Wait, if you need medical herbs, are you some sort of doctor?" Amy asked.
Airi nods. "Yes. I'm still in training, but my grandmother taught me everything she knows."
"How old are you?" Noah asked.
Airi lifted a brow. "It's wrong to ask a lady her age, sir."
Noah cringed. "Please don't call me sir. That makes me sound old. Just call me Noah."
"Okay… Noah," Airi said.
Nyx leans in, eyeing Airi up and down. "Judging from how tall she is… she's at least thirteen."
Airi froze. "…Wait, how did you know?"
Nyx smiled. "I didn't."
Airi blinked.
Nyx chuckle. "You just told me."
Emma sighs.
"Airi, do you want to sleep with me tonight?" Amy asked. "Since we're both… you know… beast types."
Airi tilted her head. "I don't know what you mean… but sure, I'll sleep with you."
Nyx smirked. "That sounds way more intimate than it should."
Amy threw a spoon at her. "Shut up."
LATER THAT NIGHT…
Out on the lookout, Noah stared at the night sky.
The stars stretched endlessly above him.
"Are you alright?" Emma asked as she walked up beside him.
"I'm great," Noah replied.
Emma leaned against the railing. "Noah… I don't want us to fight these people if we don't know what's really going on."
Noah looked at her, then nods. "Okay. I promise."
Emma relaxed a little and looked up.
"The sky looks beautiful, doesn't it?"
"It does," Noah said softly.
He turns and looks at her.
"But I see something much more beautiful right beside me."
Emma blinked.
"…What?"
She turned and noticed he was already looking at her.
Her cheeks turned red almost instantly.
"Noah… don't say things like that so casually," she muttered, looking away.
"Why not? It's true." Noah replied.
Emma crossed her arms, trying to act normal. "You say that to all your crewmates?"
"No," Noah replied. "Just the one who yells at me the most."
Emma huffed. "That's because you're always doing something reckless."
"And yet you're still here."
"…Because someone has to keep you alive." Emma replied.
Noah leaned a little closer. "So you're worried about me?"
Emma froze. "…Don't twist my words."
"Too late."
Emma tried to step away.
Noah gently caught her by the wrist.
She looked down at his hand… then back up at him.
There was a quiet pause between them. The ocean breeze moved softly around them.
Emma's voice dropped. "…Noah…"
He stepped closer.
Her heart started racing.
"You should get some sleep," she said quickly, trying to escape the moment. "We have a long day tomorrow."
She turned but Noah pulled her back.
Before she could react.
He kissed her.
Emma's eyes widened.
Time felt like it stopped for a second.
Then he pulled away.
"Goodnight, Emma," he said softly.
Blip ⚡️
He vanished.
Emma stood there, completely frozen.
"…What just happened…"
She slowly touched her lips.
"…That idiot…"
Her face turned even redder.
"…Why did I like that…"
THE NEXT DAY…
"Morning, Emma," Noah said. "Why do you look so tired? Didn't you get any sleep?"
[Emma's Thoughts]
How could I sleep after you said all that… and kissed me…
Wait… does this mean I have a chance with him?
What are you thinking, Emma?!
You're a member of his crew… and his vice captain… focus!
…But still…
"Good morning!" Amy said, placing trays of breakfast on the table.
Amy looked at Emma and squinted.
"Why are your eyes so red?"
Emma immediately sat down. "I didn't sleep well."
Nyx appeared out of nowhere. "Oh? Why not?"
Emma stiffened. "None of your business."
Nyx smirked. "Did something interesting happen last night?"
"No."
"That sounded like a yes."
"It wasn't!"
Airi walked in, stretching. "Good morning."
Alice followed quietly behind her.
Amy handed them food. "Eat before Nyx steals it."
"I don't steal food," Nyx said.
She immediately grabbed a piece off Noah's plate.
"…You just took mine."
" It's called sharing."
Emma kept her head down, eating quietly.
Noah glanced at her.
"…You okay?"
Emma didn't look up. "I'm fine."
Nyx leaned over to Airi and whispered loudly, "They're acting weird."
"I can hear you," Emma snapped.
"Good," Nyx replied.
Amy grinned. "Something definitely happened."
"Nothing happened!" Emma said quickly.
Everyone stared at her.
"…That sounded suspicious," Alice said.
Emma buried her face in her hands. "I hate all of you."
Noah chuckled quietly.
Emma peeked at him.
Their eyes met.
She immediately looked away again, blushing.
Nyx gasped dramatically. "OH.."
Emma slammed the table. "NYX, DON'T YOU DARE."
Nyx grinned.
"…This is going to be fun."