It's been two days since I arrived on Fireworks Island.
I'd almost given up hope of getting permission to interview the Fireworks Artisan's Workshop, but surprisingly, it was approved. Apparently, soone among the island's higher-ups knew about —the writer, not the bounty hunter.
They even had my book and said they were a fan! It was a little embarrassing, but also really nice.
They explained that they'd be honored if the island beca the setting for my next novel, and that it might even help revitalize the town's economy. That's why they granted permission.
Plus, they knew about how I'd repelled those pirates at the port two days ago. It seed like this was also their way of thanking for that.
Well, I guess what goes around cos around, right?
Of course, there were conditions.
Since we were going to a place where they handled gunpowder, the first rule was obviously no open flas. Beyond that, we were told not to wander off on our own, to follow the instructions of our guide—apparently soone free from the Fireworks Workshop—and not to interfere with the artisans. We also couldn't go anywhere we were told not to.
There were a few other minor regulations, but they all seed like common sense. Honestly, it was reassuring to see they were prioritizing our safety, so I didn't mind at all.
"Sounds good," I told the person in charge. "Please arrange the tour." We were scheduled to visit the workshop the following afternoon.
___
The next day...
Actually, the tour just finished. (Skipping ahead...)
We visited a fireworks workshop nestled in the mountains at the heart of the island.
Boss Oodama, the man in charge, ran the place with his family, apprentices, and staff.
He seed gruff and hard to please, always frowning, but you could tell he took his work seriously and genuinely cared about his people, even in the short ti we spent there.
Oh, and everyone, including Boss Oodama, wore Kabuki-style kumadori makeup. I have no idea why.
But wow, getting a peek behind the scenes at a Fireworks Artisan's Workshop, hearing about their struggles, and seeing the inner workings of Fireworks Festivals—it was all so fascinating! Yeah, it was a really great experience.
I didn't suddenly have a brilliant idea for a new story, but I definitely felt inspired! I should thank the people at the Tourist Association (Provisional) later.
And him too.
"Thank you for being my bodyguard, Smoker-san."
"Ah... well, maybe you didn't really need one... but..."
It was Smoker-san, the guy I'd t the other day. He'd been assigned as my bodyguard for the entire day.
Why did I even need a bodyguard? The Tourist Association had arranged it, worried sothing might happen to during the tour. They also figured having a Marine around would help secure the Fireworks Workshop, so they asked the Navy to send soone.
I was confident I could handle myself in a fight, and I told them so, but apparently, just having a Marine present was enough to deter cri.
And wouldn't you know it, the Marine who got dispatched happened to be Smoker-san.
"Ah... you don't have to be so formal with , you know? There's no one around anymore, and I really don't care about that stuff."
"...Is that so? Well, I'll take you up on that, then."
Smoker-san imdiately dropped the honorifics.
Even though he's a Marine—a governnt employee, no less—he seed really uncomfortable with formal speech. He'd been looking stiff and awkward ever since he arrived.
By the way, I learned during our casual chat that his current rank is Petty Officer. That's higher than a regular soldier, but it's the lowest officer rank, right? It feels like he just enlisted or recently graduated from training school.
Still... he already seems way too strong to be at that level. As expected of soone who'll beco a Marine officer later on.
"So, what are you planning to do now? Officially, I'm supposed to be guarding you—or rather, that's what the higher-ups on the island ordered."
"I'm finished with my business for today, so I'm heading back to the inn to rest. Maybe I'll do so shopping later, but I doubt I need an escort for that, right? It's just around town."
"Yeah, you're probably right. I'll take my leave once we reach the town. Not that I have any work waiting for back there anyway..."
"Is that so?"
"We've got plenty of manpower. Honestly, they sent way too many guards for a small island like this. Rumor has it so bigwig from a Governnt mber State is secretly here to watch the fireworks, and security's been tighter than usual because of it."
"Huh, so that's the story."
Co to think of it, I'd been hearing people around town muttering about "more Marines than usual this year." Makes sense now.
I wonder who's visiting from what country. Probably so nobles, maybe even royalty?
...Nah, not Celestial Dragons. Those guys wouldn't bother watching fireworks. They'd just kidnap a fireworks artisan and make them set off displays in Mary Geoise.
Whatever. Not my problem.
"Hey, should you really be telling an outsider like all this?"
"Who knows?"
"Who knows?!" Oi, civil servant!
Just then, mid-conversation... Puru puru puru puru... The Den Den Mushi started ringing.
Smoker reached into his coat, pulled out a small Den Den Mushi, and answered it.
"Yeah, Smoker here."
"It's , Smoker. Where are you right now?"
"Where do you think? I'm with the protectee for that escort mission. The inspection's over, so I'm just taking them back to Town. Should be finished soon."
"Perfect, then you can move out imdiately."
"Huh? What's that supposed to an, Hina?"
Wait, Hina-san? Another character from the Original Work!
Her voice still sounded like a cheerful, energetic girl, not the calm, composed tone you'd expect from soone in a position of authority.
