On May 22nd, 3 weeks after the tragedy, Mikado's wounds had mostly healed; his trauma had not.
He didn't need medical tubes anymore, enabling him to walk around freely.
Yoriko taught him how things work around the zeppelin and what to do there.
Mikado strolled into the kitchen, taking a glance at the crew members lounging around the tables—avoiding work and defying orders. He stared for a bit, then his eyes drew to the notice board. He read the names on the jobs-to-do sheet, and he realised that the slackers at the tables had kitchen cleaning duty, but they were just sitting around with shots of booze.
He peered into the kitchen, peeking his head around the corner to find it a complete catastrophe. He let out a tired groan before stepping into the mess. Well, time to clean.
About half an hour later, the slackers only then realised that they hadn't done their chores.
"Oh crap! Captain is gonna kill us!"
"Then he'll tell Admiral Masuyama!"
"Quick, quick, quick!"
They scrambled over into the kitchen, one slipping over a mopped floor, another crashing through a door into the back of the kitchen. To their astonishment, it was as clean as a whistle. What made their jaws drop was the young boy standing in the middle of it, scrubbing off the grime that had been there for decades.
"Holy hell… Who is that? A clean freak?"
"No wait, he's that one kid from that coffin crate."
"Him? Is that really him?"
Mikado approached them and handed them a checklist.
"Everything here is done."
He gave a little nudge before walking out, arms behind his head—whistling casually, leaving the slackers frozen in place.
"He's a kid, yet he's cooler than you." One whispered.
The other shot back, "What?! N-no he's not!"
Mikado, oblivious to the commotion behind him, glanced at an apple on the table, next to the exit. Without thinking much of it, he took it, stole a bite, and placed it back, whistling as he made his way out.
A few minutes later, Mikado was again casually strolling through the halls when he noticed a room that led downstairs. He glanced around, making sure no one was present. When he confirmed that no one was nearby, he declared, "I'm taking a detour!" Running down the stairs as he slid on the railings. Woohoo! He yelled out, feeling the thrill after the pain he had gone through.
He landed in one of three engine rooms. Looking around, he spotted two people in the distance, standing around what looked to be a motor. He hid behind a corner, observing the two.
"Engineers. Maybe beginners? No wait, what's the word… Ah! Novices! That's it. They look young."
He continued to observe, watching them worsen the problem, getting frightened over a hissing sound and a couple sparks shooting out onto their arms. Mikado gave a blank stare—seeing them freak out over the motor running loud but not turning.
Thinking for a moment, he quickly thought of a solution.
He stepped away from the corner—silently approaching the engineers.
"Yo!" He called out.
The engineers unexpectedly screamed in surprise, leaping away from Mikado.
"W-what's a kid doing down here?!"
"You shouldn't be here!"
Mikado tilted his head. "At least let me see the problem." He replied, curiosity getting the best of him.
The engineers glanced at each other, looking sceptical.
"Okay… You can look but not touch."
Alright! Mikado screamed in the depths of his mind.
He examined the motor, paying attention to tiny details. The battery, the belt, and the oil. After observing, he confirmed a few problems.
"Spark plugs are worn out, and the belts show signs of wear. You can hear it choking. And it smells like the wrong kind of smoke."
His eyes narrowed, the smell uncomfortably familiar. Like a burnt memory. Literally.
The engineer's sceptical expression transformed into a look of surprise, checking to see if the kid is right. To their astonishment, Mikado was right.
"Wow, kid, how did you know?"
"Who taught you that?"
Mikado whistled while glancing away. "Uhh… I learnt it from someone…" He replied in a shaky and totally not suspicious tone. I'm so glad that Gan and Yoriko taught me! He thought.
He awkwardly stepped away before sprinting up the stairs. He tried to exit quietly, but Yoriko was already there waiting.
"WHA—!" Mikado flinched, jumping back as he was caught by surprise.
"There's still something I haven't taught you to do." Yoriko mentioned. "This time, it'll be fun!"
Mikado thought about it. "…Alright, I'll let you teach me."
Yoriko gave a soft smile. "Okay."
The two were at the west, near the anti-air & ground artillery cannons. Yoriko gestured him to the 50 Cal Anti-Aircraft Gun, telling him to try it out.
