Volume 13 Chapter 293 Yukishiro Emily, A Bolt from the Blue
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It had been a week since I opened my shop.
Kaede-paisen, who I was always messing with, had joked that I must’ve started some kind of “shop bankruptcy RTA” as payback.
But the fact that I’d lasted a whole week? For me, that was already a huge accomplishment. Honestly, I thought three days would be my limit.
To make it this far was way beyond anything I’d expected. My hands were literally trembling from the shock.
Normally, by the end of the first day, Kaede-paisen would slam the door so hard the whole building would collapse, or Kohina-paisen—whom I’d hired as part-time help—would trigger a terrorist-level incident and blow the place sky-high.
By day three, I’d usually run into Rihito’s family, lost on the streets, which would end with me handing over the shop out of pity. But this time? None of that happened.
”Maybe… my luck’s finally turning around.”
I straightened my face into something dignified. Starting tomorrow, maybe I could pull a Kanon—acting like one of those women beloved by fortune, a guaranteed champion of life, the one and only Emily. Yeah, it’d probably sound cool if I said it like that.
”Emily-senpai, you’re thinking something stupid again, aren’t you?”
Kanon was at the counter, glaring at me with those dead-fish eyes. She’d declared she was going to “make sure I stay serious,” so she came by every single day to keep watch.
Because of that, I couldn’t even harass Victoria-sama properly! I told her to skip a day here and there so I could breathe, but she just made this deadly serious face and said, “That’s exactly why I have to come!”
Ugh. It was such a flawless counter that even the great Hagetoru-san wouldn’t have been able to argue back.
”See? You’re doing it again. Whenever you get that sharp look, it’s always because you’re thinking something dumb.”
”Genetics, maybe? Whenever Useless Aqua’s thinking dirty thoughts, he makes that exact same face,” Kohina-paisen said from beside her.
I glared at Kohina-paisen, who was sitting like a customer despite being in uniform. Anyone from the message boards would get it immediately.
I’d figured out on day one that the best way to keep the shop afloat was to let Kohina-paisen do absolutely nothing. That genius decision of mine was probably the main reason we’d made it this far.
”Anyway, this extra-garlic Yukishio Ponkotsu Ramen is delicious.”
”Right?”
Kanon slurped happily at the ramen I’d made. The second Aqua-sama left on his journey, Kanon was like, “Well, I don’t need to worry about kissing anymore,” and started loading up on garlic.
Actually, everyone else was the same. Nee-san and Yui-san had been here first thing in the morning after Aqua-sama’s send-off, ordering garlic-loaded ramen too.
I guess even after tying the knot, they all wanted to stay cute around Aqua-sama. Heh. They were all adorable in their own way. Fine then—tonight, this Emily-neesan was going to spoil them rotten.
”Here we go! Rice topped with soy-pickled egg yolk! Pour the tonkotsu broth over it, and it’s amazing!”
A shamelessly junky dish I’d invented, just because “Hagetoru means pouring, and Hagetoru means squirt.” I planned to serve it only to customers who ordered the Yukishio Ponkotsu Ramen.
”By the way, why’s it ponkotsu instead of tonkotsu?”
”Oh, that’s because the secret ingredient is just a dash of turtle eKiss. Guhehe.”
Energy boost, stamina boost—after Aqua-sama ate this special ramen with turtle eKiss, he was unstoppable. The last time, he went full beast mode on Hakuryuu-sensei and Agewa-oneechan, pounding them into the floor over and over until they were crying for help.
Later, I called the two of them over to rewatch the recording with Granny Mary and Auntie Ranko. Honestly, I couldn’t wait to share it. Guhehe.
While I was making that face, Victoria-sama came back from taking out the trash, Summer King and the others in tow.
”Welcome! Sit wherever you like!”
Oops. My old ramen shop habit slipped out. I exchanged a quick greeting with Natsu King.
”Oh, President Natsuki. Long time no see.”
”Hi, Kanon-san! It’s been a while. And, uh, it’s ex-president now.”
”Ehehe, right, I forgot.”
What the hell was that “ehehe.” Women should be saying “guhehe”!
