The Belfast's meeting room fell silent for a moment after Yuuto draped a large black cloth over the whiteboard.
Painted on the cloth was a tree — its roots curling like a vortex of energy, its branches glowing.
Miku tilted her head.
"Yuuto… what is this? A symbol for our new crew?"
Lady Avalon smiled gently, as if she'd already guessed.
"Ah~ that. A symbol very fitting for you, my pupil."
Kuroneko stared at the emblem.
"Eeeehh—Yuuto! Are you sure? This isn't intimidating at all! Other pirates will think we're… a herbalist guild!"
Yuuto only smiled, not offended at all.
But Irene looked at it for a long time, far more serious than the others.
'That symbol… I feel like I've seen it before. But where…'
Irene murmured inwardly. Still, she said nothing and waited for Yuuto's explanation.
Yamato raised her hand.
"Is that a tree? It looks cool, but… what does it mean, Yuuto?"
Yuuto stood straight and pointed at the symbol.
"This is the Tree of Life. A symbol of all living things. Not a single life, but many."
He looked at each member of the group.
"Look at us now.
Humans… dragons… half-succubus… a warship… a digital persona… an oni… and me — half fae, half dragon."
A small chuckle rippled. Then Yuuto continued in a softer voice.
"We are all different, but we grow from the same roots — the same goal.
The Tree of Life represents that."
Lady Avalon nodded proudly.
"You learn fast, my pupil."
Yuuto smiled, then added:
"This isn't just our pirate flag.
It's the emblem of our group — people who will travel many worlds, protect one another, and stand against anyone trying to destroy the balance."
He turned and looked at everyone.
"So… what do you think? Do you like it?"
Miku smiled warmly.
"I like it, Yuuto. Not all pirates have to be scary. This symbol… feels like family."
She stepped forward and touched the cloth.
"And it's beautiful… really beautiful."
Yamato patted her chest.
"If this is your choice, then I'm in! And I like the meaning behind it."
Kuroneko snorted.
"Hmph. Fine. Even though I still think it isn't intimidating enough… if it represents us, I'll accept it."
She added quietly without looking at Yuuto,
"…also, it does look… pretty."
Lady Avalon clapped softly.
"This emblem is ideal for an inter-world group. Elegant, ancient, and meaningful. I agree."
They all waited for Irene, who had been the quietest from the start.
Irene crossed her arms, stared at the emblem a long moment… then looked at Yuuto.
"…A symbol that reflects too many things: nature… magic… life… and destruction."
Yuuto straightened his back.
"If you don't like it, I can change it—"
Irene cut him off.
"No need. If this is your choice… then I accept it."
She added in a softer voice—almost a murmur:
"And… it suits you."
Yuuto gave a small smile.
"Thank you, Irene."
Irene quickly looked away.
Belfast bowed gracefully.
"If this is the symbol chosen by Sir Yuuto for us… then I shall bear it with the highest pride."
Yuuto returned to the front of the room.
"All right. From now on, this is our emblem. Our flag."
Miku, Yamato, Kuroneko, Lady Avalon, Irene, and Belfast looked at the symbol together.
They felt a new bond, not just strangers brought together by a system.
Yuuto smiled.
"Tree of Life — our symbol, and the worlds we will visit and change."
---
Their large flag — the Tree of Life — fluttered proudly on the main mast, caught by the morning sea breeze.
In the ship's control room, Yuuto stood at the forefront, hands resting on the metal railing, looking out over the vast ocean.
Belfast stood directly behind him, while Yamato, Miku, Kuroneko, Irene, and Lady Avalon lined up behind like a squad about to depart on a great mission.
"Belfast. Raise the anchor and set sail for Jaya Island."
Yuuto's voice was calm but carried the weight of a leader.
"Very well, Commander."
Belfast bowed gracefully and operated the controls.
The anchor chain rose and the propellers began to turn.
And… Belfast slid into the sea.
Kuroneko hugged the folder she carried like a child with a new toy.
"This is our maiden voyage!"
Lady Avalon laughed softly, twirling her staff.
"And of course… we need a feast to celebrate~"
"Ah! A party!" Yamato raised both hands high. "Yuuto, we've never had a party! Must! Must!"
"Agreed!" Miku tugged Yuuto's sleeve.
"Yuuto! We have to celebrate! Hey, come on! Let's go!"
Yuuto merely sighed, letting himself be dragged along like a lazy big cat.
From behind, Irene watched them all without comment. Her gaze wasn't angry… just observant.
Yuuto finally gave in.
"Hmm… a party, huh. Belfast, is there a room suitable for that?"
"There is, Sir," Belfast replied politely. "The banquet hall on deck three is available."
"Good. Bring them there. I'll go to the kitchen to—"
Belfast cut him off, a little flustered — subtle but clear.
