Ch. 7: The Nautical Chart to Treasure
Douglas: “I know, OO, how about you come treasure hunting with me?”
Taking up Douglas’ offer, I went out to hunt for treasure…-.
After walking through the town for a little after the restaurant, we arrived back at the ship.
As we stepped onto the fortress-like ship, Douglas called out to the sailors in front of him.
Douglas: “Everyone, stop what you’re doing and listen up. We’ve gotten our hands on a nautical chart for treasure. If we follow this, we’ll come to the trench West Ocean Hall where the tide brings things to shore. There’s a high probability that we’ll find the treasure we’ve been searching for there. Start the preparations for us to set sail immediately!”
At his words, the sailors became excited.
(We might be able to find what was left behind by Douglas’ father…)
With that in mind, I could hardly contain my excitement.
…
……
Sailor: “Weigh anchor!”
The anchor was slowly raised, and the ship set out into the wide sea.
OO: “Wow…”
The salty breeze kissed my cheeks, and my heart pounded as we started our adventure…-.
(Ah…)
Aboard the deck, I saw Douglas staring vacantly out at the sea.
Douglas: “OO.”
At his beckoning, I moved up to stand close beside him.
(I wonder if I can ask about what his father left…)
Having been constantly curious about the matter, I finally asked Douglas.
OO: “Um… what exactly is it your father left behind?”
Douglas: “…even I don’t know exactly what it is. So it could be something completely stupid, or it could be the most ridiculous treasure ever. He’d say that’s what makes it so exciting to look for.”
Saying as much, Douglas smiled.
OO: “I’m sure no matter what it is, it will be a priceless treasure to your mother.”
Douglas: “I think so too…”
As I watched the cobalt-blue sea, I prayed that Douglas would find what he was looking for.
Ch. 8: Stormy Waters
Douglas told me… that even he didn’t know what had been left behind by his father.
(I want to find it… for Douglas, and for his mother.)
As the ship sailed for the trench, I felt my heart swell with anticipation.
However…
The sea had been calm throughout the afternoon, but it suddenly changed as night fell. Countless white-crested waves appeared on the surface and rocked the ship.
OO: “…!”
Douglas: “OO, are you alright?”
Douglas supported me in his burly arms as the violent rocking caused me to stagger.
OO: “Yes… I’m fine.”
Though that was what I said, my stomach ached terribly, and I put my hand to my mouth.
Douglas: “You look pale… let’s go to my cabin.”
OO: “…”
Douglas easily lifted me up and started to walk to his cabin.
OO: “Sorry, I…-”
Douglas: “It can be rough when you aren’t used to it. You can lean on me for support.”
OO: “Alright…”
I did as he said and felt the heat of him spread through my body…-.
Entering the cabin, Douglas sat me in a chair and faced me towards a window.
Douglas: “It got pretty stormy… if this continues it’ll be difficult to keep heading towards the trench. And I’m not completely certain the trench will have the treasure… Finding what my old man left is my own personal goal, and I can’t risk putting everyone else in danger.”
I looked at Douglas in profile and became aware of the faint shadow that had fallen across his expression.
OO: “Douglas…”
The desire to keep his crew safe, and the desire to find what his father had left behind.
I could understand both perspectives, but I couldn’t image what it was like to make that choice.
Douglas: “…we’re going to turn back.”
Douglas spoke quietly, then stood and walked towards the wheelhouse.
OO: “Douglas…”
Douglas: “You stay here OO. You’re still feeling sick right?”
OO: “But…your father’s treasure…”
Douglas: “It’s fine. Everyone’s lives are more important right?”
…
……
Douglas: “Everyone, listen up. The sea is getting rough and it’s getting too dangerous to keep heading towards the trench. We’ll stop and head back for now.”
As Douglas relayed his decision, the deck instantly erupted with noise.
Yet after a moment, one of the sailors quietly spoke up.
Sailor 1: “Let’s keep going.”
Douglas: “…”
Sailor 1: “The day after tomorrow we’re setting out on another long voyage in our mission to keep the sea safe right? Now’s the only chance we’ve got. Let’s go!”
Sailor 2: “Me too, I can’t think of going back now!”
After one had spoken, the sailors one after another all spoke something to similar effect.
Sailor 3: “Throughout my life, the previous crew was a big help. And not just to me. Others here have had friends lost out in the sea. We’re not just going to the trench for treasure. We’re also wanting to find the mementos of the crews before us.”
Everyone gathered there turned eyes full of passion to Douglas.
Douglas: “Guys…”
Sailor 1: “Let’s head to the trench! Let’s search for what’s left of those who went before us!”
OO: “Douglas…!”
I called out his name as everyone overwhelmingly conveyed their thoughts.
Douglas: “OO…are you alright with this?”
