19 Sasamori May 1
"Sorry about this, Mio. Having you accompany me on errands."
"I'm the one being helped. Ah, don't go over there..."
January 8.
Mio walks through Ship 1's downtown district with May, accompanying her on a shopping trip.
Most purchases are handled through online ordering, but walking through stores offers a kind of mental reset.
After all, May and Mio are in the same situation right now.
"Staying indoors all the time makes the mind dull. It's better to go out occasionally."
"I agree. Hey, don't touch anything that's fallen."
"Still, you're going to school, so you're not stuck at home like me, I'd imagine."
"In fact, I've only been going back and forth from school lately. I'm not touching skirts. Someone else might get angry."
"Still, my own reflection. Can't keep still."
Not just Mio and May shopping here now.
Another presence moves about Mio’s feet.
“Come here, to mother, Junpei.”
“Yah!”
A small boy with red hair. Perhaps two years old.
He hides behind Mio’s skirt, wobbling uncertainly.
“Seems I’ve lost my son completely.”
“Junpei, come to mother.”
“Mmm…”
“Why does this child obey Mio so easily?”
May chuckles, lifting her son into her arms.
Five years ago, May married.
The man in question needs no introduction—Sasamori Kou.
Mio recalls that day.
Most vivid is Yuriya’s face, tears streaming.
Reaching back into memory—she seems to hear alternating cries, “Be happy,” and “You went first,” each choked with tears.
As far as Mio knows, Yuriya remains unmarried.
And May gave birth to Junpei two years ago.
Mio does not know the origin of the name. She only remembers Jin nodding with quiet solemnity when she first heard it.
You'd be better off not thinking too deeply about it, Mio.
Uh-huh...
The Instructor and Kou are both a bit unconventional. And this time, the ship is missing as well. You know? That one vessel could sustain life for a year if it really wanted to?
That's right...
And Jin, and Kou, and Yuria as well.
All three are participating as pilots in the usual large-scale operation.
Sharon also participated as a rear-support technician.
None of the four are aboard this convoy at present.
I don’t even know where you are.
Generally speaking, it's hard to believe there's anyone capable of handling those two. So you're safe.
Jin, who boasts the highest kill count in the entire fleet, needs no introduction.
Kou has accumulated the record of an ace over these past eight years.
Though he lacks the number of encounters that would yield a score comparable to Jin’s, his skill is said to be on equal footing.
—Yet, because such a brother exists, Sō is burdened with excessive expectations—something Mio does not know.
May encourages Mio, saying there’s no need to worry, but dark circles shadow her eyes.
Mio bears the same marks.
They both know the other is hiding them beneath makeup.
There’s no way to be calm.
When the one irreplaceable to each of them is missing, unaccounted for.
They know, deep down, that weeping here would change nothing.
That is why they put on a show of strength.
“Come on, it’s been a while—let’s go buy something new!”
“U… I don’t have much pocket money.”
There would normally be New Year’s money, but that, too, is absent this year.
Jin has entrusted her with an account holding a substantial sum, but that is meant for daily living expenses.
It is not money to be recklessly spent out of fear of wastefulness.
"I'm fine. I'll buy it for you. Mio, your birthday is coming up soon, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Next week."
"Then today will be a提前 celebration... and next week, we'll have a small party."
"Mm... thank you, May-neechan."
"You're welcome. Now, take photos of your fun time—make Jin regret not doing it himself."
That might actually work, Mio thought.
She would have otherwise spent her birthday alone.
Putting such photos in the album to make Jin regret not joining would be a rather clever idea.
If he regrets it, then she’ll decide to have a party with her father—lightening her heart.
Then this year’s birthday will be twice as joyful as any before.
"Why don't we just borrow Jake's shop for the party? Oh— that’s actually a pretty good idea, even by my standards."
Yeah, looks fun.
Mio nods, picturing Jake’s face—also a friend of her father’s.
Mio knew of no one better at cooking.
When they heard the story, their friends found it slightly hard to accept that Mio would make a greedy expression.
What's wrong with delicious food?
Let’s ask about it while stopping by the shop for tea later.
Uh-huh.
Mio smiles, one pleasure now secured.
Then... we'll need someone to carry the luggage, won't we.
Saying that, May withdrew her portable terminal.
With practiced motion, dials a number and places the call.
"Hello? You free? You're free, right? Come help me carry some gear. What? Instructor's orders. I'll lower your rating if you don't hurry."
It seems they are summoning their student.
A matter unknown to Mio—May ultimately abandoned her dream of becoming a pilot.
The interruption of nanomachine-enhancement procedures.
The surgeon responsible had been arrested from the outset; continuation was inevitably impossible.
May chose to live longer with the people she cared about, rather than live as a pilot.
As a result, May now carries a slight physical disadvantage for pilot duties.
It was Jin who halted her plans to leave the military and seek ordinary employment.
He assigned May as his successor in the教导 team.
Some might say he forced her into it.
In any case, May continues to serve as an instructor at the training academy.
She reportedly handles trainees with relentless efficiency, leaving her son Haru to be looked after by Junpei.
She claims she can still manage in the simulator—provided the G-force setting is kept under control.
Abusing the position of Instructor to make someone carry luggage naturally invites resistance.
The reproach carried over the phone reaches Mio.
May’s single sentence silences it.
“By the way, Mio’s here.”
The phone disconnects.
May nods contentedly, tugging her son’s hand as she turns back toward Mio.
“Should be arriving soon. Let’s wait while browsing nearby shops.”
“Uh… yeah.”
Following behind May, Mio feels she was summoned rather forcefully.
“…Why suddenly underwear?”
“No, I mean. If you’re carrying luggage, you can’t choose, right?”
“You don’t have to pick.”
“Now now, don’t be so reluctant. How about something a little sexy?”
Mio reluctantly agrees, assuming May is trying to cheer her up—probably.
She politely declines the sexy option, though.
"……hey, May-nee-san"
"hm, what is it?"
"there's something I want to ask you"
It's too personal to say aloud, so she whispers it to May.
"uhh. well. in my case, it came later, so it's not unheard of for someone your age to still be waiting. it's rare, but possible."
"Is that so……"
"yes. it'll come. worrying too much and building up stress isn't good either."
Keeping it light.
That's what the nurse at the infirmary said too.
But she's still uneasy.
It feels like she's being told she's different.
Like her body is whispering that being here is wrong——.
Mio shakes her head, dismissing the thought.
"but you're not that young either, Mio-chan... did you get a boyfriend yet?"
"nope. not really."
"oh? that's... good news or bad news?"
"what do you mean?"
It’s fine if you don’t understand.
Hm?
The truth is, the idea of being a lover doesn’t resonate with Mio at all.
She hears about classmates starting relationships with this or that person, but she can’t quite place herself in those scenarios.
Emissa is popular with everyone.
That girl really does seem popular—seen from the outside, at least.
But I don’t really get it.
Where does friendship end and romance begin?
Emissa receives confessions from both boys and girls, but Mio has never felt that way herself.
Did May-nee-chan marry Kou because she fell in love with him?
Well, yes. It’s a little embarrassing to hear it straight out… but I’ve loved him for a long time.
But you also love Nas-nee-chan, don’t you?
Yes, I do. But that’s different.
What’s different?
Why can’t I understand that difference?
Recently, Mio finds herself thinking of such things whenever she lets her guard down.
"Ugh... I can't really figure it out."
"You'll understand eventually. Isn't there someone you've always wanted to stay with?"
"Um... Oto-san?"
"Leave the Instructor out of it."
A difficult question was posed. Mio's expression hardened, as if facing the greatest challenge in the world.