"No! Sir need not cook. I will handle it."
Yuuto exhaled.
"But I can cook."
"That isn't about ability, Sir," Belfast bowed again, voice firm but gentle. "A maid cannot allow her master to work… especially in the kitchen."
Yuuto pinched his temple.
"Then Belfast, handle the banquet. That's an order."
Belfast stiffened immediately.
"…Very well, Sir."
Miku lightly pinched Yuuto's arm.
"Yuuto, you're overdoing it!"
"Maybe," Yuuto muttered.
He stepped closer to Belfast… and gently tapped the maid's head.
Belfast flinched slightly — a reaction she'd never shown before.
"Let me show you my cooking skills. I learned to cook for moments like this. And… I want you to taste it."
Belfast's eyes widened a little.
"…Yes, Sir," she answered softly but happily.
From behind —
"Tease." Lady Avalon, Kuroneko, and Miku said in unison.
Yuuto just shrugged.
"Yaya, whatever."
Yamato added cheerfully,
"I've never had Yuuto's cooking, but I'm sure it'll be good! Hahaha!"
Irene remained silent. Watching, analyzing, not joining the commotion.
Still, her eyes followed Yuuto longer than she realized.
Guided by Belfast, they began toward the banquet hall.
Lady Avalon chatted casually. Kuroneko complained about the decorations. Miku excitedly imagined music. Yamato wanted to bring sake.
They were all lively with Belfast leading, but someone slipped away from the group — Irene — and no one noticed.
---
The Belfast's banquet hall filled with the aroma of food. The long table was laden with dishes Yuuto had prepared — orderly, beautiful, colorful, like a noble's feast.
Yuuto raised his glass high.
"Let's start the party!"
A small cheer. Glasses clinked.
Yamato was already laughing loudly between bites. Miku praised the plating. Kuroneko sampled slowly like a food critic. Lady Avalon sipped while watching them like a queen of the party.
But as Yuuto sat and looked at the revelry… his face changed.
Someone was missing.
Irene was gone.
Yuuto leaned forward.
"Belfast. Where's Irene?"
Belfast — who'd been happily eating for the first time since arriving in this world — flinched.
"—Irene?" She scanned the room… only then realizing Irene never entered.
"Sorry, Sir. I don't know… I didn't see her come in."
Yuuto exhaled sharply.
"Why did she disappear…"
Yuuto remembered something and immediately stood.
Kuroneko jumped. "Yuuto, where are you going?"
"Looking for Irene. Belfast, watch them."
And Yuuto vanished, carried away by the wind he controlled.
Yamato and Miku stood.
"Yuuto, I'll go with you!" "Me too!"
But tap — Lady Avalon's staff blocked them both.
"Let him handle Irene." Merlin's tone was gentle.
"Why?" Yamato asked.
"Don't you trust Yuuto?" Lady Avalon smiled faintly.
"Relax. Everything will be fine."
They surrendered and sat back down.
But Kuroneko watched Merlin with a sharper gaze than usual — suspicious and… a little afraid.
"Lady Avalon… you…"
Merlin glanced at her and, with a subtle motion, put a finger to his lips.
Kuroneko fell silent, though her eyes stayed fixed on Merlin, wary and uneasy.
Yuuto moved quickly through the ship's corridor and climbed the stairs to the upper deck.
Outside, the sea wind hit his face.
There —
Irene.
Alone. Standing at the deck's edge and staring at the blue sea.
Her back straight, hair streaming like an unquenchable flame.
Yuuto approached.
"Irene… why didn't you join the party?"
Irene turned slowly, expression flat.
"I don't like noise." She looked back toward the sea.
"Also… I can't enjoy any food in there."
Yuuto frowned.
"Come, follow me."
He stepped forward and took Irene's hand, gently pulling her inward.
Irene stiffened; her magical aura hissed — she nearly exploded with anger.
"What are you doing!?"
"Be quiet and follow me."
Yuuto's tone was different this time — full of conviction.
Irene's aura started to rise, the dragon inside her almost surfacing… but the next line made her stop.
"I'll make you something you can enjoy."
Irene froze.
"…That's impossible." She pulled her hand back strongly and almost broke free.
Yuuto looked at her straight on.
"No. Please believe me, Irene. I have a special recipe for you. I'm sure you'll be able to enjoy it."
Irene stared deep into his eyes. A few seconds of silence.
Finally Irene said quietly,
"All right. I'll give you one chance."
Yuuto smiled — a sincere smile that made Irene instinctively look away.
He reached for her hand again.
Irene startles, wants to pull away… but this time Yuuto's grip is firmer, as if he won't let go.
And Irene… for the first time in a long while…
allowed someone to hold her hand.
They walked back into the ship, side by side.