The day of the recruitment ceremony had begun. The academy was filled to the brim with people and stands. People from different industries of the world introduced their lines of work to the students. Walking with Aylin through the bustling campus, we found some interesting stands like detective work and a stand dedicated to archaeology.
We walked up to a few of them and chatted with the employers who were eager to answer our questions about their jobs.
"Vivshi! Vivshi, come!" Aylin waved at me to come and started running.
"Look! Marine life researchers! They got a bunch of animals on display!"
Aylin pointed at the aquarium filled with coral and sea creatures. In a bigger tank were fish of all different colors and sizes. Aylin put her face against the water tank and stared at a weird looking fish that stood completely still, having a stare down with Aylin.
The marine researcher went up to me and asked us if we were interested in what was in the ocean.
Aylin was still staring down the fish, and I answered that I was interested in the big creatures in the sea.
"You mean whales?"
The marine biologist took out a few drawings and showed me how a whale actually looked. It had a long and thick body with a gigantic mouth.
"Despite their size, they cannot even swallow an orange due to their esophagus opening being less than fifteen centimeters wide."
"Do you know anything about the Pallid Whale?" I asked.
Aylin stopped in her tracks and started to slide towards us, acting like she was not interested as well.
The marine researchers all laughed and told us they did not research myths, and if we wanted to know more about mythological whales, we would need to ask the stand next to them.
He pointed to the stand in front of them. It was a big tent set up with tons of students flocking the area.
"They are the sailors, though I do not know if their captain is here personally."
He sighed before shrugging.
"They have been stealing the interest of the students. Most students are really curious about legends rather than science."
I looked over at Aylin, who was still facing away from us. I doubted that she wanted to meet her captain again. Every time sailors were mentioned, Aylin's mood would always sour instantly.
The researchers gave us some brochures about fish and told us to come back if we were interested in researching marine life. Aylin and I stood in front of the sailors' stand.
"We do not need to if you do not want to see this stand."
Aylin took the brochure in her hand and put it against my chest.
"It is alright, Vivshi. I promised we would see all the interesting stands, did I not?"
Taking a deep breath, Aylin grabbed my hand and hurried towards the sailors' stand. Aylin's eyes scanned around full of paranoia but relaxed a bit.
I walked up towards the sailor managing the stand. They were busy handing out recruitment papers to students who were interested in joining the Serenade Mary. Another sailor came up to us, and when she saw Aylin, her eyes awkwardly looked away. Trying to force professionalism, the sailor asked us if we were interested in their line of work.
I asked them how it felt to be out at sea for weeks without seeing land.
"At first, it might seem scary, not being able to see family and getting swept out into the sea's mercy. But after some time, you will truly feel free. The sea offers a feeling that land cannot."
This entire time, the sailor and Aylin completely avoided eye contact, not even speaking to Aylin.
"Are you perhaps interested in joining aboard the Serenade Mary for a year?"
Aylin's eyes were glittering. She was holding back tears. I could feel how much her hands were shaking as she held onto my arm.
I wanted to ask one final question before leaving and calming Aylin down.
"Do you know anything about the Pallid Whale?"
The sailor smiled and told me that it was the most asked question the students had. But none of the sailors actually knew much about the whale. They only knew the whale was a mythological creature that existed to prevent humans from venturing further into the sea.
They told me that the Captain could explain more, but they did not know enough to explain it properly.
"Too bad the Captain is a bit busy in the back."
After they said that, as if fate wanted to toy with Aylin's heart, the Captain, the ex military general, the greatest sailor in history, came through the cloth tent.
"Oh, Captain, have you finished with all the registration for the students?"
The moment Aylin saw the Captain, the grip on her hand completely released. The Captain looked around while adjusting the military cap on her head. When she saw Aylin standing behind me, she stopped in her tracks, her eyes averting as she pulled down the military cap to hide them.
"I cannot anymore, Vivshi."
Aylin ran away from the stand, leaving me behind. She vanished into the crowd of people, and I stood there completely unsure if I should chase after her.
The Captain looked up at me before walking over towards me.
So this was the greatest sailor in history, Sekito Sakaranai. She stood tall, peering down at me. I myself was of average height, and she towered over me. There was pressure in her presence, but it was not suffocating. I felt calm and rational, as if I could be commanded by her at any time.
"You wanted to know about the Pallid Whale?" she asked while taking out her pipe and putting it into her mouth.
"CAPTAIN, THIS IS A NO SMOKING ZONE!" both sailors yelled simultaneously.
"Whoops… did it out of habit."
She put her pipe back into her pocket and looked into my eyes.
"The Pallid Whale is indeed real and was created by the previous Aeon of Serenity. It feasts on the residual loxes in its surroundings and has therefore been growing for thousands of years."
After some more explaining, Sekito stopped. When I was about to head out to search for Aylin, the Captain smiled at me confidently and told me to take really good care of her.
I hurried into the crowds of people to search for Aylin.
"Do you think she will be okay after what happened, Cap?"
"With that boy by her side, it seems like color has returned to her."
"I do not think I would be able to handle living had I witnessed what she did," a sailor said solemnly.
Sekito crossed her arms and leaned back against the metal, tilting her head back before closing her eyes. A spark of silver gleamed across her cheek as she silently thought to herself.
"I am glad you are staying afloat, kiddo."
I found Aylin sitting alone by the park benches. She had her hands on her knees and was bent over. I sat down next to her, and before I could apologize, she apologized first.
"I am sorry for running away without saying anything."
"I am sorry for making you come to that stand when you clearly did not want to," I said.
Aylin shook her head.
"You deserve to see the world. I do not want to stop you from experiencing things just because of me," she said with a shaking voice.
"If that world caused you so much pain, then I do not want to see it. I do not want to experience what the world has to offer if you are not there with me."
Aylin went quiet. I looked away, not knowing what to say. Then I heard the sound of droplets hitting the ground. Aylin was holding her hands over her face, trying not to let it all out on a day meant to be exciting and fun. A hint of silver then flew past my eyes, and Aylin asked me for a favor.
She asked me to touch her like I did that day on the beach. I hesitated but could not say no when I saw that expression on her face. I placed my hand onto her head and started to rub her head.
After a few minutes of petting her head, she asked me why I continued to stay with her.
"Why so sudden?"
"Just answer the question."
"Back in the brothel, I came in with nothing. I had lost everything in my life and was just living due to the will of survival. The thought that freedom might come one day kept me going. But once I left the brothel and attended this academy, I regained something. That being someone I wanted to see every day. Someone I could talk about anything with. My life was no longer hanging by the thread of survival alone. I was living because I wanted to be with you. To see you happy, to see you making silly faces, to see you enjoying life. So my answer is that you are my family, and I care deeply for you."
"Family…"
She grabbed my hand that was patting her head and pulled me closer. I landed against her chest, and she wrapped her arms around my head.
"You are right. We are family."
She had stopped crying and was now smiling as she repeated that word. She held onto my head tightly and closed her eyes before thanking me.
Aylin then released me before standing up, and with both her arms behind her back, cheerfully asked me if I wanted to continue the tour of the event.
I smiled and stood up, following her back into the crowd again.