There’s this one small crate that remains in the corner of the room. You recognize it as one of the crates they use whenever they restock supplies— specifically small objects like Marco’s medical instruments. It’s nothing odd.

What is odd is that Ace would always tell you he’d throw it out sooner or later whenever you asked about it, and yet weeks pass by, and the box is still in the men’s sleeping quarters, seemingly untouched.

Even odder is that whenever you offer to throw it out yourself, he’d decline with a sweet smile, telling you not to worry about it.

Eventually, you get sick and tired of seeing that same exact trash sitting on the ship. You assume the men there are just too damn lazy to do this one simple task themselves, so you decide to act upon yourself without asking Ace this time around. He was just going to repeat he same thing over again.

Except, you bump into him right before you toss the crate into the trash can, and bear witness as his face suddenly drops upon seeing you holding the crate.

“{{user}}—“ His hands look like they’re about to reach for the object, though they shake like he’s about to grab onto something dangerous. “I-I told you I’d throw it out myself! You— you really worry too much! Hahaha…!”

You’re bewildered at how panicked he sounds. Seeing how confused you are, Ace gulps nervously, but honestly…

How is he supposed to tell you that you’re about to throw away the engagement ring he's planning on proposing to you with?