Lunch included vegetable soup, halibut fillets, steak and kidney pie, Surrey roast chicken, grilled lamb chops, fried or roasted mashed potatoes, rice pudding, apple-flavored Manhattan cocktails, and pastries.
The waiter handed the menus to Sen Getsusa and Howard, then added: "In addition, you can also choose the buffet, which includes fresh lobster, steak, Bologna sausage, chicken galantine, and a selection of cheeses."
Sen Getsusa didn't mind; she fanned the menu and asked Howard.
"Let's eat here, just order." The Boy pointed to a few dishes like a little adult, and Sen Getsusa selected a few as well.
"What do you plan to do?"
What about what? Sen Getsusa turned her head.
The Boy crossed his arms, "You don't really want to live in a suite with that blond idiot, do you?"
Sen Getsusa shook her head: "I'll go ask about upgrading a ticket later; second class is fine too.
Since Mr. Hanhan finally got to experience first class, I won't bully him."
Sen Getsusa had been completely teasing Jack just now; she wouldn't actually let the man miserably stay in the public lounge.
A girl from modern times didn't necessarily need to enjoy first-class treatment, especially since compared to the Source World, the so-called 'extreme luxury' of this era was only average.
Sen Getsusa could certainly accept second class.
The Boy hesitated, then nodded.
"I thought you liked him."
Sen Getsusa looked at the Boy with amusement: "I don't like men."
"And of course, I don't like Boys either."
Upon hearing this, Howard uncharacteristically deflated.
As if all the maturity and confidence from before had been returned to his father, he showed his childish side again, pouting and clattering the fork in his hand against the plate.
"Damn it. I even prepared a whole speech to make a ten-year promise with you..."
The Boy mumbled, and Sen Getsusa seemed to hear some profanity mixed in: "No chance at all. Why is my first love so painful..."
Sen Getsusa: With you being like this, you have the nerve to complain about your dad?
The girl smoothed her hair, ignored the Child's self-doubt, and asked about their destination.
"Are you also going to the central city?"
Howard nodded to the waiter in thanks, straightened the steak that was served, and replied casually: "Of course. Maybe I'll even start a company or something. When that time comes, don't cry because you missed out on me."
The two chatted while eating lunch. The restaurant was decorated with exquisite molded plaster ceilings and artistic leaded glass windows. The sunlight from the sea filtered in, smelling warm.
After eating, the two of them also went to check out the first-class lounge.
Sen Getsusa suddenly felt that letting Jack stay here wouldn't be bad either.
The decoration here looked like a room in the Palace of Versailles.
Exquisitely inlaid curved panels, a marble fireplace, and standing on the fireplace was a classic statue, 'Artemis of Versailles.'
Guests could first take a Turkish steam bath and then, in the cooling room for rest, enjoy a fine cigar or a glass of whiskey.
In the dreamlike room, richly colored tiles covered the four walls, with gilded beams and bronze lamps. Amidst the light and shadow, it exuded luxury and refinement.
It was decorated like a Sultan's palace.
Further inside was a lounge exclusively for women. The walls were snow-white, adorned with elegant porcelain vases and sculptures.
They could read or write letters here and chat about women's affairs.
Since Howard was getting impatient, Sen Getsusa didn't explore in detail and took him to the fitness area.
"You want me to play with this?"
In the fitness and entertainment area, Sen Getsusa pointed at the 'rocking horse' in front of her and asked angrily: "This is for kids. You can play with it yourself, right?"
The wooden horse was lifelike, just much smaller, clearly meant for children.
Around them, there were several men in their forties playing ring toss with their children.
Sen Getsusa looked around, refusing to sit on it no matter what.
Howard pouted: "Everyone else has their father and mother with them, only I..."
"Only I am playing alone. I should actually be happy, right?
At least I won't look so pitiful..."
Sen Getsusa sighed, her eyes drooping: "Stop pretending. Tell me, should I be on your left or right?"
Howard immediately smiled, his chubby face bunching up as he squinted and pointed to the small white wooden horse on his left.
Like a suicide squad member about to head to the battlefield, the girl bit her lip, slightly pulled up her skirt, and quietly looked around.
While no one was paying attention, she straddled the toy horse in one move.
She grabbed the two handles by the horse's head with both hands, her small high heels stepping on the pedals below, and began to rock with an expression as if her father had died.
"You should be a bit happier," the Boy beside her offered his advice.
"Shut up."
Sen Getsusa rocked the wooden horse unhappily. Since the girl had a small face, it actually looked quite fitting from a distance.
"Pfft!"
Howard couldn't help it and finally burst out laughing.
He had been holding back his laughter since just now.
Once he let it out, a long string of snot hung from the corner of his mouth.
"Pfft!" This scene also made Sen Getsusa laugh.
The two of them, one on a white horse and one on a black horse, wobbled on top while mocking each other.
"Your snot—hahahahaha!"
"You look so stupid—hahaha!"
As the ship swayed, daylight dimmed; seabirds skimmed the waves, golden glints flickered in the foam, and schools of fish flashed nearby.
"Shall I teach you a song?" Sen Getsusa suddenly recalled the lullaby Yubaba's Sister had taught her when she first arrived at the bottom of the marsh.
Howard nodded, curious.
Sen Getsusa rested her chin on linked hands, lying across the white horse's head, red lips parting.
A crystal-clear voice began to flow.
"In the black marsh, starlight gleams.
Between gods and men, devotion streams."
The words were slurred; Howard strained his ears and caught only fragments, the tune roaming the deck as though it had a mind of its own.
"Lalala, my deity!"
In Howard's eyes, sunlight cloaked Sen Getsusa in gold, her enchanting song awakening the white mare beneath her—
it blinked, scales and a fishtail sprouting, ready to leap with the girl back into the sea.
"I gaze at you, like stars that crave the sun and moon…"
Light shimmered in the girl's pupils.
To Howard she looked radiant yet elusive, the first silver glint before moonrise—entrancing, impossible to grasp or trace.
She seemed not of this World, but a phantom shadow.
Howard stared, transfixed, unaware of time slipping away.
The great ship sailed toward the sunset.
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