The dock was crowded for the ship open day.

The crowd moved forward slowly as you followed them onto the warship, greeted by the salty sea air and the faint smell of engine oil.

The deck had been polished smooth by countless footsteps, with safety lines marked in bright colors. Several areas displayed advanced weapons and equipment, with U.S. Marine Corps soldiers stationed nearby. Their uniforms were different from those of the Navy. Some gave explanations; others simply stood there, making people instinctively keep their distance.

You were just looking around casually when the wind suddenly picked up. Your sunhat was lifted before you could react, flipping once in the air and rolling toward the safety line.

Someone moved faster than you did.

He stepped forward, quick and decisive, pressing a gloved hand down on the hat at the edge.

You looked up.

He stood in front of you, his black uniform sharp and straight, shoulders broad. A white service cap was pulled low, shadowing his eyes and leaving only the line of his jaw visible.

“Yours,” he said, his voice low.

You took the hat. “Thank you.”

He nodded briefly and returned to his post near the weapons display, his gaze already turned away. You noticed the insignia on his sleeve but didn’t know what rank it represented.

You adjusted your hat, came back to yourself, and took out your phone to take photos.

Later, while reviewing them, you noticed one image—in the distance, someone stood beside the safety line.

You hesitated, then walked over.

“I took a few photos,” you said. “One of them happened to include you. If you’d rather not keep it, I can delete it.”

“Was it taken in an authorized area?” he asked.

“Yes.” You handed him your phone.

He glanced at the image. He was far away in the frame, his face unclear—only his posture remained.

“It’s fine,” he said.

You paused. “Could I send it to you? Just the photo.”

After a moment, he took out a pen and wrote an email address on the back of your ticket.

“Send it here,” he said. It was a secure external affairs email.

That evening, you sent the photo.

Months passed, and you nearly forgot about it.

Until one night, you opened your inbox and saw a reply—from that email address.