Ceyla Star

"You are..."

Stunned into silence, Shinnosuke could not find words as the girl nodded and bowed even deeper.

"Yes, I was on the ship attacked by space pirates, and you saved us. I truly appreciate it."

The girl, named Ceyla Star, was a hostage aboard the Galaxy Camel during the pirate raid—and the one Shinnosuke had rescued.

It's been less than half a month since that incident, and yet the victimized girl, Ceyla Star, is now hoping to join Shinno's ship as an apprentice.

Shinnosuke is completely thrown off balance by the sudden turn of events.

"Let's hear the details first."

Seeing Shinno frozen in place, Marks spoke up.

Encouraged by Marks, Shinno sat down across from him, next to Lina, as Seira took her seat.

According to Lina's explanation, Seira had just lost both her parents, but Shinnosuke could only conjure up unpleasant thoughts.

He didn't want to hear it, but he had to know.

"So you were on that ship... did your parents also go on that ship?"

"Yes. At that time, my parents and I were on that ship. My family wasn't wealthy to begin with, and my parents had even borrowed money to afford my tuition at the maritime school. Thanks to that, I managed to advance through three years of study. Just before I started my internship, we took a rare family trip. On our way back, the ship was attacked. At the time, our cabin was on the starboard side. While we were moving through the ship's corridors searching for a safer place, a hole was punched into the outer wall by pirates, not far from where we were. Amid the chaos as everything inside the ship was sucked out into the sea, my parents pushed me into a nearby storage room. Just before the door was shut by their hands, my parents gave me one final message—'Stay alive'—and were then pulled out into the open sea. After that, the safety bulkhead sealed shut, and when I tried to escape, I was captured by the pirates."

Seyla tries hard to explain herself to Shinosuke, putting on a brave front, but it's obvious she hasn't come to terms with her parents' deaths—the tears welling in her eyes betray her, as she struggles desperately not to let them fall.

It's only natural, really. The Seyla sitting before Shinosuke is still only eighteen, yet she has lost everything.

Still, since Seira is desperately trying to gain Shinosuke's acceptance, Shinosuke listens to her seriously.

"I heard you were forced to drop out due to inability to pay tuition. Was there no inheritance from your parents?"

Listening seriously, Shinosuke naturally adopts a work-like tone.

My home and other assets were seized to organize my student loans and housing loan debts. Even so, I couldn’t repay all my debts, but the government officer helped me with the procedures so that no debt would remain while I was still a minor. I’m currently being cared for in a shelter, but even though I’m still a minor, I’m already 18, so I must become independent and leave the shelter as soon as possible.

One of the options on the path to self-reliance—perhaps the most realistic—is to secure a position as an apprentice crew member on a ship.

I understand Seira's aspirations. Even though she dropped out midway, if she has already studied at a maritime school with the goal of becoming a sailor, then persevering on that path, despite the difficulties, would likely be the best choice for her.

You wish to join my ship as an apprentice, but my crew consists of only two people—myself and Marks. So you're suggesting a woman like yourself wants to serve aboard a ship with just two men? Consider that you might be spending months confined in close quarters with just these two men. Wouldn't that be difficult for you?

Ciel shook her head.

I've been thinking about that since I enrolled in maritime school, so it doesn't bother me. After graduating, most job opportunities are with small and medium-sized shipping companies or private merchant vessels. Since crew members on these ships are overwhelmingly male, there's no guarantee I'll end up on a ship with a female captain or female crew members.

After hearing Seira's thoughts, Shinosuke nodded.

I understand your circumstances and your desire to join my ship. But there's one thing I don't understand.

"Yes, what is it?"

Shinosuke's eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Why my Cerberus?"

"Eh?"

I'm a freelance merchant with escort vessel certification, and my XD-F00 Cerberus is a genuine military vessel. I frequently engage in combat with space pirates, making the risks of my work incomparable to those of regular cargo ships. In fact, I've only been a freelance merchant for a short time—just three jobs so far—and two of those involved battles with space pirates. Surely no one would willingly choose to sail on such a dangerous ship, right?

