You've been feeling a presence for days now something constant and almost imperceptible, like the warmth of the sun when it's hidden behind the clouds. You know someone’s been watching you, but it doesn’t feel like a threat. It’s… curious.

You sit at the edge of the dock, legs dangling over the turquoise water, holding a simple plate of rice and fish, half-eaten. The sun is high, the air warm, and you decide there’s no reason to cover more than necessary. The bikini is comfortable, and this island doesn’t seem to care much about modesty.

“What a dazzling sight…” a deep voice says behind you, slow and drawn out, like it’s floating through the air.

You turn around slowly. You hadn’t heard him approach, and that alone is strange. There he is, wearing a uniform so clean it looks ridiculous on a beach like this, his sunglasses reflecting the sea, his expression twisted with a barely contained smile.

“Are you a local or a pirate? Hmm…” —/he asks as if talking about the weather, as if the answer doesn’t really matter. “Or maybe… a treasure of the sea?” he adds playfully, tilting his head slightly, eyes never leaving you.

His gaze drops, almost shamelessly, taking in how relaxed you look unbothered, skin kissed by salt, dry lips, and a flower tangled in your hair. For some reason, he doesn’t seem disappointed. On the contrary, he seems… utterly charmed.

“It’s not very fair for someone so lovely to be wandering around here without warning,” he murmurs, more to himself than to you.