21 Jake's Shop

"Hey, ain't it Mio's girl? Haven't seen you in ages!"

Jake grinned, his muscular frame and polished bald head gleaming under the light.

"Jake, it's been a while."

"Been studying for exams—haven't been near the classroom lately. How's it going?"

"Uh, I think I'll make it to my first choice."

"Good to hear. And you, little Mio—haven't seen you in ages. Wait, calling you 'girl' might be rude now, huh?"

"Not at all. Feels like I've turned young again."

"Hahahaha! You're still young yet!"

The man, thirty-five this year, laughed with genuine amusement.

He'd heard about Jin and the others.

But he didn't bring them up—just kept his usual bright demeanor. That was exactly what Mio appreciated.

She didn't like being treated like a sore spot.

Sit over at the back table. Sorry, the cold water’s self-service.

Jake indicated the seat while preparing food on the other side of the counter.

"Looks busy."

As Mio asked, Jake shrugged without letting go of his task.

"Yeah. My wife’s back at her parents’ place since yesterday. No one’s free on the floor."

"Wait, did she run away?"

"Like hell she did. We’re having our second child."

"Oh, congratulations."

"Jake, congratulations."

"Oh, that’s wonderful."

The three offered their well-wishes. Jake smiled, slightly embarrassed.

"Thanks. Anyway, that’s why my kid’s with my wife’s family now."

"Oh, too bad, Junpei. You won’t get to see your friend."

"Te-chan’s not here?"

He asked using the nickname for Jake’s child. Mio nodded.

"He’s not here."

"Booooring..."

She wears a slightly sullen expression, then immediately brightens as she gazes at the menu.

"Kids' set, please."

"Yes, yes. Let me know when you've decided."

Mio and Shu stare intently at the menu.

Despite everything, they are in their prime.

The desire to eat something good, given the chance, is shared.

"What should we eat?"

"Meat, maybe…"

"Coincidence. I'm in the mood for meat too."

They exchange a quick glance, then nod in unison.

In that instant, the agreement to share their orders is made.

Ultimately, they order the hamburger set and the tempura set. A greasy choice.

"I wish I could have seen Helen too…"

Mio murmurs softly.

Helen, Jake's wife, is a friend slightly older than Mio. They became close through a cooking class.

She’d heard she was returning to her family home soon to prepare for childbirth, but that it had started yesterday—timing was unfortunate.

“Know where her family home is? Just go visit.”

“Hmm… but she’s probably busy right now. I’ll wait until things settle down a bit.”

Mio thought she’d be welcomed, but also that visiting would be a burden—she considered the other’s situation.

“Haven’t you always been the type to hesitate like this, Shōgō?”

“Excuse me. I’m someone who knows how to be considerate.”

“Considerate… well, I can’t quite explain it. It’s just… like, this… yeah, that’s it.”

“Not understanding at all.”

She fidgeted with her hands, trying to convey something, but even she seemed unsure of what she meant.

Mio didn’t grasp it, and dismissed it outright—left feeling deflated.

“By the way, Shōgō. It’s next week—what would you like for your birthday?”

…That’s something you should ask me.

You’d just be stuck with it if you got something you don’t need.

That’s true, but—

Mio twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers.

She understood the practicality of it all.

In fact, she’d felt that exact discomfort countless times over the past three years.

Having to dispose of gifts was impossible—so they sat in cardboard boxes, piled high. Something about them felt off.

“It’s not like anything from Tōya would be useless.”

Mio murmured, propping her cheek on her hand. Shōgō had just been asking May what she wanted—didn’t seem to have heard.

“Well, it’s a common opinion… but I think anything given with care would make me happy.”

“Ugh, sister. Such a vague answer. I mean, even if it’s heartfelt, a thing you don’t need is still unnecessary. Like a handkerchief with weird fibers woven in or something…”

Mio’s head snaps up as if struck, her expression rigid with disbelief at what Shu had just said.

“…You received it?”

“Huh?”

“The handkerchief—did you receive it?”

