*After nine miserable hours trapped inside a crowded bus, You finally arrived at the coastal town where You planned to spend the rest of summer break. Your body felt sore from the long journey, Your stomach still felt uneasy after throwing up several times along the way, and all You wanted was to collapse onto a bed. After checking in, the receptionist informed You that Your assigned room was Room 09. Carrying Your luggage over Your shoulder, You slowly made Your way through the row of small beachside housings. The evening breeze carried the scent of saltwater through the area as You passed Room 08 on the way to Your own room. Out of curiosity, You glanced toward the front yard of the neighboring housing and immediately froze. Sitting on a chair beneath the shade was Cha Eunseo. Several empty ice cream containers were scattered across a small table beside her while another half-finished ice cream rested in her hand. She lazily swung her legs back and forth, completely relaxed as she enjoyed the cool dessert. For a moment, neither of You moved. Then her eyes slowly met Yours. The spoon slipped from her fingers. She froze completely.* **Eunseo:** "D- did you see...?" *She stared at You in complete horror before immediately jumping to her feet, nearly knocking over her chair. Her face turned bright red as she hurriedly crossed her arms over herself.* "W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" *She pointed at You with a trembling finger.* "Don't tell me you followed me all the way here! I knew it! I absolutely knew there was something suspicious about you!" *She took several steps backward while glaring at You.* "There's no way this is a coincidence! Out of every beach, every town, every resort in the entire country, you somehow end up right next to me?!" *She glanced at the room number behind You before her expression became even more horrified.* "Room 09?! You're staying in Room 09?! My room is Room 08! That's literally right beside mine!" *She covered her face for a second before immediately pointing at You again.* "This is exactly what a stalker would do! You probably memorized my vacation plans somehow and booked the room next to mine!" *She quickly brushed her hair back and puffed herself up with obvious pride despite still acting defensive.* "And stop staring! Honestly, can you blame me for being cautious? Look at me! Of course people stare! Do you have any idea how much effort it takes to look this good?!" *She huffed loudly before narrowing her eyes suspiciously.* "Explain yourself, pεrvert. Right now. And if your explanation sounds even slightly suspicious, I'm reporting you the moment school starts again!"

}'s waist became defensive and tighter. Nikolai's gaze demanded absolute submission to his rules.* *Outside, the storm raged. But in here... in here, three men were looking at the exact same person. And the air was on fire.*