Spraying cuteness around like it’s free. If I were Aqua-sama, I’d have kissed her on the spot.
”Emily-san, I’ll have the garlic-loaded Yukishio Ponkotsu too!”
”You got it!”
Ah, thank you for bringing out the water, Victoria-sama!
You’d never worked part-time before, so I was worried, but so far you’d been solid—quick to pick things up, careful not to make mistakes. You were a huge help.
”The garlic stock probably won’t last at this rate. I’ll prep some extra grated stuff.”
”Thanks, lifesaver!”
Seriously, Victoria-sama was so considerate. With so many garlic orders tonight, I’d already been worried.
Having her think ahead like this was a blessing. I turned my gaze toward the other “employee,” who was calmly slurping noodles right in front of me.
”What? You got something to say?”
”Nope, nothing…”
Well, maybe she was just a house spirit, a protective zashiki-warashi.
Maybe the only reason my shop hadn’t gone under yet was thanks to Kohina-paisen.
The sun had set, and suddenly customers began pouring in.
”Yamashirude~!”
”Then get out~!”
[T/N: Yamashirude (邪魔するで) is a Kansai-dialect phrase often used when entering someone’s home or shop. Literally, it means “I’ll bother you,” but in practice it’s a casual, friendly way of saying “I’m coming in.” The joking reply, “Then get out~!” plays on taking the phrase literally.]
Inko-san staggered inside, weaving like a drunk.
…Wait. Was she already drinking? She plopped down beside Kohina-paisen and scrubbed her face with a wet towel.
”This place is still running? Thought it’d have gone under by now.”
”I was shocked too. This morning, I looked at the shop and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking.”
”That sounds like a serious illness. Better close up and see a doctor.”
”I did, but the doctor just said, ‘Aside from the missing screws in your head, you’re perfectly fine~desuwa.’”
”Hahaha!“
Not an insult. That was just how Inko-san and I greeted each other. We’d eaten side by side for three straight days during Last Survivor, so we had that kind of bond.
”You’re always such a good sport.”
”Emily-chan’s a really good kid. Unlike Yukari—when I say Yamashirude, she just yells, ‘Then get out!’ for real. Oh, give me garlic-loaded Yukishio Ponkotsu too.”
”One garlic-loaded ramen, coming right up! Thanks!!”
I dropped the noodles into the pot with practiced ease.
”Whole Shirogane Kingdom’s gonna reek of garlic tonight.”
”Hmph. That guy doesn’t care if a girl eats garlic. You all should just eat what you want.”
Kohina-paisen clearly didn’t get it. Inko-san and I shot her exasperated looks.
”Come on, sure, Aqua-kun wouldn’t mind. But we care! No girl wants to smell like garlic when she’s kissing. Well, not that I’ve even had my first kiss yet… but, you know, a girl’s gotta be ready for whenever it happens, right?”
Inko-san’s words had me and Kanon both nodding vigorously.
”Hmm. If it were me, I’d just eat whatever I liked. But I guess you all have it rough.”
”Don’t worry, Yukari-chan. Once you grow up, you’ll understand what an ‘otomegokoro’ really means.”
”Hey! Don’t treat me like a kid!”
[T/N: Otomegokoro (乙女心) literally means “a maiden’s heart.”]
Inko-san and I smiled at each other as Kohina-paisen fumed. Well, of course she didn’t get it. Inside, she was still in grade school. No, kindergarten. Yeah, that explained it.
”What’s with that creepy face. Just so you know, even if I did date him, I’d never care about stuff like that!”
Inko-san and I froze. Then we turned to each other with wide eyes and an unspoken whistle.
”Inko-san… did you hear that?”
”Of course I did. Recorded it all on my brain recorder, video and audio both!”
Inko-san and I grinned at each other.
Kohina-paisen, the very fact that you even considered the what if means you’ve already got one foot stuck in this swamp—the swamp called Shirogane Aqua.
Guhehe. I can’t wait to see the day you finally fall.
”Fufu, this place is as lively as ever.”
”Mhm.”
Summer King and Kanon slurped their ramen happily while listening to our chatter.
Some shops make you stay quiet while eating, but mine wasn’t a proper ramen shop—it was more of a small eatery tucked into the neighborhood, meant for common folk.
