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The sun has set and night has fallen.
In a room of the guest house, Marcia was still sleeping comatose, and Rodrigo was watching over her.
Suddenly, Marcia, who was still sleeping, leaned forward.
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"Ummm........."
Rodrigo looked at his daughter's face.
"Ha,ah......"
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Marcia's eyes opened and a sigh escaped her mouth. But her gaze is still fixed on the girl.
"This, this is ......."
After two or three blinks, his eyes finally seemed to focus and his gaze became clear.
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"...... Marcia."
Rodrigo called her name in a mumbled voice.
"...... what?"
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Marcia slowly tilted her head to look at the owner of the voice. Her eyes widened.
"...... father?"
Rodrigo nodded. Marcia closed her eyelids.
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"Ha-ha-ha-ha ...... what, a dream?"
She mutters to herself in a self-deprecating tone.
"...... I'm not ready to be on my own yet either. ......"
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"Marcia."
Rodrigo calls out to her again. Marcia opens her eyes.
Just then the door opens.
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"...... Oh, Marcia, you noticed."
"...... Jin?"
Marcia looks at the young man who enters, and again her eyes widen in surprise.
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"Marcia, how are you feeling?
"......Elsa......?"
"Oh, good, you noticed."
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"......Reinhardt,......, I guess it's a dream after all,......."
Seeing Jin, Erza, and Reinhardt's faces, Marcia thought it wasn't real.
"Marcia, you were saved."
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"...... what? Reiko?"
Marcia's consciousness became clearer this time when she saw Reiko's figure near the bed.
"So, are you really ...... there?"
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Marcia sat up in bed with slow movements.
"Marcia."
Rodrigo held out his hand toward her, trying to help her.
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But...
There was a resounding "bang! Marcia slapped Rodrigo's hand.
"What the hell! Why did you come back after all this time?
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"Marcia ......"
She turned her back to Rodrigo and looked down, her shoulders trembling.
"......I'm sorry. I know it's not enough to apologize. I've done terrible things to you and to your mother. But I need to apologize."
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Marcia did not reply.
"Marcia, your father has stopped drinking and gambling and is now a shipwright.
Jin, who couldn't help but notice, interrupted.
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"That's right. I was involved in the construction of the Shoro Empire's new ship, the
Reinhardt also offers his help.
"He had a physical breakdown. But now he is healthy. I wanted to see you."
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Erza, in her own inadequate way, provided some support. But Marcia still didn't look up.
"......"
A moment of silence passes. Eventually, Rodrigo let out a sigh.
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"......It's good to see your face. You must hate your father like this.
With these words, he turned to leave the room.
A voice called out to him.
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"...... wait!"
Rodrigo stopped.
Marcia looked up and, in a voice that sounded as if it were squeezed out of the pit of her stomach, she shouted.
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"Do I hate you? Of course I do!"
His eyes filled with tears.
"I hate you! How can you not resent me? You left ...... me and ...... your mother and ran away! When I wanted ...... you the most!"
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"......"
Rodrigo closed his eyes and listened to Marcia's bitter words behind his back.
"Idiot! ......"
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His angry voice turned into tears.
"Marcia ...... sorry."
Rodrigo turned around, stumbled to his feet, put his hands on Marcia's bed, and hung his head.
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"It's too late to apologize, ......."
At the sound of Marcia's squealing voice, Rodrigo looked up and faced his daughter.
"Idiot, idiot, idiot! Why didn't you come home earlier?
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"I'm sorry. ......"
Marcia patted Rodrigo's breastplate with a warm, forceful tap.
"...... but ...... welcome back ............ father."
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With a tear-stained face, Marcia said with a slight smile.
"......I'm home,...... Marcia."
Rodrigo, with tears streaming down his face, gently held Marcia's head in his arms.
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The two left the room, taking care not to make a sound.
"......Good."
Erza took a deep breath and mumbled those words.
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"Yeah, that's good."
Jin nodded.
"We are father and son after all. Erza was right.
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Reinhardt also said sincerely.
"In a little while, we should bring them something light to eat.
Finally, Reiko said something very natural, which made Jin and the others smile with a wry smile.
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"Oh, yes. What would you like, Elsa?"
"Well, Persian juice and barley porridge would be good.
Jin and Elsa smile at each other.
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The moon shines brightly in the sky, as if wishing the best for the father and daughter who have finally made peace.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, Marcia's workshop.
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"Yes, Marcia, you are safe!
"Thank God, thank God. I'm glad to hear that.
Jeremy and Buckles were also relieved to hear Arrow's report.
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