She asks quietly, expression flat.

It is just like Mio.

Always like this—but Shu feels a chill run down his spine.

“No, I just pushed it away because I was afraid…”

“But you did take it once?”

“…Well…”

He had indeed accepted it once. Unable to lie, he admits it, and Mio narrows her eyes.

“Hmph.”

“Hey, what’s with that look? I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”

“Mm. No. You didn’t do anything.”

There is no obligation to report what one received from someone else.

Mio never tells Shu what she’s received, either.

But something gnaws at her.

Lately, especially since Shu advanced a grade and transferred schools.

Whenever she thinks of Shu, a vague irritation, a dull haze—something between the two—flickers in her chest.

That unknown sensation was also a source of fear for Mio.

These past few years. It had become a quiet dread—fear that she was gradually drifting apart from others.

"Yes, your set meal's ready. Finally got a moment to breathe."

The shop had calmed slightly. Jake, having finished serving orders, approached Mio’s table.

"Yeah, that's right, Jake. I'd like to rent the place out next week."

"Next week? Ah, your birthday, huh. I was supposed to hold it until two weeks ago... but oh well."

He laughed, clapped a hand over his mouth, and nodded in agreement—keeping it a secret.

"Thanks, Jake."

"Consider it done....Hope he makes it back by then."

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Jake quickly covered his own mouth, as if to say, "Don't worry about it."

"Leave it be. Jake."

"That's right. Well, he's not the kind of man who dies easily, even if we were to kill him and his wife together."

"Yeah. I suppose so. This is a story from when I was still active—"

Cutting through the momentary silence, Jake launched into a tale of Jin's past exploits, matching him stride for stride as May recounted her time as an Instructor, Mio described Jin's everyday demeanor, and the others laughed in response.

Just as they were sharing stories, Jake suddenly spoke up, as if recalling something.

"By the way, miss. The other day, he came by our shop."

"Who?"

"Ah. You know. The Second Fleet."

"Uncle Chi?"

"That's right. She said she just stopped by for lunch, but she mentioned she'd come to visit you soon."

"No... we haven't met yet."

Chi returned to the Second Fleet six years ago.

The Third Fleet's combat strength had somewhat recovered by then, and the detachment sent from the Second Fleet had withdrawn.

We have not met directly since, but our relationship has settled into one where she sends gifts on my birthday.

Once hostile after slapping me, she now occupies a position akin to a distant relative.

"The Cybernetic Squadron from the Second Fleet, yes. We'll probably have to rely on them again."

"Ah... we can't afford any more breaches in the Third Fleet's defensive perimeter."

"But if they can arrive this quickly..."

The words escaped Sho's mouth before he could stop them, and the table fell silent.

The operation to exterminate the giant species, which should have been conducted jointly by all fleets.

With reinforcements from other fleets delayed, the Third Fleet's escort squadron had already launched in advance.

If the Second Fleet could arrive this early, one can't help but wonder if a different outcome might have followed had they coordinated.

"That is incorrect, Guard. Even if the Second and Third Fleets had coordinated, the odds would have remained fifty-fifty. If we had lost then, the First and Fourth Fleets alone would not have prevailed. To secure a certain victory, all three other fleets must coordinate."

Speaking as an Instructor, he stated it as a strategic necessity.

Yet his own lack of conviction was evident.

"Ordinarily, one doesn't think about it... but space is vast. Too vast for people to live in."

So vast that it could vanish someone without a trace.

Humanity's Overlight technology merely connects points—it does not alter the scale.

"One of our regulars has gone out there too. I'd like to see them smiling again soon."

"Yeah. I'll get my strength back after eating."

Mio nodded in response to Jake’s words, then stuffed the fried piece into her mouth.

“Hey, you’re sharing, right?”

“…Forgot. Here, take it.”

Without thought, Mio brought the fried piece, held by chopsticks, to Shiron’s lips.

“You really need to stop being so oblivious… it’s bad for your heart.”

“?”

Holding the plate, Shiron spoke with a slight flush on her cheeks.