Dr. Nambu sat behind his desk, hands folded in front of him as he watched Ken and Jun, both standing at attention before him. His sharp gaze softened, a rare occurrence, but necessary given the subject of the conversation he was about to initiate.
"Ken. Jun." Nambu's voice was calm, though the weight behind it was unmistakable. "I've noticed the… closeness between you two. It hasn't gone unnoticed, and frankly, it's something I've anticipated for some time."
Ken's eyes flickered with confusion. "Dr. Nambu, I—"
Nambu raised a hand, silencing him. "This isn't about reprimands. But we need to be realistic. The team depends on complete focus. The last thing we need in the middle of a mission is divided attention because of personal matters."
Jun's face reddened, but she met Nambu's eyes steadily. "We've never let it affect our duties, Dr. Nambu."
"That may be true now," Nambu replied, "but it doesn't erase the potential risks. As commander and third-in-command, the bond you share carries both strength and danger. I need to ensure nothing compromises the efficiency of the Science Ninja Team."
Ken stood straighter, clearly trying to rein in his emotions. "What are you suggesting, sir?"
Nambu leaned back, his expression inscrutable. "I'm giving you both a choice. Jun, if this situation is something you both feel strongly about, I can arrange for your transfer. It would allow you to pursue a relationship without breaching the chain of command or causing conflict within the team."
Jun blinked, the words settling like a heavy weight in the air. "Transfer? To where?"
Nambu nodded, sensing her hesitation. "I've been speaking with a few other divisions within ISO. You would still be aiding the fight against Galactor, but in a different capacity. Your skills would be put to use, just not alongside Ken."
"You two have been invaluable to the team, but there's something I can no longer ignore," Nambu continued, his voice steady but firm. "The connection between you, Ken and Jun. It's clear that the bond you share goes beyond mere teammates." He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "I'm offering you a choice. You can pursue a relationship… but in exchange, Jun will need to leave the team."
Ken and Jun exchanged a brief, startled glance. Nambu leaned back in his chair. "I'll give you both two nights to think about it. This isn't a decision to be taken lightly, as it will have consequences—both personal and for the team. Come to me with your answers after that."
The offer from Dr. Nambu hung in the air like a quiet invitation. The idea of Jun leaving the team to allow for a romantic relationship between her and Ken was still foreign, but not impossible. It offered freedom—freedom from the restraints of duty and expectations. Yet, it was freedom that came with a cost.
Both Ken and Jun had made their decision to retreat to their own private thoughts, letting the idea settle in before facing the inevitable conversation. For once, their internal struggles weren't solely about the mission, but about what their lives could be—what they wanted them to be.