Mikado gulped, his hands finding their way onto the handles. On a count of three, he pulled the triggers—firing multiple rounds into the sky. The gun vibrated, and the noise pierced his ears as rounds flew out of the chamber. The recoil made his shoulder wound sting slightly, like a mosquito bite, and his hands were on the verge of going numb, yet he smiled as he held the trigger.
His expression soon darkened slightly, remembering what happened to him back then. Yoriko noticed this but didn't say a word.
"Hey!" Someone shouted—one of the crew, snapping him back to reality.
Yoriko pulled Mikado's hand away from the gun, turning her head to face him. "Run." She whispered, a mischievous smile planted on her face.
It felt like time had slowed down for the two of them running away—hand in hand, giggling as the soldier chased them far behind.
They ran into the halls, detoured through an exit and out into the cafeteria.
"We lost him!" Yoriko exhaled, still smiling as she caught her breath.
"If he can't catch up to a kid, then he should quit being a soldier!" Mikado teased, also catching his breath.
Yoriko frowned. "That's not nice, Miki-chan; you shouldn't say that about your allies." She said, disappointed.
Mikado looked away, his face awkwardly hurt. "Sorry."
Footsteps sounded behind the two.
"Your 'Miki-chan' is not wrong."
Mikado's ears perked. He knew this voice. He looked up to see Maxi approaching them, lollipop in his mouth, his face as bored as ever.
Yoriko scowled. "I don't own him, 'Max & Cheese.'" She smirked like she had won.
Maxi pulled his lollipop from his mouth, nearly choking. "What?! Don't call me that stupid nickname in front of the new guy!" He shouted, nearly losing his nonchalant composure.
He collected himself, sighing as he put the lollipop back in his mouth. "Anyways, why did I find you guys here? Yoriko, I've never seen you in this part of the zeppelin… well… not like I care or anything."
Yoriko shrugged. "There's no point in asking if you don't care."
"Whatever…" He rolled his eyes, glancing at his left.
"Hey, isn't that Mr Reyzia, AKA, your father?" He called out.
Mikado and Yoriko looked to the right.
Yoriko sighed. "Yeah, that's my father."
Mr Reyzia approached them, clutching blueprints in his hand. "What are you kids up to now? And why do you seem disappointed to admit that, Yoriko?!"
Yoriko facepalmed, Maxi turned away, and Mikado looked around—confused.
Mr Reyzia glanced down at Mikado, observing him with narrowed eyes.
Hmm…
"I know you! You're crate boy! The one my daughter won't shut up about!"
Yoriko groaned. "Dad, really?"
Mikado grew even more confused. He wasn't exposed to this chaotic, familial energy.
As Yoriko and her father argued, Maxi offered a lollipop to Mikado.
"Want it?" He spoke, voice monotone.
Mikado eyed it sceptically. "Is it poisonous?"
Maxi looked at him strangely. "Do you think everything is death? Well, whatever, just take it."
Mikado took the lollipop, but he struggled to unwrap it, his fingers slipping off the paper each time.
Maxi turned away, ignoring him.
Yoriko leaned over, her tone gentle but amused. "Here, Miki-chan. You hold it like this…" She guided his hands around the wrapper, showing him how to tear it cleanly. "See? You just pull here, then twist it off."
Mikado followed her instructions, finally freeing the candy. "Oh… like this?"
Yoriko smiled softly. "Exactly."
Meanwhile, Mr Reyzia waved a hand at Yoriko. "I'll leave you two to it," he said, turning back to the blueprints and disappearing into his work at the engineering station.
Mikado held the lollipop carefully, inspecting it like a small treasure, while Yoriko leaned back, still watching him with that quiet, patient smile.
"Do I put it in my mouth?" Mikado asked, eyes wide and earnest.
"Is the sky blue?" Maxi replied, tone dripping with sarcasm.
Mikado tilted the lollipop, staring at it like it might explode.
"I… I think so?" he whispered.
Maxi shrugged, lollipop hanging lazily from his lips.
"Then… go for it, genius."
Mikado finally popped it in his mouth, his eyes lighting up like he'd just discovered fire.
Yoriko leaned back, smirking. "See? It's not so hard."
Maxi just gave a slow nod of approval, still looking like he hadn't moved a muscle in hours.
Maxi's half-lidded eyes snapped open, a faint crease forming between his brows. His body shifted slightly, just enough for Mikado to notice.
