29 Camping Together 3

Volleyball ended without a game.

At the moment they began considering what to do next, Jake announced that the barbecue was ready.

"Then cheers."

In sync with Mio's casual call, each person clinked their can together.

Mostly carbonated. Only three contained alcohol.

"Here. They're grilling nonstop, so eat up."

Jake placed skewers one after another onto the grill, cooking them.

The three trainees in their prime devoured them without hesitation.

Chi, nearly the same age—practically the same generation—matched them, greedily clutching skewers in both hands.

"Huh. So the Second Fleet operates like this?"

"Mm. Physical training is kept light. After all, that kind of thing can be adjusted later."

"But I still have some resistance to physical augmentation..."

"Actually, from my perspective, it's the nanomachines being implanted that feel more resistant—probably a cultural difference."

"I wonder if I'd perform better in the Second Fleet."

"Hmm. Lord Belwair is somewhat physically frail. In that sense, a transfer might be feasible."

The distinction between the Second Fleet and the Third Fleet. They appear to be discussing various aspects from the viewpoint of a pilot.

"By the way, just how far do they go with modifications? I've heard there are many enhanced beauties."

"Fufu. My face and torso are original. Ah, though I'd like to add a bit more to the chest."

"No, that's probably fine. Too much would be inconvenient during piloting."

"That's exactly why those who have don't understand those who don't! You're being spiteful, Yuriya!"

Kou noticed the conversation veering into dangerous territory and quickly retreated, holding a skewer in one hand.

Jin observes, impressed. — That one’s improved at reading the situation.

“Sharon, Sharon. Mio wants that too.”

“No, dear. Not until you’re older.”

“I’m already grown up. I clean better than Dad!”

“As long as you think of yourself as an adult, you’re still a child.”

Sharon restrains Mio, who reaches for the beer.

“I’m more mature than Mio. I can drink with no problem.”

“No, Emisa. Here, grape juice.”

Ya subtly swaps the can Emisa reaches for, using relative comparison.

The skewer is difficult to eat from. Mio removes it from the stick and eats it off the paper plate.

“Mio wants grape juice too!”

“Yes. Here.”

“Ya, eat more. Here, pepper.”

“Mio, here — pepper.”

“Both of you stop pushing your dislikes onto me… I eat them because I like them.”

“Then I’ll have your share too.”

"…Do you dislike peppers too, Sharon?"

"What’s wrong, Emissa? Not eating meat? I’ll eat it for you instead."

"Tokuya. If you lay a hand on my meat, I’ll tear yours apart."

"I was just being kind!"

Watching that scene unfold, Jin and Jake placed the next skewer onto the grill.

"Sharon. You’re surprisingly good with kids."

"Yeah. I’ve been looking after Mio for a while."

"I could’ve helped you, you know."

"No, not really. Staying over’s a bit much."

Unlike Sharon’s fairly spacious apartment, Jake’s current room was a single space.

He hesitated to bring Mio into it.

"Maybe I’ll ask you when the shop is rebuilt…"

"Haha. By then, Mio’ll be a grown girl. She’ll probably hate you."

"Yeah."

Jin agreed with Jake’s assessment.

"Hey. You never think about remarrying?"

"Jake. I’m still technically unmarried."

"Wordplay. You know what I mean. You got no intention of finding a new wife, right?"

"Can’t you tell by now? I’m avoiding the topic."

Sips beer. Jin glances sideways at the bald man beside him.

"There’s no room for such thoughts."

"Still. You’re not old. You planning to stay alone like this forever?"

"Mio’s here."

"That’s why you’re dodging the subject. Don’t pretend you don’t know."

"I just don’t want to talk about it. You’re the one who should leave."

This topic was one Jin did not wish to continue.

The reason required no further explanation.

"Harder without a mother around. Going forward."

"...I’ve already asked Sergeant May."

"That’s it. What about you, Jin? What’ll you do if Sharon gets married? Keep relying on her after that?"

"..."

It was the issue Jin had unconsciously avoided looking at.

No matter how attached Mio was to Sharon. She was still a stranger.

One day, Sharon would build a family of her own. That was never an impossible outcome.

Even then, would you still rely on her to care for a child from another household?

“If you asked her, she’d probably do it… but it’d stir up trouble. Definitely.”

“I know.”

