First Encounter
I arrived at the training grounds after leaving the Astro Sanctum, but the Journey member I was supposed to meet was nowhere in sight.
I was in the street where the training grounds were and...
Wa-wa-wa-wait!
You! You're the Journey Captain, right?!
So sorry I'm late!
Anyway, let's head inside quickly... come on!
Stop right there, you swindler!
Y-yeah, so can we just hurry...! No, I mean!
You're probably just mistaken! Yep! It's just a stranger! A totally random stranger! I swear!
Now come on, let's just go in already!
The girl in red dragged me into the training ground.
Behind the closing doors... I could still hear the shouting.
Phew! Is he stalking me or what!
Anyway, sorry for coming late.
It wasn't on purpose, just a tiny little accident.
My name is Luna.
The pupil of the Grand Witch of Dreams, Magi! And the astrologer destined to wield the Moon Staff!
Also the Lavistar's best oracle!
Pleasure to meet you, Captain!
What about the guy who was chasing you?
Ahaha, don't worry about it. Seriously.
Just a teeny tiny misunderstanding, that's all!
From beyond the door, things were getting noisy.
One voice became two... then more.
And somewhere in the mix, I could hear Claire getting confused.
...What's going on out there?
W-wait, Captain! Don't open the—!
GOTCHA, YOU SCAMMER!
Did you really think you could run forever?!
Where's the money?! You promised you'd pay it today!!
Eeeeeeek!
Everyone, this area is restricted to the Journey personnel only.
This area is off-limits! Please follow the protocol!
Shut it! That girl scammed me out of my money!
She owes me too!
She hasn't paid us in two weeks!
Whaaat?!
It seems like these people all lent Luna money and didn't get it back.
W-wait! I said I'd pay it back, didn't I?!
It's not like I meant to run or anything!
I still totally intend to repay every last credit, I swear!
It's just...!
It's just?
It's just...
You know, the timing of that repayment is...
...Negotiable?
You've gotta be kidding me!
Luna's nonsense only made the chaos worse.
And this scammer's supposed to be part of the Journey?!
I'm reporting this straight to NOA!
You're really letting someone like her to be part of the Journey?! Explain yourself!
*Sigh...*
Their frustration was boiling over. Even Claire couldn't calm them down. Whoever stepped up, they were ready to pounce.
Hmmm... didn't think they'd be this persistent...
Guess I've got no choice, then.
Luna stepped forward, nodding, like she'd made some noble decision.
I'm sorry, Captain.
I'll handle this.
Luna...?
As Luna stepped out in front, the excited voices grew louder.
Just as the shouting was about to explode—
Luna dropped her knees to the training ground.
Everyone, please!!
She bowed deeply, her head nearly touching the floor, in her best sorry pose for everyone.
I truly, sincerely apologize.
The room fell quiet. Even the loudest complainers didn't expect that.
I did have a perfect repayment plan...
But a massive twist of fate derailed everything.
Still, my burning will to repay you has never wavered — I swear, not a single coin of your trust will be betrayed.
If you'd just trust me, just this once... I might be able to get you your money back... soon-ish?
You think we're gonna believe that?!
As if she'd been waiting for that yelling, she bounced up.
Exactly! Of course you wouldn't trust me!
I wouldn't either...!
Which is why!
I've brought in someone you can trust!
Someone we can trust?
That's right! This Journey Captain right here—
my official guarantor starting today!
A frigid breeze swept across the training ground.
I stood frozen in place, unable to comprehend the words that just left her mouth.
...What?
So! What I meant was... our Journey Captain here will... pay off...
N-no, I mean, become my guarantor! Yup. That's it.
A guarantor?
Wait... does that mean what I think it means?
If you don't pay... I have to cover it...?
Please, Captain! I won't trouble you, I swear... Please just sign on!
There are some lines you just don't cross as a person!
Please! I'll do anything you say!
*Sob* I-I'll bark like a dog! I'll crawl on the ground if you want me to!
A-and... I'll even do things that are much worse...
...Hmm, actually, I don't think I would do that.
Anyway, please!!!
It's like...
When someone asks for money, if it's an absurd amount, it's easy to refuse.
But if it's an amount that makes you go like, "huh, that's not too bad"...
Or, "not a big sacrifice for saving a damsel in distress"...
That's when you've already stepped onto the slippery slope. And I didn't see it coming.
So the Voyager Savior Party's Captain is backing her debt?
Hmph. If that's the case, maybe we can let it slide.
So if the pink-haired girl skips town, the Captain foots the bill, right?
Great! Hey, Captain! I'll have next month's payment sent straight to Candle Square, then!
Everyone seemed perfectly satisfied with this arrangement... except me.
The angry mob left Candle Square one by one.
The only ones left behind... were Claire, looking at me like I was the victim in a tragedy, and Luna, who looked disturbingly... refreshed.
Phew. That's all sorted now.
So? Just like I said—I took care of it.
C-Calm down, Captain! My savior! My dear guarantor!
I'll do my best! I swear! Just trust me and chill!
Ah! That's...
Well, across the street, there's this cute little casino and I thought—
Hehe! But hey! I'm betting the next year on you, Captain!
Let's shake hands, Captain!
And that's how my completely unreasonable partnership with Luna began.