Rhone
I’d spent quite a bit of time on prep. Even though I’d quickly put the toppings together, if they just kept staring at the birds and trees, I’d have to start over.
“Noodles? Wait, is that ramen?”
Oze-kun glanced at the cart I was pushing. What else could it be?
“Yes!”
Mamoru-kun was as honest and adorable as ever. Even the usually cool Kaori-san looked unusually pleased.Only Oze-kun wore a conflicted expression.
“Ramen, on this futuristic ship? Kinda surreal picturing you making it.”
“How rude. After all the work I put in? Fine, then you can just watch.”
I made it because it was the last thing he said he wanted to eat.Feeling a bit sulky, I gripped the cart and strode toward the table.
Their Harvester had warned me so many times to work on that attitude—And I still hadn’t improved a bit.
“I’ll eat! I love ramen, seriously!”
Oze-kun hurried after me. If he’d just been honest from the start, I wouldn’t have started sulking.
As I expected, my cooking was a big hit.I always end up feeling embarrassingly proud at moments like this.
Everyone fell silent while eating.Aside from their praise—“Delicious,” and such—I didn’t hear a thing.It was a good thing we couldn’t see the other ship from here.Oze-kun was already shaken. If he got even more agitated, he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the meal.
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“Here, something cold for the end.”
In high spirits, I handed out soft serve cones to all three of them, carefully set in holders.I’d even put thought into the triangle-shaped cones.
“Yay! Vanilla!”
“Knew it—this one’s the best.”
Just the reaction I expected from Mamoru-kun and Kaori-san.And then, the problem—Oze-kun.
“……”
Why is he silent?Did I mess something up? No way. Mamoru-kun and Kaori-san’s reactions prove I didn’t.Wait—are those tears?
“So even cold food can bring back memories that make you cry, huh… I always thought that kind of nostalgia came with something warm. But this mixed soft serve… it brings back so many memories…”
Ah. He was moved.Just how many of these trips will I have to go on before I finally understand human emotions?
For some reason, I suddenly wanted to see the other Harvester.To be gently scolded.…No, not yet. Just a little longer.This time, I really have to—
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
Now I was the one being worried over by Oze-kun.Are there any other Harvesters out there as pathetic as me, getting sympathy from their passengers?I try to keep a calm face, but maybe they’re all hiding their own embarrassing sides too.
“No, it’s nothing. I was just happy you all enjoyed the food. That’s all.After you finish your ice cream… would you be willing to listen to my story?”
“You want us to listen to your story? Feels kinda backwards, but sure.I’m curious.Mamoru, Kaori-san—if you’re tired, don’t force yourselves. You can head back and rest.”
At that, Kaori-san swallowed the soft serve in her mouth and spoke up.Come to think of it, she ate the ramen pretty boldly too.But somehow, it wasn’t off-putting—it was refreshing.
“We don’t really get sleepy.When Oze-kun needs us to, we just pretend to sleep.After all, we’re the dead who’ve been called back.”
In the end, no one returned to their rooms.
We moved to a smaller table meant for tea.I closed my eyes.
There’s no way I could tell them everything.Should I stick to what might be helpful for them?Or go with something moving?Maybe something that paints me in a better light?
What do I even say…? Nothing’s coming together.
“Oi, you didn’t fall asleep, did you?”
Oze-kun’s voice made me open my eyes.Damn, all three of them were staring straight at me, waiting for me to speak.
“Sorry… I wasn’t asleep. Just thinking about where to start.”
“Hate to rush you, but it’s not like we’ll be traveling together for days, right?Morning’ll come soon.”
“You’re right. Overthinking won’t help.I’ll just tell the story I want you to hear.There’s only a few hours left with you all… no point hesitating.”
What I want to say most—That story is—