Rose asks once again.
Oliver lies back on the soft bed, one hand resting behind his head. "Go to the room upstairs. Your bow has been prepared neatly there. You may also rest there… there is only one room," he says casually.
Before he can finish, Rose is already rushing up the stairs.
I follow at once, but my steps pause for a moment.
"When do we leave, Oliver?" I ask, turning slightly.
"Perhaps tomorrow. We cannot stay here long," he replies without opening his eyes. "Enemies will come. I do not want a place this beautiful to be tainted by those animals."
I nod slightly and continue upstairs.
As I am about to enter—
SWISH—
Something flies swiftly right in front of my face.
"Huh—?" I stop instinctively.
"E-eh, sorry! I didn't know you were there. The bow slipped from my hand by accident," Rose says from inside the room.
I let out a long breath. "Huft…"
"Hehe…" she laughs softly, a little awkward.
I step into the room. It is simple—one bed, a large window, and minimal furniture. I place my bag in the corner and lie down on the bed.
"You know, Hiro?" Her voice softens. "I don't want to be a burden to you. With this bow, I will defeat thousands of enemies."
I chuckle quietly. "That would be very helpful, hmph."
"Hah?" She immediately sits on the edge of the bed, close to me. "What are you laughing at? Are you underestimating me?"
I do not answer. I simply give a faint smile, glancing at her from the corner of my eye.
Her face flushes with irritation.
She raises her hand. "Do you want me to slap you again?"
"DON'T!"
—
Sunlight touches my face as I wake—warm, gentle, almost too comfortable.
Voices from outside are clear.
Rose… loud again.
I get up and walk downstairs. The scent of food, already turning cold, greets me.
"Hiro," she calls.
I turn.
"Your breakfast is on the table. You woke up late, so it's already cold."
I do not respond. I sit and begin eating.
From where I sit, I watch her laughing with Oliver outside. She keeps practicing archery—again and again.
Not a single shot lands near the center.
She pretends not to notice.
I turn my face away before my reaction shows—
"Uhukh!"
—too late.
I choke. My breath catches, my hand pressing against my chest.
Water—I need water—
"Hiro?" Rose's voice comes quickly closer.
My body tenses even before I look at her.
"Uncle says we are leaving now. The carriage is already waiting. He needs to gather his friends first. Come…"
I stand slowly.
"We will be sailing across the sea for four days and five nights," she whispers excitedly.
"WHAT?!"
I take a step back. "You're joking. Tell me you're joking."
She shrugs casually. "I never lie. Ask Uncle."
—
THUD—
I drop into the carriage seat. My cheek rests on my palm, my gaze empty as I stare out the window.
Silence begins to calm me—
"My attacks hit the red mark eight out of eight, right, Uncle?" Rose says proudly.
—and it immediately shatters.
Oliver suppresses a laugh. Rose shoots him a sharp glare.
"UNCLE!"
"Yes, yes, my lady."
Rose turns to me, smiling brightly. "You hear that, Hiro? I'm that good."
"Of course," I mutter flatly. "I will pretend I didn't see most of the arrows landing at the edge of the board."
"HIROOO!"
—
The carriage stops in front of the bar.
Oliver steps out first. He enters—
and raises one hand.
Instantly, the room falls silent.
All eyes turn to him.
Even Rose is quiet.
"My friends," Oliver calls, his voice deep and commanding.
"LET US SET SAIL!"
A brief silence—
"LET'S GOOOO!"
Cheers explode through the room.
"MOVE OUT!"
"Santiago, bring my guitar."
A man stands, raising his glass. "Yes, Boss."
Oliver turns to the other side.
"Bartra, move. You keep the ship running tonight."
Bartra smiles faintly. "Of course, Boss."
The two men beside him—Grizz and Gruzz—raise their cups.
CLAAANG—
"EVERYONE READY?!"
Oliver's roar echoes out into the street.
He jumps back into the carriage.
"MOVE OUT!"
The driver snaps the reins, and the carriage speeds toward the harbor.
The others follow behind.
Another sea journey begins.
—
A few hours later, we arrive at the port.
Their ship is already prepared—everything arranged even before we arrive.
We board immediately.
No time is wasted.
And just as I heard—
they go all in.
Music, laughter, and movement fill the deck. Oliver plays his guitar, the melody drifting freely into the night air. Bartra joins the dancing without hesitation, despite his size.
"Even with that belly, Bartra dances better than you," Rose whispers beside me, ending with a soft laugh.
I only glance at her briefly. I do not respond.
I remain silent. Observing.
Time passes.
Morning turns to noon. Noon turns to night.
Lunch passes in silence—strange, unlike the previous journey.
After that, one by one, they fall asleep, exhausted from the excitement.
I move to the back of the ship. I lean against the wooden wall, wrap myself in my cloak, and let my body drift into sleep.
"Hiro…"
A whisper.
I do not know where it comes from.
"Hiro…"
Again.
"HIRO!"
I jolt awake.
Rose stands in front of me.
"Dinner is ready. They are waiting for you. Come."
She extends her hand.
I give a slight nod, stand on my own, and walk past her.
Her hand slowly lowers.
I walk behind her.
Midway—
something moves in the water.
A long, thin shadow. It appears briefly… then disappears back into the darkness.
I pause for a moment.
I almost call out to Rose.
But I stop myself.
Maybe it is just a shadow.
I look up.
The moonlight has not fully settled, but the lanterns on deck are enough to create warmth.
"Join us, Hiro," Oliver calls.
"We're starving," Grizz adds.
"Hurry," Gruzz follows.
I give a small smile and sit with them.
But that shadow in the water—
still lingers in my mind.