Never in her life had she seen someone who could turn heads like Atago, or dress so impossibly neat.
But the woman who had just stepped in looked like she could do it effortlessly.
Her blazer and skirt and shirt were impeccably ironed to the point they looked brand new, if they weren't. The buttons gleamed in the light like they were medals. She stood out amid the more casual patrons like a lighthouse, with a posture that was straight and poised. Of course, the others were too polite—or stunned—to gawk at her. Yamatani followed her for a while, maybe to strike up a conversation, but someone called her over for an order.
Even Grim seemed to be awed, only watching in silence as the woman made her way inside.
She was once a KANSEN, without a doubt. The silvery locks that framed the youthful yet wise face couldn't have been natural. Not an American one, either.
However, the fact that she was here meant that Japan was no longer the only nation that granted its former ships a chance at civilian life. And if that were the case...
Then maybe her sister-in-arms at the home she'd left behind could soon have a second chance, too.
The thought was so distracting that she didn't even notice the woman was standing in front of her until she cleared her throat politely.
"Um...oh! Welcome."
She hastily smoothed her apron and finally noticed the soy sauce stain she had failed to see earlier. She tried not to look too embarrassed about it, failed spectacularly, and tried to salvage it with a half-smile that probably looked more like she'd swallowed a toothpick. The woman merely chuckled, as if she had seen many fumble just the same.
"This place has a certain serenity," she said, glancing at the lanterns. "Quite unlike the pubs I've known back home. Might I take this seat?"
She pointed to the one Jerry had occupied before hastily leaving due to an appointment. She shook her head.
"Not at all, please sit down."
The woman nodded graciously and sat down, stroking Grim's feather without an ounce of hesitation. A scent of lavender, almost undetectable, reached her nose. It lingered in the air, insistent but delicate.
She only gave the menu a cursory glance before folding it up, hands on the table. Her smile was polite and practiced, as if she were the one welcoming patrons here instead of the other way around.
British? The accent was distinct. More like...RP?
In any case, hopefully, she wouldn't ask for tea.
"Have you decided?" she asked, after a while.
"I'll have the umeshu—Choya, if it's available," the woman said after a moment. "And perhaps some karaage. I've heard it comes highly recommended."
She nodded, too many questions crowding in her head to even think of speaking them out loud.
"Understood. I'll have them right out."
The order was ready within minutes. She was about to offer the woman forks, but held back when she noticed she was already holding the chopsticks. The way she used them, with such familiarity, had her wondering if the woman had been in Japan before. Maybe she had, because how else could she know a good umeshu brand?
"Mm. That's quite good. Not too oily, either." She smiled, clearly pleased. "Every bit as good as I was told."
"I'll...pass along the compliment."
The woman looked up from her food and smiled at her.
"It's not just the karaage. There's something about this place…a certain feeling, wouldn't you say?"
"Like?"
"Ah...like an island sanctuary, I suppose. One would find it easy to unwind here and talk about whatever troubles they have without judgment. That is what they told me at the Embassy. A place run by a KANSEN. And I've heard about you as well, Miss Enterprise. Or should I say…Okami-san?"
The place seemed to have grown hotter. But she managed a smile, though her heart was pounding.
"I...I don't mind, really. Call me whatever you'd like..."
"Mm-hm. Then, okami-san, it is. You've earned the title. This place reflects that."
She wondered if she should laugh or smile politely or bow, and decided on all three. Sincerely, awkwardly.
"...You're...You're very kind..."
"Oh, no. I'm just telling the truth. It's not every day you see a KANSEN live an ordinary life like this. And it's nice to be able to enjoy the simple things, like food and drink...and maybe a conversation?"
"Um...yes..."
"And since you seem to know your patrons well, allow me to introduce myself properly. I'm Belfast. It's a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled, and there was warmth in those eyes that seemed to have seen much. She couldn't help but feel herself relax a bit.
"Pleased to meet you, too."
If she had to admit, she didn't know anything about Belfast's wartime service, yet Belfast had heard about her. Asking wasn't the right thing to do either. All of them had wounds. No prying.
So she waited to see if Belfast wanted to continue.
"So...okami-san...what's it like here, working in such a quiet place?"
"It's...nice," she said, after a while. "This place isn't very big, so I can run it with just a few staff. It...gives me something to do every day."
Belfast popped another piece of karaage into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully.
"I must say it's admirable. Finding purpose in running this place. In that sense, I suppose we're quite alike. I, too, have found purpose in a new life."
"...Has the...UK...?"
"Mm?"
"...Granted KANSENs civilian status?"
