Rhone
Ever since the decision was made for God to abandon this world, and until yesterday morning, I had already selected five humans.
The departure is scheduled for tomorrow morning, which means this voyage will carry the final passenger.
With that in mind, I waited for the Watcher Bird to bring them.
But truthfully, I was more interested in someone else I was hoping to meet during this voyage—the Harvester of Hearts, the one who offers hearts to others.
Lately, I’ve been asking every bird I see flying in the sky, whether a Watcher Bird or a heart-devouring one,if they knew where he might be.
And at last, I found this place.This is the harbor where he’s supposed to pick up his next passenger.The ship departing from here is under the same Watcher Bird’s jurisdiction, which means we’re heading in the same direction.
I couldn’t stop grinning.A flock of birds that feast on eyes was flying across the clear morning sky.Knowing that he was somewhere in this port made me want to dash off right then and there,but I couldn’t leave my own ship.
If I did, I’d be disqualified as a Harvester and would never see him again.
Hm? I spotted a silhouette in the distance.So that’s the final passenger of this world.
The passenger approaching was a girl, probably around twenty, with unusually determined eyes.Beside her was a friend—nervous, hesitant, with a completely different energy.
The one with the strong eyes was short, had wavy hair, and a fierce expression.The other was tall, with straight hair and a much gentler aura.
“Why do you want to board this ship?”
That’s what I always ask the passengers first.
“To be alone, just the two of us.”
The girl with the fierce eyes answered flatly.
Since they wanted to be alone, I showed them to a cabin for two.
“We’ve prepared breakfast. Come to the cafeteria when you’re ready.”
I called out to them just after we set sail.They both nodded, faintly.
They hadn’t told me their names, so I decided to call the one with big eyes Silent-chan,and the tall one Shizuka-chan.
Watching them eat breakfast in the cafeteria, I was stunned.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Between them, I saw the very shape of love I’d always dreamed of.
They hardly exchanged words, yet seemed to understand everything about each other.The way they lowered their eyes, the movements of their fingers—all the things most would overlook were enough for them to communicate.They probably could hold an entire conversation just by breathing, even in complete darkness.
I wanted that kind of bond with him.
The thought overflowed in my chest, and I couldn’t stop it.I realized then—I had been in love.I had wanted so much from him.And I’d wanted to give him so much in return.But now, I yearned for something beyond all that.
Something quiet. Something deeper. A love like this.
One day, I want to be like them—with him.
That was when we were interrupted.New passengers had arrived.
I had no choice but to greet them.
A cheerful young man and an older, composed gentleman.I heard Silent-chan softly tell Shizuka-chan,“They're my cousin and my teacher.”
Both she and Shizuka-chan looked confused.
But the one who was truly disappointed was me.This ship was supposed to be for the two of them.And besides—I had already noticed it.
Silent-chan was in love with the two men who had just arrived.
Her confusion came from feelings she couldn’t understand,while Shizuka-chan’s came from realizing that someone else had entered Silent-chan’s heart.
I made up my mind quickly.For the first time on this voyage, I would save someone—Shizuka-chan.
To do that, those two men had to go.They were getting in the way of my ideal love.
And before I even realized it,a few drops of my blood had already been added to their drinks.
I served the drinks with a perfectly normal expression,then stepped away for a moment, just enough not to look suspicious.
I never expected what happened next.
I mean, who would have thought they'd share the drinks?They’d both ordered iced masala tea, of all things.It was the first time I’d ever had someone order that.
“Ah, you too?” they had laughed at each other.
They poured a little from their glasses into two spare ones and gave them to Silent-chan and Shizuka-chan.
Just to be clear—I’m not saying masala tea itself is strange.What’s strange is two men ordering iced masala tea in the morning,and then sharing it.
Each was served their own proper glass.It never crossed my mind they’d share it.
Maybe the men said, “Try some,”or maybe the girls casually said, “Can I try?”
But you get it, right?
As Harvesters, our blood can forge iron.Swords, shields, guns—whatever the moment calls for.It adapts to the purpose of protecting or attacking.
I gave them just a drop.
Only we Harvesters can control it.In anyone else’s hands, the weapon turns against them.
On the deck, far from land,I stayed out for a while, breathing the sea air.When I returned, I heard them saying, “I’m so sleepy,”and I did a little dance inside.
If their egos fell asleep,my blood would awaken.No pain.They’d stab themselves in their dreams and disappear.
And I would spend the rest of the day watching the love between Silent-chan and Shizuka-chan.
As a model.To etch into my heart.To make it my ideal.
“You must be tired from the early morning.You should rest in your cabins.”
I gently urged all four of them toward their rooms.
When I saw them later—covered in blood on the deck—I was speechless.
The plan was just to make the two men disappear.
Shizuka-chan was supposed to be the first person I saved,inspired by him—the one I admired.
Lost, I looked ahead and saw his ship in the distance.
Help me—I want to see you.
Driven by emotions I couldn’t quite understand, I chased after that ship.I had come to stop him,because he no longer had any hearts left to give.
I was supposed to be the one helping.
And then—I felt eyes on me.
Silent-chan was looking straight at me.
“…I’m sorry.”
That’s all I could manage through the pain.Because I shared her feelings. I knew what they meant.
If I were to lose him—what would become of me?
Before I could even finish imagining that fear,Silent-chan shook her head.
And said:
“Thank you for ending it.”
After that,Silent-chan truly became Silent.