CTS TIME: RE 250.05.24 – 9:20 AM (Silverstar Internal Time)
The hum of the Silverstar's engines provided a constant, rhythmic backdrop as Serena leaned over the holographic interface, fingers moving rapidly across the translucent digital panel. She was searching for something—data, logs, or perhaps just something to distract herself with.
The screen illuminated her crimson eyes, reflecting lines of text and shifting images as she worked. From time to time, she would pause, scanning the data with narrowed focus before moving on.
Jasper, on the other hand, was doing absolutely nothing.
Or at least, it looked like nothing.
He sat slouched on the curved metallic sofa, Dragonis resting against the side of his leg, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the etchings on the hilt. But in reality, his mind was a battlefield—a storm of thoughts colliding, questions spiraling endlessly.
He needed more training. He needed to be better. Stronger. But for what?
The fight with Serena earlier had proven that his skill had grown. He was capable. But when he thought about Sienna—about their difference in experience, in intelligence, in accomplishments— that familiar doubt returned.
"She's on a completely different level."
"She's studying interstellar sciences while I'm over here debating how to parry better."
"She's already a pro-hero, and I'm just some idiot swinging a sword."
The thought bothered him. More than it should have.
And he didn't know why.
Before he could spiral further, Sienna sat down beside him.
Not too close. But close enough.
Jasper blinked, snapping out of his thoughts as he turned slightly toward her.
She looked at him with that calm, unreadable expression, her silver-white hair cascading over her shoulder, catching the soft glow of the ship's lighting.
"I want to sit with you," she said simply, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Uh… okay?"
She shifted slightly, adjusting her posture, then continued, her tone as composed as ever.
"And I want to talk. And spend time together. Like couples do."
Jasper froze.
His brain short-circuited.
There was no hesitation in her words, no nervous stammering, no teasing smirk like Serena would have thrown in.
Just pure, straightforward honesty.
Jasper blinked once. Twice.
Then, instead of reacting like a normal person, he laughed.
It wasn't loud or mocking—just a dry, amused chuckle, like he had just heard something completely ridiculous.
Sienna raised an eyebrow slightly. "Something funny?"
Jasper sighed, shaking his head. "Sienna… come on. You and me? You really think that makes sense?"
She tilted her head. "Why wouldn't it?"
Jasper ran a hand through his messy hair, exhaling slowly. "Because we're… too different."
Sienna blinked, waiting for him to continue.
"You're…" he gestured vaguely toward her. "You're you. You're smart, composed, a literal pro-hero, and on top of that, you're studying advanced sciences like it's nothing." He let out a small, bitter chuckle. "And then there's me. Jasper Tyros. The guy who cracks dumb jokes, barely passed any formal education, and only knows how to swing a sword really well."
Sienna watched him carefully, her expression unreadable.
Jasper exhaled, leaning back against the sofa. "You deserve someone… better. Someone who matches you. Someone who's on your level."
Silence.
The air between them felt heavy—not with awkwardness, but with something Jasper couldn't quite define.
And then—Sienna smiled.
Not a smirk. Not amusement.
Just… a quiet, knowing smile.
"You're an idiot," she said softly.
Jasper blinked. "Huh?"
She turned slightly toward him, resting one arm on the back of the sofa, her silver eyes locking onto his.
"You think relationships work based on matching achievements?" she asked, tilting her head. "That you have to be exactly the same to matter to someone?"
Jasper hesitated. "Well… I mean, yeah? Isn't that how it works?"
Sienna chuckled, shaking her head. "No. That's not how it works at all."
Jasper frowned slightly. "Then what? What does work?"
Sienna's voice remained calm, but there was something gentle beneath it. "Do you enjoy being around me?"
Jasper hesitated. Then, reluctantly, he nodded. "...Yeah."
"Do I enjoy being around you?"
Jasper didn't answer, but Sienna did for him. "I do."
She leaned back slightly, watching him with quiet amusement. "That's what matters. Not how many degrees I have. Not whether or not I know more about theoretical physics than you. Just… whether or not we enjoy each other's presence."
Jasper didn't know what to say.
Because for once, he had no argument.
No joke. No sarcastic comeback.
Just silence.
Sienna smiled slightly, as if she could see the wheels turning in his head.
"I don't care if you're the smartest person in the universe, Jasper," she said softly. "I just care that you're you."
Jasper swallowed hard.
There it was again. That feeling.
The one he didn't understand. The one that made his heart feel too tight in his chest.
He forced a grin, trying to shake it off. "You're way too good at making people rethink their entire existence, you know that?"
Sienna chuckled. "It's a skill."
Jasper ran a hand down his face, sighing. "...I still think you're making a mistake."
Sienna simply smiled again. "Then I'll keep making it."
Jasper had no idea how to respond to that.
So instead, he just sat there.
With her.
And for the first time… he didn't feel like he needed to prove anything.
Jasper sat comfortably on the metallic sofa, arms stretched behind his head, his usual lazy grin returning to his face. The conversation with Sienna still lingered in his mind, but… he didn't take it seriously.
