THE GIFT

That cruise ship of books...is still floating today looking for treasure like every other day.

It is still a beautiful hull. moving across the sky and ocean Cutting through space and earth

The caravan Fantasia, which holds the book of limitless imagination. Today it's still...

Thump, bang, bang!

"Wow, I'm sorry. I was in a bit of a hurry. Ah, luckily I didn't break it."

Phlaeng!

“Oh, it's broken! I'm sorry.”

Still...chaotic like every day.

The crew members turned to look at the young man who was apologizing but didn't look the slightest bit guilty with narrowed eyes. That's a look that indicates numbness, boredom, letting go. Never mind it. It's been like this all year. So what can they do other than make eye contact, sigh, and go on with their duties?

“I apologize once again, everyone. Come on, find someone to sweep up the broken glass here. The floor has scratches. It's okay, right? Oh, but don't let Mr. Rong know about it. Everyone, no one saw me break the glass, right?!”

The crew all turned their eyes away at the sky. Some of them might have accidentally looked up to catch sight of the green-headed man who was snoozing in the crow's nest on the mast. You are the navigator who is always blurry, confused, and sleepy. Now he looks down and looks at the scene below with sleepy eyes as well.

But the captain never knew.

Captain of a magnificent caravan Last name not shown The important point is to be in a good mood and not distressed. (to the point of being thrown into the sea) standing with his feet hips pointing out the point of broken glass for his subordinates to come sweep it up and throw it away. But he didn't stay bossy for long. The young man, the captain of the ship, was shocked.

“Everyone, don't forget. I didn't break the glass!”

When it was over the captain shuffled his feet and ran away. What can the crew who are so busy with work do? In addition to following the big boss with wide eyes, Very cold

Just a second later The door leading up to the rooftop opened.

“Where is the captain?”

“Good morning, Second Sir!”

The crew members' squinting eyesight suddenly became brighter and brighter. Dozens of people unexpectedly raised their hands to greet each other. But the second captain of the caravan didn't seem to care that much. He said in a quiet voice with a hint of sternness.

“The captain ran me up here. Then I heard the sound of glass breaking. Where is he now?”

"Uh...I don't know." Sailor

A

The person standing closest answered in an indirect tone. Have strong loyalty to follow the orders of the superior

The vice captain narrowed his single eye. “I allow you to answer again.”

“Second Sir, just now the captain ran onto the deck and hit a crew member who was carrying something, causing the glass to fall and shatter. The captain told us not to tell you. Now I'm running away and hiding in the aft room!” Crew

A

Defect quickly

The vice-captain nodded, "Thank you very much," before heading towards the aft room. The sound of 'Remember this traitor' could be heard floating on the wind before disappearing with the chaos of the day.

“What are you going to do to me? Take that thing away, no! You intend to kill me!! You're a murderer."

'You murderer' almost became angry and actually turned into a murderer and threw his leader into the sea. But he did nothing more than give him a fierce glare. Put the person who escaped and hid under the table.

“Captain, I will explain it to you again.” The young man held up a thick stack of documents in his hand for the other person to see clearly. “This is your job. You asked me to help you make half of it. I already did it. So the other half you have to manage yourself. and must be completed within today.”

“Today?!” The captain scrambled from the table to his feet. “Did you know it's a holiday? Holiday, holiday! Your Majesty, please accept it. It's about to be a new year. The people of the world on his shores were already holding celebrations. But do you still want me to continue working?”

"If you are a worldly person You can come down to celebrate on the shore.”

“How do you think I'm a green alien?!”

“Captain, if you would please listen to what I have to say. You know I haven't said a single word about the green alien.” His blue eyes flashed colder and colder. As he looked at the person who was beginning to walk in circles around the long table like a rat stuck in a crane.

"Ah...uh...can't you at least postpone it for another two days?"

The captain began to bargain. And that surprised the listeners. They knew each other well enough to know that the captain would never accept the job. And the escapist took his job seriously to the point of stumbling and falling off a boat and drowning. Will agree to do easy work (even if you ask to negotiate)

“Captain, tell me what you are planning.”

He had a look of shock on his face like a child who had learned of the ship captain's mischievous plan. Before taking a long step Go block the door. Closing the entrance and exit while speaking knowingly

“If you're thinking of climbing up the window to escape me, You have to jump off the boat. Or I'll take you as shark bait...just like you said, Captain. It's almost new year. We should find some good food, such as some sharks, and make a party for the crew. Do you agree?”

