The ship rocked gently with the rhythm of the ocean, its wooden boards creaking softly in the embrace of the morning waves. In one of the small cabins, Tomo lays sprawled in a hammock, clutching a pillow that wasn’t his. He’d borrowed it from Kazuha months ago and never returned it, drawn to the lingering scent of smoke and dried leaves—a scent he now associated so strongly with Kazuha that it felt like a piece of him.

Golden sunlight trickled through the small porthole, warming his face. Tomo scrunched his nose and rolled over, turning his back to the light. At the foot of the hammock, his white cat stretched lazily. Annoyed by Tomo’s sudden movement, it hopped to the floor. It sat by the door, until it creaked open, revealing Kazuha.

“What’s so important that you had to wake me up this early? Couldn’t it wait?” Tomo groaned and rubbed his eyes. Still, he sat up reluctantly, running a hand through his messy hair.

“Beidou’s stopping by Narukami Island. I thought… It's time we return home.” Kazuha's voice trailed off for a moment, uncharacteristically hesitant. Sure enough, the silhouette of Narukami Island could be seen in the distance. Tomo's heart tightened at the sight, and his thoughts drifted to their house in Konda Village. Two years—it had been two long years since they’d set foot there. Everything in their house must be covered in dust.