Homecoming

After discharging from the military, Shinosuke visited a space colony located in the Garala Stellar Province of the Acneria Galactic Federation.

This colony is the largest in the Garala Stellar Province, which has few habitable planets, and serves as the provincial capital.

Arriving at the colony's spaceport via a scheduled passenger vessel, Shinosuke was greeted by an unexpected person.

"Welcome back, Shinosuke."

The woman who greeted Shinosuke at the passenger terminal was wearing an elegant dress.

Upon recognizing the figure, Shinosuke instinctively took a step back.

...Sister-in-law

Emilia Saikouji, Shinnosuke's older sister, greeted them.

The chairman of Saikouji Company, one of the most prominent conglomerates in the Acnelia Galaxy Federation.

Shinnosuke is actually a distant relative of the Saikouji Company's chairman. After his father, who served as captain of the company's cargo ship, died in an accident, he was adopted by the late chairman.

Though Saikouji Manor and the headquarters of Saikouji Company—essentially Shinnosuke's ancestral home—are located right here on this colony, it has been five long years since his return.

Incidentally, Shinnosuke's surname is not Saikouji, but Kashimura—this is because he has kept his late father Kashimura's surname as is.

Shinnosuke's stepfather, the former chairman of Saikouji Company, had a biological daughter named Emilia, and it had been decided that Emilia would inherit the company. As a result, Shinnosuke chose the path of a military officer and enrolled in the Akneria Galactic Federation Space Military Academy. Although he rarely visited the family home afterward, he maintained a balanced, respectful distance from his stepfather and Emilia, keeping their relationship cordial and amicable.

Five years ago, his stepfather passed away, and Emilia officially assumed the role of company chairman as planned. At that time, Shinnosuke, who was adopted, also received partial management rights of the company and a substantial inheritance.

However, Shinnozuke had relinquished most of those rights and transferred them to Emilia. Yet among them, there was one inheritance he had received exclusively from his adoptive father—one that was essential for the endeavor Shinnozuke, now retired from the military, was about to begin. That was why he had come to claim it.

Still, it wasn’t stored at the main family residence of the Saikeiji clan, so he had no intention of stopping by his hometown. Once he completed the necessary formalities, he planned to leave without delay.

Unexpectedly, Emilie was waiting for Shinnosuke at the spaceport.

Emilie was accompanied by a male secretary in a suit and several bodyguards.

"...Sister-in-law, why are you here?"

"Why? I came to pick you up, of course!"

"Huh?"

"We received a call from Saikeiji Industries. You're here to receive that, right?"

"Yes..."

"You were probably planning to take that and vanish without so much as showing your face to me again, weren't you?"

"..."

Shin nosuke is caught off guard, speechless.

"That's why I came to fetch my heartless younger brother myself."

Emilia snaps her fingers, and her bodyguards immediately surround Shin nosuke.

Without a word, they seize him according to Emilia's and her secretary's orders.

Shin nosuke, abducted by Emilia—five years after his last visit, he finally returns to his family home.

The Sai Kou Ji mansion occupies a vast estate, complete with an elegant mansion, an artificial forest, and even a spring within its grounds.

To his surprise, dozens of staff members live on-site to maintain the mansion, yet the only resident of the house at present is Emilia herself.

Shinnosuke had lived in this mansion for several years, from the time he was adopted by Sokeiji until he entered the officer's academy, but even then, the only residents of the mansion were Shinnosuke, his adoptive father Sokeiji, the former chairman of Sokeiji Company, his adoptive mother, his older sister Emilia, and himself—just four people.

It had been a long time since he returned to Sokeiji's mansion, yet it still felt just as unsettled as it had when he lived here before.

Seeing Shinosuke look uncomfortable, not even touching the tea set before him, Emilia smiles.

"It's been ages since you've been back to your family home. Relax a little more."

Though Emilia, Shinosuke's older sister-in-law, is only a couple of years older than him, her mixed blood—derived from the long-lived species of the 6325 Stellar Alliance—makes her appear noticeably younger than he does.

She may look about twenty, but in reality, she is the chairperson overseeing Syokouji Company—a conglomerate encompassing various service industries such as trade, finance, transportation, heavy industry, communication networks, and tourism.

"By the way, how is your older brother doing?"

Shinosuke finally took a sip of his tea.

Actually, despite appearances—though she is already in her thirties—Emilia is already married, having taken in a male executive from Sai Kouji Trading as her husband.

"He's out leading a fleet on business. Honestly, I'm always frustrated by his old-school, hands-on approach. Just like you, he dumps all the company's problems on me and enjoys himself without a care."

