"Sorry, but I've got other matters to attend to. I'll have to decline your invitation to join the Navy," Ethan Chen said with the same gentle refusal as before. "But if it's friendship you're after, I'd be more than happy."
Hina's lips curled slightly. "Friendship, huh?"
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you don't have many friends, Captain Hina?"
"Oh, I have plenty of friends. Just none who are more than that."
Ethan understood the implication right away. A woman as composed and mature as Hina, bringing up the idea of "more than friends" after an invitation had been turned down, could only mean two things. She either found him interesting or was dangling bait to reel in a loyal admirer.
"You're beautiful, Captain Hina. If you wanted someone, I doubt you'd have to try very hard... which is why I'm thinking, if you're free tonight, how about dinner together?"
Ethan wasn't the type to chase blindly or beg for affection. If he was interested, he'd make the first move. If she accepted, great, that meant there was potential. If not, so be it. No loss either way.
Hina blinked at his straightforwardness, briefly caught off guard.
When was the last time a man had asked her out so directly?
Probably back when she was still a girl, busy chasing her dreams. Those days were all about rigorous training and endless missions. There was barely time to breathe, let alone entertain romance.
After countless refusals, and eventually rising through the ranks, such offers had vanished completely.
These days, though many still called her a beauty, there wasn't a single real suitor around.
Or maybe there were, but none worth her time their power, rank, or character just didn't make the cut. So in her eyes, they weren't even suitors to begin with.
Now, after all those years, someone had finally asked again.
And though Ethan lacked power or status, he had youth, a striking face, clear eyes, and a body that radiated strength and purity.
That alone made her look at him twice. Admire him a little.
She was a captain now. It was about time she pursued something beyond duty.
Otherwise, life would pass her by.
The thought stirred something deep within her. Her breath hitched, her chest rose slightly higher.
And then it happened.
The button that had long strained like a ferry cable under pressure finally gave way. With a sharp pop, it launched straight at Ethan's forehead. His eyes widened as her ample curves spilled forth in a sudden, almost absurd avalanche of softness.
It was... explosive.
Startled by the wardrobe malfunction, Hina's cheeks flushed crimson. But being the composed woman she was, she didn't shriek or scramble to cover herself like a teenager.
Instead, she calmly gathered the two sides of her coat, pressed them together, and fastened a button lower down. With a practiced air of nonchalance, she gave a small nod.
"Then tonight, come to my ship. I'll have someone inform you when the time comes."
"Looking forward to our date, then."
Hina didn't linger. She gave a relaxed wave, holding her collar in place with her other hand, and strode off toward her warship with long, confident steps.
Ethan watched her go, a faint smirk on his lips. That size really did match her head.
And when set against her trim waist... it was the very definition of contrast. A perfect balance of slim grace and rich bounty.
Now he was really looking forward to dinner.
With Hina out of sight, Ethan and 2B resumed their jog along the coastline, putting distance between themselves and the moored flagship. They ran in silence, until 2B suddenly spoke, her voice cool and clear.
"You intend to continue the legacy of humankind with Hina?"
"Hm?" Ethan slowed his pace slightly, surprised by the question. "What makes you say that?"
"Just a feeling."
He blinked. Honestly, he'd assumed 2B didn't understand romance or relationships at all. That was the only reason he'd dared to flirt with Hina so openly in front of her.
But this... even android intuition could sniff out a romantic agenda? That's scary.
Still, Ethan didn't flinch at being caught. He nodded without shame.
"You're right. In human society, it's perfectly normal for a man to have multiple partners."
"Based on collected historical data," the assistant drone chimed in just in time, "men typically maintain more than one mate. The number of partners often correlates with individual strength like a lion and its pride. In fact, some human kings maintained dozens, even hundreds, of consorts."
Ethan gave the drone a silent thumbs-up in his heart.
If it could eat, he would've treated it to an extra-large drumstick for lunch. It just knew how to set the mood.
"I see," 2B murmured. She didn't object any further. For her, it wasn't about the number of partners. What mattered was whether the glory of humanity could be passed on.
"But I must advise you," the assistant continued, "not to expend too much effort on local humanoid females. Based on biological samples collected, though genetic similarity is high, differences in chromosome structure and number suggest reproductive isolation. In short, you are not genetically compatible. The legacy of humanity cannot be continued here."
"Got it," Ethan said with a shrug. Genetic isolation from the women of this world? Honestly, that sounded ideal.
As for heirs or bloodlines he didn't really care.
If needed in the future, adoption was always an option.
Who needs kids anyway?
"The legacy of humanity cannot be continued...?" 2B, however, didn't take it so lightly. Her voice carried a note of disappointment.
"Are there other humanoid populations elsewhere that aren't reproductively isolated?" she asked quickly.
"Unknown," the assistant replied. "We would need to set sail, locate other humanoid settlements, and conduct further sample analysis to determine compatibility."
Beneath her blindfold, 2B furrowed her brows. "Set sail in search of other humanoid settlements..."
"Correct. But the odds of finding one compatible with human reproduction are low."
"Even so, we have to keep searching. For the legacy of humanity."
Seeing how seriously she took it, Ethan opened his mouth, wanting to tell her she didn't have to go that far.
But then he thought no matter how synthetic she was, she was still a living being. And every lifeform needs something to strive toward.
Just like how the lie of humans escaping to the moon was created so that androids wouldn't lose their will to live after humanity's extinction.
Now, with him as the last living human in her eyes, the least he could do was not crush her hopes.
So he clenched his fist and said with conviction, "We'll find it one day. I promise."
"Mm."
With Ethan's affirmation, 2B felt a sudden surge of motivation. She wanted to finish that ship and sail out to sea this very moment, to find new humanoid populations and continue the search.
The topic ended there. Ethan picked up his pace, breaking into a full-on sprint.
Not to be outdone, 2B followed right behind, and the two of them kicked up plumes of sand as they raced along the pristine shore.