29. Ichijō, to the Moon

The spaceport project had begun as idle conversation, yet the Japanese Government swiftly responded, expressing interest in pursuing Narita Airport as the first spaceport. There was no particular attachment to Narita on our end—though the Chiba Prefectural Governor, smiling pleasantly, had strongly urged it. Thus, Narita was designated as the initial candidate. Other local mayors, particularly those from prefectures hosting international airports, had also made impassioned appeals, but Narita came first.

Contrary to my understanding, Narita Airport had previously been constrained by tight flight schedules. Yet, through some reorganization, they managed to streamline operations and increase departures. From a systems standpoint, it was merely a matter of adding one more air route—nothing more, nothing less.

The operational model was set to lease passenger spacecraft to ANL (All-Nippon Line), a Japan-funded airline, which meant there were no issues regarding pilots or cabin attendants. Two pilots are formally onboard per vessel, though their primary duties are limited to communication with air traffic control and in-cabin announcements. Actual piloting consists only of taxiing to a designated point and pressing the takeoff button. After liftoff, the journey to the Moon and subsequent landing is handled almost entirely by automation.

Staff for the lunar tourist facilities were to be sourced from ANL or its affiliated companies. Apparently, there was a surge of interest among ANL employees for this lunar assignment, but only the first batch—several hundred selected after rigorous background checks—were ultimately approved. Plans for second and third waves of recruitment are already under discussion.

The passenger spacecraft bound for the Moon, after takeoff from Narita, flies at an altitude of about 100 kilometers near AA-0001, circles Earth once, then ascends to 400 kilometers for another orbit—glancing briefly at the International Space Station (ISS), which is said to be nearing the end of its operational life—before heading toward the Moon. Around the Moon, it completes three-quarters of a full circuit before landing at ANL’s Spaceport. This detour isn’t strictly necessary—going straight to the Moon would make for a rather anticlimactic lunar excursion—but it’s part of the passenger experience, a nod to service standards.

Passengers check in at ANL’s dedicated counter in Narita, present their passports and round-trip boarding passes for the Moon at the international departure checkpoint, then board the passenger spacecraft.

The name of the lunar tourist facility is Agirakana Moon Resort (AMR), affectionately known as Amour. Ichijō insisted it was the only viable option, so the name was settled. When I joked that upon arrival, we’d be greeted by hula dancers offering adult-oriented services, I was accused of sexual harassment and reprimanded. Later, I found out Ichijō had been secretly negotiating under this name across multiple venues. No wonder he was so eager. If no one’s mad, at least report it properly.

The passenger spacecraft is designated SII-001—a vessel that, functionally speaking, resembles a factory ship more than a repair vessel, stationed near Jupiter. Still, since it was built by the repair ship SII-001 (Repair Ship), they simply named it RS Jupiter Mark 1. Sounds like the name of some engine, but apparently, registration was approved.

On a day when passenger flights to the Moon had settled into routine and AMR’s operations had stabilized, Ichijō—insisting that a visit to AMR was absolutely necessary to avoid complications down the line—was dispatched on a one-night, two-day trip, complete with a round-trip boarding pass and a hotel reservation at the ANL Hotel within AMR’s premises.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

Boarding the limousine bus from Hakozaki to Narita Airport, Ichijō checked in at ANL’s counter, checked her carry-on luggage, and finished the immigration procedures well in advance, then lounged in ANL’s lounge. Overcome by the novelty of her first lounge experience, she’d ordered a premium cocktail from the bar and sipped it slowly, from one end to the other—by now, quite thoroughly finished. The pretense of a fact-finding mission had long since evaporated from her mind.

"Good afternoon, this is an announcement for passengers boarding Flight 1997 to Agirakana Moon Resort, operated by All-Japan Airways……"

・

"Passenger Ichijō Saeko, scheduled to board Flight 1997 to Agirakana Moon Resort. The boarding gate will shortly close. Please proceed immediately to Gate 75."

"Wait—don’t close it—!"

Ichijō Saeko, face blazing red, burst through the boarding gate. She barely made it through the threshold—safe from a delayed departure, though the cabin attendant’s patience was now stretched thinner than a taut ribbon.

"Phew, whee, ah, ah. Ugh! Ugh!"

A full-force sprint, drunk and uncoordinated—entirely self-inflicted—but a considerable nuisance to the flight attendant, who was already regretting her career choice.

