First Encounter
The scent of dew-soaked earth is one of the few perks of being a hunter out at dawn.
Fallen leaves scattered across the ground proved to be a hurdle for a girl who had only just become a hunter.
Ow!
Are you all right?
It hurts! The ground's slippery.
Looks like it rained before sunrise.
And this gun's so heavy... It's hard to move!
You'll get used to it soon. When you do, I'll give you an even bigger one.
...Really?! One as big as yours, Daddy?
Of course. You're my one and only star.
My daughter—
I arrived downtown at the meeting spot and looked around.
I tried to spot the Journey member, but the streets were crowded with too many people.
Is this even the right place...?
Guess who?
?!
Ahaha! Sorry, sorry! Did I scare you?
You looked pretty spooked.
You've heard about me, right? I'm Clarissa.
I'll be in your care from now until the Journey ends, Commander. Or wait, was it Journey Captain?
Or should I call you, darling♥?
...I'm pretty sure this is our first time meeting.
Exactly! And we're about to spend the whole year together.
Ah! Are you drawing a line already? Sorry if I went too far.
Well, this is my first time at NOA and I don't really know anyone here.
But now that I've got a Captain by my side, I just wanted to break the ice...
Sorry...
Just as I was about to hand her my handkerchief, I noticed something in Clarissa's hand.
Eyedrops?
Yup! My eyes dry out fast here in NOA.
So I've been using eye drops all the time.
Ahaha! What? What were you thinking?
Were you worried I was crying? That's sweet of you.
How did you even know I was here?
I saw you from way up there.
She pointed at a towering building from which pedestrians would look like dots.
You spotted me from up there?
Yup, yup. Classic reaction.
When I first joined the Canopus Rangers after years as a hunter, everyone reacted just like you.
Guess it's a family thing.
Anyway, I can see farther and clearer than most people.
I even spotted a strand of hair on your collar from all the way up there.
Here, let me get it.
So why did you join the Journey?
That's...
Yes?
...You're really something, Captain.
You want me to say it out loud?
All I did was ask what brought you here?!
Ahaha! Kidding, I'm kidding.
You're too fun to mess with. I might get addicted to this.
It wasn't anything special.
Just wanted to shake off the daily grind. Do some self-growth.
And maybe make a wish come true? The details are a secret.
Anyway, I'm counting on you! It's our first meeting, but I already like you, Captain.
Your eyes remind me of someone I used to know.
...Someone I can't see anymore.
Ahaha! Wow, that got serious quick. Sorry, sorry!
Clarissa gave my back a friendly pat.
See you tomorrow at Candle Square, Captain.
Get home safe, all right?
...Should we say something?
Leave it. Just a happy moment.
?
For some reason, I could feel people staring at me on the way back.
I figured out why when I changed clothes in my room.
Looks like today's our first day as a couple. I'm already excited for tomorrow.
I bet we feel the same even without saying it, right...?
Can't wait to get along♥
She must've stuck this on when she patted my back.
Clarissa definitely had a bit of a—no, a lot of a mischievous streak.
Was this kind of prank going to be a regular thing from now on?
When I remembered the Journey was supposed to last a full year, it felt like the world went dark.