27 Camping Together 1

May.

That day, Jin had lost.

A battle no one would ever know. But that day, Jin had truly understood his own powerlessness.

Therefore, there would be no second time.

This time, he would win—perfectly!

"Camping!"

Mio’s joyful shout echoed.

This is Ship 9. The campsite Jin and Mio visited after their mountain hike in May.

Once, it had been Mio’s solo camping trip. But this time, it was different.

"Huh. Not bad at all."

"Emissa-chan, you brought me here, and this is...?"

Emissa, Mio’s friend, Ya.

"Whoa. This river’s huge, man."

Representative of the followers, Shu.

"Hmph. This vast nature. Truly a stage befitting me."

"You’re younger than some of us—be quiet, please?"

"...Why is Shu here?"

The troublemaker trio.

"Hey, if you’re going to the river, at least change into swimwear first?"

Swimming in the river... I’ll have to go along. If left to the two of them, their limbs might rust.

Hah hah. My cybernetic body is organic. No rusting possible.

Jake, Sharon, and—why is Chi here?

A sizable group, aren’t we?

Counting on fingers. Three of Mio’s friends. Three of her students. Two guardians. One unknown. Add Mio and Jin, and that’s eleven.

Leave the trained youths and the adults aside.

Keep eyes on the four younger ones.

Three months since the lonely camp of just two. This time, Jin’s personal redemption.

A few others had been invited too, but their schedules didn’t align. Summer holidays—family plans, naturally. No help for it.

Oh? There’s some tasty beer in the Third Fleet, isn’t there?

"You're the one who barged in, yet you're the most full of yourself."

Snatching the beer can from Chi as he went to tilt it open.

"Hey, what are you doing?"

"My line. What are you planning, underage?"

"Alcohol's fine in the Second Fleet!"

"Stop lying. You're eighteen before you drink, aren't you? You're on this side."

Handing over tea. The opened beer can was a waste, so Jin drank it.

"Stop drinking and help with barbecue prep, Lieutenant."

"Sorry, sorry. Jake. I'll help."

"Then I'll take charcoal. I'm handling prep."

"Then I'll assist you."

"In that case, I'll watch the children."

A smooth division of roles—adults dispersed.

Jake and Jin set the beer cans aside.

"You're rare to drink since noon."

"Occasionally, I suppose. The trainees seem capable of watching the children, after all."

"Hey... can't I have just one sip? My alcohol metabolism enhancement should eliminate any residue."

"Frankly, the fact that it's her—this sister—I'm surprised."

Jake last saw Chi when she slapped Jin across the cheek. Eyes filled with hatred.

Now she's asking for a beer. No wonder he's confused.

"We reconciled earlier."

"Nice work on that reconciliation..."

"Sure, but we clashed again on another matter shortly after."

"Good thing you called us today..."

Speedy resolution followed by speedier reconflict. Like Mio, Jake was left bewildered.

"And she's with those greenhorns—the classmates of the young lady? What kind of selection is that?"

"All of them are Mio's friends."

"Understood."

This barbecue, then, was for Mio.

Jin's resolve: not letting her feel lonely again. Not this time.

"Hmm. Those trainees are strong, aren't they."

"Is that so?"

The two standing side by side, skewering meat onto barbecue sticks, began such a conversation.

"Oops. My apologies. I'm Chi, Kusaki."

"Jake Hudson."

"Oh. So you're the Jake Mio mentioned. I heard your cooking's good. Now I see why."

"O-oh. Really? That's embarrassing."

"Hahahaha. I was completely taken by your burger afterward."

Two who share a taste for food. A warm... chilling exchange.

"Should I make burgers next time...? But how can you tell a trainee's strength just by looking?"

"Ah. Anyone who's piloted before would know."

Chi, unaware of Jake's former career as a pilot, spoke with innocent candor, piercing Jake's heart.

Incidentally, Jake couldn't tell either.

Looking on, the trainees were already changing into swimwear, preparing to start playing in the river.

Their swimwear revealed the three bodies in full.

"Look—his body. Very easy to understand."

