"Hey… so you actually know what this Jayden guy looks like?" Firework asked.
"Hmmm… not in person. But I've seen a picture before. My captain showed it to me once. That's how I managed to draw a sketch and show you… she said the real one was too special to give away," Bubble replied.
"So why are you so fixated on finding this guy?" Firework asked again, steering the ship.
Bubble walked to the edge of the ship and stared out at the sea as they approached their destination. She sighed.
"Because I was told to."
"Told to? By who?"
"My captain."
Firework raised an eyebrow. "And she's that important to you? You're talking like she's some kind of treasure."
"…She is."
"…Why did she leave you?"
"You really wanna know?"
"…Not really."
"She said it was an adventure… to save the world."
"Save the world? From what?"
"I don't know."
Bubble looked up at the sky and suddenly pointed.
"Woah! A shooting star!"
They had been traveling together for three days on the same wooden ship.
But who could say?
Unarmed Island had already been destroyed.
Sunk deep beneath the sea.
Where mysteries now rested, guarded by an unknown presence.
"Hey, I'm going to sleep. I'm really tired. Wake me up when we get there," Bubble said.
"Sure, Missy. But before that… take a bath. I doubt we'll find anywhere decent to clean up anytime soon," Firework said.
Bubble sniffed her armpit, then her shirt.
"I didn't say you smell," Firework added quickly. "I just suggested it."
"…You've been acting distant today," Bubble said.
"Distant? I haven't moved from this spot!"
"…Sheeesh. Wrong choice of words."
"Yeah yeah… I'll just wipe myself with a cloth."
She walked into the cabin. The wood creaked under her steps.
Inside were scratched tables, a map pinned with a knife, and papers stuck to the walls.
"Man… if these tables were alive, they'd eat him," she whispered.
"I HEARD THAT!" Firework shouted.
Bubble examined the walls.
"…Treasure hunting, huh?"
She opened a small wooden window.
"This window sucks… I couldn't escape through here."
"I HEARD THAT TOO!"
Ignoring him, she pulled out materials.
Notice: You have withdrawn items from your inventory.
She crafted a small wooden bucket and stepped outside.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Firework asked.
"I need water. A delicate young lady deserves a bath."
"We can't stop. The wind is perfect."
"FINE! Then I won't bathe for a week!"
"…Alright, I'll help."
He didn't move.
"…Why am I still doing this myself?" Bubble complained as she lowered the bucket.
"Maintaining speed is important!"
"This is abuse…"
The waves rocked the ship.
Bubble turned pale.
"I… can't… ugh—!"
She threw up.
"Jeez. The fish are gonna sue you," Firework said.
Fish jumped up and started eating it.
"…I'm never eating fish again," he muttered.
Bubble climbed back up.
"You're a demon," she said, raising her middle finger.
"Oh, that's a respectful greeting," Firework said.
"…Really?"
"Yeah."
"…Alright. I'll use it someday."
Back inside, Bubble cleaned herself with water and cloth.
After changing, she returned.
"You done already?" Firework asked.
"Yeah. I hope you weren't peeking."
"Oh, I was."
"YOU WERE?!"
"Yeah. The ocean looks amazing tonight."
Bubble looked.
The stars reflected across the sea.
"…Be specific next time."
She lay down and fell asleep.
Firework continued steering.
"…I hope she finds what she's looking for."
As they approached another island…
Something felt wrong.
The memories of these islands…
The ones he once knew…
Were fading.
As if they never existed.
As if they were never written.
The writer…
has lost his book.
To be continued…