16 The Summer of the Third Fleet
The update failed to post, so today's release is two chapters. Please note.
Recently, there have been reports of suspicious individuals near the school route.
The message came from Mio's elementary school.
"Troubling news."
Jin murmurs, glancing at the message.
"Have you seen one, Mio?"
"Nope!"
The cafeteria at the training school, now fully familiar.
Mio answers brightly, a smear of food around her mouth, as she eats Jake's dinner—curry today, he said.
"Try to avoid coming home alone, as much as possible."
"I'm fine. I'm with Tōya."
"Tōya, huh. You could invite him over anytime soon."
Curious about what kind of child this Tōya is.
From what Mio says, he seems like a very good kid… or perhaps more like someone who's been burdened by Mio's presence.
Every time Mio’s curiosity leads her somewhere, all Tōya and Hasegawa ever mention is how much trouble they’ve been through.
“Hmm… maybe later.”
That’s the usual response.
Jin shifts slightly.
Should he just call out, or would it be better to say he wants to be called?
“Anyway, Dad. You’re not eating curry?”
“Wait—yes, I will. I will eat it. It’s just… mental preparation is….”
The scent is irresistible.
Cube food, familiar in taste.
Still, hesitation lingers. It’s the appearance.
Black, liquid meal.
Everyone around is eating it with apparent enjoyment. Jake made it.
No danger. He knows that. Still—slightly frightening.
“Unexpected. Even the Instructor has something they can’t handle.”
Yuria murmurs from a distance, watching.
An empty plate already lies before her.
Across the table, Kou and May stack their curry plates in competition.
It's strange, though—this is so delicious.
"Come on, Squad Leader. You really think you can handle this alone? You’ve got self-practice ahead after this."
I've had enough. And lately... a little bit...
The words "gained weight" dissolved in his mouth.
May says, her voice tinged with delight—whether she noticed or not.
It seems the world has finally caught up to me... I’ve gained five kilograms since the cafeteria duty was reassigned to Mr. Hudson.
"You're doing it, aren't you? I've increased quite a bit too."
May's case was far beyond the standard to begin with.
It should be a straightforward joy, given that it has approached standard weight.
Kou’s muscle mass has increased entirely.
In the past two months, her body had visibly thickened.
Yuria is in a similar situation—her weight has increased due to muscle mass.
Not fat, by any means.
"Seriously, May. You're openly talking about your weight..."
"Mio's gained weight too! She's even grown taller!"
Leaving Jin, who sits before his curry, lost in thought, Mio arrives to join the training trio.
Mid-July.
The three of them have grown quite accustomed to Mio.
"Mio-chan is in her prime growth phase. Keep it up—take over the world."
"Eat well, sleep well."
The two currently undergoing physical development encourage Mio.
"But don't overdo it. Watch your body fat percentage. Too low isn't attractive either."
"You... saying a soldier shouldn't reduce body fat?"
"Shut up! Girls with ripped abs aren't popular!"
Yuria's personal opinion.
Still, it was a fact that within the Third Fleet, slightly more flesh was generally preferred over the lean, athletic build.
"I want to have a wonderful romance this summer...!"
"That's why you're cutting back on meals—to avoid building muscle."
Kou shrugs, exasperated.
"Miss Eggplant, you really need to eat properly."
"I'm fine. I'm getting enough at the minimum."
"Give up, Yuria. Last year, everyone ran when they found out you were from the training academy."
Yuria turns bright red, exposed to that subtly painful history.
Kou beside May stifles laughter, face flushed.
Laughter now could provoke any retaliation. Kou is serious.
"That's why I want to get everything ready this year!"
"What exactly are you trying to get?"
Mio’s innocent gaze pierces Yuriya.
She cannot bring herself to say it directly—“I want a man, six years old!”—and hesitates, flustered.
“Yuriya, you see… I want to eat a man.”
“Eh?”
“No, that’s not—”
Mio’s eyes widen in shock.
Yuriya tries to deny it, but May speaks before she can.
“Eat him…?”
“Already, just like that—lick and swallow whole.”
“Scary…”
Mio’s body begins to tremble slightly.
In Mio’s mind, at this moment, Yuriya’s image is already forming—gnawing on a man from head to toe.
“I want to eat a handsome man—lick my lips, look around.”
“Nasu’s older sister, please don’t eat daddy…”
Even trembling, Mio stubbornly tries to protect Jin. But May only deepens her shock.
“Girls who interfere like that—everyone gets pushed away.”
“P-ppi…!”
