First Encounter
Even after waiting a long time, my new Journey member never showed up.
Just as I stood up to head to Candle Square and check the schedule...
...
Whoa?!
Tanya, the Journey member I was supposed to meet today, was standing right behind me.
Oh, h-hi...?
...
...Mm.
When did you get here?
...
...A while ago.
...
It seemed like Tanya and I would be locked forever in this awkward stalemate when...
...
...Are you... hungry?
...
Mm.
Mmmmhm! Mmh! Mmh! Mm-mmm!
Mmmn... Hmm? Was I really that hungry?
Yes...! Starving!
I lost my bag on the way here...
You need money to eat. No money, no food.
So I didn't eat for days—
Wait, do you not like meat? It'll get cold.
Gotta eat hot food while it's hot. Right now.
...Want some of this too?
Yes!
Whew...
I'm full...
Ah!
...Petra and Marcille said that nothing comes for free.
Even if someone buys me something yummy, I shouldn't just follow them.
Well, they're not wrong...
The dishes were squeaky clean, not a drop of sauce left behind.
Why'd you buy me food? You want something?
Because I'm your Journey member...?
How did you know?!
You knew I was the Captain and followed me, right?
...
......
.........?!
Oh, I guess not...
Wait, if you're the Captain...!
Petra and Marcille gave me a present to give you. It's in my bag—
Ah.
I lost... my bag...
Hmm?
It's fine? I should introduce myself first?
Introduce myself... Okay, got it
I'm Tanya. Intern for Petra Construction.
Petra, Marcille, and I build houses. I carry stuff. Bring tools too.
I'm not a regular employee yet. But in Petra Construction, everybody's important.
If anyone looks down on me for being an intern, Marcille said to smack them with her Petra tools. That's my introduction. Mm.
...Mm?
Why I joined the Journey...?
Marcille said if I finish the Journey, Petra would give me something called... an incentive?
Also, Petra said it'd be good to visit NOA at least once. So... I came.
...Something I want?
Do I need to want something? Can't I join the Journey without one?
Well, you can, but...
What I want... I'll think about it.
Mmm...
Mmmm...
Mmmmmmmmmmm...!
...Hmm?
It's okay if I don't know yet? I can figure it out slowly?
The Journey takes a long time.
Mm. I heard it lasts a year.
Then let's look for one together!
Together...?
Mmm...? Okay...
But I don't have money. Captain, do you?
...We had ordered a lot, but I just barely managed to cover it.
And so began the Journey with Tanya, a girl who, despite her mature looks, is like a child inside, uncertain of what she wants.