"Still the same as ever."

With Shinosuke now relaxed, Emilia finally got to the point.

"Shinosuke, I read your email about high-speed communication—you're leaving the military, I hear?"

"…Yes. It's shameful, but I lost my place and sense of purpose in the space force."

"And what about it? Did you come here to claim your father's inheritance?"

"Yes. I have some savings, but I'll need to find a new way to support myself."

Emilia nodded in response to Shinosuke's words.

Then why don't you return here? I'd like you to lead the Soukouji Company's own escort fleet, putting your military experience to use. Your late father also wished for this—he left that ship to you for exactly this purpose. And one day, I'd like you to assist me as a company director?

As Emilia said, returning home meant a future that was practically guaranteed.

But Shinosuke did not nod in agreement.

"Thank you for the kind invitation, and considering the debt I owe the Saikouji family, I should probably accept. However, I'm truly sorry, but I have no intention of returning to the Saikouji family."

Returning hatred with hatred is utterly absurd! The cost of raising you since you came to live here is negligible to this household—our garden maintenance alone costs more. Compared to what your father, the former captain of Saikouji Shipping, contributed to the Saikouji family, we're the ones who haven't repaid our debt. Besides, you were sending part of your military salary here, weren't you? That's more than enough—truly, an excessive repayment of gratitude."

Shin nosuke smiled wryly.

"Your father and the others have gone too far with their praise and treatment. I should be the one repaying the favor, but even so, I won't be returning to Saikouji. I'm thinking of starting a business on my own, just as a free spirit."

"Even if we're not blood relatives, you're still my younger brother. Once you make up your mind, you never back down—stubborn to the end."

"Life is a series of choices. And it's up to me to choose my own path."

Shin nosuke's response seemed to be exactly what Emilia had expected, and she nodded with a gentle smile.

"I understand. I won't say anything more unnecessary. Do as you please. Are you planning to start a business using that ship, like a free merchant?"

"Yes, I plan to join the Free Merchant Fleet Association of the Salius Stellar Province and start my own business. I've already obtained the business license required to operate using that vessel."

With that, Shinosuke pulled out a card and showed it to Emilia.

The card he produced was a certification granting him the qualifications to operate a spaceship and conduct various businesses.

When Emilia took it in her hand, Shinosuke's business credentials appeared on the card's information display.

"Hmm, Level E for trading operations and Level E for passenger and cargo transport. Well, given that you have no prior experience running a trading or transport business as an individual, and considering the payload capacity of that ship, it's understandable. And then there's Level C for escort vessel operations—given the ship's performance and your military experience, that seems quite appropriate."

Shin nosuke's acquired qualifications include the "E-level Trade Operations" certification, permitting trade activities within the Akunelia Galactic Federation and the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, as well as the "E-level Passenger and Cargo Transport Operations" certification, allowing transportation of up to 20 passengers and cargo under 100 tons—both being the lowest-level operational certifications.

Additionally, the "C-level Escort Vessel Operations" certification, enabling solo escort missions and enforcement against pirate vessels.

This certification requires possession of a combat vessel equipped with a certain level of weaponry; however, obtaining the qualification necessitates at least three years of military service with an army or coast guard, or five years of service aboard an escort vessel, and the selection process for obtaining the certification is stringent.

However, Shinosuke owned a ship inherited from his father-in-law and had military service experience in the space forces, so there was no issue with obtaining the certification. In addition to his military background, he was able to secure a Class C license based on his performance in the selection exam at the time of acquisition.

Emilia smiled warmly at Shinosuke as she handed back his license.

Understood. Please do your best. However, your ship is still undergoing maintenance and final inspections, so the handover will take place tomorrow. Also, I have one request. As you know, the Cerberus-class corvette you're receiving was developed using the most advanced technology from Syokouji Industries. Although it has been lying dormant in Syokouji Industries' dock since its construction six years ago due to various circumstances, all its systems have been updated to the latest version. Therefore, I'd like you to periodically provide operational data from your use of the vessel to Syokouji Industries. This data will be invaluable for developing new ships. Naturally, Syokouji Industries and yourself will enter into a formal contract, and you will be compensated accordingly.

"I understand, but there's no need for rewards every time, really."

Emilia's expression turned stern in response to Shinosuke's words.

"This is a matter of principle for Syokouji Company. Besides, Shinosuke, if you're going to live by your own strength from now on, you can't just let things slide like this!"

Her words were a reprimand wrapped in a gesture of support, directed at Shinosuke, who was about to start his own business independently.