Ch. 6: In the Midst of the Storm
In the sudden tempest, Rosso and I ran from the room. The calm scenery from before had completely changed, turned into a violently stormy sea. Each time the sky lit up in the heavy rain, a thunderous roar echoed.
Sailor 1: “Take down the sail! The ship will capsize!”
Sailor 2: “The rudder’s not working!!”
Sailor 3: “Lord Rosso! Captain Rosso! What should we…?!”
The shouts of surprise couldn’t be heard over the violent sea, which had been so calm only a moment before.
Rosso: “Tch…How could I have misread the tide? Who would have thought I’d…”
OO: “…”
In frustration Rosso bashed his fist into a pole of the ship.
But right after…
Rosso: “Rally the ship! I’ve got the steering! Cast off the cargo!”
Sailors: “Aye!”
OO: “Rosso, if there’s anything I can do…”
It was that second.
OO: “…!”
I caught a glimpse of an enormous wave, and with a violent crash the ship started to list violently.
Rosso: “OO…!”
It was as if my body was tilting in slow motion.
(I’m falling…!)
As I did, what I saw was…
Rosso’s hand, reaching towards me with all his might.
Ch. 7: An Outstretched Hand
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: “…so 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.
Ch. 8: A New Voyage
A few days after the storm…
(Ever since then, Rosso has seemed troubled…)
Though I called out to him, he always wanted to left alone to think, shutting himself in his room.
I had left him alone, reluctantly, and spent my time helping out around the ship.
(I’d like to be able to support him…)
I thought about it again while I sat in the galley, helping to peel potatoes…
A flurry of footsteps shook the old ship.
(? Did something happen?)
Everyone in the area was exchanging glances with one another.
Rosso: “Listen up! I’ve finally decided…!”
Rosso rushed from the galley, his cheeks flushed with excitement.
Sailor: “W-what’s going on?”
Rosso: “I’ve decided. OO, you listen to.”
OO: “O-okay.”
(What is it?)
Rosso took in a deep breath…
Rosso: “I’ve decided to fix the ship!”
OO: “Eh…!”
At Rosso’s words, the crewmen started murmuring among themselves.
Sailor 1: “Repair the ship…”
Sailor 2: “U-um, where’d this come from all of a sudden?”
Rosso: “For crying out loud. My eyes were opened thanks to the storm…and her.”
OO: “…!”
Rosso suddenly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me in tightly.
At the surprise embrace, I felt my heart leap in my chest as Rosso’s strong arm held me.
Rosso: “I’ll never let anyone die again. All of you keep that in mind, and come with me!”
Sailor 1: “I-I don’t really get what’s going on but…”
Sailor 2: “Yeah-!”
The crew cried out in pure joy.
I saw Rosso grinning, his face looking more refreshed than I’d ever seen it before.
Beside him, a smile from deep within my heart blossomed.
(I’m glad…he’s so happy.)
His arm held me as I felt tears well up, completely overcome with emotion.
…
……
We stopped at a large town, leaving the Balenarossa to be repaired.
Rosso: “…”
Rosso kept starring at the docked ship.
OO: “Rosso…”
Rosso: “Yeah, I’m fine. Just giving her a little farewell. Telling her to make sure she comes back good and strong. Besides…”
OO: “?”
A while after that…
…
……
Rosso: “…amazing, I hardly recognize her.”
Rosso stood beside me, gazing up at the splendidly repaired Balenarossa.
OO: “Yes. She has become quite beautiful. Now she can overcome anything at sea.”
Rosso: “Yeah, that’s right.”
Our shoulders bumped each other. I felt my heart leap and in the instant I reflexively looked up at Rosso…
OO: “…!”
Gripping my shoulder, Rosso wrapped me in an embrace.
I’d already felt the comforting warmth from within those arms many times…
My heart was beating so fast I felt as if it would burst, and I took a slow, deep breath.
(This is a little embarrassing…but…it makes me really happy, to be held in his arms.)
Rosso: “OO…thanks.”
OO: “Eh…? I didn’t do…”
Rosso: “No, this is thanks to you OO. Because of you, I was able to hold strong this time. I don’t really get it but…you’re really amazing.”
I thought of how much I liked his slight ruggedness and those eyes that took in the dazzle of the sun.
I kept staring as if I was being drawn in.
Then the hands around me held on more firmly.
Rosso: “I always thought that…changing the ship would mean betraying them. But…but I have to hold on to the men I have left even more. I never…want to lose anyone.”
I saw something flash for a moment in the corner of Rosso’s eyes, and I felt my chest warm as I was overcome with emotion.
Rosso: “With the ship in such a battered state…there would have come a time I couldn’t protect anyone. But now…”
OO: “I think…even though the appearance of the ship has changed, I’m sure the souls of your friends still live on in it. And I’m sure…that they’re pleased to see the Balenarossa become so beautiful.”
I honestly spoke what was on my mind as Rosso was at a loss for words.
And with that, Rosso smiled, though even now he seemed on the verge of tears…
Rosso: “I suppose you’re right…thanks OO. I can move forward now, because of you.”
OO: “That’s… …”
Accompanying his firm words was a warm kiss…
Rosso: “Come live with me. Me, and the Balenarossa.”
Bathed in the setting sun, he kissed me again with more intensity.
I felt as if the reborn ship…was watching over us with a gentle strength.
END