Calmly returning

"Seeing that Shinnosuke and Marks are both doing well makes me so relieved."

"Thank you very much."

"I was looking forward to their visit with great anticipation."

Emilia speaking with a smile.

"So, my dear sister-in-law, you were just waiting in a shop employee uniform just to surprise me, is that it?"

Sinnosuke, utterly bewildered, as Emilia brushes it off with a carefree air.

"Surprised? That kind of playful spirit is essential for a designer. Of course, checking the comfort and ease of movement of a uniform to improve the work environment is just common sense for a manager. It's a perfect balance between a little prank and actual work."

"......I see."

Sinnosuke gave up on making any further sarcastic remarks toward Emilia's casual tone.

After all, he had never stood a chance against her to begin with.

Psychoj Designers was a designer brand established prior to Emilia, who possesses a fashion designer's sensibility, becoming the company's president. Even the captain's uniform worn by Shinnosuke was designed by Emilia.

Given these circumstances, Shinnosuke had already contacted Psychoj Designers to order Seira's uniform before departing Salius, meaning it was inevitable that Emilia would hear about it, even if Shinnosuke said nothing.

That said, Emilia, who has already retired from active design work, would not be involved in this order—instead, one of the designers currently employed by the studio would be handling the design.

The design was already complete, so it seemed all that remained was to sew it up after confirming the measurements of Seira's body—apparently, it would be finished in just a few days.

Emilia gently smiled as she watched Seira leave the room, guided by the staff member responsible for taking her measurements.

"A lovely girl. I was surprised when I heard Shinnosuke had hired crew members, but I suppose there were circumstances involved. Still, since you've decided to accept them, make sure you take full responsibility as their employer."

"Yes."

In the end, it seemed Emilia had only come to see Shinnosuke and the others in person. After that, she refrained from interfering further, enjoying afternoon tea with Shinnosuke and the others before quickly leaving.

Shinnosuke and the others decided to stay in Garra for a few days until Seira's uniform was completed.

After leaving Psychoj Designers, Shinnosuke and the others quickly decided to go out to eat to celebrate their work.

"This is amazing... Um, it looks so delicious."

They entered a typical casual restaurant and ordered a standard set meal.

Since Shinosuke himself wasn't fond of formal meals, he had chosen a casual place they could easily drop into, yet Setsuna was still glowing with excitement.

"Since this is your first job celebration, don't hold back—enjoy yourself. If there's anything else you'd like to order, go ahead and add it whenever you like."

"Thank you very much."

Shinosuke and Setsuna enjoying their meal.

Markus doesn't actually need to eat, but he's joining the three of them for the celebration dinner.

"By the way, if you were making uniforms, couldn't you have just sent Seira's measurements without going through the trouble of coming in person?"

Shinosuke shook his head in response to Markus's innocent question.

"Like I'd ask Serah about her body size! It'd be a violation of compliance—or worse, harassment."

"Pfft, it's fine. If you have a proper reason, it's not harassment. You should've just asked me instead."

Seyla laughs, but Shinnosuke is serious.

"It's impossible. I couldn't possibly ask Serah about that. I'd feel too embarrassed."

Seyla laughed even harder at Shinnosuke's fussing over trivial matters.

"Oh, speaking of which, Markus—should I order a uniform for you too?"

"No need."

Markus immediately rejects Shinnosuke's attempt to change the subject.

"Why not? You're tall, so a uniform would suit you well."

Seyla tilts her head in confusion.

"To begin with, I'm not a doll with a biological tissue exoskeleton, so I don't actually need to wear clothes. I only wear work pants and a military jacket because they're convenient for carrying various items while working. As for the military boots, well, it's just about balance with the jacket and pants. It'd look off to wear clothes but no shoes, don't you think?"

The three of them enjoyed a warm, carefree moment together, savoring their conversation and meal, and then spent a little holiday until Seira's uniform was completed.

Four days after placing the order, they received word that Seira's uniform was finished, so Shinosuke and Seira came to Saikouji Designers.

"Um... this is amazing."

Seira proudly unveiled her newly made uniform to Shinosuke, still wearing it.

The uniform, centered on a light navy blue, features a calm design reminiscent of Shinosuke's captain's attire, yet suits Seira's youthful style perfectly.

The beret includes white accents, and a white belt is attached to the waist of the active-style jacket, with pockets for small items also included.

The lower garments come in two styles—pants and culotte skirt—and it seems Seira prefers the culotte skirt.

Even white boots that match the uniform have been thoughtfully prepared.

"This is quite well-made, and it suits Seira perfectly."

Seira smiled and gave a slightly awkward salute in response to Shinnosuke's honest remark.

"Shinnosuke-san, I'll work hard to become a proper member of the Cerberus crew as soon as possible."

It was her most genuine smile since meeting Shinnosuke, though her salute still needs improvement.

Saluting is the most fundamental of fundamentals for sailors.

It's essential to instill this knowledge thoroughly from now on.

That was Shinnosuke's resolve.

With the escort mission complete, Seira's uniform and Shinosuke's group, having achieved their objective, return to the Salius Stellar Province.

Markus had not planned to take on any work on the way back, but he happened to find a suitable job through the Garra Stellar Province Merchant Guild, so the return trip turned into work as well.

Transportation of 15 tons of chemical substances used as medical drug ingredients, requested by a pharmaceutical research institute.

While not particularly hazardous, the reward was low, making it hard to find merchants willing to take on the job—until Shinnosuke's group stepped in just before.

Though the payment was modest, Shinnosuke's group was planning to return empty-handed, so any profit at all would be a welcome bonus.

"Alright, let's head back to Solius. Serah, you'll handle communications and radar surveillance on the way back."

"Understood."

The Cerberus departed the spaceport in the Garra Stellar Region and began its return journey to the Solius Stellar Region.

With no cargo worth targeting by pirates, and a combat vessel carrying it, the return voyage would be leisurely—perfect timing for Serah's training.

Sinnosuke had thought everything would proceed smoothly, but during the return journey, he would encounter an unexpected situation he never could have foreseen.