Love? Relationships? Couples?
It was all just words to him.
"Yeah, Sienna is smart, strong, and kinda fun to be around, but… love? That's just not something I'll ever understand."
Jasper shrugged to himself, glancing at Sienna, who was still sitting beside him, watching him closely.
She had just told him—plainly, honestly—that she wanted to spend time with him, like couples do.
And his response?
Nothing.
He just laughed it off, like it was a passing joke.
Sienna's expression didn't change much, but something in her silver eyes dimmed slightly.
She had hoped—just a little—that maybe, just maybe, Jasper would start to understand. That he'd at least acknowledge what she was trying to say.
But he didn't.
She wasn't even sure if he realized what she meant.
Sienna let out a soft, quiet sigh, but she quickly composed herself, her usual neutral demeanor returning.
"I guess… I'll just have to wait a little longer."
The moment was shattered by a slow, dramatic clapping sound.
Both Jasper and Sienna turned their heads to see Serena standing by the holographic panel, arms crossed, a massive smirk plastered on her face.
"Oh. My. God," Serena said, mock awe dripping from her voice. "That was the most beautifully tragic thing I've ever witnessed."
Jasper groaned, already feeling the headache forming. "Serena, please."
Serena ignored him completely, stepping forward like she was narrating a grand romance novel.
"Sienna, in her infinite wisdom and patience, sits beside her beloved, pouring her heart out—giving him the clearest invitation to realize what's happening."
She turned dramatically toward Jasper, narrowing her eyes in fake intensity.
"And then, our dear, hopelessly stupid hero—the dumbest dumbass in the galaxy—looks her dead in the eyes and says, 'Huh, weird.'"
Jasper slumped further into the couch. "I hate you."
Serena cackled. "Oh, no, no. You should hate yourself."
She turned to Sienna. "Seriously, girl, you're wasting your time. This one's got the emotional intelligence of a hyperdrive wrench."
Sienna, still composed, simply nodded. "I'm aware."
Jasper threw his hands up. "Okay, look, I just don't get it! Why does everything have to be so dramatic? I mean, sure, Sienna said she wants to spend time with me like couples do, but what does that even mean?"
Serena clutched her chest, pretending to be wounded. "Oh, dear cosmos, he actually said that out loud."
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "What?"
Serena leaned in, staring at him. "Let me break it down for you, you absolute moron."
She pointed at Sienna. "This beautiful, intelligent, badass pro-hero literally told you she likes being around you."
Jasper shrugged. "Yeah, but—"
Serena cut him off instantly. "Nope. Shut up. She didn't say it in the 'hey bro, you're kinda fun to hang out with' way. She said it in the 'I want to spend time with you because I have FEELINGS, you oblivious sword-swinging jackass' way."
Jasper stared at her, processing the words.
Then, he burst out laughing. "Pfft. Nah, no way."
Serena's jaw dropped. "NO WAY?! NO WAY?!"
Sienna simply exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Serena threw her hands in the air. "You are UNBELIEVABLE."
Jasper grinned lazily. "Look, I'm just saying, Sienna is cool and all, but I don't think she meant it like that."
Serena turned to Sienna. "Permission to kill him?"
Sienna shook her head. "Not yet."
Serena groaned dramatically. "Fine. But I'm not letting this go."
Jasper stretched his arms, clearly unbothered. "Look, I just don't get why everyone makes such a big deal out of love. It's just some weird thing that makes people act dumb."
Serena narrowed her eyes. "So what's your excuse? You act dumb all the time."
Jasper pointed at her. "You walked into that one."
Serena sighed. "Jasper, you absolute brick wall of a human, do you seriously not understand what's happening?"
Jasper shrugged. "I mean, I get that people fall for each other and all that. But me? I don't think I'm built for that stuff. I don't take things that seriously."
Serena rubbed her temples. "Okay. Let me make this simple. When Sienna sits close to you, how do you feel?"
Jasper blinked. "Uh… normal?"
Serena groaned. "When she talks to you like she did earlier, do you feel weirdly nervous?"
Jasper thought about it for a second. "...No?"
Serena stared. "Do you EVER think about her when she's not around?"
Jasper frowned. "I mean, yeah, but only because she's, you know… around a lot?"
Serena turned to Sienna. "I give up. This is beyond my abilities."
Sienna, despite her mild disappointment, smiled softly. "I expected this much."
Serena groaned dramatically. "You poor, patient soul."
Jasper smirked. "See? I'm perfectly fine the way I am."
Serena clapped her hands together. "Alright. New plan. We need to traumatize him with emotions so he actually starts feeling things."
Jasper's face paled slightly. "Wait. What—"
Serena grinned. "You'll see."
Jasper gulped. This was not going to end well.
Sienna, watching the chaos unfold, sighed to herself.
"At least… he's still here."
Even if Jasper didn't understand yet, she had time.
And she was willing to wait.
Jasper sat on the curved metallic sofa, his body relaxed but his mind tangled in too many thoughts.