North x Northwest

“Ed! The captain is calling for you.”

Ed jumped up without a word of goodbye.

“Excuse me for a second.”

“No, where are you going?!”

“Duty calls!”

He manoeuvred steadily through the tight spaces between the giant men. Complaints about the sudden intrusion came in from all directions. They were mostly critiquing voices towards Alain.

Alain, unable to understand the situation, grabbed several by the collar.

“What were you doing?”

“Oh well, Ed was here, he was kinda our last hope.”

“…The Count of Amiaeng had a problem with his ‘thing’ and Ed cured it…”

“…Isn’t the effect so great that his aged ‘thing’ still works?…”

“So, you guys were planning on taking the drug? A bunch of sailors standing on deck without any women? That would be great indeed. What, were you going to play with each other then?”

“What did you just say?”

“Or rub it on the ship’s figurehead. Wasn’t the Bell Rock a very pretty mermaid?”

-Pak!-

Soon, fists were being thrown back and forth.

Ed left the cabin quietly, leaving the people who had initiated the argument behind.

‘Everything is so boring and annoying. Except for Lil, everyone is causing problems right now. Since I boarded the Bell Rock, it has been difficult to have a private, face-to-face conversation with her.’

Ed and the other officers reported in turns during the executive meetings. So that can’t be counted as a stand-alone and Lil only inquired about his time on board.

‘And even though Liloa frequently visits the deck, starting a conversation was tough. She openly avoids me while the sailors keep bothering me. When that happened, Liloa seemed to be observing my every move, so I had no choice but to hang out with them.’

Such a ridiculous situation continued, till finally, Lil called Ed first.

Delighted, Ed enjoyed feeling the breeze as he quickly climbed to the upper deck. He started to whistle, curious about what Lil might say to him. For no apparent reason, he tidied up his hair and rolled his sleeve, before he knocked on the captain’s door.

“Come on in.”

“Excuse me.”

Ed smiled upon opening the door. He poked his head in, anticipating her.

It was a nice room, with the sun still shining through the stern window in the east. As he entered and looked around, he noticed that there was not a single piece of loot decorating the space.

‘Just a window, wardrobe, desk, and a bed…Bed?’

He returned his gaze, seeing that the bed was quite large and that the cotton-covered shape was not customary for a single person.

“Sit down.”

Lil sat at the head of the table, which was always used during meetings. She pointed at a seat on the opposite side, with a document laying in front of it.

Ed read the text on the piece of paper.

“A contract?”

“Of course, it’s something we use. Fill it out.”

Picking up the contract, he quietly sat down diagonally from her.

“What? Why are you crawling up here?”

Ed blinked his eyelids, pretending to be surprised.

“Because I need sunlight.”

“Can’t you see it from there?”

“It’s the vision of a doctor, Captain. Sometimes I doubt if I’m going blind.”

“You can’t see well? Is it because you read too much? But why don’t you wear glasses?”

“Not always. I mean, sometimes it’s like this.”

“What?”

Ed reacted vaguely on purpose. He had no desire to explain to her in detail that he stayed close to her to get a better look. Lil was taken aback and flinched. As she was about to express her objection, Ed reacted faster. He pointed to the middle of the contract with his chin.

“What does this mean?”

“Can’t you read the article about the doctors?”

“My vision’s blurry today.”

“How annoying.”

“I can’t sign it without knowing what it’s about.”

“You’re not allowed to bring a woman on the ship.”

Ed stared calmly at Lil as she read the sixth clause. With her back to the window, Lil’s earlobe was the only thing that caught the sunlight.

‘The profile I saw in the dark was clearly different. Her low-tied black hair is now much shorter than before. Perhaps it’s because of the clothes, but her body shape appears to be different too. No matter how hard I try, the memories I have don’t overlap. If I didn’t know any better, I would just think of her as a good-looking man.’

It was a first for Ed, being unable to remember something.

‘My perception is being thrown off.’

He drew his attention to the jewel around Lil’s neck, hidden beneath her shirt.

“You mean women can’t board?”

“Uh-huh, that’s right.”

“Really?”

Lil gave Ed a strange look. When she turned, his face was closer than she had anticipated. Feeling offended, her expression hardened.

“Ugh!”

“Is it true?”