OO: “Of course…! I’ll do my best to not get in the way so…”
Douglas: “…”
For a while, Douglas just stood there in silence, surveying the faces of those around him. Then he nodded.
The deck erupted in excitement.
(I’m glad…)
Douglas: “Thanks.”
Douglas firmly placed his hand on my shoulder.
As I felt the heat from his hand, I felt like I was being welcomed as part of the crew.
Ch. 9: Investigating the Sea Trench
A storm accompanied the rough sea and lasted some hours…-.
As night broke, the rain stopped and light began to filter through the heavy clouds.
The rocking of the ship eased as well, and I let out a sigh of relief.
(Thank goodness… I didn’t what would happen with the seasickness earlier… but the waves seem to have calmed down.)
I looked up to the sky from the deck and squinted at the bright sunlight.
Douglas: “Seems the storm has passed.”
Navigations Officer: “We should be arriving soon at the West Sea Hall!”
Douglas: “I checked the nautical chart, but it seems like we’re still heading straight for it. Luck is on our side.”
Douglas’ face relaxed in relief, and a cry of joy went up from the sailors.
(Douglas… he looks happy.)
Our eyes met, and he grinned at me.
Sailor 1: “We’ll arrive at the search site and, that’s…?”
The sailor looked out into the distance and screwed up his face.
He was looking at a black ship that I’d never seen before, an SOS signal rising from it.
Sailor: “I wonder if something happened…”
Sailor 2: “We’ll take one of the smaller boats and check it out.”
Saying as much, a handful of the sailors went to approach the black ship.
(If they’re sending an SOS, what kind of trouble are they in…?)
I watched over the sailors as I felt a weight of unease.
Before long, the sailors returned.
Sailor 1: “…they’re a group of thieves. Seems they were trailing our ship so they could steal the treasure from us.”
Sailor 2: “Looks like they got caught in the storm and their ship is dead in the water, but I doubt we need to help them.”
Douglas: “But if we just let them drift like this, their lives will be at risk… Plus there’s a risk that they’ll crash with another ship.”
Douglas sank into silence for a moment, then seemed to come to a decision.
Douglas: “We’re going to help them.”
Sailor 1: “Captain!”
Sailor 2: “That’s… I think it’d be better to just leave them…”
The sailors expressed their opposition to the idea, but nothing would change Douglas’ mind.
Douglas: “We can’t just abandon them. But we’ll lock them up tight in the ship’s hold.”
At Douglas’ orders, the sailors seemed confused but made preparations for the rescue.
(Douglas… even though they were thieves bent on stealing the treasure.)
…
……
Afterwards…
We made to aid the thieves, the sailors pulling up alongside the ship.
Douglas: “Any of you injured?”
Thief: “Why…did you help us?”
The group of refined thieves glared at Douglas.
For a moment, a hush fell over everyone…
Douglas: “It’s our duty. Besides… I’m sure you all have families.”
There was pain in Douglas’ words, and it made broke my heart.
———————
Douglas: “When I was little, there was a terrible storm and the ship wrecked. Everyone lost their lives in the tossing sea. It was then that my old man risked everything to protect my mother and me… but to this day I don’t know what happened to him. I’m sure… that somewhere in this wide sea, my old man is alive. When I would see my mother thinking about my dad and how sad she would look, it would break my heart.”
———————
(…I want to find it no matter what. This thing left by Douglas’ father.)
Filled with the conviction to aid him, I clenched my fist…-.
…
……
At last, the preparations were made to investigate the trench.
On the deck of the ship, everything was ready to go and the divers were making their final checks.
Douglas: “Don’t push yourselves. The currents are fast in the trench, so be careful.”
Diver: “Aye! Alright, let’s go!”
The divers leapt into the sea.
And then time passed as all we could do was wait and pray…-.
OO: “Douglas…”
Looking at him, I saw his expression was tight, as if he couldn’t relax.
OO: “Douglas, it’ll be alright. I’m sure they’ll find it.”
I did my best to offer encouragement as Douglas continued to look uneasy when…-.
OO: “…!?”
Suddenly, I found myself caught up in his arms.
Douglas: “…”
His large hands were wrapped around my waist, and I could feel them trembling slightly.
(Please…find it!)
Some time passed, then I caught sight of the sailors hauling something up from the divers who had surfaced.
(…!)
Sailor 1: “Captain! Is this it!?”
Douglas: “That’s…!”
Seeing what the sailors presented to him, Douglas’ eyes changed.
Ch. 10: Goddess of Fortune
Sailor 1: “Captain! Is this it!?”
Douglas: “That’s…!”
The divers had found a small, decrepit chest.
Douglas: “That’s…my family’s crest!”
Douglas took the chest from the divers and his gaze fell to the crest carved into it.
From inside he pulled out a golden navigational watch and a thick leather-bound journal.