"That is..."

If the reason is merely that you were saved by me and Marks, then you've got the wrong idea. On that day, I simply fulfilled my duty as a destroyer by responding to a distress signal I happened to receive. There were other destroyers besides my Cerberus in that region, all fighting to rescue the ship you were on. Marks and I happened to take on the assault on Galaxy Camel while coordinating with the other destroyers. We rescued you only by chance—and it just so happened that I was the one who did it.

Seyla hesitates, taken aback by Shinosuke's gaze, yet she does not avert her eyes from him.

"Indeed, being saved by Kasimura is one reason, but it's merely one option among many for me. I truly wish to become a crew member of a destroyer."

"Why would you choose a dangerous path yourself?"

The profession of being a sailor is something constantly taught in school as inherently dangerous. Back then, I never imagined serving aboard a destroyer, and I vaguely thought I might one day become part of a merchant ship's crew. But I personally experienced that danger firsthand during the recent incident. On that day, the crew of the Galaxy Camel risked their lives desperately to protect us passengers. I witnessed their pride in their work and their unwavering dedication to their responsibilities. I was saved by Captain Kasimura and Mr. Marks, but all of us passengers who survived were ultimately helped not only by Captain Kasimura and the other destroyer crew members, but by every single sailor present at the scene. That’s why I now strongly wish to become a sailor like them. Of course, one can certainly take pride and responsibility in their duties regardless of the type of vessel they serve on, but still, I want to serve aboard Captain Kasimura’s ship.

Seyla's eyes, filled with resolve, no longer held any tears.

(This is harder to give up than I thought...)

Shin nosuke pondered deeply.

Seyla seemed unwilling to easily abandon her intention of joining Shin nosuke's crew, and neither Rina nor Dalcis, sitting beside him, appeared to have considered that Shin nosuke might refuse—despite their earlier talk of approaching other independent merchants if turned down.

Technically speaking, it isn't impossible to take Celina on as an apprentice at Cerberus.

Even though Celina hasn't yet established herself as a free merchant, it's still possible to pay her an apprentice's wage and guarantee her food, shelter, and clothing.

After all, Cerberus, designed for operation by multiple personnel, already has spare rooms available.

Still, taking on the life of a young girl who had just lost her family— even if only temporarily—was far too great a responsibility.

Shinonsuke avoided making an immediate decision.

"Give me one day to think about it."

After conveying this to Seira and the others, Shinonsuke and Marks decided to withdraw temporarily.

Back on Cerberus, Shinonsuke and Marks began discussing whether or not to accept Seira.

"It's a heavy responsibility, but not impossible to accept. Still, I can't bring myself to involve a minor in such dangerous work."

After hearing Shinonsuke's thoughts, Marks showed him Seira's academic records from the shipbuilding school, which had been kept at the guild.

Her academic performance is generally excellent, with particularly outstanding results in navigation control and communications—both earning A+ grades—which also aligns with her personal aspirations. Even as an apprentice, she has strong potential to become a valuable asset relatively soon, given a bit of training. As for the dangers Master Marks is concerned about, she herself is fully aware of them. Being a sailor means accepting that one could turn to cosmic dust at any moment; that is precisely why sailors venture into space, knowing the risks from the start.

"That's a common mindset, isn't it?"

"No, it's a general principle for sailors."

Shinosuke shrugs.

"Then does Marks agree with accepting her?"

"Agreement at 49.3 percent, disagreement at 40.2 percent."

"How does that add up?"

"The remaining 10.5 percent is a variable subject to the Master's judgment."

"What's that supposed to mean? In the end, it's still my call."

"It's the Master's responsibility as the employer."

"You're right about that..."

That night, Shinosuke pondered deeply and made his decision.