Reunion in the Everglades
"..."
I think about it sometimes.
"..., ..!"
Staring out at the wide blue sky and the wetlands, unobstructed by tall buildings, she called out, "Isadora..!"
"U-ugh?"
"Don't just stand there spacing out by the water. If an alligator bites you, losing an arm or leg is the least of your worries."
"Sorry, Uncle..!"
When she turned, she saw her uncle Dambi wearing outdated sunglasses, his warm expression filling her view. His words were rough, but his heart was kind—you couldn't help but like him.
"Check the airboat and get ready for guests."
"Huh? We had a reservation today?"
"Just came in. And it looks like they know you. They even prepaid a tip, saying they want you as their guide."
"Me..?"
Before she could ask more, her uncle scratched his beard and disappeared into the air-conditioned office.
"..."
Looking up at the sky again, she caught sight of birds flying across it, shining in the sunlight. Yeah, she thought about it sometimes—that secret meeting from more than ten years ago.
"I hope I can meet you again someday... Fairy."
Wondering if Henry had come without saying anything, Isadora Brie, one of the tour guides at Everglades National Park, fiddled with the ring on her left ring finger before slowly walking toward the docked airboat.
*
"They say taking an airboat is the custom here. Looks fun, too."
"Did we come here to play?"
"Wasn't that the plan..?"
While I was racking my brain trying to figure out the least awkward way for them to meet, the President had already finished making the reservation over the phone. Complaining now wouldn't help—same-day bookings can't be canceled or refunded. Still, what was with that confident look on her face? Wouldn't it be better to act a little more professional in front of her subordinate?
"Woong, you should enjoy it too. It's a rare hometown date with Harpy."
".. Ahem, ahem."
Of course my heart was racing too. This place... where Harpy grew up. The sky stretched wide without any buildings blocking the view, and it had been a long time since I'd seen such an open, refreshing landscape—probably since my days at the base, back when I wasn't a civilian. It was also my first trip abroad... and I was genuinely happy that I could go out this far with Harpy. But would Dora still remember Harpy? If she did, would it be a good memory or a bad one? If this meeting went well, that would be perfect, but if it went wrong, it might leave a lifelong scar on Harpy's gentle heart.
"Come on, cheer up. Luke said he'd send a field team to help today, so all we have to do is enjoy ourselves."
".. Understood. Harpy?"
"Y-yes...!"
Seeing Harpy answer so cutely with her hands clasped together, her nervousness obvious, eased some of the unease in my chest. Maybe... it was okay to enjoy this a little like a date. No, wait... of course not. Today, Harpy's date partner wasn't me—it was Dora.
"I won't get in the way of your date today, either."
"... Thank you for that."
".. I want you to be the one who saves Harpy, all the way to the end."
With those words, the President leaned in close and whispered in my ear with her rough, cigar-scented voice, then grinned and walked ahead. I wasn't sure if I could do it well, but honestly, whether I succeeded or not didn't matter much in this meeting. If it went well, great. If not, my role was to handle the situation and comfort Harpy with everything I had. I just hoped I wouldn't have to step in too often.
Following the President, the damp smell of the water and the scent of wet grass grew stronger. In the distance, I could see a guide already waiting for us. She wore comfortable clothes—a white short-sleeve shirt, cargo pants with multiple pockets, and sneakers—and had a lively air about her. The moment I thought she looked about the same age as Harpy—
Harpy tugged on my sleeve. I stopped.
"Harpy?"
"Ah... Woong... ugh..."
From her reaction, I was certain.
"Is that Dora?"
"... I don't know, but... it feels like it might be her..."
"Should I hold your hand?"
"Yes..."
When I firmly took her hand—hidden beneath her long sleeve—over the fabric, her stiff expression softened a little.
"Thank you... really..."
Even though she hid behind my back, what mattered was that we were walking forward together toward her past connection.
"You must be the ones who reserved the airboat tour today. I'm Isadora Brie, the guide who'll be with you. Feel free to call me Dora. If there's anything uncomfortable or you're curious about anything, just let me know."
Her casual outfit gave her a slightly different vibe from the photo Erin had shown me—where she was with someone who looked like her boyfriend—but it was definitely her. Harpy, the first friend Harpy ever had. I felt Harpy's hand tighten around mine. She pressed herself even further behind my back.
