Trauma
Guess who?
Good morning, Clarissa.
...
You've changed.
Captain, you're different now.
You've gotten used to me.
Yeah, figures you're getting tired of me by now.
People will get the wrong idea if they hear that!
Clarissa, Captain. Please keep your voices down in the library.
Next time, I'll have to ask you to leave.
We're sorry...
Ahaha, sorry...
...Phew. That was close. We nearly got kicked out.
She's a total stickler. Still does all the loan cards by hand!
Next time, she might really throw us out.
You know her?
Ahaha! We got familiar from seeing each other a lot.
...What? I do read, you know.
Anyway, what were you reading?
Hmm? How to Take Care of Cats?
You're trying to look after the one from the park?
You're really something. That's admirable.
...You wanna know what book I was looking for?
Ahaha! It's a secret, but maybe I'll tell just you, Captain.
The book I was after is called...!
The Captain's Secret Tastes, A Pure Girl Snared by the Captain...
See you later.
By the time I finished gathering all the info I needed, it was already evening.
As I left the now-quiet library, I spotted Clarissa reading alone.
Her expression was more serious than usual.
You know, a little mischief keeps relationships running smooth, right?
Quietly, I crept up behind her and covered her eyes.
Guess w—
...Ah.
It didn't take long to realize I made a mistake.
Ah... ahh...!
Cold sweat, trembling, and sheer terror seep into my hand from the eyes I'm covering.
Aaaaaaaahhhhh!!
S-sorry! Are you okay?!
Captain...?
Ah... you're kidding me...
Ah... haha... Y-you really got me. I was totally surprised...
It's just... you've never pranked me before. I wasn't ready, that's all... Ahaha.
You really caught me off guard...
Sorry. I don't feel well... I'm heading out.
Her face pale, Clarissa left the library in a hurry.
That's when I noticed the book she'd dropped on the floor.
The Aruk tribe, who live in the Canopus Mountains, possess a special gift.
They can observe the stars with the naked eye, and see far beyond the mountains.
But with great talent comes a cruel cost.
They say that, eventually...
They lose their sight without fail...
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 picked up the book and turned to the next page.