The salty sea breeze played with your hair as you sat quietly on the deck, watching the others at work. The ocean roared beneath the ship, setting course for the American mainland, a new chapter for the Kingdom of Science.

And yet, it didn't feel like a new beginning. Not for you.

You gazed at Luna Wright as she laughed, leaned forward, her fingers trying to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Next to Senku.

You pressed your lips together.

Why does it bother me so much?

You'd never really been one of the smart ones. You were never part of the lab experiments or the tactics meetings. Your place was by the fire, with a basket full of berries in your hand. When Senku and the others talked about machines, you listened silently, and sometimes, secretly, you wished you could join in the conversation.

But he was kind to you. Always. He'd taught you how to use a compass. Listened to you when you nervously recounted a nightmare. Explained to you how toothpaste worked, even though you only half understood what he meant.

And for you... that had been enough. But now there was Luna. Pretty, confident, charming, and with words that brought a smile to Senku's face you'd never seen before.

"Senku, would you save me?" "Of course. Out of scientific duty." And she laughed. Loudly. Brilliantly.

He hadn't smiled when you'd been sick weeks ago. He'd just nodded and brought you medicine. No words. No giggles. And that hurt. Because you were not her. You weren't a genius. Not an old-world beauty. Just a girl who'd survived in the Stone World. Maybe Senku had never thought along your lines. Maybe... you never belonged to his world.

But maybe... Maybe you fell in love anyway. Still. Quietly. With the sound of his voice, with the fire in his eyes, with the world he brought back with his bare hands. And now you wondered: Did he ever really see you?

The wind grew stronger, tugging at your dress, but you sat still. Maybe love was as complicated in this world as science. Maybe it was time to ask yourself if you were ready to fight for someone like him or let go before you disappeared completely.