"Whoa, damn, those muscles."

"Perfectly developed for a pilot. To tighten that much is no simple task."

The confident boomerang-style swimsuit.

Kou's physique was the most taut—his own preference for rigorous training showed. He could probably place decently in a bodybuilding competition.

"That girl with the three braids... she's holding back. She could train further, but she's deliberately keeping herself at this level."

Yuria's outfit—a separate swimsuit paired with a pareo—seemed out of place here, in a way. It would suit a resort, but not this riverbank setting.

"Totally don't get it."

"I suppose she doesn’t want to become too muscular. I understand that feeling. Femininity is something one doesn’t wish to abandon."

"Seriously. No convincing power at all."

The way she lunged for the beer can didn’t strike him as feminine in the slightest.

"That red hair tie… even through the fabric, the underlying musculature is impressive. A body accustomed to high G-forces."

When was that? May in her school-issued swimsuit. How long has her body stopped growing? The thought brings tears to her eyes.

"I get it, you know."

"I’m confident about that part myself."

After examining the three of them, Chi turned to Jin, struggling with the charcoal.

"You’re well-trained. Instructor? Or is this the average for the Third Fleet?"

"Absolutely not. They’re exceptional. I’m counting on them to surpass my records someday."

Chi widened her eyes and burst into laughter.

"An absurd record like that? Hahaha! That’s something to look forward to!"

Seemed like a drunken joke from Jin, but unfortunately, Jin was serious—dead serious.

If this continues, they will undoubtedly become excellent pilots.

In a few years, they’ll rival even the current ace.

"Good, it’s taking hold."

"Hey, thanks. You’re done here—go look after the girl."

"Sure you’re okay with that?"

"Wouldn’t help much anyway."

True enough. He’s useless for prep work. A hindrance, even.

Then it’s better to help Shirley after all.

Thinking that, he went over—only to find two men constructing a harem.

"Ah, ah, so you’re Kou’s younger brother. Pleasure to meet you. I have a rather special connection with your elder brother."

"May. We’ll talk about this later. But wow—surprised me. You’re far cuter than Sasamori."

"Um, well, uh..."

Shu, flustered and being teased by the older sister figure.

"Is this your older brother, Touya-kun? Um, may I touch him?"

"Amazing muscles! Does your brother have a girlfriend?"

"Well, I train hard. As for a girlfriend... no."

Kou, being playfully harassed by the younger girls.

Mio, unsure which way to turn, floundering. Shu casts a求助 glance, but Mio doesn’t notice—she follows Emissa and the others, reaching out to touch Kou’s muscles.

"What kind of situation is this?"

"Wait. Didn’t Lieutenant know and invite her?"

Sharon, wearing a hoodie over the swimsuit she’d worn during a past bath, answers when asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"Emissa and Mio over there—"

Kou, dangling Emissa and Mio by both arms.

"Those two are brothers—Touya-kun over there."

Jin pointed at Mio, who fidgeted between May and Yuriya, still clad in swimwear.

Brothers.

Upon hearing that, comparing their faces revealed a striking resemblance.

"I didn't know..."

"Then it was a coincidence. Quite a surprise, isn't it?"

Their parents bore different surnames, so the siblings carried separate names.

Jin stepped forward to assist Tōtani. The situation was nearing critical—Tōtani would collapse from heatstroke before anything happened.

"Both of you, stop teasing younger ones. Tōtani needs help inflating the beach ball."

"Y-Yes!"

With that as an excuse to retreat, Mio visibly relaxed.

"Unpleasant, Instructor. Teasing… that was just beginning."

"Do not implant lasting trauma in a young boy."

"A younger boy and an older-looking girl… I sense a new demand emerging."

"Is Nastin Trainee already suffering heatstroke?"

Jin dropped the soft drinks into the river, beginning to cool them, as if to check whether it was too late.

"Everyone. Do proper warm-ups before entering the river. And drink water frequently. If you feel unwell, say so immediately!"

The seven children responded in unison, "Hai!" — responding to Jin's heatstroke precautions.