Chapter 261: Choice & Family
Hearing Tolle say that, McMurdo understood he couldn't push any harder. He sighed and gave Kudelia a step to retreat. "So that's how it is… well, it is an important decision.
Fine — think it over. But I'm getting old, I can't wait forever."
Kudelia finally felt relief when he eased his tone. She lifted her skirt slightly and gave a graceful lady's courtesy. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. McMurdo. Then I'll take my leave for today."
Tolle also nodded and said goodbye. "Old man, we'll head out first."
Just as they were about to leave, McMurdo called out again, sounding somewhat helpless. "Miss Kudelia — no matter what you decide, please don't let Teiwaz suffer. This organization is my life's work. I don't want to watch it fade."
"Don't worry," she promised. "I won't."
"Good. Then I can rest easy. Truly… thank you."
Tolle nodded in agreement, then wrapped his arm around Kudelia as they walked out of McMurdo's office.
With everything settled, Tekkadan received a large shipment of cakes and sweets from McMurdo. The younger members aboard the Isaribi were ecstatic, staring at the pastries with bright eyes before digging in happily.
The older teens let the kids enjoy most of it, but Orga decided the older crew should celebrate too, and suggested going out drinking together.
Tolle joined naturally — after all, this was his chance to encounter the blonde accountant, Merribit. And since he was treating everyone tonight, the cost didn't matter.
Since no other women were joining, Kudelia chose to stay on the ship to read and tutor the younger members.
Later that night, in the bar Orga had chosen, they did indeed spot Merribit.
She glanced at the noisy Tekkadan members beside her and muttered to the bartender with clear annoyance, "It's loud here tonight…"
The bartender apologized quietly, "Sorry, Merribit. Those kids are from Mars — try not to mind it."
"Mars? That *is* pretty far."
But Tekkadan didn't care about how others viewed them. Orga stood proudly and declared, "Don't hold back tonight! The chairman is paying. Food, drinks — everything's covered! Raise your glasses to the chairman!"
The others immediately cheered, lifting drinks in Tolle's direction.
Meanwhile, Norba — forever scheming — leaned toward the others, making no effort to hide his voice, and said sleazily, "Eating and drinking isn't enough! We should go find women — *women!*
Ugh, being stuck with Turbines people this whole time… all that stress building up. A whole batch of gorgeous older ladies walking around right in front of me and I can't do anything — it's torture! Right, Eugene?"
Eugene scoffed with all the dignity he could muster — though his eyes betrayed interest. "Women? I have no interest. Women only interfere with my piloting skills. Don't drag me into your nonsense."
Nearby, Akihiro sipped juice, expression flat and full of judgment. He finally muttered sternly at both of them: "Pathetic. Not interested."
At that moment, Orga — already tipsy — staggered over, slinging arms around shoulders. "What are you two sulking about? Tonight's for having fun!"
Tolle stepped forward and added support. "Exactly. Enjoy yourselves. If you want to eat, eat. If you want to play, play. As long as it's legal — say it, and I'll cover it."
The group erupted again, drinking and celebrating loudly.
Merribit watched from the side, unable to look away — half amused, half bewildered.
Before dinner even ended, Orga rushed outside and threw up, with Mikazuki standing beside him silently like a caretaker.
That's when Merribit walked over with a soft expression and offered him a handkerchief.
"Here. If you don't mind using it."
Her voice was gentle, cautionary. "If you want to be an adult… you'll need to learn how to handle moments like this."
Once Orga accepted the handkerchief, she turned and walked away without another word.
Mikazuki blinked, puzzled. "Who was that woman?"
Orga stared dumbfounded at the handkerchief. "…No idea."
Then, like a creep, he pressed it to his face and inhaled deeply.
"Smells like perfume."
After recovering, he went right back inside to continue drinking with everyone.
When the night finally ended, Akihiro carried a completely drunk Orga on his back to return to the Isaribi.
Meanwhile, Norba — leading a group that also included Eugene — happily accepted money from Tolle to seek out "older sisters," just as he'd dreamed.
Before leaving, Eugene tried to maintain dignity. "I'm only going because Norba needs supervision. I won't… do anything."
Then he bolted after Norba without even looking back.
Mikazuki watched Orga in silence, then murmured with unusual emotion, "It's the first time I've seen Orga like this."
Still half-asleep and drunk, Orga mumbled with a peaceful smile:
"Finally… finally we've built a family. You… all of you… finally have a home to return to… standing tall…"