Parting

The next day, Shinosuke and Marks visited the Merchant Guild once more.

They arrived a bit earlier than the agreed time, but Celina was already there, sitting anxiously on a bench in the corner of the lobby, her head bowed.

"Good morning, Shinosuke-san, Marks-san."

Turning at the voice, they saw Lina standing there, her usual cheerful smile intact.

Her refreshing smile seemed to know everything—or perhaps she was certain of it.

"She's been sitting there for two hours already. She must be extremely anxious."

Shinosuke nodded in agreement.

"Probably. Losing her family all at once, her entire life turned upside down. It's only natural to feel uncertain about what comes next."

Lina's smile faltered at Shinosuke's words, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"No, that's not right, Shinosuke. She's not anxious about what comes 'after'."

"Huh?"

"Her anxiety is about 'today'—your answer, Shinosuke. Whether you'll accept her, whether she'll become part of the Cerberus crew. That's why yesterday, I gave her a little advice."

"Advice?"

Lina gave Shinosuke a triumphant look as he tilted his head in confusion.

"Yes. I told her you might look scary, but you're someone who actually listens when you talk."

"Huh? Scary-looking... but...?"

Actually, I had a brief conversation with her before introducing her to Shinosuke yesterday. As someone who works at the front desk, I have a decent eye for people. From my perspective, she’s strong-willed but more reserved and gentle by nature. That’s why I came up with a little strategy specifically for Shinosuke. She was practically begging to board Shinosuke’s ship, pouring her heart out with all her might. The conversation she had with Shinosuke yesterday must have felt like a life-or-death gamble for her future. Well, I’ll admit—I already know how that showdown will turn out.

Shinosuke let out a wry smile upon hearing Rina's words.

Even though they'd only just met, she already saw right through him.

She really is an excellent front-desk employee.

"Come on, if we leave her like this, she'll start crying from anxiety. Let's just get this over with quickly."

Following Rina as she started walking, Shinosuke said,

"Markus, don't laugh."

"....I'm not laughing at all."

Shinosuke and the others entered the reception room, guided by Rina.

Sitting across from Seira as he had yesterday, Shinosuke spoke.

"Before I get to the conclusion, there's one final thing I'd like to confirm."

"Y-yes."

Seira's expression was serious as well.

"Do you ever feel... that your parents might still be alive?"

Seira stared intently at Shinosuke, struck by his somewhat cruel question.

"...To be honest, the last image I saw of my parents was them being sucked out through the hole in the ship. I didn’t see their deaths directly. But in that situation, there was no chance they could have survived. It’s true I want to believe they’re still alive, since their bodies were never found. But there’s no doubt in my mind that my father and mother died that day."

Shinosuke nodded, watching Seira come to terms with the harsh reality of life among the stars.

And, placing a money card before Seira's eyes,

"A decent amount of money is in it. Take it."

Seira, bewildered by the sudden gesture,

grew even more anxious, fearing it might be a refusal from Shinosuke.

When prompted by Shinosuke, Seira checked the card's balance and showed a look of shock.

The amount was far too large to be a rejection of Seira's wishes.

After all, Shinosuke had absolutely no need to give Seira money in the first place.

"Wait! I can't accept this much! If you're going to reject my request, then there's no reason for me to take this money!"

Shinosuke shakes his head as Seira tries to return the card.

"If you want to sail aboard my ship, take it. Use that money to honor your parents' memory and cut all ties to the past. That's the condition for joining my ship."

"So you're telling me to sever ties with my past?"

"Not a severing, but a closure. You don't need to cut ties with your past or your late parents. But if you're to join my ship, then close the chapter on your previous life and make your decision with resolve."

Seyla closed her eyes, silently savoring Shinosuke's words.

"I understand. I will close the chapter with the person I was yesterday and join Cassimura's ship—on Cerberus."

A closure, not a severing.

Those words were a manifestation of Seyla's resolve and determination.

"I understand. Star, I will accept you as an apprentice operator on Cerberus. Be sure to finish up your affairs by next week and come to me."

"Yes! Thank you. Also, from now on, please call me Sera. For simplicity during shipboard operations—including communications—I'd prefer to use the nickname I've been known by at school."

Seira bowed deeply, as if leaping upward.

Next to her, Lina nodded contentedly.

Though she has until next week, Seira is running short on time.

She must complete her parents' funeral rites, formally withdraw from the naval academy, finish leaving the shelter facility, and gather all the essentials needed to live aboard the escort vessel—all within a short span.

Since she had begun handling those procedures, Ceyla dashed out from the reception room.

Left behind were Shinnosuke, Marks, and Lina.

"Thank you, Shinnosuke-san, for taking her on. As the union, we really didn’t want to cut short the bright future of such a promising young woman like her."

Speaking these words, Lina operated her terminal to complete the registration of Ceyla as a crew member of the Cerberus.

Then, she issued Ceyla's union registration card and handed it to Shinnosuke.

"For now, this is her provisional registration certificate as an apprentice, or trainee. The Merchant Union will guarantee her status, just as it does for you, Shinnosuke."

Upon receiving and examining it, Shinnosuke noticed the border color differed from those of his and Marks's registration cards.

While Shinnosuke and Marks's cards had black borders, Ceyla's card had a red border.

Apparently, the red border indicated that she didn’t yet hold official crew credentials—proof, in essence, of her being an apprentice.

"When the day comes that she completes the required service period and you, Shinnosuke, recognize her as a fully-fledged sailor, we’ll issue her a black-bordered registration card. Until then, please take good care of her."

Lina said with a mischievous smile.

Shinnosuke left the union hall accompanied by Lina’s farewell glance, walking side by side with Marks.

"Sera... Hmm, a fitting nickname, I suppose. Compared to that, my name, Shinnosuke, seems rather plain. Maybe I should try going by 'Shin' instead?"

"Perhaps you should refrain from doing so."

"Why? What's wrong with it?"

"That nickname doesn't suit the Master."

"Hey, don't joke around. How about I call you 'Mark' or 'Māto' instead?"

"Please, do not. I won't respond if addressed that way."

"What's wrong with calling you 'Mark' or 'Māto'? I don't think it's that bad."

"Mark might be fine, but 'Māto' makes me question the Master's sense of style. Anyway, no thanks."

"Come on, don't be so sensitive."

"I don't possess a navel that could be twisted like that."

The two walked leisurely, exchanging light banter.

It wasn't until they returned to Cerberus that they realized there was space available for Seira, but the bedding, blankets, and other daily necessities were still lacking.