by Shouji Gatou
“I don’t understand that,” Sousuke told her, sounding genuinely confused. “If you have something to say to me, can’t you explain it in more concrete terms?”
“Are you being serious right now?!” Kaname glared at Sousuke. “You think... you think you can always get out of things by playing dumb?! Well, you’re wrong! Because I know everything!”
Sousuke was baffled. “I don’t understand. But I wanted to tell you something that—”
“Oh, shut up!” she yelled. “I don’t want to hear it!”
“Chidori—”
“Stay away from me! I’m sick of you!”
“This is so typical!” Sousuke fumed. “Why do you—”
“I said this conversation is over!” Kaname said brusquely. Then, brushing through the crowds, she strode away from Sousuke.
That night, it was needless to say that Kaname regretted her words, as usual. But even repeating their exchange in her head dozens of times, she couldn’t stop being angry. What the hell is his problem? she kept thinking. And, as usual, that was where her thought process stopped. All of his charms, which usually came to mind easily, disappeared, leaving only negative thoughts behind.
After all, he’s completely inconsiderate, and the way he thinks he can play dumb to get out of trouble proves that he thinks I’m stupid, Kaname reasoned. Actually, when I really think about it, he can’t really be that stupid, can he? Maybe that was just a character he’s been playing from the start. If that’s the case, he’s the biggest creep ever! The absolute worst! I can’t believe I fell for him, even for a second. I’m so glad I didn’t confess to him in the heat of the moment!
Every single man is a con artist, anyway. Every word out of their mouths is a lie to make themselves look good. They’re crafty, evil, super-energy beings, and you can’t trust them for a second!
Yeah, there’s no way I’ll ever date a man, she told herself fiercely. Especially not him! I hate you, Sousuke!
Over the next few days, Kaname barely spoke to Sousuke. He’d approached her reluctantly a few times, but Kaname wouldn’t give him the time of day. He sent her emails on her PHS, but she deleted them without a glance. He’d ask her, “Did you see my email?” and she’d say, “Yeah, I saw it. Go away now,” and brush him off.
It wasn’t unusual, as far as fights between them went...
But this time, their quarrel would cause a minor panic.
2: O Noisy Night
24 December, 1401 Hours (Japan Standard Time)
Port of Yokohama, Yokohama
It was a five-minute bus ride from JR Sakuragimachi Station to Shinko Pier. Situated next to a seaside park packed with couples at twilight, this was where the Pacific Chrysalis was currently docked. Its hull was glittering white, an array of artistically curved funnels and intricately layered passenger decks.
The Pacific Chrysalis was massive. At 272 meters long and 100,000 tons, it was one of the largest cruise ships in the world. Outside of a handful of Caribbean luxury liners that were even larger, there were few in the world that rivaled this one for size. Mithril’s amphibious assault submarine, the Tuatha de Danaan, was about the only ship on this scale that Kaname had ever been on, and the Pacific Chrysalis seemed to dwarf even that. It was like an entire city set afloat.
Since that military vessel was Kaname’s only prior seagoing experience, the amenities of the Pacific Chrysalis now seemed unspeakably extravagant. The interior, too, was vastly more spacious than the submarine’s had been, with cabins and corridors reminiscent of a hotel.
“Certainly fancy in here...” Kaname whispered idly, as she laid her luggage on the bed of her cabin.
Her roommate, Kyoko, responded in excitement. “Yeah, it sure is! Did you see that lobby we passed through when we boarded? It was so big and beautiful, I couldn’t believe it! And the captain, and the live music there to welcome us... that was really something else!”
They had just come aboard with their classmates and teachers. Most of the crew that had greeted them as they came up the gangway were foreigners. They seemed friendly and courteous, and Kyoko and the teachers all seemed to find it thrilling, but Kaname couldn’t help but feel like something was off. She couldn’t shake the sense that a few of the crew seemed to recognize her in some meaningful way. Their expressions seemed to say, “Ah, she’s the one,” as if they’d known she would be here—or rather, that they knew what fate was in store for her here. It was subtle; just a slight tension in their faces, followed by an exchange of glances, and then cheery smiles, as if nothing had happened.
No, you’re being stupid, she decided. After all, their last field trip had been in the news, and she stood out even among her classmates as “the last one saved.” Of course the captain and crew would know about her.
“Hey, Kana-chan,” said Kyoko, interrupting her thoughts.
“Hm?”
“Let’s hit up topside before we leave port. They say the observation deck has a great view of the Minato Mirai wheel.”
“Sure,” Kaname agreed. “Actually, I’m pretty hungry, too... You bring any snacks?”
“Ah, sorry,” Kyoko told her apologetically. “I ate with Shiori-chan and the others while we were waiting to board earlier. I heard Mayu-chan brought Pocky, though. Maybe get some from her?”
“Oh, yeah? I’d better confiscate it; she’s been putting on weight lately!”
“Wow, mean!”
Kaname left Kyoko behind, cackling.
There were a few female students hanging around in the brightly-lit corridor, chatting boisterously. Ah, figures... Kaname reflected. Their class weren’t the only ones on board, and they’d been warned in homeroom several times not to make trouble for the other passengers. Yet here they were already...
Kaname’s instincts as class representative took over, and she was about to scold the students, when—
“Give me a goddamned break!” came a man’s voice. The words were in English, the voice deep and forceful in a way that let it easily boom over the girls’ laughter.
