Ch. 10: Goddess of Fortune (MOON)
Sailor 1: “Captain! Is this it!?”
Douglas: “That’s…!”
The divers had found a small, decrepit chest.
Douglas: “That’s…my family’s crest!”
Douglas took the chest from the divers and his gaze fell to the crest carved into it.
From inside he pulled out a golden navigational watch and a thick leather-bound journal.
OO: “Ah…that journal…”
Though it had been in the chest, the journal appeared to be in rough shape, probably from having spent so much time submerged in the water.
Douglas: “…”
As he carefully opened the journal, Douglas seemed to find something as his face stiffened slightly.
Douglas: “…”
OO: “Douglas?”
Douglas: “…I’m alright. The water blurred out the ink so it’s hard to read. But this gold watch will be worth a nice sum!”
At his announcement, the sailors gave a loud cheer.
Douglas: “Haha, this was quite a feat!!”
Douglas smiled in delight, looking out to the sailors, however…
Douglas…? Did he see something?
I felt a little uneasy as I watched him, acting almost as if he was trying to keep up appearances.
…
……
That night, there was a party held aboard the ship.
When he opened the journal, I could have sworn Douglas was acting strange but…
At the moment, Douglas was cheerfully drinking alongside the other sailors.
I wonder if I imagined it.
After a little while, Douglas disengaged from the group and headed off somewhere.
Huh…I wonder where he’s going.
Curious, I followed behind him…-.
…
……
I saw Douglas had headed for the prow of the ship.
The stars twinkled in the silent sky, making it seem as if the storm that afternoon had never happened.
OO: “Douglas.”
Douglas: “OO…!”
Having been staring out at the evening sea alone, he started as I called out.
Douglas: “What’s wrong?”
OO: “…”
I found myself unable to say I was worried about him, so I remained silent.
Douglas: “…”
The roar of the waves in the dark of the night seemed to swallow everything.
Douglas: “C’mere.”
With a kind smile, Douglas pulled on my hand and we headed towards his room…-.
Douglas hadn’t said a word to me until we were finally in the room, then he quietly started to speak.
Douglas: “Actually…”
He turned back around to face me, the journal in his hand.
He held it out to me and I saw what was inside: a worn family photograph.
A young, brave-looking man stood next to a beautiful woman with long silver hair.
And between them was…
OO: “Here… this baby in the middle is you, isn’t it?”
Douglas: “Yeah, I’m surprised you could tell.”
OO: “You have the same face, even as a baby.”
Though the photo was worn, I could feel the warmth from the family image, and Douglas spoke as if embarrassed.
Douglas: “When I saw that, I got hit with an unexpected wave of emotion. But…it was too embarrassing with everyone there, so I didn’t say anything.”
That’s why he seemed to be acting strange before…
I nodded slightly, thinking back to when Douglas had opened the journal this afternoon.
As I did, Douglas looked down at the photo and his voice was a murmur.
Douglas: “To my old man, I guess this means we were his treasure… it’s a little much right?”
OO: “I…think it’s wonderful. Douglas, you’re connected by bonds to your family, and to the sailors…”
Douglas: “Bonds…”
Suddenly, Douglas fixed me with a burning gaze and…-.
Douglas: “In that case, I wonder if it’d be alright to forge some new bonds… with you…”
OO: “…!?”
Suddenly, I was pushed down onto Douglas’ bed.
OO: “…Douglas!?”
I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
Douglas? Is he drunk…?
Douglas: “Don’t know if I mentioned, but I can’t really hold my liquor.”
His smile seemed innocent, like a child, as he whispered those words to me.
When I look at him like this…
Douglas: “You won’t run?”
My heart was pounding obscenely loud.
Douglas took a knife out of a pocket and sliced open my blouse.
OO: “…”
Douglas: “Are you scared? OO…”
Though he was being a little rough, I strangely didn’t feel any fear as I was sucked deep into his eyes.
Douglas: “…”
He looked at me, his eyes wavering as he intently searched for something.
Bonds…
With family, with friends, and…-.
OO: “No. I’m not afraid.”
I spoke with conviction, not breaking his gaze.
Douglas: “Good girl… looks like I was right.”
OO: “Eh…-“
Douglas: “I said it earlier, remember? That you would be my Goddess of Fortune.”
---
Douglas: “Yeah, I’m sure you’ll be my Goddess of Fortune.”
---
That time…
Douglas: “Would you sail this vast sea with me?”
This vast and beautiful sea… With Douglas…
Douglas: “Let me rephrase… would you let yourself be kidnapped by a pirate captain? Because what I want… is you, OO.”
Little by little, his face drew closer as he whispered those words to me and…-.
He placed his lips on the skin beneath my ripped blouse.
OO: “Ah…”
There was a pleasant tingling and I reflexively clung tightly to him.
Douglas: “Close your eyes…”
I did, and this time I felt him kissing all over the length of my body.
It’s hot…
I could hear the roar of the waves.
As I listened, I imagined sailing the sea with Douglas after this, but…
In this moment, I could do nothing but drown in the man before me.