Paradise Awaits, Even in Flight
Within days, word spread across NOA that Petra Construction had gone bankrupt, and its employees had scattered.
Since then, Petra has been going through her routines listlessly, her usual spark nowhere to be seen.
Nyahaha... I messed up again...
You've been making a lot of mistakes lately, Petra.
H-huh? I have...?
...
Still, you'll forgive me because Petra's cute, right? Nyahaha...
Let's call it a day and head back.
A-already? But there's still one set left...
...
...Never mind. Petra's a good girl, so I'll do what the Captain says.
We were on our way back to the quarters together.
...Or so I thought...
Petra...?
Hmm?
This isn't the way to the quarters...
It's the way to Petra Construction.
Ah...! N-nyahaha... You're right. Guess old habits die hard...
Mmm... Maybe Petra just wanted to go on a walk with you, Captain! Come on, admit it! You only brought this up because you wanted more time with cute little me!
*Snap*
Huh? What was that...?
...! The Manager...!
Following the sound, we spotted the man Petra once called her former boss taking photos of the Petra Construction office.
No, it needs something more...
Shaking his head in dissatisfaction, he deliberately began scattering trash around the front of the building.
There we go. Looks just desperate enough for a last-minute runaway.
CEO Abandons Staff and Flees Overnight. Perfect for a headline.
...!
*Snap* *Snap*
The man kept pressing the shutter with a smug sneer on his face.
What do you think you're doing?
Huh? And who are—
Oh. Petra?
...Ah, so you must be that so-called Journey Captain.
Don't ignore my question.
It looks like you're deliberately trying to sabotage Petra.
Sabotage? Don't be absurd. I only came to congratulate a former subordinate on her new venture.
At a time like this? You know full well the rumors going around about her company.
Well, not my fault the timing's bad. She's the one who failed to manage her image.
Isn't that right, Petra?
...
Answer me!
!! I-I... uh... Y-you...
...Y-you're right...!
It's all my fault... I'm s-sorry...
That's right! Keep crawling like that! Don't go pretending you've moved on!
Y-yes... I'm sorry...
...Why do you hate her that much?
C-Captain... it's fine. It really is my fault...
I used to nag him... about safety and other little things...
Exactly! You know it well! Ever since day one, you stuck your nose into every little thing I did!
You accused me of doing things wrong? Breaking the rules? That's what we call tradition in the biz!
You were always acting like you were smarter than everyone, and you'd never shut up about safety! It was maddening!
I used to be respected before you showed up!
You think being good at making designs or a bit clever makes you better than me? You think that gives you the right to steal my recognition?!
In other words, you're just jealous.
You felt threatened by her talent, so you tried to break her down.
That's not jealousy. It's called survival!
That's how a real company works! In the end, you quit and I stayed. That proves who was more capable!
Yet, why won't your name die out in the company, even now...?!
Petra Construction, demolitions with safe explosives! I hear that crap every day...!
They say that our team at Kemet Industries can't even compete with a tiny company like yours!
Why should I still have to hear your name... after you're gone?!
If I leave you alone, you'll just become a threat again... to me and to Kemet Industries...
So I spread the rumors. That's right, it was me! I wrecked your image myself.
But there's nothing you can do about it now! Petra Construction has already gone bankrupt!
Bankrupt...
Yeah, bankrupt! You failed again and ran away because you couldn't handle the pressure!
AHAHAHAHA!
Bankrupt...
As if!
Hahaha— ...What?
You see, Petra Construction never went bankrupt ☆
Petra Construction, assemble!!
You bastard!!
W-what?!
*Thwack!!*
Out of nowhere, Marcille drop-kicked the man square in the chest.
Rival. Must be crushed.
Our enemy. Mm.
*Crrrrack!*
Aaaargh-!!
Tanya grabbed his arm next, twisting hard until he screamed in agony.
Nyahaha! Sorry, but the new Petra's not the pushover you remember!
W-what the—! How...?!
Hmm... Funny story, actually!
So, Petra Construction is officially closing today! Thanks for all your hard work ♡
H-hold on! Shutting down the company?! How bad has it gotten?!
I don't want that. Want to keep working at Petra Construction. Mm.
I know how you all feel. Petra doesn't want it to shut down Petra Construction either.
That's why I'll put my hobby and specialty to work—acting!
Acting?
That old man who showed up, he's the one who made my life miserable! Petra heard every word outside. And I'm not letting him get away with it this time!
So we're giving him a taste of his own medicine ♪ Until then, we'll pretend Petra Construction is shut down!
And faking a shut down helps how, exactly?
I've worked with him, so I know how he thinks. The moment he hears Petra Construction is closed... he'll come here himself.
He won't rest until he sees it with his own eyes. He's that kind of petty man.
So you 're going to bait him in by faking it? Got it.
Yup yup ♪ Plus, I didn't want everyone suffering because of me.
So... you said you'd help me before. If you still mean it...
Help Petra take down my old boss.
Well, Captain, did it work?
It did. Great performance, Petra.
I pressed the belly of the meerkat keychain hanging from my robe.
Ding ♪
If I leave you alone, you'll just become a threat again... to me and to Kemet Industries...
So I spread the rumors. That's right, it was me! I wrecked your image myself.
The device rang before playing back the man's earlier words loud and clear.
Th-that's...!
The meerkat keychain from Bellaskiver Times wasn't just a cute trinket—it was a recorder.
A perfectly disguised piece of tech, as if meant for situations like this.
...And now, it held his entire confession.
N-no, don't report that...!
Grr... give it here!!
Wow, you're noisy...!
Tanya, just knock him out!
*Crrrrack!*
Aaaagh!
Tanya twisted his arm sharply, and the man dropped to the ground unconscious.
And that's how you deliver payback ♪ Thanks for the assist, everyone.
Of course.
With that recording, we'll finally get paid and clear our name too.
...Still, thank you, really.
For believing in such a hopeless boss like me.
S-stop saying stuff like that! You're making it awkward!
Petra, you're not hopeless. You're a good boss.
We're Petra Construction again. I'm happy. Mm.
You guys...
...
...Captain, you know this all happened all thanks to you, right?
With a teasing grin, Petra took a deep breath and shouted toward Tanya and Marcille.
Petra Construction, attention!
Today's task is to reopen Petra Construction's office!
Before we start, cute Petra will lead the chant ♡
Sacred ritual! Safety!
First! First! First!!
First! First! First!!
Okay! Let's get to work!
The doors to Petra Construction finally opened only to reveal an empty office inside.
But on everyone's faces, there was no trace of worry. Only anticipation.