Extra 1: Mimi and Elma
Extra 1:
Mimi and Elma
EVEN WITH FASTER-THAN-LIGHT travel on our side, we faced days of travel along hyperlanes to reach the Arein System. We took shifts keeping an eye on the monitors and radar while the ship cruised along on autopilot.
“Good job, Mimi,” Elma said. “Want me to make some tea for you?”
“Thank you. Black tea would be nice.” I nodded, grateful for a break from my shift in the cockpit. I joined Elma in the cafeteria, dropping into one of the seats around the table.
“Here you go,” Elma said. “I put sugar in for you, too.”
“Thank you. Mm, it’s very good.” The Steel Chef 5 cooked everything for us—even tea. It was incredible that it could handle both tea and meat with the same precision, but I had to confess, everything that came out of the cooker was delicious, dangerously delicious. If I didn’t watch it I’d overindulge pretty soon.
“Sooo. Today’s your ride, right?” Elma smirked.
“Huh?!” Try as I might to play it off, heat lit my face.
“Ha ha! You’re still so innocent, Mimi. It’s cute.”
“Goodness. Don’t tease me, please.”
My ride meant, um, that I was going to Master Hiro’s room tonight. Which meant that we were doing…stuff.
“Really, though,” Elma said. “How are things going between you two? Think it’ll work out?”
“Mm… Yes. Master Hiro is very sweet, and he gave me this job. I’ve never felt so fulfilled before in my life.” I sipped my tea to ease my embarrassment. Still, it was the truth. I was happy working as an operator, helping Elma and Master Hiro as much as I could. It felt good to be an essential part of the team.
“Yeah, he’s a good guy,” Elma said. “I gotta wonder why he chose the merc life, though.”
“Hmm… Maybe he comes from a distinguished family?” I said.
“It feels that way, right? He lacks sense in a way that makes me feel like he hasn’t seen much of the universe.”
“I can agree with that. He seems confused by many things that anyone would know.”
“That guy might think he can fool us, but he’s totally wrong.” Elma giggled with mischief. Somehow, a simple food printer like the Steel Chef completely awed Master Hiro, yet operating a terminal or a whole ship seemed as natural for him as breathing.
“How does someone that naive get by?” Elma said.
“Umm, that’s going a little far…” I tried to protest but found myself grinning instead. Elma was right on the money. Master Hiro was naive. He got excited over every little piece of tech or glimpse of the universe, like some kid who’d been raised entirely inside and never experienced the world.
“It’s bad manners to probe into a merc’s past, so I’m not gonna bug him over it,” Elma said. “Even if he’s a little awkward sometimes.”
“I understand that sentiment.” Master Hiro’s curiosity could certainly get him in trouble, but it was endearing and infectious as well.
“It’s kinda cute though, isn’t it? I wonder why.”
“Tee hee. It sounds to me like you’re in love, Elma.”
Elma’s face went bright red, ears twitching. Oops! But it was only fair for the way she teased me.
“I-I’m not… Cut it out!” Elma said.
“That’s what you get for teasing me.” I tried to hide my laughter behind my hand, but it spilled out.
To be honest, I never thought I’d laugh again after my parents passed away. Master Hiro gave me a second chance at a happy life.
I prayed that this time, the happiness would last.