Chapter 8: THE LITTLE CAPTAIN "HINA"

The boat, although small, teemed with sailors and migrant workers.

However, what made it unusual was the presence of a young girl as its captain. She appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, with pink hair flowing beneath a shawl. Her beauty and innocence radiated from her every feature.

In that moment, she stood at the bow of the ship, silently observing the calm sea ahead. The crew members couldn't help but wonder what thoughts occupied her mind.

Suddenly, a sound reverberated through the sky. Startled, the girl turned her head in surprise.

"What is that?"

Her eyes widened as she witnessed a massive white bird descending from above, carrying a young boy.

"Hyuu!"

The sound of a heavy breath filled the air as the man approached within a meter of the deck. Just as abruptly, the enormous white bird vanished, as if it were a fleeting phantom.

"Bang!" The man landed on the deck with a thud, causing the wooden planks to crack beneath him, forming a pool of blood where he lay.

"What in the world!?"

"I saw a bird falling from the sky, and in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a boy."

"He seems to be injured."

The sailors on board were captivated by the sudden appearance of Rogen, their curiosity piqued by his arrival.

The girl with long pink hair scrutinized Rogen intently, her expression rapidly shifting. With urgency, she called out, "Fetch the ship's doctor! We need him immediately. This guy is injured!"

The crowd shouted in response, summoning an elderly man who was reluctantly brought forward by a teenager.

"What's the matter, Hina? This old man isn't in good health. I'm not as young as I used to be and can't be of much help," the elderly man complained as he maneuvered through the crowd.

Ignoring the old man's grumbles, Hina stated firmly, "Fred, look at him. He appears to be seriously injured."

Fred, examining Rogen in his comatose state, couldn't help but wonder, "Where did this kid come from? Look at his clothes—they're dry. It's as if he didn't come from the sea."

"From the sky! He fell from heaven!" someone nearby exclaimed, pointing upwards.

To the crew, the sight of a young boy descending from the sky and being saved by the beautiful Hina was undeniably a topic of gossip, one that would be discussed for months.

"The sky!" Fred glanced curiously at the heavens before shaking his head and crouching down to observe Rogen's injuries.

After a while, Fred shook his head again, a frown etching his face. "His injuries aren't critical, but he has lost an excessive amount of blood."

"Thankfully, I arrived just in time. If I had been even slightly late, no one could have saved him."

Rogen had indeed lost a perilous amount of blood, and had Fred not been there, only divine intervention could have spared his life.

"I had to stop the bleeding initially, and then I had to administer a blood transfusion. It seems he was stabbed by a sharp object, piercing an artery."

"I did everything in my power to save him. I hope he pulls through," Fred said, grinning as he quickly closed Rogen's wound.

Rogen remained in a prone position for a considerable amount of time. The doctor wrapped his wounds in bandages, wiped away his own perspiration, and directed those nearby to carry Rogen to a room.

Fred observed the crowd ferrying Rogen down to the basement, his brows furrowing in concern.

"With such severe injuries, the dark and damp basement is not suitable for his recovery. He needs to be in a well-ventilated place with plenty of sunlight."

The sailors exchanged glances, all contemplating the same room—the only space on the ship that offered comfort. It was Hina's room.

"Put him in my quarters," Hina asserted. "We must do everything we can to save him."

After a while, Rogen found himself resting in Hina's room.

Once everyone had vacated the premises, Hina gazed at the slumbering teenager in her bed, her eyes brimming with curiosity.

Filled with intrigue, she silently pondered, "This man was standing on a bird! And how did the bird disappear?"

For the following three days, Hina diligently cared for Rogen.

The onlookers aboard the ship couldn't help but notice this gesture, engaging in private discussions amongst themselves.

"I've noticed how much Miss Hina cares for this kid."

"Indeed, he's a handsome newcomer."

"That's not unusual for our Captain Hina."

Amidst the whispers, Doctor Fred cleared his throat and shared his own thoughts.

"He is quite the attractive young man, but there's an enigmatic tale behind him. That's likely what captured Hina's attention."

"And given Hina's age, falling in love is perfectly natural."

Two days later, Rogen opened his eyes, finding himself in an unfamiliar setting, his head throbbing with pain.

"Are you awake!?" Hina exclaimed, taken by surprise as she approached him.

"I... Where am I? What is this place?" Rogen asked, his confusion evident.

"You're on my boat. You fell from the sky and slipped into a coma, and I saved you," she explained quickly, handing him a glass of cold water.

Rogen took the cup and, after drinking from it, a wave of weakness washed over him. He closed his eyes, memories flooding back to him before he lost consciousness.

"Marines!"

He suddenly opened his eyes, his mind flooded with fragmented flashbacks.

"It was you who saved me! Thank you so much!" Rogen finally looked at Hina, unable to tear his eyes away.

The girl before him possessed long pink hair and wore a shawl, her skin as white as snow, and her face delicate and beautiful.

Her presence exuded a coolness reminiscent of a frozen lotus in a cold breeze, rendering her irresistibly gorgeous and captivating.

"You've just awakened," she said, a lovely smile gracing her lips. "I've been worried about you for a long time. Can you please tell me your name?"

"Rogen!"

Time passed quickly, and a week flew by, during which Rogen quickly formed bonds of friendship with the crew.

The sailors and other shipmates were spirited and optimistic, their camaraderie infectious.

"Rogen, have you set a date with the Captain today? Hahaha!"

On the ship, despite Doctor Fred being the oldest, he possessed a mischievous nature. Every day, he would play pranks on Rogen and tease him relentlessly.

"Brother Rogen, I can see that my sister quite fancies you. You must seize the opportunity!" chimed in Hina's younger brother, Doron, who was only ten years old. The remark elicited laughter from everyone aboard the ship.

Rogen blushed, feeling immensely shy.

"Hina is wonderful, but there's no need to tease me all the time. How am I supposed to talk to her this way?"

The atmosphere on the ship remained warm and welcoming, and Rogen found himself relishing in this new way of life.

This was his first time venturing out to sea, and he cherished the exhilarating feeling it brought him.

As days turned into weeks, Rogen's connection with the crew deepened, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendships he had formed on the ship.