“Misaki! Yuzuki!”
After I got back to Kei’s room, I changed into my dress lightning-quick before running to the infirmary. I knew my friends were all right, but Kotone had wanted them to go there.
“Asuka!” Yuzuki was crying as she leaped up and gave me a hug.
“Aw, there, there. I’m glad you’re safe, Yuzuki.” I hugged her back and held her head.
Oof, that kick to the ribs still hurts like heck, but I’m just happy these two are okay!
“I’m so glad to see you, Asuka. I was so worried,” Misaki said in her usual tone. She was sitting there, lounging in a folding chair like nothing had ever happened. I bet anyone who saw her would have no idea.
But I’m not anyone! She doesn’t think she can pull one over on her bestie, does she?
“I’m happy you’re okay, too, Misaki!” I ran up to her, grabbing both of her hands and pulling her in for a hug.
“H-hey! Asuka!” she called out, startled.
“Misaki, you don’t have to act all mature after going through something so scary! We’re best friends, you know!”
“Asuka…”
I could hear a sniffle coming from my chest, where her head was.
I knew it. Misaki tends to act tougher than she feels.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock at the door, and we turned to find Kotone standing at the entrance.
“Kotone!”
“How is everything with the passengers…?” I asked.
I was worried after seeing that commotion earlier.
“It’s fine now that everything has calmed down. I turned the hijacking into a part of the show. The cruise was full of surprises, so it was a little touch and go, but people have accepted the explanation.”
“That’s good to hear…” I let out a sigh of relief.
Wow. Kotone sure is incredible. She handled a big mess like this all on her own!
Kotone stood up a little straighter; even though the commotion was over, she still seemed super focused.
“Misaki, Yuzuki, and Asuka… I’m deeply sorry for what happened on this cruise.” She bowed all the way down to a ninety-degree angle.
“Wh-why are you apologizing, Kotone?!”
I had no idea what to do, and we all just stared at her.
“This cruise ship belongs to the Hanasato Group. Therefore, everything that happens on it is my responsibility.”
But that’s not fair!
“It’s all that Fantasista’s fault,” I said. “He’s the one who caused all the problems, not you!”
“But if I was a better leader, I could’ve kept you two from danger. I truly am sorry about everything…”
“We don’t blame you one bit, Kotone. We’re thankful, actually. You were the first one to come to our rescue when things got dangerous,” Misaki said. Yuzuki nodded, too.
Kotone looked like she still had more to say.
You’re too hard on yourself, I thought. Wait, now that we have Kotone here, there’s something I need to give her…
“Kotone! Hold out your hand, please.”
“O-okay?”
Kotone looked at me with surprise on her face. I stared back with a big smile, and she timidly held out her hand.
I clasped her hand with both of mine.
“I found this in the hallway on the way here… I think it belongs to you?”
With that, I let go.
And in the palm of her hand was the twinkling Black Tear.
“Why is this here…? I thought Fantasista stole this, too…,” Kotone said with her eyes open wide.
“Who knows? Maybe he dropped it during his great escape. He did kind of seem like a dunce, ha-ha-ha…”
I laughed and looked at Kotone. I knew it was a bad cover story, but I didn’t have the time to sneak it back into the safe at the bottom of the boat.
Kotone held the Black Tear with both hands and stared at it.
Hmm… I wonder if she suspects anything.
She snapped her head up and looked straight at me. “Thank you! I owe you so much for this, Asuka!” Kotone said with the brightest smile I’d ever seen.
Phew! Now it’s all over…
Just as I let out a sigh of relief, Yuzuki noticed something. “Hey, Asuka. When did you tie your hair back up?”
My what…? Oh, my hair… Aw, whoops! I forgot I put it in a ponytail when I switched into my Red uniform!
“Oh, you know, I’m just so used to this hairstyle, it felt weird letting it down.”
“Is that right? Your hair looked great earlier, too, though.”
She seemed to accept my excuse. I glanced at Misaki and Kotone, but neither of them appeared to be watching me.
Whew. Looks like I’m in the clear for now.
Ugh, I can’t believe I let Fantasista get away, and with the Golden Mechanical Clock. It’s so frustrating to think about!
That said, I wonder if what Fantasista said was true…?
“Is there something the matter, Asuka?” Kotone asked with a curious look. Apparently, I had been staring at her while I thought.
I couldn’t ask her about what I’d heard, though. Not until I knew whether it was true, at least.
“Oh, look! The sunrise!”
At that exact moment, Yuzuki called out to us, pointing at the large window in the infirmary.
From the window, we could see the morning sun peeking over the horizon. The pale-blue sky was blended with a soft shade of pink.
“Wow…”
The morning sunlight streamed into the infirmary, and Kotone squinted against it.
“It’s like nature’s magic…,” she said.
It is! Like an illusion of light that makes everything shine. No magic trick can beat this, eh!
Knock, knock.
Someone else at the door. We told them to come in, and the door opened.
“I’m glad…everyone’s…all right…”
Kei?! What are you doing up? You surprised me when I got back to the room earlier and you were passed out on the bed.
“We’re fine! You’re the one who doesn’t look so hot, Kei.”
“Just a few more hours to endure…”
I guess for Kei, a luxury cruise is something that needs to be endured. I’m a little surprised he came to check on Misaki and Yuzuki when he was feeling this bad, though.
I was staring at Kei, and our eyes met. His gaze flicked down to my ribs.
Ah… Are you worried about my injury, too?
I gave Kei a small nod.
Still hurts a bit, but it’s just a bruise. It’s not like anything’s broken, so I’ll be fine!
Kei then looked outside with his usual disinterest.
I know you can’t ask about my injuries, but the least you could do is act a little sympathetic, maybe?
As per usual, I could never read what he was thinking.
“Yaaaawn…” Yuzuki covered her mouth. “I’ve been up all night, so I’m feeling a little sleepy.”
Now that you mention it, I was running around all night, too. My body feels so heavy right now.
“There’s still some time before the cruise gets back to shore,” Kotone suggested. “Maybe we should use that time to rest.”
The four of us looked at each other.
“We got to see the sunrise. You guys want to just chill out for the rest of the trip?”
“Sounds good!”
“I agree!”
Then that settles it!
I bet I’ll fall asleep as soon as I hit my bed.
I wondered what Kei thought, too, but seeing him, I knew he was also ready to pass out.
Yeah, he definitely needs some sleep.
But hold on… I feel like I’m forgetting something.
The sunrise? A boat? a cruise? Oh… It’s New Year’s Day?!
“Oh right! We haven’t said it yet!”
I looked at everyone else.
“Said what, Asuka?” Yuzuki tilted her head to the side curiously.
“Oh, you know!”
“Ah, you’re right!” said Misaki. “Nobody’s said it yet.”
“That’s true. I almost forgot, too.” Kotone nodded as well.
Kei…definitely knew what I was talking about.
“Okay, let’s say it together!”
Everyone nodded, and as one, we said:
“““Happy New Year!”””