Ken sat on his bed, staring out the small window of his shack as the moonlight filtered in. His shack was simple, a quiet refuge from the intensity of his life as Gatchaman. But tonight, the space felt suffocating, the usual quiet overtaken by the storm of thoughts swirling in his head.
Dr. Nambu's offer had made something clear that he'd tried to avoid thinking about for so long:what did he really want?
For years, he'd been committed to Science Ninja Team, to protecting the world from Galactor. But with Jun, there was always something more beneath the surface, something he had never fully allowed himself to explore. She was his third-in-command, yes—but she was also more than that. Her presence grounded him, her companionship brought comfort he couldn't find anywhere else. But in exchange for those things, Ken had kept his feelings locked away, choosing the safety of silence over the risks of something more.
But now, the door had been opened, and Ken was faced with a decision: could he let her leave, even if it meant finally being able to embrace a relationship without the constraints of their roles? He swallowed hard, emotions conflicting within him.
If she leaves…
That thought stung. Jun had been by his side for so long, through every battle and every victory. She was as much a part of the team as anyone else. The idea of her absence on the battlefield was painful. Not just for her tactical value, but for what she meant to him personally. He couldn't imagine turning to give an order and not seeing her standing there, ready, like always. He'd be losing more than a teammate—he'd be losing the constant, reassuring presence that had become part of his life.
But the other side of the coin was clear too. If she left the team, they could finally be together without the pressure of their roles, without the fear of distraction or conflict of interest. They could have something real. He wouldn't have to pretend anymore, wouldn't have to distance himself from her to protect their professionalism. He could just be with her.
But Ken's selfishness kicked in—could he really let her go?He had denied them a relationship for so long, keeping them in this ambiguous space between friendship and something more. Now, the thought of losing her entirely—of her not being there in missions or by his side—was terrifying.
Would it be worth it, having her in his personal life, only to lose her in the professional one?
The truth was that Ken didn't want to lose her at all.Not as a teammate, not as a friend, not as anything. He wanted her to stay close, to be there in all the ways she had always been. And yet, at the same time, he couldn't deny that the possibility of having more with her tugged at his heart.Was it selfish to want it all?
