Chapter 1

Dreams & First meeting

When you were kids, have you ever wished to fly? Have you ever caught yourself gazing up at the slow-moving thing above the sky? Did you ever hope that someday, you'll be up there feeling the happiness and freedom of the sky?

I can still remember how I looked up above the sky, adorning the shade of blue, and sometimes it would reflect the red sunset in front of the sea. Those were the times where I just closed my eyes to feel the air. I thought my dream to become a pilot would be impossible.

Who would expect that I'll marry one? A space commander and the famed scientist at that.

His beautiful eyes are like priceless jewels that can't be bought with money. He made me realize ever since I met him, it's not only airplanes and feeling the endless sky that would bring me happiness. It was the moment I looked into his eyes that resembled the beauty of the red sunset.

I can't stop looking at him during our work hours. Maybe this is just the effect when you're a newlywed. I am always looking for him, and I want him near me. I always want to hold him. Maybe this is the aftershock of a honeymoon.

I couldn't help but bite my lower lips as I silently watched Senku. He's now busy looking at the 3-D blue monitor analyzing the asteroid's movement. Both of his hands were on his waist as his scarlet eyes sparkled with every movement of the data coming from the screen.

Realization hits me after our honeymoon. I just realized Amaryllis' words weren't bad at all. I just thought being a lieutenant and serving my country would be my only happiness, but I didn't expect life would give me a mad scientist with sharp crimson eyes.

And that happiness was quite unexplainable.

I just found myself glaring at his lips, damn. I felt the sudden heat on my face looking at his lips' every movement, the way he speaks, and the way his hands glides on those screens. I curse at myself for thinking about those things.

The scenes from our honeymoon were flashing back, and this isn't a good time to think about those steamy flashbacks of my life. I compose myself to think straight. Kohaku, you'll have the whole time with him after the mission. I just shook my head. If Senku knows what I am thinking, he'll probably tease me for being illogical.

Okay, just a little second. I let myself stare at him again for the nth time. He's my husband, after all, there's nothing illegal staring at him for too long. This might be my first time to realize this but damn it. This mad scientist that I've hated for too long is handsome after all, huh?

I just realized I have been staring at him for too long now when he looks at me sideways to massage the nape of his neck. He creased his forehead at me for a second, then stared at me, too. My damn heart skipped so fast. I felt like a teenager who got caught looking at her crush.

We just kept staring at each other without blinking, and the moment it got intense. I averted my eyes at him feeling my cheeks warm and blushing while I pretended to be busy on my monitor. I can still feel that he's staring at me. Come on, Kohaku, don't be distracted by your husband. You're both close to finishing your mission.

"Lioness, something's wrong?" he asked, his tone like he's worried.

"No, nothing. Continue with your work." I answered him without averting my eyes from my monitor.

"You sure?" I just roll my eyes at him.

I wanted to shout at him and scream to him to stop talking to me. He's such a distraction.

Is this the effect of our honeymoon? I think I am getting addicted to him. The longer I stare at him, the more I can't stop myself from doing so. Is this effect of his kisses? I curse at myself a little too loud that Senku heard it.

"Kohaku," he calls out for me again.

"Newlyweds" I can hear Dr. Xeno's sarcastic tone on the receiver.

"I am alright, Senku. Continue with what you're doing," I assured him. I just took a deep breath when I felt he didn't call out for me again.

I just focused on what I was doing in front of my monitor. Commander Snyder gave us the command to connect the courier plane again to the NASA and Mars team. Many hours have passed, and there's no communication on either side.

We still have our stable speed, so we decided to stick with the first plan we discussed. We're running out of time, and we will now face our mission with or without them.

"Commander Snyder, I thought this courier plane would not last long in outer space?" I asked curiously. I started tapping my 3D monitor. At this moment, I am getting a reading from Commander Snyder's space aircraft.

"That's what they told me and oriented me, but as a pilot of this plane, I have a lot of ideas more than them. It will last for more hours or even months in outer space Kohaku. Maybe they just told me this information for me not to overuse the plane."

I just nodded my head at what he said. It is possible. All along, I thought after Commander Snyder's plane brought us here on Mars, they would leave us, but he just wants to bring Dr. Xeno all along for him to study the Martian soil.

Senku contradicts it, and he told us that his aircraft Martian 5738 could hold two-three seaters. I was about to argue with him because it could only fit two seats, according to the manual I've read. Senku just assured me he knew the plane better, and it hides its secrets that he didn't want me to know.

Well, that's him. I am not surprised anymore by his ingenuity. His intelligence pushed the limits of madness. He's not only an astronaut but a great scientist.

That's why in the end, I am here with Dr. Xeno and Commander Stanley Snyder with my now-husband Senku to bomb an incoming asteroid that will impact Earth.

I would not have approached the circular aircraft while waiting for my commander if it hadn't piqued my curiosity. It was opened when I got here, and I was in awe at how advanced it looks inside. I couldn't stop grazing my hands on the various high-tech features upon entering. A presentable white-colored aircraft with neat controls, well ventilated, and a three-seater. Is it a newly advanced spaceship?

I stopped walking further when a small robot saw me.

"Senku! Senku! Intruder! Intruder!" The little robot scream in its robotic voice as it goes back and forth. Then I felt the floor under me open. A cold gushing wind blew underneath me.

This aircraft is located at the 6th-floor mechanism headquarters. This place is built not only by cemented floors but uneven metal floors, and this one is hanging. I felt myself falling.

"No!" I almost felt out of breath when the floors under fully opened. I prepare myself from falling deep underneath, but I can still feel myself breathing a few seconds pass. Slowly, I open my eyes and realize I am hanging. To be precise, I am floating.

I saw a man with a spikey strange white-greenish hair walk towards me, and when I met his gaze, I suddenly forgot everything. His eyes were perfect, breathtaking, and captivating like a crimson rose.

"Don't look at me like that." I avoided my eyes. I just noticed that I am still floating. Great, how will I get out of here? I was just curious about the robots and the aircraft, but then someone turned on zero gravity—stupid robot.

"Rei told me you are an intruder, but I never thought I would meet such a lioness." He told me while poking at his ear and having this amusing smile on his face.

"I am not a lioness!" He just chuckled at me.

How I wish I could grab his robot and crash it into pieces.

I was brought down after that. Little did I know the scarlet-eyed man is not only a scientist but also the freaking space commander that I didn't know.