Chapter 19

“Do you all agree?” she helplessly asked the rest of the pilots.

They looked between themselves and shrugged.

“It’s just that…” One of the younger pilots said hesitantly. “Usually you don’t say things like this. We look up to you because you try and do the right thing. We’re not sure that what you’re saying isthe right thing. What made you change your mind?”

“I met Nomura, who is selfish beyond reason,” Mari defended, uncertain of her stance, but not wanting to admit out loud that she had gone too far.

“Is she really, or do you just not understand her?” another new voice interrupted. It was the source who had started the fight with her, Sae. She was standing in front of the open doors, back straight and chin raised. Other sources filed in, arraying themselves on either side of Sae in a crane’s wing formation. Kaede entered last and came to stand by Sae, shoulder to shoulder. They looked serene and immovable in their summer yukata.