Before I knew it, I was back on my ship.
I was in that warm, wooden dining room.
Right now, I'm in the Harvester's arms.
"I'm sorry," he said.
That was all he said at first, and then he stayed silent.
How did I get back here?
"The Harvester went to bring you back..."
Oomi said quietly. Aochi remained silent, staring at the floor.
"...Where's Mamoru?"
A dry, raspy voice escaped my throat, like it belonged to someone else.
"He's in the recreation room with Silent-chan and Ululu. Rhone stayed behind on the other ship. Please, don't—"
The Harvester's voice sounded pained, so I interrupted him.
"I don't blame Rhone. He was doing his best to protect me."
Instead of answering, the Harvester gently patted my head.
Inside the hollowed space left by Kaori-san, I was fighting a new fear.
How many hours do I have left with Mamoru? That fear. Even when Kaori-san was eaten by the fish, I was still thinking about her. Wasn't that fish supposed to eat unpleasant memories? Rhone believed he was doing the right thing by protecting me. Kaori-san and Mamoru returned because I remembered them. I believed if I stayed strong, they wouldn't disappear. But that wasn't it. That wasn't the answer. If that's the case, then...
"...I want to see Mamoru."
The words slipped out like a mumble.
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"Yeah. Go ahead... I can't promise anything, but as long as you're here, I'll protect Mamoru too. I don't know what God's going to throw at us next."
"Can I ask you something? What does God even want from us?"
It was Aochi, silent until now, who spoke.
"We Harvesters decided to take all the passengers to the new world. So now God, meddlesome as ever, is helping with the selection."
"That really is none of his business. We should be the ones to decide our own fate. If he's so upset about us breaking his selfish rules, then he should reconsider the rules themselves."
Aochi spat bitterly.
"I let my guard down this time, but next time something weird shows up, we're definitely ignoring it."
Oomi's strong words made Aochi nod slowly before turning to face the Harvester.
"By the way, where were you when the blue fish showed up?"
"I was communicating. With God's envoy."
"Communicating? Like on the phone? Hey, Oze, what's so funny?"
The image of the Harvester having a long phone call made me smirk. It was just too surreal.
Seeing me laugh, the Harvester's voice softened.
"Not a phone. There's a communications room at the heart of the ship. It's used exclusively to contact the envoy. I was explaining the situation there. I told them we couldn't obey, no matter what demands God made. The envoy understands humans better, so I think they'll try to mediate. At the very least, I think they'll give us some time."
"Was Rhone doing the same thing?"
Suddenly, I felt worried about him being alone.
"He was probably asking them to save you. Not in some childish way, but sincerely. He's not used to irregularities like I am. He's a serious Harvester... so please, forgive him."
"I told you, I don't hold anything against him."
♢♢
"Big bro!"
As I opened the heavy door to the recreation room, Mamoru came running out.
"I'm sorry. I've only ever pushed the hard stuff onto you."
"Big bro, don't disappear, okay?"
If it's Mamoru's wish, then I have to make it come true, no matter what.
"Ululu."
Ululu emerged from the back of the room. His eyes alone told me he cared. I'm jealous. I wish I could express myself like that. I'm bad with words too. I want to be like him.
"I will never lose to God."
"Hm?"
Who said that? I froze for a moment. It had to be Silent-chan. Did she just speak?
Her voice was surprisingly husky.
"I've lost three people I loved. Because of those twisted rules."
I was about to say she had a nice voice, but no words came out. Now I'm the one who's silent.
"I boarded that ship with the three I admired. I never imagined they'd die. But I killed them. You understand, don't you? Because we're the same."
I knew it. My suspicion was right. Silent-chan knows. Oomi is starting to understand too. The only one still clueless is Aochi.
"Yeah... I understand."
I suddenly felt a deep sense of kinship with Silent-chan. We have to stay strong.
"Ululu!"
Ululu let out a sound, as if cheering me on.