuke and Tessa, and... Kaname realized her mood was plummeting. “Oh, who cares! Subject closed!” she shouted to the night sky.
“Um, sorry,” Kyoko said awkwardly.
“Hey, it’s not your fault... But c’mon, we’re here, right? Let’s forget that jerk and have fun!” Kaname paused, realizing something. “Actually, you got a watch? How long until the big banquet thing? I’m seriously starving.”
“Didn’t you get a snack from Mayu-chan?”
“It was all gone by the time I got there... ugh.” Just then, she heard a voice address her from behind.
“Excuse me. Chidori Kaname-san?” It was a member of the ship’s crew, a Caucasian man, a little over forty. He had a nicely trimmed beard, and wore a stark white uniform and hat. His posture was ramrod-straight, but he didn’t seem pompous; he had exactly the amount of dignity you’d want to see in the crew of a luxury liner.
“Huh? Yeah?”
“So it is you. I saw you from a distance and wondered... Oh, let me introduce myself,” the crew member said in fluent Japanese, with barely a trace of an accent. “I’m Steven Harris, the ship’s captain. A pleasure.” He comported himself like the proverbial gentleman officer—compared to him, the de Danaan’s senior staff all seemed exceptionally plain.
“The captain?” Kaname and Kyoko said at once. Kaname remembered, now, seeing his face on the pamphlet they’d gotten before they left. She also thought she’d caught sight of him among the crew that had welcomed them on board...
“Um... thank you very much for having us. Could I maybe ask how you know me?” Kaname started with the natural question.
“When we met with your teacher last week, she brought pictures of your class and showed us yours. See? It was the same picture on your ID card.” He pointed to the ID card pinned to her uniform, which had her name and portrait printed on it, just like every other student aboard. “You’re the ‘leading lady’ of the hijacking incident, the one we were all praying for, start to finish. So I was a bit curious to meet you.”
“Ahh, I see...” Kaname said.
“Of course, I didn’t expect you to be so beautiful in person,” Captain Harris went on. “I couldn’t be more pleased. Oh... and your friend is charming too, of course.”
“Thanks. Ahaha...” Kaname and Kyoko both flashed him ingratiating smiles.
“So, what do you think of my ship?” he wanted to know. “Are all your needs being met?”
“Oh, totally! It’s the picture of luxury,” Kaname gushed. “It’s big, it’s beautiful, and the sailing is really smooth.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Captain Harris told her. “If you need absolutely anything, please let my staff know, and we’ll deal with it at once. You’re an important guest, after all. Yes... a very important guest.”
Kaname froze in silence. His words were perfectly polite, but she couldn’t help sensing something off about them. There was something kind of coaxing... almost wheedling about his tone. The captain’s eyes were those of a man gazing at prey in a cage and asking, “Now, what shall I do with you?” What is it about him that makes me think that? she wondered.
“Kana-chan?” Kyoko said.
“Huh?”
“You drifted off for a minute. What’s up?”
Nothing. You’re overthinking it. Just jumping at shadows, Kaname told herself, then gave an awkward laugh. “Oh, it’s nothing. Um... we appreciate it, Captain.”
“Well, then, I hope you have a fine stay. Enjoy your voyage.” Captain Harris said, and then left
