Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from the words that I write and the characters that I create. Credit goes to the original creator of the Gargantia universe.
A/N: Okay guys, I wasn't proud of how poorly I wrote this prologue chapter so I'm rewriting it to remove a slight penalty I don't approve of and I'm teasing something that happens near the end. In addition, take notice of how human Yayoi is in this chapter compared to how she currently is in the story as of chapter 10. Currently, she's still rather stiff but the chips in the block have begun to a degree, after spending over a year on Earth, she is fully 'liberated'. I also will be teasing several characters who appear in this story though they will be called by either titles or in one character's case, a whole other name and events that happen around that time.
It's been over a week since the Gargantia overcame what could be considered their strongest challenge in their history and thankfully it is all but ensured that any significant threat to the fleet is incapable of existence. With those dangers erased from prominence, the crews of the Gargantia fleet have resumed their normal lives. Yayoi's involvement in the final battle earned her much-deserved R&R and she has decided to go up to one of the largest towers in the fleet with a pencil and sketchpad in hand to draw whatever she found interesting, not that she had challenge doing so after all of the practice she has had since she started. After an hour passed of her drawing, a familiar voice interrupts her train of thought as she looks to her right. Thankfully, she had finished her drawing when the individual showed up.
"Hey Yayoi, what are you doing up here?" A girl with brown hair asks, flying up to the tower Yayoi is on using her kite.
"Oh, Amy. I was just looking out on the horizons." The platinum blonde haired girl: Yayoi says with a small smile as she moves her sketchpad to her waist to talk with Amy, with her knowledge of the language still being a little flawed in some areas, even after spending over a year on Earth. However it has progressed a great deal since she does not need her translator for any degree of conversation with the people living on Earth.
"These sights really are wonderful to look at, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it's hard to believe that, since I lived in space all my life, that I find Earth to be far more beautiful than space, far away from the militaristic Galactic Alliance. Sylph's secret helped me realize the facts I was ignorant of because of my upbringing." Yayoi explains as she says that she no longer sees the Alliance the same way she did growing up.
"But don't you miss your friends back there?"
"To be truthful, I was just another soldier to them. I won't be missed, neither will Ledo. Besides, I never had any 'friends' back among the Alliance. The few I would even consider of that caliber died to the Hideauze."
"That must have been challenging to handle; seeing people you could consider a friend die in front of you."
Yayoi lightly sighs and says "I suppose so. But it's different now. Earth and the Gargantia is my new home and I've made many friends. Nothing will make me want to leave. I'm certain that Ledo and Emi agree with me."
"And to think that over a year ago, you were almost exactly like Ledo. Especially since you didn't know our language."
"No kidding. Especially when Ledo took you hostage and grabbed your rear end." She doesn't know why she finds it so amusing, but Yayoi was grinning when said this.
"You promised you wouldn't talk about that! That was embarrassing!"
"Why complain about it now Amy? Accept the fact that the intimate response bloomed into a rewarding relationship." Yayoi sneers happily as she makes a joke out of her statement.
"Stop it already!" Amy exclaims in dismay as she's falling hook, line, and sinker to Yayoi's teasing.
"Ehehe. This is fun to do." Yayoi chirps happily at the hilarity of the situation.
"You're evil Yayoi. When did you turn into such a sadistic person?" Amy whines as she opens up her kite and flies off into the sky to return to her job and in part to get away from Yayoi.
"I do wonder that sometimes." Yayoi chuckles as she asks herself this.
When she sees Amy long gone, she props her sketchpad and pencil with a strong string knot around her body as she slides down on the railing of the spiral staircase that led to the tower's top. When she reaches the bottom, this is quickly followed by several successful parkour maneuvers across crates in her way. When she returned to her house to prop her painting on the wall, she passes by an individual rather close to her, whom has returned from her job.
"Yayoi, I see you've returned from your trek around the fleet. Did you find anything good to draw?"
"Yes. The evening sky offered a very beautiful sight for my drawings. But I wish to ask: how was your day with our esteemed Chief Scout Emi?"
"It went very well. Considering that nearly all of the past inhibitions no longer apply, she has become an excellent scout. She however is taking time off for a special occasion."
"Special occasion? Wait. Are you seriously saying that she's going to be in that position?"
"Indeed she is and remember that I recommended her for it considering how close you two have become. Honestly, you've been neglecting to prepare for your engagement with a certain someone."
"That's not fair! I am preparing for it. It's just that...look, I lived my life as a weapon for the Alliance Emi. I'm not used to this thing, starting a...starting a...family. I spent half a day at a tailor getting a dress suited. And don't forget that I'm desperately trying to keep myself calm."
"I understand that. I was anxious before I married my husband too, but trust me when I say that you'll adjust well enough. You're just like your dear mother after all."
"Thanks Emi. I appreciate it. I should go get some rest. Tomorrow will be a big day for me." Yayoi deeply sighs and is carrying a mildly flustered expression at the thought of what tomorrow holds for her.
It's been over a year since Yayoi Nishihara ended up on the planet that the Alliance has considered to be an utter fairytale: Earth. Who would've thought that the failed battle against the Hideauze would actually make her life better than she was accustomed to back in the Galactic Alliance.