Oze
“You say you want to stay in this world, but you look like you’re fully ready to live.”Aochi said as he dragged me into the lounge.
Ever since we heard where the ship was headed, Aochi had been visibly irritated. He suddenly stood up, grabbed my arm, and pulled me to my feet.
“It’s about time we talked.”
I turned around and glanced at her—Kaori-san, who was gently placing her hand over the bloodied woman’s.
“Sorry. I’ll be back soon.”
“Leave this to me. You go take care of the living.”
She always had such a cool, calm expression, but seeing her smile like that—just a little—made me weirdly happy. And at the same time, it hurt.
Nearby, Mamoru was showing Ululu how to play “Look That Way.”Yeah… I’m part of the broken ones. I belong to this world.
♢♢
“I don’t have any family, so it’s not like I have to return to my hometown or anything like that,” I said.
Aochi looked at me with surprise.
“What? Then why are you—”
“I understand how Oze-san feels,” Oomi interrupted. “But if you stay here, everything will disappear. It’ll turn to nothing.”
Again, Aochi looked surprised.
“Wait… you understand how Oze feels?”
“Oze-san is in love with Kaori-san. And he sees Mamoru-kun as his real little brother.”
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“What?! But you said—weren’t they both supposed to be—”
“Aochi-san, could you be quiet for a moment? You’re kind of slow.”
I didn’t know why, but watching these two bicker like this… it made me feel strangely peaceful. I really liked it.
“Would they really be happy if Oze-san stayed?”
“…I don’t know,” I replied.
Maybe I was just deluding myself into thinking they’d be happy if I stayed.Kaori-san told me to cherish the living.Mamoru seemed to be getting along well with Ululu and having a good time.
What about these two?
They say they care, sure. But deep down, it’s always each other they’re really thinking about.
Even the Harvester.His main concern has always been Oomi.
What about the people on the other ship?
That blood-soaked woman… she hasn’t said a single word and just keeps staring into space, yet she has Kaori-san’s full attention and kindness all to herself.That guy who just says “Ulululu” all the time—his appearance is grotesque, like he’s been flayed alive, and yet… everyone seems to love him.
The Harvester on their side—Rhone—seems like a narcissist, probably only cares about himself.
…I’m alone.
I’ve always been that way.Everyone around me always has their attention fixed elsewhere.
Back then, when Kaori-san and Mamoru needed me—when I felt like I was saving someone—that was the happiest time of my life.
“Catch the bird.”Now I think I finally understand what those words meant.
Aochi was someone the birds came to save.Oomi was terrified and chased by them.
But me?If I didn’t go out and catch one myself, they wouldn’t even notice me.
“Oze-san…”
“……Ah.”
A tear slipped out before I could say anything more.
That’s when the door suddenly burst open.
“Big bro!”
It was Ululu who opened the door, and for a second I thought he had spoken.But then Mamoru appeared from behind him.
“Big bro, let’s do drawings with Ululu!”
He pushed out a bundle of pens and paints in his little hands.Right… I had promised to paint on Ululu’s shirt earlier.
“Where’d you even find all this stuff?”
I quickly wiped my tears and forced a smile as I took the supplies.
“In that guy’s room,” Mamoru said.
Aochi, who had been whispering something to Oomi, widened his eyes when he saw the paints I was holding.He must’ve asked Oomi to interpret for Mamoru.
“Isn’t he gonna get mad at you?”
“He doesn’t get mad.”
Of course.The Harvester’s got a soft spot—no surprise there.Aochi leaned in and muttered to me:
“That’s actually my paint set.”
“For real? Nice!”
Mamoru cheered, excited.Was it because they belonged to his cool big brother or something?
“Nice”?What even…?But whatever.We’ll be parting ways tomorrow morning anyway.Let him have all the fun he wants today.