OO: “Ah…that journal…”
Though it had been in the chest, the journal appeared to be in rough shape, probably from having spent so much time submerged in the water.
Douglas: “…”
As he carefully opened the journal, Douglas seemed to find something as his face stiffened slightly.
Douglas: “…”
OO: “Douglas?”
Douglas: “…I’m alright. The water blurred out the ink so it’s hard to read. But this gold watch will be worth a nice sum!”
At his announcement, the sailors gave a loud cheer.
Douglas: “Haha, this was quite a feat!!”
Douglas smiled in delight, looking out to the sailors, however…
(Douglas…? Did he see something?)
I felt a little uneasy as I watched him, acting almost as if he was trying to keep up appearances.
…
……
That night, there was a party held aboard the ship.
(When he opened the journal, I could have sworn Douglas was acting strange but…)
At the moment, Douglas was cheerfully drinking alongside the other sailors.
(I wonder if I imagined it.)
After a little while, Douglas disengaged from the group and headed off somewhere.
(Huh…I wonder where he’s going.)
Curious, I followed behind him…-.
…
……
I saw Douglas had headed for the prow of the ship.
The stars twinkled in the silent sky, making it seem as if the storm that afternoon had never happened.
OO: “Douglas.”
Douglas: “OO…!”
Having been staring out at the evening sea alone, he started as I called out.
Douglas: “What’s wrong?”
OO: “…”
I found myself unable to say I was worried about him, so I remained silent.
Douglas: “…”
The roar of the waves in the dark of the night seemed to swallow everything.
Douglas: “C’mere.”
With a kind smile, Douglas pulled on my hand and we headed towards his room…-.
Douglas hadn’t said a word to me until we were finally in the room, then he quietly started to speak.
Douglas: “Actually…”
He turned back around to face me, the journal in his hand.
He held it out to me and I saw what was inside: a worn family photograph.
A young, brave-looking man stood next to a beautiful woman with long silver hair.
And between them was…
OO: “Here… this baby in the middle is you, isn’t it?”
Douglas: “Yeah, I’m surprised you could tell.”
OO: “You have the same face, even as a baby.”
Though the photo was worn, I could feel the warmth from the family image, and Douglas spoke as if embarrassed.
Douglas: “When I saw that, I got hit with an unexpected wave of emotion. But…it was too embarrassing with everyone there, so I didn’t say anything.”
(That’s why he seemed to be acting strange before…)
I nodded slightly, thinking back to when Douglas had opened the journal this afternoon.
As I did, Douglas looked down at the photo and his voice was a murmur.
Douglas: “To my old man, I guess this means we were his treasure… it’s a little much right?”
OO: “I…think it’s wonderful. Douglas, you’re connected by bonds to your family, and to the sailors…”
Douglas: “Bonds…”
Suddenly, Douglas fixed me with a burning gaze and…-.
Douglas: “In that case, I wonder if it’d be alright to forge some new bonds… with you…”
OO: “…!?”
Suddenly, I was pushed down onto Douglas’ bed.
OO: “…Douglas!?”
I could smell the alcohol on his breath.
(Douglas? Is he drunk…?)
Douglas: “Don’t know if I mentioned, but I can’t really hold my liquor.”
His smile seemed innocent, like a child, as he whispered those words to me.
(When I look at him like this…)
Douglas: “You won’t run?”
My heart was pounding obscenely loud.
Douglas took a knife out of a pocket and sliced open my blouse.
OO: “…”
Douglas: “Are you scared? OO…”
Though he was being a little rough, I strangely didn’t feel any fear as I was sucked deep into his eyes.
Douglas: “…”
He looked at me, his eyes wavering as he intently searched for something.
(Bonds…)
With family, with friends, and…-.
OO: “No. I’m not afraid.”
I spoke with conviction, not breaking his gaze.
Douglas: “Good girl… looks like I was right.”
OO: “Eh…-“
Douglas: “I said it earlier, remember? That you would be my Goddess of Fortune.”
———————
Douglas: “Yeah, I’m sure you’ll be my Goddess of Fortune.”
———————
(That time…)
Douglas: “Would you sail this vast sea with me?”
(This vast and beautiful sea… With Douglas…)
Douglas: “Let me rephrase… would you let yourself be kidnapped by a pirate captain? Because what I want… is you, OO.”
Little by little, his face drew closer as he whispered those words to me and…-.
He placed his lips on the skin beneath my ripped blouse.
OO: “Ah…”
There was a pleasant tingling and I reflexively clung tightly to him.
Douglas: “Close your eyes…”
I did, and this time I felt him kissing all over the length of my body.
(It’s hot…)
I could hear the roar of the waves.
As I listened, I imagined sailing the sea with Douglas after this, but…
In this moment, I could do nothing but drown in the man before me.
END