A large Caucasian in a suit was chewing out a member of the crew, who was looking a little put out by it all. Kaname found herself thinking the man looked a bit like Arnold Schwarzenegger when he did comedy movies. “You can’t stick me in a B-class cabin with these landlubber girls!” he objected.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the crew member apologized. “But the A-class cabins are all full—”
“Then get me a private suite, you ICBM dunderhead! Is this how you treat a commander in the United States Navy?!” the large man demanded to know. “Got something against me, do you? You’re with the Air Force, aren’t you?!”
“S-sir—”
“Stop this, Captain! You’re embarrassing yourself. This is exactly why your wife ran off right before you left for Japan!” A handsome young man of East Asian descent, apparently companion to the angry ‘Schwartzie,’ clung to the man to try to hold him back. He was wearing a suit, too.
“What was that, Takenaka, you incompetent XO?! You could show a little gratitude for my inviting you here in Eliza’s place!”
“How dare you!” Takenaka fumed back. “I was having the time of my life on Waikiki Beach when you dragged me off by force!”
“Oh, please!” the captain returned. “That curvy Japanese lady you were chatting up? She was probably crawling with STDs! You should be thanking me!”
“Damn you! I had a good thing going, and now it’s all down the drain!”
“Shut up! It serves you right!” spat the captain. “You can’t be off enjoying your vacation while your superior officer is wrestling with divorce! You should suffer with me!”
“That was your real motive, wasn’t it?” Takenaka said accusingly. “I bet it was, dammit!”
The men began to grapple in the hallway, right in front of the crewman. Another crewman ran up to assist, and with a combination of verbal coaxing and physical force, they eventually got the two into their passenger cabin. Then the door closed, and the corridor fell s
ilent.
The students who didn’t know English could only stare, dumbfounded. Having lived abroad for so long, Kaname had understood the entire conversation, but... “All kinds of people on board this ship, huh?” she whispered, then hurried off to find her friend’s room.
24 December, 1855 Hours
Pacific Chrysalis, Near Miura Peninsula, Pacific Ocean
The cruise ship soon left port, and passed through the Uraga Channel on its way out of Tokyo Bay. The sun had already set, and a canvas of stars now hung over the quietly cruising white ship. The students had gathered on the quarterdeck to watch the scenery and enjoy some innocent horseplay. The cold, clear air was refreshing. The waves glittered around them, and the sight of fishing boats and merchant ships passing by were met with great interest.
“Wow. It’s so pretty...” Kyoko said, leaning on the railing as she clicked away with her digital camera. “It doesn’t feel right, though, huh? Not having Sagara-kun here with us...”
“Do we have to talk about that guy?” Kaname asked grumpily.
Kyoko winced at this predictable response. “Guh, typical Kana-chan. But for real... how’s it going?”
“How’s what going?” Kaname replied.
“You and Sagara-kun. Just spill it already! I swear I won’t tell.” She sounded pretty serious, and Kaname had a hard time saying no when asked this directly. Besides, it was hard to keep up her prickly demeanor around her best friend.
“Huh? Um, well...” Kaname said.
“Just say it. Go on.” Behind her thick glasses, Kyoko’s large eyes shone.
Kaname let out a small sigh, then gave up and admitted the truth. “I like him okay, I guess. But... there’s really nothing between us.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. We’ve had a few close calls, but that’s really it,” she insisted. “I mean, can’t you tell? Today’s my birthday... and he’s off with someone else.”
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 them behind.
“Whew...” Kaname and Kyoko exhaled after they watched him lea
ve.
“Boy, talk about nerve-wracking...” Kaname muttered.
“Yeah,” Kyoko agreed. “He’s really handsome, though, right? Strength and elegance in one. Major ‘captain’ vibes.”
“Yeah, true. Totally different from another captain I know.”
“Huh?”
“Oh, nothing,” Kaname said dismissively. Just then, they heard a clamor in the distance.
Captain Harris had been heading back into the ship when a female cabin crew member had bumped into him, then tripped, and turned over a mop and bucket. “Sorry, sorry...” the crew member apologized fervently. She wore a frilly skirt accented by a white apron, black tights, and a hard plastic headband over her hair. Ash blonde hair, done in a neat braid... Kaname thought, but she couldn’t see the girl’s face from her current position.
They were too far away to hear the conversation, but Captain Harris seemed to chide the petite crew member, who bowed emphatically back to him. Then she picked up the cleaning implements, ran towards the prow in a panic... then tripped and fell spectacularly again. Kaname watched the scene unfold, her suspicions churning.
“What the heck. What a clumsy maid...” Kyoko muttered.
Meanwhile, Kaname’s suspicion grew to a near surety, and she found cold sweat rising on her back. There’s no way. I mean... what would she be doing on this ship?
That wouldn’t be the only suspicious sight she would see. It had gotten cold outside, so the girls went back in to tour the various on-board facilities. In the corridor in front of the bar lounge, she saw a young bartender hitting on a group of female students. He was a handsome young man with long blond hair tied in a tail, and thin-rimmed glasses over his blue eyes. The pretty boy was speaking in fluent Japanese, “—Yeah, I mean it! I was raised in Edogawa, Tokyo. I know a great soba place, so if you just give me your phone number, I’ll call you when I’m off work.”
