Chapter Extra Kadokawa Books Anniversary Short Story Compilation 2 [Captain Hiro and the Crew on Founding Day]
TN: This is a short story originally published on Kakuyomu as part of an annual short story compilation organized by Kadokawa to celebrate their anniversary. I’ll resume translating the main story once the author returns from working on the new volume of the light novel. In the meantime, I’ll be translating these mostly unknown short stories. Here is the second one.
It happened one day when we were heading toward the Izrooks Star System after acquiring the Black Lotus in the Brad Star System and welcoming the mechanic sisters as part of our crew.
「Hmm?」
After finishing my morning exercise and shower, I did what I always do—asked Tetsujin V, our automated chef, to prepare breakfast. But today, the meal seemed fancier than usual. I don’t usually start the day with a synthetic meat steak as the main dish, complete with dessert.
「Oh, good mornin’!」
「Good morning. Huh? You are having quite a luxurious breakfast this morning.」
As I tilted my head in puzzlement, holding the meal plate fresh from Tetsujin, the mechanic sisters walked into the dining area at just the right moment. In the end, the Black Lotus offered a more spacious and comfortable living environment than the Krishna, so the entire crew, myself included, had moved our living quarters over to the Black Lotus.
Naturally, this meant that I ended up sharing the same living space with the mechanic sisters more often.
「Good morning. I didn’t order any special menu or anything, but it feels unusually fancy for breakfast today. This doesn’t happen often.」
「Huh? I wonder why?」
As Tina placed her breakfast order with Tetsujin, her meal turned out to be just as extravagant as mine.
「It even gave me a beer.」
「Drinking in the morning? Well, we will be all day on the hyperlane, so I doubt you two will have any work to do so it’s probably fine.」
「Eh, this’ like water to us.」
「You sure got strong livers.」
I shook my head half astounded and half fed up as we sat down and began eating. While chatting, Wiska walked in a little later, carrying her meal tray, and took her seat.
「Hey, sis, Big Brother. Today’s Founding Day.」
「Founding Day?」n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
「Oh yeah, Founding Day. That makes sense now. Tetsujin V even accounts for Founding Day in its menu—impressive.」
「Yeah, that’s amazing.」
While the sisters were clearly thrilled, I felt a bit out of the loop. Though, to be fair, the mention of ‘Founding Day’ was enough to give me a clue about what was going on.
「So, today is the founding anniversary of the Grakkan Empire, and that’s why the meals are more lavish?」
「Exactly! But Boss, you’re not feelin’ it, are ya? It’s Founding Day! Founding Day!」
「I’m not from this country, so it doesn’t really resonate with me.」
As I took a bite of the synthetic meat steak drizzled with sauce, I savored the texture. Hmm, the firm, slightly chewy meat is just right. Personally, I prefer meat with a bit of resistance to it—makes it feel like I’m eating real meat rather than something overly soft.
「It’s not like we do anythin’ all that special for Founding Day.」
「Usually, we just eat and drink something a bit fancier than usual. Although, I’ve heard the Imperial Capital and the nearby star systems hold grand festivals.」
「I see.」
As we chatted, Mimi and Elma appeared in the dining area, clearly fresh from their showers. Their casual attire is quite relaxed—almost too relaxed. If I wasn’t spent from last night, I might have reacted a bit too much.
「Good morning. Oh, breakfast looks fancy today.」
「Wiska says it’s likely a Founding Day special menu.」
「Ah, that’s right—it’s Founding Day today. Should we stop by a colony? There might be some festivities going on.」
「Hmm. That’s not a bad idea. We do have some leeway in the schedule.」
Currently, we were on a transport mission from the Brad Star System to the Izrooks Star System. The cargo was a prototype of new ammunition designed to combat the crystal lifeforms wreaking havoc in the Izrooks System. However, as I mentioned, our schedule had a bit of flexibility, so a minor detour wouldn’t be an issue.
Given the potential for unexpected trouble on arrival, stopping by a colony to restock and properly resupply is not a bad move.
Currently, we were in the third district of the colony—one of the few areas accessible to outsiders. The first district housed high-ranking officials, the so-called ‘elite’. The second district was home to individuals with a certain level of status or specialized technical expertise. In short, these were the ‘highly secure’ areas. The third district, where we were now, was where manual laborers lived.
