Upstairs in her apartment, Jun sat on the edge of her bed, legs curled up underneath her as she stared out into the dimly lit streets below. The quiet hum of the city seemed distant, almost unreal, as her mind raced.
Nambu's offer had been unexpected, yet it had stirred something deep within her—a longing she had pushed aside for years.
For so long, she had accepted her place within the team, her feelings for Ken carefully buried under the weight of responsibility. She had told herself that being close to him, even just as a teammate, was enough. It had to be enough. But now, the prospect of something more, something real, was right in front of her. And all it would take was for her to leave.
Jun's heart ached at the thought. Leaving the team meant more than just stepping away from the fight. It meant stepping away from the only life she had known for years. She loved the Science Ninja Team , she loved the mission, and she was proud of her role within the team. But leaving would also mean leaving Ken's side, and that was a sacrifice she wasn't sure she could make.
But what about the possibility of a future with Ken? A future where they didn't have to tiptoe around their feelings, where they could be open about what they meant to each other. They could have the life they'd always danced around but never fully embraced.
Jun's heart quickened at the thought. She wanted that—of course, she did. She had wanted it for so long. But was she ready to trade her role in the team for it? She thought of all the battles, all the times she'd fought by Ken's side. She was more than just the woman in his life; she was a fighter, a warrior, and a part of the team's core. Leaving would mean giving up that part of herself, the part that had been molded through years of dedication and sacrifice.
But if she stayed, they would never be able to move forward. If she left, they could finally be free.
Jun knew deep down that her decision wasn't just about duty.It was about wanting to stay close to Ken.Selfishly, she wanted both—to stay with the team and to have a relationship with him. But she knew that wasn't possible. Could she really ask him to navigate the treacherous waters of their feelings while still fighting together?
She had held onto the hope that someday, somehow, they'd find a way to be together without having to make a choice. But now the choice was clear—and the fear of losing everything she'd worked for warred with the fear of losing him.
Was it selfish to want him to choose her, even if it meant leaving the team? Or was it more selfish to stay, knowing that neither of them could ever fully have the life they might want?
