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]
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You’re alive right…? (SUN)
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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 …?