Mio flinches back from Yuriya, her voice rising in a cry.
"I won’t! I won’t drive Mio-chan away, and I won’t eat Mio-chan’s oto-san!"
"...Really?"
"Really, really. May, stop with the cruel jokes."
"Sorry. Mio-chan’s reaction was just too good to resist."
To be eaten by a ghoul was unbearable.
The moment seemed to end there, but Mio’s expression shifts—something dawning.
"Could it be… the older girl from before came to eat oto-san…?"
"Before, before. Ah."
The three of them understand who she means. Their expressions tighten.
They decide the topic is best left alone. Deliberately change the subject.
"By the way, the convoy’s summer season is coming up soon. Did your school have swimming lessons yet, Mio-chan?"
"No. Not yet. But the teacher said we’ll start next week."
The Third Fleet reproduces the environment of the home planet whenever possible.
Seasons are one such element—deliberately made hot or cold, actions that seem unnecessary.
Still, the fashion industry benefits from seasonal clothing demands, they say.
"Then we should pick a cute swimsuit."
"I already bought one last time! The white one with the ribbon!"
"Prepared, I see."
Kou expresses admiration as Mio drops a bombshell.
"I bought it when I took a bath."
"A bath...?"
A minor custom in the Third Fleet, but all three trainees know of it.
Yet, as far as memory serves, swimsuits are never worn in baths. What does that mean?
"I went in with dad and Sharon."
Mio speaks innocently, recalling a pleasant memory. The three trainees exchange awkward glances.
They try to change the subject—only to realize how far off track they’ve drifted.
Jin knows the woman Mio mentioned—the female technician commonly seen around here.
(That’s probably it, you know.)
(The first wife and second wife…?)
(The custody battle over her daughter?)
The woman who suddenly appeared recently and slapped Jin’s cheek.
He didn’t catch the exact words of their conversation, but her appearance was unmistakable.
After all, she bore a striking resemblance to Mio, the one currently speaking earnestly right before him.
Standing beside Mio, she looked more like mother and daughter than Jin did.
To an outsider unaware of the circumstances—she could have passed for Mio’s mother.
It’s not one’s place to pry into another’s private affairs, but the truth is, it’s impossible not to wonder.
“By the way, Mio-chan, can you swim?”
“Can you swim?”
Kou offers a kind explanation, tilting his head at Mio’s confused expression.
“Do you understand what it means to move through water?”
“Ah, penguin!”
Mio’s energy level rises unexpectedly.
“Penguin? Well, they do swim, I suppose.”
“Would you swim in a pool, Mio?”
“Probably.”
“Can you swim in space?”
“U—maybe? I don’t know…”
The term “space swimming” exists, but whether one can swim in the vacuum’s absence of resistance as one does in water remains unclear.
In fact, Kou thinks it’s probably impossible.
Yet he cannot bring himself to deny Mio’s expectant gaze.
“Might be useful, I guess.”
He offers a vague reply.
“I see. I have to try harder then.”
May asks, her voice bright, “Do you really want to go to space, Mio?”
Mio’s determination catches May’s attention.
“Yeah. I want to help oto-san.”
“You’re such a good girl…”
May and Yuriya gently stroke her head.
Mio blinks, confused by the sudden touch.
"Hey, Mio. Time to head back."
"Yessir."
"Thanks for always keeping Mio company."
"Thanks are in your grades."
Jin nodded at May's bold request.
"Good enough."
"Wait, really?"
"Dead serious."
"Still, gotta make sure I don't get complaints if I give high marks. Add another assignment starting tomorrow...?"
May's added burden earned her a shove from both of them.
On the way home that day.
Mio glanced around with quick, wary movements.
She stayed quiet, her right hand held gently in his, but she seemed ready to vanish if released.
"What are you doing, Mio?"
"Keeping an eye out for the one who eats men whole."
"...You're serious? There's someone like that?"
Some small ASID or similar, perhaps.
"Otō-san's the one protecting Mio."
Jin lifted Mio into his arms, her resolve brimming with purpose.
"Until I’m carrying you like this, it’s alright to still be protected by me?"
"Umm, I want to grow up quickly."
"No need to rush. If you run too fast, your otō-san might get left behind."
Jin thinks, please don’t leave me behind.
He knows, having been left behind once before.
Mio nods, understanding.
And then:
"It’s hot. Otō-san, put me down."
"It is hot. True."
The temperature inside the fleet had risen noticeably.
Summer was arriving at the Third Fleet, soon.