Shota flew home after a pleasant afternoon. Captain Minoru had finished overhauling the big sails. Shota had helped him install them where they belonged on the boat, enjoying the wind in his wayward hair and the way it cooled him as he worked. He became a boy just outside the pedestrian gate, under the shelter of a little entry designed just for this purpose.

Though Shota had never seen another separately roofed pedestrian entry he thought it a good idea. It kept the rain and ...