“If you know, then fix it.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Because it’s not your problem. That’s why you can say it so casually.”

Jake laughed, finishing his beer can, and reached for a new one.

“You two were together back in training school. Even after breaking up, you still kept in touch. You never truly hated each other.”

“Jake… worry about your own life for once.”

“Ah, got me there.”

Jake tapped his forehead, countering Jin’s desperate retort with a mock gesture.

I’ll be fine as long as I marry someone who could pass for a shopkeeper’s daughter.

Rather specific, isn't it.

The waitress is a joke, but I’d be in trouble if you didn’t help run the diner.

"Could you stay on at the training academy's cafeteria? You're pretty popular, you know."

Not bad, but you're limited in what you can create there. Once you've known freedom, it feels stifling.

Jin thinks there are many things to be found in the world of food.

So. What about you? Looking ahead to the future like this.

...Can't think of anything at all.

Yielding to Jake's persistence, Jin reveals his own feelings.

The returning alcohol smoothed the roughness on the tongue slightly.

I still can't forget Rei, even now. I dream of him. Even living with Mio, I feel a dissonance—knowing Rei isn't in that room anymore.

And above all else.

"Shirley, Chi—just thinking about either of them being in that room makes it worse. Why isn't it Rei here? Even irrational anger rises."

"Severe."

"Yeah. Severe. Something deep inside me—part of me—has been torn out. Can't be forgotten easily."

"It's been two years already."

"Still only two years."

Whether those years felt long or short.

Jin violently tore at a charred piece.

"I'm grateful to Shirley. I know the situation isn't good right now."

"Then set things straight."

"Six years ago, what did they say when we split? I'll tell you."

A single sigh.

"They said I could be a lover, but never a wife."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Only the crackle of charcoal and the sizzle of meat echoed.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

That exchange marked the end of the conversation.

"Hey. East River Jin. Pass some skewers over here."

"Right. I'm bringing them."

"Here and here too. Thanks."

"Ah... Thanks, Jake."

Jin acknowledged the gesture, aware Jake had done it out of consideration.

"Don't mention it."

He placed the plate piled high with skewers in front of the four children, their expressions like those of malnourished orphans.

"You guys really eat a lot."

"Fresh meat's been a long time coming!"

"What? Third Fleet's that poor? Second Fleet gets consistent supplies."

"Actually, cube food production is high. It's efficient, at least."

"Taste's just average, though."

"Frankly, it's better than starving. That's the consensus among other fleets, Mr. Sasamori."

Today, there was truly an overwhelming amount prepared.

It was fine. It had to be fine. Jin repeated this to himself, watching the speed of the meal.

"Ugh. A beer would be perfect right now."

"Wait, isn't Kusaka-san underage too?"

"Second Fleet allows drinking at sixteen."

"Quit lying so boldly. Don't overeat and ruin your health later...?"

The sheer force of their consumption evoked another kind of concern.

A stomach upset wouldn't be a joke if it happened.

"Say, Instructor. So, what was it exactly that happened the other day when Kusaka-san slapped you?"

"Belwair trainee. You're the one who came charging in."

"No, I'm just curious. We're all together normally. What about your relationship with Mio-chan?"

"Can't you just keep your distance, you idiot...?"

Kou cast a mildly exasperated glance, but showed no intention of stopping.

"Yuria's guess is that she's Mio-chan's mother."

"W-Why are you saying that!?"

"Aha ha ha! So that means I gave birth when I was eleven! I see, indeed! I’ll give you one right here!"

What had been said. Chi laughed loudly.

"Aah. Yeah. Good. I’ll use that from now on."

"Good? Not good at all. My reputation’ll be ruined."

A scandal of epic proportions—Top Ace having a child at eleven when he was twenty.

Sports papers would be ecstatic.

"When my sister died, this one was at the scene. That’s all. I just resented that I couldn’t protect her."

A quiet settled over the table as Chi spoke, somberly.

He had been the one to dismantle that very moment.

"Well, one slap did clear my head, though!"

"Aah, slaps are good. Let me give you one too."

"Why are you swinging your hand at me?"

"No reason. Not really. Anything on your mind, Kou?"

Hearing Chi's words, May and Kou begin their mock sparring.

"Aa, meat is delicious."

Uria, eating the meat with quiet diligence as if bored by the exchange, suddenly seemed unusually imposing.