They must have graduated together, so she's probably around the sa rank as Smoker.
Anyway, this sounded like a work call.
"The watchtower reported three pirate ships approaching the island. Their target is likely the sa as before: gunpowder and other loot from the island."
"Where are our patrol ships?"
"Unfortunately, they're patrolling the other side of the island. Intercepting them at sea isn't feasible. We've evacuated Port Town and are preparing to defend the port. Head over here imdiately... Wait, what?! What did you say?!"
Suddenly, Hina-san's deanor shifted on the other end of the line. Sothing must have happened. Did she receive new information I couldn't hear?
"Hey, Hina?"
"...No, Smoker, it's nothing."
"Don't give that 'nothing' crap. If sothing's up, spit it out. Share the intel."
Smoker-san's logic was sound.
Hina-san pursed her lips, as if debating whether to speak, then after a few seconds said, "Well, it's better to tell you than have you go off on your own."
"So you think hiding this would stop from doing whatever I want? That's quite the accusation."
"You're the rookie who's already disobeyed orders countless tis, forcing your superiors to apologize for you... And you still have that attitude? Ugh, it's infuriating." Hina sighed.
"We don't have ti for this. Just spit it out."
"...The three pirate ships split into two groups. One circled the island and seems to be targeting another port town. The other two are still headed for the port we originally anticipated."
"What about evacuating the other port town?"
"They just contacted us by Den Den Mushi," Hina-san said. "They're about to begin their operation."
"Considering the ships' speed, I doubt we can evacuate in ti," Smoker-san replied. "Shouldn't we send so Marines to the other port town to buy us so ti at the shoreline?"
Just then, Hina-san seed to hesitate on the other end of the Den Den Mushi. There was an unnatural pause, as if she was struggling to find the right words.
"...No, HQ has decided to concentrate all Marine forces currently on this island in the port town where the two ships are landing," she continued. "We'll intercept them there and stop their advance completely."
"What?! What the hell does that an?" Smoker-san demanded, his voice rising. "Are we just abandoning the other port town?"
As if she'd anticipated his reaction, Hina-san continued calmly.
"That's not it... It's simply a matter of priorities and certainty."
"What priorities? Citizens versus the governnt officials the Marines are protecting?"
"The patrol ship heading to the other port town will handle it. They're already in that direction, so they'll dock at the troubled port and intercept the pirates..."
"There's no way they'll make it in ti! Even warships can't move that fast. The pirate ship is already within visual range! Sending Marines on foot would be faster!"
"That proposal was rejected. Our primary mission remains protecting the original protectee..."
"So we're sacrificing the citizens for that?!"
"That's not it! That's not it at all, but...!"
Hina-san sounded like she was in pain, her voice trailing off as if she couldn't finish the sentence.
"That's the decision from above, Smoker. Once you've delivered the protectee, return imdiately to our port town and join the preparations for building the defensive line. That's all for now."
"Yeah, right. I've got a terrible sense of direction, so I might accidentally end up in the wrong town."
"Smoker!"
*Click!*
Smoker hung up.
His face was practically spitting venom, and I could practically hear him grinding his teeth from here.
Unable to contain his irritation any longer, he shoved the Den Den Mushi back into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette and matches, and lit two cigarettes at once.
'Whoa, not a cigar, but totally Smoker-esque! ...Is this really okay for a minor?'
"Phew... Sorry about that, right in front of the protectee."
"No, no, don't worry about it," I said.
"Is that so? Well, since you're not worried, could I ask you for one more favor?"
A favor? What could it be? I had a pretty good idea.
"Sorry, but sothing's co up, and I need to head sowhere else. Think you can get back to town on your own? You don't really need a bodyguard anyway, right?"
If I head straight to the other port town now, I could help intercept the pirates and guide the civilians to safety.
This was definitely a direct violation of orders, and he'd probably get chewed out later—or worse, considering how many tis he'd pulled stunts like this before. Still, he didn't hesitate at all. Amazing.
But Marine disciplinary issues were one thing... Abandoning his protectee in enemy territory? That was seriously bad. The Marine's reputation was at stake, and this might be more than just a slap on the wrist. If the protectee's country filed a formal protest, things could get really ssy.
...Hmm... "protectee"... huh.
"...Smoker-san, can I ask you sothing?"
"? What is it?"
"You're still my bodyguard, right? You were originally supposed to escort to town."
"Ah, that's right."
"In that case, you have a duty to protect , don't you? It's part of your job."
"Well, yes, but..."
"So, wherever I decide to go from now on, you have to follow and protect , right? That person you were talking to earlier... Hina-san, was it? She said you'd rejoin her after escorting your protectee to safety."
"...!" You don't an to tell ...
Oh? Is he finally catching on?
Maybe he's starting to understand what I'm hinting at... what I'm about to propose.
"In that case... I might just decide to get lost and wander to another port town... You'll still stick with and protect , right? Even if it ans fighting pirates."
I have my own protectee here. It's ti he started doing his job properly.
To be continued...
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