The Starry Sky slowly left the port in PLANT-controlled territory and sailed steadily into the boundless blue Pacific. The sea breeze carried salty moisture across its deck, gradually washing away the lingering smell of gunpowder. At that moment, the Starry Sky no longer seemed like a warship racing through the stars, but a cruising vessel carrying warmth and hope, taking Akira and the girls slowly toward the East Asian Republic.
Morning sunlight pierced the clouds and spilled across the shimmering sea, scattering tiny flecks of gold like diamonds strewn across the water. The gentle breeze lifted the girls' hair. Wearing light white casual clothes, Luna Maria linked arms with Meirin and stood on tiptoe to gaze into the distance, her eyes full of curiosity. "So this is what Earth's oceans look like! They're much prettier than the simulated seas in the Space Colonies!" Meirin wore a pale green dress and clutched a light-colored silk scarf, afraid the wind would carry it away. She nodded vigorously, the sea's shifting light reflected in her green eyes. "Yes, it's so blue, and you can't see the end of it. It's even prettier than the pictures in Shiho's sketchbook."
Shiho stood nearby with a sketchbook, her head lowered as she outlined the sea. Her pencil glided swiftly over the paper, capturing the distant gulls, rolling waves, and girls on the deck. She wore a simple navy shirt, her long hair tied in a low ponytail, and her profile looked especially soft in the sunlight. Hearing Luna and Meirin, she looked up with a faint smile. "Once we reach shore, there'll be even more beautiful scenery waiting for us. The East Asian Republic is vast. It has seas, mountains, ancient cities, and more local food than we could ever finish."
Lacus sat in a wicker