Tenchi Muyo! in the World

おことわり

It seemed the final ship had already left and there was no sign of any other people in the airport. Using the terminal of Funaho and entering the airport lobby, Yoshyo felt the air of someone's presence.
'Hello. I'm sorry to be late,' said Yoshyo in a smile.
'It seems that you were able to get out from the dormitory without any problem,' replied Airi coming out from behind the pillar.
'Yes. But I was surprised that no one blamed me on my way here. Several persons did pass and noticed me.'
'Ha, ha, ha. There is no boorish guy who will blame you after managing to get out from the dormitory security check. Of course it doesn't mean that you can enter all places, but, well some one will stop you when you try to get into such areas. If then, leave there, get it? Or the guard will get you. If you're unlucky, you may be captured by the hunters for human.'
'Human hunting?'
'It's just a nickname. Those who are looking for Guinea Pig. Oh, that's not the point. Lets go!'
'You started this Airi-dono. Well, this way please.'
He brought her to the ship 'Funaho', which returned from the planetary orbit, and they got inside the ship. Passing through the passage way where only the emergency lamps were lighted they arrived at the bridge.
'Hei, Yoshyo-kun. You are not going to say that the ship's main computer was the one who talked to me after all?'
'Er?' to have her say the correct answer, Yoshyo was shaken up.
'You are not going to say I'm right, are you?'
'You have got it.'
'I'm going home,' getting angry said Airi and turned to the door and tried to get out. Yoshyo grabbed her in a hurry.
'Wa-wait a moment, please. You have come all the way here and …'
'You see, when I first heard that voice, I really expected something. And now you say that it's a voice of a computer. It's not fair,' her accent was in anger but she looked very disappointed.
'Wha-what did you really expect, Airi-dono?'
'………………The Royal tree. Having a tremendous power and high knowledge. The children of the Jurai's patron god, primogenitor Tsunami…'
'I see. So that's all about.'
Then a giggle was heard and Airi looked up.
'Yoshyo-kun, it's rude of you to lau-.'
"Tee-hee…hehehe..."
The voice directly came into Airi's mind just as it did last time.
"…Airi, Airi. Tee-hee."
'This- this voice…'
'It is the voice, of which you expected,' said Yoshyo and then Airi was transported to the imperial lobby, the real main bridge of the ship. Airi was now surrounded by clean and sweet air and she smelled the fume of the grasses and trees. It was a place where light and sound were dancing. Through the leaves of the trees, lights gleamed in gold and silver and with it a lovely music was slightly heard.
It was as if the trees were singing.
Thinking so, Airi startled and said to Yoshyo.
'Yoshyo-kun. This place is not…?'
'I would like to introduce her to you. The first generation Royal tree, "Funaho".'
The number of the lights increased and it got brighter.
"Hello. Hello. Airi, Airi, Airi…"
Lights rushed around Airi.
'…Oh my!!' an admiring voice came out from Airi's mouth and she kneeled.
'Please tell me. What kind of existence are you?' Airi called to the lights, it was likely shouting. Yoshyo was surprised to her voice of extremity.
'What is the matter, Airi-dono?'
'Is primogenitor Tsunami one of the Three Goddesses!?'
It seemed that she was not listening to him and as if she was facing a God, Airi looked up at Fanaho with her hands held at her breast. It was just like a God coming down from the heaven.
Suddenly the lights vanished and silence surrounded them. It was just like as if this was the answer of Funaho to Airi's question.
'… Oh, Funaho, Funaho-sama! I beg you, please answer me!!'
'Airi, Airi-dono!!'
'…Yoshyo..-kun. I…'
Airi was despondent and dropped her hands.