Rina's suggestion

"Markus-san! Why did you go ahead and speak to them first?"

"That's right! This is our role—mine, I mean!"

"Seira-chan, Miliena-san, just this once, could you please let me take the lead..."

Three voices—Seira, Miliena, and Rina—simultaneously scolded Markus.

"Well, since the three of you were arguing, I stepped in as a neutral representative to speak with the Master on your behalf?"

Yet Markus remained unfazed, as if nothing was happening, his expression unreadable.

"What are you talking about? In situations like this, it's a lady's duty! Otherwise, I simply can't accept it! Even Shinosuke-sama said it was different, didn't he!"

"But wouldn't following such a conventional approach make things dull?"

"That's precisely why such conventions are important."

Seyla and Lina vigorously agreed with Milena's opinion.

Seira, Milena, and Lina loudly berated Marks, their voices sharp and discordant.

"Three of you... I'm sorry, but this is too much..."

Sinnosuke's words came out strained, and the three of them suddenly fell silent.

Sinnosuke glanced around again, but the difference in vision was overwhelming.

The disparity between his right and left eyes was so extreme that he felt dizzy.

According to the doctors and Marks's explanation, Shinnosuke's left eye had been completely crushed, with a prosthetic eye implanted. This has disrupted the balance between the prosthetic eye, which provides normal vision, and his right eye, which still suffers from extreme myopia as before.

Other injuries such as burns and fractures were successfully treated, but he will need to remain hospitalized for some time.

"But I'm really glad Shinnosuke is safe,"

"You're absolutely right. Even if we lose the ship, as long as Master Shinnosuke is safe, we can rebuild."

"I was so worried. And yet, you went and got such a serious injury just for my photo frame... You're really foolish, Shinnosuke....But I'm truly grateful. Above all, I'm so relieved that you're safe... Hic... "

With that, the three who had anxiously waited, believing in his safety, now smiled at Shinnosuke.

Only Seira smiled through teary eyes.

"Everyone, I really made you worry. I'm sorry... and thank you."

This time, everyone smiled at Shinnosuke's words.

In any case, Shinnosuke having regained consciousness safely had calmed the atmosphere in the room, but then Shinnosuke noticed something.

"Come to think of it, Cerberus has sunk, so Seria no longer has a place to live, doesn't she? We should probably find her somewhere, like a hotel or something..."

"Then there's no problem at all."

According to Milena, Seria was temporarily staying at Milena's mansion.

"I see, then that's good. Milena, I'm sorry to trouble you, but for now, I'll leave Seria in your care."

"It's fine. After all, we're companions, so it's only natural."

Markus cuts in.

"Master, aren't you worried about me at all?"

"You're probably just hiding in that shack by the dock, aren't you? There's a spare maintenance kit there, isn't there?"

"Well, yes, but couldn't you worry about me a little more?"

Everyone laughed at the exchange between Shinosuke and Markus.

Even amidst the disaster of losing Cerberus, the crew managed to return without a single casualty.

With Shinosuke hospitalized and Cerberus lost, Markus, Sera, and Milena were unable to continue their work.

However, that's when Lina stepped in with a clever solution.

While Shinosuke is in the hospital, how about having Serah and Milena help out on another ship? Serah is an excellent navigator and communications officer, and even though Milena is still a trainee, she can handle piloting. I'm sure there'd be plenty of opportunities for short-term contracts with both of them working together. Wouldn't it be a great chance to improve their skills until Shinosuke returns?

Both Seira and Miliena were enthusiastic about Rina's proposal, and as soon as they began soliciting interest among freelance merchants within the guild, applicants quickly appeared—especially those who already knew the two women.

Still, since Shinosuke was currently recuperating, they couldn't assign them to excessively dangerous tasks.

As a result, they ended up joining A884, the escort vessel for cargo ships transporting food supplies and medicine.

The schedule is three weeks, during which neither Seyla nor Millena will return.

"Exactly as planned. I'm just behind everyone else, so I'll use this opportunity to close the gap between us."

After seeing Seyla and Millena off, Lina smiled to herself.