“...I agree to answer the Deputy's question politely. But don't use me as bait for sharks.” The captain looked at the smile at the corner of his interlocutor's mouth and wanted to cry. Why does he have such a brutal vice-captain?!

“Nonnav, have you seen the captain and the lieutenant?”

The subject opened one eyelid. And he stared like that until the crew had to repeat their question again. He will have a reaction.

“Um...” The green-headed man acted half-empty, half-contemplative. His eyes drifted to the sky. “...No.” Then he sat up in front of the eyes of the sailors gathered around him. “Why?”

Everyone scrambled to tell each other about the abnormalities. namely the captain and the lieutenant of them disappeared Today, after the morning chaos, no one saw the two of them again. No matter where I'm looking for it. Didn't find any at all. Unable to bear the feeling of loneliness in their hearts, the crew decided to ask the third authority on the ship.

For example, when there's no one to make eye contact with, they become bored as hell. When there was no one to keep an eye on when the boat would be destroyed. There was no one to covertly gossip about, bully, and bully secretly, and they were so dry!

The navy looked at the crew with narrowed eyes. There is no other opinion than “Are you guys mentally sane? Are you a sadist?”

The crew didn't answer but cried loudly.

The navigator saw this and let out a long sigh. The young man stood up and looked up at the sky. Note the position of the clouds and the wind currents. The smell of the cooler air The sun, which was scorching more than usual, was telling him a story. Now it's starting to be winter. Winter is the end of the year. So, what are the things at the end of the year that can make a hyper person like Captain excited?

“End of the year”

An idea flashed into his head. But the crew didn't seem to understand. “I mean New Year's. You all need to learn to be more imaginative,” he said, then opened his mouth and yawned, waving his hands roundly at the audience like he was chasing away insects.

"I'm going to sleep."

Then the young navigator lay down and stretched out on the floor of the crow's nest. Lift the hem of the vest over your face. Before making a voice of 'Krok Kokfi' loudly, no matter who protested Therefore, it is the burden of the crew to interpret what the New Year's celebration has to do with the disappearance of the captain and lieutenant.

according to their understanding New Year's Day is one day according to the calendar. Refers to the start of counting new calendar days after the end of the old year. Ask how important it is. Not much. In addition to being the number of the date that the new batch of books must be recorded for entry into the directory, that is all.

Or will those two people meet the pile of books at the end of the year that the timid writer hastily spun out?

They sat on the deck pondering for hours, still not getting an answer. Worries about the captain encountering danger can be eliminated because, for one, the hull of this caravan is still in very good condition. The captain and the ship are the same thing. If something happens to the captain Boats will also be dangerous.

And the second, most important thing that made us not have to worry at all was that the Vice-Chairman also went with the Captain.

The Lieutenant is the most respected person on the ship. He is a formidable person and appears to have the most power. (Sometimes more than the captain) including skill, responsibility, strictness, they respect the Lieutenant. Number one in the hull But if you ask who is trust and loyalty given to?

...There is only one answer...

Sailors look up at the sky Saw an orange light bathing the horizon until it was red. It was late in the evening.

And where is their leader who keeps disappearing?

“Young Master, do you think they will be happy!”

“There's nothing more satisfying than when you work hard and stop being a mess, Captain.”

“Wow, you really aren't cute! I told you I'd give you one. Whatever word I say, you know. I'll give it to you for sure. Please don't be mad at me."

The 'sulking person' narrowed his blue eyes. The more I saw the innocently smiling face of the person next to me. The more he wanted to dump the pile of things he was carrying onto the other person's head and completely bury it.

“Ah! Hold it carefully or it will fall off!” The captain noticed the movement of his hand. But he was not aware of the vengeful spirit sent to him in any way. “I worked hard to find them all day until I found them all. You have to use your energy to travel around in the dozens. Until you're tired, you'll feel worse. If anyone's gift goes missing, Mr. Rong, I'll take your money!”

The vice-captain suppressed the urge to continue arguing. 'So when you took my money to buy something, isn't that called plowing money?' Then he tightened the thing in the palm of his hand firmly. It was a large bag the size of a person. Inside were dozens of 'gifts'. For the caravan crew Some are appliances. Some are food

Some were letters or pictures. Every item is selected by the captain himself. It is something special that he intends to do more than ever.

By the time they reached the caravan, the sky had already lost its light. Luckily, the moon shines brightly tonight. The captain of the ship therefore did not step on the rope ladder and fell into the sea like before.