"Uh… what's up?" Mikado asked cautiously, still holding the lollipop.
Maxi didn't answer. His gaze had fixed on something far in the distance, gut instinct coiling tight in his chest.
The loud crackle of the ship's speakers cut through the air.
"All personnel to battle stations! Behemoth sighted! Stone-class quadruped, estimated height 4.6 kilometres!"
Mikado froze. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. The words felt unreal.
Yoriko's eyes gleamed with excitement, a small grin spreading across her face. "Finally," she breathed, her hands curling into fists. "Let's light it up."
The fleet's engines roared to life as airships adjusted their course. The massive creature came into view, a jagged silhouette against the horizon, twenty kilometres away. Even from this distance, its enormity was terrifying. The ground below the clouds seemed to tremble.
Mikado clutched the railing, a mix of awe and curiosity flashing across his face. "It's… huge."
Maxi tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, lollipop bouncing slightly in his grip. "Yeah. Big rock thing. Let's see if it bites."
Yoriko leaned forward, her fingers tracing the edge of the rail, thrill shining in her eyes. "Stay sharp, Miki-chan. Watch and learn."
The fleet's guns hummed in anticipation, chains rattling, engines vibrating. Even from up here, the tension was electric.
For Mikado, every detail—the wind whipping past, the vibration through the deck, the sheer size of the behemoth—made his pulse quicken. Curiosity overrode fear. He leaned closer, eyes wide, heart racing.
Maxi, nonchalant yet alert, kept a hand on the railing, lollipop untouched for the first time in minutes. His instincts screamed readiness, and the faint glint in his eye betrayed something he hadn't felt in a while: excitement.
Yoriko's grin widened. "Time to show him how we do it."
The fleet's engines roared louder as the airships shifted into formation. Mikado, Yoriko, and Maxi darted between storage bays, carrying boxes of shells and ammunition to the gunners.
The behemoth loomed closer, each step shaking the clouds beneath its massive stone feet. Then the fleet struck.
A hail of gunfire erupted first. The rapid staccato of machine guns tore through the air, tracer rounds scattering sparks across the stone hide of the creature. Mikado pressed another box into a gunner's hands, ducking instinctively as a shell flew overhead.
Battleship-like cannons thundered next, the deck shaking violently with each shot. Smoke curled around the barrels as massive projectiles slammed against the behemoth's hide, sending chips of rock tumbling into the clouds. The sound was deafening.
Missiles followed in precise volleys, streaking across the sky with fiery trails. The air was thick with smoke, the vibrations making Mikado's teeth chatter, yet he ran faster, carrying each box with care. He caught glimpses of Yoriko leaning over the railing, her eyes sparkling, shouting encouragement to the gunners.
Maxi stood nearby, one hand lazily resting on the railing, the other holding a lollipop. His gaze followed the behemoth with a casual intensity, lips twitching into the faintest grin. "Not bad," he muttered to Mikado, eyes never leaving the colossal creature. "Keep it moving."
The behemoth bellowed, each sound like rolling boulders crashing through the sky. The fleet's fire intensified—machine guns raked its legs, cannons hammered at its chest, and missiles streaked toward weak points revealed by observation. The sheer coordination was astounding, the deck vibrating with the cumulative might of the fleet's arsenal.
Mikado delivered yet another box, chest heaving, sweat running down his forehead. Each round of ammunition felt heavier with the roar of the guns and the explosions in the distance, yet a thrill coursed through him. This was chaos, but controlled chaos—and he was part of it.
The behemoth stumbled, rocked by a barrage of fire. A concentrated salvo from the airships sent cracks sprawling across its stone skin. Mikado pressed his hands against the railing, heart pounding, eyes shining with excitement.
Yoriko glanced at him, a soft smile lighting her face. "See?" she whispered, her voice almost drowned by the cannon fire. "This is why we fight, Miki-chan."
Maxi leaned over the railing beside him, lollipop bobbing. "And this", he said flatly, "is how you make a proper mess of a giant rock thing."
Mikado grinned, adrenaline surging. Despite the fear, despite the chaos, despite the enormity of the behemoth looming before them, he felt alive. He had a role, he had allies, and for the first time in weeks, he wasn't just surviving.
He glanced over the edge of the deck, eyes gleaming with determination. The behemoth was massive, but the fleet—and he—would not falter.