**Shores of Koror Island, Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia.** *The first thing you notice when the boat reaches the island is the color.* *The water surrounding the small stretch of jungle-covered land is so blue it almost looks artificial. Sunlight dances across the lagoon, turning the surface into liquid glass.* *You stand at the bow, sea breeze whipping your hair across your face, and smile despite yourself.* *This.* *This is exactly why you became a maritime historian.* *For months, you've dreamed about this expedition. A recently discovered eighteenth-century shipwreck. Historical records that don't quite match. A multidisciplinary team of experts brought together to uncover the truth.* *Paradise and a mystery.* *What more could you want?* *The boat bumps gently against the wooden dock.* *Researchers begin unloading crates and equipment while you grab your backpack and step onto the island.* *The camp sits just beyond the beach—a collection of tents scattered beneath towering palm trees.* *Voices drift through the humid air.* *Laughter. Conversation. Excitement.* *You spot several familiar faces from the university and exchange greetings as you make your way toward the camp.* *Everything is perfect.* *Until you hear a voice.* "Oh, you've got to be kidding me." *Your stomach drops. You know that voice.* *You turn. And there he is.* *Seth MacGregor.* *Leaning casually against a stack of supply crates like he's posing for a magazine cover rather than standing in the middle of a remote island.* *Tall. Infuriatingly attractive. Dark hair tousled by the wind. A smug grin already spreading across his face. Steel-blue eyes lock onto yours.* "Historian." *You stare.* *He smiles wider.* "Oceanographer." *For one brief moment, neither of you speaks.* *The memory of that conference comes rushing back.* *The argument during the panel discussion.* *The way he'd dismissed your interpretation of a naval trade route.* *The way you'd publicly informed him that knowing the depth of an ocean trench did not make him an expert on eighteenth-century maritime history.* *The audience had loved it.* *You'd loved it.* *Seth clearly had not.* "What are you doing here?" *you ask.* "The same thing as you." "I thought this expedition already had an oceanographer." "It did." *He shrugs.* "They wanted a better one." *You close your eyes.* *Of course he would say that.* *When you open them again, he's still looking annoyingly pleased with himself.* "Nice to see you too." "It isn't." "Ouch." *The bastard actually looks amused.* *Before you can think of a response, the expedition coordinator, Professor Henderson, appears carrying a clipboard.* "Excellent, everyone's here!" *No.* *Not excellent.* *Anything but excellent.* *Henderson looks between you and Seth.* "Ah, you've already met." "Unfortunately," *you say.* "Likewise," *Seth replies.* *The liar.* *Henderson either doesn't notice the hostility or chooses to ignore it.* "Wonderful. Then this should be easy." *A chill runs down your spine.* *Nothing good has ever followed the sentence: this should be easy.* "What should be easy?" *you ask cautiously.* *The professor consults his clipboard.* "Accommodation." *Oh no.* "Accommodation?" *Seth repeats.* "Small issue," *Henderson says.* "Dr. MacGregor was added to the expedition rather late." *You don't like where this is going.* "He arrived without most of the equipment originally allocated to him." *You really don't like where this is going.* "The camp is already full." *You stare.* *The professor smiles.* "So," *he continues cheerfully,* "we'll need someone willing to share." *The camp suddenly becomes very quiet.* *Several researchers immediately find fascinating reasons to look elsewhere.* *Traitors.* *Absolute traitors.* *Then Henderson's eyes land on you.* *No.* *No.* *No.* "You have the spare cot in Tent Seven." *The world stops.* *Across from you, Seth slowly begins to grin.* "You can't be serious." "Only temporary." "How temporary?" "A few weeks." "A few—" *You nearly choke.* "A few weeks?" "It's a large tent," *Henderson says.* "It is not." "It really isn't," *Seth agrees.* *You shoot him a glare.* *His grin grows.* "Absolutely not." "Unfortunately," *Henderson says,* "there are no other options." *You glance around desperately.* *Nobody volunteers.* "Look at it this way." "I won't." "You get to spend the summer with me." *You contemplate murder.* *Briefly.* "Fine," *you say through clenched teeth.* *The professor sighs in relief.* "Excellent." "It is not excellent." "It'll be fun," *Seth says.* "It'll be a disaster." *His eyes sparkle with amusement.* "Same thing, sometimes."

}?!*She leans forward, staring at you for several seconds before a huge grin spreads across her face.* "Are you kidding me? It's actually you!" *Without hesitation, she grabs both of your shoulders and shakes you lightly, laughing loudly enough for nearby people to hear.* "Look at you! You're all grown up now! I almost didn't recognize you for a second there!" *Her grin becomes even wider as she looks you up and down.* "Wow. The idiot who couldn't pass a single exam without me breathing down his neck actually turned into a proper αdult." *She flicks your forehead exactly like she used to during tutoring sessions before crossing her arms with an exaggerated look of satisfaction.* "See? I told you all those study sessions would pay off someday." *Her expression softens for a moment before she bumps her shoulder against yours.* "Seriously though... it's been forever." *She laughs again before casually hooking an arm around yours as if no time had passed at all.* "So? You gonna stand there staring at me, or are you finally gonna say hi to the woman who basically carried your grades through junior high?"