“Don't forget, Second Lieutenant, you have to be quiet. You mustn't wake them up!” The captain turned around and repeated it for the umpteenth time. And the answer was a cold stare for the third millionth time as well. But I can't help it. He had carefully planned it out. You definitely can't fall off your horse and die in the end.

These gifts must be secretly placed next to the pillow. When you wake up in the morning, everyone will be surprised! And at that time he would speak. 'Happy New Year' with loud rainbow fireworks. What a great hero to appear!

Perfect! Flawless, this plan is absolutely perfect!

The young man climbed a rope ladder and imagined the morning when everyone woke up to an unexpected gift. If you step over the side of the ship and stand on the deck, What he saw made him froze all over.

“Captain!!”

The owner of the name could only make an 'Ae' noise before being rushed over by a large crowd of sailors. Each one's ears flowed with tears. Let's sing Captain. Busy like a baby bird opening its mouth to ask for food from its mother bird. The vice-captain, who had thrown himself up with a large bag, looked at the man who had been crushed by the crew until only his hands were visible with a half-sneering, half-amused look.

“Looks like I can't follow the plan, Captain...huh. None of them are sleeping yet.”

“Well...before you come and ridicule me. Can't you just take these guys out first?!”

People who were buried used their hands to slap the ground. It's a rant. Inviting the vice-captain to smile in a rare way before going to help. With just one loud shout, the sailors shouting 'Captain!' all jumped up and stood in a line in front of the board, their bodies straight, shouting loudly and clearly.

“Welcome back, Second Sir!!”

"Hey, hey, it's only you, you, and me! And I'm hunting! Please welcome me!” The person who was being ignored shouted as he adjusted his clothes and hair. Especially shirts where both the hem and buttons are frayed. Even the veil was criss-crossed halfway back in front. But he still hadn't finished arranging his clothes. The crew members who didn't even blink their eyes became watery and wanted to attack him again.

“Don't come in! Otherwise, I won't give you a real gift! Do you want a New Year's present?!" The captain hurriedly shouted to the troops as he pointed to the bag next to the Vice President. All the crew members opened their eyes. Then she turned around and looked at the captain with eyes filled with even more emotion than before.

“Captain, did you disappear because you were looking for a gift for us?” Sailor

B

Ask a question

"yes! It's purely because of my kindness. I see that you guys don't have holidays like other people do. So there must be something to console us!” The young man crossed his arms over his chest and stretched himself. Continuing to speak very proudly “But it's not all over yet. Let's wait for you guys to open the gifts first. I chose very well.

Traveled to many continents! Spending this much because I want you guys to be happy a lot...ah!”

The end of the sentence was abruptly cut off by a warm embrace. The captain of the caravan widened his eyes. Suddenly I felt like I couldn't quite put my finger on the beginning and end. The crew's first attack had not surprised him much. But this attack He didn't expect it at all.

While speaking, no one thought that they would be hugged by ten people.

The ship's captain just stood there, helpless. He tried to look at the vice-captain who was leaning on the bow of the ship not far away, watching the scene unfold. But apart from some smiles But that deputy didn't show any signs of helping. The captain was forced to find a solution on his own. But the thing is, he had never had a problem being hugged before!

“Just you come back. This is a gift to them.”

Mr. Tonhon!!

The captain had never been so happy to see the sleepwalking face of the navigator before in his life.

“Wow... they suddenly disappeared. These people were really worried about you. You stand and give them a hug. It won't be more than an hour.” The green-headed man walked slowly towards you, then stopped in the distance. It's broken like that. “But next time, if I disappear quietly, Again, don't forget to tell me first. I'll get my things too.

I've been disturbed here to the point where I haven't been able to sleep.” Ton Na yawned, giving him another look and waving his hand.

“I'm going to sleep. When you're free, take my present and put it next to your pillow, Captain. good night"

Then the navigator opened the door and walked down under the boat...

...finish

“Hey, what is this! In conclusion, Mr. Tonhon didn't come to help me, did he? Mr. Rong, please come help me...don't pretend to look the other way. I know you heard! The Reverend is confused. Huh! And you guys I apologize for disappearing without telling you. But can you please let me go first? If I were a girl, I wouldn't mind at all! Hohoho, you guys stink.”

By the time the crew was able to unwrap the presents...it was almost morning.

Those gifts are not something that is normally sold in stores. Rather, it is something that comes from the special connections that crew members have with outsiders, such as siblings, close relatives, friends, neighbors. or even pets Who do they have good memories of together? No matter where those people are

He would follow him until he found him and ask in exchange for a 'gift'.