「It feels a bit classier than the third district of the Termaine Prime Colony.」
「Really? Now that you mention it, it does feel that way.」
The third district of the Termaine Prime Colony, while not exactly a slum, certainly didn’t give off an air of safety or refinement. Compared to that, this colony’s third district was noticeably cleaner, and there was no sign of idle troublemakers lurking about.
「This must be a prosperous colony. Either the noble in charge or the administrator must be quite capable.」
「That makes sense.」
The rowdy types I’d seen in Termaine’s third district maybe were the kind who, having run out of legitimate work, turned to crime. Even so, targeting someone like Mimi—a cute young girl—is unforgivable. I can’t muster any sympathy for them.
What if Mimi hadn’t been a cute girl? Well, if it had been a guy around my age or older, I probably wouldn’t have intervened. A man should take care of his own problems. But if it were a young boy, I might have stepped in.
What if Elma were a man instead of a woman? Now, that’s a tricky question. Elma had gone out of her way to help me when I was clueless about this universe. Even if she had been a man, I probably would have felt indebted and helped her out. After all, I didn’t help her because I had ulterior motives. Elma just misunderstood the situation and offered herself up—I simply accepted it and enjoyed the outcome thoroughly.
So, in the event, that Elma’s misunderstanding hadn’t happened and she hadn’t offered herself, I would have invited her aboard the Krishna as a crew member purely based on her personality, skills, knowledge, and the connection we’d built. Honestly, if Elma had been a man, I probably would’ve made the same choice and ended up traveling together anyway.
「What’s with the staring? Something on my face?」
「Nothing, just lost in thought. Nothing important, really.」
If I say I was thinking what would have happened if she was a man, she’d definitely take offense. I’m not foolish enough to open that particular can of worms.
「Really? Well, okay then.」
Ouch. Stop squeezing my hand so hard! For someone with such a delicate and graceful appearance, you sure pack surprising strength.
「Hiro-sama! Hiro-sama! Over there, people seem to be gathering for something.」
「Oh? Let’s check it out.」
Still holding hands with Tina and Wiska, Mimi began walking toward the crowd. Naturally, I followed, with Mei and Elma in tow, our hands still linked. I could feel the jealous stares of other men around us, but I didn’t avoid eye contact. Hehe, are you jealous? You are jealous, right? Sorry but I’m not sharing
「What’s this?」
「Some kind of shooting competition, perhaps?」
As we got closer, we saw what looked like a military-hosted shooting game using low-powered laser pistols and rifles. Off in another corner, the mercenary guild appeared to be running a starship simulator for piloting practice. It wasn’t clear if this was a festival or a subtle recruitment effort, but the events were clearly popular. The participants were enjoying themselves immensely.
Elsewhere, a large public space had been opened for people to bring their own food and drinks, creating an informal picnic vibe. Music played in the background, and groups were dancing freely in the open areas. The Founding Day celebration seems surprisingly unstructured and laid-back.
「This festival’s a bit different from what I imagine when I think of one, but it seems pretty popular with the locals.」
「Getting to handle optical weapons or use simulators is probably an extraordinary experience for the colony residents. Events like these are perfect for boosting morale and letting off steam.」
「That makes sense. What’s routine for us might feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them.」
「Exactly. I bet every day feels exciting and new for someone who grew in a colony like Mimi.」
「I also lived a peaceful life without guns and starship combat.」
「Really? You seem pretty accustomed to me, Hiro. This life feels natural for you.」
「Not at all. Every day brings new experiences.」
After all, even now, I’m walking around with Mei and Elma, one on each arm. A life surrounded by such beautiful women is stimulating, to say the least. And the life of a mercenary? It’s thrilling in its own way, too.
「Hey, Boss! Looks like there’s food over here!」
「Coming!」
I responded, tugging Mei and Elma along as we headed toward Tina’s voice.
Well, whatever the case, I’ll keep enjoying this carefree mercenary lifestyle for now. Someday, I might want to settle down—but that’s a thought for the distant future. For now, I’ll savor this freedom.