Belfast seemed to pause as she sipped from her glass. Her expression was difficult to read.
"The Parliament passed the Civil Integration Act 1964 just last month. Those who could pass the evaluation were given the chance to integrate into civilian society. I do hope that other nations that once used us will do the same."
"I...see..."
"And I chose to be here, because..."
She paused, staring into the ice that remained at the bottom of her glass. Whatever she was thinking at that time, her smile thinned into almost a straight line. The conversation lulled, but only for a brief moment.
"...I was once stationed in Japan. Sasebo. It was 1950."
The Korean War. She wasn't there. By the time the conflict escalated, CV-6 had been too banged up. She was in a limbo, so to speak.
Yet, Belfast served.
But now, she couldn't say she envied her.
"Another glass, if you please."
"Ah...yes. Of course."
She poured it and went to serve newcomers, leaving Belfast alone with her thoughts. When she returned, Belfast was still looking at the ice slowly melting in her drink.
"Is...something wrong?"
"Hmm? Oh...no, nothing. Just...remembering the past. Not something you want to dwell on, but...sometimes, I can't help it."
She knew that feeling all too well.
Her sisters and all the fallen. The times she'd felt she had failed them.
Was Belfast also the same?
"...You don't have to talk about it, if you don't want to."
"I appreciate that, okami-san. But no, it's all right. If you wish to know, I'll tell you."
"If you're sure..."
Belfast looked at her and nodded. Her smile had returned, albeit slightly strained.
"It was 1942. Arctic convoy QP-11. She didn't go down quietly. She might...be clumsy, but nobody embodied the spirit of her namesake better than her. 'No one provokes me with impunity,' indeed."
Even Belfast couldn't fully keep her voice from breaking, but there were no tears in her eyes.
Someone who'd moved on from grieving, but had not forgotten.
"I...I'm sorry."
Belfast shook her head.
"Don't be. I just could not help but think Edi would love this place. She always loved the simple things in life. And besides...are you not also the same?"
She blinked. "I...well..."
"We may not have served in the same war, but I did eventually learn of Midway and Santa Cruz. You've seen much and done more than most."
She held on to the rag tighter, without realizing it.
The lonely days. The grief she couldn't show. The times she thought she would fall apart.
It all came rushing back.
And Belfast didn't say anything, only waiting.
"You have my sympathies, late as they are. I am sure that your sisters would be proud of you and your...newfound freedom. I have no doubt of that. Now...I must apologize. I didn't intend to make this a solemn occasion."
"It's...fine. I guess we...are more alike than I thought."
"All of us are. We lived, we lost, but we move forward. As I said, it is not easy. But...I find myself having hope again. And you shouldn't lose yours."
"...I...thank you."
"Ah. My pleasure, okami-san."
Belfast finished her drink and meal and took a bill from her purse. She caught sight of a pressed flower nestled within the banknotes. Much to her embarrassment, she must have been looking at it for a while because Belfast chuckled.
"Oh? That's a Scottish thistle. A keepsake...so to speak. It reminds me that we need to stand tall and proud. Edi...gave it to me. She was always looking out for me, and I would never forget that."
"...That's beautiful..."
"Well then, I shall take my leave. Thank you for the hospitality, okami-san."
"Ah...yes. Of course. It's...been a pleasure. Thank you for your patronage."
Belfast gave her one last smile, like an old friend, but maybe not yet.
"Wait."
She paused, not even halfway to the door.
"Yes?"
"...Do come again."
Belfast looked a little surprised. But she laughed, light and musical.
"But of course. I do think I shall visit again. A nice place to unwind after a day of work. I will put in a good word for it, if you don't mind."
"That...would be wonderful..."
Belfast bowed again, with more grace than she could ever have.
"...Uh, if you don't mind...what do you do now?"
That got her another chuckle. Admittedly, that indeed came out of nowhere.
"Oh, my. I have the honor to serve at the Embassy as its chief housekeeper. Also," her voice became quieter. "His Excellency needs a confidante from time to time."
"Oh. That's...that's quite something. Thank you for telling me. Alright, I won't hold you up any longer. Please do come again. And thank you again."
"You're very welcome, okami-san. Until we meet again."
"...See you."
Belfast smiled at her, one last time, before leaving.
She watched her until she couldn't see her anymore.
"Wow. What a lady."
Yamatani stood nearby, carrying some dirty plates. She nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
"I wish I could talk to her about Britain...mou."
She gave the girl a pat on the shoulder. Sometimes she just felt like it.
"She'll come here again."
It felt so certain. As sure as that scent of lavender that remained.