The academy instructor stays behind in the construction bay with the maintenance crews and launch paperwork. Yumi leads Nate up to a public gallery overlooking the hangars.
She carries two inexpensive meals from a student kiosk, while their completed survey ship rests below amid service carts, fresh launch markings, and scanning rigs.
Yumi
I have navigator duty rotations starting next week. Real route planning, live traffic coordination, and probably far too many reports about fuel margins.
Yumi sets one meal on the gallery rail beside Nate, then watches a maintenance crew inspect the ship’s newly certified auxiliary battery compartment.
Yumi
My application is moving forward too. If the assessment goes well, I could join the academy’s long-range navigation track instead of only assisting your missions.
Yumi
We began with borrowed equipment and impossible plans. Now the future has schedules, credentials, and a ship waiting below us.
Yumi
I do not want our partnership to become something that exists only between classes and launch windows. Whatever duties come next, I want us to decide together what we are building.
✓ Quest Accepted
Agree with Yumi on what they are building together
““Honestly I want a partner. In the academy, in our mission, in our dreams, and in life. I want to be with you Yumi. I knew from the moment I saw you that I wanted to be around you. Id be lucky to be anything to you but I guess I’m selfish I want more” I chuckle and blush”
SUCCESS (Superb Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Nate
Honestly, I want a partner in the academy, our missions, our dreams, and life. I want to be with you, Yumi. I want more.
Nate chuckles and blushes after saying it. Below, service lights sweep across their completed survey ship while Yumi turns fully toward him.
Yumi
Nate, you are not selfish for wanting that. I want to be your partner too, in the academy, on the ship, and in the life we are building.
Yumi reaches across the gallery rail and takes his hand, steady and warm. Her meal cools beside them as the hangar glows beneath the glass.
Yumi
I cannot promise every mission will be easy, but I can promise we will keep choosing our direction together. You matter to me.
Yumi
He finally said the whole truth plainly. I want him beside me when the schedules become real, difficult, and far beyond this academy.
Their ship’s fresh launch markings shine below, no longer a student project but the beginning of shared work. Yumi keeps hold of Nate’s hand as traffic lights awaken beyond the hangars.
Quest Complete
Agree with Yumi on what they are building together
“I lean in and kiss her as we hold hands”
SUCCESS (Superb Agility, rolled -1)
Nate leans closer while their hands remain joined. The gallery lights shimmer across the glass, and the survey ship rests below beneath the hangar’s steady glow.
Yumi
Nate, I am here. Whatever comes next, you do not have to face it alone.
Yumi keeps her hand in his, her attention fully on him as maintenance crews move around the ship below. The shared moment settles quietly between them.
Yumi
We have made it this far together. I want to keep choosing that partnership when the real missions begin.
Yumi
After my assessment briefing, let us submit our first supervised survey plan. Something practical, careful, and ours.
Below, the auxiliary battery status changes to certified. A launch scheduling window appears on the gallery display, opening the next stage of their shared work.
Yumi
Come on, partner. We have a ship to plan for.