July 2, Year 8 Since the Crossing.
Exploring the island is harder than I imagined. I originally thought the worst we would face in a place untouched by humans would be some powerful Monsters, but yesterday's events taught me a lesson. The island's dangers aren't merely physical; there is a bizarre quality to them that is difficult for humans to comprehend. I never would have imagined there could be Monsters that can modify a person's Memory.
But I won't give up. No matter how hard it gets, I have to see the sun again.
Luckily, I'm not alone on the way home—
Just as Charles was about to keep writing, a soft, pale foot pressed down on his back.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Don't bother me when I'm writing in my journal." Charles casually brushed the foot aside.
"Tch. Back in elementary school when the teacher made you write a diary every summer, you used to copy mine. Now that we've crossed over to this godforsaken place, you're suddenly all diligent and studious again?"
Charles turned around and gave the woman lying on the bed a helpless look.
That was Anna, the ship doctor. Her curvy figure was visually striking as she lay sideways on the bed, and every move she made oozed a maturity that could set a man's imagination running wild.
But Charles had long since grown used to all that. "What do you want this time?"
Hearing Charles's question, Anna's smile grew even brighter. She gently pulled on one of her shoulder straps with her right hand, letting it drape diagonally, while her left hand slowly slid up her smooth, jade-like thigh.
"Come on~ Let's have some fun~ We've got plenty of time~~"
Looking at his partner, Charles gave a wry smile. "Can you let me catch my breath? We just escaped, you know. Aren't you tired after running all over that island?"
Anna's expression immediately fell. She nudged Charles with her foot and complained in a wounded tone, "When we first got here, you were always dragging me into the cabin the moment you had a spare second. What, has the seven-year itch arrived? Are you already tired of me? You jerk!"
Charles let out a small sigh, went over to hug her, and patted her gently. "Jiajia, have a little sympathy, will you? There's no such thing as a bad field, only an overworked ox."
"If you don't pay your 'grain tax' tonight, don't even think about touching me for the rest of the month!"
Following Anna's grumbling, the oil lamp in the cabin slowly went out.
The pages of the diary on the table slowly turned over on their own, revealing the entry from the previous day: "They have each other, but what about me? Why was I the only one to cross over? It's so lonely by myself. If only I had a companion."
The next morning, as soon as Charles woke up, he instinctively leaned over and gave Anna's smooth cheek a quick kiss. "I'm off to the helm."
Without even opening her eyes, Anna impatiently pushed his face away. "Go on, get out of here. Don't kiss me if you haven't shaved; it's so prickly."
Charles smiled knowingly, pecked her cheek again, then got up and dressed.
When an energized Charles arrived at the cockpit, he saw Bandage manning the wheel with meticulous care.
He patted him on the shoulder. "How's it going? Any problems?"
Having survived a life-or-death situation together, Charles had completely dropped his guard around Bandage. If Bandage hadn't escaped from that strange tree, Charles might never have found the others. He looks mysterious, but at least he doesn't seem to have any ill intentions.
"Nothing..." Bandage showed no reaction to Charles's friendly gesture.
"Alright, you go get some sleep. I'll take over." Charles took the wheel.
As usual, Bandage calmly gave Charles the Futan Sect salute before leaving the cockpit.
Charles steered the ship in a good mood. Though it was pitch-black outside with nothing to see, he hadn't felt this happy in a long time, and his spirits had lightened considerably.
BANG! The door was pushed open. A pouting Deep walked in from outside, his face a mask of indignation.
"Captain! That guy Walt isn't fit to be on this ship! I propose we kick him out! He was supposed to be watching the rats, and now they're missing."
"It's just one nest of rats. Is that really worth fighting a crewmate over? Maybe they ran off on their own." Charles felt a headache coming on. As Captain, I have to deal with the crew's squabbles, too.
"Impossible! I've searched everywhere. The rats couldn't have just jumped into the sea!"
Just then, the sailor named Walt also ran in. He agitatedly pleaded his case to Charles, insisting the rats had simply vanished and that it wasn't his fault.
The two of them bickered around Charles until he finally brought out the reward for their latest voyage, successfully distracting them.
Charles had thought that would be the end of it, but things took a turn for the worse. This time, it was a person.
"Captain, Walt is missing!"
Hearing his sailor chief's report, Charles, who was at the helm, frowned. A crew member isn't a rat. The ship isn't that big—how could someone just vanish into thin air?
Charles ordered the entire crew to search for the missing sailor, but even after turning the entire Rat upside down, they couldn't find him.
The joy and relief of completing their mission vanished. At dinner at six o'clock, a shadow hung over everyone. They all picked at their food, unable to taste it.
Seeing the expressions on his crew's faces, Charles knew that, as Captain, he had to devise a plan. The best-case scenario was that something from the sea had climbed aboard and dragged the sailor into the depths. What he feared was that this was only the beginning, and that the disappearances would continue.
"From now on, everyone must move in pairs, even when going to the bathroom. And everyone must carry a gun at all times."
"Yes, Captain."
"Aye, Captain."
With a grave expression, Charles lowered his head and ate his food. Just then, a delicate hand reached out and gently patted his arm.
A gentle female voice sounded by his ear. "Don't worry. We've made it through so much already. We'll be alright this time, too."
Charles's anxiety eased slightly. He forced a smile at Anna, who was sitting beside him. "You don't need to comfort me; this is just a small problem. But make sure you stay close, okay? Don't wander off. Stick by my side at all times."
"No problem. Just don't complain that I'm being a pest when the time comes." Anna wiped a breadcrumb from Charles's cheek with her index finger, then popped the finger into her mouth.
Charles ate a few more bites, then noticed Anna was resting her chin in her hand, watching him intently.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"I had some snacks earlier. I'm not hungry at all."
"Where would you get snacks on the ship? You're not dieting again, are you? You're not fat. Starving yourself is bad for you."
"Alright, alright, mind your own business, High Captain. When I get hungry, I'll find something to eat on my own."