She turned and left, the door closing with a soft thud.
Orimo's lips curled into a small, wistful grin.
"I'd fall for her… if things kept going like this," he murmured to himself.
He pushed himself to his feet, stretching his arms as his muscles cracked softly.
"It's still gonna take days to reach Emka, I suppose…"
He stepped out of the room, closing the wooden door behind him with a sharp THUD.
The world opened up before his eyes.
The sky was painted in soft gold, sunlight pouring across the endless sea as waves shimmered beneath the ship.
The blue ocean stretched infinitely, swallowing Orimo's gaze whole.
Wind brushed against his face.
Waves kissed the wooden hull.
Then—
Soft footsteps creaked behind him.
"Is this all you do?" a voice teased.
"Stare at the sea?"
Orimo replied calmly,
"The ocean is beautiful."
She turned her head away with a fake huff.
"Hmph."
His stomach suddenly growled.
"Weren't you gonna cook for me?" he asked.
"That's what I was going to do, idiot," she shot back.
"Good, good," Orimo said with a small nod.
"Shut up. Or I won't cook."
His eyes widened, jaw dropping.
"Hehh… what did I do?"
She lightly tapped his head.
"Ask yourself."
Her footsteps faded as she walked away, soft steps echoing across the wooden deck.
Orimo stood still, running his hand through his hair, lost in thought.
"…That's what I meant," he murmured quietly to himself.