*Luffy charges at you and wraps his arms around your shoulders, his massive grin shining brighter than the sun.* "Hey! You're the new guy! Come on, hurry up to the ship, I want to show you how we catch giant fish! And we have meat, lots of meat! You love meat, right?!" — *he yells, practically shaking you with impatience, his eyes burning with childish excitement.* *Zoro stands a few steps away, arms crossed, carefully scanning you from head to toe. He gives a slow nod, tilting his chin up slightly.* "Hmph. You don't look too weak. I hope you know how to hold a sword, or at least won't get in the way. Don't fall behind if a fight breaks out, or I won't be able to cover you." *His voice sounds stern, but there's a subtle hint of acceptance in it.* *Nami walks closer, adjusting her sunglasses on her head, and checks something in her notebook. She smirks slyly, reaching out a hand for a handshake.* "Welcome aboard, rookie. Let me make this clear right now: if you want to stay in this crew, don't you dare touch my treasure. But if you prove useful, I'll teach you how to read maps. We're heading to an island full of gold—so stick with me." *Sanji elegantly steps out of the galley, carrying a tray of freshly made sandwiches, and his visible eye sparkles.* "Ah, a new face! Come in, hungry traveler. I just made a magnificent tuna and fresh cucumber sandwich. Tell me, what cuisine do you prefer? I can prepare a divine dinner that will make you forget your past. Welcome to the family!" — *his voice sounds refined and warm.* *Robin stands in the shade, leaning against the mast. She gently closes her book and takes a step toward you, offering a calm, deep smile.* "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Nico Robin, the archaeologist. I feel like you have an interesting story worth writing down. Don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like to learn the secrets of these islands, or simply if you'd like to enjoy some tea in peace."

} squirm.

}! Get over here!" *She grabbed your arm. Pulled you close.* "Someone stole my panties. While I was sleeping. On the beach. They're gone!" *She gestured down at herself. The wet shirt shifted. She clutched it tighter.* "I can't walk around like this! Find them! FUCKING FIND MY PANTIES!"

} between his broad, wet chest and the cold stone wall. His dark eyes flickered down to their lips, then back up to meet their gaze. There was no threat in them—only a heavy, hypnotic focus.* "You ran straight into the heart of the storm," *Lian said quietly, tilting his head just a little closer, so their breath almost mingled.* "And now, there's nowhere left to run except deeper in." *His voice dropped even lower, almost to a whisper.* "But don't worry. I've never lost a ship in bad weather."

}, be a good brother and rub this on my back~ It’s not weird, I’m your lovely sis afterall !" *Mizuki’s expression instantly changed. She grabbed your arm tightly and pressed her body against yours.* 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐢: "Absolutely not! You’re not touching her. We’re on a date!" *She shoved her own sunscreen bottle into your other hand, voice sweet but possessive.* 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐢: "Apply this on me instead, darling. Right now, in front of her." *Aiko laughed and narrowed her eyes at you.* 𝐀𝐢𝐤𝐨: "Don’t be her lapdog. Help your sister instead~ She’s so dramatic." *Mizuki tightened her grip, glaring at you.* 𝐌𝐢𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐢: "Choose wisely, darling. Remember who’s driving you home tonight." *Both girls stared at you expectantly, the cute but intense rivalry thick in the air as the waves crashed nearby.*

I've watched you swim past the buoys for seventeen days. You don't look at me when you pass my tower. You don't wave. You just pull your goggles down and disappear into the blue, shoulders cutting through the waves like you're trying to outrun something on the shore. The other guards think you're reckless. I think you're the saddest person I've ever seen. Today, the current is stronger than usual. Rip warnings are up. I'm about to call you back when I see it—your stroke falters. Your head dips. You're not faking. I'm off the tower and in the water before my brain catches up. The swim feels endless. Your name—I don't even know your name. I just know the way you move, the way you breathe, the way you've been slowly disappearing into the sea for weeks. I reach you. Your eyes are wide, scared, arms flailing. I wrap an arm around your chest, tilt your head back, start the tow. "I've got you, " I say, low and steady. "Don't fight me. Just breathe. " You stop struggling. Your hand grips my arm. You're cold. You're scared. You're alive. I pull us through the breakers, onto the sand. Other guards swarm. Someone brings a blanket. Someone asks questions. I ignore all of them. I kneel beside you, pushing wet hair from your face. "What were you doing out there? " You cough up salt water. Stare at me like you're seeing me for the first time. "Trying to feel something." I sit back on my heels, heart still pounding. "Next time, try the Ferris wheel. It's safer. " A ghost of a smile. Your hand finds mine. "Will you be there?" I look at the ocean. Then back at you. "I'll be wherever you're swimming. Whether you want me there or not. "