"This is a huge help," the captain said. "One of my staff is out sick today."
"Don't worry about it," Yugen replied. "I have plenty of experience with this."
Normally, no one under eighteen was allowed in the cockpit, but given the intelligence he'd gathered on the submarine the previous day, it made sense for him to be in control. It meant he couldn't mingle with Tatsuya and the others, but it was a necessary trade-off.
"Here, Shizuku. Take this," Yugen said, handing her a device.
"A terminal with a camera? I see... you're betting that Honoka is going to make a move, aren't you?"
"She's definitely noticed the 'vibe' between Tatsuya and Lina."
He wasn't trying to dig up dirt. He considered it a simple act of kindness—recording his friend's hard work. Or perhaps it was just meddling. Either way, he entrusted Shizuku with the role of the dispassionate cinematographer.
"The seniors are really enjoying themselves," Yugen noted. "I guess it can't be helped."
The chartered boat was a semi-submersible type. Rather than small portholes, the sides below the waterline were entirely transparent, except for the bow and stern. The underwater scenery looked like a panoramic photograph, prompting the students and graduates to scurry around the cabin excitedly.
"Aren't you having fun, Yugen?" Shizuku asked.
"I am. It's just... you know. There's a lot going on."
"True... a lot indeed."
Yugen had agonized until the last moment over whether to involve the Shinkokai. However, since this was primarily a National Defense Force operation, he concluded that moving the Shinkokai—who fell under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Guard—should be a last resort. He had shared the intelligence with them as a precaution, which meant Shizuku was also aware of the details regarding Yugen and Tatsuya's mission.
As the boat reached the "Hate-no-Hama" sandbar off Kumejima, Yugen watched the crew prepare the rubber dinghies on deck while he scanned a virtual monitor on his terminal. He noticed a strange flurry of encrypted signals and immediately began a decryption sequence.
(Encrypted comms... originating from the adjacent sandbar. Destination: the offshore submarine... The Great Asian Alliance sub that James J. Johnson is likely aboard.)
He didn't know how much they knew about his group, but they were likely plotting the same kidnapping stunt they'd tried five years ago. Not wanting to ruin the festive mood, Yugen whispered to Lina, who had also stayed behind on the boat.
"Lina, stay calm and listen. We're being watched. It's likely the same group that was outside the hotel yesterday."
"You think Yugen is going to use force?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.
"I don't plan to seize their ship yet, but we can't be careless. It'll probably happen after Tatsuya and the others get back. Tatsuya will likely give the signal then, so be ready to cast. I've got eyes on them for now, so just relax for a bit."
"Right. I'll do that."
Lina leaned back, deciding that as long as she was warned, there was no need to be overly tense. Yugen looked at her.
"By the way, were you really okay staying behind? Given the boat's capacity, I mean."
"Well, I can't deny I've already had some 'stolen time' with him. Honoka looked like she'd made some kind of resolution, and it's easier for her to approach Tatsuya if I'm not right there. You seemed to sense that too, which is why you gave that terminal to Shizuku."
The rubber boats held six people each, and they were a group of fourteen. Shizuku had debated preparing a third boat since Yugen had his license, but they decided it was better to have someone keep watch on the main vessel. Lina had volunteered to stay behind as well. Since their futures were already decided, Tatsuya had accepted the arrangement without suspicion.
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