Ch. 3: Voyage at Sea
The ocean breeze caressed my cheek.
The unexpected voyage on Rosso’s ship, the Balenorossa, had begun.
With the wind steadily pushing the ship along, all around us was the vast beautiful sea.
Rosso: "The wind’s great today."
He looked so sad before…but he seems happier now.
For the time being, I was relieved as I watched him humming.
Rosso: "Right then! It’s about time to get some food! My stomach’s growling."
With a light-hearted tone, Rosso left the helm and started to prepare something.
OO: "What are you going to do?"
Rosso: "Like I said. Catch our food. The crew’s pretty small, so even though I’m a prince and the captain, I have to take the initiative and grab us some grub."
OO: "Ah I see. That sounds rather difficult…"
Rosso: "What? Nah, it’s no big deal. Just wait, soon I’ll land a big one and feed you too!"
Rosso was eager and gave a cheerful smile that was in stark contrast with the ragged ship.
At first, I had thought it was a real ghost ship, and it scared me but…
Looking at it now, the people here are so full of life.
In high spirits, Rosso pulled out a pole and began to fish.
…
……
After a little while…
Rosso’s line hadn’t even given the slightest twitch.
Rosso: "Hm…"
Holding the pole, Rosso looked up at the sky and moved his neck in a circle.
Rosso: "Well, seems like today’s going to be a long fight. Ugh."
Standing his pole up, he flopped onto the deck and lay down.
Rosso: "Hey, OO, come here. Lying down like this feels really good."
Rosso said it with a grin, and I…
[CHOICE]
-
Alright (SUN)
-
But… (MOON)
Rosso: "Hey, right here. Lie down and look. It feels really good."
OO: "Alright…"
I lie down next to Rosso on the deck.
The boards are cold…but the view is so different…
All I could see was the sky high above me, the sea below, and the sail flapping in the wind.
It feels so good…!
Rosso: "Being like this…I remember lots of things."
OO: "Eh…?"
Rosso: "You know, long ago, I would get into some pretty showy fights. On this sea…"
[CHOICE]
-
Did something happen? (SUN)
-
Is it something sad? (MOON)
Rosso spoke quietly as he began.
Rosso: "Long ago, on the Sea of Ancula, I competed with other pirates over territory."
OO: "You were…a pirate?"
Rosso: "Yeah, the Great Pirate Captain Rosso."
He grinned as he made a face like he’d just tasted something unpleasant, then smiled at me but…
Why…?
It was definitely something painful, even though he tried to talk about it jokingly.
Rosso: "But now…this ship and a little island I use instead of Doug are the only parts of my domain. I still fight with them. But you know, it’s not really serious…and it’s not as if I hate it. It’s just fighting, that’s how it is."
Rosso murmured as his voice became distant.
As the salty wind blew, he slowly closed his eyes.
Rosso: "Well, that’s how it is. There’s always more time to think than you know what to do with when you’re always at sea…no, more than you can give away. So I always end up thinking of lots of different things."
OO: "Rosso…"
Rosso: "OO, you’re the first guest the Balenarossa’s had in a long time. We could kill some time by welcoming you!"
OO: "Kill some time…!"
Rosso: "Kuku, ah hey, let me sleep on your lap. Once in a while I yearn for the warmth of another person."
…is he teasing me?
With a carefree smile, Rosso stared at me…
Rosso: "…come on, please?"
OO: "…"
With him using such a painfully pleading tone, I couldn’t refuse.
As I raised myself up, Rosso wasted no time in resting his head on my lap.
OO: "…"
Rosso’s hair fell across my lap.
Rosso: "Yeah, that feels good."
Being so close as he smiled in satisfaction, I felt my heart speed up.
Just like that, Rosso blissfully closed his eyes.
Rosso: "～♪"
His cheerful humming echoed discordantly in the sky dyed red by the setting sun.
OO: "But.."
I hesitated to lie down and Rosso gave me a slightly mischievous look.
Rosso: "It’s not that bad, being on the deck of a ghost ship. Relax, you can even fall asleep anywhere, and ghosts aren’t actually going to show up."
OO: "…!"
He smiled at me cheerfully, and I felt my face flush in embarrassment.
To shake off the shame, I hurriedly went to Rosso.
OO: "...is it something sad?"
I asked, thinking of the expression from before and remembering the feeling in my chest.
As if recalling something, Rosso gave a forced smile.
Ross: "Well, I wonder."
OO: "Alright."
Since he'd gone to the trouble of inviting me, I went to Rosso's side.
Rosso: "You know, this is prime seating. It's where the salty breeze from the sea feels the best."
His eyes were beautiful as they looked at me, seeming as good as the sea breeze probably felt, and my heart skipped a beat.
OO: "...did something happen?"
I asked with reservation, and Rosso let out a puff as he smiled bitterly.
Rosso: "When I think about it, the memories are as clear as if it had happened yesterday."