Not sure how long the time has passed but once I step out of the room, the sun is already high up. The blue sky is spotless, no trace of storm from this morning.

Padding my growling stomach for the umpteenth time, I feel like I lost entire energy in that room.

I told them how the map were traded but I made sure to leave some details to not appear too suspicious.

However, the crew kept interrogating me like I'm a criminal, well, at least they were not pointing a dagger at my neck.

I hope I didn't slip out too much because I don't know how this knowledge will affect the storyline.

When they were done with investigation, Aurora and I were asked to leave the room while Ateez members continued discussing their plan inside the bridge.

Aurora stands quite far away from me. She doesn't have a better expression than mine. Although she didn't utter a single word in a room, she looked terrified the whole time, probably from Ateez presence and my story. I guess she freaks out and is scared of me now.

Then the young boy from before shows up.

He escorts Aurora and me to the kitchen. Fortunately, the muscular cook isn't in the room.
Or else, I'm afraid he'll poison us both.

We sit down on a table while the boy serves us food and then sits down on the opposite side of Aurora and me.

Scanning on the plate, there's a piece of meat and bread that reminds me of a rock and no vegetable at all. I use a fork to poke on them. Yup, it's indeed a rock.

Next to the plate is a bowl of soup which contains brown and green thingy floating on top. I'm afraid to know what those are.

But I'm too hungry to be picky. If these pirates eat and survive, it wouldn't be so bad right?

Sipping on a soup, I throw a spoon away to grab on a glass of water.
Eww, so salty. My tongue is crying.

I drink water and immediately spit out. What the hell is this?

"What's this!?" I ask the boy.

"That's grog." Eww! It's rum mixed with water.

"Can I have water?"

"Um..I dunno, I gotta ask quartermaster permission. Water is scarce on the ship. Not everyone has the privilege to drink so much water, even the captain." The boy explains.

Ugh!! I wanna scream. Anything can be bad but not the food and water!
Isn't the pirate king need to be rich? Why is there not enough water?

And the boy seems to read my mind as he answers, "I dunno if I can tell you this but we barely have time to go on the land to get fresh water for the past month."

I see. Because they were hell-bent on chasing after the map.

"Nevermind." Sighing loudly, I reluctantly resume eating.

Aurora nips on her food a little and stops eating right away.
She must hate the food too.

She then turns to talk with the young boy. I keep munching on the rubber...I mean the meat, listening to their conversation.

We learn that his name is Jack, a cabin boy who runs errands for higher rank crew.

"How old are you?" Aurora asks Jack.

"I'm 13." His brown eyes shining while staring at Aurora. He must be enchanted by the female lead halo effect.

"So young!" Aurora gasps. "How did you end up on this ship?"

"My parents sold me. They were in debt." He says nonchalantly like the fact doesn't hurt him contrary to Aurora's upsetting expression.

"I promise, I'll take you out of this hell hole." She says with determination.

Here we go. The sympathy of the female lead. She would sympathize with every single living thing. But that's one of her charms.

"No need, Miss." Jack's answer surprises her. "The ship is my home. My family is here."

Aurora's face lost color. "You call them your family?"

A low snicker enters our ears, making us turn our head to see the newcomer.

"Trying to act as a saint?" The purple-haired first mate strides into the room. He seems to cool down from the way he wears a playful smirk.

"Jack, you go get them clothes. I'll accompany them here."

"Aye, Sir." Jack gets up and slightly bows his head to us and quietly leaves the room.

Wooyoung then sits on Jack's previous seat which is right in front of Aurora.

The girl makes a disgusted face at him and looks anywhere but him.

"You're planning to rescue my crew? That's so benevolent of you." He lays his arms on the table and leans in close to the girl's face.

"Don't start a fight with me." Aurora irritatedly shifts away from him.

"Ohhh say the one that started first."

Call me crazy but this is quite fun. Imagine witnessing how hate turns to love.
Where's my popcorn?

Both of them completely forgot that I'm also sitting here as they're bickering back and forth.

Wooyoung surprisingly tolerated any snarky remarks from Aurora. He doesn't seem angry one bit. I wonder what happened to him.

After finishing our food, Wooyoung takes us to our cabin which is in a lower deck.

The room is small; there are only 2 small beds, 2 lamps on an old wooden drawer, and a small porthole. That's it. But it's better than staying in the brig.

Jack appeared and handed us the new clothes. Then he immediately disappeared.

Wooyoung leans against a door frame. "Change the clothes." He tells us to change but he doesn't move a muscle from the door. He bites his lower lip and his attractive brown eyes glint nervously.

I raise my eyebrow questioning him. He gets my message and sighs loudly before speaking,

"Captain ordered me to you throughout the day. Do you need anything else?"

Oh! so this is a form of punishment for disrespecting Hongjoong. To be stuck on our side the whole day, he must be moody.

It's gonna be fun. I like torture-...no, teasing people.

"May I get water? not grog." I haven't opened my mouth yet but Aurora speaks first.

Wow, this girl also has it in her.

"Fine." Wooyoung sighs, "Anything else or I'm leaving."

"I want to tour the ship." I say, flashing him a smile.

"What?! Tour the ship. Our ship isn't your rich people's tourist attraction." He criticizes me in a harsh voice.

"But it'd be boring staying in the room all day. Plus, your captain ordered you to us right? If he heard you disobey his order, he wouldn't be pleased with your behavior."

Hearing me, the first mate pinch his nose bridge while cursing under his breath.

"Fine. Be quick. I don't have much time." He finally agrees.

"I won't go." A soft voice interrupts. Aurora declines without looking at him.

"That'd be my pleasure." Wooyoung smirks at her and then closes the door.

"You sure, you won't come with us." I ask her again. I thought I could use this opportunity to let both of them bond.

"No. I can't stand being near him" She answers.
Ohhh The hatred is so strong.

I shrug and unfold the clothes in my hands.

And my face turn into scowl. What is this ugly thing in my hands?

The shirt is so worn out and in ugly green color. There're patches here and there. And the brown pants are too baggy.

Dang it Jack. Do you hate me so much that you give me these ugly clothes!?

Curiously, I peek to see Aurora clothes. The sight makes me fuming in rage.

She gets an elegant white flowy dress.

I'm truly speechless. How did she get the beautiful white dress while I got the old ugly green shirt.

This is double standard! I'm going to complain to the manager!

"You done? Hurry up!" Wooyoung shouts from the outside.

Why is fate always against me? Where can a side character file a complaint?