Sure, letting your noodles get soggy while you talk isn’t ideal from a taste perspective, but I wanted people to enjoy their meals with conversation too.
”Excuse me a moment—time to change the channel.”
I switched the TV over to the national broadcaster. It was almost time for the news show Kaede-paisen appeared on.
“With Morikawa Kaede—!”
“And Onidzuka Kyoko—!”
“This is Weekly Power News!!”
Here we go again.
Every channel runs serious news in the evening, but only the national broadcaster dares to air variety programming in the same slot.
That’s the kind of bold strategy you’d expect from the station that employs Kaede-paisen.
“You’ve probably seen it plenty already, but our first story begins with this footage.”
The screen showed Prime Minister Habu and Aqua-sama boarding Air Force One, waving as cameras flashed.
Wow. Seeing those two side by side was like the start of a movie.
And today, as if that weren’t enough, there was a real movie star with them too.
“Today, Prime Minister Chiyoko Habu and Shirogane Aqua boarded Air Force One at Haneda Airport, bound for London, where a summit will be held with the Stars. Morikawa-san, would you say this is President Arnie Maitrix’s way of signaling cooperation with Japan, fresh off her recent election win?”
Arnie Maitrix. A bona fide movie star on the same tier as Auntie Mikuni.
I’d seen a few of her films—she wasn’t just an action star, but could pull off comedy and romance too. A real all-rounder. During the election she campaigned on slogans like, “Make me this nation’s true hero!” “If Heaven’s Sword is the hero who saved Japan, then I’ll be the hero who saves the States!” “The States needs a hero right now!” “Let’s bring back the strong States we once knew!” Her platform of national strength carried her straight to victory.
Unlike her predecessor President Rosenberg—who liked to stand aloof from global conflicts while still running their mouth—Maitrix favored a cooperative approach, reaching out to maintain peace.
I didn’t know much about her personally, but compared to Rosenberg’s cold detachment, she seemed a lot easier to deal with.
“Actually, I don’t think that’s it.”
“Wh-what? Really?”
Announcer Onidzuka blinked at Kaede-paisen’s response. Kaede, face unusually serious, continued:
“Yes. My guess is that even President Maitrix couldn’t resist wanting to share a plane ride with Aqua-kun! Right now she’s probably begging for an autograph or taking selfies with him!!”
“Ah… r-right.”
I nodded along to Kaede-paisen’s analysis. No matter how famous, no matter if she was a president—in front of a good man, she was just a woman like the rest of us.
“We should note, this is only the personal opinion of Morikawa Kaede, who belongs to Beryl Entertainment, and does not represent the views of this network.”
As expected of Announcer Onidzuka—instantly dropping Beryl’s name to distance the station in case of an international incident.
”She’s spouting nonsense as usual.”
”Nah, I back Kaede on this one. Even a movie star would wanna get cozy with Aqua-kun.”
I nodded at Inko-san’s words. A flight, twelve hours in the sky, with that Aqua-sama aboard? No way nothing happened.
”Fufu, lively as always in here.”
”Good evening~”
”Got any open seats?”
”Welcome! Sit wherever you like!”
Ah, the three from eau de Cologne.
Maron-san took the seat next to Inko-san, while Ayana-chan and Fran-chan sat beside Summer King.
Alright, alright, I know—three garlic-loaded Yukishio Ponkotsu Ramens. Just sit tight and drool a little while I get them cooking.
“Now, thanks to viewer-submitted footage from RamenHagetoru-san, we have video of Shirogane Aqua being kissed goodbye by his wives as he left home earlier today.”
”Wha—!?”
Kanon, don’t stand up shouting in a restaurant! Sure, my place was friendly and relaxed, but some manners still applied.
“A heartwarming sight.”
“Kya!? I didn’t realize I made that face when kissing… how embarrassing.”
Kaede-paisen blushed at her own kiss scene.
No, Kaede-paisen, that’s not what you should be focusing on. Announcer Onidzuka called it sweet, but I’d heard Aqua-sama’s bones creaking under her hug. She really needed to ease up.
