Ch. 7: An Outstretched Hand (SUN)
The rain pelted the ship as the thunder mocked us overhead.
I’ll fall from the ship…!
I was thrown off as the helm shuddered, and what was held out to me was…
Rosso: "OO…!"
Rosso!
Rosso stretched his powerful arm forward, reaching with all his might.
It frantically grabbed for me and I in turn desperately reached out my hand.
Rosso: "…"
For an instant our finger tips touched…
Rosso: "Grab on tight!"
Rosso’s strong hand firmly drew me close. As he held on tightly…my body was kept in place by his arm.
OO: "Rosso…!"
Rosso: "Keep a tight grip! I’ll be your lifeline!"
Rosso said, smiling to reassure me.
Holding me tightly with one hand, he gripped the helm of the ship with his other.
Rosso: "I won’t let anyone die! Not again…!"
His form looked ghastly, and I clung to him desperately.
His thick muscles tightened, struggling to move the heavy wheel.
OO: "Rosso…!"
Rosso: "…heavy…!"
OO: "…!"
Before I realized what I was doing, my body moved of its own accord and I tightly grabbed the wheel with him.
Rosso: "OO…"
Rosso looked at me in surprise.
OO: "I’ll help…!"
He threw me a hopeful smile.
Rosso: "Alright! I’m counting on you!"
OO: "Right…!"
As Rosso shouted precise orders to the crew and steered the ship, we rode through the storm.
Please. Let us somehow get through this safe…!
…
……
The struggle continued for a few hours…
But before long, the sea slowly began to calm.
Rosso: "…ha…finally."
Breathing heavily and with shoulders shaking, the fatigued sailors looked around while Rosso bit his lip.
OO: "Looks like we made it through…"
Rosso: "Yeah, we didn’t lose anyone…not a single person…"
Rosso spoke, his voice shaking slightly, and I saw his usually strong eyes glistening with a hint of tears.
Just like that…
Rosso: "We made it through without losing you either OO…!"
Shouting, he pulled me into a fierce hug.
I felt my chest tighten as his arms clung tightly to me.
OO: "I… definitely won’t disappear from your sight Rosso."
So somehow, please relax…
Saying it whole heartedly…
Rosso: "What makes you say something like that…?"
His voice was so small I almost didn’t hear it, but he gave me a small smile.
The strength of the arms holding me lessened and he fixed his eyes on me.
Rosso: "But you’ve got some nerve, working with me like that even though it looked as if the ship was about to wreck. It’s ok for you to have faith in me."
OO: "Rosso…"
Rosso: "You sure you’re not suited to be a pirate?"
OO: "Eh…?"
Rosso: "Kuku, kidding. Though, I guess I’m half serious."
In the end he was back to his usual self, teasing me…
At the last moment, he spoke…
Rosso: "I guess it’s time for me to decide too…"
He murmured.