The morning sun spilled over Minato Village, turning the wet roofs golden after the stormy night. Kenji stretched his arms as he stepped off the Triton, his muscles still sore. Sora darted ahead, proudly carrying a basket of mackerel they'd managed to save.
"Papa, let's sell them quick before Riku dumps his fish!" Sora grinned, already running toward the market.
Kenji chuckled. "That boy has more energy than the tide itself."
As they entered the bustling village square, voices rose with chatter, bargaining, and laughter. Fishmongers called out prices, villagers haggled over vegetables, and children darted between stalls.
The First Encounter
At the far end of the market, a new stall had appeared—simple wooden planks, with baskets of neatly arranged herbs and vegetables. Behind it stood a young woman, sleeves rolled up, her dark hair tied back. Her sharp eyes scanned every coin like a hawk.
Sora tugged Kenji's sleeve. "Papa, look! She's new."
Kenji nodded. "Seems so. Let's keep moving, Sora."
But fate had other plans.
As they passed, a man tried to haggle with the woman over a bundle of carrots.
"Fifty copper? For this? You must be joking!" the man sneered.
The woman crossed her arms, her voice firm. "Fifty is already cheap. These were picked at dawn, fresher than any you'll find here. If you want moldy vegetables, try another stall."
The man scowled. "Hmph. No wonder you're alone here."
Before Kenji realized it, his mouth spoke. "She's right. Those carrots are worth every copper. I'd pay it."
The woman blinked, then frowned at him. "Did I ask for your opinion, fisherman?"
Kenji scratched his neck, slightly taken aback. "No… but I gave it anyway."
Sora burst out laughing. "Papa, she's fierce!"
The woman's glare softened for a heartbeat before she shoved the carrots toward the rude customer. "Take them or leave them."
The man muttered but paid up. As he left, the woman glanced at Kenji again, her expression unreadable.
A Clash of Wills
Later that day, when the market had quieted, Kenji approached her stall with Sora skipping beside him.
"You sell well," Kenji said casually. "What's your name?"
The woman didn't look up as she arranged herbs. "Why do you care?"
Kenji smirked. "Because you're new. And in a small village like this, everyone notices the new face."
After a long pause, she finally said, "Ayaka."
Sora grinned. "I'm Sora! This is my Papa, Kenji. He's the best fisherman in Minato!"
Ayaka raised an eyebrow at Kenji. "Best fisherman, huh? Or just the one who brags the most?"
Kenji laughed. "Both, maybe."
Her lips twitched, as if fighting a smile, but she quickly turned back to her stall. "Then perhaps you should spend less time bragging and more time fixing that boat of yours. I heard it nearly broke in the storm."
Kenji froze. "You heard that already?"
Ayaka shrugged. "In small villages, gossip travels faster than the wind. Everyone knows."
Kenji sighed, but then smiled. "Fair enough. You're sharper than most here."
Sora Breaks the Ice
Sora leaned forward eagerly. "Ayaka-san, do you cook too? These herbs smell amazing!"
Ayaka blinked, caught off guard by his innocent curiosity. "I… yes. I cook. And I sell because it's honest work."
Sora's eyes sparkled. "Then maybe you could cook for Papa one day! He only eats grilled fish all the time."
Kenji coughed loudly. "Sora!"
Ayaka's cheeks flushed slightly, though she masked it quickly with a scoff. "Hmph. If he wants food, he can buy it like everyone else. I don't cook for free."
Sora giggled, whispering loudly, "Papa, she's pretending. I think she's nice inside."
Kenji chuckled under his breath. "Maybe so, Sora. Maybe so."
Income Record – Market Day
Sale of mackerel catch: +70 copper
Boat repairs (storm damage leftover): -30 copper
Total income: +40 copper
Running balance: 469 copper
That night, as Kenji lay on his mat, he thought of Ayaka's sharp eyes and blunt words. There was something refreshing about her honesty, a strength that reminded him of the sea itself—sometimes harsh, but always alive.
Sora, already half-asleep, mumbled, "Papa… Ayaka is strong. She'll be part of our family one day, I think."
Kenji smiled faintly at the ceiling. "You're too quick to decide things, Sora."
But deep inside, a small part of him wondered if his son's words carried truth.