Chapter 44: I’ll Protect You
Lucas rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He turned his head slightly, glancing at her. She was floating on her back, arms spread out, her expression oddly peaceful.
"You know," she said after a moment, "for someone who acts like he doesn’t care about anything, you actually seem to enjoy this stuff."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "What’s that supposed to mean?"
"I don’t know. You just seem... I don’t know, lighter when you’re not overthinking everything."
Lucas floated lazily on the water, letting the cool waves lap at his skin as the conversation settled into a quiet lull.
He wasn’t used to moments like this — so still, so calm.
Even though he had spent most of his time on this island keeping himself occupied with work, distractions, and the System, there was something about simply being here that made him feel strangely grounded.
He turned his head slightly to glance at Nina. She was still floating beside him, her arms stretched out, her body rising and falling gently with the rhythm of the water.
She looked different today. Not physically — her features were the same, her sharp eyes, the stray strands of hair plastered to her forehead — but something was different.
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. He couldn’t quite place it, but it felt like there was a shift in her demeanor, something softer, quieter.
Nina was usually closed-off, more focused on training than socializing, and when she did speak, it was often short and to the point.