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Ch. 2: The Battered Ship

 

The sudden appearance of a man and a rundown ship beneath the clouds that blocked the sun…

 

Too surprised to do anything, I had been forced to get on the ship.

 

??: "Sorry ‘bout surprising you like that. I just needed to get back to my ship as soon as possible."

 

He shook out his red hair and gave a wicked smile.

 

I stared at him, his eyes deep and sparkling.

 

??: "Name’s Rosso. Captain of this ship…though I guess she looks like a ghost ship now."

 

OO: "G-ghosts…!?"

 

I paled at his words.

 

Rosso: "You’re…ah, right, you woke me up…does that make you the Princess of Träumere?"

 

His face was suddenly very close and I unconsciously took a step back.

 

OO: "Y-yes...my name is OO. Um...

 

[CHOICE]

  • You’re alive right…? (SUN)

  • Ghosts…? (MOON)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Rosso’s words, I felt myself going rigid.

 

Rosso: "Kuku…you believed me. You’re a pretty cute girl."

 

OO: "…!"

 

Rosso: "It’s a joke. You make a pretty good frightened face. The best."

 

Rosso tried to suppress a snicker, but before long it turned into a great hearty laugh.

 

For a second I really believed him…

 

In the blink of an eye, the bottom hem of Rosso’s clothes popped out and fluttered in the wind.

 

Rosso: "Now, let’s set sail! As thanks for saving me, I’ll take you on a sea voyage."

 

OO: "Eh?"

 

Rosso: "All hands on deck!"

 

OO: "U-um…"

 

Before I could say anything, Rosso had already strutted away.

 

Going out, I saw that the weather had cleared up and the setting sun softly illuminated the deck.

 

Rosso: "Weigh anchor!"

 

Rosso called from on high, his hand gripping the helm.

 

Sailors: "Aye sir!"

 

As the sailors raised their voices in response, the ship started to move…the sails swelled as they filled with wind.

 

OO: "U-um…!"

 

Rosso: "There’s nothin’ to worry about. We’ll only be gone for a month, then come back. Right then! Full to starboard!"

 

OO: "…!"

 

The ship rapidly began to turn.

 

The ragged sail with a hole in it flapped and fluttered as if it would be torn apart at any moment.

 

For one month…is this battered ship going to make it that long?

 

OO: "Rosso…Um, is this ship going to be alright?"

 

Rosso: "Ha? What’s that?"

 

Unable to hear me over the wind, Rosso put his hand to his ear.

 

Following Rosso’s exaggerated gestures, I shouted.

 

OO: "This boat! It seems like it's in bad shape, is it alright to keep sailing?"

 

Rosso: "…"

 

Suddenly, his cheerful expression changed completely.

 

Rosso…?

 

His eyebrows furrowed and I felt something stir in my chest.

 

Rosso: "…my country, my home is the Balenarossa. Only this ship. Don’t worry, I always take care of her."

 

With a seemingly sad expression, Rosso gazed out to the horizon.

 

Seeing his profile, I couldn’t bring myself to say anymore.

 

OO: "Did you say ghosts?"

 

But that couldn't be what he said...

 

I asked with reservation as I thought that, and Rosso gave a short laugh.

 

Rosso: "And what would you do if I was a ghost? Run away in terror?"

 

T-this is scary...what should I...?

OO: "You're alive right...?"

 

I asked fearfully and Rosso’s pale eyes looked down at me in amusement.

 

Rosso: "Haha! That’s right…Everyone calls me the Prince of the Ghost Ship."

 

H-he’s a ghost after all …? 

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