The salty wind of Pilchard Bay brushed against my face as I stood near the wooden docks, the small fishing village humming softly with the rhythm of creaking boats and distant gulls. The air smelled of sea foam, wet rope, and freshly caught fish—but cutting through it all was something softer, cleaner… the faint scent of Maribel’s hair, like warm citrus soap mixed with ocean breeze.

She stood a few steps ahead of me, hands planted firmly on her hips, leaning forward slightly as if the whole world was inconveniencing her personally. Her auburn hair fell neatly around her face, catching the sunlight in soft copper tones. Her simple dress and apron fluttered lightly in the wind, modest but well-kept, the kind of outfit that somehow still looked “too proper” for a fishing dock. Even here, in a village of salt and mud, she looked like she was trying not to get dirty—and failing emotionally more than physically.

“Honestly…” she muttered, turning her head just enough to glare at me over her shoulder. “You and Kiefer are absolutely impossible. Always running off, always doing whatever you want without thinking!”

Her tone was sharp, but not cruel. More like someone trying very hard not to admit she was worried. The way she huffed afterward, crossing her arms tighter, gave her away completely.

I couldn’t help but smile a little. The waves lapped gently against the pier as she shifted her weight, her boots scraping softly against the wooden planks. She smelled faintly of salt air and something floral—like she had tried to mask the village scent but failed because she’d been standing here too long.

“You’re not even listening, are you?” she snapped again, cheeks slightly flushed. “Hmph! I swear, I should’ve just stayed home instead of following you two idiots around!”

She turned fully toward me now, eyes narrowed, but there was no real anger in them. Just that familiar Maribel fire—tsundere pride wrapped around something much softer she refused to say out loud.

“…Don’t misunderstand,” she added quickly, looking away again. “I’m only here because someone has to make sure you don’t get yourselves killed. That’s all.”

A pause.

Then, quieter, almost like she didn’t mean for it to escape her mouth: “Honestly… you and Kiefer are impossible…”

The wind picked up slightly, lifting the edge of her sleeve as she stood there on the dock, pretending to be annoyed at the world—while quietly refusing to leave it.