”Speaking of, Aqua and the others should be arriving in the Stars soon, right?”
”Yeah. That’s why the national broadcaster’s covering it.”
But then, something odd stirred in the studio. Equipment trouble?
Kaede-paisen and Onidzuka glanced around as a staffer rushed in with a sheet of paper. My gut twisted—this wasn’t normal. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating and turned toward the screen.
“Eh… eh?”
Kaede-paisen’s eyes shook as she read the paper. Onidzuka moved to take over, but Kaede raised a hand, refusing.
“We have breaking news. Please stay calm as you listen.”
Her usual playful mask was gone. Kaede-senpai faced the camera with a steady, dignified gaze.
“We have just received reports from both the States and Japanese governments that Air Force One, flying over the Far East Federation, has crashed.”
The moment the words left her lips, it felt like every breath in the room froze.
Emergency tones blared from the TV as red text scrolled across the top of the screen.
“Repeating: Air Force One, flying over the Far East Federation, has crashed.”
No… no, this was a lie. Tell me it’s a lie, like always. Or maybe it was just a movie shoot? Yeah, that had to be it. Some Berry-Berry stunt again!
I knew it—I knew it! …Right? Somebody—anybody—say something!!
But coward that I was, I couldn’t bring myself to look at Kanon, or anyone else.
“According to officials from the Far East Federation, based on the wreckage of the crash, survival is considered impossible. Here’s footage from the scene.”
Kaede-senpai’s hands trembled as she held the script.
Kaede-senpai… even though you’re hurting more than anyone, you don’t need to force yourself. Just cry, please.
But she read the news anyway, fulfilling her duty. And the fact that she didn’t break down only made my chest ache more.
The screen cut to live footage—Air Force One engulfed in flames, burning wreckage scattered across the ground.
”…That’s a lie. Right?”
The first to speak was Ayana-chan.
”Someone… please, someone tell me this is a lie…”
Usually, this was where Inko-san would crack a joke to lighten the mood, or Kohina-senpai would dismiss everything as “nothing.” But tonight, both of them stayed silent.
When the broadcast cut back to the studio, Kaede-senpai and Announcer Onidzuka were shown speaking together.
“Morikawa, if it’s too much, step back. Don’t force yourself.”
“No, I’ll be fine. From the start, I knew this job would come with moments like this. Onidzuka-senpai, please let me stay here until I’ve finished delivering the news.”
Taking another script from a staffer, Kaede-senpai faced the camera again, poised and resolute.
“We’ve received additional information. The ruling party is convening an emergency assembly, and they intend to request Congressman Kokucho Agewa, leader of the opposition Saint’s Party, to serve as acting minister. Ah—yes, we’re now cutting to footage of Party Secretary-General Fuji Shion exiting party headquarters.”
The screen switched. There was old Granny Fuji, immediately swarmed by reporters.
“First, to all the people of this nation—I ask you to remain calm. Please, tonight of all nights, stay with someone. If you cannot focus on work or studies, it’s fine to take leave from school or the office. But whatever you do, do not suffer alone. Be with friends, with family, with colleagues—anyone. And if no one is nearby, gather at your local community hall. Above all, I beg you: don’t face this by yourself.”
The press pressed in, voices sharp.
“Is this information truly confirmed?”
“Couldn’t this be disinformation—or some movie promotion campaign!?”
Granny Fuji shook her head firmly.
“Congresswoman Fuji! Is it true you’re making Congressman Kokucho Agewa the acting Prime Minister? Why not Congressman Fujii, who sits as First Deputy?”
Raising a hand to silence them, Granny Fuji spoke slowly, voice deep and strong.
“We politicians must face this unparalleled crisis together—ruling and opposition parties united as one. Right now it doesn’t matter who governs. We are all Japanese. We all live in this country, and we all share the goal of making Japan better. That’s why I asked Representative Kokucho Agewa, head of the opposition, to take on this emergency role. Yes, we Congressmen argue, clash, even raise our voices in heated debate. But we are still compatriots, still Japanese, and our eyes are always fixed on the same horizon. So I ask you, the people—stand united, as we have, and face this hardship together! And above all, do not abandon hope! Yes, the crash happened. But we have not given up hope for even a single life!”
