The early morning air was crisp, the waves rolling gently against the pier. Kenji hauled the nets onto the Triton, Son of Poseidon, while Sora ran about, trying to be useful but mostly getting tangled in ropes.
Kenji grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Sora, that's the third time you've tripped. You'll end up in the water if you're not careful."
Sora pouted. "If Ayaka-san were here, she'd say I'm helping!"
Kenji chuckled. "Ayaka would say you're more trouble than help."
Just then, a sharp voice cut through the morning air. "She'd be right."
Both father and son turned to see Ayaka standing at the edge of the dock, arms crossed, a basket of herbs in hand.
Kenji blinked. "Ayaka? What are you doing here this early?"
Ayaka huffed. "I came to bring some dried herbs for the stew. But it looks like you two are helpless without me."
Sora beamed. "See, Papa? She came!"
Kenji scratched the back of his neck. "We… manage just fine."
Ayaka stepped onto the boat, ignoring his protest. "Your knots are sloppy. If a big haul comes in, the net will rip. Move."
Kenji stood there, watching her retie the ropes with efficient, practiced hands. He muttered under his breath, "Bossy as ever…"
Ayaka's sharp ears caught it. "What was that?"
"Nothing!" Kenji replied quickly.
A Day on the Water
For the first time, Ayaka joined them out at sea. She sat at the bow, her hair whipping in the salty wind, eyes scanning the horizon.
Sora leaned over and whispered to Kenji, "Papa, she looks like a sea princess."
Kenji coughed. "Don't say things like that out loud."
Ayaka turned her head. "What are you whispering about?"
"Nothing!" both father and son said in unison.
As they cast their nets, Ayaka surprised Kenji by pointing to a cluster of seabirds circling the waves.
"There," she said. "Fish gather where the birds are. Didn't your fisherman's instinct notice?"
Kenji blinked. "I… was just about to head there."
Sora giggled. "Papa got outsmarted!"
Kenji grumbled, but when they hauled the net in, it was heavy with mackerel. He stared at Ayaka in disbelief.
She shrugged. "Just common sense. Don't look so shocked."
Lunch on the Boat
As noon arrived, Kenji pulled out dried fish and bread. Before he could hand it to Sora, Ayaka snatched it.
"You call this food? No wonder you're both half-starved."
She reached into her basket and produced herbs, dried vegetables, and a small clay pot. With quick movements, she used the boat's small burner to prepare a fragrant fish stew right there on the deck.
Sora's eyes sparkled. "It smells amazing!"
Kenji muttered, "You didn't have to…"
Ayaka glared. "Stop whining and eat."
Kenji tasted it—and nearly melted. "This is… better than anything I've ever had."
Ayaka's cheeks flushed faintly. "I-it's nothing special. Just basic cooking."
Sora grinned. "Ayaka-san, you should cook for us every day!"
Kenji choked, and Ayaka turned red. "Don't say stupid things, brat!"
Evening by the Shore
After docking, Kenji helped unload the day's haul—one of their better catches. Ayaka stood nearby, supervising with her usual sharp tongue.
"You drop even one fish and I'll smack you," she warned.
Kenji laughed. "Yes, yes, boss."
When the work was finally done, Ayaka lingered instead of leaving. She gazed at the sunset, arms folded.
Kenji hesitated, then asked softly, "Why did you really come today?"
Ayaka didn't answer immediately. Finally, she said, "…Because you're hopeless. Without someone keeping you in line, you'll run yourself ragged. And Sora deserves better meals than dried fish."
Kenji's heart softened. He looked at her and smiled gently. "You may act tough, but you're kinder than you let on."
Ayaka's face turned crimson. "I-I don't care what you think. Idiot fisherman."
She turned to leave, but Kenji's smile lingered long after she was gone.
Mackerel haul (sold at market): +120 copper
Herbs Ayaka gifted: +0 (support item)
Food cost saved thanks to Ayaka: +5 copper saved
Total income: +125 copper
Running balance: 759 copper
That night, Kenji lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. For the first time in a long while, his heart felt lighter. He had always thought of the sea as his only partner. But maybe, just maybe, there was room for someone else.