“You haven’t been on the boat for too long, but you’re already in heat. I’m not sure what kind of shameful thoughts a strange guy like you have.”

“What do you mean? Don’t get me wrong. I don’t even like women that much.”

“That’s bullshit, stop lying.”

“Seriously, Captain.”

“Shut up.”

Ed realised at that point that Lil’s first impression of him had been quite negative.

‘I did, after all, suddenly touch her legs when we first met. No, but that’s because Liloa tried to kick me in the balls… Damn it, I made a mistake.’

Lil finally pushed his shoulder away.

“Anyway, no women.”

“But that’s weird.”

“What?”

“No, it’s just… I’ve been smelling it since I got on the ship…”

Ed closed their distance and exaggeratedly inhaled his nose as if sniffing her.

“Where is the scent of women’s powder coming from?”

“…”

“A woman must be hiding here, Captain.”

Ed kept sniffing close to her. Lil gave him a stern look.

“You say you’re not interested in women, but now you’re claiming you can smell women’s powder?”

“That’s another story.”

“Bullshit, you look like you’re going to move your hips as soon as you see her.”

“What, me?”

“Yeah, but I bet the closest you’ve ever gotten to a woman was when you got punched by one.”

Feeling wronged, Ed’s eyes widened.

‘I know I’ve done a hundred things wrong, but I’m not a pervert! This is unfair.’

“No one has ever said that to me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Now, sign it and get out of there.”

Ed remained seated next to her. He double-checked Lil to make sure he hadn’t overlooked anything. His lowered gaze raises once more. When their gazes met, Lil frowned.

“Aren’t you a man?”

“What?”

“So, why are you staring at me in that way?”

“…”

“Didn’t you just take a look at me?”

“…”

“Acting like a pervert is strictly forbidden on board.”

“Do you think I’m a slave to lust? Are you worried about me fancying both men and women?”

“Yes.”

“No, can’t you just drop it? If I were, I would have done something a long time ago.”

“I’m still not convinced.”

“I can’t believe this…”

“Get out. There was something I wanted to ask, but now I’m annoyed. I’ll call you back later.”

“I’m not like that!”

“I can’t work because you’re too loud. Get out, fill it in, and bring it to me. If you have questions, ask someone from the crew. Just get out.”

Ed didn’t want to go because he had always stuck to his principles. He hadn’t given it much thought, but he can’t believe he’s already being told to leave. He changed his strategy and was about to give it another shot.

‘Whatever. I have never met anyone who doesn’t fall for it.’

Ed lowered his voice.

– Peok! –

“Oh!”

There was no time to feel the pain or to check what kind of object had hit his face, as a bunch of papers flew directly in front of his nose. Instinctively, Ed twisted his body to avoid it.

“You perverted son of a bitch. I told you to get out.“

Lil kicked his chair. His upper body slid onto the seat, leaving no room for his body to be supported. Ed hastily grabbed the table, pulling himself up. He appeared to have escaped being thrown on the floor, but Lil didn’t stop there, throwing everything she could get her hands on.

“Get out! Get out! Get out now!”

“Ah, no, Captain!”

“Get ooouuut!”

Lil jumped out of her chair and kicked Ed without hesitation. Ed was beaten mercilessly and pushed out further and further. His begging for mercy became more pitiful, but her kicks continued unabated.

– Bang! –

The captain’s door slammed shut. Ed was expelled in an instant and had no idea what just happened. He eventually raised his body and crouched in front of the captain’s room. At the same time, the door opened again and something fell on the back of his head.

“Sign it. If you do a sloppy job, I’ll hang you from the figurehead. I don’t care if you’re a doctor or not. You’re not one of my men till you sign the contract, so beating you up isn’t against the rules.”

Lil slammed the door with a gesture that didn’t hide her annoyance. Ed slowly rose from his crouching position and listened to the laughter leaking out of the captain’s room.

‘I’m sure she assaulted me so severely to retaliate for my work at the Count’s house.’

He stretched his upper body and touched his shoulder. After he inspected his side, he gave the verdict.

‘Looks like the shoe marks will bruise. Plus, I don’t think it’s going to end with this one time… So after I sign the contract, you officially won’t be able to kick my ass again?’

As he’s grinding his teeth, the sound of suppressed laughter came through the door. Ed turned his stiff shoulders and grumbled.

***

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