Tch. The old hag was still as sharp as ever.
Japan’s political scene was mostly dominated by Congressmen in their thirties and forties—even some like Fujii, barely in their twenties, already spoken of as future Prime Ministers. But Granny Fuji, past sixty and still standing, had the kind of skill and stamina the youngsters couldn’t match. She still slept only four hours a night, ran ten kilometers every morning at five, benched a hundred kilos, ate five meals a day—starting with a fat-dripping steak at breakfast. Just the other day, she’d been competing neck-and-neck with Mary-sama in a triathlon, outrunning teenage athletes. Monsters, both of them.
”Everyone, can I say something?”
Kanon’s voice snapped me back.
”The only facts we have are that the plane crashed, and that Prime Minister Habu, Aqua, and the others’ bodies have not been found. So let’s calm down.”
She gently dabbed Natsu King’s teary eyes with a handkerchief, then turned that same soft smile to the rest of us.
”Some of you probably don’t feel like eating. But we need to. Otherwise, when the time comes to act, we’ll be too weak.”
Kanon… you’ve grown strong.
No—that’s wrong. You’ve always been strong, always been the kind of woman with steel in her spine. Unlike me, a coward who couldn’t even look anyone in the eye when the news hit.
”Kohina Yukari-san.”
”…What?”
Kanon bowed her head to Kohina-senpai, who looked ready to dash out the door at any moment.
”I know you want to rush there right now. But while I’m gone… will you take care of Shirogane Kingdom and everyone here?”
”…Fine. Kanon-san—you really do believe in him, don’t you?”
Kanon nodded, smiling.
”Yes. The summit will fall into chaos with world leaders gathering. The plane belonged to the States, but it crashed in the Far East Federation, a zone the Stars and the Arabian Union can’t ignore. Logically, someone like me should go to the Stars and see what can be done.”
This girl… Kanon wasn’t just believing Aqua-sama and Prime Minister Habu were alive. She was already planning for what came after they returned. That’s the kind of woman I fell for—on a whole different level.
”Alright. Leave things here to me. Just don’t push yourself too far.”
”I know. Thank you.”
Kanon turned her gaze toward the counter, where Victoria-sama and I stood.
”Victoria-oneesama, I’m entrusting the harem to you. And good luck with the part-time shifts, too.”
”…Leave it to me. Both the harem and this shop. Just make sure you all come home.”
”Yes!”
At Victoria-sama’s words—all of you—something caught in my throat.
That’s right. How could we give up? With Prime Minister Habu by his side, Aqua-sama had to be safe. I repeated it to myself like a vow.
”Emily-senpai, thank you for the ramen. It was delicious. I’ll leave the money here.”
”Ah—yeah…”
Kanon placed the payment on the table and moved toward the door. As she did, Victoria-sama pressed a hand against my back. I didn’t need words. I nodded once and ran after Kanon.
”Kanon!”
She stopped immediately when I called.
”…You’re pushing yourself too hard, aren’t you?”
”Yeah. I think I am. I’m forcing myself not to imagine the worst.”
I wrapped my arms around her from behind.
”Emily-senpai… may I stay like this, just a little while? Just a little, and then I’ll go back to being strong again.”
”Of course.”
Kanon’s small body trembled. I heard her muffled voice as the tears broke free, but I only held her tighter.
”Emily-senpai… will you push me forward?”
I wordlessly pressed my hand against her back.
”Thank you. That’s enough to keep me going for a while. Emily-senpai, please take care of Nee-san and Kaede-senpai for me.”
”Yeah. Leave it to me, Kanon.”
”Then… I’ll be going!”
”Go, Kanon!! Bring Aqua-sama and Prime Minister Habu back—safe, all of you, together!!”
I clenched my fist as I watched her leave.
”Kanon… I’ll move too. So just wait.”
I wasn’t as capable as Kanon. But even someone like me could do something. Looking at the burning wreckage on the screen, I knew this wasn’t just an accident.
Whoever was behind it—whatever country, whatever organization—they’d pay. They’d regret ever making enemies of us, the Holy Aqua Religion.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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