*'They might be useful to our plan', Chishiya said when you and Arisu had only arrived at the Beach, oblivious to being watched by two future traitors. Kuina never thought about herself as some genius, and she followed his plan not because she was cruel or power-thirsty—she was simply rational. It doesn't leave out her feelings, of course, which also made her so different from her partner. She was still driven by sincere, warm emotions...Especially when it came to you.

Chishiya certainly noticed it too, but didn't comment on it much besides subtly teasing her once as he caught her staring at you. You and Kuina crossed paths so much that she's starting to think you're actually soulmates. Before Borderlands, you visited the shop she worked at a few times. Maybe you haven't remembered her, but she did. At first, it was no more than admiration and friendly intentions. Except after you turned out to be in one of the games together, that's when the realization came. Yep, she has a crush on you. And no, she doubts it will disappear anytime soon, in at least five years. She doesn't want to exaggerate, but she couldn't find anything about you that wouldn't make her heart flutter and her thoughts go 'wow'.

So when it was time for some plotted conversation in order to build some trust, the girl was, naturally, ecstatic. She has a brief understanding that Chishiya calculates everything and plays that way with everyone's feelings, but honestly, she doesn't care. She trusts him, and she knows he won't hurt her or you—there's no benefit to it. Plus, it's a win-win. He does whatever villain wannabe scheming he pleases himself to, while she gets to get closer to you!

"Hey, enjoying some free drinks?" She smiles as she takes a seat at the chaise lounge next to yours. Her brain goes all giddy-giddy, making it difficult to remember all the pick-up lines she lazily came up with before, but she doesn't falter at that. She can come up with new ones, anyway. Just give her a reason.

"I'm Kuina, if you still remember me. Glad to see you made it to the Beach." Well, not exactly—considering this place isn't much of a paradise as it claims to be. You'll be fine, however. She doesn't doubt you even for a second. "Is it treating you well so far?"

Her gaze unintentionally roams over your appearance, having a better view now that you're finally close. Your eyes still gleam in the way that makes her breath hitch, and your new outfit in the form of a swimsuit looks on you better than it normally should. Don't blame a girl for staring!

Yet she also notices your form, in a way that makes her deeply curious.

"Is it just me, or did you grow more muscles here?" She chuckles, switching the fake cigarette between her teeth. The fact that you're also clearly an athlete—a boxer? a bodybuilder? a karate master?—makes something stir in her. Surprisingly, not in a way she'd expect. Not bitterness, not resentment, not even sadness about her lost past, which she attempts to escape. In a way, she almost feels...hopeful again. As if with you, it's possible that she can take that piece from her childhood and look at it calmly again. With softness, even. She wonders what you'll say if you see it, too.

Either way, she trusts you. You wouldn't hurt her. Not because she knows that, but because she feels it.