Thinking about it now... maybe the President's choice had been wise after all. If we followed Dora's kind guidance in the confined space of the boat, Harpy's tension might ease a little, giving her the chance to speak. Still, the President really was an adult with far more experience than me, no matter how she looked on the outside...
"Ehe... By the way, do you have a boyfriend, Dora? You've got a nice figure, and you'd probably look pretty with makeup. Working in a place like this must be tough for a woman alone."
"..."
Hmm. When she said to ask if we had questions, she probably hadn't meant that kind of question. She really never changed. And because she never changed... I felt sorry.
"It's work I do because I like it. And since I already have someone I've promised to marry, I'd rather you not say things like that, even as compliments."
Oh... she shut it down right away without getting flustered? Dora might be tougher than she looked. That was good news for both me and Harpy.
"What~ So you already have someone?"
"Isn't it the same for you, President?"
".. Yeah, I guess so."
It wasn't just "I guess so." I wondered what would happen if I recorded this and showed it to the other Dora—El Dorado.
"By the way, what's that scar?"
"Ah, this is..."
Twitch..!
Just as I was starting to feel disillusioned with the President, the next question came like it had been set up by all her previous intrusive ones. I looked at her again. Was this what she'd been aiming for? Compared to her earlier overly personal and teasing questions, asking about the scar running from her chest down to just below her neck was reasonable enough. And that scar was without a doubt the one Harpy had left behind when she ran away.
"... It's proof."
"Proof?"
"Yes. Proof that the fairy I met in this park really exists."
As she spoke, she naturally climbed into the boat, settled into position, and reached out to help us aboard the rocking vessel. Of course, I couldn't let her take Harpy's hand yet, so I boarded first and helped Harpy on myself. Harpy and I sat side by side in front, while the President continued talking with Dora from behind.
"Oho, that's an interesting story. A fairy, huh."
"Hehe... Is that so?"
"Yeah, I've always been interested in that kind of thing."
"You don't just think 'fairy' sounds pretty?"
"Ahaha..."
.. Just as I'd feared, Dora launched a sharp counterattack. Of course, since we were paying customers she had to guide, she didn't dig too deep—it felt more like a light warning for the earlier rude questions. Still, I liked her for it. I should probably work on my own way with words someday.
"When I was young, I came here with my parents and got stranded once."
"That must've been serious."
"Yes, it was very serious. But because of it, I was able to meet her. The fairy."
With the smell of oil and the rumbling engine, the airboat began moving across the wetlands. As she skillfully steered and continued her story, her eyes looked like those of a child lost in a dream. She seemed happy to finally be able to tell this tale.
"The fairy saved me, took care of me... told me lots of stories so I wouldn't feel lonely, and when my fever went down, she even safely returned me to my parents."
"Hmm... Then how did you get the scar?"
Squeeze..! Harpy's hand, holding mine, trembled violently. Seeing her stiffly staring ahead with an expression like she was about to cry, I wondered if we should stop the story here—but I knew that would defeat the purpose.
"This scar is..."
Her voice trailed off, as if she were debating whether to say it. Even I felt tense. She didn't know Harpy was listening right now, so what came next would probably be close to her true feelings. But after hearing what she said, I realized I'd been worrying far too much.
"... It was my own mistake. I hope I can apologize someday."
"You're the one who got hurt, yet you want to apologize? That's a little strange."
"Hehe, my boyfriend said the exact same thing."
From everything I'd heard so far, she clearly remembered what happened when she met Harpy. And more importantly, in her voice—and even in the voice of her heart—I couldn't sense even the slightest bit of resentment toward Harpy. Instead, there was only guilt and longing...
"Then you'd want to meet her again, right? That fairy."
"That's why I asked my uncle to let me keep working here. Though... the chance to meet her again never really came."
Thud, thud. The President was tapping my seat with her foot. A signal. In times like this, I had no choice but to rely on my convenient ability.
'My turn's over. Now it's up to Harpy to speak. Woong, help her from the side.'
... It felt strangely awkward seeing our President actually doing her job properly. Still...
"Hic..?"
I placed my other hand over the back of Harpy's hand, which I was already holding. She whipped her head around, her eyes wet as she looked at me, her lips tightly bitten. She probably wanted to tell Harpy everything right now—that she'd come to see her again—and apologize, but it seemed she still didn't have the courage. And since I couldn't speak for her...
The best I could do right now was support her with all my heart.
"Don't worry, Harpy. I'm right here beside you."