With the seatbelt fastened by the cabin attendant, she gazed out the window of the passenger spacecraft Jupiter as taxiing began. The scenery swam past in a smooth, circular sweep—as if the craft had just rounded a bend.

“Ugh… ugh.”

The Jupiter’s seats were all business class, so the spacing between them offered a modest consolation. The passenger seated beside Ichijō, her face concealed by an etiquette bag, watched with an expression somewhere between concern and mild annoyance.

Two operatives from the Ground Combat Unit’s Special Operations Division, having confirmed their assigned target had boarded the Jupiter, had returned to the Embassy to file their report. The passenger seated beside Ichijō was, in fact, one of those same operatives—now assuming her protection. Another operative, disguised as a passenger, was also aboard. The target’s movements were being logged in real time—each detail recorded. ………

"Commencing takeoff. Upon liftoff, the ceiling above you will become transparent. Enjoy your journey through the sky, your journey through space. Should you feel lightheaded, please remain seated until the seatbelt sign above the armrests extinguishes."

With the cabin announcement, the overhead lights dimmed. At the same moment, the ceiling became translucent, revealing the sky below—white clouds drifting beneath like laundry on a line.

"Ohhh!"

A collective gasp and murmured awe rose from passengers, as if the ceiling had been suddenly removed.

"The craft will continue ascending to an altitude of one hundred kilometers, circling Earth once. Following that, it will ascend further, circling Earth a second time at four hundred kilometers, then proceed toward the Moon. Estimated arrival time at the Moon’s AMR Spaceport is two hours. … The seatbelt sign has now been extinguished. You may now relax. Light refreshments and beverages will be served shortly."

"Ohhh!"

A fresh wave of murmurs and gasps erupted from the cabin as Jupiter passed alongside the colossal vessel hovering above Tokyo. The massive ship, its white hull tinged with blue, bore geometric patterns that shimmered like embroidery on fabric—almost mystical. Except for Ichijō and the two escorts, crew and passengers alike believed the vessel to be Agirakana. Indeed, seeing such a form so close was enough to make the illusion seem plausible.

From this altitude, the entire Japanese archipelago—from Hokkaido to Kyushu—lay spread out below, though Okinawa remained just out of view. Still, the sight of the familiar landmass from the map, now visible in real time, was novel enough for the passengers.

Climbing gradually from there, Jupiter circled Earth counterclockwise, completing another orbit at 400 kilometers before veering toward the Moon. If fortune favored them, they might pass near the International Space Station—though this time, it seemed, the distance was slightly too great.

The next ninety minutes would be a star-strewn voyage through space. Earth, shrinking slowly behind them, would eventually give way to the Moon. Ichijō, as soon as the seatbelt sign flickered off, dashed into the cabin’s toilet and claimed it as her personal domain. Transparent walls, of course, were not a feature here—so the view of the outside was largely inaccessible.

As Jupiter entered the Moon’s gravitational sphere, it drew even closer, skimming the far side at a low altitude from the west.

“Ooh! There’s Earth—rising!”

The blue planet emerged over the lunar horizon. People could be seen gazing up, as if in prayer.

Before Jupiter, having completed three-quarters of a low-altitude orbit around the Moon, the Agirakana Moon Resort (AMR) came into view. A structure built atop a two-kilometer-square foundation, crowned with a transparent dome nearly two kilometers in diameter, with the AMR spaceport sprawling along the side of the base.

Multiple airtight boarding bridges connected to the passenger spacecraft Jupiter, which had just landed at the AMR spaceport. Passengers, stretching and carrying their luggage, streamed out onto the surface. The boarding bridges served not only passengers and crew, but also cargo and maintenance personnel simultaneously, allowing for the loading and unloading of baggage and ongoing cabin maintenance.

Apparently, the arrival lobby’s passengers arriving doesn’t mean there’ll be a graceful dancer offering adult services, nor a muscular brother in boomerang pants appearing with bunny ears to welcome everyone by pounding mochi.

[Note 1] A lease agreement lasting approximately twenty years, akin to rental. The lessee assumes responsibility solely for cabin-related matters. Upon lease expiration, either a new lease is signed or the vessel is returned to the lessor. It does not become the lessee’s asset.

‘Involuntary Summoning: Storage Officers Are the Strongest, Right!? Short Story Collection’

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