“In my opinion, things are things. It doesn't bring happiness as much as who gives the gift.”

The captain rested his elbow on the edge of the high deck balcony. He used his palms and feet to cheek as he looked at the scene below. “I want them to be happy. But I can't figure out what to buy them that will make them happy. So I thought of their most important person...Khun Rong. Do you think I did the right thing?”

The vice captain didn't answer immediately. The young man looked at the leader's back. before looking down to the deck full of caravan crew members of all walks of life Some of them laughed, some cried, and some acted angry and cursed. Everyone's reaction is different. But he can feel it. have some things in common

Whether it's in laughter, tears, or cursing.

It is happiness.

“You did very well, Captain.” The vice-captain gave his boss a small smile. “But I am still fascinated by one thing. Where is my present?”

The captain immediately turned around, his arms spread wide, as if he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. “Your gift is this!”

The young man looked at the other man's smooth chest covered with a puffy white shirt, and suddenly felt incomprehensible.

“What, don't you understand?” The captain raised his eyebrows. He looked so happy that he wanted to kick him into the sea. “Khun Rong! You need to learn to be more imaginative haha, but that's okay, I'll give you a hint. But I will tell you a question.” The captain smiled mysteriously, “Second Master, where are we now?”

“At the boat”

The captain nodded. “And who is on the ship?”

“There is a crew, there is a navigator, there is a boss, but there is no gift of mine.”

This time, the audience shook their heads, “That's wrong. Your gift is already here... Mr. Rong. I told you that the gift I would give is happiness. You try asking yourself: What makes you most happy in this life?” The young man spread out his hands with a smile, “There is this boat, there is everyone, and there is me in front of you.

Is this not what you want most?...I think I guessed right!”

In the middle of the first sunlight from the sky Captain stood there. Leaning his hips against the edge of the balcony, he stretched out his arms as much as he wanted to present the whole world to him.

The vice-captain looked at the scene in front of him. It was the few times in his life that he regretted the blindness of his right eye.

He...wanted to look at that picture with both eyes.

“What do you say? Did I guess correctly? Ha! Making that face means I guessed correctly, right?!” The captain laughed. His blue cloak fluttered in response to his joy.

“...It's a gift that you don't invest in at all. You have fangs stuck into your ears.” The vice captain sighed. “Since I received the gift Then I invite you to come downstairs.”

The audience was startled, "Eh?"

“Well, you said this ship was my gift. Since you gave me the boat Then I must become the captain.”

“Eh??”

“Alright, without further ado. I will give you a job to do now.” The young man deadpanned, “First job, sailor, go polish the ship.”

“Eh!???” The final voice turned into a shout. “Wait a minute, Khun Rong! I don't mean it like that. This is my boat, my boat! Let's come back and talk to you first. I don't mean it like that. It doesn't mean like that.”

That cruise ship of books...is still floating today looking for treasure like every other day.

It is still a beautiful hull. moving across the sky and ocean Cutting through space and earth

The caravan Fantasia, which holds the book of limitless imagination.

Today we are still...happy as always.

-finish-

*Free*

“Hey you! And what about my gift? You must give it to me!”

“Then why did you come to claim it with me alone?”

“Of course. Because it is How are you, sir, sir? Haha.”

“...Oh, Captain, that's the other half of your job. I finished it.”

“Eh?”

“I have worked for you. So assume that's it. 'A gift from me' and here it is...a list of books that will be released between the end of next year and the beginning of next year. Please help me arrange it properly.”

“Eh??”

“I need to use this document quickly. Please help me finish it before noon tomorrow...Happy New Year, Captain.”

“Eh!!??

Q A Q”

*CUT SCENE* 

“A gift?” The vice captain repeated the confession from his commander. before being carelessly cut off “That stuff isn't necessary. As long as you work hard and don't mess up on the boat. This is better than any gift. In the world we already want.”

“So, Mom, you're going to drag me into business matters, right?!” The captain began to dance. He rose from his high-backed chair. “I saw that we worked all the time, never taking a break. In any case, there should be some kind of gift to make it happy. That's it! And I'll give it to you too. You don't have to worry, Mr. Second.”

“I'm not worried about that.”

young man sighs Starting to feel a slight headache. The more you see the seriousness of the other party's eyes. The more he sighed.

They had been together for a long time...too long to know that if Long had made up his mind, There was absolutely no one who could stop it.

And he could only do what he had always done.

“Speak the thoughts in your head. You manage it yourself and you only create a mess. I'll help you, Captain.”