Splash!
"AUGH! What the hell?!"
Kairos flailed in saltwater, blinking against the sunlight as he clung to the side of a small sailboat. His jacket clung to him, soaked through, and his hair was plastered across his face.
"W-Where did you come from?!" came a panicked, furious voice.
Kairos coughed and pulled himself up, flopping awkwardly onto the deck with a wet thud. His eyes met those of a redheaded girl, no older than seventeen, who stood at the edge of the boat gripping a makeshift oar like a weapon. Her knuckles were white.
She wore a simple blouse and skirt, and behind her sat a small pile of tied sacks—each one filled to bursting with gold and valuables. Her eyes were wide, tired, and filled with suspicion.
"Uh... hi," Kairos said, smiling sheepishly. "Rough landing."
"You fell from the sky," she hissed, not lowering the oar. "Are you with Arlong? Are you one of his freaks?!"
Kairos slowly sat up, hands raised. "Never met an Arlong in my life. Just your average guy with bad luck and worse aim."
She didn't relax. If anything, her stance got tenser.
"Who sent you?"
"No one. I'm not even from around here, to be honest."
"You're lying."
"Only about how cool I am," he said with a small grin. "Name's Kairos. What's yours?"
She stared at him, unmoving.
"You don't need to tell me," he added. "Just... maybe don't bash my head in while I dry off?"
The girl hesitated. The sea rocked gently around them, and somewhere in the distance, a gull cried.
"I'm watching you," she muttered, finally lowering the oar just a little.
"Fair. I'd be suspicious of sky-people too."
Kairos scooted back and leaned against the railing, trying to wring out his coat without looking threatening. The boat was small, barely meant for two, and definitely not designed for random skyfalls. Still, she was handling it well.
"So," he said casually, glancing at the loot, "robbing pirates, or just... very aggressive treasure hunting?"
"None of your business," she snapped.
"Of course. Just trying to make conversation."
She paused, eyeing him again. Something about his tone wasn't mocking. It was light, sure, but not hostile.
"This gold is for my village," she muttered after a beat, surprising herself with how easily she blurted out her secret but then she said, "I'm not stealing for fun."
Kairos tilted his head. "Then you're braver than most."
She looked away, but not before he caught the flicker of guilt in her eyes.
The sun drifted lower in the sky. Time passed in silence, save for the creak of wood and the gentle splash of waves.
Kairos sat on the opposite end of the boat, watching the horizon. Every so often, he glanced at the compass tucked in his coat. It pulsed slowly, steadily.
"You're quiet all of a sudden," she said, not looking at him.
"Just thinking. Trying not to ruin the peaceful vibe."
"You talk like someone from a book."
"Is that a compliment or an insult?"
She actually smirked—just a little. "Not sure yet."
Kairos chuckled. "What's your name, really? You already know mine."
"...Nami."
He nodded. "Nice to meet you, Nami."
"Don't get friendly. I still don't trust you."
"Fair again. Trust takes time."
She didn't answer.
That evening, the boat stopped near a tiny rock island. Nami was sketching on a roll of parchment, brow furrowed.
Kairos watched her from a short distance. "You're mapping?"
"Every island. Every current. I want to create the most detailed map of the world."
He whistled softly. "That's one hell of a dream."
"It's the only thing that's mine."
Kairos sat nearby, careful not to intrude. "And the treasure? That part of the map too?"
She didn't look up. "Like I said, it's for my village. I owe them."
He let the silence sit for a while.
"You know," he said eventually, "some people break under that kind of weight."
Nami's hand froze mid-sketch. "I'm not some people."
"I know. That's why you're still standing."
Later, as the stars came out, Kairos pulled his compass from his coat. It was glowing brighter now.
"What is that?" Nami asked.
"It's... kind of hard to explain. It leads me to places I'm needed. Doesn't always make sense."
She frowned. "And it led you to me?"
Kairos nodded. "I think you needed someone to remind you you're not alone."
"I don't need anyone."
He didn't argue. Just smiled faintly and said, "Maybe. But sometimes it helps anyway."
She didn't respond.
But she didn't tell him to leave, either.